Spring Summer 2023-2024

CONTENTS

the gateway to the coast

Let us show you our favourite places along the road that takes you from Queanbeyan to the coast.

14. Sandalwood Homewares

16. Braidwood Bakery

20 . Provisions

22. The Blue Kingdom

26. The Oyster Shed

30. The Oaks Ranch

36. Mossy Point Cafe

40. Chad Staples of Mogo Zoo

fitness

Kickstart your Spring/Summer detox with our guide on the go-to Fitness and Health hubs in the region.

48. Mackenzie Wiki, Canberra Raiders

52. Queanbeyan Football Club

56 . Bodhifit Studio

60. Kym Degenhart, Bomfunk Dance

Studio & Kix Arts Productions

64. Fortitude

68. 3 Walks and Hikes to try this season

72 the bridal edit

It’s Wedding Season! Become inspired for your big day with our guide on saying ‘yes to the dress,’ choosing your venue, event organiser and florist.

72. The Doncaster

78. The Sposa Group

80 . Braidwood Blooms

84. Danielle Cleary Events, Canberra Fair

90 food and dining

This seasons food and dining highlights.

90. Turquoise Turkish Restaurant

94. Lark Hill Winery

100

the home guide

Spring is the season to spice up and revamp your home.

100. Rivoland Tiles

104. Bungendore Woodworks Gallery

106. Sage Natural Living

110 the christmas edit

Christmas is just around the corner! Be more organised than ever before with our holiday itinerary, recipes and decor guide.

110. The Bredbo Christmas Barn

114. Christmas Recipes

118. Christmas Calendar

120. Save the Date

editors letter

Dear Readers,

We are delighted to share the joyous success of our recent launch of Q Living Magazine, a celebration of our beautiful region and the vibrant community that makes it truly special.

The response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous interest and support. Due to the high level of enthusiasm and demand, we had to print additional copies to ensure that everyone could get a glimpse into the exciting stories that Q Living Magazine showcases.

As we step into the season of sun, surf, and the great outdoors, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings with friends and family. In this edition, we present to you a captivating list of exciting places and businesses, stretching from the heart of Queanbeyan to the South Coast. This is your ultimate guide to Spring/ Summer adventures.

Furthermore, in this issue you’ll find valuable insights and tips to keep fit and make the most of the warmer days. Additionally, we delve into the realms of weddings, events, and the spirit of Christmas, providing inspiration and ideas to make your celebrations truly memorable.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. We look forward to bringing you more stories, discoveries, and the essence of Q Living in the forthcoming editions.

Warm regards,

Ashleigh Bujaroski Editor, Q Living Magazine

annabelle decnudde

- Graphic Designer & editorial coordinator

timothy harris

- dig ital marketing executive

ASHLEIGH BUJAROSKI

- EDITOR

ROSANNA CURTOTTI

- Editorial & social media coordinator

QueanbeyanThe Gateway To The Coast

From Queanbeyan to Braidwood, Batemans Bay and beyond! Follow us as we take you through our must-see locations for your next summer coast trip!

FIND YOUR TREASURE

IN BRAIDWOOD AND SURROUNDS

Conveniently located between the Nation’s Capital, Canberra, and the pristine coastline of Southern NSW, the heritage-listed town of Braidwood is the perfect country destination for those looking for a slice of tranquillity.

Bustling with life, yet surrounded by Australian history, Braidwood offers the ultimate country get away complete with stories of bushrangers, gold seekers and more. The beautifulsun-dappledwalksandunspoilednationalparks, coupled with the award-winning cool climate wines and hand-crafted treasures on offer make for an unforgettable stay.

treasuretrail.com.au

BRAIDWOOD and SURROUNDS

As a NSW State Heritage listed town, it is common knowledge that Braidwood has colonial roots that date back to the first European settlement of the region and, long before that, a rich Indigenous history of the Yuin Nation.

Explore a bygone era as you walk along the streets of Braidwood on a self-guided heritage tour of over 45 historic locations or pay a visit to the amazing Braidwood Museum which boasts an impressive collection of preserved artefacts and photos that tell the story of the town and its people, including fascinating stories of Chinese pioneers. Walk along Braidwood’s main street and you may even recognise some of the rustic and rural streetscapes from iconic Australian films, such as Ned Kelly starring Mick Jagger and The Year My Voice Broke with Ben Mendelsohn.

Well-known for its creative community, Braidwood boasts a range of art galleries, showrooms, jewellers and more. Find new pieces of art for your home at Studio Altenburg and the seasonal exhibitions at BRAG and Fyre Gallery or visit the local artists’ studios during the annual Arts Trail in the Spring. Browse antiques, vintage treasures and collectables at Born Vintage, The Vintage Drawer and more, or browse furniture and unique homewares at Sandalwood and Len Mutton and Co. Upgrade your jewellery collection with handmade pieces from William Verdon, Thompson Bespoke Jewellers and VandM, and spoil yourself with gorgeous western-inspired fashion from Saloon Design House.

It’s no secret that Braidwood has long been regarded as the perfect pit stop for a pie on the way to the coast, and for good reason. The Town’s most beloved bakeries, Dojo Bread and Braidwood Bakery have become an unmissable tradition for visitors travelling in the Region. In addition to the irresistible bakeries, Braidwood is packed with a variety of local eateries dishing up paddock-to-plate produce.

Find your new favourite among Braidwood’s array of quirky Cafés, eclectic restaurants and traditional pubs. Choose from a range of cuisines from classic Australian to the delicious Himalayan flavours of Smokey Horse and the indulgent French galettes of Provisions Deli and Creperie and more, or opt for a classic pub meal at Royal Mail Hotel or Braidwood Hotel, known for its pink façade that’s stood in the corner of Wallace Street and Park Lane since 1852 and is also now home to Hold Fast Distillery.

Round off the day by tucking in for a peaceful night at one of Braidwood’s many unique accommodation providers–from magnificent homesteads surrounded by lush gardens at Mona Farm to tiny house getaways in a relaxed rural setting at Braidwood Farm Stay and Café. Alternatively, check in at one of the local boutique guest houses, such as The Doncaster or Bedervale, or call in at Cedar Lodge or the Colonial Motel to stay the night in the heart of the town.

Venture out a little further and you’ll find award- winning cool climate wineries that sit on the rolling hills of Wamboin and Bywong. Enjoy a wine tasting at Norton Road Wines, Contentious Character or Lark Hill, or visit Bungendore Village and pop into Sapling Yard Cellar Door for a tasting. You also won’t want to miss the wineries’ on-site restaurants–from low and slow style American BBQ at Biggie’s BBQ and Italian classics at Agostinis at Lark Hill to the modern Australian flavours of Contentious Character.

If you’re dreaming of escaping to unspoiled national parks, you’ve come to the right place. The region is home to Monga, Deua, Tallaganda, Budawang and Morton National Parks, giving you plenty of options for outdoor adventures whether you’re looking for an easy stroll through vast bushland, thrilling mountain biking tracks or camping under the stars. With all this and more on offer, what are you waiting for? Visit Braidwood and surrounds and find your treasure.

“We are only interested in things that are unique and not mass produced, so sourcing from small family-run businesses guarantees that every piece tells a story.”

The

sandalwood homewares

Bec and Fiona established their flourishing homewares business ‘Sandalwood’ ten years ago. Their joint love of travelling and passion for homewares inspired them to take the leap and introduce their passion to Braidwood. The excitement surrounding their travels, as well as finding new and unique stock to bring home are the main driving forces that keep them persevering through their business venture.

Sandalwood Homewares is a shop full of unique pieces from all over the globe. Bec and Fiona make regular expeditions to Southeast Asia, India, and Morocco, working with locals and forming personal connections with the artisans. Sharing a great love for travel, they are continually inspired by the colors, flavors, and styles of different cultures. This gives the store a unique touch, as you can purchase artisanal products that are not likely to be found anywhere else in the Region. The ladies describe that their mission is to be sure that they are sourcing ethically made products and supporting community enterprises wherever they go. They also commit to building long term relationships with the families that they encounter and connect with on their travels.

Favourite Countries and Specialty Items Found There

Fiona and Bec have countless favourite countries, so it is very difficult to pick just one. If they were to choose, however, they would have to say Bali, as this was their first destination, so it holds a strong place in their hearts. The people are generous, friendly, and always so easy to do business with. Morocco is the latest destination that they have travelled to and a favorite for them as well. Some unique items that they found in Morocco included the very special Moroccan ceramics which they have brought back with them to stock in the store. They will also be taking a trip back to India soon, which will include an exciting ‘shop-over’ in Vietnam.

Store Item Recommendations

This season, the ladies recommend their Moroccan textiles as some must-see products. They also have beautiful hand-woven woolen blankets from the Atlas Mountains, which are perfect for those cooler days and an exquisite range of uniquely crafted Moroccan rugs.

Importance of Working with small Families and Individual Artisans

Fiona and Bec take great pride in working with small families and individual artisans when sourcing their pieces. This is a very important underpinning value of theirs and they can appreciate how important support from others can be when running a small business. “We pride ourselves on our long-term relationships that we have with our suppliers, and I don’t think you make those connections with large companies”. This is one of many aspects that separates Sandalwood from other similar establishments in the region and you can be sure to find a unique and special piece for your home each time you shop in their store. Bec believes that they have brought a new and exciting product to their community, providing visitors with another reason to stop and shop in Braidwood.

Fiona and Bec would advise anyone starting a business in this current economic climate to really do their homework! The duo attribute a large part of their success to the passion that they have for their products and emphasise that “it is very important to stay willing to do the hard miles in-between the not so fun times.”

What’s Next for Sandalwood?

An exciting upcoming venture is currently in the works for Sandalwood. This will involve small group tours to the wonderful countries that Bec and Fiona love to visit. Bec explains that the idea was inspired by being asked over many years if they were going to take tour groups to the countries that they visit. The ladies now feel that the time is right to invite small groups to experience ‘shopping like a local’. For many people, especially women, who have always wanted to visit India as an example but find it daunting to go alone, they can be provided with a safe and very adventurous trip where all the guess work is taken out. If you have always wanted to visit a unique country such as Morocco, India or Bali, then this may be the perfect travel arrangement for you! Make sure to pop into their store on your next trip to Braidwood and have a chat with the lovely Bec and Fiona while you shop their wonderful artisanal products.

braidwood bakery

The Iconic Braidwood Bakery, nearly 100 Years of Pies and Tradition.

The Braidwood Bakery has origins steeped in tradition and is proud to continue a legacy that began in 1932 with the famous Leeson family. For nearly 100 years, the Bakery has been a great place to stop and relax between Canberra and the south coast, providing the great home-style produce, coffee and welcoming country atmosphere that have made it so iconic.

Current owner John Woodman and his family purchased the bakery in 2005, after virtually stumbling across a ‘for sale’ ad at a tea house in Lake Bathurst. “For many years we’d toyed with the idea of owning a bakery, as baking damper has been a family tradition for generations”, explains John. Since purchasing The Braidwood Bakery, they have also built another bakery in Goulburn named ‘Trappers Bakery’, which provides all the home-style pastries, pies, bread, and sweets that travellers know and love.

The Bakery has been an iconic staple of the Braidwood and surrounding community for decades and it is their outstanding customer service and dedication that has kept their customers coming back. Day in and day out, the bakery offers a tradition that has become a constant comfort in this ever-changing world. The bakery employs thirty local people, both juniors and adults, and is involved in sponsoring many local sporting associations. They also provide a great meeting place for locals and continue to be a truly authentic country bakery.

John believes that people keep coming back time after time because they know what they’re going to get - “Great tucker and friendly service with a smile”.

John works hard at fostering a friendly and wholesome culture amongst his staff, which rubs off on their valued patrons.

Most Popular Pie and Signature Item

John describes that their best-selling pie is “without a doubt the good old fashioned Traditional Steak pie.” The bakery offers a wide variety of delicious pies, savory pastries, sweets and of course bread. John’s personal favorite pie is a toss-up between the Chunky Steak and Pepper, and the Steak, Cheese and Bacon pies.

The bakery also does a ‘Pie of the Week’ which, depending on people’s fancy is always a bit of a hit. For instance, concoctions like Satay Beef, Thai Chicken and Veg or Chilli Con Carne are often rotating weekly offerring a more unique option to adventurous customers.

John explains that the bakery’s signature product is without doubt the famous Tin Loaf, which, “really has to be seen to be believed”. Put simply, this staple item is a normal white loaf which looks like it has just kept rising and rising and rising in its’ tin. A must-try for your next visit to the bakery!

What’s Next?

The Braidwood Bakery business model has seen plans to move locations to provide more customer parking, however, this idea has been put on the back burner for the time being.

In terms of new menu items to look forward to, the team are always rotating new products in the pie range, and they also continue to test new sweets to keep things fresh. What they mostly find, however is that people keep coming back because they know what they want and they know that they are going to get it, time after time.

BRAIDWOOD BAKERY

“i started out in real estate before i realised there was a lot more dough in dough.”

- john WOODMAN, owner of braidwood bakery

provisions deli & creperie

Located in the historic town of Braidwood, Provisions is a gourmet deli, pantry and creperie bringing artisan produce, speciality coffee, French galettes and crepes to regional NSW.

The Café is set in a gorgeous al-fresco courtyard, equipped with an outdoor coffee, wine and sweets cart; a setting which transports customers to a dreamy French oasis where they can enjoy delicious foods while catching up with friends and family. As well as the lovely location, the café’s menu offers a truly unique and delicious selection of galettes, crepes and drinks that all who visit Braidwood must try.

The Q Living team had the pleasure of experiencing the French-style excellence that Provisions has to offer. An absolute favourite menu item for one of our team members was the ‘build your own galette’. This option offers you the chance to add as many delicious ingredients as you would like on your own custom galette. A delicious ‘build your own galette’ combination that was tasted and loved started with a base of cheese, complemented with a sprinkle of caramelised onion, topped with spinach and raclette, all tied together with some silky slices of prosciutto and cornichon pickles. This particular mix of flavours was a treat for the tastebuds and the Q Living team look forward to returning to Provisions for more.

As well as their incredible galettes, Provisions also offer a vast selection of sweet crepes that are absolutely to die for. A must-try crepe on their menu is without a doubt the house-made salted caramel, grilled almonds, whipped cream, and fresh strawberry crepe. They also offer a selection of ‘Deluxe Crepes’, which combine a special selection of their more decadent ingredients.

A unique aspect that sets Provisions apart from other Cafés within the Region is their expansive range of French delicacies available for purchase within their pantry. Here you will find items such as duck liver parfait, black garlic pastes, handmade pastas, premium cured meats, and many sweet goodies such as Choco-Prince biscuits.

This is the perfect bespoke supermarket experience for those looking to fill their pantry with unique, delicious and premium quality foods for the spring/summer season.

The vision to establish a French creperie in the heart of Braidwood was born when nowgeneral manager Julien Besnard, who is originally from the charming French country town Montreuil-le-Gast, Bretagne decided to relocate to Braidwood from Sydney. Julien and his wife Romy, who is the general manager of Braidwood’s Mona Farm quickly adapted to life in Braidwood and eventually decided to embark on a joint business venture, creating a bespoke French creperie as part of the already-established Provisions Deli.

Julien has over twenty years of hospitality experience under his belt and has successfully brought his hometown of Bretagne in France to the historic Town of Braidwood, providing us with a delicious selection of galettes, a renowned Bretagne specialty for all to enjoy.

So, if you wish to be transported to a beautiful French country town while enjoying the exquisite delicacies they have to offer, Provisions is the place to be!

the blue kingdom

The Blue Kingdom is a place like no other on the main street of Braidwood. As you enter the store you are greeted with the whimsical scent of burning incense, which transports you to a realm of spiritual freedom and wellbeing. The store offers everything from beautiful crystals and handcrafted products to an organic apothecary of loose herbal supplies and a range of metaphysical and quantum-focused books.

Dedicated owner Nicki explains that the decision to create and open her store was spiritually inspired. The spiritual aspect of her decision was coupled with ending a rather intense role in the Government Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation services sector. Starting out, Nicki hoped for her store to become a luscious and spiritual place where those that are searching for higher truths and information can just be. The space has now grown into an enlightening spiritual hub that is not only loved by Braidwood locals, but the wider connecting towns and cities as well.

store offerings

Apart from the wonderfully unique items available for purchase in-store, The Blue Kingdom offers much, much more. The main services offered within the building include Oracle, Psychic and Jungianbased card readings as well as art therapy, transpersonal psychotherapy, massages, skin therapy, and holographic kinetics practice. They also have a Professional writing mentor available for one-on-one sessions. She is a local and is also a wellknown published writer of 5 books in sci-fi/ fantasy series and can offer a wealth of knowledge to those wanting to improve their writing skills or start writing professionally. They also have a long list of connections to holistic practitioners across the Coast that they can refer their customers to.

