Without a doubt WOMO is the best rewards based programme in Australia. I've only been a member for a little over 5 weeks and today received 9 x $20.00 Wish Gift Cards. Moreover, the arrived by registered post which was very reassuring. I'm absolutely stoked.

I'm impressed that WOMO not only encourages participation by good redeemable gift cards, but also has a leader board for your local area, city and Australia wide. I was pretty chuffed to quickly find myself ranked number 1 for the last 30 days in the extended Brisbane area, and more so when I managed to get to No. 1 in Australia. Although the Australian number 1 only lasted a week or so it's encouraged me to keep writing and aiming for the top.

Located directly opposite the railway line, Murarrie News is a rather unusual combination of a newsagents and a convenience store. Situated in a somewhat dishevelled looking small complex of shops, Murarrie News is quite often the only source of food and drink for commuters and residents alike. Although there is a takeaway food shop right next door, it seems rarely to be open.

Murarrie News is a large but sparsely stocked shop. The front of the store has a small range of newspapers and magazines, whilst the bulk of the shop is given over to convenience items. Here you'll find everything from toilet cleaner to breakfast cereal, nothing however being available in great quantity or variety. Particularly well stocked, however, are the cold drink refrigerators at the rear of the store. Murarrie News is an agent for Golden Casket.

This large, well appointed and spotlessly clean fruit and veg shop is a pleasure to visit. Together with the extensive displays of fresh produce they also sell a fine collection of spices, condiments, sauces, nuts and home made biscuits. Located at the entrance to Aldi, after you've tried them once you won't want to buy from a supermarket again.

The local corner shop is fast becoming a thing of the past, however the students of Victoria Point State School are still afforded the opportunity to experience their delights. Conveniently located directly opposite the school and at a roundabout (surprise, surprise), Roundabout Here can't be missed. Painted in a dark red, the exterior of the shop with its large white sign writing can't help but stand out.

As soon as you enter Roundabout Here you get a taste of what an old style corner store was like. Forgetting the pre-cooked fast food which confronts you right at the door, you immediately come upon four Scanlon's lolly dispensing machines. You don't see many of those these days. Obviously catering to their clientele of school children, Roundabout Here has a great variety of lollies, pre-packaged into small reasonably priced bags. They also sell 50c and 60c chocolate bars and have a Slush Puppy Machine. They may not have a pinball machine, but they do have one of those $1.00 claw machines where you can supposedly win stuffed toys.

Roundabout Here has a menu of hamburgers and seafood which is cooked whilst you wait and can be taken away or eaten in the alfresco dining area at the front of the store. Whilst off the street parking is limited, drive-in parking in front of the store is available.

Approximate cost: $From 50c

Located on the corner, Victoria Point Kiosk is the closest takeaway shop to the gateway of the awe inspiring Moreton Bay. A short walk from the ferry jetty to Coochiemudlo Island, the shop is themed as a Rock'n'Roll cafe and boasts the "Biggest and Best Value Burgers in the Bay" and the "Best Value Big Breakfast".

The Rock'n'Roll theme is largely restricted to the dining room which has black and white squared lino and tin walls resplendent with prints of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. There's even a juke box in the corner which at the time of my visit was engulfed by young people. Although the decor is a little faded, the premises are nonetheless sparkling clean and undoubtedly would have been very vibrant in its day.

The shop has burger and coffee menus and sells all the ice creams and cold drinks that you'd need for a day on the Bay. Opening directly onto the street, the Peter's Ice Creamery, which sells old fashioned ice-creams by the scoop, is a nice touch. They also sell hand fishing reels just in case you've forgotten to take yours along for a day of fishing.

The Victoria Point Kiosk provides a dine in or take-away service and has plenty of seating in their dining room and shaded alfresco area. A good sized car park ensures that you'll always find a place to park.

Although a small shop, Victoria Point Pharmacy is packed full of a lovely array of gifts, imaginatively displayed on glass shelving in accordance with colour. They also stock a good quantity of children's hats, sunglasses and scarves. Lay-buy facilities are available so that you can reserve that special gift for Christmas. Together with the usual medicinal products that are found at a chemists, Victoria Point Pharmacy also has a good stock of discounted bathroom and kitchen essentials.

Victoria Point Newsagency is a very small shop located within the Pelican's Nest Shopping Centre. They have a reasonable selection of greeting cards, cardboard, business supplies such as docket and receipt books, and school supplies such as exercise books and pens. Together with the sale of newspapers, Victoria Point Newsagency's principal source of income appears to be the sale of Golden Casket tickets. The staff are friendly and hospitable.

You wouldn't think that finding cheese and fetta triangles at a bakery would be a difficult task, however that's how it seems around these parts. I was greatly pleased, therefore, to stumble upon this bakery with their most delicious fare. Hasten to add, the cheese and fetta triangles are delicious and highly recommended.

Victoria Point Bakery and Cafe Oven King is a large cake shop with a very nice selection of the more traditional cakes. Together with a good variety of pies, the Bakery also has a sandwich bar and a broad selection of fancy birthday cakes which can be made to order. There is plenty of room for both inside and alfresco dining.

Approximate cost: $4.00

Aid to the Church in Need is a Catholic Charity which assists Christians and oppressed Churches suffering persecution throughout the world. Together with producing comprehensive documents such as "Persecuted and Forgotten?", a Report on Christians oppressed for their faith, and "Religious Freedom in the World", they also have a very comprehensive on-line store.

The on-line store has a large quantity of goods for sale, all at phenomenally reasonable prices. Among my favourites is the beautifully produced full colour Rosary Booklet. Selling for only $3.00, this 60 page booklet is superbly illustrated with 20 colour plates by Bradi Barth, embellishing each of the 20 mysteries. For sale are a large number of books, crucifixes, rosaries, icons and Christmas decorations, many of which are handmade or carved from wood by Christians in the Holy Land.

Approximate cost: $From $1.00

The irony has not been lost on me that on 12 October I commented upon one of the WOMO reviews for this brilliant business and that 4 days later, on 16 October, the unfortunate circumstances arose where I was required to make use of their services. Whereas I had anticipated using Pets in Peace for the eventual cremation of my ageing dogs, I had no idea that it would be for my dear cat, Noodle, that they would be required.

Pets In Peace provide an incredibly professional and compassionate service. They collect your animal from the vets, or where ever else she/he is, and do whatever they can to support you during this very difficult time. Athough they don't pressure you to make hasty decisions, they nonetheless act pro-actively in attending to your pet's cremation. They have a wide variety of urns and wooden boxes for the storage of ashes, together with various memorial plagues and headstones. Upon collection of your pet you're given a Certificate of Cremation, another A4 document with a copy of your pet's paw print, and also a lock of hair. All of these items are presented in a lovely coloured folder, together with a faux red rose. You really know that you pet has been treated with the utmost of respect and you have a cherished lasting memorial of them.

The service provided by Pets In Peace far exceeded my expectations. I had a dear dog cremated in rural NSW 12 years ago and the service I received on that occasion just couldn't compare with Pets In Peace. I highly recommend their services.

Approximate cost: $370.00