October Profile Magazine 2014 by Profile Magazine

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Young & Successful

THE ALL NEW BMW 2 ACTIVE TOURER. COMING SOON TO COASTLINE BMW.

Time to get active. Designed for maximum versatility, functionality and driving fun, the all new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a vehicle that is ready for whatever you have in mind. Its dynamic yet compact design disguises an innovative and roomy interior that is home to an array of intelligent space-creating solutions and a generous luggage capacity. Undeniable proof that ingenious functionality and sporty aesthetics can be combined perfectly, the all new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is unmistakably BMW. So leave boredom behind and make every second count, visit Coastline BMW to register your interest or to pre-order the all new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer today.

SERIES

Coastline BMW 770 Nicklin Way, Currimundi. (07) 5491 9100. coastlinebmw.com.au

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regulars

lifestyle

editor’s note

social

future bridget o'brien

beauty spot

10 events

50 beauty

inspiration women of strength

let’s chat

cover story claire de lune

people daniel gettis

travelfile

competitions

home

the last word natassia apolloni

52 fashion 54

style counsel jo mcalinden

56 goodlife adele mcconnell 58 health

homegrown michelle stemm

64 style 66

interiors sally oulton

72 art

50 gourmet

business

ladies at lunch

culture

success shane hepburn

top drop

briefcase

chef profile suse bourke

suburb profile: noosa

foodie trail

milestones penny lane

eat

• T HE • HINTERLAND 8-page feature

FEATURES 27

THE HINTERLAND

Explore the scenic route and discover Flaxton, Mapleton and Kenilworth in our 8-page feature.

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n ED D N OP perso E T EX RKSH5 per WO Y $19 ON

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PROFILE EDITOR’S NOTE

REMEMBER to wear your pink ribbon and donate at www.pinkribbon.com.au

love hearing about young people who are making their mark in the world. The change makers, the visionaries, those who are brave enough to step out of their comfort zone and take a risk to follow their dreams … to take the road less travelled. Our gorgeous cover girl Claire de Lune is a shining example. Driven by her heart, the savvy young businesswoman and mother of two has created two successful businesses on the Sunshine Coast, both exuding her sassy style and eclectic flair. But her journey hasn’t been without tragedy, as Jessica Jane Sammut discovers. Jessica also chats with 29-year-old entrepreneur Shane Hepburn who already has four businesses under his belt through a combination of good ol’ blood, sweat and tears and a unique approach to business that has seen him flourish. Owner of local fashion boutique Alterior Motif, Penny Lane shares her journey towards success with us and how she now juggles her business with cute-as-a-button, one-year-old son Bowie, who she calls her “miracle baby”. As always, we bring you the very latest trends in fashion, beauty, homewares and art and of course our popular gourmet section, which will have your mouth watering! Charming Flaxton and Mapleton are under the spotlight in our comprehensive destination feature and beautiful Noosa is the focus of our suburb profile. We also bring you our eight-page feature dedicated to those brave women who have fought and won the battle against cancer. Kate Clifford and I sit down with eight amazing local ladies who share their inspirational and moving stories with us. Three cheers for these brave women, whose experiences have taught them to live every day to the fullest, take nothing for granted and remember to celebrate the little things. It’s a lesson we can all learn from. Cheers to that! INGRID NELSON EDITOR / JOURNALIST

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the newest member of the Profile family, talented writer, Nicole Fuge. Nicole brings a wealth of experience to the editorial team and we are delighted to have her.

COVER IMAGE: TRACI CASTLE FROM STUDIO REPUBLIC. HAIR AND MAKEUP: STUDIO REPUBLIC. CLAIRE WEARS HER OWN DRESS AND BELT.

CONNECT WITH US october 2014

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PROFILE SOCIAL

PROFILE SPRING CELEBR ATION Profile celebrated the launch of the September issue with more than 60 guests joining the team to toast the new magazine on a gorgeous spring evening. The festivities were held at Mooloolaba Surf Club, and guests mingled at the springthemed event, including a special appearance by Raptor Vision’s famous owls and a delicious watercolour floral cake by Ideas in Icing. photos: Cheryl Nonmus, OnQ Photography

ANNE HERTEL, KAREN TETTHER, MARILYN HEATH AND MELISSA WHITE

DEBBIE BILLIN AND AYLISH MANNETJE

SUZANNAH SMART, RICHARD KRUGER, PETER DEWS AND JULIE DEWS

CAKE BY IDEAS IN ICING

SALLY MCLEOD, CHERYL GILES AND

KAREN WYATT AND KELLY O'ROURKE

MERLINDA LAPA

BRENDA AND WERNER JAMNIK

EMMA-LOUISE GIBBONS, BROOKE BENNETT, MARIA WOODS, MELINDA BINGLEY AND DEBBIE BATTAGLINI-CLARKE

SCBWN AWARDS GAL A The winners of the prestigious Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards were announced at a gala evening on 29 August at the Caloundra Events Centre. Inspiring businesswomen took centre stage as they took home the coveted awards for their achievements. Guests enjoyed fine food and great entertainment at this annual black tie event. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners! photos: Jason Hay Photography TSU SHAN CHAMBERS AND FIONA SIMPSON

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MAGGIE AND BILL SHALHOUB

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ALVIA TURNEY, TOM POTTER AND LYN MORRISON

RICHARD WEST

TOM POTTER AND BELINDA DOLAN

FIONA ROBERTS, TOM POTTER AND CHERYL HARRIS

THINK BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MASTER CLASS An eager audience were inspired by the incredible success stories of Think Money owner Chris Childs and Eagle Boys Pizza founder Tom Potter at the Think Business Development Master Class event on 4 September. Their stories educated and motivated the attendees, and it was a chance for the guests to learn the right tools and systems to take their own business to the next level. photos: Cheryl Nonmus, OnQ Photography

october 2014

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PROFILE EVENTS

THE TEN SOPRANOS

The Ten Sopranos are a combination of classical and contemporary female singers who deliver a varied repertoire of operatic favourites and well chosen popular songs, in what many consider to be a spine-tingling fashion! According to critics, the vocal extravaganza is setting the nation on fire, stealing the hearts and souls of the public wherever they appear on stage, with a mesmerising and unrivalled vocal presentation. Musical highlights include Broadway and Neapolitan Medleys, Tributes to Peter Allen and John Denver, Nessun Dorma, Summertime, The Prayer, Amigos Parra Siempre, La Donne Mobile and much, much more! Cost: from $54 www.theeventscentre.com.au

12-18

THE MAKING LOVE RETREAT

The Making Love Retreat is for couples who want to deepen their connection with each other and their relationship, and to bring more awareness and joy into their lovemaking. If you are finding there is something missing in the intimacy between you and your partner or you just want to strengthen and grow your relationship together, this retreat is like a ‘spiritual honeymoon’. The retreats runs for six days and nights and includes gourmet vegetarian cuisine, staying in the beautiful Tree Houses of Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Presented by counsellors Janet McGeever & Gene Thompson. www.makingloveretreat.com.au

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

One of Australia’s leading ladies, Rhonda Burchmore, will relive precious musical moments of her life in her new show, Up Close and Personal. Selecting songs from many of the shows in which she has starred over the years, the audience will hear her favourites including Sugar Babies, Hot Shoe Shuffle, Guys and Dolls and Mamma Mia. Acclaimed by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘totally embraceable’ and ‘larger than life’, Rhonda is still regarded as one of the major stars of Australian Theatre from over the past three decades. Cost: $17 www.theeventscentre.com.au

IT'S A KINDA MAGIC

A theatrical creation of the very best of Queen, It’s A Kinda Magic delivers the whole experience. From the passion and excitement of Freddie Mercury to the amazing guitar solos of Brian May and all those unbelievable harmonies. Delivered with 21st Century sound and lighting, it creates the best of the ‘70s and ‘80s rock era in a way that will transport you in time. Cost: from $59.90 www.theeventscentre.com.au

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18-19

SUNCOAST JEWELLERY AND ART EXPO

24-25

THE SUNSHINE COAST FASHION FESTIVAL

Discover a variety of jewellery and art from selected artisans from south east Queensland at the Suncoast Jewellery and Art Expo on Saturday, 18 October from 12pm to 6pm, and Sunday, 19 October, 10am to 4pm. Browse the variety of stalls and purchase a unique piece of local jewellery and art from the exhibitors at the St Andrews Anglican College, Richard Gowty Sports Centre, 40 Peregian Springs Drive, Peregian Beach. Raffle tickets will be sold during the expo, with all proceeds going to charity. Cost: $2 www.suncoastjewelleryandartexpo.com

FIRST WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH THE FASHION INCUBATOR The Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival is now in its 7th year and is the premiere fashion event on the Coast. Showcasing local talent alongside national and international labels, the festival celebrates fashion and brings glamour and style. This year, the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival is held at Palmer Coolum Resort, and incorporates the Sunshine Coast Style Awards/ Best Dressed List, the inaugural Sunshine Coast Designer Awards and Hall of Fame, and a special event hosted by the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation with guest speaker Kathy Sheeran (Shopping Confessions). Cost: from $50 www.internationalfashionweek.com.au Working alongside one another, Sunshine Plaza in collaboration with the TAFE Queensland East Coast, created the Fashion Incubator, an interactive pop up clothing and accessories market. The Fashion Incubator aims to provide a platform for students participating in the Diploma in Applied Fashion Design and Technology Course at TAFE Queensland East Coast to launch and grow their labels. On the first weekend of every month, located level one, outside Myer, Sunshine Plaza shoppers have the opportunity to try on clothes by young design students and be styled by some of the states up and coming fashion experts. (Please note the Fashion Incubator won’t be held in December / January). Cost: Free www.sunshineplaza.com

SUPPORT PINK RIBBON DAY

Every day in Australia around 50 women are diagnosed with breast or a gynaecological cancer. It's time to raise money for the Cancer Council – host a girls' night in or a fundraising event and show your support. Be sure to buy your pink ribbon! www.pinkribbon.com.au

BY THE WAY... MY OFFER TO BUY YOU A COFFEE STILL STANDS... IF YOU’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE LATELY, BE MY GUEST FOR A COFFEE AT A CAFE OF YOUR CHOICE. I’LL MEET YOU ANYWHERE, ANYTIME! I’M READY TO SHARE MY KNOWLEDGE OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS OF SELLING REAL ESTATE ON THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE COAST WITH YOU.

HAPPIER. CLEVERER. LISTENER. JODIE McDONELL 0419 762 309

JODIE.C21@CENTURY21.COM.AU | CENTURY 21 ON DUPORTH

october 2014

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PROFILE INSPIRATION

WORDS INGRID NELSON AND KATE CLIFFORD PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

his month we celebrate the brave women who have battled and won the fight against cancer – an insidious disease that doesn’t discriminate. Chances are, each and every one of us has been touched by cancer in one way or another, either personally or through someone we love or know. In fact, statistics tell us one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Yes, you read that right, one in eight! But it’s not all bad news, with great advances in technology and the discovery of the BRCA 1 and 2 gene, which allows women to make informed choices about their future, we are fighting back with gusto. Speaking of fighters, Kate Clifford and Ingrid Nelson had the honour of sitting down with a group of eight incredibly brave women who have taken on the disease and won, some of them more than once! Their stories will move and inspire you and their message was unanimous – live every day like it’s your last and take time to enjoy the little things. Carpe Diem!

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Nell Francis Age: 51, diagnosed with breast cancer at 43. I had spent a long time caring for others, looked after my Dad in his old age and have a son on the autism spectrum. I was running my own business and working part-time when it was time for my yearly breast check. On the morning of my check, I had a feel of my breast and thought I felt a lump, but I kind of brushed it off. I went to the doctor, she did the tests and was at the sink washing her hands and had told me to sit up when I asked her what she thought of my lump. She said she didn’t notice anything, so I am very glad I opened my mouth because I wouldn't be here today if I didn’t. She sent me for an ultrasound, I drove straight there, had an ultrasound and I could tell myself as soon as I saw it on the screen it was cancer because it looked like an octopus. I had a fine needle biopsy on the table and I went back home and had to tell the family very bright and cheerfully that the doctors found a lump, but nothing to worry about. For me, my cancer journey is about making others feel better, it was about putting on a happy, smiley face and saying that we would just get through this. I called myself “Cancer Girl”, my sister made me a cape and some arm bands, so I wore that to my last day of radiation under my gown. I have celebrated the journey because that is how I felt I had to get through it for everybody else. I used to do a little visualisation after chemo, talk to my body and say, “Ok good cells, let’s embrace the chemotherapy drug, you know where that breast cancer is hiding, take the chemo to them”. I also learnt to meditate, which is now part of my everyday routine.

Merran Williams Age: 60, diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 55.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 53 and I stupidly asked my surgeon to leave my ovaries because I didn’t want to take the hormone replacements. He said I could, but that I would have to come in every year for a check. So the second year after the surgery I went for my check, he did a pelvic scan and he said he could see something. I was sent for a cat scan and there it was on both ovaries already. The cancer was quite advanced, stage 3B, which meant it was out of the pelvis already and had shot off into the abdominal cavity. I had to have big surgery where they removed lymph nodes, so I have lymphedema in one leg, and then had six months of chemo. After the surgery, I was absolutely fine for five years and then I had a recurrence last November, which meant more surgery and more chemotherapy. I have been to Brisbane to see Dr Gattas, the geneticist. I was absolutely gobsmacked to find out I have a defective BRCA2 gene. This means my siblings and my children (male and female) all have a 50:50 chance of having it as well. None of my kids have had children yet. For the women it means if they are positive, a much higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer, and for the men for prostate and breast cancer. No one in my family (going back to great grandparents, cousins, etc) ever had breast or ovarian cancer so I was really not expecting this. I guess it means lots more testing! For now, I work at Bloomhill, which is my dream job. I have made new friends and my lifestyle has changed, I have two dogs and we walk on the beach every day, every morning we go. That beach walk is like a meditation for me.

Lyn Evans Age: 65, diagnosed with breast cancer at 52. I was mortified. I was working in the mining industry at the time, was running two jobs, had been called back for a breastscreen, decided I would wait until both jobs finished and then I would go and have a breast screen and a week’s holiday. I went for a mammogram and they called me back the next day to say yep, I had cancer. I had the first surgery to remove the offending piece, which pathology then discovered was invasive. I had a breast removed and 18 months later (the type of cancer I had was reasonably rare) I chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy to rid myself of the cancer. Unfortunately, due to the first surgery I ended up with an arm injury and lymphedema. I have about 20 to 30 per cent movement in my right arm, I am right handed, I am a quilter and I have had to find new challenges on how to do my quilting, which I have done. One of the biggest things I can recall after the surgery, because I used to work horribly long hours, was that I went home and hung the washing out in the daytime and I thought, this is just unbelievable! Then the next door neighbour’s cat brushed up against my leg. The next door neighbour had the most beautiful roses and I have gone out and smelt them every day. From that day on if I see fresh roses I go and smell them, I don’t care where they are! I went nine years without boobs and then had a bilateral reconstruction and now I have the best boobs! I have an absolutely wonderful husband who took a year off work to get me back on my feet and if it wasn’t for him I probably would not have recovered as quickly as I did. october 2014

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PROFILE INSPIRATION

Sandra Kennedy Age: 55, diagnosed with breast cancer at 51. As I was working as a medical technician, I thought I should be a good girl and go and have my first mammogram, but because I was worked in a radiology clinic all the sonographers and radiographers used ultrasounds, so I did that. I was little bit shocked to find out I had three tumours in my breast. There were no warning signs, I have never smoked and would only ever have a glass of wine every now and again while cooking dinner. It seemed everything happened all at once. My youngest son got married on the Sunday, my Mum, who had been fighting bowel cancer, died, and I found out I had cancer all within four days. It was like, where is the bottle of merlot? It was the week from hell! I was fortunate enough to have private health cover and had three operations over the next month. I had a double mastectomy and nine months of chemotherapy. I had a fiance who couldn’t cope and so he left and my aunt came to take care of me. My hair was stubble, but I thought, who cares! This one day (I was boobless at the time) I went to the church bible study Christmas party and there was this guy who kept watching me and eventually he came over and said, “Hi, I am Tom, I am single”. I asked him, “Does that line work for you?” And he said, “I don’t know, I have been saving it up for you all my life”. Tom fell in love with me, even though I had no hair and no boobs. I went through a breast reconstruction a year later and he was there every day. A year after that we were married. Through cancer I met Tom and I have now been in remission for two years.

