http:// 2013-05-17T05:45:34Z 2013-05-17T05:45:34Z most-common-regret-of-brides-is-not-spending-enough-on-wedding-photography

Perth, WA, May 17, 2013 - Two different polls, two different years, one result: 21% of the recently-married brides who were polled regretted not spending more money on their wedding photos. The first poll was conducted by photography website Shutterfly from 10th to 13th January, 2011, and had 500 participants. The second poll was conducted by New York Magazine for their current issue, and had 100 participants. While the sample size may appear small, the convergent results cannot be attributed solely to coincidence. In the more contemporary of the two surveys, which provides more detailed data, flowers were the next item of regret at 16%, the wedding cake came in at 9%, the wedding gown came in at 9%, and everything else combined came in at 45%. A second part of the recent poll asked the bride’s what they regretted splurging on the most. Flowers were number one at 17%, while photos came in second at 12%. Hair and makeup or third at 9%, the wedding gown was fourth at 8%, and the wedding cake was fifth at 6%, leaving everything else at 48%. Peter Edwards is a wedding photographer with a wealth of experience in the Perth area, and is the owner of Peter Edwards Photography. He is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), and has also achieved a Double Master of Photography. His specialisation in wedding photography and the sheer number of weddings he has photographed make him uniquely qualified to interpret the data from the two surveys. Edwards begins by pointing out a pattern that is obvious to him: “Everything mentioned in the poll is visual, because the visual element of a wedding is extremely important to the bride. That is why it is so important to hire the best photographer for your wedding instead of price shopping. It is no accident that photos were mentioned first, and no accident that the other visual elements of the wedding were mentioned as the next three most important items.” Edwards continued: “When the wedding is being put together, it is often a reflex action to try and reduce costs. Sometimes, it is possible to find good work and an inexpensive price. Unfortunately, price shopping is usually hit and miss at best, and the bride ends up being disappointed at the quality of service she receives. Worse yet, when photography is one of the items at which the bride tries to save money, the results are almost always disappointing. This is false economy as if the purchase doesn’t meet expectations, no matter how small the amount paid there is no value. On the other hand an item purchased that is truly valued as time passes is priceless and the cost is soon forgotten and may even appear “cheap” on reflection.” Edwards added: “Ultimately, when the wedding is over, your photographs are going to provide the most enduring memory of your happiest day. If there is one thing, and one thing only, to make sure you do right, it is to hire a professional and experienced wedding photographer. Professional wedding photographers know how to use light effectively, how to use their equipment to the best advantage, how to pose people, capture that moment and put people at ease. ”Edwards commented further: “If a few of the visual elements in your wedding are a bit off, a great photographer can find a way to make them look good. However, a mediocre photographer only produces photos that look mediocre.” Edwards concluded: “Don’t trust your most cherished memories to chance: hire a professional and preserve your memories for a lifetime.” Peter Edwards Photography is a professional wedding photography firm from Perth. Not only do they specialise in weddings, weddings are all they do. For more information, or to inquire about their services, call 08 9316 2465 or visit their website: http://www.peteredwardsphoto.com.au/

