COAST MAGAZINE Winter 2021

WINTER 2021

HEAD FOR THE HILLS, IT’S HARVEST FESTIVAL TIME HOLLYWOOD COMES TO THE COAST LET YOUR TASTEBUDS DO THE TRAVELLING THE COAST’S WELLNESS BOOM

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WIN 2 nights for 2 people at beautiful

Marramara Lodge, on the Hawkesbury River

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Marramarra Lodge is a new, luxurious retreat at Fishermans Point on the Hawkesbury River, nestled by the adjoining Marramarra National Park. It’s the adults-only getaway to enjoy precious moments of zen surrounded by nature: relax or explore the historic past of the river from your Marramarra base, enjoy walks and wildlife, sunset sips by the river, or take to the water by kayak or SUP. Or simply just relax and take in those magnificent river views.

There are are two accommodation choices, the Peninsula Tent or Hawkesbury Bungalow – both overlooking the river. Stylishly designed with timber floors and river-stone bathrooms for a serene and revitalising experience.

Dine as a guest of Budyari Restaurant where your dining experience is a degustation journey curated by Marramarra’s French chef, and each course is wine-paired.

Take a guided tour to historic Bar Island, located less than 200 metres from the Lodge; once a meeting place for the local Indigenous Dharug clans, and later by European settlers. The ruins of the Anglican church built in the early 1800s sit below a graveyard with familial burial plots and a work by poet Henry Kendall.

Prize inclusions: accommodation in a Peninsula tent, all-inclusive meals with paired wines, complimentary boat transfers from Mooney Mooney or Brooklyn.

The prize, valued at $2,840 is available for a couple, for two nights mid-week, excluding peak holiday periods.

Just tell us why you’d like to win by entering at coastmagazine.com.au or click on the QR code.

CONTENTS WELCOME 6 DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST Map 8 Head for the Hills (it’s Harvest Festival time) 9

Loving LOCAL

A chrysanthemum and a cuppa MY COAST Nature and the Terrigal Boardwalk FEATURE ‘Big-winged New Englanders’ seen off our coast CREATORS ON THE COAST Gabrielle Paananen imitating life

Home Style & HOLIDAY LIVING

Arts and Entertainment Classes and Courses Happenings

72 77 79

PEOPLE OF THE COAST Marney McQueen

82

HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKER Karin Adcock, Winmark Wines

84

22

GREAT OUTDOORS Central Coast National Parks and State Forests map

88

28

The Cedar Brush trail

89

DESTINATION WEDDING After the rain — we dance!

94

GARDENS OF THE COAST Jungle book garden

96

15 20

Lantana and asbestos make way for a charming beach cottage

32

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESCAPES

38

PEOPLE ON THE COAST Chris Haywood from cinema screens to a sea change

44

Chef Michael Guirguis: A life in recipes Let your tastebuds do the travelling this winter

50 54

COASTING ALONG A life writ small

60

Eat and DRINK

Wellbeing BEING WELL

The Coast’s wellness boom Small things that make BIG changes in a person’s life

Coast VIBES

63 68

CREATORS ON THE COAST Central Coast rides the Hollywood wave

Driving ESCAPES

48 hours in … the Blue Mountains Coffee like a local: where to try some of Newcastle’s best coffee

Kids ON THE COAST

Fun for Kids How to choose the best school for your child How to choose an early learning education and care service

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104 106

109 111 115

YOUR LIFESTYLE REIMAGINED on the mid-north coast

152° 39’ 52’’ E

Artist’s impression of the Residents’ Leisure Club

Residents’ Leisure Club Harrington Golf Club Shopping Village 3km Walking Track Harrigan’s Irish Pub

Our vision for the next exciting chapter at Harrington Waters is to encourage social connection and foster a vibrant, active lifestyle for retirees.

To do this, we have carefully crafted a unique community with home designs and amenities that reimagine people’s lifestyle, blending relaxation and leisure.

The result is Hamptons at Harrington Waters. Inspired by the opulent and iconic Hamptons style pioneered in

31° 52’ 54’’ S

New York — this development of new luxury 2 and 3 bedroom designer villas is nestled in unforgettable scenery, convenient amenities, endless waterside activities, and complete with exclusive access to our new Residents’ Leisure Club.

W: www.livehamptons.com.au E: sales@harringtonwaters.com.au P: 1800 290 616

COAST PUBLISHER Catharine Retter editorial@coastpublishing.com.au SUB EDITOR Carla Grossetti

© JENNIFER HARTICH

ART DIRECTOR Jude Rowe, Agave Creative Group

New residents on the Central Coast.

here’s a lot to love about winter on the Coast. Bush and coastal walks are at their best for comfort walking. Migrating whales come calling close by our shores, some even indulging in a staycation in one of the more sheltered bays. And have you heard of the ‘big-winged New Englanders’ gracing our waters right now? (You’ll have to read more in this issue.)

For all of us who don’t have the whales’ unrestricted passports for travel, you can still tour the world courtesy of the international cuisines created by some pretty amazing chefs here on the Coast.

Or, if you must leave home, there are weekend driving escapes to make a quick getaway, as well as places to stay for the best family get-togethers right here.

And while we’re loving local, let’s make a call out to the way our local communities are discovering a reborn community spirit. Plans for community gardens are resurfacing, and there’s even talk of guerrilla gangs planting fruit trees along our footpaths so we can all share the fruits of their labours.

(Wouldn’t that be a great idea, if only it were allowed.) A handyman kindly

repaired a park bench and seat in a favourite sunset-watching spot the other week. A local ‘rainbow warrior’ has been recognised in a community award, from MP Adam Crouch, for brightly painting all the neighbourhood potholes (with a rainbow of paint colours donated by her community) so we motorists don’t come a cropper. If only the local ducks could paint their feet in bright colours too.

And while we’re on the subject, why do ducks and plovers insist on playing chicken with cars when we know they can fly, not just waddle out of the way?

Elsewhere, a talented local artist painted the inside of a drab local bus stop (the neighbours loved it so much they held a Champagne launch party when it was finished) while an appreciative bus driver stopped to applaud.

Nature also seems to be doing its bit in brightening our lives with day after day, after day of brilliant sunrises and sunsets.

As I said, there’s a lot to explore and love about winter on the Coast. I hope you enjoy exploring this issue of COAST as well. c

Catharine Retter, Publisher

THANK YOU ALL FOR SOME PRETTY AMAZING ENTRIES IN COAST’S RECORD-BREAKING AUTUMN READER COMPETITION. The winner of the idyllic escape on the Hawkesbury is Rhea Murray, who’s also going to spoil her hubby!

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COAST

PRINCIPAL WRITERS Megan Arkinstall • Jemma Daley • Jennifer Ennion • Libby Greig • Carla Grossetti • Suzy Jarratt • Catharine Retter • Sheriden Rhodes • Katie Stokes • Sarah Tolmie • Paul Urquhart ILLUSTRATORS Maps: Guy Holt • Lauren Merrick

Welcome T

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHERS Lisa Haymes • Jennifer Hartich • Jack Hubbard • John Morgan • Kevin Morgan, Magic Light Photography

ADVERTISING Anissa Vineburg 0408 692 129 Amanda Atkinson 0466 524 037 advertising@coastpublishing.com.au DIGITAL Jenna Nicholl jenna@coastpublishing.com.au DISTRIBUTION Alex Tkachenko admin@coastpublishing.com.au ADMINISTRATION admin@coastpublishing.com.au COAST is published by Coast Publishing ABN 11 145 976 049 PO Box 6407 Kincumber NSW 2251 For more ‘What’s On for Kids’ information contact Katie Stokes at playinginpuddles.com.au COPYRIGHT AND WARRANTIES The editorial content, photographic content, design and graphic art (including design of any advertisements by Coast Publishing) are all subject to copyright and must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Coast Publishing.

While we strive to ensure information contained in this magazine is correct and current at the time of printing, details may be subject to change and we recommend contacting venues or event organisers before planning your visit. The information contained in this magazine has been provided by contributors, interviewees and advertisers and their sources.

No warranty is given by Coast Publishing as to the accuracy of this information nor any liability arising from any reliance upon the information contained herein.

FIND US ON Facebook Instagram @coast_publishing Receive COAST online, free, in your inbox each month by subscribing at coastmagazine.com.au We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Awabakal and Darkinjung peoples and their Elders past and present. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land.

ON THE COVER A humpback whale calf coming up for air,

by Justin Bruhn of Pure Underwater Imaging pureunderwaterimaging.com

PEARL FARM TOURS

PEARLS & JEWELLERY

PEARL MEAT & OYSTERS

www.pearlsofaustralia.com.au | 12 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney | 0488 361 042

CENTRAL COAST

Villages & Beaches

YARRAMALONG KULNURA

CENTRAL MANGROVE MANGROVE MOUNTAIN PEATS RIDGE

SOMERSBY

GLENWORTH VALLEY

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

HEAD for the

Hills

PARADISE BOTANICAL GARDENS

(IT’S HARVEST FESTIVAL TIME)

The Central Coast is renowned for its spectacular coastline, waterways and beaches. But head inland to the hills and valleys of the hinterland and you’ll discover rich pasturelands, regenerative farms, orange orchards, wildflower nurseries, pecan groves and alpacas. Wander away from the major roads and you’ll find equestrian centres and outdoor adventure activities, national parks and forests with hidden waterfalls, and Mangrove

Creek Dam set in a catchment area of 101 sq. km of native bushland and streams.

In winter, the hinterland extends an open embrace to visitors for the Harvest Festival on the June long weekend (June 12–13). Follow the festival trail to visit farms, food hubs and lots of family fun. There are both free and ticketed activities on the program.

Show the kids where food comes from and how it is farmed at GRACE SPRINGS FARM Join the farmer on a 90-minute tour of Grace Springs Farm where you can cuddle a chick, see the pigs being fed, moo at happy cows, help collect just-laid eggs, and see chemical-free farming in practice.

1128 George Downes Dr, Kulnura. Farm tours Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13: 9am–10.30am, 2.30pm–4pm.

Monday, June 14: 9am–10.30am. Bookings essential: gracespringsfarm.com.au/farmtours

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DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

Stop for a yarn in Yarramalong for coffee or lunch at ANGEL SUSSURRI … where ‘angels whisper’ Sit and relax in the country cafe, or pick up a pre-ordered picnic box to go. Stay a while at the Manor House in any of its six cosy boutique guestrooms. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch (bookings essential). Mosey on down and find a posy or treasures in The Garden florist and gift shop, open 9am to 3pm.

1-4 Linga Longa Rd, Yarramalong. Open Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, 9am–8pm, and Sunday, June 13, 9am– 3pm. Bookings essential: angelsussurri.com or 02 4356 1066.

Discover new flavours and winning wines at GLENWORTH VALLEY Grazing Food & Wine Festival Glenworth Valley transforms into a food-lover’s paradise. There’s live music, boutique food and wine stalls, animals to pat, lead pony rides, markets and family fun.

Cooks Rd, Glenworth Valley. Open Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 11am–5pm. Bookings essential: glenworth.com.au

Drop in for a taste temptation at the mountain’s premier restaurant at THE SPRINGS Escape, indulge and unwind at The Springs at Peats Ridge.

Enjoy the rural views on the 50-hectare property, while sipping on cocktails made from local gin, and craft beers sourced from Central Coast brewers. The Sitting Duck restaurant showcases the ultimate farm-to-fork experience with locally sourced produce created by chef Dan Capper. This year, Dan is creating a retrofood tapas menu for the Harvest Festival, along with wood-fired pizzas.

1080 Peats Ridge Rd, Peats Ridge.

Bookings essential 02 4373 1522 (ext 2); the-springs.com.au

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© JENNIFER HARTICH

DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

Stroll the gardens on SOMERSBY GARDENS’ open day Discover the picture-perfect wedding and function centre set amid 20 hectares of spectacular native bushlands and gardens.

380 Somersby Falls Rd, Somersby. Open Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 9.30am–3pm. No bookings required.

Gold coin donation, with all proceeds to Somersby Rural Fire Service. somersbygardens.com.au

Take inspiration from the mountains to find your inner creative at ART IN THE GARDENS Express yourself in a painting and drawing experience in a country garden in groups of six to 10, while you also enjoy a light lunch, tea and coffee.

1628 Wisemans Ferry Rd, Central Mangrove.

Open Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 10am–1pm.

Cost: $65 each (all materials included).

Bookings essential: foodandfunoutdoors.com

»

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DISCOVER THE CENTRAL COAST

Buy fresh local produce at the MOUNTAIN GROWERS MARKET Grab yourself the freshest local produce on the Saturday and Sunday Mountain Growers Market. While you’re there, wander through The Barn to delight in its vintage wares and collectables.

Rest a while on the veranda to enjoy a coffee in the cafe.

1109 Peats Ridge Rd, Peats Ridge. Open Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 8am–2pm. No bookings required.

See how Australia’s best fruit juices are grown, squeezed and bottled at EASTCOAST BEVERAGES Ramble around the orchard and enjoy the live music, local food and market stalls, and plenty of entertainment for the kids. It’s a third-generation, family-owned affair.

993 George Downes Drive, Kulnura. eastcoastbeverages.com.au

Wander through a garden of Eden in the Central Coast’s unique PARADISE BOTANICAL GARDENS Stroll the 20 hectares of gardens, woodlands, streams, waterlily ponds, quaint bridges and eccentric sculptures. Bring your own picnic hamper or try some of their farmhouse baked scones, local jams, tea or barista coffee. Check out the Springfield skin and hair care products sourced and inspired by the property, and see the beautiful wedding grounds.

147 Cherry Lane, Kulnura. Open Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13 only; noon–2pm. No bookings required. paradisebotanicalgardens.com.au

Enjoy an intimate farm experience for adults and kids at FANELLI ORGANICS farm tour.

Get your hands dirty harvesting some fresh veggies, pick oranges from the orchard, help feed the farm animals, explore the tractor display and learn about organic farming practices from the farmer himself. Produce is available to purchase.

10 Pembertons Hill Rd, Mangrove Mountain. Hour-long tours at 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, June 13 only. Bookings essential: fanelliorganics.com.au

For the complete list of participating venues, events, and for detailed information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/harvestfestival

12 COAST

Loving

LOCAL

LOVING LOCAL

A chrysanthemum WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

and a cuppa Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld Lee Rowan’s Gardenworld is the epicentre for all things ‘outdoor living’ on the Central Coast, so it makes sense that shoppers can mull over their swag of potential purchases at the onsite Gardenia Cafe.

Time your visit with lunch so you can enjoy a gourmet bagel, focaccia, scones or a sweet, including dairyand gluten-free slices. Then, load up the barrow, ready for an afternoon of serious pottering. The centre also has a large, well-stocked giftware section.

72 Pacific Highway, Ourimbah

© JENNIFER ENNION

© JENNIFER ENNION

Popping into the garden with a cup of coffee to watch bees buzz around your lavender, and lorikeets flit about your bottlebrush is an age-old pleasure. For many of us, pottering around our patches is therapeutic. That’s why we’re drawing your attention to the Central Coast’s best nurseries this winter, where you can also enjoy a bite to eat or pick up some floral-inspired gifts.

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SHOPPING

BURBANK NURSERIES Starting out in 1946, the locals behind Burbank Nurseries are encyclopedias of garden know-how. Not only will staff be able to show you to the hydrangeas, they’ll also be able to help you plan your landscaping based on coastal climate conditions.

Flowers, trees, herbs – you name it, Burbank has it – along with a large range of pots, garden ornaments and outdoor furniture. There is also Burbank House & Garden at Erina Heights, which specialises in decorative indoor plants and has an onsite cafe, as well as another centre at Kincumber.

© JENNIFER ENNION

266 Pacific Highway, Kangy Angy; 443 Central Coast Highway, Erina Heights; 30 Empire Bay Drive, Kincumber

Saddles Garden Centre This has to be the nursery with the best views on the Central Coast, overlooking the mirror-like dam at Saddles bakehouse and restaurant. You’ll find the small garden centre up the hill away from the restaurant and it’s well worth having a browse before or after a meal. There are plenty of plant choices, from vibrant succulents to cacti and seedlings, plus lovely ceramic pots.

© JENNIFER ENNION

20 Ashbrookes Rd, Mt White

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RELAX, UNWIND & ENJOY THIS HIDDEN GEM IN TERRIGAL

HEADING • Subhead

This fabulous resort with its modern beautifully appointed Studio’s, 1 bedroom 2 storey Loft’s and 2-bedroom apartments is such a peaceful property. The rooms are well equipped with kitchenettes giving you the option to cook or BBQ on their newly finished rooftop area. A perfect space for meetings and chilling. There is also a romance suite attached to it for couples wanting a special weekend or even honeymoon night.

Email admin@terrigalpacific.net.au or phone 02 4385 1555 direct

FOR 10% DISCOUNT

The Wildflower Place

Purveyor of unique Homewares & special one off pieces of furniture for Styling your home.

