✦ Welcome
As we approach our 2nd birthday milestone, we like to think we are now firmly established at the heart of the local community, providing an invaluable resource for local businesses to thrive and shine in their own unique and brilliant way!
Therefore, with November being Small Business Month, we are taking time to celebrate all the wonderful local businesses who are so vital in providing the backbone of the local community and economy.
‘Connect for Success’ is the theme of Small Business Month this year, something that small business owners in the Port Macquarie and Wauchope area can do at a range of events this month. The Love Local Festival at Bain Park on Saturday, November 19, for example, promises to be an amazing gathering of many local businesses selling, creating and promoting their products and services - with food, drinks, trade stalls, music, demonstrations and more to boot, why not come along and support your local businesses?
Continuing this theme in the lead up to Christmas, we are also offering small businesses an innovative way to promote their goods and services via our promo tile feature, where interactive ads reveal your offer so customers can go to your shop or buy from you online - whatever your
Brilliant-Online makes people and businesses famous. It is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses pushing for a better world in the digital era. Born witty, Brilliant unveils an online magazine featuring a variety of digital interactive content that makes it similar to the magical Daily Prophet newspaper from Harry Potter.
business, it’s one not to be missed!
Elsewhere, we celebrate Australian Muay Thai fighter Celest Muriel Hansen who recently secured a professional contract with Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promoter, a story showcasing true Aussie spirit and proving that dreams really can come true.
Finally, Brilliant-Online’s 2nd Birthday celebrations are on the horizon and we’re inviting business owners to join us for a day of fun cruising the Hastings River on January 21.
There are so many other fantastic, engaging stories and features this month celebrating a wide range of topics that we hope you ultimately find Brilliant to read!
Australia's Celest Muriel Hanse disAbility Maternity Care Editor's note
Table of contents Australian fighter Celest proves she’s the best!
#LoveLocal Festival
#ShopLocal promo tile
TG's Child Care building beautiful relationships with their communities Success Tax Professionals is asking How Healthy is your Business Greenbourne Nursery is so bright, it lifts your spirits How Financial Anxiety Could Be Crippling Your Business
Tee off with Port Macquarie Golf Club! What's On at Port AdVenture Cruises Capture the magic of Christmas forever Wauchope and Port Macquarie are lucky to have the largest playground in the treetops in Australia Infineon to drive Asia’s innovation ecosystems with VinFast and LG Sciencepark
Unravelling the Rare Earth Elements Story with OD6 Metals Limited (ASX:OD6) Matador Mining Limited (ASX: MZZ) has a Mega Gold Exploration Project
Why Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM) is in the lead as a Copper Producer Ross Louthean, a legendary journalist in the Australian Minerals Industry brings insights to the ASX spectrum
76 78 80 81
Perinatal mental health for dads
To be vegan or not be vegan – the choice really is yours... Why a good night’s shut-eye is so vital...
Getting ready for the Festive Season
Wattle Seed Damper Recipe
Laksa Recipe, compliments from My Blue Tea
Butter Boards are spreading across the world!
National Monument to Migration grows with 876 new names
Bonny Hills Landcare 75th Anniversary
Willing & Able’s Linen Drive will reduce the impact of textile waste Calling all Visual Artists!
Beyond Flights of Fancy: Australia's Aviation History Can Sport have a Conscience?
What's on Business Events in November 2022 on the Mid North Coast
What's on Community Events in November 2022 on the Mid North Coast
What's on Monthly Markets in November 2022 on the Mid North Coast
Angus Gill and Melinda Schneider add some sparkle to Christmas
Women Like Us made us Laugh Out Loud!
Brilliant 2nd Birthday on the Rhythmboat
What's On at Port AdVenture Cruises
Phuket-based Aussie fighter Celest Muriel Hansen won her final fight in the Fairtex Road to ONE Thailand tournament at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok on October 29, an achievement that is set to change her life.
The 28-year-old Australian defeated Thai opponent Lomannee in the women’s 52.2kg atomweight class on a majority points decision.
In doing so she became the first winner of the finals stage of the tournament which saw a total of eight female and male fighters compete across a range of different weight classifications.
The victory means Celest secures a sixfight contract worth US$100,000 with Asia powerhouse sports group ONE Championship, one of the world’s top 10 biggest sports media properties in terms of viewership and engagement.
After a hard-fought five-round bout against Lomannee, Celest waited in the centre of the ring with the referee and her opponent to hear the outcome. Clearly emotionally and physically exhausted, the tension and anticipation was etched on her face as she awaited the announcement that could change her life for the better.
All three judges scored the fight 4847 in Celest’s favour and the fighter
✦ She’s only gone and done it!
in the black corner was declared the champion.
Celest fell to her knees in floods of tears, overwhelmed by the announcement and a range of emotions, including the realisation that her dreams had come true.
“When I first watched the clip back of me falling to my knees in the ring, sobing uncontrollably I thought maybe I looked a bit silly,” Celest commented after the fight.
“It’s scary to be vulnerable in public but I was just so overwhelmed, relieved and delighted that I could not help it, it was just how I felt at that very moment.
v“I also think, on reflection, that it is ok to show that vulnerable side in the heat of the moment, when emotions run high and you are so overwhelmed by so many feelings. It’s ok to cry with happiness, it’s ok to cry with sadness, it’s ok to show whatever emotion you have.
After all, we are all human beings, not robots! In a way I hope my reaction in the ring can maybe inspire any vulnerable people out there to not be afraid to express your true emotions,” she added.
The victory was the culmination of a long journey for Celest, with three separate fights contested over three separate months.
“I feel like I have developed so much on this journey through the tournament. Every fight camp I get stronger, more confident and learn so much about myself, “ she said prior to her final fight against Lomannee on October 29.
“The tournament has been so long but it has been an amazing experience that I am so grateful for.”
Her first fight in the tournament took place at Lumpinee Stadium on August 13 against Phetsinin Sor Phuangthong, who Celest knocked to the ground twice before delivering a devastating TKO in round 2.
She then faced a sterner test in her semi-final clash against Duangdaonoi Looksaikongdin on September 17, once again at Lumpinee. Duangdaonoi controlled things in the first round but Celest stepped up her game in the second and had the better of proceedings by the final round, eventually emerging as the winner on a points decision at the end of the three-round contest.
Two testing fights with a serious training regime over three months was a tough undertaking. However, Celest was fully focused throughout, determined to capture the prize that would impact her and her future so significantly.
“All the hard work was worth it,” she said after her victory in the final fight against Lomannee on October 29. “There was so many times I wanted to give up, so many things happened to me where I could have thrown the towel in but I am not a quitter and wanted to win so much more!”
Celest has played an integral role as part of a drive to change attitudes and open up opportunities for women in the sport. She made history at Lumpinee Stadium in November 2021 by becoming the first ever female Muay Thai athlete to set foot in its ring when she fought Kullanat Ornok after the authorities reversed their policy on women fighters, who were previously banned from competing at the venue.
It was a landmark moment that she is especially proud of.
“When I first started it was so hard,” she reflects. “Opportunites for women were limited and I felt like
giving up. When I said I wanted to be the first woman to fight at Lumpinee Stadium people laughed at me and said that was never going to happen.
“However, I kept pushing, didn’t give up and all the hard work has paid off. And that’s the message I want to share with everyone – not to give up, to keep on pushing.
“I am so blessed to have people in my life that support me and motivate me to want to achieve. From an early age my parents always supported me and my coaching team at Phuket Singha Muaythai Gym are simply incredible – a huge thank you to Kru Pat, Nantaporn Opor Nutcharas and Kru Nart as I could not have done this without you.
“I also would like to thank all my team mates at the gym in Phuket who have trained and sparred with me and everyone that has supported me on this amazing journey.
“It’s just incredible and still hasn’t fully sunk in yet. I was the once the young girl who couldn’t even do a star jump and now I will be fighting in ONE Championship.
“I hope I can show people that if you really want it and you set your mind to achieving it in the right manner then anything is possible and dreams can come true.”
✦
Let’s celebrate and promote amazing local businesses.
Join us at the Festival for a fun filled afternoon of food, drinks, trade stalls, music, demonstrations and so much more! There are so many local businesses selling, creating and promoting amazing things that are ready to be discovered at #LoveLocal Festival!
Discover them and participate in the #ShopLocal Challenge
• Saturday 19th November
• 2pm to 6pm
• Bain Park, Wauchope CBD
Free Media Interview for participating businesses. Buy a promo tile which qualifies you in the #ShopLocal Challenge and you will get a 2-minute
video interview with Brilliant-Online. These will be promoted socially and to all 30,000 subscribers.
It is clear how TG's Child Care is always warmly welcomed into their communities wherever they go. With six campuses across Australia, TG's Child Care continues to share the joy of Playing is Learning for Life with families and communities.
TG's Child Care is highly involved with their communities. For TG's, building relationships has a ripple
effect that can be felt through the entire community. It is a natural collaborative base of all interactions between TG's highly qualified Educators, children, families and communities. Learning at TG's is not confined to only TG's playspaces and beautiful award-winning gardens. It extends through the community as well.
TG's Armidale and TG's Uralla always have a fantastic day out at the Thunderbolts Festival in Uralla. It is a big event TG's is involved in every year. Everyone helps to decorate TG's float, and families, children and Educators
come together to ride through town with everyone dressed as fairies and elves! And for added fun, you can expect some bubbles and watersquirters too! TG's also participates in Armidale's Autumn Festival and Wauchope's Lasiandra Festival. There's always something to celebrate!
TG's regularly invites people of different professions in the local communities to share their experiences with the children. The children at TG's Urangan and TG's Uralla were absolutely delighted when the local firemen came to visit TG's in their big red trucks! It's a real WOW moment for the children as they get up close and personal with the firemen, asking them questions about what it's really like to be a fireman, and of course,
getting to hop in the driving seat in the truck always brings squeals of delight!
For TG's, it is an important part of a child's learning journey to have this partnership with not just the families but also the community. It serves to enrich their learning journeys by learning invaluable skills and values such as compassion for others, understanding and appreciating the special gifts local businesses or services give to people around us. It's a way to nurture strong relationships with people in the communities. This can be clearly felt at TG's Armidale where they are organising a Christmas Hamper Drive and families that are able to donate can bring in goodies to help out.
TG's efforts and hard work have not gone unnoticed. TG's Armidale has recently been awarded the KindiCare Excellence Awards 2022. Being recognised for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care is a celebration of what TG's does.
TG's Armidale is one of only 10% of Early Childhood Education and Care Services nationally that received the KindiCare Excellence Awards 2022.
TG's success is very much a result of them working as a team within TG's and also with their families and communities. Everyone is a part of the TG's Family. Each person's gifts are valued, respected and appreciated. There is a culture of openness where everyone has a voice and is listened to. It is TG's Collective Thinking that allows them to continue to achieve excellence wherever they go.
a. next week b. next month c. next year d. when I’ve got time e. when my busy season is over f. all of the above g. none of the above
On the other hand, people who are serious about their health take steps to regularly monitor it. We might have a Fitbit® or Fitness Tracker to track some key health indicators.
