We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Bill, and he’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Bill.

The post Monthly Winner for January 2023 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Stephen, and he’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Stephen.

The post Monthly Winner for December 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

Kitties of Disneyland – the kingdom’s keepers

Did you know that there is a population of 200-plus feral cats that live in the grounds of Disneyland, who are tasked with helping to control the theme park’s rodent population?

They’re neutered and supported with an infrastructure built specifically for them, including hidden feeding stations and veterinary care when required. First introduced in 1955, Disneyland doesn’t publicly talk about these invisible employees, preferring their rodent-eliminating staff members to perform their critical role during the nightshift when the park isn’t teeming with visitors.

Best of Book Week

With our August socials flooded with adorable Book Week costumes, we were reminded of the efforts families across the country put into interpreting their kids literary favourite. Send in a photo of your rugrats homemade Book Week costume and $1,000 could be yours, if we’re delighted by the creativity.

How: send your photo to havencompetitions@afgonline.com.au placing Book Week in the subject line, including the book title and any backstory you may have.

Include: your name, address, email, phone number and the name of your mortgage broker.

Dates: opens on November 11 and closes on January 11.

Winner: will be decided by January 12 and notified by telephone.

Terms and conditions: visit http://bit.ly/HavenWin

Congratulations to Jennifer for winning $1,000 for sharing this amazing, history-filled story about a precious, old thing she has at home.

This little wooden box was carved in New Guinea by my grandfather when he served as an armourer during World War II (he also fought in World War I in the trenches in France when he was 17). The lid is Perspex from a downed plane and he painted the little scene on it. My grandfather was a carpenter and this box is beautifully made and lovingly polished.

My grandfather made two identical wooden boxes and brought them back with him on furlough in 1943, giving one to my mother (his only child) and one to her close friend, Pat. Pat lived behind Mum’s home and across a small lane. Pat was four years older than Mum. My grandfather built seats against the back fence during the polio epidemic in the late 1930s when children were not allowed to go to school and the two girls would play together – separated by two fences and a lane.

Mum gave her little box to my sister when I was 12. However, fortunately for me, Pat generously gifted me her little box, as seen pictured here, five years ago. Pat and my mother’s friendship lasted over 90 years until Pat’s recent death.

I look at this little box and it reminds me of my grandfather and his sacrifice – leaving his family, closing his business and going to war again at the age of 42. It reminds me of two little girls playing together – my mother and Pat and the love my grandfather had for them. It also reminds me of my sister because this little box is unique but also one of a pair and she has the matching one.

It is 79 years old and very precious.

The post Haven Extras Summer 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Megan, and she’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Megan.

The post Monthly Winner for November 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Courtney, and she’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Courtney.

The post Monthly Winner for November 2021 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Carlene, and she’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Carlene.

The post Monthly Winner for October 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Dylan, and he’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Dylan.

The post Monthly Winner for September 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

From rags to riches

In 2013, a man browsing in a Sydney op shop purchased an unusual cup for $4.

Its uniqueness caused him to research its origins. He sent a picture to Sotheby’s, who confirmed that it was indeed both rare and valuable. The buyer had unknowingly purchased a 17th century Chinese ‘libation cup’ carved from the horn of a rhinoceros. He went on to sell it at auction for more than $75,000.

But this story pales when compared to a lucky American who in 2007 purchased a small bowl for US$3 at a garage sale in New York state, which they went on to sell for US$2.225 million at a Sotheby’s auction. Little did the purchaser know that the bowl that they had kept on their mantelpiece, with no idea of its worth, was in fact a 1,000-year-old treasure. The Ding ware bowl was an example of Northern Song Dynasty pottery and described by Sotheby’s as remarkable and exceptionally beautiful. The only other known bowl of the same size, form and similar decoration has been in the collection of the British Museum in London for more than 60 years.

Oh that old thing

What is the oldest thing you’ve got at your house? Perhaps it’s a vintage motorbike or a toy that belonged to your grandad. Something handed down or discovered in an antique shop. Send us a photo of the item, and regale us with its backstory: how old it is, where did it come from and why do you have it. The item and story that best piques our interest will win $1,000.

How: send us a photo of the oldest item at your home, including its backstory.

Send to: havencompetitions@afgonline.com.au

Include: your name, address, email, phone number and the name of your mortgage broker.

Dates: opens on August 12 and closes on October 13.

Winner: will be decided on October 14 and notified by telephone after this time.

The post Haven Extras Spring 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Magie, and she’s won a $500 Coles Myer voucher. Congratulations Magie.

The post Monthly Winner for August 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.

We appreciate your feedback, that’s why each month we give our customers who have recently settled a loan the chance to go in the competition to win a small thank-you gift. This month’s winner is Nicole, and she’s won a $500 Bunnings voucher. Congratulations Nicole.

The post Monthly Winner for July 2022 first appeared on Mortgage Brokers Brisbane Gold Coast.