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Bunnings announces FightMND sausage sizzle fundraiser | Image: Supplied

Feel-Good Friday: 24 May 2024 – Barbeques and Ice Cold Brews


Is anyone else screaming for a European holiday right now? Winter in Australia has officially hit, and with the mercury dropping at an alarming rate, we’re settling in for a cozy weekend tucked away and out of sight. Grab a cup of tea, slip beneath the doona and start the Friday vibes off strong with a little Feel-Good action.

Brewmanity Beer Co Joins the Fight Against MND | Image: Supplied
Brewmanity Beer Co Joins the Fight Against MND | Image: Supplied

Brewmanity Beer Co Joins the Fight Against MND

Independent brewery Brewmanity Beer Co has teamed up with supermarket giant Coles to help support those fighting Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The release of the brewery’s new Ice Cold Lager will help raise funds and vital research for FightMND’s Big Freeze 10 campaign, the organisation led by inspirational AFL legend Neale Daniher.

Since 2014, Daniher, a former Melbourne Football Club legend, has unconventionally brought the illness into the public eye, through initiatives like the Big Freeze campaign. With this year marking the 10th anniversary of the event, Brewmanity Beer Co, a positive impact brewery co-founded by AFL Hall of Famer and former Melbourne Football Club captain David Neitz, is doubling down on its support. The team have raised over $970,000 for FightMND to date and is hoping to get even closer to a cure with Coles Liquor’s support.

The limited edition Brewmanity Beer Co Ice Cold Lager 4-pack will be available for $14 instore at Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars stores nationwide until Tuesday 18 June while stocks last. Better yet, Brewmanity Beer Co has also announced an upcoming fundraising event to support the FightMND charity – Big Freeze @ Brewmanity Brewery on Friday 31st May. 

  • What: The Big Freeze @ Brewmanity Brewery
  • Where: Brewmanity, 44–50 Tope Street, South Melbourne
  • When: Friday 31st May, 2pm-6pm
  • Why: To raise vital funds for FightMND charity
  • Price: $100 per ticket + booking fee, with 60% of each ticket sale going to FightMND.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Bora Bora | Image: Supplied
IHG Hotels & Resorts Bora Bora | Image: Supplied

IHG Hotels & Resorts Winter Sale

Who doesn’t love a cheap holiday? To mark the winter months, accommodation experts IHG Hotels & Resorts have announced a mega seasonal sale, offering 20% off as well as triple rewards points for stays in over 100 hotels across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and East Asia. From now until 11 June, IHG One Rewards members can score the deal on stays booked during 24 May – 30 September 2024. Best of all, snagging the savings is easy – you will automatically receive the discount when booking the ‘Book Now Pay Later’ rate option online. So, if you’ve been dreaming of a warm-weather getaway (or a cold one), check out IHG Hotels & Resorts for a blockbuster deal.

Bunnings announces FightMND sausage sizzle fundraiser | Image: Supplied
Bunnings announces FightMND sausage sizzle fundraiser | Image: Supplied

Bunnings Teams Up for Big Freeze 10 with Nationwide Fundraising Sausage Sizzle

Like the team at Brewmanity, Australian icon Bunnings is also getting behind Big Freeze 10, supporting the organisation with a national fundraising sausage sizzle. The new Bunnings Snag promotion will see 100 per cent of the funds raised from the $3.50 snacks on Saturday 12 May go to FightMND. Big Freeze 10 beanies and new limited-edition Big Freeze 10 buckets will also be available at Bunnings stores and online.

“This is the sixth year Bunnings has proudly supported FightMND and whilst Big Freeze 10 is a significant milestone in the fight against the Beast, we know there is more to do,” Bunnings chief customer officer Ryan Baker said. “A weekend Bunnings trip is a well-loved tradition for so many Aussies and what better way to mark Big Freeze 10 and raise some extra funds for FightMND than a national BBQ. Our team and customers are passionate about helping this incredible cause and grabbing a snag is another easy way to show your support. We encourage everyone who can to do their bit by donning their Beanie, buying a Big Freeze 10 Bucket and visiting their local sausage sizzle on Saturday 25 May.”

Big Freeze 10 Beanies are $25 each and limited-edition Big Freeze 10 Buckets are $10 with all funds raised bringing FightMND one step closer to finding effective treatments and a cure for MND. To find out more about Bunnings partnership with FightMND, visit: National Community Support – Bunnings Australia.

AtOne founder Edwina Griffin demonstrating the VR capabilities | Image: Supplied
AtOne founder Edwina Griffin demonstrating the VR capabilities | Image: Supplied

NSW Veterans Receive ‘World-First’ VR App for Mental Health

In a move that bridges the gap between support and technology, NSW veterans will soon be the first to use AtOne, an Australian-first virtual reality app targeting stress and building mental fitness. The ground-breaking new technology utilises personalised immersive virtual reality (VR) to provide guided meditation. Best of all, AtOne has a multi-sensory approach that allows users to customise each experience.

Veterans will be able to trial the VR app on HTC VIVE headsets at RSL LifeCare Veteran Services’ Emotional Wellbeing Open Days throughout the month of May. Using HTC VIVE’s virtual reality headsets, AtOne users can meditate amongst real and virtual scenes, including forests and beach settings.

“Veterans may be at a higher risk for mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” AtOne founder, Edwina Griffin said. “Data shows mindfulness and meditation has a significant effect on alleviating PTSD symptoms compared with both active and non-active control conditions. Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can reduce the symptoms of PTSD, particularly in war veterans, by calming the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the ‘fight-or-flight’ responses to danger.”

RSL LifeCare Veteran Wellbeing Centres offer a veteran-centric program of health, wellbeing and support services to help veterans and their families thrive in their local community. Veteran Wellbeing Centres are supported by RSL NSW and local sub-Branches.

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Don’t let the bun fool you, these are delicious | Image: Supplied

PlayStation Australia and Gami Chicken Unveil the Stellar Blade Chicken Burger

If you’re feeling a little blue, this might be the perfect excuse to eat your feelings, as PlayStation Australia has collaborated with iconic Korean chicken restaurant Gami Chicken to create a burger with a difference.

In celebration of Stellar Blade‘s release on PlayStation 5, the aptly named Stellar Blade Chicken Burger has landed, containing a golden crispy chicken fillet that’s topped with coleslaw and rich Gami cheese sauce on a slightly toasted blue bun. Don’t be put off by that bun; we’re happy to confirm the flavours here are on point – the chicken is top tier and the accompanying chips were nothing to sneer at either. We may need to revisit Man of Many’s hot chip ratings as a result.

The Stellar Blade Chicken Burger will be available until June 16th at participating Gami Chicken restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne (or you can have it delivered via Uber Eats and Doordash). Plus, every order of the burger gives you a chance to win one of five PlayStation 5 prize packs!