Caroline celebrates 20 years at Mix FM Is it just me or does everyone think it is dangerous to blink? Today I am celebrating 20 years on the Sunshine Coast, in the same job. We arrived on the coast around 8am one Thursday in May 1998, after driving overnight from Sydney, chasing our removal truck. We only just made it because one-year-old Jemima Belle was slowing us down, she vomited from Gosford to the Gateway Bridge, poor bubba. We arrive at our new home exhausted, stressed and covered in vomit. John and I did not know a soul on the coast, the first person I spoke to was the receptionist at Eckersley Medical Centre and the first person I met was Dr Trevor Beale who held my baby gently and welcomed me to the Sunshine Coast. And that’s how it’s been ever since. The Coast raised my kids. Neighbours, friends, teachers workmates and the ladies who stopped us at Coles to ask, ‘Is your mummy on the radio?’ people have been nothing but kind. The Coast probably raised me too. I had my 30th birthday at Mix FM. In the 20 years to follow you’ve watched me try lots of things. I’ve written a book that didn’t sell, made a tv show that didn’t rate and was beaten by Peter Slipper in an election. I can’t tell you quantifiable successes to be honest except for Mix FM’s Give Me Five for Kids, I am a big part of that and we are all very proud of it. I started on the air with a bloke called Peter Lang. Pete was a coast institution. In the early days he shielded me from the calls about how terrible his new co-host was and eventually taught me to make proper breakfast radio. Pete and I were on air with Justin Veivers, who reminded me every day that nobody dies making radio, it’s supposed to be fun. He also taught me to ask for more money. 15 years ago, I started working with a bloke called Mark Darin. The first thing I liked about him was how tall he is. No more standing on phone books for promo shots. Mark and I have grown up together too. Over 15 years our show has changed a thousand times. Sometimes we are serious, sometimes we are caring and sometimes we are probably only amusing ourselves, but I love him, and I still love coming to work every day. People always talk about how much the coast has changed since the 90’s and it really has but the best things have stayed the same. People still talk to me in Coles, they press money into my hands in June and always ask about those grown up kids of mine. Mix FM is my home, both she and I owe everything to the Sunshine Coast. Caroline xxx
Month: May 2018
The curse is lifted!
The curse is lifted! Last weekend I realised every time I’ve played in a certain pair of undies my team has lost ❌This week I wore them for training instead and rolled my ankle during captains run. Time to break the curse …. pic.twitter.com/ZQdyzSv8W8 — Anthony Gelling (@AnthonyGelling) 20 May 2018 Expect Warriors centre Anthony Gelling to be at the top of his game for the rest of the NRL season. The new recruit discovered something was holding back his recent performances for the side. “Last weekend I realised every time I’ve played in a certain pair of undies my team has lost,” the Warriors centre wrote on Twitter. “This week I wore them for training instead and rolled my ankle during captains run. Time to break the curse…,” Gelling added pointing to his video. Just as things were looking doubtful …. pic.twitter.com/bk7Cg8EjPe — Anthony Gelling (@AnthonyGelling) 12 January 2018 Every Referee after last weekend … pic.twitter.com/pfAM6ZpuI4 — Anthony Gelling (@AnthonyGelling) 5 April 2018
Is it just me or does everyone think it’s good to have a dream?
Is it just me or does everyone think it’s good to have a dream? Is it just me or does everyone think it’s good to have a dream? Next week we launch Mix FM’s Give Me Five for Kids. Since the turn of the century we have raised roughly $4.4 Million. That just feels like an opportunity. Surely, this year, we can make it ‘Give Me Five Million for Kids.’ Why do we need $600 000 this year? Because we plan to make life easier for the parents of sick kids by building much needed family accommodation as close to the hospital as possible. Every night of the week parents of critically ill children are scrambling for accommodation in Kawana. Family accommodation not only relieves the financial and logistical burden for people whose world has just been turned upside-down, it also provides critical support between parents going through similar crises. I hate talking about money but here are the numbers. Last year Mix FM’s Give Me Five for Kids raised $403 000 in a month. With hard work and the generosity of our tireless supporters we know we can match that this year. Somehow, we need to find $200 000 more. We’re nothing if not optimistic. There is a lot of talk these days about purpose driven business. Henry Ford was the first industrialist to prove that focusing on ideals rather than profit would lead to more profit. In 1914 he stunned the world by doubling every workers wage and introducing profit sharing to ‘clean living’ staff. His goal was that every one of his employees could afford a Ford Motor Vehicle. On the Sunshine Coast thousands of businesses are determined to have a positive social impact, through thousands of charities and we thank you all. If you’re keen on GM5FK there are lots of ways to get involved. If you’re an artist or art lover, please be a part of our Art Auction on Tuesday June 12. We’ve got trivia, bingo and poker thanks to Bart and Marie at Inquizitive Trivia. The Travel Associates in Caloundra are running a golf day for us, I know Neil and Therese are still looking for hole sponsors and prizes. Mark and Tanya Martin from Narellan Pools Sunshine Coast have again donated ‘Sam’s Pool’ in honour of their beautiful boy. You can bid to have the Mark and Caroline breakfast show broadcast from your business, with every cent you pay going directly to the kids. Sun City Travel in Caloundra are offering another family holiday. There is a trip to Borneo thanks to Wild Spirit Adventures, a wedding extravaganza and a $500 ticket in the ultimate marketing package. You might have something to donate, something you want to buy or a bold new plan we haven’t thought of yet. Trust me, we’re open to suggestions. If you haven’t got a dream, how can you make a dream come true? Caroline xx
Is it just me or does everyone think mums are surprisingly simple to please on Mother’s Day?
