A Sunshine Coast speech pathologist and first-time author has used the Christmas classic “The Night Before Christmas” as the inspiration for a new Christmas picture book with a truly Australian feel.

Having worked in education for almost twenty years, Bryan Ward has a strong interest in developing children’s communication skills through talking and stories.

“To encourage children to read you need to engage them in something they can relate to and Australian kids love a beach Christmas, so I started there,” Bryan, who also illustrated the book, said.

“Then I thought to myself, what would happen if Santa crash-landed on the beach outside my holiday apartment and how we would go about helping Santa solve the problem?”

Bryan said from the starting point, and using the famous “The Night Before Christmas” as inspiration, he set about writing a book that would encourage imagination and help promote language development.

“Books can help children become familiar with the patterns and rhythms of our language, with the ability to identify and generate rhyming words being key pre-literacy skills that children need to take with them into prep and school.

“For that reason, every page of this story features rhythm and rhyme – which also makes for great fun.”

“Books can teach children about things they haven’t seen or done yet, feeding their imaginations while also introducing them to important life skills like co-operation, which I have explored using other children and Australia’s iconic lifesavers in the story to help Santa out of his predicament.”

“Santa’s Beach Christmas”, which is suitable for children from pre-prep age and into the early years of school, also contains great bonus material about “The Night Before Christmas”, some history about Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas, as well as other activities to encourage language development through words that explore the senses.

“Santa’s Beach Christmas” is available from www.thewritestuffinoz.blogspot.com at just $18 plus postage. They will also be available at the Buderim Mamma’s Market on Friday 16th December at Buderim War Memorial Hall from 5pm to 9pm.

Test your knowledge against some of the brightest literary minds on the Coast and most importantly have fun at the Sunshine Coast Literary Association’s Christmas Trivia evening on Tuesday, 13 December.

To be held at the Buderim Tavern from 6:30pm to 10:00pm, the Christmas Trivia evening will include a mix of literary trivia as well as general knowledge questions and there are some great prizes up for grabs. All community members are welcome to join in on this fun night of friendly competition.

SCLA President, Bryan Ward said the first ever trivia night will give the community an opportunity to celebrate the end of another successful year for SCLA alongside its members.

It has been a busy year for the SCLA holding their regular workshops, guest authors’ talks, competitions and the ever-popular summer school program as well as a few new additions to the events schedule.

“Christmas Trivia will be a fun night and is a great reason to have a meal together to wrap up the year,” Bryan said.

“I’m looking forward to some friendly competition and a few laughs with our members and friends in a social environment,” Bryan said.

Be sure to RSVP quickly as there are limited places available for this special event. Participating in the trivia portion of the evening is free and guests can purchase their own meals at bar prices (from $18.50).

Formed in 2005, the SCLA provides a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests develop skills and showcase their work.  It allows like minded individuals to exchange ideas and seek advice to develop their abilities.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, awards programs and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members. The SCLA also promotes other state and national writing competitions that offer successful applicants great prizes and recognition.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer, becoming a member of the SCLA, or to RSVP to the evening, please email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690.

At this time of year, parents all over Australia start to panic. In a few short weeks, their precious children will be in their full time care and the pressure of keeping them happy for up to two months can be daunting.

It’s not just about keeping them busy: choosing holiday experiences that won’t break the bank can be a real challenge. Luckily, the Kids Welcome web directory has been launched just in time to come to the rescue.

This free resource includes over 2000 reviews of family-friendly activities, attractions, tours, places to eat, places to stay, events, beaches and even playgrounds. The reviews are written by parents, for parents and each is rated as suitable for three different age-groups: preschool, primary and teen.

Web directory creator, Sarah Pye said this invaluable resource would take the hard work out of entertaining the kids.

“If you are planning to explore new parts of Australia together, it helps you pick appropriate places to go, may of which are free and wouldn’t find them in tourism brochures,” she says.

“Even if you don’t leave home, the Kids Welcome directory is just as useful for banishing ‘I’m bored’ because there are guaranteed to be ideas for your local area too.”

“Grandparents, aunts and uncles need not fear if the kids are coming to visit over Christmas!”

What makes this online resource different from Kids Welcome printed guidebooks is the ability for users to engage directly. By joining the site, which is free, they can make comments on the reviews and even upload images of their own family enjoying the activities.

