1. education
2. school

u
12th November, 2014
Dear Parents/Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends of St Thomas’,
Our St Thomas’ School is supported by two effective parent groups – the School
Board and the Parents and Friends Association. Monday evening saw the AGM
of our P&F and this provided us with an opportunity to thank all those wonderful
parents who have supported the P&F and thus the school during this year and in
particular those who have held positions on the P&F Executive.
Our thanks to Siobhan Carroll – President for the past 2 years and Melinda Covill
– Vice President, Kyle-Ann Walsh – Treasurer and Amanda Hawes – Secretary,
for their wonderful work, commitment and support during 2014. What a
privilege it was to congratulate our 2014 P&F Executive, committee members
and convenors and welcome those stepping into the roles for 2015. Our St
Thomas’ community thanks you.
Congratulations to the 2015 Committee on their election.
President: Richard Armitage
Vice-President: Allannah Traill
Secretary: Lisa Moroney
Asst. Secretary: Amanda Hawes
Treasurer: Jo Lindsay
Asst. Treasurer: Tracy Cox
Communications: Kirsty Catalano and Caitie Duncan
Events: Loretta Jordan-Vieira
Sponsorship: Monica Phillips
It is your willingness and generosity which ensures St Thomas’ is a vibrant and
active school community.
Those involved on the School Board also deserve our thanks for their
commitment and support of St Thomas’. We, as a school community are very
blessed with the generosity of spirit of many within our community and we thank
God for such blessings.
Newsletter 34
Coming Events
November
13 Volunteer
Induction 8:40am
(Last of the year)
14 Public Holiday G20
24 Prayer Service
Thank you to our
Volunteers led by
Year 4 students
8:30am Noble Tree
Centre Hall
28 Summer
Celebration 6pm
followed by end of
year BBQ
December
3 Graduation
5 End of school year
12noon
January 2015
Wednesday 28
Term 1 commences
Tonight is the final School Board meeting for this 2014 school year. My thanks to our Board Chair –
Louise Power and all Board members: Fr. Peter Casey, Elizabeth Jones, Penney Taylor, Louise Power,
Amanda Yeates, Madonna King, Brendan McLearie, Di Ames and Noel Covill for their wonderful efforts
and support for all we try to achieve here at St Thomas’.
We especially thank Madonna King who steps down from the Board at the end of this year. Madonna
has been a most valued member and offered support through her wisdom, expertise and by challenging
our ideas. Our St Thomas’ community thanks you.
As the end of the year quickly approaches, many end of year activities are on the agenda, including year
level excursions. On Tuesday our Preps will visit Twelfth Night Theatre to enjoy a live theatrical
production, followed on Friday, 21st November by a trip to Dreamworld for our Year 6 and 7 Leaders
whilst the Year 5s will enjoy a day at the Chermside Aquatic Centre.
Included with today’s Thomatalk you will find our review of the 2014 year. In March this year you will
have received our St. Thomas’ School Renewal Plan Goals for 2014 and today’s report lists some of the
achievements towards attaining those goals. Brisbane Catholic Education’s 5 year Strategic Renewal
Framework, upon which we have based our goal setting, the framework for Catholic Schooling in the
Archdiocese of Brisbane and forms our priorities for the 2012-16 period. Be sure to take time to read
the published achievements document to celebrate our school’s continuing journey.
Preparations for 2015 are well under way with enrolments for Years 1-6 still occurring regularly. To
enable families the opportunity to prepare for the 2015 school year our uniform shop has been opening
for additional hours. We are very grateful to Paula Lisignoli who singlehandedly runs the uniform shop
and gives up much of her own time to ensure all families have an opportunity to visit the shop during
this busy time. Many thanks Paula.
Though we still have 3½ weeks of this 2014 school year remaining filled with work to complete,
activities, concerts etc. our focus is also on the 2015 school year. Staffing is yet to be finalised but the
class teachers are meeting with Ros Kelly, our Learning Support Teacher, on class placements for 2015.
