But forget the original ‘big’ icon, Coffs Harbour’s ‘Big Banana’ and lesser-known favourite, ‘Big Stubby’ made out of 17,000 bottles in Tewantin, Queensland.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, Australia’s 12-metre tall ‘Big Barometer’ is the largest one in the world, and has somehow managed to escape being mentioned in kitschy ‘Big Things of Australia’ tourist guides.

A view from the base of the Bert Bolle Barometer (Source: http://www.bertbolle.com)

The Big Barometer’s journey to Australia began ten years ago, when writer Bert Bolle and his artist wife Ethne migrated from the Netherlands to Denmark.  (That’s Denmark, the small town at the base of Western Australia more than 13,000 kilometres away, not the nearby European country).

The couple brought with them an unusual piece of luggage: a barometer Bert had designed and built in 1985, that had once stood in the great hall of the Barometer Museum the couple managed back in the Netherlands.

Upon arriving in Australia, the dismantled barometer languished for five years in the Bolles’ attic in Denmark.

It was only in 2004, when the Denmark Council designed a new Visitor Centre and approached Bolle with plans to build a special tower to house the giant barometer that it saw the light of day again.

Bolle donated his barometer to the Shire’s new tower, which later became a free museum on the history of weather instruments.

The barometer’s 9-metre long oak backbone was the first part to be fitted into the tower.  Seven months later, in June 2007, the Denmark Visitor Centre was opened to the public with the completely reassembled Bert Bolle Barometer as its star attraction.

The Barometer is fully functioning, with visitors to the Barometer Tower regularly able to use it to take a reading of the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

Every ten minutes, a vacuum pump fills the barometer with 55 litres of water.  When the water reaches its highest point, the air pressure above the water lowers quickly.  Air bubbles are formed, which cause the water to start ‘cold boiling’ – a scientifically unusual phenomenon in which water boils at only 20 degrees Celsius!

Once all the air has been removed from the pump and the water level settles, visitors can take a proper reading on the register plate on a platform 9.5 metres above the ground.  Those who are unable to climb the hundreds of stairs surrounding the barometer can watch all the action happen on a monitor on the ground level.

For more information on Denmark and the Bert Bolle Barometer, visit http://www.denmark.com.au/

What’s your favourite Big Thing in Australia?  Let us know in the comments, or tweet us your tip @LiveTheDreamMag

Tired of the rat race? Running on empty? Want more space? Want more time for yourself?

Central Western Outback Queensland can offer you a new quality of life. A relaxed pace, great people, security, free open spaces, no traffic jams, a healthy environment and all the services and infrastructure you expect in order to make your life comfortable.

You may think ‘But there’s nothing there!’ However, if you venture out to investigate you’ll be astounded at the opportunities on offer – career, social, cultural, educational, and financial.

Central Western Outback Queensland incorporates seven local governments, covering 22 per cent of the State of Queensland. It is a diverse and dynamic landscape weaving together open grass plains, native bushland, and pristine waterways flowing down to red sand dunes in the south-west corner. It is an ever-changing canvas that can be dry some of the time, but lush just as often.

To many, the most endearing quality of Central Western Outback Queensland is the spirit of the place and the people. It cannot truly be understood until experienced. The minute you walk into life in Central Western Outback Queensland you will feel welcome and at home. Perhaps the region can best be described in terms of the personality traits of its people: a dry sense of humour; a keen sense of fun; welcoming and friendly; genuine, honest, fair and gutsy.

Why, you may ask, would you ever want to live in Central Western Outback Queensland? The 12,400 people who have chosen this area as their home say they love it because of the friendly down-to-earth people, the relaxed lifestyle, the fantastic social life, the wide open spaces topped with that big sky – and it’s a safe place to raise a family.

Strong community spirit and a low crime rate combine to ensure a safe environment and a high quality of life, whether you’re raising a family, single or looking to retire.

Contemplating a career move?

Do you have a perception that career opportunities are limited in small country towns? On the contrary, talent is quickly noticed and nurtured in small communities. Usually you will have the opportunity to gain a far broader and deeper level of experience in professional and trade positions in Central Western Outback Queensland. Many young skilled trade and professional people use the region as a stepping stone. It is renowned as a training ground, and the region is proud of that solid reputation.

Home on the range

How are metropolitan real estate values aff ecting you? If you are trying to buy into the market, the fi nancial and personal stresses are enormous. If you own your property it may be an ideal time to take advantage of the capital gain you can achieve through buying into a cheaper market in Central Western Outback Queensland, retaining profit for a retirement nest egg or further investment.