Oriana Grijmans Age: 47, diagnosed with cancer in 2010 I was always in the high risk bracket for cancer – my mother, aunt and sister have all had breast cancer. So I went along for mammograms and ultrasounds from when I was in my 30s. The ladies at the clinic would always make an appointment for me to see the doctor a week after my results just in case and each month they would call and cancel it as the results were all negative. I knew when they called and told me to keep the appointment with the doctor that the news probably wasn’t good. It wasn’t really a surprise to me though, I think I used to think “when I get cancer rather than if!” It was almost a relief to know they had found it early and I could do something about it. I had a lumpectomy as my mum and sister had but unfortunately the margins were not clear so I had a mastectomy. The other breast always had atypical cells and after much discussion with my doctor I decided to go for a voluntary mastectomy of the other breast two years later. I then had reconstructive surgery. Earlier this year I felt something was not quite right and felt a strange sensation when urinating. I saw my doctor and they discovered a cyst and fibroid on my ovaries so I had a full hysterectomy a couple of weeks ago. I feel confident now that I have done everything possible to eliminate my chances of the cancer returning and I can live life to the fullest. It has changed my outlook on life. I now really appreciate the small things and take time to notice things I would have otherwise taken for granted. I make sure I make time to catch up with family and friends. My mum is terminally ill so I am really appreciating my time with her. She is such a strong and positive person and that gives everyone strength.

Sharon Lagden Age: 54, diagnosed with breast cancer at 49. I didn’t go for a mammogram, I was actually seeing a Chinese doctor at the time for endometriosis and he asked me, when was your last mammogram? I said I hadn’t had one for 10 years because I had cysts when I was 38, he said, “Nothing to worry about but I think you should go for a mammogram”. I booked in and I then flew overseas to see my family and they told me that when I got back I would have a letter on the mat to say that everything is ok. I got back and I didn't have a letter. I phoned the clinic and they said there was nothing to worry about but that I needed to come in. Within 10 minutes of going in there with my husband they told me I had breast cancer. It was then a bit of rollercoaster. I had a lumpectomy, they thought it was stage zero in the lymph nodes, they just did the milk ducts, they then took another lump, which was stage one and then they found one of the century nodes was cancerous and they took all my lymph nodes, so within eight weeks they took all my lymph nodes. I was working full-time as an IT project manager in Sydney and my way of coping was when I was well enough I went to work. I had four bouts of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy. I lost all my hair, which was good in some ways because I got a Brazilian for free! My husband and I decided to move to our holiday home in Twin Waters two years ago. I found it hard not having a job, so I started volunteering at Bloomhill, with the Cancer Council and Beautiful You. I am now training as a counsellor.

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Helen Page Age: 70, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, ovarian cancer in 2007 and ovarian cancer again in 2009. I was 59 when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001. I just found a lump one day when I was doing up my shirt – it was almost as if it had popped up overnight. It was on a weekend and I could hardly bear to wait until Monday to go for tests. I have a family history of cancer. My mother and sister both died of breast cancer, and I have recently been diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene, which I was so upset about. I really just wanted it to be bad luck and not something I would potentially pass on to my three daughters. One of my daughters, who is pregnant with her second child has been diagnosed with the gene also and my other two girls are yet to have the test. It’s important to remember having the gene doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer but it does increase your chances. But at least it gives you options and you can make your decisions accordingly. I had a lumpectomy for the breast cancer and chemotherapy and thought that was the end of it. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, but somehow I wasn’t as devastated as when I found out I had breast cancer, because I knew I had survived it and I could survive this. I had a full hysterectomy and thankfully it wasn’t a secondary cancer. However it did return in 2009 and I finished my last treatment in 2010. I have been clear since then but even now, as a carrier of the gene I am still at risk of breast cancer again so I need to make the decision whether to have a double mastectomy. I am really keeping a close eye on it. These days I am all about living life to the fullest. My motto is Carpe Diem! I love spending time with my grandchildren and I don’t want to miss a moment of it all. I plan on being around to see them all grow up.

Thea Holmes Age: 70, diagnosed with breast cancer at 49. I had my first breast cancer diagnosis 21 years ago. At that point I was still working and I think I lost the plot a bit there, I was really devastated by it. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I became quite obsessed with what I put in to my body and I hardly ate anything, I think I went down to about 44 kilograms, and everyone kept saying I looked sick. I went back to work and everything was fine, I was on tamoxifen for 10 years and really didn’t have too many side effects at all. Then five years ago I had to go and have an X-ray on my neck for a sore neck and they found a tumour on the top of my left lung. I had surgery to have the upper lobe of my left lung removed and then I started a 16 week treatment, where I had chemo once a week. It was horrendous, I lasted for six weeks and then I had to make a decision whether to keep going or not. I really struggled with the decision, but at that point my white cell count was so low that they couldn’t give it to me so it gave me a little bit of window to think about what I wanted to do. My decision was to take a chance because there was nothing else they could give me, go it alone and hope for the best or keep doing it. I couldn’t get out of bed when I was having the chemo, it was dreadful, you can’t describe it. I talked to my husband and I talked to my children and decided to stop. As soon as I made that decision I had hope again and I thought, I can live now, because the prognosis of lung cancer is not great. After this time a very special thing happened to me. I had always wanted to go to the Cinque Terre (in Italy) and do that walk. My youngest daughter one day came to me with a big box and a ribbon tied around it and inside it was an itinerary to go to Italy for three weeks with my husband. We went 12 months after my diagnosis. She wanted me to have something to hang on to and it was wonderful. Last year I had a mammogram and I had another diagnosis of breast cancer on the other side. Again, I had a lumpectomy. I now have lymphedema. So far, so good.

In honour of our beautiful cancer survivors, Profile hosted an elegant high tea for the ladies to enjoy after their interview. Thank you Emma from My Private Provence for providing a mouth-watering selection of beautifully-presented sweet and savoury treats for the occasion. A big thank you also to award-winning Sunshine Coast makeup artist Kylie Jane Limpus of KJ Artistry and hairdresser to the stars Amanda Oxley of Oxley Hair Design, Brightwater for donating their time and expertise to make the ladies look and feel beautiful. What a wonderful day we had … there were new friendships formed, laughter, tears and most importantly, support for these wonderful ladies who have endured so much and still manage to smile and be grateful. october 2014

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Finding the right school with supportive and nurturing teachers will set your child on a path of lifelong learning. With outstanding academic results, unique outdoor education programs and small classes with individual care and attention, call us today to find out how your child can be on their way at Immanuel. Enrolling now for Prep and Year 7 in 2015 with limited places still available in the Junior and Secondary Schools.

www.immanuel.qld.edu.au 126-142 Wises Road, Buderim, Queensland 4556

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PROFILE LET’S CHAT

WORDS KATE CLIFFORD

STRESS – WE ALL HAVE IT. SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS. SO RATHER THAN IGNORE IT, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.

t would be unimaginable for anyone today to say they don't experience stress. It is the unwelcome part of our lives that no matter how hard we try to avoid it can creep up on us anytime, anywhere. Studies have proven stress can drain the body of energy, depress the immune system, create states of disease including heart disease, hypertension and cancer, promote injury and rob the mind of focus. It is also the primary cause of missed work days around the world. Too much stress is definitely not a good thing. So, in this stress-filled world, how can we best find relief? Expert in stress release and owner of Yin Health at Kawana, Tsu Shan Chambers, says while avoiding stress isn't entirely possible, there are ways one can deal with it in a positive way. “At the end of the day, it does all boil down to beliefs. Some are beneficial to us and some hinder us,” says Tsu Shan. “When some event occurs in our daily lives, our beliefs about that event in relation to ourselves has a big impact on whether we let it cause us stress or not. “For example, if I have the belief that everything always works out for me, then I would probably react less stressed to say someone who holds a more negative belief. “Again, how much ‘free attention’ I happen to have at a particular point in the day will also impact whether I get more stressed about something. For example, someone who had just come out of a yoga class (which is a great way of freeing attention and hence reducing stress) may react quite differently to a situation compared to another time when the same person was up all night with sick children and was sleep deprived (low attention levels)." So how can we better manage stress? “Stop with all the judgements on self and others,” says Tsu Shan. “Tackle your inhibiting beliefs though some effective self-development work and work on freeing your attention. Use meditation and yoga, do not multi-task, be present in the moment and complete one thing at a time.”

october 2014

TSU SHAN’S FIVE TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

 Be really present in each

moment so your attention is not scattered.



Look and see what is really happening in this situation. Take another view point. We may be creating or interpreting a stressful situation unnecessarily.

 Find some form of

exercise that you LOVE and lifts you. It should give you more energy afterwards.



Know what you want in your life and start to create that reality in little steps. Start putting your attention towards what is serving you, not depleting you.

 Breathe … deeply … be grateful for what you have.

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PROFILE COVER STORY

WORDS JESSICA JANE SAMMUT PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

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AT FIRST GLANCE CLAIRE DE LUNE EMBODIES EVERYTHING YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A PERSON OF

GREAT SELF-CONFIDENCE, A SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESS SUCCESS IN HER OWN RIGHT, BUT IT WAS A GREAT TRAGEDY THAT TAUGHT HER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF ALL, AS JESSICA JANE SAMMUT DISCOVERS.

lair de Lune. It is one of my favourite Debussy compositions. Listening to it arouses emotions buried deep. It is beautiful. It’s enchanting. It wraps its arms around me like a tiny child, summarising all the wonders of the world. So it was with great anticipation that I was to meet Claire de Lune: the creative, and just like the music, she was potent, infectious and magical. French for ‘moonlight’, there could be no better name for neither person nor score, with both exuding a spellbinding and bewitching energy by their very existence. “My life has been an immense journey of discovery and learning,” says Claire. “And I don’t forget for a second to feel grateful.” This girl is a feeler. An emoter. A gifted visionary who is driven by her heart. And it’s an approach that has served her well as the creator of The Velo Project and The Factory here on the Sunshine Coast – both entities which in their formulation have personified the ingenious and sassy flair that she exudes, making all who dine within the walls of her venues feel a part of the cool collective. And Claire certainly understands her success more than most, very aware of the positivity the universe affords her now – a result perhaps of the suffering she underwent when she tragically lost her 18-year-old sister to a car crash when she was just 22 herself. “Reaching breaking point changes you,” Claire whispers. “I never expected to be racing from Sydney to get to my sister’s bedside in Queensland in time for them to turn off her life support machine. It was a horrific time of my life and I had to try to make sense of the madness.” Originally from country Queensland, Claire de Lune was raised on an idyllic property, the eldest of four siblings. Enjoying an earthy upbringing, her parents still managed to instill a strong work ethic in Claire as she watched them follow their own passions – her mother an interior designer and her father a politician as the Minister for Sports Tourism and Arts and the Minister for the Environment in the 1980s. “There was a constant creative energy flow in the house,” explains Claire. “My mum especially modelled how to be happy by striving for her dreams, and it is this example I am sure which gave me the guts to follow my own path.” Completing a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology, specialising in communications, it wasn’t long before Claire was heading for the bright lights of Sydney obtaining a coveted public relations role working with publicity goddess Anouk Darling on such high profile accounts as Westfield, Oroton and Salvatore Ferragamo. “I found myself working with some of the most prestigious stylists and photographers in Sydney on these massive campaigns and it blew my mind,” says Claire. “I was 21 and full of ambition. “After a year, with Anouk’s blessing I was poached by a competitor, The

Moon Group (there’s that moon reference again), and within three months had been promoted to account director where I was in charge of launching the telecommunications company, 3, in Australia, among other projects. “I was the youngest person on the team to have had such a promotion. I worked all hours and was often up until 2am checking proofs and finalising briefs. The responsibility of such a position at such a young age was overwhelming, but I thrived. I was addicted to the status and the success. And the perks! Free tickets to incredible events and hanging with famous people.” However, a call out of the blue changed everything. “I was at work and the phone rang. It was my uncle. He told me my sister had been in a car accident and that it wasn’t looking good. My world spun on its axis. Little did I know then, but the ambulance crew who were first at the scene had reported it as one of the worst accidents they had attended in a long time,” Claire remembers. “I remember fighting my way through the airport to get on a plane, crying all the way. I arrived and my sister died peacefully shortly after, her organs donated to help others. Her boyfriend who she was with at the time of the crash, didn’t make it either. It was a pivotal moment of my life. My understanding of the world changed forever.” Returning to her high-powered corporate job two weeks later, Claire felt altered. “I became a vegan. I gave up alcohol. I took up yoga. I sought to become pure of heart. I felt I could connect with my sister spiritually in this way. Although I stayed in my job, I shunned the corporate world, its glamour having faded now,” she says. “Looking back, I was clearly working through my grief. It was my way of coping. I questioned everything. Why had this happened to me? What did this mean? I wanted to find peace. Six months later, I woke up and couldn’t get out of bed. It had all got too much.” Crucial to the business, Claire was offered three months leave on full pay to recover from her devastating grief, but towards the end of that time, she realised life would never be the same again and that she could not return to her previous existence. It was time for a change, and London was calling. “I was incredibly lucky as when I quit my job to go overseas, my boss told me they were in the process of setting up a London branch and I was flown over to help. Working in Soho was immense and I loved finding myself again.” And so she did, unleashing her creative energy in an unparalleled way, working with the who’s who of fabulousness, including the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra when she returned to Australia a year and a half later. The artistic side of Claire’s profession was becoming more and more of a creative outlet for her and it wasn’t long before something shifted once again. “Creativity was running through my veins,” says Claire. “And I realised I

Creativity was running through my veins, and I realised I needed to channel it.”

october 2014

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PROFILE COVER STORY

There’s no room for regret, you only have one chance.”

CLAIRE DELUNE WITH HER CHILDREN ORLANDO AND DAISY

needed to channel it. So I applied to the Queensland College of Art (the most renowned art school in the State), and I got in. I therefore set about finding a nest on the Sunshine Coast from which I could commute to Brisbane to study.” And that she did. Not only getting settled on the Coast and starting her course, but simultaneously launching her own design agency, Sage Creations. “I began my design degree and found it quite easy,” says Claire. “Having the practical experience already greatly helped. So I began the agency, and within a short time, we had so much work I had to employ three full-time people! “As time rolled, the business grew so big, we had to move, and relocated to a studio at the back of Mooloolaba, setting up a little coffee business on the side. Except the coffee aspect grew, and then grew some more. And soon we were turning over $1 million a year! It was nuts! By accident we had created this awesome little locals hub. People loved it. They came, they wrote about it, they shot it. And so The Velo Project was born.” Life was good for Claire. It was 2012. She had a raging business, had married her long-term boyfriend Zeke (who she cites as her biggest supporter), and had also managed to create two beautiful children in the process, Orlando and Daisy. “The success of Sage Creations and the The Velo Project made me realise what was possible. It wasn’t just about achieving, it was about having an outlet for my creative expression. I think this was why people loved what I was doing – it was authentic. It was honestly me.” Approached by some investors to create a pub / restaurant / entertainment venue on the back of the success of The Velo Project (which Claire has now sold), Claire soon set her mind to her next enterprise, pulling together concepts not seen on the Coast before, infusing her venture with eclectic style as only she knew how. Enter The Factory, Maroochydore, with Claire inspiring and nurturing her audience like a conductor cares for his orchestra. “I feel I am a storyteller,” smiles Claire. “I am theatrical and love to challenge social norms. I am a little bit different and I embrace that side of me. I am obsessed with the layers of creativity that exist and the impact these have on others.” Having recently just launched Storytell Productions, a business producing music ideas, with much advice coming from her good friend and iconic musician Angus Stone, Claire is on fire. With plans for the future of moving to LA to develop the coffee industry, and an idea for another creative space on the Coast (which Claire aims to be a nerve centre of alternate thinking), there is no sign that this powerhouse will be giving way to a life of mundane normality anytime soon. “I think our journey is to be enjoyed. That is what success means to me. It’s not about the money or the kudos. It’s about playing the fool and challenging everything around you, pushing boundaries and trusting your heart. Because I truly believe if you follow your heart, then the universe will reward you. There’s no room for regret, you only have one chance. My sister lost that chance, and it is up to me to live my life for both of us and revel in every moment. And that is what I intend to do.” Claire’s top three mantras for a successful life: 1. “Remember, either you are the one erasing, or you are the one being erased”: This is a quote from Jim Carey, and to me this means it is our mission to go out there and get what we want! Be strong, or you will get left behind. 2. Heart-centred thinking is the only way to be: I truly believe that the only way to live life is by listening to your heart. The times I have not done so, things have gone wrong. 3. Find the yang to your ying: Zeke, my husband, is the perfect complement to me. We balance each other in the most unique way, and as a result, we are a sensational team.