Reflective of year level numbers the following classes will be in place during 2015:
Prep
Year
Year
Year
Blue, Prep White
1 Blue, Year 1 White
2 Blue, Year 2 White
3 Blue, Year 3 White
Year
Year
Year
Year
4 Blue, Year 4 White
5 Blue
5/6 White
6 Blue
Once again this year all students will get together in their 2015 class groups and teacher during the final
week of term.
During the busyness of this time of the year and in the frantic lead up to Christmas let us not allow
ourselves to become too lost in all the demands.
Every now and then, we all need a little “stop and ponder” moment, just to take stock of how our life is
going along. The following few lines might give us a “ponder” or two on an all too familiar topic:
“We’re too busy it seems
to take time for dreams
or to go for a walk in the sun.
Too busy today, no time for play
too busy just getting things done.
Too busy to watch the children play
we don’t hear half the things they say.
Will our hearts be filled with misgivings,
when we learn we’ve been
too busy for living?”
Adapted. Too Busy. Hilda
It is true that the more we expect of life the busier it becomes and the more complicated and cluttered
it gets. Inevitably, this leads to less time we have available to appreciate the good things we have in life.
Confucius definitely had it right when he said, “Life is really simple, but we insist in making it
complicated.”
How much of our business and life-clutter is brought about by our being caught up in the consumer
culture that focuses on making money and then spending it on what we think we need. What were once
considered to be luxuries are now seen as necessities and, as we scramble to maintain and pay for all
these new “necessities”, we might ponder the words of the Monk, Thomas Merton, who in 1968 said
that, “Rather than be dazzled by all the new gadgets offered in each year’s new automobiles, we might
do better to ask how we had come to build a society in which we are so dependent on cars in the first
place.”
When St James wrote his letter to the new Christians in about 50 A.D., his words were directed towards
practical wisdom and guidance for Christian attitudes and conduct and contained the following, “…..
those who avidly pursue riches will disappear like a flower in the field, in the midst of a busy life, they
will wither away.”
There is a danger that family life can be affected, for at the end of a busy day each family member is
both tired and overstimulated; each person is seeking love in the family as well as healing and emotional
nourishment. All too often weariness, frustration and irritation boil to the surface and family
conversation can become bitter and sharp instead of gentle and kind. It’s a true case of not being able
to give what we do not have, even when it is our loved ones who are in need of our giving.
When we look at the Gospels that tell of Jesus’ life, it does appear that he was a very busy person.
However, Jesus was also a person who celebrated life with enthusiasm from the beginning of his public
life at the marriage feast at Cana to after his Resurrection, when some of the Apostles came ashore
after fishing all night and found Jesus cooking breakfast for them.
Our “wants” and “desires” can cause our life to rush past us. Probably, we all need to spend time on
ourselves to ensure our physical and spiritual welfare and so that:
“…. Our hearts will not be filled with misgivings, and we’ve not been too busy for living.” Adapted version
God’s blessings.
Lorraine Walker
R.E. NEWS
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal
On Monday morning the Christmas Hamper Appeal was launched. The food collected is distributed to
those in need in this area – and the need has not lessened in 2014 – so please give generously. Vinnies
would like Christmassy food and food to make a meal for Christmas day. Here are some suggestions:
tins of fruit/vegetables, biscuits, jellies, long-life custards, anything tinned, bottled or packaged that is
festive – think what you would like to eat at Christmas. There will be boxes in the classrooms –
hopefully every class can fill a couple or four! Start shopping this week and a token basket will be
presented at our last day liturgy on Friday 4th December – 25 sleeps away. Thank you.
APRE
This Friday we will not be where we usually are: some may be up the coast, down the coast, on the bay
or just relaxing in the backyard. Some very powerful people (and lots of others around them) won’t be
relaxing at all. I am not sure what will come out of this event but I think a prayer for good decision
making is in order – as well as for peace in our troubled world.
Dear God,
Let us pray for wisdom. May there be time to pause from thinking and let the minds empty, stop the
noise and in the silence listen to the heart. May these leaders then mend this outer world according to
the truth of their life and may their souls be shaped and nourished by nature’s eternal wisdom. Amen.
