ISSUE NO.7 : SPRING 2019 - Coal Coast Magazine

INSIDE THE I L L AWA R R A

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ISSUE No.7 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2019 HISTORY | ART | PEOPLE | MUSIC | FOOD | REVIEWS | CULTURE | TRAVEL

2 BUILDING DESIGN ALEX URENA, PHOTOGRAPHY SHAW PHOTOGRAPHY

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22 12

28 what's inside 20

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at the flicks the illawarra convoy wine, dine, scoop & sip afternoon delight eat out with kids it was rad! mr charisma explore our pocket vanishing time yeah hair festival fever alexander the great

42 46 48 50 52 55 56 58 60 61 62 64

wellness road test telling tales soulful sanctuaries a haven at home finance facts hey brew coal coast faves it's getting hot in here coal coast pops meet a neighbour what's on calendar the quiz

There is a QUIZ on page 64 and here are the answers: 1. Distance. 2. Selina Kyle. 3. Gigabyte. 4. Bing. 5. Brussels.

6. Lisa Wilkinson. 7. Apollo 11. 8. Taron Edgerton. 9. The cerebrum. 10. A pod. 11. Tokyo. 12. Game of Thrones.

13. Aphrodite. 14. Mount Kosciuszko. 15. Neverland. 16. Frida Kahlo. 17. Mount Keira. 18. Hunter S. Thompson.

19. Ash Barty. 20. Coffee and ice cream.

Coal Coast a term which embraces our industrial history while celebrating our glittering coastline.

Our Coal Coast family has grown by two! A big congratulations to our Editor Dani and her fiancé Joe on the birth of twin girls Polly and Harriet... they are just divine!

This issue's amazing cover photo is captured by photographer Ian Hollis, the incredible sunrise over Austinmer’s ocean pools is truly a sight to behold. “I will remember this morning forever. It was an overcast morning and I didn't think anything was going to happen, but as the sun rose, the clouds began to light up with colour! An amazing surprise like this one isn’t uncommon along the Coal Coast and this is why Austinmer will always be one of my favourite places to shoot!”

This issue we sat down with i98FM’s Marty Haynes as he prepares for the 15th Illawarra Convoy (p6-9), farewelled the mighty Rad Bar (p22-23) and chatted with Alexander Volkanovski about his path from local league hero to the top of the UFC (p40-41).

As the weather warms up, there are so many great places to discover in our fine neck of the woods. Beer gardens, beachside markets and bushwalking, plus the Yours and Owls Festival on the October long weekend… there’s really no excuses for not getting out there! And with our list of best budget-friendly activities (p28-29) it’s never been easier to holiday at home. Enjoy!

Cheers

Kate, Tara & Tess x

Subscribe online: www.coalcoastmagazine.com Advertising enquires: call Tara 0409 774 153 or email sales@coalcoastmagazine.com Coal Coast Magazine is published four times a year and has taken the utmost care to ensure content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s) opinions and are not necessarily the views of the publisher and editor.

Coal Coast Magazine does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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acting editor Kate O'Mealley head of sales & marketing Tara Connor creative director Tess McIntosh cover image Ian Hollis our contributors Matilda Jesiolowski Wollongong City Libraries Illawarra Historical Society Mark Howard Nicole Karin Stefan Posthuma Charc&Cheese The Pines Kiama Two Figs Winery Penny Keogh David Everett Chris Frape Ben Tillman Lauren Connelly Matt Castell @_b_u_z_z_e_r_ Electric Castle Photo Team Bas Van Leeuwen Lee Mitchell Alena Ruban Tiina Rönnberg Ioana Sabău Courtenay Turner Birdblack Design Trever Molenaar Alex Peat Tristan White Michelle Ahern Bevans Elise Cork Elyshia McKirdy

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THE WAY WE WERE

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THE WAY WE WERE

at the flicks FROM HEYDAY TO TODAY – THE STORY OF THIRROUL’S ICONIC THEATRE Sources Former Kings Theatre, NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage, A cultural history of cinema-going in the Illawarra (19001950), Nancy Huggett Images From the collections of the Wollongong City Libraries and the Illawarra Historical Society

It’s seen performances from The Wiggles and Suzi Quatro to Neil Finn and Midnight Oil grace its stage over the last decade, but Anita’s Theatre has an even longer history with many incarnations. A cinema for nearly 40 years, followed by a roller skating rink, Kings Theatre – as it was originally known – has been a firm fixture of the northern suburb’s social scene for close to 100 years.

IN THE ‘50S

Built in 1925, Kings Theatre was one of several theatres designed by architects Karberry and Chard and the second cinema in Thirroul, accommodating an audience of 1500. A popular outing for locals and tourists alike, Kings was the place to be and be seen, operating four nights a week with opening night an exciting double bill screening of The Desert Flower and The Dressmaker From Paris. But it was the arrival of sound and the ‘talkies’ in 1929 that really put Thirroul on the map, with Kings announced as the first community venue in Australia to present the famous musical, The Rainbow Man, bringing huge crowds and the media to the main street.

Kings Theatre enjoyed its silver screen heyday for nearly 40 years, operating as a cinema until the mid 1960s. The arrival of televisions in local homes and a decline in ticket sales cemented its closure and officially closed its doors in 1966. In 1968 the building was adapted for roller skating and enjoyed a new lease on life until the mid 1990s.

The future of Kings was uncertain for nearly a decade until 2003 when local businessman John Comelli purchased the vacant and deteriorating theatre. After extensive renovations Kings reopened as Anita’s Theatre in 2007, named in honour of Comelli's late wife, a fresh start for the grand dame of Thirroul and securing itself as a firm favourite for bands and events touring the Illawarra. ¡

I was there

“In 1959, I was about 10, I’d catch the bus down from Wombarra with a big group of kids and we would buy lollies at the little shop outside Kings Theatre. They’d show a cartoon first, Tom and Jerry, then the serial and then a feature film like Tarzan or The Lone Ranger. We would also go to the Scarborough picture show, where my brother worked as the projectionist, but we had to walk there.

Anyone my age still calls it Kings Theatre, not Anita’s!”

Lynette Russo, Woonona

IN THE ‘80S

“I remember catching a Dion’s bus from the Circle in East Woonona to Thirroul Skate Rink in 1983.

There was a lot of ‘80s fashion - teased hair, Wham t-shirts – and great music while we skated… ‘Hey Mickey by Toni Basil, Duran Duran and Dead or Alive. Most of all I remember skating from the stage on the western side, down on to the rink and doing the limbo on skates… how low can you go!!!”

Paul Boultwood, Tarrawanna

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SPOTLIGHT ON

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SPOTLIGHT ON

the illawarra convoy From humble beginnings in 2005, the i98FM Illawarra Convoy has become one of the region’s most successful fundraising initiatives supporting local charities and families who are facing life threatening illness, as well as supporting local hospitals with vital medical equipment and upgrades. Now in its 15th year, Marty Haynes, Convoy Founder and i98FM Breakfast Show host reflects on the history and heart of Convoy.

Images Mark Howard Illustrations Nicole Karin

Ryan succumbed to his illness. He lost his battle at seven. After that I thought, why can't I do it here?

It took me two years to plan but I knew, as a big trucking town, it would work here too.”

The i98FM Illawarra Convoy has had strong roots in the Illawarra since 2005, growing each year to raise a staggering $2 million in 2018. It’s become a firm fixture on the local calendar and is a fan favourite for kids and grown-ups alike - it is even the largest truck convoy in the southern hemisphere. But Convoy’s history stretches back even further to Canberra and a chance meeting with a little boy named Ryan. In 1997, Marty Haynes was working in the capital, and met the Scanes family whose four-year-old son Ryan had cancer and was a huge fan of trucks – a firm friendship was formed. It was Marty’s friendship with Ryan that planted the seed to begin Convoy.

“We were raising money to help local families and thought how can I help this little kid? Why don't we get some trucks and bikes together and do a convoy? We ended up at the Queanbeyan Showground back then and would raise a money for Family Fun Day. That event still runs to today in February each year with great success”, says Marty.

“When I moved to Wollongong in 2002, sadly

After many months of research and deciding the format, start and finish locations, Marty pitched the idea to i98FM management: “At first they thought I was mad and then they thought I was crazy!”, before approaching Camp Quality Illawarra to ask what help they needed. With an aim to raise $20,000 in the first year, the goal was set. Over 200 trucks and motorbikes joined the inaugural event in 2005, going on to raise more than $47,000 and smashing the original fundraising goal.

Camp Quality remained the major recipient supporting kids with cancer and their families until 2016 when the Illawarra Community Foundation was established. “We were raising an enormous amount of money and I had the idea of the money going into a community foundation. We felt it was the right time to broaden the scope of our support to the many worthy charitable causes in the region,” says Marty. The move to the Illawarra Community Foundation has resulted in many more local organisations receiving donations, in addition to

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SPOTLIGHT ON local families challenged by cancer and other medical conditions, including: • $1 million donation to Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward stage 1 redevelopment • New wigs, headpieces and equipment for the Port Kembla Palliative Care ward • New patient transport vehicle for the Leukaemia Foundation, supporting local blood cancer patients • Can Assist Shoalhaven fundraising trailer • Beach-ready wheelchair for the Disabled Surfers Association - South Coast Branch Many local families continue to receive a range of support through Convoy and the Illawarra Community Foundation including food and petrol gift cards, holiday and accommodation gift cards, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment required as part of treatment.

“If you look at the Wollongong Hospital Children's Ward, there's 3000-4000 kids that go through that ward and they need the revamp now that the local area has grown. It was 20 years ago that that was done.”

Convoy’s fundraising efforts continue to grow with the support of the local community, “I'm very proud of how the community's supported Convoy. I get a lot out of it. I love being in the office when they come in to buy their t-shirts and caps and to see their positivity. They know they’re doing something good, even if it’s just buying a $5 flower, they're actually making a difference. I never expected it to get this size, never in my life, but I suppose it's very special.”

Building on their past success, Convoy’s reach is set to become bigger and better, with plans to build and sell a house with all proceeds going to the Foundation. “Alan Doherty, from Doherty Transport, was just an incredible human being.

He saw a block of land in Wongawilli, found out who owned it and said "give us the block of land so we can build a house and then sell it”, says Marty. “We’re planning that everything will be donated to the house. We've got council approval coming through and we'll probably build it next year. You don't need to have a truck or bike to be involved, this is something a bit different.”

Convoy’s 15th year celebrations on Sunday 17 November are set to be its biggest yet with more than 700 trucks and 900 motorbikes making their way from Illawarra Coal’s West Cliff Colliery in Appin to the Illawarra Regional Airport in Albion Park. Culminating in a free family fun day, crowds will enjoy live entertainment, truck and bike displays, over 70 market stalls, helicopter joy flights and kids’ rides, with something for the whole family. “Convoy appeals to any age, because any person can stand on the side of the road and watch the bikes and trucks go past. It’s a great thing.”

For Marty though, he doesn’t forget his young mate that started it all: “I've got a photograph I took about two weeks prior to Ryan's death.

He was at our place and I had one shot left on my camera - back when we used film. It was my wife, Ryan and myself in the photo and I've still got it on my bedside table.”

