“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”
Edmund Hillary

Next month I am off on what will be one of the biggest life changing experiences I may ever have!  

I’m hoping to completely overhaul my mind, the way I see life and business, develop my creativity, create new opportunities and contacts plus become even more passionate about all aspects of my business, my clients businesses and the importance of a balanced life style. 

I am now appealing to my valued clients for support and sponsorship of my huge task being the climb to Base Camp Mt Everest, a 21 day hike in what I would consider quite exceptionally different conditions to what I am accustomed to. 

If you would like to sponsor my trek any support would be most graciously appreciated …. Please click here for more interesting information about the trek and see how you can help and promote your business.

Gokyo Lakes Associate Sponsors

$ 250 – $ 900 (to date)

       www.jobsmart.net.au                      www.accountingnorth.com.au
          more info here                                         more info here

Now you know why I have been doing so much walking of late!

Wild Horse Mountain lookout track (123m) – 1.4km return (Allow 1 hour) Class 3
The lookout is in Beerburrum State Forest, east of the Bruce Highway. Turn off at the Mobil Service Station and drive along Johnston Rd to the lookout. Named after the brumbies (wild horses) that once lived there, Wild Horse Mountain offers a paved track to the lookout from the carpark. Enjoy 360-degree views of Pumicestone Passage, coastal plains, the Glass House Mountains and forestry plantations from the sheltered fire tower platform.

The following day I climbed Cooroora Mountain at Pomona again. This is a fun but hard climb, you feel like you have had a great workout afterwards! This time is wasn’t poring rain … (bottom 6 photos)

This popular mountain walk that rises to 439m is a steep and difficult. Every July the Pomona King of the Mountain challenge takes place and the record is about 20 minutes to the top and back. Allow two hours and that will still be some effort on this steep climb with some loose stones.

I came in 3mins under my projected time which surprised me as there were a few long hills and the heat was extraordinary! The temperature in Bundaberg on Sunday was 26.6°C during the day and we were running in the direct sun, no shade nor not much breeze for my 1:27min run. This heat is quite unusual for the middle of winter!

The race was very popular with over 2,000 entrants and was extremely well run and organised. Thank you to all the sponsors (myself included) organisers and volunteers! Especially Neil and Anita! Can’t wait for next years!

This event is organised by cane2coral incorporated with the help and support of many volunteers and sponsors to raise money and awareness for ‘The QLD Cancer Council’ and ‘Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club.

The first hour was spent crossing the mud flats at Gatakers and Eli Creek. The waterproof boots had to be removed here as the water was up past the top to our shins. Thongs were also needed for the crustaceans on the sea bed.

We had another water crossing a couple of hours into the walk and ran through this one which was about 10cm deep and our hiking boots kept our feet perfectly dry!

After four hours we finally reached Goody’s Restaurant; it was like a mirage on the horizon. Emma & I enjoyed a couple of beers and a good laugh before being picked up by a friend from Hervey Bay!

This walk is a must do and on low tide only! I can’t wait to do it again!

When walking on the sand I said to my friend, “Holy Cr#p check out the size of that dogs paw print!!” who was then kind enough to point out to me it was actually a kangaroo foot print …

We made it to the summit of Gataker’s Bay hill which would be approximately 20m above sea level! (For experienced climbers only ha ha lol)

The train departed Gympie Station for Dagun at 8.00 am with the first 300 runners and the race back to the station began at 9.30am.
There was just over 400 runners in total.
The first runners crossed the finish line shortly after 10.30 am.

We were told the course was a little hilly but I think that was the biggest understatement of the year. The whole course was nonstop HILLS OMG!!!

What a fantastic challenge. We all had an awesome time with some very fast run times!

The countryside was beautiful with some trail running also on the course.

We enjoyed a lovely BBQ in the park afterwards before coming home.

All our local Police will be attending the event plus more are coming from surrounding areas and Brisbane including a riot squad … who covers this cost?? The Tax Payer?

