Lewis Doolan
Firefighter / Comedian
Suburb: Kelso
AKA: Doolz or “Hey you’re that comedian?”
I’m renowned for: My amazing chicken chilli and lime nachos.
Only a local would know … who has right of way on Castle Hill, walkers/cars.
My most memorable holiday was… an epic impromptu road trip. My wife, me and our two sons drove non-stop overnight to Brisbane and back in a Fiat 500 to see Cirque du Soleil. We had tickets but forgot to book flights. We didn’t realise until two days before the show. We used like $100 fuel total.
My favourite day is: Camping on a beach with my wife, sipping whiskey, watching waves.
The biggest influence in my life was/is: Well comedy wise, it has to be the goons I work with at the fire station. In life I’d say the people I meet everyday.
The funniest thing that ever happened to me was… the night I discovered that you should never have sex in a hammock! My hammock broke and my ‘friend’ and I fell naked from a second story veranda, over an eight foot fence onto a car parked behind a small town pub. To get back to my apartment we had to walk through the pub crowd, 20 metres down a busy street and get into my apartment building without keys. She covered her nakedness with her hands, I just covered my face.
Someone famous I met was: We’ve brought many comedians to Townsville; Tripod, Troy Kinne, Bob Franklin, Bev Kilick, Sean Choolburra, but non-comics John Waters gave me a shirt off his back. I tricked Sigrid Thornton into giving me a kiss when I was 16. Met Elton John in a Cairns kite shop.
My motto is: ‘Why not? What’s the worst that could happen?’
MY FAVOURITE:
Song: Feels Like Home by Randy Newman
Shop: Coffee Works
Eat: Sushi
Drink: Gentleman Jack & ice
Melissa Bonner
Owner/ Manager of South Townsville Takeaway
Suburb: Bohle Plains
AKA: Mel, Mum or Min.
I’m renowned for: Calling everyone Princess or Cupcake.
Only a local would know… where all the good swimming spots are around the area.
My most memorable holiday was… my first ever trip to Sydney and my honeymoon.
Right now, I wish I was… in Mexico drinking Corona’s.
My favourite day is: Any day that the NRL is played – professional or junior, as my boys play it.
The biggest influence in my life is: My husband Jason. He’s my rock and is always there for me no matter what.
The funniest thing that ever happened to me was… a lot of funny things have happened to me but the one that stands out was back when I had just finished high school. We went to schoolies at Lucinda Beach and one of my close friends and I decided to go for a drive. We did a U-turn but didn’t realise we were driving on sand. We got stuck and couldn’t get out. So, we had to convince an elderly man to let us use his phone so we could call for help. It was one of those ‘you had to be there moments’.
Someone famous I met was: A few of the Broncos players at Bully’s after the game many years ago.
My motto is: ‘Live in the moment.’
MY FAVOURITE:
Song: Walking In Memphis by Marc Cohn
Shop: K-Mart
Eat: A good steak
Drink: Kahlua Margarita
Mike Boggild
Neurologist
Suburb: Annandale
AKA: Sadly I’ve never had a worthwhile nickname, just Mike to everyone (never Michael).
I’m renowned for: A complete inability to remember names. Generations of junior doctors – male and female – are simply known as ‘Gary’.
Only a local would know… I’m a long way from being a local. We only arrived in 2012. Ask me again in 20 years.
My most memorable holiday was… a whirlwind round the world trip in 1996 with my future wife. San Francisco, Route 1 to LA, Fiji, Whitsundays and Singapore – with no kids!
Right now I wish I was… back on Orpheus Island where I spent my 50th. A secluded paradise just 30 minutes away.
My favourite day is: Always today. I’m lucky enough to have a job I enjoy and family to enjoy life with.
The biggest influence in my life was/is: Jim Heron – Neurologist in Stoke-on Trent in the UK. Confirmed my love of the speciality and launched the careers of a generation of neurologists. Sadly Jim died last year, RIP.
The funniest thing that ever happened to me was… a tale from medical student days which doesn’t bear repeating in polite company. Ask me over a beer sometime. It’s a good story.
Someone famous I met was: Ben Stiller, in the airport lounge in LA. He’s smaller than he looks!
My motto is: ‘Treat each and every one with the same level of respect.’
MY FAVOURITE:
Song: This Charming Man by The Smiths
Shop: Dan Murphy’s
Eat: Anyone else’s cooking
Drink: Little Creatures IPA
Julie Hagiaglou
Soul Food Creatress
AKA: Jules, Julesy, Honey, Mum.
I’m renowned for: Being the most positive person anyone knows apparently.
Only a local would know… how amazing it feels to walk up Castle Hill.
My most memorable holiday was… probably when I went to Korea. It was crazy. I remember putting my card into an ATM and the writing on the screen was in Korean! I had to do the math and pray really hard. It worked, I got my card back. It’s the only place global roaming doesn’t work.
Right now I wish I was… doing exactly what I’m doing. I love DUO Magazine and I feel very grateful to be in this month’s issue.
My favourite day is: My birthday! I usually celebrate my birthday for the entire month of June.
The biggest influence in my life is: My husband. He is my first thought when I wake up every morning. My best friend, my mirror, my inspiration. I love you honey.
The funniest thing that ever happened to me was… Oh yes! I got wrangled into a karaoke competition and my friend paid the judges off to give me a high score so as not to hurt my feelings. It wasn’t funny at the time, it was really sweet. When I found out she had paid the judges off, I laughed and laughed. I still laugh about it to this day.
Someone famous I met was: Missy Higgins. Years ago I won tickets to see her and also watch the sound check before the show. She was really beautiful.
My motto is: ‘Be the change. You can’t control what anyone else is doing, so be the change you want to see in the world.’
MY FAVOURITE:
Song: One and Only by Adele
Shop: Typo
Eat: Home
Drink: Henschke