Salt Magazine Spring 2026

YOUR FREE SUNSHINE COAST LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE SPRING 2026

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IS BORN OF THE PUREST PARENTS, THE SUN AND THE SEA” PYTHAGORAS

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last land release now selling. Stage III of the Lancelin Precinct is our final, freehold residential land release. All dry blocks have sold, only six waterfront allotments remain. Each is titled and ready to build on immediately, all you need to do is choose your block. Come visit our sales office at 46 Discovery Place and see our amazing waterfront views for yourself. Sales office open Monday to Friday. To make an appointment please call 5443 2766.

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27/08/2026 10:57:32 AM

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FROM THE EDITOR

Page

77

OV Boutique Spring Fashion

HELLO, SPRING!

GENERAL MANAGER SHANNON DAWES PUBLISHERS ANAR HIGGINS DARRYL OLSON MICHAEL KRAMER NOEL OLSON GRAPHIC DESIGNERS KATH HAWKINS MORGAN EARNEY LEANDA GRAMBOWER ADVERTISING DANIELLE BUSSA SHONA SMITH EMMA MCDERMOTT JANE SKIPPER FASHION COORDINATOR DANIELLE BUSSA

TRACY NAUGHTON COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Tracy has been photographing surf culture on the Sunshine coast for over 10 years. She captures the beauty of our natural coast with the love of the ocean and its vibrant community. There’s never-ending inspiration for her art umbrella – Let Me Sea Instagram: @letmesea Facebook: @letmesea Website: letmesea.com.au

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES sales@saltmagazine.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@saltmagazine.com.au DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES distribution@saltmagazine.com.au GENERAL ENQUIRIES 07 5444 0152. PO Box 6362 Maroochydore BC, Qld, Australia 4558 © Copyright 2026

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ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ANGIE HOLMES

There’s something about spring that makes you want to get out and do things. The days are getting longer, the mornings are a little brighter and, after a winter spent hibernating under blankets, suddenly the Coast feels like it is calling us back outside. Perhaps that’s why I love putting together our spring edition of salt. It feels like the perfect season to celebrate people who are creating, changing, challenging themselves and, most importantly, making the most of the place we are lucky enough to call home. And this issue is full of them. In this edition, we meet people who are doing things their own way – from artists and entrepreneurs to chefs, health professionals and passionate locals who are quietly making a difference. That is what I love about salt. Yes, we celebrate the beautiful side of life on the Sunshine Coast – the food, the fashion, the homes, the art and those glorious landscapes – but for me, the real heart of the magazine has always been the people behind it all. The dreamers. The doers. The people who have an idea and decide to give it a go. After all, the Sunshine Coast is changing rapidly, but what makes it special is still the same thing that has always made it special – the people who live here and the way they contribute to the community around them. So, as spring arrives, I hope this issue inspires you to get out and explore a little more of your own backyard. Try something you haven’t tried before. Meet someone new. Support a local business. Take the long way home. Go for a swim. Play a round of golf. Buy a piece of art. Have lunch somewhere you’ve never been. Or simply sit somewhere beautiful and take it all in. Because sometimes the best thing about living on the Sunshine Coast is remembering just how lucky we are to be here. Enjoy!

PHOTOGRAPHERS LISA PEARL PATRICE SIOLO WRITERS ANNIE GROSSMAN SHIRLEY SINCLAIR LINDA HOOPER ABBEY CANNAN JANE STEPHENS LUCINDA DEAN MARTIN DUNCAN STEVE LESZCZYNSKI

INGRID NELSON, EDITOR

SUB-EDITOR CANDICE HOLZNAGEL

SALT-MAGAZINE

PROOFREADER JANE TODD

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salt is published by The Publishing Media Company Pty Ltd ATF The Media Trust. Our distribution area covers the entire Sunshine Coast north to Rainbow Beach, south to Glass House Mountains and inland to Kenilworth.

at sa saltmagazine.com.au

SALT

31/08/2026 12:19:52 PM

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CONTENTS spring 2026

98

56

106

120 FEATURES 8

HOLDING HEART & HISTORY

A glimpse inside one of Buderim’s historic treasures

72

12 NATURAL CONNECTION Discover the simple pleasures of a farm stay

PEOPLE

TASTES

LIFE

22 PURSUIT OF PASSION

52 NOSH NEWS

36 TRAVEL

Caroline O’Connor

Food news and ideas

Hunter Valley

26 PROFILE

56 FLAVOUR FILES

38 TRAVEL

Philippa Scott

Delicious recipes

Bologna & Verona

18 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

30 ROLE MODEL

58 TABLE TALK

76 FASHION

Things to do and see

Kurt Jones

Tewantin Noosa RSL

Your guide to seasonal style

46 GOOD READS

44 PODCASTS

62 BEHIND THE APRON

90 HEALTH

Top books for spring

Top podcasts for spring

Chef Chadd Kitto

Women’s health

72 LOVESTRUCK

110 MEET THE MAKER

66 SIGNATURE DISH

96 BEAUTY

Cara & Justin

Renee Jarrett

The Coolum Social

Simply beautiful

112 LOCALS LOVE

116 ARTIST

68 SALT CELLAR

100 ON THE INSIDE

Touristy treats that locals love

Michael Whitehead

A world away

Vanity matters

124 ART DATES

120 OFF THE WALL

70 COCKTAIL HOUR

106 HOMEWARES

Galleries you must visit

Tracey Keller

Pour, shake, repeat

Style your space

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STAPLES

128 ANTIQUES & ART

SALT

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FEATURE

Holding heart & history WORDS LINDA HOOPER WORDS LISA PEARL

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BUDERIM HOUSE. A majestic, heritage-listed 1915 Federation Queenslander steeped in the colourful history of Buderim’s early pioneers. A house described in The Brisbane Courier, dated August 18, 1917, as “one of the finest gentleman’s residences in Queensland”. In the 1930s, it was the perfect location for garden, bridge and dinner parties – and even a royal visit. Later, it was also a popular tea house, art gallery and wedding venue. Today, hundreds of motorists drive past this once-famous house at Orme Road, Buderim every day. And while many long-time residents and historians know its significance, there are many people who don’t. The latter are missing out on a fascinating slice of local history. Originally commissioned by Herbert Victor Fielding, the son of pioneering Buderim farmer John, the stately three-storey home is now owned by local couple Brendon and Victoria Murray. Coincidentally, Victoria’s mum is a Fielding, but they haven’t been able to find a family connection – yet. The Murrays’ journey to purchasing Buderim House is serendipitous – it was always “meant to be”. The couple share a passion for restoring old houses, collecting antique furniture and are country people at heart. If you ask me, Buderim is lucky to have such good custodians taking care of this important landmark. With its heritage listing, caring for Buderim House comes with responsibility and Brendon and Victoria are perfectly suited for the role. Brendon, who is a partner at Grenfell Murray Business Advisors and Accountants, was born in the Hunter Valley and met Victoria at the University of New England in Armidale, where she was studying town planning. “I grew up with a grandmother who was an award-winning gardener,” recalls Brendon. “I spent every school holiday with her, and I was mulching, mowing and pruning from a young age. Even when Victoria and I bought our first very basic house, I

made sure the lawns and hedges were immaculate.” Victoria grew up in Southport, which was a country town in those days. “From an early age, my life revolved around my parents’ love of colonial houses and renovations – it’s in my blood,” she says. “So, with Brendon’s gardening abilities, we are very much suited.” That love of gardening has rubbed off on their son, Hugh, who is studying to become a landscape architect. His touch is evident everywhere in the beautiful gardens, although he ruefully comments that he just follows his dad’s orders. Brendon and Victoria’s first house renovation was a “humpy cottage” at Holland Park. “Victoria did a fantastic job of restoring it over the next 10 years, then we moved onto the next one, a beautiful Colonial house,” says Brendon. At the time, Brendon was a partner in a Brisbanebased accounting firm, but when the opportunity came up to open an office on the Sunshine Coast, he was interested. He just had to convince his wife. And it took quite a bit of convincing. “Our children were in grades five, seven and 11 and they were in good schools,” Victoria shares. “My family was in Brisbane, and we had a lovely life.”

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It’s more like a rambling family home

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However, the children were excited about joining their friends at boarding school in Brisbane and voted four to one for the family to move to the Sunshine Coast. Victoria reluctantly agreed, but insisted they find a new renovation project. “Buderim House was actually for sale at that time – in 2014 – but we couldn’t afford it, so we found this very run-down dairy farm at Cooroy,” Brendon says. “There were holes in the floor and smashed windows. The kids wouldn’t get out of the car.” Victoria smiles at the memory, adding, “It smelt, and it was horrible, but the house had good bones and a beautiful view of Cooroy Mountain.” “I thought she had lost her mind; I really thought that renovating such a run-down house was beyond us,” recalls Brendon. But following a lot of hands-on hard work, a few years later, the 40-acre property was featured in the October 2021 issue of Country Style. Victoria was adamant that she would never leave their Cooroy home, but fate had other ideas. “The neighbour’s farm came on the market and people had to drive past our farm to inspect it,” says Brendon. “A couple knocked on our door and offered to buy it. We said, ‘Thank you very much for the compliment, but we’re not selling’. Over the next six months, they kept coming back and making new offers. But Victoria was digging in her heels.” After another good offer, Brendon scoured the internet and discovered that Buderim House had been listed that week. “I rang the agent, Tristan Kurz, who has now become a good friend. Victoria would not even look at me on the way down. She would only look out the window. As we walked across the front lawn and up the stairs, Victoria looked at me and nodded.” “The house had such a beautiful feeling, which is very much how we have always bought properties,” adds Victoria. It’s not hard to understand the feeling Victoria had when she first stepped onto the wide, wraparound verandah and saw the entry door with its leadlight panel proudly proclaiming ‘Buderim House’. Stepping into the house immediately transports you back to a world of elegance and refinement. On the left is a grand dining room and living room with soaring ceilings and decorative cornices, an area which hosted the King’s son, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, for a weekend visit in 1934. Then there are the original timber floors, French doors, timber joinery milled from the property and the iconic turret, said to have once served as an unofficial light-signalling tower for the region. 10

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Meanwhile, Brendon was captivated with the 1.5 acres of beautiful land, the enchanting private forest, veggie gardens and impressive European-inspired pool area. This would become his happy place. When they moved into Buderim House in July 2025, there were seven bedrooms, however, they’ve used one as a study and another as a sewing room for their daughter, Pip’s small fashion label, The Ruffle Room. Hugh also has a spacious workroom to create his landscaping designs. Asked what they most loved about living at Buderim House, Brendon says, “Funnily enough, I don’t find it grand. It’s more like a rambling family home. I enjoy being able to work in my study while the family play raucous Scrabble in the family room.” Victoria rolls her eyes at the “raucous Scrabble” comment, adding, “It’s always full of people – our children, their partners, friends, family and our menagerie of dogs. Our eldest daughter, Claire from central Queensland, visits often with our grandson, and I love the fact that it’s a big house that all the family can enjoy.” This house, with such a rich and colourful history, is set to be home to many more happy memories.

SALT

27/08/2026 11:00:34 AM

PHOTO: Queensland State Archives

THE PIONEERS OF BUDERIM HOUSE When John Fielding, aged 23, boarded the SS Fortitude at Gravesend, England in 1848 for a perilous four-month journey to Brisbane, he had no idea he would become a famous Buderim pioneer. The SS Fortitude was the first of three ships chartered by Reverend Dr John Dunmore to bring free immigrants to Brisbane. On board was 19-year-old Jane Bulcock. It’s not known if there was a shipboard romance, but John and Jane married in May 1849, producing 11 children. One of those children was Herbert Victor Fielding, born in 1870, who became a leading figure in the story of the Fielding family of Buderim. One of Herbert’s legacies was Buderim House, which he commissioned in 1914. Just prior to completion in 1915, Walter Frank Oakes, a civil engineer from Lismore, made him an offer he could not refuse; however, he insisted on three changes – a turret, a leadlight panel in the front door proclaiming ‘Buderim House’ and a flagpole. Fast forward 111 years and the turret and leadlight panel remain today. The sale of the property included a 45-acre banana plantation and, according to the Nambour Chronicle, Walter used dynamite in the holes where the banana suckers were planted to loosen the soil. Unable to make the plantation successful, Walter sold the property back to Herbert in 1925, who went on to farm bananas, coffee, pineapples and cattle. In 1927, Herbert parted ways with the house yet again, selling the building and around 1.6 hectares to Harold J Murphy. Harold, a councillor in the Maroochy Shire Council from 1932 to 1936, owned the house until 1954. The Murphys loved to entertain and regularly held events, many for charities. These events were described in detail in various newspapers, with the May 1941 issue of the Nambour Chronicle reporting that the Murphys hosted a large garden party with stalls selling arts, crafts, fruit, produce, cakes and sweets. There was also a scone competition and garden golf. The event was held in aid of a fund that supported those who were fighting in the Second World War to “preserve the British Empire”. It raised 64 pounds. The Murphys also had the honour of hosting Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, for a December weekend in 1934. But first, they made improvements to “add to the comfort of the royal guest”, including removing the ‘thunderbox’ from under the mango tree and replacing it with a throne-like toilet. Buderim House has undergone many changes over the years, including trading as a popular tea house and art gallery. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in March 1993 and was lovingly restored by Tim and Jackie Banks, who owned it from 1996 to 2020. It was then purchased by architects and extended under the strict guidelines of the Heritage Council. Current owners, Brendon and Victoria Murray, say they are acutely aware that the house is an important piece of history. They are always looking for things that need to be fixed to ensure the house is constantly maintained to a high standard. Yes, Buderim House is in very good hands. Sources: Buderim Historical Society, National Library of Australia, Nambour Chronicle, The Brisbane Courier. SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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FEATURE

A NATURAL

connection WORDS AND PHOTO: CANDICE HOLZNAGEL 12

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SALT

27/08/2026 11:02:05 AM

“WHAT IS THAT NOISE?” I open my eyes to find my inquisitive five-year-old standing over me. “Does that mean it’s time?” The excitement in his voice is evident. Despite the early hour, I smile. Soon, we are up, dressed and crunching our way along the gravel road toward the early morning wake-up call – a rooster who means business. And the rooster isn’t the only one. We can barely keep up with our young boys as they scamper off towards the sounds in the distance, eager for the activities that lie ahead. A rooster crowing, cows mooing, goats bleating. You’d be forgiven for thinking we had woken up on Old MacDonald’s farm. We turn the corner past a big green shed and come face to face with the mayhem of breakfast time. Five wide-eyed calves are lined up waiting for their morning milk. Meg Cork is already there, armed with bottles of cows’ milk. As the wife of a third-generation farmer, she has the morning routine down pat. Our two boys eagerly help feed the calves before moving on to the boisterous goats, who dive headfirst into cups of feed. Vegetables are then hand-fed to two fat pigs. At Wittacork Dairy Cottages, the goal is simple – to educate the younger generation on where their food comes from and give them a firsthand look and

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hands-on experience about life on the farm. Time here also comes with an added advantage – connecting with community and nature rather than technology. Based in Witta and home to the Cork family, this is a modern working dairy farm with around 120 cows lazily grazing across the 238 hectares of land. It is also one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular farm stays – a form of tourism that is growing rapidly.

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PHOTO: Shelldon Bowers

Chris Pires Accommodation at the Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge

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Forty-eight hours on the farm was the perfect reset

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Queensland accounted for about one in seven agritourism trips nationally, according to the Australian Government’s Agritourism in Australia Report 2025. It also had the highest proportion of on-farm agritourism experiences in the country, with 67 per cent of Queensland experiences located on farms. The report found that agritourism trips recorded growth in visitor numbers, overnight stays and spending. Agritourism travellers spent more per trip and per night than travellers in Australia overall. Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel says our region has all the right ingredients to be one of the nation’s leading agritourism destinations. “People really do travel with their stomachs, choosing where to go and what to do based on the food and drink experiences on offer,” he tells salt. “It’s no wonder food, drink and agritourism experiences are such a great way for travellers to explore a region and uncover its local flavours. “The Sunshine Coast is proudly known as Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry, and we’re home to more than 900 producers. That gives visitors countless ways to taste the region, from farm gates and local markets to paddock-to-plate dining and hands-on experiences with growers and makers. “The growing popularity of farm stays reflects a broader desire among travellers to slow down, reconnect with nature and better understand where their food comes from. On the Sunshine Coast, they can enjoy that authentic hinterland experience while remaining close to our beaches, villages, restaurants and attractions.” For one, I have to agree. Forty-eight hours on the farm was the perfect reset. Our cottage – one of four on the property – was not only affordable but comfortable. With two bedrooms, 14

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a fireplace and a deck overlooking Lake Baroon and Kondalilla National Park, it was an escape from everyday life. Our family spent the evenings playing Uno by the toasty fire and barbecuing, while the days were filled with feeding the animals, a pony ride for the kids, minitractor rides, long walks, reading and a visit to the neighbouring hinterland town of Maleny. We didn’t switch on the television once. Farm stays really are about slowing down, unplugging and reconnecting. This is exactly what Chris Pires hopes to continue at Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge, a property that combines ecotourism with elements of agritourism. “The Ecolodge is a small coffee farm stay with 56 types of fruit trees [and] is a place to disconnect and connect with our loved ones – playing board games, listenting to records and enjoying nature,” Chris says. The lush grounds are home to a range of accommodation options, including quaint and unique train carriages, as well as a restored 125-year-old timber country church. Chris bought the property in 2026, taking over a retreat with a history stretching back more than a

Chickens roam at Wittacork Dairy

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27/08/2026 11:02:54 AM

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century. The former 40-acre soldier settlement block was cleared for pineapple farming in the early 1920s before Keith Murray purchased it in 1982 with a vision of creating a place for travellers to rest and reconnect with nature. Over the following decades, Keith and his family planted hundreds of trees, relocated the church to the site and brought in four former railway carriages. The ecolodge opened in 2004, offering accommodation centred on sustainability, environmental care and a respect for the surrounding landscape. Those values are evident across the property. Rainwater is collected and stored on-site, solar hot water and low-energy lighting are used, greywater is recycled through the 400-tree coffee orchard and food and garden waste is composted. Guests can also pick produce from the vegetable and herb gardens and tropical orchard, explore the rainforest restoration area, learn about local wildlife and explore the cultural significance of the Glass House Mountains. Guests have also planted more than 800 trees as part of its ongoing restoration work. “Keith and guests have regenerated the land at the Ecolodge, with it now having its own ecosystem within the billabong, with more than 60 bird sightings [recorded] on [bird-recording platform] eBird. “The kids also just love it when they pick fruit from the trees,” Chris says. “We’re really focusing on being with nature, resting, reconnecting with your loved ones or partner. It’s a peaceful place; it’s a place to pause. There are no screens here. There are no TVs. “You’re playing with old board games, puzzles, fruit picking, learning about coffee. “We produce our own coffee and serve it at breakfast… straight bean to cup,” Chris says. “It’s not like a general hotel here. When you come here, you don’t know what you’re going to experience.” Chris grew up in Caboolture and he remembers the Glass House Mountains fondly from his younger years. His career in structural engineering, however,

Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge

took him across the world, from the UK to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. Back in Australia, he looked for his next move. When the opportunity arose to purchase Glass House Mountains Ecolodge, he knew it was meant to be. “It all connected up… I was like, okay, this is a time for this. You can do this,” he tells salt. “I came from an Airbnb background and sold my Airbnb in Brisbane and jumped on this opportunity. “I will continue on with Keith’s legacy. Chapter two is going to be… driving experiences at the Ecolodge. Storytelling of past and present stories right here in the Glass House Mountains – Kabi Kabi Country. “These Dreamtime stories are so beautiful and amazing by the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples, and important for all of us to know.” Chris acknowledges that the lodge is a unique place – a place for others to create their own memories. “People are shocked when they visit. They’re like, ‘Wow, I had no idea it was like this’. “You can’t really describe it… you have to come and experience it.”

FARM STAYS IN A SNAPSHOT From working dairies and animal encounters to secluded hinterland retreats, there are plenty of ways to experience farm life across the region. These are just some of the stays suggested by Visit Sunshine Coast. FOR ANIMAL LOVERS Seven Peaks Farm Stay combines sweeping Glass House Mountains views with plenty of farmyard residents, making it a good pick for families. FOR A TOUCH OF HISTORY Smith House offers a different take on the farm stay. The stylish accommodation is the oldest home in Mapleton and sits within walking distance of The Falls Farm. FOR A LITTLE LUXURY Mayan Luxe Villas brings an indulgent edge to country life. Set across 100 acres at Kin Kin, its rammed-earth villas overlook the working farm, with private chef experiences and outdoor bubble baths also on offer. FOR A QUIET COUNTRY ESCAPE Whispering Valley Cottage Retreat in Maleny pairs self-contained accommodation with simple rural experiences, including feeding donkeys and wandering among the property’s fruit trees.

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CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL EVENTS

SEP 25-27 SUNSHINE COAST EXPO Discover a world of adventure at the 2026 Sunshine Coast Expo. Browse the latest in outdoor adventure, including caravans, camper trailers, boats, 4x4s, hybrids and more. It’s the perfect place to bring your adventure plans to life, discover new holiday destinations and see interactive displays. Plus, don’t miss the daily entertainment prize giveaways. When September 25 to 27 Where Kawana Sports Precinct, Nicklin Way, Bokarina Visit sunshinecoastexpo.com.au

OCT 9-18 RANGEBOW FESTIVAL Rangebow is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, sustainability and reconciliation, aiming to foster community cohesion through art and culture. Rangebow Festival brings together live music, performance, workshops, comedy and creative gatherings in a colourful program that spans multiple locations on the Sunshine Coast, encouraging connection and expression in a uniquely regional setting. When October 9 to 18 Where Various Sunshine Coast Hinterland locations Visit therangebowfestival.org

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUNNYKIDS MAYORAL BALL One of the Sunshine Coast’s premier charity events, the SunnyKids Mayoral Ball brings together community leaders, businesses and residents for an evening of entertainment and fundraising. The black-tie event supports vulnerable children and families across the region, combining fine dining, live entertainment and auctions for a meaningful cause. When October 17 Where Machjet International, Sunshine Coast Airport Visit sunnykids.org.au

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OCT 18 GUY SEBASTIAN – 100 X AROUND AUSTRALIA TOUR One of Australia’s most celebrated performers, Guy Sebastian brings his 100 X Around Australia Tour to the Sunshine Coast for a special two-night run. Fans can expect a career-spanning setlist featuring chart-topping hits like Battle Scars, Like It Like That, Choir and Standing With You, alongside new material from his latest album 100 Times Around The Sun. Known for his powerhouse vocals, Guy’s regional shows are renowned for their intimacy, energy and connection with audiences. When October 7 to October 8 Where The Events Centre, 20 Minchinton Street, Caloundra Visit theeventscentre.com.au 18

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STRUMMINGBIRD SUNSHINE COAST Australia’s fastest-rising country music festival, Strummingbird brings a massive touring lineup to the Sunshine Coast for one huge day of live music, line dancing, food and festival energy. Headlined by international and Australian country and crossover acts, the event transforms Kawana Sports Precinct into a high-energy celebration of modern country music, complete with themed bars, pop-ups and immersive fan experiences. When October 18 Where Kawana Sports Precinct, 31 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina Visit strummingbird.com.au

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27/08/2026 11:10:51 AM

NOOSA TRI A pinnacle event on the Australian sporting calendar, the Garmin Noosa Tri is ranked one of the world’s top 10 triathlons for good reason. When the best athletes, biggest competitor field, beautiful beach-side vibe and week-long festivities of Noosa all come together, there’s nowhere else you’ll want to be. When October 28 to November 1 Where Noosa Heads and surrounding areas Visit noosatri.com.au

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NOV 6-8 MALENY MUSIC FESTIVAL A grassroots celebration of live music in the heart of the hinterland, Maleny Music Festival showcases a mix of folk, blues, roots and contemporary performers. With its relaxed community atmosphere, the festival highlights both established musicians and emerging local talent across multiple intimate venues. When November 6 to 8 Where Maleny Showgrounds, Sunshine Coast Hinterland Visit malenymusicfestival.com

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NOV 28-DEC 6 SCULPTURE ON THE EDGE Set against the stunning backdrop of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Sculpture on the Edge showcases contemporary outdoor sculptures from artists across Australia. The exhibition invites visitors to explore art integrated into the natural landscape, with prizes awarded across multiple categories and works displayed in an immersive environment. When November 28 to December 6 Where Flaxton Gardens, 313-323 Flaxton Drive, Flaxton Visit sculptureontheedge.com.au PLEASE NOTE: Event information correct at time of going to print. Please check with the venue to ensure events are going ahead as planned.