Operating for 10 years and now incorporating great coffee at Drift Coffee Kazbah.

We specialise in Australian Native Plants, Flowers and Giftware.

Open 7 days a week 9am till 5pm.

453 Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights Phone 02 4365 5510 Email twp@tpg.com.au Check us out on

1 / 1 5 - 1 7 F O R R E ST E R S B E AC H R D F O R R E ST E R S B E AC H 4 3 8 5 9 9 9 6

Over 120 yrs combined staff experience in native plants and flowers.

Come and see us for personal advice.

SHOPPING

The Wildflower Place Specialising in Australian native flowers, and gifts, The Wildflower Place is where you should go if you want to grab yourself and someone a special something. The range features native limes, banksias, wattle and paper daisies, while gifts include fantastical windmills, soaps, bushfood, and garden ornaments.

453 Central Coast Highway, Erina Heights

IMPACT PLANTS AND CAFE If your garden is more ‘holiday resort’ than ‘English cottage’, you’ll love the selection of tropical plants at Impact Plants nursery and its al fresco cafe.

Once you’ve picked up a palm or two, meet a friend at the cafe surrounded by unimaginably lush foliage and rare and exotic foliage, a koi pond and the odd bearded dragon checking out the sunny spots. Enjoy bruschetta, pork sliders, salads or linguine – or perhaps a Vienna coffee with a chocolate brownie.

9 Poole Close, Empire Bay

18 COAST

Loving

LOCAL

CUTE AF PETS

Pet boutique & dog cafe Natural pet care, and accessories.

A cafe where pups are pampered and peeps can ‘sit and stay’ a while.

287 Davistown Rd, Yattalunga.

Cutafpets.com.au

MAGIC LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY With Kevin Morgan, award-winning landscape and nature photographer – Australia and internationally. Specialising in images of the Central Coast. magiclightphotography.com.au Contact magiclightphotos@gmail.com

KINDRED SPIRITS CAFE

RAMJET ASSORTMENTS

Full menu for pups and peeps. Live music, food truck nights, and more.

A collaborative space by Cute AF Pets and 16 Seeds Juice Co. 287 Davistown Rd, Yattalunga.

Providing the hippest clothing in Newcastle for the last 20 years.

Men’s and women’s retro, vintage and classic styling at its best. 7 days a week.

Check FB for times.

HOPE WELLNESS

BROWNIE BROWNIE

Remedial massage, dry needling therapy, myofascial cupping, hot stone massage, and specialising in lymphoedema management – including scar release work for both surgical and non-surgical scars.

Home-baked delicious brownies in all their guises: say it with personalised letter and number brownies or try the ultimate taster box. Gooey, fudgy, oozy, chocolately yumminess.

216 Wattle Tree Road, Holgate. hopewellness.com.au

78 Darby St, Newcastle ramjetassortments.com

Order via browniebrownieyumyum

MY COAST

My Coast

© JOHN MORGAN

nature and the terrigal boardwalk

20 COAST

© CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL

MY COAST

© KEVIN MORGAN, MAGIC LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

© KEVIN MORGAN, MAGIC LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

A

long the Terrigal Beach end of the Boardwalk, the sea swirls beneath our feet in a sensation that’s somehow quite different to passively watching waves from the shore. A wave breaks against the rock face, then ebbs back erratically at all angles to meet the onrush of the next. It’s high tide and the ocean is giving the newly renovated rockpool beside the Boardwalk its daily bath. The next breaker heaves itself against the cliff that dares bar its way. Spray cascades over a small section of the boardwalk and walkers caught out, shriek in surprise.

Closer to The Haven end of the walk, there’s a noticeable difference; the sea is quieter and laps gently against the pylons.

The water is clean and clear, and fish dart and disappear. Come whale migration season, the walk will provide unbeatable viewing points of any whale mums that stop into The Haven’s quiet waters to give their frolicking calves a safe rest on their way to the Antarctic.

The Boardwalk is an easy 300-metre stroll along the blackbutt timber decking. It’s popular during the day with people of all ages enjoying the view, parents with strollers, and dogs and their walkers. At night, it’s an area that feels safe. There are people all around, and the walk is subtly lit all along its length by integrated LED lights that shine down from under the spotted gum handrail.

The Boardwalk was funded jointly by the NSW State Government and the Central Coast Council, and all materials have been chosen to withstand the coastal elements well into the future.

It has made The Haven much more accessible from Terrigal Beach, with venues such as Cove Cafe, the Reef Restaurant and the Trojans Rugby Club cafe quickly experiencing a ‘massive increase’ in visitors.

First mooted in the 1990s, most people have now hailed the Boardwalk as a wonderful new attraction for the region, some others say it’s a way of spoiling our natural environment.

Whatever you think, it’s only rivalled locally by the boardwalk along the renowned Bouddi Coastal Walk (does anyone complain about that one?), and further afield, perhaps even by the curvy ‘boardwalk for cars’, the Sea Cliff Bridge, a highlight of the Grand Pacific Drive on the south coast.

The Terrigal Boardwalk is an experience you’ll enjoy taking visitors to, time and again.

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22 COAST

© JACK HUBBARD

‘During spring, the mothers pull into protected bays like Terrigal and Broken Bay to rest and feed. It is a magical experience to see a newborn calf with its mum ... we have even seen a calf playing with a bunch of seaweed and passing it to mum.’

FEATURE

‘BIG-WINGED NEW ENGLANDERS’ seen off our coast WORDS CATHARINE RETTER

A

s we all flock to the best vantage points along our coastline to watch the humpback whales make their way up the Coast, we are really watching ‘Big-winged New Englanders’ because, strangely, that’s what their scientific name, Megaptera novaeangliae, means. Humpback whales were named by early marine scientists in New England, in the US, who became fascinated by the giant creatures swimming off their coast.

And, along Australia’s eastern coastline, it’s the young, hormone-fuelled males that tend to lead the migration north for the mating season, competing with each other on the theory that the early whale catches the female.

‘With a belly full of krill and driven by hormones, they put on an amazing acrobatic show,’ says Terrigal Ocean Tours’ skipper, Andrew Jones. ‘A pod of competitive whales is an incredible sight, with up to seven whales charging along trying to outdo each other.’

So watch out for the spectacular breaching, tail-slapping, spy-hopping, lob-tailing, fin-slapping humpbacks strutting their stuff heading north from May to July. Word on the water has it that Migaloo the white humpback – perhaps the most famous of them all – was spotted on his way north off the Victorian coastline.

‘The sighting has everyone on Migaloo watch,’ says Dr Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University’s Department of Biological Sciences. ‘We are not 100 per cent sure if it is Migaloo, but we will keep an eye out for him. We’ve also seen minke whales off Sydney, and we’re hopeful that 2021 will be a year of amazing whale activity.’

Marine scientists believe that, like dolphins, there may be a number of reasons behind the whales’ love of leaping out of their watery world. Some think they leap for the sheer joy. Others that it may help loosen barnacles that have grown on their skin.

And, because males tend to put on the most spectacular displays

during their migration, there’s also a school of thought that the whales are showing off their physical prowess to rival males and to admiring females when launching their 40-tonne bodies out of the ocean.

Humpbacks grow up to 18 metres in length and weigh the equivalent of 600 people (or, if that’s too much for you to visualise, the equivalent of 11 full-grown elephants). They are not the biggest whales (that record goes to the blue whale, twice its size) but they do hold a lot of world records. Their flippers grow to five metres, making them the largest animal appendages in the world. They also migrate further than any other mammal with the longest recorded migration at18,840 km, in a swim that went from American Samoa to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Did you know humpback whales don’t have a humped back, but they did once have knees, even ankles and toes (according to 34 million years-old-fossils found in the Egyptian desert, of all places). Humpbacks get their name because they arch their backs as they prepare to dive. And although they tend to come up for air every 10 or 15 minutes, humpbacks can stay under water for up to 45 minutes but, unlike humans, they need to remember to breathe. This could be problematic while they sleep, but scientists believe they keep part of their brain awake just for that purpose.

It’s important for newborns to be able to rest in mum’s slipstream though, so you won’t find a whale mum catching any shut-eye until her calf gains enough blubber weight to keep himself afloat. Newborns also like to piggyback on mum to take a rest.

On the way back home to the Antarctic, during August and September, you may see the mums patiently repeating their acrobatic gestures over and over to teach a still-clumsy calf how to slap a tail that doesn’t yet know how to perform. It’s a sight that’s as amusing as baby elephants who have to learn how to control their trunks.

»

23

© GRANT THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE

‘With a belly full of krill and driven by hormones, they put on an amazing acrobatic show,’ says Terrigal Ocean Tours’ skipper, Andrew Jones.

‘A pod of competitive whales is an incredible sight, with up to seven whales charging along trying to outdo each other.’

‘During spring, the mothers pull into protected bays like Terrigal and Broken Bay to rest and feed. It is a magical experience to see a newborn calf with its mum,’ says Andrew Jones. ‘We have even seen a calf playing with a bunch of seaweed and passing it to mum.’

Whale songs are another way these marine mammals communicate and, again, during the mating season the males sing for hours at a time in the hope of wooing a female, as far as 30km away, to entice her to come a little bit closer. Whales can also ‘whisper’ during their migration home when the mothers have calves with them. Researchers think ‘whale whispering’ may be a way for the mother and calf to stay in contact, but remain under the radar of nearby killer whales.

‘The population of east coast humpbacks dropped to about 800 during the whaling era, but has recovered to 35,000 plus, and is

24 COAST

increasing by about 11 per cent each year,’ says Andrew Jones.

After such an amazing comeback, the sad news is that climate modelling by an international team of researchers shows that declines in krill populations from climate change could lead to local extinctions of whales as early as 2100.

‘This includes Pacific populations of blue, fin, and southern right whales, as well as fin and humpback whales in the Atlantic and Indian oceans,’ says Dr Olaf Meynecke, one of the marine scientists at the Griffith University Coastal and Marine Research Centre. The one heartening fact is that, ‘When it comes to their migration and breeding cycles, recent studies have shown humpback whales can adapt with changes in ocean temperature and circulation at a remarkable level.’

Let’s hope those next generations of whales continue to slap, flip, flop, breach and sing well into the future.

»

Whale Watching

WITH TERRIGAL OCEAN TOURS

TERRIGALTOURS.COM.AU

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Petit St. Booker Bay www.heavenlytours.com.au I 0407 217 217

FEATURE

© JACK HUBBARD

Gerrin Point Lookout, Bouddi National Park, Bouddi Marie Byles Lookout, Killcare Heights (easy car access but further from the ocean) Captain Cook and Winney Bay Lookouts, Copacabana The Skillion, Terrigal Haven Wyrrabalong Lookout, Cromarty Hill, Forresters Beach Crackneck Lookout, Wyrrabalong National Park, Bateau Bay Norah Head Lighthouse, Norah Head Wybung Head, Munmorah State Conservation Area, Budgewoi

© JACK HUBBARD

The humpback whale migration is one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Australia, and the Central Coast has access to spectacular views from our coastal lookouts and, for closer views, on whale-watching boats.

The best land-based whale-watching vantage points on the Central Coast include:

26 COAST

Your home is your haven Home, gifts and lifestyle store

490 Central Coast Hwy, Erina Heights NSW (02) 4365 4618

www.havenathome.com.au

Changing tides and endless good times.

Located in the heart of Terrigal, Terrigal Beach House is a vibrant meeting place for endless good times with stunning beach views and fresh ocean breezes. Enjoy icy cold drinks on the beach terrace or indulge your taste buds with our locally sourced seasonal menu available from 11:30am daily.

Open Hours Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 3:00am Sunday: 10:00am – 10:00pm Kitchen Open Sunday – Thursday: 11:30am – 9:00pm Friday – Saturday: 11:30am – 10:00pm T ERRIGALB H.COM. AU

Gabrielle takes one of her possum puppets out for a test run in Bouddi National Park.

GABRIELLE PAANANEN WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

imitating life

Gabrielle Paananen is passionate about breathing life into inanimate materials using the universal language of puppetry to engage people and tell a story.

When you think of puppets is it Punch and Judy puppets that come to mind or Jim Henson’s much-loved Muppets? For a while, puppetry became overshadowed by the unlimited possibilities of CGI in movies. While animation thrived on screen, it took new puppets like the equine hero in War Horse to bring their souls back to the theatre, turning ‘new puppetry’ into latter-day stars. That expertise then found its way into movies in a hybrid of new technology and traditional puppeteering that allowed character animation for movies to be created in minutes instead of days.

But Gabrielle Paananen wouldn’t have been able to comprehend or predict any of this when she first fell in love with puppets at the age of six.

‘I’ve always just made creatures out of things; things I found in the op shop,’ Gabrielle, now 23, says.

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CREATORS OF THE COAST • Gabrielle Paananen

Having grown up around animals, the MacMasters Beach local has always been passionate about anatomy and how things move. Gabrielle is inspired by her local Bouddi National Park and has even made installations with fungi found in the Bouddi region.

An unconventional childhood during which she was homeschooled while living in Uganda, the Solomon Islands and Australia gave Gabrielle the wings to carve a path to puppetry.

Fascinated by connections and patterns in nature, she has studied natural history illustration, animal behaviour, taxidermy and mycology (the study of fungi).

‘I was able to pick very specific, odd things that I was interested in learning and then just follow that,’ she says.

At age 16, Gabrielle was ‘taken under the wings’ of mentors at Sydney puppet theatre company Erth and she’s never looked back. Now, she not only makes puppets but also designs them, performs with them, and repairs them when they need to visit the ‘puppet doctor’ on tour.

She has completed a Diploma of Production Art and has illustrated several scientific papers, as well as a book about permaculture. Making a name for herself early on, she was awarded the PACT/BBM Performing Arts Scholarship (2016) and, in the same year, the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts scholarship.

Let us remind you, she’s only 23.

»

ABOVE Internal mechanism for an inflatable carnivorous plant for the Little Shop of Horrors stage show.

RIGHT Study of a grey goshawk during an artist residency in Finland.

29

CREATORS OF THE COAST • Gabrielle Paananen

ABOVE Clockwork automata character designed and built to wander through Sovereign Hill display village in Ballarat.

BELOW Vivid Sydney: Marri Dyin Great Woman and schools of fish.

30 COAST

More recently, Gabrielle worked in Melbourne, making puppets and costumes for a show, while previous jobs have included creating puppets for Vivid Sydney, the most impressive of which was the 6.5-metre-tall, illuminated Marri Dyin, operated by 10 people.

One of the things Gabrielle loves about being in the industry is how audiences are enraptured by puppets.

‘Puppetry engages people in a different way to other forms of theatre or art,’ she says. ‘When you’re making a creature move, there’s a magic that happens; the puppeteer just disappears.’

That magic is also present when Gabrielle introduces people to puppets she’s made to celebrate our endangered animals. She’s been inspired by local possums through her wildlife rescue work on the Central Coast and recently created a tiny Leadbeater’s possum puppet that had blinking eyes and a nose that wiggles. She says focusing on endangered species is special because most people never get the chance to get up close to such creatures.

‘They’re way too fragile to put into someone’s hands,’ she says, ‘so it’s a really nice way to talk to people about extinction as well.’

Gabrielle hopes to create more puppets of vulnerable creatures and is working with wildlife centres, studying animal anatomy and movement.

She’s so dedicated to her craft that she’s even learning about skeletal articulation, which involves preserving animal bones and recreating their skeletons. It’s a skill like this – plus the taxidermy, illustration and installation – that helps bring her puppets to life. gabriellepaananen.com

Home Style &

HOLIDAY LIVING

LANTANA AND ASBESTOS MAKE WAY FOR A WORDS CATHARINE RETTER PHOTOS LISA HAYMES

Charming Beach Cottage

M

itch Giffin and Chanelle Gillespie hadn’t intended to buy a rundown cottage in Forresters Beach but after visiting a friend one weekend, they fell in love with the area and thought they’d ‘just take a quick look at houses for sale online’.

And that’s where they fell in love with a two-bedroom, 1950s’ fibro beach house on a good-sized block in a lovely street … in Forresters Beach. They bought the cottage, moved in and chose their builder friend to help with the major makeover. The cottage may have been small, but it was no small undertaking. Asbestos meant all the outer walls were torn down, to be replaced with James Hardie cladding , then painted white to suit the beach cottage look. With the first good downpour of rain, it became evident the roof needed replacing, too.

While the renovations on the house were awaiting approval, Chanelle and Mitch cleared the big block that was almost entirely overgrown with lantana. A deciding factor in buying the house had been that there was room for a granny flat for Chanelle’s mum. So work also got under way in planning a generously sized, two-bedroom granny flat at the rear of the property.

