Getting Fit for Life and Loving the Results!It’s a well known fact that if you want to in-crease motivation that it requires three key ingredients:-

�� Communication - (Tell as many people as possible what your goal is)

�� Action - (Commit to it by doing something about it e.g. sign up for gym membership, event etc.)

�� Accountability – (Once people know what you are doing they will be driving the motivation by constantly asking how you are progressing which equates to pressure.)

This is exactly what Vicki Cichon started four weeks ago when deciding to get fit, healthy and lose weight. Four weeks in she has lost

a massive eight kilos and lost a total of 56 cms.

How did she do it? (Story continued on page 5)

�� General Manager Dale Martin pg 2

�� STARS in my eyes pg 2 �� Buddy Holly Review pg 2

�� The Glycaemic Index Heath Commane pg 3

�� With the right support—Anything is Possible!

pg 3

�� Drown Proofing your child pg 4

�� News from the Courts pg 5

�� Staff Profile Maria Lavender pg 6

�� If you are up to the chal-lenge give it a go! pg 6

�� Live Love Laugh pg 6

�� Fundraising and staff news pg 7

Les Mills Launches 8th & 9th April Trinity College Open Day 10th April Blue Light Disco 15th April Dorothy the Dinosaur 17th April Basketball/Soccer Clinics 18th & 19th April Dazzling Stars Workshop 20th April Hip Hop Dance Workshop 27th April Holiday Swimming Program 27th—30th April STARfun Holiday Program 28th and 29th April Gymnastics Clinic 28th April

Issue 9 April/May 2011 We want to hear from you.

Do you have a story about your experience at STARplex that you would like published in The STARgazer. By submitting a story you will go into the monthly draw to win a $100 STARstore voucher. Stories can be sent to The STARgazer editors via contact details on page two of this edition. All stories will be subject to approval from The STARgazer editors.

Keeping it interesting by mixing it up!

Hmmm . . . physical activity. We all know we should be doing it, but for most of us, it becomes a low priority be-cause there are always more pressing things to do. Taxi-ing kids to school or sport, running the family, work, meetings, responsibilities – the list is endless.

For fifteen years, my job was to stay fit. As a professional basketballer I got to play, work and stay fit all in one. Perfect! When I wasn’t ‘working’ I was playing with the kids, reading a leisurely book, travelling, eating &

sleeping. I had the time to devote hours to my physical fitness, because it was my tradeable asset. If I could run and jump, score and defend, I got paid.

Well, now that I’m firmly entrenched in the ‘real world’ as Director of Sport at Trinity College, no-one is paying me to stay fit and it’s up to me and my wavering motivation to keep going. I feel that be-cause I pushed my body to its limits for so long, I really ask myself if I have any athletic goals left, and I still (Story continued on page 4)

*See back page for details

Pictured above: Vicki Cichon

STARplex management and staff wish all our customers a happy and safe Easter. Please note that we will have restricted opening times during this period. For further information visit our website www.starplex.com.au

Hello Readers, Have you ever experienced a personal acknowledge-ment for doing a great job or for

going the extra mile? For those of us who have been rewarded in this manner it is an experience which puts a smile on your face and a spring in your step. You get noticed and appreciated and that goes a long way especially if the acknowledgment comes from an ap-preciative customer. At STARplex we have introduced a pro-cedure to encourage our customers to acknowledge staff who have provided you with great customer service. We call it “Who Made You Smile Today”. You can nominate a STARplex staff member when they provide you with great service by filling out the forms available at Reception and in each STARplex Department. Your assistance in completing these forms will give staff a positive acknowl-edgement for the service they provide and encourage them as service leaders

in the industry. Each nomination will also provide a vote towards the end of year STARplex Customer Service award winner. To encourage your involvement STARplex will provide a $50 STARplex gift voucher from the monthly draw of customers who complete a “Who Made You Smile Today” nomination form. If there are areas where STARplex can improve its service I would also encour-age you to tell us by completing the “How Can We Improve” form. Your suggestions are considered each week by the STARplex management team and help us to keep STARplex a lead-ing recreation provider in South Austral-ia. Yours in Health & Fitness Dale Martin STARplex General Manager

Hewitson STARplex Theatre Review

“The Ultimate Buddy Holly Tribute Show”

“Our party of four really enjoyed the show. Great entertainment, looking forward to the next show. Meal was excellent and good value for money.” D Reynolds “Like the shows STARplex are putting on and the Pec Deck Cafe meals are

the best compared with any restaurant, with friendly staff.” Ruth Hogarth “The food I had for dinner & dessert was amazing! Music was superb.” Vic-toria Horsfall “Excellent! A fantastic two hours of great entertainment. Scot Robin did not miss a beat, played the guitar and sang with great professionalism. Well worth attending and would go again!” Eleanor & Bob Cotton

