Mark was a late starter to triathlons tackling his first race at a Bowen Enticer distance event in 2015 when in his early 50’s and was instantly hooked by the multi-sport concept.

After his first event eight years ago, Mark embraced the challenge of triathlon quickly and went from being unable to swim a lap of the pool in 2015 to nowadays regularly completing multiple 4km swim sessions every week.

He has since completed 6 Half Ironmans, 10 marathons and multiple Olympic Distance and Sprint distance triathlon events and on Saturday, March 2 he will face his biggest challenge to date when Mark tackles the 2024 Ironman New Zealand in Taupo over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run course.

He joined the Whitsunday Triathlon Club in 2015 and is currently the vice president of the club along with being Junior Development Coach which is where Mark has excels as he has a passion for coaching and encouraging junior athletes.

Mark’s long-term goal is to race and compete as long as possible and to pass on his experience and knowledge to both senior and junior athletes in a coaching role.

In every chapter of his life, Mark exemplifies what it means to have heart, stamina, and willpower. His triathlon journey is inspiring to his club members as it's a story of resilience, determination, and a mental fortitude that propels Mark forward when others might falter.

As one of his final long rides before the New Zealand IRONMAN in March, Mark completed a 170km ride in 8 hours last Saturday in the sweltering NQ heatwave conditions while most were sheltering indoors in the air-conditioning.

It is this determination which will see Mark finish his first full distance Ironman event in 2024 and hear the famous words, “Mark McConkey, You Are An Ironman”.

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Give your home a spring clean this season by booking in your annual carpet, soft furnishing, and mattress clean.

Offered through the excellent expertise of Whitsundays’ own Protect and Sanitise, the hard-working team provide carpet, soft furnishing and mattress cleaning and find it is the best way to clean, sanitise and refresh your home.

Using state of the art equipment, with specially formulated cleaning solutions, you can be rest assured your home will be pristinely clean, as if brand new again.

“We use the hot water extraction method of cleaning,” Jess Hope, owner and operator of Protect and Sanitise explained.

“Which gets deep into the carpet and soft furnishing, and flushes out all the dirt, grime and nasties which you just don’t want in your home.”

Then, using a highly powered vacuum, Protect and Sanitise extract the water, leaving the carpet, mattress, and furniture beautifully clean and perfectly sanitised, great for your family’s health.

“This is the most thorough clean you can do for your carpet and upholstery,” Jess said.

“The end of the wet season is a perfect time to book us in for your annual carpet and furniture clean, because over summer, the home’s carpet, mattresses, and soft furniture is exposed to high heat and humidity levels and tends to hold on to dirt, odours and staining a lot more than usual.

“Get us in just as winter sets in to get your home refreshed and sanitised and live in the comfort of knowing your home is perfectly cleaned.”

Five Reasons to Get Your Carpets Cleaned:

   • Removes Allergens

   • Extends Life Of The Carpet

   • Eliminates Stains

   • Improves Looks and Feel

   • Prevents Uneven Colour

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Get that new home feel with Protect and Sanitise. Photo: Shutterstock

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11 crews consisting of over 200 avid sailors, sailed into Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach last week, the impressive fleet with its colourful sails and striking features drawing much attention from excited community members.

Their arrival represents Race 6 of the around the world race, and took the fleet from Newcastle to our local waters as part of the prestigious Clipper Round The World Race.

Race 6 winners, Zhuhai, are holding their win with pride, ahead of the fifth leg, where the vessel will port in its namesake, Zhuhai in China.

Hosting events over the weekend, the Clipper Race was showcased to residents and visitors alike, with everyone welcome aboard to tour the purpose-built vessels and chat with the individuals who have signed on for the challenge.

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The team on Vessel Zhuhai takes top spot for Race 6 of the Clipper Round The World Race. Photo supplied

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International Crews Rest And Recuperate In Airlie Beach

The crews of the iconic yacht regatta, The Clipper Round The World Race, have received a warm welcome and true Whitsunday hospitality during their layover in Airlie Beach ahead of their next leg of the race.