Signs can include arguing with the people closest to you about money, having trouble sleeping, feeling angry or fearful, mood swings, tiredness,
loss of appetite, and withdrawing from others.
The deeper problems might be cash flow, sweating about paying bills, got behind on tax or superannuation obligations, human resources, etc etc.
If that’s the reason you went into business, then you don’t need to keep reading. However, if like most of us you went into business so that you could provide more opportunities for your family, then it’s not too early to make a New Year’s resolution that 2023 will be a better year.
I am offering 3 readers the opportunity for a no obligation 90-minute consult valued at $300 to look at strategies to make your business much healthier.
If you are feeling stressed or anxious, please seek professional health treatment.
As always, the advice in this article is general and you should seek advice from a professional advisor on your circumstances.
*Valued at $300. Limited to first 3 readers who contact me before 24 November 2022. Consult can be at my office or via Zoom. Consult to occur before 17 December 2022.
It feels so good to be writing this article with a bright sun and blue sky looking at me through the window of the nursery. It is amazing just how much a bright day can lift your spirits.
vWhile the rain has been a little bit overdone lately, it really has been the miserable cloud cover in between that has caused all the issues. Who doesn’t love falling asleep to the sound of rain on the roof… the rain is great. However, the garden needs the power of the sun in between those sessions of precipitation. And now it is back, it is a glorious yellow ball of fire surrounded by a blanket of blue and it is going to fix everything.
Kangaroo Paw ‘Bush Diamond’ (Anigozanthos hybrid)
Bush Diamond is the first ‘white’ kangaroo paw plant. The flowers it produces are medium in size with a dominantly white colour tinged with pink. The plant is one of the naturally compact varieties only reaching a height of 60cm. Due to the compact nature they are suitable for pots as well as the open garden bed. This variety has the
ability to flower on and off all year round when supplied with good sunshine levels.
To get the best out of the plant, remove the old flower stems as they die off. This way the plant will be able to put a lot of its energy into creating new flower stems. As with all Kangaroo paws they require really good drainage to perform well. With all the extra rain around we have found out, from talking to our customers, that any Kangaroo paw plants in raised beds, top of the gully or on a generous slope have been doing really well and have not had any issues with excess water.
Sprinkle a small handful of a good quality slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant in Autumn and Spring. The compact Bush Diamond range works great when mass planted
as all the proud flower stems bob up and down in a light breeze. There is a great range of these Kangaroo Paws for you to enjoy at your local nursery.
Vietnamese Mint (Persicaria odoratum)
This is an easy to use herb that enhances other herbs when added late in the cooking process. It is dominantly used in Asian cuisine as it compliments well with the flavours of the region. The plant is a spreading herb that does well in moist areas, away from the hot afternoon sun. It works great planted under larger trees and shrubs that allow filtered light through their foliage. It is quite vigorous in the warm season, so
continually harvesting the plant works really well.
The young leaves have the best flavour which is best described as a spicy basil / coriander flavour. The herb partners best with chives, chilli’s, basil, mint and garlic to name a few.
I have numerous large pots of the herb dotted around the garden in the slightly shadier locations.
It spills over the edges of the pots and looks quite attractive with its fiery red stems and dark green leaves. The long-pointed leaves look as though they have been stamped with a dark horse shoe as each leaf has a marking on its mid drift. It is an easy to grow, spicy herb that is becoming more and more common in our Australian herb gardens.
The first time I saw a mature Tamarillo tree in full fruit I truly thought it was some sort of mutant tomato plant. From a small distance the hanging fruit looks like giant clusters of Roma tomatoes hanging proudly, with the giant oversized leaves flapping in the breeze. On closer inspection I was
amazed at quite a prehistoric looking plant that grows and yields fast.
The flavour is best described as a tangy cross between a passionfruit and tomato. They have quite a tough skin which can be peeled off to reveal the tangy pulp within that contains very small seed that is eaten with the pulp. The plant is a small evergreen tree up to about 3 metres.
As mentioned the leaves are large and papery in feel. The plant has a soft tissue which can cause problems in
high wind areas, best planted away from strong wind corridors.
Enjoys regular feeding with an all purpose fertiliser 3-4 times a year. I have personally found that they are best treated as a shortterm perennial plant. I usually get good value out of the plant for 4-5 years before the plant begins to deteriorate. It is certainly an interesting plant to grow in your garden that will surely get conversation started.
✦ We don’t talk nearly enough about how mental health and business success are so closely intertwined.
And yes, I’m fully aware of how many positive affirmations about self-care there are floating around the internet. What I’m talking about is a much deeper, more specific correlation between our business’ finances, how we feel about them, and the ultimate success of our enterprise.
Time and time again I have business owners come to me in a state of distress; it’s a toxic combination of:
• Fear that they have missed something important (or expensive)
• Shame that they don’t have a firm grasp of their numbers Guilt that they have ‘let things get this bad’
And almost all of them think that they are uniquely inept with finances and that everyone else must have figured it out already.
If these feelings resonate with you, then this article has come to you at just the right time.
My mission is to help business owners feel empowered and confident through mastery of their financial data.
To resolve that feeling of fragmentation, let's call it for what it is and dive into this notion of financial anxiety as the first step in helping you find your financial confidence.
Whilst obvious, it bears mentioning that I’m not a medical professional, and we’re not talking about diagnosing an actual illness. Rather, the purpose behind focusing on this term of financial anxiety is twofold.
Firstly, it’s my way of establishing a vocabulary for what I’ve seen far too often in my practice as both a Chartered Accountant and a Business Advisor.
And chances are that, if you experience financial anxiety, those two words have already struck a
chord with you.
In this mental-health-aware time that we find ourselves in, many of us have at the very least a 101 level understanding of what anxiety is: a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
To my mind, it’s the ‘uncertain’ aspect here that is doing the most damage in the business world.
Accounting has become hugely complicated since the tech boom, with increased complexity around taxation, as well as overregulation and compliance, in many instances unnecessarily so.
Back when our ‘books’ were exactly that - books! - we got bills in the mail, wrote and signed cheques to pay them and mailed them when we were ready. All that was often summarised by hand into a ledger book with
meaningfully labelled columns. Those “books” were always close at hand so comparisons could be found with just a few flicks of a page.
Now our databases are working 24/7 collating all our data into a myriad of potential reports. Now there are intricate graphs, charts, buttons and automations which might be exciting to accountants. But those left both under and overwhelmed by the whole experience are the very people who stand to gain the most from this information: the business owners themselves.
Too often business owners don't know how to get useful reports or how to read them - they quite literally can’t read their own story. Yet in my experience, when I have provided the support they needed to wrap their heads around the data, they quickly see problems and can start troubleshooting! They become
literate, if not fluent, in the story of their business once more. And with that understanding comes the capacity to reflect on the business and find ways to improve its performance.
I'm not suggesting you go back to manual books, but your anxiety will lessen when you recognise that these numbers hold the key to your success (and that you inherently understand them better than anyone else).
Secondly, simply giving this sense of dread a name provides that first glimmer of hope to those experiencing it:
That you are not alone.
Hopefully, by me sharing this terminology with you as well as my experience of it with a number of business owners, you can grant yourself the grace to admit it may be affecting you.
From
And this is a multifaceted strategy, with multiple areas in which we need to acquire knowledge in order to give ourselves a well rounded sense of confidence and peace.
• Know what it is you really want. Many of us fall into the trap of simply ‘making more’. But you need to know what your ‘enough’ looks like, so you know when it’s time to stop spinning your wheels. What does this business need to help you achieve? What kind of lifestyle do you want? How much does that cost? What is your business’ capacity to make that happen and how much time should it take?
• Know where the gaps in your knowledge are. Now you have a clear vision for the end result (even if this changes shape over time).
The next step is to seek out the gaps in your knowledge as you begin reverse engineering your plan for success. Do you really understand what your weekly expenditure looks like? Are you getting the most bang for your buck out of your software and systems? Are there any doubleups happening giving you a false read on the situation?
Know what you need to get you there. Once you’ve identified your destination, and you’ve educated yourself on the current state of play, it’s time to optimise and move forward with purpose. Know the people you need to bring into the fold. Know where your expertise stops and others’ starts. Know the systems you need to implement. And most importantly, know that you’re capable of financial mastery in the context of your own business. Quite often, collaborating with another will make these steps much more achievable. I’ve worked with many business owners across a variety of sectors, so I have a vast pool of knowledge to draw upon in order to help you reduce your unique anxiety. If you’d like to know more,
✦ Port Macquarie Golf Club is the oldest and grandest golf course in
Time travel back more than 100 years and you'd see early golfers play from the foreshores from Munster Street to Oxley Park. The first course architect for the golf course, Mr. J. Scott was commissioned to submit a plan and work began in 1951. After several delays, the official opening took place in February 1968 by president of the New South Wales Golf Association, Mr Les Graham, with the full 18 holes ready for play.
If you are learning to play golf in Port Macquarie, you'll be very privileged to be coached by James Single, a PGA Professional since 2011.
v“I love getting out of the Pro Shop and teaching people to play the game of golf. The thrill I get from teaching when I see a student hit a shot that they thought they weren’t capable of hitting is fantastic.”
1968 ➸
The Port Macquarie Golf Club offers members access to a luxurious 18 hole golf course for either leisurely social play or for competition. They organise tournaments regularly e.g.
Better Homes Pro-Am, Leaderboards, Beverley Park, Morgans Seaside Classic, Vets Open Tournament, Women's Open Day. Members also have access to practice fairway, chipping green and putting green.
The Club has a bar, lounge, gaming area, a restaurant and a large function room. The restaurant caters for a variety of events such as weddings, wakes, birthdays, business meetings and if you want to organise a special golf day, why not! The Clubhouse has also become a cosy area for members to gather and simply relax, with access to watch Sky, Fox Sports and utilise full TAB facilities during trading hours. The Club has a restaurant open for lunch and dinner, as well as the bar with a great variety of drinks for before or after a round of golf!
There are also live music performances at the Clubhouse with singers and musicians such as
Kailey Pallas, Besty or Brody Ireland Music. Check their Facebook page for updates!
To make it easy to get to the Club, there is a free Courtesy Bus service for members on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights.
club over the past century have hosted small aircraft! Yes, the metal birds of the early days actually took off and landed right on this golfing area. They provided the most suitable landing strip in town, especially in an emergency.
Saturday, February 5, 1921, was the day when the first aeroplane in history to fly into Port Macquarie landed on what is Oxley Oval today. The Avro 504K biplane was piloted by a certain Lieutenant Roberts of the Australian Flying Corps (later known as the Royal Australian Air Force).
Here's an interesting fact you may not know about the Port Macquarie Golf Club. Both courses used by the
This story adds an exciting touch to the history of the Club to know that so much has happened over the past century.
Each hole has a sponsor. When you tee off at each hole, take time to read the sign about the sponsor. We will be covering stories on each hole in the next coming months. Watch for them!