2013-05-17T02:10:55Z hasty-decisions-costing-first-home-buyers-up-to-89-000

Rockingham, WA, May 17, 2013 - In the past year, Baldivis has become known as a haven for first home buyers. The combination of pent-up demand, a recovering WA economy, low interest rates, and reasonably-priced housing in Baldivis has combined to produce a market that is conducive to young buyers seeking their first homes.However, many first home buyers are paying as much as $89,000 extra over the life of their home loans, because they are not doing their due diligence. Buyers who struggle to save for a down payment find themselves putting down minimum deposits as low as 3% on their homes. According to industry estimates, as many as 33% of first home buyers are making minimum deposits on their homes.When a buyer makes a deposit below 20%, lenders not only add a host of upfront fees, but also charge more interest for their loans. Using average industry numbers, if two buyers purchase homes for $320,000, and one deposits $80,000 while the other deposits only $40,000, the borrower who made the smaller of the two deposits ends up paying a total of $89,935.75 more over the lifetime of their loan than the buyer who made the larger deposit.According to a recent blog post, The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham says that buyers should be wary of these costs, and recommends four strategies for first home buyers to lessen their debt burden by eliminating a portion of the upfront costs.Their first recommendation is to do due diligence on their respective state's grants for first home buyers. In WA, each first home buyer gets a one time grant totalling $7,000. These grants vary from state to state, with the N. T. offering a $25,000 grant for all homes except established homes in urban areas.For many first home buyers, it makes sense to find a guarantor. This is usually a relative who has enough equity in their house to put it up as collateral. This can eliminate a lot of the upfront costs that lenders add in to accounts with less than sterling credit and insufficient deposits.It is also important for first home buyers to make sure that their credit reports are clean and their credit ratings are as high as possible. When a loan doesn't fit a lender's ideal recommendations, they add a lot of upfront costs. For example, when buying a $400,000 house in NSW, with a deposit of $40,000, an extra $25,337 would be tacked on to the cost of the loan.According to Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, it is extremely important for anyone seeking a first home loan to do their due diligence. According to Smith, “In today's climate, especially for a first home buyer, it is important to shop around and find the best terms for your loan.”Smith continued, “The easiest way to shop around is to hire an experienced mortgage broker and let them shop around for you. Experienced mortgage brokers know which lenders are more friendly to which situations, and have access to many lenders from their desktops. Instead of driving around to a bunch of banks and loan companies, all you have to do is have your broker find the best deal for you.”Smith concluded, “Always hire a professional mortgage broker. You will save time, effort, and money.”The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham brokers home loans in Baldivis, Rockingham, Kwinana, and surrounding areas. For more information, call (08) 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-05-17T00:56:46Z inker-cups-presented-at-mice-by-veneziano-coffee-roasters

Melbourne, Australia, May 2013 –  Veneziano Coffee Roasters are pleased to bring the New Mocha, the newest range of Inker Cups, delivered to our shores from Europe to feature just in time for the Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE), May 23 - 26.The Croatian-made, high quality porcelain cups and saucers are available in sets of half a dozen in a beautiful range of colours and various sizes; black, white, grey, blue, green, orange and red, in espresso (80ml), flat white (150ml), cappuccino (210ml) and mug (280ml, available only in grey and white). Sets of half a dozen saucers are also available separately.Veneziano, Australia’s largest distributor of Inker Cups, offer the porcelain cups and saucers to the home and cafe market via their retail online store. They are also taking wholesale enquiries and custom orders, so just name you colour and size and they’ll source it for you.“The Inker Cups are a really beautiful porcelain, with a lovely feel to them, and the colours are so vibrant,” says Craig Dickson, Veneziano managing director. “In addition to that, they are extremely well priced to suit the Australian cafe and restaurant market and provide a quality alternative to some of the more expensive Italian brands out there”.http://www.venezianocoffee.com.au/shop/categories/Inker-Crockery-Cups-and-Saucers/Additional information:Veneziano Coffee Roasters - specialty roasters, supporter of direct trade and with producers and cooperatives, onsite quality coffee training and education, First Pour cafés espresso bars and coffee showrooms, home of Australian barista, latte art, cupping and roasting champions, WBC qualified judge and licenced Q cuppers, Australia’s largest distributor of Chemex Coffeemakers, recipient of countless awards and proud supplier to over 500 of Australia’s best cafes. The First Pours are located at:SA - 111 Melbourne Road, AdelaideQLD - 369 Montague Road, West End BrisbaneVIC - 26 Bond Street, Abbotsford, VICwww.venezianocoffee.com.auwww.facebook.com/venezianoCoffeeRoasterswww.twitter.com/VenezCoffeeRstr About Inker Cups - Inker Cups are a high quality porcelain crockery made in Zagreb, Croatia, supplying cups and saucers to the coffee and cafe industry, with parent company based in Spain specialising in its own range of porcelain hospitality-ware. The Zagreb manufacturing facility is able to produce 12,000 pieces per day and the porcelain is fired at 1200 degrees to ensure colour fastness that will not fade or wear. The high quality raw ingredients are sourced from Germany, England, Czech Republic and Italy with the balance being sourced locally. Inker Cups exports 70 percent of its production output.