Elizabeth Jones, APRE
2014 School Fee Finalisation
Please note that Term 4 school fees were due on 31st October. In order to finalise our end of year
financials in preparation for rollover to 2015 your cooperation is sought to have all outstanding school
fee accounts settled as soon as possible. Please contact me at the office if you need to discuss any
matter relating to school fees.
Robyn Weston, Finance Secretary
Music News
Strings Concert 20th November
All strings students are performing in our end of year concert. Details are:
Date: Thursday 20th November
Venue: Noble Tree Centre
Time: Arrive at 6.45pm to tune up. Concert starts at 7.00pm.
Dress: Free dress
All welcome, especially any students wanting to start strings next year.
Catherine Hertle
P&F News
SAVE THE DATE: Friday 28 November is the event of the year! The School Concert (Summer
Celebration) followed by the End of Year BBQ! The concert will run from 6pm - 6.30pm followed by the
BBQ. This year Carindale Rotary will be cooking up sausages, steak sandwiches and veggie burgers,
(veggies please email me so I can get numbers)! There will be pizza, soft drinks, snow cones and a fully
stocked bar. There will also be loads of glow toys for the children so please join us to celebrate what has
been a terrific year.
We are always looking for helpers on the night (bar, drinks, pizzas, set up etc.) so please email Loretta
([email protected]) if you can assist for half an hour or so. We are also looking for a soft drinks
convenor (very easy job as all the work is already done but we do need someone to manage things on
the night).
Big thanks go out to Mel and Arj from the Pig & Whistle for the wine donation, Donna Leahy and our
fantastic convenors who always so kindly help us out, Cherie & Miguel Jimenez and Leona & Matt
Pearson!
Scholastic Book Club
Don't forget - Book Club orders (the last one for the year) are due back this Thursday 14th November at
3pm. If there are any special orders that parents would like to collect directly from the office - please
make a note on the order form and include your name and phone number so that you can be contacted.
Karen Wood, Book Club Co-ordinator
Uniform Shop News
All uniforms donated for sale MUST be laundered and ironed. No stained or damaged goods will be
accepted. Second hand hats and shoes are not sold.
EXTRA OPENING HOURS BEFORE 2015 SCHOOL YEAR
Thursday, 13th November 2014
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Tuesday, 18th November 2014
Thursday, 20th November 2014
2:30pm – 3:30pm
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Thursday, 22nd January 2015
8:00am – 10:00am
A reminder to Prep parents about uniform changes for your child in Year 1. Please don’t forget to
remove the yellow hat ribbon and that anklet socks are not worn with our day uniform.
Graduation Bear and Ball
Order forms for these items are available at the school office or the Uniform Shop. Orders close on
Friday, 21st November.
Paula Lisignoli, Uniform Shop Convenor
Tuckshop Rosters
Tuckshop Roster for Thursday, 13th November Richard Armitage, Kate Miles, Kathy Pentland,
Kathy Ralston, Nicole Wood.
Home Bake Roster for Thursday, 13th November Amanda Hawes, Cathy Drummond, Helen
Vickers, Julie Saunders, Kate Miles, Leah Coogans, Nicole Wood.
Tuckshop Roster for Monday, 17th November Beth Bailey, Caitlin Duncan, Gina Shelley, Leah
Coogans, Loretta Jordan-Vieira, Vicki Rossi.
Home Bake Roster for Monday, 17th November Ange Glancy, Beth Reid, Denise Smith, Jo
Genders, Kyle Walsh, Monica Phillips, Su-en Martin.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those who have celebrated recently especially Bess Gosling, Max
Gosling, Cooper Frangi, Katie Prove, Sarah Dove, Nick Greaves, Millie Price, Annie
Shirley, Charlie Thomas, Xavier Webb, Gabrielle Cain, and celebrating today Thomas
Kennedy. Hope your day was great.
Library News
This is the last week for library borrowing for 2014. All books to be returned to the school library by
tomorrow, Thursday, 13th November please.
Mrs Stewart, Mrs Irwin, Mrs Henricks
Sports News
LIVE YOUR LIFE TODAY!!!
Tennis
A number of our students are participating in the Pure Tennis primary school tennis challenge on
Sundays from 11.00am to 12.30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn to play in a slightly competitive
environment at a very reasonable cost. There are still places left for the next few weeks if you have not
been able to make the last few weeks.
