About Highlife Downs Living Magazine
‘Highlife Downs Living‘ is a quarterly lifestyle magazine for residents of the Darling Downs, Southern Downs and Western Downs, covering the region from Toowoomba to Stanthorpe and west from Goondiwindi to Roma. (see attached map)
The magazine is on sale at newsagencies throughout Queensland with four issues a year - one for each new season (autumn, winter, spring, summer). The first issue appeared on news stands for Autumn 2005.
‘Highlife Downs Living‘ magazine covers all aspects of the Downs‘ vibrant local culture including home, garden, fashion, food, wine, travel, art, photography, film, books, music, weddings, socials, auto and more. Highlife Downs Living covers key events and happenings and runs special promotions each issue.
The Downs has many wonderful stories to tell, and Highlife Downs Living Magazine enjoys encouraging readers to feel proud of the rich culture in which they are immersed.
Contributors
Danielle Hughes Brown Editor/Publisher
Danielle Hughes Brown was born in Dalby, has had farms at Warwick and Texas, and studied her BA Journalism/Marketing and Master of Editing and Publishing at USQ in Toowoomba. Before starting Highlife Downs Living magazine seven years ago, she worked as an editor and in publishing management for businesses including UDIA, Vogue magazines, and News Limited. She has also worked in retail and resort marketing and for an advertising agency.
Keisha Leon Designer/Social media
Keisha Leon studied Graphic Design at Queensland College of Art in 2009. She worked for the State Library of Queensland as a designer for two years. Keisha also designs The West End Magazine, for Queensland Magazines. keishaleon.com
Annelisa Pope Advertising
Annelisa Pope has extensive experience in magazine advertising and worked in local and national press with News Ltd, international titles such as Vogue magazines and with Australia’s biggest magazine titles with News Magazines and ACP Magazines.
Kati Woods Website
Kati Woods combines her passion for hard working design and her drive to help business at Kingfisher Creative, a boutique design studio in Cabarlah, where her inhouse team creates design and web solutions for local and national clients.
Janet Kieseker Writer
Janet Kieseker moved to Toowoomba from corporate communications in Sydney 12 years ago to be a farmer/gardener. She is now juggling three small children with managing www.ourmarketingdepartment.com.au and barely controlling a love of fishing, books and wine.
Jane Grieve Writer
Jane Grieve was a humour columnist for The Courier-Mail during the ‘90s. Her book Slippin’ on the Lino is a collection of those columns. Jane’s blog can be heard on ABC morning radio. She helps to run the Best Western Country Pathfinder Motor Inn at Dalby. www.janegrieve.com.au
Nicci O'Mara Writer
Nicci O’Mara recently returned home to Toowoomba where she runs public relations and marketing consultancy Savvy PR Solutions. With more than 14 years experience, Nicci is enjoying the mix of improving communication for regional enterprises while raising two young sons with husband Bede.
John Elliott Photojournalist
Writer/photographer John Elliott has been taking photos for almost 50 years. His passion is photographing people and the bush. John shares his experience as a photographer at his Bunya Mountains Photography Workshop 13, 14, 15 Map. Details on www.elliottcountry.com
Andrew Coates Photographer
After studying a Diploma of Photography, Andrew Coates remained working in the photographic industry, specialising in wedding, fashion and automotive photography. He operates Salt Studios in Toowoomba.
Simon Hall Photographer
Simon Hall spent eight years as a musician before switching to photography. He operates Salt Studios in Toowoomba and spends as much time as he can photographing the world around him.
Cory Rossiter Photographer
Born in the UK, Cory Rossiter trained and worked in London as a fashion/commercial photographer. He moved to Australia in 1998 where he ran a photographic studio in Brisbane. Cory moved with his family to Stanthorpe in 2006. He finally feels at home and has established a successful photography and design business.
Jane Gilbey Photographer
Jane Gilbey completed a bachelor of commercial design and a bachelor of education and has worked as an illustrator, teacher and more recently photographer. She moved to Millmerran from Townsville in 2007 where she started Jane Gilbey Photography while juggling three small children. She specialises in maternity, newborn, family and styled photo shoots.
