I can't recommend Graeme Lean & Associates too highly. I lived in Landsborough for 4 years and during that time Graeme was my vet. I have little doubt that he was responsible for saving the lives of both of my dogs.

The first life was saved when my younger dog contracted a paralysis tick. I had never lived in an area prone to paralysis ticks and having just moved, had not taken any precautions against then. By the time I realized what was wrong with my dog he was totally unable to move. My car was broken down and I was unable to reach by phone anyone who could assist by driving us to the vets. In desperation I put my dog in a wheel barrow and ran the kilometre or more to the surgery. When I got there I was told that they could've collected him had I called! My dog was in a very bad state and spent 4 days in hospital. It was touch and go for a long time. I was so blessed that he survived and also that Graeme's account was so reasonable.

The second life saved was my younger dog's mother. I noticed a growth and immediately took her to the vets. The growth was surgically removed and a biopsy revealed that it was a malignant mammary tumour (breast cancer). It was decided not to proceed down the radiotherapy path but to remain diligent in frequently checking the area. Almost 4 and a half years later she is still with us and has remained in remission. Again I am blessed to have had the services of Graeme Lean & Associates. I only wish that I could still use them, however I now live well over 100 km away.

MgrCentral is a great independent on-line retailer of DVDs and games. Established for over 25 years, MgrCentral offer very competitive prices and the quick dispatch of orders. DVDs are Region 4 (Australia) and their service so good that there is no need to trawl the internet and buy overseas.

I checked MgrCentral's price competitiveness compared to the ABC Shop. For the Classic Series Doctor Who DVD "The Three Doctors", MgrCentral's price was $18.44 compared to the ABC Shop's $29.99. Postage at the ABC Shop was cheaper at $2.95 compared to Mgr Central's $5.50, although in total MgrCentral was a great deal cheaper. MgrCentral also sell on eBay so it's worth checking their store there as prices sometimes vary.

Approximate cost: $20.00

Silver Rose Photography specialize in photography for schools, graduations and weddings. They took photos at one of my graduations at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and recently were the photographers for my children's school photos.

Photos come professionally delivered in a cardboard folder which is then placed and sealed in a plastic sleeve. Traditional class group photos are taken which include the listed name of all students and teachers in their rows. If only they'd done that when I was at school. Perhaps I'd then remember the names of my fellow students :)

In additional to the class only photos, you can also purchase for an additional charge the value pack which includes four 2.5 x 3" Swap Shots, two Bookmarks, two 2.5 x 3.5" pocket size portraits, a 3.5 x 5" black and white portrait, a school term calendar, two 3.5 x 5" portraits, one 5 x 7" portrait and an A4 sized My School scrapbook sheet.

Similarly available, for an additional charge, are eight sibling photos in various sizes and forms.

Approximate cost: $30

This is a fantastic fabric shop. Tucked away at the end of a block of industrial businesses, this airy and spacious store stocks an excellent range of fabrics, together with all your other sewing essentials. All popular makes of patterns are sold and thread is available at a particularly good price. 1000 metre spools of Beutron thread sell for $1.30, 2000 metre overlooker spools for $2.60 and 5000 metre overlocker spools for $4.40. This is considerably cheaper than the equivalent sold at either Spotlight or Lindcraft.

A really nice touch in the store are the numerous beautifully made children's clothes, which are displayed beside a copy of the pattern from which they were made. When I complimented the shop attendant about it he indicated that his wife wanted to be a grandmother and was giving hints to their kids!

This superb service to the Redlands community only opened in early September 2012 and is sure to become irreplaceable in very little time. Together with a Thrift Shop and low cost groceries, the store sells large food parcels for only $35.00 each on Thursday and Fridays. Included are three generous boxes - the first of food, the second of fruit and vegies, and the third of dairy products. In total all of the food provided would fill an ordinary sized shopping trolley.