2013-05-16T15:47:48Z latte-art-smackdown-and-cupping-us-roasted-microlot-coffees

First Pour will hold a Latte Art Smackdown, preceded by a Cupping event hosted by Cafe Imports and featuring some exciting microlot coffees from respected US roasters such as Mad Cap, Stumptown, Verve, Sight Glass, Halfwit, Coava, Joe NY and more. The Smackdown event will have some great prizes up for grabs, such as $1000 cash (sponsored by Pura Milk), Otto Stovetop Espresso machine, $500 cash (sponsored by Silverchef), Compak K3 Push Grinder (courtesy of 9Bar Espresso Services) and the winner will also receive a year’s subscription to Barista Magazine. In attendance will be the Barista Magazine team, the guys from Cafe Imports and being close to the MICE event you can expect to see some national barista champions as well as some recognised Australian barista names also present. If you wish to enter – get in QUICK!!  As only the first 30 entrants will be accepted. Look forward to seeing you all there!!  Beers and snacks will be provided. Times: — Doors open 6.00pm — Cupping @ 6.30pm — Smackdown @ 7.30pm –

2013-05-16T02:01:00Z logitech-appoints-the-d-arcy-partnership-as-its-new-pr-agency

Media Release16 May 2013 LOGITECH APPOINTS THE D’ARCY PARTNERSHIP AS ITS NEW PR AGENCY Logitech, the world-leading brand of consumer digital products, has appointed The D’Arcy Partnership as its PR agency in Australia after a comprehensive pitch process. “We wanted to find the right agency with the right approach and fit for our business. The D’Arcy Partnership stood apart from the others because of their flexibility and creativity in thinking, and a real team with the skills and expertise to partner with us across lifestyle, music, technology and mobility categories,” said Po-Tien Goh, Marketing Communications and Trade Marketing Manager, Australia and New Zealand. Logitech International is a Swiss public company founded in 1981 that became world renowned for its computer mice, which provided a more intuitive way of interacting with a personal computer. Since then, Logitech has continued to create clever, imaginative consumer tech products that keep up with the fast paced, evolving needs of technology users. Today Logitech is sold in almost every country and its cutting edge range includes items for music, gaming, entertainment, computing and mobility products for Apple and other tablets. Based in Sydney The D’Arcy Partnership has an impressive line-up of clients across travel, technology, B2B and lifestyle sectors including Air Canada, Beko, The Boeing Company, Cathay Pacific, Celebrity Cruises, Habitat for Humanity, Magellan, Navman, NSW Trustee & Guardian and Royal Caribbean Cruises. “We’re thrilled to bits to be working with Logitech. The company has incredible products, a great brand and an awesome community of fans and a team of people who are smart and understand the value of great PR,” said Gail D’Arcy.-ends- For further information or images, please contact:Michelle Tan - The D’Arcy PartnershipTelephone: +61 2 9281 2230Mobile: 0414 680 705Email: michellet@darcypr.com

