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Aug 31, 2023
Top 6 Dental Clinics In Fairy Meadow
Having access to dental clinics in your area can be a saviour, whether it’s for a regular teeth clean, major dental procedures or that dentist emergency. Fairy Meadow is blessed with many dental options, from general dental services to orthodontic specialists. Here, we share the top dental clinics and services in the 2519 area. Fairy Meadow Family Dentist Wollongong Servicing Fairy Meadow for more than 50 years, Fairy Meadow Family Dentist offers simple ‘scale and clean’ to complex reconstructive procedures. They have received a customer satisfaction rating of over 98% which they believe is due to the skills of their highly trained, friendly staff. The business lives by the philosophy that quality dental should be available and accessible to all people at affordable rates. Wollongong Dentist 4 U A family dental clinic in Fairy Meadow, Dentist 4 U was established and is led by principal Dr. Ritesh J Barua. It has a team of highly-trained dental surgeons who are backed by state-of-the-art and cutting edge dental technology to provide professional, high-quality services. It is committed to continuing improvement by keeping abreast with developments and research in dentistry and incorporating them into its approach and practice. South Coast Smiles Specialising in orthodontics, dental implants, aesthetic and restorative dentistry and root canal treatments, South Coast Smiles has been servicing the Illawarra for more than 15 years. Dr Arun, Kamal, Deepak and Charlie are Australian trained specialists who are experts in cosmetic treatments, as well as aligning, enhancing and replacing teeth for even the most neglected mouths. Specialist training means patients receive the latest techniques and treatments individualised to them. Ambience Dental with with Pearman and Saad Creating perfect smiles for more than 40 years, Ambience Dental has been the nursing ground for many dentists in the Illawarra. Its team of dentists, hygienists and nurses are fully qualified and equipped to perform general dentistry, sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, implants, full-mouth rehabilitation, veneers, teeth whitening, and crown and bridge. To help its anxious patients, it has an entire wing of its practice dedicated to sleep sedation dentistry, meaning patient’s treatments can feel like a dream. Smile Team Orthodontist Wollongong Orthodontists at Smile Team Wollongong have more than 50 years of experience in braces, including traditional metal braces, clear braces, lingual braces and Invisalign. Virtually invisible, Invisalign is an innovation in braces technology, designed to straighten teeth in the most comfortable and discreet way. Like traditional braces, Invisalign can correct open bites, cross bites, gapped teeth, crowded teeth, deep bites, and underbites. On the rare occasion they run behind schedule, they offer a refund of $25 for every 15 minutes you wait. Wollongong Oral Maxillofacial Surgery The surgeons at Wollongong Oral Maxillofacial Surgery have undergone extensive training, obtaining medical, dental, and surgical qualifications. It has been providing specialised care to the Illawarra since 2010 in consultations and surgery. Procedures include removal of wisdom teeth, oral medicine and pathology, dental implants, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders, corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma and head and neck cancer. Not sure which of the top dental clinics are right for you? Take a look at their sites or give them a call to work through the best dental option for your situation. To learn more about the Fairy Meadow area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Jun 30, 2023
18 best health and fitness businesses in Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow has become a hub for health and fitness, from activewear businesses to supplement stores and, of course, gyms and personal trainers. It’s also become known for catering to different types of sporting interests, whether you’re into running, bodybuilding or martial arts. With its flat locale and proximity to the beach, Fairy Meadow was already a great spot to take a leisurely stroll or work up sweat. Discover what other health and fitness businesses and organisations there are. Lokamo Lokamo is a boutique activewear store, with everything from compression tights and light-weight running shorts, to insulated drink bottles and summer slides. The business also has specialty pop up stores servicing gyms and events throughout the Illawarra and offers an online shopping experience. It sources and handpicks the best activewear collections that are tested and tried by fitness and lifestyle experts. Base Health and Fitness Offering a range of classes for all fitness and experience levels, Base members are supported by a highly qualified coach assisting with technique. Head coach and Base owner Taylor offers online coaching