Former Cairns dental therapist Lorna Jane Clarkson, who more than 20 years ago created the designs that would become the Lorna Jane activewear empire, is in Canberra on Saturday.
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There are now 130 Lorna Jane stores in Australia and 20 in the United States, with Clarkson recently named one of Australia’s wealthiest women. Brisbane-based Clarkson has launched her second book, MORE of the Fit Woman’s Secrets, and will be meeting and greeting fans and signing copies from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday at the Lorna Jane store at Westfield Belconnen.
She answered a few of our questions this week.
You talk about the importance of active living - what does that mean?
"Active living allows you to get more out of your life by giving more of yourself every day. This philosophy is the key ingredient to finding your purpose in life and doing all the things you love."
What’s the best tip you can offer people to lead a better life?
"My best tip stems for the leap of faith I took 23 years ago to quit my full-time job and start making activewear for a living. You must commit to living authentically, stepping out of your comfort zone and start doing what makes you happy. Create a life you love to lead, as how we spend our days is ultimately how we spend our lives."
How often do you exercise and what do you do?
"Moving my body every day is non-negotiable for me. I love to build lean muscle with regular strength training and stretch out my muscles with yoga sessions. Every evening I make time to fit in a brisk walk along the river with my puppy Roger - such a great ritual to clear my mind."
What super-food can’t you do without?
"Right now, I’m loving kale. Dark, leafy greens have always been my lunchtime staple but this new season I’ve been adding fresh kale to quinoa salad, with grilled salmon on the side."
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
"Most nights you’ll find me unwinding before bed with a good book and a few squares of chocolate bark (made with cacao and my favourite berries). The best thing about living an active life is never feeling guilty or regretting my guilty pleasures. I enjoy every bite of my food because I know I’ve earned it."
You made Tony Abbott an ambassador for your Active Nation Day. Do you think having such a sporty PM will have an impact on the nation?
"Definitely! Our prime minister’s support of Active Nation Day was such a powerful step towards an active future for all Australians. I encourage more of our leaders to unite for a healthier, more active way of life for our nation."
You were recently named one of Australia’s wealthiest women. The World Ultra Wealth Report suggested you had amassed a fortune of $111 million. How do you feel about being named in such a way and is that figure anywhere close to the truth?
"While it is an incredible feeling to be recognised alongside the Australian businesswomen I admire most, the kind of legacy I want to leave doesn’t belong on a fortune list. I want to pioneer the active living movement and ignite women the world over to live their best, most active life. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life."
Flock to the stadium
Ok, stay with us on this one.
Sheep will on Saturday be let loose on to Canberra Stadium to eat the grass, allowing some of the magic of the hallowed ground to infuse their fleece. They’ll then be shorn some months later and their fleece knitted into collector Raiders and Brumbies scarves. Charities will receive the scarves to auction off and raise money.
Yep, we want one.
The project is the brainchild of the MIX 106.3 radio station and it’s being made possible, not least, through the generosity of Teneille and Brett Povey, who are bringing 20 merino wethers from their property Glenroy north of Bredbo to munch on the Canberra Stadium grass on Saturday morning.
Teneille tells us the sheep could potentially provide 200 kilos of wool, which sounds like a lot of scarves to us.
"It’s a big thing to be a part of. We’re excited about it," she said.
And while the Poveys are Brumbies fans, Teneille tells us, in league, she goes for the Rabbitohs while Brett follows the Cowboys. We’ll forgive them for that.
MIX 106.3's Cam Sullings and Ben Pollack will also be broadcasting live from the stadium between 8am and 10am for the event.
Mia takes the mic
Mia Freedman, creator and publisher of mamamia.com.au, will be the guest speaker at the announcement of the 2013 Telstra ACT Business Women’s Awards on Wednesday.
Fifteen finalists will be vying for the awards at Rydges Lakeside.
Cross Chris out for Solly’s 666 gig
We got a little bit excited this week thinking perhaps stellar journalist Chris Uhlmann, pictured, might return to fill his old seat behind the 666 ABC mic for the breakfast show slot now that Ross Solly has announced he will leave in December.
Solly, who will be a stay-at-home dad for his two youngest children in Bangkok while his wife Samantha Hawley takes up a new posting as ABC’s south-east Asia correspondent, will certainly leave big shoes to fill.
Uhlmann, who recently resigned as 7.30’s political editor to produce a documentary for the ABC about the Labor Party, was the very popular host of breakfast on 666 for five years until 2004. Perhaps he would return?
Nope, that ain’t going to happen.
"I can tell you it’s not me who will be replacing Ross Solly because I never again want to get up before four o’clock in the morning," Uhlmann said, good-naturedly.
Library all aboard
The 100th anniversary on Friday of the historic arrival in Sydney Harbour of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet on October 4, 1913 led the National Library of Australia to uncover some gems from its ephemera collection.
This includes the plan of tables from the banquet Rear Admiral Sir George Patey gave for government ministers and officers of HMA Sydney and Australia at the Sydney Town Hall.
There are also souvenir brochures, an "official" refreshment voucher and an invitation coupon for the Fleet reception. See more at the library’s Facebook page.
Kirton’s kitchen companion
Author and television presenter Meredith Kirton will be in the Gourmet Garden at Floriade from Saturday to Monday. Her latest book, co-authored with Mandy Sinclair, Grow Harvest Cook, is No.1 in the gardening category and No.11 in the cooking category, challenging cooking behemoth Jamie Oliver’s stranglehold on the list. The demonstrations will be at 3pm and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday and 3pm on Monday.
What's On
- The Handmade Market is at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm. There will be 150 stalls featuring beautiful products from jewellery to children’s wear, artwork to cupcakes.
- The Hall markets are at the Hall showground from 10am to 3pm. Hundreds of stalls offering fresh produce to pottery to children’s toys.
- And while in Hall, enjoy one of of the region’s loveliest events on Sunday - the Blessing of the Animals. All creatures great and small will receive a blessing in the service at the St Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church in Victoria Street, Hall. The service starts at 11am and will be followed by a free sausage sizzle. Horses, cats, dogs, chickens all expected.