Greater Port Macquarie Focus - i204

LUSANNA KLOT Z

@ GLASSHOUSE

WILD

Friendship. Sex. Drugs. Marriage. Divorce. Wild Thing takes the challenging, beautiful, heartbreaking, raw essence of real life and delivers a powerful Australian drama that will resonate with audiences of all ages. This is about four friends; their loyalties, love for each other, and a choice they must make

Beautifully uplifting, Wild Thing, is a funny and poignant new Australian play. It’s both comedy and tragedy. The best stories are…

GLASSHOUSE REGIONAL GALLERY

The Glasshouse Regional Gallery is temporarily closed due to being impacted by a storm.

For updated information please visit our website.

Please check socials for updates: glasshouse.portmacquarie glasshousepmq

GLASSHOUSE MEMBERS SAVE 20%

• Replacement of lost tickets

• Exclusive invitations & booking periods

• Monthly Member draws

*conditions apply

Di Adams

Katrina Foster

Di Smith

Helen O Connor

Complete Cardiology Care

COAST CARDIOLOGY - HEART HEALTH EXPERTS

Meet our ‘Coast’ team. We deliver a personalised approach to heart health, giving patients peace of mind as we explain the process. We empower patients with an understanding of the care available and help them make the best decisions about their treatment options. We then work closely with general practitioners, medical specialists, and our collegial connections to provide the highest level of tailored cardiology care. This approach, combined with evidence-based care, sees every patient receive the most advanced medical care tailored to their unique circumstances.

Ensuring the very best cardiology care is available to everyone

“My goal is to provide a personalised, high quality, evidence-based approach for you in an easy to understand and friendly way.”

“Every person is different, there is no such thing as one size fits all - I aim to make sure I find the right approach for you.”

Our two highly experienced Cardiologists, Dr. Kristian Prados and Dr. David Barrett, provide specialised and general cardiology services to all patients in Port Macquarie and the Mid North Coast.

Preventative & Interventional Cardiology Care

Electrocardiogram & Echocardiography

Implant Device Checks

Stress Test & Stress Echocardiography

Cardiac Catheterisation & Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

New patients welcome. A referral is necessary for your first cardiac consultation visit.

57 Lord Street, Port Macquarie

Open 8am - 5pm Mon to Fri Ph: 6584 3548 Fax: 6583 7538

www.coastcardiology.com.au

Dr. David Barrett Dr. Kristian Prados

Welcome

Welcome to this BUMPER edition of FOCUS. What an edition we have in store for you.

March is our annual Women in Business edition and I think this one is our biggest and best yet. A massive thank you to all the women who put their hands up and said “YES, I want to celebrate the hard work I have done and what I have achieved in my business” - You are all amazing, congratulations.

Our cover star is the one and only Lusanna from Meg & Me. Lusanna has built an amazing little business. Thank you Lusanna for being a wonderful cover model.

Inside this edition

Not only do we have our 44 page WIB feature starting on page 69, but we have some really amazing locals featured in this edition too. We interview Westpac helicopter pilot Michael O’Grady about his interesting career.

Jimmy Eggert from Oxhill Organics about his new Hastings Riverlands Milk and we’re lucky enough to have a very quick chat with Noah Mullins who people that follow the Arts and Broadway scene will recognise from West Side Story. Noah has come to Port Macquarie to feature in Got ya Back productions ‘Banjo’ show over the next few weeks.

Congratulations

On the Saturday evening prior to us going to print with this edition Port Medical Aesthetics

contacts.

MANAGING EDITOR Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au

EDITION COORDINATOR & ADVERTISING SALES Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au

Clinic (PMAC) with the help of wonderful locals and business owners raised a massive $45,000 for Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Services.

The Gig Guide

Over the past 12 months plus we have been super lucky to have the beautiful Elke from Mid Coast Socials putting together a Gig Guide. Elke has done this all on her own and it has been as a volunteer. Elke and her partner are having a baby and we wish them all the best on their new journey as parents and we hope to have a gig guide back in FOCUS very soon.

Next month will be here before we know it so enjoy March, enjoy reading this HUGE edition and we will see you soon.

ART DIRECTOR Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY Gavin Moroney gavin@focusmag.com.au

ADDRESS 2/28 Fernhill Road, Port Macquarie

POSTAL PO Box 690, Port Macquarie PHONE 02 6584 7433 WEB www.focusmag.com.au

IG focus.mag E info@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING SALES Sarah Baker sarahmay@focusmag.com.au

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Daisy Moroney daisyfocusmag@gmail.com

as ‘Interview or Contributor’ are non-sponsored content. Focus is published by

CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Steve Foye steve@focusmag.com.au

COPY EDITOR Bev Mulcahy info@focusmag.com.au

Craig Williams Photography

Michael O’Grady is a local pilot who flies the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. We ask him about how he prepares himself for the daily jobs, how he got into the role and what he loves about it.

Leilani and Shelby are sisters who have been selected to play in the Indigenous Australian team at the Oztag World Cup in Ireland and we will certainly be cheering them on.

A provocative story by Award winning writer Suzanne Hawley, ‘Wild Thing’ is both a comedy and tragedy starring four childhood friends who find freedom in London a decade later.

Lusanna Koltz - Monthly Musings

Lou Perri - Palate Pleasures

Rachel Leman - Fitness Update

Emilie Cooper - Legal Light

Alex Glen-Holmes - Business Voice

Kate Wood-Foye - Illuminate

MICHAEL O'GRADY

KIDS WHO RIP

SUNRISE CAMPUS MARKETS

There will be fresh produce, handcrafted gifts, vintage fashion, sustainable accessories, art, jewellery, freshly ground coffee, baked sweet treats, food carts and more When Sunday 5th March Where Charles Sturt University

Time 8-1pm

WAUCHOPE FLOWER SHOW

Presented by the Wauchope Garden Club

When 9th March Where Wauchope CWA Hall Time Open to the public 10am. $1 gold entry.

BANJO

GOT YA BACK PRODUCTIONS’ beautiful amalgam of the spoken word of A.B ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s famous verse, the music of COLDPLAY and stunning contemporary dance. Where March 18 @ 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Where Glasshouse Port Macquarie

Tickets gotyaback.productions/tickets

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY LUNCH 2023

The official launch of “Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats” on International Women’s Day 2023. When Wednesday 8th March 12:30-2:30pm Where The Stunned Mullet Price $120 (includes a donation to Beyond Blue) RSVP 5th March

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION RACE DAY

We have plenty of reserved seating available in our air-conditioned Ivan Livermore Stand, or there are limited tables in the outside bar or betting ring area. For further enquiries or bookings please phone 02 6581 1964

When Friday 17th March from 12:00pm Entry $7 Adult $5 Concession & Kids under 15 FREE

TELEGRAPH BLUES AND ROOTS

A boutique showcase of premier Australian Blues and Roots. Featuring a powerhouse lineup, bring your blankets, camp chairs and gazebos. Bring your dancing shoes and happy vibes. Bring your friends and enjoy one of the premium small to medium sized events on the coast. VIP tickets come with handmade laminate, event poster and access to the ultra limited range of merchandise and dedicated VIP area. Tickets www.eventbrite.com.au

Wauchope 2023

Wauchope 2023

Sounds of Sundown

Sounds of Sundown

AUSTRALIAN ROCK COLLECTIVE

AUSTRALIAN ROCK COLLECTIVE

Featuring

Featuring

Darren Middleton [ Powderfinger ] Davey Lane [ You Am I ]

Darren Middleton [ Powderfinger ] Davey Lane [ You Am I ]

Kram [ Spiderbait ] Mark Wilson [ Jet ]

Kram [ Spiderbait ] Mark Wilson [ Jet ]

+ Bugs + Melanie Dyer + Caitlyn Shadbolt + Leigh I’Anson + Keanu Jai

+ Bugs + Melanie Dyer + Caitlyn Shadbolt + Leigh I’Anson + Keanu Jai

Roving entertainment, circus workshops, interactive lighting Installations, food trucks

Roving entertainment, circus workshops, interactive lighting Installations, food trucks

Wauchope Showground

Wauchope Showground

Sat 11 March 2023 | 4pm-10pm

Sat 11 March 2023 | 4pm-10pm

All ages family-friendly live music event

All ages family-friendly live music event

Lusanna KLOT Z

OWNER of MEG + ME

Hi Lusanna, Meg + Me in the centre of town has been a part of the community for a long time now and is definitely a favourite with the locals and tourists alike. What are you most proud of when it comes to your business?

Thanks! It’s true that after 12 years, we really have become a recognisable fixture in the local business landscape! Anyone that knows me well, knows that talking about our achievements over the years doesn’t come naturally to me; however there are some aspects of the business that make me super proud and I am very happy to share them with you here.

One of the key things that makes me very proud, is my relationship with my team, especially Meg, who has been with the business longer than I have. When I purchased Meg + Me just over 10 years ago, I met Meg for the very first time and clicked immediately with her. Over the years, our mutual respect for each other has deepened, and we have supported each other through both massive growth and change in the business, as well as through personal triumphs and challenges. We are a small team, but we are a close team and it shows; half the time people think the business is actually owned by Meg, which I take as the biggest compliment as an employer!

The second thing I am proud of is our resilience when it comes to the peaks and troughs that all small businesses face, and over the past decade we’ve had our fair share of those. Working alongside my husband Ant has allowed me to share the “mental load” when it comes to the

business, as he is there on the ground with me and understands when adjustments need to be made. Adding our espresso bar to our boutique space was a stroke of genius, creating diversity in our product offering, allowing access to the espresso bar 7 days week, while not impacting our retail space. Plus, there’s the added benefit of having your husband hand deliver you a delish coffee each morning, I mean really, is there any better way to start the day?!

Let’s go back to the beginning, where did your vision for Meg + Me come from?

The answer to this one isn’t very glamorous. I needed a job! As the story goes, I didn’t get the job, but I bought the business. Ant and I are both from Tassie originally, and I must say that a touch over 10 years ago, the retail scene in Port wasn’t quite as inspiring and diverse as it is now. So once I’d invested in the business, it was time to get a vision, and my vision was really to try and bring a little of my hometown’s boutique-ness to Port Macquarie. So following quite a bit of trial and error, the concept of the Meg + Me people know and love today was born.

Let’s talk a little about you, other than your business (of course) What are your interests outside of the store and what do you love about living in Port Macquarie?

When I’m not in “the shop” you will most likely find me in my garden! Ant and I both have a passion for gardening, and ensuring that our home is the haven that we both

want to retreat to at the end of a big day or week. Ant is especially good with his veggies and edibles, but I prefer the landscaping and design aspect of the garden. Curating the colours, sizes and shapes of plants to create a welcoming outdoor oasis. With this in mind, the thing we love most about Port is the climate and how conducive it is when it comes to growing a successful garden, that is of course when we’re not flooding, or in drought!

Owning a retail business nowadays is definitely a lot different to 10-15 years ago. What have been some of the biggest changes/challenges you have seen and how have you adapted?

There certainly has been some changes! I remember when we first started, you were doing well if you had an email database and sent an email out every 3 months or so. Today, with social media as big for business as it is, you really do need to be a constant content creator, as well as connecting with your database weekly, not quarterly like we used to! Technology, manufacturing, shipping/freight, COVID, interest rates, inflation, droughts, bushfires, flooding, cyclones, you name it there’s been some challenges. But that’s life and we all make

it through together, that’s what small communities do!

When it comes to adding new products to your store what do you look for and how do you get your inspiration?

I’ve always found I get the best inspiration for our spaces when I am travelling. So, unfortunately there’s been a bit of a drought in that area the last few years! Having said that, because of the internet, there’s no end to the inspiration you can get right there on your computer. This year, all the Trade Only events are resuming, so getting back in front of suppliers, sourcing unique products and speaking with other business owners will also encourage more inspiration to flow. Watch this space Port People!

What does being a Woman In Business mean to you?

If I didn’t own Meg + Me, there is absolutely no chance I would have met and connected with, learned from, shared laughter and at times tears with, the most amazing women. Those who have walked through our doors over the past 10 years both as customers and staff.

For me, being a Woman in Business… means being here for the Women.

Today, with social media as big for business as it is, you really do need to be a constant content creator, as well as connecting with your database weekly, not quarterly like we used to!

POST EVENT ALE RT

PORT MEDICAL AESTHETICS CLINIC (PMAC) VIP CHARITY EVENT FOR LIBERTY DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE SPECIALIST SERVICES RAISES $45,000 IN ONE NIGHT.

Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, along with major sponsors Commonwealth Bank, Focus Magazine, Hello Sailor and Scaramouche events, as well as the generous community of Port Macquarie, raised an incredible $45,000 in their annual charity event ToxTails.

ToxTails was conceived in 2022, the brainchild of Dr Kristy Kostalas, owner of Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic (PMAC), as an avenue to give back to the Port Macquarie community. ToxTails is an annual VIP cocktail party, and the beneficiary is Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services - an organisation that specialises in domestic and family violence and homelessness in the Port Macquarie Hastings region.

Building on the incredible success of Tox Tails 2022, which raised $30,000, ToxTails 2023 surpassed all expectations and raised much needed funds for women and children caught in domestic violence.

Dr Kostalas says “With a recession on our doorstep, increases in rents, food, fuel and the general cost of living, women and their children need assistance now more than ever. We had such an incredible response from the community last year, that we just had to do it again and I am so happy we did. I can’t thank our generous sponsors, donors and participants enough, what an incredible outcome….”

CEO of Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services

Kelly Lamb said support from fundraising events such as this makes a real difference in the lives of local women and children, especially at a time when families are impacted by housing shortages, high rents and the increasing cost of living.

“Over the past two financial years, Liberty has supported more than 2400 women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in our local community. Currently, we are receiving our highest number of referrals ever, and this continues to grow each month,” Mrs Lamb said.

“Last year, in response to the housing crisis, Liberty expanded our accommodation to include independent living units for families and a program to support women over 55. Donations like that from Tox Tails help with things like furnishing, food packs and the provision of specialist support as women take those important next steps to secure their own housing.

“Liberty also provides support groups for women and children, outreach services into outlying communities, and prevention programs for schools and businesses.”

Local businesses generously donated close to $20,000 dollars’ worth of prizes and/or services, including a helicopter tandem jump (SkyDive Port Macquarie), private catering (Char Bar Catering), Elements of Byron accommodation (Farnsworth Financial), a year’s worth of flowers (Bungalow & Co), a trip to see Ed Sheeran (Port Bus Tours) and multiple other accommodation prizes, media and photography packages.

Dr Kristy has created Ports only invitation only charity event where tickets cannot be purchased but must be gifted. The result - a jam-packed event of community members who care for the cause and are willing to help. Guests were entertained with live music and fed a customised menu of oysters by Bills FishHouse, and canapes by Hello Sailor; not forgetting the signature collaboration cocktail with PMAC “The ToxTail”.

This event is the only one of its kind in Port Macquarie and guests include local dignitaries, chamber members and community leaders including Local MP, Hon Leslie Williams (MP).

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS focus

Can you describe a typical day in the life of a rescue helicopter pilot?

There is no standard day for an emergency medical service pilot. When the phone rings, we have no idea of what the job may entail. From transporting a critically ill patient from a regional hospital to a specialist hospital in Sydney, to an urgent water rescue or shutting the M1 down so that we can land to assist with a motor vehicle accident in the middle of the night. Our goal is to be airborne within 10 minutes. Subsequently, our first objective at the start of shift is to gain an appreciation of the weather in our Mid North Coast operating area and determine if there are any restrictions

or complications that could affect any possible task.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and how did you get started in it?

I thought flying was a career that I would always enjoy and chose to follow in my father’s footsteps and joined the Navy to learn to fly. Having subsequently worked in the more mainstream careers of offshore oil and gas, offshore search and rescue, police and even long haul seized wing flying, I decided the emergency medical services would offer more job satisfaction and be as far from a mundane job as I could manage.

Can you walk us through a particularly challenging rescue mission you’ve been a

Michael O’Grady is a local Port Macquarie pilot who flies for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. In a job where he always needs to be ready for anything, we asked him about how he prepares himself, how he got into the role and what he loves about it.

part of and how you overcame it?

One of the more interesting jobs was a call as we were shutting down from a previous job. An emergency beacon had been detected about 33 nm off Newcastle. We chose to get going with the fuel we had so that in the event we found survivors we could rescue before nightfall. On approach we quickly located 2 survivors literally clinging to the bow of their upturned fishing boat. Fortunately, they were well prepared, and not only did they have a rescue beacon that was detected by satellite and easily tracked by our onboard systems, but also multiple flares that pin-pointed their location and immediately told us there were survivors.

Looking at their beautiful fishing boat, or at least what we could see of it, floating vertically in the relatively calm sea, it was a mystery as to how they had got themselves into this predicament.

Our Critical Care Paramedic was lowered into the water to retrieve both survivors, managing to beat the dark.

On the way back to Newcastle we were told

the story of how the fishermen had successfully already caught and tied a shark to the boat and were in the process of pulling in another ‘very’ large one when it made a run for the ocean depths, pulling the rear corner of the boat down. Simultaneously, a swell swamped the boat. Subsequently, when we were rescuing them, there was a dead shark tied to the boat, another live and likely agitated shark attached to the boat and swimming around them, with a third that had approached to see what all the commotion was about. Post mission viewing of the aircraft winch cameras did in fact show a quite large shadow directly beneath the boat. The 2 fishermen were both lucky and well prepared, resulting in their safe return. Continued over.

We chose to get going with THE FUEL WE HAD SO THAT IN THE EVENT WE FOUND SURVIVORS we could rescue before nightfall.

How do you and your team prepare for emergencies and ensure you are equipped to handle any situation?

Since our role often results in us flying in adverse weather conditions in the hills at night, we are required to maintain a high standard of skill sets. Training is conducted every 2-3 months and there are 4 competency check flights conducted in the aircraft and flight simulator every year. These checks not only assess how we perform as an individual, but how we work as a team, both in the aircraft and once on scene.

What role does technology play in modern rescue operations and how has it improved over the years?

In the last 10-15 years, technology has provided us with digital flight bags to manage the documentation, paper maps have been replaced with a GPS moving map

and apps permit flight planning to be done in less than 60 seconds compared to at least 20 minutes previously. These benefits and full flight automation allow the flight crew to assign more of our limited brain cells to monitoring the aircraft, surrounding airspace and evolving mission parameters, enhancing our situational awareness. Essentially, we have become more efficient and able to respond faster and safer than previously.

How do you work with other emergency services such as police, fire, and medical teams during a rescue operation?

We always fly with a doctor, specially trained to administer roadside trauma care, and a

critical care paramedic that is also a Special Casualty Access Team member. Together, they can provide an airborne Intensive Care unit.

Depending on the incident we are responding to, we are often coordinating with a road ambulance, police, rescue fire services or even the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The road ambulance teams are often (though not always) on scene before we arrive, so they provide a medical update for our team to prepare for. The police often secure a location close to the incident for us to land. The firefighters work with the medical team to not only ensure the scene is safe, but to assist in extricating the patient(s) in a very controlled manner. And

The road ambulance teams are often (THOUGH NOT ALWAYS) ON SCENE BEFORE WE ARRIVE, so they provide a medical update for our team to prepare for.

AMSA provides initial search details and coordinates a rendezvous with offshore vessels. We can communicate directly with all of these agencies and the vessels at sea, so the 4 radios and phone can get quite busy.

Can you describe the training and certifications required to become a rescue helicopter pilot?

An Airline Transport License is standard, with a rating on the specific helicopter being flown (AW 139), rated for Multi Engine Single Pilot IFR, endorsed for low level flight and winching with a Night Vision Imaging

System qualification. However, it isn’t so much the qualifications that we hold, but the experience we have in putting those qualifications into practice. Because the nature of the job can change in an instant, we need to adapt immediately and sometimes we are changing flying styles, back and forth, in order to achieve a single task. An example might be approaching the hover in a valley at night, initially on night vision goggles, backing it up with instrument flight procedures, transitioning to night visual hovering with night vision goggles now the back up and potentially departing the scene

on instruments if a rain cell moves overhead. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job, and what is the most challenging?

The most rewarding aspect of the job is helping those in need on their worst day, especially kids, even when they have been up to some shenanigans. The most challenging part is staying alert in the middle of the night and maintaining that high standard of performance.

Where can people find out more about the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and what it provides for the community?

It’s best to go to the website rescuehelicopter.com.au to find out more or to get in touch.

However, it isn’t so much the QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE HOLD, BUT THE EXPERIENCE WE HAVE IN PUTTING those qualifications into practice.

THE

Casey Whitehouse is the founder of Port Macquarie and surrounds ‘The Nurtured Village’ - an initiative that facilitates collecting donations and hand delivering hampers to local mums to show support and solidarity at a time in their parenthood journey where they really need that “Village”.

Hi Casey. Can you tell us about how the idea for The Nurtured Village Hampers came to you?

Sure. I was actually following Kaitlyn Bywater back in 2019 on Instagram @holding__mama (formerly @the_rehab_mama) who shared Emma Gray’s call out for interest in facilitating hampers in other locations around Australia.

I had seen what a beautiful initiative Emma, the founder, had started up in Brisbane to help support mothers and instantly knew I

wanted to join and bring the movement to our Port Macquarie mamas. Emma and Kaitlyn have been supporting me since, forging ‘The Nurtured Village’ community here locally, in an effort to bring back a sense of the traditional village of support in early parenthood.

This year, we have welcomed Ellie and Chloe as facilitators, who have already been great in working with small businesses, gathering hamper donations and engaging community members in our local Facebook group - The Nurtured Village Hampers Port Macquarie & Surrounds.

Did you know that The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared maternal mental health a global health challenge?

If you haven’t already joined or even heard of the organisation before, ‘The Nurtured Village’ is an Australia-wide charity dedicated to the prevention and advocacy of maternal mental health disorders by creating communities for mums. Since August 2019, we have delivered countless pantry items, baby essentials, nappies, wipes, home-cooked meals and small gifts to families all over Australia and it has become much more than just the hampers.

NURTURED VILLAGE HAMPERS

We have created a movement.

How does it all work and who puts the hampers together?

These nominations can be public or anonymous and the recipient is chosen at random. Once the recipient is contacted and a delivery date is organised, we start the call out for community donations for the hamper.

for the hamper. Community members drop off or arrange pick up of donations with Ellie, Chloe or myself. At the end of the month, we collate all donations from individual members of the community and small businesses, and personally deliver them to the recipient. Organising and delivering a hamper on behalf of our generous community is absolutely the most heartwarming thing to do and one that fills up my cup every single month.

Who is eligible to receive hampers and how are they chosen?

online random name generator and chosen at random. The nominated recipient is then contacted before a social media post is made. What are some examples of things that people might donate?

At the beginning of each month, nominations open for people to nominate themselves, a mother, or a family in need of some much needed support. These nominations can be public or anonymous and the recipient is chosen at random. Once the recipient is contacted and a delivery date is organised, we start the call out for community donations

Our mission is to forge connectedness in early parenthood, and to prevent and control maternal mental health disorders in mums. Therefore, any woman of childbearing age who is mothering in any capacity (be that in pregnancy, parenthood or caring for children), is eligible to be nominated to receive a hamper.

They are able to nominate themselves or be nominated publicly or anonymously via our website or local Facebook group. Each month, the nominated recipients are put into an

We have had contributions from many people, businesses and service providers in the community. Often, we are looking for donations that will help the mother (and any family members) with daily life, including home-cooked meals, healthy snacks, fruit and veg boxes, non-perishable food and grocery items, self care items, toys, activities, entertainment and games for the kids, vouchers (food, coffee, petrol), offers of free or discounted services from businesses, cards, drawings and poems, handmade items and crafts, and even monetary donations so we can buy items needed for the hamper.

Literally anything is very much appreciated. Any and every donation and gesture will make a difference and goes one hundred percent to the family. There are absolutely no expectations. Not everyone will be able to donate and that’s okay. People can help us reach more young families by finding family members, friends, colleagues or businesses in the area who would like to donate towards the hamper.