for those that live too far away. Open gym is available for those who wish to do their thing, at their own pace. North Wollongong Park Run Park Run starts at Elliotts Road in Fairy Meadow, adjacent to Fairy Meadow Surf Club. It is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5km community event held on Saturdays from 8am. Participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate - choose your own pace. Anytime Fitness Part of the Anytime Fitness group, the Fairy Meadow location believes in inclusivity. It welcomes people no matter the body type, fitness level, ability, gender or background. You will be supported by expert personal trainers and all the equipment needed to push yourself harder. Zion Fitness The mission of Zion Fitness is to help “create positive, long term and lasting changes to both your health and your life”. This is achieved through qualified and compassionate staff and the most up to date facilities. The business has been operating since 2019 and is located in close proximity to the train station and bus stops. Pilates Haus A pilates and yoga sanctuary, Pilates Haus is a tranquil space to relax and unwind. You can enjoy a range of classes including Pilates Reformer, Dynamic Reformer, HIIP, Jump, Mums & Bubs, Reformer Stretch + Strengthen, yoga classes and private sessions. Studio owner Rayna Gillott has been teaching yoga and pilates throughout the Illawarra for more than 15 years. Circus Monoxide Wollongong’s circus hub, Circus Monoxide, is an inclusive and ever evolving centre for high flying, stilt walking, spinning and tumbling entertainers of all ages. Led by world renowned trainers, it offers classes six days per week and performance opportunities during, and at the end of, each term. Carlson Hizon Fitness Over the past 10 years, Carlson Hizon Fitness has delivered a huge variety of classes and specialty training to help you improve its community’s health, wellbeing and overall fitness. CHF offers personal and small group training, classes and outdoor bootcamps, infrared sauna and massage therapy, and interactive workshops and seminars. It also has a cafe and aromatherapist on site. Pash Movement Pilates A little different to other pilates providers, Pash Movement Pilates key focus is on the breath, pelvic floor engagement and the correct execution of the movement itself. The studio offers Balanced Body Rialto Reformers, which are set higher off the floor for ease, and Balanced Body Tower + Mat Conversion, to provide a pilates trapeze experience. The two pieces of equipment are a must-try for enthusiasts and a delight for anyone wishing to explore pilates for the first time. Pat 4 Pilates Fitness Aimed at achieving total body conditioning, Pat 4 Pilates Fitness includes low impact and safe pilates, yoga and fitness exercises. Owner Pat is a certified pilates, yoga and fitness instructor and has more than 20 years of experience working in the local area. Starting as a personal trainer, her passion for functional and fascial fitness, pilates and yoga led to her creating her unique classes. Savvy Fitness Providing outdoor group fitness and personal training, Savvy Fitness has more than 70 classes each week, including run-specific classes, indoor cycling, boxing, resistance & HIIT classes, yoga and pilates. It recently merged with Amplified Health, a well-respected provider of allied health and clinical therapies. This means it’s now able to offer a wide range of health and wellness services to its members. SMAI In 1985, the SMAI founders began producing martial arts uniforms and punching bags from their home garage in Wollongong, Now, the internationally acclaimed brand crafts sports and martial arts supplies that are used and trusted around the world, serving a wider athletic market. From global fitness franchises, military setups, new gyms, to athletes at every level, it offers 3000 products. The Yard Gym A boutique strength and conditioning space, The Yard Gym caters to all fitness levels and age groups. It offers a world-class training facility with programs tailored to better physical and mental wellbeing. With more than 40 group training sessions on offer, it focuses on strength, power, strength endurance, conditioning and cardio. Crossfit Wollongong Aimed at changing its members’ lives and developing meaningful relationships with them, Crossfit Wollongong adjusts its approach for each individual. It offers CrossFit, Kids Program, Sweat, and Partner Workouts, while its recovery services include a sauna, massage and body scans. Qualified coaches will conduct the InBody Body Composition Assessment to give meaningful and in depth feedback about your results. UniActive 24/7 Innovation Campus Located at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, UniActive is open to the wider Wollongong community, not just university staff and students. It offers quality gym facilities and fitness services. Its group timetable includes FMT Athletic, Yoga, Pilates, Over 55 Fitness, Cardio Box and FMT