Live From The Five Hole

Craig Argent was the knockabout son of a Tasmanian ship builder who ended up cutting and styling hair in a Beverly Hills salon and working on the sets of movies like Lord of the Rings and The Last Samurai. How did he do it? Who inspired him and how did a magazine cover shoot change his life?

There are around 7.7 billion people in the world today. Imagine an exclusive environment where only 20 people each year, compete in the highest level of a particular endeavour. Mark Webber was part of that environment for 12 years, and he topped the highest earning Australian sportsperson’s list in 2010, beating golfer Greg Norman who had been at the top of the list for 15 years. On his Instagram account, Mark describes himself as a country boy. We started the podcast talking about how he reflects on his journey from Queanbeyan NSW to standing on the top step of Formula One podiums all over the world, to what he’s doing today.

My next guest has been a journalist for many decades, many would remember him as a reporter on Seven Local News. He then took on a role as media advisor with controversial MP Peter Slipper, the former member for Fisher. Richard Bruinsma tells me that there were times when the avalanche of phone calls into Mr Slipper’s office was so great, that he was instructed not to answer the phones. We talk about Richard’s time with Mr Slipper in the podcast you’re about to hear as well as Richard’s own run at politics, where he ran as an independent for a state seat in 2017.

“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes!” They were artist Andy Warhol’s words back in 1968. Almost 40 years before social media platforms allowed everyday people like you and I to share content with the rest of the world. Long before the term ‘Instafame’ was coined and decades before we’d ever heard of the Kardashian surname. Elora Murger or Elora Tahiti as she calls herself on Instagram is a former contestant on the Australian version of The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise and she’s my next guest on Conversations IN Noosa. In this pod we talk about growing up in Tahiti, what really goes on behind the scenes of a reality TV show, being Instafamous and can you really make a living from being a social media influencer?

“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes!” They were artist Andy Warhol’s words back in 1968. Almost 40 years before social media platforms allowed everyday people like you and I to share content with the rest of the world. Long before the term ‘Instafame’ was coined and decades before we’d ever heard of the Kardashian surname. Elora Murger or Elora Tahiti as she calls herself on Instagram is a former contestant on the Australian version of The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise and she’s my next guest on Conversations IN Noosa. In this pod we talk about growing up in Tahiti, what really goes on behind the scenes of a reality TV show, being Instafamous and can you really make a living from being a social media influencer?

Unless you’ve served, or you’re part of a family that has members who have served in the military in an active war zone, then your everyday day life is very, very different to the life that my next guest has led. He was a commando in the Australian Army intercepting enemy communications, performing two tours of duty in Afghanistan, one in 2007 and again in 2009 when one of the vehicles he was in, ran over a roadside bomb. In this podcast Andy Fermo speaks openly and honestly about his military career, his PTSD and what life is like, living in Noosa these days with his wife Claire and two kids.

Katie Noonan has one of those voices that leaves an indelible mark on your soul once you’ve experienced it. In this podcast we talk about growing up in a home that was brimming with music, the band George that she formed with her brother, Tyrone, her role as Musical Director of the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and her role as Artistic Director of the Queensland Music Festival. Plus, what better gift to give kids, than the opportunity to make music with your friends. Katie’s project School of Rock now enters its third year.

A reoccurring topic on this podcast has been the subject of moving away or abandoning a corporate lifestyle, chasing the ‘money gods’, as today’s guest says, and living a more meaningful life doing the things that add value to you and your lifestyle. Anne Harris has done exactly that. Anne is from Tree Place and she has an exhibition currently underway at the Noosa Regional Gallery with a comprehensive guide now available in the summer 2018 edition of IN Noosa Magazine, which is out now. This podcast traces Anne’s childhood, from growing up alongside indigenous communities in Arnhem Land, discovering her passion for art, living the corporate life in Sydney and then relocating to Noosa.

I knew nothing of Renate Luca’s life however what unfolded in the podcast you’re about to hear is an open, honest, emotional journey that covers Renate’s childhood from when she was given up for adoption, meeting her biological mother, coming out and fighting for her rights to be gay and then changing her sexuality to marry her current partner Roberto, who also had lived an openly gay life. We discuss how she’s lost friends along the way who disagree with her belief that sexuality is a choice and we talk about raising kids.