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My world spun on its axis. My understanding of the world changed.â&#x20AC;?

october 2014

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WORDS KATE CLIFFORD PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH & CHERYL NONMUS

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

f you start your Hinterland venture at Mapleton and Flaxton, you will not only be pleasantly surprised with the cluster of delightful shops, but also with the magical scenery, all green and lush, framing the Blackall Ranges in all its glory. It is these views that attract thousands of visitors to the Hinterland each year, and given Mapleton is the second highest town on the Blackall Ranges, it’s certainly not a sight you want to miss. Depending on your chosen route, Mapleton is often the first town you will pass on your way up the Range, and it’s worth a stop at one of the quaint coffee shops, if not for the views. Like most small towns, there is a local tavern, fish and chip shop, second hand book shop, chocolate shop, pizza and pasta restaurant, as well as a service station to fill up! You can also take a walk around the beautiful lily ponds, which are just a few steps from the corner shops and well worth the wander. Also worth a visit while in town is the iconic Mapleton Falls at the Mapleton Falls National Park. Watch as the beautiful cascade of water drops 120 metres over an escarpment and take in the panoramic view of the rainforest and Obi Obi valley. If you’re lucky, you may see peregrine falcons (in early spring they roost on the edges of the falls). If it’s more views you’re after as you drive along the Range, try Dulong Lookout, located about three-quarters of the way up the Range to Mapleton, taking in the beautiful countryside all the way to the beach. Further up the road is the tiny village of Flaxton, also known as the Sunshine Coast wedding destination of choice, for its community sure knows how to keep the town looking elegant. Avocado orchards are aplenty at Flaxton and form

the boundaries of the town’s restaurants, beautiful guesthouses, art and craft galleries and private estates. If you take a wander through the main street you will come across an array of arts and crafts, as well as excellent devonshire teas and lunch options. You may also discover why Flaxton is often considered the prettiest of the Blackall Range settlements, with stunning vineyards and groomed gardens bordering the entire town. In between Mapleton and Flaxton is the scenic walk to Kondalilla Falls, a breathtaking rainforest and waterfall that has become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The falls are often busy in summer time, but it is during the colder months they are the most beautiful. If it’s just for the morning, or as you’re passing through, both Mapleton and Flaxton are worth the time to look around and enjoy the beautiful surrounds. Keep driving up the Range to Mary Valley Country and you will come across the quiet country town of Kenilworth. But don’t let the population of less than 300 deter you, the area is a big drawcard for visitors looking for a taste of history. The town itself has a selection of quaint shops and an art gallery, not to mention the famous cheese, yoghurt and ice cream factory, Kenilworth Country Food and Cheese Factory. There are great bushwalking tracks, idyllic picnic spots and opportunities to get back to nature with horse riding and fishing. There is also a trail bike track, which is popular among the thrill seekers. So get in your car and head up the Range to be pleasantly surprised what a change in altitude can offer.

it’s certainly not a sight you want to miss.

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

•• The Blackall Range is the product of a volcanic extrusion. •• It was named in 1874, after Sir Samuel Blackall, Governor of Queensland (1864-1871). •• Early history of the settlement of Mapleton, Flaxton and Kenilworth described the area as renowned for their natural beauty, their rich rural history and their arts and crafts. •• The pioneers of Mapleton were William and Thomas Smith who applied to select land in 1889. They cleared the dense vine scrub and planted bananas. The fruit was carried down the Range by pack-horses. •• Mapleton became a leading citrus producing area. The crop matured one month later than other citrus areas. •• The first selector at Flaxton was Joseph Dixon, from Buderim, who selected 800 acres, extending from the edge of Mapleton to what became known as Skene's Hill at Flaxton, where he planted bananas and citrus trees. •• Flaxton was named in 1890 when the Postal Department set up a Receiving Office at the residence of J.C. Wyer, who chose the name of a place in Norfolk, England, where he was born. •• The first store was opened in Kenilworth in 1922 and the first butcher's shop appeared in 1924, in the same year as a new hall was opened. The hall accommodated the first district school and, in 1926, was equipped to show silent pictures. The site for a public recreation ground was purchased in 1927 and, in 1933, the Public Hall was moved to this new location. The Church of England Mary Valley Parish was established in 1925.

Kenilworth Homestead experience

‘Look for the Pig!’

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

TOP CAFÉ KENILWORTH If you feel like an authentic café fix, a visit to Top Café Kenilworth should be top of your list! Choose from yummy family meals or takeaway options, sip on a delicious milkshake and devour their trademark chips and steak. Be sure to stop by and try the best burgers in town and home of the 'The Kenilworth Whopper'. Enjoy the outdoor garden dining area which offers a beautiful place to enjoy your meal, and with local organic coffee, morning tea and afternoon tea, you have all day at your leisure to drop in! Come and see the friendly faces at Top Café in the main street of Kenilworth. 12 Elizabeth St, Kenilworth Phone: 5446 0231

JENERATION HAIR

KENILWORTH BAKERY

Be sure to pencil in an appointment at Jeneration Hair, the local salon of choice. Established for over a decade, the salon hosts a team of professionals trained in international and modern trends. The team can complete your look with trained makeup artists also available. Located just two blocks from Flaxton Gardens, Jeneration Hair captures the wedding hub, with an award-winning barber in residence complete with a classic barber section for a vintage twist.

A completely revamped Kenilworth Bakery has reopened as a boutique bakery selling fine foods and quality homewares. Bringing a fresh approach to country charm, the renovated premises has a brand new interior, menu - new everything! The popular trade includes warm, fresh baked goods and specialty brewed Toby’s Estate coffee. Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 7am and nestled in gorgeous tree-lined Elizabeth Street, the Kenilworth Bakery is a taste of country paradise.

12 Alice Dixon Dr, Flaxton Phone: 5478 6643

8 Elizabeth Street, Kenilworth Phone: 0412 495 169

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

MAPLETON CURRY MAHAL

COUNTRY LODGE MOTEL Whether you are passing through the hinterland countryside as a traveller or a local looking for a country hideaway, Country Lodge Motel offers a picture perfect holiday escape. The family-run operation is warmly hosted by Steve and Bronwen who delight in ensuring your time at the lodge is relaxing and comfortable. The lodge is tucked away in lush green hinterland, and has the rivers, mountains, towns, wineries, galleries, gardens and markets of the Coast located perfectly on your doorstep. Country Lodge Motel also offers weekly package tours for seniors and pride themselves on offering the best value seven-day package on the Sunshine Coast.

Add a little flavour to your day in the Hinterland at the Mapleton Curry Mahal. This exclusive, brand new restaurant with spectacular views in the upstairs dining area will provide you with the authentic taste of Indo-Pak cuisine with first class service while you enjoy the fine dining experience with friends and family. After working up an appetite in the fresh mountain air, sit down to a delicious meal with mouthwatering entrees, mains, side dishes and dessert. The traditional fare includes bhaji, kebabs, a choice of naan breads, fragranced curries and meat, seafood and vegetarian options.

332 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton Phone: 1800 615 605 www.countrylodgemotel.com.au

5/1 Post Office Road, Mapleton Phone: 07 5445 7633 or 0488 283 451

LASTING IMPRESSIONS GALLERY Long-established Gallery of Fine Art, Lasting Impressions is featuring prominent Sunshine Coast artist Pam Walpole in a solo exhibition, ‘Brushstrokes and Barbed Wire’, which opens at 11am Sunday, 26th October to 9 November. Waterholes, washouts, waterlilies and ponds – Pam portrays these in sweeping brushstrokes and bands of colour. They are like oases in a land of extremes – a harsh country wracked by floods and drought. In contrast, Pam was also inspired by dried up claypans and the iron ranges of Central Australia. Her collages composed of collected detritus alongside immediate brushstrokes, create striking images of a recycled landscape. Open daily except Monday. 6 Elizabeth Street, Kenilworth Phone: 5446 0422 www.lastingimpressionsgallery.net

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

These falls are on Pencil Creek at the Mapleton Falls National Park. They are long drop falls, cascading 120 metres over an escarpment. From the carpark, it is only a short walk to Mapleton Falls lookout, there is also wheelchair access to the toilet and lookout.

This area just a short stroll from the Mapleton town centre was originally a swamp and is now a beautiful community park. It is a peaceful place to relax or let the children play.

Located about three-quarters of the way up the Range to Mapleton, this lookout gives good views over the countryside to the beach. There are also picnic tables if you want to stop for lunch.

Kondalilla boasts the spectacular 90-metre Kondalilla Falls that tumbles down into a rainforest valley. Here you will find some 107 species of birds, and a number of rare animals and vulnerable plants, including the pouched frog. There are two walking trails: Picnic Creek circuit (1.7 km return, 45 minutes to 1 hour, easy), leading to a lookout over the valley, and Kondalilla Falls circuit (4.7 km return, 2 to 3 hours, medium difďŹ culty), which winds its way down through the rainforest to the base of the waterfall and involves climbing more than 100 steps to return.

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

One of the nice things to do is to take the scenic drive from Mapleton to Maleny. You pass through many little towns on the way â&#x20AC;Ś Flaxton, Montville, Maleny â&#x20AC;Ś each little place has its own delights.

Open for morning tea, lunch, high tea, dinner and events. Choose between relaxed al fresco dining on the terrace, an intimate table on the veranda or dine within the restaurant.

A popular location for campers and walkers, Kenilworth State Forest offers wonderful views with its selection of deep gorges, mountain streams and forestry.

EXPLORE THE HINTERLAND

Kenilworth Celebrates 28 September to 11 October

Kenilworth Grass Roots Market Every Sunday

Sunshine Coast Hinterland Open Studios 11 to 12 October

The quiet Hinterland town of Kenilworth draws on its artisan roots and transforms into an artistic, cultural mecca during this twoweek-long celebration. The annual festival kicks off with an orchestral concert on 28 September (booking required), followed by painting workshops with professional tutors from 29 September to 3 October (booking required). Over the weekend of 4 to 5 October, the town transforms into an artisan community with art exhibitions, artist workshops, street and park entertainment including jugglers, poets, storytellers and dancers. The popular event continues until 11 October with free art exhibitions finishing the celebrations off.

Every Sunday from 8am to 1pm, the local families and small businesses of Kenilworth unite for an organic market hub. The established market was created by a local family and continues to hold a strong village spirit and community base. For delicious hot coffee, snacks, lunch and bright market stalls, spend a Sunday at this grassroots Kenilworth market and enjoy the homemade, organic, fresh, recycled, original, natural and local stalls. The market also supports fundraising, buskers and local schools by offering free stalls and space!

This annual spring event sees artists of the Hinterland range open their studios to visitors and share the heart of the creative region. Local art organisation Arts Connect Incorporated presents this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event and promises a plethora of participating artists who will share their work and knowledge with guests. The studios include potters, painters, sculptors, jewellery makers, illustrators and printmakers, with some sustainable and ecofriendly productions, including video and film, on offer to enlighten and educate visitors in the art of their craft. The perfect opportunity to map a route through the sweeping ranges from Flaxton to Mapleton and stop off at the welcoming studios along the way!

For more information visit: www.kenilworth.qld.au

For more information visit: www.grassrootsmarkets.org

For more information visit www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au

Would you like to see your local area featured in Profile magazine? Phone 5451 0669.

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WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WORLD IS HER STAGE AND BRIDGET O’BRIEN IS POISED TO PERFORM. FROM HER INCREDIBLE SINGING VOICE AND MUSICAL THEATRE TALENT TO HER HIGH ACHIEVEMENTS AT SCHOOL, EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS GIFTED TEENAGER IS A CLASS ACT.

I BRIDGET O'BRIEN

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first meet Bridget O’Brien on a beautiful winter’s afternoon in Mooloolaba, where we have organised for a photographer to take some snaps of her performing along The Esplanade. Accompanied only by her backing tracks, Bridget’s voice is crystal clear, twirling the fluid melodies into the air as if she is holding a microphone, and mesmerising the gathering crowd as she sings classics such as The Prayer, Time to Say Goodbye and Pie Jesu. Her tone is incredibly refined – it is hard to believe this is the voice of a 16-year-old. Later during our interview, as we sit sipping caramel lattes, I am even more impressed by the maturity of this dedicated classical singer, musical theatre aficionado and student as she shares insights of her generation as a Year 12 student at Siena Catholic College, and how she has pursued a creative path since she was young. “I was a very boisterous and exuberant kid I guess, I always had a zeal for performance,” Bridget shares. Seeing her talents unfold, Bridget’s parents, Mareta and Vincent O’Brien, enrolled her in singing lessons at the age of eight – the same year she started busking for practice. You could say her talents are studded in her genes, as her family are all similarly creative. She inherited her singing abilities from her mum, her sister Genevieve, 18, studies opera at the Queensland Conservatorium, while her brother Joseph, eight, has performed in school musicals. profilemag.com.au

Each week, Bridget works with esteemed singing teacher Elisabeth Gaedke, perfecting her classical voice and operatic talents. She has entered international singing competitions and is an established local performer – a reputation clearly driven by her busking performances. Bridget often busks at the Caloundra and Cotton Tree markets, and along The Esplanade at Mooloolaba, serenading locals and holiday-goers alike with her forte of classical and opera hits. “I love classically-inclined musical theatre, I love Les Mis! When I was 10, I won the Sunshine Coast Idol … and I was also in the Coast production of Les Mis as little Cosette!” Bridget shares. “That ignited the passion of performing I guess, from there my sister and I have done a lot of weddings, art gallery openings, functions and council performances.” Some of her achievements include performing at the 2014 Australian of the Year ceremony on the Sunshine Coast, and singing at Carols on Kings, Caloundra, which last year drew a 10,000-strong crowd. She has also been part of school choirs, various school musicals and eisteddfods over the years and is currently choir leader at St. Catherine’s Church at Siena. With all these incredible performances on her song sheet, I had to ask Bridget, how she handles the nerves? “I’ve never really been the type to get nervous … I’ve always had the ‘listen to me if you like me’ kind of attitude,” Bridget smiles. “It’s really easy to emotionally connect with such beautiful pieces. It’s easy to forget you are performing for an audience some days, you just feel so enveloped by the music,” she shares. With this close bond with music in mind, I am interested to know Bridget’s perspective on talent-seeking reality television shows such as X Factor and The Voice.

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I do believe in that organic approach where you get where you are because you built it yourself.” “I’ve kind of grown up being pestered with ‘you should enter a TV singing competition’ but I’ve never been interested in that scene. I do believe in that organic approach where you get where you are because you built it yourself,” Bridget says, thoughtfully. “Kudos to anybody that has the courage to go on a singing show and succeed but I do like the idea of doing it yourself and making your own way in the world.” And Bridget certainly is making her own way, finding excellence in academic pursuits in addition to her singing, participating in national academic tournaments, nurturing a love of maths and following her passion of writing, blogging and novels. So as she looks to her high school graduation, where to next for this petite powerhouse with the soul voice? Bridget has plans to study a double degree in law and arts, with an interest in human rights, and also aims to audition for the Queensland Conservatorium. “Singing will always be somewhere, I won’t necessarily put it on the backburner, it’s such a big part of me and who I am and what I love doing. It’s such a privilege to be able to express myself that way.” Our conversation then takes a philosophical turn as I question Bridget about what it’s like achieving such success at a young age. “Everyone is challenged these days to chase a dream … there’s a search of identity that people my age struggle with,” Bridget says. “You have to remember the bigger picture … that clouds always go away eventually and when you know who are you are and what you are capable of, silver linings can be pretty damn huge,” she says. And for this young soul singer, her success so far is evidently a prelude to what will be a fine encore performance as she finds her future.

