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Canberra Today 24°/26° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Growing Queanbeyan is bursting with experts  

In this sponsored post, “CityNews” speaks to some proud Queanbeyan businesses who make a trip across the border more than worthwhile.

QUEANBEYAN is one of the fastest growing inland cities in NSW, and is continuing to grow, with the population expected to reach almost 62,000 this year, according to the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. 

And, with such growth comes a variety of passionate local businesses and services who make a trip across the border more than worthwhile.

This week “CityNews” highlights some of them.

The cast of “The Sound of Music” in rehearsal.

Players take on an all-time favourite 

THE Queanbeyan Players has a whole new take on one of the most beloved films of all time, “The Sound of Music”, showing this March at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, says co-director Alison Newhouse.

It’s the heart-warming story of nun Maria turned governess to the Von Trapp family of seven singing children, set against the dramatic backdrop of Nazi Germany’s rise to power, she says. 

And Alison says it’s the perfect way to start 2021 after a year that’s left many of us a bit starved of entertainment.

A Queanbeyan player for almost 15 years herself, Alison says this production has seen the talented cast and crew showing heaps of passion and patience.

“Twenty-twenty has made producing theatre a tricky year for us, but the actors were so professional and they’re now so excited to be able to bring this production to the community,” she says. 

Including classic songs like “My Favourite Things”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Climb Every Mountain”, audiences can enjoy an entirely new take on the beloved 1965 film, says Alison.

“It’s a special story. One that can put a smile on the face of young and old,” she says. 

“The Sound of Music”, at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, March 12-21. Information and tickets at theq.net.au

Renovations that compliment the region 

BACKED with an understanding of the Queanbeyan area, Bordeaux Construction and Management knows how to do renovations that compliment the region’s historic charm, says Michael Milutinovic.

“We tailor it to suit the client so it’s the right renovation for the type of home and the street,” says Michael, who holds an unrestricted “A”-class builder’s licence in the ACT and is licensed in NSW.

But no matter the job, the family-run business, which has been delivering quality construction work for more than 37 years, says it doesn’t shy away from complex home renovations.

“We can really look at any type of construction [and] have experience across the board,” he says.

Often, when it comes to renovations, Michael says: “[Clients] don’t want to move but they want to maximise their quality of life at home as well as add a bit of value to their home while doing so.”

The business guides renovators through the design process to the end of the construction, according to Michael, who says whether it’s renovating the kitchen, adjoining a new master bedroom or ensuite, or even attaching a sunroom, they’ve got it covered.

To make the process as efficient as possible, the business works with interior designers and even has in-house joiners that can provide renovators with custom joinery solutions for their walk-in robes, ensuites and vanities, says Michael.

Bordeaux Construction and Management, 8 Aurora Place. Call 6299 4642 or visit bordeauxbcm.com.au

Framing store relocates to a bigger space 

THE custom picture framing and gift store, Frame of Mine, is excited to greet customers in a new and bigger location, says owner Lara Montebello. 

Frame of mine owner Lara Montebello.

Lara, who has a background in photo restoration, has moved her store from Cassidy Arcade, where she said she had the smallest picture framing business in NSW, to a space on Gilmore Road.

Lara plans to take advantage of the new space, where she says she’ll stock things that can’t be found anywhere else, such as gifts that reflect her “quirky” personality, as well as Australian-made mugs and puzzles, and other items from brands such as La La Land and Have You Met Miss Jones. 

For anyone looking for a real “statement piece”, Lara recommends her selection of lamps, including night lamps, floor lamps and art nouveau lamps.

As for the framing, Lara says she works with the art piece to match it with the frame, using techniques such as colour matching.

“It’s an enjoyable process for me,” she says. 

“I’m pretty happy with what I produce and my customers are always happy, too.”

To book a custom frame consultation, Lara says visit her on Facebook via @frameof or visit her in-store. 

Frame of Mine, unit 2, 209 Gilmore Road. Call 0422 384568, email frameofmine@iinet.net.au or visit frameofmine.com.au

Delivering quality windows, fast

MORE than 15 years ago, in a small factory, with a staff of five, Skyview Windows was created with the vision to supply quality products in the shortest possible lead times, says managing director Neil Thompson.

“The company mantra from day one was ‘Quality Windows, Fast’,” says Neil.

Since then, Skyview has grown and about 12 years ago expanded to a 2500sqm factory in High Street, Queanbeyan.

Neil says part of Skyview’s success is being able to work closely with customers and suppliers to ensure consistency in quality and supply is maintained.

Using dedicated, local people, Neil says all windows and doors are manufactured to Australian standards.

“All windows and doors are manufactured from a mixture of local and imported raw materials to ensure cost competitiveness and, unlike the major window companies, all the profits stay right here,” he says.

“Skyview is the only window company able to supply any powdercoat colour with no cost premium involved.

“This allows our customers to mix and match colour schemes for their houses without having to stick to the six standard colours our competitors offer.”

This season, Skyview is launching the “Texturer” colour range. Starting with “black” and “monument”, the Texturer colour range significantly reduces marks and blemishes on the powder coat finish.

Skyview Windows, 77 High Street. Call 6232 9977.

Theatre season kicks off with dark intrigue 

PEOPLE love the theatre for many reasons, which is why this year’s season at The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre has something for everyone, says program director Jordan Best.

The Q program director Jordan Best

“Whether it’s music, comedy, drama, dance or something for the kids, it’s all here,” she says. 

Kicking off the season is “Wolf Lullaby”, a dark and intriguing tale set in Tasmania where a nine-year-old girl is the suspect of an intense criminal investigation.