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VISIT SUNSHINE COAST

Step into

spring

As spring arrives, it’s the perfect time to enjoy fresh air and open trails. From waterfall walks and rainforest rambles to summit climbs and multi-day adventures, the Sunshine Coast offers plenty of ways to reconnect with nature. Leave time to linger a little longer in the nearby villages and townships too, where a coffee, bite to eat or wander through the local shops is all part of a day well spent. Whether you’re chasing sweeping views or a leisurely family stroll, these are Visit Sunshine Coast’s top suggestions for exploring on foot this season.

Noosa National Park.

FAMILY FRIENDLY Not every walk needs to be a full-day adventure. Near Landsborough, Dularcha Forest Tunnel is a favourite with families, where walkers, cyclists and horse riders share a scenic trail through history. In Amamoor State Forest, the gentle Amama Walk winds past wild macadamia trees and a tranquil creek, making it ideal for little legs, while the Noosa National Park Coastal Walk lets families choose their own adventure, with shorter sections leading to secluded beaches, rocky headlands and regular wildlife sightings.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

INTO THE RAINFOREST For those happiest beneath a canopy of trees, the Sunshine Coast’s rainforests offer some of the region’s most rewarding walks. Wander through the ancient rainforest at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny, where pademelons, colourful butterflies and native birdlife are often spotted along the trail. Near Kenilworth, Fig Tree Walk showcases towering Moreton Bay figs, while the walk to Strangler Cairn in Conondale National Park combines subtropical rainforest with a unique art installation hidden among the trees. Mount Coolum.

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Mapleton Falls National Park.

GO FURTHER If one day on the trail isn’t enough, the Sunshine Coast has plenty to keep seasoned walkers exploring. The 58.8-kilometre Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, beginning near Mapleton, is a four-day journey through rainforest, eucalypt forest and mountain landscapes, with bush campsites along the way. Or discover the Noosa Biosphere Trails, where a network of walking, cycling and horse-riding trails weave through national parks, forests and the Noosa Hinterland.

WATERFALL WALKS Spring is the perfect time to seek out some of the Sunshine Coast’s most picturesque waterfalls. In Maleny, Gardners Falls is a favourite for its easy access and peaceful picnic spots, while the Buderim Forest Waterfall Walk offers a short stroll to a hidden cascade just minutes from the village. For those wanting more of a challenge, Kondalilla Falls in Kondalilla National Park rewards the climb with one of the Blackall Range’s most spectacular waterfalls, surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest.

Kondalilla Falls.

SUMMIT VIEWS Some of the Sunshine Coast’s best views are earned on foot. Mount Coolum rewards walkers with sweeping coastal panoramas from its volcanic summit, while Mount Ngungun in the Glass House Mountains delivers one of the region’s most iconic outlooks. For those looking for impressive scenery with a shorter walk, Mount Tinbeerwah in Tewantin National Park offers spectacular hinterland views from accessible lookouts. Mount Ngungun.

Before you hit the trail: The Sunshine Coast’s walking tracks and waterfalls are spectacular, but conditions can change quickly. Always stick to marked trails, follow local signage, check the difficulty level and before heading out, review the latest park alerts at parks.qld.gov.au. visitsunshinecoast.com SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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PURSUIT OF PASSION

A BORN

performer WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS LISA PEARL 22

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Caroline as Velma Kelly in Chicago

THERE ARE INTERVIEWS where you switch on the recorder, settle into your chair and simply get down to business. And then there are those where you have to quietly keep your inner fangirl in check. Interviewing Caroline O’Connor was definitely the latter. I was also delighted to discover that, along with a shared love of the stage, we have something else in common – our Irish heritage! For anyone who loves musical theatre, Caroline is something of a legend. From Broadway and London’s West End to the biggest stages across Australia, she has built an extraordinary career playing some of theatre’s most memorable women, from Velma Kelly in Chicago to Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. She has won three Helpmann Awards, been nominated for an Olivier Award and appeared in films including Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge!. Yet when speaking to her, there is very little sense of the diva. Instead, there is warmth, humour, curiosity and an infectious enthusiasm for the thing she has spent her life doing. “I love all of it,” she tells me. “When I’m on stage I feel completely at home.” And perhaps that is the secret to a career that has taken her around the world. She never really planned it. In fact, when Caroline first discovered musical theatre, she admits she knew little about how to make a career from it. Born in Oldham, Lancashire, to Irish parents, she was the youngest of four children. Her three siblings were born in Ireland before the family moved to England, and she grew up in Sydney after migrating to Australia. Caroline began Irish dancing as a child and went on to study at London’s prestigious The Royal Ballet School, as well as training in tap, jazz and other forms of dance. But while dancing was something she knew she could do, singing was different.

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Caroline as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl

Looking back, though, there were clues. As a child, she would listen to her parents’ records and secretly sing along to the great musicals and singers of the day. Her mother even found old cassette tapes of Caroline singing as a 10- or 11-year-old along to songs from Gypsy, A Chorus Line and other musicals, trying to match the singers’ notes and timing. “I think it’s hilarious because obviously some part of me really loved that,” she says. The breakthrough came almost by accident. Caroline went along to an audition for Oklahoma! when the production needed a swing replacement (someone who steps in if someone is absent). Her preparation was hardly textbook. “I knew so little about how to approach musical theatre,” she says. For her audition, she sang I Got Rhythm — a song she had learned from a That’s Entertainment album she listened to constantly. “It was totally inappropriate,” she laughs. “But it worked.” What followed has been a career most performers could only dream about. But Caroline is quick to point out that she never set out with a carefully mapped-out plan. If anything, her philosophy has been to just say ‘yes’. That attitude has led to roles which have tested her in completely different ways. She has played real-life icons including Edith Piaf and Judy Garland, characters that require more than simply learning lines and songs. “I do a lot of research with characters, whether they’re fictional or real,” she says. “Just because I want to really try and inhabit them.” “It’s much harder when you have to play people that really existed. The responsibility is tremendous.” Caroline didn’t even speak French when she took on the role of Piaf. She simply said yes, then did the work. “I went to a tutor for four months before I started rehearsals,” she says. “I really do my homework.” It is an approach that perhaps explains why some of her performances have stayed with audiences for 24

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“

don’t decide something isn’t for you before you have even tried

”

so long. For me, her portrayal of Velma Kelly in Chicago remains one of my all-time favourite musical theatre performances. Caroline has played the role many times and remembers it fondly. “It’s one of those gifts that you get every now and again,” she says. “It just felt like a comfy shoe. “I’d listen to the script or the music and think, ‘I know exactly what to do here’.” But perhaps the greatest lesson from Caroline’s career is not to wait for the perfect opportunity. One of the most challenging roles of her career came when she received a message asking if she could travel to Paris almost immediately to play Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She had never played the role and had just two weeks to learn it. “I literally had to pack my bag that afternoon. I got on a plane [and] the next day off I went.” She was doing three sessions a day, learning the role while the rest of the production had already been rehearsed. Yet it is precisely these experiences that have shaped her. Her advice to young performers is refreshingly simple. “Go for everything. Don’t decide something isn’t for you before you have even tried.” It is advice she has clearly lived by. Caroline didn’t get her first leading lady role in the West End until she was 30.

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It was as Mabel Normand in the tragic-comedy Mack and Mabel, for which Caroline received her first Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. More than three decades later, Caroline is still doing what she loves. At the time of writing this, she is currently preparing to return to London to perform at the Garrick Theatre with lyricist Don Black, whose extraordinary body of work includes Sunset Boulevard and Tell Me on a Sunday. As I chat with Caroline, what comes through most strongly is that, after all these years, she still approaches her work with the same curiosity she had at the beginning. She still loves the costumes, makeup, lights, rehearsals and, most of all, the process of building a character. “I sit down with my script and I write little notes of things and ideas I might have,” she says. “Nothing ever seems dull to me.” When the curtain drops, life away from the stage is considerably quieter these days. After years of living and working in some of the world’s biggest cities, she has embraced the slower pace of life in Noosaville with her musician husband, Barrie Shaw. “Some days I have to pinch myself that we actually live here. We just love it,” she says. But the quieter pace of life on the Sunshine Coast hasn’t diminished her love of the stage. And somehow, that comes as no surprise. After a lifetime of performing, travelling the world and bringing some of theatre’s most unforgettable women to life, Caroline still has the enthusiasm, curiosity and energy for the next challenge. There are clearly more roles to play, more stories to tell and, hopefully, plenty more reasons for Caroline O’Connor to keep saying yes.

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PROFILE

MOTHER

to mother

WORDS LINDA HOOPER PHOTO LISA PEARL

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PHILIPPA SCOTT KNOWS what it’s like to be at rock bottom. To be a new mum feeling overwhelmed, alone and desperate for support. She’s turned that intensely emotional and personal experience into a passion for helping other mums in the same situation. And she’s loving it. “It’s where my heart sits,” she says. Instead of ignoring the difficult situations that have dogged her throughout her life, Philippa has leaned into them, learning strategies to not only cope but counsel others. Philippa has certainly faced many challenges. She grew up as the daughter of a Salvation Army preacher, subsequently attending 13 schools in 15

years, had two traumatic birth experiences and ended up with adrenal fatigue. All four of her daughters have been diagnosed with autism and three have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In addition, her husband has a degenerative neurological disease. It would have been easy to feel sorry for herself. Instead, Philippa has devoted the past 20 years of her life to learning how to be the best mum she can be and helping others. Philippa, a therapist and childbirth educator, has won many awards for her innovative businesses, including Fantastic Futures and The Mother Awakening, a movement helping women to heal the

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Philippa with her husband and four daughters when they were younger

root causes behind stress and reactive parenting. She has also written a book, Finding Your Tribe: From Isolation to Connection. Now, she has launched a new digital platform, Mum Wise, an easy-to-access, affordable tool which provides judgement-free support 24 hours a day. Believed to be the first of its kind in Australia, it’s currently available at the special introductory price of $9 per month. “I’m the mother of a daughter who had her baby when she was 20. She’s a single mum and I wanted to make it affordable for people like her,” Philippa tells salt. So how does it work? “When you join Mum Wise, you’ll get a link straight away, you can save it to your home screen, and from then on it sits there just like any other app on your phone,” Philippa explains. “No downloads, no faffing about. It’s just there. Ask it anything. “The question may be something like, ‘My four-year-old has a meltdown every time I drop him at day care, and I don’t know how to respond’. Or it could be, ‘I feel like I’m losing my 15-year-old daughter, and I don’t know how to make sure we have a solid relationship’. Within 10 to 30 seconds, you’ll receive an answer.” The responses are drawn from all of Philippa’s work over the years. “There are millions of words in there – all my podcasts, my courses, my blogs – all those pieces inform the responses that mums receive. “I thought very carefully about the experience I want someone to have when they use it, so the safety and the parameters are well thought out.” Philippa developed the technology after many weeks of sitting in front of her computer, teaching herself how to code. “I did reach out to a tech guy at the end to finalise a few pieces and I have a team that helps 28

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Women say they feel seen and Supported and there’s no judgement

”

now. It’s programmed on all my work, which I keep updating,” she says. She points out that Mum Wise is different to the automated responses one would get from ChatGPT. “Parents today have more information than they ever had, but they’re still less sure about what to do. Much of that information is conflicting, so it takes time, effort and energy to synthesise. “With ChatGPT they are getting a synthesis of generic information, but it’s not necessarily aligned to them. With Mum Wise, they know my work is all relationship-based, nervous system-friendly, neurodivergent-friendly and trauma-informed.” Philippa explains that her responses also provide a deeper understanding about what may be happening. “I provide advice on how to make relationships better, plus give them some tools on how to do it. When mums have been using Mum Wise for a while, they tend to find they have the opportunity for more self-reflection.” She is encouraged by the feedback she has received from her existing members. “Women say they feel seen and supported and there’s no judgement because when Mum Wise

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responds to you, it’s just me and it’s nurturing and loving.” She says many mums are feeling overwhelmed and alone. “A couple of hundred years ago, women relied on each other. Most people now don’t even know their neighbours, let alone have a relationship with them, and they feel really isolated.” There’s also a biological reason why mums often feel helpless. “We know that during the time of transitioning from maiden [woman] to becoming a mother, our wiring changes and we go from being quite individual to biologically needing other women. The research backs this up – your brain physically changes. Women are craving that connection, but they don’t have it facilitated.” The plethora of social media can also make mums feel like they are failing, Philippa says. “Everyone thinks they can see what is going on in someone else’s house, but you come into my house today and this is what it looks like after my granddaughter has been to visit and I’m packing for a trip. “This is reality. You don’t see that on Instagram or Facebook. “My clients often say to me, ‘It’s so refreshing to talk to you because your life is often overflowing and messy too’. In that messiness, is the beauty and sometimes, the opportunity to get some extra perspective and normalise the bits that you don’t want to share with anyone else.” There is no denying that Philippa exudes an honesty and vulnerability that is touching. Yes, she is a certified doula, a childbirth educator, perinatal therapist, family coach and The Richards Trauma Process (TRTP) practitioner. But she’s also a proud mum, wife and grandmother whose eyes fill with happy tears when I ask about her three-year-old granddaughter. Philippa’s daughters mumwise.com.au

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ROLE MODEL

WILD AT

heart WORDS JANE STEPHENS PHOTOS SUPPLIED Kurt Jones (left) with a Co-Exist volunteer 30

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Relax & Unwind Sunshine Beach Surf Club

A NAUGHTY BOY. Trouble in the classroom. Hard to handle. Impossible to entertain. There were no two ways about it: Kurt Jones was viewed as a disruptive child. His difficult demeanour saw him enrolled in and moved on from five different primary schools. He yo-yoed between foster and family homes. By any measure, he was lost and loose. Ten years on and Kurt is still upsetting the status quo – but instead of being intent on tearing it all down, he is building something for the greater good. It is hard to imagine a bigger turnaround in life. Kurt is the founder of Co-Exist, a movement that brings young people together to explore wild spaces and help protect and preserve natural environments. In a few short years, Co-Exist collectives have been established in 16 locations nationwide and have planted 56,000 trees. More than 500 organised events have attracted 8300 attendees, and its members have put in 20,000 volunteer hours and removed 6.3 tonnes of rubbish from beaches and rivers. More than 130 young people have completed its leadership program. It is nothing short of astounding, particularly as it is the brainchild of a 22-year-old whose start in life was tough. His dad died by suicide when he was in Year 1 and he was raised mostly by his grandparents. Amid the disruption, he was often at the centre of trouble. By the time Kurt reached high school age, he was deemed unsuitable for a mainstream school and was enrolled in a flexi-school for disengaged youth. But it was there he found his passion and purpose. “I thrived almost straight away,” he says. “We spent a lot of time outside, doing outdoor education, and I don’t even mean just on school camps – and we did a lot of school camps. But we were outside a lot and went on an adventure every week, whether going canoeing or fishing. We would literally spend half the day doing our schoolwork in the bush and would cook brekky on campfires next to the lake.”

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28/08/2026 10:36:40 AM

Kurt Jones

Kurt says he always liked nature documentaries by Steve Irwin and David Attenborough, but until high school, it was something to look at rather than be immersed in. What had been art became life for him and he flourished, with the school identifying his leadership potential. On reaching Year 12, he was made its school captain. “I loved camps in particular and by the middle of high school I found myself wanting to get into wild spaces and experience more of that,” Kurt says. “So I started to volunteer with wildlife organisations and those that are into landcare and that sort of thing. “As I was going along that track, I realised what being in the bush did for me in terms of my wellbeing. And when I thought hard about it, I realised that young people might be really passionate about the environment and social and wellbeing issues, but they weren’t actually getting into the bush or out into the community and volunteering. That realisation spiralled and I got hyper-focused.” Kurt says laying out the facts helped develop his big idea: people in their middle and older years make up the vast majority of volunteers in Australia and most young people are not keen to spend their weekends hanging out with older people. But young people are also lacking social connection and a sense of community and struggle to maintain good mental health. “So I thought, ‘well, is there a space here to create a community where young adults can get outside together, but it’s more than just going hiking and going camping’. They need to be inspired to actually get involved in looking after the planet,” he says. “I didn’t want it to feel like volunteering. I didn’t want it to be institutional; I didn’t want it to be particularly structured. I just wanted more young people to get outside, to be around good people, and feel that they can do good whilst they’re in the bush, or whilst getting involved in the community.” 32

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“

I realised what being in the bush did for me in terms of my wellbeing

”

Kurt formalised his idea in a business assignment in Year 11, developing a financial and marketing plan for the idea. That was the formal genesis of Co-Exist. Six months after he finished high school, Kurt registered Co-Exist as a non-profit organisation. For the next six months, he burnt the midnight oil building the brand and developing the business model – all the while working full-time on Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers’ social media and marketing. Word got around and Co-Exist was onboarding young people all over Queensland who wanted to not just come together, but to do something. At the start of 2023, Co-Exist launched a series of hikes, beach cleanups and tree-planting events. In the three years since, the movement has surged. Co-Exist has secured enough funding through philanthropic organisations including the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and the Natural Resources Conservation Trust to develop and expand. “I missed so much of the important parts of primary school and that left lasting marks, in that I failed maths all the way through and I still don’t know my times tables,” Kurt says. “But I think I have managed to find workarounds

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•PRINTS/ HOMEWARES NOOSA HEADS STUDIO VISITS BY APPOINTMENT •COMMISSIONS WELCOME •ORIGINALS

and it is pretty funny to think that I now manage an annual budget of half a million dollars.” “I am very entrepreneurial and I am very ambitious. I started this and it is going to make a difference, because there is a huge gap and such a huge need for young adults to make friends and reduce isolation and create more connection. “A lot of my friends growing up were not thinking about volunteering, but they would go hiking or camping with the boys or go surfing. So we organise events like that with good marketing, that basically looks like ‘come camping, come for a hike, meet some new friends in a beautiful place’, but at the same time, we incorporate an element like a bit of tree planting or waterway clean-up. It works because it is fun as well as purposeful.” Co-Exist’s core objective is to get more young people connected with nature instead of research, advocacy or activism. “If people are appreciative of nature, they’re going to want to look after nature,” he says. “I think for too long there has been this disconnect between social and environmental issues, when I think they’re very interconnected. “And there’s so much research that shows that being around good people, having good friends, being in a community and spending time out in nature is good for our mental health. “We want to offer more opportunities for young people right around Australia to just get outside and to meet new people and be able to make a difference along the way.”

gallery

m. 0417 071 336 info@artbybrooks.com.au

www.artbybrooks.com.au coexistaus.org SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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Standing on the deck of Le Commandant Charcot at 90° North was one of those rare travel moments that truly defied expectation. As a travel advisor, I’ve experienced many extraordinary destinations, but reaching the Geographic North Pole aboard the world’s only luxury icebreaker was unlike anything I’ve encountered. The journey itself was as remarkable as the destination. Sailing through vast Arctic landscapes, watching the ship effortlessly navigate thick sea ice, and witnessing polar bears and seals in their natural habitat created memories impossible to replicate. On board, every comfort was thoughtfully considered, from elegant suites and exceptional cuisine to insightful lectures from expert naturalists who brought the Arctic to life. Arriving at the very top of the world was deeply moving. There are no landmarks, only endless ice stretching to every horizon, yet the significance of standing at Earth’s northernmost point is profound. It’s an expedition that combines genuine exploration with uncompromising luxury! This is an experience I can wholeheartedly recommend to clients seeking the ultimate polar adventure. Natalie Cherry.

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TRAVEL

PAUSE AND POUR WORDS CANDICE HOLZNAGEL

THERE IS A glass of semillon in front of me. I pick it up and swirl it in what I hope is an expert manner. I have never really understood the purpose of the motion, but it seems I’m about to find out. “Swirling helps open up the wine and release the aromas,” says the bubbly and bright young woman standing beside our table. “And see those streaks running down the side of the glass? They’re the legs. They can give you an idea of the alcohol and body of the wine, but they don’t tell you if it’s a good wine.” One mystery solved. The swirling, it turns out, is not just something wine drinkers do to look as though they know what they are doing. I’m set to learn plenty more during our ‘Explorer’ wine tasting. Like the importance of the wine glass itself. I’ve always been what my friends call a ‘glass snob’, and I’m not afraid to admit it. My palate may be slightly unrefined, but I know that wine tastes better out of a quality glass. It turns out my fussiness has some scientific backing. The shape of a glass affects how aromas ‘collect’ and reach the nose, which changes how we perceive the wine. Vindication at last. Our tasting includes five white semillons and six shirazes. And while the smooth wines are impressive, the valley outside is doing a fairly good job of competing for my attention. From our high bar table, birds are pretty much all we can hear, except for the occasional car making its way along the country road. I glance beyond my glass and through the windows towards the green folds of the Hunter Valley. At Thomas Wines in Pokolbin, the approach to wine is serious, but the atmosphere is anything but 36

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The Vue, Cedars Mount View

stuffy. Founder and winemaker Andrew Thomas has built his reputation largely around two varieties synonymous with the Hunter – semillon and shiraz – producing boutique, single-vineyard wines since 1997. Thomas Wines was named the 2026 Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year. It is a fitting place to begin a few days exploring one of Australia’s best-known wine regions. The Hunter is home to more than 150 wineries, which means even the most enthusiastic wine drinker is going to have to accept defeat at some point. Rather than trying to tackle the region as one enormous trail, visitors can follow routes through seven subregions, from Pokolbin and Lovedale to Broke Fordwich, Mount View and Wollombi. Around Hermitage, where Thomas Wines is, there is even a 10-kilometre cycleway with more than a dozen cellar doors dotted along the route – although common sense

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Five STAR

AVE L

sauna and spa overlooking the countryside. The transformation has attracted national attention. Cedars won bronze in the Self-Contained Accommodation category at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards before taking gold the following year. Yet for all the beautiful interiors and luxury touches, its greatest asset might simply be its location. Pokolbin’s collection of wineries and restaurants is within easy reach, as is Cessnock, but Mount View feels removed from the main circuit. The roads are narrow, vineyards climb slopes and thick bush replaces some of the Hunter’s traditional broad vineyard country. The following morning, we take one of those roads towards Wollombi. We don’t get particularly far before an unplanned – and slightly unusual – stop. Wollombi Cemetery sits on the outskirts of the village, its old headstones scattered across the hillside. We pull over for what is intended to be a quick look. It isn’t. The cemetery contains memorials dating from 1834. Among those buried are early settlers, assigned servants, Irish political prisoners and soldiers who fought against Napoleon. It is a quiet and unexpectedly moving introduction to Wollombi itself. The village was established as an administrative centre in the 1830s, at a junction of the Great North Road – the extraordinary 240-kilometre route built by convict labour between 1826 and 1836 to link Sydney with Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Remnants of the original road remain today. In town, sandstone churches, old timber buildings and weathered shopfronts make Wollombi feel a long way from the polished tasting rooms of Pokolbin. And perhaps that is the point. The Hunter may have built its reputation on what is poured into the glass, but turn off the obvious route and there is plenty to discover between tastings. Local tip: Five minutes from Cedars, you will find the impressive Bistro Molines. Set among the vineyards, it pairs French-inspired food with sweeping vistas. The restaurant has earned a coveted chef’s hat every year since 2010, including one hat this year. Reservations are essential.