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LIFESTYLE BEAUTY SPOT

Q Q

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN MY COLOUR THIS SEASON? with Rachael Little

As the warmer weather approaches we are finding ourselves wanting to brighten up our look. Whether you choose to lighten your locks with highlights, a soft ombre or balayage technique or even a high fashion colour (it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be blonde) this season, it is very common for your colour to become brassy or yellow. The same holds true for silver or bright white hair. These unwanted tones can be annoying and unflattering. Causes can range from mineral deposits in your water, faded colour, environmental exposure as well as under or over processed hair colour. There are a few easy steps to getting and keeping your best colour yet. Hair needs sunscreen too! With over exposure to the sun's rays your hair can become rough, dry and faded. To keep the sun's effects at a minimum, use a leave-in UV protector. Use a blonde shampoo (violet or blue-based formula) at least once a week to counteract yellowing and brassiness. Swimming in chlorinated water can turn blonde hair green, not a good look! Use a clarifying shampoo for a once-a-week deep cleanse. Before you go swimming you can also drench your hair in coconut oil or a deep conditioning treatment. This will help prevent the chlorine attaching to your hair and turning it green. Moisture! Moisture! Moisture! Put back what the elements take out. Nourish your hair once or twice a week with an intense moisturizing mask. So how can we avoid brassiness? Stay out of the pool. Avoid hard water and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use products that can build up on your hair such as those that are high in silicone. You need to think about the stress that summer living can place on your hair. Get it ready now by starting a hair fitness regime (it's way easier than going to the gym or dieting we promise!). Ruby Blue Hair Boutique Phone: 5448 9663 Shop 2/5 Lorraine Ave, Marcoola Beach

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HEALTHY MOUTH, HEALTHY BODY with Dr Simone Ricketts

During your regular routine dental checkup, your dentist is often the first person to observe any unusual change in your mouth, teeth or gums. You may not realise the health of your mouth, particularly your gums, has major implications for your general body health. In bygone years, being confined to a ship for many months at a time often resulted in sailors in the 16th to 18th Centuries suffering a disease called scurvy. Basically, a serious lack of fruit and vegetables leads to a deficiency in Vitamin C resulting in swelling, ulceration, bleeding gums and loss of teeth. Scurvy is rarer in today's society however may be seen occasionally in the elderly, anorexic or those on restrictive diets (due to allergies or food fads). Other nutritional deficiencies including vitamin B12 and iron can become evident in the form of annoying mouth ulcers. Autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, and Crohn's disease, can cause sore red spots in the mouth. Many antidepressants have the side effect of a dry mouth and a reduction in the normal flow of saliva in the mouth. Dry mouths mean increased tooth decay, so dentists who observe this can suggest products to coat the teeth regularly to protect them from cavities. Certain antihistamines which are used to treat allergies, can cause similar dry mouth issues. Stress often triggers gum problems. Increased amounts of stress hormones like cortisol are strongly associated with inflammation, and can also make it harder for your body to fight infection. Furthermore, dentists may sometimes be the first to diagnose diabetes in patients. Someone who is having trouble managing their blood sugar levels is more susceptible to repetitive mouth infections and gum disease. A dedicated dentist will also do an oral cancer, and jaw and facial muscles check during your routine dental exam. Your dentist is also on the lookout for any risk factors predisposing you to heart disease. Worldwide there are many scientific studies strongly linking poor oral hygiene, gum disease and heart disease. Remember an annual checkup visit to your dentist, even if you're lucky enough to have never had a cavity may well just benefit your overall health, and even save your life! Smile by Design Maroochydore Phone: 5443 2888 www.smilebydesign.net.au

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SILKY SOUL DAMAGE REVERSAL CLEANSER WILL CLEANSE HAIR WHILE TRANSFORMING THE SOUL OF YOUR HAIR STRUCTURE TO ENSURE STRONGER MORE RESILIENT STRANDS, RRP $18.95. AVAILABLE FROM RUBY BLUE HAIR BOUTIQUE, PHONE 5448 9663

feeling fresh COSIMA SKINCARE AWARD WINNING REPLENISHING DAY CREAM, RRP $45. FIND ONLINE AT WWW.COSIMASKIN.COM

wipe away kiss me CARMEX'S PINK MOISTURE PLUS LIP STAIN KEEPS LIPS SOFT, GORGEOUS AND KISSABLE, RRP $8.99. AVAILABLE AT WWW.MYCARMEX.COM.AU

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ESSENZZA HEALTH NATURAL FACIAL CLEANSING WIPES KEEP SKIN FEELING SMOOTH, CLEAN AND HEALTHY, RRP $6.95. AVAILABLE AT LEADING PHARMACIES INCLUDING PRICELINE, TERRY WHITE AND CHEMIST WAREHOUSE, HEALTH FOOD STORES AND ONLINE AT WWW.ESSENZZAHEALTH.COM

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BOOK NOW TEXT 0449 STUDIO (788346) www.studiorepublic.com.au 07 544 39111

october 2014

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LIFESTYLE FASHION

funky neckwear OMG STYLE SANTORINI HANDMADE SCARF IN SOFT POLYESTER, RRP $49. AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.OMGSTYLE.COM.AU

draw a crowd

back to earth

RODEO SHOW MARVEL DRESS IN SATIN PINK, RRP $329. STOCKED ONLINE AT WWW.RODEOSHOW.COM.AU

ROSE QUARTZ AND AMETHYST BRACELETS. HANDMADE WITH LOVE IN NOOSA. SHOP AT WWW.EARTHJEWELCREATIONS.COM

strapping colour NUDE FOOTWEAR ARLINGTON STRAP PINK HEEL, RRP $139.95. FIND AT WWW.NUDEFOOTWEAR.COM.AU

Typically sweetly feminine, pink is tipped to make a colourful comeback this summer! clockin’ on MADISON NEW YORK CANDY TIME RANGE, AVAILABLE IN ORIGINAL, SORBET AND NEON, RRP $59. SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.WATCHESONLINEHQ.COM.AU

bag lady KORET LEATHER CLUTCH WITH A COLORBLOCKED DESIGN AND OPTIONAL SHOULDER STRAP, RRP $396. AVAILABLE FROM WWW.SHOPBOP.COM

bang on! NORMA KAMALI CORSET TOP BIKINI IN VIBRANT HOT PINK, RRP $554. FIND AT WWW.NET-A-PORTER.COM

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DISCOVER A NEW SEASON OF FASHION IN STORE NOW

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN SUMMER FASHION! Visit Sunshine Plaza, the Sunshine Coast’s premier shopping destination. You’ll find the largest range of on-trend fashion retailers, entertainment and family fun with over 230 stores including Myer, Kmart, Target, Coles, Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas and the Riverwalk Dining Precinct. profilemag.com.au

LIFESTYLE FASHION

STYLE COUNSEL

PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

o McAlinden is the creative spirit behind Earth Jewel Creations – a unique collection of inspirational gemstone jewellery designed and handmade on the Sunshine Coast. Made with gemstones and freshwater pearls, each piece is marked with an inspirational word charm to celebrate individual style. Known for its “feel good” qualities, Jo says each piece is energy enhanced with quantum frequencies to promote harmony, balance and wellbeing. This month, Profile catches up with the earthy designer to discover a little bit more about the jewellery gem!

JO MCALINDEN

profile: Why do you design inspirational jewellery? jo: I wanted to create a range of “feel good” jewellery that is inspirational and uplifting, so my jewellery is energy-enhanced to promote wellbeing and support you energetically. profile: Tell us about energy enhanced jewellery? jo: The combination of natural crystal energies, inspirational symbols, affirmation word charms and Quantum Chi energy create a powerful and synergistic high energy support tool for you to wear every day. profile: What are the benefits? jo: These crystal and quantum energies promote harmony, balance and wellbeing, by supporting us against the stress and negative energies we all experience on a daily basis. The inspirational words act as an affirmation tool to create positive feelings and also to remind us of our goals. If you have a “feel good” vibration, you attract more of the same. profile: How are crystals beneficial? jo: Quantum science has shown that we are all electromagnetic beings with a vibration or frequency that is affected by all the other frequencies around us. Crystals emit their own unique frequencies which can benefit our vibrational state and restore balance. To choose the right crystal for you, just follow your intuition and choose the one that feels good for you … there’s no right or wrong choice. 54

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profile: You talk about quantum energies, what does it mean? jo: All of my jewellery is charged up with a quantum device which emits stabilising Scalar Waves and Schumann Resonance to support your bio-field, protect against electromagnetic frequencies and help restore your natural rhythm and balance. The Schumann Resonance of 7.83Hz is the natural harmonising frequency of the earth. These days most of us run at over 60 Hertz, whereas our natural state of balance is 7-18 Hz – no wonder we’re stressed. profile: If you could only wear one piece of jewellery, what would that be? jo: That’s easy… my suede wrap. They are my signature design and are incredibly versatile, as you can wear them so many different ways – as a necklace, lariat, wristwrap, anklet, hair charm or belt … they’re great fun and they look fantastic. profile: What is the best way to show off jewellery? jo: The plainest outfit can come alive with addition of the right jewellery pieces. I quite often like to wear plain, block colours, so that my jewellery becomes the main event and really stands out … I also like stacking up lots of bracelets and wrist wraps together. profile: Any personal styling tricks when wearing jewellery? jo: Be you! Use jewellery to express your own unique style and wear what feels good for you. Wear it with confidence and be proud to be you. Anything goes, we’re all unique! profilemag.com.au

october 2014

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LIFESTYLE GOODLIFE

PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

ADELE MCCONNELL

profile: How long have you been passionate about health and wellbeing? adele: My journey into health and wellbeing has been a long one. When I was 17 I started seeing an acupuncturist and taking Chinese herbs … from there, my love of alternative and holistic medicine began. I’m a huge fan of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, as they help keep me balanced, relaxed and healthy. profile: How would you describe your approach to health? adele: Very relaxed. There’s no point stressing out, especially about things you can’t change. I believe that stress is more harmful to my body. Personally, if I’m out at a restaurant (and being from Melbourne, I’m definitely a foodie!) and they don’t have organics, or perhaps there’s some butter on my toast – I don’t stress out. I eat everything with love, and know that my food will love me back. profile: What is your big health no-no? adele: For me, stimulants. Coffee, guarana, black tea … and then obviously soft drinks / sugary drinks. They mess with my adrenals and my sleep. I’m an insomniac and struggle to sleep with stimulants.

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dele McConnell is a self-confessed vegetable addict. Having grown up in Melbourne, she spent the first half of her life indulging in every type of cuisine on offer, never really thinking about the effects they were having on her insides. But after more than her fair share of health scares, Adele decided to adopt a new diet, eating solely plant-based foods – and she has never looked back! Now, the Caloundra-based author, speaker and “recipe evolutionist” is setting the path for other young people to live a healthier life through food. This month, Profile catches up with ‘The Vegie Head’ to learn about her path to the good life.

profile: Have you suffered from any major health issues in your life? adele: Four years ago I suffered an ectopic pregnancy (where an impregnated egg gets stuck along the fallopian tube and grows). It was a huge wake-up call for me. At the time, I was burning the candle at both ends, drinking way too many green smoothies (green spinach smoothies caused mucous and ‘damp’ in my gut; how can life be sustained in such an environment?) and just stressing out about life in general. It caused me to have emergency surgery, and weeks and weeks off work. It forced me to really look at my life, my health and what needed to change. profile: What does a typical day’s diet look like? adele: I tend not to have a typical day; I have a palate that likes to be ‘shaken up’ with new flavours and textures. I get bored easily! But I do have a smoothie in the morning (almond milk, carob, banana, dates and hemp seeds), lunch will always be something warm and nourishing- like soup or dhal, and dinner is often vegetable stacks or maybe veggie pie. profile: If you’re feeling down about something how do you pick yourself up? adele: I listen to some fantastic music or speak to my Mum or my friends, but

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Before

after

I also just allow myself to have that space. If I am feeling a bit ordinary, I just sit with it. I have the day to myself; watching movies or reading. profile: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? adele: I love going to the farmers markets, walking with my dogs on the beach, writing, painting, cooking and photographing. profile: What tips or pointers would you give someone to become healthier? adele: Find out what works for you. I follow a plant-based diet; but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very well aware that this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suit everyone. Listen to your body. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really the only expert you should be listening to.

profile: In your experience, what are some of the most common key factors to achieving nutritional wellbeing? adele: Eating as many fresh vegetables and fruits as you can, drinking clean, filtered water, eating everything with love and appreciation and enjoying life!

october 2014

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LIFESTYLE HEALTH

How to care for your baby's umbilical cord My Midwives | 5441 4882 | 71 Blackall Terrace, Nambour After your baby is born, unless you have opted for a Lotus birth where you allow the cord and placenta to separate from the baby in its own time, the umbilical cord will be clamped and cut. There are no nerves in the cord and your baby won’t feel a thing when this happens. Where the cord joined his tummy, there will be a 2cm to 3cm-long stump. Many new parents often worry about what to do with the cord stump. Here is some advice from the My Midwives team to help you out! How long will my baby have a cord stump?

Your baby’s cord stump will usually drop off about four to seven days after he’s born.”

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When your baby is born, your midwife will put a plastic clamp or a tie on the stump and the cord will be cut. The stump itself will then shrivel up and turn black. Your baby’s cord stump will usually drop off about four to seven days after he’s born. Once this has occurred there will be a small wound that will heal and become your baby’s belly button. How can I care for my baby’s cord stump? You’ll need to keep your baby’s cord stump clean and dry to prevent it from becoming infected. You can do this by giving your baby a bath or top and tailing him with a warm, moist washer or sponge. You don’t need to use an antiseptic on the stump.

Keep your baby warm and dry the stump properly before putting on a nappy. (However, if your baby was born prematurely or spent some time in special care staff on the neonatal unit will give you advice on caring for your baby and keeping him clean). How will I know if my baby’s cord stump is infected? It’s normal for the stump to look a bit mucky as it’s healing – this doesn’t mean that it’s infected. However, if your baby develops a fever, becomes lethargic doesn’t want to feed as much or appears generally unwell, it could mean the stump has become infected. Here are some other tips you can follow to care for your baby’s cord stump: •• Always wash your hands before handling your baby’s stump, before and after nappy changes and washes. •• Let the stump come away naturally. Don’t pull on it. •• Try to keep the stump from getting covered in faeces or urine. You can do this by folding down the waist of your baby’s nappy. This will leave the stump exposed to the air or covered by loose, clean clothes.

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How to discover your potential posture Wave Chiropractic | 5479 6910 | 6 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore Do you ever feel like you’re just hanging in there? Has back pain, sleeping problems, headaches, digestive upset, mood swings, low energy and menstrual problems become ‘normal’? Are you no longer able to do the things you love? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?

Your spine is your lifeline, it needs to be cared for wisely!”

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions then you’re not living at your potential, in fact you’re far from it. You see, how well the body works depends largely on its structure. When the structure is forward and out of balance these supposed ‘normal’ pains and problems become commonplace, while it becomes ‘abnormal’ and uncommon to feel great. At Wave Chiropractic we use a sophisticated adjusting protocol at the cutting edge of chiropractic practice called Advanced BioStructural CorrectionTM (ABC). This latest advancement in chiropractics has been widely practiced internationally and is now being pioneered by a small group of dedicated chiropractors in Australia. You have never seen anything like it!

ABC offers consistent and predictable results to all bodies, of all ages. Its focus is on correcting the things that the body cannot correct itself. When bones go out of place in a forward direction, the body cannot correct them, as it has no muscles able to pull the bones back into position. The body then becomes stuck in a forward curve and all it can do in this situation is compensate, so it twists up. It then compensates by twisting even further, then some more and some more until something has to give. This type of forward curve physiology is carried all hours of everyday and puts tremendous stress on every organ, muscle, tissue and cells. ABC works so well because it corrects the out of place bones that the body cannot, popping the body back upright and immediately people begin breathing, moving and feeling better. People are always amazed at the difference this type of upright body can have on every aspect of their life. After all, your spine is your lifeline, it needs to be cared for wisely! Don’t wait any longer to get back the quality of life you deserve, correct your body structure and discover your potential!

TOP 5 TIPS TO WAKING UP EARLY! We wake up, 5 days a week, before the sun comes up, before the surfers hit the beach and before the birds along the Maroochydore river make a noise. We’re kind use to it now, and we know how much of a pain it can be, so here are 5 tips to help you get up early!

october 2014

Set 3 alarm clocks! If you have a bedside alarm clock, set that and maybe two on your phone! You don’t have time to hit snooze cos, if you’re like us you set the alarm at the very last moment in time you need to wake up!

Don’t drink alcohol . Now this one has taken a while for us to get used to, but there’s something about a sneaky Sunday session that’ll backfire when you’re in bed – at around 2am you’ll be totally wide awake and won’t be able to get back to sleep.

Get everything out you’ll need in the morning. Yes it’s a little nerdy – but if you get out your clothes and stuff the night before, therefore eliminating the “oh crap what am I’m going to wear” thought and then panic grab some clothes in the dark cos you don’t want to wake up the other half.

don’t update social media right before going to bed – cos you’ll lay there and think “hmmmm wonder if anyone has commented/liked/re-tweeted my post??”

It does get easy over time. It’s amazing that you can actually end up waking up just before your alarm goes off! It’s not so good that this magnificent skill isn’t limited to workdays only… nothing like waking up at 4am on a Sunday when you don’t need to.

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uccess Women’s Network (SWN) are reaching new heights in a campaign to raise funds and awareness in aid of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). Clariti Group CEO and SWN QLD owner Belinda Dolan will lead a team of six to the base camp of Mt Everest this month in a ‘bow ties to base camp’ challenge, inspired by the loss of Belinda’s mother to breast cancer. After months of training, including sleeping in a freezer, the campaign will kick off with an evening of fundraising at a Splash of Pink Gala Charity Ball on Saturday 18 October at QT Hotel, Surfers Paradise, before the team jet off to tackle the massive climb the very next morning. The trek to the base camp will be powered by sponsors, with $20,000 still required – in exchange for every $1,000 donation the team will take sponsor’s brands / products to the top of Mt Everest. Every step they take will represent the courage of cancer patients through years of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so do your bit to walk with them! If anyone would like to sponsor or promote their brand on Everest please contact Belinda directly on: Belinda@claritigroup.com Don’t miss out on the fabulous Pink event! Prebook your group and corporate tables now by contacting Belinda and her pink team. Phone: 07 3103 3557 / Email: pinkevents@claritigroup.com This event offers fabulous value at just $194 per ticket or $1900 per table. About Belinda … In a nutshell, Belinda Dolan is quite simply a super woman! Business leader, entrepreneur, strategist and chartered manager, she owns and directs several businesses. A highly motivated leader with a passion to see businesses succeed, Belinda has a wealth of knowledge, with 18 years international experience. Passionate about making a difference, Belinda is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Board member and a National Breast Cancer Foundation Speaker.