CONVOY STATS

721 trucks 965 motorbikes 70 kilometres $2 million raised in 2018 $13.5 million raised since 2004 $310,000 bid to lead the Convoy in 2018 – won by the ‘Dandaloo Boys’ 8

SPOTLIGHT ON

Quade’s story When three-year-old Quade Sharman was diagnosed in late 2017 with a Stage 2 Wilms Tumour, a rare kidney cancer, for parents Glen and Kylie it came as a huge shock. Within weeks, Quade was in surgery to remove the 814 gram tumour and life in the children’s ward at the Sydney Children’s Hospital was to become the new normal. Travelling from their Woonona home to Sydney for chemotherapy treatment, juggling work and supporting both Quade and daughter Adelle, then six, was increasingly difficult – emotionally and financially. And then they discovered the Convoy community.

“We found out about Convoy through another family from Wollongong who we met at Sydney Children's. Their child was receiving treatment at the same time, in the bed next to Quade.

We were apprehensive initially. I was a bit reserved and felt that no one would really know what we were going through”, says Glen. “When Quade was first diagnosed we were running on adrenaline and he had every side effect from the chemotherapy, but we started to get more involved and really appreciated the support.

We reached out to other families having chemo and over the last 18 months have become close friends with many other Convoy families.”

Glen and Kylie were encouraged to apply for a grant through Convoy to help ease some of the financial costs of driving to Randwick weekly for Quade’s treatment: “We applied online to Convoy and received fuel and Coles vouchers which made things much easier. We’ve saved thousands of dollars with their help.”

November 2019 marks two years in remission for Quade and the journey has come full circle, with Glen and Kylie now raising funds for Convoy and the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward. During Quade’s treatment,

We want to pay it forward “ and give back to other families who are now going through the same experience” they discovered the lack of WiFi on the ward and raised over $1600 to fund a prepaid WiFi box with unlimited data to make the time pass more easily for sick children and their families, without the additional expense. On 7-8 September, Glen will take part in the Cycle 300 - a two-day cycling event riding 300kms from The Entrance to the Dandaloo Hotel in Kanahooka, with all funds raised from the charity ride donated to the i98FM Illawarra Convoy.

For Glen, he sees their involvement with Convoy continuing long after being recipients themselves, “We want to pay it forward and give back to other families who are now going through the same experience. We want to promote what Convoy has done for us – we are very grateful for all the support we received. Working within the transport industry with MaxiTRANS, I can be an advocate and talk about its importance. Convoy is for all ages and the connections we have made with sponsors and other families has been incredible.” ¡

The i98 Illawarra Convoy 2019 will be held on Sunday 17 November. Find out more at illawarraconvoy.com.au

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Born of rugged landscape, where mountains tower above stormy seas...

Inspired by legends, crafted by locals, because we have a history worth drinking to.

Image: White Dress - Ray Collins

Since its launch in Dec 2018, Coal Coast Brewing Co. have had their heads down (and hops boiling) to make inroads into the rapidly growing industry of craft beer. With two brews on tap and their hand-drawn tinnies in fridge doors around the Illawarra, Founder & CEO Kelly Murphy spoke to us about the company’s success to date.

Coal Coast Mag (CCM) - Why do you think your beers have been so well received?

KM - Well we’re wrapped to hear that, as we have worked hard on developing the recipes and brand. We knew early on what styles our first two beers would be and are very happy with their taste profile. We aim to make beers that are approachable, not too complex, yet hold the right amount of flavour to keep drinking. The other key factor I believe has been the inspiration behind our company; the history of the NSW Coal Coast.

CCM - Can you give us some more background on this? KM - As locals we’d been drawn to the incredible stories we were told, such as the mining Pit Ponies and coal carrying shipwrecks, like the Brig Amy. The narrative gives the area an identity and defines its character. For us to be able to pass on the torch of history and ensure these stories are kept alive is both an honour and motivator.

Image: Mural - Urban Art Australia.

Coal Coast Miners (L-R) Marc, Matt, Rob & Simon.

CCM - You currently gypsy brew, are you planning on building a local brewery?

KM - Not in the immediate future. From the beginning we never wanted to be tied to a fixed address for an extended period.

We want flexibility to grow and adapt to the community around us. For us its more than just about making beer, it’s about showcasing the underlying spirit of the Coal Coast… hardworking, unfiltered, determined and supportive.

CCM - So what is next for Coal Coast Brewing Co? Another beer? KM - We do have another beer in the pipe works for this summer.

We’re also excited about our 40ft container collaboration project. Complete with stainless steel kitchen, bar and wooden deck, the plan is to support other food, bev and produce businesses. Through our sister events & catering company, The Coal Labs, we’re currently investigating locations to have this up and running for spring/summer. So, stay tuned.

Image: @sailor_reid

coalcoastbrewingco.com.au

LOCAL FOOD

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LOCAL FOOD

wine, dine, scoop & sip AN INNOVATING EXPERIENCE WITH THE THROSBY’S POWER COUPLE Words & images Stefan Posthuma

2014 saw the beginnings of what is now Wollongong’s thriving small bar culture. For Maddie Sullivan and Erick Zevallos, the change in winds was a welcome one – but as lovers of great wine there was something missing. Wollongong lacked a place to enjoy a good glass without the commitment of a sit-down meal at an upmarket restaurant.

That September, they opened The Throsby, Wollongong’s first wine bar.

We sat down with Maddie and Erick to chat about developing businesses, wine, secret bars and how they juggle three venues with their young family.

With a focus on an ever-changing list of quality wines, and a selection of artisan cheeses and charcuterie to match – The Throsby quickly became a favourite for Wollongong locals looking for a relaxed spot to enjoy the perfect drop. Fast forward to 2019, now with two sons in tow, the couple show no signs of slowing down – last year opening two new venues: the vibrant street front gelateria Creamies, and through the drapes at the back of the shop, the clandestine late-night small bar The Black Cockatoo. For Maddie and Erick, success in hospitality is about balance – it’s knowing what you want to create but also listening to the customer, a combination of vision, dialogue and adjustment, aimed at creating the best customer experience possible. This approach, paired with a unique eye for design, sophisticated execution, and a borderline obsessive attention to detail have made The Throsby, Creamies, and The Black Cockatoo the hub of Kembla street hospitality, providing a range of experiences for locals looking for anything from a hip tin of craft brew, to a salted caramel scoop or a glass of back vintage pinot noir.

Why did you want to open a wine bar?

Maddie: We both really love wine, and after working in hospitality in New York and Sydney we know the types of places we like to go for a drink. In 2014 when we opened it was hard to find what we were looking for in Wollongong.

We just wanted a nice a local bar with a good wine list where you could go to relax over a couple of glasses. We didn’t have one so we decided to bring it to Wollongong ourselves.

How would you explain the wine list The Throsby? Erick: The main thing we like is to have a really good selection of interesting wines on our list – things that people can’t necessarily find themselves. We love to expose customers to new things, and have a dialogue with them about what they like, or might like to try. It’s good banter, we’ll give people a taste of things they haven’t had before, or talk to regulars about what’s new or what we’re enjoying – that’s the type of relationship we like to have with our guests. M: The list is always changing and

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LOCAL FOOD What kind of food are you serving? E: The menu changes seasonally, with a focus on high quality produce. It’s quite simple but also fun and contemporary. We now have some cool snacks and small plates that are a take on Aussie classics.

There’s things like mortadella and comté or fish katsu sandwiches, we have roasts like porchetta, simple pastas, salads and hand cut chips. We’ve worked closely with our chef to get it to where it is and we’re really happy with it now.

evolving. For a while we were focusing mostly on Australian wines, but we’ve recently balanced that out with some great European wines also.

Erick and I both love Italian wines in particular, and there’s some really interesting and different European wines out there that we just can’t replicate in Australia because of the terrior, so we like to offer that to our customers too. E: We’re in a pretty lucky position now, having a lot of loyal regulars who trust us to help them choose good wine. We also have a reserve list, and we’re acquiring some great back vintage Aussie wines for guests who want something a bit special.

Last year you added a full food menu at The Throsby, why did you make the change?

M: We started off just serving cheeses and charcuterie, which we’ll always have on the menu – but we found that a lot of customers wanted something a bit more substantial so they could stay and have dinner. E: We’ve also always wanted to have a few different food options to pair with our wine. It’s been a pretty natural progression, it keeps it interesting and it provides something different for our guests.

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Last year you also opened two new businesses – and ice cream shop and a speakeasy bar. It seems like an odd combination, how did the idea come about?

E: The idea to open a speakeasy came first, we wanted somewhere fun that was hidden away from the street and we liked the idea of having two linked businesses – using one as the façade for the speakeasy bar behind, which is where we got the idea for Creamies. M: We were looking at different options for the street front business, and found that Wollongong didn’t really have a good cosmopolitan gelateria – somewhere to go after dinner for a quality scoop of ice cream. After playing with some ideas we started Creamies with our friends Matt and Elise Borgo. Matt has a background in ice cream so he we instrumental in bringing the Creamies concept together.

What sort of ice cream can people find at Creamies? M: We have a small selection that’s always changing depending on which producers we’re sourcing from and what’s available. We love working with local businesses so we always have some flavours from The Pines Dairy in Kiama who make amazing gelato. We also work with some small artisan gelaterias from Sydney so there’s a good variety. We like to keep it fresh so theres a balance of classic flavours like vanilla or salted caramel, along with some more interesting stuff like lamington, pavlova or fingerlime cheesecake.

Your second bar, The Black Cockatoo opened last year in a hidden space behind Creamies – why open a secret bar?

M: We always wanted it to be a late-night bar, somewhere we’d like to go to ourselves for a few drinks after midnight. We’d been to a few speakeasys in the past which are a lot of fun.

We loved the experience of walking through a hidden door into a completely different, lively

LOCAL FOOD space. It brings a different experience to the customer and means people come in for a purpose. It’s a small bar – quite intimate but also a lot of fun, so having it hidden away works.

How would you describe the concept?

M: We wanted to make a cool bar in the style of an old Aussie pub – somewhere new and fun but also a familiar space you want to return to. We brought a number of elements together to make it work - there’s the name, the classic tiles, the dark green colours and the vintage Aussie memorabilia on the walls. E: We’ve tried to match the style with the food and beverage offering also. There’s a big focus on Aussie craft beer and spirits, and like with our other venues, the selection is always changing depending on what the producers are doing and what we like.

Keeping with the Aussie style, we also make fantastic pies and sausage rolls for the bar, which are available all night.

How has Wollongong responded to its first speakeasy? M: Our customers love that we’re open until 2am. Most other venues in Wollongong with a late-night license are the big drinking holes, so there’s a lot of customers who appreciate having a small bar to go to when it gets late. We get a lot of hospitality workers who want a good drink after work – and everyone likes coming through the ice cream shop to find the bar.

Aside from owning these three businesses, you guys also have two kids under three.

How do you find the time for it all?

E: Owning bars and having young kids is definitely challenging, and we couldn’t do it without the help of our families – but we’ve managed to find a good balance. We love what we do so it’s just been a matter of finding ways to make it work. M: Being business owners can also be a blessing, we do have a bit of flexibility, and starting work late means that we get to spend a lot of time with the kids through the day which is great. We can take the boys to the beach in the morning, and have lunch together before heading in to work.

