Crush Magazine. Issue 9. Spring 2022, Style

CHILDERS | BUNDABERG | AGNES WATER individualcollectivetimelessontrend SPRING 2022

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ON THE COVER: Ryan and Tegan Weekes from Weekes Property Co unwind in the coastal home of The Quinn Girls. Photography by Paul Beutel. Our Crush Magazine models are not paid professionals, just local people who love the Bundaberg Region. READ MORE ABOUT RYAN AND TEGAN WEEKES ON PAGE 12.

544400142362315618 DOWN TO EARTH Eleesha Quinn talks all things family, fame and flipping houses HOME BEAUTIFUL Style tips for maximising your real estate returns GRAND DESIGNS A look at the Region’s architectural history STRIKE A POSE Don’t just stand there. Let’s get to it SHARP DRESSED MAN Fashion for tradies, cool casual, corporate and more FASHION FANTASIA Looking back at one of Bundaberg’s most-loved events LIPS & LOCKS Discover the local salon styling Australian catwalk models TURTLE TIME Get up close with our Region’s most majestic attraction ART ARRAY Curate your own local art collection

• DISTILLERY • 22 COMMERCIAL ST, BUNDABERG • BOOKINGS PHONE 07 4151 0396 NO SMOKING WWW.KALKIMOON.COMFACILITY a venue with a difference CAPACITY 140 SEATED • LICENSED CRAFT BAR OUTDOOR GIN GARDEN • STAGE WITH IN HOUSE P.A

Crush Magazine is published by Crush Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 94 640 941 475) PO Box 2426 Bundaberg Qld 4670. The information contained within Crush Magazine (and other associated platforms) is given in good faith and obtained from sources believed to be accurate. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Crush Magazine and its Directors, NJ Sorbello and LC Statham, will not be held liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use or reliance on any information, advertisement, opinion, advice, errors or omissions contained herein. Use of such material shall be at your own risk. All material sent to Crush Magazine (including photos, emails and social media comments) will be assumed to be publishable, unless marked ‘not for publication’. We do not necessarily label content to distinguish between editorial and advertorial. Crush Magazine is printed by Printcraft Qld Pty Ltd; Hamilton Qld 4007. All material published in Crush Magazine is subject to copyright. Accordingly, all rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Retail products advertised and promoted in Crush Magazine are subject to availability, while stocks last. Colours shown may differ from products available due to the printing process. Please see our website for full Terms and Conditions, including those relating to competitions and giveaways.

We asked some of the Bundaberg Region’s most fabulous people to define their signature style. Not all are people you would expect to see on a list like this, but they all give meaning to the phrase ‘wearing your heart on your sleeve’. This Issue sparked many conversations among the Crush team. How would we define our personal styles? What things set us apart or make us feel good? For Nikki it’s her glorious, curly auburn mane and love of rose gold jewellery. For Larine it’s blue jeans, a white tee and bold sunglasses. There were two things the entire Crush team agreed on: style has nothing to do with money or vanity, and everything to do with how you ‘work-it’! And the best accessory a person can wear is a smile. We hope this issue of Crush Magazine makes you smile. Full of real people who enjoy nice things, it’s a bit of lighthearted relief from negative news and our never-ending to-do lists. So, stop scrolling. Put your phone down. Pour yourself a cuppa, or glass of wine. Put your feet up, and take this opportunity to catch your breath and be inspired to express yourself and create the life you want – one beautiful page at a time.

LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR AND NIKKI SORBELLO Special thanks: Paul Beutel, Rowena Preddy, Dani Ballinger, Wayne and Diane Hurring, Partriece Lyons, Tomas O’Malley, Ross Peddlesden, Michael Dart.

WEBSITE SOCIAL #crushmagau #bundycrush #crushcomms #crushbridalinsider#crushbridal Style is not the same thing as fashion. Style is subjective. It can be individual, collective, timeless or on trend. It can be old or new. It can be flashy, striking, simple or clean. It can be consistent or eclectic. Stable or ever evolving. At Crush Magazine, we don’t believe anyone can be judge or juror of what is stylish. It’s up to the individual to decide what style means to them. It’s in the clothes and accessories we wear. The way we do our hair and makeup. The cars we drive. The houses we buy, build, renovate and landscape. It’s the furnishings, art and décor we choose for our homes and offices. It’s how we brand our businesses. In this Style Issue we look at local architectural changes and real estate trends. We revisit the much-loved bygone Fashion Fantasia event, which fostered local creative talent for almost 30-years.

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CONTACT US Email: hello@crushcomms.com.au Telephone: 0447 669 431 Studio: Palace Arcade, 10/133 Bourbong St, Bundaberg Postal Address: PO Box 2426, Bundaberg Qld 4670 crushbridal.com.auwww.crushmagazine.com.au www.crushcommunications.com.au

BY DESIGNa life

LOVELY

Flowers are not just for special Sometimesoccasions.thereason can be as simple as: ‘just because’. Blooms may not be an essential, but they are emotive. They can elevate your mood and relieve stress. A vase, a little bit of water and a blooming lovely bouquet. A bowl full of fruit on the kitchen table. It doesn’t take much to make a house a home. And that’s what One Little Farm (OLF) is all about. This florist, farmer, greengrocer, cafe and fine food purveyor knows exactly what a bunch of flowers or bowl of fruit can do for your home or office. Collect a ready-made bunch of blooms and coffee from OLF on a Monday morning on the way into the office. Share a fruit basket with your colleagues for morning tea. Order a bespoke floral arrangement or produce box for pick up as you pass through East Bundaberg on Friday afternoon, to enjoy all Whenweekend.life gets busy, it is important to find joy in simple pleasures. The power of locally grown, seasonal produce and fresh flowers can never be underestimated. Plants filter the air we breathe, adding a sweet scent to the room and a sliver of happiness with a simple glance. Love it ONE LITTLE FARM Millaquin Markets Shop 3/133 Bargara Road, East www.onelittlefarm.com.auBundaberg 07 4152 3322 blooming

2a/22 Commercial St, Bundaberg 4152 5345 www.thinkblinds.com.au

YOUR REGIONS CERTIFIED NORMAN RETAIL PARTNER

Mee t the WemodelsDID IT OUR WAY

While there will always be go-to streets and suburbs across the Region that are popular, like Bocks Road, Dooley Street and Woongarra Scenic Drive, Ryan and Tegan have a close eye on Elliott Heads as the next big thing. “There’s a lot of good development happening, making the Bundaberg Region an enviable place to live,” Tegan said.

Given the large number of interstate cash buyers who continue to invest in local property, Ryan is confident interest rate rises will have less of an impact here than they might elsewhere. “We saw a little bit of heat come out of the market when there was that recent COVID-19 spike and after the Federal Election, as people stood back and watched. But we’ve had record enquiries again,” he said.

“Bundy has always sat about 20 per cent below where the median price should have been, compared to other regional areas, but now there’s new precedent and I think the market will sustain itself,” he said.

In December 2019, right before COVID-19 hit, the dynamic husband and wife duo established Weekes Property Co. Creating their own uniquely-modern brand, they renovated a charming old house on Barolin Street for their office and were determined to do things differently. “We wanted to be a seamless family agency that negotiated and facilitated with integrity on behalf of great clients,” Ryan said. “Not being under a big corporate banner meant we could do things our way. Our clients like knowing that any commission stays here in Bundaberg.”

Neat as a pin. Sharp as a tack. Passionate about the Region they call home. Ryan and Tegan Weekes are everything you want in a realtor and more. Not only do they know the local market, they also understand the things that influence purchasing decisions and closely monitor economic conditions and trends. “When people buy and sell real estate, we get to know their circumstances and lifestyle. What are their motivations? What drives them? Real estate is not transactional – it’s personal, and can be emotional,” Ryan said.

Ryan was so determined to win Tegan’s affections that he asked her to be his date to the Year 12 prom some 12 months before the event while they were still in Year 11. Not one to do anything by halves, Ryan proposed to Tegan while skydiving in Queenstown, New Zealand.

If you want to compete with cash buyers, Tegan said your best bet was to get pre-approval of your home loan and offer a decent cash deposit. “Eliminating the need for a finance clause in the contract of sale is attractive to sellers,” Tegan said. them! Barolin Street, Bundaberg South 07 4191 5665

WEEKES PROPERTY CO 80

WE WATCH. WE ADVISE…

Meet

Like every business owner with young children, Ryan and Tegan know how to hustle. Based on Tegan’s efficiency and attention to detail, you’d never know she works from home with their young daughter, Sylvie. In their spare time, the sporty family enjoys renovating houses with Tegan’s dad. They’re not afraid of hard work. If there’s something they want, they go after it – both professionally and personally.

Before starting Weekes Property Co, Ryan cut his professional teeth working at large franchise real estate agencies and Tegan worked in banking and finance. They weathered down cycles and remained determined when the local property market and economy sat stagnant. “There are a lot of good people in our community who like seeing others do well, and want to help each other succeed,” Tegan said. “Since we started the business, people we haven’t seen for years are coming out of the woodwork to congratulate Ryan. They’re proud to see us taking a risk and going it alone.”

Ryan said the pandemic had created anxiety and uncertainty in the community but had provided a long overdue boost for the local property market, generating unbelievable demand and record prices. “In my opinion, good market conditions don’t necessarily produce good agents,” he said. “It’s a hightransactional market at the moment, but that is changing. Agents who trained in softer markets are better equipped.”

It can be easy to forget that behind these beautifully-curated social media profiles are real people. And they don’t come any more real than Eleesha Quinn. This Bundaberg-based social media influencer is a breath of fresh air. She’s warm, funny and self-deprecating. What makes Eleesha so successful is her humility. She didn’t start @the.quinn.girls with the intention of becoming a brand ambassador. Her Instagram page, which has more than 200,000 followers, started as a means to keep in touch with loved ones when she moved to the tiny mining town of Tieri, in Central West Queensland, with her husband and three daughters.

It’s likely you’ve heard the term ‘social media influencer’ or ‘influencer marketing’. You might associate it with so-called ‘cash for comment’ scandals of the past. You may even be envious of their lifestyles or question their motives. But have you ever stopped to consider what it means or what it is that influencers actually do? By definition, they are someone with knowledge or authority on a particular topic. They have a loyal following and can influence their audiences’ purchasing decisions. Put simply, they are third-party marketers or brand ambassadors; and clever ones at that.