All About Quantum Healing

As of late, there has been a rise in popularity for quantum healing methods and using these to heal personal traumas. Nicki sheds light on what Quantum healing is, what it can do for you and a list of books offered in her store that can help.

Quantum healing is a term for understanding that healing primarily occurs through a mind and body connection. This generally entails a combination of higher consciousness, energy, frequency, intention, manifestation, and the power of choosing rather than leaving things to chance.

Overall, it is a fine way to begin living a life that reflects a sense of disconnection from ‘the matrix’ and the common systems of order. It offers a balance between being in touch with your society, while remaining separate in your own spiritual evolution.

Nicki believes that “One can never and will never fully heal unless genuine inner work begins, where one can step off the pendulum of action/reaction to take a look and witness their own behaviour and self”.

upcoming workshops

Since moving locations and establishing herself in a new place, Nicki has taken a step back from workshops over the past eight months. However, the workshops are making an exciting return very shortly. The first upcoming workshop is called “An intimate creative evening - The exposure of Clay”. This is an extraordinary sensory event where you immerse yourself in the exploration and embodiment of clay. Craft a personalized, physical representation of your vulva and have an opportunity to reflect and amplify the process in a warm safe place.

Book Recommendations

Nicki’s top book recommendations to begin your quantum healing journey, improve your spiritual connectivity or simply become enlightened to manifestation techniques.

‘Biology of belief’ – Bruce Lipton

‘The end of your world’ - Adyshanti

‘Becoming Supernatural’ – Joe Dispenza

‘Transcending the Matrix Control System’

– Tom Montalk

‘Secret language of the body’ – Inna Segal

‘The Holographic Universe’ – Michael Talbot

TAROT READINGS AND DIVINATION

Nicki has spent many years and “what feels like a lifetime” becoming familiar with tarot readings of all sorts. These days, she prefers to bring a combination of Psyche, Psychic and Spirit into the readings.

Famous analytical Psychologist Carl Jung coined the termed ‘Individuation Process’ and used several things to access the inner world and spiritual world of the person. The Tarot is also a tool for personal story telling and personal growth, the development of the Self. According to Jung, the process of divination can be described as “accessing information from your subconscious mind to generate intuitive knowing in your conscious mind”. This description perfectly encapsulates the process by which the tarot reading can assist clients in the interpretation and implementation of their reading.

One of Nicki’s personal passions and a field in which she has specialised during her university studies is semiotics. This is the study of signs and symbols and their significance in our individual lives and behaviours. As an art therapist, she is acutely aware of the potency of the psychic and personal insights gained by observing how people respond to visual imagery via oracle and tarot.

Nowadays, Nicki finds herself drawn to using her spiritual and psychic knowledge as a foundation for exploration; in conjunction with the tarot system, signs, symbols, archetypes, intuition, instinctive reactions, spirit, and the power of discernment. She describes that her journey with listening to her own spirit and its psychic knowledge has been lifelong. Nicki firmly believes that each person brings their “unique universe” before her, and together, they embark on a journey to unearth authentic avenues for assisting them through the session and their world.”

This process extends beyond the confines of the room and into the tangible world, where clients can apply these revelations to their lives.

“One of the most fascinating aspects of readings, is that regardless of the content discussed in that instance, each person retains their unique free will.” She explains that once the client steps beyond the initial context, new possibilities for thoughts and actions emerge, ultimately shaping the reality that governs any potential psychic outcomes that were explored during the reading session.

The Oyster Shed and Farm Gate on Wray

Located on the banks of the beautiful Clyde River at Batemans Bay, The Oyster Shed is a "farm gate" for fresh oysters sold direct to the public. If you are an oyster enthusiast then this establishment is an absolute mustsee for you!

Jade Norris, owner of The Oyster Shed

Photographed by Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

the oyster shed & farm gate on wray

Located on the banks of the beautiful Clyde River at Batemans Bay, The Oyster Shed is a “farm gate” for fresh oysters sold direct to the public. If you are an oyster enthusiast then this establishment is an absolute mustsee for you!

The Oyster Shed boasts incredible views of the Clyde River where you can look upon the various oyster catchments while enjoying deliciously fresh oysters that have been brought in that very same day. The Oyster Shed strives to continually deliver fresh oysters, often harvesting several times a day. The oysters are grown in the pristine waters of the Clyde River surrounded by lush national parks.

Dedicated Oyster Shed owner Jade Norris (pictured left) explains that The Oyster Shed team do the entire oyster farming process for their Sydney Rock Oysters. This is done by catching the oyster spawn on plastic slats and using a floating basket system as the oyster ages.

The oysters are handled every four to five weeks for two to four years; depending on environmental impacts. The large Pacific Oysters, however, are first grown in a nursery system at an oyster spat in Tasmania before they are introduced into The Oyster Shed’s leases. Jade explains that The Shed will sell approximately 73,000 dozen Sydney Rock Oysters a year and 3000 to 4000 dozen Pacific Oysters per year.

Each year, The Oyster Shed team look forward to participating in the Narooma Oyster Festival. The Festival celebrates all things Oysters with over 60,000 oysters consumed in sixteen hours. Oyster Alley has oyster farmers from eight different estuaries, giving people the opportunity to taste the different flavor profiles from each.

There is always a vast abundance of entertainment to keep attendees occupied, whether it be the cooking demonstrations or the always entertaining ‘oyster shucking’ and ‘largest oyster’ competitions. Even if you are not a seafood lover there is something for everyone to enjoy. Jade expresses that her favorite part of the festival is “catching up with all the farmers from the other estuaries and of course the shucking comp”. What Jade loves most about her job at The Oyster Shed is the fact that she gets to work on the most beautiful river system each day in a business that has proudly been in her family for four generations. She loves that her job is varied each day and no day is the same as the next.

The Oyster Shed and the adjacent Farm Gate Café offer a variety of delicious treats. These include cooked oysters, seafood pies, coffee, cakes, prawns and, of course, the infamous freshly harvested oysters! The oysters are sold either opened for immediate enjoyment or un-opened for extended shelf-life or for those who enjoy that extra freshness. Not only does The Oyster Shed offer farm fresh oysters, the view of the surrounding area, including The Clyde River, is simply spectacular.

Jade’s absolute favorite way to eat oysters is “straight out of the water from the leases and freshly opened so that the oyster still has the natural liquor inside, exploding with that beautiful, creamy oceanic flavor”.

The Oyster Shed is a dream come true for any oyster lover visiting the Batemans Bay area and boasts many unique qualities. After all, what could be better than sitting by the gorgeous banks of the Clyde River enjoying freshly shucked oysters that have been harvested each morning from less than 200 meters away?

the oaks ranch

The Oaks Ranch is a little slice of paradise hidden within the tranquil, lush valleys of Mossy Point. The original structure for the ranch was built circa 1970 by a San Fransico based American insurance executive.

the architecture

The Spanish architecture of the building was inspired by the original owner’s hometown of San Francisco, where Spanish Mission buildings are particularly prominent.

When current owners Martin Cork and Lisa Carroll purchased the property, they were faced with the choice to demolish and rebuild the iconic building in a modern style or to keep the existing Spanish style. Ultimately, it was decided to keep the original Spanish Mission features of the building, while adding some modern contemporary luxuries to freshen up the design.

The Oaks Ranch is an incredibly unique 300acre property on the South Coast flanked by the beautiful Tomaga River and Candlagan Inlet. What sets this esteemed property apart is the rural charm and expansive views toward the western ranges which evoke a sense of calmness. Another surprising draw card for guests is the proximity to the coast. Being only five minutes away from the stunning Beaches of Broulee and Mossy point, the location is of great convenience, however, there are not many reasons to leave the magnificent property.

The Ranch boasts many amenities, including an impressive Magnesium Pool, 3 fire pits surrounded by large lounges, a challenging nine-hole golf course, and a restaurant/bar named ‘Arlo’ that caters to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Magnesium Wellness Pool

Swimming in a magnesium pool will give you an entirely different experience than a chlorine or saltwater pool. This is due to the absence of chemicals, eliminating the smell of chlorine and any irritation to the eyes and skin from the equation. Magnesium also provides a vast list of health benefits including soothing of the muscles, nourishing hair and skin, and providing a general detoxifying effect over the entire body. The Oaks Ranch team are planning to install a heater to lengthen the shoulder of swim seasons so guests can enjoy this incredibly nourishing and relaxing experience for a longer period.

the oaks ranch

Say ‘I Do’ in Paradise

The Oaks Ranch team offer fully catered wedding packages to make your special day even more so. When you book The Oaks Ranch for your wedding you can have the property exclusively yours for the day. The dedicated team can connect you and your spouse to talented hair stylists, celebrants, photographers, DJ’s and equipment hire. Golf carts can also be made available for bridal parties and professional photographers can be arranged to explore the property and capture every moment of your special day. In addition to your wedding, a pre wedding dinner and recovery brunch package can be arranged. Oaks are now also offering an ‘elopement package’ for up to 20 people, which can be a wonderful opportunity for those wanting a smaller, quieter wedding.

All About Restaurant Arlo and Truffle Season!

The name Arlo means ‘behind two hills’’ and is inspired by the Spanish Mission architecture of the property and also its’ location. The esteemed restaurant specialises in Modern Australian cuisine presented in a contemporary style which is focused on emphasising the delicious flavours it has to offer. The restaurant staff offer a refined service that is friendly, casual, and familiar, making guests feel right at home.

Upon arrival, guests are encouraged to relax in the hotel lounge to enjoy their favourite aperitif or cocktail by the large open fire prior to entering the restaurant. The intimate dining room has additional seating at the bar and lounge seating at the kitchen for those wanting to get closer to the action.

The room opens onto a large alfresco dining area with sweeping views across the pool to the mountains on the horizon… think Mediterranean summers. This truffle season, Arlo created an exclusive dinner menu which offered a bespoke selection of dishes incorporating truffles.

The truffle dinner was a great opportunity for the restaurant to highlight a small portion of the amazing local produce found on the South Coast. This dinner will definitely become a recurring event at Arlo every year, so keep an eye out!

What’s next for Oaks Ranch?

The Oaks Ranch team are currently in the process of upgrading their function and events room with state-of-the-art AV facilities, sensational breakout areas, an events lawn and olive grove. With spring approaching, they will be extensively upgrading their landscaping and gardens. Planning is also underway for the next developmental stage of the resort facilities including an upgraded golf course.

SOUTH JERRABOMBERRA AT TRALEE

Discover the exciting amenities South Jerra has to offer:

• Dog Park

• Town Park

• Nature Play

• Formal Play

• Learn to Ride Facility

• Splash Pad

• Community Gardens & Orchard

• Outdoor Gym

• Town Centre & Outdoor Dining

• Half-Court

Additional amenities:

• Regional Sports Complex

• Highschool

• Local Employment Precincts

mossy point cafe

The Mossy Cafés are three iconic establishments situated along the South Coast in three separete locations. These include the original Mossy on Pacific at Mossy Point, the Mossy on Gardens at the Eurobdalla Regional Botanical Gardens and The Mossy on Train Street in Broulee.

The proud owner of The Mossy Cafés, Belinda, expresses that each Mossy café has a slightly different flair to it and each has something slightly different to offer.

The Unique Aspects of The Mossy on Pacific, Gardens and Train; Which Mossy Will You Visit Next?

What business owner, Belinda, loves most about The Mossy on Pacific is its history, the story it tells, and the great small-town community feel that it offers. The Mossy (and previous versions of the Mossy) have been around for over 80 years and evoke a sense of nostalgia in many people who have a personal connection to the place and beautiful childhood memories.

The Mossy on Pacific is set in a beautiful heritage listed building surrounded by gorgeous gardens only a stones throw away from the tranquil Tomago River and surrounding beaches. Mossy Point itself is a tiny seaside village that makes you feel a million miles away, while still offering great attractions and everything you could possibly need on a family holiday or romantic getaway. The food and coffee at The Mossy are not what you would get at a typical café. Belinda explains that they have definitely stepped things up a notch or two, offering dishes that you might expect to find at a restaurant rather than a seaside café. The team at Mossy use local suppliers as much as possible and have a great relationship with ‘Guerrilla Roasters’, who are just as invested in good quality coffee as they are.

The Mossy on Gardens, on the other hand, is very unique due to its tranquil and stunning surrounds. It is nestled within the beautiful Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, which, in Belinda’s view, is one of the “best kept secrets in the shire”. The building that the café is situated in is also very special and, thankfully, was one of the structures spared in the 2019 bushfires. The café has a panoramic patio that allows you to enjoy the beautiful views and birdlife that is so abundant at the Gardens. The Gardens has a slightly more formal feel to it in comparison to the other two Mossy establishments and the menu is tailored to reflect this.

Last but not least, The Mossy on Train boasts an informal, modern vibe and has been designed with the locals in mind who frequent the little grab and go café on a regular basis. The Mossy on Train is designed for the busy worker and parents who need a quick coffee or bite to eat. There’s a small amount of seating for those who want to sit and mingle at the large communal table that’s designed to allow strangers and friends to come together for a chat over a coffee. It’s also a great place to work through your inbox in between meetings. With the free wifi and free flowing coffee, why wouldn’t you make Train Street one of your regular pittstops?

“The best advice I could give anyone wanting to start up a café or restaurant is to start simple.”

Belinda’s Top Three ‘Must Try’ Menu items

For anyone trying The Mossy on Pacific for the first time, Belinda would recommend the Seoul Bowl, which is a bit like a Korean Bibimbap but with a few little Mossy tweaks. At Mossy on Gardens, she would recommend the Lamb Kofta, a Middle Eastern inspired dish which people have raved about. As for The Mossy on Train, one should not visit without trying their infamous ‘Brekky Melt’. “Think thick cut Turkish bread with house made relish, egg, bacon and cheese, it’s definitely got a local cult following.”

Taking over The Mossy and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in the Café Business

When Belinda bought the Mossy, she admits that she had absolutely no idea what she was doing. She had never worked in hospitality before and never intended to start until a friend asked her if she would be interested in going halves on the little local café up the road from him. At the time, Belinda was living in Canberra and running her own pet care business. She explains that her original plan was to spend six months helping set up the café and then return to Canberra with the view of providing input into the menu and strategic direction of the business. “How naïve was I!” She recalls; “A business like The Mossy, especially in the early days, very much requires daily hands-on involvement.”

It was a very steep learning curve for Belinda and one that had her seeking out formal training at the local Tafe to train as a qualified chef. She originally had no intention of working in the kitchen, but what was somewhat forced out of necessity actually resulted in finding her true passion and calling.

Despite the initial fear, Belinda recalls pushing herself to learn as much as possible, doing 100hour weeks, and “loving every minute of the baptism by fire.” Two years in, Belinda bought her business partner out and has been the sole owner of The Mossy for the past five or so years. She is now a lot less ‘hands on’ in the business and has built up a great team around her which is led by her general manager Dean White.

Catering options and Events at The Mossy

One of the fairly recent strings that they have added to their bow is catering, events and room hire. The Mossy is now offering a great selection of catering that will have guests smiling ear to ear no matter the occasion.

From corporate functions to birthdays, baby showers, weddings and more. Belinda explains that they have also started offering small events such as Paint ’n’ sip and host a local knitting club who get together on a monthly basis. The Mossy on Pacific also offers its’ indoor dining space for hire, which is a great, affordable option for people wanting to host events without the work that comes with cleaning up afterwards.

Mossy on Pacific: Not Just a Café but a Well-Rounded Tourist Destination

Mossy on Pacific is nestled within one of the most charming little seaside villages on the South Coast and is surrounded by stunning national parks and some of the best beaches on the coast. Belinda describes it as “a truly serene, picturesque, and magical place that makes you feel far away from the hustle and bustle”.

There is also plenty to do within the area and everything you could ever need is just a short walk or drive away. There’s the famous Mogo Wildlife Park, the newly established Broulee Brewhouse and The Oak’s Ranch, which offers top-notch accommodation and a world class wedding venue.

There’s also Mogo Town a short drive away which has a great selection of boutique shops and also a gin distillery currently nearing completion just behind the Mogo Wildlife Park. “There’s just so much to see and do, but also so much opportunity to do nothing. You really get the best of both worlds.”

In conversation with...

chad staples

Dedicated owner of Mogo wildlife park

What inspired you to start working in a zoo when you were 17 and is this the profession that you always envisioned yourself pursuing?

