What you can do to support women experiencing homelessness and poverty.
What you can do to support women experiencing homelessness and poverty.
We, the people of the Gold Coast, are quite a lucky bunch. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, we experience an almost year round summer, we’re surrounded by good people and we get to wake up every morning, safe and sound in our homes.
Most of us anyway. On the Gold Coast and across Australia, over 85,000 women live in poverty, which can also mean they’re homeless and without the basic necessities many of us take for granted in everyday life.
Which is where Share the Dignity comes in. Throughout March, the charity collects thousands of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products for women experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Their ethos focuses on making a real, on-the-ground difference to homeless women and victims of domestic violence and through a small act of kindness, they provide assistance to some of Australia’s most vulnerable women.
What can we do to help? All it takes is purchasing an extra package of sanitary items next time you’re at a Chempro Chemist to provide some dignity to women in need.
Twice a year, Share the Dignity asks the public to donate at collection points throughout the country and the Gold Coast collection point is conveniently at one of the 90+ Chempro Chemist stores.
At the end of the month, they donate thousands of packets of sanitary products to their partner charities. Each packet of pads and tampons, menstrual cup or online donation that you contribute makes a real difference for a woman in need in your community.
It’s a simple ‘one box for me, one box for her’ mindset and one we fully support.
Not only the donations though, there are events you can take part in and all the money donated goes to Share the Dignity. For example, how about some online with yoga with renowned Boost entreprenuer Janine Allis? It’s just $20 per class and you get a link to the online video. Getting bendy for a good cause. How well, good!
There is also a Dignitea event being held at Crowne Plaza in Surfers Paradise on Sunday May 24th and again, proceeds go to Share the Dignity. Sipping tea for a cause, also a fun time.
The simplest thing to do though is just purchase an extra pack (or two) of sanitary items and pop them in the Pink Collection Box at your local Chempro Chemist during the Dignity Drive.
Your donation is vital and, of course, very much appreciated both by Share the Dignity and the women in need of your support.
We’ll absolutely be donating too.
SPONSORED BY CHEMPRO CHEMISTS
Words by Kirra Smith
Oh summer on the Gold Coast how we love you so. Balmy afternoon BBQs, bikinis all day (covered by a rashie, see below), frosty cold beverages, what’s not to love? Nothing is what.
As you’ve no doubt noticed, the sweltering season has well and truly arrived and in celebration of that happy time, and the fact that we’ve got a few things to say (as always) here we are gathered together again.
So, while summer is the very best time one can possibly have on the Gold Coast, it does come with a few potential risks but never fear, we’ve got you covered with a few tips and tricks to ensure you beat the heat and come out the other side in style.
In no particular order, here are said tips and tricks.
WEAR SUNSCREEN
Yes caps lock because, important. Seems like a no brainer but it is in fact a decision requiring a brain. Not only do you need sunscreen whilst spending long summer days on the beach (about which we will nag you below), you must also wear sunscreen on regular days. Even if you’ll only be outside for a minute and even if you’re wearing makeup and even if you don’t really like the smell of sunscreen. We care not. Go for SPF50+ and get the very best quality brand you can find.
USE FAKE TAN
Do not, under any circumstances sunbake under the intense Aussie sun for a period of time that is longer than two seconds just to get a tan. Not cool. Buy yourself a sweet umbrella, practice putting that guy up in your backyard before you venture out in public (trust us) and, after swimming, apply fake tan so it seems as though you’ve spent an entire day soaking up sun beams but you have in fact, not. There are so many brands of fake tan these days that look absolutely stunning and you may choose your own adventure on that one but DON’T SUNBAKE. Sorry, passionate.
STAY HYDRATED
They say you should drink eight glasses of water per day but in summer up that to at least 12. We made that up but it seems legit because summer is a very hot time which means you sweat more, which means you lose liquid, which means you need to drink more water, geddit? Also, buy a reusable drink bottle and carry it around with you everywhere you go. That way, there can be no excuse to not be hydrated and you don’t need to spend heaps of cashola on drinks every day. You may also sip Hydralyte if, for some silly reason, you ignored our warnings and got yourself some sunstroke.
COVER UP
We know, it’s the Gold Coast, nobody covers up in summer (ever) but those people aren’t smart like you and they don’t know how important it is to beat the sun at its own game. Which is burning people. But we won’t let that happen will we? Get yourself a hat, one of those cool Cancer Council rashies with the hilarious Christmas patterns on it (they’re cool we promise) and you’re good to go. To the beach that is, maybe not out for brunch. Your call though.
Okay we’re done but don’t forget how important it is to take extra care when out in the sun over summer. Your local Chempro has all your summer essential needs covered, including sunscreen, fake tan and Hydralyte, pop in and grab what you need so we don’t have to scold you if we see you out and about not heeding our advice.
Happy summer.
Words by Kirra Smith
SPONSORED BY CHEMPRO CHEMISTS
Today we’re here to talk about checking in on our mates, igniting conversations and the realities of suicide rates in Australia. Heavy but necessary, particularly right now because September is suicide awareness month and today, September 12th is R U OK Day.