2013-05-15T23:17:00Z 25-years-on-the-banksia-awards-innovates-again

When the Banksia Awards first commenced in 1988, recognising environmental excellence was a unique concept. After 25 years it has become mainstream and Australia no longer sees environmental matters in isolation. “Today, it is important to reflect the interdependency between environment, society and the economy and the resulting excellence that comes from meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” says Graz van Egmond Chief Executive Officer, Banksia Foundation. “So to mark its 25 Anniversary, the Banksia Awards (now known as the Banksia Sustainability Awards) has acknowledged this vital step forward and the Awards in 2013 will reflect a sustainability approach throughout the various category awards”. To demonstrate this expansive area there will be 21 Awards in total. New awards added in 2013 to the portfolio are: 1.       The Banksia CEO Award - recognising an individual executive's contribution towards the economic, social or environmental sustainability achievements of the organisation or company they work for and which has collateral benefits for the globe. 2.       The Banksia Technical Awards including:a)      Waste Minimisation Soil Remediation & Improvementb)      Energy Efficiency and Carbon Managementc)       Transportationd)      Climate Adaptation 3.       The Banksia Business and Not-for-Profit Award – recognising leadership in implementing projects, strategies and initiatives that demonstrate capacity building, measurably enhancing the long-term social, economic and environmental state of the community and implementation of relevant solutions. This is seen through the full application of shared sustainability principles and practices throughout joint activities, demonstrating societal value add. 4.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainable Procurement Award 5.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainability Award To cater for this array, the awards presentation program format needed to be changed. This has allowed for specific awards and areas to be spotlighted. The Banksia CEO Award will be presented at the inaugural Banksia CEO's Corroboree. A breakfast gathering of Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and Senior Bureaucrats designed to provide the opportunity to discuss where their respective sector will be under the sustainability umbrella in 10-15 years. Providing an opportunity to focus on the technical aspects of sustainability, the Banksia Technical Awards will be presented at a lunch. The traditional Category Awards, the GPT Group Community Grant, the Banksia International Award and the Banksia Gold Award will be bestowed at the evening awards function.The Banksia Foundation acknowledges that the Awards are not just for the recipients but should be made accessible to as many as possible to learn and be inspired by the amazing examples of excellence. To enable this accessibility, the Awards Presentation program will be associated with the Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition, in Melbourne (9 – 10 October 2013). The Banksia Foundation is pleased to be working with Sustainability Business Australia (SBA) to reach Australian businesses and assist them in these challenging times. Entries are now open for the 2013 Banksia Sustainability Awards, providing Australians a great opportunity to showcase our innovation and leadership in the various areas of sustainability. – ends –

2013-05-15T06:05:41Z record-crowds-expected-at-hampton

As the days count down to this weekend’s event, organisers of the Hampton Food & Arts Festival are expecting record numbers to attend. Enquiries relating to this Sunday’s Festival, which features a strong entertainment program including appearances by Poh Ling Yeow of Masterchef fame, have been strong with Saturday’s Farm Trail and Long Lunch already sold out.Festival organiser, Kerri Seccombe, advised she is eagerly keeping an eye on the weather forecast. She said,  “This year’s event is definitely shaping up to be our biggest with an increased venue size and a really impressive program of events - let’s hope that Mother Nature is kind to us over the weekend!” “We know Poh’s appearances at 10am, 12pm and 2pm will be popular but we are also expecting a great response to our Artists In Residence Program and live entertainment acts.” Kerri also advised that patrons wouldn’t be disappointed with the quality and range of food and produce on offer at this Sunday’s event. “The Festival has a great atmosphere and really aims to showcase the high quality produce that’s on offer around Hampton. The scent of fresh dishes being cooked and the sweet smell of regional fruits and produce has definitely become synonymous with our event.  “From cupcakes and preserves to pastas, cheeses, wines and oils – this year’s menu is truly mouth watering,” she added. The Hampton Food & Arts Festival commences at 9.30am and will continue until 4.00pm on Sunday 19 May at Chapman Park, Hampton.  Tickets available at the gate. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the Festival’s free bus service, which will operate from Toowoomba, Highfields and Crows Nest. Download the Festival’s full event program and find out further information regarding the free bus service by visiting www.hamptonfestival.com

2013-05-15T05:30:59Z wedding-photography-melbourne-experts-set-up-new-business

One of the leading wedding photographers in Melbourne Scott Morton has recently developed a new website which will provide updated portfolios of all new projects.The new website http://www.scottmorton.com.au is set to provide all interested parties with the best service that can be found online in Melbourne for a wedding photographer, it is without doubt that the team who have collaborated behind this project aim to have one of the leading photography portfolio range.Scott Morton has over 20 years experience dealing with all of the different wedding types in the multicultural city of Melbourne.The new website has already launched and is expected to become the industry leader within the next 2 months.The latest photography tips can be found online and the team recommend to hear more about this new venture in the coming months.