Is it just me or does everyone think mums are surprisingly simple to please on Mother’s Day? Is it just me or does everyone think mums are surprisingly simple to please on Mother’s Day? Sunday is all about time with the kids. Some of us want a little more time and some of us want a little less. I did a facebook poll and confessed my dream. I want my kids to be excited about a family lunch. I don’t care if the excitement is completely fake – I just want everyone dressed and ready to go, with no cajoling from me. I asked some other mums what they want, check for your mum’s name. Jenny: I just want their time. I want a nice breakfast or lunch that I haven’t cooked and anything else is a bonus. Sue: I want my oldest son to remove the headphones from his ears for the duration of breakfast. And my youngest son to not to continually ask to play on my phone for the same amount of time. Terri: I want a day where I don’t have to make any decisions. Nothing expensive or extravagant, just one whole day where I don’t need to decide what we do, where we go, or what we are having for dinner. Clare: My sons are taking me to lunch. No biggie I suppose, but they’ve thought about it themselves and pre-booked. That has made my day already. Shannon: I want a sleep in and breaky and cuddles. But what I really want is the girls, my husband and I to tidy the front yard. Jacqui: Just a relaxing day with my little angel……and some Mac perfume Tina: Yes, I too would just like my kids to do something with me and bloody well enjoy it! A big bushwalk and picnic lunch would be perfect. Fiona: Just to have my teen boys sit with me, no devices, no eye-rolling or mean comments, just half an hour of real conversation. And a hug. I really would love more awkward boy hugs in my life. Crying a little right now. So lots of mums want more time with their kids, just not the mums with toddlers. Poppy: I would like a day in a hotel room alone with the curtains closed to sleep and lay in bed and watch movies with my husband for 24 hours. Nicole: A real sleep in, not the type where you are listening to squabbling in the background but quiet sleep with no alarm. Brooke: Just a few hours to myself. No one to talk to, clean up after or feed. Alana: I just want to go to the toilet by myself. There were multiple requests for no fighting, no refereeing, just homemade presents and a day without screaming or tantrums. But my very favourite was Sharon from Conondale: I just want a new pizza tray. Happy Mother’s Day to all. Good luck. Caroline xx
Women are always learning from other women.
