How Stress Shows Up in Your Pelvic Floor

Most of us know what stress feels like — the tight shoulders, the clenched jaw, the racing thoughts at 3am. But there’s one place stress loves to hide that almost no one talks about: your pelvic floor. Yes, the same group of muscles that help keep you dry when you sneeze, support your organs, and form the foundation of your core can also become tense and overworked when life gets busy.

Here in Mackay, it’s no surprise that many women are carrying tension in places they don’t even realise. Between work demands, kids’ sport, the heat, the housework, the mental load, and the endless rushing from one task to the next, the body learns to stay in constant “go mode.” And while we often notice stress in our neck, shoulders, or jaw, the pelvic floor responds in the same way, by tightening.

Most people associate pelvic floor problems with weakness, but many women actually experience the opposite; a pelvic floor that is too tight. Just like clenching your jaw when you’re overwhelmed, the pelvic floor can become subconsciously activated throughout the day. Over time, that tension adds up. A pelvic floor that never gets the chance to switch off can create a whole range of symptoms that are easy to misinterpret, and easy to dismiss.

A tight pelvic floor doesn’t always feel like tightness. It might show up as bladder urgency, that “I need to go right now” feeling that appears out of nowhere. It can cause urinary leaks despite doing pelvic floor exercises (aka Kegels), because muscles that are already overactive can’t contract properly or functionally when we need them to. Some women notice pelvic heaviness, constipation, incomplete emptying of the bladder, or discomfort during intimacy. Others feel lower back or hip tension that never quite resolves. These symptoms can be confusing, frustrating, and often dismissed or misunderstood.

Stress also affects the bladder directly. When your nervous system is constantly switched on, your bladder becomes jumpy, too. You may find yourself going to the toilet more often, relying on “just in case wees,” or feeling caught off guard by sudden urgency. The bladder and pelvic floor communicate closely, and stress can make their signals louder, sharper, and harder to ignore.

The empowering part is that pelvic floor health isn’t just about strength, it’s about balance. Relaxation is every bit as important as activation. Just as you wouldn’t walk around with your shoulders shrugged up to your ears all day, your pelvic floor also deserves moments of softness and release. Small changes like slow belly breathing, taking movement breaks, gentle stretching, or walking outdoors can help calm the nervous system and give the pelvic floor permission to relax. Even simply noticing when you’re clenching; often during concentrating, rushing, or lifting; can help you start to let go.

If symptoms persist, a pelvic health physiotherapist can assess what your pelvic floor is actually doing and tailor an individualised plan to help everything function better again. Many women feel immediate relief just from understanding that there is a reason for what they’re experiencing, and that it’s treatable.

Stress may be part of modern life, but suffering through its silent effects doesn’t have to be. The tension you carry on the inside matters just as much as what people see on the outside, and your pelvic floor deserves a chance to breathe, too.

💜 Quick Tips to Relax a Stressed Pelvic Floor

Your calm down check list:

• Take slow belly breaths — soften your tummy and let your pelvic floor drop.
• Avoid 'just in case' wees — wait for a real urge.
• Relax your jaw and shoulders — your pelvic floor often follows.
• Add movement breaks to your day — even 2 minutes helps.
• Try gentle stretching, walking or yoga to calm your system

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Pleystowe Says No To BESS

Member for Mirani, Glen Kelly MP, is calling on Mackay Regional Councillors to stand with the community and vote against the proposed Pleystowe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) when it comes before Council.

Submissions have now closed, with close to 100 objections lodged by local residents, a powerful show of community concern from one of the most pristine rural localities in the region.

Mr Kelly said the message from Pleystowe and the wider Pioneer Valley is crystal clear.

“This community has done everything right. They’ve read the documents, had their say, made their submissions, and raised legitimate concerns about safety, noise, land use and environmental impacts,” Mr Kelly said.

“Now it’s over to Council. They have a responsibility to listen to their ratepayers, not big multinationals, and to protect one of the most productive agricultural areas in Queensland.”

Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the fire risks of large-scale battery systems, chemical runoff from firefighting operations, and the irreversible industrialisation of rural landscapes.