HPE Lessons
I have been concentrating on the basic skills and game play strategies for use in tennis. The students
are showing improvements in their hand-eye co-ordination with both ball play and with the use of
racquets. We have many talented players at St Thomas’.
Swimming Lessons have commenced for Year 3. Could parents please ensure that your child has all
necessary items for these classes-swim cap, towel, swimmers and sun-shirt. This is a good time to
ensure that your child is water-safe and capable of saving themselves in a deep water situation.
Beep Test Last week students in Years 4,5,6 and 7 performed a modified beep test to determine the
student’s cardio-vascular fitness . Many of our students are of an average or above fitness level.
Summer holidays are a great opportunity to improve on basic cardio fitness by enjoying the inherent
values of swimming, cycling, running and walking for a few fitness activities.
Janet McAfee, HPE Teacher.
Road Safety
As a community, we have worked diligently to eliminate unsafe traffic practices around our school that
endanger the lives of our children. It appears some families are unaware of these practices and
therefore I feel it is timely to be reminded again, so that we can all continue to be vigilant.
These dangerous traffic practices include:
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Exceeding the speed limit in the vicinity of the school.
Cars lining up at the pick-up point before 3:00pm when the children are dismissed and therefore
parking dangerously at the corner of Stephen and Joseph Streets.
Parking in the two-minute drop-off/pick-up zones and leaving the car to collect children.
Ignoring directions from the crossing supervisor.
Parking/stopping to collect children in the bus and crossing zones in Perth Street.
Neglecting to use the crossings provided in both Stephen and Perth Streets.
Ignoring street signage and traffic markings.
We are all aware that traffic and children do not mix, but the risk to our children can be eliminated if
parents/caregivers:
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Refrain from engaging in these illegal and unsafe practices.
Are considerate of others and put all children’s safety before a little bit of inconvenience or effort.
Park in the numerous side streets around the school and walk 50 metres (or less) to collect their
children.
Arrive after 3:05pm to collect children when much of the traffic has dispersed.
Pick Up Zones
Please be aware that children are only to exit and enter the first two/three cars in the line. If the child
you are collecting is not ready, please do not stay at the top of the line and impede the flow, instead do
a lap and join the back of the queue again.
I would ask that all in our community commit/re-commit themselves to the above. The safety of our
children must always be paramount!
Thank you
A big thank you, to you, the wonderful people of St Thomas Parish and School for your support for the
Melbourne Cup Fundraiser for the Good Samaritan Foundation. The day was a great success. Special
thanks to all who joined in on the day, those who bought and sold raffle tickets, those who donated
vouchers and hampers. Special thanks to you all for supporting us so generously with the raffle.
The winners of the raffle were 1st Prize $500.00 Pat Lindsay, Bulimba. 2nd Prize $300.00 Ann Wendt,
Bulimba. 3rd Prize $200.00 Alma Thompson, Charters Towers 4th Prize Framed painting “Poppies Aglow”
Evelyn Neave, Camp Hill.
Blessings in abundance to you all.
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Camp Hill Bowls Club
helloworld Capalaba
Ray White Morningside
Xennox Diamonds
Mary Randle sgs and all the Good Sam Sisters.
07
07
07
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3398
3245
3638
3210
1297 www.camphillbowls.com
4377 [email protected]
4700
6288 www.xennoxdiamonds.com.au
10 Stephen Street
Camp Hill, Qld 4152
Email: [email protected]
Please support the wonderful sponsors that support our school!
