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...
It was March 29, 1993. At 6am thousands of people across Bundaberg sat by their radio as We Built This City by Starship, started playing from the city’s first FM Radio Station – Hitz 939. Bundaberg Broadcasters General Manager Corey Pitt was then a 21-year-old living...
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...
Now in its fourth year, Battle of the Schools is a quiz held over six weeks that involves year five and six students from both private and public schools across our Region. The questions range from english, science, maths, history, geography and some really good...
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...
In Summer there is nothing better that sipping champagne and eating cold seafood, while enjoying water views. It’s why Paul and Beryl Grunske started Grunske’s by the River in 2010. They wanted to combine their extensive knowledge of catching seafood with their...
WORDS BY MICHAEL DART Powerful advocates deliver powerful performances. And this is particularly visible through the actions of great leaders, promoting great talent locally. I caught up with acclaimed soprano Suellen Cusack-Greensill recently about her support of...
Forget any preconceived ideas you had about pole dancing being associated with stripping. Pole dancing, lyra and silks are becoming mainstream thanks to performances like Pink’s stunning ‘Glitter In the Air’ at the 2010 Grammy Awards show. In 2021, her 10-year-old...
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,...
WORDS BY NIKKI SORBELLO Christmas lights conjure up special childhood memories of tiptoeing through the house late at night, the only illumination coming from the twinkling lights on the Christmas tree. It’s peaceful. Beautiful. Mesmerising. Calming. Untangling...
Jon Stevens is best known as the frontman for Aussie rock band Noiseworks. He spent four years as lead singing of INXS and has dabbled in music theatre. The keen fisherman is headlining at Lighthouse Rock at Burnett Heads this October and sat down with Crush Magazine...
Ruby Mills is a household name in Bundaberg. The jazz, blues and soul singer shot to fame in 2016 after making it to the top 13 on X-Factor. Several years before that she’d also made it into the top 50 on Australian Idol, but she’s much more than a reality television...
Ruby Mills is a household name in Bundaberg. The jazz, blues and soul singer shot to fame in 2016 after making it to the top 13 on X-Factor. Several years before that she also made it into the top 50 on Australian Idol, but she’s much more than a reality television...
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 ALICE THOMPSON Andrew Udal is proof that growing up in regional Queensland is no barrier to a bright future. When Andrew was younger, he dreamt of being a pilot and even began practising on a simulator for the flight between Bundaberg to Brisbane. But it was...
There is an unmistakable feeling when you hear a bow drawn across the strings of an instrument. When you combine a double bass, cello, violins and viola, the hum reverberates through your whole body. String quintet Bella Canna wield their bows with precision; not...
WORDS BY NIKKI SORBELLO Tucked away at the end of a road, in a clearing near a creek crossing, sits Bucca Hotel, as proud and beautiful as she would have been when first built in 1897. Despite the enduring popularity of this local watering hole, the history of Bucca...
WORDS BY ALICE THOMPSON Bokeh, depth of field, aperture, and ISO - what does it all mean? The symbols and letters on a digital camera can be confusing and photography jargon can seem like a secret language. But mastering the settings on your camera and understanding...
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...
Over the past 50-odd years, Bundaberg has enjoyed momentary bouts of fame in mainstream media, including the 1977 film The Mango Tree and Judy Nunn’s 2013 novel Elianne. Local writers like Vance Palmer and Mary Hannay Foott attracted the attention of big capital city...
Matty Ambrose and Tracey Sergiacomi are radio hosts for the Breakfast Program on 93.9 Hitz FM, weekdays from 6 am. Crush Magazine asked them how they traditionally spend their Christmas. MATTY Unfortunately, COVID cancelled my Christmas plans last year so I haven’t...
Our backyard is bursting with amazing experiences and natural wonders - perhaps the perfect gift may be the quality time you can share together, making memories that last a lifetime. For the reef lovers Wake up to breathtaking blues on Lady Musgrave HQ Give the gift...
There is barely a sporting code in Bundaberg that doesn’t include a team attached to The Waves Sports Club. While The Waves is widely recognised for its commitment to local sport, it is only one part of what the not-for-profit organisation does for the Bundaberg...
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 –...
WORDS BY NIKKI SORBELLO Simon and Garfunkel. Sonny and Cher. Lennon and McCartney. Matty and Trace. The last pair may be not be quite in the same stratosphere as some of music’s true legendary duos, but their genuine friendship is why they excel at what they do. It is...
What would have been an amazing year of celebration in 2020 for the Bundaberg Players and Youth Theatre commemorating the remarkable achievement of 70 and 50 years respectively, came to a dramatic halt amid the global pandemic.
By Michael Dart “I kept my promise, now keep your distance.” A play on the lyrics of Evita’s “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” proves there’s a song for every occasion. During the early weeks of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, the arts created a connectedness, that for many...
If you have experienced live music in Bundaberg, you have probably come across an unlikely foursome – Smooth Velvet The pop and rock cover band have played just about every venue in Bundaberg and are regularly found at the Club and Melbourne hotels. But if you...