Iconic wetsuits still a good fit A LOCAL family-owned business is celebrating 30 years in the wetsuit industry and are happier than ever. Local business, Zee Wetsuits, has been a Noosa icon for over 20 years after its humble beginnings in Torquay, Victoria, in 1996. Owners Bernie and Cheanene Filer said the weather in Victoria led them to make the move to sunny Noosa over 20 years ago and they have loved it here ever since. “We were fed up with the weather in Victoria so we brought the whole operation up here,” Bernie said. The wetsuit business is locally owned and produces locally made wetsuits right here in Noosa for everyone whether they surf religiously or just duck out for the occasional wave. Zee Wetsuits offer personalised service with custom-made wetsuits available to suit your needs and will even repair your current wetsuit, no matter the brand, making it a one-stop shop for all your wetsuit needs. Cheanene said the secret to a successful business was their focus on great
customer service and looking after everyone’s specific needs. “People can come in to see us and we can help to get them exactly what they need and get the right fit,” Cheanene said. The local business, which supplies Zee Wetsuits Australia-wide, has started their 30th year with a bang after sending a shipment of wetsuits overseas to kickstart the company’s international market takeover. But Cheanene and Bernie said their attention will always stay focused on their home-grown market and enjoyed seeing Noosa locals grow up in their Zee wetsuits. “Kids who used to come in to be fitted for a wetsuit are now grown up and bringing their kids in,” Cheanene said. “We’ve been doing it for 30 years and we’re still having fun and enjoying it,” Bernie said. Head over to Zee Wetsuits at 2/15 Venture Drive, Noosaville, to check out their range of wetsuits or call 5474 1010. Alternatively visit the website www.zeewetsuits.com to check out custom-made wetsuits.
...and now: Bernie and Cheanene Filer celebrate 30 years of local business.
Then...
Wool win by design AUSTRALIAN Merino wool and a trip to Sydney could just be Mikaela Fewster’s ticket into the fashion industry. Local Noosa school girl Mikaela spent a week in Sydney after taking out the top prize in the Wool4School fashion design competition. The Year 11 student of Noosa District High School said fulfilling the design brief, which was to design a winter outfit for an overseas destination using Australian Merino wool, was difficult but not impossible. “It was a challenge, as a Queenslander, to design a winter outfit for a European destination but at that same time it allowed me to explore a place and season that I had interest in,” Mikaela said. As part of her prize, Mikaela was flown to Sydney to spend a week with the Woolmark Company and Girlfriend Magazine as an intern, plus an $1800 cash prize and a Toyota sewing machine. “I have been exposed to diverse experiences that have included working on social media ideas, future competition themes, designing magazine pages and education resources
Council warns: Play by the rules or pay a fine. Mikaela with fashion studies teacher Nicole Koinuma present Mikaela's winning designs.
Know your limits, council tells traders
as well as the highlight of the week - contributing to a fashion shoot,” Mikaela said. Since returning from Sydney Mikaela said she is now inspired to enter the world of fashion design after she completes her final year of high school. “The week internship, that was also part of my amazing prize pack, has inspired me to investigate further into relocating and studying design courses post high school,” Mikaela said.
NOOSA Council is asking businesses operating from the Noosa River foreshore to play by the rules, or face a fine. The council's Planning and Environment manager Kerri Coyle said the council audited the foreshore before Christmas and wrote to operators whose businesses had expanded on to public land. “The State Government provides strict areas for these businesses to operate from but over time some operators have taken over nearby council-con-
“This unique experience has really motivated me to follow the design path post school where I hope to achieve a degree in the design industry.” Mikaela said in an ironic twist of fate, her trip to the big smoke has inspired an appreciation of farmers. “This is my first visit to Sydney and ironically I have developed an enormous appreciation for sheep and farmers from this city visit.”
trolled public land,” she said. Ms Coyle said council staff had visited business owners and asked them to remove unapproved outdoor dining areas, a proliferation of advertising signs, coffee shop operations, surf craft, bike hire stalls and other equipment from public land. “As well as prevent rivergoers from using this land it’s not fair on other nearby businesses which are paying commercial rates and can’t expand in the same way,” she said.
“We wrote to the foreshore business owners late last year and we will send further letters this week reminding them that they must stay within their lease areas. “We don’t want to have to confiscate private property from public land but if businesses refuse to stick to the rules we will have no choice.” Ms Coyle said the council has the power to impound items such as tables, chairs and signs, or issue fines for non-compliance.
Organic Everything Store Shop sustainably Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Paleo Preservative free options
1209465-RC52-15
Stocking almost 6,000 grocery lines Supplements, Protein powder and Super Food/Greens Organic Bulk Organic skincare and makeup, eco friendly cleaning products and much more.
2/3 GIBSON RD NOOSAVILLE
PH: 5442 4973 www.organika.com.au
noosa.starcommunity.com.au
Now stocking organic wines, beers and ciders including vegan, gluten and preservative free.
1213011-KC4-16
Thursday, 28 January, 2016 | NOOSA TODAY 3