Cruising into the Coral Sea Marina last week, the competitors of the Clipper Race were given the opportunity to rest and recuperate on land, before they began the fifth leg of the race, for the Asia-Pacific Challenge, through to Zhuhai, China.

Over the weekend the Whitsunday community received their own welcome invitation, when they were invited to explore the fleet of 11 Clipper Race yachts which opened up their quarters for the public during the layover.

During the experience guests also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with competitors who shared their individual journeys of how they came to be on the crew.

One of these is Jessica Fletcher is a 33-year-old purchasing agent from America who had been looking for a life change.

Having an interest in sailing, she stumbled across a previous competitors blog of the Clipper Race and decided to take the plunge and sign up.

“It’s just amazing. I have never done anything like this, and I have grown so much,” she said.

“This is an experience like no other.”

Ms Fletcher is completing the entire route, which will see her spent 13 months at sea and away from home.

Aboard the vessel Zhuhai, skippered by James Finney, the crew was first to complete the journey of Race 6, from Newcastle, New South Wales, to the Whitsundays, which puts them in third place overall.

However, they are keen to begin the next leg, and sail the Zhuhai into the Chinese port of Zhuhai, breaking the Clipper Curse, the dreaded trend of vessels named after ports unlikely to cross first into that particular port.

While in port at the Coral Sea Marina, crews were treated to a day’s snorkelling and sailing adventure on Wings II, courtesy of Wings Sailing Adventures.

Experiencing the best of the Whitsundays from the vantage point of the beautiful Coral Sea, the Clipper competitors were left astounded with the region.

“The stopover has been a great success, from the packed community Open Boat days to the thousands of dollars injected into the local community through accommodation and tour bookings, as well as restaurant and retail expenditure not to mention the international media coverage the race has brought to our region,” explains Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina

“A lot of us joined because the Clipper Race gave us the opportunity to travel the world like never before,” explained Ms Fletcher.

“Even if you only do one, two, three or all eight legs, this is an amazing experience, one that has not only challenged me, but benefitted me in so many ways.”

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The 11 Clipper Race vessels in the Coral Sea Marina. Photo supplied

Clipper Race crews snorkelling in the Whitsundays. Photo: CSM

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Hi Everyone,

It’s great to be back!

Firstly, a huge thank you to Bronte and the rest of the team for everything they did while I was on holiday – it was wonderful to know the paper was being so well looked after.

I’ve just returned from four magical weeks in Europe – time with family in my hometown in the UK, a skiing holiday in France and also a quick trip to the Christmas markets in Prague – while I was there, I constantly felt like pinching myself and I made the most of every second!

But while every moment was amazing, I have to say . . . it was absolutely freezing!

When we left London, it was negative three degrees and I was very grateful to get on the plane knowing that Brisbane was a positively balmy 30 degrees.

When we flew back to the region, however, we were greeted with our usual humidity and as I stepped off the plane it was like walking into an oven!

Since we’ve been back, we’ve been greeted with other weather-related treats – namely the impending cyclone that is currently heading straight for our coastline as I write this note.

Here at the office, we have been tracking its progress, watching as predictors downgrade it to a category 2 and then re-instate it to category 3 – this uncertainty is very unnerving!

And while we are likely to be living on anxiety-inducing tender-hooks over the next few days I think it is important to remember that we live in a cyclone prepared region.

Our emergency services are adept at dealing with extreme weather events and our local electrical technicians will be on-call and ready to get the power back on if required.

All we can do is prepare our own households, check our neighbours are ok and hope the weather system takes it easy on us.

Wishing everyone a safe and stable few days as we greet whatever Cyclone Kirrily has in-store for us.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “The cyclone derives its power from a calm centre. So does a person.” (Norman Vincent Peale)

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The screeching of brakes could be heard across the neighbourhood on Tuesday afternoon when a red car, allegedly excessively speeding, crashed into the back of a stationary Ute on Paluma Road in Woodwark.

Residents immediately dashed out of their homes to see if they could help, one lady commenting that the bend in the road was notoriously bad and that she always worried a crash would occur at that spot.

