WE’VE ALL seen those people who seem to get results faster than everyone else. They cruise to the front of queues for trendy bars, get the free upgrades on air travel, and manage to get seats at brand new restaurants long before the rest of us.

Well, I can’t help you with bars, travel or restaurants, but what I can help you with is fast-tracking your home loan application.

The first thing to do is to think of what the bank is most interested in – lending to people with a good credit record, being comfortable they have the income to make the repayments, and that there is an adequate level of security cover for the loan in the event that something goes wrong.

Armed with that perspective, you can then prepare the information you need to present to the bank. Some key aspects to include:

• Who is going to be the borrower? – personal names, your trading company/trust or a new entity.
• How much do you want to borrow? (make sure you take account of costs such as stamp duty when working this out).
• Income information – preferably you will provide the last two years’ financial statements and tax returns (business and personal).
• What debts does this income need to service? Provide details of all your loans (including credit cards). Preferably you will have the last six month’s loan statements, so the bank can see that repayments are made on time.
• A statement of personal assets and liabilities.
• What security are you offering? – Usually this  will be real estate. Detailed information could include a  purchase contract or contract note, rates notice and insurance certificate, etc.

The list might seem extensive but it should all be reasonably readily available. Don’t be concerned if it isn’t all at hand – start the discussions with what you have.

My experience is that the more information I get from a client, the better the job I can do for them. This particularly applies to the speed with which I can make a decision on the loan, but also makes sure the loan structure is best suited to the customer’s needs, eg. repayment arrangements, term, price, etc.

So a little bit of homework up front can save you time and hassle down the track and can mean a quicker response to your application.

Now, if anyone has any tips on how to get upgraded on air travel, please let me know!

BOQ - Your own personal bank
1 Maple St, Maleny
Phone 5499 9855

A 24-seat café in a subtle location, no views, minimal advertising and only nine months old… and yet Range foodies are buzzing about the quality of the coffee and food at La Botiga on Obi Obi Road in Mapleton.

The brainchild of chef Rebecca Perry Matthews (above) and partner Michael Burke, its choice of name (‘La Botiga’ meaning ‘The Shop’ in Catalan) reflects their approach to food – simple, strong statements with a lot of feeling.

Rebecca and Michael decided on the Catalonian name having been inspired by the food from that region, their travels having taken them throughout Europe and included the sensory-overloading cheese event in 2007 in Bra, Italy (home of Slow Food International).
Their European journeying is evident in the café’s modern-casual design and fit-out, reminiscent of cafés more likely to be found in Sydney or Barcelona than in little Mapleton.
Rebecca has been cooking since she was a young girl preparing meals for her family and clearly delights in her chosen profession.

“I love cooking for people and I believe good food should be available to everyone. All our dishes are baked fresh every day – we actually aim to sell out every day,” she declared.
On the day I visited, the menu offered Moroccan lamb boureks (spicy, fruity filo pastries) and pear & Gorgonzola tart. But it was the coffee that I was really there for. I’d heard that fellow Maleny-ites – and we’re spoiled for choice as it is – are making the 20-minute journey just for a cup of La Botiga’s specially blended and roasted brew (they sell take-home beans or grind for addicts).

“We spent a lot of time getting the coffee right – we knew that the food was going to be good and so the coffee had to be of the same standard,” they agreed.

Amongst a range of seating options is the communal table, which stretches almost the length of the café and encourages patrons to engage. For Rebecca, it’s as though their customers are invited to the family table.

The café has not only become a meeting place but a drop-off point for locally grown foods.
“We have people arriving with bagfuls of excess fruit, herbs and vegetables from their home garden – they know that we’ll do something with it that celebrates its freshness and quality,” enthused Michael.

“So there’s a very good chance that the salad you’re enjoying today came from somewhere in Mapleton this morning!”

Rebecca added: “And that’s what we’re aiming for – a community gathering place and food hub. Locals stop for a meal and/or coffee and chat, then pick up their fresh-baked organic sourdough, interesting cheese, something pre-prepared for dinner, and head home.”

“We want our customers to feel connected and nourished.”

Lucky Mapleton!

Julie Shelton is Leader of Slow Food Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
For more information on Slow Food go to www.slowfoodsunshinecoast.org.au

Don's View

At the weekend (August 28-29) Tony Abbott finally faced reality; he sent a message after the departing independents saying he had decided to submit his costings to Treasury after all, and Treasury could tell the independents about them, as long as the independents didn’t tell Julia Gillard or Wayne Swan.