2013-05-14T11:35:05Z givit-ceo-wins-vodafone-world-of-difference-competition

Brisbane based change agent, Juliette Wright has been announced as one of four winners in this year’s national Vodafone World of Difference Competition. The competition, which has been running for ten years, allows four inspirational Australians to take 12 months of paid charity leave enabling them to make a difference through their chosen projects. Juliette is the founder and CEO of not for profit organisation GIVIT, which supports over 790 of Australia’s most trusted charities and community providers by connecting them with willing donors of everyday items. Juliette and her team have previously been instrumental in assisting with Queensland’s flood and other natural disasters. With Australia’s philanthropy record comparatively less than in the US and UK, Juliette plans to use her paid charity leave to foster the future faces of giving in Australia – children. She advised, “Winning this competition is a huge milestone.  I’ll use the charity leave for a number of things including developing a mobile APP for GIVIT and working on our sustainability strategy.  “The most exciting thing that this funding will enable me to do, though, is to develop GIVIT Kids, an initiative that will promote philanthropy amongst youth and children. “Australia’s philanthropic record isn’t great and I believe that the way to address that is to foster an interest in giving amongst our kids.  “The goal of GIVIT Kids is to enable kids to directly support other isolated, vulnterable or marginalized Australian children by donating clothing, gifts, school equipment, uniforms or spots clothing and equipment.” Juliette hopes to launch her GIVIT Kids initiative by September this year and will support the program with an age appropriate (G rated) interactive online forum for children to give directly to other children who are less fortunate. She added, “The website’s purpose is to ‘grow givers’ and promote philanthropy at a young age. By embedding the values of giving, we can create a whole new generation of givers – young people with a passion and interest in helping others.” You can track Juliette’s progress and find out more about GIVIT and the GIVIT Kids initiative by visiting www.givit.org.au