7 2

Editors Dawn Mettyear, Jeff Guess & Kelly Lange

All enquiries regarding feedback or potential articles to The STARplex Journal to be sent to Kelly Lange at langeke@starplex.com.au

STARplex 18-20 Alexander Ave Evanston Park SA 5116 Telephone (08) 8522 0622 Facsimile (08) 8522 0684 Web www.starplex.com.au

STARplex Fitness Centre Customer Ser-vice Award recipient Jase Morgan

STARplex Swimming Centre Customer Ser-vice Award and overall STARplex employee of the month recipient Ce-leste Collinson.

STARplex Reception Customer Service Award recipient Dawn Lea

Hewitson Theatre -STARplex Customer Service Award recipient Tim Newman

Thank you and congratulations to Karen Fielke (STARplex customer) who is our March winner of a $50.00 STARplex voucher. As an organization we value your nomination and the posi-tive feedback given. STARplex encourages anyone who has received excellent customer service to tell us about it by using the “Who Made You Smile” forms located at various points around the complex.

On February 21st at 6.30pm the STARplex Fitness Centre held an RPM Master class to help support Fitness Centre staff and clients who will be

trekking the Kokoda trail in April 2011.

Over 40 participants had the ride of their life during the one hour extreme class. Fitness Centre staff kindly donating their time for the event. Combined donations from partici-pants and non participants helped raise $185.00 for the Can-cer Council.

Congratulations to Paul and Ally Stelzer Paul married Ally Linn on Saturday March 26th at Port Lincoln. Paul is a valuable employee of STARplex and has worked in the Fitness Centre for the past three years as a Personal Trainer. He is also a very popular instructor with the participants from the Strength for Life program, who very kindly presented Paul & Ally with a gift to congratulate them on their forthcoming wedding. Congratulations and best wishes to you both, we wish you every happiness together.

Congratulations to the above STARplex staff on delivering outstanding service to our customers!

STARS in my Eyes Ever since the last STARgazer edition anyone could be excused for thinking that the world has turned upside down with earthquakes, tsunamis, wars and rumours of war. I’ve noticed recently particularly in the gym that most TVs were tuned to the new ABC 24 news channel for updates on the horrifying

situations in New Zealand, Japan, Egypt and Libya. It is with a feeling of almost complete disbelief and helplessness that we are watching the devastation and heartbreak for so many hu-man beings and the long road that stretches ahead for them in terms of people rebuilding their lives, healing and closure. At the same time, while chatting with friends in STARplex I am also reminded that earthquakes, tsunamis and the brutality of war is happening on a micro-scale often in individual lives. This week the terrible tragedy of a suicide and the pain and despair of another caught up in a terrible family crisis.

Thinking of them, as I have been while writing this piece and viewing the catastrophic images of Sendai province this morning. On hearing that the death toll is likely to rise to over 15 000, I thought suddenly of a very old Irish prayer my grandmother was fond of saying which I haven’t thought of for a long, long time.

May God give you . . . For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

Jeff Guess Writer in Residence

Trinity College

STARplex staff recognized for giving excellent customer service

STARplex Fitness Centre made a difference by cooking pan-cakes on the morning of Tuesday 8th March. Raising over $217.00 for Uniting Care. Over 100 pancakes were prepared by fitness centre staff and a great time was had by all who supported the event.

Thank you to everyone who supported STARplex in these two worthy fundraisers.

(Story continued on page 7) Introducing Maria Lavender — STARplex Training and Development Officer (Story continued from page 6) pool lifeguard/instructor training, Child-safe environments, managing other professional development within the centre and hopefully opening up to the public in the future.

I love how STARplex is endeavouring to strive for excel-lence, not only in programs for the public but to get all our staff fully qualified to continually improve safety and quality standards. I hope when my two boys are older that they can look at STARplex as a second home for fitness and a fond place to visit just like I do. Maria Lavender

Pictured above: Scott Robin

What is Glycaemic Index? Most people have heard about Glycae-mic Index however don’t have a great understanding of its importance or how it’s derived. The purpose of my article is to shed some light on a very popular nutritional topic that can have a very healthy impact on our daily diets.

The glycaemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate foods on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the impact they have on blood sugar levels after consump-tion. The GI rating of carbohydrate foods is determined by having a sample of 10 healthy participants consume 10 - 50 grams of the particular food after fasting overnight. Finger-prick blood samples are taken at 15-30 minute in-tervals over the next two hours. These blood samples are used to construct a

blood sugar response curve for the two hour period as demonstrated below. High GI foods have a rating greater than 70, with moderate between 56-69 and low GI (often recommended choices)foods less than 55.

graph courtesy of www.pura.com.au

High GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed into the blood stream and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, due to their slow digestion and absorption, produce more gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels. Low GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) as well as

help manage and reduce risk of numer-ous other common lifestyle diseases. They have additional benefits for weight control because they help control appe-tite and delay hunger.