Now back home in Bundaberg, Eleesha said people often ask how or why her following grew so astronomically. “I honestly can’t ever say, because when I look at my page, all I see is my family. I’ve just always wanted to come across

WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR SINCE SLICED BREAD BESTTHING

“After leaving school in Bundaberg, I worked at Jeanswest, SeaFM and on the Elizabeth Arden cosmetic counter at Malouf Pharmacy. Then as a stay-athome-mum I started taking photos of my girls for family and friends,” Eleesha said. “One of my girls asked me why I was never in the photos. She thought I didn’t want to be pictured with them, so I started getting in the pictures too and it just grew from there.”

GOOD BONES When real estate agents Ryan and Tegan Weekes (read more on page 12) presented Eleesha Quinn with a partially renovated two storey coastal home with good bones, the timing couldn’t have been worse. She and her husband had just finished designing plans for their dream home. Everyone else turned the house down because of how much work needed to be done, but Eleesha saw its potential and convinced her husband they should ‘flip it’. So in September 2020, they set to work transforming the outdated log cabin into a trendy, minimalist coastal abode (on the cover and contents) with the help of Eleesha’s brand partners and Nathan Groszmann Constructions. Now about halfway through the project, they’ve fallen in love with the house and are considering making it their family home or letting it out for holidays. You saw it here first Keep an eye out for @the.quinn. girls kitchen in the next issue of Bunnings Magazine.

PHOTO CREDIT: Eleesha Quinn/supplied as 100 per cent ourselves and genuine.” Eleesha has some advice for anyone comparing their lives to those of strangers online. “This is my personal magazine; the highlight reel. It’s the pictures from my camera roll that I choose, just little snippets from our family life. Of course I’m not going to share the deeply personal stuff or choose the worst pictures, where our eyes are closed. And I don’t take pictures in life’s bad moments, when I’m yelling at the kids or something has gone wrong.”

Eleesha said the first request she received to be a brand representative came as a complete surprise. “I just thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread to be getting free clothes,” she said. During the past six years, Eleesha has participated in influencer marketing campaigns for a range of family-friendly clothing and lifestyle brands, big and small, including Old El Paso. As her daughters have gotten older, her page’s focus has shifted slightly from mum life to home life, where she’s promoted brands like IKEA and Lounge Lovers. Today, as she and her husband embark on an extensive home renovation, Eleesha is a proud ongoing ambassador for KIA and Bunnings. It’s no longer just a side hustle or hobby. With her well-honed marketing, styling, merchandising and photography skills, Eleesha has grown The Quinn Girls to be a full-time business that takes hours of dedication to skilfully plan and curate content. And what beautiful, wholesome content it is.

Bundaberg and Bargara have a lot of history, and with that comes some beautiful older homes with character and a story. Unlike other cities, these unique homes are often at an entry-level price point. Here’s a few reasons to consider adding an older home to your purchasing shortlist.

You’ve likely heard the old saying ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’. Some of our older homes have stood for decades; some perhaps even centuries and weathered many a storm. They were built out of quality hardwood timbers, some built by hand by genuine craftsmen with meticulous attention to detail. You can’t help but appreciate a period home with intricate plasterwork, leadlight glass, hardwood flooring and handmade timber windows and doors. Built in an era of detail, rather than Scandinavian simplicity. Timber homes tend to better lend themselves to home renovation and extension.

CHARM &

Years ago land was cheaper, so developers allowed for larger lot sizes, with plenty of room for sheds and home extensions. In our long-established areas, you will often find quarter-acre blocks or larger. Newer estates tend to be smaller in size as costs have risen. You will also notice in older areas, the same neighbours will have been there for many years and can tell you a story or two about how things have changed.

Old or new, in our Region, everyone can find a property that feels like home to them.

It is not uncommon to see 50 to 100-year-old trees in our established areas, providing a welcoming entrance to a home or a feature piece of a backyard. There’s something special about a tree that has been part of a home, spanning through decades. It is something that simply cannot be replicated quickly. I personally love seeing how design has changed over the years and trying to pick the era of the home. Every older home is different, and while some people might find a few things odd, others find the quirks endearing and embrace them as part of the home’s story.

WHY

Emma Bauer is the owner of Coastline Realty. She also has experience in conveyancing and interior design. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER AN OLDER HOME character

If you aren’t looking to sell, The Property Styling Co can help you love the home you’re in, by completely styling your new address or refreshing your existing abode.

ENDLESS

Source

www.endlessweekend.co stageCENTRE

Jade McKenzie at The Property Styling Co has been staging and styling homes for more than five years. “A lot of people find the idea of staging their homes extremely stressful, so we work with sellers and their agents to create emotional connections between potential buyers and houses that maximise returns,” Jade said. Jade studied at the Interior Design Institute and started out making cushions. She worked as a property stylist in Darwin, before relocating to Bundaberg to start her own business. “I started out by lending out my own furniture for styling and we built it from there,” Jade said. Today The Property Styling Co has a large warehouse of furniture and décor to draw from. “We can help sellers as much or as little as they like. From simply providing staging advice at a consultation, right through to furnishing and decorating an entirely empty house. We do partial staging, where we utilise the sellers’ furniture and bring in décor, soft furnishings, and art to elevate it. We stage display homes for builders and developers. Everyone’s circumstances are different and we work with each client to help them achieve their goals.”

Buying and selling property is stressful, particularly when it’s your family home. There are so many things that need to be done, both big and small. If you’re trying to buy and sell at the same time, you’ll almost certainly be feeling torn. You’ll be excited about your future home and all the plans you have for it, but must be simultaneously focussed on the here and now. You know you need to get your current property looking great to get the best possible price, but where do you start?

Jade has also recently launched an online boutique, Endless Weekend, offering quality furniture, homewares, décor and artwork to shoppers Australia-wide, with regular deliveries to Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gladstone and Rockhampton.

“With the transport fees what they are now and lack of inventory in the country, we have found some fantastic local and Queensland suppliers, and a few in Sydney and Melbourne. But we also source from local artists.” it THE PROPERTY STYLING CO 605 482 WEEKEND

“Endless Weekend is very much in line with what we do at The Property Styling Co,” she said. “Very coastal. Lots of cane, raw timbers. Plenty of greenery. We had so many staging clients who then wanted to buy the furniture, so it seemed a natural step to evolve into a homewares store.

To ensure she stays up-to-date with all the latest trends and techniques, Jade is a professional member of the International Institute of Home Staging. “Right now, coastal neutral vibe is in and we want to make your home as attractive to as many people as possible,” she said. We make it as light and bright as possible with lots of greenery. It’s all about little accents, and helping conceal cosmetic flaws like stained carpets by using rugs.”

www.thepropertystylingco.com 0439

• Give spare rooms a purpose. Most of us accumulate junk in our spare rooms, or use them for storage. By investing in a fold out sofa, desk and chair, you’ll be showing potential buyers the house is versatile.

• Add greenery. Faux indoor plants have come a long way, and give a luxe coastal holiday effect.

• First impressions count. Make sure the front entry to the home is inviting, both inside and out.

• Make it homely. Simple things like a bouquet of flowers, bowl of fruit (read more on page 11), pot of coffee, or having cookies in the oven, will immediately put people at ease.

• Make it minimal. Get rid of any clutter so potential buyers can actually see the home. This may include pulling furniture away from walls and facing it away from the television to make the living room more social.

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JADE’S TOP TIPS FORYOURSTAGINGHOMEBBEFOREBEFOREEFOREBEFORE AFTERAFTERAFTERAFTER

• Keep it neutral. Bold colour palettes can be polarising. If your home is colourful, it might be time to tone it down to ensure your home appeals to the masses.

• Remove personal items like photographs and replace them with artwork. You want potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the home.

• Give everything a good clean. Enough said.

PHOTO CREDIT: Real Estate Pro Pix/Paul Beutel/supplied

Things were not going well in New Zealand for the Young family in the 1870s. Successive rabbit plagues had ruined their sheep farming dreams, so they decided to pack up and try somewhere else. That somewhere was Bundaberg, where in 1880 brothers Arthur, Horace and Ernest Young were able to purchase several blocks of good farming land on the north bank of the Burnett River, which had been selected from the huge Tantitha Station. The blocks had originally been named Jamaica, Barbados and Mauritius after sugar-producing islands. After a young female visitor surveyed the scene one misty morning and declared that it looked like a ‘fairy mead’ the name was changed. From the beginning, Fairymead produced sugar and the brothers proved to be vigorous, ambitious and successful cane farmers and sugar producers. They introduced a range of innovations to cane growing, some of which are still useful today, and by 1884 they were establishing their own sugar mill on the property. After a short period of supplying juice to Millaquin Mill by punt on the river, they imported machinery from Scotland to upgrade their mill to a refinery, which could produce the finished product –refined granulated sugar. From the early days the Youngs also displayed a sense of style, building the iconic Fairymead House for the family and many other good-quality houses for their senior staff. They were surrounded with gardens described by one visitor as having ‘gratifying botanical tastes’. The Youngs were also instrumental in the establishment of Bundaberg’s first telephone exchange in 1886, gaining pledges from 35 subscribers. There is, however, a side to the Young’s success story which is somewhat darker to modern eyes – part of their success was due to their early and enthusiastic use of indentured labour provided by South Sea Islanders, who were blackbirded (stolen) from their island homes. They built barracks for their workers. Miss Florence Young worked with dedication to bring the Good Word to the workers (the Youngs were Christians and several family members, including Florence, went on to take up missionary work).

Fairymead continued to be a successful business well into the 20th Century. Although it was made into a public company in 1921, the Youngs seemed to have retained de facto control of its operations, mostly through Ernest’s son Charles Young, who ran the company until its merger with Gibson and Howes to form Bundaberg Sugar in 1972. The company was also important in the development of the North Gooburrum and Moore Park Beach areas, draining swamps and establishing more than 50 new cane farms in the area during the 1950s and ‘60s. Lane BY ROSS PEDDLESDEN THE FAIRY MEAD

FOREVERyoung

AT

Memory

Entrance

HISTORICAL MUSEUM Bundaberg Botanic Gardens Mt

Sydney architect John Shedden Adam introduced a number of special inclusions in his design to accommodate requests made by Mrs Young. One request was to design the front stairs with a landing a couple of feet from the ground so that she could alight from her carriage without soiling her shoes.

