Our Christmas present to you

On behalf of our clients, we've adopted an orangutan through the Australian Orangutan Project.

Here's a little bit about our girl:

Miriam is an active orangutan with a bold personality, but if she wants something and doesn't get it she will often cry. Miriam is a kind orangutan, she will never fight back or disturb other orangutans.

She will share her food with her friends Hugo, Fren, Manohara, and Mambo. She also likes to hang in the cage and prefers playing on the rope to playing with other toys such as drums, hammocks etc. The one drawback for Miriam is that she is very close to her keeper and will often try to hold hands with the staff who are working near her cage.

We like Miriam because she is a lot like us :)

Phoenix announces 2012 season

Phoenix Ensemble's 2012 season features a classic David Williamson play and a politically incorrect (and adults-only) puppet musical, as well two high-energy musicals.

There's something for everyone: I'm too sexy for the 90s (an original musical), After The Ball (a poignant drama by David Williamson), Buddy: The Musical (the story of Buddy Holly) and Avenue Q (an outrageous musical comedy featuring actors and puppets).

Full details here.

Iconic Australians feature at latest literary lunches

Hazel Hawke is one of our nation's most beloved and respected identities. Douglas Mawson is our greatest Antarctic explorer. What do they have in common? Both are the subjects of fascinating new books, and locals can learn more about them at separate literary lunches at Cleveland's Grand View Hotel this month.

Both books are generating interesting discussion in the literary world, and the Redland events are an excellent opportunity for locals to join the conversation – with the authors themselves.

First up, on 15 November, author and professional speaker Sue Pieters-Hawke talks about her intimate and beautiful biography "Hazel: My Mother's Story".

Then, on 17 November, larger-than-life author-journalist Peter FitzSimons returns to the Redlands to discuss his latest book, "Mawson", a collection of true tales of survival and ambition by Australia's most famous "ice men."

Sue Pieters-Hawke

In "Hazel: My Mother's Story", Sue explores Hazel's life as she navigated personal challenges and profound social changes. As the wife of a Prime Ministers, Hazel brought a down-to-earth warmth to Canberra that influenced everyone she came in contact with. She was loved for her energy, practicality and capacity for humour and enjoyment.

Candid, revealing and fascinating, "Hazel: My Mother's Story" celebrates her value as a mother, wife, role model and tireless worker for the rights and welfare of others. As well as being the eldest daughter of Hazel and Bob Hawke, Sue also managed Hazel's office for more than a decade, and cared for Hazel during her illness.

Sue's literary lunch at the Grand View Hotel is presented by Angus & Robertson, Victoria Point.

Peter FitzSimons

Icons of a different nature feature in Peter FitzSimons latest book, "Mawson", an epic tale from the golden age of Australian exploration.

This time around, the prolific writer (whose past biographies have Kim Beazley, Nick Farr-Jones, Steve Waugh and John Eales) tells the story of Douglas Mawson, born in 1882 and knighted in 1914, and who went on to be our nation's greatest explorers.

Published to coincide with the centenary of Mawson's departure, Peter presents meticulously researched and very personal accounts of the harrowing situations faced by Antarctic explorers. "Mawson" also interweaves story of other giants of the heroic age of polar exploration, including Scott of the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton and Roald Amundsen.

Peter's literary lunch at the Grand View Hotel is presented by Dymocks .

Tickets for each event are $35 ($30 for bookings of eight or more), and include a two-course dinner and a glass of wine on arrival. Bookings can be made by phoning the hotel on 3286 1002 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Both books will be available for purchase at respective events.

Matthew Reilly at Grand View Hotel on 19 October

Want to meet blockbuster author Matthew Reilly?

The bestselling writer will be at the Grand View Hotel in Clevleand for a mid-week literary dinner on Wednesday, 19 October at 6.30pm.

Reilly, whose novels are published in more than 20 languages, has sold more than 3.5 million books worldwide, including more than a million in Australia alone, and a million each in the United States and the United Kingdom.