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STYLE

Interiors

COASTAL VINTAGE

october 2014

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PROFILE HOMEGROWN

MICHELLE STEMM

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WORDS TONIA ZEMEK PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

FOR MICHELLE STEMM, A TRIP TO AFRICA IN HER TEENS LED TO A LIFELONG LOVE OF NURTURING NATURE. NOW SHE USES HER ENVIRONMENT AS INSPIRATION FOR BEAUTIFULLY-CRAFTED HANDMADE JEWELLERY AND CLOTHING, AS TONIA ZEMEK DISCOVERS.

“W

e live amongst tall gum trees and can’t see any neighbours,” silversmith and designer Michelle Stemm says. “It’s lovely to have our own space and know that it’s ours and it responds to our care by producing fruit and vegetables for us to enjoy.” She’s talking about the 10-acre Hinterland home she shares with husband, Peter. Michelle is accustomed to living in wide, open spaces and being entertained by nature’s passing parade. In her 20s, that parade was often made up of rhinos and lions! She spent more than six years living, on and off, in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Born in Port Macquarie, this extended stay abroad wasn’t Michelle’s first adventure on the other side of the globe. When she and her older brother were in their teens, Michelle’s Mum and Dad took the family for a six-week safari through Africa. “I just fell in love with the place,” Michelle admits. “We had some amazing experiences that really touched me and changed me forever; experiences like sitting with mountain gorillas, having big cats roaming around at night and hearing hippos come out of the water and munch on grass around the tent … I wasn’t scared, it really just felt like home.”

“It’s one of those sort of obscure things you don’t really come across, so when I heard about the club I thought ‘finally, this is my opportunity’.” Her good fortune continued when she met retired silversmith Nick Murray, who she now credits as her mentor. By all accounts, Michelle and Nick are kindred spirits. “He makes a lot of his own tools out of re-purposed things like bicycle spokes, corks and bits of machinery,” she says. “There are just some things with a trade like silversmithing that you can’t learn from a book or the Internet. Nick has that old-school knowledge you can’t get anywhere else.”

… sitting with mountain gorillas, having big cats roaming around. I wasn’t scared, it really just felt like home.” It wasn’t just the native animals that found their way into Michelle’s heart. “I was really interested in the people,” she says. “Even though most Africans didn’t have a lot, they’d give you anything you needed – even if they didn’t know you.” According to Michelle, this generosity was combined with another admirable asset. “Africans, in general, are really ingenious and they can make things out of just about anything,” Michelle says. “In Kenya, people didn’t throw anything away.” The notion of recycling was a familiar trait in the Stemm family. “From a very young age, I had it instilled in me to look after things and cherish them, even if they weren’t expensive items.” Today that philosophy has made its mark on Two Plums Design – the label Michelle created for her handmade jewellery and clothing collections. The clothing line includes winter skirts sewn from recycled woolen rugs and summer dresses. Some frocks are even fashioned from pre-loved crocheted tablecloths. The first time Michelle wore one of her crocheted creations, she was stopped on the street and commissioned to make one as a bridal gown. As well as being a talented seamstress, Michelle is a savvy silversmith. Thanks to her extended family, Michelle was given a timely introduction to the Suncoast Gem and Fossicking Club. “I’d always wanted to learn how to work with silver but I didn’t think I’d ever get the opportunity,” Michelle says. october 2014

The other important gent in Michelle’s life is her husband, Peter. When the pair met, they’d both come out of previous relationships. Michelle had been married to an African man up until her mid-20s. In a touching symbol of Michelle and Peter’s union, they both melted down their gold jewellery to create their wedding bands. For Michelle’s engagement ring, unsurprisingly, she opted to source recycled diamonds from a 120-yearold antique ring. “I wanted diamonds that were already in existence and didn’t have to be dug up just for me, so I purposely wanted old stones.” Re-purposing pre-loved materials is the signature of the jewellery she creates at Two Plums, where earrings are crafted from recycled silver. Sometimes Mother Nature helps out too. Michelle has adopted a textured technique of embossing leaves onto silver. The process involves rolling soft sheets of silver and leaves through a machine resembling a pasta-maker. “The leaves leave their imprint on the silver,” Michelle explains. “It’s such a simple thing but it’s so versatile and I guess it’s a way of mimicking nature.” Nature abounds in Michelle’s studio and her home. Dogs Chakula and Nyah are her two constant companions. They’re Rhodesian Ridgebacks, a breed of African descent. Respectively, their names roughly translate to food and beauty. They’re fitting monikers, given Michelle is nourished by creative endeavours that result in objects of great beauty. profilemagazine

HOME STYLE

modern angles ZANUI HEXAGON TABLE LAMP, RRP $269.95. AVAILABLE FROM WWW.ZANUI.COM.AU

eco table VILLI POHJOLA TABLE RUNNER, MADE FROM 100 PER CENT EUROPEAN HEMP, 100 PER CENT ECO FRIENDLY, MADE IN FINLAND, RRP $70.95. VISIT WWW.URBAANI.COM.AU

sustainable side ETHNICRAFT TRIPOD SIDE TABLE MADE FROM SUSTAINABLE SOLID EUROPEAN OAK TIMBER, RRP $230. VISIT WWW.CURIOUSGRACE.COM.AU

Bring the outdoors inside with a touch of wood and natural textures. kitchen essential HANDCRAFTED MANGO WOOD PLATES, RRP $14 EACH. AVAILABLE FROM WWW.DEARSEPTEMBER.COM.AU

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locally designed 'THE MOROCCAN' DIGITALLY SCREEN-PRINTED WOODEN LARGE STORAGE BOX, RRP $1425 PLUS FREE SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIA. MADE FROM AUSTRALIAN HOOP PINE PLY. VISIT WWW.DIRTBYEARTH.COM

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HOME INTERIORS

PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

ally Oultonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of everything coastal and vintage began after a decade of sailing around the world. She wanted to recreate the memories of being out at sea in her home and became addicted to sorting through items in old ship yards, sheds, off beaches, swap meets, markets, from old sea dogs, and homes of other lovers of the sea. Now, as a mum to two girls, Sally is able to share her love of the sea through her store Coastal Vintage, and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to hear all about it!

SALLY OULTON

profile: What sparked your interest in interior design? sally: Setting up my own home and looking for inspiration in the coastal and vintage style. profile: When did you start Coastal Vintage, and why? sally: When my second daughter was six-months-old I decided I wanted to create a coastal homewares online store. However, I found there were quite a few already and wanted to do something with a point of difference. Having spent a decade at sea working onboard private sailing yachts, I came up with the idea of finding those unique and hard-to-find old nautical and maritime things that people love. That was my light bulb moment. profile: What inspires you? sally: Oh so much. Living in the Noosa region and being so close to the sea, walks in the National Park, old yachts and boats, following a variety of interior designers and other homeowners online.

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profile: How would you describe your design style? sally: Soft coastal colour with lots of old coastal vintage pieces. Old oars, all those things of the sea – coral, clam shells, shells and driftwood, lobster pot buoys and lots of old glass fishing floats. profile: What makes something “coastal”? sally: Things from the sea or used at sea – driftwood and shells, nautical and maritime items, and the colours of the sea – greens and blues. profile: Is it difficult to find pieces? sally: Yes it can be, particularly those items that everyone loves and wants. One of the reasons that some items are popular is because they invoke memories of a time when they were used when we were children or when our parents or grandparents had them. profile: What is your design philosophy or motto? sally: Finding coastal vintage things that will evoke memories. Being creative by photographing those items to place on the website and social media. Writing a blog about items I find and styling those in my own home ‘“coastal vintage style” with my twist on it to give inspiration to others, just like others have given me inspiration.

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profile: What is the most important lesson you have learned about business? sally: Looking after the customer is always the number one priority. And finding something you love to do. profile: What design trends do you think will last? sally: Coastal and nautical. They will always last because a large population of people enjoy living near or by the sea and are influenced by its beauty. profile: Any advice for someone starting out? sally: Find a point of difference and love what you do.

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PROFILE PEOPLE

WORDS KATE CLIFFORD PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

This was something I never wanted to have to deal with, and now I felt as though I needed to forgive.”

DANIEL GETTIS. PHOTO SHOT ON LOCATION AT FRANCES BEAN, ALEXANDRA HEADLAND

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FROM PRE-MEDICAL STUDENT TO TEACHER AND SCHOOL LEADER, DANIEL GETTIS WAS LIVING LIFE ON TOP, AND LOVING IT. BUT HIS LUXURIOUS WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN WHEN AN INCIDENT FROM HIS CHILDHOOD CAME BACK TO HAUNT HIM. KATE CLIFFORD DISCOVERS HOW A RENEWED FAITH HELPED GUIDE A FORGIVING FUTURE.

aniel Gettis grew up in a small town in British Columbia, Canada. He was a rebel, a naughty kid, dismissed as a “bad influence” by most of the community and extremely disliked. At 16, despite his Christian family upbringing, a father who was the community pastor and five older and influential siblings, Daniel decided to leave home, moving to San Diego with his eldest brother. He was enrolled at a school in a multicultural suburb and made friends fast. Unknown to him, however, was the friends he made were part of a gang, and in America, where there is one gang, there are enemies. Enemies that would end up changing Daniel’s life in more ways than one. “After this football rally I was walking out and one of them came up to me, spun me around and hit me in the face with brass knuckles,” says Daniel. “I was airlifted back to Canada and had to have two major reconstruction surgeries on my face, with metal plates and the works. My face was pretty much caved in for six months. “After, we went through the whole court process and in the end the judge made a settlement against the kid who hit me and a huge sum of money was owed. I decided not to pursue the money at that time, he couldn’t afford the settlement then so we just let it be.” Daniel and I are sitting over coffee at the Goodlife Community Centre in Buderim as he tells me the story of the moment his life changed. It is hard to think of this young, hipster Sunshine Coaster as the person he used to be, but as the story continues, it begins to make sense of the man he is today. “I finished school and at 18, moved to the Gold Coast. I had heard of Burleigh and just that the Goldie was a bit of a mecca for surfing and I just wanted to escape America,” he says. “I was accepted into university and began studying pre-med, to eventually get into medicine. “At this time in my life I was just doing things, pursuing a career where I could make money, it wasn’t really what I wanted to do, so the day of my final exam I quit, leaving two years of study behind.” The decision was a reflection of Daniel's decisive personality. Once he made his mind up he always followed through. He decided that day he wanted to study teaching, enrolling at the Heritage Christian College in Brisbane, although admits he was not following a Christian faith at that time. During the four-year degree, Daniel worked in Canada during winter as a seismic surveyor for oil in order to pay for his schooling in Australia. “When you work in the oil fields over in Canada you work pretty hard and all we looked forward to was going to the pub because it was freezing cold and it was better than going back to your room. Lots of the guys pretty much drank all their money away at night. We would go into a town, write ourselves off, go into another town, write ourselves off.” Daniel tells me of the night, while in his hotel room after a big night of drinking, among other things, he reconnected with his faith. “My Mum and Dad had given me a bible and I took it everywhere but never read it, but this one crazy night I decided then and there that I would just read it,” he shares. “I opened it to this one page, completely randomly, it was this passage in Matthew where Jesus asks these people who were all around him, ‘Who do people think I am?’ Their answers were pretty much all these old dudes … and then he asked his best mate, who says, ‘You are Jesus Christ, you are the saviour of the world, you are the son of God’. Jesus says, ‘That’s rad man, blessed are you, for man did not show that to you, I never showed you that, you found that out from God’.” “It was like God was saying to me, Daniel, your Dad has shown you me, your brothers have, churches have, youth conferences have, but here is me

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showing you me. I had spent my life ignoring my faith and I felt him say to me, not in an audible voice, but a realness in my heart, ‘Serve me or don’t serve me, make a choice’.” Daniel’s choice was to serve and better himself through his faith. He gave up drinking then and there, finished work for the winter and arrived back in Australia with a renewed goal: to become a principal. “I got a job teaching on the Sunshine Coast at Suncoast Christian College, and that’s when I had this ambition to be a principal, I wanted that control, I wanted to be able to run my own school and there was also a lot more money with that and I was still quite driven by that security.” It was during one of these principal training days Daniel’s dreams came to a screaming halt, as a voice inside his head started to question his chosen career once more. “I just had this realisation that I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore. I was looking around and thinking, I can’t do this for the rest of my life.” The revelation in 2012 followed two major events in Daniel’s life. The first was being the first on scene to a car crash opposite his Alexandra Headland home where a 22-year-old woman was killed, the second was when his roommate and close friend Mark Ovenden was killed in Bali while on holiday. “Mark had just come to a relationship with Jesus and was turning his life around. He was a good influence for me because he didn’t pursue an income, he just pursued the simplicity of life and just loving people and at the time, I didn’t,” Daniel admits. “The two incidents that happened within three months was a real eye opener that life is short and it is a gift, it woke me up a lot. Later that year I made the decision to let teaching go.” It was the first time in Daniel’s life that he didn’t have a goal, but again fate would step in when the pastor at The Goodlife Community Centre at Buderim, Tim, asked him to consider taking on an internship, which he happily, although at first reluctantly, accepted. The same week another revelation came about when out of the blue Daniel got a letter from the lawyer who had combated his case against the kid who broke his face almost 14 years earlier. “The lawyer said, this guy who hit you is in the military and they found out what had happened to you and the money, and now he can’t move forward in the military until he pays you,” Daniel says. “I had this sickness in my stomach, it was a terrible feeling. “This was something I never wanted to have to deal with, and now I felt as though I needed to forgive.” Daniel emailed the man, commended him on his military career and asked if they could meet to discuss the terms of the court settlement. He flew to the US where they met in an International House of Pancakes … but here is the clincher, the man had also connected with his faith, just as Daniel had done. “I sat with him and asked him why? He said he was a follower, he did what his friends wanted him to do … he joined the military and was deployed to Iraq. During that time one of his commanders was killed during an operation. After that he became a Christian, he met his wife and they have kids now,” Daniel says. “I said to him the reason I came over here was to let you know that I now knew the forgiveness Jesus has given me and I have to give him the same forgiveness. I said, I want you to be free of all the money.” He added honestly, “If it was Daniel I would have taken that money, but this isn’t Daniel anymore, this is a new creation. That’s the work of Jesus.” Daniel is now working as the young adults pastor at Goodlife Church in Buderim. He often shares this story in church to encourage others on a path of forgiveness.

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BUNDILLA

Excellence in dry cleaning is closer than you think

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PROFILE ART

WORDS LOUISE HICKEY PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

DAVID HART

ondering the mysteries and wonders of life one sunny afternoon on Mooloolaba Esplanade, I found myself thinking about who we are, how our parents influence us and what makes up our genetic disposition. I was struck by the thought, is it possible that there is a ‘creative gene’ that runs through some families? My attention was caught by something shiny (it happens!) and I found myself looking at the David Hart gallery. It was an “A-ha” moment! Indeed there must be, for there within the sleek confines of the gallery, generations of artworks from the Hart family are on display for all to enjoy. David Hart is an internationally-renowned artist, who has exhibited worldwide and has had exhibitions in Taipei and Hong Kong. His artworks are housed in private collections on five continents and he was acclaimed for his live art collaborative mural in front of Customs House, Sydney for the London Olympic Games, commissioned by Telstra. Starting his exploration of art with watercolours before evolving into his preferred medium of acrylics, David says, “Dad never forced art on us as kids but instead provided opportunities for us to discover art for ourselves. He was always painting, sculpting or making pottery, so there was always something to get involved in. My whole life was one giant art lesson and I got to sit and talk with a lot of very famous artists who knew my dad, like David Boyd, John Percival and Ken Donethe.” ‘Dad’ is of course, Pro Hart, one of Australia’s most prolific and collected artists of his time who drew upon his own life experiences in mining towns and celebrating the everyday life of so many Australians living in remote and hardened townships. Born in Broken Hill, New South Wales, David moved to the Sunshine Coast with his wife Christine and their three children 14 years ago and established his Mooloolaba gallery. He tells me ,“I have three children: Jacob 21, who is a graphic designer and musician, and Chloe 19, who is currently studying creative writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast and sells her artwork in our galleries. My youngest son Harrison, 15, also paints and sells his work”. Harrison also repeated history by starring in a series of carpet commercials for Stainmaster, made famous originally by his grandfather Pro. It seems that art and creativity really is something in the genes!