With traffic slowing to one lane, by-standers kindly stood at the bend waving their hands to warn approaching vehicles of the incident.

One resident commented that he had seen vehicles speeding around the corner several times and he wasn’t surprised one had been involved in a collision.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) received an emergency call at 5.24pm to attend the two-vehicle crash.

Two male passengers in their 20’s were taken to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition with neck pain.

A third patient in his 30’s who is believed to be the driver of the Ute, was also taken to Proserpine Hospital with arm and chest injuries.

Queensland Police also received an emergency call at 5.23pm and multiple crews attended.

They said a follow-up investigation will be launched, but it was considered a minor crash.

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Residents and avid library users of Collinsville have been gifted accessibility like no other.

The Collinsville Library has constructed and placed an after hours return bin, allowing residents and library users to return books, DVDs and other library resources back to the library outside of library hours.

Located at the entrance of the library, the after hours bin is simple and easy for library users to return a book whenever they can and need.

Collinsville Library hours are Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 4.45pm.

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The after hours bin makes returning library books so much easier. Photo supplied

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From last week until the end of March, the regular Saturday Airlie Beach Markets, and subsequent Cruise Ship Markets, will be relocated due to Whitsunday Regional Council undertaking ground works at the existing site.

The turf on the Foreshore went through a revitalisation project in 2019, however, due to the increase usage of the grass, including evening events, Council movie nights, weekly markets, and Cruise Ship markets, Council have been unable to retain a suitable standard for the turf.

This recent turf management works looks to improve the health of the turf, by improving weed management, targeted fertilisation, and alleviating soil compaction.

Director of Community Services and Facilitation with Council, Julie Wright said that “Council urgently requires to undertake turf management works at the Airlie Beach Foreshore with aerating, fertilising plus a treatment to reduce Crow’s Feet, which is rampant throughout the foreshore.

“It was originally planned to move the markets to a temporary location on Council land, the block behind the foreshore which was used during the original foreshore development in 2019,” explained Ms Wright.

“Originally the works were to commence in mid-December but after discussions with the Lions as market organisers, it was mutually agreed to delay the turf management program until January 15.

“Council will review the condition of the foreshore in early March before advising a date when it will be reopened to host the markets.”

Helen Toy, the Lions Airlie Beach Community Market Manager, said the community attendance at the markets was still consistent.

“Most of the stallholders remembered when we previously had to relocate the markets, so this is nothing new,” she said.

“Unfortunately, this new site does not have car access, so it did mean more work for the stallholders to set up and pack down their sites, and some stallholders have decided to not return to the markets until the usual site is back up and running,” Ms Toy explained.

The Airlie Beach Markets will be held on the vacant lot, off Coconut Grove on the vacant land beside Port of Airlie, while the works are completed.

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Revolutionary new distilling practices have made their home in the heart of the Whitsundays.

100 per cent crafted from Agave tequilana, the distilling process uses entirely renewable energy practices, including using biodiesel, cover cropping, sediment run off prevention, and carbon sequestration, at the Eden Lassie spirit farm and distillery, between Bowen and Airlie Beach.

While it cannot be officially called tequila, Act of Treason is entirely Agave based, with the Agave plants sourced from Ayr, before being distilled with notes of lime and hints of tropical fruits.

“Act of Treason symbolises the pioneering spirit of a project that will create a new region of agave spirit. The Dry Tropics of north Queensland are the ideal place for that to occur,” explained CEO of Top Shelf International, the parent company of Act of Treason, Trent Fraser.

“Like many other producers, we feel there is an opportunity for agave to be shared with the world and for others to put their distinctive imprint on a category that continues to surge in popularity in Australia and overseas.

“Act of Treason has joined the new global era of agave. We’re approaching this as an opportunity to create something new and expand the horizons of a category that has been geographically limited for centuries. In many ways it’s no different to the evolution wine underwent three decades ago,” he explained.

“If some feel that we’re being treasonous, then so be it. The greater crime would be not doing it all.”

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Act of Treason entirely grown and distilled in North Queensland. Photo supplied

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Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has formed in the Coral Sea and, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, a “severe impact is likely” between Cardwell and Airlie Beach sometime this week.