PICTURED: The Young Family. CREDIT: Fairymead House Sugar Museum

more FAIRYMEAD HOUSE SUGAR MUSEUM Bundaberg Botanic Gardens Thornhill Street Entrance BUNDABERG

Visit &

PHOTO

Although Fairymead Mill no longer exists you can still get a taste of the Young’s style by visiting Ernest’s beautiful home, Fairymead House. Stand on the expansive verandas and imagine gazing through mists over cane fields at the original fairy mead. Today it is regarded as one of the city’s most beautiful homes. It’s one of 79 local heritage listed buildings in the Bundaberg Region. The home was gifted by Bundaberg Sugar to the City of Bundaberg in 1988 as a bicentennial gift, and moved in six pieces to the Botanical Gardens, which was still under development at the time. It was opened to the public in 1994. Ross is a member of the Bundaberg & District Historical Museum, as well as an author, Rotarian and passionate community volunteer. learn & DISTRICT Perry Road

Listen on the Go! Scan the QR Codes below to listen to your favourite station on your mobile device. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! BUNDABERG’S FAVOURITE RADIO STATIONS! Source: Bundaberg Radio Survey #1, 2021-EXTRA Insights. Station listened to most % *commercial. We Bundaberg! OF THE LOCAL RADIOLISTENAUDIENCETO

Bundaberg’s steady development and relatively restrained architectural expression is a result of its sustained prosperity and growth from agriculture. Several significant architects contributed to the early development of the city, creating buildings which, to this day, form the cornerstones of the central business district.

Other regional cities and towns have strong aesthetics, dictated by the eras in which they were founded or when there were major economic booms that prompted a flood of people and money. Bendigo, Ballarat and Charters Towers expressed their mining wealth through ornate Victorian buildings.

Local architects Anton Hettrich and his pupil Frederic Herbert Faircloth also played an important role in the early development of Bundaberg’s town centre by stamping their mark on many commercial and public buildings. ...continued page WHO DEFINED BUNDABERG’S STYLE a sign of the times

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24. THE ARCHITECTS

FDG Stanley, Queensland colonial architect and designer of the Brisbane General Post Office, is responsible for the Roman-inspired Holy Rosary Church (pictured). The former Queensland National Bank (pictured) on the corner of Quay and Targo Streets, blending classical and Victorian elements, was another Stanley commission; as was the Grand Hotel. Bundaberg’s iconic post office was designed in the Italianate style by Charles McLay, the architect responsible for Brisbane’s Customs House and McWhirter’s department store. From even further afield, the former Commercial Banking Company’s branch, opposite Buss Park, originated from the Sydney office of George Allen Mansfield, the founder of the New South Wales Institute of Architects.

WORDS BY TOMAS O’MALLEY When representing Bundaberg as a local architect I am often asked: ‘Does Bundaberg have an architectural style?’. Frankly, this isn’t an easy question to answer.

Hahndorf in South Australia reflects the German heritage of its early settlers, while Ayr or Napier in New Zealand embraced Art Deco after both were substantially damaged by natural disasters in the 1930s. Bundaberg, however, doesn’t have a strong single style, but a broad variety of architectural influences ranging from the neoclassical to modernist and everything in between and beyond.

The classical revival School of Arts building is perhaps Hettrich’s most wellknown contribution to the current CBD streetscape. Faircloth surpassed his mentor in terms of output not only in Bundaberg, but also in Childers where he rebuilt much of the main street following a fire in 1902. Faircloth’s residential designs followed the standard practice of timber and tin building that defines the iconic Queenslander-style house to this day. One of the best examples is the Old Cran House, which occupies a corner position in the leafy western end of Bourbong Street. Cran House was built in 1897 for John Cran, founder of the Millaquin Mill. A lowset colonial Queenslander, it features many design elements typical of the style such as wraparound verandas with timber dowel balustrades, roof gables with decorative fretwork, extensive use of timber in weatherboards, VJ linings, flooring and the structure itself. An interesting feature of the facades are the external timber venetian blinds.

James Grose, now a principal of international architecture practice BVN, grew up in Cran House and has spoken about how it, along with prosaic agricultural buildings around Bundaberg, influenced his approach to architecture. Those venetian blinds have found modern reinterpretation in a bank headquarters and high-rise apartment buildings. While more associated with Maryborough, P.O.E Hawkes was another architect who worked in Bundaberg in the early 20th century. ‘Linden’ (pictured), a home and medical practice for Dr Egmont Schmidt on the corner of Barolin and Woongara streets, is built in the Federation/ Queen Anne style with unique design elements including a conical roofed tower, circular porthole windows and arched entryways. As architecture moved into the art deco era of the 1930s, so did the buildings of Bundaberg. Among the most prominent was the Parkvue Apartments, on the corner of Maryborough and Bourbong streets, designed by Brisbane firm Goodsir and Carlyle. Slowly, the style of the town centre was beginning to move away from colonial neo-classicism toward a new international style. Modernism represented a major shift in architecture and emerged globally in the 1950s and 1960s. In Bundaberg, modernist buildings were created by both local and out-of-town architects but still reflected the city’s restrained, low-key character.

"GLAMIS" "WONBAH"

Herbert Stuart-Nairne undertook many commercial and residential buildings, the most significant of which is the former Bundaberg Broadcasters building on Woongarra Street. With its plate glass façade, angular brickwork, flat-roofed concrete awning and open double height foyer, this exemplified the modernism desire to leave the old behind and embrace the new possibilities of modern building technology.

Also looking to science to make architecture for the modern era was renowned architect Dr Karl Langer. Langer was among the earliest Queensland architects to methodically determine the best designs for climate based on empirical data. Langer’s St John’s Lutheran Church in South Bundaberg showcased this new approach to design. The building prioritised airflow and created a place of worship that followed the formal traditions of church architecture, but in a clean, simple way that largely avoided applied decoration. This not only fitted the modernist mantra of form following function, but also the philosophy of Lutheranism itself. The latter half of the 20th century saw architects, such as Earl Griffin and Bronwyn Innes, add to the tapestry of styles and forms throughout Bundaberg, from post-modernism to contemporary Queensland vernacular. In 2020 the Mon Repos Turtle Centre (read more on page 56) by Kirk Architects was awarded the highest honour of Building of the Year by the Queensland Chapter of adding to the long history of significant architecture in our region. Houses, public and commercial buildings, bridges and even simple sheds; all form part of the story of how Bundaberg has developed. They show a vibrant, active economy that adapts and changes, with new buildings serving these changes and reflecting the styles of the times. To me this is what architecture should be, constantly adapting and having purpose – not becoming a museum piece from a bygone era. All the architects who have left their imprint on our city were working within the context of their time, and my hope is that those of us designing today and into the future are able to do the same, while respecting the fundamental spirit of the place we work in. Architect Tomas O’Malley designs buildings that reflect Central Queensland’s climate and lifestyle.

RAREBOOK RECORDS ARCHITECTURALLOCALHISTORY

The book pictorially records, in detail, the outstanding features of cottages, grand homes and farmhouses across Bundaberg (images left). Fun facts and quirky anecdotes were gathered from people who once lived in the homes to bring the buildings to life and give context to Bundaberg’s broader development. The book makes reference to the furniture factory that was once on the current Civic Centre site, and a house that became one of Bundaberg’s most popular restaurants in the 1980s. It speaks of a home that shares its name with the castle in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

In a sure sign that the people of Bundaberg cherish our Region’s heritage, remarkably, today most of the buildings chronicled in 1984 look much the same as they did when they were first constructed. However, the book’s creators, Trevor Lyons, Neville Rackermann and Colin W Scotney, also lament the demolition of the Old Bundaberg Police Station, and the decision to cut the Reddan Home in three. Special thanks to Chris Spence at the Bundaberg & District Historical Museum, located in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens on Mt Perry Road. Open 7 days.

"LINDEN" BANKAUSTRALIAN

Created from the pen of a draftsman and the pen of a historian, From Two Pens is a rare but significant record of historic buildings across the Bundaberg Region. Limited to 2000 copies, the book is rare and hard to come by. The only copies Crush Magazine could find belong to the Bundaberg Historical Society Museum and Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.

NATIONAL

THE OLD BUNDABERG POLICE STATION

The Bundaberg Region is the ideal location when trying to achieve the elusive work-life balance. At Charltons Lawyers, several of our staff live on rural properties or acreage only a short drive from the office, and not far from the beach – there’s no doubt it is a great place to raise a family.

For all conveyancing, be it business, residential, rural or commercial, we assist with searches and due diligence investigations, negotiating changes to the contract, help if there are issues identified (such as pest and building issues), and attend to the settlement.

YOUR THROUGHGUIDETHE propertyprocess

This was the primary reason that, after several years of study in Brisbane, I moved back to the Bundaberg Region and haven’t looked back. Living in the Region has allowed me to receive training in a wide variety of areas and find my niche in the property law and commercial law sector, quickly advancing my career to achieve Partnership in 2019 while also having a family. Our business is a small, family-oriented firm, with two partners and three solicitors in addition to support staff. Our solicitors have a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for their own caseload and the partners are approachable and have an ‘open door’ policy. Our solicitors learn directly from the partners which provides them with invaluable experience. The work environment focuses principally on being an integral part of, and serving, the local community. Because of this, and our love of the lifestyle the Bundaberg Region offers, our entire team is passionate about helping others achieve their own dreams of buying a home, property or building a business in the Bundaberg Region. Our job is to help you through the process and provide peace of mind. For residential conveyancing we offer a complementary review, and talk you through the contract before you sign.

If you are entering a commercial lease, we can review the terms, provide advice on payments and maintenance you will need to attend to. For retail shop leases, we can also provide a Legal Advice report which is required under the legislation before entering into the lease. Kelly Dwyer is a partner at Charlton’s Lawyers, Bundaberg’s longest-serving law firm.

NBN FOSTERING digital innovation

When you think about how much our lives now rely on internet connectivity, you realise how important access to fast, reliable broadband is. It’s something the NBN Local team has been focussed on providing to regional homes and businesses, as a part of the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout that had Bundaberg first connected in 2015. Since then, NBN Co has been committed to lifting the digital capability of businesses, as well as supporting innovation, business growth and education, particularly in regional areas like Bundaberg.

NBN Local Business Lead Deborah Mead said the service had been helping businesses grow in the tech field through a recent grant program, Innovate with NBN. “Regional businesses are still striving to maintain their competitiveness and relevance through innovation against their city counterparts, so this program is to help encourage businesses from regional or remote areas with their technology-led ideas,” Deborah said.

Currently working with businesses directly, Marcus plans to move the concept to a digital platform over time. “Our application to Innovate with NBN was to build a platform where businesses would input their training requirements. This would then be digitally matched in the back end to identify other businesses with the same needs and create training opportunities in the same region, when there was a shown demand for that,” he said.