Chanelle and Mitch didn’t want to increase the footprint of the main house and were able to reconfigure the interior walls to make the space much more liveable. The entry door and lounge

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area became the master bedroom, keeping the open fireplace that had been the cottage’s main heating source in winter. And a third bedroom found a home where the kitchen had been.

‘We didn’t want to borrow too much to cover the cost of the renovations,’ says Mitch. ‘We both have full-time jobs so our weekends were spent making the interior more liveable and doing what we could ourselves.

‘The floors were all at different heights,’ says Mitch. ‘So Frank from Narara poured concrete with a polished epoxy finish over the top of the floors to level it all out.’ The result perfectly suits the clean and simple style throughout the cottage.

»

OZ DESIGN FURNITURE GOSFORD & TUGGERAH A U S T R A L I A N O W N E D & O P E R AT E D

HOME STYLE

LEFT Loughlin Furniture’s Oxford Cabinet, with its simple and classic design aesthetic is one of designer Rob Loughlin’s favourite and original designs.

MIDDLE The kitchen benchtops complement the polished concrete floors that connect through to the lounge in a peaceful, timber and white colour scheme.

BOTTOM The Shaker profile Airlie vanity is a collaboration piece designed by Kyal and Kara and crafted by Loughlin Furniture. Shown here in American oak.

‘We chose kit-kat tiles, or finger tiles, on the mirror wall in the bathroom, contrasting with the grey slate look floor tiles.’

Stylish simplicity is also evident in the Loughlin Furniture bathroom vanity and mirror, dining table and benches.

The economies they were able to make on important purchases meant the couple could afford to add stylish designer touches throughout the house.

‘Mitch is very good at stretching our budget by finding what we can on Gumtree,’ says Chanelle. A striking feature, countering the high, pitched ceiling in the main living area, is a very big, west-facing, louvred window that Mitch found for $200 on the northern beaches. ‘We probably saved around $1,600 on that alone,’ Chanelle says.

They also made room for an additional guest bedroom by converting the single-car garage at the side of the house into a charming, airy guestroom, en suite, and home office.

While the build progressed over a 12-month-period — at a pace to suit their budget — they lived in whichever part of the house was least affected by the renovations. And then Chanelle discovered she was pregnant (with Billie, now 12 months old ).

‘That added a slight urgency to our completion date,’ says Chanelle with a touch of understatement. ‘Then at 23 weeks pregnant I fell through the old decking timber, and we had to quickly add a new deck to the budget.’

Although landscaping the garden and the addition of a concrete pool have been left as the finishing touches to the renovation, an early purchase for the front garden was a beautiful dragon tree.

‘Mitch found that on Gumtree, too,’ says Chanelle. ‘He looked for months and then found one in a front yard in Charmhaven.

We had to dig it out, bring it home, and now it has pride of place, but still anchored with ties until its roots are more established.’

In contrast to the dragon tree, a grey-blue Bismark palm has now also been planted nearby.

Now, all that’s left to do are the grey and white Artisan stone tiles for the swimming pool, the glass balustrade, and final pool landscaping. But already, Chanelle, Mitch and Billie are loving the cottage, inside and out.

»

34 COAST

Be bold Freo Curved Vanity Now available in American Walnut

loughlinfurniture.com.au

HOME STYLE

Build

Andrew Linwood, AJ Linwood Builder

Timber furniture and fittings

Loughlin Furniture

(barn doors, dining room table, buffet, main bathroom vanity and mirror)

Electrical

Regan McLeod, Eco Energy Electrical Solutions

Kitchen and wardrobes

Cameron Hudson, CGG Kitchen & Carpentry

Tiling

Joshua Harman, JD Harman Tiling

Tiles

Beaumont Tiles

Painting

Rene Feenstra Painting

Skylights

Coastal Skylights, Central Coast

Leather lounge

Secret Sofa

Artworks

J Visic, Byron Bay

Outdoor furniture

Harvey Norman

Light fittings

Beacon Lighting

Concrete Floors

Floating Terrazzo

ABOVE RIGHT The dragon tree and Bismark palm take pride of place in the front garden.

RIGHT The master bedroom was once the lounge and entry to the house, and retains the cosiness of the open fireplace.

BELOW The old garage has been converted into airy guest accommodation and a home office.

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESCAPES

Family FRIENDLY ESCAPES Terrigal Pacific Coastal Retreat, Terrigal You want it all? You’ve got it at the Terrigal Pacific Coastal Retreat. Newly renovated and refurbished, the apartment-style accommodation is sculpted around an idyllic heated pool, a Balinese-roofed open air hot-tub spa to set the holiday mood, and a barbecue and patio dining area. You have a choice of studio and loft apartments, or two-bedroom apartments, all with spacious balconies.

The resort is located across from a range of water activities on Terrigal Lagoon, a children’s playground, and the Marine Discovery Centre. And it’s just a 10-minute walk to Terrigal Beach, boutiques, cafes and bars.

Mention COAST magazine for a 10 per cent discount when you book direct. terrigalpacific.net.au

Avoca Beach Hotel, Avoca Beach Avoca Beach Hotel is located within six hectares of coastal bushland, a short drive or bike ride from Avoca Beach and the local rockpool, and Avoca Lake. A stroll around the property will have you making friends with the cheeky local brush turkeys, water dragons and birdlife, and it really does provide a sense of ‘getting away from it all’.

There’s a choice of eco-friendly family villas with high-raked ceilings, two-storey terraces next to the tennis courts and barbecue, and deluxe motel-style accommodation with exposed brick features.

The Treetops cafe, with its cycads and palms, and overlooking one of two swimming pools, is ideal for a relaxing breakfast or coffee. The popular Saltwater Bar & Bistro provides laidback dining for lunch and dinner.

Check out the special Family Adventures deals during winter with Australian Reptile Park and Treetops Adventure Park on avocabeachhotel.com.au/specials-1

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»

Central Coast Holiday Escapes

Your Beach, Bay & Bush accommodation specialists KILLCARE PENINSULA

Properties to suit all your holiday needs from budget to luxury accommodation

02 4360 2222

centralcoastholidayescapes.com.au raywhitekillcare.com

Central Coast Holiday Escapes beach bay bush

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ESCAPES

Avoca Allure, Avoca Beach Family friendly doesn’t have to mean ‘just for kids’. Here is a holiday accommodation option that will have the grown-ups in your extended family loving the coastal vibe and wanting to make this a regular holiday stay.

There are luxe, thoughtful furnishings throughout, beautiful hardwood timber floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a wraparound balcony and patio. There’s indoor or outdoor dining, and a huge family kitchen is sure to impress with its stone benchtops, breakfast bar, and Miele appliances.

Perfect for up to six people, it’s conveniently located so you can walk to everything. Leave the car and head for the beach, Avoca village cafes, cinema, and Avoca Surf Club. centralcoastholidays.com.au/accommodation/ centralcoastholidays-allure

40 COAST

Find your perfect place!

HOL I D AY S + SA LES + R EN TA LS From our start in premiere holiday accommodation over 25 years ago, Accom Property offers unique & exlusive opportunities to buy, rent & stay at some of the Central Coast’s best properties.

Terrigal office: 02 4385 9564 • Avoca Beach office: 02 4385 3860 Ettalong Beach office: 02 4344 6152 Follow us on instagram & facebook: @accomholidays

A C C O M H O L I D AY S . C O M • A C C O M P R O P E RT Y. C O M

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S H O R T & L O N G T E R M H O L I D AY R E N TA L S L U X U R Y T O B U D G E T A C C O M M O D AT I O N AV O C A B E A C H • C O PA C A B A N A • M A C M A S T E R B E A C H • T E R R I G A L • WA M B E R A L • F O R R E S T E R S B E A C H

02 4382 1311 I

holidays@georgebrand.com.au

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44 COAST

PEOPLE OF THE COAST • Chris Haywood

CHRIS HAYWOOD

From cinema screens to a sea change WORDS SUZY JARRATT

Recognise the face behind the grey beard and the red beanie?

One of Australia’s finest character actors has landed a very different leading role – as the coxswain of a pearling boat.

Chris Haywood’s career spans over 50 years; he has made hundreds of films and won scores of awards since migrating from the UK in 1970. But in 2020, the time had come for a sea change.

‘I think Covid smashed the industry at the beginning of last year but, even earlier, work was spasmodic. I’ve got a family again and need a consistent income,’ said 73-year-old Chris, who works at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm in Mooney Mooney.

He lives nearby with wife, Aireen, and nine-year-old daughter, Coco, in part of a converted convent in Brooklyn, overlooking the Hawkesbury River.

‘I’m also a rescue boat coxswain,’ he added, ‘so I’m on the river almost every day. I love every minute of it.’

He has always had a desire to be close to water.

‘I once lived in a Harry Seidler-designed apartment on a cliff face at Diamond Bay, in Vaucluse, with 180-degree views of the ocean. Unbelievable.’

And he’s been messing about on boats all his life.

‘I had a 1946 Halvorsen moored in Sydney Harbour, but it was forever getting damaged by unthinking traffic, including ferries.

The mooring fees were very expensive, too. I really wanted to keep the family and the boat, and eventually found the perfect place: a former convent with a swimming pool and a large marina.’

It’s a very long way from his first nautical encounters as a young man in the UK. ‘We lived in Great Baddow in Essex, where the Marconi Research Centre had their test aerials for radar. During World War 2, my father was in defence electronics and stayed in that business all his life.

‘During my school holidays, I spent a lot of time on the coast with my uncle. He was in the Fleet Air Arm, which always had stations in faraway places like Haverfordwest in Wales at the tidal limit of the Western Cleddau River, and Lossiemouth in Scotland on the Moray Firth. Miles and miles of remote empty beaches.’

It was all so different from the seaside at Southend, close to the Haywood home, famous for its pier, pebbles and city day-trippers.

‘As a boy, I was a navy cadet and, at 15, went to sea doing frigate fishery protection patrols in the North Sea. That was full-on.’

Chris said he never considered being an actor.

‘I became one just on a whim,’ he admitted.

While working for a wine merchant, a young driver told Chris he’d just been accepted at East 15 Acting School, an innovative drama school that had been created in 1961 by actors to get kids off the streets in Stratford, east London.

‘I thought if that bloke can be an actor, why can’t I?’ He auditioned, was accepted and began learning mime, sword fighting, movement analysis and improvisation. All these skills helped him to develop his craft and become a very accomplished performer. One of his Australian teachers, Richard Wherrett, suggested he move to Sydney.

‘I arrived, as a ‘10-pound pom’, worked on the railways and then drove trucks, in between helping a guy who was building the Nimrod Street Theatre.’

»

Chris finds an Akoya pearl in a just-opened oyster shell.

45

PEOPLE OF THE COAST • Chris Haywood

LEFT Pearl farm visitors get to hear how pearl oysters grow from tiny spats to mature, pearl-growing oysters in the pristine waters of Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River.

Chris engaged an agent and soon had parts in TV series such as Certain Women, Homicide and Matlock, as well as on stage in the theatre. He was rarely out of work. His role in Phil Noyce’s 1978 Newsfront was considered by critics to be his major breakthrough.

During this time Chris married actress, Wendy Hughes.

They had a daughter, Charlotte, who today is an experimental interdisciplinary artist based in northern NSW. Unlike many actors, he has never had a desire to work in the United States (although there are any number of Americans appreciating his talents as they view his virtual presentations of Broken Bay Pearls’ tours).

While he says he was never fussed about heading to Hollywood, he has travelled elsewhere, to distant lands as remote as the beaches he visited as a child.

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When his second wife, Dr Gillian Deakin, was asked to run an aid agency in Kiribati in the Gilbert Islands, he accompanied her to help care for their two young children, Rose and Felix (both have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are working at the Prince of Wales Hospital).

‘Many areas are primitive, the culture destroyed and the people very poor,’ said Chris, who spent weeks navigating an inter-island trading boat with two native crew.

‘The region is famous for its mariners. The Germans have a merchant navy school there and Kiribati seamen form a large part of the German navy; they’re fantastic sailors.’

Kiribati’s home entertainment presented unusual audience reactions.

‘There’d be occasional film screenings in the long house where the whole village would crowd around one tiny television.

They thought everything they viewed was real. They believed Superman was an actual person blessed with extraordinary powers, that Samantha [in Bewitched] was a real witch, and when they met me the morning after seeing me drown in Newsfront they ran away because they thought I was a ghost.’

Decades have passed and Australians still remember this movie, and many others Chris has made. Each time he takes out the pearling boat one or more of the passengers will recognise him.

‘Chris receives heaps of compliments,’ said Jodi Shoobert, the pearl farm’s marketing executive. ‘He’s great talking to the customers, is interested in everything and is constantly coming up with ideas for the farm.’

‘You can draw parallels between working in film and theatre and skippering a pearling boat,’ mused Chris. ‘I go out and deliver a 50-minute explanation of the history of the area and I talk about the oysters. Not just our Akoya pearl oysters, but Sydney rocks, Pacific oysters, Angasis – all of which used to grow here – and I go into a detailed explanation about how to grow pearls.

‘I write and research all my own stuff so, in essence, I have my own live show on a boat that I vary to fit the people on board.

‘Also, the water is always changing. Sometimes there could be a two-metre swell with significant winds and you have to decide which areas are going to be calmer on the day.

‘That’s like working on location.’

And what is his response to those keen to pursue a career in theatre or television?

‘To all those people, young and old, on the Central Coast, if you have a desire to be an actor don’t forget that your life is your palette. The more things you can do physically and understand intellectually the greater asset you will be to the industry.’ pearlsofaustralia.com.au

FLORA L ▵ B OT A N I CA L ▵ COA ST A L ▵ N A U T I CA L ▵ I N DU ST RI A L

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FLORISTRY & FOUND THINGS

Visit our eclectic store

Eat and DRINK

Chef Michael Guirguis of Suq A LIFE IN RECIPES WORDS CARLA GROSSETTI PHOTOGRAPHER LISA HAYMES

50 COAST

EAT & DRINK

THE MENU AT SUQ RESTAURANT IN WAMBERAL READS MORE LIKE A MEMOIR, AS CHEF MICHAEL GUIRGUIS GIVES DINERS A GLIMPSE OF HIS LIFE THROUGH FOOD.

I

t is late in the afternoon in the galley kitchen of Suq restaurant where chef Michael Guirguis stands, pen poised, head down, scribbling a recipe he has suddenly recalled from his six-week stint in Japan.

‘Yellow fin tuna. Wasabi. Sesame dressing. Pickled ginger … that’s it,’ says Michael, with a satisfied smile, pausing from his notetaking.

‘My restaurant is called Suq because it’s a little bit like getting lost in the narrow passages of a suq [marketplace], where the flavours and aromas seem to meld together,’ he says.

The extensive dinner menu at Suq revisits Michael’s past, taking customers on a magic carpet ride from Egypt, where he learned to cook alongside his seven uncles, to France, Japan, Italy, Greece and, finally, to his home on the NSW Central Coast.

Instead of flicking through photo albums of his travels, diners at Suq are transported to pockets of Europe, northeast Africa and Australasia through their palate with dishes that Guirguis believes represent the most delectable parts of each particular cuisine.

Kernels of truth Taste the Cairo-style corn on the cob in peanut and sweet chilli mayo with aged parmesan and you can envisage Michael first as a little boy in Egypt, wandering around the mazelike bazaars of an old medina eating corn from the cob. Close your eyes while crunching on a fresh-baked baguettine and you may follow him to France where his parents sent him at age 13 to join a seminary and become a priest.

‘My mum was Egyptian; my dad was Moroccan and we spanned the cultures between the two countries. My parents sent me to France to become a priest in order to avoid being called into the army like my older brother. They wanted me out of there.

After six months in the seminary, I said I wanted to become a chef. A family friend sponsored me and I stayed there in France for six years, learning and studying,’ says Michael.

‘At first, I didn’t want to stay in the country. It was very difficult without my family. But I eventually regarded this family friend as being like a father. It was more than three decades until I saw my family again,’ he says.

A haven of tranquility Today, Michael’s globally inspired menu reads like a compilation of his greatest hits: you might start with a selection of small tapas-like dishes such as Tasmanian salmon on betel leaf, Japanese edamame with Maldon salt and seared Japanese scallops. Then move on to the To Share sections where the flavours are even more abundant: there’s the house-made Grand Marnier duck liver pâté with cornichons, Dijon mustard, quince, truffle oil or beetroot remoulade, or the crab and lobster wrapped in house-cured salmon with a gremolata-style salsa. Egyptian-style broad-bean falafel, crispy-skin barramundi fillet and a 12-hour braised lamb also trace Michael’s career path from Egypt to the Central Coast where he opened Novanta Quattro in Terrigal in 1990 and Sirocco in Sydney’s Darlinghurst in the year 2000.

Sharing is caring During a busy dinner service, the terracotta-hued restaurant in Wamberal is a haven of tranquility, far from the sounds of scooters and haggling of hawkers that echo around the Egyptian suqs that inspired its name.