The system is expected to become a Category 3 event and its impacts will be felt right across the region.

Whitsunday Regional Council urge all its residents to stay updated by using the Disaster Dashboard which will keep the community abreast of the most real-time, current information.

Important Websites:

   • disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

   • whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au

   • bom.gov.au

A History Of Cyclones

Cyclone Debbie

Category 4, crossed between Bowen and Airlie Beach in March 2017, causing major damage to the Whitsunday region. As the cyclone made landfall, extensive flooding occurred South of the cyclone from Mackay in Queensland through to Northern New South Wales.

Cyclone Dylan

Category 2, crossed between Bowen and Proserpine at the end of January 2014. Dylan quickly weakened to below cyclone status after moving over land.
A beachside resort on Great Keppel Island sustained severe damage to many structures after the beach gave way and washed several buildings into the sea. Inundation which was a result of unusually high tides resulted in damage to homes in Townsville and Mackay.

Cyclone Anthony

Category 2, crossed near Bowen in January 2011.

Cyclone Yasi

Category 5, crossed near Innisfail in February 2011 causing a 5m storm surge on a falling tide, and 2.3m inundation above king tide level at Cardwell. Note: Gale force winds were recorded in the Burdekin.

Cyclone Ului

Category 3, crossed near Airlie Beach in March 2010, causing major damage to the Whitsunday region.

Emergency Ready Check List

Food and water

   • Range of non—perishable food items

   • Bottled water

Medical and sanitation

   • First Aid Kit and manual

   • Essential medications, prescriptions, and dosage

   • Toilet paper

   • Toothbrush/toothpaste

   • Soap/shampoo

   • Personal hygiene items

   • Insect repellent

   • Sunscreen

Light

   • Flashlight/torch with extra batteries

   • Battery powered lantern

Communications

   • Battery powered radio with extra batteries

   • Prepaid phone cards and coins for phone calls

   • Battery packs for cell phones

Clothing and footwear

   • Warm jumper, waterproof jacket, hat, and gloves for everyone

   • Closed—toed shoes or boots for everyone

Tools and supplies

   • Whistle, utility knife, duct/masking tape

   • Plastic garbage bags, ties

   • Safety glasses and sunglasses.

Miscellaneous

   • Special items for infants (nappies, formula etc)

   • Special items needed by elderly or people with special needs

   • Spare house and car keys

   • Pet food, water, and other animal needs

Important documents

Keep original or certified copies of these documents in your Emergency Kit.

Scan copies of them and save the files on a USB memory stick or CD to include in your kit. Keep all these items in sealed plastic bags.

Did You Know?

On average, there are 13 cyclones annually in Australia. 4 of these cyclones per year affect the Queensland Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre Area of Responsibility, but obviously not all make landfall in our area. There have been over 210 known impacts from tropical cyclones along the east coast of Queensland since 1858.

Beware Of The Surge

A storm surge is a rise above the normal water level along a shore resulting from strong onshore winds and / or reduced atmospheric pressure. Around the world, drowning by storm surge accounts for a high proportion of the deaths in tropical cyclones.

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Welcome to a new article series in partnership with the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The series will feature Chamber members who share their expertise and suggest responses to your business questions.

This month’s question is:

I am selling my business and have located a buyer, what happens now?

Chamber member, Kellee Fogg of Whitsunday Law, responds:

As the seller, it is usually you who has to prepare a business contract of sale.  Even if there is an agent involved, a solicitor should review the special conditions attached to the contract. A buyer can prepare a business contract of sale, but the seller will have access to all of the information that should be inserted into the contract. The parties are not usually bound to purchase and sell a business until a written document has been signed and a deposit has been paid.

Occasionally, a business is sold with goodwill (business reputation, intellectual property, business secrets, and customer loyalty).  A restraint of trade clause in the business contract of sale will deter the seller from opening or managing an identical or similar business in the same area for a certain length of time. This aims to protect the goodwill paid for the business.  However, a restraint may not prevent a seller from gaining employment in the same industry as they are still entitled to earn an income if that is their only skill or way of earning money.