Continued over...

Do you have any regular contributors to the hampers?

We have some wonderful individuals and small businesses that regularly contribute to the hampers. These include Alicia and Steve Payne from Four Espresso, Matt Fenton from MJF Support, Gabrielle from Inside Out at Lighthouse, Nikita from The Calm Society, Bianca from The Witchy Nook, Salty Crew Kiosk, Springloaded, Moo & Bean, Settlers Inn and Blue Cow Gelato.

We also have had many one-off donations from small businesses over the past few

months and even some that have contacted us recently wanting to offer regular contributions which is so great.

Thank you to every single person for your amazing support so far and to the amazing small businesses that have jumped on board. The hampers wouldn’t exist without you.

What has been most challenging about facilitating The Nurtured Village

Hampers and how have you managed or overcome it?

The biggest challenge of facilitating the hampers is not being able to help everyone. Every nomination that we receive is beautiful and deserving, and we wish we could deliver a hamper to every single nominated recipient, every single month. However, we are a charity that relies solely on donations and unfortunately we can’t reach every family that is nominated. We do try to focus heavily on gathering items for one family each month and put together a hamper that will make a difference, even if small. What sort of response do you usually get when delivering hampers? What do you think it means to those who receive them?

The response we get when delivering hampers is overwhelmingly positive and heartwarming. Every single recipient is just so blown away by the donations and can’t

Thank you to every single person for your amazing support so far and to the amazing small businesses that have jumped on board. The hampers wouldn’t exist without you.

believe just how generous people in our community are. There’s happy tears, hugs, smiles, and lots of appreciation.

We will never know just how much a hamper means to each individual mother. We do know though that our effort to provide practical support to families, express solidarity, kindness and in the process, forge villages for families, is definitely something worth celebrating.

“People have said it’s like being wrapped in a giant hug from an entire group of strangers and it’s in those moments that I know it’s making a difference.” - Emma Gray, The Nurtured Village Hampers Founder.

“I’m just so overwhelmed by how kind you and others are. It really means so much to me, more than you all would realise. I have

been struggling to talk about everything that is going on, but generally feeling negative about things. But a gesture like this has given me so much positivity and good feelings, it’s really quite amazing. I could never thank you enough.” - Hamper recipient

What do you enjoy most about the process and what keeps you motivated to keep doing it?

My favourite part of the whole hamper process is definitely meeting many people in our community and from afar that share the same passion around maternal mental health. Through social media and in person, I have met some of the most generous, beautiful human beings that I may have not met otherwise. I cherish the relationships that I have formed in this ‘village’ of ours, and the mothers that need their ‘village’ in such a crucial time of parenthood is what keeps

me motivated to keep volunteering in our hamper community.

How can people join The Nurtured Village hamper community and either nominate someone or make a donation?

If you haven’t joined this movement already, please join our Facebook group - The Nurtured Village Hampers Port Macquarie & Surrounds and follow @ thenurturedvillagehampers on Instagram. Nominations at the start of each month can be made via these social media channels or anonymously on our website - www. thenurturedvillage.org.

If any individuals or businesses would like to get in touch with us to offer any donations, please contact Ellie, Chloe or myself via social media, or email us at portmacquarie@ thenurturedvillage.org - we would love to hear from you and future recipients will be so appreciative of your willingness to help make a difference.

Feel free to invite anyone who may wish to contribute to our Facebook page, tag someone who may be able to help in our posts or organise a collection of items from others or businesses to contribute. Thank you so much!

It really means so much to me, more than you all would realise. I have been struggling to talk about everything that is going on, but generally feeling negative about things. But a gesture like this has given me so much positivity and good feelings.

ABUNDANCE GARDEN CENTRE

INDOOR PLANTS G alore

Why buy from unknown sources online when you can immerse yourself in the best collection of indoor plants on the Mid North Coast!

Family owned and operated and just 12 minutes from Port Macquarie town centre, Abundance Garden Centre has the best selection of indoor plants on the Mid North Coast!

Combined with passionate staff who will equip you with the knowledge and know-how about all things plants and gardening, you will certainly enjoy your immersive shopping experience at Abundance. The team strives to provide friendly and personal service and guidance and are always willing and able to assist you.

The garden centre is run by John van der Ley, who has 40 + years experience in the horticulture industry. Incorporating running a successful wholesale nursery, teaching horticulture, talkback ABC radio and garden design landscaping, John is proudly involved in all aspects of the business.

Since opening its doors in October 2012, Abundance Garden Centre has established a firm reputation for high quality, well priced plants, pots, garden art, giftware and wall art. A significant proportion of the

plants are grown onsite at our wholesale production facility right here behind the garden centre.

Our production arm, Vanderley Nursery, is well recognised nationally for growing beautiful flowering ornamental plants including our specialties including Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Sunhardy Impatiens, Stephanotis, indoor collections, Geranium and Hibiscus.

Call in today to get your Autumn garden ready at Rawdon Island Road, Sancrox or visit our website at abundance.net.au

KRISTEN SH A W

Talented and professional photographer Kristen Shaw, and self-proclaimed foodie, is on a roll with a diverse portfolio of work capturing the essence of local businesses in Port Macquarie and finessing her love of capturing the raw and special moments of family photography.

Hi Kristen. Thanks so much for speaking with FOCUS. Your portfolio of work is creative yet varied producing quality imagery across multiple sectors including food photography, products and lifestyle, personal branding, and family photography. I know the art of photography comes to you from a special place. Tell us a little about yourself.

Firstly, thanks so much for having me. I’m proud to call myself a local. I’ve lived away on and off, but this beautiful town always calls me home. I was raised on a farm just outside of Port Macquarie with my siblings, Kylie and Grant (I’m a middle child which explains a few things!). The family farm we grew up on was passed down for generations. Firstly, owned

by our great granddad, George Waldron, next grandad known as Bunny Waldron, then our Dad, George Waldron (yep not a typo) and Uncle John Waldron. So, I guess that gives me some street cred as a ‘local’.

I have so many beautiful images of him to hold close to my heart. I’ve got a photo of Dad and my daughter Isla (now 4) laughing on my website homepage, taken just before Dad suddenly passed in 2020.

Dad was always willing to get in photos. I have so many beautiful images of him to hold close to my heart. I’ve got a photo of Dad and my daughter Isla (now 4) laughing on my website homepage, taken just before Dad suddenly passed in 2020. It’s not technically correct but it’s perfect in so many ways. That day Dad walked into our home and immediately started playing with

Isla and demanded an impromptu photo shoot. “Tonsil, get out ya camera”. Isla and Dad are laughing in every photo. That’s the magic of photography, memories frozen in time! Isla won’t remember Pa, but my photos will preserve those memories forever.

It seems a distant memory now but, for over a decade I moonlighted as an accountant. Three years ago, I switched careers, much to Mum’s horror who is also an accountant. Mum, Ella didn’t think it was a good career move. She was very much correct there for a while. In my first year of photography during the

PHOT O GRAPHY

height of the pandemic I didn’t make enough money to pay tax! But now Mum is a Top Fan on my Kristen Shaw Photography Facebook page and genuinely couldn’t be prouder (of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - God forbid a publication says she is proud of just one).

When did you first develop a love of the art form and who inspires you creatively?

Just after I turned 30 (nearly 15 years agoshhhh) I took up photography. I’d literally split up with my partner, turned 30 and lost my job – all in a week. It was what I consider a fairly bad week. A girlfriend randomly called and asked me if I wanted to go to Nepal, her friend had pulled out of the trip at late notice. I warned her that I wasn’t going to be great company, but she was desperate! Flying to Nepal I was in tears on the plane. In hindsight it’s not a great idea to give a sad, single, jobless 30 year old an endless supply of free booze.

That trip changed my life. We kept randomly running into this photographer. We would sit with him for hours drinking beers, viewing his stunning portfolio and watch him magically transform images through editing. He also had some outrageously entertaining stories about

Amsterdam!

By the plane trip home, I had the photography bug (along with every other bug I’d contracted in Nepal). At the Singapore Airport stopover, I purchased my first SLR camera followed by a MacBook. Photography gave me a new focus and a new love at a time in my life when I had a pretty big void to fill.

We would sit with him for hours drinking beers, viewing his stunning portfolio and watch him magically transform images through editing. He also had some outrageously entertaining stories about Amsterdam!

I’ve currently got a massive crush on Australian photographer Clancy Paine. She lives in Narromine, NSW and captures the most beautiful “natural” Aussie outback images which of course are meticulously planned. Clancy photographs for several commercial rural publications in Australia; something I’d one day love to tap into.

What type of equipment do you predominantly use?

I’m a Nikon girl. I have 4 Nikon camera bodies and I still have my original Sony SLR camera I

purchased at Singapore Airport. My main camera is a beaut little mirrorless full frame Nikon Z6II. I prefer prime lenses, my two workhorse lenses are my Sigma 35mm f1.4 and my Nikon 85mm f1.8. Rarely do these lenses leave my main camera bodies unless I need a zoom lens and then I pull out my Tamron 70-200mm f2.8. My trusty little old Nikon 50mm f1.8 lens is in my kit as well. Anyone starting out in photography I highly recommend purchasing a 50mm prime lens. I’ve put mine through its paces for nearly 15 years, it cost around $200, never misses a beat and takes an image as good if not better than lenses I’ve paid 10 times as much for! I try to shoot with natural light, but I also have a couple of Goddox V860 II flashes in my kit that I pull out when needed. Continued over...

You are a well known photographer here in the Port Macquarie region having worked commercially for corporate clients capturing food, products and lifestyle as well as personal branding and family photography. That is a big list! What do you love most about being able to be diverse in your approach to your work?

I opened my business during the height of COVID so it was pretty hard to niche down at the time. I had to say yes to whatever work came my way and I was still barely making a wage! I’ve always wanted to shoot food photography, but 3 years ago you were lucky to find a restaurant or a venue open, let alone one that had spare cash for a photographer. Slowly I’m building more work in that area. But I must admit I do love having a laugh so I will always do portrait work too. It’s a great fit for me to photograph venues and restaurants as I get to do a bit of both.

I love any type of portrait photography. My shoots usually start with about 5 minutes of (semi) posed photos and then anything goes and that’s when the extraordinary images happen. Things you simply can’t pose or recreate even if you tried. I’ve had one extended family session end in an impromptu “stacks on”. Literally everyone piled on a cheeky uncle, roughly 20 of them are all cracking up (Uncle Joe isn’t), it’s a priceless shot. More recently, in a shoot the grandparents were selling up the family home after 40 odd years. It ended with the kids (in their 30’s & 40’s) swinging on the old Hills Hoist and climbing trees whilst the grandchildren

conducted a piggyback championship and Granddad sprayed everyone (including me) with a hose. It was outrageously fun and we got beautiful shots in the in between moments. When this crazy stuff is happening there are genuine laughs and interactions in every direction for me to capture. Stiff posed portraiture will never be my thing.

Your style of photography seems effortless; capturing the natural in every image. I also love how your website includes handy tips for preparing for a photo shoot with clothing suggestions, hints for perfecting your family photo shoot and common mistakes to avoid. This is fantastic information to include for your clients.

Thank you for your beautiful words. I genuinely hate when images look fake. That’s not to say I don’t plan my shoots meticulously and spend hours editing images, you just hopefully can’t see it. I try to get images at least 90% right

in camera hence the info on my website. I recently took some photos of my best friend, she absolutely loved them and asked me if I’d touched her up. I’d brightened her eyes, brought out the highlights in her hair, removed (VERY) small lines, smoothed out the creases in her dress and a few other minor things. I love that she had no idea. Cat’s out of the bag now though! The tips section of my website also now has a funny piece I wrote about The Best Mocktail in the Hastings. A quest I went on in January this year after a family Xmas luncheon left me unable to face another drink for a month! How do you see your business developing and what is on the horizon for you for the new year ahead?

Ideally, I’d like to get more local restaurants and venues on my books photographing their food and getting really known for my food and natural portrait photography work. I enjoy photographing local products and anything food related, especially if I get to eat it at the end! I fancy myself as a bit of an undiscovered hatted chef. I love cooking and styling photos to go with products. My dream is to one day photograph a cookbook – putting it out there

I love any type of portrait photography. My shoots usually start with about 5 minutes of (semi) posed photos and then anything goes and that’s when the extraordinary images happen.

Universe!

I’ll always have a pull towards the land, any rural shoot that comes my way I jump at. I love working with local farmers. Farm product to plate shoots are one of my favourites. Also, any mention of a horse and I’m there for it!

My greatest photography mentor Gina Milicia taught me that you need to bring your A Game to every shoot and really lift the mood. Anyone can point a camera and say “smile” but I’m always striving for more.

I’ve recently picked up the photography work for the Flower Hotel Group. I’m getting paid to go around their hotels, laugh with locals and staff, photograph and eat yummy food, listen to live music and just generally have a great time doing what I absolutely love, a far cry from my accountancy days.

Lastly I’ve started a sideline business, Islay Jewellery selling gorgeous handmade sterling silver jewellery. As if I wasn’t already busy enough! Haha.

What have been some of your highlights of your work looking back?

My greatest photography mentor Gina Milicia taught me that you need to bring your A Game to every shoot and really lift the mood. Anyone can point a camera and say “smile” but I’m always striving for more. Genuine smiles, interactions and that spark in the eyes. For me,

it’s the little things that are the highlights of my photography career. Like when I get ANOTHER 5 star review. I’m going to be devastated at my first 4 star review (jokes, sort of, not really, please don’t give me a 4)! Or, when someone’s Dad tells me that they were dreading having family photos done (who isn’t) but they had a really good time. However, my biggest ever career highlight is, having several Mums with teenagers recently contact me after our Santa photos at The Davis Farm. They told me that their teenagers had a blast, so that’s a massive victory in my eyes, happy teens!

Away from the camera (and MacBook editing) where would we find you spending your own time?

Anywhere outdoors with my mostly inaudible Scottish hubby (but how hot is a Scottish accent), Rodgie and our daughter Isla. We have a little food forest at home (otherwise described as chillies, passionfruit and weeds thriving) so we’re often out in that. But if you

can’t find me at home there is a good chance I’m nearby. We are very fortunate to have neighbours (who are more like family) that are helping us raise our little girl. You know the saying it takes a village, well we have one!

I’ve been flat out playing catch up since we got back in November but I’ve ruled out time for us to hitch up the van and get away for a few trips together before Isla goes to school next year. I absolutely love cooking over a fire so anywhere we can camp and have a fire is a winner.

Last year we spent a month in Europe and a month in Bali which is where we purchased all our beautiful handmade sterling silver 925 jewellery for Islay Jewellery. The Balinese people have been hit so hard with COVID so this is our little contribution in putting some money back into their struggling economy. We work mainly with two gorgeous Balinese family businesses. For people wanting to find out more about your work or engage your services, how can they best connect with you?

Please contact me through my website wwww.kristenshawphotography.com.au or if you would prefer to stalk me from afar you can find me on Facebook and Instagram as kristenshawphotography or islayjewellery. If you could give Islay Jewellery a like it would be good to build up from our 6 current followers! Shameless plug!

Thanks Kristen. Interview: Sarah Baker.

MONTHLY focus contributor.

with

LUSANNA

FROM MEG + ME

Wow, what a privilege, sitting here writing my Monthly Musings, with the knowledge that I have been given the honour of gracing the front page of Port’s premier publication… for the Women in Business Edition nonetheless!

So with that invisible weight on my shoulders (self imposed as always), when considering my options for this month’s article, I got to thinking about what it actually is to be a “woman in business”. I spent some time reflecting on modern day examples of successful, inspirational women the Oprah’s and Beyonce’s, the Trinny’s and Carla Zampatti’s but it got me thinking, what about the women whose entrepreneurial spirit has impacted our lives without us even knowing about it. Exploring that rabbit hole was so addictive! For some reason when I think of women in business, I really only think of the modern day women. Whether it be the “stay at home Mum” killing it in the online business world with what started out as a side hustle, but is now a multi-million dollar brand, or the successful, highly educated, well travelled business woman who heads up one of the biggest companies in the country. But what about the entrepreneurial women, whose ideas and ingenuity impact our daily lives, without us even knowing it? Take Marion Donovan for example. Marion was born in 1917 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She began her working career as an assistant beauty editor with Vogue in New York City in 1939, but it wasn’t long

before she fell in love, resigned from her job and as the cliche goes became a dutiful housewife and mother.

Marion was the daughter of an inventor, so creative thinking and ingenuity was part of her life from childhood. Following the birth of her first child, Marion became frustrated with the cloth nappies available to her, the mess, the clean up, you know what I mean. Convinced there must be a better way, Marion set out to find it.

Like so many of history’s good ideas, she discovered it in the shower. But this time, it was the actual shower curtain that solved her problem! Taking the curtain off the rails, she cut and sewed the waterproof pieces together to form a nappy cover… and so began her prototype of the disposable nappies many cannot live without today.

Interestingly, even after refinement, Marion’s attempts to sell her concept to manufacturers was unsuccessful so she ended up doing what all good business women do, making them herself. In a short period of time her products were being sold on Saks Fifth Avenue and soon after she sold the company and associated patents for $1M. Now that’s a savvy business woman!

By now I was intrigued, and wanted to know “who is Australia’s youngest female entrepreneur”? It wasn’t long before I was reading about young Bella Tipping from Dubbo. A couple of years back, at the tender age of 12, Bella went on holidays with her parents. When she saw her Mum writing a positive Tripadvisor review for a hotel that she didn’t think rated very well from a child’s perspective, (think uncomfortable roll out beds and an uninspiring kids menu of chicken nuggets and chips), she came up with a concept of online holiday ratings from a child’s perspective.

Bella’s parents, business owners themselves were interested in her concept and bankrolled what is now known as Kidzcationz, a website where children can register and safely suggest and review holiday locations based on their point of view. This untapped area of the market is sure to be a fabulous reference point for families, and I can’t wait to see the name Bella Tipping pop up in the future. Who knows what she’ll do next!

So as I contemplate the concept of women in business one final time for today, it really does make us stop and think, what is next? The sky, as they say, is truly the limit!

Until next time, Lusanna x

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LEILANI & SHELBY

GRAINGER

Leilani and Shelby Grainger are sisters who have grown up playing all kinds of sports together and they both show incredible passion and dedication in everything they do. Both girls have recently been selected to play in the Indigenous Australian team at the Oztag World Cup in Ireland this year, and we will certainly be cheering them on and following their journey representing their country and culture on the world stage!

When did you each first develop a love for sport and Oztag in particular?

We both have been playing sports from an early age. When we were younger, our parents Glenn and Tammy were athletes, participating in just about every sport they could and we have definitely followed in their footsteps. We began playing hockey when we were about 7 years old, and as we grew older, we tried out and played a variety of other sports, many of which we ended up participating in at the representative level, including soccer, touch football, basketball, netball, AFL, league tag, and rugby league. About 4 or 5 years ago, we were asked if we would like to participate in the Port Macquarie Summer Oztag competition, and we immediately took to it.

Through many selections and achievements during our experience of sports, our passion and love for it has grown fonder and has turned into a lifestyle for us.

What is it you enjoy most about the sport and being out on the field?

We love how Oztag combines the speed and ball skills of touch football with the tagging and kicking aspect of league tag. We are both very

competitive in everything that we do, and we set ourselves high standards in any sport we participate in. We are always pushing to be the very best we can be, both on and off the field, but we also really enjoy the lifelong friendships you create along the way. Throughout our years of playing sport it has also taught us about the importance of teamwork, growth through leadership and being a leader on and off the field, community engagement and the importance of giving back to the game. How dedication and hard work can actually pay off, as well as the pursuit of excellence and achieving goals and the feeling we get when accomplishing these. All of these positive skills helped us to become the players, coaches, referees and mentors in sport that we are today. We hope that one day we can make sports not only our passion, but our career.

How often do you train and what does a training session look like for you guys?

We play and train in a variety of sports all year round. A typical week for us would include two league tag training sessions, four touch football games plus one touch training session, one league tag game on the weekend, one Oztag game, and occasionally one basketball game when we have the time to participate in the local competition. One training session involves ball work and game-like scenarios for 1.5 hours,

while the other training session consists of pure fitness/agility for 45 minutes – 1 hour. We are constantly on the go due to our sporting and professional responsibilities throughout each year, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. You have both recently been selected to play in the Indigenous Australian team at the Oztag World Cup in Ireland, congratulations! What did it feel to hear like you had both been selected?

Since we have always done everything together - we live together, work together, play together, and train together - having been given the chance to represent our culture, family, and mob by travelling abroad to Ireland to compete in an international tournament makes us both incredibly grateful, proud, and excited. It is a dream come true for us as athletes to reach the international stage and play in another country! It feels like all our hard work, commitment, goal setting and dedication has paid off. We both set a goal to be selected into this team and put in the work behind the scenes to ensure we both succeeded. Knowing how hard we worked made the news of selection even sweeter! It goes to show that you really do get out what you put in! For both of us this opportunity became reality through investing time, effort, and energy to achieve our shared goal. We both had to take responsibility for our own

actions and outcomes, pushed each other out of our comfort zones and held each other accountable. Everyone can relate the above quote to something within their lives, the quality of compensation you receive from a circumstance is proportional to the amount of work you put in to complete the task.

What was the selection process like?

We played together in the 2022 Battle of the Nations Competition in Tweed Heads, in November last year as members of the NSW Indigenous Women’s 22’s Combined Oztag Team. It was a two-day carnival, and the Australian Indigenous Oztag Teams were chosen out of all the girls that competed. Everyone played 5 games in extreme heat and against very tough competitors.

Can you tell us about the World Cup and what you’re most looking forward to?

Travelling to a country we never dreamed we would ever visit is something we are looking forward to and having the opportunity to compete against the best players from around the world is really exciting! As athletes, this is what we train for, this is our why. To represent our family, culture, community, mob and develop ourselves on an international stage overseas, experiencing and immersing ourselves in not only our own culture but the other country’s cultures, beliefs and customs. We are both looking forward to connecting further with our culture and learning more about the others. We also hope we get the chance to explore a bit of Ireland!

There has been some fundraising organised

to help with the huge expense for you both to get to Ireland, can you tell us about the support you have received so far and what is needed to get you over the line?

We started a Go Fund Me Campaign when we found out we were selected to try to help us as the cost was far beyond our means. Local businessman Alistair Flower contacted us when he was made aware of our situation and organised a meeting with our family to see what we could come up with together to help get us to Ireland. Alistair offered to hold a fundraiser at Settlers Inn on the 25th of February and suggested that we approach different businesses and appeal to them for donations. The generosity we received from so many businesses was extraordinary! We were both blown away with the amount of support we received from local and non-local businesses, and we were so grateful to see how many people were so generous, thoughtful and kind. It really made us feel very emotional to see how much support we had wrapped around us. The Go Fund Me is still up and running on both of our Facebook pages and donations can be made at any time which will further assist us in reaching our goal and getting over to Ireland later this year.

What do you think an experience like this would mean for each of you?

We are looking forward to building lifelong friendships. We are both hungry to learn and grow and believe this opportunity will provide us with invaluable leadership and communication skills as well as developing us as players. This will be our first time playing overseas, so building confidence and navigating new environments will develop our skills of independence, adaptability and learning more about the world beyond our own community. We can’t wait to bring back what we have learnt about ourselves as athletes and the knowledge and skills we have developed to pass on to our team mates back home. We also look forward to mentoring and passing on the knowledge and skills onto young up and coming players so they can have a head start and one day maybe represent at a high level as well.

Where can people follow your journey or show their support?

We have created a page on Facebook – Shelby and Leilani’s Oztag World Cup Journey so that our family, friends and supporters can like and follow our journey. This is kicking off with our fundraising night at Settlers Inn until the World Cup’s final whistle is blown in Limerick, Ireland for 2023. Hopefully, fingers crossed we might both have a medal around our necks on our return to Australia to show off. Now that would be a dream come true for the both of us!