If you happen to be playing a round of golf at the Port Macquarie Golf Club, take a moment and put your ear to the soft grass and see if you can hear the land whisper all the stories of the past!
Appreciate the manicured lawns and the care taken to repair divots, pitch marks and the bunkers so that members have a great experience.
✦ Check out Port Adventure Cruises Events Calendar for November and December 2022
Port AdVenture
is gearing up for the holiday season with weddings, private parties, Corporate functions and entertainment cruise venues ready for you.
Take in the beautiful Hastings River – from the glorious sunsets to our tranquil rural landscapes and abundant wildlife. Cruise the wonderful Hastings River with Port AdVenture Cruises anytime of the day or night.
• Includes morning tea / light lunch.
• Licensed bar on board.
The perfect way to end your day or week, with your family, friends or colleagues.
Cruise the beautiful Hastings River, with Port AdVenture Cruises and enjoy an unforgettable sunset. Cruise the canals and watch as the magic of changing colours happens as the sun slowly sets beyond the region’s hinterland.
• Includes afternoon tea / snacks.
• Licensed bar on board.
Oscar Kami Solo
Friday 11th November, 5.30pm
Oscar is a very talented solo artist who has been performing for over 20years.
First with his very popular band The Kamis and then Uptown Funk. Playing anything from gospel, to RnB, funk, rock and everything in between.
Finger food provided. Licensed bar on board. No BYO.
Sunday 20th November, 4.30pm
Shane peters and Christian Clarkson, are famous with their Blues Brothers Rebooted tribute show with Port Adventure Cruises. Their Two Man group, will not be restricted to just Blues Brothers songs, they perform songs from everyone and anyone! Get ready for a fun afternoon of live music with The TWO man group.
The cruise includes:
• 3 hours on the beautiful Hastings River, with the cruise departing at 4.30pm..
• A Live performance from The Two Man Group
• Finger food
The cost:
• Adults $49pp
• Kids 13yrs and under $29 each
• Licensed bar onboard, NO byo.
Tuesday 22nd November 2022 from 12pm
Dave the Dolphin created this day out has which has been embraced by our valued Senior Citizens who are looking for value for money provided in a comfortable and entertaining manner.
You may have heard 2GBs Ray Hadley sing the praises of this cruise or seen it on Channel 7's Sydney Weekender but the only way to know how good it is will be to experience it for yourself with Port AdVenture Cruises
Seniors Big Day Out Cruises include:
• 3 hours cruising Port Macquarie
• Scrumptious buffet Lunch
• Beautiful dessert
• Easy listening music and sing along
• Name that tune
• Team trivia
• Great prizes and lots of fun.
• Private charters can be provided for groups of 40 or more passengers.
Booking Details:
• Cost is only $49 per person.
• Departs at 12noon returning at 3pm
• Departs from Town Wharf, end of Clarence Street
• Individuals and groups are most welcome but bookings are essential!
• Licensed bar on Board. NO byo.
Put on your Dancing shoes. Dust off your retro gear and join Port Macquarie Eats on board Port AdVenture Cruises for a night not to be missed.
The Cruise Includes:
• Playing Retro 90's Music
• A 5 hour cruise
• Enjoy a 3 course dinner
• 90's Trivia and 90's music Bingo
• 90's retro DJ to dance the night away
Friday, 2nd December 6.30pm
Come and join us for this 3-hour night of Fun, music, drags, Brulesque and circus.
This is an 18+ Event.
Monday, 5th December 12pm
Tuesday, 6th December 12pm
Wednesday, 7th December 12pm
Friday, 9th December 12pm
Sunday, 25 December 12pm
25th December Sunset cruise 6-8pm
Celebrate with your work mates or colleagues aboard the Rhythm Boat with Port AdVenture Cruises on a Christmas Party Cruise with a twist. Enjoy 3 ½ hours of cruising, food, beverages and live entertainment that will wow your guests and get them all in the festive mood. The stunning backdrop will add to the great atmosphere and make your event feel extra special. All Christmas party tickets include buffet lunch or dinner and a show.
Book for Saturday, 10th December 12pm
Book for Sunday, 11 th December 10am
Join John ELVIS AND FRIENDS – Blue Hawaii
This cruise we will have you dancing and bopping away to the sounds of Elvis songs made famous by the KING. Whether you like, Rock, Blues or Gospel, this cruise has it all.
John Elvis Collins along with 2 other Elvis including a young Elvis and
Buddy Holly, will have you singing along, toe tapping and on the dance floor from start to finish with their high energy and interactive show.
Come on everybody, it is Now or Never, get into your Blue Suede Shoes get All Shook Up and Don’t Be Lonesome Tonight!
We want everybody who attends both shows to dress in your best Hawaiian attire as prizes will be awarded for the best dressed. Come and join us and bring the whole family.
Party Megamix / 80's vs 90's cruiseFriday 16th December
Come join us and dance the night away with the latests and greatest abroad the Port AdVenture.
There might even be a Karaoke segment with some fantastic prizes and surprises.
Tuesday 20nd December, 2022 from 12pm
Dave the Dolphin created this day out has which has been embraced by our valued Senior Citizens who are looking for value for money provided in a comfortable and entertaining manner.
You may have heard 2GBs Ray Hadley sing the praises of this cruise or seen it on Channel 7's Sydney Weekender but the only way to know how good it is will be to experience it for yourself with Port AdVenture Cruises
include:
• 3 hours cruising Port Macquarie
• Scrumptious buffet Lunch
• Beautiful dessert
• Easy listening music and sing along
• Name that tune
• Team trivia
• Great prizes and lots of fun.
• Private charters can be provided for groups of 40 or more passengers.
Booking Details:
• Cost is only $49 per person.
• 12noon departure and returning at 3pm
• Departs from Town Wharf, end of Clarence Street
• Individuals and groups are most welcome but bookings are essential!
• Licensed bar on Board. NO byo.
Book for Saturday, 31st December 8.30pm
New Years Eve on the Hastings River on board the Port AdVenture
This is the most special night of the year! This is on most people’s ‘bucket list’ to at least do once! Australia celebrates first followed by London, Paris & New York.
Be one of the ‘lucky ones’ on board the Port AdVenture while cruising the Hastings River!
4 Hour Cruise. Nibbles and Finger food throughout the night, Music & Entertainment, and Licensed bar on board.
Be a witness to the fireworks, for the first time in 3 years at both at 9am as well as midnight
This night is truly magnificent!! Enjoy the company of friends on this spectacular night and welcome in the New Year onboard! Tickets sell fast, if you don’t want to miss an experience of a lifetime book now!! Price - $95 per person - Licensed Bar on Board, NO BYO.
✦ Christmas is one of those moments of the year when magic is in the air and you want to capture all the heartwarming episodes during your family time.
Lucy Humphries is offering bespoke photography sessions for families right in the comfort of their home.
This makes for a truly everlasting gift for everyone in the family. You can be decorating your tree or baking cookies. Lucy will be there to capture all the beautiful moments of this special time of the year.
Lucy has a limited number of bespoke sessions this November, so book early to capture beautiful Christmas memories with your family.
She will come to your home to capture all the festive excitement and capture moments to treasure. You
select your date and time and Lucy will also speak with you about some ideas for the session.
Each session lasts 45-60 minutes and can be done indoors or outdoors.
At the end of the session, you will have access to a stunning bespoke gallery of Our Christmas Story featuring a slideshow with your choice of 25 images available as digital downloads.
When you book a session with Lucy, quote BRILLIANT for a $50 discount.
✦ Experience a whole new sense of gravity, bounce from room to room and discover a variety of fun games in the biggest suspended network of interconnected netted spaces.
The fun includes giant bouncy netted rooms, tree houses, inflatable horses, suspension bridges, ball pits, slides, pods, giant inflatables and many other exciting features for all ages and abilities.
From 1-year-old to the young at heart, everyone can find their inner child while jumping, racing, playing and connecting with their loved ones. At WildNets visitors can enjoy 2 hours of fun up in the treetops in the Guulabaa Precinct in Cowarra State Forest, just off the M1 at Port Macquarie.
“We’re proud to be part of a community-wide initiative to celebrate our natural surroundings and the Biripi land where WildNets Adventure Park sits.”
~ WildNets
The nature based attraction has something for everyone. It has been designed to include Port Macquarie Koala Hospitals koala wild breeding centre, the first of its kind in the world, a Bunyah Local Aboriginal Lands Council cafe and gallery, outdoor picnic areas and forest walking tracks.
The Big Koala, part of the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail and beautiful local hardwood timber displays are standout features of the park.
Have fun whilst supporting the environment, 50% of all profits go to the new Wild Koala Breeding Program.
You can find WildNets Adventure Park at Guulabaa (Place of Koala) in the Cowarra State Forest between Port Macquarie and Wauchope on the Mid North Coast, NSW. Choose your thrillseeking level. No equipment needed and all abilities are welcome. Just bring your sense of adventure. WildNets will take care of the rest.
✦ The market leader in power and IoT systems is helping startups drive towards a sustainable future.
Infineon Technologies announced at OktoberTech Asia Pacific collaborations with Vietnam smart electric car maker VinFast and LG Group’s research and development hub LG Sciencepark to drive Asia’s innovation ecosystem.
“As a market leader in power and IoT systems, Infineon aims to innovate with our key partners to continue making life easier, safer and greener,” said CS Chua, President and Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific
At the core of Infineon's partnerships are semiconductors that enable efficient energy management, smart mobility, and secure and seamless communications in a connected world. The communities of creators, manufacturers and startups will leverage Infineon’s hardware solutions including sensors, microcontrollers, actuators, and secured connectivity to create new solutions or to power emerging technologies that address today’s biggest challenges.
VinFast and Infineon will establish a joint application center in Hanoi in the first quarter of 2023. The VinFast Infineon Competence Center will accelerate the co-development of future solutions for smart mobility such as the next-generation electric drive train for electric vehicle platforms.
LG Sciencepark and Infineon will identify and support promising startups who are looking to commercialize or scale their solutions in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Both parties will support startups with access to business partners, office space (in the Infineon CoInnovation Space in Singapore or the Superstart Lab in LG Sciencepark located in South Korea), mentorship, technical support, and assistance in expanding their existing markets.
In Singapore, a startup from South Korea, Deep-In-Sight, and five local startups, Datakrew, Extend My Runway, Flow Tech, Tack One and WeavAir, have been confirmed at Infineon’s Co-Innovation Space. More than just a workspace, this is
a year-long commitment backed by technologies, expertise, and guidance from Infineon in Singapore and around the world to help startups fast-track their product development for commercialisation.
OktoberTech is Infineon’s global event format, aimed at demonstrating how future technology can drive decarbonisation and digitalisation. Hosted in areas with vibrant innovation ecosystems, OktoberTech brings together startups, business leaders and experts. At OktoberTech Asia Pacific 2022 held on 13 October, the theme was "Driving Decarbonisation & Digitalisation. Together".