You may have the perception that the cost of living is higher in the region. In fact, the price of real estate is far less expensive, but still provides excellent value and a good standard of living. Securing a 25-acre block with a rural lifestyle is still a reality in Central Western Outback Queensland.

Housing prices vary across the region from $80,000 to $400,000, with rental accommodation similarly variable. But, most importantly, it is affordable.

Services

You will be surprised by the quality and variety of services available across the region. There are beautiful and unique shops off ering a wide variety of products. While it does not off er the retail experiences of the city, the region off ers all the essentials and more, and most residents would argue that this environment helps with money management and stretching the family budget!

Education

In the region’s larger centres, education is available from pre-school up to Grade 12. In the smaller communities, secondary school students are required to continue their study through the Longreach School of Distance Education or by attending a boarding school.

Students attending small schools are not disadvantaged. On the contrary, the region’s schools are well resourced and often have smaller class sizes, making for a more personalised education.

Health Services

As many of the region’s residents will tell you, the healthy environment, easy access to excellent recreational and sporting facilities, and quality of life enhance opportunities for good health and wellbeing. Hospitals and multi-functional facilities across the region provide a high level of care and are staff ed by experienced health practitioners.

Central Western Outback Queensland has it all, and at a price you can afford.

More information
www.blackall.qld.gov.au
www.tambo.qld.gov.au
www.longreach.qld.gov.au
www.barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au
www.barcoo.qld.gov.au
www.winton.qld.gov.au
www.diamantina.qld.gov.au
www.boulia.qld.gov.au
www.rapad.com.au

I knew I wanted to move to Eumundi when…my husband Trent and I sat in a cafe overlooking the bustling Eumundi markets. We both had the realisation that we could make this Queensland town (with its big, wide main street, majestic fi g trees, art galleries and restaurants, and truly incredible markets) our home. After soaking up more of the market vibe, we strolled past a real estate agent’s window and spied a quaint little original Queenslander worker’s cottage for sale. It called out to us. That was 1999. It’s well and truly our home town now.

The biggest shock to the system was… getting used to the hoards of tourists that invaded our sleepy-ish town every Saturday and Wednesday for the markets. It was a shock, but a good shock. People really do travel from far and wide to visit our picturesque little town – Eumundi is famous for its markets (oh, and for the fact that both Pat Rafter and Kevin Rudd went to school here). Realising what a lively market community it really was, I joined the market scene myself eight years ago.

One thing I’ve learned from the locals is… that beers aren’t ordered in schooners and middys. In Queensland, they’re pots – important local info to know in a town with two great old Queensland-style pubs: The Imperial Hotel and Joe’s Waterhole.

An average day for me involves… walking into town to take our kids to school, a coffee with a pal at one of our many fabulous cafes (we are spoilt: Treefellas, Café Berkelouw, Food@ Eumundi to name a few), some work in my studio to make stock for the markets, and invariably an after-school play in the park, swim at the Eumundi Aquatic Centre or a quick drive to Noosa for a splash in the ocean.

One surprising thing about life in a town with a population of less than 1,000(ish) is… that we have no supermarket, although funnily enough we all seem to get by just fine without one. We have a great little general store (known as BP Bobs, because Bob also sells petrol), two bakeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, an organic fruit and vegie shop, a newsagent and the pubs – not to mention the many cafes and restaurants and various other retailers, nor the markets. And supermarkets aren’t that far away; it’s not even a 10 minute drive to nearby Cooroy and only a smidge more than that to Noosa.

It makes me sad when I see (in Eumundi)… the onset of development, with new housing estates on the edge of town. I guess it’s inevitable, but I just hope the historic charm and authenticity of the town remains for years to come.

If you come here to visit you can’t to miss… a meal at Modern Primitive Restaurant – in the Old Bakery building on Memorial Drive. Chef Steve and his wife Jo create works of art for the tastebuds. They use organic and free range produce, all sourced locally, and the menu changes from week to week.

The Berkelouw Book Barn in Eumundi (a wonderful world of books new and old) is also a must see for book buff s. It’s also right in the heart of town on Memorial Drive.

And if you’re on the Sunshine Coast in September, visit Eumundi for the Australian Body Art Carnivale (weekend of September 12 in 2009).

Something that deeply affected me in our new life was… the realisation of the importance of community. Trent and I wish we had extended family close by, but it’s not to be (we’re not…

For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.

Independent retirement living does not require you to live abandoned and alone in suburbia. You can live in a secure environment and retain your independence. Retirement villages are designed to enable retirees to make the most of their independence and time and are worth keeping in mind.

What do you look for?

Security can include personal protection and freedom, property protection, response in an emergency, and confi dence in the fi nancial and management capacity of the operator of your chosen complex.