What’s next for you guys? Any more businesses in the works? E: We’re currently working on our own wine, a Chardonnay that’s being made at Tertini Wines in the Southern

there’s a lot of customers who “ appreciate having a small bar to go to when it gets late” Highlands. We’re excited to get it on the list at The Throsby – it’ll be bottled in October so keep an eye out. M: We’re also doing some cool events and collaborations at the moment, and I’m enjoying being back at work after having our second son, so no more business ventures at this stage. We love what we’ve have, our family and our businesses – so we’re taking some time to enjoy it. ¡

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LOCAL DROP

afternoon delight CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL MAKERS TO CREATE THE PERFECT PLATTER Styled Charc&Cheese

Springtime is about enjoying the company of beautiful friends. So why not be all fancy pants and show off by recreating this stunning platter using local finds.

We recommend this rosé by Two Figs Winery and pairing it with 'Pearl' cheese from The Pines - Kiama. And then whizz up the easiest tapenade ever. You're welcome.

Rosé 2019

Two Figs Winery This vintage is light, clean and crisp.

Vibrant cherry and strawberry fruit flavours are balanced with fine acidity and length. This rosé is made from Cabernet Sauvignon grown on their estate.

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RECIPE

Pearl

The Pines ‘Pearl’ is a semi-hard cheese – based loosely on a French Alpine tomme – aged approximately 8 months. The 3kg wheels are brined and brushed for the first 4 weeks then left to mature naturally in a cheese silo.

Starting out mild and milky – developing sweeter, fruity tones and a buttery finish combined with the sharpness that reflect the pastures the cows were grazing when the cheese was made.

olive tapenade

Charc&Cheese

1kg pitted kalamata olives 1 small jar of baby capers 1 lemon - squeezed 1 tsp garlic powder Process the olives with a small amount of the lemon juice in a processor lightly.

Add the capers and garlic powder and continue to process.

Add in remaining lemon juice and blitz until it is a thick consistency.

Serve with your favourite cheese and rosemary crackers.

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Dimitri and Kira Bandinelli

www.republicofflorence.com.au www.leathershop.com.au 19

COAL COAST KIDS

Léchappé Cycle Café

eat out with kids DINING OUT WITH KIDS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFICULT WITH GREAT FAMILY-FRIENDLY EATERIES ACROSS THE ILLAWARRA Words Penny Keogh

The idea of dragging young children anywhere that requires them to sit still for more than two minutes can be terrifying.

Disapproving glances from un-empathetic diners miffed by your noisy two-year-old who just won’t accept there are no chips left. It’s enough to keep parents hauled up at home for years. But don’t worry - there’s still hope! The Illawarra has lots of familyfriendly eateries where you’re assured of a good time with your kids.

Stanwell Park Beach Kiosk

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Just down from Wollongong Central, in the industrial end of Keira Street, is Léchappé Cycle Café. Pulling into the driveway of the accompanying cycle shop; you might sceptically wonder who would drop by for a coffee besides the local workforce, but push open a wooden lattice door and discover the private courtyard full of happy customers.

A raised grassy area is peppered with colourful toys for children to play and run with while mums and dads watch on. Watch as your kids instantly break away to investigate the toys, giving you space to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

The Shellharbour Club What a place! Not exactly a pleasant afternoon in the sunshine - more of an outrageously fun playdate of wonder. The huge indoor family area, called The Precinct, is designed like an exotic outdoor marketplace, with all types of lights, colours, food and sounds to immerse your senses.

The highlight of these epic surroundings is a corner of games and equipment to entertain children of any age. The wacky wall of balls is sure to amuse - throw balls into high-up baskets and watch them roll on down through a mesmerizing obstacle course. You will leave exhausted, but with big smiles on your face.

Woonona Bulli RSL

While we’ve so many great family-friendly seaside cafes along the Illawarra stretch, here’s another gem to add to the list. Revamped late last year, for $1.4 million, the new Stanwell Park Beach Kiosk is an outstanding café for kids.

The best thing about the Woonona Bulli RSL is the huge outdoor section complete with two different areas of playground equipment, each matched to different age groups. The climbing structures are also close enough to dining areas that it’s easy to keep track of the kids.

The cafe itself gives lots of space to stretch out sandy feet on the Hamptons-style, wide timber verandah. Here you’ll enjoy watching the paragliders magically float down to land right out the front of the cafe. Plus the kids will be sure to love the super cool playground nearby.

The modern facilities are great for any occasion – it’s a little bit special, without being too concerned that rowdy children may bump over expensive glasses or annoy other patrons. The kids love the hot chips too and there’s always enough to go round. Phew! ¡

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LOCAL MUSIC

it was rad!

RAD BAR MAY HAVE CLOSED BUT THE LEGACY – AND THE MUSIC – LIVE ON Words David Everett Images Chris Frape

The recent forced closure of live music venue Rad Bar in Crown Street Wollongong is an occasion for both grief and celebration. The city block’s surrender to progress signals the end of an era, but also the end of the beginning. Wollongong’s live music scene is surging and the tiny, grimy bar was where the revolution first began.

David Everett reflects on his time in the crowd at Rad Bar and beyond.

Rad Bar’s pivotal significance in the burgeoning arts scene of Wollongong is unquestionable.

Formerly known as Yours & Owls, the bar, as big as a typical lounge room, was the starting point for the nationally acknowledged renaissance of music and culture in Wollongong.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Yours & Owls, three friends that turned their passion for live music into a business – a big business now in 2019.

Apart from directing and curating the live music at Wollongong’s UniBar and more recently Dicey Riley’s, the management group runs one of the most celebrated music festivals in Australia. I have

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been to all five of the Yours & Owls Festivals.

I was there at the first 2000 people ‘trial’ festival at Stuart Park in 2014 and I was there last year when the 18,000 tickets sold out in just days.

Rad Bar had its own stage at the festival in recent years and my friends and I gravitated to the energy and fun of the young noisy bands rolled out on the smallest of three stages.

When international superstars At The Drive In headlined in 2017, they created a ‘must-see’ moment on the front stage. But generally, out the back is where you’ll find hardcore live music fans moving between stage number two and the Rad stage. At this year’s festival, the inside scoop is that the Rad Bar space will be recreated as a homage to the iconic venue and I can’t wait!

LOCAL MUSIC

Balunn Jones, one part of the Y&O trio, says that the Rad stage at the festival promises to deliver two days of jam-packed, sweaty sets from old Rad bar faves as well as some of the best new emerging bands.

predicted their meteoric rise to the international stage within the next few years? Not me. I just loved the rawness and the physicality of their performances. When there are only two of you on stage it’s hard work!

Rad Bar closing was shattering for the local music scene. The venue created a culture that’s grown into an industry and Rad was its home.

I guess we all grow up and move out of home eventually.

In the same concrete-lined room I was introduced to Los Tones, a Wollongong outfit that have grown into one of my favourite Australian bands. Los Tones are a contemporary garage version of 60s surf rock. I have many other local bands amongst my favourites too (TEX played at my recent wedding after party) and all of them have benefited from the new scene created by Your & Owls.

Along with Wollongong’s famous Keira Street record shop, Music Farmers,Yours & Owls also present Farmer & The Owl Festival. Originally at Wollongong University in 2013 and 2014, this was a music festival for live music fans. I was very excited to see the festival make a comeback earlier this year and the line-up was universally gushed over by the national music press. Held at MacCabe Park in central Wollongong, the festival was everything I hoped it would be. Musically sophisticated USA band, Foxing, won the day for me. Another American act, Snail Mail, was top shelf and Australian psych rockers Flyying Colours and Velvet Elevator were both highly impressive.

It was wonderfully fitting too, that Hockey Dad headlined the well thought out arts festival.

At the first Farmer & The Owl in 2013, I saw Hockey Dad’s debut. Two school kids from Windang made their intentions percussively clear.

I was immediately smitten. Could anyone have

We now have a long list of venues, big and small, presenting international and national touring acts, but also young bands on their way up. From Scarborough-Wombarra Bowlo in the north, to The Servo at Port Kembla in the south, the arts is in good hands. And that’s what we are talking about here - the arts.

What next? Who knows, but I am loving the ride. I can’t believe that I can see a touring act or attend a gallery’s exhibition launch, and walk home. Life in Wollongong is better because of what was started at a tiny bar in Crown Street.

The king is dead, long live the king!

Where will the Rad Bar boys pop up next?

I can’t wait to find out. ¡

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LOCAL MUSIC

mr charisma GUITARIST AND RADIO ANNOUNCER LINDSAY ‘THE DOCTOR’ MCDOUGALL SHARES HIS MUSICAL JOURNEY FROM GARAGE BAND TO RADIO HOST AT ABC ILLAWARRA Images Chris Frape, Lauren Connelly, Tess McIntosh

As a member of iconic punk band Frenzal Rhomb, turned Triple J breakfast announcer, Lindsay ‘The Doctor’ McDougall has been a part of the Aussie music scene for over 20 years. We sat down with The Doctor to talk about his move to the Illawarra, the future of live music in Wollongong and his favourite talkback callers at his current radio gig, ABC Illawarra’s Drive Program.

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You’re originally from the Shire – what brings you to the Illawarra? I grew up in Engadine – or the “wrong” side of the Shire – and quickly moved to Newtown after joining Frenzal Rhomb. I didn't have too much to do with Wollongong or even the Shire, other than going back for Christmas or visiting my mum in Coalcliff until I met my wife, Jen, about eight years ago. She grew up in Keiraville and was living in Austinmer at the time. When I finished at Triple J at the end of 2014, we decided to move to Wollongong. Jen had moved to Sydney because I was working there and never was a city person, so it was an easy choice. Before we made the move, we drove around Australia for

LOCAL MUSIC four months and during that time I found out that ABC Illawarra wanted someone for their Drive show. I decided if I didn't get the job, we would keep going and drive around Australia again! But the job happened, we moved to Wollongong and that was all that.

How did the name ‘The Doctor’ come about? It pre-dates Triple J and started when I first joined Frenzal Rhomb. Over the years we gave lots of reasons as to why I was named the Doctor – from blatant lies, like our lead singer was drowning in the ice bucket backstage at a gig and I pulled him out and gave him mouth to mouth! But the truth is, when I joined the band, everyone had three-letter names – Jay, Ben [Jason Whalley and Ben Costello] – and they said “we want you to join the band, but we can’t have someone called Lindsay… it’s too nerdy!” Jason thought of the cask wine, Lindemans - which had the mascot Doctor Lindeman in their ads – so instead of Lindsay or a short, three-letter name, I got the much longer name ‘Doctor Lindeman’.

Eventually it was shortened to ‘Doctor’ and when they needed a wacky radio name it became ‘Jay and the Doctor’ on Triple J.

who's singing at a restaurant in Kangaroo Valley to a cover band that's playing in Helensburgh, Jimmy Barnes playing at Merimbula and young and upcoming musicians. If someone says, "Hey, I've got this new song, I've got this gig coming up," and I listen to it and it doesn't suck, that’s cool, come on the radio and talk about it! By the same token, if you're a 60 year old Boogie Woogie pianist who's got a gig coming up next Friday night at the Music Lounge, then I'll also get you on the show, because I want to hear about Boogie Woogie too.