The food box contains items such as pasta, rice, canned fruit, curry sauce, pasta sauce, mustard, pizza sauce, tea bags, fruit cups, dry biscuits, bread, and instant noodles. The fruit box contains a large selection of apples, oranges, mandarins, potatoes, onions and bananas. The dairy box explodes with up to 5 x 1 litre tubs of yoghurt, milk, cream cheese, dips and small 6 packs of yoghurt. In addition there are several different varieties of soup.

The discerning customer needs to be mindful that many of the fresh foods are nearing their expiry date and need to be either consumed within several days or frozen. The bananas, for example, may require eating that day. Nonetheless, the food parcels are a fantastic bargain and will be surely welcomed by many.

Approximate cost: $35

Santoshi India House is a fine little Indian supermarket, with the added bonus of hot take-away Indian food at the front of the store. The shop smells delightful and has an excellent range on Indian made grocery lines. Also sold are cooking utensils, CDs, DVDs and aromatic oils. It's from Santoshi that I always buy my supply of incense and associated paraphernalia.

I can't recommend these guys too highly. After a horrid experience with removalists previously I was extraordinarily hesitant about using anyone at all during my next move. I had almost decided to do the move entirely myself until I at last saw reason and went hunting for a reputable removalist.

Much to my surprise the proprietor, Howard, came to my home before the move to ascertain what I had and to give a quote. I was immediately impressed. The move went without a glitch and was right on time, something that was incredibly important as they were on a strict timetable to catch a vehicular barge to Russell Island. At the end of the move the guys were incredibly thoughtful and drove me down to the Russell Island shops, about 4 km from my home, and back so that I could get some essential supplies. My car, at that stage, was still on the mainland. They missed the vehicular barge back to Redland Bay and yet didn't charge me at all for the two hour wait they incurred until the next barge. Absolutely brilliant!

Megaplex cinemas are dull and soulless, never more so than when they're within a large shopping centre, such as Westfield. Thankfully the residents of Brisbane have an alternative to this, the Balmoral Cineplex at Bulimba. Located in leafy Oxford Street within a thriving street shopping precinct is this delightful small cinema complex.

Cineplex boasts the lowest cinema prices in Brisbane, and I have no reason to doubt them. At $8.50 for an adult, this is considerably cheaper than the nearby megaplex in Westfield Carindale which charges $13.50 per adult. There's no comparison in the price and quality of Balmoral Cineplex which is always a sheer delight to attend.

Approximate cost: $8.50

If you live on an island accessible only by ferry and without a single shop that sells new clothes, a great op shop is a true blessing. Run entirely by volunteers, the shop is large and pleasantly displayed. It sells a very large array of men's, women's and children's clothing and footwear at very reasonable prices. Unlike many op shops that are selling clothing at increasingly higher prices, the Russell Island one offers phenomenal value. Good quality women's blouses sell for as low as $3.00 each and shoes from $2.00. There's currently a "like new" pair of blue women's high heeled sling backs selling for only $2.00. If only they were my size! There is usually a rack of clothing where you can "fill a bag" for $5.

Together with the trinkets, books, CDs, DVDs and household wares usually sold at op shops, there is also a selection of furniture including beds, desks, tables and even an electric stove. As new furniture is unavailable on the island and must be bought on the mainland and freighted to the island, finding an item of furniture suitable for your needs close to home is a real bonus.

The Record Exchange Brisbane is an amazing store. Located in large premises on the first floor of a building in Adelaide Street, just around the corner from Rocking Horse Records, it's an establishment that you really need a whole day to fully explore.

The place looks old, junky and very cluttered, but if you're prepared to persist you can find just about any vinyl record that you're after. If it's not stocked in the massive area of catalogued LPs you can just ask the staff and they'll head "out the back" and see if they can locate it for you. I'd hate to think how big "out the back" is, and what it looks like :) Prices, however, are a little high for second hand LPs, although not so for CDs, T-shirts and other rock'n'roll paraphernalia. Make sure you take your water bottle to sustain you during your hunt, and perhaps a fan to cool you from the stuffy heat. Sometimes you need to experience a little inconvenience to find that real jem. Good hunting!

Approximate cost: $10.00- $40.00