WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

At the time of writing this, my favourite beer is causing a great amount of trouble across the world. You guessed it: Corona!

I’m not sure if this has been a great marketing tool for the Mexican amber fluid, but there’s no doubt that the virus version is on everyone’s lips even if the beer version isn’t. It’s not just the health ramifications of the coronavirus, which are concerning, but also the economic repercussions currently being felt around the globe.

Our recent trip to Japan was almost canned, and travel in general is being cancelled left, right, and centre. The knock-on effects are mounting — even the NRL has said it will need government assistance to survive if the season gets shut down.

It’s unthinkable really, but when you look at the original cause of the virus entering the human population, it was really only a matter of time until the self-centred nature of mankind was going to catch up with us. Wet markets in Asia (specifically China) is where this all started.

Half-arsed efforts by the government to shut these markets down after the SARS epidemic have achieved little, and from my understanding these markets are still thriving and potentially still transferring coronavirus, among others, into the human population.

It does not take a rocket scientist to work out that placing a wide variety of wild animals all in a confined space, caged, angry, stressed, and unwell, was not a good idea.

In fact, it’s a very bad idea.

I really don’t think that anyone will get out of this one unscathed.

If you have older parents or grandparents, they are certainly at risk. The effects on business are already very clear and could create significant business closure and the laying off of large numbers of staff.

I hope I am proven wrong, things get better quickly, and we sail through the world’s worst pandemic in 50 years, but the signs are somewhat ominous.

This is a time for cool heads, especially at a government level, in addition to the media. The toilet paper emergency still somewhat mystifies me; this type of hysteria is exactly what we don’t need. Panic shopping is next-level crazy. It will be bad enough to have coronavirus, let alone having nothing to eat because the shelves are bare…

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

My father is 87 years old. Typically for someone at his age, he’s suffering the pains of old age. I feel helpless to provide him with any relief from the daily pain he suffers, but recently got him some hemp oil hoping it might provide some relief.

I’ve noticed whenever I visit my parents that they seem to have an extraordinary number of pills that they need to take every day.

I asked my parents what they were all for; the pills have all been prescribed by their doctor to treat a wide range of conditions.  
When I asked whether the doctor was treating the causes as well as the symptoms, the answer was no.

It made me wonder: is the relationship between our medical doctors and big pharmaceuticals a little too cosy?

It would seem to me that my father is now beyond the treatment of the causes of his problems due to his progressive years. However, imagine if my father’s doctor had addressed the causes of his illness rather than the symptoms. Would his health have been better in these later years of his life?
Rather than being addicted to an ever-widening range of pills, putting their limited funds into the coffers of big pharmaceuticals, maybe he could have been enjoying old age as it was meant to be?

We have a lot to learn in the Western world being led down the garden path by the United States and its consumerism and profit-driven ethos.

Big pharmaceuticals are big business and big profits for the rich and powerful.
Here’s a suggestion that might be better than popping a pill: “Food is medicine and medicine is food!”

Yes, you heard it first — food can be your medicine.
There’s plenty of evidence showing that you can eat your way to good health. There are plenty of informative documentaries on Netflix that will open your mind to how important food is in relation to your health.
Two such programs are The Game Changers & What the Health, which are both all about the vegan movement.

Our family and plenty of others have started to adopt the philosophies behind The Game Changers and What the Health and are reaping the benefits.
There is no magic pill to achieve good health, but good food is a good start!

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

What is happening with our mental health? This is the question I ask myself when it comes to this ever-growing issue, especially in the context of our youth.

I’m not sure if it’s a combination of social media, device addiction, lack of sunlight and Vitamin E, or just the ability to openly discuss the issue like never before. It certainly seems to be a massive issue today and one that only seems to be increasingly challenging.

Great organisations and events such as World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) and R U OK? Day (12 September) bring the issue into the light, with much-needed support from the media, but their focus is on treating issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicide rather than looking at the cause.

Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely needed, but perhaps our focus should be more on what’s causing mental health issues rather than treating the symptoms?

When I was young, life was all about eating good food not fast food, getting outside, playing backyard cricket, swimming, enjoying the sun, catching waves, running, jumping, and getting the blood pumping. I could feel life coursing through my veins! No depression there.

Here in Australia, is there really any excuse for kids not enjoying the great outdoors, the sunshine, and the ocean? I’m no expert, but discussions with those who are certainly indicate that a healthy lifestyle, good food, exercise, and time in the sun can go a long way to changing your mood and outlook on life.

In this edition, Southern Cross University researcher Megan Lee shares her insights into how the food you eat can affect your mood and mental health.
Add this to my solutions above and we could certainly go a long way toward improving the mental health issues we’re suffering in Australia today.

Less Facebook, less Instagram, less Internet, and less computer games? More exercise, more sun, more endorphins, more fun, and more good food and we may have the answer to a lot of our mental health battles.

My hat goes off to Megan for her ground-breaking research. So next time you’re feeling down, consider some exercise and good food as of the solution — it certainly can’t hurt and worked wonders for past generations!