Imagine leaving home at the age of 14 to pursue a dream of a life at sea. That’s exactly what my next guest did. In this podcast Andrew Leak and I talk about the exotic locations he visited while with the merchant navy, becoming a salesman for Sanyo, meeting his wife, and his current role as flotilla commander of the Coast Guard in Noosa. Meeting a yearly funding shortfall of around $270,000 is one part of his job and Andrew is thankful to his two major supporters, Tom Offermann Real Estate and Bendigo Bank.

Brendan is a dad of two boys who prefers to lead by example rather than simply dictate. He recently completed 10 consecutive days, two kilometres offshore swimming more than 110 kilometres all for charity. Make yourself a cuppa, pour a glass of wine or crack a beer and enjoy being a ‘fly on the wall’ as we talk Buddhist minimalism, raising boys, growing up in Papua New Guinea and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone

Bodo has run small businesses in north Queensland and he’s the founding director of Yes Insurance Solutions based in Noosa. He was part of a six-man outrigger team that took part in the grueling Yukon River Quest back in 2012, surviving a flipped canoe and hypothermia, in the wild mountainous Yukon territory in northwest Canada. A 41-hour paddle over 715 kilometers from Whitehorse to Dawson City. We’ll hear all about that test of endurance and how his teamed fared up against an outrigger team from America in this podcast.

How does the daughter of Philippine migrants end up producing rosellas on a property in South East Queensland? Cecilia Diaz-Petersen, or CC as she’s known to her friends and fellow producers, was a hardworking daughter, along with her brother, in her family’s small business back in the Philippines. Moving to regional NSW was a culture shock for CC and it was only when she joined the NAB in Sydney did she start to feel comfortable with her new surroundings. I spoke to CC at a Slow Food Noosa breakfast where delegates had just returned from the big Slow Food Festival, Terra Madre, in Turin. They’d shared stories of their adventures in Italy and I started this podcast with Cecilia by getting a sense of just how big a year 2018 has been for her and her husband Greg

I’ve known Frank for over a decade. He’s an individual with many ‘strings to his bow’ and I’ve always admired his passion and commitment. He’s a councillor and deputy Mayor of Noosa Council, he’s a performer and playwright and he’s a devoted dad and fitness fanatic. In this podcast we cover a lot of ground. Frank grew up in the same Brisbane suburb and street as Keith Urban, and Frank could see a superstar of the future in the making. We discuss Frank’s local government career, his teaching and his work as a journalist

If you were discussing great early explorers you’d probably use words like, fearless, courageous and determine. They’re all words you can use to describe Heather Mills. Heather is a septuagenarian with an adventurous spirit who has recently returned from back packing in Jordan. In this podcast we talk about the international travellers she’s met during her hostel stays, accidentally deleting all of her photos at the top of a mountain she’d just conquered in India, an archaeological dig she was part of when she was 22 and her ancestral connections to some early Queensland pioneers.

It’s not every day that you sit opposite someone with remarkable stories of survival. As you’ll hear in this podcast, Suzie Smeed cheated death three times before she was six years old. Her parents fled Budapest during the second world war and her grandparents were killed in Auschwitz. Suzie’s family arrived in Australia in 1949 and Suzie says she was bullied at school because she was a refugee. These days she’s part of Courage to Care, where she speaks to school kids about her experiences. If you’ve had what you consider a tough day at work today, or maybe you’re worried or down about money, relationships or life in general. This podcast just might help put your life into perspective

Erin has travelled and worked in New Zealand, Wales and now Australia. She was a real estate agent who experienced earthquake scares with her family in Christchurch, she has an infrastructure background from when she was married to a Welshman in Wales. We’ll hear about a real estate investment in Bulgaria that turned sour, her new career path with Jam Social Media and we’ll get Erin’s top three social media tips for small businesses.

Jodie is a great example of someone who has had a lifelong connection to the place where she was born and despite its size and geographic location she’s managed to build a very successful business that now employs 20 staff. Jodie Williams from Black Ant Gourmet and Kin Kin General Store is now even considering a ‘tiny homes’ project in the area for a number of reasons and we talk about that in this podcast. You’ll also hear about Terra Madre in Turin Italy, Jodie’s involvement with Slow Food Noosa and we discuss her scientific approach to preparing food in her kitchen. Jodie is also one of these very rare people who can say that they were born and raised, IN Noosa.

