Weigh-in: 122 kg

Weight loss to date: 32 kg

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Hi All,

Keep your goals in sight

Anton had asked me what my goals were when we first started; I had set out 3 goals and one of them was for my weight to be 120 kilos for the family reunion. I have been working hard and this week’s weigh in (I am weighing in tomorrow) will let me know if I met my goal!

Last week, I talked about how exercise has been the key to my weight loss journey. I cannot express strongly enough just how much getting active has helped. It was very small steps in the beginning and please remember that, when I started this I was 158 kilos (156 kilos when I joined Anton). I was also suffering with gout and had extremely high blood pressure.

Anton, with my GP’s blessing, worked on a program that would suit my fitness level (which was extremely unfit ). The first weeks were spent walking up the stairs at the South’s training ground in Redfern park – this literally started with me just being able to do one set, I am now up to 50 sets. I started with doing 50 punches and am now up to 1000.

I will never tell you that I am an exercise junkie, however, try it out and get moving – I guarantee you’ll feel better for it.

In saying that the training is fun, it has been cold lately and I am very happy to say that Anton has moved into his Studio where I trained (one on one, as it is still personal training) yesterday. The new equipment that Anton has has opened another world of pain . I am looking forward to learning new techniques and ways of slimming down further. I am never sure of what Anton’s tips will be, however a tip from me is to contact Anton as I am sure he will have opening introductory specials.

Next week starts the journey of what to do with the excess skin, as you are all aware I have been overweight for many, many years and this excess skin is a result from this.

Short blog this week as not a lot has happened.

Now for last Saturday’s weigh in, 122 Kilos and yes another 2 Kilo loss last week, fingers crossed that a lot of hard work, I will meet my first goal of 120 Kilos by the family reunion this Saturday.

In closing I must report that “Dragons Abreast” needs your support as they receive no government funding, the journey I have been on has raised over $9000.00 for this very deserving charity. Thank you for your generosity and the hotel will be hosting a charity night at the end of August, more info to come.

Keep well, keep warm and see you next week.

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

Wow Steven!! Congratulations! Setting goals at the beginning is such a great thing to do, and it certainly looks like you are going to achieve this goal. Look forward to hearing the “120 is here” and of course all the comments from the Gargano Reunion.

Denise

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Weigh-in: 124 kg

Weight loss to date: 30 kg

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Don't go it alone! - surround yourself with supportive people

Dear All,

Yes it has been 2 week since my last blog and I must say, it has been eventful since ATE.

I had a quick weekend back in my home town, great to catch up with some of the family. It was fantastic to see family and their reaction to the weight loss, very uplifting. We are all in the mist of getting very excited about our upcoming family reunion which takes place next weekend, with family descending on Sydney from near and far.

I mentioned above that I was uplifted by the reaction from family that I have not seen (due to distance) in some months and it was great timing as it has been an up and down few weeks. I did reach 125 KGs 2 or so weeks ago, I then (unexplainably) gained and went up to 128 KGs. We have been through reasons on previous occasions why this happens and I must say that the retention of fluid plays a major role in what the scales say.

During this period, I was continually supported with words of encouragement from friends and also in particular Anton. I now know firsthand, the power of having positive people around you. The other interesting discovery that I realised is that like with my past efforts to lose weight, I had flat moments – however I never thought of giving up. I attribute this wholly to the exercise program that Anton has created for me. The exercise is hard and I am pushed, however at the end of each session I am overwhelmed with a sense of achievement. Now, this coming from the original couch potato is quite a revelation. Don’t think that I have become an exercise junky (because I haven’t), I am sure you can all hear me moaning in Darwin when I have to get out of bed in the early hours of the morning to meet Anton in the park. When the alarm sounds and I pull the doona up (Sydney is Antarctica at the moment, especially in the early morning) and try to snuggle in for the long haul, I suddenly remember how I feel when I don’t train: lethargic, bloated and unmotivated. This springs me into action (well that’s a bit of an exaggeration ). You do have to push yourself to do the exercise – however each week it does get a little easier.

I can only say that the key is, if you can’t get a trainer, grab a friend, grab a few friends – this makes it more bearable that doing it alone.

This brings me to my next revelation (there has been a few of them lately) 0 a very good friend of mine who is also on this journey to lose weight and is training with Anton, texted me the other day and said “City to Surf – are you up for it?” To my complete surprise, I texted back and said “You bet I am” – so come on all and join us!!!!