Having been given the chance to represent our culture, family, and mob by travelling abroad to Ireland to compete in an international tournament makes us both incredibly grateful, proud, and excited

COVER DISH

PORK BELLY WITH ROOT VEGETABLES from Bonny Hills Tavern

Palate

FROM THE STUNNED MULLET with LOU PERRI

Punctuality - it isn’t a dirty word. As with all facets of human nature, there are those of every persuasion. Some of us are extremely particular about timekeeping, and others, well not so much.

You would think in this digital universe we languish in, that perhaps now more than ever before it is easier to arrive on time. I mean, GPS and all – no misreading of maps, wrong turns, domestic disputes with map-illiterate passengers. After all you can now plan your journey before you leave the house to the very minute of arrival, avoiding traffic, obstacles and thankfully those domestic disputes hailing from the dinosaur age of map reading. Turns out though – not so much. Human nature being human nature and all, dictates that we just find other stuff to distract ourselves with so we wind up being – you guessed it - late.

Luckily for us we can just go ahead and blame the very digital technology that created that time-saving GPS, for coming up with all sorts of other cool and mesmerising stuff that takes us merrily away from the task at hand. That being to get off your smart device and actually

RIGHT ON TIME

make it to the place you’re meant to be at the time you said you were going to.

Of course there’s some appointments we strive to attend in a timely fashion based on the importance we place upon them and the realities regarding having to reschedule, or having your allocated time cut short. And then there are those we might approach in a somewhat more laid-back fashion, sometimes using the time allocated upon booking as more of a ‘rough guide’ or ‘ballpark’ figure so to speak. This may come as no shock, but a primo example of this is of course, the humble restaurant booking.

For many of us, the very nature of such an event brings a sense of leisure and casualness that relaxes our tightly wound timekeeping schedules. We might enjoy having a nice aperitif or taking time to get ready, then finding that – oops we are late. Factor in taxi cabs, babysitters and designated drivers and yep – late. I get it, I really do. I’m the first to admit it’s happened to me.

Sure your table will most likely still be waiting for you, it’s not a big deal. Or is it?

Put it this way. A successful restaurant service can only be described as a delicate balancing

act of complicated, time sensitive factors all aligning perfectly. And that is precisely why table bookings need to be meticulously staggered so not too many orders go in at once and overwhelm the kitchen, or too many diners arrive at once creating – you guessed it, a bottleneck at the bar where you will wait ages for your drinks. I could go on but turning up on time really helps a lot with avoiding so many of the kinds of adverse dining experiences that you can scroll through on any reviewing platform.

There are restaurants out there that do away with giving you a choice of what time you want to book for altogether. If you want to dine, food is served at 7:00pm for the entire restaurant. If you’re late then guess what? You miss out!

Thankfully we’re still all about offering as much choice as possible to you, the diner around here. But in order to optimise your experience, to avoid all those things we all hate like feeling rushed or having to wait too long, a little punctuality goes a long way. So go ahead and punch that address in your GPS app and definitely have that aperitif, but I recommend staying away from your socials and avoiding any domestic disputes!

BONNY HILLS TAVERN

FOCUS CHAT WITH ROB AND KRISTY OWNERS OF THE TAVERN.

Hi team, Bonny Hills Tavern has been the local for the Bonny Hills people and the visitors to the area for such a long time. What makes Bonny Hills Tavern such a fun and popular place?

I would have to start with the locals and our team. They definitely set the atmosphere of the Tavern and welcome vistors to the Hotel with open arms and a friendly smile.

We have regular live entertainment every Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Nothing like sitting in the Beer Garden on a Sunday arvo, listening to local muso’s, with the backdrop of the native bushland behind the Hotel, while the kids play in the playground. Might even get to meet the friendly wildlife, Koookaburras, Bandicoots, Magpies etc.

We are one of the last independently run Pubs on the Mid North Coast and pride ourselves on providing a family friendly venue for locals and visitors to the area.

Tell us a bit about the history of the Tavern. How long have you, owned it for?

The hotel was built in 1995 and opened in 1996. There have been multiple Licensees prior to ourselves, who still visit the hotel frequently.

We are one of the last independently run Pubs on the Mid North Coast and pride ourselves on providing a family friendly venue for locals and visitors to the area.

We purchased the business in December 2020. What a time to take over a hotel, a few weeks prior to Xmas and the begining of the COVID19 Pandemic. What an adventure it has been.

The hotel has a long history of sponsoring local sport and community events. During our two years here we have proudly sponsored and supported many events and clubs; 12’s Mid Coast Football Team, Mal Der Meer Club, Bonny Hills Progress Association, Mid North Coast Girls Surf Classic, Surfing Australia (who presented us with a Trophy in appreciation of our support and promotion of their event. We are looking forward to

seeing tham all again this year!

AND we also had a baby born at the hotel! Little Magnolia celebrated her first birthday here last weekend, with her parents and siblings of course!!!

Can you introduce us to the Head Chef. How long has he been at the Tavern and what does he bring to the team?

Our Head Chef - Fergus Picton has worked at the hotel over the years and recently rejoined the team in November 2021, originally working with us on a casual basis, while eventually coming to work with us in a full time role after a few months.

He was appointed the Head Chef position in January 2023.

What does Fergus bring to the Team? He brings his passion to create fantastic meals and service alike.

Fergus has shown us over the last 12 months some fantastic Chef Specials and we are very excited to have just launched his new Menu.

There is always something happening at the Tavern and you are always offering live music. What’s on the board for March?

Fergus has shown us over the last 12 months some fantastic Chef Specials and we are very excited to have just launched his new Menu.

Every Tuesday night we have an Open Mic from 6:30 Hosted by Dan Hopkins. We encourage all to come down and listen, have a go or even just have a Jam with Dan!

As for the weekends? We have a fantastic Lineup:-

MARCH 2023

Friday 3rd - Dan Hopkins Duo - 8pm till late

Sunday 5th - Nikki Rudge from 4pm - 7pm

Friday 10th - The Rockabillies - 8pm till late

Sunday 12th - Taylor L (BLU) from 4pm -7pm

Friday 17th - Saint Pats Day!! - High Cloud

Band 8pm till late

Saturday 18th - Minnie Marks - 8pm till late

Sunday 19th - Tom Larmon from 4:30 to 7:30pm

Friday 24th - Rock N

Mash - 8pm till late

Sunday 26th - Ruby Blunt - 4pm-7pm

Friday 31st - Green Room - 8pm till Late

You can check out our website bonnyhillsbeachhotel.com) for regular updates under the What’s On tab or follow us on Facebook!

Where does the Chef’s inspiration come from for his meals?

Fergus : My inspiration for meals comes from years of fine dining and being able to provide healthy and affordable meals.

Bonny Hills Tavern is also a family friendly place, tell us about your beer garden and kids play area?

What a great area! We have made a few changes to the area since we took over in 2020, so if it has been a while since you

have visited, it’s definitely worth your while to come down and check it out. It’s a hidden gem and most people are surprised at the space and appeal of the Beer Garden. We have ample seating and a kids play area that makes it easy for Mum and Dad to keep an eye on their kids while they can still sit back and relax having a cold drink looking out onto the natural bush surrounds - and don’t forget the free live entertainment on Sunday afternoons! Doesn’t get better than that. Every pub and club have a Specials Board, what do you consider when putting together your Specials Board for the week?

Fergus: When putting together the Specials, I take into consideration price, what seasonal produce is available and what would give the ‘wow’ factor.

What do you think is most important when putting together a menu?

Fergus: A good range of both affordable and seasonal produce, with great eye appeal and flavours.

Thanks team and Congratulations on a great Pub.

Mcinherney Close | Open 7 days

APPLE OR PEAR?

Did you know that a pear contains more iron than an apple? Unfortunately, I can’t choose one so why not have both. Both are new seasons and the Gala apples are excellent this year with a sweet mild flavour and are super crispy. Stone fruit is coming to an end and the old faithful winter fruits have begun. They are always a great snack idea for the lunchbox and also work

so well in cooking. It’s also the time to say goodbye to the Hass avocado and welcome the new season Shepard which has seen favourable growing conditions this year.

Don’t forget to check out our website that allows you to shop and receive your goods the very next day. Always remember fresh is best and please continue to support our farmers and our “Little” shop.

POTION LOVE

INGREDIENTS

15ml Smirnoff Vodka

15ml Lychee Liquer

30ml Chambord

Lemonade

Half a strawberry

Sprig of mint

METHOD

Fill shaker with ice

Add vodka, lychee liquer, chamboard to shaker

Shake and strain into a margarita glass and top with lemonade

Garnish with half strawberry and sprig of mint

PORT CITY BOWLING CLUB

JIMMY EGGERT

Jimmy Eggert grew up on the family farm, Oxhill Organics, learning all about regenerative and organic farming practices and the importance of healthy food. Now, after just finishing high school, he has set up his own farm and business, Hastings Riverlands Milk, where he is producing high quality milk and yoghurt, and as he grows is looking to add cream and cheese to his offerings.

Can you tell us about your background and how you got into regenerative dairy farming?

I grew up in Redbank,at the family farm Oxhill Organics, so my passion for farming and organics was instilled in me from a young age. The farm at Redbank milks around 200 cows, and supplies milk to Norco Organic. It has been certified organic since 2003, and over time we have seen firsthand the improvements in animal health, soil quality and the quality of the milk and eggs we produce. It is because of this strong regenerative background and the wealth of knowledge that my family has gifted me, that I became interested in regenerative dairy farming, and letting people know where good food comes from.

What inspired you to follow in the family footsteps and pursue a career in farming?

When I was figuring out what I’d like to do with my life after school, I only thought about a couple things; it needed to be something that was unique, and it needed to be something that would have an impact. Farming fulfilled this for me, as I had the opportunity to make a unique product that I could be proud of, and use it to teach people about the importance of knowing where their food comes from, how the animals are treated, and the impact farming has on the environment.

Can you describe your approach to regenerative dairy farming and what sets it apart from more traditional farming methods?

Regenerative and organic farming all comes back to the soil. If the soil is healthy, the grass is healthy, the cows will be healthy, and the milk will be healthy. Conventional dairy farming uses fertilisers that are chemically broken down rather than biologically. This process releases excess hydrogen into the soil, making it more

imbalanced and acidic, until the grass can’t grow without readily available nutrients that are constantly being added. In contrast, we make our own compost, which adds carbon to the soil, feeding the microbes which break down nutrients for the plants to take up. In this way, nutrients are recirculated through the farm, building the health of the soil, and producing a better product for the consumer.

Can you tell us a bit about your cows and what a normal day is like for them and yourself on the farm?

The cows at my farm have been brought up from my parents’ farm, where they were raised on certified organic grain, milk and grass. Their names are Molly, Pong, Lisa, Rosie, Jetty, T-Shell,

Flood, Mel, Rhi, Oxhill and Sym. The cows live stress free, they are only milked once a day, and walk to the dairy at their own pace. Aside from the milking, where they are in the dairy for around 10 minutes, they are free to eat silage, grass, lie down and drink water. After milking, they walk back down to the paddock at their own leisure. They always have access to shade, water and fresh grass. As for me, I have to deal with a bit more stress. At school, I only had to get my assignments in on time, and get myself up at 7 to make it there before the bell. Running a business is like doing 10 assignments at once, except they’re all on vastly different topics and are all due at the same time. Instead, I wake up at 5am each morning, go get the cows and get ready for milking.

Continued over...

Regenerative and organic farming all comes back to the soil. If the soil is healthy, the grass is healthy, the cows will be healthy, and the milk will be healthy.

The milk goes straight into the pasteuriser from the machines via a hose, which I then disconnect to wash the machines. After the cows are milked, I begin pasteurising. I heat the milk to 65.1 degrees for 10 minutes, and then cool it down to about 18 degrees before bottling it and putting it in the cool room. I use this time to organise my day and do some odd jobs, like getting the dairy ready for the next day, labelling bottles, and washing glass bottles. I make sure to write down all my orders for the day, and the next few days, so I know if I have too much, or not enough milk. By the time I’ve bottled and washed the pasteuriser it’s 9:30. I then do my deliveries to either Wauchope, Redbank, Port Macquarie, Laurieton, Lake Cathie, Comboyne and Lorne. Your family would have seen some pretty big changes over the many years they have been in the farming industry. Can you talk about the role that technology and innovation play in your farming practices?

Technology plays a big role in my organisation. My phone is my biggest tool that I use to take orders, write notes, order

equipment and send invoices. Keeping track of everything I need to do would be near impossible without it. It is also a tool that I use to communicate with people, through social media and emails. The dairy, however, is old news. It is the walk-through type that you would see being used in the 40s and 50s. It has been refurbished with new milking machines, lines, electrical, and plumbing. The factory is now where the old vat room used to be, and in it is the pasteuriser. The pasteuriser is one of the most useful pieces of technology to me, as I can use it to make cheese and yoghurt as well as milk. However, growing up all I drank was raw milk, straight from the cow. Raw milk is the best, creamiest, tastiest milk you can get, being in it’s most unprocessed form. It seems odd to me that despite advances in technology in the dairy

industry, such as stainless steel equipment, appropriate wash chemicals, regular testing protocols, and optimal refrigeration, that pasteurisation is still necessary. I hope this changes in the near future, and everyone can enjoy raw milk just as much as I do. Starting your own business can be quite daunting, and you are still quite young. What have been some of the most memorable experiences or challenges you've faced while starting up?

I have faced quite a few challenges in my first couple of weeks, all of which I have learned from. In my first week of production, I lost all my milk down the drain because I forgot to close the pasteuriser tap. Another time, I left a batch of yoghurt out overnight, and a lot of it curdled. From these mistakes, I learnt that forgetting even the smallest things can be quite expensive and time consuming. I have had to learn the hard way to slow down, think and check things off in my head before continuing what I’m doing. It seems to me that every day I forget one small thing that ends up costing me time and money. However, for the one small inconvenience, I remember twenty or so other things, and that is no easy feat and something I can be proud of. My first time making feta cheese it turned out beautiful, despite being a long and meticulous process. I made it with my own milk and with my own hands, cooked

Growing up all I drank was raw milk, straight from the cow. Raw milk is the best, creamiest, tastiest milk you can get, being in its most unprocessed form.

it, drained it and cut the pieces individually. Making the highest quality product is important to me because I believe my customers deserve access to the healthiest food, just like I did growing up. What has the community's response been like to your product so far?

I’m lucky to live in such a wonderful and supportive community, that I’ve had a great response to my milk so far. It’s good to see a lot of people that are willing to support local farmers, and are conscious about the impact farming has on the environment, be it positive or negative. The Hastings Co-op took my milk on as soon as it got going, and their support has been really instrumental in growing my business. I know they love to support local businesses, as do their customers. I have had similar responses from other shops, such as Wild Culture, Whole Health Store, and Forgiving Foods. It’s good to meet people that have the same passion as I do for providing quality food to the local community. What plans or ideas do you have for Hastings Riverlands Milk heading into the future?

Going forward, I’m looking to grow my business to twenty cows. I’m also going to make cream, and maybe cheese. With the added volume, I will need to make sure that my system of bottling and delivering milk is more efficient, so I could be looking at getting a bottling machine, and I’m in the process of getting a cold room box for my Ute. I want to continue to develop a good relationship with my customers, and open the farm up to show them what I do here. Quality comes first for me, so I need to be comfortable with the amount of milk that I’m producing and the quality of my products, before I introduce

I know they love to support local businesses, as do their customers. I have had similar responses from other shops, such as Wild Culture, Whole Health Store, and Forgiving Foods.

more cows. Where can readers find your milk or get in touch?

My number is 0435 097 861 if anyone would like to get in touch or have any queries about the milk. My main goal when I started was to get the milk spread right across the region and I think I have achieved that. Readers can find the milk at Wauchope, Sovereign and Timbertown IGAs, Wild Culture, Kenny Littles, Organics Mattr, Whole Health Store in Lake

Cathie, Forgiving Foods in Laurieton, Sohip Organics at Lorne, and Grazed and Grown Farm in Comboyne. If you fancy trying my milk in a coffee, the Udder Cow Cafe, Bardi’s Cafe, and Coffee on High use my milk. Of course, you can buy direct from me to pick up from Oxhill Organics at Redbank, where you can get organic meat, milk and eggs in one go. Just call or text my Mum on 0423 222 998 to arrange a time to pick up some fresh organic food. Milk and yoghurt in bulk is also available direct from the farm in 5L jerry cans and buckets, and 10L buckets. Thanks Jimmy.

LIME CORDIALE OLI

Lime Cordiale is coming to Port Macquarie Panthers on 9th April! We had a chat to Oli Leimbach, one half of the brother duo, ahead of the show and learned a little more about their beginnings, their creative processes and career highlights.

Can you tell us about the early days, how you came to form the band and how you both got into music?

Well, being brothers we naturally hated being in the same room as each other and learnt classical music separately, so Louis is a trumpet player and I’m a clarinet player. Mum would make us play little duets together for our grandparents and we hated it. But as we got older, maybe 16-18 years old we realised that we were actually becoming friends. There was a time when I was into emo, hardcore music and Louis was into rap, so we felt like enemies but then we started getting into the same sort of music and started writing music together. We started out calling ourselves The Limes, then became Lime Cordiale - Lime coming from our surname and Cordiale being a french word meaning a friendly get together.

Your sound is quite eclectic and incorporates elements of rock, pop, funk, and reggae. What are some of your major musical influences?

I think a bit of everything. We started with a

lot of reggae, and that moved into soul, and then world music. We do listen to a lot of world music, I think that’s a great place to be pulling little weird bits of inspiration from. Then we have our favourite bands like The Strokes, and Kings of Leon were always an inspiration. When we first heard Anderson Paak’s album that was amazing and an inspiration for us. It’s a great experience when you first discover something amazing and you’re blown away hearing it for the first time.

You’ve gained a large following here in Australia and also internationally. What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?

I think career highlights for us is when something happens unexpectedly. You can play a festival in Australia and you know that there’s going to be 5000 people there, and

that’s awesome, you gear yourself up for it and you know it’s going to be great, and actually sometimes you might make a couple of mistakes or something and it might not end up being the experience you hoped for. But when we were in Europe last year we got booked for a festival just outside of Dublin at the last minute and we seriously thought no one would really be there for us because no one really knows us there. We were first on at this festival and beforehand we looked out into the crowd and there were about 80 people watching, so we said “ok this will be an interesting one but lets just have fun with it”. And then we went to walk out on stage and suddenly the whole tent was full, a couple of thousand people were running in to watch us as the gates opened! That’s a highlight for us, it was so magical, and so unexpected, how can you not get off on that? There’s no way of really gauging

I think live shows are the one thing that really give you that boost in confidence that you actually do have an audience of people that know and enjoy your music

LEIMBACH

that either, there’s numbers and analytics on Spotify and Instagram you can look at, but in Europe especially, we think “why do we have an audience here, it doesn’t make sense, how do they know us?”, it’s not until you’re there seeing the audience that it sinks in. I think live shows are the one thing that really give you that boost in confidence that you actually do have an audience of people that know and enjoy your music.

You recently released your second album, “14 Steps to a Better You”. How did you come up with the concept for the album, and what was the recording process like? The concept for the album came up towards the later half of recording, I think we were doing vocals. So doing the vocals and really looking at the lyrics we realised that a lot of these songs were pretty critical of society and telling people how they should act. There’s no reason why they should listen to us, and we felt like we were being some annoying self-help gurus.. “This is what’s wrong with Australian society and you should be like this or that”. So the title 14 Steps To A Better You sort of makes fun of that, it sounds a bit cheeky. Your music videos are often visually stunning and creative. How involved are you in the creative process of your music videos, and how do you come up with the ideas for them?

We work a lot with a guy called Jack Shepard now. I started out as more of the filmmaker, Louis was always doing the artwork for our album covers, posters and merch and I would do all the film side of things. I still do, I always work closely with Jack who’s done most of our music videos. We have worked with others as well, like Joe Brown who goes under the name Neathway, he does a lot of the animation stuff. It’s always a close collaboration. We don’t really just hand over the music video to someone and they run with it, in the past when we’ve done that it hasn’t really worked. So we always work together now to get what

We don’t get to play much on the Mid North Coast but we spend so much time there, Louis and I, so we’re going to be so stoked to be there!

we want. I think we know the songs, what they’re about and how they should feel. We’re in the middle of that process right now actually, we have a whole lot of new music recorded and we’re going to work on the next single and plan out what we’re going to do with it.

You’re playing at Panthers here in Port Macquarie on the 9th April, what can fans expect from the show?

Well we are in the process right now of

redesigning the show, so Port Macquarie will be one of the first with a whole new set and new performance. I’m working right now on how weird and wacky we can get! We don’t get to play much on the Mid North Coast but we spend so much time there, Louis and I, so we’re going to be so stoked to be there! We spend most of our time just outside of Macksville. It’ll feel like a hometown show I think.

Thanks Oli.

Thursdays from 5pm SEAFOOD

Fridays tickets on sale from 6pm MEMBER’S

Friday 630pm and 8pm SUNDAY

Sundays for Lunch from 1130am HAPPY

SCHOONERS AND HOUSE WINE

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5pm to 6pm

HANSEN

Rockstar Joe Hansen is the bass player for the iconic Aussie band Grinspoon. We sat down with Joe to talk about his life on stage and behind the scenes of his incredible music career.

Hi Joe. You are the bass player of the iconic Aussie band Grinspoon, when did you first fall in love with playing music?

Music was always in our house growing up. My Mum loved Tom Waits, Elton John, Ry Cooder and of course the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. When I was in my early teens my older brother started playing guitar and my younger brother played the drums, so picking up the bass was a no brainer. We made a hell of a racket but my Mum was always very encouraging and loved hearing us play, though I’m not so sure we sounded that great! When I was about 15 the Plunderers, the legendary inner city Sydney garage rock band played at the Memorial Hall in Bellingen and they just looked so cool I wanted to be like them.....

Can you tell us about when you first came together and what the early days were like?

Well Pat and I had been knocking around for a few years in Lismore in bands, some we were in together and others separately. Phil was playing in a band with Kris in Port Macquarie and when he moved up for Uni Kris came with him. It was actually Kris’s dad,

the drum lecturer at the Uni, that suggested we join forces. So we had a few jams and entered the TripleJ Unearthed Comp with a recording on cassette which we paid for by hocking Phil’s guitar. Next minute we’d won and after a couple of years touring and two self funded EP’s we eventually signed a deal with Universal Records. It was a crazy, exciting and chaotic time. We were borrowing friends and families vans to tour, doing crazy long drives and living on next to nothing. We were always on the hunt for food. I remember bumping into Ben from Regurgitator in the Valley and he couldn’t finish his noodles so he offered them to me, it was like Christmas had come early. As for beers we would wait for the other bigger support bands to leave and if they’d left any of their rider behind in we swooped! The gigs were wild and inconsistent- sometimes we’d be great and sometimes it was like a car crash, but I think maybe that’s what people liked about us!

Other than bass guitar are there any

other instruments you play and if so what are they?

I play a bit of guitar but I’m certainly not a shredder - I regret not learning to play the keyboard when I was younger maybe I’ll make it my ambition to be able to play chopsticks by the end of the year!

Who was your greatest inspiration in the music industry?

I suppose growing up it goes back to the Plunderers, but also other Australian bands like Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors. When Grinspoon started we looked up to bands like Regurgitator, Shihad, Magic Dirt and You Am I. These acts were releasing amazing records and it suddenly felt like maybe we could have a crack at that too. They made it seem like anything was possible. Continued over...

GRINSPOON 1999

PHOTO BY ANDY LIGUZ

So we had a few jams and entered the TripleJ Unearthed Comp with a recording on cassette which we paid for by hocking Phil’s guitar.

Can you share some of your most memorable moments from when Grinspoon took off and you were touring and playing some big gigs?