The story behind the Fry Family Food business is remarkable. From modest beginnings in South Africa where Tammy Fry’s father worked as a goat and pig farmer, to an organisation, now based at Sunshine Beach Queensland, that supplies vegan food to outlets globally. In this podcast Tammy and I talk about diet, fasting and the effect it has on your body. There’s the husband who was a hunter who is now a vegetarian. We talk about the car-jacking that Tammy survived, teaching women all about self-defence and where to next for the family business.

Caroline recently celebrated two important milestones. She turned 50, and she marked her 20th anniversary as breakfast radio co-host on Mix FM, Sunshine Coast. You’ll hear Caroline Hutchinson explain, that there may only be one or two other female presenters in Australia that could match her 20-year record, we also talk about her brief foray into politics, when she ran as an independent candidate in the federal seat of Fisher against Peter Slipper and why she’d never do it again. We talk about her Sydney radio days when she was working multiple jobs while her husband John was recovering from a battle with cancer and we discuss why she has grave fears for the future of radio when she sees 10-year old kids.

Ron has lived a rich and colourful life as a projectionist, theatre owner, organ player and film fanatic. He played an integral role in getting the travelling film festival, out of Sydney, to Queensland in the early ‘70s, and he helped establish the Majestic Theatre’s reputation as a must visit destination in Pomona, with tourists from as far as Texas in North America, coming to visit.

Ali is a young musician with big dreams. Influenced by the music she heard growing up, she created vision boards of where she wanted to go with plans on how she was going to get there. If you’re a young musician starting out or maybe your kids are, Ali tells us about self-funding her first EP and music video clip, song writing workshops, performing live, getting your music on digital platforms and heading to Nashville to make connections.

'Fox' was born in Columbia, schooled in Scotland, worked as a clown, lived as a hippie, and then worked in local government in Queensland. In this podcast Alan 'Fox' Rogers and I talk about boarding school, music festivals, the secret to raising high achieving kids, the next great Australian novel and exactly how he ended up with the nick name Fox!

If you think life has dealt you a bad hand, then this next podcast is a must listen for you. Helen Peel is a successful artist who’s known for her sense of colour and dedication to her work. She’s also the kind of person who no matter what challenges are thrown her way, manages to rise above the circumstances with great determination and commitment. In this podcast you’ll hear Helen talk about miscarrying her son, her first husband who left her penniless, fighting bowel cancer and working five jobs to simply make ends meet. It’s a great story.

Estonia is a Baltic country smaller than Tasmania with a population of around 1.3 million people. Erika Hackett’s parents fled Estonia looking to make a new life and to raise a family in a new country. In this podcast we talk about Erika’s early life as a model and stock broker, re-visiting the country her family fled from, walking the Camino and the work she does as President of Slow Food Noosa.

Tomi is a long-haired, long-bearded, tattooed lad from Gympie Queensland who grew up listening to punk music. He also has an infectious personality and you can’t help but like the bloke. Tomi is the kind of guy you tell other mates about. In this podcast we talk about his biker dad, barbering at Scumbags, tattoos, music, history, a wedding in Scotland and his traditional English mum from Birmingham.

Have you ever felt like you’re living your life according to other people’s expectations? The degree you’re studying for, the career you’ve chosen or the lifestyle that you’re living? It happened to Elisa Hurtado. Even though Elisa was studying law, modelling in exotic locations, and helping to run a string of restaurants, she felt that those choices weren’t fulfilling her on a number of levels. So, what did she do? The answers are in the podcast

When you work on television there’s a familiarity and imaginary relationship that’s fostered between presenter, host or actor, and viewer. The reality is that a lot of what is happening behind the scenes or in private, is often kept private and the viewer is none the wiser. That’s certainly the case with my next guest, Rosanna Natoli. In this podcast, we talk about her television career and the changing face of journalism, her marriage to former Maroochy Shire Mayor Joe Natoli, the highs and the lows, including the six months of her life where it just seemed to go all wrong.

You’d describe 'Fletch' as a typical larrikin Aussie bloke who loved his footy and liked to party. He played semi-professional footy, travelling from Victoria to the Northern Territory, working as a butcher, slaughter-man, and bouncer. These days he's a vegan who meditates, who believes in the self-healing power of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. In this podcast, we talk about growing up in Hamilton, running a personal fitness business, Fletch Fitness, and couching the Noosa Tigers to a couple of premiership flags.