For more information on business contracts of sale, please contact Kellee Fogg at Whitsunday Law on 07 4948 7000 or email kellee.fogg@whitsundaylaw.com.au

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The best course of action for most people is to shelter in their homes during a cyclone, however, if your home is located in an evacuation zone, an older home, or someone in the family has special needs, it is best to plan and prepare to evacuate and seek shelter elsewhere.

There are two shelter locations in the Whitsundays:

   • Bowen Cyclone Shelter, Bowen State High School, Richmond Road, Bowen

   • Proserpine Cyclone Shelter, Proserpine State School, Sterry Street, Proserpine

To check if your home is in an Evacuation Zone (Storm Tide), visit the Whitsunday Disaster Dashboard, and view the map, with the filter set to ‘Storm Tide Layer’: https://disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/

How to read the Evacuation Zone (Storm Tide) map colours?

Red – Extreme Risk

Residents in the Red Zone have the highest risk of inundation or isolation from a cyclone storm tide. The Red Zone includes low-lying coastal areas and areas that may experience storm tide affects up to approximately 1.25 metres above Highest Astronomical Tide (King Tide).

Residents in the Orange Zone have a high risk of inundation or isolation from a cyclone storm tide. The Orange Zone includes low-lying coastal areas and areas that may experience storm tide affects up to approximately 2.25 metres above Highest Astronomical Tide (King Tide).

Yellow – Moderate Risk

Residents in the Yellow Zone have a medium risk of inundation or isolation from a cyclone storm tide. The Yellow Zone includes low-lying coastal areas and areas that may experience storm tide affects up to approximately 4.25 metres above Highest Astronomical Tide (King Tide).

Blue – Minor Risk

Residents in the Blue Zone have a low risk of inundation or isolation from a cyclone storm tide. 

White – Extremely Minor Risk/No Risk

Residents in the White Zone have a very low risk or no risk of inundation or isolation from a cyclone storm tide. 

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What is your role at Tourism Whitsundays? I am the Finance & Operations Manager, looking after the day-to-day finances, budgets, etc and general operations. However, I love being involved in all business aspects and understanding the industry. I really enjoy that the role has a lot of diversity and allows me to be engaged with our members and learning more about what our region has to offer. 

What is your ideal weekend in The Whitsundays? I love getting out and about, experiencing the region with my family and friends. My family is very much into food and experiences. It’s amazing that we can go out anywhere in the Whitsundays and feel like we are on vacation any day of the week. 

How long have you been in the Whitsundays? I have lived here on and off for the past 20 years. I lived here in my 20’s, working on the overnight sailing charters, bareboats and aviation, for various tourism operators for about 7 years. When Covid hit Australia, we were living in Melbourne, did one year of lockdown and decided to move the family back to the Whitsundays.  The lifestyle is amazing, compared to big city life.   

What's the one thing about The Whitsundays you think everyone should know? How diverse the region is. There is something here for everyone. We have so many experiences to offer here from full adventure to high luxury.  

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Are you tired of feeling tired all the time? Do you crave energy and motivation, but you’re hard pushed making it through the day without exhaustion laying over you like a thick, flat fog?

If you have new year goals and dreams that are currently sat stagnant in the corner of the room like a pile of dirty laundry, then don’t give yourself a hard time, getting started is often the hardest part so the key is to take it slow.

Here are some tips for easing gently into 2024 and rediscovering a new vitality and vigour that will make you feel vibrant and alive.

   1. Wake up early and drink water – Instead of lolling around in bed, inching out every second of comfort, try to move positively into the day. Get up before your family and immediately drink some water to give your stomach an instant satisfaction.

   2. Sit in awe for a second – Whether it’s watching the day slowly dawn and marvelling at the changing colours of the sky or looking at your child’s face as they sleep, find a way to experience a moment of awe. Be in the present and see if you can truly appreciate the majesty of being alive.

   3. Be grateful for all you have – Spend a few minutes mentally listing all the things you are grateful for – from your family to your home, your job, your smile, your health – embracing gratitude is well-known to improve general wellbeing.