The Big Day Out shows were always massive, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest bands in the world was incredible. I remember looking over my shoulder halfway through a set and seeing Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers watching us - I shat myself! The Firefight show in 2020 in front of 75,000 people at ANZ Stadium was another memorable gig where bands had 15 minute sets. Because It was live on TV to millions of viewers there was a massive red light on the side of the stage that gave you a 30 second warning before you had to finish or they’d just cut you off and go to an ad. As well as the TV stuff we were being recorded live for a CD to add to the pressure. No sound check just wheel our stuff on and hope for the best! What is one of the craziest stories you have from being on tour?

I once saw Eminem get kicked off stage whilst I was on it - that was pretty weird! I was onstage doing a group singalong with Suicidal Tendencies on the Warped tour in 1999, and they didn’t want him up there cause he was very unsociable the rest of the time, so the guitarist Mike wrapped Eminem up in his guitar cord before booting him off. Another one was when we opened the Closing Ceremony at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. Pat started the show standing on the roof of the MCG doing a blistering solo as he flew down to the stage on a flying fox, complete with fireworks coming out the end of the guitar. As

he hit the stage a bunch of pyrotechnics and smoke went off and we kicked into Hard Act to Follow. Not bad for a guy who isn’t a stunt man!

You have had some time where you haven’t been performing much yourself, but you haven’t been far from the stage. Can you tell us about some of your work as a Stage Manager and working on festivals?

had the unique experience of working onsite at Splendour for a couple of weeks before jumping up on the mainstage on the Sunday night and playing to a packed amphitheatre - it was surreal!

You have been a Mid North Coast local for some time. As someone that has toured internationally what made you decide to make the Mid North Coast home rather than anywhere else?

were

shoulders with some of the biggest bands in the world was incredible. I remember looking over my shoulder halfway through a set and seeing Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers watching us...

This area is the best! We have amazing unspoilt and often deserted beaches, marine parks, and hinterland and great national parks to explore. It’s such a laidback and relaxed lifestyle. I love travelling and experiencing different cultures, in fact I think that it’s really important, but to be able to come home to this area is really special.

You have played with the band quite a few times in recent years, what has it been like getting back on stage?

When Grinspoon took a break in 2013 I was looking for something else to do so I started to get into working on the other side of the fence and I can honestly say I had no idea how much hard work went on to putting on a festival. It’s so much easier just turning up and playing for an hour! We’d played our last gig of the tour in Brisbane, had a little after party and then after a couple of hours sleep I was donging in star pickets at the Falls Festival in Byron! Since then I’ve been working on several different events like Festival of the Sun in Port Macquarie, the BBQ event Meatstock, Splendour in the Grass and CMC Rocks. Each one has different roles ranging from production and stage managing, to being part of a site crew and camp marshalling. All different and with different challenges but as long as you have a good team it’s always fun and really rewarding. The friendships you make and the bonds formed are lifelong. Last year I

I’m so appreciative to be still able to get on stage and have such a great fanbase to play to. To still be onstage with the same four blokes that kicked off in Lismore in 1995 really makes me proud. We’ve had some ups and downs but we still genuinely enjoy each others company and every gig these days is a lot of fun. We‘ve also honed the craft down over the years and no longer have the car crash gigs - well hopefully not anyway!

If you didn’t have a career in music and Grinspoon never took off, what do you think you would be doing?

Well I’d originally chosen to do to a Science degree in Sydney after Year 12 but changed it last minute to Music in Lismore so I guess given my love of the outdoors I’d probably be doing the classic Marine Biology or something similar.

As much fun as that would’ve been I’m not sure it would’ve been quite the ride we’ve had in Grinspoon!

Thanks Joe.

The Big Day Out shows

always massiverubbing

To still be onstage with the same four blokes that kicked off in Lismore in 1995 really makes me proud - we’ve had some ups and downs but we still genuinely enjoy each others company and every gig these days is a lot of fun.

Sounds of Sundown. It’s time to celebrate our epic communities across the Hastings region! Sounds of Sundown is a free event, to bring us together for a late afternoon and evening of cool musical vibes and family friendly good times - at Wauchope Showgrounds on March 11th from 4pm until 10pm.

Sounds of Sundown promises to bring a big program of awesome entertainment and activities as curated by the production team at Experience Rova. From world class street performers, circus skills classes, and eye-popping visual activations to brilliant light displays, tantalising yummy food trucks - and don’t forget a line-up of nationally renowned and local musical artists. The event line-up promises to turn it up all the way and rock the heck out of the Wauchope Showgrounds from the Sounds of Sundown stage. It features some incredible local and nationally renowned acts with the Australia Rock Collective (ARC) as headliners, a supergroup of Australian rock and roll royalty including Darren Middleton from Powderfinger, Davey Lane from You Am I, Kram from Spiderbait and Mark Wilson from Jet.

SOUNDS OF SUN DOWN

by AC/DC, Powderfinger, Jet, Paul Kelly, Split Enz, INXS, Easybeats, Crowded House and Midnight Oil. They will be supported by the highly energised indie band Bugs, country pop sensation Melanie Dyer, the country rising star that has been dubbed ‘the one to watch’Caitlyn Shadbolt who will be pairing up with Leigh I’Anson for the event, and the super talented, locally grown and produced delight that is Keanu Jai.

The event site has a grassed area for you to hang out at the festival, so bring a chair and picnic blanket or ease on down in the grandstand seating at the venue.

ARC share a passion for Australian Rock n Roll and will perform quintessential Aussie bangers

Sounds of Sundown promises to be an amazing local afternoon and night out, bringing something for everyone. Coupled with the explosive live music will be activations by the Sparkle Society and VC Builds, who will provide roving acts, stellar circus entertainment, workshops, acrobatics, fire twirling and LED hula hoops. There will also be creative circus workshops for the kids, mesmerising interactive lighting installations and delicious food trucks. Sounds of Sundown will be your one stop entertainment stop, with music entertainment, cool hands-on activities and satisfying tasty street food.

The event site has a grassed area for you to hang out at the festival, so bring a chair and picnic blanket or ease on down in the grandstand seating at the venue. This will be an alcohol-free event, and please leave the fur babies at home.

There is some onsite parking available, as well as street parking nearby. The atmosphere will be awesome. All that is needed, is you, your family, your friends, your whole neighbourhood - bring them all!

This is after all a celebration of you and for you. Sounds of Sundown is funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program, brought to you by Port Macquarie Hastings Council and Experience Rova.

It is an event for the local community to have a spectacular night out in our own backyard. See you on the 11th of March 4pm - 10pm at Wauchope Showground via the main entry on High Street, for Sounds of Sundown. For regular updates and set times please head on over to Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s website, search EventsSounds of Sundown or simply scan the QR Code on any of the event’s posters.

Middleton + Bugs + Melanie Roving entertainment,

HIS STORY OUR STORY 2023

In its 8th year, and now that all the restrictions of past years is over, Port Macquarie Seventh Day Adventist Church will once again bring you the His Story Our Story presentation, an outdoor walk through, dramatization on the life death and resurrection of Jesus. His Story Our Story takes people on a journey through time, retelling the original Easter story. On arrival, the public enter a “Bible village” depicting life 2000 years ago and entertaining them with various activities, and food to taste while they wait for their tour to begin. Then the actual walk goes from scene to scene each one acting out the events associated with the life of Jesus. Along the way, people will meet shepherds, disciples and Roman soldiers amongst others. Tours will run regularly throughout the evening

and the program is repeated over 3 nights. This interactive presentation will appeal to all ages, with sights, sounds and smells making it an unforgettable experience. Locally developed by members of the SDA church, it is now a regular event on the local calendar. The gates to the village open at 6pm and tours run regularly throughout the evening starting at 6:30 pm. Entry is free, but bookings are essential to reserve your tour time. Allow yourself time to wander the village before your tour begins. For all bookings/ enquiries phone 0404 943 378 or email contactus@portadventist.org or book on line at https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/history-ourstory-the-manger-the-cross-andbeyond-tickets-557274110867 tickets available from 1pm 22nd February till 5pm 29th March.

You are coming to Coffs and Port to appear in Got ya Back Productions

‘Banjo’ performances over the next few weeks. Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Noah Mullins and I’m from the Blue Mountains. I’ve also lived in Paris and San Diego. I started dancing in 2015 at A-Live PA in Penrith, and I’ve been singing and acting since I was 4 years old.

You have been in the industry since the age of 12, tell us about your highlights and what it’s been like growing up in showbiz?

When I was little, I did a lot of community theatre, but my first real gig was ‘The Songs and Stories of Peter Allen’ with Todd McKenney as young Peter. Right before my HSC exams, I was cast as Riff in the 2019/2021 World Tour of ‘West Side Story’ with Opera Australia. It was an honour to be a part of this show with such a young cast playing to real ages of the characters which hadn’t been done before. In 2021, I joined the company of Jagged Little Pill which toured to Sydney and Melbourne with a second season at the Theatre Royal in Sydney in 2022.

I originated the role of Charlie and covered the roles of Nick, Phoenix and Andrew. A week before commencing 'Banjo' rehearsals, I was performing in 'La Cage Aux Folles' in Sydney playing the lead role of Jean-Michel.

What are you looking forward to the most about working with Tim and Steph and being involved with Banjo?

Currently, we have been in rehearsals for a week with opening night in Taree coming up. It's been an honour to work with these two and bring Banjo's story to life. It's been lovely having Tim guide me with the message of the story and what we want to create out of that. Working with Steph has been amazing and she has allowed me to contribute creatively and help her bring this story to life through movement. It's not often you get to work on a show and have this much creative input, so it's been a true blessing. Tell us about your pre performances warm ups and routines? Do you have a pre-show ritual?

I like to get to the theatre an hour before the show to make sure my props and costumes are where they need to be. I then start with a vocal warm up and then a physical warm up to best prepare me for the show. I enjoy improvising movement beforehand to get the blood flowing. It's also important to rehearse lifts prior to the show and check in with the cast and company

to make sure we're ready to take on any heavy themes of the show. I also like to listen to music to get me in the right headspace before I perform - probably Lizzy McAlpine or Coldplay. Apart from Banjo, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

I have a really exciting year ahead with TV and stage projects in Australia and abroad, however, like many large productions I am sworn to secrecy at this stage! What I can tell you is that my writing partner (Baylie Carson - currently in Six the Musical on the West End, London) are working on a TV series script in the genre of a dark comedy through the lens of neurodivergent people. For those who haven’t seen, or aren’t familiar with Banjo, can you tell them what they can expect from this show?

Banjo takes the imagery of Banjo Patterson's poetry and mashes it with Coldplay as a contemporary dance soundtrack to his life. It's a fun and touching look at how an icon came to be and what he meant to Australia then and now. Mat Brooker is sensational on his guitar and looping pedals. The show/room will be vibing.

Got Ya Back Productions welcomes Noah Mullins to the production of “Banjo” at the Glasshouse this month

Banjo takes the imagery of Banjo Patterson’s poetry and mashes it with Coldplay as a contemporary dance soundtrack to his life.

Wild T hing

Now in their sixties, older but no wiser, the most radical member of the group is in crisis. To offer their support, the friends take Jackie back to her country home for a weekend to relax and let their hair down. What follows tests their friendship, their morals and their courage as never before.

FOCUS had the pleasure of catching up with the show’s producer and actor Di Smith ahead of the play’s showcase at the Glasshouse Port Macquarie.

Hi Di, thank you so much for speaking with Focus and congratulations on the success ‘Wild Thing’ is already having nationally Tell us a little about the story

Thank you. Well the story takes place with four childhood friends when they meet. So you see us 60 year old women playing school girls at 13. And then we follow them to London in their early twenties, which we all know is a bit of a rite of passage for Australians, we leave and we go and explore. And then the crux of the play happens during a long weekend at Jacqueline's country house in regional Australia near the ocean. This is where the crisis occurs and

the four women have to make a decision that will impact the rest of their lives. It's quite raucous in it’s jour ney because we explore childhood, sexuality, relationships with children, husbands, boyfriends, marriages and divorces. And the play’s crux of course occurs when the women are well into their sixties, which presents different problems. So it's really about how friends, your female friends, are the ones you rely on when perhaps your family can't come to the party Which certainly leads me to my next question. I think the themes explored in the script are so quintessentially Australian and quite nostalgic for the viewer thinking back on their own jour neys of friendship. Do you think this was writer Suzanne Hawley’s purpose, to present a piece of Australian theatre that explored the common notions of female friendships over decades?

was 21, I moved into a share house where she was an actress at the time and she was exploring how to write. I think she was in her late twenties, early thirties, and she introduced herself. She said, hello, I'm Suzanne. I’ve been married twice! She has the most outrageous sense of humour and is an

awarded screenwriter. So yes, her intention was to create four lead roles for women in their sixties. I mean, how many times have you seen a play where they're all of that age? You might get one or two. In this script, four sixty year old women lead the drama. And her intention was to highlight that women live longer than men. That's a fact. So at the end of your life, no matter how old you are, whether you're an 18 year old watching this play, or a 25 or 40 year old, or you are

it will be the women in your life that will see you through to the end. She wanted to showcase what older women are actually like. Because I think the general public have one view of what someone in their sixties is like. I guarantee you, they'll walk away from this play going, I have been enlightened!

The talent of this cast is just incredible. Take us through each of the actors and what they bring to the play through their characters.

Katrina Foster, Louise Fitzgerald, myself and Suzanne were at the birth of this idea. We are almost lifelong friends, the four of us. So we sat around and said, okay, well, we’ve got

‘A provocative Australian story by award winning writer Suzanne Hawley, ‘Wild ing’ is both comedy and tragedy starring four childhood friends; Jackie, Elizabeth, Frances and Susan who find freedom in Swinging London a decade later.

this play that Suzanne wrote, shall we do that? And then of course the pandemic happened. But, the joy of this whole project has certainly been the bringing of us together as friends and being able to reconnect on such a deep level artistically. The characters are extraordinarily intelligent but somewhat disorganised, but all with a marvellous sense of humour You'll see when you're at the end of the play, the relationship growth between the friends because everybody has to make a decision. And yes, it's not an easy one.

I mean, how many times have you seen a play where they’re all of that age? You might get one or two. In this script, four sixty year old women lead the drama.

bringing to you is six actors on stage telling an Australian story with our lens and I think we need much, much more of that. The industry is in recovery mode and so it's brilliant to be able to bring an Australian story, one that's about women and one in particular that's about older women, and one that isn't a two person show or a one person show.

What have been some of your highlights of your career having held stellar roles in ‘A Country Practice’ and ‘Puberty Blues’ and a long running presenter on ‘The Great Outdoors?’

Well, all of those are amongst great highlights. I’ve been very fortunate. I'm one of the lucky ones to have travelled the world in Australia and I’ve spent a lot of time in regional

What do you hope an audience will take away from ‘Wild Thing’ and why is it so important to support Australia theatre at this time? I mean, we have had years of lock-downs which so negatively affected the arts. It must be so refreshing as an actor and producer to be performing live again.

Absolutely, it’s great. I'll answer the second window between lockdowns in 2021, just before the second wave hit. And it's been such a success and the audiences have been so warm. I think Australian theatre is so important right now We see so much that is about American people and English people. We see so many one person plays. We see so many two person plays. What we are

And to answer the first part of your question, an audience will see a very different view of how they might think about their mothers, their aunties, the older women they see in the street and think about the journey of those lives that began for these characters. They're all war babies. They're all born in the late 1940s. They weren't baby boomers and that is extraordinary, they've seen everything. The change has been enormous. So I think it's about insight into what the older generation is, because I feel we are a very ageist country

Just to touch on your own body of work Di. You are a well-known household name.

for The Great Outdoors. And of course the character I played in A Country Practice was a country doctor. So yes, the value of that lovely show, it just lives on. I think my next favourite things would be my experiences on stage. I've done some musical theatre. I’ve sung at the Opera House in a musical for the Sydney Theatre Company. That's got to be right up

a tiny role in a huge R yan Gosling and Emily

Thanks Di. Interview: Sarah Baker.

‘W ild Thing’ will grace the Glasshouse Port Macquarie as part of their 2023 Glasshouse Select Theatre program on Friday, 12th May at 7.30pm.

Photos by Lisa Tomasetti Photography

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What sets you apart from your competitors?

Our customer service and Canon technology. Our Colourworks Port Macquarie branch has just been awarded Canon Australia’s NSW partner of the year for 2022. More businesses are choosing Colourworks as their print partner because they see the value we provide. It’s not about selling a photocopier and coming back in 5 years to upgrade. We conduct regular reviews so customers actually see the benefits they’re getting. This along with leveraging Canon technology, which won line of the year again in 2022, means you’re investing in the most reliable brand on the market and supported by the largest print provider in our region.

What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally? Be true to yourself, do right by others and believe in your worth.

What advice do you have for other women working in a fast paced world? Just keep doing what you believe in. Give to others but remember to give to yourself.

I have a young family and a career that’s not your standard 9am-5pm. Being part of our community is so important to me and I just want to make a difference. That’s why I also volunteer on several local committees and boards and am a member of HBWN, Business Port Macquarie and BNI networks. Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. Knowledge, trust and relationships. This is my 29th year in print management so my industry knowledge is certainly a key strength. Business owners have come to trust me and rely on my recommendations, which I am so grateful for. Change can be daunting but doesn’t need to be with a partner who is there every step of the way. I certainly don’t sell and move on, why would you want to. For me once a client comes on board, the relationships we build and the ride that follows is why I still do what I do.

Positive ENERGY ADVENTURES & RETREATS

Describe your business in one sentence.

Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats is a three-day, pack free, 35km hike from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head. What sets you apart from your competitors?

We have collaborated with Aunty Rhonda Radley, Birpai/ Dhungutti women, Community Elder, to journey as part of our hike. Sharing stories from her and her ancestor’s connection to the land we walk. “We believe we have all the components to fulfil a very unique journey to share with our hikers” says Belinda Johnson. From our cultural collaboration, to wellbeing activities, glamping and campfire dinners. What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally?

take from the last 12 months” says Peta Alexopoulos. Creating an idea is exciting, but to see it shape and come to fruition makes us very proud.

Tell us about any new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023?

We look forward to sharing a number of multi day hikes in 2023. Our first launches this month. Seasonal hikes in May, August and November follow and allow us to share so much of what this beautiful region has to offer year-round.

clairem@colourworks.com.au

0407 145 503

colourworks.com.au

“To keep developing ourselves as professional women, working with other great minds and not giving up is probably the most inspiring thing we can

positiveenergyretreats.com.au

admin@positiveenergyretreats. com.au

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Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats

BELINDA JOHNSON & PETA ALEXOPOULOS

Be true to yourself, do right by others and believe in your worth.

Describe your business in one sentence.

Meg + Me BOUTIQUE + HOME + ESPRESSO has been designed to offer discerning customers a carefully curated collection of quality fashion, gifts and homewares, while enjoying one of Port’s best coffees from Ant’s onsite espresso bar.

Tell us the new and exciting products/ services that are happening in 2023?

For over 12 years, our fashion boutique has been synonymous with beautiful, unique fashion that you won’t see everywhere else. The addition of our newly expanded retail space (just next door) 18 months ago has allowed us to branch into bespoke gifts and homewares

Meg Me

complementing our existing boutique + espresso bar beautifully.

We recently welcomed Roslyn Hall to our team in a full time capacity. Roslyn (Roz) is a qualified Interior Decorator and brings with her a fresh vision for our Gift + Home space. I can’t wait to see what we create together.

Interestingly, Roz and I first met over 12 years ago when Ant and I first moved to Port. Roz was working at an independently owned boutique in Port Central, where I took my first casual job after moving here. We remained good friends, and it was only ever a matter of time before we reconnected and worked together again! What are your business’s core values?

We have worked hard to create a warm, welcoming environment where everyone

who walks through the door feels like they’re shopping with their most stylish best friend.

Over the years, trends come and go but good old fashioned service, a warm smile and a sense of connection to community will continue to be our focus.

If we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet, we would love for you to call in and see why we are so good at what we do!

12+13, 6-14 Clarence St, Port Macquarie 6583 7773

megandme.com.au

ROSLYN HALL/ LUSANNA KLOTZ/ MEGAN MURRAY/ EMMA DUPAQUIER

GROWERS MARKET

HAYLEY HANKS / BUSINESS OWNER

Describe your business in one sentence.

A local family owned and operated fresh produce and speciality item store located in Port Macquarie. What sets you apart from your competitors?

Fresh produce at affordable prices. We understand and feel the continual rise of the cost of living. Everyone should still have access to, and be able to enjoy, fresh food. We really do

everything to source in season produce to be able to offer cost effective options for everyone’s budget. It’s so important to us here at Growers Market to offer our customers a special experience. We check everyone out at the tills, and we will still carry your shopping to the car if you require it. Our team go above and beyond to make sure we give our customers a beautiful experience. The staff are always available to ask any questions you have when in our store. We are so very privileged to have our

team of amazing ladies and of course the fellas.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months?

I have learnt to really appreciate the hard work and effort that you put into owning your own business. We put our heart and soul into Growers every day. It is also important to my husband and I to have a wonderful work environment for our staff.

What are your business’s core values? Service and quality, simply the best!!

(Did you just sing it? haha)

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective

I am a local to Port Macquarie, born here in 1980. My family and I have shopped at Growers for as long as I can remember. When my husband and I came across the opportunity to purchase such a well known established business we couldn’t miss it.

We both worked for 20 years in Port Macquarie for other well-known businesses. Within our roles we gained knowledge into business operations and will be forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences gained. My personal strengths carry into our

business, as I am very passionate and committed to living a healthy lifestyle and to own a business which supports this lifestyle is amazing.   I am also very blessed to have some amazing ladies to work alongside me. Some of our managers/supervisors Annie Cassidy, Caroline Smee and Lynne Bennett have been with Growers Market for 16-17 years each. I am truly thankful to have these ladies helping us operate our business as they have a huge amount of experience within our industry. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast-paced world?

It’s a tough gig being a working female.

I am a Mum of two, have worked in the very fast paced corporate world and now owning my own business, it is tough but also rewarding. Find something you enjoy doing for yourself and put it in the diary first, have plenty of family/friends time and make sure you have balance. Most importantly go for it…apply for that job, put your hand up for that opportunity and always get out of your comfort zone.

admin@growersmarket.net.au

growersmarket.net.au

138 Gordon St, Port Macquarie 6583 4111

At Miss Motivator we specialise in women's health and fitness provided in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment; in the gym or outdoors!

What sets you apart from your competitors? We provide a holistic approach to help women feel their best. We collaborate with other health professionals to help our members feel truly supported in their health, fitness and life goals. Miss Motivator is a judgement free zone! We provide a relaxed place to come, exercise, learn about women’s health and socialise, no matter what your age or stage of life.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? That we are providing a well needed service to our town and we will continue to do this. We are always listening to our members challenges and needs to continue to improve the opportunities we provide to our members.

What are your business’s core values? Our core values are courage, integrity and connection. Connection with our members, connecting with health professionals and connection between staff and members.

Rachel LEMAN MISS MOTIVATOR

Business

PORT MACQUARIE

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

Our staff have combined experience of over 50 years in the fitness industry. We are all very experienced and educated in women’s needs at a physiological level throughout the stages of life. Our staff are passionate about looking after our members and making every visit to our business a wonderful experience.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Tune into your personal core values and be true to them. You need to invest time in yourself to ensure you are feeling supported and fulfilled in your daily life both physically and mentally. Stay in your own lane, focus on your passions and even small steps forward are heading in the right direction.

Meet the outstanding ladies of the Business Port Macquarie

Board: Angela Frimberger, Katherine Harris, Alex GlenHolmes, Jenny Fraser and Claire Mathews. Business Port Macquarie is a member based not for profit organisation that works with all levels of government and stakeholders to represent our local business community needs.

We are very energetic, community minded business women who have taken up a voluntary position as part of a Board of 12. We are passionate about business in the Hastings and what can be achieved when we all work together.