Mr Kelly also pointed to the lived experience of Bouldercombe residents, who have endured years of noise issues and a major BESS fire that burned for three days.

“Pleystowe locals do not want a repeat of the Bouldercombe disaster, and frankly, who could blame them?” he said.

Community frustration has been further inflamed by recent remarks from TrinaSolar’s Australian Country Manager in an interview with the 7:30 report, John Zhong, whocompared a Victorian community’s opposition to one of their projects to “a child not wanting to go to Prep.”

Mr Kelly said this attitude shows exactly why locals are concerned about how TrinaSolar engages with communities.

“That kind of comment is incredibly disrespectful,” he said. “If that’s how they talk about locals in other regions, how seriously are they taking the very real concerns of Pleystowe residents?”

Pleystowe resident Dani Percival said the project would destroy the rural lifestyle her family invested heavily to secure.

“We didn’t buy a home in Paget, we bought in Pleystowe for the quiet and the rural setting. A BESS in our backyard would be devastating.”

Ms Percival said the strength of submissions reflects a united community.

“We might not have a huge population, but we are all ready to stand up to fight against this Battery Energy Storage System.”

Resident Richard Lancaster said locals made property decisions based on established planning rules.

“When you buy a property in a rural area, you don’t expect a BESS to be built close to you.”

“These batteries need to be placed in industrial areas, not in people’s backyards. I didn’t buy acreage in Pleystowe to raise a family next to something so dangerous.”

Carrie and Steve Galea whose home is 620 meters from the proposed BESS, also raised concerns that there are residents who are even closer than they are.

“We are on a one-way dirt road with one way in and one way out, and our peace and way of life will be severely disturbed, not only by the noise pollution, but also by the increased traffic and toxic pollutants.”

Mr Kelly said the sheer volume of objections should be impossible for Council to ignore.

“The number of objections from a tiny locality like Pleystowe is extraordinary. That is a community shouting as loudly as they can,” he said.

“I’m urging Mackay Regional Councillors to respect that. Listen to your ratepayers.

"Protect their homes, their safety, their livelihoods and their way of life for the future generations.

"If they don’t feel that their planning scheme adequately deals with BESS projects, they need to write to the Deputy Premier to have this project called in and assessed by him, because while I’ve spoken to him about this project, he needs something from the Mackay Council to act on it and I’ve communicated this to councillors already.”

The Crisafulli Government is currently preparing legislation changes to better manage BESS development applications with legislation restrictions similar to those around Wind and Solar that were passed earlier this year.

Rockhampton Regional Council has also been dealing with an influx of development applications for BESS projects, and have recently passed a Temporary Local Planning Instrument to be able to properly assess them under their planning scheme as an interim measure until the new state legislation is brought in.

This was brought on from calls from the Bouldercombe and Gracemere communities that were going to be living near these projects, and similar suggestions have been made to Mackay Regional Councillors by Glen Kelly’s office.

The Pleystowe BESS application is scheduled to be considered at the Mackay Regional
Council Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 26 November.

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Photo supplied

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The Heart of Our Region

The Mackay City Centre has long been recognised as the vibrant heart of the region, offering an inviting blend of local character, coastal charm and community spirit. From its warm, tropical atmosphere to its walkable streets and welcoming public spaces, the City Centre provides an experience that feels both relaxed and full of opportunity. Whether stopping in for a morning coffee, browsing boutique retailers, enjoying a treatment at a local beautician or settling in for dinner at one of the area’s many restaurants, the City Centre continues to offer something for everyone.

Local businesses remain central to what makes the Mackay City Centre such a distinctive destination. These establishments include cafés where staff greet you by name, beauticians who provide personalised care, restaurants that champion regional flavours and real estate agencies that are deeply connected to the community. Each business contributes to the City Centre’s identity and helps create a place that is not only commercially active but also genuinely welcoming.

As the region grows, the City Centre continues to evolve while embracing new ideas, supporting local talent and fostering spaces where people can meet, relax and celebrate. Despite ongoing development, it retains the approachable and down to earth charm that residents and visitors have always valued.

This feature highlights a selection of the many cafés, beauticians, restaurants, real estate professionals and specialty retailers who help keep the Mackay City Centre thriving. Their dedication, creativity and community focus ensure the precinct remains one of the premier destinations in the region.