Marcus McCormick, Managing Director and owner of Skills Unite, was a finalist in the grant program in 2021.

While not receiving the final award, Marcus said the process was simple and easy and it was fantastic to learn from other businesses who were also looking to create new digital offerings.

“Grants like this are so important to help innovative programs get off the ground. For any business dealing with digital connectivity and trying something new, novel or innovative, there is a cost associated with that, so programs like Innovate with NBN are helping put these ideas in motion,” Marcus said. Skills Unite works with businesses to identify training needs and connect them to others with the same needs to provide easier access to training opportunities.

NBN INNOVATE www.innovatewithnbn.com.au

It’s hard to remember a time when we lived our lives without email. We didn’t think twice before video calling a friend or family member. Every educational opportunity wasn’t at our fingertips, just one computer platform away.

Now in its third year, the Innovate with NBN grants program will open for applications in October 2022. “We are looking to discover regional businesses doing amazing things on the NBN,” Deborah said. “Grants will be available across seven categories: health, education, agriculture, arts, tourism, Indigenous business and women in regional business. Keep an eye innovatewithnbn.com.auonfor all the details on how to apply.”

Connect deborahmead@nbnco.com.auwww.nbnco.com.au/business

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BRANDING ISN’T JUST ABOUT BUSINESS OWNERS For most of us, we won’t be the only ones working in our business. The people you employ and the culture you build within your team is a part of your brand. Additionally, how your staff interact with your customers, ie. customer service, also falls under branding.

Nikki Sorbello is the Vice President of the Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce, and Head of Marketing at Crush Communications. Style your business with branding Stronger together Network, collaborate and learn from other business owners by joining. www.bundabergchamber.com.au

If you’d like to know more, check out ‘Branding: Basics for Business’ at business.qld.gov.au, which says a strong brand will help customers remember your business and feel greater confidence that your products or services will suit their needs. Customers tend to be loyal to a brand they trust.

A LOGO IS NOT A BRAND Don’t be confused; a logo and your style guide (business colours, font, etc) are a part of your brand, but that is not all it is. A brand is your whole identity as a business. It is how your customers recognise you, and how they know what to expect from your business. Think of it a little like your business personality!

Style is not just something we display individually or through our homes. It also comes through in our businesses – with branding. In recent years with the rise of ‘personal brands’, branding has become a bit of a hyped-up buzz word. Despite this, it’s an important aspect of your business and one you should always be mindful of.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY The most important aspect of branding is consistency. Not only so your business can be easily recognised at-aglance (or a listen), but so your clients or customers have the same experience with your business each time they interact with you. This may be inperson, through traditional advertising or on social media. YOUR BUSINESS IS AN EXTENSION OF YOU Having strong branding in place not only gives you a framework to work within, but it also allows your personality to shine through your business. This may be through the ‘tone of voice’ you use in your written communication (do you have a positioning statement?), or the imagery and artwork you use for signage, social media and advertising.

Another option in uncertain economic times to move you closer to your financial goals is to make improvements to your existing home.

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“The biggest return on renovations are high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms as well as increasing the number of living areas or bedrooms, or making the most of an outdoor space through a shed or pool,” Trudy said. “We are also seeing customers take advantage of existing equity, or having improvements and renovations valued by an independent valuer as part of an application process, to ensure the planned renovations are adding to the intended value, and they are not overcapitalising.” This is general information only. Seek your own independent financial, legal and taxation advice. 4151

Owner-Manager at Bank of Queensland Bundaberg Branch Trudy Azzopardi said talking to your bank and reviewing your personal situation will help lessen financial anxiety, by structuring your lending in a way you are comfortable with. “We can review your overall situation and discuss options to help you prepare for any future interest rate movements, so you can feel comfortable that future financial goals can be still achieved,” Trudy said.

She said interest rate rises did not have to mean putting future plans or borrowing on hold - instead make sure it’s ‘good debt’. “Good debt is borrowing money to purchase an asset that may appreciate. This may enable you to grow your asset portfolio and wealth, where it will hopefully increase in value over time,” Trudy said. “You still need to be mindful if this purchase will help with your long-term goals and plans. Being able to work to a budget and live within your means of affordability is still important.”

lendingGOOD BORROWING TO CREATE WEALTH More info BANK OF QUEENSLAND Trudy.azzopardi@boq.com.au 07

“Understanding how your finances and plans for the future are structured will help to reduce any anxiety you may experience by knowing you are prepared for possible changes.”

It’s hard to escape talk about the economy, inflation, cost of living or rates. If you are feeling concerned or have been putting your head in the sand, there is someone worth talking to – your banker.

WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR

Madonna was never afraid to express herself. She sang about what was in vogue, but when it came to style she danced to the beat of her own drum. We use phrases like ‘in vogue’ and ‘on point’, or say someone’s got ‘the look’ or has ‘good taste’. But what do these things even mean? Who defines what is ‘hot’ and what’s ‘not’? Certainly not the team at Crush Magazine. But we do appreciate people who have their own signature style, or have a passion for styling others. Many of the people featured herein were surprised, flattered and even coy when we asked them to be a part of this Crush Style Edit. They don’t think of themselves as local style icons. They just like what they like, and that’s that. They see their adornments as a non-verbal form of self-expression.

Even if you’re someone who favours comfort and practicality over aesthetics, there will undoubtedly be someone you can relate to in this feature. Perhaps you shop frugally, rather than lavishly, or only see value in splurging on particular items? If you opened Crush Magazine expecting to read all about the latest catwalk trends or so-called ‘fast fashion’, this isn’t the Issue for you. This is a celebration of what it means to be individual and take pride in how you look. And that is something that will never go out of style!

…continue reading on page 32. yourself THE STYLE EDIT EXPRESS 31

BEVINMOLLER

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There is nothing casual about Bevan Moller. You’ll very rarely see him in a t-shirt and shorts. As the owner of Catalyst Directions, he’s known for wearing well-cut suits, but recently started pushing boundaries and defining his own look. It was a fancy dress event that ignited something in him. “I’m not sure why I thought to try heels, but I got a lot of compliments at the party.” Bevan said. “Apparently I have the legs for heels, and they are a bit of fun, so I sometimes pair my corporate wear with heels. It’s elegant and simple, but a bit edgy, pushing the boundaries of mens’ fashion.”

Michael Dart loves clothing that tells a story or advocates for change. Pictured here wearing his Dad’s vintage Cuban wedding suit and his late father-in-law’s belt, Michael loves to stand out in bright colours and floral fabrics that straddle the gender divide. “I certainly don’t like boring,” he said. “I’m a fan of James Harper accessories and like to round out my look with some RM Williams.” The Energy Queensland executive and married fatherof-two rarely shops alone. “When I’m looking for vintage pieces, I like things that are meaningful or that I found on a holiday or while spending time with people I love,” he said. Michael is a strong supporter of events like Wear It Purple Day, which raises awareness of gender diversity.

blurred MICHAELDART

Don’t just stand there...

If you ask Ebony Wheeler, fashion is art. The bright and bubbly 20-yearold claims she doesn’t have one set aesthetic or style, but she is known for her striking similarity to American singer-songwriter and fashion designer Gwen Stefani. “I dabble in everything, so I feel like a new person each day,” Ebony said. Known to her fans as ‘HotWheelz’, Ebony has 12,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares comedic and light-hearted style tutorials that cover everything from make-up and hair to shopping and decluttering.

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Denise Kelly left school at 14 to become a hairdresser. She’s had just about every creative job you can think of, but couldn’t stick with any of them because all she wanted to do was design and make clothes. Today, the awardwinning designer makes one-off Shakespearean, whimsical custom clothing for clients, but her personal aesthetic is more steam punk and bohemian. She doesn’t conform to ageist perceptions of style. “Fashion is 3D art. I’m a chameleon. Quirky, and a bit fantasy. I’ll pair skate shoes with a feminine dress,” Denise said.

KELLYDENISE ITrock

As the first female CEO of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Bree Watson is used to standing out. Growing up on a strawberry farm and unafraid of hard work, Bree had long blonde hair and a look best described as ‘wholesome country’. Since then, she’s grown in confidence and strength, and so too has her style. “I like things that are structured and tailored, with feminine touches like soft make-up, pearl earrings and high heels,” she said. “Body building is all about shape and symmetry. Taking up the sport somewhat forced me into men’s clothes because of my broad shoulders. But I feel like myself.”

cherry ON TOP

Some would argue it’s accessories, makeup and hair that make an outfit, and give it that special finishing touch. Karen Christiansen and Kate Marland are the local accessory queens. As managing owner of The Optical Superstore, Karen is always immaculately dressed, but considers her own personal style to be quite latent. Her vibrant personality shines through her fabulously bold and unique eye wear (read more on page 38). Kate owns Warner’s Fine Jewellery. It’s rare to see her in an outfit that doesn’t dazzle. Known for her love of flowy feminine dresses, sequins and frills, Kate designs exquisite jewellery that could put the icing on any cake. Kiralee Cramer-Honor has been giving the women of Bundaberg gorgeous hair for more than 20 years. As a qualified make-up artist, who completed her hairdressing apprenticeship in Sydney, Kiralee is the proud owner of The Place Hairdressing. She loves helping clients achieve on-trend catwalk and red carpet looks for special events (read more about Australian Fashion Week on page 51), but her first priority is empowering women every day. “My advice is to embrace your own individual style. Don’t fight it. Work with your own natural assets, like curls,” she said.

CRAMER-HONORKIRALEE CHRISTIANSENKAREN MARLANDKATE

Natalie and Tim Sweetapple are the Yin to each other’s Yang. Seeing the way they interact, you can’t help but think you’re watching an old black and white romance flick. If you aren’t familiar with the Sweetapples, you should be. They have more than 40,000 followers across their two Instagram pages, @thesweetapplelife and @littledaisydachshund. Natalie is a music teacher and interior designer. Tim is a marketing manager at Ripe Global. They recently welcomed baby Vienna to the family. They embrace monochromatic style in every aspect of their lives. “I have a completely minimalist style of white and neutrals. If it was up to Tim, the whole house would be black,” Natalie said.

let's get to it...