I am not sure whether I have told you this, however when I started this weight loss and get fit journey I was at 158 KGS after 2 weeks of dieting I was down to 156 KGs and I was struggling – this is when I knew I needed help as I was in the right mind set to do this for the last time. That’s when I met with Anton and started a new lifestyle. As I said, I started with Anton at 156 kgs and then started on the fund raising for Dragons Abreast at 154 KGs.

You may ask after around 4 months (I started at the end of March) what is your weight today, I am happy to say that I am, as of last Saturdays weigh in —- 124 KGs

34 KG loss – that’s at this stage of the program, averaging just over 2 KGs per week.

I do have a goal of being 120 KGs for the family reunion next Saturday on the 3^rd. I have this week’s weigh in on Saturday the 26^th and then the next on the 3^rd.

I feel like I have done well this week, however as I have learned, scales have a mind of their own.

That’s it for this week

Until next week.

Be good and remember to surround yourself with positive people,

Steven.

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Do scales lie?

Weigh in: 128 kg

Weight loss to date: 26 kg

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Hi All,

It has been a hectic 2 weeks on both the work and personal fronts. I attended A.T.E last week which is the largest tourism trade show in the southern hemisphere. It was a great success and I must say, on a personal note, great for the ego. The compliments that I received on the weight loss were very uplifting from industry colleagues that I have not seen in 12 months, since last A.T.E. Additionally the hotel gave out Dragons Abreast “Keyrings of Hope” to over 6o international buyers along with many Dragons Tale books to the media. The partnership between the hotel and Dragons Abreast has received tremendous feedback and articles have run in travel media about this.

A big thank you to the Northern Territory delegates that came up and congratulated us on the Initiative and partnership we have with Dragons Abreast (whilst Dragons Abreast is a national charity, it was established in NT) Thanks to Michelle from Dragons Abreast for letting N.T. delegates aware of what we are doing.

Now, on to the past 2 weeks – it’s been a roller coaster ride to say the least. First, I am going to say that my measurements are very impressive, to date I have lost 6 and half inches of my stomach (yes, I know still a lot more to go) and I have lost 5 inches of my chest, as well as inches off my legs and neck. I have now developed muscles on my biceps and chest – whilst small, they’re still muscles.

I have also learnt how important muscle is in helping to burn fat. I have gone down in shirt size from a 58 to a 46 and in pants size from a 60 to a 46. I tried on my suit and belt that I was wearing when I first started and it looked like one of those infomercials with me standing there and having so much room to spare.

The scales however continue to be my nemesis. I’ve had 2 weigh-ins since my last blog and I am embarrassed to say that I have hit a plateau and have put on weight. I am currently at 128 KGs as of last Saturday’s weig- in.

Please know that I do know how this happens and please if you are on a weight loss program, DON’T ALWAYS RELY ON THE SCALES. On my check up yesterday, the doctor, along with Anton, have told me again and again there are other factors to a little gain – muscle weighs more than fat and also I retained fluid. If I weigh myself after a workout, I can weigh up to 2 kilos less than if I had not done a work out. Scales are a guide!!!

Goals are worth setting and striving for. At first, I was disappointed and I had to re assess my goals, I was aiming to be 120 kilos for an upcoming family reunion on the 2nd July. Now with Anton’s guidance I have adjusted this goal to 124 kgs.

As you are aware my job entails a lot of entertaining and the A.T.E. is probably the pinnacle of this, cocktail parties are, in my opinion the worst type of function, as it is hard to keep track of what you have eaten and how many times the wait staff have filled your glass. I had 3 of these events and I must advise, if possible try to avoid them. After one such function, I spent 2.5 hours in the hotel gym the next day. Dinners are a lot easier as you can control your intake of food and drink.

While I have had a up and down two weeks, I do honestly believe while I may not have lost weight, however I find it very hard to understand the 2 kilo gain – yes I did have work nights where there were indulgences. I did keep up my exercise program, and as usual Anton put it all into perspective, my body is continuing to change and adapt every week. Last week, my routine was interrupted with 4 nights of “abnormal habits”, well, abnormal at least for the past 4 months. As a result, my body was, well for lack of a better word “in shock”.
I guess I have to be more diligent at these functions. They will not go away as it is part of my job however I again stress that if they can be avoided when you are on a weight loss program – do so. Also, let me say, that even thought I followed each day with exercise, I now notice that those nights of cocktail parties left me feeling lethargic and bloated – which is different from how I used to feel before I began this journey.

This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, say that I will never drink or eat unhealthy food again, just not at the moment.

This Saturday’s weigh-in will be very interesting to see what the scales say.