Whether you are exploring for the first time or returning to familiar favourites, the Mackay City Centre offers a uniquely local experience that reflects the heart of the community.

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Redefining Skin Health In Mackay

Formerly known as Alli’s Beauty, Skin Transformations has proudly served Mackay since 2012. Locally owned and operated, the clinic is celebrated for exceptional service, transformative results, and loyal client relationships.

Founded by Allison Bekker—an Enrolled Nurse and Dermal Therapist with over 19 years of experience—Skin Transformations specialises in advanced Plasma Treatments. Allison is joined by Janeen Kearns, a highly accomplished Dermal Therapist with more than eight years of expertise. Together, they deliver world-class treatments with warmth, integrity, and results-driven precision.
Janeen’s expertise expands the clinic’s scope, offering intraoral facial massage, IPL therapy, skin needling, and chemical peels. Her evidence-based approach ensures safe, effective outcomes tailored to each client’s needs, with profound results in facial sculpting, lymphatic drainage, and muscular release.

More than a beauty clinic, Skin Transformations is a medically aligned space where skin health meets innovation. Allison’s dual expertise bridges cosmetic care with clinical insight, ensuring treatments that are both effective and safe. The clinic is one of the few in Queensland offering Fusion Plasma Pro—a breakthrough for skin tightening, lesion removal, and xanthelasma reduction—as well as Cold Plasma therapy for wound healing, rosacea, diabetic wounds, and more.

June 2026, Skin Transformations will expand into a new premium space at 1/118 Sams Road, styled with clinical elegance and designed for both individual treatments and group bookings.

Book your complimentary consultation today and discover why Skin Transformations is Mackay’s leader in advanced skin health.

Special Offer: Mention this ad to receive $25 off your first treatment

Amazing results can be seen in the before and after shots

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With Roshni By Raj

Mackay’s brunch scene just got a whole lot better with Roshni by Raj stepping boldly into the spotlight, serving up mornings and middays with flair and flavour. Long known for its authentic Indian cuisine, this family-owned favourite has reinvented itself as one of the premier places in the region to dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, blending the spices of India with the classics Australians crave.

Start your day with something traditional, like a Masala dosa, a warming dal, or the Bada Breakfast (‘big’ breakfast in Hindi), a flavour-packed twist on the classic morning feast. For those leaning into familiar brunch favourites, options like smashed avo, bacon and eggs benny, chilli scrambled eggs, or the towering ricotta hotcake ensure there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Lunch continues the celebration of flavour with inventive East-meets-West dishes. The tandoori chicken pizza is an instant standout, butter chicken sliders hit the ultimate comfort-food sweet spot, and the duck bao is a dish you’ll be thinking about long after the last bite. Classics like chicken parmigiana and fresh fish and chips sit comfortably alongside Indian favourites, creating a menu that appeals to every diner.

And coffee lovers, take note: the Freddoccino is Roshni’s viral-worthy showstopper. Exclusive to this spot in Mackay, and perhaps all of North Queensland, it’s a frothy, creamy, ice-cold caffeine masterpiece served in a stylish 500ml can-style cup. It’s smooth, indulgent, and irresistibly photogenic.

With a fresh new interior and a newly renovated private function room that can host up to 140 guests, Roshni is ideal for everything from casual catch-ups to special celebrations.

Book your table today at www.roshni.com.au and discover why Roshni is one of Mackay’s must-visit destinations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Mackay city centre!

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At Woodman's Axe Espresso Bar Mackay

What began as a simple idea to create a space that feels like home has evolved into a hub for the Mackay community. With quality coffee, delicious food, and a welcoming environment, Woodman’s Axe Espresso Bar Mackay has attracted customers who have become familiar faces, friends, and an integral part of its daily rhythm.

This atmosphere fosters what owner Jason Ha describes as a “genuine connection.”

The business continually refines its craft through experimentation.

“Whether it’s refining our roasting profiles, creating new menu items, or improving the shop layout, we always aim to give our customers the best experience,” Jason explained.

“We’re also very community-driven; many of our ideas come directly from customer feedback.”