NATALIE&TIMSWEETAPPLE Like mother, like daughter. Kaye and Jewel McCotter are two peas in a pod. They’ve both spent their working lives in the local fashion industry. From retail and merchandising to modelling and event planning – you name it, they’ve done it. They know how to put together an outfit. Kaye owned Hotline Boutique in the Bundaberg CBD for eight years and now works at Sanshells Boutique at Bargara. Jewel works at Surf Dive and Ski, and together they organise the fashion parade, entertainment and raffle prizes at the annual Catholic Schools Race Day. Their personal styles are best described as understated sophistication. They love mixing and matching different labels with old and new pieces. “Everyone’s body is different, so it’s about taking parts of a trend that suit you, not suiting a trend,” Kaye said. “Working in retail, we get to know people’s stories. We enjoy dressing customers to enhance what they have and who they are, so they can feel confident and comfortable.” & MCCOTTERJEWEL

35 IVORY ebony&

GOOD genes KAYE

Strike a pose, Trevor Green is the proud owner of 800 brooches and each one tells a story. The former professional dancer and performing artist now works at Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, where patrons love talking to him about his collection. Some even gift him pieces they no longer wear. “I wear a different one every evening,” he said. “When I turned 60, I didn’t want to broach the subject, so I asked everyone to pin a brooch on me. It was fabulous. Brooches are not part of some forgotten bygone era – whether they’re vintage or new, brooches are back in a big way.”

Purposeful is the word that best describes Simone Finch. The Friendly Society Private Hospital CEO lives a complete 1940s lifestyle. “I have an interest in WWII social history and nostalgia for a time when fashion was long lasting and durable,” she said. “It’s a rockabilly look that’s feminine and strong. It suits tall, curvy girls like me. I like to push boundaries.”

Simone engages in what she calls “brooch diplomacy”, where she selects her outfit and brooch based on who she is seeing that day. “It’s my way of honouring the people around me.”

Follow Simone’s #yearofbrooches on Instagram @modern.vintage.life

FINCHSIMONE TREVORGREEN there’s nothing to it… TONKINELLIE broach THE SUBJECT

Ellie Tonkin sews her own statement dresses, dabbling in trends as they come and go. Right now she loves big sleeves, flowy skirts and bold colours. “I have Zimmerman tastes on a Zara budget, so I trawl Pinterest and online style blogs for inspiration and then lock myself in my sewing room. I have more disasters than successes but some of my favourite outfits are things I’ve crafted from a doona cover (pictured) or an eBay bargain that I’ve tailored to fit me exactly,” Ellie said. She likes pieces that start conversations. “I’ve built more friendships over a pair of Wattle Woman earrings at a tourism industry event than I ever could have imagined. I embody confidence, but on the days when I feel less than my best self I reach for pieces that say what I may be struggling to communicate.”

Tattoos that were once considered taboo, are now largely mainstream. Gone are the days when tattoos were a sign of criminality or masculinity. More young people are treating their bodies as a canvas, where permanent ink is an artform. Ja-Kobe Maree has almost 30 tattoos and plans to get more. She likes to express her creativity with unique ink. She describes her tattoo style as monochromatic realism, preferring portraits over trendy patterns or symbols. “From the age of four, I knew I wanted to get tattoos. They make me feel so confident. I have beautiful artwork on my body and I don’t mind showing it off,” Ja-Kobe said.

permanentREPURPOSE & recycle

Bubbly and bright, with just a touch of eccentricity, Jess Marsellos loves colour and bold retro prints. She started thrift shopping as a dirt-poor university student. Now aged in her 30s, Jess is a proud advocate for giving new life to pre-loved items. “Charity op-shopping is all about sustainable fashion - using less, producing less, consuming less. Repairing and caring for the items you have.” Read Jess’s thrift shopping tips at www.crushmagazine.com.au

JA KOBE MAREE MARSELLOSJESS

KAREN CHRISTIANSEN

DETAIL This trend is for those who like the classics. Think classic shapes, black, tort or perhaps brushed rose gold, with an accent detail such as subtle bling, or a hint of animal print. Nothing showy, this is all about subtle styling.

Whether they are a necessity or just for occasional use, there is absolutely no reason why your eyewear can’t be as fabulous as you are! Just like clothing, eyewear styles come and go. Eyewear is having a real moment, so here are a few trends for 2022/23. Think big, bold, chunky crystal clear, or the tiniest hint of pastel, such as bubble gum pink, lavender or baby blue. This trend is all about the mix of soft, subtle colour and bold shape.

BOLD The opposite to the crystal trend, some blend in; it’s go big or go home, and it is not going anywhere soon.

BARELY THERE Not since the mid 1990s have we seen the round, ‘barely-there’ metal frames making such a splash. Delicate and almost invisible, these are popular with those wanting a minimal, sophisticated look. Think rose gold, silver or black for a more elevated, timeless look.

COLOUR For those who write the rules – there are no rules. Eyewear is a very personal accessory. It is important to get the right fit, the right style, the right pair and something just for you. Ask one our fantastic staff members to help you CAN EYEWEAR BE functional & fashionable?

Most people love being outdoors, enjoying watersports, fishing, hiking, swimming, or gardening. But it’s not always a walk in the park. Sometimes it’s the seemingly small things that can ruin what should otherwise be a wonderful experience - sunburn and biting insects! It was this exact problem that prompted Gail Smith to create Nudicover. When she couldn’t find a cover-up solution to suit her needs, Gail began designing her own Today,clothing.Nudicover garments provide protection against 70 per cent of ultraviolet sunrays. They’re quick drying, cool to wear and provide protection from sandflies and other bugs. “I became highly allergic to midges and started getting really sick from being bitten,” Gail said. “Living in Bundaberg next to the river it was a big problem for me. I started covering myself in bug spray and that poisoned my system, creating other issues like psoriasis and eczema. Then I tried to cover up with fishing or sun shirts, but I found them so hot in our tropical Queensland climate that I wasn’t enjoying being outdoors at all. I had two choiceseither move to Tasmania or come up with clothing that I can wear that is actually cool.” Gail did a design course and started looking for fabric options. It took her a few years to find the perfect solution – a soft, innovative mesh that could be worn in and out of the water and could be rated for the Australian sun. After finding the ‘perfect fit’ two years ago, word is now spreading about Nudicover’s unique products, including rash shirts, hoodies, shorts, pants, hats and face covers for men, women and children. “I love getting feedback that our product has helped people enjoy the outdoors again, because our clothing has made it simpler. They can quickly throw on their Nudicover and be mostly protected from the sun and bugs, without needing different covers for different purposes,” Gail said. “Because Nudicover is quick drying, it reduces the need to change your clothes between activities.” Shop it! 0401 582 062 www.nudicover.com Model Toni Jordan wears Nudicover’s long sleeve white polo.

PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Beutel/supplied

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NUDICOVER

cool COVER UP

Men’s shopping habits and preferences vary greatly between generations, occupations and personalities. Some love shopping; most hate it. Many men bulk buy once a year, while others let their partner do it all for them. So when a man finds a single store with everything they need conveniently located in one placeit’s like they’ve struck gold. You could be forgiven for assuming Inn Style Mensland is a uniform and embroidery shop, but it’s so much more. For almost four decades the Electra Street clothing store has been dressing the men of Bundaberg from head-to-toe for work, rest and play. It’s true their range of workwear has every profession and preference covered. From the blue-collar blokes who prefer the tried-and-true basics to trendy tradies who want the ability to transition from worksite to watering hole. Their medical scrubs, suits and corporate clothing range from classically chic to fun and lairy.

And don’t let the name fool you – they cater for women and children too, with school and business uniforms and corporate attire.

But it’s their smart casual daywear section that is unrivalled locally. Many of the sought-after labels they carry can’t be found anywhere else in the Region.

It’s the kind of store that could, quite rightly, be considered a local institution. And that’s what appealed to Jackie MAKE YOU LOOK GRAND the ‘Wright’gear

Agribusiness owner Marcus Dornauf wears Boston chinos, Brooksfield shirt and Daniel Hechter jacket. Tahlia Walker wears NNT corporate wear. Dr Charles Blair uses Cherokee scrubs in his clinic (see our back cover). Electrician Ben Ballinger wears UNIT workwear and Oliver boots. Crush models aren’t paid professionals – they’re real locals who love the Bundaberg Region.

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Levi’s jeans and a crisp shirt. A leather belt and smart shoes. Whether they’re at work, home or a special event, the way a man dresses says a lot about him.

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Jackie and Warrick Wright are the new owners of Inn Style Mensland.

Jackie said the secret to Inn Style Mensland’s success was their fabulous staff. “They put people at ease,” she said. “They know which fabrics have more stretch or don’t need ironing. They give advice on sizing because every garment and label is different. The embroidery team’s work is meticulous. We are very fortunate to have them.”

innstylemensland.com.au

Get it INN STYLE MENSLAND 23 Electra Street, Bundaberg 07 4151 6788

and Warrick Wright, who bought the business in July. They’d been searching for an attractive business opportunity for a while when Inn Style Mensland hit the Warrickmarket.said the handover was far more emotional than either of them expected. “Ian and Kathy McCloskey had run a good business and were retiring,” Warrick said. “It is a family business that has stood the test of time under their stewardship, and we treat that with a lot of respect. They were choosy about who they were selling the business to, and who would carry on that torch. They’re big shoes to fill and we hope to do them proud, while also gradually making it our own.” Warrick and Jackie come from varied career backgrounds, but most recently worked in business development, finance and marketing – complementary occupations that will be invaluable to running Inn Style Mensland. “We always liked the idea of running our own business, putting our creative vision into something for ourselves,” Jackie said. “We’ve been taking inspiration from stores on the Sunshine Coast with their merchandising, so we’ll be leveraging the great brands we have - like Scotch & Soda, Ben Sherman, Industrie, FXD - and very gradually giving the store a more modern boutique feel to appeal to a broader age range.”

spring INTO

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Love it SASKIA – HOME GIFTS YOU Millaquin markets Shop 4/133 Bargara Road, East Bundaberg 07 4151 1873 SASKIA

WORDS BY DANI BALLINGER When you look around, you’ll find that there are small and simple telltale signs that Spring is upon us. The dawn chorus of birds waking with the warmth of the early morning air. Bees are buzzing. Sunflowers are unfolding; just as we ourselves begin to unravel the Winter layers and pack them away. As the sun gets higher in the sky and our social calendars begin to fill, our colour palettes often change too. We’re drawn to hues of green, pink and blue. Our wardrobe shifts to light coloured linens. If you are longing for a wardrobe update or home décor refresh - Saskia in East Bundaberg is just the place. This eclectic, stylish little boutique is overflowing with eye catching garb. Dresses made from 100 per cent handloomed Italian linen drape beautifully on mannequins. There is an array of elegant artisan jewellery handpicked from around the globe. Find a piece of modern indigenous art that speaks directly to you; knowing you have the perfect spot within your home to hang it. Part of the Saskia shopping experience is meeting the ladies who bring it all together. They lead by example. Always dressed immaculately, they know how to put together an outfit. Driven by a deep love of fashion and homewares, these ladies enjoy sharing their passion with others, ensuring customers always feel welcome and comfortable at Saskia.