Studies from Harvard School of Public Health indicate that the risk of common lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabe-tes and coronary heart disease are strongly related to the GI of the overall diet. In 1999, the World Health Organi-sation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recommended people base their diets on low-GI foods in order to reduce risk of common life-style diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Common low GI foods include multi-grain breads, basmati rice, sweet potato, dairy and most fruit. I would rec-ommend including a low GI source of carbohydrate at each main meal to help maintain satiety and provide sustainable energy. There are many low GI cook-books or check out the Dietitian’s Association of Australia Website (www.daa.asn.au) for great recipes.

Heath Commane

3

With the right support—anything is possible! I have always been a strong believer in looking after my health and seeking pre-ventive treatment rather than a cure. Having regular chiropractic check-ups and adjustments to my spine plays an important part in keeping my body finely tuned and balanced. I expect a lot of my body and take it to the absolute limit at times.

When I first started running two years ago, I noticed a significant amount of

pain in my hip flexor and my knees. As I started to increase my speed and the distance of my runs, I experienced some swelling to my knees and signifi-cant pain in my pelvis and hips. This made me feel very unstable on my feet. It was at this time that my chiro-practor Dr Krishna Keswani recom-mended that I have my feet scanned and assessed for some pelvic spinal stabilizers (foot levelers). Upon exami-nation it was discovered that I had an excessive foot pronation when com-pared to a balanced weight distribu-tion. This means that I have a decrease in arch height that causes my feet to roll inward excessively.

My personal trainer Paul Pearce along with other trainers in the STARplex Fit-ness Centre had pointed out to me that I was favouring one side of my body more than the other, this I found out later was due to my spinal pelvic distor-tion pattern, it was particularly evident whilst doing a Les Mills Pump class as the bar would lean predominately to the

right.

Once fitted with foot leveler pelvic spinal stabilizers I noticed that my weight dis-tribution became more even. I now experience less if any pain to my hip flexor and my range of motion has improved. This has enabled me to increase my distance, the number of times per week I run as well as intensi-fying my workouts in the fitness cen-tre. When you consider that your feet are your body’s foundation, it makes sense that if your feet are evenly plant-ed on the ground that this should im-prove spinal alignment.

I recommend to anyone who is experi-encing any fatigue, pain or discomfort in their joints, hip or knees to consider being assessed for spinal pelvic stabi-lizers.

Support Starlight Foundation when you take advantage of Dr Keswani’s special offer. See back cover for details.

Dawn Mettyear

‘drown proofing’ your child’ Allison Easom has been bringing her two boys, Zak and Jake to swimming lessons at STARplex Swim Centre for the last two years. When Zak started he was quite scared of the water but through Alli’s determination to ensure her children are safe in the water, Zak quickly improved and is now at the stage where he is learning his strokes. These are Alli’s thoughts on the importance of having her children learn to swim . . . “As a parent I definitely believe swimming lessons are a vital and an essential skill for every child to learn, starting at a very early age. Zak and Jake both started swimming from the age of six months. At this age my parental priority was to

encourage water confidence, floating on their back and if they were to accidently fall into a pool they could float or swim as best they could to the edge, hold on or pull them-selves out. We try to protect our kids as best we can but there is no magical wand for ‘drown proofing’ your child. For me, know-ing my children enjoy their swimming lessons and are willing to learn, gives me a sense of safety but does not make drowning impossible, it makes it less likely from happen-ing. The best thing I can do as a parent is to give my children the opportunity to gain the confidence and swim-ming techniques to be safe around water and safety aware-ness. My parenting style is known in the swimming pool environ-ment, as being a ‘helicopter parent’ – which means I like to ‘hover’, keeping a close eye on my children and the instruc-tor, making sure I get value for my money. And I personally believe STARplex Swim School offers great value for money, variety with their instructors and fantastic school holiday programs. Some parents say swimming lessons are too expensive, but they are not really when you think about it. A small monetary outlay each week far outweighs your child’s life. STARplex Swim School limits their lessons to smaller class numbers which focuses more on your child’s individual needs there-fore, more value for money. Gaining the confidence in the water, I believe is a big part of learning how to swim. I found the more committed as a (Story continued on page 5)