Strength. Its equipment includes the Evolt 360 Body Composition Analyser, which provides a full detailed report on what your body is made up of. Fitness 4 All An NDIS registered provider with extensive experience in supporting people with disabilities, Fitness 4 All provides the opportunity to get fit and healthy. Participants can exercise in groups or with a qualified personal trainer alone in the fully equipped gym. There is access to specialist exercise physiologists, fitness tests and comprehensive health reports, along with dietary advice and healthy eating plans. Nutrition Warehouse Located around Australia, Nutrition Warehouse in Fairy Meadow provides customers with access to the most sought after sports, bodybuilding and general health supplements from Australia and America. It includes protein powders, pre-workouts, fat burners, vitamins and sports nutrition. Staff are highly trained in sports and general health nutrition, with some of the Nutrition Warehouse team consisting of past and present Australian and World Champion athletes. Body Revival Personal Fitness Solutions Focused on improving quality of life, longevity and overall well-being, Body Revival offers personal training that motivates and educates its clients. There is no screaming, no “boot camp style training” and no focus on the scales. Instead, it’s about looking and feeling great, inside and out. Services include personal training, exercise options for pre and post weight-loss surgery, rehab training, and small group training. Which do you think are the best health and fitness businesses in Fairy Meadow? Or are there some new ones you’re now looking forward to learning more about? To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
May 26, 2023
10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow cafes are abuzz each day as locals and those working in the area grab their daily cup of coffee or treat. But have you ever wondered what the top options for a good cup of coffee or a slice of cake are in the area? Here are the 10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow. Whether you’re moving to the 2519 area or are a long-serving local, here are some of the cafes and coffee shops you may not be aware of hidden through the streets of Fairy Meadow. Xavier’s Place Location: Shop 4/19-21 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow If you’re a fan of the White Horse Coffee brand, which was voted among Sydney’s Best Specialty Coffee, then Xavier’s is your place. Having been open for five years, the cafe features an all-day menu. Items include a veggie plate, mango and prawn salad, beef burger, eggs benny, and Portuguese chicken burger. However, you can also expect plenty of sweet treats, with cakes, tarts and slices. Xavier’s Place also specialises in a variety of platters, such as wraps, all fruit, cheese and biscuits, sandwiches, and sweet treats with fruit. Two Doors Up Cafe and Bar Location: Shop 1/31 Princes Why, Fairy Meadow Opened in Fairy Meadow in 2014 under a different name, its name today originated from the original owners telling customers they were moving to bigger and better premises “two doors up”. Operating as a fully licensed cafe and bar, it’s a place for locals and visitors to chill out on a Friday afternoon after work with a few specialty beers, cocktails and wines. Live music is a staple of the venue and events like trivia nights have become popular. However, Two Doors Up Cafe and Bar also has a great breakfast and lunch menu, focusing on fresh food made with the freshest Australian ingredients. And if a beer or meal isn’t what you’re after, then Two Doors Up is also a great location to grab a quality coffee. Zweefers Cakes Location: 43 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow Locally owned patisserie Zweefers Cakes has been trading for more than 25 years, enjoying a reputation of providing the finest quality cakes, pastries, pies and savouries. When new owners took over the bakery in 2017, they kept the original recipes that made it so popular to begin with. All products at Zweefers are baked on the premises using high quality ingredients by pastry chefs. Not only providing you with a cuppa and sweet or savoury products within Fairy Meadow, Zweefers has also been supplying cafes and restaurants across the Illawarra and South Coast for many years. The venue is great for a morning tea treat, grab and go lunch, or afternoon tea dessert. Pasticceria Massimo Papa Location: 130 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow You don’t need to hop on a plane to experience a taste of Italy, with Pasticceria Massimo Papa baking authentic Italian sweets and savoury items. Home to its famous Baked Ricotta Cheesecake, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the culture of Italian cuisine through the hot foods and variety of cakes on offer. Owner Massimo started his first full time job in the baking industry at age 12, where he learned what it takes to become a pastry chef. The Fairy