FASHIONFASHION THEFANTASIAEVENTTHATSETBUNDABERG’SSTYLESCENEFORDECADES 1974 Cynthia Hoogstraten 1975 Cynthia Hoogstraten 1976 Cynthia Hoogstraten 1977 Jennie Herrod 1978 James Sankowsky 1979 Elaine Jensen 1980 Annette Blair 1981 James Sankowsky 1982 James Sankowsky 1983 Annette Blair 1984 Leanne Russell and Narelle Curd 1985 Jacqui Dahl 1986 Terri Lee Trost 1987 Annette Blair 1988 Rhonda Modolo 1989 Joanne Santalucia 1990 Shirley Lucke 1991 Dwayne Blair 1992 Lynda Zunker 1993 Lynda Zunker 1994 Meena La Fien 1995 Tony Steindl 1996 Tony Steindl 1997 Val Cordon 1998 Michelle Moreno 1999 Lynda Zunker 2000 Lynda Zunker 2001 Lynda Zunker DESIGNER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

WORDS BY NIKKI SORBELLO Like a lot of kids who grew up in the 1980s, my wardrobe consisted of hand-me-downs or clothes handmade by my Mum; even specialoccasion dresses were lovingly sewn. Clothes bought from a shop were reserved for birthday gifts, and only by special request. Living in Childers, a trip into Bundaberg often meant a stop at a fabric store, or three. These were never quick and, in hindsight, probably not fun for Mum with three complaining kids in tow. My childhood photo albums are a time capsule of Mum’s DIY sewing projects. The poodle skirt complete with poodle applique at the bottom; the crazy colours and patterns; the matching co-ordinate sets she would make every year for my siblings and I to model at our school’s annual fashion parade (pictured). It was these special memories that flooded back when the Crush Magazine team started planning the content for the Style Issue. It was a rabbit hole, which led us to Fashion Fantasia. I could have sworn I walked the Fashion Fantasia catwalk at least once, but Mum doesn’t remember and I can’t be sure. For almost three decades, Fashion Fantasia was a highlight on Bundaberg’s social calendar. In this Style Issue of Crush Magazine we look back at one of the city’s most iconic events, 20-years after its final curtain.

“People were lined up from 5am because they knew where they wanted to sit. I couldn’t understand why they were there so early with their chairs and their pillows.”

N Eva Anderson (pictured) still has scrapbooks and records about Fashion Fantasia. Annette Blair often made her dresses (some pictured here) for the event.

Eva can’t quite remember where the original idea came from, but the drive to continue year after year was altruistic.

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In 1995 Fashion Fantasia became accredited as a Regional RAQ (Retailers Association Queensland) Fashion Design Awards. This meant the major prize winner was granted automatic entry into Queensland’s biggest fashion event.

While Fashion Fantasia ended in 2001, the event continued for another year or two under the Style Spectacular banner, run by the Inner Wheel Club of Bundaberg Sunset Rotary, before folding for good.

“It was all about making money for the Lions Club. And the greatest thing, the happiest thing of all, is when we got the money in from the event and could give it all out to local charities like health and aged care services, Meals On Wheels, Lifeline and the SES (State Emergency Service).”

When you talk to anyone who was part of Fashion Fantasia, there is one name that comes up again and again – Eva Anderson. Indisputably the driving force behind the event’s successful 28-year run (1974 – 2001), Eva talks proudly of what the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bundaberg Lions Club achieved, raising more than $150,000 for local charities. The idea of Fashion Fantasia was simple. Clothing designers and seamstresses could enter their unique work in one of eight sections. Other special awards, including Designer of the Year, were awarded on the night. A basic pattern was able to be used, but maximum points were given for originality in the design. Drawing entries from across Queensland, the hand-crafted creations were showcased at an annual fashion parade at Bundaberg Civic Centre, attracting more than 800 spectators. “We used to pre-sell a lot of the tickets outside Charlton, Muller and Jones on Quay Street (now Charltons Lawyers). One year we sold 650 tickets in one morning,” Eva said.

WINNER 1976 Designer of the Year Cynthia Hoogstraten

G WINNER 1974 Designer of the Year

Lynda Zunker took out the top accolade a record five times. Her creations were born from a love of fabrics. “I never designed a gown or garment unless I saw a fabric,” Lynda said. “I’m not a great artist. I still can’t draw a design; they are all in my head. When I found a fabric I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I used to make a lot of my designs out of curtain material, because that’s where you see a lot of flowers, and I had a thing for flowers.” Lynda was well-known for her beautiful formal and wedding gowns that she would create for local women.

For attendees, Fashion Fantasia was a great social event, but for many of the entrants it was a creative expression and the start of life-long careers. Cynthia Hoogstraten was just 17-yearsold when she entered the very first Fashion Fantasia in 1974 and won Designer Of The Year. She won again in 1975 and ’76. “I entered mainly from my mother’s encouragement,” Cynthia said. “She gave me a little sewing machine. I didn’t have a job, so I made that first winning outfit from calico because it was the cheapest fabric that I could work with. I was very feminine and loved lace, so I added that in to create lovely circles.” Inspired by the fashions of the time, each of Cynthia’s entries was different to the last. From there, Cynthia started modelling and worked in a Sunshine Coast clothing factory. She experimented with her own fabrics, creating textiles and wearable art.

DESIGNER GOWNS

Cynthia Hoogstraten took out the top accolade at Fashion Fantasia, designer of the year, for the first three years.

While she doesn’t sew as much as she used to, she is excited to be making her granddaughter’s prom dress in 2023.

Cynthia Hoogstraten

WINNER 1975 Designer of the Year Cynthia Hoogstraten

Tanya Chapman worked at Baxter’s for nine years, from the time she was 16-years-old, before going on to start her own resortwear fashion label, Jotae, in 1993. “We sold to everyone, from up-and-coming fashion designers to mums making school uniforms or sewing something unique for their families,” Tanya said. “The fabrics we kept at Baxter’s were very different to some of the other stores in town at the time.”

Long-time locals remember when the Dimmey’s building, opposite Chemist Warehouse, was John Black’s department store, which became Reid’s and then Wyper Brothers. Many think it then became Buss and Turner, forgetting the decade it was actually a David Jones department store. Olsen’s Corner Foodworks deli manager Lyn Jeffery worked at David Jones for ten years. Despite this fact, many people still try to tell her Bundaberg was never home to the iconic department store. “It was just like you used to see in the big cities. It was a very upmarket store with all the high-quality perfumes. It was all quality brands throughout the store, no cheapness whatsoever, right down to the chocolates,” Lynn said. “The decorations were just outstanding. Everything had to be highly-decorated and beautifully done.” Menswear store Buss and Turner, which was established in 1876 and located next door, bought out David Jones and expanded to become a full department store. Buss and Turner ceased trading in 2000. SECRET TO success You can tell from the way Fashion Fantasia organiser Eva Anderson speaks, the iconic event was run with a firm hand. It had to start on time and finish at a decent hour. When the judges began taking too much time with their deliberations, the event moved to a pre-judged format. Eva also insisted it had to be inexpensive to attend. Eva said it was a monumental collaboration that worked because everyone played their part, but the success didn’t come easy. Spectators spent liberally on raffle tickets. Business donated generously. And the committee worked incredibly hard. “Most of the shops in town were kind to us, because we gave them as much publicity as we could. We wouldn’t have raised as much as we did if we didn’t have the backing of local business. We got everything for free,” Eva said. “When I look back on it, it was a lot of work. We had barely tidied up and people were speaking to me about the following year’s event and I was booking the Civic Centre once again. I would get phone calls at all times of the day, some at 11pm.”

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’S Bourbong Street in the 1970s and ‘80s was very different from what it is now. Shopping was a special outing. And, yes – we even had department stores. It was a time when parcels were wrapped in paper and tied with string, and you could find everything you needed in just one shop. Across multiple floors were furniture, soft furnishings, fabrics, clothing, cosmetics and music, through to grocery and deli items.

THE FABRIC OF TIME Arguably just as much of an icon in Bundaberg as Fashion Fantasia, Baxter’s was the city’s leading fabric store. While many fabric stores came and went (the last notable one was Bonnie Jeans), none evoke more nostalgia than Baxter’s.

Located at 67 Bourbong Street (next to what is now The Hut Menswear), Baxter’s was known for its impressive window displays and large range of formal fabrics. “Whenever you had a wedding party, that would take hours from a sales point of view,” Tanya said. “They would be picking their fabrics then working out all the accessories. We kept those too, down to the tiaras, veils, and gloves.” She said one of the most enjoyable parts of the job was styling mannequins in the shopfront windows, with fabrics and seasonal props, all hand made by Tanya.

W

WINNER 1999 Designer of the Year Lynda Zunker, modelled by Casey James WINNER 2001 Designer of the Year Lynda Zunker, modelled by Casey James 47

Ready with a helping hand 3/133 Bargara Rd (07) 4152 3322 | www.onelittlefarm.com.au Coffee & baked treats ~ Gourmet products ~ Gift hampers ~ Local produce ~ Flowers ~ Home of Bunda Ginga ~ OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK.

One of the best parts of my job is giving away prizes. My favorite promotion each year is Hitz Helping Hands. We team up with 40 local Bundaberg businesses to help people in need. For three weeks we ask listeners to nominate someone going through a tough time and what a response we got. This year we had more than 500 entries. With $33,000 to give away, we helped 43 people. Each recipient was deserving, but it was Dee’s nomination of her sister, Angela, that has stayed with me. Angela and her husband were by their other sister, Rochelle’s, side while she underwent an amputation and cancer treatment. Angela had maxed out their credit card to pay for accommodation and food to be with her sister in Brisbane, as one week turned into five, and infection set in at the amputation Whensite. Rochelle’s cancer returned, it was Angela supporting her, organising appointments, speaking with Brisbane specialists and taking Rochelle to her appointments in Bundaberg and Brisbane. Angela was by her side while she underwent more surgery to remove cancerous tumors and lymph nodes. Both Angela and her husband Dave had taken time off work, leaving their two children and pets with family, to be Rochelle’s medical advocate and fight for her every step of the way. They did this despite the financial, physical and mental toll it took on them. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses, Hitz939 was able to help them out with $1000 to ease some of the burden.