I spend a lot of time interviewing musicians on the radio and I try to get at least two live performances a week. [In one week] CW Stoneking, Laura Imbruglia and Felicity Urquhart came on the show - it's very broad. I had The Pinheads on – they’re an abrasive garage rock

After 10 years at Triple J, how have you found the change to ABC Illawarra’s Drive Program? I definitely miss Gary from Adelaide calling in, yelling down the phone line about his parties! ABC Illawarra is very different to Triple J - Triple J's remit is 18 to 25 years old, so if you're talking about stuff that's outside that, you're basically talking to people who are too old to listen to the radio station, so it's great to be able to talk about everything.

There's no age that we’re aiming for, the only boundaries are geographical, so you can play any sort of music, as long as it's not too abrasive and as long as there's no swearing, of course!

There are a few more restrictions compared to Triple J, but we cover anything that's happening from Helensburgh (we stretch to Waterfall or Heathcote occasionally!) all the way down to Merimbula, and as far as Goulburn, Canberra and Campbelltown. It's a very loose boundary.

You’ve had a broad range of guests on the Drive show… In terms of bands, musicians, artists and creators that I've had to interview, it's awesome. Anything from an opera singer

There's no age that we’re “ aiming for, the only boundaries are geographical, so you can play any sort of music” 25

LOCAL MUSIC Guide Dog Week or we talk to a Guide Dog raiser. There’s Greg from Corrimal. Any time there's any politics, he's not particularly partisan and he will just call everyone to account. He's our moral arbiter on the text line and on the phone. Stu from Farmborough Heights... Stu is always welcome on the show because he brought me some finger limes that he grows.

That was very nice!

Touring with Frenzal Rhomb, what were your favourite local venues to play in?

Although a little further south, the Marlin Hotel in Ulladulla is one of our absolute favourites. It's the greatest place to play. And the Wollongong UniBar, we played there a million times.

I've played solo gigs at Dicey Riley's and would [like to] play the new Headlands Hotel as well.

But to be quite honest, I think I prefer the old Headlands - they shouldn't have exorcised all the ghosts! I went to watch a friend’s band play at Howlin' Wolf Bar, Billy Demos, and he lent me his guitar when he went out to go to the bathroom.

Half an hour later Billy still hadn't come back, so I ended up doing a gig there as well.

band from the Northern suburbs – and that was awesome. People love them. They sound very much like classic punk and we had a lot of fans.

I interviewed Ed Kuepper from The Saints and Rob Younger from Radio Birdman and the text line was awash with, "Yeah, great rock and roll!"

In our ABC Illawarra audience there's a lot of older people, but many forget that Wollongong is the home of hard rock in the '70s and '80s.

I interviewed surfer Terry Richardson and he crawled in a window to watch AC/DC at the Corrimal Community Centre in 1978! So, even though people who listen to the radio station are older than I was talking to over at Triple J, I reckon they have a much broader appreciation in music.

Who have been your most memorable callers? I get some lovely callers at ABC Illawarra. Sarah from Bomaderry who is vision impaired, and she calls up any time we talk about any ability related issues, especially when it's

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How do you see the future of live music in the Illawarra? There's so many gigs Wollongong is insanely busy. I can drive to Waves or to the UniBar, the Servo or up to Anita's Theatre within 20 minutes from where I live and see so many different sorts of bands, it's great.

It’s a precarious balance between all the development that's happening in Wollongong and the live music scene, and Rad Bar closing is a good example of that. The Oxford Hotel closed and it wasn't the same. It's not quite the same, at least location-wise, but the Servo sprang up. Port Kembla is becoming quite a hub. There's the Vault in Port Kembla as well, and there's always been a very active folk music scene in that area.

In terms of Wollongong, kids are always going to be there drinking and they'll still listen to music, so there will always be places. I feel [venues] will move away from the city centre. There's a lot of Wollongong - down south, south Keira Street and spaces that you could easily use.

What’s next for you and Frenzal Rhomb?

I love being able to do solo stuff and do it occasionally. I don't actively book gigs or anything,

LOCAL MUSIC I just generally say yes when people ask me to do gigs. I played in Newcastle and the Central Coast recently and did two shows in one night because people asked me to play in both places and they happened to be on the same night.

As for the band, we've always got shows. We're just that kind of band that doesn't ever go away.

There's no reason for any band to break up these days because who cares? Just go and get a job and then just do gigs whenever you feel like it. No one cares if you break up, unless you're so precious about your band that you want everyone to throw pity on you and come to your last show.

fast five favourites

Lastly, what’s your most memorable rock star moment? The best rock and roll story was at the 1997 Big Day Out. We just finished doing all the Big Day Outs, our first national festival tour, and we were feeling quite full of ourselves.

We came downstairs at the afterparty in Perth.

Jason spent his last five dollars on a bourbon and coke. It was like, "All right, man. We're going to buy the spirits, this is pretty big for us." Chris Cornell from Soundgarden came downstairs, thought it was a free bar and took Jason’s drink.

I've interviewed Chris Cornell a couple of times.

I did hit him up about it and he was like, "Oh, I guess, I should buy your lead singer a bourbon and coke." It's the best, I love that story. ¡

Favourite beach… Fairy Meadow dog beach.

Favourite place to grab a coffee… Quay Canteen for their Vietnamese coffee with condensed coconut milk.

Favourite place to eat… Anastasia’s Bakehouse or Trangs (Rest in Peace!)

Favourite local band… Scabz, Baby Machine and Tumbleweed.

Favourite local venue to perform… UniBar or further south, the Marlin Hotel in Ulladulla.

Catch Frenzal Rhomb at the Yours and Owls Festival, Sunday 6 October at Stuart Park in Wollongong.

For tickets and more info go to yoursandowlsfestival.com.au

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ADVENTURE AT HOME

explore our pocket CHECK OUT THESE ON-A-BUDGET ACTIVITIES TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ON A HOLIDAY IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD Words Matilda Jesiolowski Images Matilda Jesiolowski, Buzzer's Photography @_b_u_z_z_e_r_

When the weather begins to warm up, it might be tempting to feel like you need to spend all your hard earned dollars on an extravagant getaway. But making the most of time off doesn’t have to break the bank – in fact, you don’t even have to venture out of the Illawarra!

Catch a bargain at the markets

The Coal Coast is home to a thriving market scene, hosting a variety of exciting food, artisan and trash and treasure markets that can serve as a great way to treat yourself, minus the guilt of a hefty price tag and with the added bonus of supporting the local community. Head to the weekly Thursday night Eat Street Markets or the Friday Foragers Market, both held at the Crown Street Mall for all your fresh produce and gourmet food needs. On the hunt for secondhand treasures? Enjoy Sundays overlooking the sea at the monthly Coledale Markets on every fourth Sunday, The Farm’s Market at Killalea State Park on the first Sunday of each month, or Dapto Showground Market held every Sunday.

For later in the evening, Puckey’s Night Markets are held at the UOW Innovation Campus on the last Wednesday of the month for an evening of live music, tasty food vendors and traders selling artisan goods.

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Ride along the coast

The Wollongong Coastal Cycleway allows you to ride your bike for over 42km beside picturesque coastline views. Stretching from Thirroul down to Port Kembla, there is no shortage of things to stop and check out along the way, including the amazing beaches around every corner.

Stop to enjoy the view at Sandon Point or the Wollongong Lighthouse, or venture further north to ride along the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge on the way to Stanwell Park. While it can get busy on weekends, the mostly flat shared pathway makes it easy to navigate, not to mention the scattering of conveniently placed cafes along the way for when you need to stop and rest your legs.

ADVENTURE AT HOME

Get cultured

Wollongong has a vibrant art scene that is worth checking out if you want to explore the cultural side of what this region has to offer.

The Wollongong City Art Gallery has a variety of free exhibitions on offer to the public, as well as one of Australia’s best regional collections of Aboriginal art. The Art Gallery is located conveniently in the middle of town and is easily accessible by the free Gong Shuttle Bus loop.

There is no lack of live music happening at venues all around town. The UOW UniBar regularly hosts a broad variety of gigs with some of the world’s best musicians, as well as local bands and artists. The North Gong Hotel’s Sunday Sessions return in October, a great way to spend a sunny spring afternoon. The free weekly gigs are hosted by local legends Yours & Owls and feature a variety of local and national talents to keep you entertained.

Swim in an ocean pool

As spring comes around and the weather starts to warm up again, take advantage of the numerous free ocean rock pools scattered along the coastline. They are a landmark of the Illawarra, with some built over 100 years ago by coal miners and surf club members and are deeply embedded in the region’s heritage.

Begin up north, with picturesque pools such as Coalcliff, Coledale and Austinmer (pictured here & on the front cover!). As you head further south you’ll come to Woonona, Bellambi, and Towradgi. There are even three supervised saltwater pools: Thirroul Pool, Continental Pool at North Wollongong, and Port Kembla Pool. Each with stunning views nestled between the sea and the escarpment, you’ll feel as if you’ve gone on holiday and forget you never left Wollongong! ¡

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LOCAL PEOPLE

vanishing time RECORDING THE STORIES OF CLIFTON RESIDENTS AND THE HISTORY OF THE ICONIC LANDMARK BUILDING Words Michelle Ahern Bevans

“I’m interested in history, I wanted to record a vanishing time.” Thirroul local and member of Clifton School of Arts, Blue (Vicki) Potter, sits across from me, sipping her peppermint tea. Looking intently across the table she begins relaying stories she has learned of life in the northern Illawarra suburb of Clifton and how she came to making a recorded history film of residents, past and present.

Having lived in Thirroul since the 1980s, Blue, as she has been known since childhood, has been an active member of the Clifton School of Arts since 2016 and is currently working on a project that will hopefully help the school realise its 118-year dream of expanding.

Originally established in the 1880s by philanthropists to provide educational and social opportunities for miners and their families, Clifton School of Arts (CSA) was the focal point for much community activity in the suburb.

The current iconic CSA building, perched on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, was erected in 1911 on land donated by the mine company and built by volunteer miners while on strike. The original building plan included a rear hall to accommodate larger activities and social events. When the strike ended, the works were never completed.

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LOCAL PEOPLE Once a thriving community of 1,000 residents, Clifton is now home to just 10 families and Blue and her fellow members at CSA are determined to capture stories if the past before it’s too late. In 2007 a book “Remember Clifton” was produced by CSA Member Dawn Crowther who collated written memories from 17 former Clifton residents. 11 years later, in 2018, Blue applied and won a Shelley’s Community Grant to acquire recording equipment to be able to capture stories on film.

Growing up in Clifton is the theme of the oral history film project. As the film’s producer, Blue has been interviewing and filming former Clifton residents born in the 1920s to 1950s. “They talk about their childhood, and some have memories from parents and grandparents of a time when Clifton was a thriving mining community of some 90 houses, declining in the 1960s to 20 houses and these days reduced to about 10 with very few residents.”

Blue is no stranger to the importance of oral history. “There are generations of wonderful stories in the area and we’re losing them as people pass away. I wish I’d started sooner.”

With the support of some local friends, Blue’s production skills are self-taught as she has set about capturing hours of footage, gathering pieces of history together like a patchwork quilt, to bring some of the memories of Clifton together on film.

Sharing stories from some of her interviews, Blue paints a picture of Clifton of yesteryear, of “an idyllic childhood, free to wander up and down the escarpment and walk barefoot to the beach for swimming in the rock pool and fish. There was little adult supervision, few vehicles, no dangers except from snakes and falling rocks and everyone knew everyone.”