Living standards are very much dependent upon affordability. However, your living accommodation should provide a level of quality and comfort that is good value for money. Pride and contentment will result from having a home in which you feel happy to live.

Privacy and independence are important to everyone. Few people like to feel they cannot make decisions or care for themselves. Look for features that ensure you can control your privacy and independence.

Activities and facilities available at retirement villages vary. They may focus on care and health, or may be geared to recreation and lifestyle activities. The place that suits you best will have features that match your interests and needs.

Proximity to services can make such a diff erence to everyday living. Think ahead and don’t overlook your reliance on shopping, medical, transport and professional services. Satisfy yourself that where you live has good access to the services you need now and in the future.

for more information:

www.renaissancerl.com.au

p: 07 3820 7700

The C Change Bureau, or Country Change, is an initiative of the Riverina Regional Development Board, which is supported by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and 19 Councils in the Riverina and Murray regions of NSW.

The project addresses the skills shortages currently facing regional and rural communities in the southern and central regions of NSW and aims to promote the benefi ts of lifestyle and employment opportunities.

The Riverina and Murray region, located in south western NSW, stretches from the scenic foothills of the Snowy Mountains to the tranquility of the wide, western plains. It includes gateways to the NSW snowfi elds, takes in the prosperous and diverse agricultural region of the Murrumbidgee and Murray Irrigation Areas and borders a natural wonderland that still bears the traces of ancient origins.

The region is a showcase of spectacular scenery, gourmet food and wine, historic landmarks and museums, arts and crafts, adventure and sports and legendary country hospitality. It is easily accessible by major highways from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Canberra and is well serviced by air, coach and rail services.

Living and working in country NSW off ers many lifestyle benefi ts: more time to spend with family and friends, a healthier lifestyle, fresh air, space, engagement with the community, and a much more manageable work-life balance.

The current skills shortage means that there are great jobs on off er to go with the great lifestyle.

We know many people have never visited regional NSW to fully appreciate the wonderful lifestyle enjoyed by the several hundreds of thousands of people living and working in the Riverina and Murray in particular. These two connected regions are leading NSW in population growth statistics and many of the region’s industries are growing and developing at a strong rate, increasing demand for skilled workers.

The C Change Bureau exists to provide a port of call for information about the occupations in demand in the region, together with the wonderful lifestyle and friendly atmosphere found everywhere from Tumut to Tumbarumba in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains to Hay and the South Western plains; from the tree lined streets of the university City of Wagga Wagga, the oasis of Leeton and Griffi th and the cross-border cities of Albury- Wodonga and the many towns in between.

See the change, live the difference. Get a life… a country life! For more information about the C Change Bureau, visit: www.cchange.org.au

Move to the rhythms of the river, enjoy the abundant local produce, experience the cosmopolitan surroundings, soak up the sun and explore the opportunities… Mildura has it all.

At the heart of Australia’s most important river system, at the junction of major highways and transport corridors and boasting a sunny, Mediterranean climate, the Mildura region is a rapidly growing regional centre with something for everyone.

The region boasts a range of medical specialties, excellent recreation infrastructure, sporting grounds, tertiary education providers, services and friendly people that make it a great place to live. Victoria’s busiest regional airport, an hour’s fl ight from Melbourne and Adelaide, makes the region easily accessible.

If it’s leisure you seek, the region is renowned for its produce, events and festivals and hospitality. Why not enjoy the unique experience of hiring a houseboat on the river, or check out the restaurants, wineries and farms on which the region’s reputation for culinary excellence is founded. Or simply unwind on the banks of the Murray and watch the world go by.

Mildura’s surrounds are a picturesque carpet of vines and orchards, building on the region’s cosmopolitan feel and appeal. The region’s spectacular Mallee national parks are a must for lovers of the great outdoors and the region’s sunsets are a renowned aspect of the scenery.

The region’s commercial and industrial sectors continue to grow rapidly with new land releases, infrastructure projects such as the Mildura Marina, the world’s largest photovoltaic solar power station, the development of excellent conferencing facilities for business, more affordable property prices and the rapid diversification of the region’s economy all playing a part.

A comprehensive program of sporting, arts and culture, community and showcase events makes Mildura arguably Australia’s inland events capital. From cycling to jazz, country music to classical, cricket to performing arts, the Master’s Games to street parties – not to mention Ouyen’s famous Vanilla Slice Triumph – there’s something happening all year around!

