During the past three years we have had a great run of success. Members of the Team Henderson Racing syndicate have stood in the winners circle at the Golden Slipper, the AJC Sires Stakes, NSW Breeders Plate, The Hill Stakes, the Caulfield Cup, the Tulloch Stakes, and the Brisbane Cup.

 

This week my involvement in horse racing was lifted to the next level when I was appointed to the board of the Gold Coast Turf Club.

 

I am passionate about the Gold Coast Turf Club and about racing. I have already  been asked why I didn’t wait for the Turf Club elections which are due in three months’ time instead of jumping in to fill the void left by resignation of a senior board member.

 

Simply put, I believe I can do a lot of good in three months, and I believe that by acting now, I will help put the Gold Coast Turf Club on a much stronger footing when the elections come in three months time.

 

My aim is simply to help the Gold Coast Turf Club to be the best that it can be and I will do the best job I can for the club.

 

I don’t care about all the politicking and the back-stabbing. That is not my game. My job is to simply focus on the job at hand and do my best to keep the turf club on track.

 

This is particularly important at the moment, especially given that the State Government has recently announced that the Club is to receive a $35.4 million rejuvenation.

 

We think there are exciting times ahead for the turf club. We are now urging Gold Coasters to get involved, to support the Gold Coast Turf Club and to sign up as members for the 2011-2012 financial year.

 

Happy punting.

 

Click here to become a Gold Coast Turf Club member!

 

 

The Gold Coast has been built on the back of the tourism industry and a big part of this is due to the appeal and safety of our beaches.

 

 

Without strong lifesaving clubs, we would be in a position where the loss of more lives would potentially detract from the region’s appeal as a tourist destination.

 

 

Our family has personally donated more than $375,000 to Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach and Miami surf life saving clubs during the past 10 years.

 

 

Most recently, we donated two surf boards worth $3300 to the Miami Surf Life Saving Club this month.

 

 

I would strongly urge people to give the lifesavers a helping hand in any way that they can, even if that just means that you visit the surf clubs occasionally to have a beer or a meal with your family and friends.

 

 

It is vital that we keep our lifesaving clubs as strong as possible.

 

 

See you at the clubs soon.

 

When completed, the $450 million project at Main Place will soar 52 stories high. It will include 173 hotel suites, 320 apartments, 1794sqm of shopping (steady girls) and a further 2346sqm of office space.

 

I am already looking forward to having a look around the building when it is completed. I think it will be a magnificent addition to the Broadbeach skyline and it will create another destination for residents of Miami, Mermaid Beach and Mermaid Waters.

 

The Gold Coast needs more projects like this, especially at a time when the city is still going through tough times.

 

The only thing that left a bit of a sour taste about the whole deal is that the councillor who represents Broadbeach and parts of Mermaid, decided to oppose the project. Perhaps we should all remember that in 2012 at the next council elections.

 

When you rent there are three main things you need to account for financially. First up there are the start up costs, then you should have a regular and reliable income to make sure you can make your rental payments on a periodic basis. Then of course you also need to factor in your day to day living costs.

 

To set up home in a rental you will need money put away for items like bond, advanced rent, moving costs, setting up utilities as well as possibly needing to buy new furniture, appliances or other necessary households items.

 

Sometimes people can be unrealistic about what they can afford to pay each week. If you are finding yourself struggling to pay your day-to-day expenses like food and bills just so you can make up your rental payments then you might want to consider moving to a rental that is more affordable for you.

 

Don’t let renting stress you out. If you need any help finding a rental or have any queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

 

You can help in all of the traditional ways, like buying a white ribbon and discussing the issue with your mates, but I think that there is an important and interesting side to this day that should be noted, called ‘My Oath’. You can make the oath, and encourage your friends and family via the website. It’s quick and easy, and carries a strong message:

I swear:
never to commit violence against women,
never to excuse violence against women, and
never to remain silent about violence against women.
This is my oath.

 

It’s a commitment from all men to acknowledge the presence in our community and to encourage us to have the strength to speak out when we know that something wrong has occurred.

 

If you’d like to do something even bigger and better for the cause, there are two websites that will allow you to fundraise for White Ribbon day. Everyday hero will allow you to set up your own fundraising page, and then take pledges as you work towards doing a number of different fun-runs and MyCause will allow you to set any challenge or host any event for White Ribbon.

 

Online fundraising is a great way to raise awareness for this and other causes, so keep these sites in mind if you want to stretch yourself and help others in future! So buy a white ribbon and, make your oath. Our society can be a better place through better understanding.

 

‘The Renovator’ is a program being put together by Shine Productions, the people who unleashed the Masterchef phenomenon on the country are going to give home improvement the Masterchef treatment to fixing up rundown properties – with a variety of side challenges involving renovation, improvement and design tests – and is set to put a serious spin on the traditional renovation competition format.