We lose over 3,000 people every year to suicide, which is the leading cause of death between Australians aged 15 to 44.
The premise of R U OK Day is simply reaching out to our mates, asking the question, listening to the answer and igniting conversations around mental health.
Which is exactly what LIVIN aim to do with their photo exhibition Collective Minds, launching at Robina Town Centre today and showcasing the work of 20 local photographer’s’ who were asked to submit a photo representing their take on mental health.
The exhibition can be found opposite Peter Alexander within the centre and features world-renowned photographers (and Gold Coast locals) Sean Scott, Melissa Findley and Trent Mitchell.
Each image is a unique interpretation of the photographers’ own experience with mental health and the entire exhibition aims to ignite conversations about mental health and perpetuate LIVIN’s mantra that ‘it ain’t weak to speak’.
These pieces will be available to purchase on Collective Minds dedicated website an online silent auction running throughout the duration of the exhibition.
All money raised will go directly to LIVIN, which will allow them to continue to expand their support network throughout the Gold Coast and Australia via their LIVINWell program.
Since their beginning in 2013, LIVIN have made it their mission to encourage the community to speak up about mental health, offering vital support services and advice so that nobody has to suffer in silence.
The exhibition runs from September 12th until October 13th and will be open 7 days a week.
The Collective Minds gallery been designed as a place for quiet contemplation so pop down there when you get a chance and spend some time thinking about your own mental health and what you can do to ignite a conversation in your community.
LOCATION: Ground floor (opposite Peter Alexander), Robina Town Centre, Robina
WHEN: September 12th to October 13th
Words by Kirra Smith
Keeping yourself fit and healthy has become big business here on the Gold Coast, but you may feel overwhelmed in amongst the swarm of gym-junkies and tricky looking equipment at the chain gyms. There’s something different about entering a smaller studio with regular friendly faces. Being a fitness — and espresso martini — focussed bunch of folks here on the Gold Coast, we have a smorgasbord of fantastic personal studios where you can work up a sweat and get those endorphins flowing. Slip into some lycra and grab your water bottle; here is our take on the intimate studios you need to visit to live your best active life.
Lighten Up
When you enter this Robina-based studio, the intention is set from the beginning: this is your sanctuary and a chance to nurture your body. Thirty-five classes run across the week, and a modest weekly membership fee means making up for all that tequila on the weekend is not only easy but affordable. Once signed up, you can enjoy a selection of reformer and mat pilates, plus yin and flow yoga sessions which give you the chance to completely mix and match the way you break a sweat!
Where: Suite 3, Level 1 Easy T Centre, Robina
Free Living Studio
So much more than just fitness, you’ll find a mindful movement community devoted to health, wellness, yoga, and more at this Palm Beach-based studio. The understanding here is recognising that physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing is all closely connected and each as important as the other. Classes are methodically split under the four pillars of Strength, Burn, Sculpt, and Restore; with a comprehensive schedule of classes and handy membership options, there’s no easier way to get/keep in top physical (and mental) shape.
Where: Shop 1, 32 Brooke Avenue, Palm Beach
Xtend Barre
Located with a leafy outlook on a backstreet of Burleigh Heads, Xtend Barre is the perfect studio if you regularly find yourself around one of the Gold Coast’s most happening suburbs. Workouts have been curated around combining the science of pilates with the dynamics of aerobic dance to thoroughly tone the body and revive the mind. And with the friendliest bunch of instructors you’ve ever come across, it’s little wonder this life-changing workout has been a smash hit with the locals.
Where: 3 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads
Hustl
By their admission, this ultra-chic studio doesn’t do normal. Located upstairs above the rather epic BSKT café, Hustl is an inspiring minimalistic space with an incredible view over Nobby Beach. What a place to undertake a morning class as the sun rises! Their program cleverly fuses advanced pilates with resistance-based cardio to bring you a workout like no other spread out across two slightly different classes. Suitability is geared towards everyone, fitness fanatic or not. And if you join as a member, you’ll also have access to their sister studio in Byron Bay. (For when the borders open back up!)
Where: 4 Lavarack Drive, Mermaid Beach
Pilates + Co
Starting your fitness journey, or maintaining it, has never been easier than with the team at Pilates + Co. There is a wide selection of classes — with a maximum size of 14 participants — multiple week challenges, and private sessions in place for you to smash your goals and a uber approachable team to make it all happen. Their original location in Burleigh Heads is now joined by a newly opened space in Bundall, and should you find it hard to make it to either of these, they also have a state-of-the-art home workout platform with exclusive videos allowing you to work out on your terms.
Where: Unit 5, 75 West Burleigh Road & Units 8-10, 25 Upton Street, Bundall
Kbod Fitness
Do you love to dance like nobody is watching, but also love the high and good feelings you get from a high-intensity workout? Kbod is touted as Australia’s first dance-based fitness centre and is run by an ex-professional dancer of 24 years. Getting in great shape doesn’t have to be boring — Kbod is the studio where you can achieve a dancer’s physique and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Because the best sort of fitness is the fun type!
Where: Unit 4, 40 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh Heads
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
