2 Brett Reddell builds family succession plan at Area Specialist He started his business during COVID with almost no savings – and says it was the best decision he ever made. Brett Reddell joined Area Specialist six years ago after a difficult divorce had wiped out his savings and super. The Gold Coast and Logan agent launched on a shoestring budget right as the pandemic hit. His biggest obstacle? Not the market. Not his ability. His own self-belief. "It was me stopping me doing it," Brett said. "I lacked a lot of belief. I had the ability, that wasn't the issue." Two hours with a mentor helped him work through the doubts – and within a couple of years, he'd rebuilt what he says would have taken two decades working for someone else. Now Brett's focus is on succession. His son Ethan, 20, is already a selling agent working alongside him. The five-year plan: Brett steps back gradually while Ethan takes the reins. Local clients are already requesting Ethan handle their properties. His advice for agents thinking about going out on their own is blunt: "If your mobile rings because you've got people calling you to list their property, then go do it on your own." For agents who've built (or are building) a family succession plan – what's one thing you wish you'd started doing sooner? See advert front page BLEACH Festival is making a welcome move into spring this year, with 11 days of music, theatre, art, dance and creative experiences taking over the Gold Coast from 1–11 October. And while contemporary arts festivals can sometimes seem aimed at a younger crowd, BLEACH 2026 offers plenty for all ages to enjoy. For the first time, the festival will be centred around HOTA, Home of the Arts, with the precinct transformed into a lively hub of performances, installations, music and community activities. There are more than 50 free and ticketed events across the festival, providing plenty of opportunities to dip in and out without having to commit to a full day. One of the highlights is BEACON, a spectacular free installation in the HOTA parklands created by internationally renowned artist Morag Myerscough in collaboration with Gold Coast community arts organisation Everybody Now! More than 500 local people contributed ideas during workshops that explored what place and belonging mean to Gold Coasters. The installation will be accessible throughout the festival and takes on a different character as daylight fades. Music lovers are particularly well catered for. On 2 October, American soul singer Lady Blackbird joins Australian duo Electric Fields for a free outdoor concert. The following evening, New Zealand favourites SIX60 headline the HOTA Outdoor Stage alongside Sub-Tribe. For those who enjoy discovering new music while still appreciating a great live performance, these concerts could be a real highlight. For something a little different, THAW by Legs On The Wall combines aerial performance, engineering and environmental themes. The spectacular work features a giant block of ice suspended above the performers and will be presented at Surfers Paradise and HOTA Lake. There are also plenty of options for those who prefer thoughtprovoking experiences. VOICES, a talks and ideas program running throughout the festival, provides an opportunity to hear different perspectives, while theatre lovers can look forward to productions including Awake and Gold Coast company The Farm’s No One Gets Out Of Here Alive, which combines dance, voice, music, humour and pathos. And don’t overlook the simple pleasure of making a day of it. HOTA’s restaurants, café, bars and festival food offerings provide plenty of places to stop for lunch, dinner or a coffee between events. BLEACH is a reminder that contemporary art doesn’t have to be something you simply look at in a gallery This October, it spills into the parklands, theatre, outdoor spaces and waterfront — offering Gold Coast locals of all ages a chance to see, hear and experience something a little different. With many free events alongside the ticketed program, it is well worth checking the program, picking a few favourites and enjoying a spring day out at HOTA. www.hota.com.au BLEACH Festival Brings a Spring Celebration of Arts to the GC
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