First media conference with Clive Palmer

Clive Palmer media storm



I attended my first media conference on May 19 as a journalism student representing the University of Queensland.

 

The ever-entertaining Mr Clive Palmer gave a speech on the topic of “Holding government to account – in Canberra and in Queensland” followed by a question time, during which I was able to pose a question to the politician.

 

Naturally I was nervous as anything, I was at a table with journalism lecturers Dr John Harrison and Ms Skye Doherty, Acting Head of the School Associate Professor Pradip Thomas and PhD student Caroline McKinnon.

 

As if this wasn't intimidating enough, Queensland State Director of the ABC, Mark Bowling and experienced broadcast and radio and television journalist Patrick Condren also joined the group as guests at the event.

 

Thank god there was free (strong) wine.

 

After a glass and a half I was still feeling the nerves and tried to pick at the free meal we were offered at the event (looking back as a uni student I really should've taken full advantage of a free lunch offered by a billionaire).

 

I was told I'd get a question in, but wasn't sure how or when which made things even more interesting.

 

Question time began during dessert (why was I so nervous dammit, I should've asked for a doggy bag...).

 

 

 

My original question was asked straight away (yay) so I had to think on the spot as my back up questions were perhaps a tad offensive (something along the lines of did you use your gazillions of dollars to buy your way into politics...)

 

Suddenly Mark Bowling nabbed the mic from the media tables and handed it to me.

 

So, after asking the media professionals around me and not understanding much of the heavy political jargon that comes with years of experience working with pollies in the media (of which I have none), I just had to get up and wing it.

 

While I fumbled around trying to turn it on I stood up and began to address Clive Palmer...aaaaaand was shut down by the MC who assumed (justifiably so, in the end) that I wasn't actually media.

 

You know those moments where you are beetroot red, sweating profusely and your natural instincts just take over while your just screaming, 'AHHHHHHHHH!' on the inside?

 

This was one of those times.

In my nervous state I told the MC I was in fact media (thinking at the time I was...sort of) and asked my question.

 

Thank goodness I scribbled down a quote from Clive's early response to the budget, specifically about the deregulation of university fees, which contradicted what he was saying at the QMC conference.

 

I repeated his quote back to him and then he took a sudden and completely opposing stance yet again.

 

This ended up generating a fair amount of media  coverage in broadcast and print, which was actually pretty cool to see as a non 'media professional'.

 

I can now see why they serve wine at these events.

 

You can check out the SJC article about the Queensland Media Club conference here: http://www.uq.edu.au/sjc/qmc-palmer

Ipswich rich with tennis history

Ipswich rich with tennis history

As Wimbledon fast approaches, the sport of tennis is now on the minds of many.

However, for self-confessed ‘tennis fanatic’, Stuart Ware, the sport has been a lifelong passion.

The tennis coach shows off his impressive collection of racquets with pride, knowing the intricacies and the story that lie behind each one.

His collection of tennis memorabilia dates back to the early 1920s and includes an astounding 700 tennis racquets, 15 restringing machines and over 2000 books about the sport.

“I never wanted this as my collection,” he says.

“I have saved it to try and show people what has happened in tennis throughout history.

“Having an engineering background, I can see the work that has gone into many of these hand-made, hand-painted, and hand-polished racquets.”

Stuart is also interested in how styles of play have changed with the development of tennis racquets and how the game has evolved in Australia.

The coach of 30 years is passionate about recording and displaying Australia’s tennis history and says he hopes to open a sports history and memorabilia museum in Ipswich so his wide collection can be shared with the local community.

Tennis coach, Stuart Ware with some of his collection of tennis memorabilia

Aside from simply displaying the collection of racquets, Stuart hopes to have a library where his books can be read by visitors, as well as an interactive area where parents and children can measure their serving speed and practice their tennis skills on electronic machines.

“I would love people who already play tennis to come to the museum, but also the people outside of the tennis community,” he says.

“Today we have more spectators than ever watching big events like Wimbledon or the Australian Open, however less and less people are actually playing the sport.

“I want to try to use the museum to generate more interest in tennis in Ipswich.”

His passion for the sport is contagious, with many traveling from as close as Ipswich and as far as the Sunshine Coast to play tennis at his club, Tall Gums Sports Centre at Walloon.

Stuart’s love affair with tennis began at the tender age of five and has developed into a lifelong passion.  

“My first and last tennis lesson was when I was about five years old,” he says.

“My father handed me a Slazenger Challenge tennis racquet that weighed a ton and showed me how to hold it and that was it.

“It’s the challenge of it I think.

“Even to this day I can’t explain it, you just start hitting the ball and there’s something inside of you that says, this is fun and I need to hit it again.”

Stuart laughs as he remembers his parents calling him in well after dark while he tried to hit the ball just ‘one more time’.