‘Suq leaves the concept of an entrée and main course behind. It is like a snapshot of my travels but it also melds the different cuisines together. I want people to explore the whole world on the table, to feel and taste different flavours. It is my interpretation of my experience around the world and what I explored, touched and tasted,’ Guirguis says.

‘The whole menu is representative of my life. These are the dishes that I love and that I have kept close to my heart.

When I was in Greece, I learned how to make the perfect lamb shoulder. I make the prawns the same way they do in Japan with the wasabi mayo. The duck foie gras speaks 100 per cent to my time in France and the Moroccan lamb roast with cinnamon is how they do it in North Africa,’ he says.

As for what Guirguis is most proud of over the course of his career, he says it’s the fact he has clung to the concept of food made to share, which harks back to his Egyptian childhood: ‘Food tastes better when you share it.’

Suq Restaurant is located at 80 Ocean View Drive, Wamberal.

For bookings visit suqrestaurant.com.au or call (02) 4306 0859.

51

THE SWEETEST PLACE ON THE CENTRAL COAST

Huge retail store • Cafe • House made ice cream • Kids chocolatier workshops • Factory tours Open daily 6 Jusfrute Dr West Gosford PH: 4322 3222 www.chocolatefactorygosford.com.au

HERBIE’S INTERNATIONAL SPICERY Now open on the Central Coast

Ian “Herbie” Hemphil, one of Australia’s foremost herb and spice authorities, has now opened his wholesale spicery to the public. Visit the spicery for the widest possible range of signature herbs, spices and blends.

4/25 Arizona Rd, Charmhaven Open Mon to Fri 9am to 4pm. Sat 9:30am to 2pm.

Telephone 1800 437 243 Shop online herbies.com.au

EAT & DRINK

Let your tastebuds do the travelling

THIS WINTER WORDS CARLA GROSSETTI

WE MAY BE STAYING CLOSER TO HOME THIS WINTER, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN WE CAN’T INDULGE OUR WANDERLUST AT EATERIES WITH MENUS THAT ROAM THE GLOBE FROM MASSACHUSETTS TO MAUI.

LYONS DEN, Gosford Gosford on the Central Coast is a long way from Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa. But the jungle references abound, with a wall mural of the African savannah inside the Lyons Den and an inviting beer garden with festoon lighting that evokes the allure of an African safari camp. Lyons Den is named after brother and sister duo Jared and Claire Lyons, who have transformed the landmark building that was formerly a funeral parlour and, latterly, a speakeasy-style bar. The sandstone space, which is now lighter and brighter, also screams ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ with a tapas menu that roams the African continent: try the traditional Mozambique prawns in a peri peri sauce, Old Mates Kitchen biltong, and boerewors (flavoured South African sausages).

37A Mann St, Gosford; lyonsdengosford.com.au

54 COAST

»

Open For Breakfast Daily

Open Lunch & Dinner 7 Days

www.avocabeachhotel.com.au

WINTER MENU | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT | COCKTAIL & WINE BAR | TERRIGAL NSW

02 4382 2322

EAT & DRINK

IL TOSCANA PASTA BAR, Terrigal It takes a certain amount of know-how to make Italian food look so effortless. The menu at this artisan pasta bar run by Italian chef Matteo Piccardi has been built around Tuscan dishes that are so traditional you will feel like you have time-travelled back to that trattoria you found on a hillside in Tuscany. While the walls of the restaurant, painted warm yellow, conjure images of sunflowers and long, sunny days, the cheerful soundtrack of chefs singing love songs in the kitchen will make you forget about your thwarted travel plans. The menu at Il Toscano sticks to the classics such as homemade pasta with ragù or cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper), which Matteo learnt to cook alongside his mamma and nonna in their home town of Castelfranco di Sopra.

5/1 Campbell Cres, Terrigal; iltoscano.com.au

BAMBOO BUDDHA, Holgate Central Coasters lamenting the fact they are not kicking back by the pool in Kho Samui for their annual holiday to Thailand should head to the Bamboo Buddha in Holgate where you might not get a foot massage but you will certainly receive a warm welcome and feel like you’re in your own peaceful tropical paradise. Take things up a notch on the cosmic frequency front by booking a Gong and Crystal Bowl Sound Bath or gentle yoga flow class in their yoga studio which is positioned next to a lotus-filled pond.

Enjoy lunch options such as Thai-style tofu noodle salad or a Buddha burger stuffed with salad and a walnut patty from the allvegetarian menu. Visit the adjacent plant nursery and art gallery after enjoying desserts, many of which are vegan and gluten-free.

221 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate; Bamboobuddha.com.au

56 COAST

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Ettalong Beach Waterfront Reserve

Restaurant. Bar. Beach kiosk.

Fresh. Modern. Australian. e bookings@theboxonthewater.com p 4339 3369 www.theboxonthewater.com

61 Masons Parade Point Frederick Gosford Waterfront

Bringing the best cocktails, South American wines and a Latin American inspired menu to Gosford Waterfront e reserva@holafredericos.com p 4339 4067 www.holafredericos.com

L’ISLE DE FRANCE, Terrigal A year without international travel means Australians are looking a little closer to home for their culinary adventures. Happily, we have a raft of local eateries that allow us to let our imagination run wild. L’isle de France is a case in point with Mauritianborn owner Bernard Mallet giving us an appetite for exploring the secluded beaches and verdant hills of his island home in the Indian Ocean. Book a table on the terrace at the waterfront restaurant in Terrigal and meditate on the colour of the ocean and whether it’s the same shade of turquoise as the waters off Mauritius, which was formerly known as the L’isle de France. Mallet is a phonetics and language specialist, so can best advise on how to properly pronounce the confit de canard (confit of duck leg), joues de boeuf à la Bourguignonne (slow-cooked beef cheeks) and agneau du chef sous vide (lamb cooked sous-vide) when you place your order.

1 Ena St, Terrigal; lisledefranceterrigal.com.au

BOWLARAMA BOWLS, Terrigal Although the açai berry is native to the Amazon, it’s hugely popular in tropical Hawaii, where the sorbet-textured blended berry becomes the base for highly Instagrammable smoothie bowls topped with a mixture of fruits, honey and granola.

Gym junkie Scott Madden is the brains behind Bowlarama; expect sugar-free options of açai topped with seasonal fruits such as dragonfruit, mango and raspberries. Try and get in synch with island time by asking your partner to be your butler for the day and bring your smoothie bowl home so you can eat it by the pool. Failing that, bring your açai bowl down to the sandy fringes of Terrigal Beach, lather coconut oil all over your body and enjoy a long stretch in the sunshine watching the surf.

5/6 Campbell Cres, Terrigal; bowlaramabowls.com/stores

SWEET CAROLINE, East Gosford In case you missed the nod to Neil Diamond in the name of this Gosford cafe, there is a not-so-gentle-reminder of the lyrics to the love song, Sweet Caroline in the screaming neon sign in the courtyard declaring ‘Good times never seemed so good’. While we can’t get to Boston to hear the song that is traditionally played at Fenway Park stadium ahead of the eighth inning at every Red Sox game, we can instead hear the American crooner belting out this cheesy banger at Sweet Caroline cafe in Gosford. What better dish to transport us to Boston Massachusetts than the Reuben Burger, stuffed with sliced silverside, slaw, pickles, Swiss cheese on a toasted milk bun.

Shop 12/36-40 Victoria St, East Gosford; sweetcarolinecentralcoast.com.au

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CONTACT US 51-52 THE ESPLANADE ETTALONG BEACH NSW 2257 (02) 4343 0111 WWW.ETTALONGDIGGERS.COM

New Winter Menu Available from early June 7 days a week Lunch & Dinner Bookings essential

Wamberal locals Roy, Jo and their Three Donkeys, Sienna, Hunter and Elijah are very proud to own and operate Three Donkeys Wholefood Café & Three Donkeys Home. Offering a lifestyle of eating well, living well and feeling well.

Wholefood Café

Home threedonkeys.com.au

Our menu caters to dietary requirements, specialising in gluten, dairy and refined sugar free options, as well as being Vegan friendly. Enjoy a Specialty coffee or one of our many caffeine free drinks, with your choice of locally made raw desserts.

The Home shop offers a unique range of décor, fashion, furniture and flowers. Jo and her team will also help you with any styling advice you may need, and if you haven’t got time to pop in, go to our website and shop online.

WHOLEFOOD C A F É Open 7 days. 7am-2pm 6 Ghersi Ave Wamberal NSW 2260 I 02 4339 8052

H O M E Open Mon-Sat. 10am-4pm 2 Ghersi Ave Wamberal NSW 2260 I 02 4309 5440

COASTING ALONG

60 COAST

COASTING ALONG

Coasting along with

LIBBY GREIG

A life writ small.

After 14 months of living in relative captivity, my life feels strangely like looking through the wrong end of a telescope.

By that I mean small, perfectly formed and rather distant.

However, I have strangely come to enjoy the pleasures of a smaller life and the contemplation it brings with it.

Before the pandemic struck, we were ‘big-picture people’ undertaking lots of travel – the more exotic and adventurous the better. Then there were the big events. Concerts, opening nights at the local theatre, new restaurants, sporting events and festivals.

Did I mention shopping? (I have a belief there is an inherited gene for shopping, which therefore makes it futile to resist.)

Gosh we were busy and out there. I feel exhausted just writing it down. Now, after the past year, it’s all a thing of the past. Do I miss it? Well, not really. It has given me time and permission to refocus on the smaller things in life: I now have a list of things I really enjoy, which are not really earth-shattering but provide me with great satisfaction.

I could start with reading a good book in the sunshine.

Then there’s sorting out the photo albums, reading old letters before destroying them, toying with buying a dog (I didn’t).

And cooking, which involves trying to follow a recipe for a change; you should taste my souffle! As they say, the proof of the pudding is in finally reading the recipe. Making a cake with a child – or a grandchild – is a wonderful thing. Making jam, upside-down-cake, or even perfecting pasta sauce.

Gardening. I can’t believe I haven’t killed my indoor plants, but they are thriving with all this attention I can now lavish on them. A friend also lent me a leaf blower. I had previously regarded these as the work of Satan. But like a number of things recommended by the devil, they are rather addictive. I wielded it around the garden, and then couldn’t resist blasting it toward

the front nature strip … and the neighbour’s nature-strip. I felt like Mary Poppins sorting out the street. Finally, it was wrenched out of my arms and returned to its owner before I could do any more harm.

Then there is exercise. Get back on your bike. Buy a wetsuit and have the pool to yourself. Or Zoom with exercise friends. You can feel free to exercise in the privacy of your own bedroom. If you’re really clever you don’t even have to make the bed and then you can collapse back on it the moment the Zoom goes off.

The list of small modifications to my life goes on and on.

I know I haven’t taken this time to write the great Australian novel, but I have written to old friends. I haven’t learnt another language, but I am working on my English vocab, and digging out oxymorons like, ‘social distancing’, ‘clearly confused’, and some might even say, ‘hotel quarantining’ that great source of infection-spread.

I haven’t painted the house or baked sourdough bread, but I am not beating myself up about that either.

I do worry that, like Alice through the Looking Glass, we will return to a bigger, busier, noisier and flashier life than ever before. People (mostly politicians and business people) talk about when ‘life returns to normal’. Who are they kidding? Now there is nothing wrong with normal or perhaps the new normal (is that an oxymoron?) but I have found this is the time to mark the moment. Stop and reflect on one’s good fortune, and better still, share it with someone.

So I will stop and smell the roses, albeit from our wonderful local florist, because my newly acquired green thumb for some reason doesn’t extend to successfully growing roses. Don’t ask me why, I can’t do Christmas lights either. A few of life’s small mysteries.

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Wellbeing

BEING WELL

WELLBEING, BEING WELL

THE COAST’S WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

wellness boom

THE SLOW LIVING MOVEMENT, AND HOLISTIC CARE ARE TAKING HOLD ON THE CENTRAL COAST WITH NEW WELLBEING CENTRES SPRINGING UP TO HELP LOCALS STAY FIT, HEALTHY AND HAPPY. HERE ARE SOME AT THE FOREFRONT.

W.TRIBE WELLNESS CENTRE, Tuggerah If your emotional, social and mental health are important to you, think about exercise.

It’s a well-documented fact that what’s good for your body is good for your brain – and for your mental health. Sarah Wills’ focus at W.Tribe is to look at improving women’s wellbeing by supporting not only women’s physical health but also their social and mental health.

The big choice that members of the Tuggerah Business Park centre have each week is which of 35 classes focussing on strength, yoga, dance and mindfulness to enjoy. There’s also help with nutrition, and regular meet-ups to complement this program. And if you can’t (or don’t want to) attend in person, think about joining their online community.

As a mum, Sarah also knows it’s important to help other mothers find support and ‘me time’, which is why there is also a free creche and a baby/toddler room.

Although the centre is all about creating a space for women to feel comfortable, Sarah has started welcoming the husbands and partners of her members. Specific classes have been opened to the men, who must attend with their wives, allowing couples the chance to bond.

W.TRIBE

NICOLE SALIBA, EATSENSE

Reliance Drive, Tuggerah; wliveonline.com

EATSENSE, Erina ‘You are what you eat.’ Deep down we all know this, but busy lives too often get in the way.

Nicole Saliba, the founder of Eatsense, wants to cut through the misinformation around healthy eating and encourage people to prioritise themselves and their health long-term. Nicole doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.

Her main philosophy is using food as medicine to help prevent, treat or manage medical conditions. And after having worked out of multiple sites across the Central Coast for the past seven years, Nicole is delighted that her supportive dietetics practice has become so popular she’s now opened a new Erina clinic. She’s designed the clinic to be a welcoming, positive space.

‘It will enable us to provide the best possible streamlined experience for our clients,’ Nicole says.

The Karalta Road clinic has multiple consultation rooms where a team of dietitians can meet with patients to create realistic healthy living plans that take into account medical issues and lifestyle choices such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome and Coeliac disease.

Eatsense dietitians also work with vegetarians and vegans to ensure their plant-based diets are nutrient-rich, as well as with children and pregnant women.

Shop 20, Elizabeth Court, Erina, 30 Karalta Rd; eatsense.com.au

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LIFE MEDICAL CENTRE, Erina If you like the sound of a holistic health approach – so that your biological, psychological and social wellbeing are all taken into consideration when you go to a doctor – then consider Life Medical Centre at Erina.

‘Our whole approach with the practice is whole-person care ... we look at all aspects of a person’s life,’ says the centre director, Dr Michelle Reiss.

Despite the lifestyle focus, Michelle is keen for locals to understand that all treatment is evidence-based, not alternative.

The in-house team consists of GPs, some of whom are lifestyle medicine-trained physicians, nurses, dietitians, a life coach, psychologist, a clinical pharmacist and an exercise scientist offering onsite classes.

‘Through the technology that we now have, we can look at gut health, we can look at the effect of stress, lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle, and the effect on metabolism and on inflammation,’ Michelle says.

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She adds that lifestyle medicine takes into account social situations including whether the patient is in a domestic violence relationship and how that impacts on their health. It also addresses the causes of chronic disease rather than managing them for life. For example, a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to be a permanent label.

‘It can be reversed,’ Michelle says, ‘and one of our big passions is to create awareness in our community.’

Classes at the centre have been very well received because a lot of people are anxious if, for example, they carry a lot of extra weight or are self-conscious because of physical barriers such as knee pain. ‘…We really just want to make a difference and awareness in the community that there are other options,’ says Michelle.

The centre, which opened in Erina in March, has been designed to be homely, and offers a traditional GP service (with bulk billing for under-16s), as well as lifestyle medicine.

8/2 Ilya Ave, Erina; lifemedicalcentre.com.au

»

C E N T RA L COA ST LEAGU ES F IT NES S

Enjoy unlimited yoga classes included in your membership!

Hot 26, Yin, Ashtanga, Flow, Power Vinyasa + more

Book in via the Mindbody app

Creche, steam room and sauna

Memberships from $16.95/week

02 4325 9879 • 1 Dane Drive, Gosford • www.cclfitness.com.au

WELLBEING, BEING WELL

BUMP for pre- and post-natal health and fitness Feel good about yourself in a one-of-a-kind experience, a guiltfree place where you can take time-out to work on getting your pre-baby bod back. Whether you choose a personal training program, workshops, or Reformer pilates, you can do so in a luxe studio in the company of like-minded mums. And of course there’s a creche for bubs – from six weeks to eight years old.

You can even enrol with bub in BUMP BUBS interactive baby development classes where you and your little one can learn, play, and explore together in a multi-sensory and safe environment.

You can start with a one-week trial for the BUMP CLUB membership for $19.