"Decarbonisation is a megatrend which the semiconductor industry must ride on through bold ambition, greater innovation, and cross-sectoral partnership to thrive in a low carbon future." - Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore
vInfineon Technologies AG is a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon are the key to a better future. With around 50,280 employees worldwide, Infineon generated revenue of about €11.1 billion in the 2021 fiscal year (ending 30 September) and is one of the ten largest semiconductor companies worldwide.
✦ What is the REE market really about?
Brett Hazelden, Managing Director and CEO of OD6 Metals Limited (ASX: OD6) brings clarity to the Rare Earth Elements story.
The Rare Earth Elements Story is a bit of a mystery. It's a sector that has been quietly sitting in a corner for more than a decade, ignored and gathering dust. Most investors were not too keen on this sector, and not excited about companies that were doing anything there.
However, we are starting to see some movement, and a rise in Rare Earth companies. Investors are getting their interests piqued, and wanting to know more. Now we have their attention, we need to ensure clarity and knowledge about what the REE market is all about, so investors can make well-informed decisions.
Yes, we may have results in announcements but numbers do not mean very much if we don't understand fully what is going on. Many are actually unclear about this sector and those who love to Do Your Own Research will get a lot of takeaways from this conversation with Brett Hazelden, Managing Director and CEO of OD6 Metals Limited.
Mr. Hazelden delivers a very clear lesson about Rare Earth Elements and helps to unravel the mystery behind it all. He covers quite an extensive aspect of this topic,
so this is one conversation worth relistening to fully understand REE.
Some factors we need to also have in the background is the geopolitical instability that's happening now. It has actually created what could be a lucrative business for Australia, should it create a more value added sector. This is going to boost the coming bull market.
A clean energy world needs more minerals, that we cannot deny. What can we learn today about where Rare Earth Elements stand in our current situation?
OD6 Metals is an Australian public company with a purpose to pursue exploration and development opportunities within the resources sector. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Splinter Rock Project and Grass Patch Project which are
located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, about 30 to 150km north of the major port and town of Esperance.
The projects are considered prospective for clay rare earth elements (REEs), with the Company’s aim of delineating and defining economic resources and reserves to develop into a future revenue generating operational mine. Clay REE deposits are currently economically extracted in China who is the dominant world producer.
Rare earth elements (in particular, Nd and Pr), are becoming increasingly important in the global economy, with uses including advanced electronics, permanent magnets in electric motors and electricity generators (such as wind turbines) and consumer electronics.
• Emerging REE major new clay province in WA, potentially
competitive with China’s deposits.
• Dominant land position with over 4,800 km2
• Located close to Esperance port, sealed roads and renewable energy infrastructure.
• Extensive Clay REE in 10 to 37m thick blanket over very large areas .
• Wide intersections of TREO with excellent Nd-Pr concentrations of 20%
• Multiple targets for potentially globally significant REE resources.
• Excellent regional metallurgy.
• Clay REE’S are typically low capital intensity and high margin product.
• Significant supply shortage forecast due to rapid demand increase for renewable power, electric vehicles and electronics.
• Critical metals being prioritised by Governments around the world (need for diversity of supply away from China).
Contact: OD6 Metals Limited (ASX:OD6)
+61 8 6189 8515 www.od6metals.com.au/
Level 1, 50 Kings Park Road, West Perth, Western Australia 6005 Od6Metals
✦ William Potma, Chief Geologist and Crispin Pike, VP, Discovery of Matador Mining Limited (ASX: MZZ) discuss their new strategy.
Matador Mining is making a calculated move to focus on exploration. The hunt is on for the "Holy Grail".
Mr. Potma and Mr. Pike dive into the technicalities of the Cape Ray Project and shares about what's working right there and how management is looking to manage the concept of discovery. There is a lot to take note of as they take us through the How, the Why, the Where and the With What.
The size of the project may be challenging to conceptualize for the average investor. Yes, the magnitude of 120km of strike length is big, but that's not the main point. It's the location of the secondary and tertiary structural points that will make discoveries.
Those of you who love the more technical aspects of an exploration story, this one's for you. The Matador story will have you hooked for more as they progress in their Mega Gold Exploration Project.
Matador Mining is making a calculated move to focus on exploration. The hunt is on for the "Holy Grail".
Mr. Potma and Mr. Pike dive into the technicalities of the Cape Ray Project and shares about what's working right there and how management is looking to manage the concept of discovery. There is a lot to take note of as they take us through the How, the Why, the Where and the With What.
The size of the project may be challenging to conceptualize for the average investor. Yes, the magnitude of 120km of strike length is big, but that's not the main point. It's the location of the secondary and tertiary structural points that will make discoveries.
Those of you who love the more technical aspects of an exploration story, this one's for you. The Matador story will have you hooked for more as they progress in their Mega Gold Exploration Project.
Matador Mining Limited is an exploration company that is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). The company has its main project in the south-western area of Newfoundland, Canada. The Project is about 25 km northeast of the coastal town of Port aux Basques and is located on the Cape Ray shear, one of the most prospective, yet under-explored gold regions in North America. The Company is the largest holder of ground along the Cape Ray shear, with approximately 120 km of continuous strike along the shear. The Company’s tenement boundary is located approximately 50 km along strike from Marathon Gold’s (MOZ. TSX) 4.2Moz Valentine Lake Gold Project.
The Cape Ray Gold Project (Cape Ray or the Project) covers approximately 120km of strike along the highly prospective, yet under explored Cape Ray Shear located in Newfoundland, Canada. The Project hosts a current resource of 837,000oz Au at 2g/t Au, across four deposits, all of which are within 15km of strike.
A 2020 Scoping Study (ASX announcement 6 May 2020) highlighted that Cape Ray has the makings of an excellent gold project, with low estimated All In Sustaining Operating costs (US$776/oz Au), strong IRR (51% post Tax) and rapid payback (1.75 year).
These strong outputs were driven by the Project’s high grade, yet shallow gold mineralisation, (average head grade of 2.6g/t au during the first four years of production – 88,000oz Au per annum) that ranks the Project as one of the highest grade, undeveloped open pit projects globally.
However, prior to commencing a Pre-Feasibility Study, the Company identified the requirement to grow the Resource further to ensure the initial 7 years mine life assumed in the Scoping Study is increased. To achieve this, the Company believes a blend of expansion drilling around known deposits as well greenfield exploration to test the vast, yet under explored Project area as the optimal strategy. The Company therefore outlined the most expansive exploration program for the 2021/22 season.
Contact: Matador Mining Limited (ASX:MZZ)
+61 8 6117 0478 https://matadormining.com.au info@matadormining.com.au
✦ Barry Cahill, Executive Director of Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) shares updates about the company's activities and their progress with the Nifty Copper Mine.
In the previous article, Cahill, Executive Director of Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) laid out the theme for the Nifty Copper Project, the release of the Restart Study and how the business will take shape.
Today, Noel Ong, CEO of Samso returns with Barry Cahill and this time we learn why Cyprium is the leader of the pack in terms of Copper producers.
There is a large gap between the large producers such as BHP (ASX: BHP) and the recently bought Oz Minerals. What is missing is the mid cap producers. An example of this would be Austral Resources Limited but that has fallen a bit off the radar since.
Needless to say, becoming the next producer is not easy.
There are two types of copper miners - you have the producer who goes to Copper sheet (Cyprium Method) and the tradition refinery route. As for Cyprium, there are many reasons why they stand out, as Mr. Cahill explains in his conversation.
The Cyprium Nifty project is a brownfield refurbishment project with extensive assets already in place, so it has a lot of benefits in reducing cost and carbon emissions.
Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM) is an ASX listed company with copper projects in Australia. The Company has a highly credentialed management team that is experienced in successfully developing sulphide heap leach copper projects in challenging locations. The Company’s strategy is to acquire, develop and operate
mineral resource projects in Australia which are optimised by innovative processing solutions to produce copper metal on-site to maximise value.
The Company has projects in the Murchison and Paterson regions of Western Australia that is host to a number of base metals deposits with copper and gold mineralisation.
This portfolio of copper projects comprises the Nifty Copper Mine, Maroochydore Copper Project and Paterson Exploration Project.
The Nifty Copper Mine (“Nifty”) is located on the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert in the north-eastern Pilbara region of Western Australia, approximately 330km southeast of Port Hedland. Nifty contains a 2012 JORC Mineral Resource of 732,200 tonnes of contained copper (i). Cyprium is focussed on a heap leach SX-EW operation to retreat the current heap leach pads as well as open pit oxide
and transitional material. Studies will investigate the potential restart of the copper concentrator to treat open pit sulphide material.
The Maroochydore deposit is located ~85km southeast of Nifty and includes a shallow 2012 JORC Mineral Resource of 486,000 tonnes of contained copper (ii). Aeris Resources Limited (ASX: AIS, formerly Straits Resources Limited) holds certain rights to “buy back up to 50%” into any proposed mine development in respect of the Maroochydore Project, subject to a payment of 3 times the exploration expenditure contribution that would have been required to maintain its interest in the project.
An exploration earn-in joint venture has been entered into with IGO Limited on ~2,400km2 of the Paterson Exploration Project. Under the agreement, IGO is to sole fund $32 million of exploration activities over 6.5 years to earn a 70% interest in the Paterson Exploration Project, including a minimum expenditure of $11 million over the first 3.5 years. Upon earning a 70% interest, the
Joint Venture will form and IGO will free-carry Paterson Copper to the completion of a pre-feasibility study (PFS) on a new mineral discovery.
Cyprium has an 80% attributable interest in a joint venture with Musgrave Minerals Limited (ASX: MGV) at the Cue Copper-Gold Project, which is located ~20km to the east of Cue in Western Australia. Cyprium will free-carry the Cue Copper Project to the completion of a definitive feasibility study (DFS). The Cue Copper-Gold Project includes the Hollandaire Copper-Gold Mineral
Resources of 51,500 tonnes contained copper (iii), which is open at depth. Metallurgical test-work has been undertaken to determine the optimal copper extraction methodology, which resulted in rapid leaching times (refer to 9 March 2020 CYM announcement, “Copper Metal Plated”, https://cypriummetals.com/ copper-metal-plated/).
The Nanadie Well Project is located ~650km northeast of Perth and ~75km southeast of Meekatharra in the Murchison District of Western Australia, within mining lease M51/887. The Cue and Nanadie Well Copper-Gold projects are included in an ongoing scoping study, to
determine the parameters required to develop a copper project in the region, which provides direction for resource expansion work.
(i) Refer to CYM ASX announcement dated 17 November 2021 “Updated Nifty Copper Mineral Resource Estimate”
(ii) Refer to MLX ASX announcements: 10 March 2020, “Nifty Copper Mine Resource Update” and 18 August 2016, “Annual Update of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves”
(iii) Refer to CYM ASX announcement: 29 September 2020, “Hollandaire Copper-gold Mineral Resource Estimate”
✦ He is a legendary journalist in the Australian Minerals Industry. Ross Louthean has much wisdom to share.