2013-05-14T06:35:33Z sodastream-continues-to-redefine-beverage-industry

SodaStream has been announced as the premier sponsor of The American Pavilion (AMPAV) at the Cannes Film Festival 2013, taking over a long-standing sponsorship by Coca-Cola.   SodaStream is the world leader in home soda making, where consumers turn tap or filtered water into a mouth-watering array of carbonated beverages without the wasteful bottles. SodaStream’s involvement with AMPAV this year allows the Pavilion to be truly free of cans and plastic bottles. This symbolic move will see SodaStream host the bar at the American Pavilion as the exclusive soft drink and water provider, offering a far better-for-the-planet and better-for-you experience for visitors.   To create a plastic bottle free environment, a range of freshly-made SodaStream flavoured drinks will be available complimentary to guests; re-usable eco-friendly bottles will be re-filled for free with either still, sparkling or flavored drinks. A selection of SodaStream cocktails will also be served from the SodaStream SodaBar, an exciting new design aspect of the updated Pavilion for the 25th anniversary celebrations.   “We are thrilled to partner with The American Pavilion to help them with their first ever event without the trash from bottles and cans,” commented SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum. “One billion bottles and cans are trashed every day, the majority ending up in landfills, parks or oceans. What better place than the beautiful beachside location of Cannes to share with the international film industry that people have a choice; that with SodaStream they are empowered to enjoy great-tasting soda without the hazardous waste.”   Ampav founder Julie Sisk also stated: “It makes so much sense for us to partner with SodaStream as The Pavilion was the first entity in Cannes to implement recycling, trucking our recyclables to Marseille every other day. We continue to be as green as possible and conscious of the impact we have on the fragile Cannes environment.”   Founded 25 years ago by industry maven Julie Sisk, The American Pavilion is a place where North American film industry professionals gather to share ideas and network during Cannes Film Festival, the largest and most prestigious film festival in the world. Initially created to provide a convenient single meeting space for all the North American film professionals in town, The Pavilion has grown to become the essential hub for the industry off The Croisette, offering membership for professionals, provocative and insightful programming, immersive student programs, Emerging Filmmaker Showcases, and more.   Luminaries that have supported The Pavilion over the years include: filmmakers Ron Howard, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Wong Kar Wai, Spike Lee, Billy Bob Thornton, and stars Tommy Lee Jones, Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, James Franco, Michelle Williams, Jessica Chastain, Robert Duvall, and Matt Lauer amongst many others.     -ENDS- For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Sam Pearson Access PR E: sam@accesspr.com.au T: 02 9292 7005 M: 0415 271 911   Andrea Kerekes Access PR E: andrea@accesspr.com.au T: 02 9292 7002 M: 0418 427 412 About SodaStream SodaStream International Ltd is the world’s leading manufacturer and distributor of home beverage carbonation systems which enable consumers to easily transform ordinary tap water into carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water in seconds. SodaStream Drinks Makers offer a highly differentiated and innovative solution to consumers of bottled and canned carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water. Our products are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, promote health and wellness, customisability and fun. In addition, our products offer convenience by eliminating the need to carry bottles home from the supermarket, to store bottles at home or to regularly dispose of empty bottles. Our products are available at more than 60,000 retail stores in 45 countries around the world. Key stockists in Australia include Myer, Woolworths, Big W, Good Guys, Harvey Norman, KMart and Target. For more information, visit http://www.sodastream.com.au   ABOUT THE AMERICAN PAVILION Celebrating its 25th year bringing professionals and emerging filmmakers together, The American Pavilion is the centre of activity for the American film community at the Cannes International Film Festival.   Since its debut at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, The Pavilion has served as a hospitality and communications hub for the thousands of Americans attending the Cannes Film Festival and Marché, providing an impressive array of facilities and services, including membership for the international film community, provocative and insightful programming, the Emerging Filmmaker Showcase, immersive student programs, and more.   For its corporate sponsors, scores of American participants, and hundreds of exhibitors and office holders, The American Pavilion accommodates the need for information, orientation and recreation, providing both a dynamic business environment and an opportunity to relax in comfortable surroundings for the duration of the Festival.   With a panoramic view of the Bay of Cannes and just a few steps from the Palais des Festivals, where all the major Festival films are premiered, The American Pavilion is now a permanent fixture on the Cannes landscape, proving to be the perfect place to transact business, share ideas and effectively reach the thousands of affluent international travelers who attend the Festival every year.    For more information, visit www.ampav.com.

2013-05-14T01:01:58Z launching-littlelock-glass-food-storage-containers-for-little-people

Littlelock Glasslock containers are tempered glass baby food storage containers designed for storing, freezing, heating and serving homemade baby food and toddler meals. Fed up with storing her nutritious home cooked baby food in plastic containers, mum of two Gabrielle Cardwell went looking for alternatives. When she couldn’t find anything suitable she created her own. Gabrielle says “I worried about using plastic containers to store my children’s meals. Studies have shown that toxic chemicals including BPA and phthalates can leach from plastic storage containers into food upon heating which is very concerning. As a mum, the thought of toxic chemicals in my children’s food was distressing but there didn’t seem to be any alternatives. I wanted the convenience of a container that could be used in the freezer and microwave and one that I could be confident didn’t leach toxic chemicals into my children’s food”. Introducing new Littlelock Glasslock containers for homemade baby food and toddler meals. Littlelock glass food storage containers are made of tempered glass which is stronger than conventional glass. They are safe for use in the freezer, microwave (without lid) and dishwasher. Littlelock containers are BPA-free, phthalate free, PVC free and lead free. They wash clean leaving no stains or odours. The containers have brightly coloured polypropylene locking lids which are airtight and leak proof. The eco-friendly containers are also fully recyclable. Because they are made of glass they are durable and long lasting, unlike plastic they won’t deteriorate over time. Most importantly Littlelock glass baby food containers give mums peace of mind knowing that there is nothing toxic leaching into their children’s food. Available in 2 convenient sizes (120ml and 210ml) and three great colours. Set of 3, 120ml containers retails for $29.95 and set of 3, 210ml containers retails for $33.95. Buy online at http://littlelock.com.au Littlelock is Australian owned and committed to providing safe food storage options for your little ones. For further information or to arrange an interview please contact Gabrielle Cardwell on info@littlelock.com.au. Hi Res images available upon request.