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ocal goldsmith Eckart Schillings is about to launch the third Jewellery and Art Expo on the Sunshine Coast this month. Showcasing 35 exhibitors at their huge new Peregian Springs location, Eckart and his group of artists offer visitors a diverse cross section of different art forms and jewellery styles including painters, sculptors, and jewellers. With over 500 visitors through the door last year, Eckart says they are expecting up to 800 this year. What started from humble beginnings has grown to become a big drawcard for visitors from Brisbane and beyond. So how did it all begin? “A couple of years ago I contemplated doing a little Christmas Expo for my customers but I didn’t have quite enough jewellery ready so I asked my artist colleagues if they would be interested in joining me,” says Eckart. “We had eight exhibitors for our first expo and it turned out to be a great success with hundreds of visitors and we were really motivated to make it even better the next year. Eckart says naturally, the expo attracts a large number of artists from the Sunshine Coast who form the core group, however it also attracts artists from further afield. “There is such a lot of talent in our area,” says Eckart. “As we have grown, we now have artists coming up from Brisbane and we are open to quality artists Australia wide.” So what can visitors to the Jewellery and Art Expo expect this year? “We offer a complete art experience over two days showcasing many different artists with completely different ideas,” says Eckart. “On Saturday we have a guest speaker for the official opening at 4.30pm. We have live music by the Offenbach String Duo and there will be drinks, food and coffee available. It really is a cultural event where you can talk to inspiring artists about their work and purchase original artworks and jewellery.” With over 35 exhibitors this year, Eckart says the expo is shaping up to be the best one yet. “It’s a great chance to showcase our beautiful part of the world and previous years have proved people are willing to travel to experience it.” Jewellery and Art Expo. St Andrews Anglican College, Peregian Springs. Entry: $2. Website: www.suncoastjewelleryandartexpo.com

october 2014

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GOURMET

DELICIOUS CAN BE HEALTHY TOO. IMAGE: KUNARA ORGANIC MARKETPLACE / NATALIE MCCOMAS

october 2014

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PROFILE LUNCH

enuine “ There was a g other support of each ave and we would h any been happy had of us won.” Brooke Bennett

1 3

VENUE RESERVE RESTAURANT 6

1. EMMA GIBBONS 2. VICKI CLARK 3. MICHELE DOUGHERTY 4. OUR LUNCHING LADIES 5. CARLY EARL 6. BROOKE BENNETT 7. MARIA WOODS 8. RESERVE DESERT

The Winners! WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE RESERVE RESTAURANT, MALENY

AND THE WINNER IS … THOSE EXCITING WORDS CHANGED THE LIVES OF SOME VERY DESERVING BUSINESS WOMEN AT THE SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESS WOMEN’S NETWORK AWARDS LAST MONTH. INGRID NELSON SHARES A LITTLE OF THEIR AMAZING JOURNEY.

t never fails to amaze me the plethora of incredible entrepreneurial business women we have here on the Sunshine Coast. Speaking of which, I was lucky enough to attend the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards recently and was blown away by the calibre of talent among these inspirational local ladies. I had the pleasure of getting to know some of the award winners, past winners and members of the network over a delicious lunch at Reserve Restaurant Maleny recently and discovered the story behind their success and what the award means to them. My guests included last year’s Young Business Woman of the Year, owner of Eco Child Carly Earl; Emma Gibbons, owner of Huds and Toke Dog Treats, and Micro / Small Business Women of the Year; Maria Woods, Principal and CEO of Sunshine Coast Grammar and Outstanding Business Woman of the Year, and Brooke Bennett, Marketing Manager at Kawana Shopping World and Professional Business Woman of the Year. Joining us was the Judging Panel Chair and district manager for ANZ retail banking Sunshine Coast Vicki Clark; and last but not least, SCBWN coordinator Michele Dougherty. profile: Who nominated you for the award? maria: I had two nominations by both parents and staff. I had actually said to our P and F (parents and friends) previously that we should think about nominating some of the women in our school community. We have so many worthy parents at our school. There is a list two arms long but I never considered myself. emma: I got my letter in the mail saying my best friend who lives four doors down had nominated me. Our business has won quite a few awards but I never thought it would

october 2014

reflect on me personally. I enjoyed putting my submission together, it was very rewarding. brooke: A good friend also nominated me. This was the second time I had been nominated so I was more familiar with the process this year, which was great. When I got the letter I was flat out busy. I am a bit shy and I struggle with that sort of thing but it was a real affirmation I was doing a good job and I enjoyed taking the time to sit down and think about my achievements. I thought ‘wow, I did all that!’. profile: Tell us about your journey in the awards process? maria: I had just returned from overseas and my husband was terribly ill so it was not even on my radar. I know the previous winner Tsu Shan quite well as she was a past parent at the school and she had told me it was a wonderful opportunity to stop and reflect on what you do, and she was right. Often us women are busy, particularly mums, we just get on with it. To think about yourself and to write about your achievements can be difficult. I am used to writing about other’s achievements. After the process, I felt as though I am where I am meant to be. It was nice to articulate why I do what I do and to have it affirmed by the broader community was quite overwhelming. It would be nice to bottle all of that and open some once a week, when I need it. brooke: It has been fantastic. The other women are all an inspiration. There was a genuine support of each other and we would have been happy had any of us won. It was a great experience from start to finish. emma: I really enjoyed the whole process. I am very hands on in my role and it took a fair amount of time to do all the paperwork. But like the others said, it was so worthwhile and I am so glad I did it.

profile: How did you feel when you were announced as winner? maria: I actually didn’t believe they called my name. I had two tables at the awards – everyone was there, my bosses, referees, everyone. They all jumped to their feet when they called my name. I said to my husband ‘did they just say my name?!’ I don’t think you know how you will feel until you are in that position. I am used to public speaking. I speak to 1200 students every week, but I was shaking. I didn’t think I would feel so emotional. I had to keep it in check and be able to get up and speak. I was genuinely impressed at how supportive everyone was to each other. I had calls and emails from people I didn’t even know congratulating me! brooke: My husband couldn’t be at the awards night as he had a fall and had concussion. Luckily we were able to use Face Time on my Iphone on the evening and he got to watch the whole thing from the couch, head bandage and all! emma: I was so shaky. I couldn’t believe it. I can totally relate with Maria. I wasn’t quite prepared with how emotional I was about the whole thing. I totally got what the past winners were talking about. brooke: When I heard my name I thought ‘omg I have to talk now!’. I really had to hold myself from crying. Luckily Vicki insisted we all had a speech written! Since then, like Maria, I have had so many messages and calls. It’s really overwhelming. profile: Vicki, as Chair of the judging panel, what has your experience been of the awards? vicki: This is my second year as Chair and my fifth year of judging. Each year I am inspired by these women. I am the lucky one to hear all their amazing journeys. The calibre of business profilemagazine

PROFILE LUNCH

ly “ I was genuine w impressed at ho yone supportive ever er.” was to each oth Maria Woods

women we have on the Sunshine Coast really blows me away. The finalists are all amazing. The judging process is rigid and one of the best I have been involved in. Many of these women have children and the way they balance their business and family life is so impressive. Most impressive though is how humble they are. We don’t understand what an amazing job we do until we sit and reflect. profile: What have you taken away from the awards? carly: When something pops up and I am having a low week I will often get a call from someone from the network to meet up for a coffee or have a chat. As a past winner, it’s the connection you make with the other women that is so special. Sometimes you can’t talk to your mum, dad, partner, girlfriends or staff about it, you need to talk to someone like-minded, someone in business who gets where you are coming from. michele: I have been involved in these type of networks my whole life but the difference is the support. It’s nice to hear it’s reflected through the awards and how the finalists and winners feel about each other. maria: I think it breaks down the myth that women don’t support women. That is what the network does so well. profile: What do you expect from the year ahead? emma: I am looking forward to interacting with other women in business. Our industry is mainly male so it will be nice to connect with like-minded business women on the Coast. brooke: I am hoping to come out of my shell more and hope to get to know more people. I want to start more networking and spread my wings more. maria: I am looking forward to working with the network and lending my support to other business women and mentoring those who are nominated for next year. profile: Michele, tell us a little about your role as co-ordinator? michele: I look after the administration, membership and events. It is such an interesting role and great to connect and be inspired by the amazing women on the Coast. I am very blessed to have this position. I really get to know the winners over the year. profile: What advice you would give to other women? maria: I would say do it. Don’t think about it. Do It. I have a list of women I am going to nominate next year. There are incredible women on the Coast and they deserve to be recognised. It was a pleasure getting to know these ladies a little more and I came away from our lunch feeling inspired and humbled by their success. I would also like to mention Corporate Business Woman of the Year, Debbie Battaglini Clarke and Young Business Woman of the Year Melinda Bingley, both of whom were overseas and whose company we missed at lunch. I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Profile to congratulate the finalists and winners of the awards. You truly are a bunch of inspirational ladies and great role models for the younger generation of women on the Sunshine Coast to aspire to. Cheers to that! 78

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RESERVE RESTAURANT, MALENY

This was not my first visit to the beautiful Reserve Restaurant, Maleny. In fact, it is a firm favourite of both myself and my husband and the perfect choice for those seeking fine dining in a delightful setting with top class service. I am not surprised to hear Reserve was recently awarded a coveted chef’s hat in the Queensland Good Food Guide, owner and sommelier Stephen Heffernan has been in the business for 25 years and is passionate about delivering a world-class menu and wine list. Nestled among the lush rolling hills of Maleny, perfectly positioned overlooking the breathtaking Blackhall Ranges, the charming reproduction Queenslander oozes warmth and rustic charm. We couldn’t have picked a nicer day to enjoy our lunch-time visit. As the soft rain fell, the sounds of chilled jazz set the tone for a relaxed and decadent dining experience. For entree, we were treated to smoked zucchini soup with chicken liver parfait, quince and watermelon radish, perfectly accompanied with Charles Pelletier blanc de blanc from Burgundy, France. This was perfectly followed by confit duck yolk, crispy leek, beurre noisette crumb, guanciale and perfectly unripe strawberry, washed down with a delightful capercaillie Chardonnay from the Hunter Valley. Next, we all had fun guessing the flavours of the refreshing apple and verjuice palate cleanser, the perfect pre-cursor to our main of venison, black garlic, pine nuts, truffled polenta, salsify and bone marrow foam. It was perfectly-matched with S. C Pannell 'tinto' Grenache, touriga blend from South Australia. Last but not least, the chocolate-lovers dessert of aero chocolate, cocoa sorbet, peppermint and white choc ganache, cocoa crumbs and dehydrated white choc mousse was the piece de resistance! Accompanied by Pedro Ximenez - a stunning Spanish sweet cherry, it was the perfect end to a memorable lunch. Our friendly waiter Will, was attentive, yet not intrusive, with a wonderful knowledge of both the food and wine. Once again I was reminded of why I love Reserve restaurant. And judging from the rave reviews from the lunching ladies, the five-star restaurant has just gained some new fans! Reserve, Maleny 840 Landsborough-Maleny Road, Maleny Phone: 5435 2288 profilemag.com.au

GOURMET CULTURE

WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS CHERYL NONMUS, ONQ PHOTOGRAPHY

oconut water. It’s the health craze sweeping the nation with its purifying benefits. Derived from the young green coconuts of native palm trees, it's heralded as a ‘super-drink’ by everyone from supermodels to athletes. For the founder of Sunshine Coast business Coconut Groove, David Hughes, it’s about tracing back to the origins of this health drink. David’s affinity with coconut water began more than 40 years ago on location in the Pacific Islands, while filming a series of iconic Australian television shows, including Adventures of the Seaspray and Homicide. “It’s not a fad … actually, the natives and the island locals have been drinking it for thousands of years and using all parts of the coconut. Now we in the Western world are embracing coconut water as a magical elixir! Magical or not … it’s a very healthy beverage to drink.” David launched his Cooroy-based brand and business about three years ago following 12-months of intense research and development. “Prior to this, I had started to see plastic covered, white diamond-cut coconuts in the supermarkets. I wasn’t very impressed with the taste. Then the odd can and bottle started coming on the market and I wasn’t altogether impressed with them either,” he says. “The main variety of coconut used in Coconut Groove coconut water is the Nam Hom, which is regarded as the best coconut water in the world. It’s only cultivated in Thailand,” David says of his 100 per cent natural coconut water, which is kept pure of any nasty additives and preservatives. “During the course of in-depth research, I discovered just how incredible the benefits of coconut water were,” David explains. These include two key benefits: rehydration from coconut water’s natural electrolytes and the energy found in the liquid’s fast-burning glucose properties, as David found out for himself on the islands. His own experience is confirmed by the popularity of coconut water within elite athlete circles, including the intense field of adventure racing. David explains, “They look for a product preferably that has something like glucose in it for a quick energy burst.” And coconut water certainly seems to hold the perfect amount of the valuable sustenance, with up to 67 per cent of the natural sugar found in coconut water made up of glucose. “It’s a natural product … for everyone it will work for rehydrating and re-energising,” David says. “It’s just a very healthy thing to drink - any part of the coconut is very healthy to eat and drink!”

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DAVID HUGHES

DAVID’S TIPS ON HOW TO ENJOY YOUR COCONUT WATER! 1. Squeeze a fresh lime into the bottom of a glass and top it up with a can of fresh coconut water. 2. Use as a base for a variety of fresh, healthy smoothies. 3. When undertaking exercise, rehydrate with a can of coconut water. 4. If you have gastric problems, try settling your stomach with a can of coconut water.

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WORDS STEVE STREET CSW (CERTIFIED SPECIALIST OF WINE USA)

here are so many interesting facets related to wine in respect to food pairings, but none more so than the perennial cheese plate that we have been putting on our patio tables for our guests since barbecues started rolling around our purpose-built backyard havens. Start a midday soiree off with some champagne or sparkling – a soft, wellripened wheel of creamy brie or camembert would be a great place to start. If you prefer the idea of some cheeses as an alternative to dessert, your board will sing with this little cheese trifecta. Think pairing with big, generous reds and fortified wines. Start with a corner of aged cheddar, a slice of ripe and creamy montagnard (a slightly-pungent French cow’s milk style) and an obligatory slice of blue. Add some sweet seedless grapes, quince or pear paste, or a small handful of unsalted almonds or cashews. Try to avoid salted crackers as the sodium can clash with the sweetness of the cheeses and neutralise the acidity in the wine. Here’s a selection of fantastic wines you will find around your local wine shops throughout the great Southeast: • 42 Degrees South NV Sparkling – Tassie sparkling is some of the best in the world. Notes of white almond nougat and brioche on the nose with a mouthfeel of clean, green apples and toasted brioche. Will pair beautifully with all soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, mascarpone and ricotta – Under $25 • Leeuwin Siblings Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 – A classic Western Australian white blend showing hints of passionfruit and fresh lime aromas that carry across to the palate with a cleansing lemon sorbet acidity on the finish. Sauvignon blanc always matches well with goat and sheep curds as well as soft, creamy cheeses – Under $20

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• Scotchman’s Hill Estella Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 – Premium wine producers from Geelong have sourced out some of the most beautiful fruit from McLaren Vale’s (SA) five stars vintage. Hints of blue fruits, cassis and cedar, make way for dark ripe plums, hints of ground pepper and dusty tannins in the mouth – very elegant. Robust reds match well with classic aged and crumbly vintage cheddars and some blue cheeses, such as Roquefort – Under $30 • Campbell’s Rutherglen Muscat – Fortified wine specialists, Campbell’s are some of the top producers for these styles of wine in the country. Think lightly-toasted toffee and melted butter aromas making way for a creamy mouth coating experience of toasted honey and butter with hints of marmalade and dried nectarine. The perfect finish to a dinner that will pair beautifully with the most pungent of soft sheep’s milk cheeses and blue vein styles of Gorgonzola and Roquefort – Under $20 Wine Discovery Workshops are held every month with Steve Street at Dan Murphy’s Kawana Store, winemerchant@live.com. A special thanks to Jak Nash of Red and White for his contribution .