News from the Courts

I’m really looking forward to a very excit-ing time on the courts this year. With so many special events scheduled this year it would be worth your while to circle a couple of these dates on your calendar and come out and watch. Most of these events will bring both reg-ular users as well as a lot of newcomers to the region for the first time. I always look forward to hosting National events

and so many people who have never been can get to enjoy the unique and exciting things we have to offer. The year will start with several members of the Adelaide Thunderbirds Netball team running a netball clinic for the many netball enthusiasts on April 29th. This is always a huge success and already it is close to a sell-out. Next we will hold the National Junior Volleyball Championship at STARplex on July 10th- 16th. There will be over 200 games played during that week between some of the best young talent across Australia. This is a very big event that hasn’t been to South Austral-ia for several years so for STARplex to win the right to host this event is a big coup. Another very interesting national championship that will be held at STARplex is the Australian All Star Cheerleading Championship that will be held on September 4th. This is a very big

sport around the world though it isn’t widely publicized here in Australia. There is a huge following for the sport and it will attract over 500 spectators on the day. If things need any more excitement around the place in September it will be at STARplex because on the 19th thru to the 23rd the Indigenous Basketball National Championship will be played at STARplex. Over 50 teams compete in this event and some of the teams are represented by current overseas and local professional players, very good up and coming players and AFL and Rugby players who regularly represent their regions and state in such tournaments. This will be followed in October by both the Adelaide 36ers and Lightning bas-ketball games which were so successful last year. Ricky Simpson

Keeping it interesting by mixing it up! (Story continued from page 1) struggle with that. The solution I have found is diversity. I try and get 3-4 bouts of exercise in a week (which usually results in 2-3), and I mix it up. Maybe a 30-minute run, a bike ride or a surf. I drag my bones out for a social basketball game when the sched-ule permits it. Running by myself is not one of my favourite things to do, nor is cycling. I used to swim competitively but now I sink straight to the bottom of the pool. Basketball is still a passion but my joints simply say ‘no’. But as a diverse mix, I’m not overloading any particular muscle group and I generally feel pretty good. Motivation? Well, that comes from a few things. The ability to run around with my 12 & 9-year-old boys is the main factor. When we play basketball in the driveway, I’m still the king . . . for now! But those times are precious. Physical fitness also

4 5

Getting Fit for Life and Loving the Results! (Story continued from page 1) Vicki has always joined up for body transformation chal-lenges, taken advantage of gym specials and enjoyed the results, but once over has reverted back to the same old habits. This time however, she decided with encourage-ment from friends to join STARplex as a member and par-ticipate in group fitness classes. Keeping a food journal, reducing her alcohol intake and not having carbs after 2pm, has also helped make a difference. Eating three low GI main meals and three small snacks has been the key to keeping blood sugar levels more constant, therefore reducing cravings. “I have fantastic friend support. I also feel friends can only help you so far. I need them to be there for me from start

to finish and they will only give me so many chances to come to the party.” “Also when I don’t feel like going to the gym I make myself go and if I don’t do RPM I will choose a lower impact option or my friends will encourage me to do the class and I feel great afterwards.” Says Vicki.” Vicki’s focus has been Les Mills RPM classes which she attends four to five times per week and Les Mills Body Balance which she attends each Friday night to stretch out any tight muscles. “The support and encouragement from STARplex trainers has been amazing, my next goal is to keep the focus on my healthy life style change and keep going” says Vicki. Congratulations on your lifestyle change Vicki, we all look for-ward to seeing you in RPM. Dawn Mettyear

helps my mood and energy levels. I find the less I do, the grumpier and more slothful I am as well. Sport, for me, is a social outlet. In one instance I like to be around other people, while the other significant factor is that being part of a group is also a motivator because it makes me responsible for someone other than myself. In my role at Trinity, I know that extra-curricular activity can provide many lifestyle benefits. Sport provides the obvious health benefits, of course, but can also teach the life skills young peo-ple can take with them throughout their life journey. Discipline, loyalty, perse-verance, character, work ethic . . . the list goes on. Trinity College students have access to a significant choice of extracurricular activities and it’s my job to make sure they’re getting the most out of their time at the College. Trinity has provided a sporting pathway for many elite athletes, including Aus-tralian Cricketers Ryan Harris and Mark Cosgrove, international soccer player

Kristy Moore and Adelaide Crow Brad Symes through to emerging stars in-cluding basketballer Daniel Carlin, net-baller Amehlia Schmidt and soccer player Ben Warland. But these ath-letes represent just a minute part of what sport at Trinity College means. For most, it’s about participation, improvement and friendship. The Mon-day morning stories of Saturday hero-ics bring the College Community closer together and the memories they create will last forever. The critical factor here, however, is that it’s available. Whether you’re a washed up athlete or an emerging one, a time-poor creature of habit or a person of leisure, sport provides lifestyle benefits to all of us. Whether it’s through the Trinity Sport Program or the countless options STARplex provides, there is no real excuse to abandon yourself. You’re the only ‘you’ that you have.