Chad grew up in San Jose, spending most of his childhood by the ocean. He served in the US Navy, studied marine biology, and his goal these days is to eliminate plastic in our community. In this podcast, we talk about Chad’s journey from California to Queensland, his time in the Navy, volunteering at an aquarium and Plastic Free Noosa.

Glen was a Brisbane boy who represented the state seat of Noosa as a Liberal MP. Radio was his first love, scoring a job at 4IP Brisbane half way through radio school followed by stints at Mt Isa, Warwick and Gympie before playing politics. In this podcast we talk about political careers and how they only ever end in a brutal fashion, Glen’s early radio days and why sustainable growth in Noosa is good for everyone.

Brad has worked in film as a director and producer, he’s been a journalist, broadcaster, and businessman. His passion for radio wasn’t simply a desire to work for a radio station, Brad wanted to own the station. This podcast offers an interesting insight into what it was like for Brad to raise the capital to purchase his own radio stations and to streamline those operations so that they became profitable businesses. We also talk about how the global financial crisis, two major floods and a cyclone impacted on Brad Smart’s regional radio network. Whether you’re someone who has worked in the radio industry or simply an entrepreneur or businessperson interested in strategy, risk mitigation, planning and business models, I hope you enjoy this podcast.

Marcus grew up in Kent in the United Kingdom and he travelled extensively across Australia when he was 19. It was a place where he wanted to return to live someday. He owned and ran a  pub when he saw an article in the newspaper looking for chefs to come and work in Australia. These days he’s the head chef at Wood Fire Grill, Noosa and we started the podcast by talking about who’s in charge of meals in the Denby family home.

Carolyn has been a palliative care nurse for nearly 30 years and she says she’s witnessed thousands of deaths during her professional nursing career. For the last few months, she’s been performing as a stand-up comedian and I wanted to know whether this was simply an outlet and coping mechanism away from the pressures of living a nurse’s life.

Carolyn ran her own business as a pharmacist, worked in the NSW health department and was progressively headhunted, traveling extensively throughout Asia representing pharmaceutical company Bayer. Carolyn Winkler now calls Noosa home and the last couple of years has sadly been filled with loss and grief, losing both her daughter and her husband. In this podcast, we talk about coping with loss, support networks, running a small business and new beginnings.

Living with fatigue can feel lonely and it can be isolating. Imagine dedicating your life to a sport that requires peak physical fitness and stamina while at the same time managing your tired muscles and mind. Pete Jacobs has been living with fatigue since he was a young teenager and in 2012 he was crowned Ironman World Champion in Hawaii. How did he do it? In this podcast, we’ll follow Pete’s journey from the northern beaches of Sydney to Noosa and discover what it took for Pete Jacobs to accomplish and conquer his biggest goal. We also talk about his new project Live Your Own Fit.

By any measure, Hilary has lived a very interesting life. She was born in Ireland, learned to sing in London, painted sets in Africa and often, would perform up to 200 shows a year when she lived in Berlin. Hilary plays the harp, sings opera and is currently penning her memoir.

Greg had a desire to work in radio from a very young age however he admits that he didn’t have the ‘gift of the gab’, preferring to work behind the scenes instead of in front of a microphone. Was Greg simply in the right place at the right time or was it his interest in the research and strategic side of radio that landed him at the forefront of what would become a major game changer in the way that radio stations were run in this country. In this podcast, we talk about the challenges that radio faces today up against content on-demand platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Has Australia missed the boat when it comes to DAB+? And what should radio networks be doing with their spare digital channels? The discovery of Kyle Sandilands in Darwin, Jeff Allis and Boost Juice and the book Thick Face, Black Heart.

Greg had a desire to work in radio from a very young age however he admits that he didn’t have the ‘gift of the gab’, preferring to work behind the scenes instead of in front of a microphone. Was Greg simply in the right place at the right time or was it his interest in the research and strategic side of radio that landed him at the forefront of what would become a major game changer in the way that radio stations were run in this country. In this podcast, we talk about the challenges that radio faces today up against content on-demand platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Has Australia missed the boat when it comes to DAB+? And what should radio networks be doing with their spare digital channels? The discovery of Kyle Sandilands in Darwin, Jeff Allis and Boost Juice and the book Thick Face, Black Heart.