“Not only is it fun to see yourself on the website, it’s also good to know your comments will help other families create memorable holidays,” Sarah said.

The Kids Welcome web directory was launched on November 11 at Underwater World on the Sunshine Coast. It was critically acclaimed by Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and currently covers Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Sarah and her chief expert, Amber (11) intend to hitch their camper trailer and explore Victoria over the summer to add even more content.

To celebrate the launch, you could win a week in your very own camper trailer from Camp Ezy on the Gold Coast. Simply go to competitions on www.kidswelcome.com.au

They say everyone has at least one good book inside them – well if you want to get yours out and down on paper, the Sunshine Coast Literary Summer School is just the opportunity you need to make it happen!

The program, Genesis to Publication, will run across four evenings on Wednesday 30 November and 7 December, and again on 18 January and 15 February at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Genesis to Publication can be applied to all genres and will focus on developing a story structure and outline, character and plot development, and the steps involved in publishing.

President of SCLA, Bryan Ward said the program is a perfect summer project for participants where they can explore writing.

“Whether you want to get started on a book or just develop a short story and learn how to apply writing techniques then it is a great opportunity.

“Participants will build on their knowledge each month, with time in between to work on their writing,” Bryan said.

The Summer School will be presented by the talented Nike Sulway and Naomi Stekelenburg. Nike’s an award-winning author of novels and children’s books, and is co-director of Olvar Wood. Naomi has co-authored a children’s book and is currently completing her PhD in English Literature. Both presenters are also University of the Sunshine Coast’s creative writing educators.

Nike said she was excited to be involved in the SCLA Summer School, offering practical advice to a wide-variety of people.

“The workshops are a great way to meet other writers, develop skills for writing and get on-the-spot feedback and answers to your questions,” Nike said.

“The program gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge with a select group of people, and give them lots of hints and tips about how to fine tune their stories,” she said.

The classes will be held in Lecture Theatre 6 at USC and will begin at 5.45pm for a prompt 6.00pm start concluding at 8.30pm each night.

Tickets must be pre-purchased and is available only as a block for $150 for current SCLA members and $180 for other guests. SCLA membership can be purchased for $35 or $25 for concessions and will qualify you for the discounted pricing. Positions are limited, so make sure you book your seat today.

For more information about the program, biographies of our talented presenters or to book your seat for the summer school, please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the SCLA website – www.scliterary.org or call 5450 2690.

Sunshine Coast Literary Association will be celebrating a successful year for writers on the Sunshine Coast with Christmas Trivia on Tuesday, 13 December 2011.

All community members are welcome to join the SCLA for the evening, held at the Buderim Tavern from 6.30pm to 10.00pm.

SCLA President Bryan Ward said he is excited to take part in the first ever trivia event.

“Christmas Trivia will be a fun night and it gives us an opportunity to share a meal to wrap up the end of the year,” Bryan said.

“I’m looking forward to some friendly competition and it’s a good excuse to meet up with our members and friends in a social environment,” Bryan said.

“We’ll have a mix of literary trivia for SCLA members as well as general knowledge questions so everyone can join in and enjoy the evening,” Bryan said.

It has been a busy time for the SCLA with a series of workshops, guest authors, competitions and the ever-popular summer school program.

Be sure to RSVP quickly as there are limited places available for this special event. Guests will be required to purchase their own meals at bar prices (starting from $18.50).

Formed in 2005, the SCLA provides a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests develop skills and showcase their work.  It allows like minded individuals to exchange ideas and seek advice to develop their abilities.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, awards programs and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members. The SCLA also promotes other state and national writing competitions that offer successful applicants great prizes and recognition.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer, becoming a member of the SCLA, or to RSVP to the evening, please email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690.

Award winning company Kids Welcome has just launched a new, extensive web directory of family-friendly travel experiences.

This innovative resource currently contains over 2000 reviews of activities, attractions, tours, restaurants, beaches, playgrounds and events in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT. Other states will follow shortly.

Author and creator Sarah Pye, who was named Sunshine Coast Micro/Small Business Woman of the Year in 2010, was lucky to have travelled with her own parents and said she learnt an enormous amount outside the classroom.
“Kids grow up so quickly and go through so many different stages along the way,” Sarah said.

“I want to encourage parents to experience new things with their children, even close to home, while the kids still want to.