Meadow business was opened in 2014, and includes unique creations such as favourites like the Limoncello cake. Crazy Horse Coffee Co Location: 2/98 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow One of Fairy Meadow’s newer cafes having opened in 2021, this establishment offers delicious food, coffee and gifts. Locals are familiar with its metal art pieces, including the “crazy horse” made by Little Wing Orlando, which was aptly named “iron maiden”. The cafe stocks interesting Australian sodas, pickles, relishes and jams to buy as gifts, along with serving up its house blend coffee Reuben Hills and delicious cakes and pastries. Its online store also sells t-shirts and sweaters with the Crazy Horse Coffee Co branding. Evil Eye Cafe Location: 3 Vereker Street, Fairy Meadow Opened in 2020, the Evil Eye Cafe serves up food, desserts and drinks inspired from the best regions of the Mediterranean. It features one-of-a-kind decor amid a vibrant atmosphere, and has a variety of spaces available, including larger areas for bigger parties. This means it can cater to a diverse range of needs, whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, host a corporate event, or simply enjoy a night out with friends. Evil Eye Cafe can offer high teas, host your birthday celebration, provide catering and has even been known to deliver coffee cup readings after customers finish their Turkish coffee. RUH Espresso Bar Location: 6/78-80 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Formerly The Broken Drum, the recently opened RUH Espresso Bar is serving up good coffee, a breakfast menu, pastries and cakes. With another location also in Wollongong Central, the new Fairy Meadow location has had a bit of a makeover but is still brewing Campos coffee for the locals and visitors. When you walk into the premises, expect to see a clever and creative mural on the wall, the smell of quality baked goods and your usual favourite brew. Wild Bean Cafe Location: Northgate Ctr, 224/224 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Looking for a quick cuppa while on the road, then the Wild Bean Cafe is located in the BP service station, just off Mount Ousley Rd. Using its own Wild Bean Cafe Barista Blend of 100 per cent Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans, it also serves up freshly baked goods and other food options. You can skip the line and order through the BPme app for pick up. Triangle Cafe Location: 118-126 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Located outside the Coles supermarket, the Triangle Cafe serves breakfasts, home cooked food for lunch and cream teas, cakes and beverages six days a week. You’ll notice the specials board for lunches changing to suit whatever home cooked foods are being prepared, along with the regular Fish ‘n’ Chip day on a Friday. The cafe also serves a range of sandwiches, baguettes and panini's, along with fresh coffee to go. Or order a decaf tea, decaf coffee or one of the varieties of speciality teas. It has a little space out the back of the cafe where dog walkers can sit and dine, or for those who just prefer to sit outdoors. McDonalds McCafe Location: 1 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow Whether you want to drive through and get a coffee on the go or prefer to sit in the cafe area, McDonald’s McCafes serve up their McCafe blend of coffees to customers. The McDonald's restaurant in Fairy Meadow operates 24 hours a day, allowing you to even get a bite to eat or something to drink in the wee hours of the morning. Or you might opt for the delivery service to have food or drinks delivered to your door. Its McCafe section serves up a variety of coffees and teas, along with toasties, banana breads, raisin toast and muffins. What’s your favourite of the 10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow? Do you have a regular or do you like to try a variety? To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Apr 14, 2023
Real estate agents revamping ethics index and standards
The Governance Institute of Australia produces a comprehensive study and nationwide survey to reveal the most and least ethical occupations, organisations and sectors. It also checks the nation’s temperature on current ethical dilemmas and difficult questions. The 2022 Ethics Index report has seen the ethic index score drop overall, with real estate agent’s bad reputations ranking low again. Regrettably, a lot of people dislike real estate agents. They have either had bad experiences, know someone who has, or have seen negative media reports. While real estate agents tend to have a bad rap and constantly attract negative headlines, quite often the hardworking, honest, and caring agents who strive to do the right thing by not only their clients, but communities as well, are overlooked. Many real estate agents are working to rewrite the ethics index and overturn the negativity that the industry seems to attract. Watch the video, with Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents, to