Billy is from just outside Glasgow and from all descriptions, it was certainly a tough place for a kid to grow up in. In this podcast, you’ll hear about Billy’s never say die attitude. He’s the kind of bloke who rolls with the punches, dusts himself off and keeps moving forward. On his arm are tattooed the words “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. This podcast holds great inspirational lessons for anyone who runs their own business or for those who simply want to live the best life they can. Billy is co-owner and operator of FTA Noosa.

Billy has a never say attitude. Tattooed on his arm are the words, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 

Michael is a new arrival to Noosa, Queensland. He ran his own gallery in Footscray, Melbourne and then added curator to his resume before jumping at the opportunity to become the director at the Noosa Regional Gallery. He grew up in the outer Melbourne suburb of Sunbury in a house that his parents won in a local newspaper competition and his fondest memories are of his father, writing poetry and printing his own books at home. ?In this podcast we talk about freedom of speech, burning the Australian flag and being questioned by the police for a piece that was displayed in his gallery that some found offensive.

Yenny describes herself as a life thriver. Have you heard that term before? If not, listening to Yenny talk passionately about her travel, photography, podcast, land paddling and general love of life might paint you a clearer picture of exactly what a life thriver is. And how did she end up in Noosa, Queensland, having been born and raised in Sweden?

It’s hard to categorise John. He was a reality TV contestant on The Biggest Loser, he worked as a bouncer at Melbourne nightclubs and pubs in the thriving pub rock scene of the late ‘70s and ‘80s when bands like Midnight Oil, The Angels, Noiseworks and The Uncanny X Men were all making a name for themselves. He tells me as a bouncer he was shot at and stabbed. He’s worked in retail and these days he owns his own gym. John Morrall is passionate about business and passing on what he knows and understands about the game.

Growing up as a young boy with a passion for art, in a big country town in the ‘60s, meant that Lew felt somewhat like an outsider. People kept telling him that he was different, and he says that he struggled with the school system from year 4 onwards. Those challenges, however, didn’t stop Lew from becoming a community leader, a local government councillor, and a much sort after artist. If you’re familiar with Lew’s art, you know that it is extremely intricate and detailed. It’s a passion that he is committed to daily, working away in his private space on his property in Cooran.

Growing up as a young boy with a passion for art, in a big country town in the ‘60s, meant that Lew felt somewhat like an outsider. People kept telling him that he was different, and he says that he struggled with the school system from year 4 onwards. Those challenges, however, didn’t stop Lew from becoming a community leader, a local government councillor, and a much sort after artist. If you’re familiar with Lew’s art, you know that it is extremely intricate and detailed. It’s a passion that he is committed to daily, working away in his private space on his property in Cooran.

Do you love beer? Do you brew your own? Maybe you’ve been a long-term fan of mass-produced, traditional amber liquid, and you’ve been satisfied with that. Craft or independently brewed beer just might open up a world of flavours and experiences you never thought possible. Josh Donohoe is a beer fanatic, and his love of beer was the catalyst for the creation of Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours. Bottoms up!

Katja has the kind of accent that’s hard to pick. Her mum was from Finland and Katja was raised in a small place called Formello just outside of Rome in Italy. Photography, travel, wildlife, cooking and the environment are all things that Katja is passionate about. In this podcast we cover all of those subjects and more; and is there a secret to photographing food correctly? A topic for those of us who like posting food pics on Instagram & Facebook.

Johnny, from Noosaville based online clothing retailer Boom Shanker, has always had an adventurous spirit. Heading off into the Colorado mountains to spend the night camping when he was a kid with a group of his friends was common. From ski resorts to water sports, Johnny has always believed that a healthy body equals a healthy mind and ultimately that makes you a better business person. How did he end up in Noosa? Who in the business and entrepreneurial world does he admire and why? What forms the foundations of his business and marketing strategies and what plans are there for Boom Shanker to expand into the US market? The answers are in the pod! 

Mark’s dad was a Queensland policeman, so his family moved about often. The kids developed the ability to make new friends quickly and Mark says that some of his fondest memories were spent in remote parts of the state. As a petroleum geologist, Mark gets to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors. He’s an advocate of alternative energy sources, setting his own home up completely off the grid, however, he does still see an environmental cost with things like the manufacturing of lithium batteries and the amount of plastics that go into the construction of say an electric car. In this podcast, we talk about the finite resources that lie beneath our feet. The legacy we’ll leave our kids, alternative energy sources and why we still need to do more.