“The reviews in the Kids Welcome web directory make the job of choosing age-appropriate experiences much easier.”

Each review on the website is rated as suitable in three different age-groups: preschool, primary and teen. Regions are easily searched, and there’s a wealth of travel advice too.

Mum Simone Elling has long been a fan of Kids Welcome. Up until now, she has used Sarah’s printed guidebook Kids Welcome to Queensland to plan her family’s holidays and weekends.

“I am so excited the web directory is now live,” she said.

“It even lets me become a Kids Welcome reviewer and upload images and videos!”

To celebrate the launch of this new innovative tourism directory, you could win a week in your very own camper trailer with Camp Ezy on the Gold Coast. Simply go to www.kidswelcome.com.au to enter the competition. Now that’s a memorable family holiday in the making.

Sunshine Coast local and entrepreneur, Tony McMahon, is well on his way to becoming one of the Sunshine Coast’s newest ‘movers and shakers’, launching his second successful business, Commfix, at the young age of only 26.

Following the success of his first company, Dr Mac, a Mac service and repair business, Tony launched Commfix, a mobile technology service provider in June last year and business is booming.

Tony said the idea for Commfix came from his own personal experiences with long waiting times to have his iPhone repaired.

“The typical waiting period to have an iPhone or iPad service and repair is between 3 to 8 weeks, which is far too long in my opinion, ” Tony said.

“I realised there was a real need for improvement in Australia’s IT service industry and saw an opportunity to create a service that was more responsive,” Tony said.

Commfix is a dedicated iPhone/ iPad service centre offering white conversions and instant or same day repairs, a concept almost unheard of within the IT industry.  Since it’s launch only a year and a half ago, the company has continued to go from strength to strength, now staffing four Apple-trained technicians.

“The business is has taken off really quickly and we have already had to move to a bigger premise to accommodate our growing number of clients,” Tony said.

Tony has big plans for the company, and has just returned from Europe to foster international development and research new products. Whilst in Europe, Tony also visited Gold Striker, a company that specialises in producing diamond and gold iPhones and cases.

But it doesn’t stop there; he is also in the process of expanding Commfix and its services to offer same or next day repairs to Australasia.

“We are aiming to set a new benchmark for iPhone and iPad service waiting periods not just on the Sunshine Coast, but throughout Australia and New Zealand too,” Tony said.

“At Commfix, we understand that your mobile phone is not only a business tool, but also a day-to-day life manager, so when your iPhone’s not working, you’re not working,” Tony said.

For more information about Commfix or to schedule an iPhone or iPad repair, please visit www.commfix.com.au or call 07 5414 9444.

Sunshine Coast solar power company Auzion will be jetting off to Birmingham, UK to attend the Solar Power UK 2011 Conference and Exhibition held from 26 to 28 October.

Due to Auzion’s development of the Auzion Energy Maximiser, they have been invited to be one of the 120 exhibitors to showcase their products and services at the three-day event.

Auzion will be supporting the fastest-growing PV and solar thermal market in Europe by sharing their revolutionary, award-winning product that enables the user to monitor energy in the home or business and potentially reduce energy consumption by up to a further 20 per cent.

The Solar Power UK Conference and Exhibition brings together all segments of the solar industry in the UK to ensure sustainable growth and this year aims to expand these benefits to provide a virtual platform upon for communication to drive business.

Solar Power UK 2010 was a huge success, selling out one week before the event. Due to popular demand, this year has been expanded to incorporate exhibitors to better demonstrate technologies in PV and solar thermal systems.

Auzion founder and CEO, Mark Leckenby said that being invited to the conference shows how the Auzion Energy Maximiser is an international leader in solar technology products.

“We’re excited to be part of such a popular event and to share our knowledge on an international level,” Mark said.

“Solar Power UK 2011 gives us an opportunity to join other industry
professionals to support the growth of the European market,” Mark said.

The Auzion Energy Maximiser was launched in 2011 after two years of development. It uses a secure web portal for the user to view an accurate breakdown of energy usage and establish energy alerts and budgets to optimise usage in line with set targets.

“The Energy Maximiser helps you pay off your solar system faster by tracking your energy usage and maximizing the power you return to the grid,” Mark said.