★★

suggests some restraint may be required if you plan to remain upright on two wheels. There are the big names, of course, but also cellar doors tucked down country lanes and restaurants nestled among the vines. It is in one of the quieter pockets where we end our first day at the Hunter, settling into Mount View for the weekend ahead. As the sun begins to set behind the majestic Broken Back Range, I drink in the view – a phrase that feels appropriate given the location. The sun, now a deep orange ball, casts a glow onto the paddock dotted with wild lemon trees that stretches before me. I could get used to this slower-paced way of life. Admittedly, there is a glass of wine in my hand and nowhere I need to be, so perhaps this is not the moment to make any major life decisions. That evening, around a crackling fire, I chat with the gently spoken Christelle Chardin, who owns Cedars Mount View with husband Gilbert. Their story begins a long way from here, in the Basque Country of France. The couple arrived in Australia as backpackers in 2011. Sometime during that adventure, they came up with the idea of one day creating their own eco-lodge. Sydney became home, and by 2019, they were citizens, had a baby on the way and decided city life was no longer for them. They began searching for somewhere to turn their idea into reality. They found it at Mount View. More than three years of drought had left the property parched and, as Christelle and Gilbert prepared to move, the devastating 2019-20 bushfires swept through the region. They watched and waited as the fires edged closer, eventually stopping only kilometres away. They moved to Cedars in January 2020. Then COVID arrived. Needless to say, it wasn’t the introduction to regional tourism they imagined. Since then, Cedars has undergone a reinvention. Today, five villas are scattered throughout the 94-acre property. There are plenty of thoughtful details. Villa Stella has a two-metre skylight above the bed for stargazing, while The Vue has a heated plunge pool,

URS &

All our tours start and finish in the Brisbane/Sunshine Coast regions with complimentary home pick-ups and returns available in most areas. CONTACT US ON 5391 1648 or 0409 278 971 cttravel.com.au

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TRAVEL

Verona Old Town, from Castel San Pietro. PHOTO: Ian Lowrie

Italy, it’s

amore WORDS SHIRLEY SINCLAIR

THIS IS A TALE of two cities in Northern Italy: Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, and Veneto’s Verona. Both share impressive tourism credentials of rich histories, cultural significance and architecture – from medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to eye-catching modern styles. But the world knows Bologna is all about food. So, in anticipation of a city-wide gastronomical feast, I decide to first work up an appetite with an inspiring walk through history – from arches and porticos to cathedrals and churches, fountains and piazzas. The Basilica Di San Petronio (built in 1390) that dominates Piazza Maggiore, for example, is the oldest and largest in the city, dedicated to the bishop of Bologna in the 5th century. But you’ll really clock up the steps by trying to find the ‘perfect angle’ for an Instagram-able shot of Asinelli and Garisenda: Bologna’s medieval towers. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bologna was Italy’s ‘Manhattan’, when more than 180 towers reached for the sky. Rival families are credited with building Asinelli and Garisenda as a sign of power and status, between 1109 and 1119. Progress and development claimed most of the 38

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others in the early 20th century. So, Asinelli and Garisenda have since become the symbols of Bologna. Garisenda has a steep overhang due to subsidence of the land. It was lowered in the 14th century for fear of collapse. A barrier has now been erected around the 48-metre landmark that is Italy’s ‘other leaning tower’. With a tilt of four degrees, it is at an even greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa at 3.9 degrees. Experts hope the equipment and know-how that was used to stop the Pisa tower from collapsing also will help curb any movement and cracking of Garisenda. The Asinelli Tower, the taller of the two at 97.02 metres, has become a major tourist attraction for its breathtaking views up 498 internal steps to the top. This city walk is a great first course for ‘tasting Bologna’ – an ideal accompaniment to our apartment, called Un Gioiello Sotto le Due Torri (A Jewel Under the Two Towers). Our host Filippo had recommended Trattoria Gianni among his favourite eateries. So, we booked. And of course, for my first meal in Bologna, I had to sample the dish the city gave the world. We know it as spaghetti bolognaise. But in Italy,

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PHOTO: Shirley Sinclair

Mercato delle Erbe market, Bologna

the authentic rich, meat-based sauce simmered with vegetables and wine is ‘ragù alla Bolognese’ – traditionally served with tagliatelle, not spaghetti. Trattoria Gianni did Bologna’s culinary heritage proud. Honourable mention also must go to nearby Ristorante La Capriata’s tagliatelle con ragu – said to be made according to the city’s oldest recipe, slow-cooked for six hours. But it was Ela, from Devour tours, who truly brought out the flavours of the region for us. Booked through GetYourGuide, Ela’s foodie walking tour introduced us to the best of Mercato delle Erbe (market), designed in its current form in 1910, where Bologna producers and chefs give a nod to history and time-honoured traditions, while also offering a modern twist to authentic tastes. They proudly present their vibrant shopfronts and stalls overflowing with light pastries, handmade tortellini, mortadella and Parma prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, pistachio gelato and the quirky lasagna verde (with colours honouring the Italian flag), to name a few. And we savoured some of this ‘slow food’ smorgasbord at the oldest osteria in Bologna (Osteria del Sole, 1465). This is a medieval place lost in time, where you can BYO any of the delicious local delicacies and eat around big wooden tables, talking with newfound friends over a glass of beer or wine – recreating scenes of merriment across the centuries. What Bologna is to food, Verona is to romance. And while there is no evidence to suggest Shakespeare ever visited the fair Verona of his tragedy Romeo and Juliet and comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona, he lived in a time when travellers’ tales could conjure up desire and longing to visit – as they still do today. And like many tourists in Verona, I wanted to see the cobblestoned courtyard with its statue of Juliet and her balcony. Yes, I know the balcony was added in 1936 as part of a restoration project to enhance the historical site, which was acquired by the Municipality of Verona in 1905. Yes, I know the Nereo Costantini statue was erected in the courtyard in 1972. But Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) at Via Cappello 23 is still among the most visited places in Verona (the long line of tourists one Saturday

Juliet’s statue, Verona

“

What bologna is to food, verona is to romance

”

afternoon, spilling through the alleyway and out into the street of shops, attested to that!). Also in the courtyard is one of Verona’s red mailboxes where love-lorn pilgrims from all over the world can hand deliver their letters seeking guidance. Visitors also can volunteer their time to The Juliet Club to become her ‘secretaries’ – even for a day – to answer some of the 50,000 letters they receive each year (julietclub.com/en/). The medieval tower house, documented since 1351, originally drew visitors as an inn. Visit Verona (visitverona.it) reports that this place was first associated with the story of Romeo and Juliet by Luigi da Porto in 1531, immortalised by William Shakespeare in 1596, and identified as the house of the Capulets in the 18th century (Montecchi/ Montagues and Cappelletti/Capulets lived in the city in the 16th century). Inside, paintings, engravings and sculptures recreate the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (including the bed used in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film among the exhibits). If you find all that a little underwhelming, all is not lost in the love stakes. In fact, Verona has a countryside custom built for long, romantic walks. And the story of the deep bonds between star-crossed lovers is in the back of my head as hubby and I set out to explore ‘The City of Love’ over two days. SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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PHOTO: Shirley Sinclair

The promenade along the Adige River

Ela, from Devour tours, introduces us to Mercato delle Erbe

First, we plotted a course from our Hotel Mastino, through the medieval, arched Portoni della Bra (the primary gateway to the ancient city) and Piazza Bra (the largest public square in Verona), around the Roman Arena to Castelvecchio. The strategic location of this square, red-bricked ‘Old Castle’, built between 1354 and 1376, meant it served as fortress and residence for the powerful Lord of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala, allowing the Scaliger dynasty to control access to the city in the Middle Ages. Within its walls is housed the Museo di Castelvecchio. The museum has impressive paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, for example, along with armour, weapons and sculptures through the ages. Like us, visitors can while away hours wandering the castle walls, courtyards and ramparts, taking in the sweeping views of the historical city centre and photographing the fortified bridge, Ponte Scaligero, across the Adige River. But don’t stop there. We were rewarded with a walk across Ponte Scaligero to Giardini Sandro Pertini: a green space with gardens and reflective water feature that recharged us enough to head back into the open-air markets of Piazza delle Erbe for some people watching at Bistrot della Scala. After beating the crowds with an early Sunday morning stroll around Juliet’s House, past Casa di Romeo (you guessed it: Romeo’s House), and the Dante Alighieri statue in Piazza dei Signori (erected in 1863 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Italian poet, writer and philosopher’s birth), we headed once again to the Adige River over Ponte Garibaldi (named after the hero of the unification of modern Italy). The river promenade led us to the funicular for Castel San Pietro and its Austrian fortifications on 40

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The Roman Arena, Verona

San Pietro Hill. Lying 70 metres above the river, this 19th-century military fortress once held the most important strategic position in the city but now offers visitors a comprehensive view of the medieval historic centre. No wonder it is the most photographed panorama of Veneto. We weren’t the only couple being swept away for hours, spotting the Roman Arena, bell tower of the Verona Cathedral and the dark, pointed spire of the Gothic Basilica di Santa Anastasia (the largest church in the city), historic bridges and the Scaliger towers – with a backdrop of vineyards in the Valpolicella viticultural zone. A return meander over Ponte Pietra (the oldest stone bridge in Verona, originally built in 100BC) to Piazza dei Signori for dinner at Impero Trattoria Pizzeria (an ‘open-air living room’ in one of the oldest pizzerias in Verona) was almost all the romance I could take for one day.

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LOCAL LEADERS

REDEFINING THE JOINT REPLACEMENT EXPERIENCE Sunshine st Orthopaedic Group WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTO SUPPLIED

WHEN PROFESSOR Daevyd Rodda first arrived on the Sunshine Coast in 2015, it was meant to be a temporary move. Originally from Melbourne, the orthopaedic surgeon had planned little more than a working holiday. But like so many before him, he was captivated by the lifestyle, the people and the potential of the region. “I’ve always loved the Sunshine Coast,” he tells salt. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve been coming to Noosa for holidays. Originally it was just going to be for a six-month working holiday and then I just fell in love with the place. I loved the people as well. I made the decision that I wanted to live up here full time.” That decision has helped shape orthopaedic care on the Sunshine Coast. Professor Rodda founded the Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group, which has grown 42

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into a team of five specialist surgeons consulting across Noosa, Maroochydore and Birtinya. More recently, as co-founder of Maroochydore Private Hospital, which opened in June this year, he has helped pioneer a new model of specialist orthopaedic care focused on delivering an exceptional joint replacement experience close to home. Today, Professor Rodda performs around 800 hip and knee replacements each year and has completed more than 5000 joint replacements during his career. Yet, he says, the greatest reward has never been the surgery itself. “It’s rare that we do life-saving operations,” he says. “We do things that improve people’s quality of life. People come in and they’re in pain. “They can’t sleep. They can’t play with the grandkids. They can’t play golf. Hip and knee replacements have the potential to restore people’s

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quality of life. “It’s so satisfying to see people come in a few months after surgery. They’re often back doing the things they love, with a big smile on their face. They can look like different people.” Medicine wasn’t always his intended career. “As a high school student, I always wanted to do commerce and law,” Professor Rodda says. It was his mother, a nurse, who encouraged him to pursue medicine. “My mum was really my inspiration to do medicine. She said, ‘Daevyd, you were born to be a doctor’.” Once immersed in medicine, he quickly realised orthopaedics was the right fit. “The thing about orthopaedics is it self-selects people,” he says. “You know from very early on if you want to be an orthopaedic surgeon.” “I think people who do surgery fundamentally have to enjoy the technical aspects. They have to enjoy working in a team environment because surgery is absolutely a team sport.” That team philosophy has shaped Maroochydore Private Hospital. Designed specifically around musculoskeletal care, the hospital focuses on excellent clinical outcomes, patient experience and building the right team. “Healthcare is a people business,” Professor Rodda says. “One of our biggest focuses from the very start was how do we get the right team.” Patient wellbeing has influenced everything from the hospital’s design to nearly 300 on-site car parks. Even hospital meals have been reimagined through a partnership with high-profile Maroochydore restaurant Market Bistro. “This hospital is about wellness. It’s not about sickness,” Professor Rodda explains. That philosophy even extends to what patients wear after surgery. “I prefer that they’re not in a hospital gown. They wear a T-shirt and shorts, which I jokingly refer to as their exercise gear. The reason is people associate hospital gowns with being sick. I want people to associate what we’re doing here with wellness and improving quality of life.” The hospital also features advanced robotic technology, but Professor Rodda believes technology should support, not replace, clinical expertise. “These technologies assist the surgeons. They don’t replace the surgeons.” Nor, he says, can they replace the relationship between surgeon and patient. “A successful outcome isn’t just a technically wellexecuted procedure,” he says. “It’s someone who is supported throughout the journey, who feels prepared and educated before their operation, who comes in calmly and confidently, who has a highquality procedure and is then supported through the post-operative journey by an integrated team. “An important part of that preparation is ensuring patients understand both the potential benefits and the risks of surgery, so they can make an informed decision about whether an operation is right for them.” Professor Rodda’s practice focuses exclusively on

hip and knee replacement surgery using musclesparing techniques where appropriate, including anterior hip replacement and subvastus knee replacement. He stresses that outcomes vary between patients and surgical approaches are always selected on clinical grounds. Beyond the operating theatre, Professor Rodda hosts the Sunshine Coast’s only international fellowship in hip and knee replacement surgery and continues research partnerships with the University of the Sunshine Coast. His commitment to improving lives also extends through the Sporting Chance Foundation, established in 2018 to provide free orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation for young Indigenous athletes from remote communities. “We realised we’re in a very fortunate position doing what we’re doing,” he says. “Sporting Chance Foundation was aimed to help young Indigenous athletes, who have had a musculoskeletal injury while playing sport, to help them get back to whatever sport they want to play.” Improving access to surgery has also driven another major initiative. Professor Rodda founded what became Medibank’s no-gap joint replacement program, which has since expanded to private health insurers HCF, NIB and Bupa, helping more than 10,000 Australians receive surgery without significant surgeon or anaesthetist out-of-pocket costs. “It allows patients to access an extremely comprehensive surgical care pathway in a highly focused and brand new facility, with no out-ofpocket expenses.” For Professor Rodda, watching the region establish itself as a destination for specialist healthcare has been one of the biggest industry changes he has witnessed. “When I first moved to the Sunshine Coast, there was this prevailing mindset that people had to go to Brisbane to receive high-quality healthcare,” he says. “Over time, we’ve seen that trend reverse.” Today, patients travel from across Queensland, interstate and overseas for treatment. “I think the most exciting thing for me is to really see the Sunshine Coast be put on the map as a centre for high-quality healthcare.” And after thousands of operations, it’s still the people who inspire him the most. “I still love the technical challenge of orthopaedics,” Professor Rodda says. “But what I really love is the patient interactions and seeing patients after their surgery, watching them through their recovery and ultimately seeing them getting back to doing the things they want to do. That’s the thing that’s really rewarding.”

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PODCASTS

LISTEN WORDS ABBEY CANNAN

up!

HAVE YOU EVER questioned whether the person walking past hysterically laughing or wiping away a tear is because they’re slightly unhinged, or whether they’re simply listening to a podcast on their AirPods? Because I’ve certainly been that person. What started as a niche corner of the internet has transformed into a full-blown renaissance of storytelling through sound. Around the globe, more than 400 million listeners now tune in regularly, diving into everything from true crime and comedy to in-depth interviews and niche hobbies. With an audience this large, it’s no surprise there are now more than two million independent podcasts, collectively producing tens of millions of episodes. At this point, some people joke that you should need a licence just to own a microphone, given how many new creators are stepping behind one every day. But maybe that’s the magic of it. Anyone with a story, a passion, or a hot take can join the global conversation. And even from our own corner of the globe, we can tap into stories, conversations and ideas unfolding almost anywhere in the world. Here are my top six podcast picks.

Big Small Talk hosts

THE MORNING SHIFT From our neighbours across the sea, The Morning Shift is a popular New Zealand podcast hosted by Brook Ruscoe, Jordan Vaha’akolo, and Marc Peard, covering culture, entertainment, sport, and thought-provoking conversations. Three mates, one microphone, every weekday from 5am. What started in a garage after ditching corporate radio jobs has grown into one of the most-listened-to podcasts in the country.

HAPPY HOUR WITH LUCY AND NIKKI Happy Hour takes you into the lives of Lucy Jackson and Nikki Westcott, the founders of fashion label JGR & STN. Originally from north Queensland and now based on the Gold Coast, the best friends have built one of Australia’s biggest podcasts for women, with their community of ‘punters’ quickly growing into a loyal following. From business and relationships to wild party stories and everything in between, Lucy and Nikki create the kind of conversations that feel like catching up with your own friends. 44

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BIG SMALL TALK So, you want to know what’s happening in parliament, but you also want the latest pop culture drama? Then Big Small Talk is the podcast for you. Hosts Hannah Ferguson and Sarah-Jane Adams take you from the newspapers to your newsfeeds, proving no story is too serious, stale, funny, or frivolous. As they say, loving pop culture doesn’t mean you don’t understand politics.

REDHANDED

If true crime is your thing, RedHanded delivers a weekly dose of murder, mystery and wit, packed with facts, anecdotal tangents, serious social commentary and a distinctly British flavour. The award-winning podcast from hosts Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala has built a huge global audience, attracting millions of downloads every month.

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THE INSPIRED UNEMPLOYED

LOUIS THEROUX PODCAST Chances are you’ve heard of English journalist, author and filmmaker, Louis Theroux. The genre-defining documentary maker is known for his immersive films exploring the controversial and complex sides of the human condition. In his recent Netflix documentary, Inside the Manosphere, Louis explored a network of ultra-masculine influencers shaping ideas of manhood around the world. On his podcast, he continues the conversations, diving into in-depth and free-flowing interviews with fascinating figures from across the globe.

Hosted by two best mates from small towns on the south coast of New South Wales, Matt Ford and Jack Steele’s infectious energy and cheery spirit have earned them a special place in the hearts of millions of Aussies. Whether they’re in the ‘vault’ venting about everyday frustrations, sharing their most cringeworthy rattled stories, recounting funny travel tales, or opening up through vulnerable moments, their authenticity always shines through. Listening in the car, I feel like I’m part of their friendship group, laughing at their most embarrassing moments and tearing up alongside them through life’s biggest changes. They’re not trying to be funny – they just are.

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GOOD READS

Read

all about it Recline in your favourite chair with one of these beauties. HARE + KLEIN DESIGN Meryl Hare | Thames & Hudson | $85 HARE + KLEIN DESIGN is a stunning celebration of one of Australia’s most respected interior design studios, showcasing the enduring elegance that has defined Meryl Hare’s work for decades. Through an impressive collection of beautifully crafted homes, the book reveals Hare’s signature approach, where texture, light and form combine to create interiors that feel timeless, welcoming and deeply personal. From serene coastal retreats to sophisticated urban residences, each project reflects an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, bespoke detailing and an intuitive understanding of how people live within a space. Rich photography is complemented by Hare’s thoughtful commentary, offering readers valuable insight into the creative process behind each home, from the initial concept through to the carefully considered finishing touches. With luxurious production values, exceptional photography and inspiring design philosophy, it is both a visual feast and an invaluable source of inspiration for homeowners and design professionals alike.

THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY Elizabeth Strout | Penguin | $35 Excitement percolates when Elizabeth Strout is set to release a new work. Her new novel, THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY, tells the story of Artie Dam, a man with a secret. He spends his days teaching history to high school students – a noble and necessary calling. He expands their young minds, corrects their casual cruelties and lends kind words to the teens who need them most. By all appearances, he is a man worthy of love and admiration – if only Artie saw it in himself. As a history teacher, he’s beset by the troubles of the world gone mad. While in the classroom, Artie is patient, thoughtful and quietly transformative, but he finds himself asking questions that are likely to catch us all in the current climate: what on earth is going on, and how do we hold on to hope for peace? Elizabeth Strout is beloved for her exquisite prose and profound insight. THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY is no exception to those high expectations. From one of our most acclaimed observers of the human heart, this novel is one not to be missed.

b k

G I V E A W A Y Thanks to Annie’s Books on Peregian, we have a copy of THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY to give away. For your chance to win this prize, head to saltmagazine.com.au and click on the ‘win’ tab to enter. 46

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SOURDOUGH EVERYTHING Rachel Pardoe | Dorling Kindersley | $49.99 Part science, part craft, baking sourdough is far more approachable than its reputation suggests, especially with expert guidance from superstar baker Rachel Pardoe. SOURDOUGH EVERYTHING takes the mystery out of the process with clear, step-by-step instructions on creating and maintaining a healthy starter before transforming it into an impressive range of delicious bakes. Even if you’ve already begun with a starter and it’s waiting for its time to shine in the back of your refrigerator, SOURDOUGH EVERYTHING will reinvigorate your need to make bread. Beyond mastering the perfect loaf, the book showcases more than 70 inventive recipes that demonstrate the versatility of sourdough, from everyday sandwich bread and buttery pastries to pretzels, pizza, sweet buns and French crullers. Helpful troubleshooting advice, detailed explanations of fermentation and beautifully photographed techniques make it equally valuable as a reference guide.

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TWO ISLANDS

THE COMPACT GARDEN Char & Marv Lopez | Dorling Kindersley | $45

Ian Kemish | Penguin | $34.99

Gardens need not be defined by vast plots of land – creativity often flourishes within constraints. That is the central message of THE COMPACT GARDEN, an inspiring and practical guide from gardening enthusiasts and social media favourites Marv and Char Lopez of @plantedinthegarden. Drawing on their own experience of transforming a modest suburban space into a thriving food garden, the authors demonstrate how raised beds, containers and vertical planting can produce abundant harvests without requiring extensive land. Step-by-step projects, vibrant photography and approachable advice make the book especially welcoming for beginners, while handy crop profiles, planting calendars and organic pest-management tips provide a useful reference for those more experienced gardeners. The book has a warm, encouraging tone and beautiful presentation that simplifies gardening without sacrificing practical value. Beautifully designed and packed with achievable ideas, THE COMPACT GARDEN proves that even the smallest outdoor space can become a productive, flourishing oasis. This is a worthwhile addition to the bookshelf of aspiring and established gardeners to support them on a rewarding journey towards growing their own organic vegetables.