remind yourself about some of the amazing work that a great percentage of real estate agents do, going above and beyond. [siteloft_youtube video_id="utKAHWpDbAo" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST With specialized knowledge and access to information and a connection to various services, good real estate agents have the potential to impact their communities in a very positive way. Being a respectful real estate agent means they have their finger on the pulse of the neighbourhoods where they sell. Some exception community service stories by real estate agents include: Saving a tenant’s life In Lismore, PRD Northern Rivers Principal Rob Horder, had his own battles to fight as flood waters gushed through his office, let along saving a tenant’s life. Taking a phone call from a community nurse, he learnt one of his tenants was unable to make his dialysis appointment due to floods. Rob put his own agenda aside, went around to pick the tenant up. He was put into a helicopter and taken to hospital for the lifesaving appointment all within half an hour of the tenant losing his life. What an awesome agent! Pink tractor fundraising In 2015, Mudgee real estate agent and auctioneer, Hugh Bateman, embarked on a pink tractor trek to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Care. Starting on October 9th for a little over three weeks, Hugh navigated his way around NSW, visiting other agencies and holding auctions and fundraising events. His goal was to raise $250,000 for the McGrath Foundation to assist with funding specialist Breast Care Nurses, but Hugh managed to surpass that goal, raising $382,000. A fantastic result for a worthy cause. Act of kindness With rental affordability being at the forefront of current economic times, Gold Coast Property Manager, Jamie Wernert, wondered how she could personally help one of her elderly tenants. When the landlord indicated they could no longer sustain the below market rent and Denis would have to move, Ms Wernert wanted to do something to help Denis, who lived on a tight pension. Establishing a GoFundMe page, she was able to raise over $47,000 for her pensioner tenant to find a new home along with reach out to other property managers to help find Denis a new home. The funds helped Denis to find a new rental and pay for his moving costs. A beautiful property manger who really does care for her tenants! The list of these amazing deeds of real estate agents goes on and on… But in their day-to-day workings for selling real estate and managing investment properties, real estate agents do a long list of regular everyday activities to ensure they provide exception service and get the best results. Some of the acts include: Tidy, clean and freshen before an open home or newly leased property – both inside and out, including cleaning of the pool. Accept calls at every hour of the day and night, 7 days a week, to get deals done. Work 14-hour + days to ensure their sellers find that perfect one-in-a-million buyer. Play with children and keep them entertained while parents look around a house. Manage the emotional stress when helping sellers and buyers in their home selling and buying journey. Support local sporting teams, schools, communities, and businesses. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST We hope this article provides some balance for the next time you hear bad press about real estate and real estate agents. There are many good agents out there that help to counteract the negative reputation that the industry holds. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, or our property management services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Mar 31, 2023
Local business: Allure Beauty and Nails
Allure Beauty and Nails managing director Mara Foard was at a bit of a crossroads in life when the Fairy Meadow beauty salon presented itself as an option. After working from home part time for many years, the timing to take over the eight-year-old Fairy Meadow beauty and nail salon couldn’t have come at a better time. When she stepped into the salon, Mara felt like she'd come home. Here’s her story… What’s the history of the business? When did it start? The salon itself has been here (in Fairy Meadow) for many years. The lady before me had owned it for about eight years. I've been in beauty for 20 years. I was working from home part time, so I could be home with the kids. And then how did the salon come about? It was a universal interruption, really. I was at a bit of a crossroads as to where I was heading next. I was feeling sad and miserable, sitting on my couch and going through Facebook. Literally, the advert from a business broker came up for the salon. If I had been in a good place, I probably would have gone, ‘Oh, cute’ and I would have just carried on. But because I was at that crossroads, I kind of went ‘Oh, this is what I could be doing’. The next morning I rang up and came down, and I met with the broker and the owner, and she