Rupert Sapwell

‘drown proofing’ your child’ (Story continued from page 4) family we are by attending swimming lessons and school holiday programs, the faster they improve, gain the confi-dence within themselves and excel within their own abil-ities. They are more willing to try different things that they would not necessarily do if I were teaching them how to swim. There are many reasons why it is important to learn how to swim. I’m sure if you asked anyone why they think it is important, they could give many different reasons. So, definitely get your kids out there and have them learn to swim, and if you don’t know how to swim yourself, it’s

never too late to learn. Just remember safety comes first!’ Kelly Lange and Alli Easom

Zak and Jake Easom having fun in the water

News from the Courts I’m really looking forward to a very excit-ing time on the courts this year. With so many special events scheduled this year it would be worth your while to circle a couple of these dates on your calendar and come out and watch. Most of these events will bring both reg-ular users as well as a lot of newcomers to the region for the first time. I always look forward to hosting National events

and so many people who have never been can get to enjoy the unique and exciting things we have to offer.

The year will start with several members of the Adelaide Thunderbirds Netball team running a netball clinic for the many netball enthusiasts on April 29th.This is always a huge success and already it is close to a sell-out.

Next we will hold the National Junior Volleyball Championship at STARplex on July 10th- 16th. There will be over 200 games played during that week between some of the best young talent across Australia. This is a very big event that hasn’t been to South Austral-ia for several years so for STARplex to win the right to host this event is a big coup. Another very interesting national championship that will be held at STARplex is the Australian All Star Cheerleading Championship that will be held on September 4th. This is a very big

sport around the world though it isn’t widely publicized here in Australia. There is a huge following for the sport and it will attract over 500 spectators on the day.

If things need any more excitement around the place in September it will be at STARplex because on the 19th thru to the 23rd the Indigenous Basketball National Championship will be played at STARplex. Over 50 teams compete in this event and some of the teams are represented by current overseas and local professional players, very good up and coming players and AFL and Rugby players who regularly represent their regions and state in such tournaments.

This will be followed in October by both the Adelaide 36ers and Lightning bas-ketball games which were so successful last year.

Ricky Simpson

5

Getting Fit for Life and Loving the Results! (Story continued from page 1) Vicki has always joined up for body transformation chal-lenges, taken advantage of gym specials and enjoyed the results, but once over has reverted back to the same old habits. This time however, she decided with encourage-ment from friends to join STARplex as a member and par-ticipate in group fitness classes. Keeping a food journal, reducing her alcohol intake and not having carbs after 2pm, has also helped make a difference. Eating three low GI main meals and three small snacks has been the key to keeping blood sugar levels more constant, therefore reducing cravings. “I have fantastic friend support. I also feel friends can only help you so far. I need them to be there for me from start

to finish and they will only give me so many chances to come to the party.” “Also when I don’t feel like going to the gym I make myself go and if I don’t do RPM I will choose a lower impact option or my friends will encourage me to do the class and I feel great afterwards.” Says Vicki.”

Vicki’s focus has been Les Mills RPM classes which she attends four to five times per week and Les Mills Body Balance which she attends each Friday night to stretch out any tight muscles.

“The support and encouragement from STARplex trainers has been amazing, my next goal is to keep the focus on my healthy life style change and keep going” says Vicki.

Congratulations on your lifestyle change Vicki, we all look for-ward to seeing you in RPM.

Dawn Mettyear

‘drown proofing’ your child’ (Story continued from page 4)

family we are by attending swimming lessons and school holiday programs, the faster they improve, gain the confi-dence within themselves and excel within their own abil-ities. They are more willing to try different things that they would not necessarily do if I were teaching them how to swim.

There are many reasons why it is important to learn how to swim. I’m sure if you asked anyone why they think it is important, they could give many different reasons.

So, definitely get your kids out there and have them learn to swim, and if you don’t know how to swim yourself, it’s

never too late to learn. Just remember safety comes first!’