Investors and those in the market will know the name Ross Louthean. He is a journalist who has been active in this industry since the 1970s. Anything that has happened in the ASX has not escaped his eye - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Mr. Louthean talks about his experiences over the years and looks at how the industry has changed since the early days of "punting" the stocks. The industry and the way companies work and how investors engage have gone through changes.
✦ November celebrates lots of different things: Movember and men’s health, perinatal mental health wellbeing, as well as World Kindness day. In this article, we bring them together to talk about perinatal mental health for dads.
So often when we hear about postnatal depression, it’s usually about the mum’s. How they are going, and what’s happening for them. But did you know that dads can also have postnatal depression? Yes, that’s right.
vUp to one in ten men can experience depression, either during their partner's pregnancy through to one year after the birth.
Up to one in six men can feel heightened anxiety during pregnancy, and this can continue into the postnatal period also. And half of fathers are not aware that men can also experience this anxiety and depression – it’s not just the mums.
Many fathers live with unrecognised stress, anxiety or depression. For dads with an existing diagnosis of anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses, these can be exacerbated by the pressures of parenting.
There are expectations on fathers to provide support to the mothers both during pregnancy and after the baby is born. And this expectation is increased when mothers have postnatal depression. When dads also have perinatal anxiety or depression, it can be hard for them to provide this support, which can then lead to relationship stress and potential breakdown.
Research has shown that dads with
perinatal anxiety or depression can react to this stress by resorting to physical parenting disciplinary methods or spend less time doing activities with their infants or children. This in turn can affect the infant’s long-term emotional growth and wellbeing. As a result, dads can feel they are alienated, from both partners and their children, and not be the fathers they imagined they would be.
The list below is some of the things fathers might feel if they have anxiety or depression. If you experience any of these things, talk to your doctor or seek help.
• Feeling constantly tired
• Sleep difficulties (trouble going to sleep or waking in the night)
• Changes to your eating (not eating or eating too much)
• Not being interested in things you usually take pleasure in
• Feeling emotionally isolated from your partner, baby and family or friends
• Worrying about something happening to your baby or partner
• Being less interested in intimacy or sex
• Feelings of self-harm or suicide
• Firstly, be aware that dads can have perinatal/postnatal depression and anxiety too.
• Talk to your GP or another professional if you are worried. This will help you feel supported and your GP/Professional will help you find the best support for you.
• Tell you partner about your feelings – both of you are the team leaders for your family and its’ wellbeing.
• Find support for yourself from other dads who have been through it – some areas have specialised father support workers. Your local Community Health Centres and community organisations are the best place to find out about these.
Get help or support from online organisations:
o COPE
o PANDA
o Beyond Blue
o Parenting Resource centre
o Raising children
Being a parent isn’t easy – but having support to help us means that we can be the best version of our parent-selves!
If you are a parent with a disability, and would like to tell your story, please contact us at admin@disabilitymaternitycare.com
If you would like to find out more about parenting with a disability, navigating the maternity system, or increasing increasing your skills and knowledge to provide inclusive care, visit us at www.disabilitymaternitycare.com
✦ November marks World Vegan Day and even though the designated date of November 1 may have passed already by the time this month’s edition of Brilliant Online goes live, we thought it would be interesting to take a deeper dive into the world of Veganism, to quash misconceptions and stigmas, provide insight and context and, ultimately, raise awareness.
Whereas veganism has become much more assimilated into our wider everyday lives, there is still much that is unknown or unclear about a vegan lifestyle, more so the motivations and principles behind it. There is also frequent confusion regarding the difference between veganism and vegetarianism, something we shed a light on here.
Vegan diets have soared in popularity over recent years as we become more conscious of our well-being, health and the welfare of animals and the environment. A Sentient Media report states that, according to the Good Food Institute, the sales of plantbased foods grew three times faster than overall food sales in 2021. It also states that the Guardian estimates there are currently 79 million vegans around the world, a figure that continues its rapid ascent each year and that the worldwide vegan food market grew from US$14.44 billion in 2020 to $15.77 billion in 2021.
Quite simply, veganism is considered a lifestyle that has its principles deeply rooted in compassion and animal rights that is far more reaching than just diet choices, encompassing morality, ethics, health, religion and culture. The Vegan Society defines veganism as thus: “Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude - as far as is possible and practicable - all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the
benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”
In addition to the above explanation, many vegans will also boycott companies that test their products on animals, particularly pharmaceutical or cosmetic manufacturers, ensuring they only purchase goods that are free of animal by-products. Furthermore there is a fraction of the vegan community known as “ethical vegans” who boycott any activities that use and exploit animals for entertainment values, such as zoos, aquariums, circuses, horse and dog races, etc. There are also a significant number of environmentalists who adopt a vegan diet for its reduced impact on the earth’s resources and the positives it has in relation to minimising climate change.
Although some estimates suggest vegetarian diets have been around since as early as 700 B.C., it is harder to pinpoint exactly when veganism became a defined term. Probably the closest we can get is the pioneering work of Leslie Cross, the UK-based Vice-President of the very first Vegan Society. In 1949 Cross described the “principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man” as the mission statement behind his charity organisation, later expanding this so as “to seek an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man.”
A vegan diet is plant-based, incorporating a wide variety of vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits, in addition to foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products, eggs, fish or honey.
However, despite the rise in popularity, veganism has its fair share of detractors who are quick to mock or attempt to undermine the movement. The first argument that critics of veganism will raise is that
Veganism and vegetarianism both have profound health and environmental benefits
one cannot compromise their diet by surviving on plants alone, that meat protein is invaluable, and so forth. Quite simply, this is an argument that is both inaccurate and usually formed by sheer ignorance!
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the facts. Plant-based foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, full of fibre, free of cholesterol and low in calories and saturated fat that provide all the protein, calcium and other essential nutrients that our bodies require. As The Vegan Society says, “A vegan diet is richly diverse and comprises all kinds of fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, beans and pulses - all of which can be prepared in endless combinations that will ensure you're never bored. From curry to cake, pasties to pizzas, all your favourite things can be suitable for a vegan diet if they're
made with plant-based ingredients.” They have a seemingly endless list of yummy recipes that you can access here.
OK, so what is the difference between veganism and vegetarianism? People often get confused but, put simply, whereas both have profound health and environmental benefits, veganism is a far more strict philosophy. According to the Vegetarian Society, “a vegetarian is someone who lives on a diet of plant-based foods and doesn’t eat meat, poultry, and seafood, but their diets may or may not include animal byproducts that do not involve animal slaughter, such as eggs, dairy, and honey.”
There are, essentially, three major definitions of a vegetarian:
1. Lacto-Ovo – the most common form of vegetarianism where plant foods and animal products like dairy, eggs and honey are consumed as part of the diet but meat, poultry and seafood are not.
2. Lacto – consuming a plant-based diet but excluding meat, poultry and seafood as well as eggs or any food containing eggs. However, they may incorporate dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter into their diets.
3. Ovo - eats plant-based foods but excludes meat, poultry and seafood in addition to dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Often will, however, consume eggs and any food containing them.
When it comes to the vegan versus vegetarian debate, there is a holistic viewpoint that highlights the misconception that vegetarianism positively helps animals when it actually doesn’t - it discriminates. Some of the worst forms of exploitation exist in the egg and dairy industries, for example, something that is frequently lost on vegetarians.
Further arguments state that veganism is a moral obligation whereby proponents try to avoid practices that cause harm to sentient beings of other species. Some argue that a sentientbased scale should be adhered to where the suffering induced on products we consume is graded in line with moral obligation. In his book ‘Why Veganism Matters’, author Gary L. Francione states,
“if we agree that animals have moral value and we cannot justify treating animals exclusively as resources, we must accord to them the one right - the right not to be property - that we accord to all humans as providing the minimum protection necessary to have moral value. We must stop using nonhuman animals as resources.”
One person driving the debate on the merits of veganism over vegetarianism is Ed Winters, a vegan educator, best-selling author, public speaker and content creator, widely known for his viral debates, speeches, and video essays. Check out this debate he has with a vegetarian on YouTube which offers an educated and highly-engaging insight, typical of his wider work.
The case arguing the merits of veganism over other life choices is a fascinating one that can be analysed and studied for endless hours. There is certainly much more to the argument than many who are quick to dismiss it originally perceive or understand. Ultimately, like most things, it boils down to education and personal choice. However, in a world where suffering is rife and widespread, maybe we should all look at our role, responsibilities and options and ask whether we can consciously make a positive impact and whether that is a good choice. As we hope and strive to move into an increasingly morally conscious and responsible world the answer is obvious and, whereas it may only be a small step, great things start from small beginnings.
Veganism is a moral obligation whereby proponents try to avoid practices that cause harm to sentient beings of other species
The benefits and importance of getting enough sleep cannot be understated, both duration and quality wise. Many of us lead stressful, hectic lifestyles which can take its toll on our well-being. Demands at work, at home and in our personal lives can leave us feeling mentally and physically exhausted at the end of each day.
It is therefore imperative that we give our bodies the requisite rest required in order for us to function efficiently and, most importantly, healthily – getting a good night’s sleep is as crucial to our well-being as a balanced, nutrious diet and a
regular exercise regime. Conversely, sleep deprivation can cause a range of serious health risks including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke.
The amount of recommended sleep we require differs, of course, based on age and a myriad of factors, although the National Sleep Foundation guidelines stipulate between 7-9 hours a night for adults over the age of 18. In Australia, whereas over 50% of adults claim they get the recommended amount per night, there are still over 30% that don’t, a study by YouGov found. Worryingly, 2% of those polled stated
they get less than 2 hours a night. So why is it so important that medical experts recommend we spend roughly a third of each day asleep?
First and foremost, getting the right amount of sleep per night helps our learning and memory functions, boosting our focus and concentration levels to enable us to be more alert and therefore more efficient in our day-to-day lives. Our whirring brains are constantly on the go, processing a deluge of thoughts and information in a continual blur. Of course, the brain still operates while we are asleep but ‘switching off’ allows it sufficient time to rest and re-group, ready for
✦ In these tumultuous times of difference and division there’s one thing it’s safe to say we can all agree on – there’s nothing quite like a good sleep!
the day ahead. We can then make better decisions and solve problems in a more coherent manner, be it at home, work or elsewhere. Similarly, sufficient sleep helps promote a more up-beat mood which will improve our relations and interactions with others. We all know what it’s like when we haven’t had enough sleep as we crawl in a zombie like state through the day in a cranky mood where the slightest thing can set us off and lead to emotional outbursts. Widespread studies have shown that a chronic lack of sleep is more likely to develop depression and increase the odds of anxiety or panic disorders. While we are sleeping our brain has chance to process, recognise and react to our emotions. We all agree that a good mood trumps a bad mood hands down and a good old slumber can help ensure this.