Jessica Lambert Fashion
Jessica Lambert was raised in Toowoomba. Studying at the prestigious Queensland College of Art, Jessica now runs her own business Visualante, a boutique creative house that specialises in fashion photography, fashion and event styling, and creative concepts & production.
Craig Rutledge Wine
Craig Rutledge is based in Toowoomba and is a passionate supporter of the Queensland wine industry. He has a Degree in Viticulture and recently completed his Masters focusing on Wine Quality.
Lee Faulkner Food
Currently the 4GR breakfast anchor, Lee Faulkner has his own radio cooking show and is a regular at many shows including the Ekka doing food demonstrations. Food obsessed, he spends his spare time creating recipes. www.leeskitchen.com.au
Justin Russell Garden
Justin Russell is a Hampton based writer with a passion for gardening and the environment. His work has appeared in a range of national publications, and he writes a Saturday gardening column for the Toowoomba Chronicle newspaper.
Graeme Kelly Toowoomba
Graeme Kelly spent over 30 years on major metropolitan newspapers, which included 25 years on The Australian, writing sports and racing. He was also a specialist commentator on Channel 10 for nearly 20 years.
Fiona Stone Highfields
Fiona Stone B.Sc. is a professional photographer and journalist from Highfields. On weekends you will find Fiona leading brides and grooms through picturesque locations across the Downs to capture her trademark country wedding shots.
Linda Mantova Clifton
Linda Mantova has more than 20 years in print media, and has been Magazine Editor of Queensland Country Life and Women’s Editor of The Land newspaper, Sydney. Linda is married with three children and works as a freelance journalist from her home near Clifton.
Caroline Milford Dalby
Caroline Milford is a Dalby-based media and communications consultant who has worked with local and state governments, national events and major industry. Originally from Newcastle, she has an interest in promoting regional enterprise.
Janine Waters Western Downs
Janine Waters is a partner of pjWaters Web Design based in Dalby and has integrated her love of photography into the business. In 2009 Janine began entering her work in competitions, receiving various awards including the Heritage Acquisitive Awards.
Kerryn Suttor Western Downs
Kerryn Suttor has developed an interest in writing & media through her work with Chambers of Commerce. With a variety of experience, she is now enjoying her new role of motherhood. Kerryn lives just outside of Dalby with her young family.
Dana Gluzde St George
Growing up in St George, Dana Gluzde turned her photography hobby into a small business in late 2004. Aside from servicing the local community, Dana’s images have been used in national advertising. Dana also does marketing consulting work.
Mandie O’Shea Goondiwindi
Growing up in St George, Dana Gluzde turned her photography hobby into a small business in late 2004. Aside from servicing the local community, Dana’s images have been used in national advertising. Dana also does marketing consulting work.
Penelope Arthur Roma
Penelope Arthur has more than 10 years experience in regional print media and now runs a freelance journalism and media consultancy business from her home at Roma. When not busy writing, Penelope enjoys helping her husband on their sheep and cattle property and chasing after their three young boys, Andy, Jack and Wilbur.
Alistair Brown Roma
Alistair Brown and his wife Nellie own and operate Brown Gully Photography & Framing in Roma. They both share a passion of chasing that “perfect” shot and are fortunate to be constantly surrounded by great people around the Maranoa.
Simon Hamlet Warwick
Simon’s love of photography has resulted in professional commissions from tourism bodies, local government and NRM groups as well as ongoing work with Fledge Design Studio. He has a strong interest in Natural History and is an avid reader and bushwalker.
Christopher Desgrand Stanthorpe
Christopher Desgrand lives on a small farm outside Stanthorpe where he indulges his passions as a wood smith and a wordsmith. He has a large shed for tools and a big room for books. He was a banker for many years, an Anglican priest for 25 years, and is now a marriage and funeral celebrant.