© HIPSTER MUM

310 Central Coast Hwy, Erina bumphealth.com.au/central-coast/

SPECIALISED MEDICAL SERVICES ATTRACTED TO GOSFORD’S NEW MEDICAL HUBS The major improvements to Gosford Hospital and the forthcoming Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute are acting like magnets in attracting skilled medical practitioners and specialised medical services to the greater Central Coast region.

For patients of medical services such as Zortex Orthotics, it means a very welcome respite from having to travel to Sydney or Newcastle. And you may be surprised by how many people – active or sedentary – need orthotics. This can mean braces and supports for something as simple as rehab, sports and trauma injuries, or the more complex and highly customised, lifetime care for cerebral palsy patients, or managing babies with typical hip dysplasia or flathead syndrome, or through to seniors with damaged nerve drop-foot.

Principal Stuart Kerr has been servicing the specialised needs of our region for some years as a visiting orthotist through the public health system, but the growing medical hub has led to his opening a professional clinic in West Gosford. Stuart is an indemand orthotist at many teaching hospitals in NSW, and in our region at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Gosford Hospital and the Royal Newcastle Centre.

He’s been the backbone of Zortex for over 30 years and his family are quick to say that his greatest joy remains seeing his patients — as young as one-day-old babies, to seniors — lead

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normal and fulfilled lives, and for sports people to realise they may not need to retire from their favourite pastime or sporting activity quite so prematurely.

Stuart’s pride and passion extends to always looking for the newest international and highly researched innovations, such as 3D scanning printing to ensure the best, custom-fit and comfort.

69 Central Coast Highway, Riverside Park Tower, West Gosford; zortexorthotics.com STUART KERR, ZORTEX

»

WELLBEING, BEING WELL

Small things that make BIG changes in a person’s life WORDS CATHARINE RETTER

I

PHOTOS JENNIFER HARTICH

f you walked past ‘Vanessa’ in the street, you’d see a reasonably dressed person, neat, clean and tidy. So invisible is some homelessness that you couldn’t guess she’s been living in her car for some months now after her parents threw her out of home in a heartbreaking, last-ditch ‘tough love’ effort for their daughter.

Vanessa knows where she can sneak in for a free shower and do her hair in a mirror (sometimes it’s in sporting clubs or other public facilities), but her mental health is so fragile that when she arranges to meet the Coast & Country Primary Care team in their brightly coloured ex-ambulance van, this writer needed to keep a discreet distance of 50 metres or so to avoid spooking her and having her miss her appointment with the HoTS medical team (Health on the Streets).

Vanessa needs regular treatment for Diabetes 2 and for schizophrenia, and the team is not always confident she’ll turn up, so they try to meet on her terms.

The HoTS team in the CCPC van are registered nurse, Katrina Russell, and outreach worker, Melanie Bryan. Outreach team leader, Joel Smeaton, chooses to stay in the background on this occasion to avoid overwhelming Vanessa.

‘She won’t go to a GP so we’re always very happy when she turns up to meet us,’ says Joel. ‘So much of our work is building

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Joel, Katrina and Melanie are the HoTS team on the Coast.

rapport with the clients and, through that, trust. Eighty-five per cent of people respond well to our approach. Sometimes they haven’t sought help just because they have outstanding fines they can’t pay, for fare evasion on trains or speeding tickets.

We’re able to tell them that by engaging in a CCPC program, it can officially reduce their fines by about $250 per session.’

The CCPC van has cold storage for vaccinations, storage for sleeping bags, hand sanitisers, Coast Shelter personal care packs, and privacy for health assessments.

‘We work closely with other homeless organisations on the Coast, like Coast Shelter, the Uniting Doorways Program, the Department of Health, Catholic Care – they all have areas that they specialise in,’ adds Joel. ‘We regularly take blood samples to check for underlying blood-borne diseases. We check kidney, heart, lungs, iron levels, Hepatitis B and C. But we also do their NDIS applications, and try to find them accommodation.’

Because their homeless clients are least likely to visit a GP, the team also arranges for health checks that most of us take for granted: prostate checks, pap smears, mammograms, as well as psycho-social counselling.

Katrina is experienced in asking the right questions. She previously worked in the justice system in prisons, which has taught her not to ask if someone has a drug or alcohol problem

WELLBEING, BEING WELL

(they’re more than likely to say, ‘no’ for fear of reprisals). Instead, she’ll ask what medications they’ve been on, and that way she’ll learn what underlying health conditions they may have. Or she’ll ask if they’re injecting. Or even ask whether they’re sexually active so she knows to check for any sexually transmitted diseases.

Melanie can then spring into action, and get any paperwork under way on the spot.

‘In the past year, out of more than 1,000 clinical contacts the team has undertaken, 770 needed referrals to external supports,’ says Joel.

Our next stop with the van is to meet Troy, who has agreed to share his identity and to be photographed.

When the team first met Troy, he had been sleeping rough.

Sydney to Newcastle trains were his preferred choice at night – they’re weatherproof, reasonably warm, and he felt safe under their security cameras.

Troy had the odds stacked against him, even as a child. His mother sent him away to live at Boystown when he was 12, and a year later she sent his younger brother away from home too.

Troy had to leave Boystown when he left school, and turned to stealing cars and generally being a ‘bad kid’.

‘I went to Mt Penang [juvenile detention centre] four times,’ says Troy. ‘It wasn’t too bad; it meant I had a sort of family, and somewhere to sleep and be fed.

‘I had anxiety attacks, but I thought everyone was like that,’ he says. ‘So I never sought help.’

After he left prison, he met a girl and fell in love.

‘We broke up after six or seven years,’ says Troy. ‘And six weeks after I left her, she found out she was pregnant. I didn’t think I’d ever have kids, so that was life-changing news.’

He became involved in his new daughter’s life, changing nappies and loving being a dad. Another daughter came along just 11 months later.

‘It gave me a reason to change my life,’ says Troy. ‘The girls are now 24 and 25, and I haven’t been back in prison for 25 years.’

It wasn’t all easy going for Troy though, and when the CCPC team first met him, he was still suffering from depression and anxiety, and couldn’t cope with the idea of appointments, so was no longer under the care of a GP. Instead, he was self-medicating with alcohol, and had been injecting drugs years earlier.

‘The team got me some temporary accommodation in a motel in Long Jetty, which was so luxurious after the trains. They even drove me up there because I had no transport.’

His health checks came back with a positive Hepatitis C diagnosis and an inflamed liver. Troy was given a state-funded Hepatitis B vaccination, had a liver ultrasound, and went on a course of treatment for the Hepatitis C. Troy also re-commenced his anti-depressants and, today, is about to get his eyes tested for glasses. A Woy Woy hairdresser has donated a voucher for a haircut, and Troy reckons he’ll look pretty handsome after all that.

Catholic Care was able to help him get accommodation in a bedsit with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Four months later, he is still happily there and is proud that he is clear of hepatitis.

Eleven days after first meeting the team, Troy was overwhelmed with the change in his life, and cried with happiness as he told them, ‘I feel so well cared for. I could never have done this alone.’

Soon, the team was crying, too.

He now has a three-year-old granddaughter and grins proudly when he says, ‘My two daughters live close enough so I get to see them, and I am able to babysit my beautiful little granddaughter.

It’s changed my life. I’m pretty happy.’

Coast & Country Primary Care is a not-for-profit organisation.

If you’d like to support its work, or have a business that can donate appropriate vouchers, please contact ccpc.com.au/donate

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Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250

Head to Gosford City Farmers Market for a broad selection of the tastiest seasonal produce, great deals on specialty items and organics, all while supporting local farmers, mingling with friends and being kind to the planet.

The go-to place for your weekly groceries... fresh, local, great value for your money.

Make a difference, buy local − it’s the future of food!

GOSFORD CITY FARMERS MARKET EVERY SUNDAY – 7AM TO 12PM Gosford Showground − Showground Road www.gosfordcityfarmersmarket.com.au

Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic smile makeover consultation Custom sport mouthguards: No Gap or $99

FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay and Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare

Coast

VIBES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ON THE COAST

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY: IMPERMANENCE

JEMMA DALEY TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON THIS WINTER

DANCE

CONCERTS

Sydney Dance Company: Impermanence

Marina Prior and David Hobson: The 2 of Us

Choreographer, Rafael Bonachela’s powerful new production, accompanied by an emotional original score, is inspired by the tragedy of the Australian bushfires and the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris. With an exquisite recording by the Australian String Quartet, the performance is described as visually hypnotic, and is particularly poignant, given that its premiere was cancelled four days before its intended release in 2020.

Musical theatre and opera legends, Marina Prior and David Hobson, embark on their Encore Tour, The 2 of Us in which they perform a stripped back and intimate version of their classics from productions such as The Phantom of The Opera, Cats, Evita, Les Misérables, West Side Story and more, as well as favourites from their albums.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

Friday, July 2. Adults: $49. Concession: $42. Members: $39.

Under-30s: $35. Children: $25.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

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The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

Friday, July 16. Adults: $69.95. Concession/Students: $64.95.

Group of 10+: $64.95. Members: $62.95.

Children under 12: $34.95.

Booking: thearthousewyong.com.au

AMPHIBIAN

COAST VIBES

Johnny Cash the Concert – Back to San Quentin After Daniel Thompson’s acclaimed starring role as Johnny Cash in the January 2020 Melbourne season of Legends in Concert Las Vegas, Daniel returns to celebrate all things of the Man in Black.

Reviews rave about his honey-like voice and stage presence artfully capturing the singer’s unique spirit. It would seem that Daniel Thompson is as close to Johnny Cash as we’re ever going to get.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. August 13.

Adults: $65. Group of 8+: $60. Concession/Students: $60.

Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

Consertante Ensemble: Sublime Clarinet Acclaimed clarinetist, Philip Arkinstall, associate principal clarinet of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, delivers a soulful program of masterworks by Brahms, Finzi, Mahler, Taneyev and Seletsky.

LIOR

Greenway Chapel, 460 Avoca Dr, Greenpoint. Sunday, June 13. Adults: $40. Concession: $35. Group 10+ $35.

Students: $15. Children under 12: Free.

Bookings thearthousewyong.com.au

THEATRE Amphibian An unlikely pair – a young girl trying to fit in and an Afghan boy, each forced by their parents to leave home and face a new school – are thrown together, but will their friendship lead to further estrangement within the school? It’s a gripping story to captivate young audiences with a tale of displacement, loss and adaptation.

Suitable for ages 12 and over.

Lior: Between You & Me Aria-nominated Australia singer/songwriter Lior performs songs from his most recent album in an intimate, archetypal ‘salon’ concert. Lior is praised for his moving, passionate performances, and this is your opportunity to see for yourself why this young singer has been so successful.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

Friday, August 20. Adults: $42.

Concession: $37. Members: $32. Under-30s: $25.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

The Art House Studio, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong. August 26–27. Adult: $35. Concession: $30. Members: $25. Under30s: $25. Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

MUSICALS Gosford Musical Society: Mamma Mia! Gosford Musical Society is producing a return season of the sold-out production Mamma Mia! The cast is ready to re-ignite our love for those classic ABBA songs. Nothing motivates musical theatre stars more than a year off, so this should be a good one.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming.

July 23–August 7. Adults: $48. Concession, Students, Children: $45. Group 10+: $42.

Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

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TOMMY LITTLE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

COMEDY Tommy Little: I’ll See Myself Out (selling fast) We all fell in love with Tommy on Network 10’s The Project and now we get to see the man in action on stage as he brings his humorous experiences to life with seasoned charisma and a cheeky high energy where nothing is off limits.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

Saturday, June 26. Adults: $49. Members: $42.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

The Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour Perfect for a night out with your friends, The Showcase Tour offers some of the hottest live acts for laughs with a mix of veteran entertainers and exciting emerging performers.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

August 14. Adults: $40. Group 10+: $36. Members: $30.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

KIDS

HAMLET: PRINCE OF SKIDMARK

Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark – A Badaptation of the Bard

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This cheeky adaption may not please die-hard Shakespeare fans, but it transforms the Bard’s masterpiece into a hilarious show for children. The Listies playfully pull apart and turn the show into an utterly silly and enjoyable piece of all-ages theatre, where kids are encouraged to make as much noise as they want for a change.

Recommended for ages 5+. Be prepared for pillow fights, pirates, ninjas and aliens.

The Art House Theatre, 19–21 Margaret St, Wyong.

June 25–26. Adults: $25. Children: $20. Family of 4: $75.

Bookings: thearthousewyong.com.au

»

20 ARTISTS OIL PAINTINGS CERAMICS WATERCOLOUR SCULPTURES

1095 BARRENJOEY RD PALM BEACH OPEN THURS - SUNDAY 10AM-3PM Broken Bay Shellar Door, pearls and jewellery - just off the M1 north of Sydney www.pearlsofaustralia.com.au | 12 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney | 0488 361 042

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Alphabet of Awesome Science Join professors Lexi Con and Noel Edge for a thrilling voyage through the alphabet. The show challenges the professors to conduct 26 quirky experiments onstage, relating to 26 scientific words, in under one hour. Perfect for kids who love learning how the world works; it might even teach the adults something as well. The kids will marvel at experiments like ‘smoke doughnuts’ and getting sprayed with water-blasters, and they’ll certainly enjoy this more than reading a science book. Hilarious, fascinating and gross!

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. Tuesday, July 6.

Tickets: $15. Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

Just Live brings to life the wonderfully entertaining Just series of books by Andy Griffiths that have been adapted for stage. Every year, young Andy enters an awesome, captivating, terrifying short story into the competition at the Northwest Southeast Central School. Unfortunately, Andy is robbed of winning the competition every year by – believe it or not – kittens and sunshine. Follow Andy as he pulls out invisibility pills, vomiting dogs and deathdefying balloon rides that will leave the kids in hysterics. Suitable for ages eight to 12 years.

Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming. August 22–23.

Adults: $25. Children: $20.

Bookings: ccclaycock.sales.ticketsearch.com

THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE

Just Live

ART Janelle White: Life Stills Accomplished Central Coast artist Janelle White captures the nostalgia of the 1950s with her colourful paintings inspired by vintage home movies and photographs. Janelle has been exhibited as a finalist in the Gosford Art Prize seven times, and won the Grandma Moses Art Prize in 2015.

Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford.

June 26–August 4.

JANELLE WHITE

Australian Centre for Moving Images: Cleverman

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Brought to Gosford by the Australian Centre for Moving Images, this exhibition explores First Nations’ storytelling, mythology, language and creativity through the lens of Australia’s critically acclaimed Indigenous, superhero TV series, Cleverman. It includes carefully designed costumes and props, as well as featuring artwork from the original comic book series.

Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford.

May 22–July 11.

COAST VIBES

CLASSES AND COURSES WORDS JEMMA DALEY

PAINT AND CREATE: SWEET CAROLINE Every month, East Gosford’s cute and quirky cafe Sweet Caroline comes together with Styled by K Art to bring you a class where you can create your own set of four acrylic coasters. Sip bubbly and graze on delicious charcuterie while you create something beautiful for your home.

12/36-40 Victoria St, East Gosford. Price: $90.

Bookings: sweetcarolinecentralcoast.com.au

HOUSE OF ELLERY: CHUNKY HAND-KNITTED THROW WORKSHOP The perfect winter activity that lets you take home a beautiful throw of your own creation. This workshop teaches you how to make a knitted throw using only your hands. Get cosy and warm and settle in for a winter morning of knitting.

The Chapman Building. Shop 3, 14–16 Alison Rd, Wyong.

Sunday, July 11. Price $89. Bookings: houseofellery.com.au

ROLLERFIT Skating may seem like a nostalgic childhood memory, reminiscent of skinned knees and hot summer days, but RollerFit has reinvigorated skating for fitness. RollerFit caters to people who want to skate for recreation, fun and for a unique workout. When you arrive, you’ll learn roller-skating skills, skate tricks, fitness drills and even play a few games.

It’s the perfect way to liven up your fitness routine.

Niagara Park Sports Stadium, 16 Washington Ave, Niagara Park. Non-member prices: Drop-in class: $25 (with your own skates). Skate hire: $5 per class. Member prices: Single class: $20 (with your own skates). Skate hire: $5 per class.

(Class passes also available).

Bookings: rollerfit.com.au/niagara-park/

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CLASSES AND COURSES

FORAGING AND MIXOLOGY AT FIRESCREEK BOTANICAL WINERY There is something really fun about getting your friends together to create cocktails and unleash your inner mixologist. And sharing the result of your creative talents is always an amazing way to get people together.

From a private garden room overlooking Firescreek’s ponds and organic gardens, you’ll be provided with a wine tasting and wine appreciation of current vintages. You’ll get to forage in the beautiful gardens for your own organically grown garnishes, then, guided by a talented bartender, you’ll learn some simple but very effective tricks of the trade on how to put together some Instagram-worthy garnished cocktails.

There’s antique crystal glassware to showcase your cocktails, and a range of mixers to experiment with and concoct four mini cocktails to your own person taste.