Set against the rugged beauty and brooding isolation of a remote Scottish isle, TWO ISLANDS is a compelling political thriller that combines edge-of-your-seat suspense with thoughtful exploration of justice, memory and belonging. When Niko arrives on the island, the close-knit locals greet him with suspicion, but Niko is there for a reason. He’s running for his life. In pursuit are those who wish to silence him: shadowy figures who don’t want him to share what he’s seen during the Balkan war. Niko’s neighbour is known to the villagers as ‘Slow Fergus’. The two characters circle one another, and all the while Australian war crimes investigator Anita Costello is in a race against sinister forces to locate her key witness. Two Islands shows compassion and insight as it explores how the ripples of distant conflicts can wash up in unexpected places. Kemish’s experience within Australia’s consular service shines through in his first foray into fiction. Compassionate, intelligent and vividly realised, TWO ISLANDS is an accomplished debut that demonstrates how the consequences of distant wars can reverberate across generations and continents. Book reviews by Annie’s Books on Peregian, 8 Kingfisher Drive, Peregian Beach. 5448 2053 or anniesbooksonperegian.com.au

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ACE PADDLE CLUBS

Drew and Anna

ACE OF AN IDEA ACE PADEL CLUBS is the vision of husband-andwife team Drew and Anna, high school sweethearts who have recently welcomed their first baby into the family. The idea for Ace began two years ago after a trip to Spain to visit friends, where Drew was introduced to padel and instantly became hooked. When he returned home, he quickly realised the closest place to play was in Brisbane and saw a clear opportunity to bring the sport to the Sunshine Coast. “Ace has been something we’ve talked about and worked towards for such a long time, so seeing people actually walk through the doors, pick up a racket and enjoy the space is pretty surreal,” Drew says. “We wanted to create more than just somewhere to play padel – we wanted to build a place people genuinely love coming to.” Originating in Europe, padel has become the world’s fastest-growing sport. Combining elements of tennis, pickleball and squash, it’s easy to learn, highly social and gentler on the joints than many traditional racquet sports. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or have years of experience, it’s a game designed to bring people together. “The Sunshine Coast has such an active, social community, and we really felt like padel belonged here,” Drew says. “It’s a sport that makes it easy to meet people, have fun and enjoy being active together.” That sense of connection is at the heart of Ace Padel Clubs. Drew and Anna’s vision has always been about much more than building a sporting venue – they wanted to create a place where community, social 48

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connection and sport all come together under the one roof. It’s a club where everyone is welcome, the ego is left at the door and beginners feel just as comfortable as experienced players. The aim is for friendships to be built as naturally as rallies. Located in Forest Glen, Ace Padel Clubs features four premium indoor padel courts, a café and bar, a fully stocked pro shop, a dedicated stretch and warmup zone, pool table and TVs throughout the venue, as well as modern bathrooms, showers and lockers. Every part of the club has been thoughtfully designed to create an environment where people can play, relax, connect and keep coming back. “We’ve put so much of ourselves into creating Ace, and seeing the response from the Sunshine Coast already has been amazing,” Anna says. “Our biggest goal was to create a space that feels fun, social and welcoming, and somewhere people want to keep coming back to. We’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead.” For Drew and Anna, opening Ace has marked the end of one long chapter and the beginning of another. “There have been plenty of long days and late nights getting Ace to this point, so opening the doors and seeing the courts full has made all of it worth it,” Drew says. Now, with a new baby at home and their once far-off idea finally a reality, the couple is looking forward to seeing where the game takes them next. “This is only the beginning for us,” Drew says. “I’m really excited to see the community that grows around Ace.”

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0494 638 576

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acepadelclubs.com.au

28/08/2026 10:46:52 AM

MEAT THE MAKER

The cut of excellence A showcase of skilled butchers, celebrating craftsmanship, provenance and the finest local meats.

Since 2016, FRESH MEATS has proudly served the Sunshine Coast with the freshest meat, seafood and natural ready-meal solutions from their retail store at 86 Wises Road, Maroochydore. The 145 local staff also process, pack and deliver fresh, quality products across Queensland five days a week to wholesale/food service customers in hospitality, retail, healthcare and education. Local people, local products, local knowledge. Fresh Meats has the scale and breadth of full-service solutions for all your needs, while providing the focus and attention needed for reliable, genuine customer service. 86 Wises Road, Maroochydore.

PINNELL’S GOURMET MEATS has become a trusted local butcher on the Sunshine Coast, built on a commitment to quality, traditional butchery and personalised customer service. Owners Adam and Michelle Rauber moved to the Coast more than seven years ago, bringing with them a passion for quality food and community. Adam has more than 25 years of experience in the meat industry and his vision has always been simple – provide premium-quality meat, friendly service and products that keep customers coming back. They carefully source premium beef, lamb, pork, chicken and gourmet smallgoods from trusted suppliers. They also prepare a wide range of products in-store, including marinated meats, gourmet sausages, schnitzels, kebabs, and ready-to-cook meal options. Caloundra Village Shopping Centre, Ormuz Avenue, Caloundra.

At WRIGHT CUT MEATS, the connection between the paddock and the plate is central to the business. The team operates a regeneratively managed cattle farm at Kilkivan, producing 100 per cent grass-fed, vaccine-free beef raised without chemicals. That same approach guides the sourcing of meat and eggs from like-minded farmers. Their philosophy is simple: was the earth looked after, was the animal treated well and is it food they would happily feed their own children? The team also practises whole-carcass butchery, a traditional approach, allowing customers access to harder-to-find cuts. Also known for its traditionally smoked smallgoods, the business is committed to making nourishing and ethically produced meat affordable. Wright Cut Meats, 2 Maple Lane, Cooroy.

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EASTWELL FARMS is built on three generations, all farming on the same Kin Kin soil. Cattle move to fresh paddocks daily on chemical-free, regeneratively farmed land, while oyster, lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms grow nearby in a specialised cultivation environment. It is beef and fungi produced with a focus on simplicity: 100 per cent grass-fed and finished, non-GMO and nothing sprayed. Better still, it travels. The range is delivered paddock-to-plate across the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba and south to Byron Bay. Scan the QR code to learn more about how the farm operates, shop the range and claim a discount on a first delivery. eastwellfarms.com.au

Found nestled in the quiet, calming town of Hunchy is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secrets. MARY RIVER MEATS is no run-of-the-mill butcher store, having a delicious selection of meats available 24 hours, seven days a week in its unmanned shop. It’s a store designed for those late-night “I don’t know what we’re doing for dinner” scenarios. The team prides itself on working with local meat and local farmers. While it is a butcher store stocking fresh and frozen meats, as well as smallgoods, it also offers some necessity items, such as fresh eggs and avos for those perfect breakfasts. At the heart of Mary River Meats is a family-owned business, Mary Valley Smallgoods, in the local town of Carters Ridge. There, the team produce all of the meat and products in its specialty smallgoods factory, delivering fresh restocks to Mary River Meats. Mary River Meats Butcher Shop, 486 Hunchy Road, Hunchy.

PREMIUM CUTS • SMALLGOODS • SEAFOOD • BULK BUYS • RETAIL • WHOLESALE

Premium cuts. Expertly prepared. Delivering premium meats, specialty products and quality retail and wholesale service with the largest selection of pre pack meat across the Sunshine Coast. MASSIVE WALK-THROUGH COOL ROOM SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. 11 HELEN STREET, CALOUNDRA WEST | OPEN 7 DAYS | CALOUNDRABULKMEATS.COM.AU

SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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news

SPRING IS ALWAYS a great time to get out and explore what’s new on the Sunshine Coast, and there’s certainly plenty happening across our food scene. At Alexandra Headland, the former Hathi Indian Restaurant site has been given a fresh lease on life with the arrival of Olas Beach House, a new Mediterraneaninspired beach bar created by three local hospitality professionals. It’s a vibrant new addition to the Coast and one I’m looking forward to watching develop. Over in quirky Queen Street, Nambour, Kristy Sweet has opened Queen Street Wine Bar, offering great wines by the glass, locally sourced nibbles and a relaxed early-evening vibe. It’s the sort of place that works equally well for locals finishing work, couples starting their night or friends catching up before dinner or an event. And hooray – Daisy’s Place is back! One of the region’s most-loved destinations has officially reopened and is looking better than ever. Under the guidance of Sue Joseph, chefs Jason Slade and Tom Castaldi and the team, the venue has been beautifully refreshed while retaining everything locals have always loved – warm hospitality, great coffee and delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch. We’re giving the lunch menu a big thumbs up, and those donuts are definitely worth sharing. Make sure you also allow time to browse the curated gift shop, packed with Italian jewellery, handcrafted pottery, homewares and plenty of unique finds. There’s another exciting transformation happening at Yandina, where Fairhill has been reimagined as Fairhill Adventure Gardens. It’s a wonderful mix of great food, coffee from Eumundi Coffee Roasters, a natives-first nursery and immersive garden

experiences. Wander through the lush gardens, enjoy breakfast or lunch, browse the nursery and slow down for a while. Angela and David have poured plenty of heart and vision into the transformation, and Fairhill is well and truly blooming again. If waterfront dining is more your thing, River Bar & Dining at Kawana Waters Marina is well worth a visit. Longtime fans of The Boat Shed at Cotton Tree will be pleased to discover its sister venue. Open daily from 11.30am, it’s a great spot for tapas, drinks, long lunches or simply settling in for a relaxed meal while enjoying the beautiful waterfront views. Spring also brings an exciting new chapter at The Surf Club Mooloolaba with the arrival of executive chef Chadd Kitto. Bringing a wealth of experience, fresh inspiration and a genuine passion for memorable dining, Chadd is set to lead the next chapter across the club’s two award-winning restaurants. And if you’re in the mood for something refined – and perhaps a little indulgent – make your way to The Silva Spoon in Cotton Tree. Crowned Best Teahouse QLD 2025 at the Golden Leaf Awards, The Silva Spoon is known for exquisite cakes, elegant sandwiches, savoury bites and an impressive selection of teas, tea lattes and speciality drinks. And yes, the scones are absolutely worth it!

Martin Duncan e

Your Sunshin st f die

Martin Duncan, better known as the Sunshine Coast Foodie, is passionate about showcasing the region’s restaurants, cafés, producers and local flavours. A former chef and restaurateur, Martin has become a genuine connector across food, agribusiness and hospitality, while also leading the heartwarming Sconetime initiative – bringing seniors, carers, companions and families together over fresh scones and conversation.

‘Parmageddon’ hits every Tuesday night at TEWANTIN NOOSA RSL and it’s a parmi lover’s paradise. Members can take on the ultimate parmi showdown with a choice of six epic parmies. Go naked or traditional for classic crowd-pleasers or turn things up with the ‘surfs-up’, Hawaiian, Tex-Mex, or ‘the boss’ varieties. Big flavours, generous servings and unbeatable value make Tuesdays the tastiest night of the week. Grab your mates, bring your appetite and declare war on hunger – ‘Parmageddon’ awaits at the RSL. Members deal just $19.90. Non-members price is $29.60 for the naked parmi and $32.90 for the loaded parmi. Tewantin RSL is located at 1 Memorial Avenue, Tewantin. noosarsl.com.au 52

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Freshly renovated and made for locals, SANDS TAVERN offers elevated pub classics with something for everyone, including kids’ and seniors’ menus, plus a vibrant beer garden, live sport and entertainment. With epic sangas and burgers to hearty classics and share plates made for the middle of the table, the venue is all about easy eating and good company. With a large, dedicated function room and flexible areas throughout the venue, the Sands makes it easy to host everything from casual catch-ups to special events, all just minutes from the heart of Maroochydore. Sands Tavern is located at Plaza Parade, Maroochydore. thesandstavern.net.au

THE BOWER TREE is a vibrant social destination in the heart of Sippy Downs, bringing together great food, drinks, entertainment and relaxation under one roof. From breakfast and coffee at Café Rubia to dining at Arrows Bistro and the Pizzeria, there is something to suit every appetite. Guests can unwind in the Sports Bar or Vine Wine Bar or celebrate special occasions in the venue’s versatile function spaces. Whether guests are meeting friends, enjoying a meal, or looking for somewhere to spend an evening, The Bower Tree offers a welcoming Sunshine Coast experience. The Bower Tree is located at 10 Courage Street, Sippy Downs. thebowertree.com.au SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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Tucked away amongst the rainforest at Montville, overlooking the beautiful Lake Baroon, SECRETS – DINING ON THE DECK is a place like nowhere else. From the moment you arrive, it feels as though you have stepped into another world – a magical rainforest setting where you can slow down, relax and enjoy the view. Of course, the food is a big part of the experience. The kitchen creates beautiful, fresh food that Secrets is incredibly proud of. But it’s about much more than what is on the plate. It is the whole experience – the lake views, the rainforest, the atmosphere and, most importantly, the friendly service. Whether it is a family get-together, a group of friends, a special celebration, a Christmas function or simply an excuse to get everyone together, Secrets loves to welcome guests. For those visiting Montville or exploring the Sunshine Coast Hinterland this spring, make sure Secrets Dining on the Deck is on your list. Visit for the food, stay for the view and leave with a little bit of the magic of Secrets. Secrets Dining on the Deck is located at 207 Narrows Road, Montville. secretsonthelake.com.au

If you’re craving authentic Italian trattoria-style cuisine, owners Shane and Helen welcome you to step into the warmth of ALL’ ANTICA Italian Restaurant – proudly serving the Sunshine Coast for more than 35 years. A beloved local institution, All’ Antica invites diners to experience a rustic and welcoming atmosphere paired with a menu that celebrates the heart and soul of Italy. From the hearty dishes of the Northern Alps to the sun-drenched seafood flavours of Sicily, the menu showcases the best of Italian tradition, reimagined with local seasonal produce and premium imported ingredients. With the aroma of slow-cooked sauces wafting from the kitchen, All’ Antica captures the charm of dining in a traditional Italian trattoria. The menu features pasta, wood-fired-style pizzas, slow-braised meats and handmade desserts, like the signature white chocolate tiramisu. All’ Antica is fully licensed, offering Italian and Australian wines, and caters to all dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegan options. Whether it’s a romantic evening or a family gathering, there’s a table waiting for you. All’ Antica is located at 3/115a Point Cartwright Drive, Buddina. allantica.com.au

A much-loved Sunshine Coast destination, DAISY’S PLACE is now open, warmly welcoming both returning and new guests to rediscover fresh, beautifully presented food, quality drinks and warm, attentive service among lush rainforest gardens and flowing water features. Guests can relax in character-filled interiors or peaceful outdoor spaces while enjoying beautifully crafted dishes that celebrate quality ingredients and creativity. With a new retail space featuring a carefully selected collection of distinctive giftware, there is even more to explore. Daisy’s Place is located at 11 Frizzo Connection Road, Glenview. Facebook: @daisysplacesunshinecoast 54

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The Sunshine Coast’s Best Kept Secret STAY | DINE | CELEBRATE | SAY ‘I DO” Tour our Luxury Treehouses Award-winning Restaurant Small to Large Weddings Fireplace, spa, amazing views Tailored Seasonal Menu’s The Tomahawk & Tunes event brings together premium dining, curated cocktails and laidback Ibiza lounge sounds for a great evening at MISS MONEYPENNY’S. Enjoy a signature tomahawk steak designed to share between two, accompanied with a leafy green salad and house sauce selection for $129. From 5pm, the resident DJ sets the mood with chilled sunset sounds and effortless late-night energy, creating the perfect setting for cocktails, dining and a midweek escape. Join Miss Moneypenny’s for the launch celebration on July 15 and enjoy a complimentary house beverage with all pre-booked reservations. Tomahawk & Tunes is every Wednesday from June.

Multiple Function Spaces Dining by Lake Baroon Boutique gift shop Local art gallery Popular Rainforest Walks

BOOK NOW! 5478 5888 www.secretsonthelake.com.au

Miss Moneypenny’s is located at 6 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. missmoneypennysnoosa.com

Spring has arrived at RELISH, bringing a fresh new menu inspired by the vibrant flavours of the season. Thoughtfully crafted by Relish’s talented head chef, each dish celebrates quality ingredients, beautiful presentation and fresh, seasonal produce. From light, colourful plates to comforting favourites with a contemporary touch, there is something to enjoy for every occasion. Set against the picturesque surrounds of NOOSA SPRINGS, Relish offers relaxed dining with beautiful golf course views and warm hospitality. Gather your friends, settle in and discover the flavours of spring at Relish Restaurant. Relish is located at Links Drive, Noosa Heads. noosasprings.com.au

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31/08/2026 12:59:39 PM

FLAVOUR FILES

CRISPY

catch

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SEARED CRISPY-SKIN FISH WITH PANCETTA BARK & LEMON PEA PUREE Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS FISH & PANCETTA BARK 600-800g fish, skin on Salt and pepper to season Half lemon or lime per serving 4-6 strips pancetta placed on a roasting tray and then baked until crispy in a hot oven of 200°C

LEMON PEA PUREE 2 cups frozen peas Zest and juice of one lemon 1 clove garlic, minced 150-250ml chicken or vegetable stock (depending on thickness required... please adjust) 20g butter 80-150ml cream

METHOD A beautiful piece of fish or salmon needs little masking and, if cooked perfectly, will simply shine. Season the fish with salt and pepper.

remove it from the pan. Check by placing a fork or knife in the centre of the thickest part, and if it flakes when you twist, it is done!

Get your pan or barbecue hot and grease with about 5ml of vegetable or rice bran oil. This will make sure that the fish doesn’t stick.

Never serve soggy fish skin! It can be easily crisped up by just allowing it some time in the pan. Always manage the heat.

You can also do this in your air fryer. When the pan is hot, place the fish skin-side up in the pan and use your tongs to make sure it doesn’t stick... just give the piece a little wiggle to make sure it hasn’t stuck, but it will create a delicious crust of flavour and colour. When the first side is brown (look underneath and lift with your tongs) turn it over to cook the skin side too. After about a minute or two, you should be able to remove the skin using the tongs.

Serve with this amazingly versatile pea puree. Don’t like peas? Use butterbeans (drained out of a tin) instead.

Don’t stress if it breaks or you have to strip-peel it off; it is all part of the glamour of this dish! Place the skin in the pan and brown it, turn it over and the fat will render, so be careful, it splatters. Also cook the skin-free side of the fish, brown it off and get a crust. When the fish is cooked,

RUSTIC PEA PUREE Place all the ingredients into a medium saucepan, except for the lemon juice, which can go in right at the end, and boil over a medium heat for about 8-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and blend to a smooth puree with a stick blender or manual masher. Adjust the seasoning and thickness, and then serve. I prefer a thinner puree, but up to you. To finish the dish, plate and top with the crispy pancetta.

Recipe courtesy of Chef Mel, The Happy Chef. chefmel.me

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#7KH%RZHU7UHH &RXUDJH 6W 6LSS\ 'RZQV _ SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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27/08/2026 11:30:08 AM

TABLE TALK

FRESH FARE full of heart WORDS ABBEY CANNAN PHOTOS PATRICE SIOLO

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27/08/2026 11:25:44 AM

ON A BUSY TUESDAY evening, I walk through the doors of Tewantin Noosa RSL with my partner Pat, ready to discover whether this much-loved community venue is still delivering what locals have come to expect – great food, friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere. Pat, who is Samoan and plays semi-professional rugby league for the Redcliffe Dolphins, knows good food. As an athlete, he appreciates meals that are generous, packed with flavour and satisfying enough to fuel an active lifestyle. So, when we sit down to explore the menu, expectations are high. What immediately stands out is the energy of the venue on ‘parmy night’. The Tewantin Noosa RSL is more than just a place to enjoy a meal; it is a gathering place where locals, families and visitors come together. It feels like the heartbeat of the community – a place where people meet, celebrate, relax and connect. The Tewantin Noosa RSL & Citizens Memorial Club has been part of the community since it was formed on September 21, 1981. Over the years, the club has undergone several renovations and extensions, evolving into the vibrant venue it is today – a hub for live entertainment, dining and social connection. The bistro-style Flame restaurant is open seven days a week, offering lunch from 11.30am to 2pm and dinner from 5pm to 8pm. Our table quickly fills with an impressive selection of dishes: karaage chicken, nasi goreng, ‘smoke & fire’ pizza, prawn and scallop linguine and grilled salmon fillet with chat potato, confit garlic, hollandaise sauce and greens. We quietly laugh – the guests surrounding us must have been thinking, “Gees, those two must be hungry”. It doesn’t take long before I decide on my personal favourites – the prawn and scallop linguine and the nasi goreng. Both dishes deliver exactly what

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PLAY | STAY | DINE | RELAX 18-hole championship golf, restaurant, day spa, fitness and accommodation in the heart of Noosa.

OPEN EVERY DAY TO EVERYONE!

Links Drive, Noosa Heads 07 5440 3333 noosasprings.com.au

28/08/2026 10:49:41 AM

“

serving the community is at the core of the club

”

I look for when dining out – bold flavours, generous portions and a sense that the kitchen genuinely cares about what leaves the pass. The nasi goreng is hearty and full of flavour, while the linguine showcases a beautiful balance of fresh seafood and rich, satisfying flavours. Pat is equally impressed, appreciating the quality and portion sizes of the meals. The experience is made even better by the friendly staff, quick service and relaxed atmosphere. The pricing is also a standout, offering a quality dining experience that remains accessible for families, locals and visitors. Behind the kitchen is acting executive chef Kimeshen Pillay, who brings a wealth of international experience and a passion for creating quality food for the community. Kimeshen, known by the team as Kim, has worked at Tewantin Noosa RSL for the past four years. Originally from South Africa, he has 18 years of experience as a chef, working in prestigious hotels and restaurants, including with celebrity chef Reuben Riffel at Franschhoek, Hotel Izulu and Sotano by Caveau. He also spent a decade working on cruise liners as senior chef de partie, running Epicurean for celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. From a young child, Kim loved watching his mum and dad cook. He would also enjoy testing out his own emerging culinary skills. 60

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He has fond memories of his dad’s passion for cooking, and this sparked his interest in following a career in the kitchen. “I’m thankful that my career has included amazing mentors like Marco Pierre White and Reuben Riffel,” he says. Serving the community is at the core of the club, and Kim takes great pride in bringing people together through food. He loves creating a diverse range of dishes that offer different flavours while ensuring everyone can enjoy affordable, high-quality meals. The menu reflects that philosophy, offering something for everyone from classic Aussie pub meals to more adventurous dishes. “The nasi goreng and prawn and scallop linguine on the main menu are always very popular, as well as the ‘smoke & fire’ pizza,” Kim says. “I also recommend trying the daily specials, as there is always something new and interesting to try. “Keep your eye out for the whole Korean fish and the duck risotto, which are both very popular when featured.” One of the strengths of the bistro is its ability to cater for everyone. Whether it is a family dinner, a catch-up with friends or a regular local enjoying a favourite meal, the menu feels welcoming. “The key to the menu is variety,” Kim says. “There is always something for everyone with

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27/08/2026 11:27:36 AM

French Mediterranean cooking using locally grown products Nestled in the beautiful village square of Peregian Beach, Periwinkle restaurant offer a modern French Mediterranean cuisine with delicious seafood, hand crafted sourdough breads, char grill beef and seasonal vegetables.

traditional favourites complemented by special dishes that enable people to explore new flavours.” A strong focus on fresh, local produce also shapes the kitchen’s approach. “Local produce and local suppliers are very important and supports our community-based values,” Kim says. “We primarily use local suppliers and fresh, in-season produce whenever possible.” After our meal, what stays with me is not just the food – we were able to enjoy leftovers for the next few days – but the overall experience. While the venue continues to evolve, it maintains the warmth and familiarity that locals value. The combination of generous meals, welcoming service and a genuine community spirit creates a venue that feels like it belongs to everyone. Kim hopes all guests leave with a memorable experience. We most certainly did. “We hope they enjoy the experience and remember us as being something a little bit more different and elevated than expected, as well as receiving great service from our awesome bistro team,” he says. After spending an evening at Tewantin Noosa RSL, I understand why its connection to the local area runs so deep. It is a place where good food meets good company – a venue that delivers familiar favourites while continuing to surprise diners with new flavours. For locals and visitors looking for a relaxed dining experience with generous portions, friendly service and a true community feel, Tewantin Noosa RSL is a destination worth discovering.