He is the author of nine bestselling novels, Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, Hover Car Racer, Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones and The Five Greatest Warriors.

His latest novel, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, is due out 12 October and is the fifth instalment in the Scarecrow series. This time around, Scarecrow and his team tackle a terrorist force that has taken control of an abandoned Soviet base in the Arctic, and now possesses a weapon of mass destruction. Fans can expect more of the high-octane action that’s made this series a world-wide phenomenon.

Reilly’s career is set to further skyrocket, with film and television projects in the works. Walt Disney Pictures has optioned the movie rights to his children’s book, Hover Car Racer, while Paramount Pictures has optioned Ice Station. ABC US Network Television has bought the rights to the Jack West Jr series of books (Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones and The Five Greatest Warriors) for a TV series put together by ABC US Studios. The producer is the powerhouse Mark Gordon (Speed, Gray’s Anatomy) and the writer is Michael Seitzman (North Country).

The Grand View event on 19 October, part of the historic hotel’s popular literary dinner series, is a rare chance to meet Matthew and listen to him talk about his career and his latest novel.Tickets are $40 ($35 for bookings of eight or more), and include a two-course dinner and a glass of wine on arrival. Bookings can be made by phoning the hotel on 3286 1002 or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Image courtesy of Pan Macmillan Australian (credit: Peter Morris)

(Prepared on behalf of Redland City Council’s Tourism Unit)

World-class events on Straddie in October

North Stradbroke Island is set to come alive in October, with three world-class events offering unforgettable experiences for sporting and music fans.

People come from all of Australia, and overseas, to be a part of the excitement, but for Redland residents it's right next door – just a quick trip across the bay.

First up is the Straddie Salute Multisport Festival on October 8 and 9, followed by the Straddie Assault Teams Surfing Competition on October 15 and 16, and then the Island Vibe Festival on October 28 to 30.

In just three years, the Straddie Salute Multisport Festival has become a must-do weekend on Queensland's sporting calendar. Participants can swim the crystal clear waters in the Sibelco Straddie 1000 Ocean Swim, jog along one of Queensland's most beautiful coastal trails in the Columbia 8km Adventure Run/Walk, or take up the ultimate challenge in the Straddie Salute Offroad Triathlon (which includes an 18 km mountain bike ride).

The Stradbroke Ferries Straddie Assault is a must for surfing fans, and this two-day event is Australia's longest running teams surfing competition. Now in its 28th consecutive year, it brings together 16 of Australia's premier clubs based between Noosa and Lennox Heads. It's a chance to see hot up-and-coming surfing talent, with the likes of Bede Durbidge, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Danny Wills (all currently competing on the World Championship Tour), having cut their teeth in the Assault.

The Island Vibe Festival, a celebration of roots and reggae music, is also now a staple on the Queensland music festival calendar. Over three days, more than 40 musical, dance and cultural acts from across Australia and the Pacific region share four stages at Point Lookout, overlooking stunning Home Beach. The event also showcases island culture with art exhibitions, interactive workshops, stalls, circus performances, eco-food and craft markets.

David Thomson, Chairman of the Straddie Chamber of Commerce - the Local Tourism Organisation (LTO) for the island - encouraged locals from other parts of the Redlands to take advantage of being so close to world-class sporting and music events.

"If you've never been to the Salute, Assault or Island Vibe Festival, you don't know what you're missing. Whether it's the excitement of the sporting events, or the music and atmosphere of the festival, it's really worth the short trip over the bay."

The October events provide a great excuse for a weekend away. While on North Straddie, you can surf, swim, snorkel or sandboard, or take a 4WD adventure along the beach. Or, you could just kick back, relax, and enjoy one of the most beautiful locations in Australia.

For more information, phone Redlands Visitor Information Centre on 1300 667 383 or visit the LTO's new official website for North Stradbroke Island at www.stradbrokeisland.com

(pH creative provides PR support to Redland City Council's Tourism Unit.)