Whereas it has always been accepted as fact that a nutrious and balanced diet and robust exercise regime are the cornerstone of maintaining a healthy weight, sleep also plays a key part. A 2020 analysis published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that adults who slept fewer than 7 hours per night had a whopping 41% increased risk of developing obesity. Put simply, when you’re well rested you’re less hungry. The hormones in our brain that control our appetite are known as leptin (which makes us feel full) and ghrelin (which makes us feel hungry). When we suffer insufficent sleep, ghrelin levels increase and leptin decreases. It doesn’t take a neuro-surgeon to figure out the consequences of that!
Similarly, for those amongst us of an athletic persuasion, sleep is imperative in assissting with muscle repair and boosting energy levels to ensure we can perform at our optimal best. Lack of sleep, and thus an absence of energy, will often leave us feeling demotivated and unlikely to hit the gym or pursue whichever exercise we prefer. Likewise, it can also contribute to injury as our muscles haven’t had sufficient time or opportunity to repair and regenerate. Just as an unhealthy diet undermines any potential benefits of exercise, so does a alck of sleep and as such it should be considered as an equally important pillar in any fitness regime.
✦ What’s your favourite time of the year on the Farm, and why? Bec and Pete Armstrong from Grazed & Grown tell us why NOW is the time to visit the farm.
Every season has its own attractions, but Springtime is the most exciting time with the pastures and wildlife basically springing into action. The warmer weather has been a bit late this year, so we are only now seeing the best of Spring.
The pastures are glowing with fresh lush vegetation and the sounds of energetic wildlife echoing through the fields. There is wildlife a plenty, the snakes have woken to enjoy the plethora of insects, frogs, and small animals. Birds are singing and there are plenty of young birds with their training wings on. The longer days help us catch up on the ‘to do’ list.
Boasting views over Bago Bluff and out to the ocean and of the rolling mountain ranges to the west the farm is picturesque, Pete says. “ Comboyne is the best when the thick fog rolls in and you can’t see past your nose. We have had some cracking days to break up the ongoing rain, which is a challenge for farmers and livestock alike.”
Feeding, watering and moving the animal’s everyday is very time consuming, especially when almost 80 new piglets and a few Dorper lambs arrived this Spring.
“Apart from the usual moving, feeding, watering, head scratching and belly rubbing, now I have to find time to watch them play chasings and listen to the symphony as the sows feed the piglets. We sneak up sometimes to witness the piglets stacked up at nap time, which puts a huge smile on your face.”Pete told us.
Bec and Pete have been working with their butcher Lewie from Lewie’s Quality Meats, to come up with some new cuts, and try to meet the demand for their legendary bacon and sausages. They have added some variety to their beef mince with 3 new options, each including 5% organ meat to the grass fed and finished beef.
vThe organ meats (heart, kidney and liver) are the most nutrient dense parts of the animals and each organ offers different health boosting benefits. The addition of 5% organ meat means customers are introduced to organ meats in a non confronting way, gaining health benefits and experiencing nose to tail eating.
Pete and Bec have been madly gearing up for the festive season. December through January is a busy time for everyone with lots of celebrations and the warmer weather shifts eating patterns from the warming winter foods to bbq’s and salads. Grazed & Grown has you covered for your Christmas and New Year feasts.
The Festive Season is all about catching up with friends and family, sports club celebrations and work parties. All of these occasions focus around food, and quality matters at these events.
This is the perfect time for people to reflect upon where your food is coming from. How far has it travelled, how was it produced and what are the environmental implications?
One solution is to buy local from a farmer you know and trust. There are so many of them on your doorstep, producing some of the best food on the planet.
“As a family, we really get into the Christmas spirit, with a big tree, loads of decorations, cheesy movies and an excessive amount of cooking and eating.
With the completion of our commercial kitchen, we will soon be adding plenty of new items to our line up. Produce is available direct from the Farm Gate Shop 11am – 2pm Saturdays and Sundays, or through our online store. Orders can be home delivered to most local areas, or picked up from one of our supportive local businesses.” said Bec.
The offerings have something for everyone, with various sizes of signature hams, boneless pork roasts, extra large, slow grown pastured roasting chickens and whole smoked chickens. Stocks are limited so don’t wait or you will miss out.
If you haven’t tried their hams yet, they will be the highlight of your Christmas dinner. The heritage breed Old English Black pigs are prized around the world as their rich flavoured meat is perfectly suited to smoking and curing. But, be quick and place your order today.
TG's Child Care has been implementing indigenous programs in all of their centres as a way to boost their sustainability values. It also helps children to build eco and social intelligence. Children learn to respect and care for their environment and all the living
things that inhabit it.
Perhaps we may not know that cooking in indigenous cultures also has a lot of wisdom in it. There is a lot of importance placed on sharing one's table, and food is a way to break down boundaries between people. And of course, it is completely sustainable in that the ingredients come straight from the land around the people. Nothing had to be put on a plane to be delivered. Australia is rich in beautiful, amazing flavours and indigenous cooking brings justice back to enjoying what we already have on our doorstep.
Wattle seeds are edible seeds from the Australian Acacia and it was traditionally used as food by the Aboriginal Australians. It has a high nutritional content and is suitable for use in diabetic foods.
For those who may not be familiar with Australian terms, damper is also known as bush bread or seedcake. It's bread made by Australian Aborigines. It´s typically made by crushing native seeds into a dough and then baking them in hot coals.
✦ Cooking with Bush Foods is fun and easy with TG's Child Care!
Cooking is a fun activity to do with children at home, and all the 'messing about' is what makes it so enjoyable. Mix in some laughter and you've got a recipe for a great afternoon!Wattle seeds in pod Photo: Atlas Obscura ➸
Ingredients:
• 3 cups of self raising flour
• A pinch of salt
• 1 tbspn of wattle seeds
• 1/2 cup of water (or more)
Note: Remember to pre-heat your oven to 180degC.
Method:
1. Add the self raising flour and wattle seeds and salt to a large bowl.
2. Next, add a bit of water, mix and gradually add more water until you get a dough consistency.
3. Sprinkle some flour on a board and place the dough on the board.
4. Knead well.
5. Place onto a tray and put it in the oven.
6. Note that the size of your damper and cooking time will vary depending on the size. If you are not sure, just tap it and if it sounds hollow, it is ready!
7. Let cool and serve with butter and jam.
And there you have a healthy breakfast or afternoon tea time treat!
This may astonish you, but the largest and oldest annual Laksa Festival takes place right here in Australia, in Darwin! This year, the Darwin International Laksa Festival will be held from 31 October to 27 November 2022. Don't miss out on it!
Method:
1. Boil spaghetti or noodles of your choice in water until cooked. Rinse with cold water. Strain dry and toss with cooking oil. Or soften noodles of your choice in hot water and strain.
2. Mix all Ingredients (A) well in a wok/pot. Cook until oil rises and fragrant.
3. Add Ingredients (B). Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add Ingredient (C), fish balls and fish cake. Bring to a boil.
5. Put the noodles into a bowl, top with garnishing and pour the gravy over.
6. Add a dollop of cooked Sambal Tumis - heaven!
Enjoy your Laksa treat! See you at the Darwin International Laksa Festival!
✦ We´ve heard of chess boards, surf boards, ironing boards and cheese boards. But butter boards? You read it right, butter boards!
The human imagination is incredibly fertile and we just love all the creative ideas people come up with. There is a viral food trend making waves on Instagram and Tik Tok, and it's all about #ButterBoards!
To create your own basic butter board, all you need is:
1. a board
2. softened butter
3. chunks of yummy, toasted bread
4. anything that your gastronomical imagination can think of!
You can use good ol' plain butter or you can spice it up with flavours such as bacon or lemon or even something fruity like apple. You can use your favourite type of bread, or play around with the flavours and create an interesting blend of tastes.
So before you start to tut-tut the idea
as 'boring', take a tour on Instagram and Tik Tok and you'll see why everyone is crazy about it. Check out #butterboards and you'd find yourself hypnotically swiping through the images!
Yes, we love our butter and good quality bread but it's also all about the aesthetics and presentation. You can totally personalise your butter board and create your own unique recipe by ornamenting the butter board with a variety of ingredients. These can be sweet or savoury, so dribble honey, decorate with pretty edible flowers, add slices of cheese, sprinkle nuts or cuts of meat. Anything goes!
So what are some ways to make your butter board look Instagram-worthy and not look like a pile of leftovers?
The butter should be softened but not melted. You want the butter to be solid enough to stay on the board but soft enough to be easily spread on the bread. Think of the artists who do oil painting and have a little spatula they use to smear the oil paint on the canvas. The fun thing about butter boards is really its incredibly artistic, creative aspect. Your board is your canvas, and the butter is your first layer of paint. You can smear it, spread it and mould it to create little waves, swirls and peaks. This trend will really attract those who are chefs and artists at heart.
Next, the bread. You want to use crusty bread, not the soft sandwich type. The practical reason being it's just easier to hold the bread and spread on the butter, and the crusty texture plays off well with the soft butter. Bread lovers will be wild about this idea.
Textures are important, and you can add salt or grains to create interesting or surprising textures within the butter. The rest of the ornamental ingredients are also important to help create textures. You can throw in nuts for some crunch, edible flowers give it a softness and perhaps some cheese cubes for a bit of chewiness?
So now you have your butter board all done up and beautifully presented, how do you eat it?
If you're with a group of friends who would much rather keep everything as hygienic as possible, then it's best to provide each one with a little butter knife so they can scoop up the butter and spread it on their pieces of bread. Or, you can simply use your bread to scoop up the butter directly! That's why you need to use toasted, chunky bread. The soft sandwich bread would just look too sad and limp on a butter board!
Butter boards make for a great appetiser. They are quick and easy to prepare and let's face it, we like pretty things, and butter boards are really gorgeous! What an impressive way to start a meal when you have guests over for dinner!
Butter lovers will be over the moon with butter boards, and there may also be some who are concerned about having that much butter at one go. Butter boards, like other food boards, are not meant for one person. It's a communal dish to be shared, so you won't pile on the calories unless you hog the entire board to yourself!
As November is Vegan Month, butter boards are a great way to go vegan! The Vegan Society is the world's oldest vegan charity. They started in November 1944 and their founding members were the ones to first coin the word 'vegan'. Now we have November as World Vegan Month and it is celebrated around the world as a time to increase awareness of the vegan movement and encourage people to go vegan. Learn more about going vegan in Australia here.
To make your vegan butter board, you can get vegan butter instead of the normal one. There are so many options when it comes to fruits and vegetables that you can use to jazz up your vegan butter board.
vReading all this must be working up quite an appetite for you right now. We are certainly hungry just thinking about butter boards! So are you convinced enough about butter boards to take it on board? Unleash your creativity, create your own butter board, and share your ideas with us!
✦ The National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum was unveiled on the 23rd October 2022 in Pyrmont.
The National Monument to Migration honours the thousands of migrants who have come from all over the world to call Australia home. Every single name inscribed on the wall carries its own unique story, as well as a common one of hope and a celebration of a new life, of taking root and thriving in spite of challenges.
The monument faces Darling Harbour and Pyrmont Bay, a symbolic site as it was right here where some migrants first arrived.