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast, lunch or dinner in the family friendly village square park.

Monday to Sunday 11am - 8.30pm 2/216 David Low Way Peregian Beach QLD 4573

noosarsl.com.au

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07 5448 3251 periwinklerestaurant.com.au

28/08/2026 10:50:02 AM

BEHIND THE APRON

COOKING UP spirit & soul WORDS LINDA HOOPER PHOTOS LISA PEARL 62

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ACHIEVING THE PERFECT balance of food flavours as well as a balanced approach to life is the mantra of the new executive chef at The Surf Club Mooloolaba, Chadd Kitto. It’s a philosophy that is contributing to a positive culture in the kitchen, not only resulting in a happy team but flowing through to consistently high-quality food prepared with the freshest local produce. So how does a chef working in such a highpressure role at one of the busiest venues on the Coast achieve what most chefs crave – life balance? “I walk every morning for an hour because the fresh air clears my head,” Chadd says. “I also play golf very early every Thursday and Saturday before I come to work.” Chadd is passionate about instilling a positive culture in his team. “It’s important to create an environment where they feel safe and valued. They’re not doing 50-70 hours a week; they’re doing reasonable industry hours and that helps us to give our best to customers,” he tells salt. Asked how he felt about being part of such a famous club with a 104-year history, Chadd gestured to the people enjoying lunch and the sweeping ocean views. “It’s wonderful. I love the vision here and the way I am supported in my role. There’s a real unity, both on the lifesaving side and the surf club. To see what they do for the community and to be part of that is very satisfying. “It’s not just about the dollars and cents – it’s about creating a community space where people can come and connect. You see so many families and nipper season is going to be starting soon,” he adds. Although Chadd has fond memories of his grandmother’s cooking and family get-togethers centred around food, he “fell into a career as a chef”.

“I grew up in the north-western suburbs of Sydney and spent a lot of time in the Hills district. I moved to a small place called Tea Gardens, north of Newcastle and when I was 18, I landed a kitchenhand role. Within a couple of days, I was offered an apprenticeship, which ignited a love of food and working in a kitchen.” Chadd says he was lucky to be offered a chef position at Memento Hospitality, a leading familyowned provider in Sydney with a 40-year history. “As with The Surf Club Mooloolaba, they were a huge part of the community. They operated lots of hotels and pubs offering high-volume food. To succeed in this kind of environment, you need a lot of structure and must be organised and strategic,” he says.

Let’s cook together Hands-on cooking classes with Chef Mel. Including a four-course meal. Italian • Asian Street Food • EatFit Cheff y Skills • Private Events & Team Building Cook. Eat. Drink. Laugh. Learn. The Studio Cooking School @ VENU 12/44-48 Junction Drive, Coolum Beach

Book now

chefmel.me

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28/08/2026 10:50:27 AM

“

i love it here. we are so blessed, especially being right on the water

”

Moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2021, his experience was soon put to good use. When The Surf Club Mooloolaba reached out to him, he had no hesitation in joining the iconic venue. “I love it here,” Chadd says. “We are so blessed, especially being right on the water. We’ve got the best seafood just up the road at Mooloolaba Spit, such a wide variety of growers in the area and premium beef. “People love coming here, with the food adding to the enjoyment of that magnificent ocean backdrop.” Describing the club’s cuisine as “modern Australian”, Chadd says his food philosophy is focused on using the freshest local produce. “Yes, much of it is typical pub-style food, but it’s really good quality. Quality and consistency are what we aim for, delivered in a good timeframe.” There are three areas where food is served. The Boathouse Restaurant & Bar, situated on level one with stunning waterfront views, is a busy, familyfriendly restaurant offering a wide range of entrees, burgers, seafood, chicken dishes, pastas, steaks, salads and a children’s menu. 64

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Conveniently, The Boathouse is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Chadd says one of the most popular items on the menu is the seafood tier. “It includes fresh Mooloolaba prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, oysters, battered prawns, fish bites, calamari, salad and hot chips. It’s great value.” For a more sophisticated dining experience, the club also has Bayview Restaurant & Bar spanning the entire top floor and offering breathtaking 180-degree ocean views. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11.30am, this recently renovated area is ideal for lunch, sunset cocktails, dinner and special celebrations. It can also be booked for work functions and weddings. The Bayview Restaurant’s menu is designed around fresh, locally sourced ingredients, highlighting coastal flavours. The spring menu will be launched in mid-September and feature some innovative new creations, along with much-loved favourites. Then there is the Coffee Corner, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of coffees, teas, milkshakes and cakes. Chadd has plans to expand the offering at the Coffee Corner, which is open daily from 10am.

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Chadd may have an organised and structured approach to his work but it’s clear that he has a massive heart. Asked what he loves to do besides cooking, he says without hesitation, “Helping others who are facing challenging situations. I’ve been there myself, so I understand. It’s why I volunteer as a mentor for young people at my church in Noosa.” He admires two very different celebrities – Oprah Winfrey, who he once cooked for when she visited Australia in 2010 – and Gordon Ramsay, best known for his controversial TV show, Kitchen Nightmares. “I’m not referring to the swearing and yelling on the show. I respect him because of his longevity, heart and passion for the industry. I admire the way he creates unity within his team,” Chadd says. Meanwhile, Chadd is creating his own legacy and team spirit at the club. And there is no doubt that same spirit will flow through the food and experience diners enjoy at The Surf Club Mooloolaba.

thesurfclub.com.au

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SIGNATURE DISH

SPRING

on a plate

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VEGAN FRITTERS INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Dry flour mix

Heat a little extra virgin olive oil in a small pot over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and sauté until softened and lightly golden.

Spoon the fritter mixture onto the hot surface in your preferred portion size. Keep the fritters relatively thin for a crispier result.

Add the galangal and cook briefly to release its flavour.

Once the bottom is set and golden, flip and cook the other side.

Pour in the vegan cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the turmeric powder and allow the sauce to simmer until the flavours combine and the sauce reduces slightly.

Finish the fritters in a deep fryer, oven or air fryer until cooked through and crispy.

200g GF plain flour 200g corn flour 1 tbsp paprika/togarashi 1 tbsp onion powder 1 tbsp garlic powder 1tsp salt (adjust) 1tsp pepper Veggie mix 6-8 sweet corn or 500g corn kernels 100g shredded carrots 200g shredded cabbage ½ spring onion, sliced 100g shallot 200g sliced mixed capsicum Spiced vegan curry yoghurt 200ml vegan cream or coconut cream

Meanwhile, combine all the prepared vegetables in a bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine all the dry flour ingredients. Gradually add water, mixing until you have a smooth fritter batter. Set aside. Once the curry sauce has reduced, season with salt and pepper to taste if required. Remove and discard the pieces of galangal, then blend the remaining sauce with a hand blender until smooth.

50g shallot 50g galangal 50g garlic 20g turmeric powder 500g coconut yoghurt

Cooking the fritters When ready to cook, combine the vegetables with the batter. If you are preparing the mixture ahead of time, mix the vegetables and batter in smaller batches as needed.

Curry yoghurt & serving While the fritters are finishing, combine the curry sauce with coconut yoghurt. Add chilli flakes, paprika or parsley flakes if desired. To serve, drizzle the curry yoghurt over the fritters and finish with fresh leaves and/or avocado.

finish with...

slices of fresh avocado.

Heat a frying pan or flat grill over medium heat and lightly spray with oil.

Recipe courtesy of The Civic Social. thecivicsocial.com.au

maroochyrsl.com.au Maroochy RSL, 105 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore (07) 5443 2211

SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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SALT CELLAR

A WORLD AWAY WORDS STEVE LESZCZYNSKI

ROLLING HILLS RIPPLE across the landscape, winding roads weave through a patchwork of vineyards and farmland and eucalyptus trees stretch as far as the eye can see. Altitude is the defining influence here, with vineyards planted between 300 and 800 metres above sea level, the Macedon Ranges possesses a freshness that immediately distinguishes it from many of Australia’s wine regions. Crisp mountain air brushes across your face, while picturesque townships and cellar doors dot the countryside. It’s a region of remarkable rustic beauty and quiet confidence, where cool-climate wines excel. Located just an hour from Melbourne’s CBD and around 40 minutes from Melbourne Airport, the Macedon Ranges is among the most accessible wine regions in Victoria. Yet despite its proximity to the city, it feels a world away. The region’s climate is marked by cold winters, mild summers and long growing seasons that allow grapes to ripen slowly while retaining natural acidity and finesse. Ancient volcanic soils, mixed with granite, clay and patches of Cambrian soil to the north, provide excellent structure and complexity to the wines. Chardonnay and pinot noir are the region’s 68

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undisputed stars, although adventurous producers continue to prove there is plenty more to discover. The first stop on this Macedon Ranges day trip was Lyons Will Estate. The view from the cellar door is postcard material. Expansive glass windows frame the vineyard in all its glory, creating a seamless connection between the tasting room and the vines beyond. Husband and wife duo Oliver Rapson and Renata Morello have built a deserved reputation for exceptional riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir, but it is their gamay that continually captures my attention. As I’ve said a few times before, I believe they produce the best gamay in Australia. Silky, seductive and wonderfully expressive, it bursts with buoyant blue and purple fruits while maintaining the freshness and vitality that make the variety so compelling. Their single vineyard pinot noirs have also come along in leaps and bounds in recent years. Among them, The Greys secures my favour, offering a savoury-driven profile with impressive depth and poise. More recently, Lyons Will has begun sourcing the white variety picpoul from a nearby grower, and this is one wine where you’ll want to ensure your glass is topped up just a little more. Crisp and vibrant, it

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ø

delivers bright lemon notes, a minerally thread and a refreshingly moreish character. Put simply, it’s damn delicious. After a morning of tasting, insightful conversations and plenty of laughs, the Lancefield Hotel provides a lunch stop sure to satisfy any hunger. The nostalgia of an old-school country pub remains firmly intact, yet it is complemented by a contemporary menu and an excellent selection of local wines. While the wine list beckoned, a cold beer was exactly what I needed to refresh the palate. It proved the perfect companion to beef cheeks that fell apart effortlessly at the touch of a fork, accompanied by creamy mashed potato. Crawl around the corner for a donut and vanilla slice chaser at the bakery where the charm of country hospitality rears its head once more. Curly Flat is the next essential stop and remains one of the most revered wineries in the district. Established in the early 1990s, it is widely regarded as one of the pioneering estates that helped put Macedon Ranges firmly on Australia’s fine wine map. Owner Jeni Kolkka was kind enough to give us a couple of hours of her time as we toured the winery and explored the current releases. The cellar door itself adds greatly to the experience. Housed within a renovated 1800s home, it is comfortable, cosy and full of character. Two fireplaces warm the soul while guests relax in a setting that feels distinctly colonial and wonderfully welcoming. Chardonnay and pinot noir are the cornerstones of the Curly Flat portfolio. A few years ago, pinot noir fruit parcels began to be separated, leading to the introduction of two single-vineyard expressions. The Western Pinot Noir offers delightful fragrance and a leaner, more finely etched frame, while the Central Pinot Noir is more robust, generous and powerful. The appointment of highly regarded consultant winemaker Steve Flamsteed has further elevated the wines. His influence is already apparent and with the forthcoming release of the new Reserve Pinot Noir, there is every reason for enthusiasts to keep a close eye on what lies ahead. Of course, the beauty of the Macedon Ranges extends well beyond its headline producers. The region is teeming with small wineries producing wines of authenticity and character. Lane’s End deserves a place firmly on your radar, producing wines that lean into elegance, finesse and sheer drinkability. Meanwhile, chardonnay lovers should make time for Wilimee Wines. Their layered and focused expression, sourced from vineyards sitting around 600 metres above sea level, demands your full attention. It is a wine that encourages you to slow down, lean in and embrace every drop.

Ł # ' 4 7 RESTAURANT LEVEL TWO

LEVEL 2 THE SURF CLUB MOOLOOLABA PH: 5444 1300 ABSOLUTE BEACH FRONT

Steve Leszczynski is a wine writer, author, wine dinner host and MC. Apart from writing for his website QwineReviews.com, Steve co-authored a book, Grenache – Barossa Grown.

thesurfclub.com.au

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COCKTAIL HOUR WITH WAT DEN

Pour. Shake. Repeat. PASSION PROJECT A bold passionfruit whisky sour. Fluffy, a little sweet and zesty!

INGREDIENTS 30ml Monkey Shoulder Whisky 15ml passionfruit liqueur 15ml white chocolate liqueur 30ml lemon juice 15ml passionfruit syrup 30ml egg whites

METHOD In a cocktail shaker, combine all your ingredients. Shake without ice to emulsify your egg whites properly. Then, fill your cocktail shaker to the top with ice and shake as hard as you can for 8-10 seconds. Strain your cocktail over ice in a cold glass. Garnish with grated white chocolate on top!

CLASSIC MARGARITA The secret to a perfect margarita is simple – fresh is best!

INGREDIENTS 40ml Blanco Tequila 20ml Cointreau 30ml fresh lime juice

METHOD Prepare your glass – wipe a lime slice on the edge of your margarita coupe glass before lightly pressing the rim into salt. Then, in a cocktail shaker, combine all your ingredients. Fill to the top with ice and shake as hard as you can for 8-10 seconds. Strain to separate the ice from the drink. Garnish with a fresh lime slice. 70

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IT’S BRITNEY SPRITZ We take a look back at WAT Den’s summer 2023 menu with this deluxe mango spritzer.

INGREDIENTS 30ml mango syrup 45ml scotch whisky 30ml fresh lime juice 60ml prosecco 60ml soda water

METHOD Pour all your ingredients into a wine glass, give a gentle stir and fill the glass with ice. Garnish with a dried mango slice or a lime wedge.

NEGRONI The iconic Italian classic from 1919, simple, bitter and delicious.

INGREDIENTS: 30ml London Dry Gin 30ml Campari 30ml Sweet Vermouth

METHOD Combine all your ingredients in a stirring glass. Fill with ice and stir for 25-30 seconds. Pour over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist after wiping the outside of the orange twist all over the glass rim and side. Want to change it up? Swap your gin for a bourbon to create a Boulevardier – a richer twist on the Negroni.

A Cocktail Bar with a focus on Whisky & Tequila, opposite the beautiful Mooloolaba beach. watden.com.au 105 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Sunshine Coast OPEN 7 DAYS, ALWAYS UNTIL MIDNIGHT SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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LOVESTRUCK

LOVE KNOWS

no bounds What began as a chance meeting in Iowa during COVID turned into a love story spanning continents, ending with a beautiful wedding at the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club for Justin and Cara. 72

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Take a moment away from the wedding rush. Unwind with couples massages and personalised treatments for both of you. The perfect gift ofBook relaxation Here PH: 07 5444 3050 Located on Level one of the Landmark resort in Mooloolaba Can you share the story of when and how you met? Justin is a crop-dusting pilot, and he was working in Iowa in the US, near where I grew up. I happened to be back there during COVID; this was in the summer of 2020. Justin’s dad ran the operations of the crop-dusting business and hired me to help out. We got to know each other slowly over a month or so. As Justin would say, I was making quite the impression, making him homemade lunches and going the extra mile at work. At the end of the crop-dusting season, Justin said that since I was doing so well looking after him, he wanted to take me out. We went to the finest steakhouse around. Shortly after that, he asked me to go on a month-long road trip around Florida with him. When we were on our trip, his flight back to Australia got cancelled. The rest is history.

Book Here

What was the proposal like? Justin had mentioned that he wanted to get his friends together and go to a particular restaurant for his birthday. I organised the reservation and didn’t think anything was unusual. The night of the proposal, we sat down for dinner, and everyone ordered drinks and was catching up. Justin was at the head of the table, and I was sitting by him. He got everyone’s attention and thanked everyone for coming to celebrate his birthday. And then he started to stand up and pulled his napkin off his lap. His words were, “And I just got one thing I need to take care of”. Under his napkin,

SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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“

i envisioned the ocean in the background of all of our photos

”

he was hiding the ring box. He got down on one knee and proposed. It was so unexpected. I remember feeling so shocked. But it was really special because all of our friends started cheering, and champagne was ordered straight away. It was such a beautiful moment, and there was so much excitement going around the room. We felt all the love. What was the inspiration behind your wedding theme/vibe? Justin and I both love being outdoors, especially at the beach. We both agreed we wanted a coastal wedding with a classic vibe. I envisioned the ocean in the background of all of our photos, and the views from the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club were perfect for what we imagined for the reception. The decor was simple and elegant. We had all-white florals and candles. The bridesmaids wore pastel blue dresses and the men wore custom black suits, which was fitting for the timeless coastal look. It was really important to us to have really good food and request one of our favourites, (steak and mashed potatoes of course). The Surf Club coordinator was happy to accommodate our request. What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day? I won’t forget the entire time I was getting my hair and makeup done; it was raining outside. I was facing the window, hoping it would let up in time for our ceremony. The surf club coordinator had called me earlier in the morning to confirm whether we were having the ceremony inside or outside. I was adamant that I wanted it outside and thought the rain would eventually stop. About 10 minutes before I was meant to walk down the aisle, it was still raining, and I had my maid of honour call the 74

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mother of the groom and tell her they had to move the ceremony inside. I couldn’t get married in the rain. My mother-in-law started to organise the switch, but was stopped by the surf club coordinator and groom. They said that the rain was going to stop in the next 30 minutes, and we could have the ceremony outside once it quit. Someone called me back and said we’re keeping the ceremony outside. I was a bit confused, but I trusted their call. My husband knew how badly I wanted to get married outside. Sure enough, the girls got in the car, and as we arrived at the venue, the rain started to let up. It quit raining and the ceremony began. I was so happy, which leads into the most memorable

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moment… locking eyes with each other as I walked down the aisle. I had no idea what the floral arrangements in front of me looked like or who was there. It felt like it was just us. Did you incorporate any personal touches or traditions into your wedding? Justin and I were legally married at the courthouse in the US a few months prior. We wrote our own vows, and our celebrant was the best man’s mother (who was also like a second mother to the groom). Those touches made our wedding feel more authentic and special to us. What was your favourite part of the reception? Justin and I both agree that we really loved the speeches. Everyone had their heartwarming stories to tell, and so many touching words were said. What advice would you give to couples currently planning their wedding? Plan and organise as much as possible well in advance. Honestly, I found the small things so much more time-consuming and overwhelming. We were writing vows, outlining the ceremony, drafting decor instructions, writing our speech, among other things, in the last few weeks leading up to the wedding, and it made it really stressful. Also, plan for wet weather and be just as happy with your backup option. Being so set on having the ceremony outside added a lot of stress to the day.

Finer details RINGS – LARSEN JEWELLERY FLORIST – BLOOMS OF NOOSA MAKE-UP – KATE DEVLIN HAIR – LOVE IS IN THE HAIR BY LIZ VENUE – SUNSHINE BEACH SLSC PHOTOGRAPHER/ VIDEOGRAPHER – FIGTREE PICTURES MUSICIAN – CALL ME WILL CAKE – ZOE CLARK CAKES DRESS – KATHERINE TASH (SPHERE BRIDAL GALLERY) BRIDESMAID DRESSES – BEC + BRIDGE SUITS – INSTITCHU

:HGG²JV E\ WKH 6HD Cara and Justin tied the knot in February 2026, celebrating their special day against the breathtaking backdrop of Sunshine Beach. The couple exchanged vows on our picturesque Ocean View Lawn, followed by post-ceremony drinks and canapes. They then moved to our beautiful Ocean View Room to celebrate with a shared-plate menu and premium drinks package. If you are dreaming of your own beachfront wedding, we would love to help bring your vision to life. To book a venue viewing or enquire about our wedding packages, contact our Functions Team at functions@sunshinebeachslsc.com.au.

Tailored packages Dedicated functions team Beachfront venue Phone 5447 5491 www.sunshinebeachslsc.com.au SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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FASHION

THE

SPRING EDIT Anita Tarja swimsuit available from Classy Lady, 199 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. 5449 7599

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OBSESSED CROSSBODY BAG

CURATED

CARMELA LEATHER SANDALS

Shop 4, The Dunes, 27 Cotton Tree Parade 5479 4505

All products available from OV Boutique, 27 Cotton Tree Parade, Maroochydore. 5479 4505

ovboutique.com.au

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Handcrafted natural green sapphire and South Sea pearl pendant, $10,300, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Handcrafted 4.41ct natural old European-cut solitaire diamond pendant, $90,000, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Morganite and diamond dress ring in 18ct rose and white gold, POA, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

DESIRED Autore Tahitian pearl and diamond Earrings, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

9ct yellow gold green and pink tourmaline diamond ring, $3950, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

Victorian ruby and diamond dress ring, $10,500 , Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

Australian sapphire and 9ct yellow gold dress ring, POA, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709 Vintage sterling silver gilt enamel modernist bird brooch c1970, David Anderson, $1295, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

Vintage 9ct gold solid golf club bag pendant BM c1964, $1750, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422 Boulder opal earrings in 9ct yellow gold, The Opalcutter, Montville, 5442 9598 78

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14ct yellow gold and diamond pendant featuring a 3.4ct Queensland boulder opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

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14ct white gold and diamond ring featuring a 3.7ct Lightning Ridge black opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

Classic pendant design with boulder opal in 9ct yellow gold, The Opalcutter, Montville, 5442 9598 Custom-made 18ct yellow gold dress ring featuring a blue Ceylon sapphire, natural round brilliant-cut diamond and emerald, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

14ct white gold and diamond pendant featuring a 5.12ct Queensland boulder opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

Handcrafted citrine and diamond pendant, $2960, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Custom-made 18ct yellow and rose gold multi-stone dress ring Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

14ct yellow gold and diamond ring featuring a 2.34ct Lightning Ridge black crystal opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

Argyle pink diamond and Australian sapphire dress ring in 18ct yellow and rose gold, POA, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709 SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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VIBRANT

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Noosa Homemaker Centre Shop 12, 18 Thomas Street, Next to Eclectic Style. Open 6 days

Eumundi Square Market Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

1800 804 776 zephyrwares.com

All products available from Zephyr. zephyrwares.com

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Vibrant crystal opal from Coober Pedy, set with a diamond in an 18ct yellow gold pendant, The Opalcutter, Montville, 5442 9598

MERINO WOOL JACKET

OUTBACK

All clothing available from Ethical Outback. ethicaloutbackwool.com.au All shoes available from Classy Lady, 199 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. 5449 7599

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CABLE SCARF

SUNSET DJANGO & JULIETTE RANDIES SLINGBACK

Nature WRAP P ED I N

ETH IC AL LY & SUSTAINABLY GROWN A USTRAL IAN PURE MERINO WOOL Find o ur p r o d uct s at www.et hicalo ut b ackwo o l.c om . a u

MOLLINI LIAGO CREAM SLIDE

EMMA KATE RUBY WOMEN’S FLAT COURT SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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MOTCLÉ LEATHER WEDGE

MENGHI SANDALS

GAIMO PLATFORM HEEL DANAE

GAIMO HEEL

DREAM

CRIME LONDON SNEAKERS

Shoes available from Dianas of Noosa. dianasofnoosa.com.au

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PRECIOUS

All jewellery available from Pearls for Girls, Eumundi. 5442 8778

Bringing together a unique & luxurious collection, as timeless as the heavens above.