Kelly Lange and Alli Easom

Zak and Jake Easom having fun in the water

What is Glycaemic Index? Most people have heard about Glycae-mic Index however don’t have a great understanding of its importance or how it’s derived. The purpose of my article is to shed some light on a very popular nutritional topic that can have a very healthy impact on our daily diets. The glycaemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate foods on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the impact they have on blood sugar levels after consump-tion. The GI rating of carbohydrate foods is determined by having a sample of 10 healthy participants consume 10 - 50 grams of the particular food after fasting overnight. Finger-prick blood samples are taken at 15-30 minute in-tervals over the next two hours. These blood samples are used to construct a

blood sugar response curve for the two hour period as demonstrated below. High GI foods have a rating greater than 70, with moderate between 56-69 and low GI (often recommended choices) foods less than 55.

graph courtesy of www.pura.com.au High GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed into the blood stream and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, due to their slow digestion and absorption, produce more gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels. Low GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) as well as

help manage and reduce risk of numer-ous other common lifestyle diseases. They have additional benefits for weight control because they help control appe-tite and delay hunger. Studies from Harvard School of Public Health indicate that the risk of common lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabe-tes and coronary heart disease are strongly related to the GI of the overall diet. In 1999, the World Health Organi-sation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recommended people base their diets on low-GI foods in order to reduce risk of common life-style diseases, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Common low GI foods include multi-grain breads, basmati rice, sweet potato, dairy and most fruit. I would rec-ommend including a low GI source of carbohydrate at each main meal to help maintain satiety and provide sustainable energy. There are many low GI cook-books or check out the Dietitian’s Association of Australia Website (www.daa.asn.au) for great recipes. Heath Commane

3 6

With the right support—anything is possible! I have always been a strong believer in looking after my health and seeking pre-ventive treatment rather than a cure. Having regular chiropractic check-ups and adjustments to my spine plays an important part in keeping my body finely tuned and balanced. I expect a lot of my body and take it to the absolute limit at times. When I first started running two years ago, I noticed a significant amount of

pain in my hip flexor and my knees. As I started to increase my speed and the distance of my runs, I experienced some swelling to my knees and signifi-cant pain in my pelvis and hips. This made me feel very unstable on my feet. It was at this time that my chiro-practor Dr Krishna Keswani recom-mended that I have my feet scanned and assessed for some pelvic spinal stabilizers (foot levelers). Upon exami-nation it was discovered that I had an excessive foot pronation when com-pared to a balanced weight distribu-tion. This means that I have a decrease in arch height that causes my feet to roll inward excessively. My personal trainer Paul Pearce along with other trainers in the STARplex Fit-ness Centre had pointed out to me that I was favouring one side of my body more than the other, this I found out later was due to my spinal pelvic distor-tion pattern, it was particularly evident whilst doing a Les Mills Pump class as the bar would lean predominately to the

“If you are up to the challenge – Give it a go” These are the words of STARplex Fitness Centre’s Sam Cryer, a crossfit enthusiast. Sam’s experience with cross-fit began three years ago when he was encouraged by a friend to check it out. At the time Sam says that he was lost in training. His first experience with crossfit was not pleasant and he swore he would never do it again. However six months later, pursuing the sport again, he has never looked back. Fellow STARplex trainers Clayton and Wade also tried the sport and motivation between the trio kept them going through what could be called, some of the most intense and grueling workouts imaginable. The trio now spurs each other on with some healthy competition. Crossfit is a broad training in general fitness that focuses on 10 physical skills which include power, speed, strength, cardio respiratory endurance, stamina, accuracy, co-ordination, balance and flexibility. A deficiency in any of these areas equals a carryover effect and limits perfor-mance. “Although we take training to the elite level, cross-fit can be scaled down to any fitness level and is based on a lot of science” says Sam. On Sunday March 6th Sam Cryer, Clayton Siviour and Deanna Dimasi completed their first round in the Southern Throwdown Crossfit Games where they were asked to

right. Once fitted with foot leveler pelvic spinal stabilizers I noticed that my weight dis-tribution became more even. I now experience less if any pain to my hip flexor and my range of motion has improved. This has enabled me to increase my distance, the number of times per week I run as well as intensi-fying my workouts in the fitness cen-tre. When you consider that your feet are your body’s foundation, it makes sense that if your feet are evenly plant-ed on the ground that this should im-prove spinal alignment. I recommend to anyone who is experi-encing any fatigue, pain or discomfort in their joints, hip or knees to consider being assessed for spinal pelvic stabi-lizers. Support Starlight Foundation when you take advantage of Dr Keswani’s special offer. See back cover for details. Dawn Mettyear

Live, Love, Laugh! This was the theme of Wendy and Pe-ter’s wedding on February 12th 2011. A marriage, 20 years in the making. In a touching ceremony celebrated with family and friends at Uleybury Winery, STARplex Reception Manager Wendy Gibson and Peter Mattingly finally said ‘I do’. Wendy and Peter met at Parents with-out Partners 20 years ago and have

been in love ever since. Raising their three beautiful daughters has always been a priority for them both and this was evident in the emotional speeches given by their children. Congratulations Wendy and Peter, your friends at STARplex wish you every happiness in your future life together as husband and wife.