was gorgeous. She was everything I was, but a lot younger (laughs) - the way she spoke about her clients was the way I felt about my clients, the services that she liked were the services that I liked… I loved the feel. I felt like I had come home. What sort of services do you offer now and has that grown over the years? When I first started the services I offered were very basic. What I was doing was facials, waxing, tinting and pedicures. But since then, I’ve now got LED with my facials, I've now got a laser machine for hair removal and for face rejuvenation or skin rejuvenation. We've got lots of different products. We've got eyelash serums, a little natural perfume line. I'm still not a big salon. I like my clients to feel like they can literally come in and not feel like they're being judged. It’s low key and homely. I want clients to be able to leave here feeling better than when they walked in. What do you like about operating in Fairy Meadow? I like the community. When I first walked in here, I must have been here for a couple of hours, and I had a lady open the door and say to me, “welcome to the community”. Everything is here. Everything that you could possibly need. And if I need to duck out, I can go out and get back here in time for the next client. What are your plans for the future of the business? There are lots of plans, but whether they come to pass is another thing. It depends on where this new world takes us. One, I’d love to get more staff in. Two, I'd love to pull this place apart. It's really small, so I’d love to renovate it. Learn more about Allure Beauty and Nails. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Mar 3, 2023
Local business: Ruby Oak Floristry
Ruby Oak Floristry owners Adele and Christine started the business focused on wedding floristry, before the cancellation and postponement of weddings due to COVID prompted them to pivot into a local flower delivery business. The demand for fresh and modern floral arrangements was so high, the pair needed to look for a premises, opening up in Fairy Meadow soon after. These shifts in the business resulted in the Fairy Meadow florist being awarded the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’ in late 2022. Adele shares their story… What’s the story behind how the business started and your partnership? Ruby Oak started in late 2019 as a wedding floristry business. Things were chugging along nicely until COVID hit in 2020, meaning all weddings and events were either cancelled or postponed, leaving us in a position of needing to pivot our business structure to suit the ever changing environment we were living through. In 2020 and 2021 we saw a huge demand for local flower delivery and people wanting to support small local businesses as best they could through a difficult time. Our business evolved from wedding floristry to flower delivery from our home studio. We grew to really love this side of floristry and have invested lots of time into creating a flower delivery business that is fresh, modern and exciting using premium flowers (the type you’d see used for weddings) as our point of difference. An opportunity came up to lease a small shop space on the Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, and we took on the exciting challenge of transforming an old Chinese takeaway kitchen into a blooming flower shop bursting with colour and life. In late 2022 we were honoured to take home the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’. We were so pleasantly surprised by this amazing achievement and have the community to thank. We are so proud of what we have created and invite everyone to come and see the space for themselves. What’s your background and has that involved floristry? We trained in floristry at Pearsons in Sydney in 2019, which cemented a love for flower arranging and, generally, all aspects of floristry. Where did your passion stem from? I’ve always loved working with people and customer service, yet knew I wanted to do something creative. By no means is being in the floral industry easy. It’s a lot of physical work and long hours. But being surrounded by beautiful flowers every day, and being able to use my creativity, floristry was the perfect career change. What do you like about working in Fairy Meadow? Fairy Meadow is a beautiful place to live and work. We are in a great, central location and find there is such a nice sense of community with a mixed demographic of young families and older generations who have lived in the area for 30-40 years. Every day we meet really wonderful people with interesting stories. We are always here for a chat. Fairy Meadow is continually changing and becoming a hub for interesting and exciting businesses and places to dine. The warm welcome from the Fairy Meadow community over the past year has been so wonderful. We love that we can bring a fresh, modern style of floristry to this bustling community. Where do you source your products from and how did that develop for you? We