2013-05-13T04:47:15Z brisbane-personal-training-courses

Australian Fitness Academy, in conjunction with Personal Best Personal Training, is pleased to announce the launch of face-to-face Certificate III & IV in Fitness courses in Brisbane.Australian Fitness Academy has been delivering fitness certification courses for 20-years and trains thousands of Personal Training students Australia wide. Recent feedback has overwhelmingly been for a face-to-face course offering in Brisbane.“The Australian market has experienced massive growth in the demand for fitness professionals and with this there has been a growth in fitness education providers over the past few years. The AFA and Personal Best team are pleased to be able to offer superior student support services and excellence in education that only comes with 20-years experience in fitness education delivery,” said Steve Hore, AFA National Manager.For anyone who has been thinking of changing career and jumping on the path to a new and exciting career in health and fitness then now is the time to do so.With revenue of over $1.2 billion and over 4 million Australians participating in fitness industry activities in 2012, the growth of the industry makes it a dynamic and rewarding industry in which to work.The issues of population health, rising obesity and avoidable chronic conditions are alarming and show us that there is a need for more highly qualified Fitness Professionals in the industry. Figures from Fitness Australia estimate that Fitness Centres in Australia can provide direct savings of up to $108 million per annum in health care costs. It has also been shown that just a 3% increase in the use of fitness centres by adults has the potential to save $204.8 million in health care costs and lead to 2609 extra full-time employees in the workforce.Full-time face to face classes for the Certificate III in Fitness (Gym Instructor) commence at Personal Best Personal Training in Toowong on Monday 1st July 2013. Classes run Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 9.30am – 4.30pm and Friday’s from 9.30 – 1pm.For more information please contact Larissa at Australian Fitness Academy on 1300 232 348.  

2013-05-12T23:36:00Z get-hypnotized-hustle-amp-flow-honours-the-king-of-new-york

Media ReleaseMedia Release Get hypnotized: Hustle & Flow honours the King of New YorkHustle and Flow’s B.I.G. Saturday: 25 May 2013Monday, 13 May 2013 – Sydney small bar Hustle & Flow will be celebrating the birthday of one of rap music’s greatest artists The Notorious B.I.G. on Tuesday 21 May and throughout the week, culminating in a B.I.G. Saturday night on 25 May. “Born on 21 May 1972 and regarded as the ‘King of New York’, The Notorious B.I.G. was one of the most influential rappers from 1994 up until his murder in 1997,” said Hustle and Flow’s Owner Tim Duhigg. “Despite a career cut short, Biggie is regarded as one of the greatest emcees of all time. We’ve honoured him with a piece on our Eastern wall and intend on having two great nights on Tuesday and Saturday,” said Tim. Providing the perfect soundtrack, Biggie’s songs including classics such as ‘Hypnotize’, ‘Juicy’ and ‘Mo Money Mo Problems’ will be on heavy rotation each night. Specials on Brooklyn Brewery’s Lager and East India Pale Ale, recognising the New York borough Biggie hailed from, will run all week from Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May. Birthdays was the worst days - Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay -The Notorious B.I.G. ‘Juicy’ (1994) -Ends- Images attached: Hi-res images available on request.H&F Biggie1aH&F Biggie 2a Photo/Interview Opportunity: Tim Duhigg is available for interview and photo opportunities by appointment. Hustle & Flow Bar3/105 Regent Street, Redfernhttp://www.hustleflowbar.com/ Tuesday to Friday 5pm – 12pm, Saturday 2pm – 12pm. Twitter/Instagram: @HustleFlowBar #HustleFlowBar About Hustle & Flow:Sydney small bar Hustle & Flow opened in April 2013 and creatively infuses hip-hop culture into every part of its Regent Street, Redfern operation. Hip Hop and RnB music oozes out of the sound system and some of Sydney’s most highly regarded graffiti artists have painted the venue’s walls. Hustle & Flow offers a range of Australian and New Zealand wines and Australian, American and Filipino beers, but it is the venue’s hip-hop inspired spirit and cocktail list that will entice fans of rap and RnB. Media enquiries: Samuel Spurr, ph. 0438 501 005, sam@inlumino.com.au