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Camp Hill Bowls Club
helloworld Capalaba
Ray White Morningside
Xennox Diamonds
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AJ Crossfit and Personal Training
Carina Leagues Club
Fruition Tuition - Camp Hill
Highly Strung
Imago Photography
Langlands Park Memorial Pool
Libertine Perfumerie
Mama's Home
McPherson Plant Hire
Miss Cocoa
Party Time Amusements
Ray White Stones Corner
Vivid Photography
0423 176 808
(07) 3843 9200
(07) 3843 0080
[email protected]
(07) 3395 5800
(07) 3397 7436
(07) 3216 0122
(07) 3357 3333
(07) 3843 4147
(07) 3868 4488
(07) 5543 6328
(07) 3394 2338
(07) 3391 7999
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Aaron Dillaway MP
ADG Engineers (Aust) Pty Ltd
Bakers Delight Camp Hill
Brisbane Marriott Hotel
Bryan Byrt Volkswagen
Cineplex Australia
CocoBelle hair studio
Crusty Devil Bakehouse Pty Ltd
Domino's Pizza Carindale
Frances Suter Photography
Goodlife Health Club Holland Park
Granada Café Tapas Bar
Harvey Norman - Carindale
Ithaca Ice Works
John Pearcy Audiology
Katrina Christ Photographer
McGuires' Hotels
Olli Skin
Pig ‘n’ Whistle
Renaissance Retirement Living
Councillor Shayne Sutton
Southern Cross Protection
(07) 3399 9492
(07) 3300 8844
(07) 3324 9485
(07) 3303 8000
0418 886 777
(07) 3899 3450
(07) 3161 5331
(07) 3890 1018
(07) 3109 2099
(07) 3899 0107
(07) 3849 9700
(07) 3844 4757
(07) 3398 0600
(07) 3348 7855
(07) 3398 8862
(07) 3891 5885
(07) 33998222
(07) 3395 1088
(07) 3832 9099
(07) 3820 7700
(07) 3407 8200
1300 136 102
(07) 3398 1297
(07) 3245 4377
(07) 3638 4700
(07) 3210 6288
www.camphillbowls.com
[email protected]
www.xennoxdiamonds.com.au
www.ajcrossfit.com
www.carinaleaguesclub.com.au
www.tutorfruition.com.au/camphill
www.facebook.com/HighlyStrungAUS
imagophotography.com.au
www.langlandspool.com.au
www.libertineparfumerie.com.au
www.mamashome.com.au
www.mcphersonplanthire.com.au
www.misscocoa.com.au
www.partytimeamusements.com.au
raywhitestonescorner.com.au
www.vividphotography.com.au
www.aarondillaway.com.au
www.adgce.com
www.bakersdelight.com.au
www.marriott.com.au
www.bryanbyrtvw.com.au
www.cineplex.com.au
www.facebook.com/cocobellehair
www.crustydevil.com.au
www.dominos.com.au/store/Qld/carindale/98063
francessuter.com.au
www.goodlifehealthclubs.com.au
www.granadatapasbar.com.au
www.harveynorman.com.au
ithacaice.com.au
johnpearcyaudiology.com.au/jpa/
www.katrinachrist.com.au
www.mcguireshotels.com.au
www.olliskin.com.au
www.pignwhistle.com.au
www.renaissancerl.com.au
www.shaynesutton.com.au
www.sxprotection.com.au
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Style Electrical Pty Ltd
Suncorp
Talentpath
Teenie & Tiny
Treetops Montville
(07) 3343 8017
13 11 55
(07) 3221 7635
(07) 3395 3680
1800 087 330
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[email protected]
(07) 3398 2931
(07) 3265 8111
0413 339 845
(07) 3395 0725
(07) 3324 6200
(07) 3395 8555
(07) 3855 3966
(07) 3398 2107
(07) 3420 6120
(07) 3843 3011
(07) 5588 1111
(07) 3848 4000
(07) 3398 6945
(07) 3847 4106
(07) 3901 6577
(07) 3391 3530
(07) 3398 3153
aaliyahandi.com
basilscoffee.com.au
www.brisent.com.au
bsorted.com.au
(07) 3736 4400
www.jephsonhotel.com.au
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Aaliya and I
Basils Pty Ltd
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
bsorted
Café XS
Carindale Hotel
Carr Automotive
Charlies Fruit Market
Clem Jones Centre
Clout and Turner Travel
Danzart
Dreamworld