Surprisingly, zookeeping wasn’t something that I had always envisioned myself pursuing and I didn’t even think it was a job when I was little. I was always fascinated by animals and always had that love and interest in them, but I wasn’t one of those kids that just wanted to constantly catch lizards in the backyard and keep them; It was more a fascination with observing and learning. I still remember my first ever visit to a zoo when I first saw a red panda and was absolutely fascinated by this animal that I’d never heard of before. By the time I got to the end of high school I tried my hand at a couple of things that I just didn’t like, and it was then that I realized that working with animals is the only thing that I would be happy pursuing and I just set my sights on that.

What was it like hand-raising a lioness cub in your home and how old is she now?

Life changes. It has been a truly rewarding experience. It obviously started from a very tragic and heartbreaking situation where her mother passed during childbirth, but it evolved into an unbelievable experience and still to this day we’ve got an amazing relationship and it’s something that will be there forever. Young lioness Maji is now two years old and will turn three in December. She is currently placed in with a male and I stopped going in with her about 6 months ago because at that point the only reason for still going in was for my benefit, not hers. It is important for her to now be with her male and let their bond be the thing that flourishes. She’s amazing and will still call out to me and come running to the fence as soon as she sees me, so we’ve still got a great relationship but she’s now her own lioness.

Do you have a favorite animal, or which do you believe is the most fascinating?

Species-wise, the Great Apes and Big Cats have always been of the most interest to me. Of course, developing a bond with Lioness Maji through hand raising her has certainly made her a favorite and Kaius the gorilla has also become a favorite due to the amount of time I have spent with him.

Can you tell us more about your conservation objectives and how the wildlife park ensures to do its’ best in conserving these species of animals.

Our principal role surrounding conservation within The Wildlife Park is about preserving the genetics of threatened and endangered species in case there is ever the need to repopulate a habitat.

Secondary to that, direct release programs and education are both key parts to conservation. This involves educating members of the public and any school groups that come to the park about the plight of animals in the wild.

We have had many schools come to the parks. Featherdale is principally an Australian fauna park and quite popular with school groups, as Australian fauna is a key syllabus component for primary school students. Although all animals are very important to learn about, the Australian fauna often takes precedence when educating school groups. We place great importance on educating our visitors and groups on the importance of protecting our endangered species and the important role that these animals play in their respective ecosystems.

What do you believe sets the Mogo Wildlife Park apart from other Zoos across the region?

The collection that we have is pretty spectacular. We have primates ranging from gorillas all the way to pygmy marmosets. We also have a vast collection of big cats such as tigers and lions, our park just has a bit of everything from across the world.

There’s so much to see and we can provide some of those moments that people just need to experience at some point in their life. From standing at the foot of a giraffe to feeling the breath of a lion, our experiences just let you feel how grand these animals are and we are proud to provide a vast range of those opportunities.

What was the bushfire period like for you and how did you ensure that your animals were protected during this difficult time?

Like anyone on the South Coast during this period, what Mogo went through was very rough. We did a lot of preparation in the leadup by ensuring that we had an adequate supply of water and ways of distributing water around the park as needed. It was a horrendous situation but thankfully we got through it and no animals were injured or sick in any way, so it was a relatively good outcome.

The success that we achieved in keeping our animals safe and healthy in this period can be attributed to the daily hard work put in by a lot of wonderful people. There were about 25 animals that were moved into the house, which is on the zoo grounds and all of the larger animals were kept in their usual areas to stay safe.

Many of our dedicated zookeepers worked extremely hard to ensure that these animals would continue to remain safe in their allocated areas without having to relocate.

What are some of the most rewarding lessons that you have learned from your profession and from taking in orphaned animals to care for?

Empathy is the biggest thing. I believe that one of the most crucial aspects of being a good zookeeper is being able to put yourself in the position of that animal in your care so that you can better understand what they need. The most rewarding moments arise from hand raising more than anything.

You have to be able to take on that 24-hour, seven days a week type of role with whichever species you are raising. These are the moments where you learn the most and whether you want to or not, you’re forced to learn very quickly.

The most important part of hand raising is also letting go. You must always keep in mind that you are raising them with the goal of letting them go and raising them to be independent enough to eventually walk away from you and go on without you.

Which animal encounter would you recommend the most to a young person who is looking for the most hands-on experience during a trip to the wildlife park?

They are all very hands on in different ways. With the encounters we try to encourage positive interactions between people and animals because the animals can get just as much out of it as the people do; provided that it all occurs relatively on their terms.It’s one of those things, like anything, where you’ll never really know why you have a favorite or something is of more interest to you. They are all very enriching as a whole experience and I believe that once you do one you will generally want to work through the list and have every type of encounter you possibly can. There are some where the animals just want to play, some that are more about just sitting and being in each other’s space and some involve feeding, there’s some pretty amazing experiences to have.

Where do you visualize the wildlife park growing in the future and are there any new developments on the horizon?

New things are constantly happening and our collections are always evolving and slightly changing. We continually focus on the rare and endangered species and their breeding programs. At our Featherdale Park, we are certainly proud to have a few firsts to our name such as first species and we’d like to continue to play that role and teach others. The primary goal and focus for the future is to continue to grow and evolve our collection into the best and most diverse collection of Australian animals anywhere in the world and to continue to showcase what Australia has to offer.

What advice would you extend to young animal lovers who aspire to grow into the zookeeping profession one day?

Never give up. If it’s something that you truly want to do, keep it as your goal and take the incremental steps to get there. Understand that it is very competitive, so when an opportunity arises, whether it is paid or unpaid, just take it and use it as a learning experience. Always remember to remain teachable because even if you spend a lifetime in this profession, there is always so much more to learn and room to grow so keep a positive attitude throughout and enjoy the journey.

“I believe that one of the most crucial aspects of being a good zookeeper is being able to put yourself in the position of that animal in your care so that you can better understand what they need.”

- chad staples, owner of Mogo wildlife park

postcodesqueanbeyan

Officially proclaimed a township back in 1839 with a population of around 50 people, Queanbeyan is a town full of history. These days, it is a constantly evolving and growing region, home to almost 40,000 people, with new suburbs under development.

Aaron Papahatzis from Belle Property

Queanbeyan has been selling real estate in Queanbeyan for more than two decades, and says they are seeing more people relocate from other areas, especially Canberra. While it was once predominantly affordability that drew in a lot of new residents, now it’s attracting people in its own right.

“Especially in the cottage precinct, the charm of some of the residences around there and the location; it’s an easy walk to parks and to restaurants and shops. The ease of living in that kind of pocket has drawn a lot of buyers from [Canberra’s] inner south or inner north that want that heritage style”, says Papahatzis. “Then we've also got surrounding areas with acreage that offer some rare opportunities like up in Greenleigh and The Ridgeway and Kingsway, where we've got large parcels of land, bush blocks

and privacy blocks, that people generally can't find too many of in Canberra.” Even as it’s grown up and developed, Queanbeyan still manages to maintain a small country town feel. “It's got that old charm and it's got a main street and it's really, really easy to live in. There’s everything that you need in Queanbeyan, which is really great, but then also the ability and ease to go across to Canberra for anything, because it's still really central,” says Papahatzis.

EAT and DRINK

The main street of Queanbeyan is dotted with traditional pubs, typical of many country New South Wales towns. But, if you haven’t visited in a while, you likely won’t recognise some of them. “In recent times, especially in the last five years, there’s been a lot of renovations and updates and changes to Queanbeyan,

with a lot of pubs being renovated,” says Papahatzis. “A lot of business owners have put a lot of money back into their product in Queanbeyan and into their fitouts. You try and get a meal at one of the pubs, and a lot of the times during the week they’re really booked out, which is fantastic.”

Dig into hearty meals at The Royal Hotel, Tourist Hotel, Walsh’s Hotel or Top Pub. Settle in for top notch coffee or a cosy meal at 4th Seed Café, Thirty 4, or Vanilla Pod Food and Espresso Bar. For a relaxed meal with a side of lawn bowls, try the rejuvenated Campbell and George, while you’ll find classic Italian at Pronto by Trecento or Villa Olivo, and authentic flavours at Thai Queanbeyan Restaurant, Lime Leaves Thai Restaurant, or Punjabi Hut Indian Restaurant. Or head down to the Queanbeyan River where you can get loaded tacos and sip frozen margaritas at the always buzzing Cartel Taqueria.

SEE AND DO

Speaking of the river, it’s a relaxing area for a wander and to watch the world go by, while Queen Elizabeth II Park is a beautiful spot for a picnic, with a playground, cycle paths

and barbecues. You can learn about the local history at the Queanbeyan Museum, or get outside and take the self-guided Queanbeyan Heritage Walk, which will lead you through 26 sites that have shaped the town into what it is today. Catch a show or an exhibition at the main performing arts hub, The Q, or visit an exhibition at Queanbeyan Art Gallery or Rusten House Art Centre. Right in the heart of town, discover the bright murals of the recently rejuvenated No Name Lane and Blacksmiths Lane, which also tell the story of Queanbeyan.

“You've also got the Queanbeyan golf course if you like having a hit of golf,” says Papahatzis. For a stunning panoramic view of the area, strap on your shoes and get the heart pumping with a walk up Mount Jerrabomberra to the lookout. Or head out to the picturesque Googong Foreshore for some sightseeing, fishing, bushwalking, picnicking, canoeing or sailing

This article was originally published in Allhomes. Words by Jil Hogan

“I didn’t really think about playing NRLW because I didn’t know a lot about it; got the opportunity to play cook islands, I played the royal cup in England and then I got told that NRLW was getting a team for Raiders and it opened my eyes a bit like ‘oh my god I could have the opportunity to play for the raiders if I play really well’... and here we are now, it’s crazy.”

- Mackenzie Wiki, Canberra Raiders Women’s League Player

Mackenzie Wiki Photographed by Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

In conversation with...

MACKENZIE WIKI

canberra raiders women’s League player

The Q Living team sat down with Raiders Womens League player Mackenzie Wiki to gain some insight into what led her to pursue NRLW; how she got to where she is today; the biggest influential figures in her life, and what it is like to be a part of such a tight-knit team of talented women.

What inspired you to start playing rugby league and to then progress to play for the Raiders?

My brother is the one who pushed me to play league. I was actually a sevens player; I grew up around league but never thought about playing until the women’s NRLW competition came into the industry. Ever since then, I played my first game at a local club in Auckland, fell in love with the sport and it all unfolded from there. I am currently in my third year of playing NRLW and was first inspired to work towards playing for The Raiders when I found out that they had a women’s team.

What has the pre-season looked like for your team and what would you like to see your team achieve this season?

Our pre-season leading up has been so good. We’re like a family, a sisterhood and it feels like we’ve known each other for more than eight weeks. Ever since we met before the preseason training, we connected quite quickly and leading from that into the first game was so cool. To get on the field with the girls that you trained and pushed yourself so hard with is something truly incredible.

We got that loss in our first game, but that was our first proper match all together as we didn’t have the trial match game like other girls did. I think that our second game this weekend is going to show them all how skilled and talented we are. I have a feeling our season is going to go really well with the talent and the skills we have, and I feel like we can get to that top. Canberra is really big on supporting their local teams and their support really fuels us to keep pushing towards our goals.

Do you ever get super nervous before a match?

One hundred percent, I always get nervous! I was honestly so nervous before our first game on Sunday, I was thinking ‘this is it; this is what I’ve been working hard for’ and then as soon as I got on the field and got that first hit and pass, the nerves went away.

I think I’m always going to be nervous and something my dad always told me was that “if you’re not nervous before the game then that means you should stop playing because nerves show passion”.

Does your team have any pre-game rituals or good luck charms?

I think all of the girls are different, mine is just to put my beats on and listen to my jams. I have one particular song I love to listen to, it’s a very chilled, old-school song called ‘Can We Talk’ by Tevin Campbell. Apart from that I don’t really have a ritual, but I’ve always got to wear a scrunchie when I play, you’ll always see me with a scrunchie in my hair or around my wrist.

What is some advice that you could extend to young girls wanting to pursue a career in rugby league?

I’m so intent on trying to be a big role model for younger girls, especially from New Zealand and Polynesia. The best advice I can give young girls in a similar position is to keep going. A lot of girls that are young will often give up because they don’t have many pathways or opportunities to reach their goals. My main advice is to always keep pushing forward, don’t give up and be your most authentic self in whatever you do.

MACKENZIE WIKI

What are some of your personal goals for the rest of this season and do you plan to continue playing for the Raiders next season?

My personal goals for this season are mainly to play my first season, learn from my coach and the more experienced players in our team and not take things for granted. My goal is to play every game and to hopefully make it to the finals series. Making history for the club and being the first team to do a whole season is definitely one of the main goals.

It would be so cool if I got to stay here for ages and hopefully the raiders keep me on, that would be the best thing. But honestly, to just keep playing NRLW would be amazing.

How long have you been in Australia and how did it feel to move back to the town you were born?

I’ve been here in Australia for about 7 months. After the world cup in England, I came here to check out the facility and I was told to move here within the week so I could start pre-season training. I practically packed my life away in a week and have been playing here since. I initially played for The Mounties in Sydney and was travelling to Sydney three times a week with one of the girls who was doing the same before commencing our training here in Canberra.

It’s such a full circle moment from being born in Queanbeyan, moving to and growing up in New Zealand and then coming back here to play. I left Queanbeyan when I was three years old, so I didn’t remember much growing up but when I came back here so many memories started to come back from when I was younger.

It was definitely a very special moment to be brought back to my birth town to pursue my passion sport. As long as I get to play, I’ll be happy.

How has the community spirit of your birthplace Queanbeyan, as well as your homeland of the Cook Islands helped shape the community and sportsmanship values that you honor today?

Both communities are very alike. Canberra and Queanbeyan are like a home away from home for me. The community spirit and energy I have seen here is very similar to back home and I think that’s why I really adjusted to the community here. The people are all very nice, passionate and interested in what you do, and that made it a lot easier for me to adjust. In Auckland, the area that I grew up in was quite tight-knit and so it felt very similar to Canberra and Queanbeyan in that sense.

The community and sportsmanship values that I continue to honour throughout my career also stem back to my upbringing with my parents. Growing up, they were very involved with our local community and passed those traits onto me. Off the field I’m actually a personal trainer, so I used to work with my parents back home in New Zealand, helping the community in a gym called Wiki works fitness. I’m really big on giving back to the community and so is my family and that’s what they’ve inspired me to do. I’m actually getting back into personal training here and just got a job with one of the Raiders girls. It feels so good to get back to what I’m used to and passionate about off the field.

Other than your dad, were there any other significant role models that you have looked up to growing up on or off the field?

One hundred percent my mum. She is my best friend and the main woman in my life that has inspired me since I was young. I really admire how strong of an individual she is, and I feel like I am a lot like her. My mum always knows what to say, has the best advice and has taught me to be grateful for whatever opportunities are given to me.

I feel like I had a really good upbringing with both my parents being strong individuals and involved in the sports industry and I was definitely set up with a good foundation to succeed in this industry. I’ve got a lot of strong women around me. My gran, aunties, cousins and all of the women in my family are really strong.

Has your dad given you training tips and support throughout your journey?

One hundred percent! My dad is like a coach to me and probably my biggest fan. I listen to him the most and I always ask him what I need to work on. Before each game, I’ll always send him my attack and defense goals and afterwards we’ll have a debrief on whether I achieved them and how I can improve for next time.

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a professional athlete no matter what sport it was. I did netball, swimming, sevens, and even cross fit. I wanted to make it big in one of those sports and then league came about and knowing that my old man played,. I thought it would be really special if I played it as well and followed in his footsteps.

Of course, it’s a really proud moment for my dad to see me play for the raiders and debut in the same jersey number as him, (number four center). It was also a very special moment for me to make my own mark in the sport and give my own twist and offer my own skills.

“being his daughter comes with certain expectations, so He has always encouraged me to be my own person and try to make a name for myself and just show everyone that I have a different type of talent to give.”

- Mackenzie Wiki

Mackenzie with her dad and brother

queanbeyan city football club

Can you provide an overview of Queanbeyan City Football Club and its history? When was the club established, and what are some key milestones achieved over the years?

Macedonian immigrants officially founded the club in 1966. They were, however already playing football prior to the formal establishment of the club. They first gathered at Freebody Oval in Queanbeyan and played between themselves. In 1965 it was suggested that their football club be formed given that all the other ethnic groups had their own club.