Hitz Helping Hands really opens to help with travel to a representative game (we have so many talented kids in our community!). We had kids nominating parents, who they could see were struggling and just wanted to help. Neighbours nominated neighbours. Students nominated teachers, who were going through a tough time. Co-workers nominated each other. Tracey Sergiacomi is one half of the Matty and Trace breakfast duo on 93.9 Hitz FM, weekdays from 6am.

SERENITY SKIN SPA

adjust skincare

BUNDABERG: Shop 43, 16 Maryborough Street HERVEY BAY: Shop 105, 6 Central www.serenityskinspa.com.auAvenue

Lips&Locks

Micellar waters are my go-to either in the morning instead of my full cleanser routine or straight after any kind of exercise. They balance out the skin, add the key ingredient of hyaluronic acid and stop the heavy sweaty feeling that the morning can sometimes bring. Skinstitut Micellar feels super gentle and I love O Cosmedics Micellar Treatment Gel for straight after exercise, as it has an anti-pollutant and protects the skin from dirt or grime. Finally, exfoliation. I must admit I don’t exfoliate a lot during Winter as my skin doesn’t really need it. But in Spring and Summer, with the extra layers of sunblock, sweat and oil, sometimes you need more than just your nighttime cleanse. My go to is the MultiFunctional Peel by O Cosmedics. It contains enzymes and lactic acid to help shift redundant cells and clean out the pores.

Spring is the perfect time to look at your home skincare routine and see if it needs a little adjusting for the warmer months. When we head into Spring and Summer, there is a little more warmth in the air and humidity starts to creep up. This means we don’t lose the water content in our skin as quickly as we do in Winter. The extra nourishment we have been giving our skin may start to feel a little heavy or not absorb as quickly as it normally does. If you tend to be a little on the drier side, switch to using your oil-based serum or moisturiser at night-time only, so you are still getting the lipids your skin needs, but it’s not too heavy in the day.

By Abby Blanke

A moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid is a great choice for a lighter moisturiser that will keep the skin super hydrated and absorb quickly so it doesn’t feel like it’s sitting on the surface or worse, sweating off. Here are a few other go-to products for Spring: I love the convenience of hydrating mists and how they give the skin a pickme-up, especially if I am outside for the day. Try the Jadea Hydrate Mist or the O Cosmedics Micro Biome setting spray. These can be applied over make up to give you a refreshing boost during the day.

FOR WARMER MONTHS

Claire Mallows, Kiralee Honor and Stacie Robertson at Australian Fashion Week.

AustraliaSupplied/GoldwellCREDIT:PHOTO

I first bought The Place Hairdressing 17-years-ago and I can honestly say I love my little Bourbong Street business now more than ever. Every year I sit down with each member of my team and ask them to nominate something personal and something professional that they want to achieve for the year. And then I try to make it happen. Many of them enjoy working towards professional competitions and events, which help them stay at the forefront of all the latest techniques, products, technology and trends. For the past five years, members of The Place Hairdressing team have been selected by Goldwell Australia to style the hair of six catwalk models at Australian Fashion Week. We take a small team and start work at 4.30am, styling hair for labels like Bianca Spender. Not only is it a lot of fun, it’s a fantastic opportunity for professional development and networking. I leave these events immensely proud of my team. It’s important to me that my apprentices get the same opportunities they would working in a big city salon. As a result, our customers can rightly expect big-city standards when they visit our little regional boutique, and that’s incredibly special. 76 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg 07 4152 1800 www.theplacehairdressing.com

By Kiralee Honor

making wavesON THE NATIONAL STAGE 51

THE PLACE HAIRDRESSING

Styling of cars has evolved dramatically in recent years due to fuel efficiency goals, advancement in engine technologies, manufacturing techniques and safety requirements. Yet we can still recognise a car’s origins due to subtle styling that remains true to the parent company’s design ethos. Car designers over the years have created brand styling that owners have formed emotional bonds with. We can all identify the type of manufactures with a glimpse. The shapes, symbols and body lines make up our perception of quality and refinement that has taken billions of dollars and decades of evolution to refine. Initial styling was based around a radiator to cool the large engine that lay behind an unsafe chrome bumper, which has made way for crumpling crash structures designed to absorb and deflect impacts. Inefficient box shaped cars have morphed into sleek, round aerodynamic cars for fuel saving, as petrol prices soared in the 1970s and ‘80s. This begs the question, what will cars look like when the concept of an once driverless cars are perfected. A car’s styling will instead revolve around a space to simply relax and unwind as you get from A to B. The concept of car styling in the near future will be tipped upside down and is going to be revolutionary in the years ahead.

When you think about car brands, some can easily be identified from a distance. The more successful a car brand has been in creating an obvious ‘look’ or ‘style’, the more desirable that brand becomes in customers’ minds. Car manufactures continue styling cues that are embedded in their DNA without straying too far from a proven formula. In the eye of the consumer, the way a car looks is often more important than how it drives.

Christopher Makin is the General Sales Manager of Bundaberg Motor Group, featuring nine brands and a large range of quality used cars.

DRIVING IN STYLE

When completing your tax return you may be wondering if your protective clothing, uniforms or laundry are tax deductible. You can claim expenses for a uniform, whether it is compulsory or not, that is unique and distinctive to your organisation. Clothing is considered unique if it has been designed and made only for your business. It is distinctive if it has your business’s logo permanently attached and the clothing is not available to the public. For non-compulsory uniforms, the employer must have it registered with AusIndustry. For compulsory uniforms, it must be clothing that identifies you as an employee of that organisation and it must be strictly enforced that you must wear that uniform, which can include shoes, stockings, socks and jumpers; provided they are an essential part of the compulsory uniform.

Occupation-specific uniforms are also deductible, for example chef’s pants and nurse’s uniforms. If is often the case that compulsory, occupationspecific uniforms may be provided to the employee. In this case the uniform costs are not deductible to the employee, however they will be able to claim the cost of cleaning and repairing those uniforms. Protective clothing and footwear is also deductible and can include steelcapped boots, hi-visibility gear and nurse’s non-slip shoes. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are also considered protective clothing, provided the cost is incurred by the employee and not provided by the employer.

CAN YOU DEDUCT CLOTHING & LAUNDRY THIS TAX TIME?

The deductions do not cover the purchase or cleaning of plain clothes, trousers and shirts purchased from retail stores that do not display an employer’s logo even if the employer requires you to wear them. This is general advice only. Speak to your tax agent about your individual circumstances. Karen Peall is the Executive Manager of Lyons Judge Bundaberg and has more than 20 years’ experience in accounts and taxation.

• Spot turtles

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• Escape to a

Online Trip Advisor reviews promise it’s ‘a miracle to be part of ’, ‘a magical experience’ and ‘amazing’. And they’re not wrong. There are few experiences that come close to seeing a majestic 50-year-old loggerhead turtle –measuring almost one metre and weighing 150 kilograms – drag herself slowly up Mon Repos Beach to dig a nest and lay her eggs.

• Celebrate

turtles year-round • Join a

(tickets

• Sleep on the

Experience • Learn about

at

Observing an endangered species in its natural habitat is rivalled only by the arrival of new life. It is an absolute privilege to watch a clutch of 100 turtle hatchlings emerge from the sand to take their first breaths and scurry down into the water. These hatchlings will spend around 16 years at sea, travelling as far as South America, before returning home to the South-West Pacific to mate. Hatchlings have a low chance of survival, with only about one in 1000 reaching maturity. Mon Repos Conservation Park is regarded as Australia’s premier location for observing nesting sea turtles - not only because it is home to the largest loggerhead turtle rookery in the Southern Hemisphere, but also because of the dedicated volunteers making the guided tours happen throughout the warmer months. At the heart of the Mon Repos Turtle Centre is an award-winning team of volunteers who work alongside the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers year-round to protect the to maximise your turtle trip in the Bundaberg Region! or scuba alongside nightly ranger-guided beach encounter nesting season go on sale in September) secluded island Southern Great Barrier Reef from the comfort glass bottom boat or kayak reef Lady Musgrave turtle conservation Mon Repos Turtle Centre Bike, walk run the Turtle Trail nesting season Milbi Festival

in

TOP TIPS

Every evening from November to March under the cover of darkness, people gather at a very special Queensland beach. They speak in a quiet hush, with their fingers crossed, hoping they will be lucky enough to observe the miracle of nature, something that is best described as captivating. Would you believe that very special beach is located right here in Bundaberg, the southernmost gateway to Great Barrier Reef?

• Snorkel

on the

•

at the annual

or

DIVE DEEPER

The Southern Great Barrier Reef, where great begins, is a bucket list destination unlike any other. Turtle encounters in the Bundaberg Region don’t stop at Mon Repos and they aren’t limited only to nesting season (November – March). There are life changing moments a-plenty in Bundaberg. Here, you can take your turtle experience to new depths and immerse yourself in their world. Just a hop, skip and a splash from the Bundaberg CBD, pristine reef, warm blue waters and idyllic islands Lady Elliot or Lady Musgrave Island, and watch the turtles play in the calm shorelines, shallows and coral lagoons. Enjoy the comfort of a glass-bottom boat or kayaking tour, as you glide across sun-kissed waters and play I-Spy with the marine life below. Aboard the luxury pontoon, Lady Musgrave HQ, wander through the underwater observatory to watch countless turtles, working their ‘nine-to-five’. Book it Turtle experiences and accommodation #visitbundaberg#southerngreatbarrierreef#thisisqueenslandwww.bundabergregion.org/turtlesat 57

provide the perfect setting to swim with turtles, and discover other giant migratory marine life like manta rays and humpback whales. Just off the coast sit two of the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s most pristine and untouched gems, Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island. These ladies of the reef are known for being home to giant marine life and intricate coral formations. Most importantly, they’re home to turtles year-round. Beneath the surface, endangered loggerheads, green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles idly swim by and feed. Watch as they enjoy being cleaned by small fish, and find love in their diverse, subtropical eco-system. If staying dry floats your boat, you can still get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. Find a quiet spot on a white beach that skirts carrynests,out research and monitoring, raise public awareness and ensure visitors during turtle season leave feeling a sense of wonder. Their efforts over the past 20 years, combined with other regulatory and control measures, have seen a rebound in nesting turtle abundance, as well as embedding Bundaberg’s turtle experience as an iconic Queensland nature-based visitor experience. Mon Repos Turtle Centre is the piece de resistance of Queensland’s Tourism Experiences, having received three certifications from Ecotourism Australia: Advanced Ecotourism, Respecting Our Culture and Climate Action.

