WORDS BY ROSS PEDDLESDEN By the early 1880 insurance companies in the fledgling town of Bundaberg had had enough of fires, and so political pressure was applied to establish a local fire service. In early 1884 that service began, controlled by a local Board of...
Building a new house is often a challenging exercise for many people; How big should it be? What style? What budget? For someone whose job it is to design buildings for other people, the task of creating a new home for themselves is simultaneously less and more...
Words BY Michael Dart In an unassuming spot on Walker Street, across from the TAFE, you will find the Walker Street Arts Precinct. It’s a hidden arts gem and a hub for creative collaboration. For many it is a refuge. A retreat. A haven. The very definition of...
If a man’s home is his castle, then a woman’s home is her sanctuary. A place for peace, self care and comfort. In our busy lives, creating a haven within our home doesn’t come easy, but with a little help from the likes of Nature’s Emporium you will be a few steps...
Endless Weekend is an online furniture and homewares boutique, based right here in Bundaberg and is a curation all things coastal and cool. Sourced from Australian and local suppliers, here you’ll find everything you need to follow my lead and create a holiday vibe in...
WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR I am a naturalist and lover of all things art, music and mindfulness. I sometimes find profound meaning or deep sentiment in seemingly straight-forward moments, memories and symbols. But I’m certainly not hippy-dippy or prescribe to...
Enriching experiences. Natural wonders. Pristine beaches. Wholesome food and world-class beverages. Relaxed lifestyle. A slower pace. Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle, spend time reconnecting with your family or replenish your body – the Bundaberg...
PHOTO ESSAY BY CAT VINTON WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR Brumbies have a complicated place in Australian culture and history. Introduced by English settlers and convicts to help toil rugged land for farming, these majestic warm-blooded animals were integral in the...
The soft gong of the mallet rings out as it gently strikes a crystal singing bowl. It emits a deep, resonating musical note. Relaxing. Calming. Soothing. There is no denying the affect singing bowls can have on a person. It’s why Lisa Blainey, owner of Sacred Sounds,...
Remember the sound of your suitcase wheels turning as you walk down the airport corridor? And the announcement over the loud speaker: “now boarding through gate 33”? For many of us, travel seems like a distant memory. With the reopening of state and international...
Where many other successful Australasian companies would have relocated their head offices to capital cities, Best Practice Software instead expanded their operations in their regional town of origin. Developed by Dr Frank and Lorraine Pyefinch in Bundaberg in...
When our lives are filled to the brim with ‘busyness’, sometimes all we need is something to quietly soothe our mind. A pick me up. Support. Validation. Self-care. This is the concept behind a new book by Bundaberg author Sarah Tump and illustrator Anna Unearthed. A...
If you are looking to acquire artwork, whether it be because of a love and passion for the arts, for decorative purposes, as an investment or to build a strong art collection, the process doesn’t need to be an intimidating or daunting one. There are many ways to...
When discussing three of the Region’s most recognisable photographers, locals say it over and over again – “They knew just how to capture my true personality”. Arguably Bundaberg’s most renowned photographer, Ray Peek created PEEK magazine in 1967, Bundaberg’s 100th...
Mosaics are striking and beautiful, bringing together hundreds of tiny, gleaming shards of tile into one cohesive yet intricate artwork. Each piece has a part to play, delicately and thoughtfully placed. In Bundaberg, mosaics are popping up from place to place, due in...
WORDS BY MICHAEL DART Unlike performing artists, visual artists often let their work speak for itself. They enjoy a degree of personal anonymity where you may recognise their name or their work, but maybe not their face. Shielded by their creations, preferring...
WORDS BY RHYS WILLIAMS The Sydney Opera House. Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne. West End in London. Broadway in New York. These are the places you expect to find a thriving hub of arts and culture. When you have a passion for the arts, growing up in regional...
WORDS BY RYAN PEARCE For many, the idea of being a ‘rock star’ is a glamorous fantasy most of us will never achieve. Standing on stage, under the bright lights, belting out a huge tune. I’m sure everyone has at some point sung into their television remote or...
WORDS BY RYAN PEARCE From the extraordinary to the simple everyday, inspiration can be found in a variety of places. What we do with that inspiration, how we process it and make use of it, differs from person to person. For local wordsmith Kees Nydam, inspiration...
WORDS BY MICHAEL DART “And so castles made of sand slips into the sea, eventually...”― Jimi Hendrix Ephemeral art only lasts for a short time. It’s something to be savoured and enjoyed. It’s a reflection of the temporary nature of our existence, of time slipping away,...
Makers. Craftsmen. Artisans. Call them what you will; creatives enrich our lives and communities. The arts help us identify with each other. They can connect us to a time or place. Sight, sound, smell, touch and taste evoke emotion and can expand our understanding of...
Stories (and love), make the world go round. Stories capture our minds and help us connect, pull at our heart strings and inspire insight, reflection, change and personal growth. This is why storytelling lies at the very core of our community. Silo Magic I recently...
Sandra Reeves didn’t set out to start a homewares store or quaint holiday rental. All she knew was that as a full time stay-at-home mum she had lost who she was, but didn’t want to return to teaching. “As a mum, there’s no annual review. No pay increase,” Sandra...
When you connect with a piece of art, it’s almost like it is speaking to you. Telling you a story. Perhaps of its origins, or one pulled from the depths of your imagination. There is something mature or grown up about purchasing original artwork and displaying it in...
Words by Michael Dart As we break out and explore our surrounds again there’s been more and more art popping up across the Region. New gallery exhibitions, cafes and restaurants promoting local artists, history tours, sculptures and our Milbi mosaics on the coast –...
Monto is a magic little town. Located about 200 kilometres west of Bundaberg, it is sometimes overlooked and thought of only as the gateway to the spectacular Cania Gorge National Park. In recent years, something marvellous has happened – Monto is developing a...
There is something peaceful about dipping paintbrushes in blobs of colourful paint and stroking them across canvas. It is this tranquillity and mindfulness that Jaaneman Art Creative Retreats uses to help people leave their jobs behind and reconnect with those around...
With the lights turned off on our beloved gigs, festivals, exhibitions, theatres and performance venues it made us day drinkers with bad hairdos and bad attitudes – or was that just me? But 2020 wasn’t cancelled - it was simply rescheduled. 2020’s loss is 2021’s gain....
Creative ability is something every person possesses, whether they know it or not, and the benefits that come with unleashing your creative side is something the women behind Brush Party are passionate to share. Artist Vanessa Allegra and fellow creative and...
Textural and vibrant, Jane Marin’s art stirs a feeling of connection. It is something she says her work is known for; something she puts down to her past as an intuitive healer. As an artist, it has meant tapping into her intuitive side and combining it with her self-...