Sun & sand versus chemical exposure

This long weekend sees a huge influx of visitors to the island, with many special events planned. At the Grand Prix track, it's a weekend of racing, with old racing cars the theme.

The warm days bring lots of people to the beaches where they swim, lie in the sun, walk and build sand castles. Phillip Island is blessed with many beautiful beaches -- from calm bay beaches to challenging surf. All with golden sand and plenty of space.

Since our big shopping day on Thursday, I'm suffering the after-effects of too much chemical exposure. This leaves me feeling exhausted, and with bad headaches and nausea. It takes time for my body to return to normal. The indoor pollution within most clothing and Manchester-type stores is bad, so bad that people with chemical sensitivity (such as me) suffer after breathing that air.

Living by the sea here at Phillip Island we breathe fresh air, and that's one of the main reasons we chose to live here. Clean air and clean water are basic to good health.

Clean air and clean water in outback Queensland

When we were selecting a place to live in Queensland, the quality of the air and water was paramount. The small outback town of Mitchell was our choice because the town is surrounded by a sea of semi-arid cattle country. As a result, the air is dry and clean of pollution.

The town has a reticulated water supply, providing plentiful water from the Great Artesian Basin -- one of the world's largest underground water supplies.

Mitchell has two bores, with the depth of each approximately 1000 m (1 km). The water temperature averages between 30 to 50°C . The water tower's main function is to give water pressure to the town -- but it also allows the water to cool.

Mitchell's water is soft and has a unique mineral content that includes bicarbonate, sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium. It has a pleasant taste and practically no smell -- and is wonderful in a bath or shower.

The town has an attractive spa that is open to locals and travellers alike. Many people believe it cures muscular and bone ailments as well as providing a place to socialise and relax completely.

At this time of the year the cold water is warm. Throughout the hottest months people turn off their hot water services and use the hot water tank as a place to cool the water. So the hot water tap is used for cold water and the cold water tap for hot water.

I consider it a privilege to live in a place where clean air and clean untreated water are both in abundance.