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GOURMET CHEF PROFILE

WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

SUSE BOURKE

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ocal gourmet chef and baker Suse Bourke whips up sweet treats and delicious food with finesse and passion, juggling two foodie businesses and catering pursuits. Her thriving business, Suse Foods, is tucked away in a gorgeous pop-up shop in the courtyard of Books of Buderim on Burnett Street. Suse has artfully created a space of warmth, relaxation and delicious food for customers to enjoy and they are child and dog friendly too! Suse’s regular clients range from the elderly community to business professionals popping in to sample her delicious food. “I do like to focus on gluten free, I’ve also started experimenting with sugar-free cooking and paleo, gluten and grain-free, because there’s a big call for that. People are just not wanting to put garbage in their bodies, they’re wanting to put real food in their bodies,” she says. “In winter I do a lot of soups ... and I do Taco Tuesdays; which are becoming quite popular.” “My attitude is that people are coming into my space and I like to make them feel welcome and spoil them and give them yummy, nutritious food. People always say they like coming up here, it’s like a little haven,” she says. Suse is also kept busy with her second foodie business, 2 Lush Tarts, which she runs with a business partner. The two ladies have garnered a loyal following from their appearances at Nights on Ocean (second Friday of each month) and Peregian markets (first and third Sunday of each month). They have hit a sweet spot with the markets, attracting hundreds of customers at Ocean Street, and often selling out at Peregian, with plans to build their market presence. “People are enjoying coming to get their treats with the Tarts!” Suse laughs of their cheeky business name. Suse’s culinary path started with a fast tracked chef apprenticeship in Toowoomba following three years abroad in London. Upon her return to Australia and still transient, she based herself back in her family home of Toowoomba where her passion for food stemmed from. Suse explains, “I grew up in a family where every Sunday was a free-for-all in the kitchen. Mum and Dad were really good cooks and both my grandmothers were amazing cooks.” So, in 2002 with front-of-house hospitality experience and a chef’s qualification under her apron, Suse started Suse Foods (www.facebook.com/ susefoods) while still in Toowoomba, before bringing her culinary talents to the Sunshine Coast in 2010. “It’s taken a while to develop and I’ve experienced different aspects of cooking and catering and this is the right direction now,” she says of her current successful pursuits. “On top of the courtyard and markets, I do private catering – from kids parties to corporate events,” Suse shares of the many hats she wears. She also provides healthy energy balls and wholesales baked goods for coffee shops and health centres. Her range of goodies include delectable-sounding treats including macadamia blondies, pistachio blondies, almond salted caramel blondies, raspberry blondies, cherry ripe blondies, peanut butter brownies, hazelnut nutella brownies and jaffa orange brownies to name a few, all gluten-free with new flavours on the way. Mouthwatering? Definitely. And it’s the kind of food that perfectly reflects Suse’s food philosophy. “Eat for nutrition, enjoyment and togetherness,” she smiles. profilemag.com.au

GOURMET FOODIE TRAIL

The Shak Organic Cafe & Wine Bar Conscious eating meets fine dining at The Shak, a thriving new organic restaurant in the heart of Buderim, which is owned and operated by a tight-knit team of vibrant young foodies. Founders Mitch & Renae started out with a vision to create a people-orientated business with a focus on supporting local communities in the pursuit of clean living and optimal wellness. The vision was readily adopted by the Sunshine Coast’s dining scene. With an extensive range of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo and raw food options, all revolving around a seasonal, locally sourced produce supply, there are always a number of exciting new dishes on the menu. facebook.com/theshakorganics Phone: 5445 2692

FOLLOW OUR FOODIE TRAIL EACH MONTH AS WE EXPLORE WHAT THE SUNSHINE COAST HAS TO OFFER FOR FOOD LOVERS!

The Deli Co The Deli Co is a unique culinary fusion with a relaxed and intimate Euro-style alfresco dining. Situated perfectly in central Maroochydore, locals and visitors alike are often spotted enjoying the delicious breakfast, lunch and take home menu created from the finest ingredients and local produce, or sipping on the speciality coffee blend by The Deli Co. Under the hand of two qualified chefs with over 50 years experience, dishes such as flamenco eggs, crispy duck salad or the famous 'deli brekky burger' are found on the menu. With amazing fresh salads, huge range of homemade sweet food and gluten free options available – there really is something for everyone! The friendly service adds to the welcoming ambience, and judging by the regular appearance of lunching ladies to the corporate customers, The Deli Co ticks all the right boxes! Shop 2/14 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore Phone: 5479 2558

Strange Cuisine Catering Taking centre stage at local functions and events, Strange Cuisine Catering delivers the epitome of food presentation, quality and taste. They cater for functions between 30 to 500 people either on location at their client’s own premises or tailor made to suit a function venue. From birthday parties to weddings, anniversaries, corporate functions and more, choose from plated or buffet menu selections, canape options, and they also cater for special dietary needs. Strange Cuisine can assist businesses either new or established with menu writing, costing, food presentation, equipment purchasing – anything that can make your business flow better and gain profit! www.strangecuisine.com.au Phone: 0418 982 869

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Bfresh Market Cafe Deli The quintessential health food and fresh produce destination, Bfresh Market Cafe Deli brings relaxed market-style dining to the table. Arriving for breakfast, you may choose to try one of their own uber-popular smoothie blends or a revitalising cold pressed veggie juice with your food, while mid-morning customers can choose from a tempting menu with vegetarian and vegan options (the salads are to-die-for!). The deli houses divine sweet and savoury goodies for a lighter choice, and the coffee is a stand out. For the health-conscious, the concept supermarket onsite allows you to stock up your pantry and fridge with health foods and fresh produce, or you can shop the fresh flowers and check out the recipe books available. The vibrancy of the produce, buzz of the friendly staff and laidback vibe are a surefire foodie winner. To market, to market! 239 Nicklin Way, Warana Phone: 5493 2839

Chocol’arte to the Max

Could there be any better combination for the senses than that of chocolate and candles? The ambience and warmth at Chocol'arte to the Max is infused by the smell of rich, deep chocolatey goodness and the glow of Australian candles. The shelves are stocked with homewares, art works and gifts, with exotic wares from Mexico, Poland and France to browse and shop from. After satisfying your shopping appetite, enjoy a fresh coffee or infused tea accompanied by the range of treats from traditional English lollies to handmade gourmet chocolates. Styled and decorated with bright cushions, exotic wares and rustic influences, the shopfront is a breath of fresh coffee-scented air for local cafe-goers. Pop in for service with a smile and a unique shopping experience! Chocol'arte to the Max Noosa Marina, 2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin Phone: 07 5455 6788

GOURMET Grill’d Sunshine Plaza Eat, drink and be scary at Grill’d Sunshine Plaaarghza. Grill’d will be a hellish haunt for a Halloween feast on Friday 31 October. From 5pm come dressed up to fright and they’ll reward you with a 2 for 1 bite! Dress to scare and get a 2 for 1 burger – so you can shout your ghoul, mummy or monster. Grill’d Sunshine Plaza – they’re dying to feed you … Sunshine Plaza Riverwalk, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore Phone: 5443 6000

Sweetness Contained Sweetness Contained is situated in Noosaville and run by Jane Cross who has been involved in the hospitality business for 25 years, having run her own catering and cooking business. The boutique bakery caters for retail, vintage high teas, corporate events, birthdays, special events and weddings from their welcoming shop in Project Avenue, Noosaville, with a client base ranging from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane. A visit to the Sweetness Contained cakery is a sweet surprise-filled emporium of exquisite, vintageinspired and elegant baked goods. There are also gluten free, dairy free and vegan options upon customer request. From cream-filled cake showstoppers to dainty cupcakes, this cakery hits a sweet spot. www.sweetnesscontained.com.au 19 Project Avenue, Noosaville Phone: 0450 517 703

Enjoying our Gourmet section? If you’d like to be a part of the next issue call Profile, 5451 0669. october 2014

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PROFILE EAT

Did you know one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime? The only way we can make a difference in the fight against this insidious disease is through much needed research, which is exactly what the National Breast Cancer Foundation is focused on achieving. In fact, the foundation’s goal is to achieve zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. In support of this very worthy cause, 4 Ingredients by Kim McCosker has created a stunning cookbook aimed at raising $100,000 for cancer research. Cook 4 a Cure is a beautiful collaboration of over 60 recipes using just four ingredients or less as well as lots of tips and words of inspiration for those who are or have been affected by cancer.

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FIG BARS

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

•• 1 cup of Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

•• 1 tablespoon of organic peanut butter

Makes 5

•• 2/3 cup of dried figs, chopped •• 2/3 cup of raw almonds, chopped •• 2/3 cup of dried apricots, chopped METHOD Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until combined, add a teaspoon of water if needed. Line a loaf tray with wax paper. Spoon the mixture into the tray and press out evenly. Place in the fridge for two hours before removing and slicing into bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Makes 12

•• 1/2 cup of Medjool dates, pitted and chopped •• 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder •• 1⁄2 cup of raw peanuts, roughly chopped and toasted METHOD Place all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until well combined. With wet hands, roll teaspoons of mixture into balls. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for two hours before serving.

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MILESTONES

october 2014

SUBURB PROFILE

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BUSINESS SUCCESS

WORDS JESSICA JANE SAMMUT PHOTOGRAPHY REBECCA SMITH

A PIVOTAL CONVERSATION ON A YACHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SAW SHANE HEPBURN SUMMON THE COURAGE TO FOLLOW HIS DREAMS, AND IT’S A PATH THAT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN WALKED WITH GREATER ENTHUSIASM. JESSICA JANE SAMMUT REPORTS.

“Y

ou have to be in it, to win it,” explains Shane as he takes another sip of his Veneziano espresso. “It’s a mantra that I learned first hand from the CEO of Moet. ‘If you are thinking of launching a business, just start,’ he told me, having lost $15 million on one deal and gained $30 million on another. And he was so right.” “It’s no different to playing Monopoly,” he muses. “You have to remember, it is just a game.” Raised in Caloundra, Shane knew from a young age he wasn’t cut out to fit the standard mould. “I didn’t like being told what to do and found it hard to hold down a job,” he smiles. “I found myself wanting to take control. In my mind, I could always see a better way of doing things.” Studying for a business marketing degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, together with a diploma in hospitality and management at TAFE, Shane moonlighted on the side as a music promoter but soon realised if he wanted to work for himself, he was going to need cash to set up a business. Cue a crewing spot on a 170-foot super yacht, where he worked his way up from deckhand to staff client liaison. “It was a mad year on that boat,” says Shane. “I worked 18 hours a day, seven days a week. We spent six months in the Caribbean and then crossed the Atlantic and cruised around France, Italy, Sardinia and Corsica over the European summer. The boat hired for $800,000 per week, so as you can imagine, I came across some incredibly successful people. “I worked hard with no holiday and little time to party, and saved the money I was making to put into a business. It was only when the CEO of Moet explained that to win in business you had to be standing at the table – whether you had $50,000 or $500 in your pocket – that I realised I shouldn’t waste another minute. I quit my job and returned home to get started.” Knowing that he loved talking to people and was obsessed with good service, Shane looked to the hospitality sphere to provide him with an idea for his venture, and within an insanely short two months, his business was up and running. He had the bit between his teeth and he wasn’t letting go. “When I arrived back on the Coast from Europe, I jumped on a plane to Melbourne and spent some time absorbing what was working there in terms of trends. And what was it? Incredible coffee. I then stole the idea and brought it back here! The Sunshine Coast was ripe for moving forward and I was ready to help it. “So I sold everything I had, including my car, found the cheapest premises I could (which in fact ended up with great foot traffic, so I was lucky) and got stuck in.”

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And so The Good Bean Espresso Bar in Mooloolaba was born in January 2011, with Shane working every day for six months without a break in order to get it off the ground. “My whole goal for the first year was not to fail,” explains Shane. “It was tough, but I could see it growing and this was comforting, even if it was just by $50 a week. It was a scary, yet exciting, time.” With The Good Bean running well, after 18 months Shane began to look for his next challenge, teaming up with his business mentor Clayton Williams in a bar-coffee concept venue, Lot 104. Having cut his teeth on The Good Bean, Lot 104 flew and far quicker too, with Shane and Clayton creating such a success they exited in just 18 months, paying off the commercial property loan they had taken on the Lot 104 premises. It seemed Shane’s attention to detail that had plagued him as an employee could not have been a greater asset in the commercial arena. And other people noticed it too. “After I had sold Lot 104, Roy Henzell, the real estate magnate, approached me to see if I wished to manage a bar he had invested in that was struggling. I told him that no, I wouldn’t manage it. But I would buy it!” Shane wasn’t wrong when he spoke of Monopoly. Enter Drift Bar, Caloundra, which became Shane’s latest project with him transforming it and quadrupling the turnover in just over a year. “I love a perpetual challenge,” smiles Shane. “I suppose when I achieve something I look to the next thing I can conquer. I love progress, even if it is something small. I have a rule of implementing one positive change a week to make business better. It can be something as small as introducing a draft excluder for the early morning staff at The Good Bean to help keep them warm. It all makes a difference. It means you are building higher and greater.” So what’s next for this driven and independent young tycoon? Some time off perhaps, recovering from a manically busy few years? “Of course not!” Shane laughs. “The Good Bean Deli has just launched, offering fresh sandwiches made that day for a healthy on-the-go lunch. Once again, Melbourne has been doing it for years, and it is time we did it here.” With the CEO of Starbucks an inspiring figure to Shane, in addition to his wife and two-year-old daughter, it seems this down-to-earth guy, who radiates warmth and an authentic charm unique to someone in his position, has no plans of slowing down. And when he is bringing such quality and growth to the Coast, who would want him to. Go Shane, we’re right behind you to see where the roll of the dice for your next business move lands.

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My whole goal for the first year was not to fail.â&#x20AC;?

SHANE HEPBURN

october 2014

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PROFILE BRIEFCASE

THE SUNSHINE COAST IS FULL OF TALENTED PEOPLE – EACH ISSUE WE SHOWCASE TWO SUCCESSFUL LOCALS DOING GREAT THINGS IN THEIR FIELD. WORDS KATE CLIFFORD

“Instead of complaining ... we decided to do something about it”

“We wanted to do something different”

MITCH ELSWORTHY AND MATT GILLESPIE

SIMON BALMER AND CANDY XIE

any would think you would need years of experience before opening your own restaurant, especially if you are specialising in Japanese cuisine. For Simon Bulmer and Candy Xie, it was only a few days work at a sushi train which gave them the belief they could open Cherry Blossom Tree at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, and they have never looked back. Simon, originally from Victoria, met Candy while learning Chinese in China. “We lived in China for two years and eventually the company I was working for brought me to the Sunshine Coast,” says Simon. “Candy was at home with our two daughters, Sofia and Vanessa, for the first few years before she started to look for work. She started to work at a sushi train in the Plaza, but after only a few days she was informed they would be closing.” “The store closed down a few weeks after she started work and so we approached Lend Lease to see if we could take over but the location had already been leased.” With eight years restaurant management experience behind Candy but no prior experience in Japanese cuisine, the pair were taking a “huge” but calculated risk when they submitted the business proposal for Cherry Blossom Tree - Sushi Train a few months later. “My wife had only ever managed Chinese-style restaurants in Hong Kong and China, but because of her vast experience we believed we could be doing a lot better” says Simon. As the business grew so did the staff, starting with just two sushi chefs to now six. After four years, Simon and Candy took another punt by opening Cherry Blossom Tree – Contemporary Japanese Restaurant in Mooloolaba along Brisbane Road. “We wanted to do something different, Cherry Blossom Tree at Mooloolaba is a dining experience, exceptional food and service, with the Sunshine Coast’s only private tatami rooms” he says. With both businesses now booming, Simon’s choice to leave his job as an engineer has paid off and they both have just returned from a business trip to Japan. “We ate our way across the country and have come home with a couple of new ideas, which we hope to implement in the near future.”

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itch Elsworthy and Matt Gillespie are the chucklesome duo behind the counter at the Sunshine Coast’s newest specialty coffee bar, Francis Bean. Living the dream after bidding goodbye to their four-year accounting and finance degrees, Mitch and Matt opened Francis Bean at 3 Mari Street, Alexandra Headland in December last year, offering up a new style of speciality coffee. “Matt and I went to university together and have known each other now for six years. Instead of complaining about our jobs we decided to do something about it,” says Mitch. “After a few weeks of research, we came up with a business plan and were all of a sudden trawling through the commercial real estate pages for a place. “We saw this place and just pounced on it. Within 48 hours of it being listed we had a deposit paid. “It happened really fast, but we couldn’t be happier. A lot of the time people complain about their lives and their jobs and don’t do anything about it, so I am really glad I did take the leap.” Both Mitch and Matt worked at the Campos Coffee in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane while studying at university. It is here Mitch learnt the in and outs of making the perfect brew. “There is a lot of wastage in this industry, as we are constantly changing the grind to make sure the shots run right, if it’s not right we are constantly throwing out shots and milk, which isn’t a nice concept but it is to make sure that quality is there,” Mitch says. “It is such a hard thing to get consistency and quality with the coffee, but as long as everyone has the same focus and the same goal, you do notice the difference and appreciate it.” Francis Bean, named after Kurt Cobain’s daughter Frances Bean Cobain – but spelt in the ‘manly way’ – has fast become the popular caffeine hot spot on the Coast, which the team puts down to “great customer service and the perfect coffee every time”. “Two of our regular customers told us the story of how they used to go to a cafe to see a barista and then he moved away from the Sunshine Coast, so they wanted to come and find another barista,” explains Mitch. “Working here, it’s almost like having a relationship at times. Each new customer seems to evolve into a friendship.”

