IN Good Dharma

Shop well and feel good about it? It’s a dream come true, thanks to a newly opened store in High Wycombe.

If Carol Wittenbaker isn’t careful, her house will be filled with furniture and homewares which should be in her new store. She just loves it all that much.

Separation anxiety aside, Carol figured that the beautiful objects she couldn’t resist would be things other people couldn’t go past either.

But here’s the rub. When you buy something from Good Dharma approximately 50% of profits from all purchases go directly to carefully selected local and international charities.

“The Good Dharma brand blends my desire for sharing good fortune with others and my love of all things stylish and unique,” Carol Wittenbaker explains. “It’s a little out of the box but the end result is me being able to run a business and help others at the same time.”

With an eye for detail, like an intriguing free-standing basin crafted from million-year-old petrified wood or arresting sculptural lighting, products have been sourced from all over the world including India, Belgium, the UK and Indonesia. Carol is also committed to supporting local artists and offering them a platform to showcase their work.

Homewares with heart, this unique feature for a store of this type is Carol’s desire to provide an ongoing source of funding for charity and keep her social conscience connected. Ensuring every dollar spent in store will give something back in a positive and meaningful way, charities which will benefit from the proceeds include Cystic Fibrosis WA.

I’ve sourced some beautiful cushion covers from India made by women who are trying to rebuild their lives and each one comes with a story. I love that and it’s something which really switches a light on for me. I hope it does for other people too.

Carol and her husband of 27 years, Ray, have run a successful specialist welding business for years but this is her first foray into retail.

Three years in the making, which started with building the High Wycombe premises, the store owner sees this as a perfect opportunity to give something back.

Every day the name Good Dharma, which is based on the word that means natural law in Indian religion and philosophy, resonates with Carol as a way to restore balance to the world in some small way.

“Ray and I are just happy to be able to do what we can to play a small part in the bigger picture,” Carol says. “There are so many worthwhile causes in the world I want to help where I can.

“I’ve always admired people who make their living doing something they are passionate about. Finally I’m going to be one of those people. I’ll also be able to do something useful and powerful. Maybe it will inspire others to do things a little differently too.”

Good Dharma is located at 1/1124 Abernethy Road, High Wycombe. The store is open Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm and for private viewing by appointment. www.gooddharma.com.au

IN Good Health

Feeling sluggish after the winter and want to make sure you enjoy summer? We’ve got some tips which will have you bouncing into the rest of the year.


The sun is out, the weather is starting to warm up and the weekends are glorious enough that you just want to get out and move about. But what if you’ve let yourself go a little and are finding it hard to kick that sluggishness which winter can bring on?


Adam Hansen believes that health is our greatest asset and as such we should make it a priority in our lives. The naturopath, personal trainer and masseur says without good health so many other things in our life will be much harder to achieve and enjoy – including an active summer.


“So many people forget that our bodies function optimally when we give them the best ingredients,” Adam says. “Fresh, nutritious food, water and exercise, as well as non-toxic relationships are all important foundations for making sure the body is in great shape.


“During winter, when the weather is bad, it’s easy to ease up or forget exercise altogether and spend plenty of time on the couch. Cooler temperatures also mean we tend to go for lots of starchy and carbohydrate-heavy foods which, without adequate exercise, can stack on the kilos.”


If you’re keen to put some enthusiasm back into your step and get your health back on track after winter’s hibernation, Adam suggests these six tips:
Get out in the sun:


Get out in the sun: Your body needs a minimum of 15 minutes of sun exposure on your face and arms three times a week to produce adequate levels of Vitamin D. This little vitamin also acts as a hormone which plays a vital role in shedding those winter kilos. Don’t forget to be sun smart though.


Detox your liver: During the winter months we tend to consume more comfort foods which tend to be higher in fat and sugar, all of which make the liver work harder. To give your liver a helping hand and fire your metabolism, eat plenty of broccoli, carrots and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Your liver will love you for it.


Drink more water: Being locked away indoors all winter, we tend not to be as thirsty but our bodies still require plenty of water. Consume 6 – 8 glasses a day and an extra litre for every hour of exercise. Once you’re hydrated, many common ailments like headaches, constipation, muscle stiffness and fatigue will disappear.


Get a massage: If you’ve just started exercising to get in shape for summer or suffer stress, having a massage can be a life saver. Massage calms the mind, reduces physical and emotional stress, removes those stubborn knots, boosts immunity and increases joint mobility.


Move more: If you’re not a great exerciser, start with regular daily walks. Thirty minutes will do but consistency is the key. The more often you go, the faster you’ll get and the further you’ll walk. Plus those chestnuts like parking your car a little further from the office or the shops easily put more movement into your life.


Up for a challenge: Want a real boost for your health and well-being? Give up processed sugar for a month and see what happens. It can be a miracle if you’re tired, fatigued, overweight and always sick. The items you’ll need to lock away are cakes, chocolate, most types of bread, lollies, ice cream, pastries, soft drinks, cordials, alcohol and most other processed, sweetened foods. If you need sweeteners, experiment with Stevia or agave syrup, snack on fresh dates and make your own sorbet for a sweet treat. There are plenty of sugar-free treat recipes and ideas on the net.

IN Awards

When we started Realmark, winning awards was the last thing on our mind...


When it happens, it’s always a very humbling experienced. So we’re thrilled to be able to share with you that Realmark has been recognized as the leading residential agency in Western Australia at the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Awards.


We also scooped the pool in the property management section; Realmark’s Christine Smith won Best Commercial Property Manager for the second year running while Sara Young was recognized as Best Residential Property Manager. Gemma Timmins was given the special accolade of Best Property Manager, voted by the public.


We know that what we do at Realmark is different, so to have our industry peers recognize this in such a powerful way is really rewarding for us. It’s  a massive endorsement of the unique and innovative approach we bring to real estate. We’re incredibly proud to be recognized in this way and so thrilled that our hard working team has been honoured.


Our team works very hard to deliver the best possible service in an industry, which is fast-paced and rapidly changing. Our approach is driven by innovation and we strive to deliver fresh and exciting methods of selling and managing for our clients. We do it because we know it is critical to getting the best results for you.


At the end of the day, the reason we do this is so that our clients get the best result, every time. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for you, so thank you.