What sets Woodman's Axe apart from its café counterparts is its combination of consistency, authenticity, and genuine care.

Jason said, “We focus on quality at every level – from our beans and ingredients to the training of our staff.

“We’re not just serving coffee; we’re building a place people feel drawn to. Our team puts heart into what they do, and customers feel that warmth.

“We also try to respond quickly to trends and adapt fast, which keeps us fresh and relevant in a growing region.”

Looking to the future and in line with their commitment to continuous improvement, Woodman's Axe is working on a plan to renovate the entire shop in 2026, promising to usher in a new era.

“We’re excited to introduce more catering offerings, expand our menu options, and create a more refined visual identity for the café. We’re also planning more community engagement, such as events, collaborations, and opportunities to bring people together.”

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Fancy a Platter and a Natter?

The Deli Nook has had you covered since 2019. They are not just a café, but also a deli, caterer, and event space. Offering corporate hampers and gifting, this little shop really does cover it all.

With a love for Mackay, where they both grew up, owners Patrice and Simon enjoy providing their community with high-quality goods. Patrice Zarzecki explains,
“We grew up in Mackay and love our community, providing them with great coffee, food and banter, hearing about what's happening for them, and supporting people and businesses around us.”

The business is also BYO-licensed, so you can bring a bottle of your favourite wine and enjoy one of their platter boxes with a friend. Patrice explained that part of what helps the business stand out from the rest is their unique approach:

“We’re creative, a little quirky, and definitely run in our own lane. Our vision has always been to be that little foodie haven — crafting unique platters, bringing in gourmet deli items you might not have had access to in Mackay, and sharing our love of food with the community.”

“Our platter lunchboxes, for example, are something we created that we haven't seen elsewhere, and let's be honest, who doesn't want their own mini platter box for lunch?”

Looking to the future, the Deli Nook team are very excited to have opened their event space next door. Patrice explains,

“It's a blank canvas for meetings, events and occasions. We also run some of our own events in there, such as platter-making classes and cheese-tasting.”

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Celebrating 80 Years of Local Expertise with Hugh Reilly Real Estate

In a market where experience, consistency, and genuine care are everything, Hugh Reilly Real Estate continues to set the benchmark—80 years strong in 2025. But behind the doors of one of Mackay’s longest-standing real estate agency stands one of the region’s most trusted names in Property Management: Wendy Chatto.

If you don’t have Wendy and her team looking after your investment property, it may be time to ask yourself—why not?

With more than 30 years of hands-on property management experience, Wendy has built a reputation for doing more than just managing properties; she protects investments, nurtures long-term tenancies, and delivers peace of mind. Her knowledge, paired with her unwavering commitment to ethical, professional service, is why generations of Mackay landlords turn to her team year after year.

Wendy believes in Hugh Reilly Real Estate so strongly that she invested in the business herself, becoming a partner—a move that speaks volumes. For Wendy, this isn’t just a job. It’s a responsibility to uphold an 80-year legacy of trust, local insight, and results.

Her leadership has shaped a Property Management division known for integrity, transparency, and exceptional communication. Landlords aren’t just another name on a rent roll – they’re valued clients whose investments deserve the highest level of care.

So if you’re considering who should oversee your rental property, maybe the real question is:

Why would you choose anywhere else?

For professional Property Management backed by 80 years of proven performance, contact Hugh Reilly Real Estate and experience the standard Wendy Chatto and her team deliver every day.

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Dr. Suzanne Kippen, Chiropractor From Move It Chiropractic

At the backbone of health and vitality in Mackay lies a chiropractic clinic where the power of the body heals the body.

At Move It Chiropractic, Dr. Suzanne Kippen and her devoted team are revolutionising healthcare, one adjustment at a time.

Raised on a sugar cane farm just outside of Mackay, Dr Kippen’s interest in health and fitness grew from an early age. Inspired by personally witnessing the transformative power of chiropractic treatments herself, she embarked on a path to move to Perth to study Chiropractic.

Now, with over 14 years of experience maximising movement and prioritising health and well-being for her patients in Mackay, Dr. Kippen is the owner of Move It Chiropractic, bringing a new era of compassionate chiropractic care to Mackay.