93 Memorial Drive, Eumundi 4562 Tel. (07) 5442 8778 pearlsforgirls.com.au

SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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MUSE

All clothing and accessories available from Tirzart Boutique, Caloundra. 0417 208 959

A LITTLE BOHO. A LITTLE GYPSY. A LITTLE MODERN.

all class 0417 208 959 Shop 2, 104 Bulcock Street, Caloundra tirzart.com.au

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ALLURE

All clothing and accessories available from Nzari, Mooloolaba. 0401 815 811

HOMEWARES . FASHION . ACCESSORIES . GIFTS 24/121 Mooloolaba Esplanade Mooloolaba . 0401 815 811 . nzari.com.au SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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SOLACE

FINDING SOLACE WORDS INGRID NELSON

FOR MANY PEOPLE facing a diagnosis of a blood disorder or cancer, the journey through healthcare can feel overwhelming. There are appointments, tests, treatments and uncertainty – often at a time when patients are already feeling vulnerable. The Solace Clinic was created to change that experience. Located within the new Maroochy Private Hospital in the heart of the Maroochydore CBD, the modern haematology, hepatology and oncology clinic brings together specialist care, advanced treatment facilities and a calm, supportive environment designed around the individual needs of each patient. Clinical haematologist Dr Sorab Shavaksha says the clinic was established in response to the Sunshine Coast’s rapid growth and the changing needs of the community. “We have an ageing population and lots of patients moving interstate for lifestyle and health choices,” he says. “We wanted to establish a clinic whereby patients could be treated for haematological and oncological disorders, but also be able to offer other services as well, including infusion services for patients who might need iron infusions, immunotherapy, immunoglobulins or blood products.” The vision was to create more than just another medical facility. It was about creating a place where patients felt comfortable, listened to and cared for throughout their treatment journey. “We want the patients to have essentially first-class care and feel they are listened to and looked after on an individual basis,” Dr Shavaksha says. The clinic’s location was also carefully considered. It sits alongside other medical services, including radiology, pathology and general practice, while sharing the Maroochy Private Hospital precinct with other specialist teams. The clinic is also home to hepatologist Professor 88

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James O’Beirne, who is leading what will be the Coast’s first private liver cancer clinic. The service is equipped with advanced FibroScan technology for the rapid, non-invasive assessment of liver scarring and fatty liver disease, avoiding the need for biopsy in many patients. The Solace Clinic is currently the only private provider on the Coast offering FibroScan technology. Joining the specialist team is clinical and laboratory haematologist Dr Alice Livings, who started private practice in clinical haematology on the Coast in 2021. Her expertise further strengthens the clinic’s commitment to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary blood disorder care close to home. Alongside her is Dr Jacinta Perram, a clinical haematologist who brings extensive experience diagnosing and treating both cancerous and noncancerous blood disorders Dr Shavaksha says the opportunity to be connected with the University of the Sunshine Coast is another exciting aspect of the new facility, particularly when it comes to research and clinical trials. “As haematologists and oncologists, we rely heavily on the data from clinical trials and we’re excited to integrate that into our practice in the future.” From the moment patients enter The Solace Clinic, the difference is clear. The space feels warm and welcoming rather than clinical, with thoughtful design elements creating an environment intended to reduce stress. For Dr Shavaksha, that was deliberate. “The unfortunate reality of my job is I see people when they’re often at the worst period in their life,” he says. “When people receive diagnoses such as blood cancer, it can be absolutely devastating and quite isolating. “Especially in the case of blood cancer, people can often feel as though they are the only person to have it because it’s not widely known about and awareness is

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often less than for other more common cancers.” The environment at The Solace Clinic was designed to help change that experience. Dr Shavaksha believes that sense of care is an important part of the healing process. “It’s not just providing the world-class medical care that we administer,” he says. “We’re also doing that in a holistic way that takes into account the patient’s individual circumstances and works with them, trying to achieve their health goals. “Whether that’s to put them into long-term remission, whether that’s to keep them well enough so they can attend their granddaughter’s wedding – those things are important.” A key part of that personalised approach begins at the first consultation. While medical history, scans and test results are essential, Dr Shavaksha says understanding the person behind the diagnosis is equally important. “When I see new patients, I try and establish some things about them, not just medically, but also what they enjoy doing when they’re not seeing doctors. “Patients have often seen several doctors, they’ve been in several different waiting rooms, they’ve had blood taken and scans. A lot of their world, by the time they see me, has been very medical,” he says. “I like to see what their world is like when they’re not seeing doctors, what they enjoy doing in their spare time and what things are very important to them.” That information helps shape a treatment plan that reflects each person’s goals, circumstances and values. For Dr Shavaksha, that connection with patients is one of the most rewarding parts of a career spanning more than two decades. “Most of all, I enjoy the interactions I have with my patients. I’m trying to make them as well as possible.” The opening of The Solace Clinic also reflects how far healthcare has evolved on the Sunshine Coast. Dr Shavaksha acknowledges the work of his predecessor, Dr John Reardon, who established the first freestanding cancer hospital on the Coast more than two decades ago. “Since that time, things have

Dr Jacinta Perram

evolved,” Dr Shavaksha says. “Our population has grown massively, and we’re now fortunate enough to be able to provide all the care that patients need for the vast majority of haematological problems here on the Sunshine Coast. Patients can keep up the lifestyle that they enjoy, such as walking on the beach, which is enormously important for their wellbeing.” Treatment at The Solace Clinic is designed around that same philosophy. The clinic is a licensed day hospital with 15 treatment chairs and four beds, alongside eight specialist consulting suites, allowing patients to receive expert care in a comfortable and supportive environment. The majority of modern haematology care is delivered as day treatment. Looking ahead, Dr Shavaksha believes the future of haematology will continue to bring exciting advances, including emerging treatments. “Things such as bispecific antibodies, which we’ve already started using here in the clinic, previously were only available in large teaching hospitals. We’re now integrating them into community settings,” he says. For Dr Shavaksha, however, the most important innovation remains the way patients are treated. A beautiful facility and advanced technology are valuable, but they must be matched by compassion and connection. “Our staff are all very passionate about what we do and the outcomes we’re trying to achieve. We all believe in the same thing in terms of the way we treat people, how we look after them and what we want for healthcare.”

World Class Cancer Care on the Sunshine Coast Haematology, Hepatology & Oncology Services

Level 7, 12 Future Way, Maroochydore, QLD 4558 P: 07 5300 0900 | F: 07 4456 0009 www.thesolaceclinic.com.au SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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HEALTH

Dr Hilma Starostina

WOMEN, MAKE A PLAN WORDS INGRID NELSON

YOU FEEL FINE. You’re busy. There’s work, family, holidays, dinners, exercise and a hundred other things competing for your attention. So, when was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Your cholesterol? Your eyes? When did you last have a proper skin check or sit down with your GP and talk about what your family history might mean for your health? For many women, preventative health is something that gets pushed down the to-do list until there is a reason to worry. But Sunshine Coast general practitioner Dr Hilma Starostina, who specialises in women’s health and menopause, says that is precisely when we should be paying attention. Rather than waiting until something feels wrong, she encourages women to have regular conversations with their GP about their individual health risks and the checks they may need at different stages of life. And that can change considerably as we move from our 20s and 30s into our 40s, 50s and beyond. Dr Starostina says one of the most important screening tests for women begins in the mid-20s – cervical screening. Routine cervical screening is every five years from the age of 25 to74, although some women will require more frequent screening depending on their previous results or immune health. “It’s less common to pick up cervical cancer in young women under 25, with HPV vaccination also helping to make cervical cancer increasingly uncommon in younger women,” Dr Starostina says. 90

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“Experiencing any symptoms is, of course, a different matter, and anyone concerned about abnormal bleeding, discharge or pain should seek testing at any age.” By the 30s, Dr Starostina says family history becomes increasingly important. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer – for example, several relatives on the same side of the family affected, a relative diagnosed at a young age or with breast cancer in both breasts, ovarian cancer in the family, a male relative who has had breast cancer, or a known gene fault running in the family – may benefit from an individual risk assessment and, depending on their level of risk, additional imaging or specialist advice. Heart health should also be on the radar, particularly if close family members have experienced heart disease at a young age. In these circumstances, Dr Starostina says women may need cholesterol and blood pressure checks earlier than they might otherwise expect. A family history of bowel cancer is another reason to talk to your GP, as some women may need screening earlier or more frequently than the general population. For many women, the 40s bring another important health conversation – perimenopause. Dr Starostina says one of the biggest problems is that women can mistake the symptoms for simply getting older. “Perimenopause has more than 30 symptoms,” she says. Some of the earlier changes can include low

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mood, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, increased irritability. “Some women experience difficulty controlling their emotions, insomnia, or aches and pains that start to occur.” Importantly, changes to your periods are not necessarily the first sign. “Earlier symptoms can still happen even if periods are regular,” Dr Starostina says. Why some women sail through menopause while others find it profoundly disruptive is complex. Genetics play a role, but so do the way hormones interact with receptors throughout the body, including those involved in mood and sleep. Lifestyle, stress, nutrition and alcohol can also influence how women feel and how hormones are processed. It’s not just how much hormones are produced, or added as hormone replacement therapy,” she says. “It’s also how they are processed by the body.” Breast health also becomes increasingly important during this decade. Dr Starostina says breast screening is moving towards a more individualised, risk-based approach, with factors such as family history and breast density taken into account. For now, women at average risk, BreastScreen Australia offers a free mammogram every two years from age 50 to 74, with screening also available on request for women aged 40 and over, and for those aged 75 and over. For women with additional risk factors, she recommends discussing with their GP when screening should begin and whether additional imaging may be appropriate. Regular eye and hearing checks, while easy to overlook, are also important to long-term health. “An eye check can pick up high blood pressure, cholesterol, even undiagnosed diabetes and glaucoma,” Dr Starostina says. Hearing and vision also play an important role in social connection and brain stimulation, with reduced hearing and eyesight associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. And then there is skin cancer. Living in Queensland means women should take skin checks

seriously, particularly those with a family history of skin cancer, vulnerable skin or factors that suppress the immune system. For women at higher risk, Dr Starostina says checks may need to begin in their 20s and be done annually. “It is advisable to have a skin check once a year, even without particular risk factors for skin cancer. “Making skin checks a yearly habit — like a dental check-up — helps catch changes early, when they’re easiest to treat. “And if you notice a new spot on your skin, or any changes to an existing one, it’s worth booking a dedicated doctor’s appointment so it can be properly assessed.” As women move through their 50s and 60s, the focus increasingly turns to protecting long-term health. Bowel and breast screening remain important, while regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol can help identify cardiovascular risk. Women with a significant history of smoking may also need to discuss lung cancer screening with their doctor – Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program offers free two-yearly scans to people aged 50 to 70 with a significant smoking history. Bone health becomes another priority around menopause and Dr Starostina says she considers bone density testing for women with risk factors for osteoporosis. A Medicare-subsidised DXA scan is available for women with certain risk factors, and for all women from age 70. But there is another area she particularly wants women to pay attention to: muscle. “Muscle starts dropping off at menopause,” she says. Maintaining muscle is important for metabolism, bone health and physical function. Dr Starostina says the most important thing is not trying to remember every possible test. It is having an ongoing conversation with your GP about what matters for you. “Make that plan with your doctor,” she says. While feeling well is wonderful, knowing you’re doing what you can to stay well is even better.

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DR SPARKS

FACIAL HARMONY WORDS LUCINDA DEAN

WHEN WOMEN BEGIN to consider a facelift, they rarely want to completely change the way they look. They simply want to look as vibrant as they feel. More often it’s about wanting to soften the visible signs of time – the jawline that has lost definition, the neck that has begun to sag, or eyelids that seem to make them look permanently tired. It’s these concerns that plastic surgeon Dr David Sparks hears time and again from women he consults with at his Sunshine Coast practice, Fraser-Kirk Plastic Surgery. Working primarily with women aged 50 to 70, Dr Sparks says his patients are typically seeking to restore confidence in their facial appearance. While Dr Sparks has broad surgical experience, his Sunshine Coast practice focuses exclusively on facial cosmetic surgery. “The vast majority of patients present with concerns about their jawline and neck,” he says. Ageing rarely affects just one feature, however. The face changes gradually as skin loses elasticity, deeper tissues descend and facial volume shifts over time. Treating only one area can sometimes produce an unbalanced result. “We have to address the rest of the face as a composite... otherwise it can be somewhat noticeable that you’ve had something fixed and something else not fixed,” he says. That philosophy reflects a broader trend within modern facial rejuvenation – creating harmony rather than simply tightening skin. One of the reasons Dr Sparks speaks so confidently about facial anatomy is the breadth of his surgical background. Earlier this year he completed a six-month fellowship in Canada encompassing craniofacial 92

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surgery, head and neck surgery, facial palsy surgery, rhinoplasty and facial aesthetic surgery. He also spent time with internationally recognised facial surgeons in Vancouver, London, Beverly Hills, San Francisco and El Paso learning modern approaches to facial rejuvenation, jawline contouring, neck lifts and complex revision surgery. One of the techniques he has incorporated into his practice is a more refined approach to contouring the jawline and neck during facelift surgery, along with modern preservation deep plane techniques that are increasingly being used by leading facial plastic surgeons around the world. Describing the principles behind deep plane facelift surgery, Dr Sparks shares an analogy borrowed from London plastic surgeon, Greg Bran. “I guess if you think about the face as kind of like a bed – a bed frame,

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a mattress and a duvet. Your bed frame is like your skeleton,” he explains. “The mattress is effectively the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) and then you’ve got the duvet, which is kind of like the skin. As you age naturally, the bed frame stays where it is, but the mattress and the duvet kind of slide off the end. The whole idea of doing a deep plane facelift is that you pick up the mattress, put it back where it needs to be, and tighten the duvet. “If you do a skin-only facelift, the mattress is still sitting over the side of the bed frame... and very quickly the duvet will slide back over that mattress.” This concept helps explain why contemporary facelift techniques often produce softer, less obvious results than those associated with earlier generations of cosmetic surgery. Dr Sparks also undertakes revision facial aesthetic surgery, helping patients who have experienced disappointing outcomes elsewhere. That experience has become increasingly relevant as more Australians travel overseas seeking lower-cost procedures. While he acknowledges there are outstanding cosmetic surgeons internationally, he believes patients need to consider more than just price. “I think we’re at an advantage in Australia in that we have a tightly regulated cosmetic surgery sector.” Australia’s regulatory framework, overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), provides safeguards that many overseas destinations simply don’t have. Those safeguards include strict standards around qualifications, informed consent, advertising, patient assessment and follow-up care. For anyone considering facial cosmetic surgery abroad, those hidden costs – financial, emotional and physical – are worth thinking about before booking flights. “If the surgeon makes a mistake, or if there’s a problem post-operatively, there’s no accountability.” Every patient seeking cosmetic surgery in Australia must now undergo screening for body dysmorphic disorder under the APHRA’s current guidelines. “It’s to protect the patients from themselves... and from having surgery which is not in their best interest,” he says. “But it’s also to protect the surgeons.”

When choosing a surgeon, Dr Sparks encourages patients to ask detailed questions. Qualifications matter. In Australia, the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic Surgery remains the benchmark, while membership of the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reflects a particular interest in cosmetic surgery. Dr Sparks says patients should also ask about surgical techniques, experience, post-training fellowships and how frequently the surgeon performs facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr Sparks holds a PhD in regenerative medicine focused on bone reconstruction and tissue engineering. While that research centred on limb reconstruction, it deepened his understanding of tissue healing, blood supply and fat grafting, knowledge he now applies to facial surgery. “I’ve got a strong academic background... which helps me make evidence-based decisions for what I think is the most appropriate thing for patients that I see and treat.” It is perhaps this combination of research, reconstructive surgery and cosmetic practice that shapes his perspective. For women contemplating facial rejuvenation, qualifications and experience are only part of the equation. Feeling heard, understanding the procedure, asking questions and developing realistic expectations remain just as important.

Consultations Now Open. FACELIFT & FACIAL AESTHETIC SURGERY CLINIC

Fraser-Kirk Plastic Surgery

LOCATION

Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast

DOCTORSPARKS.COM.AU

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TRACEY G

Tracey Grills

MORE THAN FITTING WORDS: ABBEY CANNAN PHOTOS: LISA PEARL

AT 14, TRACEY Grills caught a glimpse of her great-grandmother getting dressed and assumed one breast simply had not grown. She would only understand years later what she had seen. Her great-grandmother had undergone a mastectomy at a time when breast cancer was rarely discussed openly. Today, that memory is part of what drives Tracey’s work supporting people as they navigate life after breast surgery. “I now can only wonder what she went through while all the time putting on that perfect front,” she shares. Tracey’s path into post-mastectomy care began decades later, when she was looking for something beyond the corporate career she had been building. In 2010, she began volunteering with the McGrath Foundation, an experience that introduced her to women living through the realities of breast cancer treatment and recovery. “I started volunteering for the foundation after deciding that putting extra hours into a corporate role was not giving me any personal growth or happiness.” It was through that work on the Sunshine Coast that Tracey met a McGrath breast care nurse named Cathy who encouraged her to establish a mobile fitting service while continuing to work full-time. In 2011, she launched the mobile service, offering 94

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fittings for specialised lingerie and breast forms in the privacy of customers’ homes. “It didn’t take long sitting in lounge rooms or on someone’s bed to see there was a need to give them a place to shop,” she says. “Often, doing home visits, ladies would be in their pyjamas, no wig and at their lowest. After a visit and fitting them in specialised garments, I could see the positive impact my visit had made. “There were often tears from both of us, and we shared stories and a hug. “I look back now, however, nothing has changed, women just want to feel themselves again after all they go through fighting their breast cancer diagnosis.” What she encountered there shaped her understanding of what women needed beyond the products themselves. “Quickly I realised that often ladies were exhausted trying to find something to suit their new body shape,” Tracey says. “They were also looking for someone to listen and understand what they were going through and looking for solutions.” That philosophy remains central to Tracey G Prosthetics & Lingerie, which has since grown from a mobile service into a specialist retailer with stores in east Brisbane, Maroochydore and Toowoomba.

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“

there were often tears from both of us

”

The business stocks mastectomy lingerie, swimwear, clothing, breast forms and surgical garments, and caters to a broad range of body shapes and sizes. “I try to stock every mastectomy brand worldwide, for that, we are the largest mastectomy retailer in Australia,” Tracey says. The stores cater to women from size six to 34 and cup sizes AA to LL, while also supporting men following surgery. “There isn’t a lady we haven’t been able to find a bra for, and for that we are most proud,” she says. For Tracey, creating an environment where people can find specialist products without feeling out of place is just as important as the range itself. “We were fortunate to be offered an opportunity to partner with Amoena and open their first Amoena concept store here in Queensland,” Tracey says. “Amoena are the largest manufacturer in the world, which meant the ladies of the Sunshine Coast had access to the largest range possible in post-mastectomy garments and breast forms.” Amoena has recently unveiled its Signature Range, a premium collection of post-mastectomy lingerie designed to marry sophisticated luxury with everyday comfort. Crafted with delicate lace, seamless silhouettes and skin-friendly fabrics, this collection ensures women never have to choose between elegance and support. The business has continued to grow, with 11 women now employed alongside Tracey and her husband Shane. The team ranges in age from 31 to 73. While Tracey’s work centres on the practical

realities of finding the right garments and prostheses, she also keeps a close eye on the future of breast cancer treatment. “I started as a volunteer community representative with the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute committee at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to give back where I can,” she says. “This has been a wonderful insight into developments coming through in surgery advancements, new technologies and surgical pathways.” That knowledge is particularly valuable when supporting people whose recovery has not gone according to plan. “There is always a solution, it might not be obvious, however, we specialise in finding solutions especially for failed reconstruction or where women think there is no hope,” she says. Tracey also works with hospitals and helps eligible customers navigate Medicare support for breast prostheses. “Medicare also give $400 per breast every two years for those affected by breast cancer to cover the cost of their prosthesis. We take care of this in the store to save the ladies time and make the process as hassle-free as possible.” More than a decade after she first began visiting women in their homes, Tracey’s original motivation remains at the heart of the business. Her great-grandmother’s experience belonged to a generation where difficult conversations were often kept behind closed doors. Tracey has spent her career helping create the kind of space where those conversations can happen openly, privately and without judgement. “I try to treat every customer as family, not selling something they don’t need, overcharging or even having stock too highly priced,” she says. “I want every woman to find something in her price range that makes her feel good about herself.” For Tracey, the work is about much more than finding the right product. It’s about helping people regain a sense of confidence, comfort and self.

Visit traceyg.com SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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BEAUTY

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL THIS SPRING, BEAUTY isn’t about adding more. It’s about knowing what’s worth keeping. For years, beauty has told us that more is more. More steps, more serums, more treatments, more promises lined up neatly on the bathroom shelf. But this season, there’s something refreshing about stripping it all back. The new approach to beauty is more considered. It’s less about chasing every new ingredient or trend and more about understanding what genuinely works for you. Think of it as a beauty wardrobe rather than a beauty cupboard: a carefully edited collection of hardworking essentials you return to again and again. For skin, that means getting the foundations right. Gentle cleansing, hydration, a targeted treatment where it’s needed and, particularly under the Sunshine Coast sun, SPF every day. Healthy skin doesn’t necessarily come from a complicated routine; often, consistency is far more valuable. The same philosophy is influencing professional treatments. Rather than dramatic transformations, the focus is increasingly on subtle results and long-term skin quality. Treatments that support collagen, improve texture, address pigmentation or restore hydration can quietly enhance what’s already there. Makeup is taking a lighter approach, too. Fresh skin, softly defined eyes, brushed brows and a touch of colour feel right for warmer days. Hair is relaxed and touchable. The overall effect is polished without appearing overly perfected. Spring is also the ideal time to take stock. Finish what works. Let go of what doesn’t. Simplify the routine and spend a little more thoughtfully on the things that earn their place. Because good beauty doesn’t need to announce itself. Sometimes the greatest luxury is knowing when you already have enough.