Before 1960, the community of Clifton was divided into “Top Town”: 31 houses above the railway line, and “Bottom Town” about 60 houses. Stories of occasional rivalry immerse in the interviews, based on where you lived or sometimes between the mainly Catholic and Protestant communities. “Each group had a church in Top Town. There was a track, the Zigzag which went down from Top Town. Overall it was a close community welded by a hard life in the mine

Flour and sugar and “ biscuits came in brown paper bags from the little shop in the School of Arts” and a simple lifestyle. People looked out for each other and supported families in times of financial hardship due to miners strikes and bereavement.”

Fascination with the detail in how children lived and played, what the diet was like and technology as it was beginning to emerge are all strong themes in the interviews and stories.

“The diet for children growing up before and after WW2 was one which would nowadays be considered very healthy. Fruit locally grown and vegetables, chickens and eggs from the garden; fresh fish from the sea, cows and goats for milk, the occasional pig, rabbits, blackberries and honey from the bush. Children didn’t have much money and sweets were given as a reward for helping out. Flour and sugar and biscuits came in brown paper bags from the little shop in the School of Arts.”

A reminder of a different time with different world challenges, one of the more elderly interviewees recalls the siren which he sounded on Wednesdays as practice warning of a Japanese invasion in WW2 and the cave they used as a possible air raid shelter. Japan did not seem far away at that time.

Since the dream was established 118 years ago volunteers have continued to run the CSA. Fundraising efforts from Trustees between 1996 and 2003 rescued the much-loved building from dilapidation and demolition and these days the hope is to fundraise enough to bring to life the vision of expanding the space to allow for more ambitious exhibitions and larger community events.

Growing Up in Clifton video project will be available for viewing in Spring at the CSA. The project will seek to support other fundraising activities to extend the Clifton School of Arts building, which was clearly the cornerstone of a community with a rich history. ¡

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WHAT'S ON

HAIR is a cultural phenomenon and I’m honoured to be involved in its Australian revival. The past few years I’ve focused on my musical theatre career and the shows I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in [including The Bodyguard and Saturday Night Fever] I’ve loved since I can remember, and this one is no exception.

This year is the 50th anniversary of HAIR opening in Australia. How does the latest version continue to push boundaries?

Productions are never the same, each version is always a new creation and different. The issue of going to war [and conscription] may not be as heightened today, but many of the themes are the same as during the original production. Combating racism, violence, equality, open-mindedness and freedom of religion are all issues that are still relevant.

yeah hair ICONIC ROCK MUSICAL HAIR TO BE REVEALED TO A NEW GENERATION

Fifty years after its first ground-breaking performance in Australia, a new production of HAIR is heading to Wollongong, starring award-winning actor Hugh Sheridan and vocal powerhouse Paulini. Celebrating sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, glory, HAIR features an award-winning score including the hit songs Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine, Hair and Let The Sun Shine In. We spoke to Paulini about the revival of the once controversial, hit musical.

HAIR is such an iconic musical, why did you want to be a part of it? I’ve always loved the score – ‘Aquarius’ has been one of my favourites and is a beautifully written piece. Being a part of the show, it’s amazing how much more there is to the story. Society is still facing the same issues and the show is a great way to bring awareness.

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Tell us about your character, Dionne. Dionne is a black activist and is passionate about equal rights – and she shares the message that there needs to be love behind your actions. She’s a strong leader and is like the mother of the tribe – she unites people together and helps them realise how their actions impact each other.

There’s some new faces in the production, tell us about the cast. The cast is amazing, all of them, they’re beautiful fresh talent and are all so passionate about the script. They are going to go far…they are crazy talented! Hugh Sheridan is brilliant to work with – he’s such a character and a great guy, full of spirit and is just what this show needs.

The show is touring to several regional cities what do you enjoy about regional audiences?

I could I go on and on about how much I love regional venues! There is so much appreciation of the work. Big cities get so many shows all the time, you really see the passion and appreciation in the way regional audiences watch you perform or give a standing ovation. It’s incredible. I’m so pumped to come and perform in Wollongong again. The beaches are amazing and the people are great! ¡ See HAIR at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from 25–29 September. To book, visit merrigong.com.au

Audley Dance Hall is perfect for any occasion, set on the river in the Royal National Park.

Cafe on the park open 7 days, 8.30am - 4.30pm.

Dance Hall upstairs seats up to 200 guests for weddings & events.

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TRAVEL

Electric Castle Festival of the P hallus

King's Day 36

TRAVEL

festival fever QUIRKY AND UNIQUE FESTIVALS AROUND THE GLOBE Words Matt Castell Images Electric Castle Photo Team, Bas Van Leeuwen, Lee Mitchell, Alena Ruban, Tiina Rönnberg, Ioana Sabău

One of the best ways to experience true culture whilst travelling is by taking part in a festival. You’ll sample tasty, local dishes, meet good humans and soak up months’ worth of travelling in a short period of time. We’ve all heard of (or been to) Glastonbury, Tomorrowland and Coachella and these are great choices if you want to hear great music and dance your butt off in a mega crowd of selfie-taking revellers. If you’re after something a bit different, here are a few to add to your list.

King’s Day NETHERLANDS | APRIL

Sapporo Snow Festival JAPAN | FEBRUARY Held annually on Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido, witness massive snow sculptures and dazzling light displays as you sip hot sake to stay warm. Try snow rafting or learn how to make your own snow sculptures in between bowls of delicious ramen.

On 27 April each year, Amsterdam becomes a drunken sea of orange clothing, street dancing and general debauchery in a city well-known for this type of behaviour already. On Koningsday, the city doubles in population, so be prepared to get cosy and don’t forget to wear orange!

Festival of the Phallus JAPAN | APRIL Known locally as Kanamara Matsuri, this celebration of the male organ takes Japanese quirk to a whole new level. Held on the first Sunday in April, men wear dresses and haul giant penises through the main street of Kawasaki.

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TRAVEL

Altai Golden Eagle Festival

Kaljakellunt 38

Electric Castle

TRAVEL

Boryeong Mud Festival SOUTH KOREA | JULY

Rouketopolemos GREECE | EASTER Another religious-based get together, the Greeks have been firing “rockets” at each other from across town for centuries. They use homemade fireworks now, instead of actual cannons, which totally sounds much safer! Rival parishes on the island of Chios aim their explosives trying to hit their church bell about 400m away and dings are counted and tallied the next day to crown the winner, although they never actually agree on it.

El Colacho Baby Jumping Festival SPAIN | MAY-JUNE Following on nicely from a festival celebrating a sexual organ, the Spanish town of Castrillo de Murcia cleanses their newborns of sin by having men dressed as the Devil hurdle over them. It happens during Corpus Christi, so the dates are different every year. There is also some lighthearted whipping involved (not the babies). Check it out, but maybe leave bub with the grandparents.

Electric Castle ROMANIA | JULY They had me at “music festival in a castle”. Just outside of Cluj, this three-day party is hosting the likes of Florence and the Machine and CVRCHES this year. Get there quick before this becomes the next big thing on the European festival circuit.

The town of Boryeong, two hours south of Seoul wants you to have a “Mud-tastic” time at the #1 South Korea festival. Try your luck in the mud games, buy locally made beauty products and then slosh up the dancefloor after the sun goes down.

Kaljakellunt FINLAND | JULY-AUGUST This one is self-explanatory if you speak Finnish, as the name translates to “Beer Floating”. It’s uniquely unique in the fact that there aren’t any official organisers, it just happens either late July or early August when thousands of folks jump on their floaties and cruise down the river getting drunk on beer.

Altai Golden Eagle Festival MONGOLIA | OCTOBER This gathering celebrates and showcases the prowess and tradition of Kazakh eagle hunters. Watch as fur-covered horsemen and their trained golden eagles gallop across the Mongolian desert to exhibit their hunting skills.

Krampus Parade AUSTRIA | DECEMBER Take equal parts Christmas, Halloween and Cirque du Soleil and you end up with Krampus.

Held in many Tyrolean villages on 5-6 December, expect to see scarily dressed fire twirlers and elves whipping bystanders for behaving badly, while you guzzle mulled wine and chow down on pretzels. ¡

Want to know how to get there and where to stay? Get in touch with Matt Castell at Curated Travel to start planning your next trip! www.curatedtravel.com.au

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LOCAL SPORT

alexander the great FROM LOCAL LEAGUE HERO TO THE TOP OF THE UFC Words Stefan Posthuma

Ten years ago, Shellharbour-born Alexander Volkanovski was playing rugby league for the Warilla Gorillas, using Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to stay fit during the off season.

In 2010, he won the Mick Cronin medal – South Coast Rugby League’s top award and the following year his team won the premiership. Going out on a high and hungry for a new challenge, Alex retired from rugby league to pursue a career in MMA. For Alex, the last eight years have seen a rapid rise through local, national and international MMA, with the offer of an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract coming in 2016. A seven fight winning-streak in the UFC has brought Volkanovski to the top of his featherweight division, next in line for a shot at MMA’s biggest prize – a UFC Championship.

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You had a successful career in Rugby League – what brought about the change to MMA? I’ve always loved martial arts, and I was training part-time while I was playing rugby league. I took a liking to it and started getting pretty good. I love to challenge myself so I decided to focus on MMA and see where it took me.

You’ve always trained here in the Illawarra - tell us about your gym? I train at Freestyle Fighting Gym down in Windang. It was the first MMA gym I ever stepped into and my coach Joe Lopez was there on my first day. I’ve been there ever since and Joe is still my coach. I only started MMA when I was 22, so I’ve been there for eight years which is a very short time to reach the level of success I have. I have Joe and my team to thank for that.

How has the MMA in the Illawarra changed over those eight years? It’s grown so much. It’s huge now. Obviously the sport itself has grown, but there are also so many more people in the Illawarra who know the sport and follow it locally.

LOCAL SPORT I like to think I had a bit of a role in that. My coach Joe has a show called Wollongong Wars which I fought at earlier in my career. He held one recently, I wasn’t on the card but it was still the biggest show he’d ever done. There was so much young talent at the event, and it just shows how much the sport has grown in the Illawarra.

Have you got a lot of support from your Wollongong fans? The local support for me has been amazing, especially through my last few fights as my profile has grown. I see all the comments on Instagram, I get messages from fans, people get together at local pubs to watch me fight and represent the Illawarra, it’s a great feeling.

Being one of the top featherweights in the world, do you ever feel like you need to move away from Wollongong, to a bigger gym with more facilities? A lot of people have told me I should go train in America, or to some supergym somewhere. I don’t want to. I don’t need to go anywhere else to train. You’ll always have different options to go chase bigger things – but in fighting, everyone’s human and it’s so important to have a strong team. Being with Joe from day one, he knows what I want and what I need – he keeps me humble and on the right level. As a top fighter, you want to train with as many different styles as possible, so I’m always based out of Windang but I’ll go train in Sydney, New Zealand, or in Thailand. We’ll also bring fighters to Wollongong to train with me.

Training with a lot of different body types and styles has allowed me to evolve, be creative and stay composed when I fight – that’s helped me a lot in my career.

The Holy Grail in MMA is to fight in the UFC, tell us about when you got the call.