Whether it’s supporting infants to promote healthy nervous system development, enhancing wellness during pregnancy, caring for women post-childbirth, providing specialised rehabilitation for athletes aiming for peak performance, or helping older adults move more freely and without pain, every client receives a personalised care plan tailored to their needs and goals.

In a world where "surviving" often takes precedence over thriving, Dr. Kippen and the team at Move It Chiropractic are on a mission to change the narrative.

By providing compassionate care, fostering meaningful connections, and empowering and educating individuals to embrace their full potential, they're not just helping people move better, but live better too!

www.moveitchiro.com.au

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Teresa Abela, Remedial Massage Therapist, From Move It Chiropractic

For many years, remedial therapist Teresa Abela has quietly supported clients at Move It Chiropractic as one of the practice’s “best kept secrets” until recently. With more than 20 years of experience and a Diploma in Remedial Therapy, Teresa works in close collaboration with chiropractor Dr Suzanne Kippen and the clinic’s allied health providers to support pain management, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

Alongside her role at the clinic, Teresa operates her own business, Instant Calm, where she is a Medibank Member’s Choice provider, and clients can claim through all major health funds. Working across both settings gives her a unique depth of experience, allowing her to treat a wide variety of conditions while tailoring each session to the individual.

Teresa contributes to a collaborative, integrated model of care at Move It Chiropractic, combining chiropractic alignment with targeted remedial therapy to release muscle tension, improve range of motion, and enhance the body’s overall function. She focuses on restoring comfort, supporting daily movement, and helping clients maintain active, healthy lives.

Her skillset spans a comprehensive range of therapeutic techniques, including Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, and Reflexology, applied in conjunction for the best outcomes.

Client comfort and safety are central to Teresa’s approach. She accommodates clients of all ages, provides flexible hours, and offers online booking to ensure accessibility. With long-standing connections to other allied health professionals, she can also provide referrals when needed.

Highly experienced and quietly dedicated, Teresa continues to play an essential role in supporting the health, mobility, and wellbeing of clients at Move It Chiropractic.

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Christmas Gift Guide

There’s something genuinely special about the moment Australia slides into the festive season. The days get longer, the evenings feel warmer, and suddenly the neighbourhood is dotted with twinkling lights, inflatable Santas, and the unmistakable scent of backyard barbecues. It’s the time of year when we lean into joy, connection, and (let’s be honest) the annual mission of figuring out what on earth to buy everyone for Christmas. Whether you’re hunting for something meaningful, practical, playful or just downright delightful, the fun is often in the search itself.

To make this Christmas even more special, choosing to shop local brings joy not only to the receiver but to the whole community. Every small shop is powered by real people: families, creatives, and hardworking teams who pour their energy into offering something unique. When you choose to buy from local gift shops, artisans, and makers, you’re not just picking up a pressie, you’re helping keep the community in high spirits too!

Across the next two editions, we’re excited to roll out our Christmas Gift Guide, featuring a curated collection of brilliant local businesses. If you are looking for something for the kids, why not head to 'Let the Children Play', a gorgeous store filled with imaginative, play-based gifts that kids actually use (and don’t abandon after 48 hours). Need something for the mother in law? We’ll also be spotlighting Blossoms Flower Boutique, known for its stunning arrangements, festive floral centrepieces, and botanical gifts that add a touch of style to any Christmas table or pressie pile. Alongside these gems, you’ll find artisan treats, handcrafted decor, stocking fillers, boutique finds and so much more.

As you flip through our pages, we encourage you to visit the businesses featured, say hello, and soak up the customer service that only small, local shops deliver. Many of them offer limited-edition pieces, custom options, and beautifully wrapped gifts ready to slide straight under the tree—no last-minute wrapping scramble required. Plus, choosing local reduces your carbon footprint and helps keep our community vibrant, creative, and full of personality.

So grab an iced coffee (or a cold choccy milk), settle in, and let our Christmas Gift Guide help you find thoughtful, charming and distinctly local gifts for everyone on your list. Here’s to a joyful festive season filled with connection, celebration, and plenty of homegrown cheer.