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THE LUXURY OF SLOWING DOWN. THE

BEAUTY EDIT

Four hardworking essentials that earn their place on the bathroom shelf.

THE DAILY SPF La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF50+ Lightweight, invisible and made for everyday wear. A year-round essential, especially as we head into the warmer months.

Gentle ASMR-style sensory therapy for women seeking calm, restoration and deep relaxation SERUM THE S Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum Intens lightweight antioxidant serum A ligh designed to deliver sustained design hydration. The signature amber bottle hydra is as eelegant as the serum is hardworking. hardw

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THE FACE OIL IL Go-To Face Hero ro A nourishing face oil from an Australian beauty brand. A hardworking staple that makes es a strong case for keeping ng skincare simple. e.

E THE LIP ESSENTIAL Viol Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm SPF50 Hydration, colour and SPF in produc making it a smart one product, multitasker for a streamlined rout beauty routine.

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BEAUTY

REFINED

Éminence Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser, Waterfall Day Spa. waterfalldayspamooloolaba.com.au

Éminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque, Waterfall Day Spa. waterfalldayspamooloolaba.com.au

Lük Beautifood Lash Nourish Mascara Espresso. whitepepperhome.com

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Noosa Basics mint lip balm. whitepepperhome.com

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Olieve & Olie body oil, shimmer. whitepepperhome.com

Thermal Suite and Flotation Pool, Infrared Sauna, Steam Room, Organic Facials, Japanese Head Spa, Full Body Massage and more. Located in the heart of Noosa. Open 7 days a week.

Take your results further with the Time Capsule. Your one-minute daily ritual for a firmer, smoother and brighter neck and jawline. This bonus purchase is just $150, normally $395, featuring vibrating red photon therapy that penetrates deep to tighten and hydrate, boost collagen and reduce crepey skin, Australia HIFU, 0408 200 059. australiahifu.com.au

Waterlily Aromatherapy Body and Bath Serum (Desire), Waterfall Day Spa. waterfalldayspamooloolaba.com.au

Links Drive, Noosa Heads 07 5440 3355 noosasprings.com.au/spa

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ON THE INSIDE

VANITY matters Waverley centre bowl with Florentine walnut thermolaminated V-groove cabinetry and Nimbus Durasein benchtop 100

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A BATHROOM VANITY is expected to do more than almost any other piece of furniture in the home. It stores our everyday bathroom essentials, it has to withstand moisture and regular cleaning and most of all, it has to provide us with a practical and easy-to-use surface for those busy mornings. Then there is the style element – the vanity is often the first feature you see when walking into a bathroom, which means it determines the direction of the space’s overall design. This combination of function and appearance is why choosing a vanity is about more than simply finding a cabinet that fits the available wall. The team at the Sunshine Coast-based NCP showrooms understand this well. General manager of sales Tracy Wilkins says when it comes to designing a beautiful and functional bathroom, the starting point should be about how the space is used, rather than a particular colour. “A vanity might look beautiful, but it also has to work for the people using it every day. “Storage, cleaning, basin choice, tapware and the amount of bench space all need to be considered together,” she tells salt. Scale is one of the first considerations. A vanity that is too large can restrict movement, while one that is too small may leave the room short of storage and visual balance. Door swings, shower screens and access for cleaning also need to be taken into account. Position can have an equally significant effect. Where possible, placing the vanity where it can be seen on entering the room helps establish a clear focal point. In an existing bathroom, however, changing the location may involve relocating plumbing, which can add to renovation costs. Wall-hung vanities have become a popular choice because they keep the floor visible, helping a room feel more open and making it easier to clean underneath. They can work particularly well in compact bathrooms, although storage requirements should still help guide the final configuration. Of course, drawer design has helped overcome some of the storage limitations once associated with floating vanities. Deep drawers, internal organisers and space-saving plumbing kits can provide easier access to toiletries and cleaning products than traditional cupboards. “People are usually surprised by how much difference good internal storage makes,” Tracy says. “It is not only about how many drawers a vanity has, but how those drawers are configured around the plumbing and how easily everything can be reached.” The basin and benchtop also influence the height, proportions and maintenance of the vanity. This is also a good opportunity to introduce your own style to the bathroom. An above-counter basin can create a strong design feature and allow more of the benchtop

Waverley double bowl with ultra white matte cabinetry, Alabaster Cherry Pie benchtop and Aria handles in brushed brass

“

an abovecounter basin can create a strong design feature

”

material to be seen, while an integrated or moulded basin offers a streamlined finish. Wall-mounted tapware may free up bench space, but its placement must be resolved before plumbing and wall linings are completed. These are the details NCP encourages customers to explore in person. The local, family-owned business has five showrooms across the Sunshine Coast and has been operating for 75 years. Its relationship with Architectural Designer Products, known as ADP, gives customers access to an extensive range of Australian-designed and manufactured bathroom pieces. ADP is also family-owned and has operated for SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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Eli in Florentine walnut

more than 25 years, with a focus on design, product quality and sustainability. Tracy says the shared values of the two businesses have helped create a strong working relationship. “There is confidence in knowing where a product has come from, how it has been made and that there is a local team available to help with the selection,” she says. “Both businesses understand that a vanity is a long-term purchase. Customers need honest advice about what will suit their home, not simply what is currently popular.” The ADP collection demonstrates how differently a vanity can shape a bathroom. The Archie range, for example, designed by Australian interior designers and former The Block contestants Alisa and Lysandra, brings softer architectural detail through thermolaminated V-groove cabinetry and an arched feature design. Available as a wall-hung vanity in all-door or door-and-drawer configurations, it can be paired with a range of finishes and benchtops. In Florentine walnut, the warm tone can add depth to a neutral bathroom without relying on decorative elements elsewhere. For a more sculptural result, the Australian-made Thea vanity features curved ends and twin drawers. Its top options include matte ceramic, solid-surface and stone-look finishes, allowing the design to move from understated to highly detailed. A double-bowl configuration can suit a shared ensuite or family bathroom, while drawer organisers and an in-drawer power point are great for everyday use. Then there is the beautiful modular Waverley range, which provides another approach. A minimum of three components can be combined to create a customised arrangement, with single or double basins and a benchtop of up to 2.2 metres. Curved V-groove cabinetry, slim drawers and different handle treatments allow the same range to take on different looks. The ultra white vanity with brushed brass handles can feel crisp and contemporary, while Florentine walnut paired with a marbled-look benchtop creates a warmer effect. If your style leans toward a more restrained style, the Eli range could be an option, with its clean lines, an integrated handle and a choice of wall-hung or floor-mounted configurations. A Florentine walnut cabinet with a grey travertinelook benchtop and matte forest-green basin, for 102

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The Thea vanity

The Archie all-door in Florentine walnut

example, combines natural tones without making the room feel overly themed. Tracy says, while images are useful for narrowing down preferences, finishes, proportions and construction details can be difficult to judge online. Colours may look different on a screen, while drawer quality and the scale of a basin or handle can be hard to assess from a photograph. This is where a bricks-and-mortar showroom remains valuable. “We want people to be able to see, touch and fall in love with a product, but also to understand exactly how it will work in their bathroom,” Tracy says. “A showroom gives you the chance to compare finishes, open the drawers, look at the storage and talk through the choices with someone who has experience.” The right vanity should suit the dimensions of the room, support the household’s routines and remain practical. When those decisions work together, the end result becomes more than a bathroom cabinet. It becomes the element that gives the space its entire purpose. ncpgroup.com.au

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see touch

love

See Touch Love the Waverley Vanity from ADP at NCP Noosaville ncpgroup.com.au

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OCEAN BUYERS AGENCY

When the buyer comes

first WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS LAUREN BIGGS

BUYING A HOUSE should be exciting. And it is – until you find yourself staring at a contract, trying to work out what half of it means, wondering whether the house really is worth the asking price, while panicking that someone else is about to make an offer. Then there are building and pest inspections, comparable sales, finance, negotiations, agents, deadlines and the small matter of spending what is probably the biggest chunk of money you will ever spend. It is little wonder buying property can feel overwhelming. For most people, it’s not just a financial decision. It’s the place they’ll call home for years to come. Keeta Gibson knows this only too well. As the founder of Ocean Buyers Agency, Keeta works exclusively for buyers, helping them navigate the process from the first conversation about what they are looking for right through to settlement and, ultimately, handing over the keys. And there is one important distinction. She is on your side. “The selling agent and I can have a great working relationship, but at the end of the day we’re sitting on opposite sides of the transaction,” she says. “Their job is to represent the seller. Mine is to represent my buyer.” It sounds obvious, but it is a distinction many buyers forget when they walk into an open home. The selling agent is doing their job – and doing it well means getting the best possible result for the vendor. Keeta’s job is to make sure her client gets the best possible result. That involves a lot more than finding a nice house. There is the searching, of course, but there is also the research, the phone calls, the inspections, the questions, the negotiations and the due diligence that happens behind the scenes. “Sometimes it’s what you don’t see that’s most important,” Keeta says. While most buyers are looking at the living room and wondering where the sofa will go, Keeta is viewing the floor plan as a whole, in addition to the home’s position, future resale or renovation potential, comparable sales and anything else that might affect the value of the property. She is also asking questions. Why are the owners selling? Has a previous contract fallen over? Are there known issues? 104

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Is the price guide realistic? And importantly, what actually matters to the seller? Because price isn’t always the only thing on the table. The right settlement date, finance terms or other conditions can sometimes make an offer more appealing – and understanding that can help Keeta negotiate a better outcome for her client. Her role also means being prepared to have the difficult conversations – like telling a buyer they shouldn’t buy a house they love. In one case, her clients were besotted with a beautiful home and could already picture themselves living there. But during the due diligence process, concerns emerged about a retaining wall. Rather than accepting the risk, Keeta engaged a structural engineer and obtained specialist advice and repair quotes. Once they had the full picture, the potential cost and risk were simply too much, and they walked away. “Those conversations are never easy because buyers naturally become emotionally invested in a property,” she says. “But my responsibility is to protect my clients, even when that means advising them to walk away from a home they genuinely love.” And that is one of the biggest benefits of having someone in your corner – buying property is emotional. Keeta doesn’t pretend otherwise. “We establish non-negotiables in the client’s brief before we start searching,” she says. “When emotions start to take over, we return to the facts.” It is surprisingly easy to move the goalposts when you have been looking for months. Suddenly the tiny second bedroom isn’t so bad. The busy road is something you can live with. The lack of backyard is fine because the kitchen is gorgeous. Keeta says buyers can start talking themselves into a property because they are exhausted by the search or simply terrified they will miss out. That is when it helps to have someone ask the obvious question: ‘Does this house actually work for you?’ Her local knowledge is another part of the service, particularly on the Sunshine Coast. Anyone who has spent time looking at property here knows that one

BUYING PROPERTY? Buy with confidence, not guesswork.

Ocean Buyers Agency represents buyers and buyers only.

OCEAN BUYERS AGENCY

Independent advice.

suburb can contain a dozen different pockets. Two houses can look almost identical on paper but have different values depending on their position, elevation, outlook, land and exactly which part of the suburb they sit in. That is not something you will necessarily pick up from an online listing. Keeta also considers things such as future infrastructure, flood mapping, traffic, school catchments, surrounding development and how an area might change over time. She has been immersed in property for more than two decades, completing her first renovation project in 2003 before going on to work across mortgage broking, financial planning, project management, property investing and development. Starting Ocean Buyers Agency was a natural progression. “I love the hunt, I love solving problems, I love negotiating and, probably most importantly, I genuinely enjoy helping people navigate what can be a really overwhelming process,” she says. For interstate and overseas buyers, having someone on the ground can be particularly valuable. Keeta can inspect properties when clients can’t, provide video walkthroughs, talk to selling agents, investigate the area and give an honest version of what she is seeing. For local buyers, there is another precious commodity she can offer. Time. Her team does the searching, calls the agents, inspects properties, follows things up and keeps all the moving parts moving. And when it comes to negotiating, Keeta is not afraid to say enough is enough. “If I believe the price has moved beyond what the property represents in value, I’m prepared to recommend that we walk away,” she says. “There will always be another property.” Because ultimately, Keeta says, the goal isn’t simply to get the keys. It is to still feel good about the purchase decision five or 10 years from now. And if somewhere down the track, a buyer looks back on the whole experience and thinks, “Thank goodness we had Keeta to help us,” then she knows she’s done her job.

5.0 Google Rating

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HOMEWARES

BEAUTY LJ BIRDS GLASS HEARTS

CERAMIC DISH

All products above available from Hearts and Minds Art. heartsandmindsart.com.au

EARTH

All pottery above available from The Opalcutter. opalcutter.com.au

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IMG® Space 57.57 Recliner + Ottoman

Craft Your Personal Oasis Maroochydore Homemaker Centre globalliving.com.au 07SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU 5479 5900

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HOMEWARES

VA N I L L A T U R T L E M U G

W H AT S H E ’S H AV I N G N OT E P L AT E

HARMONY

Above available from Whitepepper Home & General Store. whitepepperhome.com

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RUSTIC

PAT T E R N E D H O R S E S H O E S

INCENSE

MEXICAN FOLK ART

ALL FIRED UP POT TERY All products above available from Nzari. nzari.com.au

26 Bulcock Street, Caloundra 0428 821 251 whitepepperhome.com

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MEET THE MAKER

THE SWEET LIFE WORDS LUCINDA DEAN WORDS LISA PEARL

WHILE MOST PEOPLE SAY, “I’m off to work”, Renee Jarrett tells her family, “I’m off to create”. It’s a deceptively simple phrase that neatly sums up the philosophy that transformed a working-class girl from Canberra into one of Australia’s most accomplished cake artists. That mindset has taken the owner of Daisy Cakes and Bakes, Caloundra, from decorating cookies late at night after putting her young daughters to bed to leading Queensland this year at Australia’s biggest cake competition. “It just doesn’t feel like work,” says Renee of the business she built from scratch 11 years ago. “My dad used to say to me, ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life’, and that’s exactly how I feel.” Renee’s father owned a plumbing and gas-fitting business specialising in repairing and reselling dishwashers. During school holidays, Renee and her siblings earned $5 each scrubbing old appliances. “We’d be there for hours scrubbing this thing and then Dad would say, ‘What about that bit?’” As a teenager, she graduated to invoicing customers and chasing unpaid accounts, unknowingly learning the fundamentals of small business. Long before she discovered cookie decorating, Renee owned a beauty salon and was preparing to open a beauty school when a skin allergy abruptly ended that dream. “It was devastating,” she says. A career in recruitment followed, leading to senior 110

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human resources positions with the Department of Defence in Canberra, where she met her future husband, Air Force officer Jason. After the birth of daughters Pippa and Evie, Renee began searching for something that belonged solely to her. She started watching cookie decorating tutorials on YouTube and then attended a cake decorating class with her mother. “For my mum it was a nice day out,” she says. “But I thought, ‘That was a great experience. I’ve found my jam’.” Renee began baking for family celebrations until friends started requesting cakes and offering to pay. She repeatedly declined, insisting it was simply a creative outlet. After turning away commissions for two years, she finally established a commercial kitchen at home and launched Daisy Cakes and Bakes. The business began in Canberra, but a profound life event changed its direction. Jason had always wanted to return to the Sunshine Coast, where he grew up. When one of Renee’s closest friends died at just 47, the couple decided it was time. “I realised life is just too short to not be doing what you want to be doing, or be where you want to be.” The family relocated to the Coast in January 2020. Weeks later, COVID-19 shut the country down. While many businesses struggled, Daisy Cakes and Bakes boomed. Working from her licensed home kitchen, Renee launched an online cookie business just as Australians were searching for meaningful ways to

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My kitchen is my happy place.

stay connected. Orders poured in from across the country, particularly Victoria, building a loyal customer base far faster than she had imagined. Today, Daisy Cakes and Bakes occupies a commercial kitchen and shopfront in Bulcock Street, Caloundra. It remains a family business, with Pippa, 16, helping bake slices, Evie, 13, decorating cupcakes and working Sundays, while Jason helps at markets and chats with customers. Renee’s love of baking began long before her business. Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, she learnt from an older girl next door who regularly invited neighbourhood children into her kitchen. Her grandmother was also an accomplished baker, with handwritten recipe books that remain treasured family heirlooms. Daisy’s vanilla cake is based on a recipe handed down from her grandmother-in-law. Of course, not every early creation was a masterpiece. For her eldest daughter’s first birthday, Renee painstakingly created a bird-shaped cake to match the invitations, only for her mother-in-law to innocently ask: “What’s that meant to be?” Laughing, Renee says, “But it’s also good because you can see how much you’ve improved.” That improvement reached a remarkable milestone in 2025 when her sculpted cake of singer Pink won first place in the Bust category at the International Cake Show Australia, hosted by the Australian Cake Artists and Decorators Association (ACADA). It was the first realistic figure she had attempted. Taking around 45 hours to complete, Renee meticulously researched Pink’s tattoos, hairstyle, jewellery and facial expressions while experimenting with modelling chocolate and modelling paste for the first time. “It was definitely a ‘trust the process’ exercise.” The 2026 ACADA competition brought a fresh challenge when Renee returned to complete a gravity-defying Mr Squiggle sculpture she had abandoned the previous year. When both hands detached and his hat broke during transport, she calmly repaired the damage before judging. The cake received a Bronze Award. She also captained Queensland in the inaugural Cake of Origin competition, where three-person teams created spectacular live cakes over three days. Queensland finished runner-up to New South Wales. Today, Renee has come full circle from teaching herself online to teaching others. She runs cookie decorating classes from her Caloundra shop and decorative cake icing workshops throughout Queensland. “Some people think they’re not going to be good at it and then they surprise themselves and they take home something they’re really proud of,” she says. “That’s what I love.” After a lifetime spent proving that creativity can flourish anywhere – from practising icing on baking paper to sculpting award-winning cake art – Renee believes everyone possesses creative potential. “There is a creative element in everyone,” she says. “And I love seeing the moment people realise it for themselves.”

decorated cookies gingerbread houses cakes and cupcakes corporate gifts classes & workshops

www.daisycakesandbakes.com.au

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ATTRACTIONS

LOCALS

love

There are plenty of things to explore, see and do on the Sunshine Coast, so get out there and enjoy the range of activities, events, experiences and attractions.

FOLLOW THE HUMPBACK HIGHWAY There’s something unforgettable about seeing a humpback whale in its natural environment. At WHALES SUNSHINE COAST, guests can experience the annual whale migration from a premium offshore vantage point aboard the Whale Explorer, the largest jet-powered whale watching boat in Australia. Departing from Kawana, the more than three-hour experience follows the Sunshine Coast’s ‘humpback highway’, offering the chance to witness powerful breaches, tail slaps and other incredible surface activity. With an experienced local crew, a larger and more stable vessel, onboard toilet, light snacks and drinks, it’s an immersive way to get out on the water and experience these magnificent visitors up close. whalessunshinecoast.com.au

WHERE CALOUNDRA COMES ALIVE Whether it’s a night of music, a captivating theatre performance or a special event shared with friends, THE EVENTS CENTRE, CALOUNDRA is where Sunshine Coast evenings come to life. Located just a short stroll from the heart of Caloundra and close to Kings Beach and Bulcock Street, the venue brings an everchanging line-up of concerts, music, dance, plays and shows to the stage. With two theatres, dining spaces for more than 1000 patrons and an in-house cafe and bar, make an evening of it and enjoy a little entertainment, good food and great company. theeventscentre.com.au

EXPLORE THE VIBRANT EUMUNDI MARKETS A truly immersive way to capture the essence of spring is to experience the I LOVE EUMUNDI MARKETS. Fresh cool breezes, blue skies, together with a unique shopping experience providing visitors with everything from fresh seasonal produce to new and unique fashion and local designer accessories, as well as handcrafted gifts for your home or someone special. The vibe ramps up as the days become brighter with musicians, entertainers, street food vendors, baristas and stallholders all ready to greet and welcome guests with open arms to their vibrant town. iloveeumundimarkets.com

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There’s always a reason to get together. Tucked into the rainforest at Glenview, Daisy’s Place has been part of the Sunshine Coast story since 1923, when Daisy Johnson opened the original Rustic Cabin. More than a century later, the setting remains unmistakably Daisy’s, surrounded by lush forest, rich with character and full of the warmth that has defined it for generations.

Breakfast • Lunch • Celebrations Made for every moment. Come for a relaxed breakfast, lunch and drinks with friends or to celebrate with the people who matter. From quiet tables for two to lively afternoons shared with family and friends, Daisy’s Place invites you to enjoy great food and make a little more time for each other.

Make your way to Daisy’s Place. 07 5494 5192 manager@daisysplace.com.au daisysplace.com.au

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11 Frizzo Connection rd, Glenview

31/08/2026 12:31:06 PM

SUNSET CRUISE THROUGH MOOLOOLABA CELEBRATE NOOSA CIVIC’S BIRTHDAY It’s a big, happy birthday to NOOSA CIVIC this October as the centre marks 20 years since opening the northern Sunshine Coast’s largest shopping destination. From bringing a new era of convenience to the region when it opened in 2016, it has become the go-to for locals to connect, shop and enjoy family-friendly events. Don’t miss the fun this September when the Cheeky Monkey Club offers free kids’ workshops crafting eco jellyfish lanterns, and then throughout October when the centre celebrates with 20 days of prize giveaways. noosacivic.com.au

Twilight has its own special meaning to everyone. To the team at COASTAL CRUISES MOOLOOLABA, it means relaxation, fresh local food and cold drinks. Ease into the Mooloolaba evening with a cocktail or two and a taste of the day’s fresh catch, all while taking in the magical scenery of the Mooloolah River. Guests are picked up from the Wharf Mooloolaba before cruising towards the river mouth, taking in sensational scenic views stretching all the way to Noosa Headland. The journey then continues with a stop at the local Mooloolaba Fish Markets to collect the fresh catch of the day, before settling into a leisurely cruise through the lower reaches of the Mooloolah River, harbour and canals. cruisemooloolaba.com.au

EXPERIENCE SCENIC FLIGHTS AND PILOT TRAINING Curious about flying? SUNSHINE COAST AERO CLUB offers scenic trial flights and high-quality flight training for recreational licenses, as well as training all the way through to commercial licenses. The experienced team ensures a safe and enjoyable learning environment. Trainees are in control of their training pace, flying when it suits them and progressing from their first flight with the SCACQ all the way to a commercial pilot licence (CPL) via Inspire Aviation. Conduct the biannual flight review with them to refresh and reinforce skills. Need an aircraft for local flying or building hours? They offer well-maintained aircraft for hire at competitive rates. sunshinecoastaeroclub.com.au

Mooloolaba Seafood Lunch Cruise

Sit back, relax and enjoy the mult-imillion dollar views while enjoying the freshest seafood the Sunshine Coast has to offer. Cruise duration: 90 minutes Adult price: from $75 / lunch included

Seafood Lunch Cruises depart from the Wharf Mooloolaba 11am & 1pm

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0419 704 797 Book online: cruisemooloolaba.com.au

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TEE OFF IN PARADISE For those who like their golf surrounded by a little natural beauty, NOOSA SPRINGS GOLF AND SPA offers an experience that feels a world away. Set amongst beautiful Noosa National Park, the 18-hole, par 72 championship course winds its way through tropical vegetation, freshwater lakes and abundant wildlife, creating a spectacular backdrop for a day on the green. Once the final hole is played, settle in at the clubhouse for a cold drink overlooking the course, or make more of your stay with the resort’s range of golf, spa and accommodation experiences. noosasprings.com.au

VISIT THE AWARD-WINNING LOUNGE SEVENTY TWO Maroochy RSL is proud to celebrate LOUNGE SEVENTY TWO, crowned 2026 Best Small Renovation at the Clubs Queensland Awards. This elevated cocktail and sports lounge blends sophistication with energy, from expertly crafted cocktails to intimate booth seating and a signature menu. A big screen TV delivers every sporting moment in style, while a dedicated TAB area adds to the excitement. Complete with a vibrant entertainment zone, dance floor and some of the friendliest staff on the Sunshine Coast, Lounge Seventy Two is where unforgettable nights begin. maroochyrsl.com.au/lounge-seventy-two

SHOP, DINE, BROWSE, ENJOY Sometimes the best days are the simplest ones. At CALOUNDRA SHOPPING CENTRE, everything needed is conveniently close at hand, from fresh food and everyday essentials to fashion, dining, health and beauty. Home to Coles, Kmart and more than 45 specialty stores, the centre makes it easy to shop, dine and enjoy without the fuss. Located in the heart of Caloundra with plenty of free all-day parking, it’s a convenient local destination for picking up the essentials or taking time to browse, shop and enjoy. caloundrashoppingcentre.com.au

WATERFRONT DINING | WEDDINGS | EVENTS A waterfront destination for Mediterranean flavours, long lunches, sunset drinks and unforgettable celebrations. From intimate weddings to vibrant private events, Marina offers beautiful, versatile spaces, tailored experiences and everything you need to celebrate in style. Come and sip with us!