Presented by Echo Theatre, Jordan describes this chilling and exciting play, not so much a “whodunit”, but more of a “why and howdunit”. 

Later on in the year, the feel-good hit “Mamma Mia” will take the stage, as well as a bonkers rendition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel “Jekyll and Hyde”, she says. 

After a year that saw people not able to see stage productions, Jordan says she can’t wait to experience the feeling of theatre again.

“There’s an exchange that happens between performers and audience that you can’t get through a screen,” says Jordan.

“That performance you see is unique, and once it’s over it exists only in the minds of the people who were there, and each of those experiences can be different and distinct.

“You can’t replicate that feeling anywhere else.”

The Q – Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre, 251 Crawford Street. Call 6285 6290, email boxoffice@qprc.nsw.gov.au or visit theq.net.au

Innovative ideas for any metal project

FROM a custom, bespoke mailbox to a screening system for a home landscaping project, metal fabrication company Innovative Metalworx has a range of products available, but can also bring customers’ own ideas into reality, says owner Cheryl Moulden.

Their designs are crafted with the client so they have maximum input, and get exactly what they want, says Cheryl, who started the business in 2014 after years working in the residential building industry.

When it comes to their custom-made letterboxes, they range from 3D or light-box letterboxes that glow at night to custom fireballs with extravagant spherical fire-pits that really impress clients who have an eye for design, says Cheryl.

“We have a team of highly-skilled experts in metal fabrication who can create items in raw-finish steel, powder-coated steel (in the clients’ choice of colour), stainless steel and Corten steel,” she says.

Innovative Metalworx’s range also includes precision laser cutter and sheet metal fabrication, a metal bending and cutting service, metal roofing, fascia and gutter, arbours, pergolas and carports, privacy screens, gates and fencing, balustrade and handrails, bespoke signage, custom-made car parts and Corten garden edges.

“The Corten steel edging is a weathered steel product that needs no painting and develops an on-trend ‘rusted’ exterior that complements the latest outdoor designs and goes perfectly with more traditional gardens as well,” she says.

“We can manage the production of specialised componentry and custom laser-cut steel to any exact specifications.”

Innovative Metalworx, unit 1, 43 Aurora Avenue. Call 6232 9207 or visit innovativemetalworx.com.au

Putting riverside city real estate on the radar

FOR investors and home buyers looking for valuable locations, Queanbeyan should be on the radar, says EstateRealty principal Ben Stevenson.

EstateRealty principal Ben Stevenson

“For many decades people of Queanbeyan have enjoyed this now booming riverside city,” he says.

“It’s a great place to live with so many fantastic and interesting shops and business owners.”

And, there’s been a huge shift in employer mindset when it comes to employee workplace arrangements, which has seen an increase in purchaser demand for property in regional areas such as Queanbeyan, he says. 

“More flexibility on where you can live has created a phenomenon I like to call ‘mass migration’,” says Ben, who, backed with more than 20 years’ experience aims to exceed customers’ expectations with the trusted expertise from him and the EstateRealty team.

“It’s one of the catalysts driving Queanbeyan’s continued property growth.

“Since March 2020, covid has caused a dramatic drop in property for sale. 

“If this trend continues, we will see added pressure on the buyers, and under the rules of supply and demand we can expect the capital value of property to increase into 2021.”

EstateRealty, unit 1, 142 Monaro Street. Call 6297 3555 or visit estaterealty.com.au

Reliable finance for working equipment

FOR about 40 years, Oatram Finance and Leasing has been specialist brokers in finance and leasing for working equipment such as trucks, earth-moving equipment, forestry equipment and recycling equipment.

“We help everyone get excellent rates, from large, well-known companies to individuals,” says director Andrew Barmin.

“We have a wide variety of lenders where we’re able to obtain finance from.

“We’re able to do older equipment as well as new, and know how to handle private sales.”

As Oatram Finance and Leasing is independent, Andrew says they’re able to give their clients options, especially now as interest rates are the lowest he’s seen in his near 20 years of experience.

“They can negotiate a better price with pre-approved funds or we can negotiate rates on their behalf,” he says.

“We offer finance on second-hand vehicles over 10 years old and, [if, for example], you want an engine rebuild on a truck, we will have a lender who can handle that.”

Andrew says it all comes with an excellent service team who are happy to travel to clients at a time that suits them.

Oatram Finance and Leasing, shop 1, 78 Crawford Street. Call 6297 8588, email andrew@oatram.com.au or visit oatram.com.au

Josh gets injured athletes moving again

SPORTS injuries will vary from person-to-person, which is why the owner of Dynamic Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation, Josh Strahorn, gives clients programs tailored to their needs.

Dynamic Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation owner Josh Strahorn.

“People come in with injuries such as rolled ankles, twisted knees and shoulder injuries,” Josh says.

From here Josh, also an ACT Brumbies speed and rehabilitation coach, prescribes programs which focus on factors such as age, gender, the sport they play and their ability.

The aim of the program, according to Josh, is to return the athlete back to sport stronger, faster and injury-free.

“The program includes take home conditioning and flexibility sessions and suits beginners, intermediate or advanced athletes,” he says.

But Josh doesn’t just focus on rehabilitation and says Dynamic Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation offers athletic services such as group sessions, individual coaching and online programs.

“Exercise can be beneficial both physically and mentally,” Josh says, who believes everyone has the ability to reach their full potential.

“We [also] like to stay up-to-date with treatments and research.”

Dynamic Athletic Performance and Rehabilitation, 1 Bass Street. Call 0449 926165, email josh@dynamicathletic.com.au or visit facebook.com/dynamicathletic

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