source all of our fresh flowers from the Sydney Flower Market. We visit these markets every two days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), to pick up the freshest and best florals for our customers. Over time, we have developed relationships with growers, allowing us to source the very best florals available. Often, the flower types we are pre-ordering don’t even make it to the market floor before they’re snapped up by us and other florists. What are the most popular items you sell? Does that change throughout the seasons? We have an expansive variety of fresh flower bouquets, dried flowers, giftware, candles and homewares. However, our most popular products are definitely our ‘Pop of Colour’ and ‘Blush Garden’ bouquets. We’ve tried to make it easy for people to shop for flowers from the comfort of their home, with professional photos of our wide range of bouquet styles on offer and same day delivery, Illawarra-wide. What sort of occasions do people tend to purchase flowers for? Has that changed over time? We send flowers across the Illawarra every day for a variety of occasions, most commonly birthdays, anniversaries and sympathy. However, people are still celebrating milestones via flower delivery for newborn babies, graduations, thank yous and many other reasons. Flowers really are such a great way to show your appreciation and/or love to anyone in your life. Learn more about Ruby Oak. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Have you reached a point where you or a loved one is moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Dec 15, 2022
Local event: Kung Fu Panda movie night in Fairy Meadow
This summertime will be pandatime, as Wollongong is treated to a free outdoor screening of Kung Fu Panda on a giant five-metre screen on Saturday, January 21 in Fairy Meadow. Hosted by One Agency JD Property Agents in Fairy Meadow, the free community event will give young and old a great night out nearing the end of the school holidays. Come dressed as one of the characters from the movie or bring along a favourite Kung Fu Panda toy. One Agency JD Property Agents proprietor Joanne Danckwardt said the “movie under the stars” experience was designed to be a free event to give back to the community. “As parents ourselves, we know that nearing the end of the school holidays, you’re often looking for things to do to entertain the kids,” she said. “This is a nice way for families and friends to come together without any added expense.” The school holiday event will be held at Guest Park in Fairy Meadow at the Balgownie Road entrance. Patrons can arrive from 7pm, with screening of the movie from 8pm just as dusk hits. Fairy Meadow Rotary Club will provide a barbecue to raise funds for community projects. Bring a picnic rug or folding chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy an outdoor cinema experience. When Should You Arrive at Guest Park? The movie night will be held on Saturday, January 21. While the movie starts at 8pm, come along from 7pm to give yourself time to set up, grab something to eat from the Fairy Meadow Rotary Club barbecue and find your friends. What Should I Bring To Kung Fu Panda? You’ll be experiencing the outdoors, so we suggest you bring along: A picnic blanket, pillow or folded chairs to avoid having to sit on the grass. If it’s forecast to be a bit chilly, bring along a blanket or oversized hoodie to keep yourself warm In case the mozzies are out, insect repellent is a good idea If you’re not planning on taking advantage of the food stalls provided, you can bring your own food and drink. What Is The Cost? This is a free community event for family and friends to enjoy. We know that nearing the end of the school holidays parents, grandparents and carers are looking for something to do with the kids. This is a great way to entertain the kids without the added cost. Will Food and Drinks Be Available? We have organised for the Fairy Meadow Rotary Club to set up a barbecue to allow you to purchase food and drinks on the night. While we encourage you to support the Rotary Club and their fundraising efforts by purchasing food, you are welcome to pack your own picnic to bring along too. How Do I Get To Guest Park, Fairy Meadow? Guest Park is located in Fairy Meadow. From the Princes Highway, navigate onto Balgownie Road. Parking is available near the Guest Park Soccer Fields. There are also bus stops along Balgownie Road. Check bus timetables for running times for that night. What Happens If The Weather Isn’t Kind? In the case of inclement weather, the movie will be postponed to another date. We will make this decision by 3pm on the day and announce it on our Facebook page. Please be sure to follow the page to keep updated on the day. Kung Fu Panda movie night, screening outdoors at Guest Park, Fairy Meadow on Saturday, January 21 at 8pm. One Agency JD Property Agents is a registered as a COVID Safe Business with the NSW Government in line with the current restrictions and guidelines.
