Paul Furse - Frontrow Foto

04/08/2026

There were so many profound, emotional, funny, deep & unexpected moments at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music over the past week. Looking back on the conversations so many stick in the mind, I'll pop some up every now and then but lets lead with Dene Olding AM.

"You have to know when you're important and when you're not.....If more people in the world knew when to shut up, the world would be a better place."

02/08/2026

I’ve been busy the last 9 days with the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. I cried, I laughed, I rejoiced, I empathized- I went through every emotion. The music was wonderful but for me the 6 “Concert Conversations” spread across the the festival were the absolute gold. World class musicians discussing various things around their lives and music. The stories they tell may be grounded in music but they are lessons in life. One line I heard which I’m surprised I’ve never heard before (and subsequently find is attributed possibly to Mark Twain) was “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why”. Using creativity to bring people together and leave them happier than I found them is probably my why, it’s why I enjoy drawing out amazing stories on camera, creating photographic moments, or playing Sax or Flute to people in pubs, clubs and events. I think I’ve unconsciously known that for a long time but never really articulated it (other than “making people happy, then shooting them).

Classical music might not be your thing, it’s certainly not mine all the time. Perhaps 10%.

That gives me 36 days a year when I might listen to some classical music. I’m going to allocate 9 of those days to next years Australian Festival of Chamber Music. It’s music, conversations and interactions for the soul and will leave you in a better place.

23 - 31 July 2027 - put it in your Diary.

27/05/2026

Always fun doing aerial shoots. Over the years I've been in, out and dangling under many helicopters. Debbie has something on me though - she doesn't know what it's like to be in a helo with the comfort of a door and artificial air conditioning!

14/05/2026

Such a wonderful team with a task so profoundly important.

This week we welcomed Rebecca back from maternity leave, while also saying thank you to Simone for returning to the Wellbeing Officer role during her time away.

Simone, thank you for bringing your experience and genuine care to our Legacy families once again. You have been a familiar face, a listening ear and a wonderful support to many throughout your time back with us, and we are so grateful you said yes when we needed help.

We truly appreciate all you have given to FNQ Legacy, you will be greatly missed around the office 🤍

Welcome back, Bec!! We’re really happy to have you back with the team. It’s great to have your experience and leadership back in the mix as we continue supporting our veteran families and growing the organisation, including the Legacy House project🏡

With Rebecca returning, Mel will now move back into Wellbeing and an Executive support role and the fabulous Bec Dent will continue in Events 😁

📷 Paul Furse - Frontrow Foto

14/05/2026

I can’t help myself

28/04/2026

In such a divisive world even rearing it's head at other Anzac Day ceremonies in Australia as well, it was beautiful to witness and photograph the Dawn Service on the Cairns Esplanade. It felt like everyone was at one there - thank you for the reminder that we can still do this..

13/04/2026

This looks like it’ll be a bunch of fun.

Lewis (Matthew Raleigh) is a uni student who takes a job directing Mozart’s Italian comic opera ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ in a mental asylum in 1971. Here he apprehensively meets patients (L to R) Ruth (Judy Gittings), Roy (Wayne Hogan) and Doug (CJ Bowers) on his arrival.

And so the mayhem begins...

Cosi is opening very soon and selling very fast. Book now at www.therondo.com.au/book