Celebrate Australia Day (source: http://www.australiaday.org.au)

But if you are looking for something a little different to do on Australia Day this year, why not head to its regional heartland? Here are three events in regional Australia that will also be raising money for local causes and charities so you can help others while having fun under the sun on Australia Day.

The Great Pomonal Ride In

Bushfires are a common and disruptive occurrence in the lives of regional Australians.  Devastated by fires in the summer of 05/06, the town of Pomonal in Victoria will raise money for a new Country Fire Authority tanker with a ride-on mower parade on Australia Day.

In an attempt to establish the World Record for the most ride-on mowers cutting grass at the same time, Australians are invited to turn up at the front of the town’s General Store at 4pm on January 26 with their mowers – or a wheelbarrow, if that’s more your speed – before heading down the road to party on at Barney’s Bar and Bistro.

For more information you can contact John Malligan on 03 53566 351 or by email at John.Malligan@justice.vic.gov.au

Rotary Cricket Challenge Cup

What could be more Australian than a cricket match on Australia Day?

In spite of the apparent strain on India-Australia relations of late, one of the highlights of Townsville’s Australia Day celebrations will be a Twenty20 cricket match between ‘Australians’ and ‘Indians’.

Former Australian cricket player Jimmy Maher will lead a side against a team from the local Indian community at 11am at Riverway Stadium. Boasting a number of other local sports stars, funds raised on the day will be donated to The Salvation Army.

For more information, contact Greg Hamblin on 0419 874 165 or by email at gmhamblin@iprimus.com.au

5th Annual Havaianas Thong Challenge

Havaianas Thong Challenge '09 (http://www.havaianasthongchallenge.com.au/)

Thongs (That’s ‘flip flops’ to the rest of the world) are more than a national icon –in the sweltering summertime, they may as well be issued as mandatory footwear.

So it’s no wonder that a mass flotilla of giant thongs will be found on beaches in five states around the country on Australia Day, including south-eastern Queensland’s Mooloolaba. Aussies can join in the fun to set a new World Record for the “the longest line of inflatable airbeds”.  (The record is currently 908, set last year in Bondi, NSW.)

In its fifth consecutive year, the event costs $25 if you register online at the website before the day.  This covers the cost of your airbed, and a $10 donation toward the local surf live saving club.

For more details on Australia Day events in your area, see http://www.australiaday.org.au/events/

What are your plans for Australia Day? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us @LiveTheDreamMag

Since inception, Rex has pursued passenger growth in its existing routes by increasing flight frequency and keeping fares affordable.  Despite being the sole provider of regional air services on 32 of its 38 routes, Rex has reduced average fare prices by more than 20% over the last four years and increased the frequencies and passenger numbers by close to 80% for many of its routes. Rex embarks on a strategy of controlled and sustainable growth and targets to grow measuredly about 10-15% each year. As a result of this strategy Rex’s network passenger numbers have grown from around 600K to more than 1.3M per year.

In 2007, Rex started its own pilot training school to address the chronic global shortage of pilots.  In April 2008, Rex announced the full ownership of the pilot training academy previously called the Civil Aviation Training Academy (CATA). The academy has since been renamed Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) and was situated at Mangalore airport, Victoria, one and a half hours from Melbourne CBD. In April 2009, the academy was officially relocated to Wagga Wagga, NSW onto a temporary site while awaiting the completion of a brand new state-of-the-art 2.5 hectare training facility.

The academy provides high quality professional airline pilot training in a full time residential-style environment over a 32-week period and to date around 65 Rex cadet pilots have been inducted into the academy with around two thirds having already graduated.

Rex has grown strongly since its inception, achieving profits and return on capital that legacy carriers find hard to duplicate and this viability has a direct community through being able to sustainably provide critical and essential regional air services.

www.rex.com.au

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

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