Gee Anne how RESPONSIBLE!!!
 “It is good news from an operational point of view… this ensures publicans are able to serve as fast as they can.”

Is this the only event in Australia that is still allowed to sell full strength alcohol?

MID-STRENGTH alcohol restrictions and mandatory water breaks no longer apply to this year’s World’s Greatest Pub Fest…. Liquor Licensing when it decided on Friday not to impose alcohol restrictions to Maryborough’s world-renowned event….. “It is good news from an operational point of view… this ensures publicans are able to serve as fast as they can.” pub fest committee chair and Fraser Coast councillor Anne Nioa said. Read more here.

I tend to agree with Father Kelly, the local Maryborough Catholic Priest on this one:

“I am not getting at the pubs but after observing part of the pub crawl last year I truly fear for the safety of people…..The change of name and various additions over the years, such as more water, suggestions of lower strength alcohol, a charitable ‘cause’, etc, really are just trying to minimise the basic nature of the thing as a pub crawl, with all its negative connotations……This community does not need what is really still a pub crawl in spite of the council dressing it up as a festival and adding charities and church water stations.”

… Father Kelly’s full article here

What I do support is the  Wide Bay Sexual Assault Association and the remarkable work the councillors do in putting lives back together due to the abuse and adverse effects of alcohol. 
I think the Fraser Coast Council should more appropriately use tax payer funds for a free website for the Wide Bay Sexual Assault Association so that those who are abused mentally, physically or sexually by alcohol related incidents can seek help and know there is support and recovery systems within our community and know what to do if they become a victim.

Wide Bay Sexual Assault Support Services are getting the message out there this weekend with the use of their display stand created by Design House – “Drink Spike Alert ahead of Pub Crawl!”

IT CAN happen in an instant but lead to a lifetime of pain.

Drink-spiking is common and women attending the World’s Greatest Pub Fest on Sunday are urged to beware and take care so the crawl remains a safe and happy experience.

Counsellors from the Wide Bay Sexual Assault Support Service visited every participating crawl pub this week to distribute coasters, brochures and wrist bands warning of the dangers and advising people how to stay safe. … click here to learn more (image & info from The Fraser Coast Chronicle).

What to do if you think your drink has been spiked.
It is important to tell someone you can trust, a friend, security staff, the police and go to a doctor or hospital. Your doctor or a medical practitioner can test for the presence of traces of certain drugs through urine or blood tests within 24 hours.

Report the Crime 000 – Seek Medical HELP!
Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline  1800 010 120
Wide Bay Sexual Assault Service   07 4121 5999

The Fraser Island Challenge is a fun walk / run across picturesque World Heritage listed Fraser Island QLD in One Day to raise Money in the name of Australian Cancer Charities.

Unique in that participants can choose their cancer related charity to raise donations for AND it is the first event of it’s size run in a QLD National Park.

From the beautiful Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village to the beach front resort at Eurong 100 competitors follow a course on established tracks (25km) with an extension option for elite competitors around the lake Wabby circuit (total 50km)…. Click here to find out more or register in the event.

Competitors in this event independently raise funds for their preferred Cancer Charity using a custom donation tracker on the event web site, with 100% of donations going directly to the selected charity

Please show your support and sponsor me …

proceeds go to the Queensland Cancer Council.

Saturday after picking my friend Emma up from the airport we decided on an impromptu climb up Mt Coolum. The sign says experienced climbers only – 2hr return, well we must be elite athletes to do it in 40mins in our thongs! In hindsight we probably shouldn’t have risked an injury before our big run on Sunday morning.

We did it! Our first ever official half marathon, 21km without stopping!

We had a gorgeous day, leaving from Lions Park at Hastings St to Tewantin and back then a repeat of this.  Race map here.
Emma came in just under 2hrs and I was just over. Official time; Jeanette & Emma.
It was great to see the variety in ages, sizes and fitness levels all trying their hardest and encouraging each other on. This year our name was on our race number so spectators were cheering our names out loud as we ran past.
We burnt 1300 calories each during the run.