There was a meeting organised where it was decided that the club would be called Makedonija. No other name would be as fitting as the divided homeland of Makedonija. In addition to this it was also decided that the players would purchase their own boots and would play for free. It was noted on record that a lot of the players stated, “we will play for free for Macedonia". The right amount of money was collected to buy the team outfits thanks to the support of the community and before Christmas, the club was registered as Makedonija Soccer Club – Queanbeyan. Fasttrack to today, our current head coach Goran Josifovski has represented Australia at the national level for futusal and continues to support our players and share his expertise as the club continues to grow.

Can you highlight the significance of football in the local community? How does the club engage with and support the community beyond the sport itself?

Football is massive in the local community and with Queanbeyan being a proud multicultural town, the pair go hand in hand. The club is proud to host a diverse range of players and volunteers and has created a sense of belonging for people from all walks of life. The thing that we all have in common is that we are bound by football. The club proudly originated by a group of Macedonian immigrants and works very closely with 'KUD Razagrina Makedonia' which is the local Macedonian dance group and the Macedonian Community Centre. The club finds that if they continue to work together, all three local organisations will thrive. From a broader perspective, the club works with local charities and supports their sponsors in their efforts.

What programs or initiatives does Queanbeyan City Football Club have in place to promote youth development and participation in football?

The club currently has two youth programs which include our Miniroos program as well as our junior league program. Most of our firstgrade players are local Queanbeyan men who have come through the club’s junior ranks, a tradition we would like to continue. Also to

note, the club is proud to offer registrations at an affordable price as we are a firm believer that all kids should have access to football irrespective of their financial position.

This year we are also proud of the creation of a new organisation to the Queanbeyan City brand which is the Phalanx Academy. The Phalanx Academy is open to the broader community but specialises in recognising our talented youth and providing them an opportunity to further develop their football skills, as well as their interpersonal skills such as respect and discipline.

Are there any notable success stories of players who have come through the ranks of Queanbeyan City Football Club and gone on to achieve success at higher levels?

There are a few notable clubmen to be recognised. They include Velice Trajanoski, who not only played for the club but developed into a club president. He later went on to work in local politics where he was a councilman in our local region. A story not so dissimilar is one of Steve Taskovski. Steve was both a player and committee member and is currently serving as a council man in our local region.

Other notable clubmen include Steve Peios, who currently works as a ring announcer, podcaster, presenter, commentator and recently worked at the Fifa World cup as an official announcer. Lastly, Ilce Prenzoski played a number of seasons at Queanbeyan City Football club before representing Canberra at a State level with the Canberra Cosmos.

How does the club foster a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among its players and members?

Queanbeyan City are very proud to boast an incredible story of their origins dating back almost 60 years. This story is about a bunch of trailblazers looking to make their mark among the Queanbeyan Community and build the best team in Canberra. We often give lessons to our players and show them photos from the founding fathers of the club to emphasise why the club is so important and how much it means to the Queanbeyan community.

Many players have had relatives such as fathers and uncles play for the club which has helped to build that sense of pride and willingness to win and fight for the club. The current group of players are buoyed by a very vocal and big supporter base, who attend games from all grades no matter the place or the weather. Coupled with the committee and volunteers, everyone involved at the club is proud to don the famous red and yellow.

Are there any annual club events, tournaments, or community activities organised by the club that have become traditions in the Queanbeyan region?

Queanbeyan City Football Club hosts a preseason tournament in February. This tournament is run every year and typically three clubs are invited to compete. The tournament usually runs for three weekends and involves our first grade and u23 teams. Each team plays the other clubs in a round robin style format. Typically, the ACT fields are closed during this period so for ACT clubs to have the opportunity to travel a short distance and compete in a high-quality tournament is great. The Tournament is also a great opportunity to raise money for our NonFor-Profit organisation. The canteen, thanks to our volunteers is open for the entire day irrespective of which teams are playing.

How does Queanbeyan City Football Club engage with local schools, businesses, or other organisations to strengthen ties and promote the sport?

Queanbeyan City Football Club participates in multiple events to promote football and especially our club. This year we participated jointly with the local Macedonian dance group ‘KUD Razigrana Makedonka’ in the Multicultural festival, promoting our culture and our respective clubs together.

On two occasions we also used our club as a platform to raise money for two different charities. On one particular occasion we chose the local business SleepBus, a local charity that provides an opportunity for people to seek shelter for the night.

QUEANBEYAN CITY FOOTBALL CLUB

Can you highlight any memorable moments or matches in the club's history that have had a significant impact on the Queanbeyan community?

In 1966 a team bus was donated to the club by Angelo Hazelis. Then, in the 1970s, Queanbeyan City Football Club went on to win its first titles with two-second division league premierships in 1973 and 1978, as well as the 1978 finals championship. In 2006, the club were premiers and were promoted to the Canberra first division. In February 2016, Queanbeyan City Club celebrated its fifty-year anniversary with a gala night as Queanbeyan's longest running football club. In 2018, the club were premiers, however due to certain federation state requirements they were unfortunately not promoted. In 2019, the club held the annual Macedonian cup which saw teams from all over the country compete in a football tournament. This tournament was considered by many to be one of the best tournaments ever hosted. Finally, in 2020, the current Club President replicated 1966 efforts and donated a team bus for Queanbeyan City’s use.

Are there any partnerships or sponsorships that the club has established with local businesses or organisations? How do these collaborations benefit both parties?

Part of the club’s recent growth is due to its partnerships with local businesses. We have a range of sponsors from a variety of business sectors. Many of our partnerships are with Queanbeyan institutions including Walsh’s Hotel, EMU Energy, Village Building Co., Malaganis Edwards Johnson and OneStop Shop. The growth of Queanbeyan City Football is largely due to the support that we receive from the community. Without community support, there is no Queanbeyan City Football Club.

We also lend a helping hand where we can to support those who support us. For example, we advertise at our local ground, High Street using social media as a platform to help generate business and give back to our sponsors. This also involves attending Walsh’s Hotel after every away game.

What are the future plans and goals of Queanbeyan City Football Club? Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that will further enhance the club's presence and impact?

We aim to build the club from the grassroots up and establish ourselves as one of Canberra's powerhouse clubs. The Juniors are an integral part of our blueprint for success, they are driven by the incentive to one day play for first grade and proudly represent the club. This starts at Miniroos and we aim to field a side in every age group for both boys and girls with the ultimate goal of creating future Queanbeyan City first grade stars.

Some projects that are currently in the pipeline include the drafting of a strategic plan that will give transparency of how the club aims to succeed moving forward. This will include the appointment of an official technical director.

We are also working with the QueanbeyanPalerang Council to help establish the new South Jerrabomberra Sporting Complex. This complex will give our club top-shelf facilities for both training and game day. The Queanbeyan City Football Club is also invested in improving our current home ground at High Street. This is inclusive of better training equipment, enhanced game day experince and decorating the field in team colours.

bodhifit

STUDIO and CLINIC

Established in March 2017 by mother-daughter duo Chey and Sophie, Bodhifit has grown into a thriving holistic health and fitness hub. Not only does this studio offer a variety of fitness classes, they also provide a natural health clinic, oracle card readings and wellbeing massages. Sophie is a qualified yoga teacher who also holds a bachelor of herbal medicine. Sophie enjoys taking one on one appointments with her clients to discuss their health concerns and treat these using natural remedies. She is also an experienced oracle card reader. Chey is a qualified yoga teacher who also specializes in lymphatic drainage massages, which help clients to relieve fluid retention, stress, and achieve overall wellbeing.

Sophie with her daughter, Chey.

THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

The inspiration to start a holistic health hub stemmed from a few different avenues. Chey and Sophie started out by studying the art of yoga and learning to teach together and this grew into a passion for both. Another flashbulb moment that drove Chey to pursue an overall healthier lifestyle was when she became unwell due to constant toxin inhalation at her former spray tanning profession. This inspired her to begin her detox journey and propelled her to learn and subsequently offer lymphatic massages for wellbeing purposes. This personal health factor, coupled with the duo’s new-found passion for yoga inspired them to create a thriving health and fitness space, allowing them to share their passion with the community and provide people with an avenue to a healthier lifestyle.

UNIQUE STUDIO FEATURES

There are many unique aspects of Bodhifit that set them apart from other studios in the area. From specially created classes to the incorporation of the health clinic, oracle card readings, moon circle practices and massages offered, this is certainly not your ordinary fitness studio.

BESPOKE CLASSES

The classes offered provide a refreshing take to fitness, setting their studio apart from the saturated reformer Pilates scene. “I always had a vision of wanting to create my own class”, Chey recounts while describing the unique features of her class ‘Yoga Sculpt’. After finding that other gym classes were falling short in teaching how to engage the deeper muscle groups properly, Chey created this bespoke class which incorporates a mix of yoga and Pilates, focusing on deep core work, posture, muscle group isolation and pelvic floor strengthening. This class, as well as her TrampoLEAN fit class are two specially created classes exclusive to Bodhifit studio.

M oreover, the stud io offers classes that are lower-impact than other fitness methods, yet remain highly effective. The classes can be tailored based on one’s fitness level and goals, making it an excellent fit for everyone no matter the fitness journey! The benefits of a lower impact workout is that they are softer on the joints, promote circulation and can also be great for someone healing from an injury.

Mental and Spiritual Wellbeing

Moreover, the oracle card readings offer a unique and fulfilling approach to overall mental wellbeing and fitness. Sophie, who conducts the readings explains that “With oracle card readings it’s more prescriptive than predictive; They make you look at things in your life that you could be running a belief pattern around, offering guidance on what you can change for a better outcome.” Sophie also describes that although her readings are more prescriptive based on the cards that are chosen, she will generally always receive an intuitive feeling on what the person is experiencing and needs to work on upon seeing their cards.

“I believe there are 2 parts to you, the intellectual and the intuitive. Your intuitive side already knows the course of your life and where you’re supposed to go and gives you small hints in the form of gut feelings when something in your life is or isn’t aligning with your destiny’s path.”

The duo are also looking to potentially start organizing and running a wellness retreat, so stay tuned!

Lymphatic Massage Magic

The studio is one of few in the region that offer lymphatic massages for general wellbeing and detox purposes. This is a huge distinguishing feature of the studio and something very exciting for anyone looking to improve their wellbeing as we approach the warmer months. These massages can be useful in complementing the detoxifying treatments that are prescribed in the clinic, as well as helping to accelerate ones’ fitness journey. Chey is a lymphatic massage specialist and describes that this type of massage is paramount in relieving fluid retention by assisting the drainage of toxins, excess fats and food byproducts that remain stuck circulating within the lymphatic system.

T he studio offers two types of mass ages. The first type is a gentle lymphatic massage, which can reduce bloating and aid digestion, improve circulation, accelerate healing, and boost the immune system. The second type of lymphatic massage is the sculpt massage. This is a more intense treatment which can involve cupping and use of fascia to help move fluid around the body, release tension from the belly and aid with digestion. This type of massage also helps with cellulite and results in noticeable definition within the body. Following these massages it is very important to stay hydrated. Chey’s hot tip is to “add salt in your water every once in a while and have one hydrolyte per week; the salt helps the water to be absorbed into the body’s cells, rather than just passing straight through you.”

The Clinic and Common Treatments Offered

Chronic fatigue is a commonly treated ailment within the clinic, with particular focus on supporting people living with the Epstein Barr Virus (glandular fever). This virus affects 98% of the world’s population and can be responsible for other issues within the immune system. Sophie explains that this virus can lie dormant or unnoticed until it is activated in the immune system during certain flare-up periods. She describes that

“This can present in the form of excessive tiredness and feelings of getting sick without ever getting fully sick”. This is because the virus passes through the immune system unnoticed, so the immune system doesn’t recognize it when it becomes activated. The clinic offers a natural remedy to help people manage the symptoms of this virus in the form of homeopathic drops. Sophie explains that these drops help to alert the immune system when the virus is active, and this helps to shut it back down to its’ dormant state before symptoms of sickness, bloating and fatigue ensue.

Moreover, Sophie utilizes Vaga te sting to identify organ and allergen related issues. Other tests will involve saliva testing for hormone function and hair tests for heavy metal presence. Other common treatments offered in the clinic involve diet and food management, eliminating stressors and treating fluid retention, which is often found to be responsible for many ailments.

Chey and Sophie’s Favorite Classes

One of Chey’s favorite classes is her trampoLEAN fit class. This is a low impact class which uses small trampolines. Chey has found that this class leaves people feeling extremely de-stressed and finds that “you go into a meditative state when you’re jumping and people really switch off”. This class offers a low impact, high efficiency cardio burn which is soft on the joints and great for cardiovascular circulation, lymphatic function, digestion, and organ function.

Sophie’s favorite class is Hatha Yoga. She explains that it pushes people to really feel their body. “You’re in positions that you’re not normally in and it makes you feel your body differently”. This class focuses on improving overall strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and endurance. The movements in the class are tailored to improve joint realignment and each class ends with a relaxing Yoga Nidra meditation style practice.

In conversation with...

kym degenhart

Owner of Bomfunk Dance Studio and Kix Arts Productios

Bom Funk Dance Studio is a performance-based dance studio located in Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra, offering classes across the ACT and NSW region. Our inclusive environment caters to students of all ages and skill levels. From beginners to advanced we foster confidence, creativity, and an active lifestyle.

Can you provide us with an overview of your business and what your goals were starting out as studio director of Bom Funk Dance studio?

Our dedicated faculty nurtures a supportive and community-focused culture, continuously developing dancers, staff, and programs. Bom Funk provides performance, competitive, examination and recreational streams, with our Performance Squads representing at local dance competitions and events. Bom Funk has a number of specialty programs including our Street 2 Stage® program to support male dancers; DanceStep Student teacher education program; our 5,6,7,8 Dance® In-School Dance program; our female empowerment program for teenage girls, ‘Positively Imperfect’; and our Dance Kingdom® Early Childhood Education program.

Additionally, Kix Arts® Productions, comprising of High Kix® Cabaret and Tap Kix® offer pro/am entertainment and paid work opportunities for local dancers. We offer Nationally Accredited Certificate courses (RTO 40397) and are registered providers for NSW government vouchers such Active Kids, Creative Kids, PrezentBox, and the Fitmindz 4 Kids program.

In 2022, we expanded to our new headquarters in High St, Queanbeyan, which features dedicated studios for acrobatics, cheer, and a large aerial rig. We are also proud to house our own professional theatre, The Highlight Theatrette.

My goal as Director of Bom Funk is to provide a positive, safe dance space for dancers to learn, grow, perform, create and discover all types of dance and movement, feeling empowered and confident in everything they do. Dance has transformed my life, offering incredible experiences and connections.

I aim to inspire and support others in pursuing their dreams, whether in dance or any chosen path. Dance teaches skills far beyond the steps and can be incorporated into all facets of life. Cooperation, resilience, problem-solving, leadership and team building skills, creative thinking, time management, discipline, commitment, flexibility, respect and physical fitness are highly sought-after in any workplace. My hope is for each student to find joy and success through what we teach and share at Bom Funk.

What inspired the creation and establishment of the High Kix Cabaret troupe as a component of Bom Funk Dance studio?

High Kix Cabaret was originally created so that I could share my professional cabaret and showgirl experience with dancers and provide them with performance opportunities in a style that is empowering yet challenging to learn. Over time, it has evolved into something much bigger, providing local dancers with paid professional opportunities and showcasing their talent at events.

Since its establishment, Highlight Theatrette has successfully hosted several shows and events, including the Dance Kingdom Fairytale Ball, Soloist Showcase, and Midyear Mini Shows. Additionally, we've rented it out to a Burlesque company, a Band, and multiple photographers this year. Having our own space brings numerous benefits. Smaller events can be easily organised without worrying about high overhead costs, and our shows with smaller casts such as our Musical Theatre Triple Threat program can perform musicals without financial strain. Moreover, our performers can rehearse on the stage itself, allowing dress and tech rehearsals to be incorporated into class time during the term. The convenience extends to costume storage upstairs, making it easy to prepare for rehearsals. In the future, I plan to continue using our theatre for our events and also promote it more widely as an option for artists and event organisers seeking a suitable theatre space to rent.

Can you tell us more about your new Highlight theatrette and what your goals and plans are for this exciting new space?

Having our own performance space was a longcherished dream of mine. When we moved to our new premises in Queanbeyan, I envisioned converting one of the larger areas into a small, flexible theatre. We were facing difficulties finding suitable and affordable venues for our cabaret shows and I wanted to create a solution to this problem while still using the space for classes. It took over a year of considerable effort to make it happen, but now we have a fully operational theatre with a capacity of approximately 175 people in stadium-style seating or 120 people with cabaret-style seating and banquet tables. We can also clear the front for a dance floor setup. Our theatre boasts professional sound and lighting equipment, black drapes, wings, and a raised stage.

degenhart

What’s next for Kix Arts Productions and are there any upcoming gigs and public performances that we can look forward to?