For more BEST PRACTICE SOFTWARE www.bpsoftware.net

Where many other successful Australasian companies would have relocated their head offices to capital cities, Best Practice Software instead expanded their operations in their regional town of origin.

colourful and stylish talking piece that pays tribute to their past and future. “The artwork’s bespoke design has been created by local artists Mark Terry, Nicole Wone, and Taylor Klaasen, who incorporated several specific elements relating to both the heritage of Best Practice Software and the first nations people upon whose land the Operations Hub resides,” Lorraine said. Visible to passing motorists and train passengers, the public artwork was developed to celebrate the local Bundaberg community and the contribution the Best Practice team provides in the field of medical technology. In the mural, the Finch connects life between the earth and the sun, and DNA strands interconnect, to represent the support they provide to healthcare practitioners. “We’re proud to share and celebrate our special story through this hand-painted mural, of how Frank and I developed and grew the idea of creating an electronic medical practice record, turning it into one of Australasia’s most successful health technology groups. It has been driven by the spirit of innovation and personal connection with health practitioners and patients,” Lorraine said.

THEFEATURESMURALSUN

Transforma

Developed by Dr Frank and Lorraine Pyefinch in Bundaberg in 2004, Best Practice Software is used by medical practices in Australia and New Zealand to take patient appointments, keep medical records, produce scripts, check pathology and more. As their foothold on the medical software industry continues to grow, so too does their vision for Bundaberg. Always supportive of the arts and passionate about enhancing civic spaces, Frank and Lorraine have recently transformed a 28-metre wide wall at their Bundaberg head office into a

tion TELLS STORY OF CONNECTION

For local first nations people, “Ginmine” (the Sun) is the giver of all life, bringing light to all living animals and plants, with science providing the connection to evolution on Earth. THE SERPENT A tribute to the rainbow serpent for the significance it plays in creation, and the stunning imagery of the beginning of time and greater movement in the cosmos. THE FINCH The Pyefinch’s personal stamp on the quality and interoperability of Best Practice Software products is represented by the computer code for “Pi” and the Finch bird (together, as Pyefinch), which soars high above.

61

THE OATH A handwritten extract of the Hippocratic Oath – used by medical professionals in all they do, which reads “most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death”.

BUILD YOURown collection Perusing the social pages of these local venues, organisations and events is a great place to start: • Cross Gallery • Bundaberg Regional Art Galleries (BRAG) • Bundaberg Art Prize • Hazzard Gallery & the Walker St Arts Precinct • Woodgate Arts In Spring • Burnett Heads Lighthouse Festival • Moore Park Arts Festival • 1770 Art Show • Gin Gin Fine Arts Society • The Kollective • Childers Art Space • local cafes including Indulge, One Little Farm and The Windmill Café subjective …IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

If you are looking to acquire artwork, whether it be because of a love and passion for the arts, for decorative purposes, as an investment or to build a strong art collection, the process doesn’t need to be an intimidating or daunting one. There are many ways to build an impressive art collection without breaking the bank, while simultaneously having a richly, rewarding experience. Collecting art is a very subjective experience, but it is also a great way to showcase aspects of your personality and make a statement about who you are. Whether you want to buy your first major work, or simply want to enhance your experience at a gallery opening or cafe, all it takes is an open mind and some curiosity. Brad Marsellos (pictured) is a great collector of art and has shared some of his tips for starting out and growing a collection. His top tip is to trust your own taste. His collection is an expression of him and his family.

“Our artworks are all moments and memories, telling the stories of what we found relevant at that time,” Brad said. This is evident in artwork that reminds him of his son, Augustus, that cost him

Brad’s final tip is to support local. He said by buying from your local community you are helping to sustain the arts and supporting emerging artists that may go on to have brilliant careers or, importantly, tell local stories through art.

“It’s a great way of meeting people, connecting and seeing what’s out there,” he said.

Michael Dart is an actor and member of the Playhouse Theatre.

“There’s amazing art being produced in regional centres, which puts a lot of inner-city exhibitions to shame,” Brad said.

the handsome sum of $20. He and his wife, Jess, bought it from an artist in Kalgoorlie.

“Post COVID-19, it’s great to get out to exhibitions, large and small, to find a new artist, who will often become a new friend.”

His friends include artists like teacher and jazz musician Chris Poulsen, who has been exhibiting at The Book Boutique with works depicting iconic local places.

Brad also advocates exploring galleries, finding new artists and making connections. Attending galleries, art shows and cafes helps him discover new work.

This is the concept behind a new book by Bundaberg author Sarah Tump and illustrator Anna Unearthed.

TO WHO YOU ARE

Get it You Are is available for purchase at www.bookyouare.com.au or Facebook. Search ‘You Are by Sarah and Anna’ WIN a signed copy of You Are Visit the Crush Magazine Facebook page to enter.

Anna said the pair were amazed by how well You Are had been received so far. “We’re in a time now where there are a lot of people vulnerable from the last couple of years and mental health has gone through the roof. More people than ever are feeling lonely, struggling with financial issues and all those big feelings are being forced to the surface,” Anna said.

“I’ve always had the idea of the title in my mind, that it would be You Are, and then you fill in the blanks. You go to each chapter that is relevant to what you’re needing in that moment. It helps to affirm that you are allowed to be you. You are allowed to be having a bad day or be tempted by ego, or to feel powerful or be inspired,” Sarah said.

“One of the special things in this book is there are blank pages with notes after each chapter which gives people the opportunity to have a place to write notes or draw a picture if they feel inspired or write a poem. It really allows the reader to make it personal to them.”

A combination of a self-help guide, an illustrated book and a journal, You Are is a unique concept that is both uplifting and comforting.

JOURNEY

Sarah said pairing words with images allowed the reader’s brain to process thoughts in a completely different way, as well as breaking up the monotony that exists in many spiritual selfdevelopment books. “They can often be 10 or 20 pages in one chapter, when you only need the one paragraph right at the end to learn from. The sections in You Are are broken up, so you don’t have to read lots of pages to get some sort of selfsoothing and answers,” she said.

The idea for the book came after Sarah was reading her daughter a children’s book. “Children’s books have all these beautiful illustrations. It took me away from being an adult, just for a moment,” Sarah said. “I began asking myself why there aren’t books like this for adults and the idea just flowed from there.”

When our lives are filled to the brim with ‘busyness’, sometimes all we need is something to quietly soothe our mind. A pick me up. Support. Validation. Self-care.

@Various locations

For more events, search online for Bundy Gig Guide, Wide Bay Kids, Bundaberg Tourism and What's On Bundaberg.

THE DIARY

17 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER Bundaberg Art Prize @Bundaberg CBD Showcasing the Bundaberg Region and beyond’s best artistic talents, the Bundaberg Art Prize is the Region’s biggest art exhibition, with all pieces available for purchase. 19-24 SEPTEMBER Baffle Creek Fishing Competition @Baffle Creek Community Grounds

OCTOBER 09 OCTOBER Swan Lake Presented by the Royal Czech Ballet @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre

The Baffle Creek family fishing festival is back again for another year. Held annually during the first week of the September school holidays, the recreational fishers among us take to the fantastic waters around Baffle Creek all week long, vying for great prizes.

15 OCTOBER Mundubbera Blueberry Festival @Mundubbera Saturday Artisan Markets and family fun day celebrating all things blueberry and the local Mundubbera community, finishing with ticketed music festival at nearby Archer Park.

09 SEPTEMBER Prada Clutch’s All Drag Revue @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Australia’s six-foot something songstress Prada Clutch and her ‘girls’ pay tribute to the history of Aussie drag – in concert. Jam packed with dazzling feathers, wigs, costumes and more, you will not forget this glittering spectacular.

26 SEPTEMBER Fairy tales on Ice @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Delight in the spectacular as award winning skaters bring your favourite fairy-tale characters to life through ice skating, singing and music. Performers glide effortlessly across the floor in a hold-your-breath experience you won’t want to miss.

15 OCTOBER Lighthouse Rock @Burnett Heads Lighthouse Presents is elated to announce Lighthouse Rock. Bringing a world-class Australian rock festival to Burnett Heads, featuring Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Ian Moss, Choirboys, Swanee, Abby Skye, Jackson Dunn and Bundaberg’s very own Battle of the Bands winner.

28 OCTOBER – 6 NOVEMBER Milbi Festival

NOVEMBER 26 NOVEMBER Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase

@Moncrieff Entertainment Centre

01 SEPTEMBER – 9 OCTOBER Out of This World – Australia in the Space Age @Hinkler Hall of Aviation From mid-century fashion and flying saucer societies to early satellites and rocket playgrounds…how did the space age capture the imagination of its people? Welcome to the dawn of the space age.

Expertly curated and lovingly presented, the Showcase will feature some of the festival’s hottest acts live on stage for an incredible two hours of hard-hitting laughter. Grab your tickets to the funniest night of entertainment you will see all year.

The festival celebrates the Region’s iconic turtle encounters, connecting to salt water and fresh water country and encompassing the broader and complementary themes of environment care, connection to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, water catchments and local storytelling through and arts and culture.

To have your next event featured in The Crush Diary email hello@crushcomms.com.au

03 SEPTEMBER Spring in the Vale @Mt Tom Spring in the Vale is an annual celebration of art, new beginnings and the coming of Spring. An all ages camping event, the festival promotes quality original music, while growing tourism and fostering the local arts scene, in a safe and fun familyoriented environment.

03 SEPTEMBER The Sapphires @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre One of Australia’s most-loved stories. The Sapphires is a funny, heartwarming tale inspired by the true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother. Come along to what Tony Briggs’ promises to be the most intimate telling of The Sapphires story yet.

The Royal Czech Ballet will visit Australia for the first time with Swan Lake, the most loved classical ballet of them all.

01 SEPTEMBER – 13 OCTOBER Here + now @Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery Now in its fourth year, the Here + Now Exhibition is about celebrating artists from the Bundaberg Region and showcasing the strong and vibrant arts community. Featuring 42 Regional artists.

30 SEPTEMBER – 3 OCTOBER Woodgate Arts in Spring @Woodgate Beach Held over the long weekend in October, Woodgate Arts In Spring is a curated art exhibition officially opened with a gala on Friday and closed with a market day on Monday.

All events are accurate at the time of publication and may be weather permitting and subject to change or cancellation without notice, especially due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. Please confirm details online with event organisers as close to the event as possible.

what’s on SEPTEMBER