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editor'sletter Custom magazin of the ye e ar From the editor... Last month I had the good fortune to visit Darwin for the first time. I'd heard so many things about the Northern Territory's capital over the years that it was great to make it there myself and experience this cruisy cultural hub as it continues to develop at an astonishing pace. As soon as you arrive in Darwin the tropical heat makes you feel as though you've just touched down in balmy Asia, and the people are so laid-back and friendly that it doesn't feel anything like our busier eastern cities. It's really a lovely big town in disguise. The thing I find amazing about the location of this city is that an hour and a half down the road there is a jaw-dropping playground of ancient gorges, swimming holes and waterfalls – the magnificent Litchfield National Park really is another world. I spent a day visiting Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole and the Magnetic Termite Mounds (pictured below). Swimming in the gorges and under the waterfalls is a bucket list experience for sure, but now my mind keeps returning to the thousands of two-metre-high architectural feats built by termites, hardworking creatures barely half a centimetre long. (With the exception, of course, of the queen, which can grow to about 2.5 centimetres and simply has to lay about 2,000 eggs a day.) These incredible termite mounds stand like worn-down gravestones in a grassy field near Litchfield National Park – an eerie testament to the power of these indomitable insects. They are all aligned north to south to minimise exposure to the sun, ensuring less heat inside in the hot months. In fact, their list of attributes could read like a property ad for a house in Darwin – if you were looking for tunnels, chimneys, insulation and nursery chambers, that is. It's mind-boggling to see and touch the mounds, to feel their solid, steely strength and to know they were painstakingly built, one grain of dirt at a time carried by a worker termite. It's phenomenal when you think about how the country and the world is shaped and changed by humans and creatures. Editor Michelle Hespe Email: michelle.hespe@edgecustom.com.au deputy editor Emma Wheaton assistant editor Mitch Brook sub-editor Liani Solari Senior designer Guy Pendlebury production coordinator Sydney Stevenson prepress coordinator Tarn Mount Printer SOS Print & Media Interns Simone Henderson-Smart, Ana Barciela, Lars Davis Contributors Isaac Bober, Oliver Pfeiffer, Jordana Reid, Jill Stewart, Winsor Dobbin,Patrick Haddock, Matt Leacy, Jack Cleaver, Jeremy Chunn, Christine Retschlag, Walter Bellin, Mark Taylor, Baldeep S. Gill, Sue Webster advertising enquiries Group sales manager: Nick Mason: 02 8962 2670 Email: nick.mason@edgecustom.com.au WA, SA and NT sales agent: Helen Glasson, Hogan Media: 08 9381 3991 Email: helen@hoganmedia.com.au Above: An enormous Cathedral termite mound at Litchfield National Park. Back in Darwin, while taking a stroll around the new waterfront development, which will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the city's great outdoor lifestyle, I couldn't help but think of the termites busily building their new developments, gradually spreading further and further afield. We're all doing the same thing, really, spending our days working out the best ways to live. The people of Darwin are certainly doing a good job of it – you can tell the work/lifestyle balance is really important to them and it keeps visitors flocking in. I, for one, returned to Sydney feeling more relaxed and very glad I'd had a gander at our northernmost capital. Yes, they actually do say 'gander' up that way, along with 'blimey', 'struth' and a thousand 'mates' a day. It's good to hear. Enjoy your travels around the country and I hope you all have a fabulous year. Drop us a line sometime – we love hearing from you. Michelle Hespe QLD sales agent: Michael Petersen, JF Media: 07 3844 5888 Email: michael@jfmedia.com.au Advertising coordinator: Kirsti Harju: 02 8962 2600 Email: advertising@edgecustom.com.au Chairman Chris Innis CEO Eddie Thomas Editorial Director Georgina Armour Director Sarah Willmott OUTthere is published by Edge 51 Whistler Street, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 02 8962 2600 Fax: 02 8962 2601 www.edgecustom.com.au OUTthere is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge, under license to MGI Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. OUTthere cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. IV