I was living at my mum’s at the time with my wife Emma and my daughter Ariana. I was just about to go to Bali for a wedding when I got the call and it took me by surprise. I was pushing for the UFC for a couple of years, I had a good record but it just wasn’t happening. Getting a contract can be about opportunities that are out of your control. People can get injured, or pull out of a fight and you might get a call. You have to be ready have to take those opportunities. After the call I quickly realised I wouldn’t be doing as much relaxing in Bali as I’d hoped. My coach Joe was coming and we had to train!

bring that belt into “theTo gym in Windang would be so special” In May, you won your biggest fight to date beating legend Jose Aldo in his home country Brazil. How did that feel? It was unreal. There were a lot of people who didn’t think I could do it. As a team, we knew we could do it, but you’re fighting one of the best of all time and you need to be ready, and recognise you could also lose – anything can happen in a fight. To get it all done is an amazing feeling, it’s a huge relief. I’m not scared of getting hurt in a fight, but losing is a different thing. It can be four steps back in your career. You lose money, it will affect your next contract – a loss can really stint your career and can mess with you mentally.

When you win – when you get the job done after all that preparation you can soak it all up, celebrate and relax with your family, your team and your friends.

With that victory you also became the number one contender for the UFC Featherweight title. How does it feel to know that you’re next in line for a shot at the title? It’s just another fight, another body.

As a top fighter you have to be prepared for anything. Title fights are five rounds, so that will be different, but I’m ready. I know I can finish a fight early, but I’m also prepared for a back and forth war. I know there will be a lot of hard training, we’ll build a solid game plan and I need to focus of course, but not a lot changes. You just need to be prepared.

What would it mean to you to become the featherweight champion and bring that belt to the Illawarra? It’s everything I’ve worked for. Over the last eight years I’ve put my heart and soul into MMA, and Joe and my team have been with me, supporting me the whole way. To bring that belt into the gym in Windang would be so special. It’ll prove that if you’re focused and passionate – and you have a strong team around you - you can achieve anything in the sport. ¡

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HEALTH

wellness road test MEET WOLLONGONG’S WELLNESS INNOVATORS Words & images Stefan Posthuma

There’s no doubt the term ‘wellness’ casts a broad net, describing anything from traditional gym training to facial exfoliation, yoga and Pilates, or meditation and healing. One of the most hashtagged movements of the last decade, the industry’s prominence has given passionate individuals the ability to explore an array of methods, products, protocols and technologies aimed at improving wellbeing in all aspects of life. We discover some of Wollongong’s wellness spaces – traditional and not so traditional!

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HEALTH

Ghetto Movement

Cocoon Floatation

12/30 Swan St, Wollongong www.ghettomovement.com

70 Kembla St, Wollongong www.cocoonfloatation.com.au

Gym culture has long been dominated by what could be considered traditional, tried and tested methodologies. Cardio, weights, circuit training and group classes are all familiar training formats, used by most people for the basic purpose of staying fit and healthy. Ghetto Movement provides something different - rather than a "get fit and look good" mindset, founder Will Grant’s passion lies in taking care of both body and mind, improving functionality and resilience to facilitate long-term health and vitality. "I want to be in better nick when I’m 70 than what I am now," says Will. "There’s no shortcuts to being functional and healthy as you get older. You have to take care of yourself. You need to work hard and to pay attention to your mobility, your balance, your strength and your mental health.”

Sensory deprivation may sound more like something from the script of Stranger Things than a wellness practice, however, floatation is a discipline that in recent times has seen a rapid increase in popularity around the globe. Just ask Megan Sproats, who started Wollongong’s first float centre Cocoon Floatation five years ago.

“There wasn’t much awareness about floatation when I started the business, but the industry has really grown. More people are giving it a try and seeing the benefits.”

Ghetto Movement offer an array of innovative classes facilitated by Will’s team of movement maestros including Hips and Hamstrings, Spinal Mobility sessions, there’s Movement, Ghetto Booty, Straight and Bent Arm strength classes and the enormously popular Friday night social, Handstands and Hamburgers. Upstairs in Ghetto’s yoga studio, some more familiar practices like Flow, Vinyasa, Yin, prenatal or mums and bubs yoga is also available. Members can join unlimited classes each week and will receive support to stay accountable – check out the large black entry wall covered in the chalk scribbles of members’ movement goals.

ROAD TEST #1 - MOVEMENT

My first session was an hour of exercises incorporating balance, strength and mobility – helping us find space and flexibility where previously there was none. From deep static squats and slider lunges, to bar hangs, ring pull ups, rope climbing and kettle bell folds – strength sessions are a tough an innovative introduction into functional body weight training – leaving me sore in pockets of muscle I didn’t know I had. Ghetto Movement is more than a gym; it’s a community and a culture. It’s a place where like-minded people go to improve themselves.

An accepting environment built on fun, challenge and encouragement – transcending the role of gym, providing a structure by which to improve and a community to help you along.

Floatation is the practice of relieving yourself of all sensory input. Suspended in bodytemperature water, in complete darkness and silence, floating activates the parasympathetic nervous system giving the body and mind an opportunity to rest and repair. “The benefits are so broad” says Megan. “I have clients who use it for things like back pain, fibromyalgia and sciatica.

It also has a bunch of different mental health benefits; relieving stress, anxiety and depression and boosting the release of dopamine.”

ROAD TEST #2 - FLOATING

I’m led down a barely lit hallway into one of the float rooms where a white, human-sized spaceship capsule awaits. I strip down, shower and climb into the tank. No light, sound or smell is present – I’m suspended in this small space that despite its size, feels like infinity. I focus on my breath and try to release my thoughts. Time alters its course and the lines between asleep and awake, conscious and subconscious soon blur. Time passes, music comes on, the space illuminates and my first session is done. I walk out feeling relaxed and rested.

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HEALTH

Now Cryotherapy 71 Keira St, Wollongong www.nowcryotherapy.com.au Hot and cold therapy has been used for wellbeing throughout history, across dozens of cultures, all over the world. Think Nordic sauna, Arctic winter swims, Turkish steam houses and athletes in ice baths. A natural progression for a wellness space like this is to keep pushing the temperature extremes, and that’s exactly what you get at Now Cryotherapy… extremes!

From the -150 degree icy blast of the cryo chamber to a sweat-soaked hour in the infrared sauna, the extreme conditions activate a unique set of bodily responses which provide a multitude of benefits. “It’s impossible to naturally get your body to these extreme temperatures,” says Liam Hammond, who started Now Cryotherapy in 2017. “When it’s that cold, your body goes into a protection mode, drawing blood to your core and releasing hormones and proteins that have a range of different benefits.

It reduces inflammation and helps with muscle recovery, so we work with numerous athletes and professional sports teams. It also reduces pain, and can help with chronic conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. We have a massive variety of clients from kids and athletes to the elderly who all get different benefits from cryo.”

ROAD TEST #3 – ICE COLD & HOT SAUNA

I walk into my first session slightly nervous about the extremes that await. I’m handed a pair of woollen gloves and socks before stepping in to the chamber. The temperature plummets and I settle in for only a couple minutes, breathing purposefully and moving the body. It’s a challenge, but it’s fun. Three minutes pass and the finish bell sounds. Invigorated and euphoric I step out and feel the blood rush back to my hands and feet. Next is the sauna – a modern, timber and glass cubicle equipped with the full infrared spectrum, which heats the body instead of the air providing a subtle heat, allowing for a full hour of exposure.

I settle in for the next extreme. Still and relaxed, I sweat for an hour, relieving my body of the toxins and stress built up by a busy week. ¡

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When it’s that cold, your “ body goes into a protection mode, drawing blood to your core and releasing hormones and proteins”

Finding Your Tea Moment TeaEsk is an Award Winning boutique tea business here on the South Coast.

Like a warm hug on a rainy day, tea is welcoming. There’s little more comforting than taking a step away to enjoy a fresh cup, or catching up with family and friends over a wellmade pot of tea; it’s these moments that are life’s true pleasures.

Discover TeaEsk at Moore Street General, Cranky’s Canteen, Two Sisters Garage, Sketch Coffee & Art, Milk & Co, or visit TeaEsk.com.au

TeaEsk are purveyors of farmerconscious, quality hand-crafted teas and herbal infusions sourced from one side of the earth to the other.

It’s for the humble amongst us, who drink our tea to enjoy its taste, and embrace its wellbeing, wedded to the moment of escape as each sip is a journey to around the world.

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LOCAL CREATIVE

telling tales AWARD-WINNING STANWELL PARK AUTHOR SUE WHITING FOUND THE MAGIC OF STORIES Words Courtenay Turner

Marcel Proust once said that there are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favourite book. Local author, Sue Whiting, may well have written that book. Captivating and colourful, her work has captured the imagination of kids (and adults) around Australia for more than 10 years. Her books are a testament to her love of children’s literature and her passion for connecting young readers with the magic of storytelling.

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After working for more than a decade in one of the country’s top publishing houses, Walker Books Australia, Sue now divides her time between presenting, editing, mentoring and doing exactly what she does best – creating compelling stories for children and young adults, including the best-selling The Firefighters, and awardwinning A Swim in the Sea. We sat down with Sue to discover more about the literary life of one of the Coal Coast’s most celebrated creatives…

Did you always want to be a writer? The short answer is no. I was always a reader, but growing up, I wasn’t ever a scribbler. In fact, I didn’t think I had a creative bone in my body. That was

LOCAL CREATIVE until I had to write a children’s story for a uni assignment when I was in my late twenties, and weirdly, in a nanosecond, I went from someone who never considered being a writer, to someone who desperately wanted to write. It just took me another 10 years to conjure up the courage to give writing a proper go.

And what do you most enjoy about writing for children and young adults? I am passionate about children’s literature and in particular helping kids discover the joys of reading, so that really fuels my writing. Kids love stories and I love tapping into their imaginations. And there is nothing better than sharing your own story with a bunch of excited kids.

One of your latest young adult novels, Missing, tells the story of 13-year-old girl, Mackenzie da Luca, whose mother goes missing in the jungles of Panama. What inspired you to write this particular story?

Missing was a really difficult book to write and it took me a long time to work out how to tell this story. Inspiration came when I was researching missing persons for my YA novel Portraits of Celina and discovered that in Australia about 38,000 people are reported missing every year.

A large proportion are found in a relatively short period of time, but each year about 1600 are considered long-term missing. These statistics shocked me and I started to read the heartbreaking stories of families struggling with this type of tragedy and, all the while, I kept on thinking about the kids – what would it be like for them? How would they cope? Where would they find hope in such a hopeless situation?

These thoughts wouldn’t leave me and I knew I had to explore them in story.

I went from someone who never “considered being a writer, to someone who desperately wanted to write” After that I might do some editing, brainstorming, research, marketing/social media and, of course, the dreaded admin.

It’s often said that in order to become a better writer, one needs to read widely (after you’ve finished all that dreaded admin, of course). Who are some of your favourite storytellers? Reading is all-important.

I have many favourite storytellers – Harper Lee, Markus Zusak, Patrick Ness and Kate DiCamillo have all written books that I would list as my alltime favourites. I love stories that keep the pages turning, but also have a lot of heart.

And what advice would you give to aspiring writers or creatives hoping to find their place in the industry? Never give up.

Persistence and perseverance is so important.

Also, practise. It is essential to keep developing your craft and trying to challenge yourself. Finally, write from the heart, not for a market.