Katherine, our Executive Officer and brains trust, has been with us for 12 years. Alex is into her second year as President of Business Port Macquarie and this is her 10th year as a board member. Angela joined the board 4 years ago and we have welcomed Jenny and Claire to their positions last November. The core pillars of Business Port Macquarie are to:

business awards and charitable fundraisers. We also promote member to member activity, including digital media interaction

• Represent business interests. Advocate for business general and specific needs by fostering strong engagement with all levels of government and engaging with relevant stakeholder and community groups.

• Provide Business SupportDeliver access to a broad range of business support services (Legal, HR, Training & Education, Mentoring, Buying Group Discounts, Grants, Mental Health, Apprenticeship Support, Skilled / Unskilled Staff) through Business NSW collaboration and leveraging the skills and services of our members.

• Engage & Grow - Regular member communications: social media, email, website, newsletters, face to face and member surveys to better understand needs.

2 Blackbutt Rd, Port Macquarie 6581 5199

missmotivator.com.au

• Facilitate business connections - Run regular events including networking functions,

With our broad range of expertise and experience we look forward to connecting with other business women as no person can do it all on their own. We all need support and can achieve so much more together.

Describe your business in one sentence.

I am a “people oriented” sales agent and I pride myself on delivering an exceptional level of customer service while also achieving outstanding results for my clients.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective. I am a licensed real estate agent and experienced landlord, buyer, and seller which I believe helps me to have an in-depth understanding across all aspects of real estate with the added bonus of living in the area for 14 years giving me a deeper knowledge of the local region.

I find it extremely rewarding to be an active part of my clients’ journeys and love seeing their property dreams come true. As a wife and a busy mum to two teenage boys, I understand how important it is to remove all the frustrating points when selling or purchasing a property. Everyone’s time is valuable, and everyone involved in the sale process deserves the whole process to be seamless and rewarding.

Lisa Dixon

What sets you apart from your competitors? I think the thing that really sets me apart from my competitors is that I really care. I get fully involved in the process of making one of the biggest, most stressful times in my clients life, buying and selling a home, and I turn it into a calm and memorable experience. I am not just doing this to make money, I live and breathe it, and I get to do it in the most beautiful part of the world with my people, and where I grew up. This also gives me great area knowledge to pass on.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Take time out for yourself, be present with your family and friends when you are not at work, and then go and show them what an amazing woman you are. Don’t be scared, be strong, be fierce and remember there is always a young woman watching you from afar, remember if you never try, you’ll never know. Our

ROSIE MODEL & LISA DIXON

Rosie Model

Keryn STACK

STRATEGIC BUSINESS AND MARKETING CONSULTANT

What lead you to small business?

As a young Mum, l needed to earn additional income for our family. Flexibility to work around the demands of family life and raising our two daughters was my number one priority, so I started a party plan business selling homeware and giftware. Whilst I enjoyed being out meeting people, it was the bookkeeping and financial management of the business that interested me most. In those days MYOB was really the only accounting software on offer for small business, and whilst it was still very manual and time consuming it gave me an appreciation of the realities and challenges of owning a small business.

Why start a bookkeeping business? I have always been passionate about numbers, solving problems, resolving complex issues and I knew I could help business owners to create a financial picture as to how their business is tracking.

What was key to growing your business? Building valued relationships with our clients has always been a priority and as a result we quickly grew

organically. With a growing client base, it became important to establish processes, to grow our team. As a result, we are now Xero Platinum Partners, Registered BAS Agents, offering both full and shared services and work with a diverse range of clients across all industries Australia wide.

What is new and exciting for 2023? Our vision for 2023 is to help business owners on the Mid North Coast stay up to date with their bookkeeping, ATO compliance and to give them more time to do what they enjoy rather than spending late nights and weekends trying to keep up with their bookkeeping.

Reflecting back on my business journey I am proud I have built a business that allows me to work with both my daughters. Isabella is now working alongside me in the business and Hannah has a successful digital marketing business, In the Willow.

Describe your business in one sentence. We partner with businesses at any stage of development to help them grow, from startup point, to established, and everywhere in between.

What sets you apart from your competitors? Early exposure to the machinations of small business. Growing up watching my hard working parents had an irreversible impact on me. I became passionate about small businesses and the people behind them. I loved nothing more than seeing small businesses thrive and wanted to be a part of this challenging but rewarding environment. My career began as a member of a small business team before moving into the realm of big business and then returning to my roots in helping “the little guy’. I’m not an agency, I’m a creative marketing consultant who implements big business thinking within small business frameworks.

keryn@accountsallsorted.com.au

0409 962 777

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? Over the last few months I have been refining my small business services. I am super excited to launch the marketing time saver

package. This is an affordable option that includes an email marketing campaign, socials posts, and a monthly marketing strategy session. I’m also offering marketing monthly bundles which start from just two hours of marketing support a week. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast-paced world? From one female small business owner to another, I would say listen to any advice that comes your way but be selective about which advice you follow. Do what feels right! Also, don’t forget to celebrate the wins along the way, even the little ones. They all add up. Growing a small business today is challenging, there are so many opinions, messages, new technologies, and platforms emerging, which can leave you feeling the FOMO effect. Instead, keep going back to the basics. Who is my customer? Are they even on these platforms? +61

Describe your business in one sentence.

Highfields Manor is a brand new state of the art 105 bed, premium Aged Care Facility providing the best quality service to our residents and their families. What sets you apart from your competitors?

My role here as Wellbeing and Transitions Manager isn’t just about the admission into care. It starts with the transition period, which in some cases could be months prior. Everyone’s move into care is different and their needs are different.

I have the freedom to adapt my role to suit every individual client I meet by visiting my clients in their home and building long trusting relationships. Giving them piece of mind, trust and comfort knowing that it’s always about their choices.

I always put the wellbeing of my customers first, making sure that their transition into care is as smooth as possible.

What are your business’s core values?

Respect, compassion, excellence and leading by example. These values that drive Highfields Manor are fundamental in achieving our Model of Care in turn allowing our consumers to live their best lives. Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

In my career, I have always believed, where there is a will, there is a way! Something my Nan used to always say to me!

I have spent over 15 years building my reputation in the industry. Creating new and building on current relationships with my clients, their families, hospital and allied health industry providers. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

Something I am yet to master myself! LOL… Always make time for yourself! Remove the pressure of being everything to everyone. Taking time for yourself is not selfish, it’s critical!

Kim SUITOR

WELLBEING & TRANSITIONS MANAGER

1 Highfields Circuit Port Macquarie

02 5542 2055

admissions@highfieldsmanor.com.au

HIGHFIELDS MANOR

Lauren HAWKES HAWKES CONVEYANCING

Describe your business in one sentence.

We are here to complete the legal work when you are buying or selling a property in New South Wales.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role?

One thing that conveyancing provides us with is constant learning. There is always a new procedure, or new rule, or changes to legislation that we need to be keeping on top of. We always strive to bring the most up-to-date processes to our clients including the new and evolving world of electronic conveyancing.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

We are a modern firm with an energetic and dedicated team who approach conveyancing in a fresh, proactive, and highly professional manner. When I opened my business in 2015 I had a vision for an approachable team dedicated to helping their clients through the often stressful process of buying or selling a home, and that is exactly what we have built. There is no rest

in this job and we are always available to help our clients get their transactions settled as seamlessly as possible.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

I read an article recently about mindset – how it isn’t just about the way you think, but can also impact the way you act and can build or break your confidence. I think having a positive mindset will set you apart from others. Take some time to figure out how you can achieve this – focus on the good things, no matter how small, and turn failures into lessons. I say to my staff often that there is always a solution to a problem.

Describe your business in one sentence.

Neopitch is a marketing agency that helps brands unveil their purpose and core values to tell their story through unique, impactful marketing that resonates with their target audience, builds brand loyalty, and grows their business.

What sets you apart from your competitors? As the founder of Neopitch, I have quite a unique agency background, having worked as a studio manager, organising the creatives and in account management, developing marketing strategies, and executing tactics.

Because of this industry knowledge and experience, Neopitch looks at the whole picture regarding a business’s marketing. We can take care of the entire process, from big-picture strategic thinking and planning to doing and creating individual tactics to achieve results.

the best solution. This passion, paired with time to explore, drives exciting marketing results. I am inspired professionally to educate businesses about planning their marketing more and being less reactive.

Tell us about any new and exciting products/services happening in 2023? Our agency has a production house. We can shoot and edit videos, TV commercials, and mix radio commercials. Our current clients have enjoyed our production house, finding it super handy, so we’ve decided to let the secret out.

6583 4690 | 0433 038 907

lauren@hawkesconveyancing. com.au

hawkesconveyancing.com.au

What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally? Great creative solutions that help a business achieve it’s goals takes time: time to think, explore, and question. Our services are best suited to small-medium enterprises who know their business and are invested emotionally in finding

Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. I am down to earth and look at things very analytically, so when discussing your marketing with you, I will be straight up. I see you as a genuine partner in the process. I will listen to you, learn about your business, and apply the team’s expertise to communicate your brand story.

neopitch.com.au

hayley@neopitch.com.au

Suite 2/109 William Street, Port Macquarie

Describe your business in one sentence.  Heart-led women centred care that’s here to authentically uplift, nurture and inspire mothers and mothers-to-be to find their power while I deeply immerse myself into the humanness of life.

Tell us what is unique about you and your business?

The two aren’t separate at all. I am my business and I fully embody every personal value within it. My own journey through motherhood over the past 15 years has given me reflective wisdom towards myself as a strong woman. I had to learn to drop the expectations that are inherently on our shoulders and find a way that worked best for me while fully trusting myself.

I bring a higher perspective to the table. A deep understanding of the dark and light places that motherhood can take you through. A space to talk it out. Room to grow, expand and get curious as you step into your new role as mother or mother again. I make you feel safe, heard, seen and valued. It is not work, I’m simply following a call to serve women.

Tell us about any new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023?

Along with my Birth and Postpartum Care, I am now offering professional Birth Photography to capture women in their power. It’s such a special way to look back on and draw strength from these moments. I’ve also just finished building our little shack as a labour of love and yes, it tickles my other fancy of interior design. I’m now ready to welcome women here for Lomi Lomi Massage, Womb Hara massage, Birth debriefing and of course my doula clients if they feel like escaping home for a while.

What advice do you have for other women working in a fast paced world?

Remember who comes first. YOU, always YOU. Do it your way! It doesn’t need to be conventional and boring. That’s not life! That’s not living! Also - remember that things are only ever temporary. Whatever you’re moving through will ease.

Claire DUNKLEY

CLAIRE DUNKLEY - DOULA

Renee Leah Photography

Emma BAILEY

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

REGIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK

Describe your business in one sentence?

Regional Australia Bank is a customer owned bank that has been helping regional Australians achieve their lifestyle goals for almost 50 years.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

We’re focused strongly on everything that makes regional Australia. Above all, we’re all about building better financial relationships with our customers – and that’s something that can’t often be said of the nation’s larger retail banks.

Unlike the ‘Big Four’ whose main interests are to generate profits to deliver dividends for shareholders, our customers are our shareholders. This means our focus is to deliver value to our customers. Further, as part of our commitment to champion regional prosperity, we pledge more than 5% of our profits back into

grassroots community initiatives. What have you learnt in the past 12 months that you want to bring to your role?

Everyone, including myself crave efficiency. I learnt to be detail-oriented and to think three steps ahead, always have prepared, well-thought-out answers to questions that haven’t even been asked yet.

During my career I have been responsible for communicating ideas to large groups and tailoring my communication style when engaging with individuals. Good communication also includes actively listening, to learn about individuals needs to provide them with a better experience.

What are your business core values?

Integrity, respect, and fairness are the underlying values that guide our business. An appreciation for relationships built on trust and reliability, and understanding the significance of community are shared values among regional Australians.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective?

During my career I have been responsible for communicating ideas to large groups and tailoring my communication style

when engaging with individuals. Good communication also includes actively listening, to learn about individuals needs to provide them with a better experience. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

I have two pieces of advice for women in business.

Balance!! I still find if difficult to maintain an even balance between work and ‘my life’ however it is essential to try and balance the scales to be efficient and effective in both. Raise each other up. Women, it’s important to bring other women along with you both in a personal capacity and in your career journey. Our success as women should be an inspiration to one another. 0482165656 ebailey@regionalaustraliabank.com.au regionalaustraliabank.com.au

Lucy HUMPHRIES

LUCY HUMPHRIES PHOTOGRAPHY

Describe your business in one sentence.  I capture the unique stages in the life of you and your family with a relaxed and enjoyable experience in front of the camera.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I love creating a gallery full of moments which bring joy to my clients. It’s the little things that make the big memories and I’m always on the lookout for them. I am so fortunate to be a part of capturing life changing moments, from proposals to newborns, and I always photograph every moment as if it were my own.

What are the core values of your business? I believe it’s so important for families to have photos and I also know that there’s someone in every family who thinks they hate having their photo taken. I make sure my clients have a relaxed and fun experience which shines through in their photos. I work really hard to ensure that my clients have a wonderful, easy experience right from their first enquiry.

Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. I’m a Mum, and have a background in childcare too, so I’m really great with little ones and good at relaxing my clients of all ages. From newborn at home sessions, to family sessions down at the beach, we always go with the flow of the younger family members and there’s zero pressure from me. I’m there to capture the memories rather than the poses.

What advice do you have for other women working in a fast paced world? This tip I learnt from my business mentor so I can’t take credit, but I like to schedule time in my diary for ‘me’, whether that’s an hour to spend having a massage or watching Netflix, switching off regularly is important.

lucy@lucyhumphriesphotography.com

0488 157 919 www.lucyhumphriesphotography.com

lucyhumphriesphotography

Priest LEGAL

LAWYERS & CONVEYANCING

Describe your business in one sentence.

Expert legal advice in Port Macquarie and Wauchope, since 1976, from conveyancing to litigation, commercial law to wills and estate matters, the team at Priest Legal bring extensive experience and expertise to bear on each matter they work with.

What are your business’s core values? Excellence, Integrity & Service to our clients. What sets you apart from your

competitors?

We provide personal service tailored to the individual needs of our clients, and take pride in delivering results that meets their needs. We treat our clients with respect, patience and understanding and take the time to listen and understand the things which are important to them. We apply a collaborative approach to the resolution of our clients’ issues within the confines of the applicable law, and always aim to be informed, efficient and professional in the work that we do.

At Priest Legal, we are proud to support business owners in all aspects of their

operations.

There are a number of different ways in which a business can be set up such as sole trader, partnership, company, cooperative or company limited by guarantee. Understanding which is the best vehicle for your business is important and can change depending on how the business grows. Our corporate lawyers are able to help you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the different business structures from an organisational perspective and draft documents such as shareholder and partnership agreements.

Meneesha – Receptionist / Tanya – Estate Administration Secretary / Emilie Cooper – Lawyer / Melissa – Licensed Conveyancer / Sophie – Secretary, law student

Unless your business is a “virtual business”, you will also need premises to operate from.

If your business is a retail business, the Retail Leases Act will apply, but if it is not a retail lease, the lease is a contract, and you should obtain legal advice before entering into the lease. The corporate lawyers at Priest Legal are experienced in drafting and advising on all forms of commercial leases.

And, finally, it is impossible to engage in business without experiencing conflict occasionally.

Whether it is conflict with competitors or customers or contractors, resolving conflicts

in business as quickly and economically as possible is critical to operating a successful business and is a skill that the corporate lawyers at Priest Legal are experienced in - with backgrounds in mediation and, if it comes to it, litigation.

“I am Woman” is definitely a women’s protest song but some of its lyrics apply to us all. “Yes I am wise, but it’s wisdom born of pain. Yes, I’ve paid the price, but look how much I gained” are universal experiences but particularly relevant to all of us who engage in business.

Belinda – Conveyancing  Secretary / Loris Hendy – Lawyer / Ali – Senior Secretary / Katy – Licensed Conveyancer / Renee – Accounts Manager Maryanne – Litigation Secretary / Kate – Receptionist

Port MEDICAL

AESTHETICS CLINIC

Describe your business in one sentence. Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic (PMAC) is the largest and longest serving Doctors’ Cosmetic Clinic specializing in giving everyday people extraordinary results!

What sets you apart from your competitors? Personally I think it’s a combination of our medical expertise (we

love that all our doctors are Port locals, which translates to maximum patient safety) and our excellent team spirit and customer service. We won Excellence in Small Business in the 2022 Regional Business NSW Awards, which is testimony to the hard work we put in to every patient experience.  And also maybe our hilarious Tiktoks and social media feed!

Tell us the new and exciting products/

services that are happening in 2023? We have just opened our Kempsey Clinic, and are also opening in Taree in 2023.

From a service perspective we love our new Venus Tribella machine, which offers 3 in 1 skin tightening, resurfacing and pigment removal. It’s a state of the art machine which gives full face rejuvenation, and the results we have been getting are truly amazing. I love that we can offer

L-R (left page): Pauline Foggon / Sheree Keena / Dr Kristy Kostalas L-R (right page): Jahni Giles / Sarah Warner / Naomi Cameron

dermatologist grade skin treatments, backed up by our medical consultants, and that really sets us apart from other cosmetic clinics.

What are your business’s core values?

Honesty, integrity and RESULTS. We are a results driven team, and only offer patients what we think will benefit them, and not what suits the bottom line! This value is so sadly lacking in many aspects of the cosmetic industry, and we are really proud to be

industry leaders with our ethos. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Truly, it’s to make some space for yourself and your needs. All the time we see women coming into the clinic who have given so much of themselves to their children, partners and work, and giving so little to themselves. Self care isnt selfish; it’s a vital strategy to manage a busy, stressful life.

Investing in your own cares, needs and wants allows you to give to everyone else in your life, fill your own bucket first and then fill everyone elses!

5/12 Highfields Circuit, Port Macquarie 0421 253 025

DrKristy_port_aesthetics

reception@portmedical aesthetics.com.au

portmedicalaesthetics.com.au

Describe your business in one sentence. Linked Community Services is a safe, trusted and reliable not-for-profit community transport provider committed to keeping everyone; isolated, vulnerable or in need, connected to their local community. In short, ‘We are here, to get you there’.

What sets you apart from your competitors? We are far more than just a transport service. We take a holistic approach to ensure our standards of customer service are of the highest quality and that each and every one of our clients have a positive experience. Our clients are in the safest hands from pick up to drop off and for every kilometre in between. We couldn’t provide the exceptional, personalised service we do without the help of our wonderful volunteers who donate their time to give back to their community, supporting those in need. Our volunteers make up more than sixty percent of our organisation and with their help we can provide independence and inclusion to those who need it most.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? Two words come to mind for me – adaptability and resilience! We’ve seen big changes in the last 12 months with industry standards and funding changes, we had to adapt to remain competitive within the community to continue offering the wonderful service that we do. We’ve seen our workplace and the way in which we operate change over the period of COVID and I was fortunate to have a great team of employees and volunteers behind me, remaining enthusiastic and willing to embrace the new normal.

Tell us the new and exciting products/ services that are happening in 2023?

2023 for Linked Community Services is going to be big! The most exciting project of the year being our expansion. We are expanding our

services into the Manning and Great Lakes area, partnering with a trusted Community Transport Provider – Care N Go. Our services now span from South West Rocks all the way down to Port Stephens and every LGA in between.

Our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan will see us move some of our fleet to electric vehicles. We acknowledge the NSW Government’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and, as a community transport provider, we recognise our obligation to also work towards this target by reducing our own carbon footprint.

I am also very pleased to announce that Linked will be getting our very own Hello Koala –LINKY which will be a part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail here in Port Macquarie.

What are your business’s core values? Our Organisational Values are an acronym of the word IMPACT. Our IMPACT in the community we support is driven by these words.

I – Integrity - in everything we say, we do, upholding the integrity of our brand, each other, and our clientele.

M - Motivation – We employ motivated people who have the passion to work together as one team to deliver on our goals and objectives.

P – Personable – We personalise our conversations, ask questions, and learn about each other and our customers, creating a unique experience for everyone.

A - Accountable – We are accountable to deliver on our mission, our goals our promises and our commitment to each other to achieve positive outcomes.

C – Commitment – We are committed to growing our caring reputation throughout the community where we are the leading source provider for our clients.

T – Trust – We are an organisation who deliver on our promises through the reliability of our people.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective. I am very big picture thinking, driven to succeed in everything that I set out to do. Not only do I have a passion for organisational growth, but I embrace my ‘community first’ ethics in a sense that, helping people that need help most, is something that I strive toward doing more of. Working in the Community Services Sector in various roles for most of my career, I am proud of the changes that I have made. Not only in organisations as a leader, but in the lives of the people affected by the work I have directly contributed to, or have coordinated through my teams.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast-paced world? Women juggle a lot, but we do it well. Every day we make what seems like the impossible, possible. Maybe it’s getting the kids out of the house with clean clothes on or coordinating the whole family’s lives whilst ensuring work deadlines are still met. We need to shift gears and focus on the day ahead as soon as we walk through those office doors. It is a constant juggling act.

The one piece of advice I can give is to try and find what works for you, your family and your career. If it isn’t working then stop doing it, make a change and try something else. You’re not a failure for recognising something isn’t working and acting on a resolution. In fact, that’s just what we do. Problem solve.

I’ll end with a quote that really resonated with me when I read it and still does today. I think it captures perfectly the challenging balancing act that women in todays fast paced world face. “The obligation that evolves for working mothers, in particular, is a very precise one; the feeling that one ought to work as if one did not have children, while raising one’s children as if one did not have a job”.

Annabelle Crabb – The Wife Drought.

26 Lord St, Port Macquarie

02 6583 8644 linked.org.au

Our volunteers make up more than sixty percent of our organisation and with their help we can provide independence and inclusion to those who need it most.

MBC has been matching candidates with the perfect jobs since 1988.

What sets us apart from our competitors?

We are a locally based business that has been around for 35 years and has built a reliable and award-winning brand.

MBC has multi-faceted service offerings – from professional recruitment and labour-hire to the delivery of traffic control, nursing, and support services. We service a range of clients throughout NSW. From humble beginnings, MBC has enjoyed nine-fold growth over the past thirteen years.

mbc RECRUITMENT

Our business’s core values

Ethics are at the centre of everything we do. Our reputation is built on integrity and ethics, and that’s why you can count on our accountability and transparency.

MBC’s values include honesty, openness, safety, collaboration and respect.

Our Team

Our staff are the reason for our success. We are proud to have a diverse workforce of over 600 people.

In this feature, we are excited to celebrate some of the female managers, alongside our formidable partners – striving for excellence every day.

Any advice for other women working and living in such a fast-paced world?

Learn to manage your time and spend it well. Always be present in the moment, whether at work or home.

“We are extremely proud of our whole team at MBC. They’ve been keeping the wheels turning and are the key to our continued success over the years,” says Susan Rupert, Director.

mbcrecruitment.com.au

1300 854 622 MBCPM mbcrecruitment

Felicia Hearne, Head of Accounts / Sunette Opperman, WHS & IMS Manager / Kim Schneider, Head of Traffic Susan Rupert, Director / Sarah Young, Clinical Manager / Kimarie Meyers, Head of HR

We are extremely proud of our whole team at MBC. They’ve been keeping the wheels turning and are the key to our continued success over the years,” says Susan Rupert, Director.

Carly GROVES

DIRECTOR & PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Describe your business in one sentence.

A holistic physiotherapy practice with a focus on preventative healthcare.

What sets you apart from your competitors? Our clinicians are experienced musculoskeletal and pelvic health physiotherapists working collaboratively and utilising their extensive knowledge base in both areas of physiotherapy to optimise patient outcomes.

Each patient has a different story and goal, they may not necessarily have pain or an injury however they may wish to optimise their function. Our clinic caters for both prevention, rehabilitation and optimising everyone’s quality of life with evidence based treatment plans.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? I have worked as a musculoskeletal and pelvic physiotherapist for the last 15 years in rural and metropolitan areas. Establishing a specialist practice like this has always been a goal of mine. PMQ Health opened its doors 2 months ago so I am on a steep learning curve at the moment. I think time management and prioritising family and self care are probably the two most important things I have learnt which allows me to give more back to my business and patients.