Abbott has tried to portray this as a win for himself, but in fact it was an inevitable back down given the circumstances. Andrew Robb had already been caught out; he had claimed that the Federal Police investigation of the leak was already well under way and a result could be expected any day now.

The police replied that there was no investigation; they were still considering whether to open one. A continued refusal could only be seen as proving that they had something to hide.

But more importantly opinion was turning against the opposition. The suspicion was that they were actually trying to set the scene for another election, preferably one which would run early next year, when the hated New South Wales Labor government would also be facing the people. This, it was believed, would make Abbott Prime Minister in his own right.

It might; but the downside is that the voters would be outraged at being forced back to the polls. They have been through all that, they have delivered their verdict – well, sort of – and it is up to the politicians to make it work. The umpire’s decision must be respected and those who try to ignore it will pay.

It is a risk Abbott is not prepared to take, especially when his friends in the media are ramping up the pressure on the independents to give him the guernsey. Last week the News Limited group produced a series of surveys designed to prove that the voters in all three electorates actually want a coalition government. Actually they don’t; they want their local member to remain independent, which was why they voted for him.

And there is no reason why the independents should not follow this course; they could simply agree not to support no confidence motions and to guarantee supply, and the government could continue as usual.

But, following the protocol outlined below, that would leave Labor in power, an outcome utterly unacceptable to the Murdoch press. And in any case it would be naïve to expect the three independents to pass up the once in a lifetime opportunity for power and glory the hung parliament presents; so the horse trading continues.

No sane person wants another election. But perhaps one insane person does. The preposterous Steve Fielding, the accidental senator from Family First, will, like the rest of the old senate, retain his seat until July 1 next year. Asked whether he would allow a minority Labor government to pursue its agenda, he temporised; indeed, he would not even rule out blocking supply.

Actually supply for the year has already been passed in the budget session, so Fielding’s threat was as ignorant as it was arrogant. But it was something the Governor-General should bear in mind if she was looking for stability, Fielding warned: he was not convinced that the Labor government deserved a second chance.

That’s right, he, him, the man who received just 0.08% of the Victorian first preference vote in – just four fifths of one hundredth of one state in 2004, about three fifths of five eighths of f*** all in today’s money — considers that he has the right to decide who should govern Australia in 2010. And conservative commentators are accusing the Independents of having ideas above their station. Give us a break!

In fact the Governor-General is unlikely to come into it at all, except to rubber stamp whatever happens in parliament. Some of the sillier commentators have got all excited about how the G-G, Quentin Bryce, is the mother-in-law of Labor minister Bill Shorten, and this could put her in a conflict of interest when it came to choosing who would be prime minister.

But it is not her choice. Julia Gillard remains Prime Minister, albeit in a caretaker role, until the poll is declared. When it is, Bryce is bound by convention to ask her if she can form a government; if she says yes, she will be commissioned. If she says no, or if she subsequently loses a vote of confidence in the House of Representatives, Bryce will offer the job to Tony Abbott. If both leaders fail, she will have to prorogue parliament and call an election. It is all quite straightforward, not at all like the deadlock between the Reps and the Senate in 1975.

And it is undeniably intriguing; like a good murder mystery – and unlike the awful election campaign that led up to it — it makes you pay attention right up to the last page.

Suddenly politics is interesting and even relevant; the punters genuinely want to know what is going on, how many options there are, what are the rules of the game and who is up who for the rent.

Last Friday (August 27) the Sydney Morning Herald produced a four page wrap-around attempting to explain it; the public has learned more about politics in the last week of August than they ever did in twelve years of high school.

Whether the interest can be maintained is of course another question; technically the impasse could drag on until the end of November, when parliament would be forced to sit and make a decision. But no-one expects to go on for that long. And as the players reassembled back in Canberra on the last day of winter, it was clear that the climax was approaching.

And it’s still impossible to predict: the odds have to favour the conservatives, but the three amigos – Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter – are all contrarian types; that’s why they are independents. Andrew Wilkie is a professional maverick and even Tony Crook and Adam Bandt could yet surprise us. Please remain seated and keep your seat belt securely fastened until the election has come to a complete halt.

WHY DID YOU COME HERE?

S: It’s not like we were desperate to leave anywhere.It was just an opportunity that arose, something we looked into, and it all fell into place.