Dawn Mettyear

complete three WODS (workouts of the day). All three were successful in completing the first round out of six in the sec-tionals, Sam placing equal 1st, Clayton 5th and Deanna 2nd amongst the female competitors. All three competitors share the same goal of qualifying for the regionals and competing in the national Australia/New Zea-land competition by being in the top 60 from sectionals. For more information on this sport, visit www.crossfit.com Dawn Mettyear

YMCA SA and USA, as well as working in sport centres since graduating from college in the UK. As the swim school has grown from the first weekend of 40 and six staff and me six months pregnant not a pretty sight in bathers! To 1800? And 84 staff, training the lifeguards along with teaching and supervising had become a busy task. With my consistent involvement with Royal Life Saving Society and furthering my qualifications I qualified as a Life-guard trainer and trainer assessor. I also have been train-ing with the South Australian Ambulance Service as a volun-teer. As from January 2011, due to the growing needs of STARplex my new role of Training and Development Officer was created. This involves providing approved training for staff of STARplex & Trinity in Senior First Aid, CPR yearly updates,

Introducing Maria Lavender — STARplex Training and Development Officer It all began in a classroom on Trinity College’s north campus in January 2000. I was employed on the new management team to rock the north! Dale had a group, from different walks of life and different qualities to put together a program to entice

the public to come and experience the STARplex way (Sports Training Arts Recreation). As the assistant pool manager, it was exciting putting together the swim school program, pool parties, and holi-day programs as I had conducted in the past with the

Pictured: Left to Right: Clayton Siviour, Sam Cryer and Deanna Dimasi

7

STARplex Fitness Centre Customer Ser-vice Award recipient Jase Morgan

STARplex Swimming Centre Customer Ser-vice Award and overall STARplex employee of the month recipient Ce-leste Collinson.

STARplex Reception Customer Service Award recipient Dawn Lea

Hewitson Theatre -STARplex Customer Service Award recipient Tim Newman

Thank you and congratulations to Karen Fielke (STARplex customer) who is our March winner of a $50.00 STARplex voucher. As an organization we value your nomination and the posi-tive feedback given.

STARplex encourages anyone who has received excellent customer service to tell us about it by using the “Who Made You Smile” forms located at various points around the complex.

On February 21st at 6.30pm the STARplex Fitness Centre held an RPM Master class to help support Fitness Centre staff and clients who will be

trekking the Kokoda trail in April 2011.

Over 40 participants had the ride of their life during the one hour extreme class. Fitness Centre staff kindly donating their time for the event. Combined donations from partici-pants and non participants helped raise $185.00 for the Can-cer Council.

Congratulations to Paul and Ally Stelzer Paul married Ally Linn on Saturday March 26th at Port Lincoln. Paul is a valuable employee of STARplex and has worked in the Fitness Centre for the past three years as a Personal Trainer. He is also a very popular instructor with the participants from the Strength for Life program, who very kindly presented Paul & Ally with a gift to congratulate them on their forthcoming wedding.

Congratulations and best wishes to you both, we wish you every happiness together.

Congratulations to the above STARplex staff on delivering outstanding service to our customers!

STARplex staff recognized for giving excellent customer service

STARplex Fitness Centre made a difference by cooking pan-cakes on the morning of Tuesday 8th March. Raising over $217.00 for Uniting Care. Over 100 pancakes were prepared by fitness centre staff and a great time was had by all who supported the event.

Thank you to everyone who supported STARplex in these two worthy fundraisers.

(Story continued on page 7) Introducing Maria Lavender — STARplex Training and Development Officer(Story continued from page 6)

pool lifeguard/instructor training, Child-safe environments, managing other professional development within the centre and hopefully opening up to the public in the future.

I love how STARplex is endeavouring to strive for excel-lence, not only in programs for the public but to get all our staff fully qualified to continually improve safety and quality standards. I hope when my two boys are older that they can look at STARplex as a second home for fitness and a fond place to visit just like I do.

Maria Lavender

Special Offer On presentation of this coupon the bearer is entitled to one Foot Levelers Spinal Pelvic Assessment

for the special price of $20.00 at

Dr Keswani and Associate 23a Adelaide Road, GAWLER SA 5118

Ph (08) 8522 3922 Conditions: Offer valid from 1st April—31st May 2011. Scans are available by appointment only and this offer must be mentioned at time appointment is made. One scan per coupon. The bearer must complete details below and take this coupon to appointment. Cash payments preferred. All proceeds received from this promotion will be donated to the Starlight Foundation. Name:____________________________ Address___________________________ ___________________________ Ph:_______________________________

Blue Light Disco

Date: Friday 15th April Time: 7.00pm - 10.00pm (lock-in) Tickets: $6 Purchase your tickets at STARplex Reception until 5pm, or at the door.