Kix Arts Productions are excited to present their annual Cabaret Soiree on 28 October in the Highlight Theatrette. Tickets for this show will go on sale soon. The first act this year will feature elegant French-inspired routines, followed by an edgy act 2 with a big city rock feel. We’re also looking forward to returning to perform at NightFest on the 30th September and at the Queanbeyan Christmas Street Party on the 16th December. We’re also excited to put together a Festive Christmas Edition Fairytale Ball for our younger audience members and bring some stunning princesses along with Santa to the stage in an interactive dance show on the 3rd of December.

What advice would you give a young dancer or future entrepreneur on turning your passion into a thriving business?

My advice is don’t give up on your passion –it takes time, hard work and perseverance Stay true to yourself and set personal goals. Seek regular feedback and always be eager to learn, upskill and complete relevant qualifications. Respect your teachers and mentors and look to them for guidance. Also, shameless plug, consider reading my #1 Amazon Bestselling book, “Frou Frou to Fruition,” which offers valuable tips for aspiring dancers and entrepreneurs on turning your passion into a thriving business.

Where do you see your business growing in the future and do you have any exciting new projects underway for the studio?

My main focus for the business currently is consolidating systems and processes across our two main locations. Exciting projects are always on the horizon, like taking our competitive Cheer Team, ‘Quean Bs’ to their first official Cheer competition in Sydney next month. Additionally, as mentioned, we’re developing a new Christmas Edition of our Fairytale Ball for December and are continuously collaborating with local artists and creating content for community events.

Can you tell us more about your exciting new acrobatics and aerials studio and what your cheerleading program has to offer for young aspiring athletes?

At our Queanbeyan studio, we've transformed one of the studios into a well-equipped acro and cheer studio. It features large flexi mats covering the entire floor, along with various acrobatic training apparatus, crash mats, and an air track. The studio boasts an exceptionally high roof, perfect for stunting and tricks. Another studio is fitted with a top-notch aerial rig holding 5 aerial points at a height of 6m, suitable for silks or lyra training. This rig adheres to Australian standards, approved by an engineer and undergoes annual checks. In Jerrabomberra, we have 9 more approved rigging points for lyra and aerial hammock training.

Our aerial classes are kept very small so that everyone gets to spend ample class time on an apparatus. Our acrobatics, cheer and aerial classes are currently our most popular classes at Bom Funk.This success is attributed to our highly qualified and passionate faculty. Their dedication enables every student, regardless of their level, to experience growth and progress.

Can you tell us more about the adult dance classes that you offer and why you believe it is important to continue your passion for dance well into adulthood?

Many studios fail to offer classes for students after year 12, which I find puzzling. Just because you’ve finished school doesn’t mean you should stop dancing. Whether you pursue other professions or not, dance is an excellent outlet for creativity and fitness.

At Bom Funk, we deeply understand this, which is why we provide a range of adult class styles and levels. Our offerings include adultonly beginner/intermediate ballet, cabaret, tap, aerial, and hip-hop classes. We also offer Open Advanced level classes in contemporary, cheer, acro, jazz, and more. Most of our adult students join for fitness and fun, recognising the importance of engaging in something that keeps their body and mind active each week.

Can you give us an overview of what it was like to dance for the Moulin Rouge in Paris and what advice you would extend to aspiring showgirls who are looking to follow a similar path?

It’s hard to put into words the experience of dancing at the Moulin Rouge. I don’t think I ever realised when I was over there just how much it would shape the rest of my life and my dance career. It's a show of incredible opulence, but it wasn't easy; we performed 2 shows a night, 6 days a week, enduring numerous challenges like climbing 638 backstage stairs and wearing heavy costumes.

I was grateful to be a swing so that I got to dance in a different spot each night. I think I would have gotten really bored doing the same choreography over and over otherwise. Probably the best part about dancing at the Moulin Rouge for me was just being able to experience living in Paris and travelling through Europe on days off and holidays. It really was life changing.

My advice for aspiring showgirls is to keep up your ballet technique and remember that confidence is key because first impressions count.

Always be realistic, audition for suitable roles and remain positive. Attend workshops to practice dancing under pressure, and always remain open to new experiences. Remember, success is personal and varies for everyone.

What do you believe are the most important aspects of being a great showgirl and all-round performer?

Being a great showgirl and all-round performer requires a combination of talent, skill, and dedication. It’s important to have a strong sense of stage presence as well as maintaining physical fitness and health.

Good performers are able to work well in teams, display confidence, versatility and resilience so that they can cope with the challenging demands of performance. Above all, you should maintain professionalism; being punctual, reliable, and respectful to your colleagues and the production team is essential.

Being a great showgirl and all-round performer requires continuous growth and improvement. Embrace the challenges, stay passionate about your art, and enjoy the thrill of bringing joy and entertainment to others.

High Kix Cabaret performing their annual Cabaret Soiree in 2020.

fortitude human performance

Queanbeyan’s Premier 24hr Gym facility

Fortitude Human Performance is a premium 24hr gym facility spanning over three levels. Perched in the Industrial estate of Queanbeyan West, offering panoramic views over the Canberra CBD, Fortitude provides secure underground parking with three distinct training facilities: an underground functional training space saturated with inspiring street art; a powerlifting zone equipped with Eleiko competition-spec equipment; and a large 24hr gym facility with strength equipment ranging from Technogym and Nautilus to unique pieces such as the infamous Jacobs Ladder (the never-ending incline ladder), skillmills, and a 30-meter incline 3-lane sprint track (to name a few!).

The Inspiration Behind the Thriving Fitness Powerhouse

The ownership group are all local and have collectively been fitness enthusiasts throughout, to the point where they each held multiple gym memberships. There had always been frustration with every facility, whether it was a misaligned community, the quality of the equipment, lack of certain equipment or locked-in contracts and inability to be flexible. The mass marketing and heavy discounts used to attract new members, while existing members were on a higher payment plan led to built-up resentment within the member base. Issues like equipment being out of order and cleanliness were also prevalent –the list goes on. There was no focus on the mindset of the member base either; it felt like a mass-produced system that only focused on aesthetics and appearance, rather than cultivating internal growth for sustainable healthy habits. “Our focus was to provide an extremely high-quality, boutique 24hr gym that addressed all the frustrations we personally endured with a typical gym facility. We didn’t want anyone to be locked into a contract when life got in the way such as changes of location or job, baby, illness, etc.”

The team have also dedicated themselves to seeking out the best quality gym equipment after finding that low-cost plate/pin-loaded machines can cause joint issues with repetitive motions and were of lower quality, leading to injuries over time.

The machines that they sought out were recommended by Physiotherapists/Exercise Physiologists and can be suitable for rehabilitation due to their smooth motion and ergonomic design specifically tailored to the human body.

The team believe that their loyal and satisfied member base is a testament that Fortitude is not just a typical 24hr gym, “we’re building something special - which is the community itself.” The Fortitude facility has been years in the making, from negotiating the delivery of equipment from countries such as Italy (Technogym – the official Olympic Partner), Sweden (Eleiko), and the USA (Nautilus); to ensuring that the facility becomes a home away from home for members.

The gym can become one of the most frequently visited locations outside of our home and workplace; therefore, members should feel as though they are in a welcoming setting that they genuinely look forward to attending, rather than a place of physical discomfort.

A major goal for Fortitude is to continue to provide a space for people of all fitness levels to feel comfortable training in. Gyms can be an extremely intimidating place, so creating a supportive and welcoming atmosphere remains extremely important to the Fortitude team.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Open Classes, these are great for providing the freedom of not having a set time so if you are running late from work you can still join and have the benefits of coached group classes.

• Bub Friendly classes helping to support Mums back to their fitness with knowledge of Pre and Postnatal care and Female Specific Training to strengthen for and from birth, developing their bodies for their next phase of fitness.

• Kid Friendly (ages 10 and up) is to educate kids on health and fitness, how it looks in a gym setting, and what their training will look like if they are also participating in a sport, while keeping the overall theme of a Friendly group setting.

• Strength and Conditioning, taking you through the different phases of training and either pushing towards a conditioning bias or a strength bias. This includes learning how and when to progressively overload while staying focused on technique. This is open to all fitness levels, specifically adjusted and tailored to each individual.

• They also tailor to no-lock in/flexible memberships, just 24hr facility, and/ or just functional/powerlifting, so the memberships are fully adjustable and tailor to whatever training focus.

fortitude human performance

The Most Important Aspects of Reaching and Maintaining your Fitness Goals

The team at Fortitude believe that the most crucial aspect of achieving and sustaining our fitness goals is, without a doubt (insert drumroll), our mindset. Due to the natural human tendency to adapt hedonically, our results can swiftly diminish as we revert to old habits or become complacent in our work ethic due to life’s general pressures. The process of working on our mindset involves a certain level of healing and addressing what led us to engage in the habits that didn’t serve our greater good. As we reach new levels of health and fitness, it becomes crucial to establish new thought patterns, recognize subconscious loops, and overcome internal self-sabotage that tempts us to return to the original “baseline” we started from.

Over an extended period, significant goals can certainly be achieved; but similarly, over time, negative habits can accumulate and these take considerable effort to reverse. Thus, the journey involves healing from the past, conquering triggers that prompt us to fall back into unhelpful habits and gaining the ability to step back and recognize our personal trajectory and patterns, along with the causes that lead us astray.

“We realized that most facilities merely prioritize aesthetics, rather than assisting individuals with the internal struggle. However, addressing this internal aspect is the root cause and the ultimate catalyst urging us to take action and focus intensely on health and returning to the gym.” It is of utmost importance to the Fortitude team that as their members work on integrating a healthy lifestyle, they concurrently focus on healing and enhancing their mindset. “This approach is necessary to maintain and sustain the transformation that they will have undergone in this process. Developing internal fortitude is essential to face life’s inevitable challenges.” This entails mental strength and conditioning, which extends beyond just the physical body. We firmly believe that we should collectively invest as much effort into nurturing our mindset as we do into our physical wellbeing

What Sets Fortitude Apart from the Rest?

“We believe that the community will naturally gravitate towards what they value most at each phase of their life.” Whether it be the cost, accessibility, location, coaching, member base, or the presence of friends and family at the same facility, each individual will naturally be attracted to the facility that serves them best. The primary focus for Fortitude has always been their members, who they attract through their comprehensive facility offerings, messaging, and brand. They emphasize the importance of a quality facility, paying meticulous attention to the finer details and striving to provide maximum value. Unlike some other fitness facilities, Fortitude pays great attention to keeping their members mentally healthy as well as physically, they care for their members’ wellbeing on a more personal level and ensure that their equipment is healthy to use and kept up to date. These defining qualities make Fortitude an ideal powerhouse for achieving your fitness goals.

The fortitude coaches and trainers are also qualified to offer personalized nutritional advice and programs, usually delivered on a one-on-one basis. They are also contemplating the inclusion of nutritional programs as part of their membership fees, while still preserving the flexibility to customize them since every individual’s needs are distinct.

The Fortitude Mindset Hub and the Importance of a Healthy Mental Approach to Fitness

The Fortitude Mindset Hub is a service offered throughout the facility, allowing members to access a guided course as part of Fortitude’s “Overhaul” program. This course teaches how the mind functions, how it constructs meaning, and how to cultivate and strengthen willpower. It also covers identifying and breaking limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging patterns. These programs include neutral thinking to counteract negativity and ultimately promote the adoption and maintenance of a sustainable healthy lifestyle. The facility makes an effort to share mindset strategies across social media platforms, reaching out to the broader community and followers. The goal is to encourage other facilities to adopt a more holistic approach, transcending the confines of mere machinery within four walls.

Advice to an Aspiring Fitness Coach or Gym Owner on Creating their own Thriving Fitness hub?

“We would recommend planning thoroughly and focusing on a specific pain-point or problem of the community that you would like to serve.” The team explain that it is extremely difficult to compete with the mass promotions and large gym chains which have marketing and cost-cutting measures. Therefore, being able to connect to your community and providing a quality service/product, messaging of your offering and speaking directly to your niche will cut through the noise. You will then be able to scale through building trust, authority and expertise in your offering. It’s human nature to recommend someone who they deeply trust to serve someone they know and love. Therefore, referrals are a strong engine to grow from. It is suggested that an aspiring coach or gym owner should begin by focusing on one person and providing as much value as possible through their knowledge, expertise, passion, energy, enthusiasm and desire to help them. Subsequently to this, systematizing the value so it can be consistently delivered, seeking feedback, ensuring results and consistent replicability are the underpinning components to a thriving business model. Be connected to your heart and be of service, this will get you through difficult times of growing your business. “You will magnetize a community over time, stay patient and be positive – build upon your mental fortitude.”

Current Promotions in store for Future Members

Fortitude is currently offering an incredible deal for guided small group training called ‘Real Exercise Demand - RED Fitness’. These classes are adapted to anyone’s personal needs, fitness levels and perceived limitations such as injuries, ailments, age, and training experience. “We have constructed a program to be fully inclusive and cater to the broader community.”

Their offer is RED Fitness + FHP All Inclusive (to all 3 levels 24hr access), Unlimited Classes and Underground Secure Parking for just $45.00 per week. All new RED Fitness members receive a Fortitude Shaker Bottle and Branded Merch.”

www.fortitudehp.com.au/join-now

3 walks and hikes t o keep your mi nd and body healthy this season

From relaxed strolls to energetic adventures, the wider QueanbeyanPalerang region has the great outdoors covered. Discover a range of walks and hikes to take on during the warmer months, all within a 15 minute drive from the Queanbeyan CBD

googong foreshores

Within an easy 10km drive from the Queanbeyan District lies the flourishing township of Googong. Known for its serene foreshores and striking London Bridge Arch, Googong remains a favourite day-trip destination among locals and visitors. This popularity can be attributed to its historic features, spectacular landscapes and endless recreation opportunities.

Whether you’re looking to escape the city to observe some wildlife and take in the impressive scenery, or get active with a range of outdoor activities such as canoeing, fishing and mountain biking, the foreshores are guaranteed to show you a good time.

The northern parts of the foreshores play host to the Googong Dam. Here, you can explore the areas’ lookouts and bushland along the Dam’s walking trails, or take in the stunning views while enjoying a nice picnic or a barbecue.

For visitors with electric motor boats, the North Foreshore also features a boat launch for easy access. Sailing boats, kayaks, and canoes are a regular sighting along the foreshores waters.

If staying on land is more to your liking, the foreshores boast plenty of trails that are perfect for walking and mountain biking.

For those looking to have a dip in the water on those scorching summer days, the best spot is downstream the Queanbeyan River, below the dam wall, as swimming is not permitted in the dam.

Perhaps the most photographed feature of the Foreshores, the London Bridge Arch is located to the south off Burra Road.

This awe-inspiring natural bridge was originally formed from limestone over thousands of years and is now the number one attraraction in the area, only a short walk from the trail head.

mount jerrabomberra

Head out to Mount Jerrabomberra Lookout to see the expansive views over the city of Queanbeyan and beyond.

The walking track starts and finishes at the trailhead car park off Jerrabomberra Hill Road (access through Halloran Drive) and takes you up the mountain through management roads.

The lookout features a small metal viewing platform, seating, and descriptive viewing information that highlights the main features of Queanbeyan.

3 walks & hikes

molonglo gorge

Set within a stones throw from Queanbeyan and a quick drive from Canberra is the hidden gem of Molonglo Gorge. Located in the Kowen Forrest, the Gorge provides locals and visitors with a peaceful escape from the city for a few hours.

The Gorge was formed 15 million years ago, as the Molonglo river carved its way through the rocky land lifted up by the Lake George and Queanbeyan faults, creating what is now known as the stunning Molonglo Gorge.

Made up of unspoiled bush, cascades, and pools, it is the perfect day trip destination for those looking to take some time off in serene natural surroundings.

Here, you will find the blue tiles walk - a moderate walk along the Molonglo River. After about a 3km walk, you will reach the small grassed picnic area of Blue Tiles with a charming view of the Molonglo River.

Recharge and snap some photos of the great outdoors before heading back to the recreation area.

the doncaster

the doncaster

Current owner Gabriele Borscz took private ownership of The Doncaster approximately two years ago, turning the heritage building into a bespoke countryside oasis in the heart of Braidwood. The strategic location of The Doncaster within Braidwood provided the ideal canvas for her vision of creating a bespoke guest house.