33/45 Parklyn Parade, Mooloolaba

@marina_mooloolaba

marinamooloolaba.au

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ARTIST

AN ABSTRACT approach WORDS LUCINDA DEAN PHOTOS LISA PEARL 116

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THERE IS A temptation to think that artists eventually ‘arrive’. That after decades of practice they develop a signature style, master their craft and finally stand at the summit of their success. But spend a morning with Sunshine Coast abstract artist Michael Whitehead and that notion is dispelled as mere fancy. Michael describes making art as “an endless road trip”. Every painting leads to another question. Every breakthrough reveals another possibility. Every exhibition marks another milestone on the journey, rather than an ‘arrival’. Michael started out as a graphic artist in Melbourne in the mid-70s and had a brief stint teaching art before returning to painting when he moved to the Sunshine Coast more than 30 years ago. He was still in realist painting mode then, doing “really detailed stuff”. “I didn’t do a lot of it, but I did enough to realise there’s a lot of brilliant landscape and portrait artists out there, and very dedicated to what they’re doing, and I was just in the sea of it – what was my point of difference?” The answer arrived from a fellow Coast artist and mentor, Norwegian-born Svein Koningen, who challenged Michael to abandon certainty and embrace risk. “He’d say, ‘You’ve got to free up, you’ve got to go for it’.” Svein’s advice sounds simple but embracing it proved far more difficult for Michael. He admits there was a “lot of risk” in changing tack, and after “burning” through loads of canvasses, Michael reached a point where he asked himself, “Is this really worth doing?” “And then all of a sudden, something clicks and you go, this works. You’ve got to make the mistakes

to find the path.” Michael admits he didn’t find much success early on. He sold a few paintings at a market in Brisbane that used to be in King George Square, with the sales mostly paying for art supplies. Then he was picked up by a couple of galleries. His network grew from there and exhibitions followed, along with the realisation he needed to develop “a more recognisable style”. Looking back over the past two decades of creating, Michael, 72, sees not isolated paintings but an unfolding journey. “I feel there is a progression there and I think as you look back you can sort of see where an idea or a sequence of paintings have started to wind down and I think, how do I reignite this?”

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“

I guess music is a subconscious influence

”

Sometimes that spark comes from discovering an unexpected effect in a material. Sometimes it’s a gesture that feels worth exploring. Sometimes it’s simply recognising that a familiar approach has reached its natural conclusion. For all that experimentation, Michael remains a tough critic of his own work. “Just because I painted it, it doesn’t mean it’s any good,” he says. “You’ve got to stand back and take a look sometimes. Because it’s abstract, it doesn’t have the same set of rules applied to it, I guess, but by the same token it still has to have an aesthetic quality, as long as it doesn’t look naive, laboured, forced or mannered. “You don’t hide the gestures or things you’ve made, sometimes paint is going to run off here or there, and if you’re happy for it to stay there, leave it.” That judgement extends to knowing when to stop. Michael believes artists must first satisfy themselves before thinking about audiences or sales. “You’ve got to please yourself because if you’re not happy with it, it can’t go out [into the world]. “Sometimes when you’re painting, you think ‘when do I stop?’ and I think the time to stop is when there’s nothing left inside you that still annoys you.” But leave it too long and spontaneity disappears “You can paint something to death,” he adds. His willingness to experiment extends even to unconventional materials. For years he incorporated bitumen beneath layers of paint, embracing its unpredictable ability to split, crack and create subtle tension beneath the surface. “I use it as a tool, not as the end result.” Those hidden layers mirror the way Michael thinks about painting itself. Every finished canvas contains traces of earlier decisions, abandoned ideas and revisions invisible to the viewer but essential to the final work. It is why he rejects the common misconception that abstract painting is somehow easier or less considered than realism. “You go to an exhibition of abstract works and you can see the enormous amount of thought that’s gone into it,” he says. “It wasn’t just, here’s a canvas, throw this at it, smear this across it.” He draws inspiration from artists such as Guy Maestri and Sydney Ball, whose work carries that same depth of thought where every brushstroke appears charged with intention. Looking at their work reinforces a humbling realisation. “I’d think it took them [the artists] a real long time to get to that point. It doesn’t matter how complex or simple it appears, it took a long time to 118

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get there and you think if you are going to be any good at this you are going to spend a long time trying to get there – and are you there anyway?” While evolving as an abstract artist, Michael has also spent a lot of time wandering art galleries and art fairs, looking and being inspired. He says one of the best things he’s ever done was visit the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London last year. The exhibition is open to a broad spectrum of creatives, from “quite high-end artists” including German artist Anselm Kiefer, whose monumental paintings and mixed-media works have become some of the defining achievements of contemporary art, right through to student works. For Michael, seeing the work of other artists reinforces the same question that has followed him throughout his career.

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“When do you ever stand back from a painting and think that’s the pinnacle of my achievement?” For him, the answer is never. Growing up through the musical and cultural revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, Michael admired artists who challenged convention rather than followed formulas. Experimental musicians such as Frank Zappa inspired him because they refused to accept established structures, much as abstract painters abandoned traditional ways of seeing landscapes and representation. “I guess music is a subconscious influence, I always have tunes in my head.” The influence appears not only in the rhythm of his paintings but also in their titles, many borrowed from memorable song lyrics or books. “I don’t go searching for titles, they just pop up from memory.” That connection between music and painting carries into his newest exhibition, Return to Forever, named after the influential 1970s jazz fusion band. The exhibition brings together a cohesive collection of works linked through shared materials, gestures and atmosphere rather than a literal narrative. It will be Michael’s third exhibition with Gallery G Contemporary in Hastings Street, Noosa, continuing a relationship that has helped his evolving abstract practice reach an ever-growing audience. Despite decades of exhibitions, gallery representation and sales that have taken his work into corporate collections and homes overseas, Michael remains unconvinced that artistic fulfilment is ever fully attained. “I’m never really relaxed with anything, I think it’s just human nature. No matter what it is in life, you always think ‘I could’ve done that better.” Perhaps that quiet dissatisfaction is precisely what keeps the journey alive. Every painting contains the possibility of the next one. Every exhibition becomes another departure point. For Michael, arriving has never been the goal. The road itself is where his art lives. thegcontemporary.com SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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OFF THE WALL

THE JOY

maker

WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS LISA PEARL 120

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FOR 25 YEARS, Noosa artist Tracey Keller has been painting colour, optimism and connection into people’s lives. Now she’s embracing a new chapter filled with creativity, collaboration and a few unexpected surprises. Step inside Tracey’s Noosa studio and it feels less like an art space and more like a vibrant creative playground. Paintings in various stages of completion line the walls. Sculptures sit alongside brightly coloured furniture she’s lovingly upcycled. Vintage denim jackets wait to be transformed into wearable art. Music hums through the space, plants soften every corner and inspiration seems to spill from every shelf. “This is my playroom,” Tracey laughs. And she means it. While many people know Tracey for her instantly recognisable portraits of children, pets and wildlife, the artist behind one of Noosa’s most recognisable creative brands is refusing to stand still. After 25 years as a full-time professional artist, she’s not slowing down – she’s simply pivoting. “This used to be full for picking and packing online and wholesale orders,” she says, looking around the expansive warehouse studio. “The wholesale orders have dropped, online has decreased slightly, so I’ve had to think, ‘Do I stay here or move somewhere smaller?’ “This is the vision of staying here and creating a beautiful place for creatives, and also for me to play.” It’s a word she returns to often – play. Experiment. Pivot. “I’ve made this Instagram-worthy,” she smiles. “I want people to surround themselves with beautiful things. It’s like a childhood wonderland in here.” That willingness to evolve has become one of Tracey’s greatest strengths. When COVID changed retail overnight, she adapted to keep her staff employed. When her

Hastings Street gallery no longer aligned with the life she wanted, she closed it on her own terms. “It was a hustle,” she says. “Honestly, for my age, I don’t want to do it anymore.” Instead, she’s creating something entirely different – a welcoming creative hub that will open its doors during Noosa Open Studios and continue evolving long after. “I’m staying here and making this work.” It’s hard not to be swept up in her enthusiasm. One moment she’s talking about a striking new female surfer series inspired by Noosa and female empowerment. The next she’s unveiling colourful nursery concepts, enormous international commissions and hand-painted denim made from discarded jeans rescued from landfill. “I’m obsessed by the amount of jeans that go into landfill,” she says. Old jackets become wearable artworks. Oversized

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coats are reshaped into stylish statement pieces. Forgotten fabrics find a second life. “I don’t even know how I’m going to monetise this,” she laughs. “I’m just having fun.” That joy is contagious. Yet behind every colourful brushstroke lies remarkable discipline. People often ask how long one of her paintings takes to complete. “My first response is 59 years,” she says with a grin. “Because it’s a lifetime. “On the tools, maybe a week. But before I even get there, I’ve painted it in my head a dozen times. I’ll obsess over a painting for months before the brush even touches the canvas.” As a professional artist, she works on multiple pieces simultaneously, allowing each one to evolve naturally. “You can’t narrow it down to how long it takes. It’s a process.” It’s also why Tracey resists the idea that great artists are simply born with talent. “I don’t think it’s talent,” she says. “I think after 25 years of full-time practice, I should be good at it.” Before becoming an artist, Tracey enjoyed a successful corporate career in retail design, product development and management, briefing artists rather than being one herself. Eventually she decided she’d rather become “the technician”. Those years in business now underpin every decision she makes as an artist. “When kids tell me they want to be an artist like me, I say, ‘Always do your best at school. Don’t start off as an artist. Go out and learn life. Learn business. Learn to be your best at everything so when you decide to become a full-time painter, 122

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“

don’t start off as an artist. go out and learn life

”

you’ve got purpose.’” Purpose is a word that surfaces repeatedly throughout the conversation. Years ago, a mentor asked her one simple question: “Why do you get out of bed every morning?” Back then, she says, her answer wasn’t strong enough. “I wanted to make people smile.” Today, her purpose has grown into something much bigger. “My core purpose is to push paint around to create so that when the viewer looks at it, something positive or a smile registers in their heart. “So when they leave that situation, that smile ripples out to the world so the world becomes a better place.” It’s an idea that has carried her through extraordinary personal challenges. Tracey speaks only briefly about multiple serious accidents, more than 50 surgeries and years of chronic pain. She doesn’t dwell there. Instead, she focuses on resilience. “Chronic pain is my friend,” she says matter-of-

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factly. “I’m going to continue doing what my purpose is, which is to create joy – for me and for others.” That philosophy extends well beyond the canvas. She’s passionate about mentoring younger creatives, regularly painting in public so children can watch the artistic process unfold. “I’ve had kids I met in Hastings Street when they were three. They’re now 15 or 16 and they still come back to watch me paint. “What an honour to have impacted a stranger’s life. “It’s actually not me. Maybe it’s the energy. “As an artist who wants to create positivity and joy, I have an obligation to do that with the leaders of tomorrow.” Despite embracing traditional painting techniques, Tracey is equally enthusiastic about modern technology. Far from fearing artificial intelligence, she’s chosen to understand it. Five years ago, after reading claims AI would replace artists, she hired an AI specialist to test whether it could recreate one of her paintings. “It ended up creating a soft-crested cockatoo with five beaks,” she laughs. Rather than dismissing the technology, she embraced it. Today she uses AI to help refine business ideas, brainstorm creative solutions and even offer feedback when she’s stuck on a painting. “I’ll take a photograph and say to ChatGPT, ‘Help’. It doesn’t paint my paintings. “It helps me think.” Tracey’s now sharing those lessons with other business owners and artists through workshops, encouraging them to see AI as another creative tool rather than something to fear. “We can make the beast work for us.” Back in the studio, her sculptures tell stories every bit as rich as her paintings. Each bronze contains hidden symbols – a tiny bee reminding us to care for the environment, a clock representing the importance of time over money, little moments of humour and hope woven into every piece. “We all go through our own pain,” she says. “Yet joy and love always conquer.” That sums up Tracey Keller perfectly. traceykeller.com

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More than just another Café. Best Coffee. Best Food. Best Vibes.

Shop 7, 8-26 Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach | 0482 037 272 thecoolumsocial.com.au

28/08/2026 11:52:04 AM

ART DATES

8 THE CHOSEN PATH BY CHRIS POSTLE, Montville Art Gallery

ARTdates Take a moment to peruse some of the finest works from some of the best galleries on the Coast.

ONGOING 1. HEARTS AND MINDS

2 AZURE KOOKABURRA BY AMANDA BROOKS, Art By Brooks 124

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Hearts and Minds Art continues to showcase a stunning range of works by artists during spring including: Maree Welman, Sara Paxton, Lais Perske, Vaughan Robinson, Caslake and Pedler, Karen Mageo, Anne Davenport, Jennie Rutz, Tania Babb, Luke Jacomb, Ray Wilson, Leigh Karen Joyce, Jeanette Smith, Veronica van de Vorst and Christina Power. When: Open daily. Where: Hearts and Minds Art, 1 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 0418 108 299. heartsandmindsart.com.au

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5 FLIGHT EMERGING BY DE GILLETT COX, Montville Art Gallery

2. ART BY BROOKS Amanda Brooks’ unique work reflects the contemporary, casual and colour-filled lifestyle of the picturesque Sunshine Coast. Born and raised in South Africa, but now living on the Coast, Amanda developed a love for art as far back as she can remember. Inspired by light, movement, surprising colour combinations and textures, her goal is to infuse these elements and form abstract, impression style compositions. No matter the subject, she strives to portray a balance of realism combined with loose painterly abstraction, causing one to compliment the other. When: Visits welcome by appointment daily Where: Art By Brooks, 41 Sunset Drive, Noosa Heads, 0417 071 336. artbybrooks.com.au

3. SUNSHINE COAST NATIONAL ART PRIZE 2026: 40 FINALISTS The nation’s spotlight will turn to the Sunshine Coast this month, with the 40 finalists of the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize 2026 unveiled. Caloundra Regional Gallery will present 40 finalist artworks in a major showing until October 11. Residents and visitors are invited to experience the diverse exhibition, which includes painting, photography, drawing, textiles and moving image. This year’s finalists represent an exceptional cross-section of contemporary Australian art practice. The winning artworks will be revealed at the winners’ announcement on Thursday, September 24. Registration is free and all are welcome to attend this celebratory event. Adding to the excitement, the community can vote for their

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3 MOVEMENT AND FLOW BY ZARTISHA DAVIS, Caloundra Regional Gallery

2 KOOKABURRA FAMILY BY AMANDA BROOKS, Art By Brooks

7

SEPTEMBER

RADDICIO HEART AND BOWL BY JO YOUNG, The G Contemporary

favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Award – voting closes September 13 and voters go in a draw to win a $100 Gallery Store voucher. Among this year’s finalists are several highly regarded artists, including Zartisha Davis, whose work has attracted national attention. A proud Kabi Kabi, Cobble Cobble and Butchulla artist, Zartisha brings powerful First Nations perspectives to the exhibition through vibrant works grounded in culture, Country and storytelling. A Sunshine Coast Traditional Custodian and emerging artist on the rise, Zartisha draws on ancestral 126

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knowledge and her deep connection to Sea Country, creating works that celebrate the enduring relationship between First Nations peoples, land and water. Her finalist work, Movement and Flow, reflects the rhythms of Kabi Kabi Country and the stories embedded within its ancient shell middens. When: August 21 to October 11. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and weekends, 10am to 2pm (closed public holidays). Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

4. DIRECTOR’S CHOICE An eclectic collection of artists rotated weekly, with a special showcasing of spectacular abstract landscapes by Gareth Edwards RWA (Royal West of England Academy). When: Throughout September Where: The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads, 0400 716 526. thegcontemporary.com

OCTOBER 5. DE GILLETT COX De is inspired and obsessed with colour – the brilliance of tropical light, joy, sensuality, motion and emotion. Conceptual depth and technical

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hearts and minds art Beauࢼful, original products and quirky bits & pieces, including books by local author Julie Holland

1

HANDCRAFTED GLASS BIRDS BY LUKE JACOMB, Hearts and Minds Art

excellence are layered in De’s habitually highly textured paintings. The artist works across an eclectic variety of subjects using a comprehensive range of media including acrylics, mixed media, drawing, oils and inks. When: Throughout October Where: Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville, 07 5442 9211. montvilleartgallery.com.au

6. MICHAEL WHITEHEAD Local abstract artist, Michael Whitehead has been exhibiting his artwork on Hastings Street for more than 20 years. In this solo exhibition, Return to Forever, Michael takes guests on a journey of abstract beauty with his recognisable mixed-media artworks. When: October 1 to 18 Opening night is Saturday, October 3, 5.30-7.30pm, RSVP required Where: The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads, 0400 716 526. thegcontemporary.com

NOVEMBER 7. GALLERY STILL LIFE COLLECTIVE Don’t miss this eclectic and exciting still life exhibition showcasing six

fantastic gallery artists, all with their own unique styles. Prepare to be amazed by the artworks of Anne-Marie Zanetti, Jo Young, Mitchell Cheesman, Peta Minnici, Peggy Zephyr and Brandi Hughes. When: November 26 to December 13 Opening night: Saturday, November 28, 5.30-7.30pm, RSVP required Where: The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads, 0400 716 526. thegcontemporary.com

DECEMBER 8. CHRIS POSTLE Chris’ diverse technical skills and a lifetime of creative practices allow him, along with his passion for life and the outdoors, to continue to wow a global audience. His beautiful paintings capture light and life in colourful impressions, and he finds constant inspiration from the ocean and its inhabitants as well as the rainforest and local flora and fauna. When: Throughout December Where: Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville, 07 5442 9211. montvilleartgallery.com.au

OPEN DAILY 1 Hasধngs Street, Noosa Heads Join our mailing list for informaࢼon on new arࢼsts & products

info@heartsandmindsart.com.au

0418 108 299 heartsandmindsart.com.au SALTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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ANTIQUES & ART

Explore the region’s many galleries, artists’ studios and antique stores from Noosa down to Caloundra.

BUDERIM

MAPLETON

Art Nuvo, 25 Gloucester Road, 5456 2445

Art Antiques Antlers, 3/1 Post Office Road, 0414 782 079

Koningen Art, 0490 778 462

MINYAMA

Tiffany Jones, 0407 452 024

CALOUNDRA Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, 5420 8299

Seaview Artists Gallery, 4 Seaview Terrace, 0434 917 610

MONTVILLE

Cool Art Picture Framing & Gallery, 5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach. 5471 7366

Ben Messina Landscapes Gallery, 178 Main Street, 5478 5164

COOROY

Illume Creations Gallery, 4/127-133 Main Street, 5478 5440

EUMUNDI

Montville Antiques, 162 Main Street, 5442 9400

Poeta Herford On Hastings, 5/62 Hastings Street, 5455 4899 The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, 0400 716 526, 0400 716 553

NOOSAVILLE Noosa Arts & Crafts, 1 Wallace Drive, 5474 1211

PALMWOODS The Shed, 3-5 Main Street, 5479 6603

PEREGIAN BEACH The Gallery Peregian Beach, 12 Grebe Street, 5448 2314

POMONA

Apma Creations Aboriginal Art Gallery & Gift shop, Shop 3 Eumundi Village Centre, Eumundi, 0437 617 390

Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, 5442 9211

Pomona Railway Station Gallery, 10 Station Street, 5485 2950

The Opalcutter, 4/171-183 Main Street, 5442 9598

SIPPY DOWNS

Artisans Gallery, 43 Caplick Way, 0409 848 098

Tina Cooper Art & Glass, 0417 194 329

University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, 5459 4645

David Suters Timber Craftsman, 43 Caplick Way, 0413 509 482

MOOLOOLABA

TEWANTIN

Avenue J, 14/47-51 Mooloolaba Esplanade, 5444 4422

Gaiungan Gallery, 11b Tewantin Plaza, 113 Poinciana Avenue, 0401 742 678

GLENVIEW Opals Down Under, 11 Ballantyne Court, 5494 5400

Bluechip Investment Art Galleries, 23/13 Mooloolaba Esplanade, 5452 5600

MALENY

Gallery Beneath, 5444 7775

David Linton Gallery, 14 Maple Street, 5429 6831

NOOSA HEADS

Peace Of Green Gallery, 38 Maple Street, 5499 9311 Maleny Country Antiques and Collectables 7/8 Maple Street, 5499 9567

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MOFFAT BEACH

COOLUM BEACH

Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, 11A Maple Street, 5442 6665

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Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery, 3 Longwood Street, Minyama, 5444 0009

Isabella’s Fine & Antique Jewellery, 2/41-47 Hastings Street, 5449 2626

Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican Street, 5329 6145

TINBEERWAH Art Tours Noosa, 0424 456 877

Art by Brooks, 41 Sunset Drive, 0417 071 336

Phillips Gallery, 0406 198 300

Enigmatic Drawings, 75 Hastings Street, 0490 395 346

Stevens Street Gallery, 2 Stevens Street, 0414 687 895

Hearts and Minds Art, 1 Hastings Street, 0407 840 745

Yandina Historic House, 3 Pioneer Road, 5472 7181

YANDINA

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