2013-05-10T07:06:27Z unlocking-the-secret

More sleep, a new wardrobe, or an hour of uninterrupted peace and quiet – what is it that mums really want this Mother’s Day? It turns out the answer is quite simple. Most just want to feel loved and appreciated, while surrounded by family.What about the perfect gift? Again, simple and classic wins out. Eighty six precent of mums surveyed in a recent Huggies Online Panel revealed they would like to receive flowers for Mother’s Day. Roses are the most popular flower choice at 41%, followed by lilies at 28% and tulips at 25%. Those surveyed also dispelled some myths, with 74% of mums admitting they do not want to choose their own Mother’s Day present. Breakfast in bed however is on their mind, with 58% revealing that while they do not get breakfast in bed, they would love it! Roses Only has launched an Appreciating Mothers campaign to help remind everyone just how amazing the mums in their life are. Be it your mum, grandmother, godmother, aunt, a friend or a mentor, every type of mother deserves to be rewarded on Mothers’ Day. Several of our partners – some famous faces you will recognise –have designed an arrangement for their mum to pay tribute to the things they love most about her. Here is an insight into their stories: Michael Klim, Founder/Director of Milk & Co. and Olympic Gold Medalist.Michael, who designed an arrangement for his mum Ewa, says becoming a parent has given him a new appreciation for his own mum. “I realise how hard bringing up kids can be. I now appreciate my Mum for having put us first with everything that she did, especially when we migrated from Poland to Australia in 1989 in the quest to find a better life for her family.” Luke Mangan, renowned Chef and Restaurateur The first flowers Luke gave his mum Marie were a small bunch of white daisies for Mother’s Day,  with a card written in red and blue crayon. She still has the card today. Mangan says he appreciates his Mum’s ongoing support the most. “Growing up in a family with seven boys couldn’t have been easy for her but she has always supported me in all of my choices, whether good or bad. I also love my Mum’s cooking and cooking with her. I’ve even managed to steal a few of her recipes over the years!” Emma Isaacs CEO of Business ChicksEmma credits her mum Deborah with empowering her confidence and sense of self. “She gave me the belief that I was smart, capable and independent and I've no doubt it is her influence that shaped who I am today – a very ambitious and confident entrepreneur who is not scared to take risks and bring others along with me.”  The Mother’s Day arrangements designed by Michael Klim, Luke Mangan and Emma Isaacs are featured on the Roses Only Facebook page, where people can vote for their favourite. One lucky voter will win the most popular arrangement to give to their mum. Michael Klim’s bright colourful tribute to his mum is currently storming ahead in the voting! View the arrangements and voting tally at: www.onlymoment.com Check out the Roses Only ‘Insights From The Experts’ Mother’s Day eMagazine, for more fun facts, statistics and famous faces: http://www.rosesonly.com.au/mothersday-emag/

2013-05-10T05:11:25Z 5-steps-to-finding-love

If you feel that you are never going to meet "the one" or feel constantly disappointed by relationships, you are not alone. In her new book 5 STEPS TO FINDING LOVE, A HOLISTIC GUIDE FOR WOMEN, Nicole Bayliss addresses the issue from a holistic perspective. Her aim is not only to assist you in finding your ideal life partner, but also to help you find a greater level of life satisfaction all round. As a counsellor, life coach and reiki master, she believes that to find love, we do not need to "do something" or "make things happen". The essence of the 5 Steps is to heal ourselves from the inside in order to attract what we want from the outside. In 5 STEPS TO FINDING LOVE, Nicole takes you on a journey of self-exploration and guidance in the process of manifesting the relationship you have longed for.