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WORDS INGRID NELSON

nown for her beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean, year-round tropical climate, great shopping, scenic National Park and award-winning restaurants, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising to discover Noosa is referred to by many as the jewel of Queensland.

Boasting a relaxed, holiday feel, Noosa is just one-and-a-half-hour's drive north of Brisbane, or a thirty-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport and is a major drawcard for overseas visitors.

One of the most sought-after addresses in the Southeast corner, Noosa has always been popular with owner-occupiers and investors alike across Australia and overseas. Unlike other Coastal locations, Noosa Heads is free of high rise buildings, preserving its village ambience and natural beauty, ensuring it remains the ideal location for Coastal property buyers. Permanent residents are well serviced by retail, transport and educational facilities as well as supermarkets and retail outlets available in Noosa Junction and Noosaville, making it the perfect choice for both working couples and families. No visit to Noosa Heads would be complete without a visit to popular Hastings Street, the heart of the sub-tropical paradise. Peppered with an array of gorgeous little boutiques, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes

october 2014

and budgets, Hastings Street is the perfect spot to unwind after a spot of shopping to soak up the atmosphere and watch the world go by. Noosa offers so much as a destination and as a place to call home ... from the North facing beaches and the stunning scenery at Noosa National Park, to the boutique suburbs of Noosa Hill, Noosa Springs, the Noosa Junction and Noosa Sound on the Noosa River. The name Noosa came from the Aboriginal word meaning "shade" or "shadows", a nod to the respite from the sun offered by the tall forests in the area. The Aboriginal Kabi tribe had been visiting Noosa for thousands of years before Europeans first arrived in the 1800s. Noosa's most valuable natural asset, Noosa National Park, had its beginnings in 1879 when the untouched forest was declared the town reserve. In 1930 the preserved land was gazetted as a National Park, ensuring its protection into the future. Over a decade later, Noosa began developing rapidly, gaining popularity as a short getaway destination as well as a humming cosmopolitan Coastal town to live in. Whether you live, work or play in this beautiful part of the world, it is a gem of a suburb that is synonomous with the glorious Sunshine Coast lifestyle.

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PROFILE MILESTONES

PHOTOGRAPHY CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Bowie is a miracle baby and with his arrival my life became even better and I didn’t think that was even possible! ...”

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enny Lane is the super chic and always stylish owner of Sunshine Coast clothing boutique Alterior Motif. Her Cotton Tree store, which has just reached its 10 year milestone, is a known favorite among locals, featuring an exquisite range of carefully hand-picked pieces from iconic Australian brands such as Sass and Bide, Bassike, One Teaspoon and Spell Designs. These days the 36-year-old is a busy working mum to her one-year-old son, Bowie, who she fondly calls her “miracle baby”! This month, Profile catches up with Penny to discover how her life’s milestones shaped the person she is today, and ultimately lead her down the path to success and happiness. Life changing milestone 1: Moving out of home. Age 14. It was the ultimate lesson in independence. My sister, Moon, and I decided it would be better for us in the big wide world so we left home, got jobs, put ourselves through school. We did it tough at times but we had each other and I look back and see some steep learning curves, but I am grateful for those as I feel like all those things teach you the life skills to get to where you are today. I discovered my love for surfing, which changed my life and its direction. It gave me a positive focus and kept me out of trouble, which I was a little bit prone to getting into. I got my first job at a surf shop, Plantation Surf in Mooloolaba, when I was just past 14, which in hindsight kick started my career in retail. It gave me confidence and the ability to work with people.

my life so far, he’s my best friend and now we have thrown a kid into the mix and we are beyond happy. Life changing milestone 5: The birth of Bowie. 2013. Bowie is a miracle baby and with his arrival my life became even better and I didn’t think that was even possible! After six years of trying, we figured that if we couldn’t have kids naturally we would adopt and help a child that needed loving parents, but adoption services decided there “weren’t enough children that needed adopting” two years into the process. If you know anything about our adoption processes in Australia, you would know that it’s pretty ridiculous. So that was the end of that. IVF was always our second option. We actually even considered not doing it, as we are both really happy with our life and already appreciative of everything we had on a personal and business level. We had a bit of a “what’s meant to happen will happen” attitude but as I hit my 30s I realised that my one and only regret when I grew old would be to not have at least tried to have our own family. Evan and I talked about having kids on our very first date. We were always talking about when we would have babies. It was something we had in common, our love of kids. So we agreed to give it a go. Boom! Baby Bowie, first round of IVF! Happiness complete … I measure my success in the happiness that I feel, so it would be fair to say I’m pretty much as wealthy as Bill Gates!

Life changing milestone 2: Travel. Age 18. My first ever trip overseas was a nightmare. I went to Indonesia for a surf trip and I won’t go into details but I got myself into a bit of trouble through being completely naïve. It gave me a great insight into people and how you can be taken advantage of if you are young and silly. I didn’t realise it at the time but this trip set me up to emotionally deal with “difficult” personalities and challenging situations. It never stopped me from travelling though, and every trip after that was fantastic and the best times in my life was when travelling the world and meeting new people. Life changing milestone 4: Becoming a business owner. 2004. Alterior Motif brought me back home to the Sunshine Coast. We were getting over being in Sydney, so moving back to do this was a no-brainer. Being a Libran I am naturally indecisive but owning your own business changes that real quick! I learnt to back myself and with the support of my husband slowly but surely turned Alterior Motif into a functioning and great little business. Ten years down the track we are still here, woo hoo! Over the last 10 years of owning Alterior I have met the most wonderful people. My closest friends today were customers that became friends and to me that’s just as valuable an asset as the business itself. I love what I do, and it’s been such a cool journey learning how to run my own business and work in the fashion industry. Life changing milestone 3: Getting married. 2005. My husband was the last person I expected to be my soul mate. We went to high school together, we were friends. We even lived together in the same share house when I was 16. We had reconnected in Sydney when he was selling his surf / skate apparel brand to a store I was working in and we started hanging out again. Next minute we were married. I actually never thought I would marry, I just really didn’t think about it too much, I kind of thought it was a bit of a hoax really, but when Evan asked me to marry him I was floored and I just knew we would grow old together. It’s been the best nine years of october 2014

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PROFILE TRAVELFILE

1 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

It’s that time of year when we are all starting to feel a little jaded and dreaming of the balmy summer months and Christmas break ahead. What better time to escape the hustle and bustle and daily grind and reward yourself with a little R & R – and you don’t have to leave the Sunshine Coast to enjoy the peace and tranquility. Tucked away amid 16 acres of lush hinterland, Amytis Gardens Retreat, Spa and Cooking School is a gorgeous mountain hideaway to indulge all of your senses. You will feel instantly relaxed the moment you step foot inside the quaint mountain chalet-style cottages at Amytis Gardens. Boasting king-sized beds, sunken spa baths and crackling fireplaces, it’s the perfect space to totally unwind with a chilled glass of bubbles and soak up the relaxing bush views. Complete with beautiful hand-painted glass panels from South America, it’s a little touch of Europe right here on our doorstep. But that’s not all that’s on offer at Amytis Gardens Spa and Cooking Retreat. As its name suggests, guests can also enjoy a hands-on culinary experience as well as the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate at the nurturing day spa. What more could you want?

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If you love Thai food, then you can’t afford to miss the Asian-inspired cooking classes at Amytis Gardens. Hosted by head chef Matthew Conroy, guests are invited to take part in a hands-on class where they will learn how to balance the intricate flavours of Thai food. Other Asian influences are also explored including Japanese, Malaysian and Chinese flavours. Having worked in five-star European restaurants, as well as many years in local restaurants, Matthew has influences from Scandinavia to Spain and more recently Thailand. With individual gas burners, you get to create and eat your own dishes, which you can enjoy with new friends over a glass of Thai Singha beer or wine. Classes are kept to a maximum of eight so everyone gets full attention. If like me, you are a little challenged in the culinary department, don’t worry, all levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Amytis Gardens also offers Cooking Team Building events that are perfect for building team spirit, increasing performance and motivation and most importantly a good laugh. What a great way to get a bunch of work mates together to cook up a storm and enjoy a glass of wine or beer together afterwards. If you are seeking a particular date that is not listed on the events calendar, you can contact Anita to book a private group on a day of your liking. Amytis Gardens are all about making it as easy as possible. Classes start from just $95 for a two hour class. For a full list of what’s on go to www.amytisgardens.com.au

october 2014

For the ultimate indulgence, stop by the beautiful Amytis Day Spa for a relaxing treatment to complete your getaway experience. Not your run-of-the-mill beauty salon, Amytis offers a nurturing day spa, with an extensive range of products and services including massage, facials, and body treatments. Set amid 16 acres of pristine rainforest, you can relax to the bird symphony as you soak up the atmosphere and completely unwind … bliss! There are plenty of pamper packages to cater for girls weekends, families, couples, babymoons and mums-to-be as well as bridal pampering. For a full range of treatments go to www.amytisgardens.com.au Doing their bit for the community, Amytis Gardens is proudly supporting local schools by donating $5 for each night booked between now and Christmas 2014.

Amytis Gardens Retreat Spa and Cooking School 51 Malones Road, Kiels Mountain Phone: 5450 0115 Email: amytis@bigpond.com

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PROFILE COMPETITIONS

A THREE-DAY MAUI CAMPERVAN HIRE!

t’s time for a road trip! Nothing quite compares to the experience of gliding along smooth highways stretching into the horizon to the tune of your favourite soundtrack, the sight of a beautiful coastline curving into view around a slow bend, the crinkle of maps pinned with new routes, the discovery of new places and the adventure of getting off the beaten track in luxury wheels. Thanks to Maui (www.maui.com.au) Profile magazine is offering one lucky reader the opportunity to travel our beautiful Australian landscape with a three-day hire of a Maui campervan! The Maui vehicles are quality European Mercedes or Volkswagen models, and are designed for apartment living on the road. Featuring warm, neutral tones, leather couches, luxury bed and towel linens, china crockery, wine glasses and other luxe kitchen items, Maui travellers will feel right at home with the apartment style cooking equipment, barbecue, LCD screen and DVD player, along with the convenience of iPod connectivity, GPS navigators and LPG bottle swaps.

THE MAUI MOTORHOME PRIZE INCLUDES:

• • • • • •

Maui premium package Travel wallet including maps and campground info Picnic table and chairs GPS Liability reduction option two – nil excess Pre-purchase gas (PGO) (Gas bottle).

The voucher will be redeemable for 12 months and pick up / drop off from any Maui branch in Australia (Maui vehicles are available nationwide including Brisbane).

Head to www.profilemag.com.au to enter this month's competitions. 96

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NB: Prize excludes a refundable vehicle security deposit of AU$250 (2WD) which is payable by credit card on collection of the vehicle. Standard Maui and terms and conditions apply (see www.maui.com.au for details). This rental is subject to availability at all times. Driver must be over 21 years of age with a full driver’s license held for at least one year. Fuel and location fees are not included. Prize is non-transferrable and not redeemable for cash. If you wish to add extra rental days to your prize, please note that the bonus pack / premium package will apply to these additional days. An alternative liability reduction option for these extra days cannot be selected.

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WIN A HUROM JUICER general manager / creative director Kara de Schot | generalmanager@profilemag.com.au editor Ingrid Nelson | editorial@profilemag.com.au journalist Kate Clifford publication coordinator / graphic designer Johanna Jensen-Brown

Want some goodness in your life? You can win a hurom juicer (worth $439) from online interiors destination www.TheHome.com.au. The Home offers premium homewares, interiors and kitchenware at heavily reduced prices, with new products on sale every day. To check out premium interiors and homewares at reduced prices, visit their website or follow on Facebook.com/thehome.com.au and Instagram www.instagram.com/thehomeaus. Profile magazine has one red Hurom juicer up for grabs! Using Hurom's cold-pressing system, 35 per cent more juice is extracted from your foods than with traditional high-speed juicers. Enter now for your chance to win!

graphic designer Danielle Murphy editorial assistant Anna Rawlings business development manager Maree McGrath Office Manager Tara King feature writers Tonia Zemek, Anna Rawlings, Jessica Jane Sammut contributor Louise Hickey Cover photography Traci Castle, Studio Republic photography Tanya Chesterton Smith, Rebecca Smith, Cheryl Nonmus

WIN A GORGEOUS CANVAS PIECE Are you looking for quirky treasures and design that inspires? Then Pop.com.au is the online destination for you! With a team of buyers finding the coolest and quirkiest novelties from all over the world, Pop.com.au is your one-stop shop for everything from inspirational art work, kitchy décor, designer brand jewellery, fabulous fashion to creative gifts. Follow Pop on facebook.com and @PopAustralia on Instagram. Thanks to Pop.com.au, we are giving away an oversized (90 x 120 x 3cm) canvas, valued at $349, to one lucky winner. Turn your drab wall into a fab wall with this iconic print, originally created by French graphic artist Bernard Villemont, known for his iconic advertising images and considered a master of Art Deco. Gallery-wrapped over an Australian plantation wood frame, wired and ready to hang, this gorgeous piece promises to stir delight and praise in any room it calls home. Enter now!

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WIN QUITE FRANKLY NATURAL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS Quite Frankly Natural are a unique range of 100 per cent natural, vegan and plant-derived skin care formulas, packaged in luxurious, designer acrylic packaging. The range contains organic ingredients, only natural preservatives and antioxidants, are unisex, 100 per cent Australian made and owned and are NOT tested on animals. All ingredients have been carefully researched for their healing, protective, anti-ageing and nutritive properties and contain only the highest quality of organic herbal extracts, organic essential oils and organic, virgin plant oils. The products are free from parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, EDTA, aluminium, benzoyl peroxide, artificial preservatives / fragrances / ingredients or any other nasties. Quite Frankly Natural founder and creator Samantha Marsh BHSc (Nut Med) has been studying and researching health, disease prevention, nutrition and natural and artificial / chemical ingredients for the use in food and personal care products for eight years. We have a lavish pack of Quite Frankly Natural to win. The pack includes a coconut and citrus body oil, pink Himalayan crystal body scrub, revitalising colloidal silver face cream, hair and scalp treatment and finishing oil, balancing colloidal silver face cream, corrective omega-rich body oil, balancing night intensive treatment oil and revitalising night intensive treatment oil.

Head to www.profilemag.com.au to enter this month’s competitions. october 2014

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PROFILE THE LAST WORD

NATASSIA APOLLONI

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

At just 24-years-old, WIN News journalist and reporter Natassia Apolloni is set to light up television screens across Queensland in her new presenting role. Stepping into her first news station as a work experience student 10 years ago, Natassia launched her television career in 2011. When she isn’t in the newsroom, Natassia is a local MYER ambassador, and juggles MC duties and charity fundraising activities. Catch Natassia in her new role presenting the nightly news for Townsville, Mackay and Toowoomba for WIN News in Queensland.

I couldn’t live without … nutella. It’s my vice.

I grew up in … Wollongong, a coastal city one hour south of Sydney. My grandparents migrated there from Italy back in the 50s, along with many other European families. It was a wonderful place to grow up and I love going back to visit.

When I go on holiday I like to … visit somewhere new. I feel it is a waste of a holiday if I am not learning about a new culture or seeing some of nature’s biggest wonders.

The first thing I do when I wake up is … put my alarm on snooze. I’m not a morning person ... but, once I’m up, I often go for a run followed by a much needed cup of coffee.

When I was growing up I wanted to be … a television journalist. I have always wanted to be a reporter and started work experience in my early teens.

If I could be better at anything it would be … singing. But, I cannot hold a note for the life of me and I often think if I could sing it would compensate for getting the lyrics wrong.

My all time favourite movie is … Harry Potter. I am a die-hard fan and have watched all the movies at least a dozen times.

I am at my happiest when … I am surrounded by the people I love. Family has always been my number one priority, along with my partner, who is closely followed by my best friends. I have also been blessed to have a number of strong role models within my circle that I continue to learn from everyday.

I couldn’t live without … nutella. It’s my vice. But, it does come a close second to my cavoodle, Lily. She always seems to brighten up my day.

When I am not working I am … out exploring. There are some great places to visit surrounding the Sunshine Coast, and I can’t believe they are right here at my finger tips. The best meal I have had was at … my grandmothers’ tables. I am lucky enough to have century-old Italian recipes still being cooked in my family.

My greatest achievement is … becoming a news presenter for the WIN Network. Although I am only 24, I have been working hard for the past 10 years to get here. My most annoying habit is … that I am stubborn. I also am a bit of a perfectionist. A bad hair day can never exist! My hidden talent is … I don’t have one. I don’t hide things from people, so what you see is what you get.

Most people don’t know that I … am classically trained in ballet and in playing the piano. 98

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