Until then,

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

The positive and the negative from me: the negative –  oh well the scales are up, but the positive is the boost of confidence from the compliments you received. Keep it up! – Denise, Dragons Abreast

Weigh in: 125 kg

Weight loss to date: 29 kg

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Another week has flown by and I am very happy to report this week I had a 2 KGs loss

As I said last week, it definitely is a test to keep motivated when you plateau. So a big THANK YOU to you all for your great words of support.

I had my check up with my G.P. this week and am happy to report that I have perfect blood pressure and am off all the blood pressure medicine. This was always one of my big goals when I started on this journey, and I must say it is very liberating to not have to take a tablet each day for blood pressure. I discussed in depth with the doctor about me reaching a plateau and as with all feedback, he told me “It will happen and will happen again”. The doctor said my body is going through massive changes and it will fight some of these changes. I was very taken back when he looked back at my history (I have been going to the same G.P. for 20 years)  and said that the weight I am is the lightest that I have been since I have been seeing him. I am now at 125 KGs and this is also the lightest that I can remember being. The doctor and I spent quite a while talking about the whole weight loss and I was quite surprised to hear that for reasons that I am not sure of at the moment, I do have fluid retention. The GP said that this can account at times for as much as 2 kilos.

It was also very empowering to be able to look at the long term goals and not give into a short term “feel good fix”. I continue to be more motivated than ever and a big part of this is thanks Anton’s guidance and support. I have to strongly recommend that if you are thinking on embarking on weight loss, a personal trainer is a great asset to have in achieving your goals. Anton is not only helping me get fit but has also become a confidant and to some extent, a psychologist.

It is quite amazing the things you discover about yourself when you are gently (I use that term loosely) being pushed to achieve more. “Do that extra 10 seconds of planks”, “Do 2 more squats” etc. I have been totally taken unaware, and I don’t mean to sound all airy-fairy here, however getting active and training has really given me a new and very positive outlook. I know this sounds all very new age, but it’s true, I just have a new outlook.

This week, I will be in Adelaide from Saturday to Sunday attending Australian Tourism Exchange, this is the largest  Travel/Trade show in Australia and believe me, it will be a test with dinners every night – including sensational South Australian wines. Then there are the lunches and the never-ending array of cocktail parties showcasing all we have to offer to international tourists. This is a fantastic event and I must say I am already starting to doubt my will power. Anton has already been counseling me on what exercise I must do in the hotel gym. I have no problem with this and know that I will stick to the regime he has set out for me. I am not as sure about how my will power will fair resisting the fantastic food and wine that will be on show. Again I will just keep reminding myself EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!!

In closing, a special big THANK YOU to my niece and her husband who have been in contact with Anton, (you know who you are) and I cannot tell you how blown away I am with what you have done.

That’s it for this week and until next week from Adelaide.

Cheers for now.

- Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

Steven, congratulations on not having to take medication for your blood pressure – great news. I always say that there has to be a positive that comes out of a negative – so the negative was the plateau, and the positive is no more pills’, fantastic effort once again

- Denise, Dragons Abreast

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Let the scales guide you, not control you

Weigh in: 127 kg

Weight loss to date: 27 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

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Hi All,

Another week another kilo, well not exactly…

Anton had been warning me, and my doctor had as well, “you will plateau- be prepared it will happen and is part of the whole process.”

Well it has happened this week, I didn’t lose weight. And even though, I had been warned, I still felt winded.

I actually weighed myself 9 times in a half hour and there was still no movement, stead fast on 127 KGs.

Then came the questions, I worked hard, I trained hard, why why why!!!!

Again, it was with the support of Anton that I have now put all of these questions into perspective.

My body (and lifestyle) are undergoing some massive changes, and all of a sudden I am taking away what my body has perceived as its fuel. My body is saying I must stock up and hoard away this energy (fat) in case of an emergency. I also know that this week, for whatever reason, I retained fluid.

For any one that is embarking on a great weight loss, please be prepared for these plateaus and for the body to readjust itself. I again say that even though I knew this plateau would come, I can’t explain the sinking feeling I went through. “I let Anton down, I let myself down, I’m not working hard enough,” and just doubting myself in general.

As you are all aware, I am the General Manager of The Quality Hotel Cambridge, and have to be truthful and say that I would rather deal with 50 complaining guests then deal with the feeling of not achieving a weight loss.