Did you know?
According to Charitable Reuse Australia, reuse (i.e. buying second-hand/local items) saved about 1.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions in Australia in a recent year. This is equivalent to removing roughly 585,000 passenger vehicles from the road.

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By Cr Heath Paton

As the wheels of progress turn in the Pioneer Valley, Finch Hatton and Eungella are gearing up for an exciting new chapter. The mountain bike project that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike is moving into its next stage, with council inviting the community to hear the latest updates.

Council will be providing a community update on the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Project in Finch Hatton and Eungella on Monday, December 1 from 4pm to 5pm at the Eungella Hub and 6pm to 7pm at the Finch Hatton Cattle Creek Admin Building.

These sessions will include an update on the stage two feasibility study, a project update and an economic development update. Online registration is required. Please go online to council’s Connecting Mackay website to register: https://www.connectingmackay.com.au/finch-hatton-mtb.

If you cannot attend the session, the presentation will be made available on Connecting Mackay after the session.

Council recently sought community feedback on proposed changes to its planning scheme that could reshape Finch Hatton and Eungella – two townships at the heart of the Pioneer Valley’s ambitious mountain bike project. The Major Amendment 3 to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme seeks to enable commercial and non-residential development in specific precincts of Finch Hatton and Eungella.

Two new precincts would be established in Finch Hatton – a town centre precinct (TS1) and a trailhead precinct (TS2) – plus a town-centre precinct in Eungella (TS3).

A key driver behind the amendment is the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail network. These changes will better support tourism and trail-related activities while still protecting residents, the environment and infrastructure.

Community planning for the two towns began with a Local Area Planning project, which examined their character, heritage, environmental constraints and infrastructure. The goal has been clear – to transition Finch Hatton and Eungella into thriving “trail towns” that complement the MTB network with amenities like accommodation, eateries and connectivity – without losing their small-town charm.

These townships will also serve as service hubs, offering shuttle services, tourist offerings and rider infrastructure. The Finch Hatton Trailhead, located in the town centre, features ample amenities: parking, bike racks, a water station, a wash station, rest areas, picnic spots and even historical features such as the old Kungurri turntable.

As the Pioneer Valley prepares to redefine adventure tourism in Central Queensland, the Finch Hatton MTB project stands as a bold example of how nature, sport and community can ride together into a prosperous future.

Let’s Chat – Council Connect

Residents can catch up with councillors in person at upcoming Let’s Chat - Council Connect sessions held across the region.  The next session will be at the Northern Beaches Community Hall from 5.30pm on December 3.

Details on upcoming sessions can be found on the Connecting Mackay website.

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No business wants to look back and wonder whether a different decision may have led to a stronger outcome, yet it often surfaces the moment a competitor seems to be gaining momentum. What if we’d done it differently? What if we’d challenged the ‘that’s how it’s always been done’ playbook? What if we’d taken the risk? What if we made it ours? These moments often point to a deeper issue: whether a brand is using its unique voice or simply following familiar patterns because they feel safe. At redhotblue, we thrive in this space of questioning and love finding the balance between imagination and strategy, to help brands shine.

Quick solutions are tempting, but ‘easy’ and ‘effective’ rarely go hand in hand. Templated designs may offer convenience, but they come at the cost of distinction, the very thing a brand relies on to be remembered. When the same layout is used by a hairdresser, an electrician, and a café, it fails to convey any meaningful information. In a saturated market, this sameness makes it harder for customers to recognise, recall, or connect with a specific brand.

Trends create a similar challenge. They may seem exciting, but building your brand on a trend is risky. A brand that relies too heavily on a trending aesthetic can quickly appear outdated when the trend shifts. However, this doesn’t mean trends should be avoided entirely. They can be extremely useful in marketing, particularly for short-term campaigns or seasonal promotions. The key difference is that your brand story needs to remain consistent to build trust and familiarity, while your marketing can be flexible and adaptable to ensure maximum engagement.

Chasing trends comes with risk, but so does reaching for the lowest-hanging fruit. Playing it safe rarely stands out or moves a business forward. A professional graphic designer can craft a visual identity that’s unmistakably yours, one that works across media and customer touchpoints. Not settling for something generic or derivative can minimise regret later and increase the chances of standing out.