What’s next for you? I have a new novel coming out next March – The Book of Chance. It is a mystery/suspense novel for 10–14 year olds that should appeal to fans of Missing. It is inspired by a true crime story and is set in Wollongong. ¡

Many of us imagine the life of a writer to be quite dreamy and relaxed, but I’m sure this isn’t always the case! When you’re in the process of writing a book, what does the average day look like for you? Firstly, there is no average day. Every day is different.

The process of writing every book is different too. Most days, I try to write three pages in my writing journal first thing – three pages of stream of consciousness, written quickly. Then I get on with the “real” writing of the day. I aim to write a minimum of 500 words each day. I usually write more than this, but 500 is my absolute minimum.

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LOCAL STYLE

soulful sanctuaries Words & images Birdblack Design

There is something so soothing about taking a bath – whether it is enjoyed with music, candles or bubbles, there is something spectacular found in that soulful soak.

The bathroom in particular, when transformed correctly, can become an exquisite haven of rest and rejuvenation at night, and the perfect place for preparation in the morning.

Focal points when creating a bathing sanctuary: 1 2 3

Open and breathable space When designing bathrooms, it is essential to prioritise floor space, ensuring easy navigation throughout. Pokey dead corners are wasted space. Natural lighting and ventilation are also crucial in any bathroom renovation. For added luxury, consider installing an openable skylight.

No elbow knocks or uncovered knees Where space permits, opt for the largest shower possible- relaxation does not include hitting your elbows against the shower glass. When selecting a bath, take note of the depth, ensuring ultimate water coverage for soaking.

Creature comforts A standard inclusion for many bathroom renovations are heated floor tiles. Warm extremities keep the whole body warm – and our clients are always grateful on cold winter mornings. ¡

Birdblack Design are bespoke home design specialists and ready to help you with your Soulful Sanctuary renovations. www.birdblackdesign.com.au

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

a haven at home HOME DESIGN TRENDS IN THE ILLAWARRA Words Trever Molenaar

Upgraded outdoor living

We’ve seen a huge trend in the last few years in upgrading the usual outdoor deck or balcony to create a more sophisticated outdoor entertaining space, often complete with functional kitchen – an alfresco space that goes beyond just being able to squeeze around a table and chairs. Consider how usable the space will be in different weather and seasons. Retractable blinds, louvre screens or bi-fold windows and doors can take the space from Summer to a year-round zone. The flooring of outdoor spaces is now seeing more budget dollars allocated for good reasons. Pine decking was the “standard”, but there are far superior products available, from hardwood decking (which is very hard wearing it just requires maintaining) to tiles on suspended concrete balconies and composite products that offer zero maintenance and are ideal for our coastal environment.

One often-forgotten inclusion for outdoor entertaining is ventilation for the BBQ and/ or cooktops. A screened opening, window or exhaust above the kitchen area can do the trick.

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A new home for the backyard pool

Pools continue to be a priority area for many families, but the placement of pools has completely changed in recent years. Gone are the days of a lonely pool in the back of the yard, completely disconnected with the house. These days, the trend is for pools placed against and amongst living zones, hugging external corners of the house and becoming a feature of the home rather than the backyard. Contrary to popular belief, a wow-factor pool of any shape up against the home doesn’t need to present any additional complications or expense.

High tech but not out of reach

Home automation is becoming more common as technology becomes increasingly mainstream, user-friendly and affordable. Newly built homes, at minimum, include capability to run automated systems in the future, with all electrical points and switches connected. Solar power is another piece of technology becoming more prevalent and these days most clients opt for at least the provision for solar in every home. ¡

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HOW TO

finance facts YOUR MONEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Words Alex Peat & Tristan White

Shares or and investment property?

You own your home, your mortgage is relatively low and you have savings left over each month.

Where should you direct your hard-earned cash flow – an investment property or a share portfolio? The truth is both have been well-performing investment assets, therefore consideration should be given to both. The two options have differing qualities – investment properties incur ongoing costs such as strata, rates and insurance, shares do not. You can’t sell just a bathroom, whereby shares can be sold individually. You cannot spread your cash between multiple properties in varying locations, whereas share portfolios can be spread across a range of businesses in varying sectors. Property is tangible and relatable for most, shares are intangible and tricky to evaluate. You typically only need a 20 per cent deposit to invest in property, where typically no borrowing is used to fund a share portfolio.

This is where property (in the major cities) holds a slight advantage, in the last 20 years borrowing to purchase an investment property has been a lucrative strategy, maximising the return on your 20 per cent deposit because the investment property returns have exceeded the after-tax cost to borrow. What is important is ensuring your situation is well diversified – the old adage of not having all your eggs in one basket holds true. Holding varying assets will leave you less exposed to a single economic event – like a property downturn or a poorly performing business sector – reducing the financial impact.

Ultimately what drives which is the better choice depends on your situation, personal preference and ongoing needs.

How often should I look into changing lenders for my mortgage?

This is a common question that most Australians find themselves asking and for good reason. If correctly considered, refinancing can provide numerous benefits to borrowers, such as lower interest rates, repayment savings, lower fees, improved debt structure, and access to equity.

There is no magic formula or standard timeframe.

Generally, any time that a refinance will provide a benefit to your circumstances is an ideal time to refinance. The lending market is constantly changing with new products and rates being offered, which creates opportunities for clients.

Typically, most Australians refinance every four to five years, with some savvy borrowers who chase the best deals, refinancing every two to three.

It’s important to note that refinancing does involve costs, and these must be taken into account. A review completed annually where the numbers are run on whether a refinance makes commercial sense and outweighs the cost to move is beneficial. Promotional offers are also something to consider and can range from $1000 to $3500 – in most cases, leaving a little extra cash in your back pocket after the moving expense.

The key take away is to monitor your loan closely and consult a mortgage broker – the service does not cost the borrower, will result in a better outcome and keeps the banks honest. ¡

If you have a question you’d like the The Wealth Connection team to answer, email info@coalcoastmagazine.com

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www.designbathware.com.au 54

COFFEE CHAT

hey brew MEET NICOLE FROM REAY’S PLACE

How was Reay’s Place born?

Garry and I have always run fine dining night restaurants. Then we fell pregnant with our first daughter while running a night restaurant down in Berry, which flipped everything on its head because night restaurants and babies just don’t work! We work best when we’re together, so it was one of those situations where we had to stop, reassess and decide what to do next.

Garry went and worked for other people for a while, and I didn’t work as much with two babies. I then started supplying other cafes in Sydney with my cakes, cupcakes and macarons. Everything I do in my cabinet now I was doing then for other people. We knew that the products worked, we just needed a space to give it a go.

What’s the inspiration behind your menu? The fresh board is made of food we love to eat that is healthy and wholesome. When we first opened, we only had a small area to seat people and had 10 items on the menu. Since we’ve expanded the café, we have only expanded the menu slightly. We still keep it quite tight with about 15 items – and just try to do those things really well.

Then we have the cabinet, which features all house cakes, pies, quiches and sausage rolls, or what ever I feel like making that week. We also do take-home meals like beef cheek pies, vegetarian lasagne and cannelloni, which is another space that I fill with whatever is seasonally delicious.

lovers bunch of ecoffwe’eell cha We’re a ever here, so ownery orissubarista aboutt to a cafe kes the perfect cup. what ma

Tell us about the catering side?

We do everything from 1st birthdays to weddings and everything inbetween. During the week we do corporate catering with clients including the Innovation Campus and the Catholic Education Department.

This involves lots of lunches and night-time corporate events. Saturdays are usually weddings – I’m booked out with weddings every Saturday until December, and already for some months of next year!

What brand of coffee do you serve and why? We use Allpress. We chose it because it’s an air-roasted bean, which no other roaster does that way.

We became interested in it through a friend of ours, and since we started using it we have seen our coffee sales go up by 30%. It’s just so consistent – every time we get our beans they are exactly the same.

What’s the secret to a perfect brew? Consistency in our coffee and the people involved in making it is our secret to the perfect brew. The café manager, Anna, is my sister in law, and she’s here full time. Cass, the other barista we have has been with us for five years.

If you buy coffee from another spot in the Illawarra, where do you go? Arthur’s Food Store in Port Kembla. I used to work for the owner, Robin, when I was 14. She was the first person to teach me passion behind food and how to cook. I call her my other ‘food’ mother. She has been in the business for around 40 years and is totally home-style, which is similar to our style at Reay’s Place. ¡

Reay's Place 5 Vereker St, Fairy Meadow

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COAL COAST FAVES

@nerotsuki Golden rock walls

#coalcoastmag TAG US IN YOUR PICS ON INSTAGRAM & WE WILL PRINT OUR FAVES EACH ISSUE. GET SNAPPING! www.coalcoastmagazine.com

@lostwollongong 60c - The Waterfall toll gates shortly before their closure in the mid-1990's

@its_suz_ Life is beautiful no matter the shade or shape. Snap by me during a morning stoke walk at Thirroul

@iron_media_imaging b l u e s. great to see old facilities revamped and ready to rumble

@coolchangephotography.com.au A fresh start to the morning

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TABLE 426

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REVIEWS

it's getting hot in here BLEW OUR TOP WITH SOME LOCALLY FOUND HOT SAUCES Smokin' Hot BBQ sauce, The Chilli Project My dad counts sheep by threes. A talent I've always admired, who needs a 1 and 2? Especially when they are moving so fast through the race. So just like my dad, its straight to 3 then BLAST OFF! Far out, it gets the blood pumping. Alas, I did say throw me the hottest one you've got, as they have several. If you wanna pop your top, this is your guy.

Chilli Relish, Kate's Kitchen, Coledale Markets This is the pot I'd like to think I could knock up when I've got a veggie garden.Yup put me in an apron and call me Kate. Because Kate is great. She gives away recipe secrets and winning suggestions like 'pop a dollop on your steak'. This stuff really jazzes up the most boring dishes coming out the kitchen, so if you're a shocking chef... Kate's your mate.

Reaper, Culley's, Leisure Coast Fruit Market Big mistake. Huge. Just like that time I wore tracksuit pants to the gym. Notice no-one wears real leisurewear to the gym? Anyway I did overestimate my hot chilli threshold. Shall not sport a tracky pant to the gym or think I can handle the extremely hot sauce. Keep it real and in check.

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ANNUAL COLEDALE WINE FAIR Sunday 13th October 1pm-5pm Coledale Community Hall $20 entry

Includes crystal wine glass and tastings

COME AND SAMPLE OVER 100 GREAT LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL WINES, BEAUTIFUL CRAFT BEER AND CIDER. SPECIAL PRICES ON ALL PRODUCTS PURCHASED ON THE DAY.

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COAL COAST POPS

best sweet treat?

Interviews Kate O'Mealley

LUCY FROM SHELL COVE

ROGER FROM FAIRY MEADOW

Vanilla slice with passionfruit icing from Oaks Flats Hot Bread

Chelsea Bun from Balgownie Hot Bake

JAZ FROM BALGOWNIE

RHYS FROM CRONULLA

Tiramisu from Massimo Papa Fairy Meadow

Caramel slice from Figtr ee Bakery

SARAH FROM BERRY

JESS + HARRY FROM AUSTINMER

The Honeycomb butterbing at Rush UOW

Carrot Cake from Moore St General

ADVERTISE WITH US. BE A LEGEND. PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS & GET NOTICED ACROSS THE ILLAWARRA. 60

COAL COAST POPS How long have you lived in the Illawarra?