  4. Slow and steady wins the race – Do not push yourself too hard to get everything done as fast as you can. Take it easy, tackle everything with a steady and systematic approach. Things get done just as quick when you, slow down, do it once and do it well!

   5. Introduce new habits gradually – It takes three weeks to make a habit and three weeks to break a habit. If you are starting a new fitness regime it will take your body and your mind a bit of time to enjoy this new routine. Expect it to be challenging at first but the pay-out will be huge after your body adjusts.  

   6. Action creates energy – Sitting around doing nothing only promotes more sitting around doing nothing. If you are looking for motivation, get moving! Start by simply going for a walk or taking a refreshing swim – this will leave you feeling more energised.

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This new year, consider switching up your New Years Resolutions by revamping yourself from the top down, with a new skincare routine.

Perhaps you’ve noticed new lines, freckles, or beauty spots, or you’ve decided to undertake more pre-emptive measures to ensure good skin condition, it is never too late to implement a consistent skin care regime.

Here are our top tips for a good base layer for your skin care routine:

Wash Your Face: Wash your face in the morning and in the evening. While using just water is good, it is also great to consider applying a small amount of gentle cleanser. Massage into face and neck, before rinsing and patting dry with a clean and soft towel.

In the evening, it may be beneficial to double cleanse, first with a makeup remover to remove grime, and then with a gentle cleanser to hydrate and restore your face’s natural barrier.

Use A Toner: Consider using a toner to restore and rejuvenate your skin’s pH levels and aid in removing any lasting dead skin cells and residue of makeup and impurities. Be cautious of purchasing toner without first researching key ingredients. For example, toners including glycolic acids should be reserved for night use, as it can cause skin to become sensitive to the sun.

Moisturise: Be sure to moisturise, using an SPF in the morning and a hydrating one in the evening.

Apply SPF: In the morning, even if your moisturiser contains SPF, it is great to apply another specific SPF over the top, to protect your skin from the sun. Be sure to apply SPF even if you think you will be out of the sun all day, as the sun’s harmful impact can take moments to detrimentally affect your skin.

From this basic regime, you can further apply specific creams and serums, such as glycolic acids, retinol, and niacinamide, which target particular issues with your skin, however consider meeting with your GP to best treat your skin.

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Reflecting back on TC Debbie in 2017 and on feedback from colleagues in Innisfail for TC Yassi in 2011, there were two things that stood out from a financial perspective. On the negative side there were too many horror stories of people and businesses who went under due to making poor decisions after the cyclone. On the positive side, it galvanised some people to question where their job or business was going to leave them in their 60’s and make some positive changes.

Regards poor decision making, the stress of the unknown and not having a good, independent second opinion can lead to financial ruin. Dealing with insurers, assessors, builders, grant applications etc is not something we usually do, and this puts us outside our comfort zone. This is not a good position from which to make what are often life changing decisions.  

What’s needed is the counsel of someone external to the family unit to bounce decisions and ideas off and get that independent opinion. Ideally that person should have a good knowledge of your entire financial position and future plans. They should understand your taxation position, your debt position, your short-term plans around kids and business and your long-term plans around retirement. They should also understand the local economy and have dealt with natural disasters before.

If you have someone in this role, reach out to them. If you don’t, Eclipse has experienced Financial Planners who specialise in personal or business situations. We offer a free appointment so we can get to know you and your situation, and you can get to know us before making any decisions.  

If you are looking to get serious about your financial situation, now is as good a time as any to do it.  Sitting down and clarifying where you’re at now, where you’re on track to be in the future, where you want to be in the future and how best to get there is what financial planning is all about. It’s about moving you closer to your personal goals whatever they might be.  It’s about giving you the peace of mind that comes with having a clear picture of where you’re headed rather than just bumbling along and hoping for the best.

If you think you could benefit from a discussion with a Financial Planner, give us a call on 49467359 of visit www.eclipsefp.com.au   There’s no obligation, the first meeting is free and all fees are spelled out clearly in advance.  If you’re not sure, try coming to our Retirement Planning seminar in March, keep an eye on our Facebook page for details.

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