D: We are both from the Hunter Valley. Steph grew up in Pokolbin and I grew up in Tamworth. She had been working there for seven years and me about five. And that’s how we met – in business.

We had been working for the Harrigans Irish Pub chain before deciding to come here. We weren’t necessarily looking for a change but we happened to stumble across this venture with the Turners. We came up and viewed the property and the area and just fell in love with it instantly.

We felt it would be right for us. It was a different style, more intimate setting and the high quality level of service and product that really interested us. It’s beautiful countryside too.
We see similarities in the seasons, with the trees and the flowers, the changes in colour and leaf drop. So we’ve come from one beautiful place to another.

We’ve experienced business taking over our lives, and we know what businesses like this demand. You have to do everything. But I think we’re now managing our time very well. Steph’s forte is front office, administration and reservations. Mine is more a food and beverage background. So we complement each other pretty well.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IN COMING HERE?

S: Not much really. We haven’t had to compromise in any way. It’s been a very positive experience. Where we came from was very cold in winter so we really appreciate the
beautiful weather here.

D: We were working in a similar situation in NSW but not living on site, and we had different roles. This is the first time we have worked really closely together, and we wouldn’t change it.

S: I think we would find it hard not working together now. It works for us and we love our time together.

D: We brought our four-legged friends with us – our ‘kids’ up at the house – we have a ‘shar pei’ bulldog and ‘bird’ – a ring-necked parakeet. They’re loving it here and they’ve taken to the changed environment.

S: This is certainly a place we can see ourselves for a long time. We love Queensland. There’s a lot more to see and do on the Sunshine Coast.

D: The clientele here is fantastic – so interesting in the depth of what they are doing, what they enjoy and what they like to experience.

S: We do find we need to get away on short trips – mainly seeing more of Queensland – because when you work on-site you are always accessible even when technically, it may be your day off.

D: Yes, it was one of the promises we made to each other that we would enjoy and make the most of our time. We don’t want to live to work but very much work to live. And that was a big change coming here. We knew the first twelve months would be tough, opening a new business. But we always find time to relax. We love walking, playing golf, we love the beach and we love taking our dogs on adventures. So, we’ve managed to do that since we’ve been here at least once a week.

WHAT WOULD KEEP YOU HERE?

D: Everything as it is right now.

S: Yes, continuing to have the ability to work and enjoy everything that we do, especially with our furry friends. But we love to travel, seeing different places and experiencing
different things.

D: We do want to do a lot more travelling but we have both said that we would be content to stay here and let this be a base for the rest of our lives.

To formally register a change of name, an application in the relevant form needs to be completed and submitted to the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages. As an adult this is a relatively simple process of completing the relevant Form 4 (or Form 5 in some specific circumstances), providing three forms of appropriate identification and photo ID as well as paying the relatively modest filing fee.

People are generally entitled to change their name to any name they wish and as many times as they wish however with the following limitations:

• The new name must not be used with the intention of defrauding another person;
• The new name must not be considered offensive;
• There is only one name change in any one 12 month period.

Changing a child’s first names can only be done once before the child turns one and then a second time but for one occasion only between the age of one and 18 (before the child turns 18). If the child is over the age of 12 then the child’s consent to the name change must also be obtained and noted. If only one parent is requesting the child’s name change then the court’s approval may also be required.

The Act will even allow an adult who is not married to make an application to note that person’s “sexual reassignment” – or change of gender – as long as the application is accompanied by two statutory declarations from doctors verifying that the surgery occurred.

The old system for formal name change of using deed poll was an expensive and time-consuming process requiring the person to obtain approval for the name change from the Supreme Court. This is no longer necessary with the Act providing a process for name change which is vastly improved making it relatively easy, quick and cheap.

Tove Easton
Principal Lawyer

eastonlawyers
62 Maple Street, Maleny Ph 5494 3511
6b/3 Obi Obi Road, Mapleton Ph 5478 6500
tove@eastonlawyers.com.au

The New Moon falls in Virgo on Wednesday 8 September, inviting us to be grounded, focusing on the practical day-to-day tasks of life, and paying attention to detail without losing sight of our overall vision. The New Moon is exact at 8.29pm – the 24-hour period immediately following is a powerful time for manifestation, so put out your intentions!