Mocktail ingredients are also provided so that non-drinkers aren’t left out.

Firescreek Botanical Winery grows more than 30 species of fruit, 40 species of roses and countless other botanicals using small-scale, organic permaculture regenerative farming techniques. This means they can make wine (and cocktails) year-round, rather than relying on a single, annual grape harvest. Interesting wines that will be ready for winter include Blackcurrant, Coffee and Chocolate, Chilli Citrus, Elderberry and Vanilla, Pineapple, Lime and Grapefruit.

Workshops available Wednesday to Sunday from 2 to 3.30pm.

Bookings: firescreek.com.au/foraging-and-mixology-workshop/

SHELLIE CHRISTIAN CERAMICS Join Shellie in her private ceramic studio and create beautiful homewares that are unique and showcase your personal touch. Shellie loves to use ingredients found in nature, such as pods, sticks and seeds. You’ll make ceramics as impressive as any found in a boutique homewares store, with the added bonus of personal satisfaction that can only come from creating something yourself.

11 Manns Rd, Fountaindale. Class: $400. Mention COAST magazine for the workshop on July 16 at the price of $125. Bookings shelliechristianceramics.com

MACRAME DREAMS Learn how to make your own beautiful macrame accessories, planter hangings, or just about any home decor item your imagination can run to. And while you’re knotting away, enjoy delicious tapas or a cheese platter, a cocktail or mimosa at the Avoca Beach House. Morning and afternoon classes run for four hours, and are available to suit all ages.

Avoca Beach House, 87 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach.

June 10, July 18 plant hanger package. June 30 children’s workshop – wall hanging. Prices from $150.

Bookings: macramedreams.com

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COAST VIBES

HAPPENINGS ON THE COAST 5 Lands Walk Saturday, June 26

© KEVIN MORGAN MAGIC LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

The 5 Lands Walk, a highly popular Central Coast tradition, is a day-long festival on June 26 that connects five coastal communities. The 10 km route starts at the surf club at MacMasters Beach, heads north to the surf clubs at Copacabana, Avoca Beach and North Avoca following the beaches, headlands, bush tracks and back-roads to the surf club at Terrigal.

You can walk all or part of the route, drive, take a shuttlebus, or just hang out in one location and enjoy some people-watching, and the entertainment and exhibits.

The walk – timed to coincide with the peak of the northerly whale migration past the Central Coast – connects people with people, people with place, and people with Aboriginal ceremony and culture, music, food, artworks, gigantic kites, whales, dance, sculptures on the beach and craft workshops.

The new patron of the 2021 walk is Darkinjung woman, Katrina Sales, further reflecting and reinforcing the cultural significance and collaboration between the thousands of people who participate in the Walk and the First Nations’ People on whose land the walk is held.

Some 22,000 people are expected to participate. You can register (free) beforehand at 5landswalk.com.au/registration-form, or on the day.

5landswalk.com.au

Pearl Beach Arboretum ‘Ephemeral Art Trail’, June 12–July 4

© GABY PORTER, SCULPTOR

Ephemeral art is sculpture made from materials that are at hand that have a short life cycle. The Trail, from June 12 to July 4, showcases temporary public art with themes of nature conservation, community identity and cultural vibrancy. The art cannot be bought, sold or traded, and the sculpture merges back into the environment as its materials gradually degrade Entry is a donation of $5 per adult. Car access is via Opal Close or Crystal Ave, Pearl Beach. pearlbeacharboretum.org.au/ephemeral-art-trail-2021/

COAST ARTISTS SHINE IN ART GALLERY ON PALM BEACH The gallery is an artist-run initiative by 20 professional and awardwinning artists. Coast artists feature strongly, including Meg Lewer from Wagstaffe, Cheryl Bruce from Wamberal, Karen Bloomfield from Ettalong Beach, and Vanessa Ashcroft from Patonga. The artists regularly cross Broken Bay by ferry to staff the not-for-profit gallery, so watch out for your favourite artist ‘in residence’ when you visit.

1095 Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach. Open Thursday to Sunday 10am–3pm. artgalleryonpalmbeach.com.au

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Girri Girra Tours in Bouddi National Park, Yengo National Park and Bulgandry Aboriginal Site

© JENNIFER HARTICH

Walk in the footsteps of Australia’s First Nations’ people and feel their living connection to the land in today’s world. Hear timeless stories, see original rock carvings and feel the power of connecting with this beautiful country.

Tours operate seven days a week and are usually limited to groups of 15.

Suitable for all ages. Larger groups, schools and corporate bookings by arrangement. Adults: $90; Pensioners: $55; Teenagers: $45; Children 5–12: $25. girrigirra.com.au/tours

NAUGHTY NOODLE FUNHAUS HAPPENINGS naughtynoodle.com.au/whats-on

Bathhouse Bette cabaret Direct from New York city, and courtesy of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, celebrated vocalist and comedic monologist, Amber Martin, presents her Broadway World award-nominated Bathhouse Bette cabaret, a tribute to Bette Midler. Watch out for a special steamy, surprise guest, the popular Rupert Noffs (of Lucky Bee restaurant).

The annual Crown Jewels Dragstravanza dinner and show, June 12 Some of the best contemporary drag artists in Australia vamp it up in a curated showcase that’s set to draw you deep into the diverse and satirical world of performative drag with a largerthan-life night of parody and illusion.

It’s baby time at the AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK, June 26–July 11

5 Broken Bay Rd, Ettalong Beach. Adults: $55; Concessions: $45. From 8pm, June 12

During the winter school holidays, from June 26 to July 11, the Reptile Park will hold a daily Baby Animal Show in the Show Pit where you can see the adorably mischievous dingo puppy, and the slightly less cuddly, but unforgettable pod of baby alligators. You’ll also be able to have some special oneon-one playtime with the dingo pup in her enclosure.

Come July, watch out for the koala joeys beginning to venture into the big world from the safety of mums’ pouches. We challenge you to find anything cuter if you can spot them!

And the Kids2Keepers program is back where kids can get a taste of the daily life of a zookeeper. For very special children there’s also the Inclusive Kids 2 Keeper program designed for children with a disability, and their carers.

All this is in addition to your favourite reptile park encounters, including the interactive walk with some of the park’s much loved stars.

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Gosford’s latest funky bar and after-work drinks spot, The Lyons Den, is the location for ‘ThursGAY’ presented by Naughty Noodle, on the last Thursday of each month as an ‘all welcome’ social night with drinks, tunes and entertainment.

37a Mann St, Gosford from 6pm–10pm. lyonsdengosford.com.au

© LISA HAYMES

Pacific Hwy, Somersby. Open seven days per week, 9am–5pm.

Adults: $25; Family pass: $115. reptilepark.com.au

The Lyons Den hosts ‘ThursGAY’

LUCY WICKS MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON

t s a o C l a r t n e C e h t Del ivering for The Morrison Government is delivering $86.5 million to fix 29 roads across the Central Coast.

Jointly funding the $72.5 million Central Coast Research Institute and Central Coast Clinical School in Gosford, open to students in 2021.

Making commuters’ lives easier with $35 million for commuter car parks at Gosford and Woy Woy stations.

Investing in community infrastructure with over $11 million for sporting facilities and public parks.

Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 02 4322 2400 lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au lucywicksmp.com LucyWicksMP Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Hwy, West Gosford NSW 2250.

PEOPLE OF THE COAST • Marney McQueen

MARNEY MCQUEEN SHE CAN SING, SHE CAN DANCE, SHE CAN ACT. SHE IS ALSO A MARRIAGE CELEBRANT AND A DAB HAND AT PULLING A BEER. MARNEY MCQUEEN HAS PERFORMED IN FRONT OF HUGE AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD BUT IT’S THE SMALL PUB CROWDS THAT SHE ENTERTAINS IN WYONG THAT BRING HER THE MOST JOY. WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL

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PEOPLE OF THE COAST • Marney McQueen

I

t’s a case of life imitating art for Marney McQueen. Fourteen years ago, the cabaret singer was cast in the original stage production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Marion, the character who runs an outback pub that holds cabaret shows.

Fast forward to today: she and her husband Frank now own a pub, the Royal Hotel Wyong, where she and other artists regularly perform live cabaret shows.

The seasoned actor always knew she was destined for the stage. As a young child, she took to impersonating her family and friends and says she ‘quickly got a taste of how great it is to make people laugh – and that became addictive’. Going on to study at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Marney met legendary Australian comic Barry Humphries and was inspired by the fact he built his career around creating characters. She watched his Broadway show eight times and read all his books before returning to Australia to write her own show.

Marney’s own zany characters include a border security officer and Raelene Dreggs, the mother of a convicted drug smuggler.

But her most famous character by far is the incredibly funny Rosa Waxoffski, a pink-haired Russian beautician who has a passion for maintaining the private areas of celebrities around the globe. She has toured the country and across the world with this stand-up act to rave reviews, most recently at the 2021 Adelaide Fringe Festival. Indeed, Marney is a triple threat in her industry with Barry Humphries himself once declaring: ‘She has the goods.’

Away from the stage, in addition to being a local pub owner and marriage celebrant, Marney is mum to two young boys.

‘I thought it would be funny to marry people while in character,’ she says, ‘but I soon discovered that I just enjoyed marrying people. It’s a great honour.’

On owning the historic Royal Hotel Wyong, Marney admits it was hard work and a huge learning curve, but she says it has been well worth it. With a fresh new look and a busy calendar of events including high teas, fashion parades and charity events, the 1889-built hotel has been transformed from what was once a ‘pretty blokey’ pub into a place that also caters to young families and females. And it is the weekly entertainment that was given the biggest shake-up with the likes of Australian soprano Marina Prior and entertainers Bob Downe, Rhonda Burchmore and Gina Jeffreys all headlining at the pub. Marney herself also hosts a monthly variety show, which is a hugely popular night of riotous fun.

‘We host a lot of women’s events at the pub, especially events where the intention is to get women who are new to the coast to meet each other,’ says Marney. ‘And we usually use these events to raise money for local women’s charities.’

Head to royalhotelwyong.com.au/whats-on to book tickets.

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HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKER

KARIN ADCOCK Winmark WORDS CATHARINE RETTER

Wines

If you prefer your Hunter Valley fine wines in a quiet, peaceful setting, go for Broke. That’s what prompted Danish-born Karin Adcock to purchase what was then Pooles Rock Vineyard, now renamed Winmark Wines (Danish for ‘field of vines’), in Broke.

T

he Broke-Fordwich region of the Hunter lies at the south-western end of the Hunter Valley, away from the main tourist traffic and is known for its smaller, boutique wineries.

There is, of course, still an immovable Pooles Rock on the Winmark property, named after the monolith that the former convict, Richard Poole, was known to escape to for a safe sleep. (As a monolith, it is a very miniature cousin to other famous rocks such as Uluru, the Rock of Gibraltar, and El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.)

Although the undeniably picturesque nature of the vineyard certainly appealed to Karin Adcock, the successful (Pandora jewellery) businesswoman also saw the potential in the 11 hectares of vines that had been neglected by the previous short-term owners, AGL Energy.

The company purchased the vineyard after the death of Macquarie Bank co-founder, David Clarke, the original owner of Pooles Rock, Cockfighter’s Ghost and Firestick Wines.

Karin is quick to acknowledge that her background in wines and vineyards only came from the perspective of someone who enjoyed wines and the romanticised lifestyle that vineyard ownership represented.

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HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKER

‘When I purchased Winmark, I didn’t want to spend 20 years learning from my mistakes,’ she says. ‘And I knew I wanted to listen to some of the best in the business. I have a wonderful team: international vintner, John Belsham; viticulturist, Liz Riley; local winemaker, Xanthe Hatcher; and vineyard manager, Dave Grosser, whose father planted some of the first vines on the original property.’

Taking their advice, vines on key blocks of the vineyard were nurtured back to full vitality, while other blocks that were too close to steep hillsides or tall forests to be nursed back to full health and productivity were pulled out and given over to grasslands, fruit and olive tree plantings, and landscaped gardens.

The result is a picturesque, working vineyard that is once again producing fine chardonnays – harvested at night so the juice is not heat-affected. The results of the first vintage produced Rusty’s Run Chardonnay, matured in stainless steel after an initial oak fermentation; and the single vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, selected from the vineyard’s best grapes, fermented and matured in French oak barrels for 12 months.

‘We still deliver our grapes to the owners of the Pooles Rock, Cockfighter’s Ghost and Firestick wineries, so that is a nice continuity, too,’ says Karin.

Why put all your grapes into one wine variety?

‘The property already did chardonnay really well, and we wanted to build on that so that people who like chardonnay could depend on getting something really special here. We also wanted to keep out the ‘tyre kickers’ who will drink anything, but are not really interested in buying,’ Adcock admits with a smile.

Karin learnt the benefits of listening to and learning from others in her first job in Denmark as a project manager for a property group and, later, with large firms across the world.

‘They were challenging and interesting projects,’ says Karin.

‘I just had to work out what to do, and I learnt not to be daunted

by the size of the task. It’s from this that I also got my appetite for country properties.’

After moving to Australia, Karin developed a business selling jewellery into people’s homes.

‘It meant I quickly had to get to know Sydney and then Australia-wide geography to know which suburbs were suited to our jewellery,’ she says. ‘The business grew to 120 consultants, many of whom had never been in a sales role before. I had to train them in how to close a sale, and to dare to ask for the booking, and to make it all happen.’

It was the perfect training ground for Karin to start up the Pandora jewellery business in Australia in 2004.

‘There was no branded, accessibly jewellery in Australia, so we were the first of its kind in the marketplace. We listened and evolved and reacted to what the market was telling us.

‘The bracelets became a talking point among friends and even strangers. It brought people together, and men loved it because the charms were easy to purchase and represented a thoughtful gift that could reflect the life experiences and interests of the recipient.

‘And unlike a traditional charm bracelet, you didn’t need to go to a jeweller to have the charm added to your bracelet, so initially it was sold in gift stores until, after a couple of years, jewellers, too, saw its potential. And we also opened our own stores and franchises.’

The rest is history. Australian sales outstripped those in the UK by 200 per cent, and the US by 300 per cent. When the Danish

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HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKER

ART IN THE VINES

86 COAST

FIGHT OR FLIGHT

INSIDE THE GALLERY

GWENDOLINE

Works by modern realist, James Ainslie. Layered contemporary abstracts by Felicia Aroney. Ceramics by Katarina Wells. Whimsical copper sculptures of ghost gumtrees by lapsed biologist Ulan Murray and his wife Rachel Burns. Talented and diverse paintings and sculptures by Rebecca Pierce. Award-winning works by sculptor, Michael Purdy.

And more.

And, of course, how could Karin Adcock not resist, grape-and-vine-inspired silver and gold jewellery in collaboration with Norwegian jewellery brand, TuaMea.

STRAWHENGE

PODS

NEW WINGS FOR ANGEL WITH WINGS CLIPPED PART 1

PORTALS OF ILLUSION

BIOSIS

David Ball’s imposing Biosis sculptures are among those that are now part of the landscape for all to enjoy, as well as Swedish artist Erik Flygenring Christensen’s Portals of Illusion.

HUNTER VALLEY WINEMAKER parent company bought back the Australian operation, it could just have cancelled Karin’s distribution contract, but in recognition of her contribution to the company’s remarkable success, it rewarded her efforts. She stayed on as CEO for another three years and was invited onto the global management team.

‘It meant trips to Europe every three months and, in the end, the toll on my family was too high for me to continue.’ says Karin. ‘When the company listed on the stock exchange, it was the right time to leave.

‘After being so busy for so long, I was scared of doing nothing and I launched into new business ventures a little too soon,’ she admits.

It was because of those more recent experiences that Karin sought the tranquillity of a country escape that led to the purchase of the 46-hectare Pooles Rock vineyard in 2016.

‘It’s also for those reasons that I wanted to make Winmark Wines more than only a cellar door experience. I want people to enjoy the property like I do, to connect to it and feel free to wander through the grounds and along the walking trail; to look at the beautiful roses in bloom at the end of each row of vines; to picnic under the trees, and to stay in the cottages.’

Karin has a vision and passion for the property’s potential.

The grounds have been delightfully landscaped by pre-eminent garden designer, Paul Bangay, and the cottages and main residence renovated and refurbished. A storage shed has had a dramatic makeover into an inviting and welcoming cellar door with picturesque views over the vines and an al fresco

seating area. A sculpture walk also continues to expand across the property. Karin has always loved art and has been an avid collector on her many travels: a painting from Nice, a whole series of art from Africa, ceramic sculptures from other exotic places, and increasingly, local artists and sculptures. Her beloved treasures spilled over into the three guest accommodation cottages, and when they, too, had reached capacity, Karin realised she should open an art gallery adjacent to the cellar door.