Women are always learning from other women. Women are always learning from other women. My 7-year-old daughter could not look more physically different from me, but we stand the same way with our hands on our hips, she uses the same turn of phrases as me, and she even drinks out of a cup the same way as I do. We soak up the ways and words of women around us from the day we leave the womb and that continues through school and into the work place and on social media. So in honour of Mother’s Day, I asked the important mums in my world for their advice to get through this at times tough life with as least bumps and bruises as possible. I know Mum’s Day is a day of dread for those of you, who have lost their mums or do not have children, but this advice is universal and who does not love to head the advice of a wise woman who has more than likely walked in our steps before us? My mother-in- law, Betty, has 4 kids and a wicked Irish sense of humour. Betty’s laugh is infectious and most troubles in life are shared over champagne and a patient ear. Betty taps her champagne flute when it is empty which means she needs a top up and let me tell you we have had many a night with so much tapping it sounds we have Michael Flatley in the house upstairs. Betty’s only fault is the fact she is completely bias when it comes to her 7 grand children and we often laugh at her divine comments on Instagram raving about the beauty of each one. We could post a picture of a troll and beautiful Betty would write with enthusiasm “This is the most beautiful grandchild and troll I have ever laid my eyes upon. Look at his cute little knees and that shade of green skin is perfect”. We love her comments. They are rainbows that we bank in our hearts. “My advice to my kids has always been to believe in yourself. Love yourself (but not more than others) and treat others with compassion. Never give up in life as every situation can be fixed. Ask for help when you need it. And lastly, ‘TRY’ spells cannot,” said Betty. My wise mother-in-law has also followed her mum’s advice (who had 11 kids and knew a thing or too about raising a family) her whole life. Granny Reilly’s advice is so simple and yet not many of us follow it. It is: “Always find something good about someone. They may have nice teeth. If you look hard enough there is always something nice to comment about.” My own Grandma used to say “Do not have high expectations of anyone and then you cannot be let down.” Funny in a way but very true! And my own mum did a pretty amazing job raising 3 kids by herself. At 77 years of age she is as feisty as ever and independent. She has always taught us to keep friends close and to dress warm no matter the occasion. This used to drive me mad as a teenager when I had a flat stomach and crop tops were in fashion but my mum would forbid me to wear them. Of course looking back I now think, “Well played, Mum.” So my mum’s best advice to other mums is to “constantly remind your young children their WILL be consequences if they do anything wrong as you must teach them right from wrong and they must learn from their mistakes and they must learn responsibility.” We will not be inviting my mum to stay for a while until we clean off the black felt pen from our walls after our 3 year old decided to be creative on our white walls. And I will leave the last words to Mum for us all: “Have a good sense of humour and treat people as you would like to be treated as life is short but oh so wonderful!” Sami xx
Have you walked the Kokoda Track? Would you like to?
Have you walked the Kokoda Track? Would you like to? Is it just me or does everyone think we need to go on more adventures? I’m just back from the Kokoda Track. It’s my third time across the mighty Owen Stanley Ranges but it never gets any easier, any less exciting or life affirming.We had wet weather. It’s always wet around ANZAC Day so we were reasonably prepared but a wet sleeping bag is not really something you can prepare for, trust me.I’ve climbed The Wall and Brigade Hill before but it still had me in tears. I’ve looked out across the Kokoda Gap before but it still took my breath away. I’ve held babies on the track before they still stole my heart. People always ask me what the trek is like and why I keep going back? Papua New Guinea is one of the most beautiful counties I have ever been too. It’s lush and leafy, with ancient pandanus forests and moss in every shade of green. The track winds to the heavens with rushing waterfalls, grassy terraces to rest on and pristine mountain villages. The people of the track are just as beautiful. During WWII the locals were described as angels by the soldiers they helped. One digger wrote: They carry stretchers over seemingly impassable barriers, keeping the patient comfortable. If night finds the stretcher still on the track, they will find a level spot and build a shelter over the patient. They will make him as comfortable as possible, fetch him water and feed him if food is available, regardless of their own needs. Porters are no different today. They carry your stuff and gently encourage when the going gets tough, ‘Slowly, slowly, do not be so impatient.’ Porters collect water, sort tents, cook meals and then sleep huddled together around the fire. My porter is the only reason I have ever made it across the track. And there is the history. When 10 Thousand Japanese landed in PNG, Australia initially sent just one thousand under-trained and poorly equipped men to the fray.Those ‘ragged bloody heroes’ put up a desperate fight, slowing wearing the Japanese down until they turned away, beaten and exhausted. Approximately 625 Australians were killed and more than 1600 wounded. Sickness killed 4000 more. Wayne Wetherill of Kokoda Spirit is a track expert. He is ‘Bosso’ to villagers along the track, he fights both the Australian and PNG Governments for the rights of PNG land owners and honours our soldiers by knowing their names and telling their stories.If I can walk the Kokoda Track, then anyone can. A week of camp food, hard slog and war tales around the fire are good for the soul. And I don’t care if you heard me cry on the radio, I promise you’ll love it. Caroline xxx