Nov 18, 2022
Local business: Harley and Johns Seafood
Harley and Johns Seafood owner Grant Logue swapped his life of building large houses for the likes of Cate Blanchett for selling Australia’s finest, fresh seafood from his store in Fairy Meadow. However, the business didn’t start there. It began as a fish market at the Wollongong Harbour by Harley, before moving to Fairy Meadow in 1988. Then, in 2009, Grant took Harley and Johns Seafood over. His role has not only been to supply the Illawarra with the highest quality fresh seafood, but to also educate them about sustainable seafood products and how to keep our oceans safe. Grant shares the story of Harley and Johns Seafood… Harley and Johns Seafood has been operating for 34 years. What’s the story behind how it got started? Harley had a fish market down at Wollongong Harbour. The older generation would have known Harley. Then in 1988, when the harbour was redeveloped, they moved up here (to Fairy Meadow) with John. So that’s where Harley and Johns started. When did you take over the business and what was your motivation for buying it? In ‘09 I bought into the business and then for the last eight years I’ve had it by myself. I had a partner for the first few years and then the last eight years it’s been just us. What was your background in seafood/aquaculture prior to buying the business? My interest is eating it (laughs). Originally I was a carpenter. I was working on some big houses up in Sydney. I was working on Cate Blanchett’s house at Hunters Hill. I loved the work but was sick of the travel. My wife was pregnant at the time. I thought I needed a career change and I knew my (business) partner at the time. My wife worked in the business while she was going through university. You’re famous for your oyster shucking. How did this come about and where do you usually showcase these skills? That started… I couldn’t even tell you a year. We got asked to do a function and they wanted live shucked oysters. So we decided to teach ourselves how to do it. It started from there, did a few events for those people and slowly it just evolved. So now we do a lot of work with Merivale in Sydney. So we do stuff at the (Sydney) Cricket Ground at their venues, throughout Sydney, the Star Casino, a lot of South Coast weddings and any corporate events. It’s part of us educating customers about oysters. It’s amazing how many people will say ‘I don’t like oysters’ or ‘I had a bad experience’. You can convince them to try it, that they’re different, they’re fresh and what they should be tasting when they’re right - and then you’ve got them hooked. Harley and Johns Seafood was the first independent fish market in NSW to gain MSC chain of custody certification. How important are sustainable seafood products to the business? The sustainability of our oceans is our business. Without the sustainability of our oceans, we don’t have a business. And it’s just for our customers to know we go the extra mile to ensure they know what they’re eating and we’re doing the right thing. It’s important to us they know that what they’re purchasing is what we’re actually selling. We’re not substituting anything. Where do you source your products from? How has the relationship with those suppliers developed over time? We’ve got relationships with suppliers all over Australia. It’s a matter of those relationships having been built up over the years. It’s that trust and understanding that they know what I like and they’re not going to send anything that doesn’t meet those standards. You have a range of customers at the Fairy Meadow seafood business. Who do you supply to? Our main focus is our retail customers. We do a little bit of wholesale but we decided late last year coming out COVID that we would wind our wholesale back a bit. We had to concentrate on something and we didn’t want to let either side down. So we decided to concentrate on the retail side. We still do wholesale but it’s to select customers. We know what they like and so we look after them. What are the most popular items you sell? It depends on the time of year, but salmon, barramundi, snapper and flathead are probably the most popular fish-wise. Then it’s your prawns and oysters come summer and Christmas. What do you like about operating the business in Fairy Meadow? It’s not the northern suburbs but it’s not in Wollongong. It’s easy access. It’s more of a community in Fairy Meadow. A lot of the business owners, if we need anything, they’re only a phone call away or we can drop in. At times, people use our cool rooms if they need extra room. Everyone really supports everyone. If you need anything, people are more than willing to help. How has the business grown over the years? People like to know the story behind seafood - the origins and how it’s caught. There’s a lot more information out there on the internet. So a lot of our time is educating customers on what is going on. I always say there’s three sides to the story. What you see in the media isn’t necessarily always true. People are getting a bit more adventurous with their cooking and you really noticed that through lockdown. People were getting really adventurous cooking mud crabs, sashimi, curing fish and making sushi at home because they had the time. And people have carried that on. Many have noticed that a DA was lodged for your current site. What will that involve for the business and where are you at with that process? We’ve got four years to run on our lease. We're actively looking now and we’ve been approached by numerous people about what we’re looking for. It’s exciting what opportunities are actually out there. We’ve got some plans and ideas to grow the brand of Harleys and see where we can take it. We’ve been in this location for a long time. We won’t be going too far north or too far south. That’s where we are now. It’s exciting. I support the development and think it will be good for the area, bringing more people into this community. Anything else you’d like to share with us? This year with Christmas we’ve got a lot of local suppliers coming in and we’re going to make it into a marketplace in the driveway. They can set up a market stall in the driveway, just to add to the last minute Christmas shopping, presents and things like that while you're standing in line. So that will be on the 24th. We sell a lot of the products in the shop, but it’s about these producers coming to meet the customers - customers that may actually be unaware that we do sell it. It’ll be a meet the maker type experience. You can visit Harley and Johns Seafood at 7 Daisy St, Fairy Meadow or visit their website. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? 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