Gabriele desribes that the town's history, ambience, and connection to nature served as extra wellsprings of inspiration when designing the hotel. She had a vision of “curating an experience that bridges eras, with the aim of immersing guests in past charm, surrounded by contemporary elements”. In essence, the inspiration behind The Doncaster stemmed from honouring history, offering unique accommodation, and enriching Braidwood's allure. The Doncaster vision is driven by Gabriele’s passion for architecture, design, and hospitality.

The Unique Design Process and Architectural Curation of the Space

The unique bedroom design for the guest house drew inspiration from the nearby botanical surroundings. Gabriele describes that the goal was to create tranquil and elegant spaces that connect seamlessly with nature’s serenity, while showcasing timeless craftsmanship. Materials like wood, metal, and linen were carefully layered to shape the tactile feel of the rooms. Every piece at The Doncaster has been carefully curated from around the world, reflecting Gabriele’s time living abroad. Sourced from India, Indonesia, Europe, and the Middle East, each item tells a unique tale. Local auction houses have also unveiled extraordinary finds, adding to their diverse collection. “Our approach to sourcing respects the intricate tapestry of design across cultures, infusing The Doncaster’s spaces with an exotic charm; Each piece contributes to the narrative, creating an authentic and captivating environment.”

Wedding Season and the Exciting new Chapel Space

Not only is The Doncaster the perfect getaway, but it is also an incredible wedding venue. The chapel at The Doncaster is a beautiful and charming venue, boasting intricate chandeliers, soaring ceilings, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor elegance. The enchanting garden rooms add to the venue’s allure, providing options for both indoor ceremonies and outdoor receptions in the garden or marquee. Their adaptable spaces promise a truly unforgettable event.

Gabriele announces that “after years of renovation, it is with great excitement that The Doncaster will be opening its doors to the public as a one-of-a-kind event venue”. The esteemed Chapel space will be open for bookings from January 2024 and The Doncaster welcomes any enquiries in the leadup to your next special event!

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood Dress: The Sposa Group

Accessories: The Sposa Group

Flowers: Braidwood Blooms

Model: Tahlia Hoskins, Danielle Cleary Models

Photographer: Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

Bridal Edit

The Doncaster’s Rich and Eventful History

Gabriele recounts that the captivating journey of The Doncaster began in the 1840s, when the establishment was known as The Doncaster Hotel, a lively hub for travellers and locals. However, fate had more to unveil. With the passage of time came transformation. It evolved into a sanctuary for the Good Samaritan nuns, embodying a new purpose within the community.

Then, an unexpected turn transpired in the 1880s. A fire that swept through part of the building ignited a rebuild mission that demonstrated resourcefulness and commitment to preserving history.

Interestingly, during World War 2, children from Sydney were sent to Braidwood for safekeeping due to the fear of Japanese invasion. Many of these children did not see their families for up to two years and lived in crowded conditions at the convent, some even sleeping on the upper veranda all year round.

In the 1970s the convent was privately sold, and the original name of the first hotel was revived and The Doncaster was once again open to the public. Fast-forward to 1976, and a fresh chapter emerged. The property shifted once again, taking on a new identity. It was sold and thoughtfully transformed into an accommodation, reclaiming its historic name as ‘The Doncaster Hotel’. This journey through history exemplifies the remarkable flexibility of spaces, from a vibrant hotel to a serene convent—the Doncaster’s narrative dances in harmony with the changing times.

The Doncaster Guest House stands out with a unique charm that distinguishes it from other hotels in the region. Its historical significance is a standout feature – once a hotel, then a convent, and now a guest house, its journey through time adds depth and uniqueness. The incredible architectural design offers a layout and aesthetic that is far from ordinary. Furthermore, The Doncaster’s strong connection to cultural heritage adds richness to the experience. It is a space that invites you to connect with history and experience something special.

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood

Dress: The Sposa Group Accessories: The Sposa Group Flowers: Braidwood Blooms

Model: Sophie Hillier, Danielle Cleary Models Photographer: Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

the sposa group

Premier wedding boutique located in the heart of queanbeyan

Atousa and Irena started The Sposa Group boutiques with an aim to provide the best service to their very deserving brides across Australia. Their goal was to bring the latest wedding designs to their local community and provide brides with the best and most supportive gown selection experience they could have.

Atousa was working in another industry when she started exploring bridal. From there, her passion grew exponentially as she started to become interested in different designs. Atousa began toying with the idea of what could be done to make it easier for brides to find their dream gown and what she could do personally to help. From these initiatial thoughts, The Sposa Group was born.

All about finding the one; from the dress to the makeup to the accessories!

Finding the perfect gown is a momentous occasion for any bride. At Sposa, the dedicated team ensure that they support their brides throughout this special process. When trying on dresses, Atousa advises that brides should be open to trying on different styles before narrowing it down to their favourites. It is also best to keep the dress shopping between two to three boutiques and then choose the boutique that provided you the best service where you felt most comfortable with your consultant.

“When a bride tries on THE ONE, you can see the absolute joy and twinkle in their eyes.”

Atousa also believes that the makeup look is a very personal choice and differs between each bride. In her eyes, there are no rules when it comes to the makeup and each bride should choose a look that makes them feel their best.

Accessorising with a crown is also an absolute MUST, as this will elevate any bridal look.

the trends

In terms of wedding dress trends, Atousa describes that she has seen a lot of simple gowns with minimal embellishment in 2023. However, this is now slowly changing again to more embellished styles. This trend shift is reflected by the introduction of pearls in her latest collections. Although fitted silhouettes are making a strong comeback, Atousa expresses that ball gowns are very much her favourite dress style and silhouette

current Events and Future Plans

For the remainder of 2023, The Sposa Group team aim to continue offering a unique and bespoke wedding dress service to brides across Australia. Over the past five years, The Sposa Group have also hosted many beautiful events to launch their new collections, a special way for current and future brides to get a get a glimpse into what their dream dress could potentially look like.

An ongoing event that no bride-to-be should miss is the regular VIP nights held on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 pm at the lovely Sposa boutique in Hawthorn, Victoria. This decadent experience involves exclusive access of the boutique for the bride and her guests for the duration of two hours. Throughout this experience, they are served canapes and champagne with the option to upgrade to French champagne for that extra special touch.

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood Dress: The Sposa Group

Accessories: The Sposa Group Flowers: Braidwood Blooms

Model: Sophie Hillier, Danielle Cleary Models

Photographer: Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

Bridal Edit

braidwood blooms

Braidwood Blooms are a newly established micro cut flower farm located in Braidwood. The flowers are carefully grown using organic principles with a focus on soil health and biodiversity to help minimise pest and disease pressure. Braidwood Blooms owner Meagan Orford grows a wide variety of flowers from Spring through to Autumn with the objective of creating mixed bouquets and arrangements to be retailed to the Braidwood community via the local IGA and online website. Whilst there are a few other amazing flower farms around Braidwood, Meagan explains that Braidwood Blooms are the only ones currently selling mixed bunches and arrangements directly to the public.

Where the Inspiration ‘Bloomed’ from Meagan has always had a love for flowers. “Looking back, I have always loved to bring in flowers from the garden and spend time arranging them.” Her interest in gardening continued to grow over the years and has turned into a real passion of hers since becoming a mother and spending more and more time at home in the garden. Meagan describes that the more she researched and read on growing cut flowers and floristry, the more her passion grew, until one day she decided to try her hand at selling her flowers, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the Braidwood Community.

Having always worked in corporate roles, Meagan would spend her days longing to be outside in nature. It wasn’t until she had children and was at home on maternity leave, spending most of her time in the garden that she quickly realised that was where she belonged.

Meagan does not currently offer wedding or large event floristry although this may change in the future. Braidwood Blooms is a new business and predominantly a flower farm as opposed to an event floristry business. The current focus is placed on providing mixed bouquets to the Braidwood community, which are available during the growing season.

Meagan is also intending to increase her offering of wholesale flowers to local florists in the upcoming season and may venture further into the wholesale sphere in the future, with the potential of expanding into wedding and event floristry. “The possibilities are endless and it is something that will inevitably evolve over time as the business grows and my children get older.”

Meagan’s Design Process

The design process to creating the perfect cut flower bunch is an art in itself. Meagan generally begins by choosing her focal flower for the bunch and then determining the colour palette and style from there. She always uses a mixture of focal flowers, filler flowers and foliage and will generally divide the ingredients of the bouquet evenly between these different elements.

“I love to incorporate what I call the “whimsical” elements at the end which are delicate little flowers such as Cosmos or Scabiosa that dance above the other flowers, giving the design natural movement and unique elements that you don’t often see such as seed heads or grasses.” Meagan prefers natural garden style arrangements that have a lot of movement to them, showcasing the natural curves and characteristics of the flowers as you would see them in the garden, as opposed to very “stiff, straight and lifeless” arrangements. She expresses that her favourite bouquets to create are those for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. She loves seeing the surprise and joy on someone’s face when they receive their flowers, it is always such an uplifting experience.

Floral Trends we can Expect to see this Wedding Season

Although Meagan does not currently cater to the wedding and large floristry event space, she can shed great insight into the floral trends that we might expect to see this season. Meagan believes that Roses and Peonies are always in high demand for weddings and attributes this to their large blousy blooms that have a traditional and romantic feel to them.

These flowers are also extremely versatile and can be paired with many other flowers and designed in many ways, making them suitable for all kinds of weddings. While pastels tones, whites and blushes will always be in demand, Meagan believes that we will be seeing a comeback of colour in the wedding industry

braidwood blooms

From Seedling to Bouquet (and Everything in Between)

Owning a flower farm is no easy feat. Meagan takes us through her intricate and careful flower growth process from selecting which flowers to grow, to caring for them throughout and finally, to watching them bloom and harvesting them for bouquets. Meagan does a great deal of research into cut flower varieties and has sought a lot of her knowledge and inspiration from her vast collection of books based on cut flower farming and floristry. When considering introducing a new variety she will generally look into its growth habits, native habitat and vase life to determine if it will work well in the current climate and growing conditions.

Meagan explains that she will also give a great deal of thought into whether it will complement her design style and what colours it will be available in when selecting which flowers to grow. She will generally start by trialling a small number of plants and doing various vase life tests before deciding if that flower will become a regular addition to the farm. She was already trialling many different varieties of cut flowers in her home garden before starting her business, so she had a good idea of what she wanted to start growing on a larger scale.

She describes that due to the unpredictability of the ever-changing Braidwood climate, what might work well one year may not necessarily work well the next. Meagan keeps detailed notes on everything she grows and will always be required to adapt what she is growing based on the climatic conditions of each season, market trends and plant/seed availability. The growth process will generally begin in Meagan’s unheated greenhouse, where she starts the majority of her plants from seed. She does not use artificial heating or cooling and everything is grown in the field. Her aim is to grow things in the most sustainable manner possible with minimal negative impact on the environment.

Growing in the field without the protection of greenhouses and the stability of climatecontrolled environments and chemicals certainly provides its challenges and the managing of pests certainly takes a great deal of time and expense. By choosing to grow using organic principles, she cannot just walk out into the field and eradicate pests with the use of chemicals, She describes that she has to give constant consideration to crop rotation, companion planting and sacrificial crops throughout the growing process.

She is also constantly faced with the challenges of the weather, having to adapt growth methods where necessary.

Living in an extremely windy area with absolutely no protection from established trees or structures, Meagan has to ensure all plants are sufficiently supported to help withstand the high winds. She also has to face the issues of damage from rain and hail, which had wiped out thousands of plants in her first year of growing. Some plants may only take 12 weeks, and some may take up to 3 years or more before they are established enough to cut from.

Meagan expresses that while it would be far more secure to grow under artificial conditions with the use of pesticides, she strongly believes in the importance of giving back to nature and leaving the earth in a better condition that we received it. Her focus is in providing a safe and plentiful sanctuary for pollinators and a healthy working environment for herself and her family. Meagan takes great pride in ensuring that customers are purchasing her flowers knowing that they are “perfectly safe for them to plunge their faces into for a deep whiff of their natural scent without inhaling dangerous chemicals.”

Types of Flowers on Offer

On the farm, a large variety of flowers are grown with the main focus being to provide mixed bouquets and arrangements all throughout the growing season. Meagan explains that she needs a constant supply of focal flowers, filler flowers and foliage in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. This requires a huge amount of organisation and planning to ensure that there are never gaps during the growing season. Some of her main focus flowers are Ranunculus in the Spring and Sunflowers in the Summer and Autumn. Meagan will be adding a lot more Dahlias to the lineup this season and will also be trialling some Chrysanthemums next year. She is also always adding more flowering perennials such as Roses, Peonies and Delphiniums to the mix for future use.

Braidwood Blooms do not currently have a store front so all orders for their wonderful, ethically grown flowers can be placed via their website www.braidwoodblooms.com.au. Free delivery is currently available for residents within Braidwood. from Monday to Friday.

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood Dress: The Sposa Group

Accessories: The Sposa Group

Flowers: Braidwood Blooms

Model: Tahlia Hoskins, Danielle Cleary Models

Photographer: Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

Bridal Edit

In conversation with...

DANIELLE CLEARY

OWNER OF DANIELLE CLEARY EVENTS AND THE CANBERRA FAIR

Can you give us an overview of your business, including the services you offer and how they interconnect to provide the best promotional experience to any brand?

Danielle Cleary Events (DCE) makes ideas come to life through compelling, innovative and memorable campaigns, content and events.

Our many services include event design, management, model hosting, sponsorship, collaboration, social media management, influencer engagement, and brand activation–the art of driving consumer action through brand interaction and experiences.

In simple terms, the key aim of these sorts of campaigns is to get consumers to act. It’s about bringing brands to life via experiences and forming long-term emotional connections.

What was the inspiration behind The Model Host Search component of your business and how does it tie in with other goals and community values of your company?

Each year DCE is excited to announce the launch of our Model Host Search. We look for motivated, committed and confident talent wanting to gain work experience and connections in the events and modelling industry. We have unearthed many gems, such as our OG winner Lorna Munro, who has worked for national brands including ShowPo and BYS Cosmetics, and Emma Vanderhoek, who was signed to Priscillas Models post-winning.

The role is a 12-month mentorship, offering the winner ‘on the job’ flexible learning experience and exposure to industry professionals in a creative and encouraging environment.

what advice would you extend to young people looking to follow a similar path?

My daughters Charlise and Laila were the inspiration behind my business. Through my children’s love of sport and modelling I was propelled to establish DCE. I have always had a love for events, sponsorship, collaboration and people and I was inspired by the idea of combining these passions and building a thriving business from them.

My advice to anyone looking to turn their passions into a thriving business is to continue to follow your passions. If you love what you do it doesn’t feel like work. I advise to research, plan, learn, make industry connections and believe that success will follow. My first contract was managing The Canberra Fair Fashion Parades for a large exposition company and today I own it!

What are your underpinning brand values and what do you aim to contribute to the Queanbeyan and surrounding community through your services?

Danielle Cleary Events aims to create effective and measurable experience through collaboration and to successfully connect local and regional business brands with their audiences.

Our team has the creative thinking, expertise, and industry contacts to make ideas come to life. This is provided through the creation of compelling events, unique guest experiences and supporting media strategies to foster awareness and cause raising.

What was the inspiration behind your business and

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood Dress: The Sposa Group

Accessories: The Sposa Group

Flowers: Braidwood Blooms

Model: Tahlia Hoskins, Danielle Cleary Models

Photographer: Annabelle Burdon (Decnudde)

Where do you see your business growing in the near and distant future?

DCE is in an exciting growth phase with our brand Canberra Fair, a wedding, event, travel and lifestyle Fair, providing ‘inspiration for any occasion’. Our Fair is an exciting must-attend on the Canberra calendar of events. The corporate event space is back bigger and better and we are currently working alongside the Australian Federal Police Legacy who are currently seeking sponsorship and event management for their 2023 Gala Ball. We also have a general rebrand coming, so stay tuned!

Tell us more about this year’s Canberra Fair event.

Our recent Canberra Fair was a day of spectacle! People picnicked under our giant tipi in the National Convention Centre Park with delicious savory and sweet treats. We danced to DJ beats and boogied with our live band and were wowed by our aerial artist performances. Everyone enjoyed taking selfies in a luxury vehicle, pimped motorcycle and a classic wooden speedboat. They also had the chance to explore and shop premium wedding, event, travel and lifestyle exhibits with many prizes to be won. The local bakers’ delicious cake displays were sampled, and our VIP’s experienced our stunning fashion parades under a giant naked tipi with florals and a chandelier to die for! Planning is currently underway for a bigger and better July 2024 Canberra Fair and we’re seeking sponsorship and exhibitor expression of interest in joining us for all the fun of the fair.