Auzion is a Sunshine-Coast based solar company that advocates sustainable living. Auzion’s philosophy and innovation extends from research and the development of clean, green renewable energy. Operated by a team of highly trained professionals, Auzion provides cost-effective, total energy management solutions for residential, educational, industrial and commercial sectors.

For more information about Auzion and its energy solution products, visit www.auzion.com or call 1300 289 466.

Sunshine Coast Literary Association member and author Tony Iozzi will share his expertise at the next SCLA Discussion Evening on Tuesday, 15 November 2011.

The session will be held at Millwell Road Community Centre, Maroochydore from 6.00pm to 9.00pm.

Rather than a usual author talk, Tony will present this session on ‘the novel’ where he will look at novel types, structure, goals and problems, as well as include a practical component to the session.

Tony is actively involved in supporting aspiring writers and created and managed the Warana Youth Festival of Arts. He has written and published three non-fiction books on sales, personal growth and motivation, a suspense thriller – The Nine Pillars of Happiness and has published and managed two magazines.

“This session allows me to share my knowledge and experience with budding writers,” Tony said.

SCLA President Bryan Ward said the discussion evening will give those interested in writing and Tony’s works a further insight into writing a novel.

“Tony is a wealth of knowledge and we’re fortunate to have him along to tailor this session to be specifically about writing a novel,” Bryan said.

“The session is held in relaxed environment and invites community members to join the SCLA for a cuppa, light refreshments and a chat,” Bryan said.

The discussion evening is free for members and $5 for non-members is payable on the night. The SCLA requests guests to RSVP due to catering purposes.

Formed in 2005, the SCLA provides a pathway for the Sunshine Coast’s aspiring writers and enthusiasts to explore their interests develop skills and showcase their work.  It allows like minded individuals to exchange ideas and seek advice to develop their abilities.

The association offers regular literary workshops, seminars and events, awards programs and monthly Front Write Up literary performance evenings that provide an opportunity to showcase the talents of its members. The SCLA also promotes other state and national writing competitions that offer successful applicants great prizes and recognition.

For more information on beginning your journey as a writer, becoming a member of the SCLA, or to RSVP to the evening, please email info@scliterary.org or phone 07 5450 2690.

The Sunshine Coast Literary Association is excited to present Genesis to Publication, a special Summer School program to encourage aspiring writers and enthusiasts to develop their skills.

Genesis to Publication will be held over four 2½-hour sessions and can be applied to all aspects of story writing, regardless of the genre writers are working on.

The program will be run across four evenings on Wednesday 30 November and 7 December, and again on 18 January and 15 February at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

President of SCLA, Bryan Ward said this year’s Summer School is a very special series of workshops focusing on developing a story from the genesis of the story idea to publishing.

“The Summer School allows writers to have the opportunity to write between classes so they can progress from month to month,” Bryan said.

“Participants can conceivably finish a short story or even the first draft of a novel if they do a lot of writing over the summer and they have a strong platform on the writing and publishing processes.”

The Summer School will be presented by the talented Nike Sulway and Naomi Stekelenburg. Nike is an award-winning author of novels and children’s books, and is co-director of Olvar Wood. Naomi has co-authored a children’s book and is currently completing her PhD in English Literature and is also a University of the Sunshine Coast’s creative writing educator.

Nike Sulway said she was excited to be involved again with the wide-variety of writers that participate in the SCLA Summer School.

“The workshops are a great way to meet other writers, develop skills for writing and get on-the-spot feedback and answers to your questions,” Nike said.

“The program gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge with a select group of writers, and give them lots of hints and tips about how to fine tune their stories,” she said.

The classes will be held in Lecture Theatre 6 at USC and opening at 5.45pm for a prompt 6.00pm start and concluding at 8.30pm each of the four nights.   Session one will focus on inspiration and ideas before moving on to Development in session two including focusing on the narrative and starting your story.  Session three will cover all aspects of editing and formatting and session four will cover the different publishing options.

Tickets must be pre-purchased and are available only as a block for $150 for current SCLA members and $180 for other guests. SCLA Membership can be purchased for $35 or $25 for concessions and will qualify you for the discounted pricing. Positions are limited, so make sure you book your seat today.

For more information about the program, biographies of our talented presenters or to book your seat for the Summer School, please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the SCLA website – www.scliterary.org or call 5450 2691.