Now as you know, I weigh in each Saturday and after trying to get the scales to tell me something different (nine times) I texted Anton to let him know. I then sat down and the dark clouds started to appear – sort of the little devil on my shoulder. “Why don’t I just go out and get a Chicken Burger, Fries, Sundae and a Double Chocolate Malted Thick with extra Ice Cream? Now that would make me feel better!” This went on for about 4 hours and then just like a bolt from above, my phone alerted me that I had a text. Impeccable timing, as it was from Anton and this refocused me on what I have achieved – 27 KGs lost, now that is no easy feat. I feel better than I have in a long time, I look healthier than I have in a long time and have more energy and gusto than I have in a long time, and am definitely fitter than I have ever been…. (Last week for the first time, I achieved 3 x one minute planks).

It took the text for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to say to myself WELL DONE !!!

I say phooey to the scales, they are only a guide and even though they are telling me I have not lost weight, I know that I am smaller than last week (not that I call 127 KGs small) – I took my belt in another notch. This week, I even had the luxury of going into Rebel Sports and was able to buy a track suit off the rack. I never thought that I would venture into the holy grail of sports stores and be able to actually buy clothes. I was always banished to the “Big and Tall Shop” or the big men’s section in the cheap and cheerful department stores.

I then jumped off the lounge and stared at the scales and thought loudly (if you can think loudly ) “you are not going to take away that feeling and sense of overwhelming achievement that was actually buying clothes off the rack at what is perceived as a normal every day store.”

The lesson I learnt last week is that, yes the scales are a tool to guide you, however there are other factors to consider such as, yes, I am stronger and it is a known fact that muscle is heavier than fat.

So take guidance but don’t be controlled by the scales.

That’s me for this week, keep the comments coming!!!

Cheers,

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Your weight loss journey is not without its challenges - overcome and stay positive!

5 May 2010

Weigh in: 129 kg

Weight loss to date: 25 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

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Another week and another 5 kgs – YES that’s right 5 kgs.

I went from 134 kgs to 129 kgs. While I know this is a one off and this week I may not lose anything, I have been basking in my 5 kg loss.

I think that this even surprised Anton.

Leading up to my Saturday weigh in, I was feeling the inevitable – “what am I doing, this is too hard, I don’t want to train etc etc.” It’s during these times that that I think of the support that I receive and also the money being raised for Dragons Abreast. The support I have received from the directors of the hotel has been unsurpassed and they are truly 100% behind my efforts. I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.

I never wanted to make this a blog about people’s ignorance, and I won’t. But I do want to share an experience that I had the other day in a taxi. I have to say that it did have effect on me and my mental state. I spoke about it with telling Anton and told him I didn’t think that I should I should really put it on the blog.

But Anton, simply put, said “I think you should.”

The other day, I was feeling very good about my efforts having lost 20 kgs and was now down to 134 kgs. I was on a high – well that ended really fast. I have said before I have never suffered from poor body image but this incident affected me. I hailed a taxi and when the taxi pulled over, I went to get in the front seat, as I always do, but the driver said out loud that I was too big to get in the front seat and that I should hop in the back. Now, to say the least I was stunned – the car was a large Commodore and had plenty of room. I am still not sure whether this was because I had lost 20 kgs or whether it was his complete rudeness, but for some inane reason his statement really cut to the core.

In thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that yes, we do judge people on their appearance, however we do not know why or how this person is overweight. I have previously shared with you how I arrived at where I was.

At the end of the day I am glad that the ignorant taxi driver made his comments, as, one, it made me even more appreciative of the support I get and, two, I went on to lose 5 kgs last week.

So, I give a 2 fingered salute to people who do not look past the exterior. I have become more observant on how people interact with larger people and fellow human beings in general. I have also become more aware of the way I interact with other people. I am a firm believer in the old saying that you should treat others as you like to be treated yourself.

It can be done, losing weight that is, however I must say and say again, it takes real will power. I have nearly stopped watching television, opting for DVDs, so I am not constantly bombarded with fast food commercials.

I truly understand that the support you receive is critical to achieving your goals.

Until next week this is 129 kgs of me saying, ciao.

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Well Steven – 25kg and $6300.00 donated to date is a magnificent effort and don’t be swayed by the narrow mindedness of some. We don’t live in a perfect world, and if the world was perfect – wouldn’t we be boring people ??

Denise Lynn – Fundraising Manager – Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Indulged over Easter - don't wallow, work it OFF!

8 April 2010
Weigh in: 139 kg
Weight loss to date: 15 kg
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I’m back again !!! (minus 2 kilos of me that I’m happy to see gone!)

First of all, thank you all for you great words of encouragement, you really do not know how this helps me to stay focused.
The support has been unbelievable from brothers, sisters, nieces, great nephews, friends, work colleagues, my directors and people I have not met. Donations have even come in from as far away as London (Thanks Jan.) In the back of my mind I can always hear those who have said “you won’t last” or “yet another diet derailed” and all the negative comments. I must say that these were all quashed by the words of encouragement that you have all given me both by donating and leaving comments on my blog post.