“Dad would be yelling, ‘Get inside, you can’t possibly see that ball!’” he says.

“Every night I would go and hit and I wouldn’t come inside until I had hit one more ball than the night before.”

Having always loved tennis, Stuart hopes to share the sport with as many people as possible.

“Tennis is a sport you can legitimately play for a lifetime,” he says.

“We have players here as young as five or six and others well into their seventies and eighties.”

Stuart’s coaching career had somewhat of an unorthodox beginning.

What started as social matches in a backyard tennis court at his house in Karrabin quickly turned into casual coaching for his friends and family.

The coach charged a mere 50 cents per lesson, saying he simply enjoyed sharing the sport with friends and students.

The demand for Stuart’s training quickly rose as he became well known in the tennis community and it was then that he and his wife Kay decided to open Tall Gums Sports Centre in 1985.



Tall Gums Sports Centre at Walloon, Queensland.

The couple have been married for almost 30 years and met, of course, through tennis.

Stuart admits it takes a team to run a tennis centre and says his wife Kay does amazing work behind the scenes running the administration at Tall Gums.

“There are always two sides to a business and I have always said that without her I would be hopeless.”

Stuart has coached at an elite level, including coaching the Brazilian Davis Cup team, but says he gets the most enjoyment from training local families and community members.

“Our goal was to get tennis coaching out to areas where it is lacking, more rural areas such as Walloon, Peak Crossing and Kalbar,” he says.

“If you develop families and members of the community, that’s it, that’s beautiful.”

The veteran coach can’t quite pin down exactly what it is about tennis he loves so much.

“The benefit I see with tennis is for health and well-being, not just as a sport, you’ve also got the social interaction, the mental release, as well as a bit of exercise,” he says.

“It’s hard to say, I think the best part for me is seeing people just enjoying themselves, seeing kids who couldn’t hit a ball, hit a ball and experiencing the social side of tennis.”

Stuart says he will be watching Wimbledon closely this year and believes that developments in court surfacing at the grounds could provide the current men’s world number one with some competition.

“I think with the new court surfaces players like Rafael Nadal have a really good chance at winning,” he says.

“However I think Novak Djokovic will still come out on top.”

Stuart is still searching for old tennis racquets and memorabilia to add to his collection and welcomes any donations from members of the community.

For each item unearthed by the community Stuart says he will make a donation to Cabanda Care charity organisation and record the history of each piece.

Anyone with donations is encouraged to contact Stuart at Tall Gums Sports Centre.

"I survived UQ in Vietnam"

You read correctly people, I survived, albeit barely...

What a rollercoaster ride the reporting trip to Vietnam was! And when I say rollercoaster I really mean it - there were so many ups and downs - one minute I was managing to conduct an amazing interview in a beautiful hut in a remote, traditional Vietnamese village, the next I was lost and well and truly alone in the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City at 11pm with no idea where the hotel was or how to go about trying to get there. Emotions were high, storied were unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences were had - the trip (all in all) was a definitely a success.

A group of 10 students, 1 lecturer and 2 tutors travelled to beautiful Vietnam from the 18th to the 29th of April to report as foreign correspondents. We visited the busy and compact city of Ho Chi Minh, the spacious beach-side town of Danang, the tourist and fashion hot spot Hoi An and finally, Hue - a city with tall buildings as well as remote fishing villages (and home of the now infamous bar, 'Brown Eyes' - a place I can only describe as a Vietnamese replica of the Down Under bar in Brisbane...).

Read our stories here at: www.uqinvietnam.com 

I can honestly say going on this reporting trip to Vietnam was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in my life so far. Of course, we all had our breakdown days, we got lost and some of us got food poisoning; but we all met amazing and interesting people and created many unique and insightful news and current affairs stories inspired by Vietnam.

Stories topics were extremely varied, they included Vietnam's stance on homosexuality, ex-Viet Cong soldier's wishes for peace, the elimination of malaria, the culture of weddings and marriage in Vietnam, world-class vet science programs, climate change, childhood poverty, attitudes towards breast-feeding and many, many more.

The group we took was also varied, but everyone worked well together and helped each other through their ups and downs. Beer was extremely cheap (too bad I can't yet stomach the taste, I was the kid at the table with the Diet Coke), the food was amazing at most places (and vomit inducing at others). I have to say usually I cannot stand Hungry Jacks, but the visit to Burger King on the last day at Ho Chi Minh airport was perhaps the most glorious meal of the trip. As a group of 13 Australians loudly rejoicing in the classic 'chips and a Whopper' combo we certainly drew attention from Vietnamese onlookers...