Trinity College Open Day Sunday 10th April For further information see Trinity Administration or phone 08 8522 0666

Coming Events All Bookings at STARplex Reception (08) 8522 0622 for further details please refer to our website www.starplex.com.au

Basic Basketball Clinic

Monday 18th April 10.00am - 3.00pm Ages: 5-12 years

STARfun Holiday Program Ages 5—10 years Thursday 28th & Friday 29th April 2011 8.45am-4.00pm Cost: $90 for 2 days Swimming, Basketball, Bootcamp, Tennis, Soccer, Craft Activites, Lunch - all day entertainment & fun!

Dazzling Stars Dance Workshop Wednesday 20th April 9.00am - 12.30pm Ages: 4-8 years

Dorothy The Dinosaur’s Travelling Show Sunday 17th April All Tickets - $20 Under 18 months free without a seat Tickets on sale now

STARplex Swim Centre April School Holiday Program Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011 9.00am – 12.00pm Lessons 45 minutes for babies and yabbies 1 hour for stingrays and above $55.00 for the four day program

Gymnastics Clinic Thursday 28th April 12.30pm - 2.00pm Ages: 5-15 years

Hip Hop Dance Workshop

Wednesday 27th April 9.00am - 12.30pm Ages: 8-14 years

Junior Soccer Clin-ic

Tuesday 19th April 10.00am - 3.00pm Ages: 5-12 years

Les Mills Launches Crèche Available (Bookings essential) RPM Friday 8th April—5.30pm—6.30pm (Bookings essential) Les Mills Super Launch Saturday 9th April 8.30am –10.30am

Brand new Les Mills program with simple but seriously hot dance moves. This program will be launched in May, but you can have a sneak preview in the STARplex Fitness Centre at the Les Mills Super Launch.

Getting Fit for Life and Loving the Results! It’s a well known fact that if you want to in-crease motivation that it requires three key ingredients:-

Communication - (Tell as many people as possible what your goal is)

Action - (Commit to it by doing something about it e.g. sign up for gym membership, event etc.)

Accountability – (Once people know what you are doing they will be driving the motivation by constantly asking how you are progressing which equates to pressure.)

This is exactly what Vicki Cichon started four weeks ago when deciding to get fit, healthy and lose weight. Four weeks in she has lost

a massive eight kilos and lost a total of 56 cms. How did she do it? (Story continued on page 5)

General Manager Dale Martin pg 2 STARS in my eyes pg 2 Buddy Holly Review pg 2 The Glycaemic Index Heath Commane pg 3 With the right support—

Anything is Possible! pg 3 Drown Proofing your

child pg 4 News from the Courts

pg 5 Staff Profile Maria Lavender pg 6 If you are up to the chal-

lenge give it a go! pg 6 Live Love Laugh pg 6 Fundraising and staff

news pg 7

Les Mills Launches 8th & 9th April Trinity College Open Day 10th April Blue Light Disco 15th April Dorothy the Dinosaur 17th April Basketball/Soccer Clinics 18th & 19th April Dazzling Stars Workshop 20th April Hip Hop Dance Workshop 27th April Holiday Swimming Program 27th—30th April STARfun Holiday Program 28th and 29th April Gymnastics Clinic 28th April

Issue 9 April/May 2011 We want to hear from you.

Do you have a story about your experience at STARplex that you would like published in The STARgazer. By submitting a story you will go into the monthly draw to win a $100 STARstore voucher. Stories can be sent to The STARgazer editors via contact details on page two of this edition. All stories will be subject to approval from The STARgazer editors.

Keeping it interesting by mixing it up!

Hmmm . . . physical activity. We all know we should be doing it, but for most of us, it becomes a low priority be-cause there are always more pressing things to do. Taxi-ing kids to school or sport, running the family, work, meetings, responsibilities – the list is endless. For fifteen years, my job was to stay fit. As a professional basketballer I got to play, work and stay fit all in one. Perfect! When I wasn’t ‘working’ I was playing with the kids, reading a leisurely book, travelling, eating &

sleeping. I had the time to devote hours to my physical fitness, because it was my tradeable asset. If I could run and jump, score and defend, I got paid. Well, now that I’m firmly entrenched in the ‘real world’ as Director of Sport at Trinity College, no-one is paying me to stay fit and it’s up to me and my wavering motivation to keep going. I feel that be-cause I pushed my body to its limits for so long, I really ask myself if I have any athletic goals left, and I still (Story continued on page 4)

*See back page for details

Pictured above: Vicki Cichon

STARplex management and staff wish all our customers a happy and safe Easter. Please note that we will have restricted opening times during this period. For further information visit our website www.starplex.com.au