It was a week of ups and downs.  As I have previously said, being a General Manager means a lot of entertaining and last week was no exception.
I had a client last week who, to say the least, is very important to the hotels business. He is old school and believes – and practices – that if you’re doing business it must be over copious beers and cigarettes. To actually sit for 4 or so hours and not have a beer or cigarette in a pub and then dinner in a fantastic restaurant is unbelievably hard.

As Anton has pointed out to me, I will have days and occasions where I will be tempted and will fall off the horse, and that if this does happen, I must get back up, brush myself off and get back on. I’m happy to say that this was not one of those times. The encouragement along with Anton’s tips helped me through and after more spring water than is in Franklin River and no cigarettes, I left without breaking my diet or giving into my craving for a cigarette. As a footnote, I took a leaf out of my Boss’s book (he is extremely health conscious) and had plain grilled fish for dinner with no butter or dairy – it was fantastic and I enjoyed every mouthful.

Easter, now let me tell you, what a time to be on a get fit program (Thanks Anton for keeping me on the straight and narrow). I don’t suffer from being a Chocoholic, but let me tell you, that when you have mountains of chocolate all around you it’s very difficult. I am very glad to say I survived and didn’t touch one bar.

As you may know, I come from an extremely large family, I am the youngest of 13 siblings and when there is an occasion for us to be together, we jump at the opportunity. Easter Saturday, my brother from Perth was over and quite a few of us were together for dinner. Whether this is correct or not, I think I have failed in the past as it was all or nothing, and when I did stray off the path, I stepped off the path. I have made a conscious decision that at times I will not be as rigid and Saturday night, I enjoyed the pleasure of some fantastic Western Australian Sauvignon Blanc – this was a special treat and I did enjoy having the splurge. At all times I knew how much I had drank and was mentally working out what I would have to do on Sunday morning as penance.
To my own surprise, I jumped out of bed on Sunday morning and walked for just over 5 Kilometers and I burned over 800 calories.

I am not promoting that you break out, however being realistic is helping me on this journey – a treat now and then is good for the soul.

This was a lesson that Anton had been nurturing in my psyche and let me say that it has worked. For every action there has to be a reaction. I am proud of myself for being able to react positively to a night that I thoroughly enjoyed, relaxing, laughing, sharing stories with my family. At no stage did I fell that I was deprived and that everyone else was having all the fun. I enjoyed the night and reacted positively on Sunday morning.

Please know it’s not easy, you turn on the television and you are inundated with very tasty looking fast food ads, you walk down the street and are surrounded by food just saying “eat me”. I arrive at work and there is excellent food around me and guests enjoying themselves.

I received a package this week from Michelle Hanton, founding director of Dragons Abreast, this included their book “A Dragon’s Tale” detailing great tales of courage, laughter, strength and friendship by women with breast cancer. Thanks Michelle, these are the real heroes. I strongly recommend that you all buy a copy of this book as it is a great read.

I am taking one day at a time and addressing each challenge as it arises.

Well enough, you all want to know if I reached my goal this week??????? Remember it was to smash the 140 mark which has been an elusive target for me.

This week’s official weigh in ——— 139 KGs

As you can guess I was ecstatic.

The hotel directors continue to be a great support and will this week by donating as promised $1300.00 to Dragons Abreast ( $100.00 for each Kilo lost )

Also I must mention Scot from “Switched on Media” who  has matched the hotels donations and has donated $1300.00 with a promise of more to come. Thank you Scot, I know that Michelle and Dragons Abreast are absolute blown away by your support as they are with all the support and donations that they have been receiving.

Thank you again for all your support and please follow my progress on my weekly blogs.

- Steven

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Meet the faces of Dragons Abreast

Dragons Abreast provides a face for the breast cancer statistics. We promote awareness and early detection whilst encouraging those living with breast cancer to lead a full, active and healthy lifestyle through participation in the sport of dragon boat racing.

“I have been explaining to our Dragons Abreast members that Steven has chosen us as beneficiaries. The common reaction is one of awe as they read his story and also of gratitude to learn that we are the beneficiaries of his efforts.
Many of our members have had their own battles with weight loss, regaining fitness etc and can fully relate to what Steven will be going through. This is a tough road to walk but the presence of a backup crew and achieving small goals – one step at a time – makes such a difference when the going gets tough. We are blow away by the way everyone is getting behind Steven!”

- Michelle Hanton, founding Director

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/