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? 2023 will be a big year for PMQ Health.

From the musculoskeletal side of

PMQ Health we treat a significant amount of runners, myself included. A number of runners from Port Macquarie have signed up to do their first full marathon in Sydney in September and we will be working with many of them to help them achieve this goal.

We offer daily clinical rehabilitation and pilates classes that cater for all individuals and their needs. These classes are run by a physiotherapist. We have also recently added a teen/ children’s program to this schedule.

Our pelvic health clinic is now fully up and running. This clinic caters for a vast range of pelvic health conditions, as well as pre and post natal care.

We have specialised classes for management of pelvic pain, as well as pre and post natal care.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? I think a lot of women find it hard to accept help from others. We try and do everything ourselves. I was definitely one of those women. Accepting help and having a close group of supportive people in your corner make the juggle of family, business and life possible.

2/141 Gordon St , Port Macquarie admin@pmqhealth.com.au pmqhealth.com.au

Vanity MEDI SPA

Describe your business in one sentence.

Vanity Medi Spa is a unique beauty/ dermal boutique clinic that offers you ultimate time-out where you can disconnect and escape from your busy day with bespoke treatments that pamper and replenish your well-being.

What sets you apart from your competitors? We solely focus on our Mission that “every skin deserves to look good”. We offer a comprehensive range of Beauty/ Dermal modalities focusing on the youth of your skin. Our therapists are friendly and professional and with my now 30 years experience within the industry, I can truly commit to saying “I know skin!”

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? To re-invent yourself! We had to pull apart a Business Plan that had 2+ years of what was COVID. We are now with new staff and are focusing on projecting forward with our purpose and values making sure our Vanity Medi Spa Clients’ needs are met. Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? I’ve been

Shannel DEBRECENY

lucky to consistently build on our anti-ageing modalities and I’m so excited to have our new Pollogen Maximus for Body Contouring & Skin Tightening. Say goodbye to ‘mummy tummies’ or those pesky tuck shop arms and if your jawline is prematurely ageing you this is the treatment for you! As for products, we proudly stock 8 lines and having recently returned from a new product launch with our results driven SOTHYS we can’t wait for our beauties to fight off dehydration with the new Hydra4 line. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Simple answer is balance! You need to make YOU time just as important as LIFE time. We are no good to anyone if we are pouring from an empty cup. It is a daily struggle and I’m all too well aware being a small business owner/operator. So do take time-out, just for YOU!

Describe your business. The Village Bungalow is a bohemian lifestyle store showcasing a boutique selection of clothing, jewels, accessories and homewares. What sets you apart from your competitors? We predominantly showcase Australian labels exclusively to the Hastings Region, as well as importing a range of homewares direct from manufacturers. We are always evolving, sourcing labels and product range that aligns with our ethos.

preparation and execution. Spending time with my family and friends is a high priority, creating memories.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? The first thing that comes to mind is resilience, the last 12 months in business has not been an easy ride. Our bricks and mortar store opened in times of uncertainty, however our loyal customers have given us faith and secured strength. We love being a part of the local business community and are very thankful and grateful for the support and encouragement.

Shop

What are your business's core values? We are committed to customer service combined with slow fashion crafted from sustainable fabrics and designs that will last for years to come. We believe in quality over quantity and are conscious of our global footprint. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? It’s honestly a balancing act meeting the demands of modern day family life combined with owning your own business. For me it’s important to exercise regularly and eat healthy to maintain clear focus and achieve goals. It’s all about planning,

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023. We are constantly researching, sourcing and evolving our product range, this is the nature of the retail environment. Stay tuned for gorgeous new season fashion, jewellery and accessories coming through and our hand picked selection of eclectic homewares. 24 High

4-5, ‘Port Marina’ 18 Park Street, Port Macquarie 6583 8434

Left to Right - Matilda Harley, Debbie Fitzgerald, Bethmay Jones, Ashley Henderson & Kellie Mullan.

Describe your business in one sentence.

Touchwood Flowers is a dynamic and passionate team of floral designers.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

Three key things set Touchwood Flowers apart - the quality and range of our products, our industry expertise and our superior supply chain.

Our commitment to excellence is something many customers say they notice and appreciate. Our work ethic involves taking extra care and being completely professional in every way. We aim to exceed our customer expectations with every single order.

Touchwood Flowers has the largest staff of any florist in the Mid North Coast area. This has many benefits that include, a variety of different styles and flair from each of our staff and the capacity to take on a large volume of orders daily.

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? We are in the process of updating our website with new floral products. We are even adding an environmentally friendly category where all flowers will be in vases, so no plastic or floral foam is used. We will also be aiming to use all local and Australian grown flowers for these products. Reducing our footprint on the earth is important to us.

For me personally, I am celebrating 18 years of owning Touchwood Flowers. I was 18 years old when I purchased the business and here I am 18 years later… a little older and certainly a lot wiser! What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

1.Take time to look after yourself.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything, be everywhere, be the biggest and best, be fitter and stronger, eat better and look better, when all we can do is try our best and be ourself.

2. Invest in yourself

This may come in many shapes and forms… for me it was getting a Business Coach. It has changed my perspective and given me more direction both personally and professionally.

Ashley SARGESON

www.touchwoodflowers.com.au

6583 2657

Shop 4, 124 Gordon St, Port Macquarie

TOUCHWOOD FLOWERS

Describe your business in one sentence. We provide high quality training to the property industry.

Courses including Certificate of Registration, for new entrants, CPP41419 Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice (license course), CPP51119 Diploma of Property and Continuing Professional Development.

What sets you apart from your competitors? We have trainers across NSW offering both face-toface and Zoom classes.

As real estate agents, we are privileged to work with people in one of the most stressful and often emotional transactions of their lives. They need an agent that understands the legislation, can build trust and relationships and offer the best experience for the client. We are committed to ensuring our students have the required skills and knowledge to do this.

Whilst working in the industry, I saw agents doing training online with no understanding of the course and minimal support. By offering small group face-to-face training, I can put legislation into context using real life examples helping students gain a clearer

Alex GLEN HOLMES Leslie WILLIAMS

UNIQUE TRAINING PROVIDERS

understanding of the course. I love working with people and watching them grow and flourish. I still work in real estate and attend regular training events to keep me up to date in the industry, allowing me to pass this knowledge on to my students. This is more than a job to me, it’s a passion.

I offer a personalised service to students and agencies keeping them updated with legislation and compliance. The service doesn’t end when the course does, I am always just a phone call away. What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast-paced world? My advice to other women would be to make sure that you have people around you that you can rely on for support and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with like-minded people as knowledge is power. But most of all, there is no such thing as failure, it’s just a learning process that’s part of the journey.

Describe your business in one sentence.

As your local MP in the NSW Parliament, my job is all about supporting constituents and delivering for every community across the electorate. What sets you apart from your competitors?

MEMBER FOR PORT MACQUARIE

that are happening in 2023? Many key projects will be underway or completed this year that will have long-term benefits for the community including upgrades to local public schools, the new police station, PCYC, Ocean Drive duplication and improvements to sporting fields.

While reflection is important,

The experience and knowledge to know how to get the best outcomes for the community and being part of a focused team that has a long-term plan for NSW and the Port Macquarie electorate. What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally?

uniquetrainingproviders.com.au

alex@uniquetrainingproviders. com.au

0414 772 771

While reflection is important, what is inspiring me is understanding what still needs to be done. I’m focused on the services and infrastructure necessary to complement our growing community.

Tell us about any new and exciting products/services

me

understanding what still needs to be done. I’m focused on the services and infrastructure necessary to complement our growing community.

Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. Demonstrating my leadership and personal values through my actions will, I hope, inspire others, influence decision-making and make a difference for the communities that I represent.

PortMacquarie@nswliberal. org.au

nswliberal.org.au/leslie-williams

110 William St, Port Macquarie

LeslieWilliamsMP

Leslie_Williams_MP

Authorised by Chris Stone, Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division, Level 2, 131 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.

what is inspiring

is

Support SERVICES

FOR YOU

MID NORTH COAST

escribe your business in one sentence. A local Disability Service that cares!

What sets you apart from your competitors? We are a locally owned and operated registered NDIS provider. We have an experienced team of carers who are specifically matched to the client, taking into consideration their needs and wishes.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? There is a shortage of good supports in our area. Being a dynamic team is important, looking at all opportunities to ensure good participant outcomes is imperative.

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? This year is going to be a busy and exciting year for us. We are expanding our team and the services we provide. We will also be moving our hub in April to a more accessible location in the Port Macquarie CBD. We will be offering core supports, support coordination and daily programs in our new hub. We want this to be a place that all are welcome. It’s going to be a welcoming environment where our NDIS community can come and feel at home. What are your business’s core values? Integrity, respect and empowerment.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective. Our team have qualifications and experience in the sector that are second to none and most of all we really do care!

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Women wear many hats each day. As individuals, we take on a lot. Life is busy. Our advice and something we are practicing this year is to be present in each moment. We do everything because we want to, it fills our schedules to the brim, so by being present in every moment it allows us to appreciate and enjoy all we are doing.

02 6583 8966

www.supportservicesforyou.com.au

ALISON WILLIAMS  QMS COMPLIANCE & PROGRAMS MANAGER

JODIE CANDIA BUSINESS MANAGEMENT / COORDINATION OF SUPPORTS

Describe your business in one sentence. Alternative, Hand Crafted, Original, Toxin Free, Australian, Woo Woo, Healing Infused, Homewares, Clothing and Gifts.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I don’t see other businesses as competitors. I’m way too focused on creating my own offerings. Everyone has something to offer, and your people will always find you.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? My focus has been turning my light all the way up and remaining unapologetic for it. Authenticity is where the magic happens.

Tell us the new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? We’ve just released another 3 boho style candles, 12 bath and body products, our room sprays have had an upgrade and 3 styles have been added. We’ve also created 3 new ceremonial kits. This year we are offering customised ceremonial kits and consultations by appointment, and we have a journal and an oracle deck in the design stages.

What are your business’s core values? We walk an original journey that is ours alone.

Working with the four ‘Clairs’ in every aspect of our intuitive creations.

We are committed. To each other, our business, our customers and our dreams. Our goals and ethics are unbreakable.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective. I have over 30 years experience in retail. I’ve learnt so much, including how to swear fluently.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

Take care of yourself, there’s only one you. Be inspired by others, but don’t rip off their ideas. It’s bad juju.

Don’t be afraid to take up space.

Other women are not your competition. You are your own Queen, remember this always. You can buy yourself flowers.

Danielle CRISP

SAGES AND SISTAHOOD

At Donovan Oates Hannaford, we specialise in, and practice areas of law that we love, have a genuine passion for, and have experience prior to practicing here in Port Macquarie.

In addition to providing legal support for small businesses and conveyancing, Taylor Horne brings a wealth of experience in commercial disputes and litigation, insolvency and restructuring, employment, building, and construction law to the firm.

Sarah Mehlert specialises in property easements and leasing, business acquisitions, other commercial transactions, and neighbourhood disputes.

Morgan Robins works closely with Taylor in employment, commercial disputes, property, and building and construction law. Over the last 12 months, Morgan as a young solicitor, has found professional inspiration from the more experienced members of the Donovan Oates Hannaford team, including Hadyn Oriti, Taylor, and Sarah.

Our people have the experience and expertise to rival our big-city counterparts. They are experts in their field – having spoken at seminars and published papers, and most of the team have practiced in city firms. But we are also down-to-earth and accessible.

Many women make up the team at Donovan Oates Hannaford, and we support each other to ensure we’re achieving the best outcome for the client. Each member has different strengths and knowledge, so we always draw on each other as a team to best service our clients.

“Our clients are at the core of our services. Providing advice in a way they can understand is one of our strengths. We look after people, ensuring they know why they are here and how we can help, and we outline a process to get them there. We are outcome and results-driven and strive to deliver the best outcome for our clients”, said Taylor.

Donovan OATES

Sarah Mehlert / Taylor Horne / Morgan Robins

Describe your business in one sentence. Plum Studio is a luxury, sustainable hair salon in Port Macquarie.

What are the core values of your business? Our salon strives for inclusivity, teamwork and healthy beautiful hair with a relaxing vibe. At Plum we want everyone to feel welcomed in our space, enjoy their time to relax with a personable stylist approach and leave with a boost of confidence and that fresh hair feeling.

Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. Individual strength in business takes a lot of work and I believe a great team behind you for support. Plum wouldn’t be the salon it is today without my beautiful team of girls who have my back every step of the way.

Personally I have always felt my strong point was my strength to push through whatever is thrown my way. Grow a thick skin, find a solution and learn from mistakes. We all know there are plenty of mistakes to be made and acknowledging them creates growth.

What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally? Our industry is constantly evolving and changing with the fashion trends. Attending education and trying new techniques and product ranges always brings out our creative juices to bring to our clients in salon.

Business education and mentoring has been such an advantageous tool for me personally, guiding me to lead my team and business in the right direction. Stepping off the tools part time and leaning more into the business side of things has been such a positive change.

What advice do you have for other women working in a fast paced world? Try not to let the overwhelm take hold. We all know that as women and mums we tend to hold all the plates for everyone and sometimes that just gets too heavy. Learning to share the load and keep time for yourself is an absolute must.

Tamara DOBSON

ELDERS LIFESTYLE GROUP

Tamara Dobson has recently joined Elders Lifestyle Group as a Sales Agent, bringing with her an array of valuable attributes that ensure an unparalleled level of service to her clients. Her compassionate nature, professionalism, and optimistic outlook have made her a welcome addition to the Elders Lifestyle Group Wauchope Team.

With an extensive understanding of the Wauchope region, Tamara’s local knowledge is a key factor in delivering exceptional customer service. Her devotion to her clients is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond to exceed their expectations.

Tamara’s entrepreneurial prowess is a testament to her success, having established four successful businesses by the young age of 25. Furthermore, her experience as a local sales agent in 2022 has honed her skills and expertise in the industry. As a result of her business acumen and sales background, Tamara excels in client communication and strives to assist them in achieving optimal results.

0487 628 339

tamara.dobson@eldersrealestate.com.au

https://wauchope.eldersrealestate.com.au

Bennetts STEEL

What sets you apart from your competitors?

We always say, we’re not your usual steel yard. With a site of over three acres in Wauchope, we offer the largest yard of steel on the Mid North Coast, which allows us to stock a wide range of steel supplies. Our family have lived in the area for many generations, having a strong affiliation with the timber, transport and farming industries over the years. This has given Bennetts Steel the competitive advantage over other steel retailers in our area. Bennetts Steel also has a strong connection with the local community. We’ve had the privilege of being involved in numerous community projects and always support local fundraising organisations. Tell us about any new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023?

I’m so proud of how much Bennetts Steel has grown and continues to evolve over the years. There’s always exciting things happening, whether it be collaborating with local organisations and schools or helping customers create unique steel projects. We do have some other exciting achievements happening this year. One of our fabricators, Tori McCombe, who won the 2022 Construction Steel Category at the World

Skills Competition, will this year travel to Melbourne to compete again in a 3-day National competition. We will also travel to Adelaide in May to attend the National Family Business Awards, after Bennetts Steel received the 2022 Family Business Excellence Award for NSW/ACT. Exciting times ahead. The future of Bennetts Steel includes investing the right training for our staff in all areas, to maintain and constantly improve the services we offer.

What advice do you have for other women working in a fastpaced world?

Trust in yourself and believe anything is possible. Make sure you are the person that looks for solutions, not the person that only sees problems and issues. Finally, make sure to pay everything forward. For every person who helped you through a life changing time or mentored you in your life, make sure you do the same and pay it forward. 6

L:R - Megan, Tori, Bree, Shiree, Kirra and Bonnie

Describe your business in one sentence. Any Occasion Cakes and Party Food” together with “Light of the Party 2444” and “Love Letters PMQ” are your one stop solution to create the ultimate WOW factor at your special event with our GIANT light up marquee letters and numbers, personalised cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and party food customised to suit your theme. What sets you apart from your competitors? Our point of difference is that our unique business model allows our customers to access delicious food and illuminated props all in one point of contact, saving you valuable time and guaranteed to put your next event in the limelight. Whether your event is larger than life or low key, we can work within your budget, always going the extra mile to ensure your special day will not only meet your expectations but exceed them. We don’t just do events, we also do personalised treat boxes for any occasion jam packed with goodies and healthy options too, such as fresh fruit platters and cheese boards. What have you learned in the last 12 months that inspires you professionally? I have learned the importance of having a sense of purpose. I have also learned that being passionate about what you do, staying connected, and making a difference is what keeps me motivated and inspired.

Tell us about any new and exciting products/services that are happening in 2023? Bring on 2023! I think everyone knows by now that my husband Nathan and I have an entrepreneurial spirit and are motivated by challenge. “Light of the Party” was just launched in November last year and is our partnering business to “Love Letters”, adding even more magic to your special event.

Tell us about your individual strengths from a business and personal perspective. Believe it or not I’m actually at my best under pressure! I often get asked how I manage family and business, and there’s no doubt it’s a juggling act, but I actually enjoy meeting deadlines as it allows me to look back and say Wow! I did that! I’m one to pride myself on my core business values with a few of those being: Go the extra mile and exceed expectation / Give back and actively support the local community and lower customers’ stress levels by saving them time and creating a memorable event all whilst delivering a warm and friendly attitude throughout the process from start to finish. Any Occasion

Madison WILSON

Maddie 0458 728 857

Nardi BERESFORD

CEO - PORT MACQUARIE RACE CLUB

Describe your business in one sentence.

Port Macquarie Race Club is one of the premier country race clubs in NSW with amazing facilities and a strong vision for progression.

What sets you apart from your competitors?

We are a relatively new team and are eager to showcase how amazing Port Macquarie Race Club is, not only on race days but as a function centre or event venue. Our staff bring a fresh, positive and energetic vibe with new and exciting ideas. We are focused on making the experience of patrons attending the club a comfortable and enjoyable one.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role?

I have learnt to be confident and believe in myself. I have come to realise that I have what it takes to be the CEO and can match it in a predominately male dominated industry. I use my natural traits as a female which puts me in good stead to be caring, honest and respectful, in return earning mutual respect among my peers. I believe that moving forward, having stepped up in my role to CEO that I can help the club to progress positively into the future and grow to be one of the best country race clubs in NSW. Tell us the new and exciting products/ services that are happening in 2023?

We have 21 race meetings a year and as everyone knows our biggest day is Port Cup. We will once again be offering our corporate marquee packages along with some other ideas in the pipeline to enhance the race day experience. I am also working on building other race days to make them more appealing so they become features on the social calendar. We are in the early stages of growing our functions side of the business with a new chef on board trialling some new and exciting menu options which will no doubt lead the way in seeing us become a venue for all occasions.

What are your business’s core values?

Integrity, customer service, inclusive, respect and honesty.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

Having worked in the racing industry for many years, I have developed a genuine understanding and a feel for the business on many levels. This gives me great insight as to what is required from all stakeholders, whether it be the behind the scenes labourers and cleaning staff to patrons, punters, trainers, owners or the glitz and glamour that you see on television. I am a true believer that you cannot forget glitz and glamour without the blood, sweat and tears of those that do the hard yards. I do not judge on status and fame, I respect all.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world?

Everyone has different beliefs and desires in life and not everyone wishes to be a CEO. Your journey through life will take you down many roads, don’t forget to stop and enjoy those times. I have been happily married for nearly 30 years and I am a mother and a grandmother. Family is a high priority for me and these have been some of the most enjoyable yet challenging times of my life. Don’t judge yourself on anyone else’s success.

Life is not easy, you need to work hard and sometimes you will need to make sacrifices, but be careful what you sacrifice. Don’t be afraid to fail, we all fail sometimes, nobody is perfect. Having a great support crew around you such as family and friends is important and be true to yourself.

I use my natural traits as a female which puts me in good stead to be caring, honest and respectful in return earning mutual respect among my peers.

Nicole KOSSERIS

Describe your business in one sentence.

The Chrysalis Group is an umbrella organisation registered to provide a diverse range of services via the NDIS.  What sets you apart from your competitors?

Tanya Denny, CEO, specialises in traumainformed practice, positive behaviour support and childhood trauma, and is an NDIS Credentialed Behaviour Specialist. Tanya is committed to creating safe therapeutic spaces for our clients, where no one is invisible, where challenging behaviour is understood as a form of communication, and where growth isn’t measured by huge changes but by small steps. Our diverse team have backgrounds in disability, social work, education and mental health. Our highly skilled operations team enhances our business through different perspectives, experience and knowledge.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your business?

Our philosophy is, ‘Your human rights are at the heart of everything we do’.  Over the past 12 months, particularly as we emerge from the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic, this philosophy has become even more important as we work with our clients and their care teams to provide safe, affordable, supportive living options for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Tell us the new and exciting products/ services that are happening in 2023. Chrysalis Accommodation is looking forward to a wonderful year and thrilled to announce we have a new Operations Team headed by Nicole Kosseris (pictured).  Nicole has a wealth of experience in the community sector and will lead Chrysalis Accommodation into our second year of operations in the region. We are aiming to employ 50 new support workers in the next six months and encourage people passionate about developing their careers in the disability sector to go to our website and apply to work with us or talk to us about their career goals.

The diverse skillset offered by the Chrysalis Accommodation team is an important asset; by acknowledging and developing the individual strengths of each employee and the potential they bring, our aim is to create a successful, thriving workplace and fair work culture. We believe in collaboration and celebrating the small stuff.

What are your business’s core values?

Human rights are at the heart of everything we do. Our team works from a person-centred approach, providing the best possible support to ensure each individual’s life is enriched and that they are supported to achieve their goals as valued members of the community. Our mission is to provide an individualised traumainformed client-centred approach to supported living that is respectful and empowers the people we support to reach their full potential.

Chrysalis Accommodation will engage in ongoing review and quality control to ensure we have the flexibility to provide for our clients’

changing needs for emotional and social wellbeing and quality of life. Our vision is that all clients are given the opportunity to create the future they want, and to be empowered to access the information, support and skills they need to scaffold that journey.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

The Chrysalis Group’s primary focus is providing the positive behaviour support model of support to people living with complex behavioural or disability challenges. We believe in the principle of equality of opportunity, and thus aim to positively impact our participants’ lives for the better and create change in the community through advocacy, education and action. We are passionate about providing services where every individual engaged with us will be able to reach their potential. Our highly skilled team work to assist not only people with disability, but their families and supports as well to effect improvements in quality of life, the acquisition of valued skills, and increased community and social inclusion. Through person-centred, evidence-based interventions, our practitioners support our clients to promote positive behaviour change while safeguarding their dignity and quality of life.

Flower HOTELS

SETTLERS PP

Hi Renee, Flower Hotels has many female leaders, can you talk us through it? We are fortunate to have half of our hotels run by amazing women, in what is often a male dominated industry. Running hospitality venues isn’t for the fainthearted, with many complex aspects of management and leadership required. The women who run our venues have a passion and ability to multi task that is second to none. They seamlessly jump from dealing with customers in the front of house and managing staff behind the scenes, to budget meetings and finance reporting in a single afternoon! There are some great stories, like Zoe who started with us way back when Flower Hotels was established, and is now a General Manager.

Zoe, can you tell us more about the journey that led you to General Manager

of Settlers Inn Hotel? I started working at Settlers behind the bar 8 years ago while I was studying. Now with a Nursing Degree, a small family at home and a progression to the General Manager role, I can’t see myself leaving the hospitality industry I’ve become so passionate about.

I’m grateful that Renee and others in Head Office at Flower Hotels have provided mentorship and support with a focus on developing staff from within the business as I’ve taken on roles in functions, marketing and management along the way.