We just celebrated 10 years in Australia (and the Illawarra) in June.

meet a neighbour Interview Michelle Ahern Bevans

What brought you to the area? I am originally from Vancouver, Canada but was living in Edmonton, Calgary with my husband Patrick and our three kids while he completed his PhD at the University of Alberta.

Patrick’s supervisor was Australian and told him about a job going at the University of Wollongong. We had never even heard of Wollongong but liked the idea of being somewhere new and had heard it was close to Sydney but more family oriented.

I remember when I arrived here, one of the first things I did was take the kids on the free bus around Wollongong. As it pulled into North Wollongong I’ll never forget looking up the coastline and my mouth literally dropped open. I remember thinking it looked like something out of a magazine. 10 years later and I still can’t believe that we live somewhere like this!

A nn H ollifield g West Wollongon

Shop 1, 407 Princes Highway, Woonona (02) 4283 5511 www.woononaflorist.net.au

We feel connected to the community here. I now work at UOW and volunteer with the Honk Festival and as the Regional Manager for Primary Ethics in Wollongong which is a great organisation that rolls out ethics classes for primary kids throughout NSW. Volunteering has allowed me to meet lots of new people and have a strong sense of community which is really important when you live a long way from your family.

Ideal start to the day? My husband and I love going bushwalking. Now that the kids are grown up we don’t need to talk them into coming with us! I love walking through the National Park, there are some beautiful Aboriginal engravings near Jibbon Beach in Bundeena which is one of my favourite spots to visit.

Join the CoWorking Revolution HOTDESKS-PRIVATE OFFICES-PODCASTS WWW.BUSINESSENTERPRISEHUB.COM CONNECT@BUSINESSENTERPRISEHUB.COM

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what's on calendar &visit our website for more email us at info@coalcoastmagazine.com to include any future events

monday

tuesday

3

9

Frankly Sinatra: A Tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes Merringong Theatre, Wollongong •Emily Garth - Popera Wollongong Town Hall

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november october september

2

Babies Love Books (every Monday) Oak Flats Library

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24 1

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS STARTS

14 21

4

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SCHOOL GOES BACK • WaltSing Australia Wollongong Town Hall

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Thirroul Library Poets (every third Tues) Thirroul Library

Shellharbour Children’s Writers and Illustrators (every Tuesday 11am) Shellharbour City Library

Figgy Folk Open Mic Sessions Figtree Hotel

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4 11

5 12

Cooper & Kennedy - Kabarett Wollongong Town Hall

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Figgy Folk Open Mic Sessions The Figtree Hotel

Toddlertime (every Tues) Dapto Library

Drake White Anita's Theatre

LABOUR DAY

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Wriggle and Jiggle (every Tues) Thirroul Library

17

Figgy Folk Open Mic Sessions Figtree Hotel

23 7

MELBOURNE CUP DAY •The Wharf Revue 2019 IPAC (until Nov 9)

19

Storytime (every Tues) Wollongong Library

26

SCARF Trivia Night The Little Prince Wollongong

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thursday

Wriggle & Jiggle (every Wed) Wollongong Library

5

Australian Chamber Orchestra - Celebrating Mozart Wollongong Town Halll

11

Babies Love Books (every Wed) Warilla Library

12

18

James Morrison Anita's Theatre • In Transit Wollongong Town Hall

19

Storytime (every Thursday) Shellharbour City Library

25

HAIR IPAC (until Sept 29) • Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus • The Chats UOW UniBar

26

No Lights No Lycra (every Thursday) The Old Wollongong Courthouse

2

Lewis Spears #NoSlideSeason UOW UniBar

9

Postmodern Jukebox Anita's Theatre

10

Oktoberfest UOW UniBar

Hands Like Houses UOW UniBar

17

Kasey Chambers Anita's Theatre • HOLY HOLY UOW UniBar

16

The 39 Steps IPAC (until Oct 26) • Dylan Moran - Dr Cosmos Wollongong Town Hall

30 6 13

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62

wednesday

Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus

Storytime (every Wed) Warilla Library

20 27

Puckeys Night Market UOW Innovation Campus, North Wollongong

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and follow along

3

Jimmy Barnes WIN Entertainment Centre

Sky's the Limit Mini Olympics Beaton Park•Australian Chamber Orchestra Wollongong Town Hall HALLOWEEN•End of Session Party UOW UniBar• Anita's Cinema: Radical Reels Anita’s Theatre

31 7 14

Eat Street Markets (every Thursday) Crown St Mall

21

End of Exams Party UOW UniBar

28

Eat Street Markets every Thursday, Crown St Mall

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week ends

friday

saturday

sunday

1

Father's Day • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • Dapto Markets (every Sunday) • Wollongong Museum Trail (every Sunday) • Tex Perkins Anita's Theatre

8

Spring Into Corrimal • Foragers Markets Bulli Showground • Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel (every Sunday)

Ghostbusters (The Original) - Sci Fri Cinema Science Space, UOW Innovation Campus • Mamma Mia! (until Sept 15) IPAC • Ross Wilson Heritage Hotel, Bulli

Spring Festival (until Sept 8) Crooked River Wines • The Coastal Classic Royal National Park Coast Track, Otford to Bundeena • Tonight with Kiki The Music Lounge • Nan Tien Health & Wellbeing Markets Nan Tien Temple Unanderra (every Saturday)

South Coast Food and Wine Festival (until Sept 15) Berry • Sculptures at Killalea Shell Cove (until Sept 22) • SAFIA UOW UniBar

13

14

Illawarra Relay for Life Gwynneville • Art on the Grass Port Kembla • Made From Scratch The Music Lounge • Class of 59: The Rock & Roll Circus Tour Anita's Theatre• Seeker Lover Keeper The Heritage Hotel Bulli

15

Harbourside Artists - Open Air Exhibition Belmore Basin• Heroines Festival Thirroul District Community Centre and Library• American Muscle Car Show & Shine Towradgi Beach Hotel

Aida WIN Entertainment Centre (until Sept 22) • Russell Morris Heritage Hotel, Bulli • Daryl Braithwaite Towradgi Beach Hotel

21

Starpower International Talent Competition IPAC (until Sept 22) • Darren Coggan: Remember the Days of Cat Stevens Anita's Theatre

22

Coledale Markets Coledale School • The Pacific Belles with the Northside Big Band Anita's Theatre

28

Play School Live UOW • The Next Step WIN Entertainment Centre • Kris Kristofferson & The Strangers Anita's Theatre • Birds of Tokyo Towradgi Beach Hotel

29

Dapto Markets (every Sunday)

5

Yours and Owls Festival Stuart Park, North Wollongong (until Sept 6) • Fifty Shades of Ethnic Anita's Theatre

6

Dave Panichi Septet The Music Lounge • Eat Street Bulli Bulli Showgrounds • Tones and I UOW UniBar Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts IPAC (until Sept 5) • Harrison Craig Sings Elton John Love Songs Anita's Theatre

11

Effie in Love Me Tinder IPAC • Friday Forage Crown Street Mall (every Fri)

Jamboree Creative Escape (until Oct 20) Mt Keira • DP Battle Royale Thirroul (until Oct 20) • Stella Donnelly UOW UniBar • NRL Trans-Tasman Triple Header WIN Stadium • Ben Portsmouth Anita's Theatre

1 8 15

Virginia Taylor and Timothy Kain – The Medium is the Magic The Music Lounge Ian Moss Anita's Theatre• You Am I + Jebediah Towradgi Beach Hotel Itsy Bitsy Builders (every Friday) Shellharbour City Library

Kidzwish Charity Ball WIN Entertainment Centre •Wollongong Writers Festival (until Nov 24) Wollongong Art Gallery

29

Eat Street Markets Bulli Showground

Illawarra Festival of Wood Bulli Showground (until Oct 13) • Art on the Grass Port Kembla • Symphonic Epics Wollongong Art Gallery • John Waters - Dylan Revisited WIN Entertainment Centre• The Divine Miss Bette IPAC NSW Police & ES Games (until Oct 24) • Gravity Racing National Championships Port Kembla • Bjorn Again Anita's Theatre • Grinspoon Towradgi Beach Hotel • Bohemian Rhapsody The Oaks Hotel

26

Helensburgh Country Fair • Lime Cordiale UOW UniBar

Michael Tynan Memorial Challenge Walk North Wollongong • Mark Vincent and Tommy Fleming Together in Concert Anita's Theatre • Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Heritage Hotel Bulli

2 9 16

Art on the Grass Port Kembla • Australian Supercross Championship WIN Stadium • Glenn Shorrock & Doug Parkinson Anita's Theatre

23 30

Wollongong...

Young Stars of Country Reunion Tour Anita's Theatre • Renée Geyer Heritage Hotel Bulli • Sydney Symphony Orchestra Wollongong Town Hall Warrawong Markets every Saturday • Yours & Owls Dicey's Saturdays Dicey Riley's

Dapto Markets (every Sunday) • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • Wollongong Museum Trail (every Sunday)

13

Annual Coledale Wine Fair Coledale Community Hall • Foragers Markets Bulli Showground • Michael Jackson: The Legacy Tour Anita's Theatre

20 27

Willie & Roy & Simon & Garfunkel Anita's Theatre • The Russian Ballet - Swan Lake IPAC

3 10 17

Coledale Markets Coledale Public School • Cliff Richards & The Shadows IPAC MS Sydney to Gong Ride • The Farms Market Killalea State Park • The Bootleg Beatles Anita's Theatre Foragers Markets Bulli Showground •Regurgitator UOW UniBar i98FM Illawarra Convoy • 80s Mania WIN Entertainment Centre • Vince Jones: Van Morrison Materpieces Anita's Theatre

24

Yours & Owls Sundays North Wollongong Hotel (every Sunday) • Coledale Markets Coledale Public School

Wollongong Makers Markets UOW Innovation Campus•Made from Scratch The Music Lounge • Sweet Home Chicago: Blues Brothers Show Anita's Theatre•Montaigne UOW UniBar

Where work-life balance is real

Find out why advantagewollongong.com.au

63

FINAL FUN

the quiz 1. What does a light-year measure?

2. What is Catwoman’s real name?

3. Which is largest: a gigabyte, a kilobyte, or a megabyte?

4. What is Chandler’s last name in the television series Friends?

5. What is the capital city of Belgium?

12. Which television series broke the record for the most Emmy nominations received in a single year?

13. In Greek mythology, who is the Goddess of love and beauty?

14. What is the highest mountain in mainland Australia?

15. 'Second star to the right and straight on til morning' is the way to where?

6. Which Wollongong-born television presenter recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the 16. The Blue House was the birthplace, home and is now a museum of which famous artist?

University of Wollongong?

17.

The Wodi Wodi name Geera is also known as which 7. What was the mission that successfully landed Neil Wollongong landmark?

Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon?

8. Who portrayed Elton John in the biopic Rocketman?

9. What is the largest part of the human brain?

10. What is the collective name for a group of dolphins?

11. What city would you be in if you landed in Haneda Airport?

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64

18. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a novel by which author?

19. Who won the Women’s Singles tennis title at the 2019 French Open?

20. What are the two main ingredients in an affogato?

Answers on page 1.

@coalcoastmag

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YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH MORE IN THE HANDS OF AN EXPERIENCED AGENT

Vanessa Denison-Pender

Principal 0488 443 174 vanessadp@oneagency.com.au