Espial Interiors + Gifts
Fluid the Color Salon
Green Earth landscaping Pty Ltd
Happy Cakes by Kylie Mann
Heinz Meats
Idyllic Beauty
Jephson Hotel & Covet Bar and
Restaurant
Learn Music
McDonalds Coorparoo
Morningside Picture Framing
Norman Park Central Newsagency
Officeworks Woolloongabba
Pacific Golf Club
Pizza Capers
Queensland Festival and Events
Shazzle Dazzle Face Painting
Stuart Harland -Place Camp Hill
Studio Pilates International
Tans Taekwondo
The Green Papaya
Village Roadshow Theme Parks
Watermark Plumbing
(07) 3511 7602
(07) 3397 9956
(07) 3899 1088
(07) 3899 9255
(07) 3896 2300
(07) 3343 0888
(07) 3395 2111
0414 714 701
0423 15 9991
(07) 3107 2111
(07) 3899 4555
(07) 3311 1991
(07) 3843 5366
13 33 86
0417 620 502
www.learnmusic.biz
mcdonalds.com.au
www.pro-photography.com.au
www.normanparknews.com.au
www.officeworks.com.au
www.pacificgolf.com.au
www.pizzacapers.com.au
www.qfe.com.au
shazzledazzlefacepainting.jimdo.com
www.eplace.com.au/staffmember.cfm?StaffID=97324
www.studiopilates.com/hawthorne.html
www.tans.com.au
www.greenpapaya.com.au
themeparks.com.au
www.watplumb.net.au
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Adorne Carindale
Australia Zoo
Big W Carindale
Billabong
Birdie and Mia's
Bobbi Belle Style
Carina Meat Supply
Chris' SUPA IGA
Coles
Discount Drug Store Whites Hill
Gardiner Chess
Grill'd Camp Hill
(07) 3843 1499
(07) 5436 2000
(07) 3115 3300
(07) 5589 9899
(07) 3395 4684
(07) 3394 1166
(07) 3398 3903
(07) 3398 1634
(07) 3308 6100
(07) 3398 7725
(07) 5522 7221
(07) 3843 4444
www.styleelectrical.com.au
www.suncorp.com.au
www.talentpath.com.au
www.facebook.com/teenieandtiny
treetopsmontville.com.au
www.carindalehotel.com.au
[email protected]
www.charliesfruitmarket.com.au
www.clemjonescentre.com.au
www.travel-associates.com.au/clout
www.danzart.com.au
www.dreamworld.com.au
www.espial.com.au
www.fluidsalons.com
www.greenearthls.com.au
[email protected]
www.heinzmeats.com.au
www.idyllicbeauty.com.au
www.adorne.com.au
www.australiazoo.com.au
www.bigw.com.au
www.billabong.com
www.facebook.com/BobbiBelleStyle
www.igacarina.com.au
www.coles.com.au
www.discountdrugstores.com.au/stores/Qld/brisbane/whites-hill
www.gardinerchess.com.au
www.grilld.com.au
 Hairdressers of Camp Hill
 HART Sport
 Joanna Gianniotis – Place
Bulimba
 John's Barber Shop
 Laserforce
 Little Grace
 Merlo coffee
 Mookie Designs
 Sirromet
 Stanley Road News
 Styles on Stanley
 Terri Butler - Member for Griffiths
(07) 3398 1099
1300 764 719
[email protected]
www.hartsport.com.au
0433 168 761
eplace.com.au
0413 519 845
(07) 3891 1031
(07) 3395 2125
(07) 3620 4200
(07) 3899 8492
(07) 3206 2999
(07) 3843 2099
(07) 3843 3100
(07) 3899 4031
 The Rabbit Hole
0410 119 341
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(07) 3432 5100
(07) 3168 1034
(07) 3252 0666
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/JohnsBarberShopCampHill
www.laserforce.com.au
www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Grace/120112731438658
merlo.com.au
www.facebook.com/pages/Mooki-design/102048443186319
www.sirromet.com
www.theluckycharm.com.au/store-locations/queensland/carina/
www.stylesonstanley.com.au
www.terributlermp.com
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rabbit-Hole-Cafe-Seven-HillsBrisbane/333328626764712
www.theworkshops.qm.Qld.gov.au
www.unsurpassable.com.au
www.victoriaparkgolfcomplex.com
www.vintagefairy.com.au
The Workshops Rail Museum
Unsurpassable Hair
Victoria Park
Vintage Fairy