Mercury is still retrograde at the start of September, so be careful with all your communications, written and spoken, and double-check everything, especially messages, addresses and phone numbers. Mercury goes direct again on Monday 13 September.

The Equinox falls on Thursday 23 September. This is the time of year when day and night are of equal length and the seasons come to a point of balance. This is a time to explore what might be out of balance in your own life and find a way to restore that balance, whether it’s in your relationships, your family life, your work or any other aspect of your life.

The Full Moon falls right on the Equinox, making both especially powerful this year. This Full Moon in Aries highlights your ability to be assertive in your life, standing in your power as a warrior of one kind or another, and brings to fruition any project where you have been pioneering, creating something very new. Check your birth chart to see which house is under the spotlight at zero degrees Aries. This Full Moon is exact at 7.17pm AEST.

The lovers Venus and Mars can be seen together in the evening sky this month – look to the west just after sunset, where you will see Venus twinkling brightly, with Mars slightly lower in the sky, recognisable by its reddish colour.

Venus and Mars are still in diplomatic Libra at the start of the month, where Venus has the upper hand, but by mid-September both have moved into intense and passionate Scorpio, where Mars has the ultimate say in what goes.

With Venus and Mars united here, expect passion in your relationships!

With love, Chirone

COPYRIGHT © 2010 CHIRONE WITSEN All rights reserved
An extended version of this New Moon update is available at www.chironewitsen.com

But lets just start with positive changes to your diet.

Often when it’s in the best interests of certain patients, and I need to ask them to make changes to their diets they remark that it is so difficult to give up the things they like.

When I explain that they aren’t really giving up anything except habits, and that they are now choosing instead to give themselves the best of everything, a powerful shift occurs.

We forget that what we term normal food would not have been regarded as such 20 or more years ago.

Many groceries today are filled with chemicals or have been processed or grown in such a way as to be deficient in nutrients. Fresh food prepared with love in the old fashioned way will give the body the ingredients with which it can re-establish physical, mental and emotional health as well as vital energy.

Your body needs, fresh air, movement, clean water, simple food combinations which include a variety of colored pigments for antioxidants, healthy sweets like honey, maple syrup, fruits and homemade cakes and biscuits made with whole ingredients, and proteins from various sources. And you need to chew your food as digestion begins in your mouth.

Look in your pantry and read your labels. What on earth are we feeding our children and ourselves?

Become interested, think before you eat and drink.

Good healthy food tastes great and it will make you feel great.

Marisa Kliese is a Clinical Member Aust.
Counselling Assoc. Fellow Holistic Life Coach.
Reiki Master. Fellow Aust. Natural Therapists Assoc.

Marisa can be contacted on 5494 2627.

One thing I love about the Hinterland business community is the sense that we’re all in it together.

As owner of a somewhat untraditional small business, a bank branch, I really notice the support small businesses offer each other in our community.

I often hear great business management tips from other small business owners and find it useful to discuss the challenges and opportunities specific to owning a small business with other business owners in the area.

And being a bank manager, I find I’m in a pretty good position to be able to offer my small business clients a few tips about finance tools they can use to grow their business.

So, in the spirit of information sharing I’ve come to love about the Hinterland, over the next few months I’d like to share a few small business management tips for the Hinterland small business owners I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting.

BOQ – Your own personal bank
1 Maple St, Maleny Phone 5499 9855

What does your shop front window say to the world? Is it engaging or just full of stuff because there was not really any other place to put it. It is literally your first window of opportunity to impress. Does it engage the person looking in. Less is always more. What is it they say about a cluttered mind?

Once a consumer moves inside your store they are a potential customer. You must make sure all the building blocks are in place to convert the sale.

Is your advertised product clearly displayed. Does it almost sells itself on approach? You have spent good money advertising it; give yourself the best possible shot by presenting it in an impactful way. Be creative.

What is your sales team’s opening gambit? A friendly and polite welcome always sets the mind at ease and opens the way comfortably for further dialogue. My local fruit and veggie shop staff always makes a point of asking me about my children, my little Aussie terrier or something else that they know is important to me but not intrusive. I get the impression they really care about me.

The atmosphere in your store will influence your sale rate. Have you ever walked into a supermarket or department store and, in an effort to save on their power bills, they have every second light switched off? Does it not create an unwelcome feeling? It’s hot outside and you have not had your air conditioning unit fixed. Comfortable shopping conditions equate to pleasant shopping experience.