‘Art, architecture and wine have always gone well together,’ she says. ‘And an art gallery adds to the overall experience that visitors to the cellar door and those staying in the guest cottages can enjoy. We sold 15 pieces in our first two weeks [the gallery opened in February this year]!’

If all that is not enough for an over-achiever, what else does Karin have in mind?

‘I love sharing the house with friends, but I’m not much of a cook,’ she says. ‘I’d like to be able to learn to create dishes from local produce and from what we grow in our vegetable garden here.

‘I’ve been trying my hand at cumquat and rosehip jams under my neighbour’s tuition. At 10pm at night, when it still hasn’t set, I call her up and say, ‘Help, what do I do?’ And her advice? ‘Start early in the morning!’ ‘ Cellar door: Monday to Thursday 11am to 4pm.

Friday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. winmarkwines.com.au/cellar-door winmarkwines.com.au/accommodation winmarkwines.com.au

A RT, S C U L P T U R E WA L K & C E L L A R D O O R Spanning 130 breathtaking acres, Winmark is not just a premium Chardonnay producer but a destination. Enjoy a Chardonnay tasting in the Cellar Door overlooking the stunning 28 acre vineyard and explore the Sculpture Park to find spectacular sculptures reaching for the sky, whimsical installations and sculptures inspired by the

Australian bush. The newly opened Art Gallery is placed alongside the Cellar Door, connecting art, nature and wine. Owner & Vigneron Karin Adcock has curated the gallery introducing some of the amazing Artists and Sculptors discovered through her travels.

Winmark is a place of beauty and unexpected discovery.

A R T G A L L E R Y A N D C E L L A R D O O R O P E N 7 DAY S T: 0417 100 824 | E: info@winmarkwines.com.au | 229 Wollombi Road, Broke NSW 2330 @winmarkwines | winmarkwines.com.au

CENTRAL COAST

National Parks & State Forests

GREAT OUTDOORS

THE CEDAR BRUSH TRAIL OLNEY STATE FOREST from the BASIN CAMPGROUND to CEDAR BRUSH WORDS JAMES LUTWYCHE

PHOTOS GRACE LUTWYCHE

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GREAT OUTDOORS

Where Our starting point is The Basin campground off Basin Forest Road, via Bucketty. Even the drive in is memorable. The La Nina weather pattern has brought a welcome relief to the Central Coast Hinterland, and warm humid days bookend with long periods of gentle rain bringing the bush, wilderness and farmland alive with lush, emerald new green growth and a sense of calm and relief.

We turn off the bitumen at what the locals call ‘The Letter A’ where farmland gives way to rugged, forested ridgeways and vast dramatic views of wilderness as you follow a well-maintained gravel road for two kilometres before turning left onto Walkers Ridge Forest Rd. From here you wind down a forest trail to the Basin campground. The route is accessible to most two wheeldrive vehicles.

The Trail

‘The First Nations’ people, the Darkinjung clan, were known to leave behind carvings, paintings and stencils. There is one cave in this region that has a mass of hand stencils’.

The river at the base of The Basin campground has waterholes and stretches of river that are deep enough for a swim, and suit those looking for a place to cool off and wind down away from the crowds. I doubt this river was flowing last summer.

One of the shorter walks is the Lyrebird Track and, by way of comparison, it’s more like a Tasmanian walk than a Blue Mountain slog. It ducks and weaves along a perennial river named Wollombi Brook, providing plenty of opportunities to stop, relax and swim in the waterholes, or catch a glimpse of the very shy, nocturnal platypus. The track is relatively challenging, has some slippery sections and steep climbs, and there are a few spots where the trail cuts close to the edge of the canyon, so please take care.

The walk I am leading today is an eight-kilometre, one-day walk. It’s part of the Great North Walk that connects walking trails from Circular Quay to the Hunter River and Nobbys Head in Newcastle. We are walking it in the reverse direction, as the thought of walking this section uphill from Cedar Brush seems a little uninviting. We have already left a car at the other end down in Cedar Brush, and I estimate we’ll be back to it in about three hours.

We set out from the Basin Camping Ground in the Olney State Forest that is part of ‘The Watagans’ chain of forests. Although I want to stay by the river and explore a little longer, the mountains are calling. The first 250 metres are all uphill, which is a good wakeup call for the cardio system, but thankfully it is short-lived, and the spur we are ascending crests at a nice little saddle with a few logs scattered for seats.

This is a good spot to stop and catch your breath. Over to the left is a band of remnant sandstone cliffs, dotted with small caves that need exploring. The First Nations’ people, the Darkinjung clan, were known to leave behind carvings, paintings and stencils.

There is a cave in this region that has a mass of hand stencils.

It’s a bit like our modern-day QR code, an ancient form of signing in and out of a region or territory.

This section of track showcases the magnificent blue gums (Eucalyptus saligna) with their towering trunks. The native bellbirds provide quite a chorus as we set off down the other

»

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ABOVE An ancient band of sandstone escarpment is covered in tiny ferns and mosses, and dotted with small caves and overhangs.

OPPOSITE PAGE The trail lies within the Olney State Forest where dogs are permitted.

Wollombi Brook has crystal clear water, and during good seasons has plenty of waterholes for a quick dip.

BELOW Sawn logs, left by the pioneering timber cutters, provide a great spot to rest and admire the local fungi while you listen to the birdlife all around.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

‘We find a small overhanging cave with a natural coffee table, and although I did not bring my favourite barista with me today (she was busy), I do manage to pull out a cheeky couple of icepack-cool beers’.

side of the spur. If you are soft-footed enough, you may see the elusive lyrebird dart around the forest floor. Listen for its unique song that can vary from the sweet renditions of love songs from other birds to the roar and buzz of a chainsaw.

On either side of the trail are carpets of maidenhair fern (Adiantum aethiopicum) interlaced with lichen, which tells me we are on the southern side of the ridge, and soon we will find the Brook again. Around the next bend we are met by a spectacular overhead display of bird’s nest ferns, (Asplenium nidus) hanging from the trees like suspended chandeliers and draped with lichen and vines.

The bellbirds are now drowned out by the sound of waterfalls, and the bird calls change to that of the eastern whipbird, and – we are in luck – the shrill of the lyrebird. Soon enough we are back beside the river and find a great place to jump in and cool off. The water is crystal clear and I can see the huge claws of the native crayfish or yabby below my toes. Best not to put my toes down just yet.

There are so many spots along the next kilometre to stop, rest and explore, and it is taking us an extraordinary amount of time to complete this section because it is just so beautiful. I want to relax, explore, unplug and unwind, and why not? We have all day.

We find a small overhanging cave with a natural coffee table, and although I did not bring my favourite barista with me today (she was busy), I do manage to pull out a cheeky couple of icepackcool beers.

I know by looking at the map, the next bit is going to get harder, so the hiking boots are off again, and it’s time for another quick dip.

The Basin campground to the Great North Walk track intersection is two and a half kilometres, and it took us about an

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hour’s walking time. This is a challenging walk; the track is very much up and down and quite slippery in some sections.

The track leads away from the river and out of the coachwood forest (Ceratopetalum apetalum) that is host to hanging bird’s nest ferns. Then it’s back into the drier open forest. The coachwood tree is a close relative of the NSW Christmas bush, with the classic star-like flower, but the main differences are its height and flower colour. The coachwoods have white flowers, not red.

The climb out of the valley is made easier with rock steps that have been carved or placed evenly to help us zig-zag up the

GREAT OUTDOORS slope. The trail widens out at the top and turns into a fire trail.

Continue following this until you reach the road where you’ll come across a log-loading area recently used by the State Forests.

This uphill section takes 20 to 30 minutes.

The Great North Walk signs point you in the right direction; follow these back to Walkers Ridge Forest Rd and then continue another kilometre until the track veers off to the right along Kingtree Ridge Fire Trail. If you only have one car with you, you can return to the Basin Campground from this intersection via the gravel roads. It also makes a good emergency extraction point if required.

The fire trail section of this walk takes the best part of an hour and is fairly easy walking. Just before the track leaves the fire trail and descends back down into the next valley, there is a small campsite, shelter, and water tank off to the right at a place called Walkers Rest. Today the water tank is full, but it’s strongly recommended that you boil this water before drinking. We are each carrying two litres of water so we don’t need a refill.

The last leg of today’s walk takes us back into the forest, crisscrossing a small spring-fed creek several times past small waterfalls and cooling-off spots. We pass by a small male satin bowerbird’s lair, laced with blue plastic, bottle tops, pegs and other pieces of manmade rubbish that the bowerbird uses to seduce his harem. Personally, I can’t see how it does; I’ve tried leaving my rubbish around the house, and that impresses no one.

Experience an abundance of wildlife from horseback amongst our 18 acres of bushland.

For first timers through to seasoned riders.

All too soon, the valley opens up to farmland and you skirt around open paddocks and down to the final creek crossing for the day. This lovely little stream is surrounded by yellow flowering water gums (Tristaniopsis laurina). Once over the stream, a final little track leads out past one of the remnant giants that this valley was known for: the spectacular Australian red cedar (Toona ciliata). We arrive back at the car right on three hours’ walking time.

Once again, the drive out of Yarramalong Valley or back up to the Basin to collect the other car is serene and spectacular. As for me, coffee at Angel Sussurri cafe in Yarramalong awaits.

DISTANCE: 8 km LEVEL: Difficult. NOTE: Dogs allowed.

James Lutwyche is a horticulturalist, and a local and experienced bushwalker who has led or been part of expeditions in the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Kosciusko, Tasmania, New Zealand and Mongolia.

He lives and works in Yarramalong and is married with four children. James is also the local Scout leader at Peats Ridge Scout Group and spends his time between work at Paradise Botanical Gardens and exploring and enjoying the great outdoors.

Tailored experiences for every rider, including: • Trail rides of 1 & 2hrs • Optional: add a Saddle Bag lunch, Gourmet picnic or Campfire • Led pony rides 1 hr • Tiny Tots Program from 2.5 yrs • School holiday camps • Riding lessons and instruction 1hr • Children’s/teen parties • We cater for Special Needs

Book online at www.theoutlookridingacademy.com.au Email remond6@bigpond.com

0427 189 567 I Gate 2, 256 The Scenic Highway, Terrigal

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DESTINATION WEDDING

After the rain – we dance!

Amy and Mark at Spicers Guesthouse WORDS SARAH TOLMIE Delayed by a year due to a baby and then a pandemic, the final lead-up to Amy and Mark’s wedding saw state borders open, guest restrictions lift and, finally, the excitement of family and friends reuniting after a year apart. And then the heavens opened.

More rain, rain, rain than we’d seen forever. And flooding.

And more rain. It was just as well most of the guests had already gathered and settled in for a full weekend at the Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley.

It was just as well that Amy and Mark – Central Coast locals – were so relaxed and happy, and chill. And that Amy happened to be an experienced events coordinator. She has bravely ‘whiteknuckled’ many a wet wedding eve with anxious couples before their big day, and she knew that nothing could dampen the moment for Mark and her.

And then the wedding day came. As the rest of the east coast region endured further deluge and flooding, Amy and Mark drove over the hill into the Hunter Valley. On cue, the sky calmed, the rain mostly stopped and a cheeky peek of blue sky could even be seen.

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DESTINATION WEDDING

‘The forecast was for the rain to reach its peak on our wedding day. But as we were getting ready, the rain stopped, sun came out,’ says Amy. ‘It was still drizzling and overcast but I was able to walk outside to get to the ceremony location, have photos outside and guests could also mingle on the lawn during the evening. It was perfect.’

Having been in the events industry for many years, Amy already had a few wedding suppliers that she’d worked with who were must-haves on her wedding team. But she sourced her perfect venue, Spicers Guesthouse, by sheer luck. It was the first venue she looked at, and she immediately knew that was the one.

‘I had a fairly specific image in my head of what I wanted, and Spicers ticked every box. Everything was onsite – function space, accommodation, great food and wine, and stunning valley surrounds,’ says Amy. ‘So I booked it the next day.’

Spicers offered a modern, elegant, five-star experience that also had a 'feels like home' quality. They especially loved the separate main guest cottage: a classic country style, with a warm and rustic self-contained house with four bedrooms, kitchen, dining and living room, an open fire, verandas and even a private courtyard. It was perfect for Amy and Mark’s boisterous little boys, Mason and Cody, and helped to create the feel of a family weekend away.

‘We both really wanted a relaxed, fun wedding for us and for our guests. We didn’t want anything too rigid and formal,’ says Amy. ‘In the planning process, I was aiming for a relaxed Sundaysession type vibe with a cocktail-style reception and live music.

We just wanted everyone to have lots of fun, delicious food, and to enjoy great music.’

As a busy mum, Amy wasn’t tempted to work on her own wedding day, and handed over the event’s management and design to her trusty team, the Wedding Designers. Her brief to the design team was 'romantic and warm' with lots of candles, flowers and fairy lights, and colours of blush, white and timber.

‘That was one of the best things we ever did. The day ran so smoothly, and was so calm because they literally took care of everything,’ says Amy. ‘The room looked stunning. I was just able to be in the moment and enjoy the day.’

‘Seeing Mark as I walked down the aisle was a great moment, and during the ceremony our son Mason randomly came up and gave us the biggest hug, which was so emotional and beautiful.’

‘The most fun however, was dancing. Covid restrictions had eased the week before our wedding which allowed us to dance.

It was so much fun seeing all our friends and family on the dance floor, having a great time.’

‘I would honestly not do a thing differently. The day was everything we wanted and more.’

Ceremony and reception Spicers Guesthouse, Pokolbin Event management and styling Wedding Designers Photographer Brendan Woods Celebrant/officiant Sarah Tolmie Life & Love Celebrations Musicians Oberon Lane Videographer Hunter Valley Video Wedding dress and suits Brides of Sydney, Miranda Hair Nourish Me Beautiful Makeup Louise Antonjuk Flowers and styling The Wedding Designers Cake Rosebery Cake Creations

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Jungle book

GARDEN

The Central Coast is fortunate to have a few remnant pockets of rainforest, and when it falls on your property, there’s no better way to take advantage than to design a garden that makes the most of this most glorious of our natural vegetation.

WORDS PAUL URQUHART PHOTOS LISA HAYMES

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GARDENS OF THE COAST

Palms and native blue gums and turpentine create a magnificent backdrop to the house and garden.

ABOVE Steps are an integral part of the design and the large flat sandstone look like they were hewn from the site.

LEFT Mixed Colocasia ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Lime Zinger’, philodendron ‘Xanadu’, dwarf phoenix palms and colourful cordylines give it the tropical look with easy care.

Shelley Hardy and her husband moved to Lisarow, 25 years ago, to a 2.2-hectare property in a rainforest gully blessed with sandstone boulders, ferny glades and romantic watercourses.

Well, not quite! That was the dream. The reality was a potentially bucolic landscape that had been smothered with ivy over boulders, torrents of weedy impatiens, lantana, and privet that had infested the natural vegetation.

Shelley loved the look of tropical gardens and admired the feel of Paul Anderson’s garden, the owner of Impact Plants at Empire Bay. Seven years ago, in the search for a garden designer who could impose order and enhance the subtropical feel of the space, she approached Paul who recommended Brendan Lewis, a garden designer who has developed quite a reputation for his skill in creating a tropical feel in our warm, temperate climate. He has a great dexterity in creating easy-care gardens with great simplicity – but with the wow factor.

Brendan’s wealth of experience delivering the tropical look began at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney before he branched out into private practice, working on famous gardens such as Bronte House in Bronte, and on numerous private commissions around the city. He later worked in TV on Burke’s Backyard as its makeover designer.

Brendan has been based on the Central Coast for some years now.

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The right choice One mistake that many who embark on a tropical-style garden make is to be seduced by the plants that thrive in Far North Queensland but are marginal, at best, in our cooler winter gardens. This Lisarow garden gets quite cold in winter, located as it is in a low part of a steep, sloping valley where the sun recedes early, and cold air is trapped in the gully overnight. Not ideal, but not unknown even in the tropics, so the climate imposed some severe restrictions on the design. Brendan was up to the challenge in knowing what works and what doesn’t. There’s no designer-led experimentation here, and the result has been good for the owner’s budget and good for impact. What Brendan has chosen to plant delivers in spades, but the simplicity of the planting is deceptive.

I’ve photographed and written about many of his gardens for magazines and books, and one thing that always marks his gardens is a flair for the dramatic statement, but never at the expense of the practical gardening needed to maintain the look. He chooses plants that look right but are not impossible to maintain or keep alive.

Brendan opened up the rainforest gully by cleaning out the weeds, creating a visual feast from the large deck on the side of the house. The next step was to reveal the beautiful sandstone boulders that are such feature on the house side of the property.

A natural pool The idea of the natural swimming pool has been around for many years, popularised in Europe since early in the 21st century.