Naomi, how do you manage work life balance with a young family whilst running the Fernhill Tavern? You just need to be organised, and I learned that from the best. Growing up I had a great role model in my mum Alison, who had a full time job and ran the house with 3 children, even when studying for her Masters. I have a weekly

schedule at home and great support from my husband Nick, he is the real glue that holds our family together. I’ve got a great support network around me with friends, family and my Flower Hotels colleagues all pitching in when needed.

Tahshi, what have you learned in the last 12 months as General Manager of the Mercure Centro Port Macquarie?

Stepping into my role as General Manager of the Mercure was a complete change from my recent roles, but it’s been really rewarding. I’ve learnt that my leadership skills and a range of previous career experience is transferable and that developing a strong network of colleagues with different skill sets helps you not only professionally, but personally too. Flower Hotels and Accor have provided a solid sounding board and support to learn and grow both the business and myself.

L-R (photo below): Naomi George - Fernhill Tavern General Manager, Zoe Archer - Settlers Inn Hotel General Manager, Tahshi Payne - Mercure Centro Port Macquarie General Manager, Renee Flower - Flower Hotels Director

Describe your business in one sentence A boutique agency specialising in premium holiday rentals since 2016 and full agency looking after all real estate needs from 2021.

What sets you apart from your competitors? Our attention to detail, responsiveness and tailored approach sets us apart. We change tactics swiftly to respond to market trends, e.g. we switch easily between holiday and long term rentals. We tackle property maintenance head on and get the job done. We are genuine, authentic people with a passion for helping others and achieving best possible results.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months that you want to bring to your role? We understand that selling a property is a complex and emotional process. Sales requires persistence and tenacity. It is a delicate balance to achieve best results based on market value and match owners expectations. Hence, we aim high without losing reality and are upfront and honest with property owners.

Tell us the new and exciting products/

beachscape

HOLIDAY RENTALS + PROPERTY

services that are happening in 2023?

We have just rebranded our holiday rental division SOLscape to Beachscape Holiday Rentals to align with Beachscape Property. All our services are now under a single banner - Beachscape. Easy to remember. Beachscape provides residential sales, property management for long term leases, holiday rentals and short-term stays. We aim to continue to grow our Beachscape Property arm.

We have just sold a magnificent beach cottage with amazing views in Lake Cathie in 14 days!

What are your business’s core values?

We aim to make things easy and effortless for all parties we work with. Honesty, authenticity and creativity are the foundations of our ongoing success.

Tell us about your strengths from a business and personal perspective.

We have a great team and pride ourselves on our collaborative culture, and the ability to

deliver outstanding results every single day. We make people happy.

Beachscape is the local market leader in luxury rental properties. We are the only agent in the area with Airbnb Super Host status with consistent quality ratings of 4.8 out of 5 from guests. We are genuine and passionate people; ‘a breath of fresh air’ as our clients say.

What advice do you have for other women working and living in such a fast paced world? Create a schedule that works for you. Plan your professional days, family and free time then stick to it!  Don’t stress about the small stuff, things always work out.

beachscaperentals.com.au beachscape.com.au

Roz Madden / Nat Yen / Sandra Chapman / Susan De Jonge / Hayley Hayes / Kristin Sas

We aim to make things easy and effortless for all parties we work with. Honesty, authenticity and creativity are the foundations of our ongoing success.

Charmain Woods had a very difficult childhood and found herself homeless at 16, however she pushed through her circumstances and strived to achieve an education and a plan for her future. She worked her way up through the Police Force over her 24 years there and has now just completed her Bachelor of Laws, with the aim to eventually become a Barrister or Magistrate. She is dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for those that deserve it, regardless of their background.

WOODS Charmain

Hi Charmain. You are someone who didn’t have an easy childhood, would you share with us a bit about it and what it was like for you?

I spent my childhood years living in extreme poverty. I recall at one point living in a tin shed and bathing in a small plastic bucket. There were no formal bedrooms and no running water. The front door was locked with a length of rope as there was no door handle. The

shed was covered with holes in which spiders assumed residence. I had one school uniform which lasted years despite it no longer fitting me.

My parents had a turbulent relationship with domestic violence events occurring daily and I was exposed to these domestic incidents. My childhood voice had been silenced but this did not stop me from dreaming of a life far removed from the reality I found myself in. At about the age of eight years I began

to visualise and develop a plan for my own success. I was steadfast in my resolve to achieve high grades at school despite the turbulent upbringing as I believed my education would bring freedom. Just short of completing my Year 10 education my mother ejected me from the family home which catapulted me into the world without emotional or financial support and educational competencies.

It was now a matter of survival. I did not let my fears stop me from achieving my goals

and persistence and planning paid off despite being quite young and facing the many hurdles associated with being homeless. You were homeless at 16, and a Police Officer by 20, when did you make the decision to turn things around and where do you think that determination came from?

My decision to turn things around evolved

during my turbulent childhood years but my ability to act on that decision became a reality in my teenage years.

My determination comes from my life experiences both positive and negative and the ability to rise to challenges presented to me at any given point in my life. We don’t get through life without encountering challenges.

I like to think that adversities are what define our character and resolve.

I am the only family member to pursue a career in policing and attend university and complete a Bachelor of Laws, to break the mould excelling in my chosen career paths. It is true you can change your stars and hard work brings positive results. It really does not matter where you started in life you can create a completely different reality.

What steps did you take to begin that huge transformation in your life?

During the homeless phase of my life between 16 and 20 years of age I worked three jobs and began building my resume by doing various courses through TAFE and other alternative education platforms. I completed a Business Diploma knowing this would form

part of the building blocks to help me catapult myself into a career.

I identified the qualities and competencies I was missing and then went about building the required skills and knowledge through consistent small steps which lead to bigger opportunities. When your survival is reliant on your abilities alone there are no ‘can’t do’ moments.

With a solid foundation behind me at 20 years of age, I successfully joined the Victoria Police Force. My home for three months was the Victoria Police Academy. At this point in time my family was the police force.

Can you tell us a bit about your time in the Police Force, the areas you worked in and what you learnt along the way?

I was a member of the Victoria Police Force for a period of 24 years. I achieved the rank of Sergeant. I worked on the divisional van for a period of 6 years before working in various specialist areas.

I was particularly drawn to young children and the vulnerable members of the community working at the Child Rape and Sexual Abuse Squad. It was here that I felt I could really relate to and help children, young people and vulnerable individuals impacted by poverty, physical abuse, domestic violence, death, suicide, and mental health issues.

Continued over...

It is true you can change your stars and hard work brings positive results. It really does not matter where you started in life you can create a completely different reality.

I had the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Teaching and work with children and young people in the most disadvantaged communities and schools.

I worked in the corporate section of policing dealing with actions plans, risk management, and other functions including ethical standards, data reporting and human resources.

I was awarded Dux for the Intelligence Analyst Course and was involved in forensic profiling of individuals and demographic areas. I worked closely with the Chief Commissioners Office on major projects such as the strategic planning for the Queen’s Baton Relay throughout the state of Victoria.

I was involved in complex investigations involving high profile abductions and murder cases and know too well the damage caused by motor vehicle collisions. I had the opportunity to help coordinate and participate in two major relay runs on behalf of the Victoria Police Force to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. I participated in a non-stop relay run to Sydney and a non-stop relay run around Victoria.

I enjoyed my time in policing. I certainly saw the best and worst of human nature. I was fortunate to make many life-long friends and believe the close bonds stem from the element of risk associated with policing.

I learnt that I was stronger than I even realised and that each chapter of my life should be lived to its fullest potential.

How do you think your upbringing influenced your work as a Police Officer and what skills do you think it gave you to assist in your work?

My upbringing had a substantial influence on my interest in law. It helped create my genuine desire to help individuals who are vulnerable or experiencing trauma or injustice. Individuals who don’t have the means and opportunity to change their life without assistance. It instilled in me a strong sense of justice and integrity and a desire to use the law as a tool by which positive changes can be made for individuals and the wider community.

You have now left the Police Force and have been studying Law, again acing your classes! What are your plans for your future in the field of Law?

I have just completed my Bachelor of Laws with Southern Cross University receiving numerous Academic Excellence Awards. I am currently completing the Practical Legal Training component at the College of Law and will then be officially sworn in by the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a lawyer. I have worked in several law firms and my dream is to practise for some time as a lawyer before moving on to become a

Barrister or Magistrate.

My personal and professional life experience has helped shape my desire to make our community a safe and inclusive place for all individuals. I am passionate about my volunteer work with several not-for-profit organisations including as a board member for Lifeline Mid North Coast.

This organisation’s objectives resonate strongly with me. I am fortunate to be working with an amazing team of highly skilled individuals who continually give their time and expertise to ensure crisis support is freely available to the local community. I will continue to support the community in whatever capacity when I begin practising law.

My personal and professional life experience has helped shape my desire to make our community a safe and inclusive place for all individuals.

You’re clearly very passionate about law, what do you love about working in this field?

I have been involved in many court cases in my policing career and know first-hand how unpredictable the law can be. The unpredictability of the law makes the attainment of justice a challenge which I find both appealing and interesting and this is what I love most about the law.

I am passionate about using the law in pursuit of justice for those who have been wronged but recognize the challenge that

seeking justice presents. Your kids are also doing amazingly well in their chosen fields, what have they been up to and how has it felt to be able to give them the opportunities that you went without?

My daughter has recently graduated with a Master of Psychology with Class 1 Honours and has a scholarship to work as a provisional psychologist. My son has completed Certificate III Accountancy and is currently studying the Bachelor of Laws and excelling in this field. My husband is also studying the Bachelor of Laws and my son in law is excelling in real estate. We are one big think tank and a great support team! My children have had the opportunity to thrive in an environment where there is love, mutual respect and good communication. They have made the most of the opportunities given to them to study, grow and reach their full potential.

What message would you give to others facing their own challenges who want to make change in their life?

Visualise the change you want and believe it is possible. Never give up even if others fail to see your full potential. Anybody can change the trajectory of their life, you just need to believe in that ability to make it happen and don’t give up when you’re down in the ditch.

I am passionate about using the law in pursuit of justice for those who have been wronged but recognize the challenge that seeking justice presents.

IMPORTANT TO

The Importance of baby teeth. Baby teeth are important to your child’s overall development, so help your child form good oral hygiene habits from a young age. Some people are very casual about baby teeth because they are not permanent, but baby teeth are very important. Not only do they help them chew, speak and smile, baby teeth hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth that are growing under the gums. If the baby tooth is lost too early, the surrounding teeth can drift into the empty space. This makes it difficult for the adult tooth beneath the gum to come through. As a result, this may cause crowding or crooked teeth. Therefore, it is important to start infants with a good oral hygiene regime to help protect their teeth so they can stay healthy and in place until the adult teeth are ready to replace them.

Oral Health Essentials... Prevention.

Tooth brushing is an important habit that should start as soon as your child’s baby teeth appear. Letting your child watch you brush demonstrates to them good behaviour and encourages them to follow suit. Spend time brushing your child’s teeth twice daily for two minutes to remove plaque from tooth surfaces. You may find it easier to see and brush your child’s teeth if you stand behind them. Your child may enjoy standing on a stool or chair so they can see themselves in the mirror, and they may also find it more engaging and entertaining. Also brushing their teeth in front of the mirror allows them to watch

and later imitate the good oral hygiene that they see their parents practicing and these are techniques that will serve them well into adulthood.

Plaque is a build-up of bacteria and if not removed regularly, it produces acids that may lead to tooth decay. Tooth decay is undesirable even in baby teeth. Not only is it unsightly but it can lead to infections or illnesses and is one of the leading causes of children missing school. It is recommended to supervise your child’s brushing until they are eight years old. It is also important for your child to brush their teeth with a smear of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste. There are special toothpastes available and recommended specifically for children. Children’s toothpaste has less fluoride and the mint flavour of the toothpaste is not as strong as adult toothpaste. Try to find a toothbrush that is comfortable for them to hold and has an appropriate sized brush head because children have very small mouths and some children’s toothbrushes do not seem to take this into account.

First Dental Visit...

The Australian Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist when their first baby tooth erupts or at the age of one. Regular routine visits (every 6-12 months) is a great way to introduce your child to a dentist and regular visits will help your child become familiar with the dental environment. By familiarising your child to the dental environment, they will become less weary of receiving further dental treatment if it is needed.

During check-ups, your dentist will check the health of your child’s teeth and gums. Simple check-ups allow for early detection of oral health problems, such as tooth decay. Visiting the dentist is meant to be a fun outing for children so it is very important that you do not wait until your child suffers from a toothache or dental trauma to see the dentist. Waiting for toothaches can cause your child to associate visiting the dentist to pain.

Should Your Child Need Some Extra Work...

If your child does need some extra work do not say to your child “don’t worry, it won’t hurt”. Modern dental treatment uses all the tools to treat children (and adults) painlessly, so your child may feel nothing at all, but by discussing “pain” with them prior to the visit it may set your child up to think that it may be painful and cause them to be nervous or anxious unnecessarily. This can result in making it difficult for the dentist to provide dental treatment and achieve a positive dental experience.

Remember oral health has a great impact to your child’s overall wellbeing, health and development so take the time to know and understand how to support your child’s dental needs. Lastly don’t forget, dental health is a team effort and the team at Sundial Dental likes being part of your family’s team! For more information or to book a check-up for your child contact the caring team on 6583 3533 (Port Macquarie) or 6585 2015 (Wauchope), or visit our website. sundialdental.com.au.

A healthy smile is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. So start educating your children and your family about oral health from the beginning.

YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT!

UPDATE

HEALTHY HABITS FOR BUSY WOMEN

As we all know, being a working woman can be equal parts fulfilling and hectic. Throw in a couple of kids, ageing parents and family life and often times your own health tends to get overlooked as you struggle to fit everything in. Am I right? Well, you are not alone! This is something that is common to almost all working women. Allocating time to look after your own health and fitness through regular exercise and healthy eating is really important, so that you can continue to be a fabulous business woman, mother, wife, carer, chef etc. Let’s face facts, if you are not in good condition (physically and mentally) then you are no good to help and support anyone else. Being “busy” is not always healthy. At times, it is too much for our bodies and our minds to maintain over the long haul. Yes, we do

It’s also important to remember that a short sharp workout is better than nothing. Even a short lunchtime walk will have you thinking clearer on your return. 30 minutes is all you need.

need to get regular exercise to be healthy, but if you are a busy person it is important that the kind of exercise you choose is suited to your needs. For a super busy mum, working in a very fast paced job, adding HIIT sessions each and every day is not always beneficial, this will only add more stress to an already over stretched system. In this case it would be more beneficial to try something that can assist with relaxation such as a walk in nature, yoga, or a slower weight training session, even consider meditation. We do need to get our heart rates up regularly each week, but if your weekly life stress load is high try making time for some slower sessions to calm the system and see how you feel.

Set yourself reasonable goals. This might include a sliding scale of what is acceptable for you. Look at 3 different versions of this, your perfect week, an average week and a

holy hectic week. We all know that a plan is great until things get hectic. Think about what would be the minimum time you need to take to look after yourself and make yourself happy. Our suggestion - look for windows of opportunity to sneak in a little moment of self maintenance.

It’s also important to remember that a short sharp workout is better than nothing. Even a short lunchtime walk will have you thinking clearer on your return. 30 minutes is all you need.

Other elements that you might need to consider are hydration, nutritious eating, rest and relaxation.

I have provided you a link to our free down loadable habit trackers to help you start feeling your best, each and every day. At Miss Motivator we help women to create healthy habits, pop in or give us a call on 6581 5199 to find out more.

FROM MISS MOTIVATOR with RACHEL LEMAN

focus contributor.

That’s why for the past 30 years, we’ve been dedicated to helping senior Australians find joy and fulfillment in every day. Our permanent and respite care services are designed to meet your unique needs and support you in realising your wellbeing goals.

If you’re looking for a place to call home, where you can live a meaningful life surrounded by people who care, look no further than Regis. To learn more or find a location near you, simply call 1300 998 100 or visit regis.com.au

COASTAL DANCE

Give your child the opportunity to shine! Does your child love to dance? Let them express themselves and explore music, creativity, ballet and jazz at Coastal Dance Performing Arts.

Our qualified teachers have extensive knowledge of anatomy, safe dance practice, dance conditioning and technique. Coastal Dance aims to bring out the best in each child through a nurturing, positive environment. View the current timetable and enroll your child online today.

HAVE

YOU NOTICED WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BELLBOWRIE PARK BUSINESS CENTRE LATELY?

There’s some new exciting businesses and some old favourites. Conveniently located close to Settlement City and with plenty of easy parking, Bellbowrie Park Business Centre is definitely worth a look.

Principal Lauren Spence of Coastal Dance Performing Arts Studio offers the highest quality teaching in a safe and supportive environment from ages 2.5 years through to adults. Now in its 8th year of business, disciplines include ballet, jazz, pre-school dance, performance, lyrical and contemporary, acrobatics and adult dance classes available.

Coastal Dance aims to bring out the best in each child through a nurturing, positive environment.

Coastal Dance looks forward to welcoming all new and current students in 2023.

We are fully accredited and approved providers of Active Kids NSW Government, Creative Kids NSW Government and Royal Academy of Dance Registered Teacher & Acrobatic Arts certified.

Address: Units 6 & 7, Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, Port Macquarie Web: www.coastaldanceperformingarts.com.au

Phone: 0409 328 946

Email: coastalperformingarts@outlook.com

Facebook: /coastaldanceperformingarts

Nearly 30 exciting businesses call Bellbowrie Park Business Centre home. DISCOVER THEM TODAY.

4Life Care & Training

4Life Care & Training is a local not-for-profit, indigenous, charity established in 2008 to assist those in need and aims to ease the cycle of poverty in our local area covering the area from Laurieton up to Kempsey and out to Wauchope.

Our team of volunteers are enthusiastic about making a positive difference to the lives we touch in our community and work tirelessly sorting food, packing food parcels and orders, stocking shelves, receiving purchase orders, sorting clothes, etc.

We source food from local supermarkets, bakeries, backyard surplus and purchasing. Our main income is solely by donations from local businesses and kind individuals in the community. We are a Donation Gift Recipient (DGR) approved, charitable, not-for-profit organization. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

We are currently setting up Unit 13 as a training area which will cater for up to 20 people and hope to be able to run some basic training classes such as budgeting, customer service and computer skills for beginners. This unit may also be available for rent to other organisations who require a training place. Please keep updated on our website at www.care.4life.org.au.

We currently need drivers, admin assistants and other volunteers. If you can spare a couple of hours please give us a call.

Address: Units 11 - 13, Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, Port Macquarie

Opening Hours: 9am to 3pm Tuesday to Friday

Email: reception@4life.org.au

Phone: 02 6584 2951

GI Jones

PERSONAL TRAINING

When you’re serious about change, meet Kylie Jones. I am a personal trainer and mindset coach. I started GI Jones 6 years ago, focusing on individual and group fitness, because I’m passionate about helping people live a happy and healthy life.

I’m proud that I’m not your ‘average’ PT. I genuinely care, I am 100% authentic and I am committed to helping clients on a physical fitness level and a behavioural level too. For me, it’s all about supporting great sustainable results.

I offer Personal Training in a small and private studio, a group fitness program that includes indoor and outdoor sessions and twice a week I offer a circuit class for those who we call our ‘golden oldies’. One of our highest values is to have fun and that’s definitely what we do!

Address: Unit 14, Bellbowrie Park Business Centre, Port Macquarie

Phone: 0401 321 314 | Email: gi4pt@outlook.com

Facebook: GI Jones - GI4PT | Instagram: gijonesgi4pt

Come in to Bellbowrie Park Business Centre to discover these and many other businesses and services

Laurieton is a popular over-55s Hometown community surrounded by breathtaking scenery on the MidNorth Coast of NSW. This community has been designed with first class amenities and includes an indoor and outdoor pool, gym and wellness centre, bowling green and BBQ area. The well-landscaped grounds and beautiful gardens provide an attractive setting for the community and the extensive paths are popular with the community’s cyclists and dog walkers. There are also facilities for those people who would like to spend some time relaxing with a good book in the library, meeting friends for an afternoon drink or catching a film in the community cinema. Laurieton has move in-ready contemporary homes designed with modern amenities to complement a relaxing, maintenance-free

retirement lifestyle.

Homeowners John and Henrietta, commented about their move to Laurieton, “We have friends up here and came up to visit. It was just love at first sight! I said, ‘I could live here’ and I put my house on the market as soon as I got home.”

Located between Brother Mountain in the Dooragan National Park and Queens Lake, this area is an ideal location for nature walks through the blackbutt forests, picnicking and watching the spectacle of hang gliders

soaring from the summit. The National Park is a favourite with birdwatchers and the canopy also provides a natural habitat for gliders, bats and koalas.

While living in a community surrounded by beautiful rainforest areas and a gorgeous coastline it is also a short 25-minute drive from Port Macquarie for shopping and medical facilities.

Discover our homes available now. For more information or to book a tour please contact our team on 02 4086 6545.

LEGAL Light

with EMILIE COOPER

H

“I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR, in numbers too big to ignore”.

elen Reddy’s iconic 1972 song, “I am Woman”, has become a symbol for the empowerment of women. This is particularly relevant with respect to the number of women who are now involved in managing or owning their own businesses as showcased in this edition of Focus Magazine. Globally, women now own one third of all businesses.out these websites for useful information, courses and grants: www.tafensw.edu.au/ womeninbusiness; https://business.gov.au/ Grants-and-Programs/Women-in-Business-NSW.

lease. The corporate lawyers at Priest Legal are experienced in drafting and advising on all forms of commercial leases.

The demeaning comments Reddy received from powerful men in the entertainment industry inspired Reddy to write the lyrics of “I am Woman”. Her music label refused to release the song initially and the radio stations would not give it air time. How wrong were they! Resilience, backing yourself and determination are key attributes to achieving success in business, but particularly for women in business. Misogyny, a dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women, is a hurdle that men in business don’t have to endure. How often do you hear the word “Misandry” – a dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men? Never? Didn’t know it existed?

If you are a woman in business, there are a number of government agencies and grants that may be available to you. Check

At Priest Legal, we are proud to support business owners in all aspects of their operations. There are a number of different ways in which a business can be set up such as sole trader, partnership, company, co-operative or company limited by guarantee.

Understanding which is the best vehicle for your business is important and can change depending on how the business grows. Our corporate lawyers are able to help you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the different business structures from an organisational perspective and draft documents such as shareholder and partnership agreements.

Unless your business is a “virtual business”, you will also need premises to operate from.

If your business is a retail business, the Retail Leases Act will apply, but if it is not a retail lease, the lease is a contract, and you should obtain legal advice before entering into the

And, finally, it is impossible to engage in business without experiencing conflict occasionally. Whether it is conflict with competitors or customers or contractors, resolving conflicts in business as quickly and economically as possible is critical to operating a successful business and is a skill that the corporate lawyers at Priest Legal are experienced in, with backgrounds in mediation and, if it comes to it, litigation.

“I am Woman” is definitely a women’s protest song but some of its lyrics apply to us all. “Yes I am wise, but it’s wisdom born of pain. Yes, I’ve paid the price, but look how much I gained” are universal experiences but particularly relevant to all of us who engage in business. Need business advice? Come and see our corporate lawyers at Priest Legal.

6583 1777

priestlegal.com.au

Resilience, backing yourself and determination are key attributes to achieving success in business – but particularly for women in business.

The annual International Women’s Day Breakfast is back on Wednesday 8 March 2023 with a fresh new format, featuring keynote speaker Natalie Isaacs, founder of 1 Million Women

Natalie, tell us about your passion for inspiring women to be change-makers?

I believe strongly that women have a leading role to play as part of the solution to some of the biggest challenges facing our generation – including gender equity, women’s rights and the climate crisis. Real behaviour change begins with personal action. This is the decade that counts more than ever for climate action. Never underestimate the power we have as individuals and communities to unite to act on climate change and to build a better future.

What is the 1 Million Women movement and how did it begin?

1 Million Women is a global movement of women and girls who take practical action to fight dangerous climate change by changing the way they live.