Over the 10 days we went in groups to interviews with very interesting and welcoming Vietnamese people, we also met many Australians on the way who were a great help. After gathering content all day we edited through most of the night (most of us considered 3 hours sleep to be a luxury by the end of the trip). Vietnam offered so many differing experiences; we visited remote fishing villages in Hue where children played soccer in neighbouring vegetable fields, traveled to rice paddies and buffalo farms on an all day bike ride around Hoi An (I can't say I recommend biking along Vietnamese highways), swam in pristine beaches in Danang, found one of the most amazing and typically Australian bars/clubs in Hue, bartered with varying degrees of success in Ho Chi Minh City and dodged traffic EVERYWHERE!


By the 29th everyone had an impressive range of video, radio, photo and print stories that they were rightly proud of. We started the trip absolute strangers and arrived back in Australia as friends. It's hard to describe such an intense, immersive and intercultural experience in a few short words, but I hope by seeing our stories you can get a taste of all the amazing people and places Southern Vietnam has to offer.

I cannot wait to travel back to Vietnam as a tourist and further explore this eye-opening, friendly and truly unique country.

The Art and Craft Cottage Grand Opening

The Art and Craft Cottage Grand Opening

 

By Anna Hartley

 

The Art and Craft Cottage, Ipswich’s latest art supply store with a difference, held its grand opening on Saturday.

 

The shop is located at 92 Limestone Street and stocks an impressive range of quality art and craft supplies, showcasing the work of over 30 artists hailing from local areas in Ipswich to Byron Bay in Sydney.

 
Owner Robyn Dennis has a passion for handmade products and says The Art and Craft Cottage will hold multiple weekly workshops with classes taught by local artists.

“We are offering classes in crochet, knitting, needle felting, polymer clay, extreme crochet, doodle art and lots more,” Ms Dennis says.

“I never wanted ‘just' a shop, I wanted a place where the handmade community can come together and help each other grow.”

According to artist Eliza Woodruffe The Art and Craft Cottage has become just that.

BY ANNA HARTLEY -  Janet Pisasale with owner, Robyn Dennis

 

 
“There is no other place like this in the Ipswich area,” Ms Woodruffe says.

“Like many artists, we sell from markets and have never had a home before where people are able to come and see our work all year round.

“I think it will really bring the artistic community of Ipswich together.”

Rosi Trencher was the first eager customer to grace the counter at The Art and Craft Cottage, and believes that the new supply store sells the best quality craft products in Ipswich.

 

“The Art and Craft Cottage definitely fills a need in the Ipswich area,” Mrs Trencher says.

“Robyn is more than happy to order products in if she doesn’t have something I need, she is always writing down customer’s suggestions.”

Janet Pisasale represented Mayor Paul Pisasale at the grand opening and was impressed by the vast range of goods stocked at the quaint art and craft store.

 

“I’ve found beautiful clothes for my grandchildren, they stock a great range of handmade jewelry, soaps, candles and baby clothes,” Mrs Pisasale says.

“It’s great to support the local artistic community of Ipswich and bring people together who want to learn new skills.”

Ms Dennis says she has been blown away by the community support she has received so far.

“Our vision is to make The Art and Craft Cottage a fresh vibrant craft hub in the city of Ipswich and so far the response from the local community has been outstanding,” Ms Dennis says.

 

“Thank you all for your support and well wishes we truly appreciate it.”

Runners dress for fun in Lions dash

Runners dress for fun in Lions dash

 

MORE than 100 runners of all ages charged through the quiet streets of Harrisville for the Lions Club Miss Personality Fun Run.

 

Participants got into the spirit of the day, dressing up as giant chickens, sumo wrestlers, pirates, fairies, super heroes and more to support the charity event held early Sunday morning.
 

The fun run/walk aims to raise money for Lions Medical Research.
 

Runners chose to take part in either the 10km or 5km event, with their $15 donation including a well-earned champagne breakfast at the finish line.

Organiser and Harrisville Lions Miss Personality, Alexandra Hayes, said the event was a great success.

"It's a community event, something a little bit different to get more people involved," she said.
 

"We hold events to raise money for medical research throughout the year including a barefoot bowls day on March 16, a trivia night and an auction as well."

Harrisville fun run. Left to Right, Charlee Quinn, Peta Bell,
Ricky Quinn, Jodie Hawke, Paige Hawke and Bailey Quinn.

Cecil Miles of CF & JE Miles Building Contractors was one of many business owners who sponsored the charity event.

 

"It's a good cause for the Lions Club and a family day for Harrisville," he said.
 

"The (Lions) Miss Personality, Alexandra, has lived here all her life and we've all decided to get behind her."
 

The Lions Club also offered fabulous prizes for competitors dressed in the best costumes.
 

Fun Run participant Tony Gee from Harrisville tied with his wife Judy, winning the best costume award for his impressive inflatable ninja costume.
 

"It's a good cause and it gives something back to the community," he said.
 

"It's a great event, I think it's something that families can get involved with and it's a good get together."
 