Discover Mildura – the ideal place to live, work, visit, invest and grow.

for more information:

www.visitmildura.com.au

www.milduraregion.com.au

www.milduraevents.com.au

Replace the city vistas of concrete, traffic and pollution with scenery made up of colourful fishing and boating villages, turquoise lakes and rivers, high-country grandeur, isolated beaches of pure white sand, rugged coastal outcrops, and friendly faces.

In East Gippsland, commuting to work is a pleasant five minute drive, kids still safely ride their bikes to school, and neighbours know each other.

Located in the eastern corner of Victoria, the region is known for its remarkable diversity and mild climate. It has Australia’s largest inland water system, a clean, green rural environment and a prosperous business and commercial heart. The workforce is stable and jobs are plentiful, with professional opportunities in a range of industries, including: retail trade; health and community services; manufacturing; agriculture; education; forestry; hospitality; fishing; construction; and tourism.

East Gippsland’s climate and environment are also very appealing. Coastal areas provide a Mediterranean-like climate of warm summers and mild winters, whereas the ‘High Country’ has a more alpine climate.

Whether you are looking for the peace and quiet of a country home, or the buzz of a provincial town or village, East Gippsland provides a delightful mix of both. Importantly in these times of global economic uncertainty, the cost of living is lower too. Housing prices are considerably lower than metropolitan areas, yet also off er a secure investment.

East Gippsland communities have access to excellent infrastructure, services and facilities, enabling residents to enjoy a great lifestyle while not feeling deprived of the trappings of modern living including access to excellent educational, health, retail and personal services. Access to modern communications technology, coupled with great road and rail transport links, means there is little chance of feeling isolated.

East Gippsland caters for every water-based activity imaginable, plus snow skiing and an array of nature-based and outdoor activities, not to mention the tantalising food, wine and cultural experiences. Where else can you water ski in the morning and snow ski in the afternoon, stopping to enjoy a lunch of delicious local produce en-route?

East Gippsland’s population of 40,000 is mostly concentrated around the Bairnsdale and Gippsland Lakes areas. Smaller communities are found in the High Country and along the Great Alpine Road, where historic Omeo is the central hub. Other small communities line the Sydney- Melbourne coastal drive – with idyllic Mallacoota at the eastern corner of the region being an ideal lifestyle option. With the region covering about 21,000 square kilometres (10% of Victoria), there is plenty of room to spread your wings.

The region is ideally situated between Melbourne and Sydney, and is well within reach of Canberra. The strong sense of community and array of support networks found in the towns, villages and hamlets throughout East Gippsland will ensure you are settled in no time.

The outstanding natural assets of East Gippsland, coupled with the broad array of activities on off er, draw around 1.1 million visitors annually, with many of these falling in love with the place and later returning as new residents.

To find out more about why there is an increasing influx of new residents seeking a naturally magic lifestyle and new business opportunities, visit www.discovereastgippsland.com.au or call 1800 637 060 and request an information package.

As a 15-year old, Peter Meyer’s imagination was captured by Out of Africa, the Hollywood adaptation of Karen Blixen’s tale of colonial Kenya. In particular, he was inspired by the portrayal of the safari-leading big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton. It may seem like a rather tenuous connection to draw, but Meyer couldn’t help thinking of Hatton when he set out on his own real life adventure in 1996, swapping life in Brisbane for a job as an eco-ranger at the Kingfi sher Bay Resort on Queensland’s worldheritage- listed Fraser Island.

Having graduated from Griffi th University in 1995 with degrees in ecology and biochemistry, Peter had until then been a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. He helped out with his father’s engineering business, worked at a delicatessen and also dabbled in roof installation. Nothing felt quite right. But when somebody told him about the work of the eco-rangers at Kingfi sher Bay, something clicked. “Straight away I thought ‘that’s what I want to do’,” Peter recalls. “I didn’t actually realise there were jobs like that in the world. I liked the idea of teaching people about the environment and I felt that this was certainly the best way I could do it.”

While his initial overtures to the rangers department were fruitless, persistence paid off . By the start of 1996, a part-time opportunity allowed Peter to work his way into a full-time role. His life on Fraser Island involved escorting visitors on guided tours showcasing the Island’s beauty. With about 1,500 kilometres of….

For full story the magazine can be purchased from newsagents.

For more about Peter Meyer’s photography, visit: www.livinggallery.com.au

www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au

One of the best indicators of a strong community is the desire of those who grew up there to return to raise their own families. Recent trends show that this is indeed true of Burnie, located on Tasmania’s north west coast. Burnie has a reputation as a place for growing a safe, healthy and happy family.

Infamous in the 1980s as ‘Australia’s Dirtiest City’, Burnie is now reinventing itself as a city by the sea, embracing a northfacing waterfront and beaches as well as its green and fertile hinterland. This resulted in the city being a national finalist for the Australian Sustainable Cities Award.