 

If you think that you’d like to be on television and show the nation how amazing you are at fixing up properties that most of us would be afraid to, if you’re braver than brave and think you can win then you should head to the casting page and fill out your details. You’ll need to have taken before-and-after pictures of your renovations, as well as having some digital photos of yourself to submit.

 

The program is a full-time commitment, and will be filming over several months next year (on and off from April until October). You must be willing to put everything on hold for the entire duration of the filming schedule, which will stretch for 26 weeks. Obviously this sort of dedication won’t be for everyone, but if you’re a budding designer or developer this could be great exposure to really give your career the kick-start it needs!

 

For more information head to http://therenovators.castasugar.com/

 

Celebrating 50 years, Burleigh Golf Club is currently holding its 2010 tournament – a great opportunity to see the ins and outs of the sports before giving it a go. They also have an online tour of their course and an onsite restaurant and function centre if the weather turns and you’d like to retire for lunch and a cheeky beverage or two.

 

Often listed in the top 30 in the country, Robina Woods golf course offers flexible memberships for those just beginning or more casual enthusiasts on a budge. They also have a driving range that’s open until 6pm daily if you fancy some lessons before you hit the course.

 

Something to keep in mind regardless of which club you decide to try are the often strict dress regulations; check the website or ring ahead to the clubhouse – generally polo shirts and dress pants are pre-requisites for entry and play.

 

Other local courses in the area include The Colonial (also at Robina) and the Lakelands Club at Merrimac, so if you’re interested in the sport you’re bound to find somewhere that suits your budget and needs. Happy putting, and have a great weekend!

The Online Addict

This is now one of the most common strategies, and it’s popular for a very good reason. Using sites like realestate.com.au and Domain is, to put it simply, very easy. It allows you to see every property that agencies have listed online (which these days are generally all of them).

 

One major downside of online searching is that your idea of what a particular search term might mean could be completely different to what it means to someone else. You’re at risk of performing a broad but superficial search. Not all agencies provide enough photos for you to get a reasonable idea. Ask yourself why there might not be photos of the inside of a particular property.

The Agents Best Friend

This is a more traditional house-hunting style, and lots of people have had luck finding a great home by making and maintaining relationships with the agents in their area. The reality is that realtors have the inside run on hot properties in your area, and if you’ve given your agent a clear idea of what you’re after then they may think of you when the perfect home comes along. Fans of UK property show Location, Location, Location will know that often the best houses that the hosts find aren’t even on the market yet!

A Combination

Probably the best all-round strategy is to keep the pulse of what’s happening online without being a slave to your browser. Search a few times a week, contact agents and use the website to make a list of homes for inspection. Then, use your networking skills to ring agents and stay abreast of what’s happening in your dream area.

 

For more information (and to make friends with us) contact the office, and we’ll do all we can. Happy hunting, and see you out there.

 

The Gold Coast has been blessed with many natural advantages; our lush hinterland and beautiful beaches allow me to do the things I love like supporting our local surf live saving club. Unfortunately, the serenity of our suburban streets is being continually interrupted by batch after batch of drunken pests who come to our area for a weekend that doesn’t usually involve activities utilising all that our area has to offer.

 

I am not objecting to couples and families who may want to rent a home for the summer so that they can enjoy our relaxed, beachside lifestyle – my only objections are to do with the negative impact that these party houses are having on locals, some of whom are my friends, colleagues and neighbours.

 

I stand by my comment that it is unfair for the residents to have their peace and quiet shattered with every new group of tourists that arrives on the Coast. To the State Government and Council, I hope that some change is able to be enacted on this issue – we have plenty of excellent hotels, hostels and apartments in our tourist precincts and that is where those wishing to let their hair down on the weekend should be booking their stays.

 

No, not because my brother Andrew and I were listed as Number 50 (though I was very surprised & humbled!), but it is always fascinating to see the new entries in the list and which direction people have moved from last year. In this volatile climate, many industries are certainly in a sink or swim situation.

 

Dale Dickson, City Council CEO was a worthy Number One. Dale Dickson is responsible for major decision-making which affects all Gold coast citizens.

 

Also, in a city where tourism is so important, it’s good to see that the major Tourism players are still up there in the top 20 with Martin Winter (16) & Paul Donovan (17). It will be interesting to see if they are able to maintain their positions over the next year with the rising dollar.

 

Also good to see some personal friends of our family as new entries on the list, such as racehorse owner Andrew Eggleston and Moo Moo’s owners Steve & Autumn Adams. They have had a great year with the opening of their 2^nd & 3^rd restaurants and this placement is well deserved.

 

At the end of the day, it’s great to see such a fantastic group of prominent individuals driving the Gold Coast’s prosperity.