"The story of migration to Australian shores is a foundational one in our maritime history. The National Monument to Migration honours the many people whose stories and contributions have shaped our nation. It is both a recognition and celebration of this wonderful diverse nation.
"The experiences of the people whose names are inscribed on the Monument celebrate our commonality - love of family, community and striving for a better life. Some of their stories tell of loss and sadness, some of triumph - but, ultimately, all are about hope." - Daryl Karp, Museum Director
vAt the recent unveiling of the National Monument to Migration, 876 new names have been added. Every year, more names appear on the bronze-panelled wall, and it is a growing testament to the richness of Australia's immigrant culture and history. The wall currently features more than 31,000 names from over 200 countries, out of which 114 are Malaysians and 40 are Singaporeans.
When you think about the difficulties, heartbreak and sacrifices every single name on that wall has experienced, it really is very moving. It makes you pause and wonder what the stories behind each of these names are.
There were guest speakers at the unveiling and their names were among those newly-added to the
Monument. They were Nick Lewocki, of Polish heritage, Eugenia Mirakas from Greece, Richard J. Arculus from the UK of Indian heritage and whose wife came from Jordan, and Stephen Nguyen, whose parents travelled in extreme circumstances from Vietnam. Every one of them shared their migration stories at the event.
If you have immigrants among your circle of friends, or whose families were immigrants, why not get curious about their stories and experiences? And if there is someone you wish to honour, the Museum is now accepting names for the next panel on the Monument. The next closing date is 22 December, 2022.
The Australian Malaysian Singaporean Association Inc (AMSA) celebrates 185 Years of Migration History and invited their members and guests for an information session on 26th October to help them understand how they can participate in the National Monument to Migration.
Tina Koutsogiannis, Partnership Manager at the Australian National Maritime Museum walked through how one can register to add a name to the Monument.
As an acknowledgement of your tax-deductible gift of $500, your name, or the name of a family member, relative, co-worker or friend will be etched in bronze onto the museum's Australia’s National Monument to Migration in recognition of their journey across the seas to make Australia their new home.
The $500 donation goes to the Migration Heritage Fund. It is part of the Museum's ongoing commitment to telling Australia's migration stories. A brief biographical note will be published on the Museum's website. Right now, the Museum is collecting a selection of stories from all of these names. A compilation of all these names is a way to tell the
story of modern Australia.
To acknowledge your support, you will receive:
• A personal inscription in bronze on Australia's National Monument to Migration.
• Donors can contribute a brief story about the person being honoured. This dedicated online profile page can have a maximum of 3000 characters with a maximum of 10 photos and can be securely managed and shared with friends and family.
• Research functionality: search other names who may have arrived via the same vessel / time.
• Exclusive invitation to a donor recognition ceremony for new inscriptions on the National Monument. The next ceremony will be held in May 2023.
• A tax-deductible receipt.
✦ Hastings Landcare Incorporated works to harness a thriving, resilient Landcare and wider community and are dedicated to enhancing our local environment through work on public and private land.
By improving biodiversity, water and air quality, encouraging sustainable farming practices, promoting environmental awareness and a reduction in waste, there have been many achievements made during 2021 and 2022.
To celebrate the Bonny Hills Landcare groups 75th Anniversary, they had a successful day of tree planting in the Rainbow Beach Reserve and along the "Yellow Brick Road" in October! Thanks is extended to everyone that made this day a success!
This workshop will benefit landholders new to land management as well as those with more experience.
Don't miss out on this one!
By recording where platypuses live we can understand more about this incredible creature, and help prevent further declines in their numbers.
You can help researchers fill these gaps by visiting priority areas, looking for platypuses, and uploading your
findings to the University of New South Wales’ platypus sighting database.
You’ll also have an incredible time getting out into nature – and hopefully experience the magical moment of spotting a platypus!
Hastings Landcare invites you to their Annual General Meeting to be held on the 24th November, 4.30pm at the Wauchope RSL Club in the Rosewood Room. Learn about the many Hastings Landcare achievements in 2021-2022 and meet like minded people.
“Landcare is for everyone and is open to everyone, a network of local people who care for a better future!”
If you are interested in being on the committee, please complete the nomination form and return by the 23rd of November or feel free to call on 0467 864 465.
✦ Willing & Able mentioned on their Facebook page that Australians purchase an average of 27kg of clothing and discard 23kg every year. Only 7% is recycled. That's a lot of waste.
Thus their initiative "ReuseAbility" which aims to reduce the impact of textile waste and divert 120 tonnes of waste from landfill. Willing & Able has diverted over 42 tonnes of waste from landfill so far but want to achieve even more!
This November Willing & Able is calling on the community to donate linen – whether good for reuse or rags – to help them keep our beautiful region’s landfill free from textile waste and to provide meaningful paid employment for adults with disabilities.
You can donate towels, tea towels, sheets, duvet covers, pillow slips, hand towels, face washers and tea towels. They must be clean, although they can have some small holes in them and even a few stains as they will be cut up and used for rags.
"Clothing and linen are processed onsite by reselling quality items through its Op Shop and recycling other materials into rags for sale," Linda Elbourne from Willing and Able told us.
1. Request a free pick up online
2. Drop your items at the following drop off points
Three fantastic local clubs have partnered with Willing & Able to be drop off points for the month of November:
4 Owen St, Port Macquarie
Hours: Donate 7 days from 9:00 am till late
2 Seymour St, Laurieton
Hours: Donate 7 days from 10:00 am – 10pm
24 King St, Wauchope
Hours: Donate 7 days from 10:00 am – 11pm
November.
Bring your donations and say hi. You can also buy a bag of rags for all those household chores and further help Willing & Able keep textile waste out of landfill.
If you are a workplace or business and would like to do your own linen drive to help Willing & Able and the planet, please email :
shannon@impactenviro.com.au
Visual artists of all ages in the Mid North Coast region are encouraged to enter, the event promises to be bigger and better in 2023. Entries close on Monday 5th December, 2022. January 2022 saw Bonny Hills Progress Association hold their inaugural art prize. This was a great success with generous sponsors providing over $8,000 in prize money for the 100 artists who entered 300 artworks.
One of the organisers told us, "Community and business came together to make this a wonderful event. The local community and holiday makers to the area made a visit over the weeklong event. Bridget the curator of the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie and out 2022 Judge, praised the high level of artworks entered for the prize."
All art equipment will be supplied and a take-home art resource bag for children to continue their creative journey.
A “Children As Artists” workshop being held over three days, open for children aged 3 – 11 years and will require parents to book a place for their child. The workshops will be held 10:30am – 12:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
For the community, all entries will be available for sale. So, if you are looking for a piece of art for that special space in your home come along and support the amazing talented artists in the region by buying local.
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The young will not miss out!
Did you ever wonder why children are so fascinated by planes? When they see one in the sky they all stop what they're doing and look up, transfixed. We all share this sense of wonder, of how in the world can a bunch of humans stay up in the air for a long enough time to get from one place to another? Aviation was made possible because several people in history dared to dream, and they made a fantasy a reality.
Dean, Gale and L'Estrange were Australia's first balloonists. Dean succeeded in 1858 with his gas-filled balloon, The Australasian which flew a distance of 30km with two people in it. Gale flew in his balloon The Young Australian in 1869. L'Estrange took to the skies in 1881 and his balloon had an unfortunate accident striking a building which ignited the leaking gas.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Hungarian-American escapologist Harry Houdini made Australia's first controlled flight in 1910?
The first Australian to make a series of glider flights was George A. Taylor in 1909. By 1910, other aviators had made attempts with their own flying machines. What is interesting is Houdini was credited with the first controlled flight at Diggers Rest, Victoria on 18 March 1910! Who would have thought that Houdini's magic went beyond just escaping from chains and trunks!
23 February 1911 is an important date because that's when we had Australia's first aircraft passenger, Frank Coles, get on board aviator Joseph Hammond's aircraft. Hammond later took Australia's first paying passenger one month later on a 19km flight.
In 1919, the Commonwealth Government announced a prize of £10,000 for the first Australian to fly from England to Australia in an attempt to boost local aerial activity. The prize was claimed by Ross and Keith Smith. They landed in Dyarwin,
NT, clocking nearly 136 hours of flying time spread out over 28 days.
Goble and McIntyre were the next to raise the bar. In 1924, they completed the first aerial circumnavigation of Australia. They took 44 days to fly around Australia.
By 1927, Charles Kingsford Smith and Chalres Ulm did the same circumnavigation in only 10 days.
In 1928, Bert Hinkler went on the first solo flight to Australia from Croydon, England. He arrived in Darwin on 28 February 1928 after 128 hours of flying time.
Qantas was the brainchild of two young aviators Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness. In May 1920, Fysh and McGinness decided to start a local air service. They met wealthy station owner Fergus McMaster and presented their proposal for a 'joy flight' and taxi air service in Western Queensland and the Northern Territory.
In 1934, Qantas changed its name to Qantas Empire Airways Limited as it grew in international focus. Since then, one could say that Qantas has stretched its wings and flown further than our early aviators could ever imagine.
On Saturday 5 February 1921, an Avro 504K biplane first landed in Port Macquarie. It's been more than a 100 years since the first plane landed. And guess where this historical landing took place?
On Oxley Reserve, which we now know as the Port Macquarie Golf Club. This certainly gives a unique touch to the golf club's longstanding history. Lieutenant Frank Roberts from the Australian Flying Corps landed the plane. The plane had arrived the previous May as one of the first five of 100 surplus World War I aircraft given to Australia as
part of the Imperial Gift of 1919. The British government had far too many planes, and rather than destroy them, decided to gift them to member nations of the Commonwealth.
Not long after, another Avro 504K became the first plane operated by Qantas to carry a paying passenger.
The Hastings District Flying Club boasts 64 years of flying instruction history (since 1958) with Chief Flying Instructor Barrie Abbott.
Till today, the Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) operates a flying club
and Recreational Aviation flying school out of Port Macquarie on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, with a hangar and club house at the airport.
Present Chief Flying Instructor, Ray Lind has been instructing flying for nearly 30 years.
Our goal as a flying school is to produce GREAT and RESPECTED Pilots. We do this by ensuring total aviation safety and disciplined airmanship through accurate and professional flying training. HDFC is second to none among all RAAUS flying schools. Our students
always emerge more mature, disciplined, confident and responsible after they have gained their pilot's certificate. These characteristics stay with them for life and it sets them apart from others, even if they do not fly professionally. This is a wonderful privilege for every young individual.
HDFC offers 2 flying scholarships a year. One of the earlier recipients of this scholarship was Jimmie Higgins and Jimi Ludriks who is now a Boeing 747 First Officer with Cathay Pacific. Both boys were from Wauchope.
One cannot help but be wowed every time the Roulettes soar through the skies with their acrobatic displays. They are the Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team, skilled at performing jaw-dropping aerobatics that consist of a number of manoeuvres flown in various formations at low level.
Roulette pilots are Qualified Flying Instructors who work at the Central Flying School, based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria. Read our Brilliant stories about the Roulettes here.