Burnie boasts a backyard containing Cradle Mountain, Tasmania’s wild West Coast and the Tarkine wilderness. Tasmania has a reputation for being clean and green, and the North West region is also considered by some to be the food basket of Australia.

As a regional service hub, Burnie is home to the region’s base hospital, as well as a campus of the University of Tasmania. It also has a vibrant commercial and retail sector serving a region of over 100,000 people.

Burnie is regarded as one of Tasmania’s safest communities, with one of the lowest rates of personal and property crime in Australia. It also has a vibrant sporting, arts and cultural sector led by a number of dynamic community organisations and clubs strongly supported by local government.

Major sporting events include the ‘Burnie 10’ footrace and ‘Burnie Wheel’ cycle race. There is a strong emphasis on junior sports development in the city, evidenced by the large number of young people who represent the State in their chosen sport.

The nationally acclaimed Burnie Youth Choir, Creative Paper Tasmania and the Burnie Print Prize are all indicators of the energy of the local arts and cultural community. There are also a number of enviable facilities to support these activities, including the Burnie Regional Art Gallery.

Burnie has a strong history of high educational achievement, with graduates from local senior secondary colleges now making their mark in a range of industry sectors across the globe. Secondary and senior secondary schools off er a broad curriculum and provide students with opportunities for national and international exposure. Tasmania’s senior secondary education system is currently being enhanced to ensure Tasmanian students are leaders in academic and vocational achievement.

The pace of life is relaxed with a country feel. The peakhour rush is most probably going to be you or your children participating in the local surf life-saving club activities, which occur right on the edge of the CBD. So if you want to give your family the best chance to grow in what can be a chaotic, dangerous and crazy world, why not make a true home in Burnie.

For more information, visit: www.burnie.net or contact Burnie Council’s Director of Community and Economic Development (rgreene@burnie.net) to discuss the opportunities.

A move to Narromine added up nicely for maths teacher Dean Leite

Rural schools can place teachers on the fast-track to professional development opportunities.

Be it a friendly smile from a stranger or socialising at the local club, rural towns are pushing open their doors to off er a warm welcome to newcomers from the city.
Teachers in public education, in particular, are fi nding the move an easy decision to make, especially if they’re considering relocation to areas of high staffi ng need, such as non-coastal rural regions.
Growing up in the leafy Sydney suburb of Peakhurst, teaching beginner Dean Leite never imagined his career would take him over 400 kilometres away from his hometown to the fl at plains of western NSW. A teaching scholarship recipient, Dean took up a secondary mathematics position in 2006 at Narromine High School and discovered the great rewards a rural lifestyle has to offer.
Dean quickly learned how seamlessly both school and community coexist in a small town. “It’s so easy to make friends with people and you really get to know the parents of your students very quickly,” he says. “It’s an extremely friendly atmosphere.”
In particular, Dean has discovered it’s the small things in rural communities that make being a teacher enjoyable. “I love almost every aspect of teaching rurally, but it’s the little things like students asking you to watch them play sport on the weekend that really mean something,” he explains. “Having the students want you there to watch, and then seeing them really excited when you show up, makes you realise the difference you make.”
Dean believes his students benefi t from the social activities that both the teachers and students attend within the local community. This social interaction not only supports his role in the community as a teacher but also allows him to build a stronger rapport with his students. “Taking that extra effort to watch them play a sport, or just talk to them in the street, really makes them feel important,” he says.
With such strong aspirations to perfect his craft, Dean is benefi ting from a variety of professional development opportunities available in his school. In addition to teaching secondary mathematics, Dean currently supports his school as a year adviser and has spent three terms relieving as Head Teacher Administration. Competition for these opportunities, he believes, is much tougher in larger city schools.
Dean’s rural move has also facilitated his fi nancial goal of buying a house, a dream still out of reach for many of his city peers. “As a 25-year-old, it would be impossible to even consider buying a house in Sydney, yet last year I was able to buy a brand new duplex here in Narromine,” he says. “The cheaper cost of either buying a house or rural rent is a major fi nancial incentive.”
Living so close to work, Dean also benefi ts from lower fuel costs and receives a variety of rural teaching incentives from the NSW Department of Education and Training.
If you’re a city teacher keen to try a country lifestyle; or a beginning teacher looking to expand your professional development and career advancement opportunities; or a graduate teacher exploring your career options, teaching in non-coastal rural areas in particular can off er benefi ts, incentives and rewards not available in coastal locations. Check out the rural teaching possibilities open to you at:

www.teach.nsw.edu.au/ruralteaching.