Jeanette Maynes wants to shake up the idea of setting a Queensland record with Fraser Coast Zumba enthusiasts.

And if you’re not hooked yet, she says it won’t take long.

The owner of Design House in Hervey Bay and organiser of the popular Salsa Group, has teamed up with dance enthusiast Enrique Salomao for a fun two-hour Zumba 500 workout at the Great Hall, Beach Rd Pialba, this Saturday, April 17.

“We are aiming to get 500 people on Saturday.  But that’s just the start,” she said.

Ms Maynes says Zumba 500 isn’t just for fitness gurus; just about anyone can come along and give it a go, male or female.

“There is no room to feel uncomfortable.  You just go at your own pace. Everyone is too busy getting their own groove on to look at you” she said.

“It’s for all shapes and all ages.  They’re people in their 60s and 70s that come along to Zumba and can certainly keep up.”

“For that whole lesson I’m getting a huge maximum workout. It’s so much fun, and you feel awesome for the rest of the day.”

The party starts with registration at 9.30am at a cost of $15. The event runs from 10am to noon.

Make sure you dress in comfortable and sporty clothing. Children welcome.

To find out more visit www.salsagroup.com.au

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

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!

The actions shown by cities of the world and their inhabitants are crucial to leading a low-carbon resolution to climate change, says Earth Hour Co-Founder and Executive Director, Andy Ridley.

“The C40 suggests that cities are responsible for up to 75% of the world’s carbon emissions, so their role in addressing what is unequivocally the greatest threat to the planet today is absolutely vital,” Andy said.

“By turning the lights off for Earth Hour, cities are reflecting the aspirations of their citizens as a community that has resolved to take action on global warming,” he said.

What is FebFast?

FebFast is a charity that is now in its third year of operation.

We work to reduce the impact of alcohol and other drugs on young Australians by raising funds to support organisations working in research, prevention and service delivery concerning alcohol and other drugs use by young people.

We conduct a national education, awareness and fundraising campaign that invites people to sacrifice their alcohol consumption during February, and at the same time raise funds to support youth alcohol and other drug services.

Over the past two years we have seen more than 3,500 people take up the FebFast challenge to give up the grog for amonth. Collectively these people have raised more than $700,000 to support our cause

This is going to be hard work, so lucky for me I’m very good at achieving anything that is hard work + you can always buy a ‘Time Out’ (phew takes the pressure off a little)!!

Buy a Time Out; You don’t have to miss out on a special event! You can purchase a $25 date stamped Time Out Certificate to have a guilt-free day off from your FebFast. 

What’s in it for me? Lose weight, save money, gain more energy and raise money for charity!!  All very positive outcomes!

Well I can already tell this is going to be a very long month!

I’m on day 4 without an alcoholic beverage and I’m quite surprised I haven’t got the shakes yet.
It’s strange, when you can’t have a beer at the end of the day; you tend to think about beer all day!!
I’m certainly craving a Pure Blonde! 

I’ve finally got my registration in order so; if you would like to make a donation to support me on what I consider to be a huge challenge please click here to make a donation that goes straight to charity.

Proceeds raised through registration and fundraising go towards the Australian Drug Foundation, YSAS (the Youth Substance Abuse Service in Victoria), Mater Hospital’s Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Service (Queensland), The Ted Noffs Foundation (NSW and ACT) and FebFast’s grants program for smaller grass-roots organisations.

Recently I completed a Buddha Bootcamp (Calm Abiding Meditation Course) with Choeying Dolma a Buddhist nun who resides in Hervey Bay. I found the whole experience so profoundly uplifting and learnt so many new tools to handle the pain and suffering we experience in our lives that I felt compelled to donate my time and services of Design House to market Choeying. (valued at $3,000 + including logo, business card & website design etc …. I have never seen such a happy and excited nun as what Choeying was at her website lesson!!) 
Hhmmm could be some good karma coming my way…

I feel everybody in the community should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of meditation and don’t be confused it is not a relaxing experience by any means. By the end of my full weekend retreat I was physically and mentally spent! You really have to go along yourself to experience it as it is so deep.

Choeying teachings also opens our eyes to show compassion to others, we realise that everyone is deluded and suffering in their own way so we mustn’t take the hurt they cause us personally, ‘it is their karma and afflictions not them’…. please click here to find out more on the Sanctuary and visit the website. 

You two are amazing, the photos are very lovely….thank you both for your joyful effort in making The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary website such an exciting and wonderful experience. Your company is very professional with a lovely personal caring friendly edge… it has been a real joy …
thank you love

Choeying
Buddhist Nun 

Design House is the Major Sponsor of the Salsa Group and is also sponsoring and providing advertising and media assistance to Latin Fantasy “Lolita’s Story’ & The Vida Latina Dance Co.

I feel the Fraser Coast needs more fun social alternative’s for all age groups and being able to attract such friendly and professional performers to our area through the Salsa Group and promote them utilising Design House is just an amazing opportunity. 

Latest News: Salsa Party # 5 @ the Bayswater

Saturday night was the hugest Salsa Party to date with over 200 people dancing up a Salsa storm @ the Bayswater…… please click here to read the more and view the photos.

A big Thank You to the Vida Latina Dance Troupe, I Harte Latin, the Bayswater Hotel, Design House, Fraser Coast Chronicle & the Salsa Group and all those who attended making these nights possible!!!!

Design House generously donated the gallery for the TNM website valued at $500 +

TNM Events brings big smoke entertainment to the bush, managing premium events in regional areas to an international standard with today’s most popular artists.

We also launched the new website for Yanti Dezigns;

Yanti Dezigns have their own range of Papaka Kits. Papaka is a unique concept of Paper craft which uses shapes of coloured paper to create original works of art. All you need is a craft cutting knife and a cutting board and you can create these amazing pictures yourself. A wide range of kits are available from beginner to advance.

As many of you may be unaware I’m on a personal ‘Get Fit Campaign’ so last month’s challenge was a 24km run across Fraser Island! I found a group of fun & fit ladies who were also interested in completing this challenge. I then sponsored print for out t-shirts stating “No Excuses” and had our Finishers medals made. I had total faith we could make the distance even though four of us had not run more than 10km before! Starting at Kingfisher we ran through bush and soft sand past Lake McKenzie then through rainforest, finishing at Central Station. It was awesome to sponsor a ‘Design House team’ and be a part of this motivated group of women who are now the face of traQ (Trail Running Association of Queensland) …… click here to find out more!