What are your personal ties to creativity, content creation, fashion and event design and is your business something that you always envisioned yourself pursuing?

I started my working career in small business building management but found myself drawn to creative outlets such as drawing, dressing my little ones in designer clothing and collecting beautiful furnishings and art for my home. Putting my hand up to assist my children’s sports club, fundraising activities and presentation events along with volunteering for the Face of Canberra Racing and other local events, I found a love for the event industry. Anyone can plan an event but not everyone can conceive great ideas! Today, DCE continues to drive customer engagement and build up brand goals through creativity, connection, customization and innovation. This is truly where I belong.

say ‘i do’ with stephanie davies

jerrabomberra-based event mc and wedding celebrant

Steph is one of Australia’s best known Equine sport commentators and facilitator of corporate Events, charity fundraisers and local MC work.

Through her love for all things equine, Steph has covered events such as World Championship Polo, National Showjumping Championships, Major Race day broadcasts, and Corporate Events.

From humble beginnings in the Queanbeyan/Canberra region and travelling to agricultural shows around the country she has spent the last decade working on presenting contracts for Eurosport, US Polo Assn, Channel 7 and Magic Millions.

Steph is really excited to be home in the Canberra/ Queanbeyan region and is now an authorised celebrant who can help design and present your special day!

Looking for an experienced MC or wedding celebrant to tie together your special day?

Visit www.stephaniedavies.co for more!

Contact: E: hello@stephaniedavies.com

M: 0437 570 113

Venue: The Doncaster, Braidwood

turquoise turkish restaurant

Situated along the bustling main street of Queanbeyan, Turquoise Turkish Restaurant continues the long tradition of authentic Turkish food in Queanbeyan; Offering locals the chance to savour original Turkish recipes that have been around for thousands of years within a beautifully decorated setting

Proud owner of Turquoise Restaurant, Meritan

Bushari explains that the establishment of an authentic Turkish restaurant was inspired by the food from the ancient city of Adana, particularly, its mouthwatering ‘Adana kebabs’. These succulent grilled skewers, made from seasoned minced meat are a true gastronomic delight. Pair them with freshly baked flatbreads and a side of spicy red pepper paste, and you'll experience a taste of Adana's culinary heritage. “When my wife and I decided to establish a Turkish restaurant, we thought, there would not be a better place than Queanbeyan to offer our authentic recipes.” Recounts Meritan.

Their fine Turkish cuisine is specially prepared by their in-house Turkish Chef to deliver amazing traditional flavours. The menu is very healthy, and only the finest, locally sourced ingredients are used, transforming and updating traditional dishes through both contemporary and ancient gastronomic techniques. Kebabs hot off the skewers, wrapped in slightly charred flatbread with sumac (a tangy spice) and herb, sprinkled with onions, tomatoes, and tabouli are the speciality here. Turquoise offer lunch and dinner services including delivery and takeaway options.

The Story Behind the Name

Meritan recounts that the decision to name his restaurant ‘Turquoise’ was made due to the magnificent properties of the Turquoise gem. Turquoise is one of the world’s most ancient gems. It is the national gem of Tibet and has long been considered a stone that guarantees health, good fortune, and protection from evil. Turquoise is also the birthstone for December and given that the restaurant was established in December, no other name would be more fitting.

turkish heritage pride

Meritan is very proud of his Turkish heritage. Being from the city of Adana, he honours his Turkish background by providing and sharing the unique recipes that traditional Turkish cuisine has to offer. “Knowing where I come from gives meaning and context to the life I live now, as the towns, countries, cultures, and traditions my grandparents have lived in and experienced have shaped my heritage.” The Turquoise restaurant has done wonderful things for the Queanbeyan community. They have assisted the food SES team throughout the floodings as a way of acknowledging their hard work. They have also provided for Queanbeyan West Primary School, nursing staff at Queanbeyan Hospital and many more establishments

turquoise turkish restaurant

menu recommendations

Meritan strongly recommends the banquet specials to anyone trying Turquoise for the first time. This includes dips, entree, kebab skewers with rice, pide, salad and plain Turkish bread. The banquets come in different options to accommodate the meat lovers and the vegetarians as well.

Some unique offerings that set Turquoise apart from other similar establishments is the authenticity and passion that goes into creating each dish. Turquoise prides itself on their authentic Adana Kebab and the Kofte (meat balls). A special recipe that Meritan inherited from his grandmother.

The Turquoise Special Pide is also one to try, as it is the Chef’s specialty and one of the most popular pides. The restaurant prides themselves on their Pides (Pizza) as they are authentically handmade by Meritan.

The bread is also handmade before lunch with a new batch of fresh bread being made at dinner time. Overall, all of their food is prepared in-house and served fresh to their customers.

the ups and downs of owning a restaurant business in this current climate

Meritan recounts that whilst the journey of starting and owning a business has been rocky, it has also been incredibly rewarding. He explains that the restaurant is in constant operation, even when they are very short staffed and they are always dedicated to remaining open and making it happen no matter what.

When Meritan and his wife first established their restaurant, they had a toddler and a baby on the way. Meritan expresses that watching his children grow up in the restaurant has been one of the highlights of this journey.

“We survived the Covid-19 lockdown, so I am thankful that I can still run my family business and thanks to our loyal customers, we are able to continue operating with pride.”

Food & Dining

lark hill winery

Established in 1978 by Sue and Dave Carpenter, Lark Hill is a family owned and operated estate producing organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from the coolclimate Canberra District Wine Region.

Second-generation winemaker Chris Carpenter uses minimal intervention winemaking to showcase wines of pristine terroir from the diverse climates of the Canberra District.

These include the premium single-vineyard wines from the estate owned vineyards in Bungendore and Murrumbateman, as well as a range of regional blends that embody casual enjoyment.

The Cellar Door offers guests an intimate, casual space to enjoy curated wine flights, chat to the family and choose their favourite bottles.

Additionally, the on-site restaurant partner, Agostinis at Lark Hill makes an occasion of lunch in the vines with a stunning view that will transport you to the heart of Tuscany. Alongside a selection of Agostinis’ classic dishes, including calamari fritti, fresh daily pasta and tiramisu are rotating dishes that capture the relaxing scenery of Lark Hill in the changing seasons.

Opening hours: Cellar Door

THURSDAY TO SUNDAY 11am – 4pm Agost inis FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 11.30am - 3pm

Photography: Adam McGrath

SOUTH JERRABOMBERRA AT TRALEE

rivoland tiles

Rivoland Tiles is a family owned business established in the late 1970s. Operating in three different locations across Canberra and Queanbeyan, their showrooms display tiles in a variety of finishes, suitable for almost any application. The owners travel the world each year to directly import hand-picked, exclusive, innovative tile collections with strong design integrity. The Rivoland design team members pride themselves on being well-informed and experienced in helping customers find a product that suits their personality, budget and style.

The History of Rivoland

The original founders Antonio Guglielmin and Gabriella Guglielmin migrated from Italy in pursuit of a “better life”, eventually establishing themselves in Queanbeyan. In the 1970’s, Antonio identified an opportunity in the Queanbeyan/Canberra Region to distribute and fix Italian granular marble, a texture coating for walls that had a strong European influence. Collaborating with relatives in Melbourne that were stockists, he commenced operations under Rivoland.

The Rivoland business model evolved in the late 1970s to specialise in ceramic and porcelain tile offerings, driven by an evident shortage of manufactured materials in the construction industry.

Products and Services on Offer

Products/specialisations:

Rivoland’s extensive selection of tiles and mosaic materials for internal and external application is industry leading. It includes ceramic, porcelain, concrete, glass and stone, all available in small and extra-large formats. The designs and styles are endless, ranging from neutral and bold colours, luxury marbles, limestones and terrazzos to 3D shapes, patterns and wood effects in innovative shapes and textures

Services:

Services offered include design consultations, material selection, technical performance and specification support, estimating services and advanced in-house delivery service including logistics of delivery. Tile installation products such as adhesives, grout, angles, tile cutters and after-sale services are also on offer.

The Unique Aspects of Rivoland Tiles

One of Rivoland’s main distinguishing points is their extensive stock on hand and in-house delivery service which allows for same day stock turnaround. They are also a leading procurer of exclusive tile products including; Mutina, Imola Ceramica, Living Ceramics, 41zero42 and LEA Ceramiche in the ACT region. Rivoland proudly foster exclusive partnerships with European suppliers that operate in congruence with their philosophy of continual innovation and environmental footprint reduction.

Moreover, the Rivoland team is a tight-knit powerhouse of experienced, dedicated and qualified Sales Representatives. The team provide product samples free of charge to enable clients to view their tile selection in lighting applicable to the space and against their select tapware etc. They also maintain strong, well-developed relationships with external interior designers, tilers and renovation companies, allowing them to provide the best recommendations to their clients.

Design and Selection Process

As part of their design process, the Rivoland team members travel the world every year to hand-pick their expansive range of exclusive designs. This allows them to supply highquality, competitively priced material to suit a variety of projects ranging from large-scale commercial to private residential projects. The team also engage with representatives from various companies on a monthly basis, keeping on top of the latest products and upcoming global trends. Rivoland are continuously introducing new materials from across the world, reinforcing them as an industry leader.

The Latest Home Renovation Trends to Watch:

Natural Connection: Embracing indoor to outdoor living with the introduction of more light and shifting away from cool greys. This is where soft, earthy tones including shades of off-white, beige, cashmere, ivory and tan are combined with textural and raw finishes to create calmness.

Introduction of curves: Curves are popping up everywhere from showers and hallway arches to island benchtops. The introduction of curves can add a visual rhythm that creates softness and instantaneously makes us feel more relaxed. In bathroom spaces, curved shower walls wrapped in mosaics or screens are a design feature that adds impact to a small bathroom design.

Frameless shower screens: A popular option for modern bathroom renovations. The elimination of a bulky frame from the glass shower screen creates a seamless and sleek look, giving the illusion of additional space.

Shower shelf: A shower shelf is a ledge that is built in front of a shower wall, designed to hold toiletries and personal care items. The shower shelf has evolved from the recessed, built in shelf or storage space within a shower wall. Considering the design of your shower space and applicable storage is critical for your design concept.

Marble tiles: It’s no secret that natural stone adds a touch of luxury to any space. A marble tile in a bathroom, be it on the floor, the walls or both, can be surprisingly versatile. With varying types of marble interpretations from soft to more dramatic tones, marble inspired collections are the perfect choice for any home. They evoke an air of luxury, Hamptons Charm or the opulence of a five-star hotel.

Vertical tile wall: Subway tiles have become a great bathroom feature. These were originally inspired by New York train stations and are now progressing into residential homes and commercial spaces. The iconic vertical stacked subway tiles have gained traction to emphasise height in a room.

rivoland tiles

How to Overcome Common Challenges Faced when Renovating your Home

Refining products/narrowing selections:

Prior to visiting, it is recommended that you brainstorm a few ideas and look for inspiration. For example, exploring display homes, Pinterest, Instagram, interior design and architectural projects may help to develop your ideas. This will allow you to better visualise the trend that you are gravitating towards.

Understand the benefits of tiles:

Using tiles has significant advantages; they will generally resist dirt and wear much more effectively than other products such as timber.

Tiles are perfect for high-traffic areas and all wet zones, as they are functional and easy to clean. Pending on the space, Rivoland’s qualified design consultants will offer their expertise on the various different tile finishes available, ensuring that they are appropriate to your space.

Consider adding a shower niche or shower shelf:

The planning of shower storage and the opportunity to create a feature around your shower storage space can instantly elevate your bathroom. Not only does it add convenience, it is also becoming an increasingly popular feature of the stylish modern bathroom and something that can add value to your home.

Grout selection:

Choosing the right colour of grout can make a huge difference in the overall aesthetic of a space. Choose a contrasting colour for a dramatic look, or complementary colour for a more subtle, seamless option. To keep your grout looking fresh we recommend using Aquamix products, which are specifically designed for cleaning any natural stone, tile or grout surface.

Notable

projects, collaborations, and Success Stories

Rivoland has worked with leading Canberra architects, designers, builders and developers for almost 40 years, providing the most innovative and extensive collections of porcelain and ceramic for residential and commercial projects.

SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS:

• Nibu x Palko

• Canberra Centre, Food Court and Monaro Mall

• Deco Hotel, Canberra

• St Mary Mackillop College

• Little National Hotel, Canberra

• Campbell 5, Canberra

• Australian National University

• Willinga Park, Bawley Point

• Shaw Wines, Murrumbateman

• A&A Woden, Doma Group

• Australian Catholic University, Veritas Building

• Canberra Raiders Centre of Excellence

• Founders Lane

• Adina Apartment Hotel Grand

• Parliament House

Rivoland stand behind the building trades as active members of industry groups; MBA and HIA.

bungendore woodworks gallery

The renowned Bungendore Wood Works Gallery exhibits and promotes Australian wood art, giftware, sculpture and contemporary furniture by the country’s foremost designers and makers in wood. The gallery takes pride in the skill and art of Australia’s craftspeople and in the varied richness and beauty of native timbers. Collaborating with makers to design and develop new work ensures that the gallery remains a leader in woodcraft and studio furniture.

Located in the heart of the Bungendore village since its inception, the gallery was first established in the heritage-listed Bungendore Store building opposite the present-day site. This site was later designed by local architect Maurice Barnes, creating the perfect environment for exhibiting wood and other artworks. The present gallery was built in 1994 from Australian materials including Jarrah posts, beams and staircase, Tasmanian Oak floors, Ebonised Victorian Ash Frames, and New South Wales Flooded Gum wall panelling.

Now in it’s 40th year, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery showcases an incredible range of fine furniture from cabinets, clocks, lighting and mirrors to desks, dining tables, hall tables, seating and much more. In addition to the array of high quality wood art, the gallery also displays a wide variety of art in a multitude of mediums such as acrylic, watercolour, oil and wood marquetry.

sage natural living

About sage

Sage Natural Living is a locally owned health and wellbeing store, operating in Bungendore since 2005. The owner of Sage, Louise, aims to make it easy for customers to shop natural, ethically sourced, and sustainable products without sacrificing luxury. The store provides natural and sustainable clothing, skincare, cosmetics, homewares, crystals and more.

In addition to providing store-front ser vice, the Sage team also offer personalised experiences for customers, involving one-on-one advice sessions on which products will best suit their budget and lifestyle. Louise also offers home visits for those who find it difficult to come out shopping, whereby she will browse through the website with the customer and return with samples of clothing and other suitable products for the customer to select from.

Louise was inspired to open her store in Bungendore and contribute to her local community by providing a place where people can gather and connect. “My store is a place where people can come to shop, meet friends, and learn about new things.”

Louise is also very dedicated to supporting other local businesses. This is accomplished by selling products from local businesses and artisans, “I can help to boost the local economy and support sustainable practices”, she remarks.

Louise aims to contribute the promotion of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle to her local community. This is achieved by selling natural, sustainable products, which can help people to live healthier and more environmentally friendly lives. By being a positive force in the community and getting involved in local events and organisations, Louise shows her support for the Bungendore Community and aims to continue making a difference in people’s lives. “The key to the success of my business is that I always have new and exciting products in the store, never allowing the business to stagnate. It is important to always have something fresh for my regular customers.” Louise also hopes to see the online side of her business grow in the future.

The Sustainability Mission

Louise attributes great importance to Investing in natural and sustainable products as part of her business mission. This is an essential part of the business as it helps to protect the environment. “When we choose products that are made from natural materials and that are produced in a sustainable way, we are reducing our impact on the planet.” Explains Louise as she expresses that this can help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change. She also explains that investing in such products can improve our health.

Many conventional skincare, cosmetics and clothing are made with harmful chemicals that can pollute our air and water and can also be harmful to our health. Natural products, on the other hand, are often made with fewer chemicals and are better for our bodies. Louise aims to sell clothing and other products which are multi-functional, versatile and classic rather than following trends which may go out of fashion next year.

Louise is using her business to further the mission of investing in natural, sustainable products in a few ways. Firstly, she can only sell products that are made from natural materials and that are produced ethically. Secondly, she works with suppliers who are committed to sustainability. Finally, she ensures to educate her customers about the importance of reusable products and how they can make a difference.

SAGE NATURAL LIVING

Louise’s tips for a successful spring/summer detox:

• Drink plenty of water. Water helps to flush out toxins from the body.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are high in nutrients and antioxidants, which can help to support the detox process.

• Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol. These foods can overload your liver and kidneys, making it more difficult for your body to detox.

• Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to improve circulation and remove toxins from the body.

• Get enough sleep. Sleep helps your body to repair and restore its’ functional energy.

Louise’s ‘Energy Cleanse’ Starter Pack

As we are entering the Spring/Summer season, an energy ‘spring clean’ and detox is vital. Louise advises that her energy cleanse starter pack would include her Sage Natural Living Space Clearing Candle, Sage Body Cleansing Soap and some Cleanse Tea from Pukka. As well as clothing and wellbeing products, Sage boasts an impressive selection of crystals. Louise expresses that her favorite crystal is sunstone. Its properties include boosting your sense of self-empowerment and clearing away negative energy.

All the Tea

An esteemed product that you can be sure to find when exploring Sage is their expansive selection of high-quality teas. Pukka is a British brand of organic herbal tea that is inspired by traditional Ayurvedic medicine. They offer a wide range of teas, each with their own unique benefits.

For a spring/summer detox, Louise would recommend the Cleanse tea or the Revitalise tea. The Cleanse tea is a good choice if you are looking to support your body's natural detox process. The Revitalise tea is a good choice if you are looking to boost your energy levels and improve your digestion.

She also recommends mixing and matching different teas to create your own custom detox tea blend. For example, you could combine the Cleanse tea with the Three Ginger tea to create a tea that supports your body's detox process and also helps to relieve nausea and indigestion.

When choosing a Pukka tea for a spring/ summer detox, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. If you are not sure which tea is right for you, it may be helpful to talk to a healthcare professional or a herbalist prior.

The Signature Sage Products

Sage offers a small range of signature products which are a must-try for anyone visiting the store for the first time. The Sage Natural Living Desert Lime Moisturiser is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, which can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water making it perfect for dehydrated skin (especially in those harsh Bungendore winters).

The native Australian extract of Desert Lime provides high levels of moisture retention, making this lotion the ultimate hydration package for dry and lacklustre complexions. A mild fragrance from essential oils of Rose, Blood Orange and Ylang Ylang mean that this moisturiser is suitable for even the fussiest of customers. Currently retailing at $39.95, the moisturiser is Australian made, ethically sustainable, cruelty free, vegan and 100% natural!

A second specialty product is the gorgeous Sage cleansing bar. Retailing at only $6.50 per bar, this soap offers a beautiful cleanse for your mind, body and soul. The active, 100% natural ingredients include saponified oil, coconut oil, essential oils of sage and lavender, sodium lactate, and gluconate. The soap is 100% biodegradable, compostable and crafted in Bungendore from natural, ethically sourced ingredients.

Louise’s clothing suggestions for your spring/ summer wardrobe:

The clothing items that can be found at Sage are truly a must-see for anyone who loves shopping natural fibers and appreciates the health benefits of wearing such clothing. Three go-to clothing items recommended by Louise include the whole ‘Boody’ range of bamboo underwear and basics; The Bamboo Body Wrap Dress, which can be worn as a long top with leggings and boots or on its own as a dress; and the ‘Ella and Sunday Hudson’ Jeans, these are 7/8 stretch jeans, trans-seasonal and perfect with boots for winter and sandals for summer.

bring christmas into your home

Whether you have just moved into your new home or have been a Queanbeyan-Palerang resident for years, christmas is without a doubt the best way to bring joy, love and laughter into your home all season!

The Bredbo Christmas Barn

the bredbo christmas barn

where to shop this christmas

We all know that Christmas is all about traditions and whilst every family and household will celebrate in a slightly different way, one tradition that all Queanbeyan and surrounding residents can share is the exciting and heart warming road trip to the Bredbo Christmas Barn! Whether you are looking to christen your new home with some stunning decorations or are looking to spruce up your current Christmas display with an ornament or two, the Bredbo Christmas Barn shopping trip is an experience all should share at least one or ten times in their life!

What inspired Leanne and Neville de Smet to open a Christmas shop in the tiny town of Bredbo, some 50 minutes south of Queanbeyan? The journey began when the de Smets opened ‘Unique Boutique’ in Woden Plaza, Canberra, in 1979.

Then, some years later they expanded into Christmas, opening a second store, ‘Unique Boutique, It’s Christmas’. During that time, the de Smets had moved out of Canberra, seeking a more relaxed country lifestyle. From there, the idea of opening a semi retired business just down the road in Bredbo was born, and the rest is history.

Leanne has always had a fond love for christmas and the joy that it brought to her home throughout her life. She recalls that as a child, it was all about the presents and the food. Her father was Hungarian, and her grandmother was the most amazing cook so food was always associated with love in her home.

As Leanne got older, the tree became more important to her, as she was allowed to trim the tree. She explains that It was a lot harder back then, as there “wasn’t a lot of Christmas available in the 60’s”. Leanne would watch all those old American Christmas movies, where the decorations looked

magical, and even back then she would wonder why they had so much christmas in America and she didn’t. All of that changed for Leanne in the early 80’s when she started doing the trade shows in America, and there was an abundance of all that Christmas she had alwaysdreamed of having. So she bought and bought, and then they opened that first Christmas.

If you asked Leanne what she loves about Christmas now, she would say, “I love the look on our customers’ faces when they come into our shop. I love that we are now a part of our customers’ tradition of visiting us ever year to pick a special ornament (or 2 or 3)”. Christmas is now all about family and friends and making memories.

When asked what colours evoke that Christmas tingle, Leanne automatically thought of red, green and gold. However, at the Bredbo Christmas Barn, they do every colour, every year. Christmas has no bounds and can come in any colour and theme. Why stop at one tree, one wreath, or one garland? Leanne believes that too much is never enough. “Less is less, and more? More can be perfect, or perhaps, not quite enough.”

Christmas pudding delights

These delicious christmas treats are super easy to make with no baking required and are even easier to eat! This is a family christmas recipe that has been adapted and tweaked over the years, so no need to stick to exact measurements, you may add or remove ingredients to your hearts’ content!

Ingredients:

• 1x large mixing bowl

• 1x large ziplock bag

• 1x large rolling pin

• 1 x woolworths chocolate mud cake

• 2 cups of crushed Arnotts arrowroot biscuits

• 1/4 cup of condensed milk

• 1/2 cup of strawberry jam

• 1 block of cooking white chocolate

• 1 pack Jaffas lollies

• 1 pack spearmint leaves lollies

• 1 tbs Brandy (optional)

Method:

1. Take approximately half of the arnotts biscuits in the packet and place them into your large ziplock bag. Using your rolling pin, smash and roll the biscuits until they are finely crumbed. Once they have been crushed, add these to your large mixing bowl. Next, take your chocolate mud cake and break it into smaller pieces, crushing and crumbling it into the bowl using your hands.

2. Once the mudcake has been crushed, add in your condensed milk, strawberry jam and optional Brandy to the bowl. Once all ingredients have been added it’s time to really get your hands dirty and mix it all together until it forms a sticky, dough-like consistency.

3. Next, line a baking tray with paper. To begin making your pudding balls, take a table-spoonful of mixture from the bowl and roll it with your hands until a smooth, neat ball is formed. Place this on the tray and repeat until all of the mixture is used.

4. Once the tray has been filled with pudding balls, place them into the fridge to chill

5. While the puddings are chilling, use this time to melt your white chocolate block over the stove until it is completely runny.

6. Once the chocolate melt is complete, remove your pudding balls from the fridge and place a dollop of white chocolate on top of each pudding, letting it drip down the sides.

7. Finally, decorate your pudding balls by placing a jaffa ball in the centre of each. Using a knife, cut the spearmint leaves in half and place one half on either side of the jaffa ball. After you have decorated your puddings to your satisfaction, place them back into the fridge to chill until the white chocolate has fully hardened and enjoy!

Christmas Yule Log

Ingredients:

CAKE

• 4 Egg yolks

• 45g Milk (3 tbsp)

• 50g Vegetable oil (3 tbsp 1 tsp)

• 35g White sugar (I) (2 tbsp)

• 15g Cocoa powder (2 tbsp)

• 75g Cake flour (¾ cup)

• 4 Egg whites

• 50g White sugar (II) (¼ cup)

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/320F and line a large baking sheet with baking paper (approx. 16" x 13" /40cm x 33cm.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar (I), milk, and oil together.

3. Sift the cocoa powder and cake flour into the milk/yolk mix and whisk until combined.

4. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs and sugar (II) until stiffened. Fold the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture in small amounts until combined.

5. Pour into the lined tray and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cake bounces back when lightly pressed. Next, remove it from the oven and invert onto a sheet of baking paper.

6. Remove the baking paper and replace with a clean kitchen towel, then flip the cake so the towel is on the bottom and the baking paper is on top.

7. Roll the cake from one short end to the other, place seam side down, and allow to cool completely.

Vanilla Whipped Cream

1. Combine the cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Whisk on medium-high until stiff peaks are formed.

W hipped Cream:

• 400ml Thickened/heavy cream (1 cup)

• 100g White sugar (½ cup)

• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

• 150ml Thickened/heavy cream (½ cup)

• 150g Semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped

chocolate ganache

1. Heat the cream in the microwave or a small saucepan until steaming.

2. Place the chocolate in a medium-sized heatproof bowl and pour over the hot cream. Cover with a plate and let sit for 5-10 mins, or until melted.

3. Stir until smooth and cover with cling wrap

4. Allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes until the mixture is smooth and spreadable, keeping an eye on it and stirring occasionally.

assembly

1. Unroll the cake, then remove the baking paper and kitchen towel.

2. Spread the cream evenly over the cake, then roll again, following the curl of the cake.

3. Wrap the rolled cake in cling wrap and let rest in the fridge for 1 hour (during this time you can prepare the chocolate ganache).

4. Unwrap the cake and trim the edges. Next, slice the cake diagonally ¼ of the way across to form the small tree arm. Connect the sliced section with the larger log, and trim the angled end of the larger log.

5. Using a palette knife or butter knife spread the chocolate ganache all over the cake, using long strokes to recreate bark

6. Decorate your log to your heart’s content, serve and enjoy!

Christmas Edit

christmas in the queanbeyan/palerang region

FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS BALL

Date: Sunday 3rd decemb er

Time: 10am - 2pm

Location: B omfunk Dance Studio, 5 High street, queanbeyan

Calling all Princes and Princesses – your royal invitation to the Fairytale Ball awaits! This event will be hosted by some of your favourite Fairytale princesses and story-time characters! AND because this is the Christmas Edition, we might be lucky enough to have a visit from Santa as well! The ball will feature a Royal performance where attendees will get to join their favourite characters on the dance floor for some festive carols and join in for singing and dancing! There will also be meet and greet photo opportunities and craft and glitter stations so you can get to know your favourite fairytale friends and get INCREDIBLE Christmas photos!

MERRY KIX MAS SHOW BY HIGH KIX CABARET

Date: Saturday 16th december

Time: 4pm - 9pm

Location: Q ueanbeyan community christmas party, crawford street TICKETS: FREE

Celebrate the festive season with this stunning Christmas Cabaret Soiree. Sing carols and enjoy the splendour and joy that comes with Christmas! Join us at the Queanbeyan Christmas Street Party!

Visit the iconic christmas light displays across Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan.

Fill up your car with your friends and family, grab some hot (or iced) chocolate for the road and get ready for an evening of magic, lights and fun! The Jerrabomberra region is particularly renowned for it’s decadent and impressive Christmas light displays. Do your research prior and enjoy listening to Christmas carols with loved ones while you take a tour around the streets of Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan!

Visit Santa and get your annual christmas picture at Riverside Plaza in queanbeyan!

It wouldn’t quite be Christmas without the annual Santa picture! Visit Riversida Plaza this Christmas season with your family, friends and loved ones and grab your special souvenir!

Fairytale Ball Held at The Highlight Theatrette in July, 2023.

Diwali Festival, Queen Elizabeth II Park.

Bungendore Community Christmas Party, Mick Sherd Oval

MARCH Braidwood Community Christmas Party

Queanbeyan Community Christmas Party, Queanbeyan Showground 16 DECEMBER

Multicultural Festival, Queanbeyan Park.

‘Just Passing By’ (Braidwood) - Jenny Sheppard

uPCOMING SHOWS AT THE Q

13 - 29 october

Oklahoma!

Presented by Queanbeyan Players

28 october

Coal Miner’s Daughter

The stories and hits of Loretta Lynn and friends

3-4 november

Under the Influence

Presented by Shortis and Simpson

9 november

Gary Starr Performs Everything Back by popular demand!

12 november

Music of the Night

A tribute to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

18 november

Dear August Father/daughter duo Darren and Olivia Coggan

24-25 november

Triceratop

A gay dinosaur climate change love story parable about loneliness and eco disaster

29 november - 3 december

King Lear Presented by Echo Theatre

9 december

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody The best Freddie Mercury in the world!

Dear August Darren and Olivia Coggan

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echo theatre presents the q

king lear

“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.” Act IV, Scene vi

A kingdom, ruled by an ageing, authoritarian monarch is fractured by pride, folly, and avarice in Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, King Lear. When the deteriorating King misjudges the loyalty of his children, the struggle for power becomes unflinchingly violent and callous, and ultimately leads to devastating consequences.

In this bold, contemporary adaptation, the inimitable Karen Vickery stars as a female Lear alongside an extraordinary local cast, including her daughter Natasha Vickery, VCA musical theatre graduate, Petronella van Tienen, and Bristol Old Vic graduates, Joshua Wiseman and Lewis McDonald.

Director Joel Horwood, who recently directed Hay Fever for ACT Hub, shares that they were amazed by the level of talent in the audition room. “Having lived in the region for over five years, I had begun to think I knew every actor in town. The response to our audition callout was staggering, and I was overwhelmed by how many passionate, gifted performers attended. I could have cast the show twice over, at least”.

Prepare to see The Q as you’ve never seen it before, as Echo Theatre’s electrifying new production promises to be a spectacle of otherworldly proportions.

“As an artist, I’m always looking at ways to innovate and challenge, especially with classical texts”, says Horwood. “I hope that our production will shine new light on this wellknown, well-loved play, and that even the most ardent of Shakespeare-lovers will discover something new about the work. At the same time, it’s important to make Shakespeare accessible, and one of my priorities as a director is to ensure that audiences don’t feel alienated by the language”.

A family drama with global resonance, King Lear forces us to confront our own humanity, and dismantle our preconceptions of power.

“Approaching the play, I was really fascinated by the dynamic between parents and children. From the outset, I knew that I wanted to cast a female in the role of Lear, and that opened up some fascinating conversations around mother/daughter dynamics, and the heightened pressure that often arises from parental expectations of their same-gendered offspring,” Horwood shares. Along with a female Lear, Horwood has also altered the gender of several other characters. “Shakespeare’s plays are notoriously lopsided in terms of gender. It was really important to me that we reached parity within the cast, without needing to alter the text too heavily”.

Echo Theatre’s production of King Lear opens on 29 November, for six performances only. Don’t miss this inventive rendering of Shakespeare’s familiar story when it arrives at The Q. For tickets and more information, head to theq.net.au.

about us

Welcome to the Spring/Summer edition of Q Living, Queanbeyan’s very own lifestyle magazine! The Team is thrilled to bring you a publication that highlights the beauty and diversity of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Region, as well as its numerous small businesses. Our mission is to showcase the best that our Region has to offer and to encourage growth and expansion in our community.

The inspiration behind the creation of Q Living came from a moment of enjoying a delicious Panang Curry from Lime Leaves Thai Restaurant in Queanbeyan. It was in this moment that we realised that there are many hidden gems in the Region that deserved to be showcased and shared with the wider community.

Members of the Marketing team at The Village Building Company are proud residents of the Queanbeyan Region, and are personally invested in seeing the community thrive. The Company is driving an exciting new project on Rutledge Street in the heart of the Queanbeyan CBD, which will be the largest development the Town Centre has seen to date. This Project, together with the large South Jerrabomberra Estate Development reflects The Village Building Companys’ confidence in and commitment to the Region.

Our team firmly believe that Queanbeyan has so much to offer with its diverse range of amenities including restaurants, pubs, major supermarkets, health services, public transport, leisure, and much more. Our Town is steeped in history and boasts a strong sense of community, which we are proud to be a part of.

Q Living aims to bring readers the best that the Region has to offer in each edition, from hidden gems to established businesses, exciting developments, events, and more. The Magazine hopes to inspire readers to explore and appreciate all that Queanbeyan has to offer, and to encourage others to move to this wonderful Region.

- The Q Living Team