Mr Gee believes it is important to involve the town's youth in local organisations like the Lions Club.
 

"If we don't get youth involved now there'll be no Lions Club in the future," he said.
 

Winners of the event include Gary Taylor who completed the 10km circuit in 1 hour and 55 minutes.
 

Jason McInnes and Ella Taylor took out the first place titles for the male and female 5km race with times of 23 minutes and 24 minutes respectively.
 

This is the first year the charity event has been run and organisers say they cannot wait to get the people of Harrisville and surrounds pounding the pavement again next year.

View the photo gallery published on the Queensland Times here*.

*All photos are my own work.

 

 

 

 

Restaurants Help Revive CBD

Restaurants Help Revive CBD

THE culinary scene in Ipswich is continuing to grow, with owners hoping the new dining options will encourage more people to choose to eat out in Ipswich.

In light of recent council plans for development of the CBD, restaurant managers like Mark Blackmore of Stumps Hotel are optimistic that their businesses will not only survive but thrive.

“Ipswich is moving forward…more people should get on board. More cafés and restaurants will prosper, I think. The future is in new businesses coming in and setting up,” he says.



Stumps manager Mark Blackmore

The café culture in Ipswich is certainly spreading, with the CBD now home to a range of speciality cafés such as Urban Pantry, Fourth Child, Cactus Espresso Bar and Laneway 17.

Owner of Urban Pantry Lisa Tatton is also optimistic about the culinary future of the CBD.

“I think the restaurant scene in Ipswich is definitely coming along, it would be great to see some more venues, especially night time venues, opening up. A little wine bar or something would be fabulous at the Top of Town,” she said.

 Ms Tatton believes the Ipswich restaurant scene is growing and has recently expanded her business to include mobile catering.

 “The future of Ipswich dining is very bright and interesting, the more variety the better.”

 

Between these ever popular cafés and restaurants such as Stumps, Indian Mehfil, Fenton’s and the newly renovated Ulster Hotel, the Ipswich dining scene has something to suit every taste.



Bridget McLean of the Coronation Hotel says that there is a strong sense of support between Ipswich’s ‘Top of Town’ retailers and hopes that together they can continue to bring more diners into the area.

“When my parents were publicans, everyone got on. In every industry to keep Ipswich going there has to be that teamwork,” she says.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale also believes that restaurants in Ipswich are a key feature in resuscitating the heart of the CBD.

Stumps Restaurant in Ipswich CBD.

Cr Pisasale says the population growth and the continued interest in Ipswich as a tourist destination have resulted in a marked expansion of the restaurant scene.

"The local response to new restaurants has been positive, with many couples and families enjoying having more quality dining options so close to home," he said.

“Every day we see new restaurants opening and more interest from local and interstate restaurateurs in establishing businesses in Ipswich.”

 

Student Entrepreneurs

Ipswich’s Young Entrepreneurs

IPSWICH is home to growing number of students who are trying to balance the demands of study while owning their own business.

University student, Rosanna ‘Rosie’ Kerle recently opened a new café on Warwick Road at Churchill, along with her mother Tonia.

The 22 year old student is currently completing a Bachelor of Environmental Management at the University of Queensland, as well as following her culinary passions.

So far Ms Kerle is finding the balance between her study and working life easy to manage.

With its bright pink façade, ‘That Little Café’ is hard to miss.

“I have one semester left. It hasn’t been too stressful yet. Mum is willing to pick up the slack if I have to study. There are also plenty of family members keen to help out if need be,” she said.

That Little Café opened its doors on June 4 and is located only a few minutes from Yamanto Shopping Villiage.

“I’m hoping that we can create a name for ourselves as the go to place for a coffee or meal,” Ms Kerle said.

“I’m looking forward to graduating at the end of this year and taking a year off to focus on the café and de-stress by being my own boss.”

That Little Café also stocks a variety of handmade items made by local Ipswich residents.

According to Ms Kerle her customer base is quickly growing, with the café already attracting a number of regulars.

After an intense four years of study, the business owner says she looking forward to returning to the hospitality industry.

“It’s hard work and time consuming. But if they are willing to put in the energy I think young people should try to start their own businesses.”

Eden Marama Napper, who graduated from Boonah State High School in 2011, has also started her own business.

“I've had my photography business 'Eden Marama Photography' for nearly a year now and so far it has been successful,” she said.

“I started off with friends and family which then led to customers. I am also lucky enough to be shooting my first wedding next year.”

Ms Napper is currently completing a diploma in photo imaging online and treasures being able to live and work in her local area.

“The Scenic Rim area has amazing views that you can use in all your images. It's a beautiful place, everything about it is unique and I wouldn't have my business any other way,” she said.

Ms Napper also has some advice for fellow young entrepreneurs.

“Don’t give up and follow your dreams.”