Defining a brand’s own path often requires businesses to take a more deliberate, strategic approach. Being bold doesn’t mean being louder or more dramatic; it means being confident in the values, visual cues, and messaging that set that business apart. At redhotblue, bold is in our DNA. We don’t play it safe or recycle what’s been done before; instead, we ensure each brand is authentic, memorable, and aligned with its story, values, and audience. So, decision-makers are never left wondering, “What if?”

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Up until my summer holidays a couple of years ago I didn’t know that cockatoos had quite a sweet tooth.

I knew they were friendly, smart and noisy and I was aware that feeding them was a no-no but until my trip to Hamilton Island that summer I wasn’t fully aware of their sweet tooth.

During that Hammo visit I also found out what happens when you leave the sliding doors open overnight to the balcony in the flash unit you have rented.

We had been on Hammo for four or five days in one of those beautiful two-level units with a huge balcony over-looking the Coral Sea.

The kids were 16 and 20 and had largely been doing their own thing so my wife and I were able to enjoy a few dinners and drinks with friends.

When it came to our last night we probably indulged a little more than we should have, in light of our morning departure the next day, and we ended up having late-night drinks on our balcony before crashing for the evening.

There is a strong suggestion among family members that I was the last one up and the last to leave the balcony and go to bed that night.

That was certainly the consensus the next morning when everyone awoke to the balcony doors wide open and the enormous downstairs living area looking like it had been ransacked by marauding primates.

Any food that had been left on benchtops had been attacked and sampled but it was those long, thin, straw-shaped packets of sugar provided for guests that attracted the most attention from our uninvited guests.

There were a few extra things I became aware of after emerging from the upstairs master bedroom: cockatoos are incredibly dexterous with their beaks, somehow they know that those cylindrical little paper packets contain sugar, a unit gets very hot and humid when the sliding doors are left open overnight and sugar granules create a horrible, sticky mess on  ceramic floor tiles in a humid environment.

I looked around for the kids but they had miraculously disappeared so I spent the next few hours on my hands and knees scrubbing the caked-on sugar granules off the beautiful white ceramic tiles. Those cockatoos had managed to spread the sugar over most of the tiles and it was hard work and pretty much the last thing I felt like doing in my final ours at Hammo.

But, of course, you can’t leave a place in that state so you do what you have to do.

It’s a bit like when a house is sold and the sellers clean up and leave it for the next owners. It’s not necessarily what you feel like doing but it’s the right thing.

It is a wonderful experience for the buyers when they open the door to their new home and the place is spotless. The walls are clean, the floors are mopped, the cupboards and draws have been wiped out, the oven has been cleaned properly and all the dust and grime that had been hidden behind furniture and other belongings has been vacuumed up and removed.

The alternative, when the place has not been cleaned properly, is a real disappointment for the buyers and can create a real let-down at what should be an exciting, momentous occasion.

We always remind sellers to clean the place and most people don’t need the reminder because, as a matter of courtesy, they want to do the right thing by the people they are handing the place over to.

And, in my experience, 99 per cent of the time sellers do the right thing and buyers get to enjoy the experience of moving into the home they fell in love with.

Leaving the place clean is good karma … but don’t expect the kids to help you.

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As 2026 draws near, the team at Century 21 Coast to Coalfields would like to extend our warmest wishes to all our clients, friends, and community members.

This year has been an incredible journey, and we want to take a moment to say thank you — to our amazing sellers, buyers, landlords, tenants, and everyone who has supported us throughout the year. Your trust and partnership have been the foundation of our success.

We’re proud of what we achieved together in 2025 — it’s been a great year of growth and teamwork. As we look ahead, we’re excited for an even bigger and better year to come, filled with new opportunities, new faces, and more success stories to share.

As a Christmas gift from us, we are offering 4 weeks of free property management! If you’re interested, please contact our team for more information.

From all of us here at Century 21 Coast to Coalfields, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year!

Here’s to an exciting 2026!

– The Century 21 Coast to Coalfields Team

hello.mackay@century21.com.au
07 4837 1788

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