I launched 1 Million Women in 2009 after my own journey from being a former cosmetic manufacturer and small business owner who was apathetic about the environment, to a dedicated activist committed to inspiring women to change

MILLION

the way they use energy, consume ‘stuff’, reduce food waste, spend and invest their money.

You’ve got a new book out?

My second book, ‘Right Here, Right Now’, is a call-to-action explaining why it is women who have the power in numbers and emotional intelligence to create a better world.

This critical decade is simultaneously a time for alarm and a time for great hope. We have to act like our own lives and the futures of everyone we love depends on it, because that’s the truth, and it’s what this book is about.

‘Right Here, Right Now’ explores how it is, women, the love and connection with the earth and optimistic actions that are all key to this decisive decade for climate action. The science is clear. If we continue to burn fossil fuels at current rates the earth will continue to warm. Already, the consequences of climate change are upon us. Now, in this powerful call to action with optimism at it’s heart, I explain why we all must act, wherever we are, and why in this decisive decade, we must act now. What are you looking forward to about the Port Macquarie International Women’s Day Breakfast?

I know this popular event hosted by the Hastings Business Women’s Network, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams

and the International Women’s Day Committee is a sell-out every year!

I’m looking forward to meeting and mingling with everyone during the networking canape breakfast in Jimmy’s Lounge and watching the sun rise over the beautiful Hastings River.

As the keynote speaker I’ll be exploring this year’s theme, “Cracking the Code”, which looks at the role of innovation in creating a gender equal future.

Bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education play a critical role in combating discrimination and the marginalisation of women globally. By championing the work of women in innovation we can accelerate our progress towards a better world.

I’m also thrilled to be supporting an event that has raised over $150,000 for Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services in it’s 13 year history.

When women come together to inspire, celebrate and support women, great things happen! Of course, men are invited to join us too.

How can people hear you speak?

Head to hbwn.com.au/events for ticket sales.

I would also like to thank Platinum Sponsor Just Better Care, Gold Sponsor Bennetts Steel and Silver Sponsors Commonwealth Bank and Men and Women at Work.

1

WOMEN FOUNDER TO INSPIRE AT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST

MOVETech

Increasing the coMpetency and confidence of Older drivers in the use of advanced VEhicle TECHnologies

What is the research study about?

Autonomous vehicle technologies (AVT) are designed to assist safe driving and reduce collisions on the road. An example would be “lane departure warnings” which provides an audible beep to warn the driver when he/she drifts out of his/her lane when driving. This research aims to reduce road traffic injuries by increasing awareness and use of newer cars with available AVT. Specifically, this research aims to determine whether an innovative training program can increase driving competence and confidence in older Australian drivers with modern cars.

The study is being carried out by the following researchers:

1. School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2. Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney NSW

3. Occupational Therapy, Western Sydney University, NSW 4. Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney, NSW

5. Institute of Driver Health, NSW (study site)*

6. Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation Service, NSW (study site)*

*Involvement of these organisations will not impact your driving record Research Funder: This research is being funded by the Office of Road Safety, Australian Federal Government

The research study is looking to recruit people who meet the following criteria:

1. Aged 70 years and older

2. Has an active and valid NSW Driver’s license (Class C)

3. Regular driver (at least 2-3 times per week)

4. Has a car with driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control or lane keep assist.

5. Is able to travel to sites/driving centres for study visits

6. Consent to use your personal, comprehensively insured vehicle to perform a driving assessment in the presence of an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessor and/or licensed driving instructor

7. Consent to drive an unfamiliar vehicle

8. Able to meet the time commitment of the study (approx. 3.5 to 8.5 hours across several days)

9. Able to understand conversational English 10. Doublevaccinated for COVID-19.

Can I tell other people about this study?

Yes, you can tell other people about the study and provide them with the contact details of the research team. They are able to contact the research team to discuss their participation and obtain a copy of this information sheet. What are the possible benefits of taking part?

We cannot guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this research; however, possible benefits may include an increased understanding of the technology available in your car and improvement in your driving skills. You will also receive a $50 eftpos gift card upon completion of the study.

What if I have a complaint or any concerns about the research study and will I receive compensation if I suffer any injuries or have complications?

If you suffer any injuries or complications as a result of this research project, you should

contact the study team as soon as possible and you will be assisted with arranging appropriate medical treatment. If you are eligible for Medicare, you can receive any medical treatment required to treat the injury or complication, free of charge, as a public patient in any Australian public hospital.

Insurance Coverage Information- The dualcontrolled study vehicles used in this study are comprehensively insured and registered for business use as an instructor’s vehicle through Third Party Insurance. Damage to property is also covered under this insurance. You will be covered for any injury under the NSW Compulsory Third Party Insurance Scheme. Comprehensive insurance of your personal vehicle will cover loss or damage to your and other people’s vehicles and property in case of an accident when using your personal vehicle to conduct study activities.

If you require further information regarding this study or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the study, you can contact Kerrie Ren - Position Project Manager Telephone +61 2 9065 3857 Email kerrie.ren@unsw.edu.au

Tuesday 7th February saw our official launch of the 2023 Coastline Credit Union Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. We had a beautiful evening on the deck at Waters Edge with sponsors and members. A big thank you to our panel of experts who shared their experiences with the Business Awards, Stacey Morgan from Port Macquarie Performing Arts, Peter Jones from Harvey Norman and Philippe Cassegrain from Cassegrain Wines. All three spoke on how being part of the Business Awards in the past had helped with local recognition, boosting business as well as giving them a great opportunity to really have a look into their business and continue to improve it. So make sure you jump on board and enter your business this year. The fact that you remain in business means you are doing something right so applaud yourself and your achievements by entering directly this year or nominate a business that you believe should be recognised by going to businessportmacquarie.com.au click on Business Awards and start your entry today. You can save this and work on it over a couple of weeks but make sure you submit by 28th March at the latest. The business awards are judged by independent judges from outside the area so make sure that

you are really explaining your business in the submission. From there we also have a voting and secret shopper percentage that goes to the overall total to find our winner. But why stop at the local awards? Also have a look at the Excellence Awards to really promote and showcase your business at a regional and state level. I look forward to seeing you at our Gala Awards night on the 20th May. A very big thank you to all of our sponsors, without you this fabulous event would not be possible.

March is always a busy month at Business Port Macquarie. We start with our Cyber Security Event on the 2nd March proudly sponsored by Integer IT and being held at Charles Sturt University. With so many scams and computer hacks happening these days in both large and small businesses this is a timely reminder on how to protect your business, self and staff from becoming a victim.

With the NSW State Election fast approaching we have organised a ‘Meet the Candidates’ evening on the 16th March. This will give our members the opportunity to ask the questions of our candidates that are important to the business community.

At Business Port Macquarie the pillars we will be lobbying State Government on and questioning candidates leading into the election are:-

1. Buy Local & Enhance the Visitor Economy

2. Grow & Enhance our Essential Infrastructure

3. Local Access to a Skilled Workforce

As I have mentioned in the past, Business Port Macquarie is not politically aligned with any party. We are happy to work with all elected members of government to make our area a better place to live and do business.

To round out our events for March we are again excited to work with Kate WoodFoye and her team to launch the 2023 Luminosity Event. This is a fantastic initiative now into its 11th year that encourages students and young adults to plan ahead, get involved in community and business, and to make, not only our town, but country a better place to live. It challenges our youth to dream big and challenge themselves. This can only happen with the support of businesses to sponsor a young person to attend. If you haven’t heard or been involved with Luminosity in the past I urge you to take a look. You will be impressed.

Quote of the month- “Every small positive change we make in ourselves repays us in confidence in the future” – Alice Walker Have a great month and keep smiling. People wonder what you’ve been up to!

THE FACTS

Port Macquarie Southern Breakwall

I stand for widening the footpath in the most sensible way possible to not include ripping out the breakwall, not include removing our iconic pines and trees, and not potentially damaging our world-class surf break.

A vote for Peta Pinson = Saving our Breakwall and a widened footpath

A vote for anyone else = Breakwall destruction to build a footpath

Lake Cathie Permanent Opening

I stand for a permanent opening for the lake entrance so the water quality, recreation and year round activity can be enjoyed by our community and visitors alike.

A vote for Peta Pinson = A focus on a permanent lake opening

A vote for anyone else = A likely continuation of a dirty, closed lake

Traffic Congestion – Wrights Road to Lake Road

I stand for a fast-tracked solution including detailed designs and project funding allocated in my first term if elected.

A vote for Peta Pinson = Maximum agitation until we get a solution as a top priority

A vote for anyone else = This issue continues to be in the too hard basket

I’m standing for the NSW Nationals, the only Party that is solely dedicated to ensuring the regions have a voice in policy and decision making in Parliament. I’m best placed to fight solely for our region and understand local issues through my time as Mayor.

Authorised by J Lundy, National Party of Australia – NSW, Level 2, 107 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Scan the QR Code to learn more about The Nationals, Peta’s campaign or to send us a message.

Carissa Embling moved to Port Macquarie 5 years ago from Victoria, and with a strong connection to AFL she and her husband joined the Port Macquarie Magpies AFL Club. Carissa joined firstly in the role of Treasurer, but ended up joining the women’s team as well, and now she’s the new President of the Club - and the first female President in Club history.

CARISSA EMBLING

Hi Carissa. Can you tell us about your background in AFL and how you got into the sport?

I lived the first 15 years of my life in a very small rural Victorian town. In country Victoria football is life and I remember spending many weekends at the grounds whilst my father played. My favourite thing to do was to help out in the score board and sift through the metal

numbers to update the scoreboard. My father was a mad Carlton supporter so naturally I chose to follow my father and support the Blues. I am also now a crazy Carlton Tragic and co-creator of a Facebook fan page called Carlton Football Club – Blues News and Rumours. The page currently has 7.6k members that include past players and family of current players.

When we made the move to Port Macquarie 5 years ago I suggested my husband start

playing again as it would be a great way to meet people with similar interests. How long have you been a part of the Port Macquarie Magpies AFL Club and how did you come to be the new President of the Club?

I joined the Committee in late 2019 in the role of Treasurer. Then in 2021 and 2022 I also played for the women’s team. I had never actually played the game myself before so intended to be a benchwarmer and give the

girls a break and have small runs. But my time on the field ended up being a little more than I had anticipated. I was surprised by how much I loved it.

The previous President had been in the role for a few years and was ready to step back from the position. He recommended I take on the role due to my involvement on the Committee and in the team. I was constantly taking

on responsibilities outside the scope of the Treasurer position and assisting on game day. This made me very familiar with the running of the Club and I had secured really good relationships with the coaches and players. What motivated you to pursue a leadership role in the sport?

Each year in the past few years the Club has strengthened and I wanted to continue to lead the growth of the Club. The women in the Club have been the backbone with their commitment to training, events and each other, inspiring me to take on a position that is largely male dominated. I felt being female I may be able to bring some fresh perspectives to not only our club, but to AFL North Coast and an element of nurturing to the progression of the Club.

For the first time in recent years the committee

has all positions filled, with both experienced and newer, younger players – both male and female. Having that support and involvement from current peers of the Club bringing fresh ideas that impact their sport, made it an easy decision to pursue the leadership role. We have seen a lot of growth for women in sport recently, particularly in regional areas. Now with you as the President here and Grafton also having elected their first female President, what initiatives would you like to see in place to encourage more female involvement in the sport, both on and off the field?

Participation of women in AFL has definitely strengthened over the past few years and the Club has had an influx of women joining that have no previous connection to the sport. The leadership within the team have definitely driven this with their encouragement and ensuring a feeling of belonging, both on the field and also in social settings. We are also seeing more women with children participating which has created a really diverse team in terms of age and experience.

Continued over...

I felt being female I may be able to bring some fresh perspectives to not only our club, but to AFL North Coast and an element of nurturing to the progression of the Club.

An initiative that has already commenced is ensuring more female friendly resources are available to the players. Last season I engaged a uniform supplier that produces shorts and game day jumpers that are more female body friendly. This was the first step in making the women feel really valued as individuals with the sport. This year when sourcing Sponsors for the 2023 season for the first time the Club approached local businesses that represent our strong female presence. We were very excited to have Wiggins and Co, Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Brows by Willow and Pure Lash agree to become 2023 sponsors. These are women led businesses who have shown the success of hard work, dedication and fun! This is a great inspiration to not only women in business, but women in sport too.

The Magpies had a good year in 2022, can you tell us a bit about how some of the teams went?

It was a fantastic year! The Under 17’s boys played the Semi Finals and only missed out on playing in the Grand Final by 4 heartbreaking points.

The Women’s team also made the Semi Finals but unfortunately did not make the Grand Final.

Our Men’s Senior team played an extremely tough game in torrential rain and won the Grand Final against long term rival Coffs Harbour. It was a heart stopping last 10 minutes with only a few points difference and was the first Grand Final win in 9 years for them. What do you personally enjoy most about

the sport and being involved at the club? Easily the people. They are the most inclusive, non-judgmental, fun group I have been around. They all look out for each other and have definitely become our family away from home.

Obviously the increase to fitness has been a positive too but there are also so many other roles if people want to be involved but aren’t sure they want to put on the boots. We have a range of volunteer opportunities from canteen to running water during the game and all are involved in our social events. How do you view the Club community and what do you hope others take away from being involved?

The Club community is amazing. Many form friendships not only on the field but off the field. Many of our players come from all areas of Australia, having relocated their families for the lifestyle or to attend the local University, so the Club becomes the place where they can meet people with similar interests and feel involved in their new community. No matter what someone’s age is or experience they are made to feel a part of it. There is never judgement.

My hope is that everyone that joins the club never feels pressure, but feels welcomed and a

sense of home. What is your vision for the future of the club and where do you see it in the next 5 years?

I would love to see the presence of AFL increase in a largely rugby dominated region. My dream in the coming years is to be successful in funding a clubhouse at our home ground Wayne Richards Park –similar to the Wiigulga Sports Complex that just opened at Woolgoolga. It would not only benefit the players by providing up to date facilities and a dedicated area for the women (at current this is shared space with the men’s team) but it would also benefit the community with additional resource options for local tournaments and events.

I feel the Club is off to a successful start this year having secured the most amount of sponsors the Club has had. This not only puts us in a better financial position but strengthens our connection to the community. We are really grateful to the amazing businesses getting behind the Club for 2023 and would like to thank Moorebeer, Coast, Banks, Pure Lash, Brows by Willow, Port Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Summerland Health, Burger Urge, Colonial Roofing, Wiggins and Co, Port Macquarie Mazda, Elders Lifestyle Group, The Chip Shop, Choices Flooring, Hello Sailor, NXT LvL and Colonial Meats.

Our Men’s Senior team played an extremely tough game in torrential rain and won the Grand Final against long term rival Coffs Harbour.

I feel the Club is off to a successful start this year having secured the most amount of sponsors the Club has had. This not only puts us in a better financial position but strengthens our connection to the community.

Illuminate

with KATE WOOD-FOYE

THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK

DRU & KATE DRURY LANE

Eight years ago Kate McCarron & Dru Woolnough changed the game for themselves and for Port Macquarie, when they both took the ultimate gamble and left their respective worlds in Sydney, one as a photographic producer and the other as a head chef in a busy metropolitan kitchen to travel to the coast with their young family to bring their dream of Drury Lane Eatery to life.

Together as they prepare to close their personal chapter at the eatery this month, they reflect on the bank of memories created for locals and visitors, a warm and unique energy, a place where they have brought people together to connect over delicious, locally sourced food in an everchanging and diversely delicious menu. The open kitchen and funky indoor come outdoor space evoke feelings of belonging like a welcome dinner with long lost friends or family. Kate, how did you both create this feeling and experience that Drury Lane is famous for and keep it connected to the original vision?

Although the food, the space and the service are always important, you’ve actually mentioned the most important part, creating memories. To take part in helping create our guests’ memories over these past eight years, whether that’s been a celebration, a catch up with friends, a first date, or a flavour they can’t quite put their finger on, has actually been the central reason of why we do what we do. I think this focus has kept us connected to our initial vision of just

bringing people together over good food. The business has evolved by embracing and relying on the versatility and flexibility of our little cafe and changing our mindset from trying to be just another place go and get a coffee or a meal to being a space that people can come, sit, share and meet. A place where you can forget about things, have a chat and a laugh, even if it’s just for few moments while you wait for your takeaway. Having the versatility to change from day trading to night and even sometimes doing both has become something Drury Lane is known for.

You have creatively merged your passions for real, wholesome food made with love, creativity and high quality locally sourced ingredients into the Drury vibe and beloved menu. What surprised you most about the local produce offerings and how have you woven this into your business?

We didn’t actually start out with the intention of being a “locavore” style cafe, I don’t think we were aware of the abundance of amazing local produce in and around the Hastings at the time. Our opening week coincided with the first Famers Market in the Glasshouse forecourt.

From there we connected with some amazing local producers, the ever-changing availability of local and seasonal produce really drove the menu, combined with Ken Little and his team’s experience and ability to source great produce, going local was a no brainer. We’ve also been fortunate to have some amazing backyard farmers over the years. From customers with excess from their gardens to locals who grew produce specifically for us, we’ve been very blessed.

Dru, how integral has and is your team to delivering on the Drury Lane mission? The team is everything. Having the right people choosing to work for you is integral to the delivery. You can’t do it all yourself. We’ve been really fortunate over the years with our staff, they’ve aligned themselves with the Drury Lane mission and delivered that warm welcoming experience in a way that as business owners we are so grateful for.

It’s also the teams that are supporting you from behind the scenes that are so integral. Having such amazing local suppliers from Stew Clark and Doppio Or Nothing, Ken Little and his crew, Sam and the amazing butchers at Coppies

OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS, INNOVATORS, LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.

Meats, to Scott and his team taking care of all that swims at Port Seafood. Having suppliers like these, who you know have your back when you need to make the dreaded “I’ve run out!” phone call, is a support that money cannot buy. Without them Drury Lane would have never survived.

Can you tell us about some of your favourite events, projects or colabs?

Social Ground Locals

Only was one of our first colabs teaming up with Chris and Andrew to showcase great local fair was an awesome night.

Working with Necia

Waghorn to host the Harvest Lunch during the Tastings on Hastings (and being able to cook for Mat Wilkinson and Matt Golinski), followed by their first charity dinner for If We All Had Wings was truly a honour. Figuring out how to cook for over a 100 people out of my small kitchen was a very interesting learning experience, but a fantastic one.

With the creation of Port Macquarie’s Art Walk, we were situated right in the thick of it and it very quickly became one our favourite days of the year. Serving pizza slices from our window and cups of soup in the forecourt, and being swarmed by happy smiling face, kids of all ages being set loose armed with multi colours of

chalk and all in the middle of winter is truly an amazing experience.

Port Cancer Trust’s Glimmer Dinner and having the chance to be part of something so much bigger including the Lost Plate Dinner and helping raise funds for Port’s community garden The Lost Plot were also highlights. So many events over the years have meant a lot to us - we could go on but there’s a word limit!!

How instrumental were mentors in your journey? What is the most valuable lesson they taught you?

Dru: The most instrumental lessons one of the first chefs I worked for taught me wasn’t “never give up”, more that giving up is simply NOT an option. You set your own limitation and you should never put a limitation on growing. As cliché’d as it sounds you never stop building new skills and ideas. Things can always be improved on and tweaked. As new challenges present themselves new solutions will be found. A great quote I love is “you will always be a student in your craft never a master” and of course, there’s always the Beastie Boys “if you are true to yourself then you’ll never fall.”

These have become integral parts of Kate’s and

my life. The Beasty boys quote might be more from me than Kate, though she agrees with the sentiment.

Kate: I think acceptance that there really is never that moment in business where you’re on top of it all was a pivotal moment for me. One of my mentors has always said to me, we’re looking for progress not perfection, and I’ve run with that!

After an incredible eight years at the helm, thousands of dishes and coffees lovingly served - it is time to say goodbye and pass the baton to new owners as you embark on the next leg of the Drury journey. What are you hopes for the future of the eatery?

We’re excited to be passing the baton on to the new owners Isacc and Hayley, they’re great people with a similar outlook to us. Letting go of something you’ve created is big, but we’re excited to see what fresh eyes can create and build on what we’ve established.

Dru, what is the next adventure for you two?

We’ve got quite a few little ideas we are bouncing around. Quality time as a family, we will travel for a bit, see our Canadian family and I look forward to gathering some fresh culinary ideas and bringing them back home. Kate is embarking on a new career in speech pathology. We are in the process of building something that Port hasn’t really seen yet with a team of great people. I can’t say anything more than that…. You’ll just have to wait.

Photos Josh Moses

You set your own limitation and you should never put a limitation on growing. As cliché’d as it sounds you never stop building new skills, and ideas.

Abode

SOVEREIGN HILLS

SOVEREIGN HILLS

DISPLAY VILLAGE

Discover the building blocks for a more sustainable abode.

With its timber-adorned exterior surrounded by a native and edible garden, the Icelyn is not your typical display home.

The orientation, materials and appliances were all key considerations for siblings Andrew and Fiona Pettersen, partners Julianne and Dean, and their Hotondo Homes Mid North Coast team who wanted to show more people how simple and cost effective it can be to incorporate sustainable building practices in their very own new home.

The Icelyn 4-bedroom home design capitalises on its north-east facing orientation, with naturally termite resistant Coastal Blackbutt

chosen to decorate the home’s façade.

An internal exposed brick veneer northern wall features vertical timber cladding on the outside serving an important purpose.

GRASSCRETE FORMERS ( MOULDS ) IN THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WERE PLANTED WITH TURF TO ALLOW FOR WATER DRAINAGE.

“The brickwork requires five to eight hours of heat each day which is released back into the home at night,” explained the Hotondo Homes team.

The alfresco is positioned on the north side of the home and features an opening pergola roof, allowing the winter sun to stream into the home’s main living area where polished concrete floors absorb the sunlight and also release heat during the evening.

THE LAMINEX KITCHEN BENCHTOP FEATURES RECYCLED DENIM COLLECTED FROM CLOTH PRODUCTION MILLS.

Hotondo Homes’ Icelyn design has achieved an impressive 8.6 Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) rating.

The cladding was painted a dark colour to absorb the sunlight. Heat from the sun is naturally transferred to the brickwork inside the home

THE ENSUITE SLIDING GLASS DOOR WITH COURTYARD ENHANCE NATURAL LIGHT AND VENTILATION.

AN OPENING PERGOLA ROOF ASSISTS WITH PASSIVE HEATING AND COOLING DURING THE SEASONS.

Want more style tips? Check out the new Sovereign Hills Style Series Scan here and be inspired!

A double-glazed sliding door and ceiling fans assist with passively cooling this zone.

The Laminex kitchen benchtop features recycled cotton denim fibre collected from cloth production mills, while the study nook benchtop features recycled paper fibre.

The master ensuite features a sliding glass door with courtyard flooding the room with natural light and aiding ventilation.

The Icelyn features Bluetooth light switches and power points controlled via the Clipsal Iconic interface allowing the remote control of lights from a Smartphone.

Opening Velux skylights flood the kitchen and central hallway with natural light, reducing the need to flick on a light switch.

The home also boasts a solar photovoltaic (PV) system helping to reduce the home’s energy usage.

Get the Icelyn look by decorating with natural fibres, timber furniture and of course lots of indoor greenery.

For a contemporary twist on working with warm neutrals, Hotondo Homes has chosen royal blue for a bold block accent colour.

The outdoor area features a sustainable veggie garden, native bees and chicken coop.

Grasscrete formers (moulds) laid within the concrete driveway and planted with turf allow for water drainage.

BLUETOOTH LIGHT SWITCHES AND OPENING VELUX SKYLIGHTS HELP REDUCE THE HOME’S ENERGY USAGE.

Discover how to incorporate sustainability measures into your home when you visit the Sovereign Hills Display Village.

York Street, Sovereign Hills sovereignhills.com.au

BE NO ON E ELSE WITH A DESIGN LIK E NOTHING ELSE

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LEXU S RX