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

If I believed everything that the polls and the media had to say about the Australian voting public, Bill Shorten would now be our prime minister and Labor would be in charge for the next 3000 years.
But they were wrong, so very wrong.
One of the key focal issues in the recent federal election was climate change. Political parties clearly understood this is a passionate topic—and one that could win or lose the election. Shorten placed a lot of eggs in the climate change basket and it backfired big time!  
There is no doubt that the Australian public are concerned about climate change, but we are not silly enough to believe there is any silver bullet for such a complex issue.
There is no doubt that man-made climate change is real, but is it as simple as some people would have us believe? I think not!  
My greatest concern is those who have a vested interest write 99 per cent of material fed to the public. Alternatively, they don’t divulge who is funding their research.
Transparency is key. Can you really trust a report funded by the people the report is about?
In this edition, ORM addresses tackling climate change. Dr Weston Allen is an eminently qualified physician, self-employed and with no agenda other than a quest for the truth. His research is not funded and he has no vested interest other than seeking the best result for planet earth and humanity.
Dr Allen wrote a recent white paper on climate change and health for the CO2 Coalition in Washington DC, USA. He was invited to present at the official launch on 23 October 2018 at the Russell Senate Office Building. The CO2 Coalition was attended by a group of scientists, including emeritus professor William Happer of Princeton University, now President Trump’s chief scientist at the White House.

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

There’s no doubt that our beautiful beaches are the centre of our tourism assets. The vast majority of our tourism accommodation — probably 99 per cent — highlights our proximity to pristine beaches.

      The trademark promo is a safe day of family fun with white, sandy beaches and crystal blue water. It doesn’t take much bad publicity to see tourists stay home and cancel their holiday. The recent spate of shark attacks on surfers in and around Ballina is testament to how this sort of thing can have devastating effects on tourism.

      Fortunately, humans have short memories, and surfers and swimmers alike are again venturing back into the water.

      Safety on the Gold Coast beaches has been in very good hands. GCCC chief lifeguard Warren Young has been in charge of our beaches for the past 45 years, with an impeccable record. Known for his big smile and infectious sense of humour, Warren was good enough to allow Ocean Road Magazine to tells his story in this edition.
      As Warren’s career comes to a close, he will leave big shoes to fill for those who carry the mantle forward, that’s for sure.
      So much rides on the safety of our beaches. I think it’s fair to say that Warren has earned the status of an icon of the Gold Coast’s beach culture.

      In true Warren fashion, his parting comments to me when we shot the cover image were, “I bet I’m the oldest model ever on the cover of Ocean Road Magazine…”

      My response was, “That you are, Warren!”

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s no secret that I love the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Our family lived at the beautiful Cabarita Beach for about five years before we moved back up to the Gold Coast. My main attraction has always been the surf, but there’s no doubt it’s also a very beautiful and relaxing part of the world.

      On a recent visit, I made my way out behind the breakers hoping for a few early morning waves before the crowd got too heavy. Longtime Caba local Scotty Fitzpatrick paddled up alongside on his stand-up and said, “Hey, have I got a great story for you!”

      My initial thought was, ‘Yeah, like I’ve never heard that before’ — but I listened to what he had to say!

      “Have you ever heard of Matina Jewell?” he asked.

      I had to say no I hadn’t.

      “One of Australia’s top 100 most influential women and she lives right here on the Tweed,” he said.

      He had my attention.

      “I’ll e-introduce you,” he said as he paddled off.

      True to his word, an email introduction arrived in my inbox the very next day, and I got the chance to meet Matina Jewell for coffee and a chat.  

      I’m always on the hunt for a good story, and Matina’s is certainly that in spades. I won’t ruin the surprise, but let’s just say that looks can be deceiving! You should never judge a book by its cover.

      The rest is history and I really do think we’ve done her justice as our cover story in our Summer edition. To say her story is remarkable would be an understatement.

      For what’s it worth, my choice to play Matina would be Margot Robbie. No one can play an Aussie like an Aussie! I look forward to front-row seats at the movie premiere, of course, Matina!

      Happy reading.

WORDS: PHOTOGRAPHY

I recently saw a program on Netflix called Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press about the legal stoush between Hulk Hogan and an online media site called Gawker. Being an independent publisher, I found this very interesting. In short, Hulk Hogan, unbeknown to Gawker, had a wealthy billionaire, Peter Thiel, funding his legal case.

Why, you may ask? Payback!

Peter Thiel had an axe to grind linked to stories Gawker had run on him in the past and he used the Hulk Hogan case to get them back. And get them back he did. The case bankrupted Gawker and its owner, putting them out of business.

To make matters even more interesting, Peter Thiel is a big supporter of Donald Trump. It all ties together with Trump’s ongoing attack on the First Amendment, and in particular freedom of the press and the assault on US litigation laws by Trump to make it increasingly easy to sue the media if you don’t like what they have to say about you. The United States and Australia are so closely linked that what happens there will most surely happen here. Do we need to be worried? I am!

If money and power can silence the media, we are all in big trouble. A free press could be sued into silence, with no media game enough to bring corporate Australia, our government and government agencies, or our politicians to account in fear of litigation. The classified rivers of gold funding newspapers have all dried up and true investigative journalism is already feeling the pinch. Open and unencumbered litigation of the media for telling the truth will be the final nail in the coffin of the free press, freedom of the press, and keeping the bastards honest.

Who would have thought that WrestleMania and Hulk Hogan’s bedroom antics would raise such serious issues. Our free press stands us apart from dictatorships and communist states and should be protected at all costs. Bad things happen when good people do nothing. We all have a vested interest in freedom of the press, so let’s not let it happen.

Sharkbanz

For the sharks in the water rather than out of the water you can get protection. 

Based on 10 years of research and testing, Sharkbanz takes advantage of sharks’ unique and powerful electrical sense (electroreception) to cause a highly unpleasant sensation that turns sharks away. Worth checking out as summer is fast approaching and it’s time to get back in the water.

www.sharbanz.com.au