RAAF Roulettes Fly over Port Macquarie at Dusk
Roulette Pilot Aimee Heal Flies in Her Seventh Heaven
If you're a fan of aviation, you'll definitely know the name Zara Rutherford. She became the youngest woman at the age of 19 to fly solo around the world in 2022. She travelled over 51,000 km and made more than 60 stops across five continents during her trip, breaking two Guinness World Records in the process.
Perhaps you could be the next to lead Australia's aviation history on to its next chapter. Let your dreams soar to the skies!
Reference: NSW State Library
Zara Rutherford chasing her dreams Read her story
✦ After what feels like an eternity of pre-tournament debate, analysis and criticism, the FIFA World Cup finally kicks off in Qatar on November 20.
It is arguably one of the most controversial major sporting events to ever take place, which has stoked fierce debate over the role of morality in sport. As much of the world community continues to realign its moral compass, it is becoming increasingly challenging for subjects that usually belong in a government debate, court house or human rights discussion not to infringe on sports. As a result, the very conscience of sports becomes a viable discussion. What does that mean? Can sport even have a conscience?
The sentiment going into this World Cup feels measurably different than usual and controversy has dogged the occasion since the tournament was awarded to the tiny Gulf state in 2010, be it in respect to allegations of bribery, human rights abuses or the stance on sexual equality.
Thousands of migrant workers are said to have perished due to poor health and unsafe working conditions in extreme heat while constructing new stadiums and Qatar’s stance on homosexuality as an illegal act has raised major concerns - recent comments by former Qatari player and current World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman that homosexuality was “damage in the mind” did nothing to quell these concerns.
Critics argue the World Cup is being used as just another cog in the country’s sport washing wheel. Money is a crucial factor in this dynamic and Qatar has plenty of it, as do fellow countries in the region. Saudi Arabia, for example, despite possessing an abhorrent human rights record, now hosts major international events such as boxing and Formula One, has created the breakaway LIV Golf tour and recently took control of famous English Premier League football club Newcastle United.
Money often equates to power, something that is blatantly evident with the Qatar World Cup. Even global megastar David Beckham wasn’t averse to the financial advances of the Qatari organisers who paid the former England captain £150million to promote the tournament in a positive light. This enraged many, not least the LGBTQ+ community who lambasted ‘Goldenballs’ for placing his bank account ahead of his principles. Then organisers announced they were recruting up to 400 fans and influencers from 60 nations for an all-expenses-paid trip in exchange for positive social media coverage. If this isn’t veering into the dangerous territory of control and conditioning of behaviour, perception and truth by money over morals then it comes as close as one can imagine.
There have been empassioned protests, but all FIFA President Gianni Infantino could muster in defence was for teams to “focus on the football”. It appears players wearing rainbow coloured laces and armbands, or kits being modified to emphasise protest, while admirable, will ultimately prove to be futile gestures.
Morality in sport is something we have seen much closer to home too, with Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins recently voicing his opposition to the team’s sponsor Alinta Energy, specifically the energy provider’s parent company Pioneer Sail Holdings, one of the Australia’s biggest carbon emitters. Cummins stated publicaly that he will not be an ambassador for the company moving forward, saying: “I hope that when we think of who we want to align with, who we want
to invite into being part of cricket, I hope climate is a real priority.” The sponsorship will be dropped next year although it is unknown how much impact Cummins’ stance had on the decision.
Similar protests were witnessed with Australian netball players objecting against a $15 million sponsorship deal with mining giant Hancock Prospecting, who had previously stated that climate change is not a man-made phenomenon, something very much at odds with the values of the team.
Indigenous player Donnell Wallam then stated that she refused to wear the company’s logo, something her teammates fully supported. This was in response to comments by the company’s founder, the late Lang Hancock, who suggested in 1984 that
Indigenous Australians should be sterilised to “breed themselves out” in coming years. Netball Australia needs sponsorship funds to allay crippling debts, but not at the behest of moral values it seems.
In conclusion, the reality is that more often than not the show will go on irrespective of the political or ethical connotations or moral fallout. Money is a key factor, something the World Cup in Qatar demonstrates to a tee. The football will be beamed across the world from sparkly new stadiums packed with seemingly jovial fans, be their smiles paid for or not.
In an industry whose very ethos is built on fairness and equality, money taints and tips the balance to create an uneven playing field, meaning any notion of a conscience in sports will always emerge the loser.
Saturday 19th November, 12.00pm to 1.30pm
Bain Park, High Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446
Organised by Wauchope Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, 1 December 2022, 6pm to 8pm
Location To Be Confirmed
Cost: $35 per person (includes welcome drink, canapés and presentation).
Port AdVenture Cruises Rhythm Boat, 77 Clarence St, Port Macquarie
Book one of their cruises along the Hastings River or have your own party on the Rhythmboat.
Port Macquarie Golf Club, 698 Ocean Dr, Port Macquarie
Weeknights at Port Macquarie Golf Club are a great way to unwind after work.
Experience Port's Best Golf Course & Friendly Clubhouse Hospitality. Also an Ideal venue for birthdays, weddings and other celebrations. Ample parking. Full Bar & Cafe. Modern Menu.
Saturday, 19 November, 2.00pm to 6.00pm
Bain Park, Wauchope Be there to support local businesses
Sunday, 27th November, 9.00am
Mt Pappinbarra, at 422/424 Pappinbarra Rd, West Frazers Creek. Rescheduled to the Sunday, 27th November. See the village of
Beechwood come alive. The day kicks off at 9am with market stalls and kids activities. Then the carts race down the 5km mountain course that takes in both Pappinbarra and Beechwood Road at 11am.
Go To - https://mnclibrary.org.au/ events/
Wednesday November 9, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Sovereign Place, 15 Chancellors Drive, Thrumster, New South Wales 2444
Visit the Library Van, browse, borrow or return. Fortnightly visits to Sovereign Hill
Friday 25th November, 10.30 am
Grant St, Port Macquarie
Desley’s writing group sat around the kitchen table and wrote some short stories. The book will be launched at the Port Macquarie library. The mayor, Peta Pinson will be opening the launch.
Friday December 2, 10.00am to 11.30am
Wauchope Library, 53 High Street Wauchope
Join us on Friday 2nd December at 10.00am in our Wauchope Library for a Book Launch and chat with Desley Polmear and her writing group.
Join the markets trail this school holidays, you will discover the finest Australian made products from our regions local businesses, farmers and artisans.
EVERY THURSDAY 9.00am to 12.00pm
Kendall Bazaar and The Meeting Place
Kendall Community Centre,19 Comboyne Street, Kendall
EVERY SUNDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
Port Macquarie Art Society Market Bazaar
Hamilton House, 198 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie
FIRST SATURDAY 9.00am to 12.00pm
Kempsey Riverside Markets
Riverside Park, Eden St, Kempsey
FIRST SATURDAY 8.00am to 11.00am
Uniting Church Markets
Uniting Church, Cnr. Oxley Highway & Sherwood Rd, Port Macquarie
FIRST SUNDAY 9.00am to 12.00pm
Grown and Gathered Community Markets
1493 Pappinbarra Road, Hollisdale
SECOND SATURDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
The Foreshore Markets
Westport Park, Cnr Buller & Park Streets, Port Macquarie
SECOND SATURDAY 8.00am to 12.00pm
Johns River Markets
Johns River Community Hall, 54-56 Johns River Rd, John’s River
SECOND SATURDAY 8.00am to 12.00pm
Gloucester Farmers Market
Billabong Park, 17 Denison St & Billabong Ln, Gloucester
THIRD SATURDAY 8.00am to 12.00pm
Forster Farmers Market
Visitor Information Center, 7 Little St, Forster
SECOND SUNDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
Forster Town Park Market Head St, Forster
THIRD SUNDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
Laurieton Riverwalk Markets
Cnr. Tunis & Short Street, Laurieton
FOURTH SATURDAY 8.00am to 12.00pm
Wauchope Farmers’ Markets
Wauchope Showground, High Street, Wauchope
FOURTH SATURDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
Tuncurry Markets
John Wright Park, 12-14 Manning St, Tuncurry NSW 2428
FOURTH SUNDAY 8.00am to 1.00pm
The Local
Maritime Museum, William Street, Port Macquarie
LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 9.00am to 1.00pm
Pacific Palms Market
Pacific Palms Community Centre, The Lakes Way, Elizabeth Beach
on’t Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle” is taken from Angus’ brand new Christmas EP “The Gilly Season” and proves yet again that there is nothing this young talent can’t do!
Co-written by Angus and frequent collaborators Bill DiLuigi and Kirsti Manna, “Don’t Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle” is slightly edgy, quirky and off the wall.
v“We originally wrote it as a male/female duet and the first person I had in mind to do it with was Melinda. I’ve always been a fan of her work, her songs and incredible voice. I was thrilled when she agreed to sing it with me,” says Angus.
“When Angus reached out to me a couple of months ago and sent me the song, I fell in love with it on first listen! It is the catchiest tune and cutest lyric and makes you feel good,” says Melinda.
It’s no secret the pair had a ball recording the song, that is clearly evident from the opening moments. Angus, who is a past ARIA nominee for his comedy work, showcases his humorous song writing flair on “Don’t Get Your Tinsel in A Tangle”.
Perfectly captures the gamut of emotions that can accompany Christmas – the joy, the crazy fun and, of course, heartbreak.
“I decided to write The Gilly Season as I love Christmas music, but I haven’t heard a lot of original Christmas songs lately. It was a great creative
challenge to come up with these songs and by tapping into my own Christmas experiences, I think we were able to find fresh ideas,” says Angus.
2022 Golden Guitar Winner Angus, has released his fifth album "The Gilly Season" just in time for Christmas. It is an exciting collection of fresh, original Christmas songs, from the wry and witty appeal of Cheapskate Christmas andMistletoey, to the fun
Present Time and Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle (featuring Melinda Schneider), to the heartfelt ballad First Christmas Without You.
Angus perfectly captures the gamut of emotions that accompany The Silly Season. Or rather, The Gilly Season!
Ellen Briggs and Mandy Nolan shattered the Glasshouse Port Macquarie during the run of their show Women Like Us. We had a Brilliant time trying to catch our breath as Ellen and Mandy brought their hilarious take on politics, family life, health and sexuality. We were passing tissues around because we were all laughing so hard!
We spoke to Mandy briefly after the show and it was fascinating to know
that what they said at the show was actually not scripted! They had a form to follow but they also very much built up their lines based on the energy from the audience. They may engineer or skew the conversations based on the vibes they get as the audience is different every night. It keeps their show fresh and exciting even for them!
We had a great time identifying and laughing along with Ellen and Mandy's experiences, their reflections on
motherhood, snoring husbands, and a myriad of married and family life foibles. Laugh-out-loud honest and astute, Ellen and Mandy could more than jiggle your funny bone. Highly recommended for the broad-minded.
✦ Our Brilliant team got more than a few stitches in our sides at Women Like Us!
'Women Like Us'… smashing it at the Glasshouse