Captain Jack
Captain Jack Some kids have much tougher battles than most in their daily lives. As do their families. Little Jackson Hislop was born 15 weeks prematurely and now lives with Quadriplegic Dystonic Cerebral Palsy. The plucky little 3 year old also has a hearing impairment which has meant his ability to walk has been delayed and things many others take for granted take massive work for him to achieve. The little boy’s mum, Kristy Lea Hislop, is trying to raise money to buy a wheelchair van. “Jack is the absolute light of our life. Such a cheeky character,” said his mum. “We spent the year after his diagnosis attending multiple early intervention therapies and saw the determination of our boy amaze us and all of his therapists along the way. Thanks to an overwhelming amount of support last year we managed to provide Jack with all the equipment and therapy he needed through the year. We are so grateful. Jack doesn’t let CP hold him back from enjoying a full and happy life though. Jack’s favourite thing to do is to get out and about and explore new places (the aquarium is the latest favourite), to go for a walk, and to people watch. He has now grown into such a such a big boy I am having a hard time getting him in and out of the car seat now and I have also been lifting his 39 kilogram chair in and out of the car so it’s definitely time to start modifying our car and house situation to accommodate a wheelchair,” Kristy Lea said. Enter SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. The centre is holding a pirate themed fund raising event on Friday 4th May for Jackson and will open their doors from 5pm – 7pm for a cost of $20. There will be pirate -themed fun and of course the stars of the show (the sharks) will be in full flight in a rare night time display in the aquarium. The staff are working for free and feel passionate about raising as much money as possible for this special little boy. “We are hoping to raise both awareness for Jackson’s medical condition and funds to help equip their home for Jackson’s needs,” said Vicki Brown, the Operations Manager at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. The well-known local is one of the forces behind the success of the charity arm of SEA LIFE that is celebrating 10 years of giving to kids. It is called ‘Merlin’s Magic Wand’ and it indeed spreads magic to the kids who need it most. “Our charity Merlins Magic Wand support seriously ill, disadvantaged and disabled children in three ways,” said Vicki. Firstly, magical days out where we give away almost five thousand tickets to Sea Life Sunshine Coast each year to local families and charities. We also have magic on tour where we visit the children’s ward every month with a portable touch tank and artefacts for distraction therapy and we have magical spaces where we raise funds to do a make over for a local charity. Recently we did a toddler’s counselling room and play deck at a SunnyKids refuge. We raised over $30K for that one.” So we hope to see you at the ultimate pirate party or you can support Jackson on his Go Fund Me page if you just search for his name. Charity really does start at home. Sami xxx
Are you a lucky person?
Are you a lucky person? Are you a lucky person? I am that girl who never wins the meat tray in the raffle. I have never won more than $2 from a scratchie. And if just one poor sod is going to get food poisoning from a party, it is probably going to be me. But my luck has changed in a dramatic way. Apart from somehow bagging my husband, and having my beautiful kids, the best thing ever is about to happen to me.Work is sending me to London to cover the royal wedding for the radio.Yes: our Harry!Yes: the actress from Suits!Yes: that wedding!And yes, even the thought of flying for 24 hours surviving on red wine, Panadol and re-runs of Gilmore Girls in a seat the rough size of a chicken coup is not putting me off the grand adventure ahead. I am giddy with excitement. I have indeed already packed my boots and coat and scarf and I am hoping there is a chill in the British air as I plan to sip lots of tea and eat lots of battered fish and chips and do every touristy thing one can do when one is in London. I am not packing too much either as I also plan to buy lots of royal wedding souvenir coffee cups and tea towels. And yes, I am serious. Work has picked the right royal reporter to cover this story. I keep thinking my boss has possibly confused me with a far superior employee who works longer hours and deserves to go abroad. But that is that trap door working against us in our minds that so many women allow to sabotage ourselves called ‘insecurity’. So I am taking this gift and running with it to the international airport. I know the royal family brings out the cynicism when it comes to our Republic fans. But I think even the staunchest supporters of our great country being a republic may share a tiny smile for Harry the day he marries Meghan Markle. I mean everyone loves Harry, don’t they? Guys want to be him and lead his wild nude life partying in Los Vegas and girls around the world have fallen for his larrikin ways and that disarming charm of his. He is the little rebel brother who has been allowed to not completely conform to the rules and regulations of royal life. I like the monarchy. I think they are the original Kardashians. I also think Australia does not need the United Kingdom now as we are a progressive and forward-thinking country. We have outgrown our motherland in many ways. But our history is forever bound in the simple fact we were convicts who were thrown out of the United Kingdom. Thank God. I would take fresh prawns and white beach sand any day over mist and marshlands. But each to their own.So girls start planning your festivities to watch and listen to the wedding on May 19th. I feel there will be many parties going on all over the Coast. I will be lining a London street trying to catch a glimpse of that little boy who walked behind his mother’s hearse 20 years ago. I will have a tear or a dozen there is no doubt. And Harry will no doubt be beaming with happiness and pride as Diana looks down upon one of her two finest achievements: her sons. Sami xx