The setting for the pool in this garden could not be more dramatic. Positioned against a great boulder, and with stone sourced on the property, Brendan has incorporated a waterfall where water cascades down the boulder into a holding pond then via a stream to the pool. Access is achieved with what looks like tumbled sandstone stepping stones that add to the naturalness of the setting.

The walkways around the house are made of large, flat stepping stones. And viewing points along the way allow glimpses of native rainforest remnants. These include red cedar (Toona ciliata), sandpaper fig (Ficus coronata), cabbage-tree palm (Livistona australis), blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus) and lilly pilly (Acmena smithii). Elsewhere, Bangalow palms have been planted to create a charming palm forest vista that complements the indigenous, natural planting. With the weeds gone, ferns and shade-tolerant natives have returned to create a hillside of verdant green.

Shelley Hardy has plans to use part of the garden as a wedding venue so she has a row of seats and a platform for visitors in the clearing where lawn meets forest. Unfortunately, the first wedding was scheduled just as Covid struck, and plans have had to be put on hold, but the bones are there for a great romantic setting once life returns to normal.

TOP Eschewing the fluoro blue of many swimming pools, the natural pool sits amid its surroundings as if it has always been there.

MIDDLE What’s a beautiful garden without places to sit and enjoy it?

Variegated schefflera is easy to grow but adds a lightness in places where it may seem dark.

BOTTOM The waterfall directs water over the huge boulder into a stream.

CONTACT Shelley Hardy thealiseegarden.com Brendan Lewis brendalewis5@bigpond.com or ph 0409 122 269

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SPRINGS GOLF P E AT S R I D G E

ENJOY • PL AY • REL AX Escape to the hinterland of The Central Coast for your next game of golf.

The 72 par, 18-hole golf course challenges all players.

With a fleet of GPS golf carts, a well-stocked pro shop and state of the art locker rooms, The Springs offers the ultimate golfing experience.

Become a member or join us for a social or corporate golf day.

After the game unwind at the Duck Inn whilst you sip on a local craft beer or why not try Chef Dan’s famous Wagyu Burger, or indulge in Chef Dan’s Farm to Fork experience at The Sitting Duck on Saturdays and Sundays.

Once you escape to a Springs Golf experience, you will keep coming back.

Escape to a Springs adventure.

FOLLOW US thespringspeatsridge thespringspeatsridge

(02) 4373 1522 1 0 8 0 P E AT S R I D G E R OA D W W W. T H E - S P R I N G S . C O M . A U

CREATORS ON THE COAST

CENTRAL COAST

rides the Hollywood wave Australia seems to have become the hotspot for Hollywood film and television studios, and it’s riding the lucrative wave from LA down to our very own Central Coast shores.

WORDS ALEX ALEXANDER Tinseltown is looking to Australia to recreate, well ... the world, as the nation is deemed a movie-set safe haven in the current climate, with location-rich choices and substantial tax incentives from our state and federal governments.

While international travel may not be within our reach right now, there is a silver (screen) lining with what’s happening in our own backyard. There’s Julia Roberts and George Clooney filming a romantic comedy in the Whitsundays that is being made to look like Bali, where the story is set. Ron Howard is shooting his epic drama Thirteen Lives in Queensland as he tells the story of Thailand’s cave rescue (co-starring Central Coast local, Paul Gleeson). Ballina in NSW’s north has also been repurposed to look like a Russian snow town for Nicole Kidman’s latest series, Nine Perfect Strangers. Byron Bay, well ... it has Chris Hemsworth.

Enough said.

Toni Collette

Location scouts have also been busy on the Central Coast, areas of which have been made to look like a US coastal town in Georgia for an upcoming Netflix series starring Toni Collette, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh and Bella Heathcote.

The eight-episode thriller, titled Pieces of Her, is being produced by the team behind HBO’s The Undoing and Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal and has been quite conspicuous in its filming at MacMasters Beach, Kincumber, Ocean Beach and Ettalong Beach earlier this year.

The Peninsula was made to look like the sleepy coastal town of Belle Isle in Georgia. The vibe however was anything but sleepy as eager onlookers flocked to grab a glimpse of the stars and the abundant entourage that clustered in and around a number of hard-to-miss locations. Ettalong and Umina Beaches saw similar alterations made to local landmarks.

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RIGHT Umina Beach bar and restaurant, Margarita Daze, was transformed into the Belle Isle Crab Shack for scenes with Toni Collette.

© MEDIA-MODE

ABOVE An iconic beachside home on Lakeside Drive at MacMasters Beach was transformed into a classic 1950s’ Southern American house with some clever set design and temporary alterations.

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LEFT When Hollywood comes to your street.

BELOW LEFT Toni Collette stars in Pieces of Her, filmed on locations around the Central Coast.

Karin Slaughter was a huge win for the NSW screen industry.

‘It will provide a significant amount of work for locals, cast and crew,’ he said.

Pieces of Her has been projected to create 400 local jobs and contribute an estimated $58 million to the state’s economy.

With Pieces of Her scheduled to be released on Netflix in late 2021 or early 2022, it will be quite a surreal experience to watch this stellar Australian cast don American accents in a mock-up of a Georgia town filmed entirely in Australia. There will be a guaranteed audience of Central Coast locals keen to spot the local transformations and identify some of the region’s landmarks.

In the spirit of all things Hollywood, this reminded me of a fitting quote: “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with!” Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz. Alex Alexander of 412 Entertainment is the co-producer of Alantown, a yetto-be-released TV series starring Guy Pearce.

WE TAKE LANDSCAPING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Actor Toni Collette is quite at home on set on the Central Coast, having owned a weekender in nearby Pearl Beach with her family. The actor said she was thrilled the producers and Netflix were able to relocate Pieces of Her to film in Australia so that production can remain on track and this story can be told.

“On a personal level, for me, it also brings with it the great joy of shooting at home,’ she says.

The series was originally scheduled to be shot in Canada last year, but was delayed a number of times due to Covid-19 and faced a tumultuous and uncertain production journey before settling on the Central Coast location. Australian producer, Bruna Papandrea (Wild, Big Little Lies, The Undoing) had temporarily relocated back to Sydney from LA and seems to be making it her sole mission to develop and shoot as many of her projects as she can locally, taking advantage of our current ‘pandemic free-ish’ status and other obvious attractions.

Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin (also a Central Coast local) said the eight-episode Netflix adaptation of The New York Times’ bestselling thriller from internationally renowned crime author

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PHONE MARK 0434 378 118 EMAIL mark@nextlevellandscapes.com.au

Driving

ESCAPES

48 HOURS IN … THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

48 hours in...

WORDS MEGAN ARKINSTALL

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

With jaw-dropping scenery at almost every turn, it’s no wonder the Blue Mountains was declared a World Heritage Area in 2000. Its ancient landscape was formed some 300 million years ago and comprises more than 1 million hectares of eucalyptus-blanketed valleys, soaring sandstone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, dense forests and hidden canyons.

Megan Arkinstall and her family took a Volkswagen Tiguan for the easy two-hour road trip from the Coast to the historic Blue Mountains, soaking up its natural beauty by day and snuggling up by the fire at night – the perfect winter weekend.

Day One 1pm

The car is packed for our family road trip – three small suitcases and a pram fit easily in the Tiguan’s roomy boot (it’s automatic and super convenient when juggling kids) – and we hit cruise control for the easy drive to the Blue Mountains.

3pm

Just two hours later, we arrive at Parklands Country Garden & Lodges in Blackheath and are quickly checked into our interconnecting loft rooms. The windows overlook the leafy gardens, and the rooms boast plush king beds and cosy fireplaces. Parkland’s 11-hectare property spreads over beautifully manicured gardens, large lawns and a private lake: ideal for a rejuvenating wander or, in our case, the perfect opportunity for kids to blow off some steam.

4pm

Before dinner, we venture down the road to Govetts Leap Lookout. There, overlooking the 180-metre-tall Bridal Veil Falls cascading down the cliff-face, we become peacefully mesmerised by the sun dipping behind the deep canyons of the Grose Valley.

6pm

Dinner tonight is at nearby Blackheath Bar & Bistro, which has a pub-style menu driven by local and seasonal produce and a wide range of craft beers and ciders. It’s lively but relaxed, and the bistro hosts regular live music and an open-mic night on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Day Two 9am

After a buffet breakfast at the charming light-filled restaurant at Parklands, we pile back into our Tiguan. It’s a chilly morning so we luxuriate in the electric heated seats that keep us feeling snuggled. We make our way to Katoomba, the heart of the Blue Mountains.

Echo Point Lookout is our first stop, which is home to the iconic Three Sisters. (You can’t visit the Blue Mountains and not visit the Sisters.) There’s also a fourth smaller one, which a local

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DRIVING ESCAPES

Day Three 9am

If your accommodation doesn’t include breakfast, try Anonymous and Blackheath General Store, both local options with all-day menus and excellent coffee.

10am

We make our way to The Gingerbread House, set in a charming 100-year-old restored church in Katoomba. As well as a delightful array of house-made traditional sweets, there’s good coffee and an outdoor play area for kids – everyone is happy.

Other good options include Frankly My Dear and 8 Things, both in Katoomba. playfully tells us is the ‘little brother’. If you don’t have a fear of heights, be sure to take the 998 steps down the steep cliff-side staircase to Honeymoon Bridge, which leads to the first sister for some great photo opps.

11am

2pm

Sadly, it’s time to head home, but it’s another comfortably journey in the Tiguan. We don’t hear any complaints from our little co-travellers who are occupied colouring in and being entertained on devices propped up on tray tables that prove very convenient in the back seats.

Known as the garden village, Leura is an idyllic place to while away sunny winter days. The tree-lined main street, Leura Mall, is home to eclectic speciality shops such as The Wow Factor for art and decor by Indigenous creatives; Teddy Sinclair for quality men’s accessories; Josophan’s Fine Chocolates; and Leura Whisk for the cooks among us. Vintage lovers should stop

by Mrs Peel, and Leura Vintage (the Blue Mountains is known for its retro and antique stores).

1pm

For lunch, we dine at the popular Leura Garage, a former mechanic’s workshop, now a casual and chic restaurant and bar. The menu features local and organic salads, sandwiches, pasta and small bites to share, with larger plates for dinner, and the interior styling is an award-winning nod to its garage days.

3pm

On our way back to Blackheath, we stop at the Hydro Majestic, a legendary place to stay while in the Blue Mountains. Teetering on an escarpment that overlooks the Megalong Valley, the Hydro Majestic was built in 1904 and was restored to its former glory most recently in 2014. History buffs will enjoy browsing The Hydro Majestic Pavilion, which houses an historic collection of objects from the original hotel (there are history tours available at 11am and 3pm).

5pm

After a relaxing afternoon in front of the fire in our cottage, we make our way back to Katoomba for an early dinner at The Bootlegger Bar, a cosy speakeasy-style restaurant that specialises in delicious slow-cooked smoked meats and an extensive range of whiskies.

6.30pm

Night has fallen but that doesn’t mean settling in for the night. We make our way to Katoomba Falls Reserve to explore the recently opened Night-Lit Walk. This easy and brilliant 1.3-kilometre walk is – as the name suggests – lit up by night, so you can view Katoomba Falls, Orphan Rock, Witches Leap and Katoomba Cascades after dark.

Parklands Country Garden & Cottages is a picturesque property offering 28 cosy guest rooms in the town of Blackheath, just 10 minutes from Katoomba. Bed and buffet breakfast packages are available; see parklands. com.au for more information.

VW Tiguan, was supplied courtesy of Central Coast Motor Group, Gosford.

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FOOD & DINING: NEWCASTLE

Coffee like a local

Where to try some of Newcastle’s best coffee WORDS SHERIDEN RHODES WHERE BEER WAS ONCE THE TIPPLE OF CHOICE IN NEWCASTLE, TODAY YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO FIND A CAFE RATHER THAN A PUB ON EVERY CORNER. THE HISTORIC CITY’S IMPRESSIVE COFFEE SCENE (BOASTING MORE THAN 100 CAFES) BELIES ITS WORKING CLASS ROOTS. HERE’S WHERE TO COFFEE LIKE A LOCAL IN THE REVITALISED CITY.

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Estabar, Newcastle Beach Take a barefoot stroll to Estabar after morning laps at Newcastle Baths with its historic Art Deco façade. Nab a window seat overlooking Newcastle Beach where surfers paddle out in Shark Alley to dance upon the rolling waves. Owner Bec Bowie was an early pioneer of Newcastle’s specialty coffee movement and Estabar’s beachfront setting and seasonal evolving menu has ensured a strong local following. Championing local farm-fresh produce, much of what appears on the menu is locally sourced – from the Hunter Belle Dairy Co cheese, eggs by Just Been Laid through to the Baked Uprising sourdough. Even the custom-made juice is created by a local juice therapist (it’s a thing). Coffee is by Single O. Order your brew of choice and breathe in the salty air.

Akuna Cafe, Merewether While you can’t see the waves from this cosy cafe, you can feel its inherent coastal vibe. A couple of streets back from Merewether Beach, this popular local cafe is known for its good coffee, wholesome food and kid- (and pooch)-friendly courtyard.

After a stroll along The Bathers Way – stretching six kilometres from Nobbys Beach to Merewether – look for the whale in the window. Here, beautifully presented dishes such as the coco whip açaí, and Buddha bowls are the order of the day along with top-notch coffee by Seven Mile Coffee Roasters. Take a seat in the charming courtyard or at an inside table if the weather’s blustery. Steaming bowls of soup (perhaps chicken, kaffir lime and coconut) will warm the soul in cooler weather.

40 Patrick St, Merewether; akunacafe.com.au

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61 Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle East; estabar.com

The Autumn Rooms, Cooks Hill

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DRIVING ESCAPES

After browsing the boutiques along bustling Darby Street, head for the leafy rear courtyard of this popular Cooks Hill cafe or upstairs overlooking the bustling streetscape. Light pours through windows onto tables resplendent with dishes like ‘Morning Greens’ topped with a Cornucopia biodynamic egg or housemade crumpets with poached pears, walnut praline and creme fraiche. Expect great coffee, award-winning tea (the gingerbread chai is a winner) or, if you’re feeling celebratory, perhaps a Moscow Mule.

© SOPHIE TYLER

© SOPHIE TYLER

127 Darby St, Cooks Hill; theautumnrooms.com.au

© SOPHIE TYLER

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Equium Social Newcastle’s better cafes were once mostly found on Darby Street or in grungy Islington. Now good coffee can be had all over town.

Make the trek over the coal line to Mayfield East for Equium Social’s ethical plant-based menu. The brekkie bowl with pro-biotic slaw, house-made seed and nut bread (a meal in itself) is both delicious and righteous; or try the moreish house-made hash or curried eggs. Despite its virtuous intentions, Equium’s fried egg, Swiss cheese bacon and egg roll with house-made barbecue sauce does a roaring trade (this is tradie territory after all). Order a latte (coffee is by Newcastle’s Unison Roasters), help yourself to a complimentary sparkling water and soak up this homey cafe’s warm hospitality.

1/5 Maitland Rd, Mayfield East; equiumsocial.square.site

Baked Uprising Bakery heaven is found in inner-city Maryville back towards the city, not far from Newcastle Harbour. Order a flat white, decadent cheese toastie made with provolone and house-made kimchi and a house-made treat or two (the lemon and white chocolate tart is divine). Owner Alice Lees, an honours graduate in silver-smithing, opened the doors to what has become Newcastle’s favourite bakery seven years ago – fulfilling a long-held dream to combine her love of design with baking. Novocastrians have been the beneficiaries of her wonderful cakes, tarts and sourdough bread ever since. If you can’t get to the minimalistic bakery-cum-cafe, pick up Baked Uprising’s creations at Harris Farm in Cooks Hill.

21 Downie St, Maryville; bakeduprising.com.au

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Kids

ON THE COAST

KIDS ON THE COAST

FUN FOR KIDS

WORDS KATIE STOKES

The Art House is bringing some fantastic children’s shows to the stage this winter.

The Owl and the Pussycat, the much-loved poem of Edward Lear, has been masterfully transformed into a mini opera for children. Puppetry, interactive theatre and live orchestral music are used to tell the tale of the adventures shared by the two friends as they sail the seas aboard their pea-green boat. We recommend you book the workshop and show package on July 8 to be able to attend an accompanying music workshop. Children will be invited to play percussion instruments and explore the show’s themes of harmony, adventure and acceptance.

And if you fell in love with Wall-E you’ll fall head over heels for Beep. This delightful show about friendship takes place in a Dr Seuss-like setting with cute puppets taking the lead. The puppets are manipulated by actors who take real joy in their play and storytelling. This imaginative show will enthral tiny tots and would be a wonderful show for first-time theatre-goers.

See also our Arts & Entertainment section (page 72).

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

TAKE YOUR SEATS

BEEP © SIA DUFF

The Art House Theatre: The Owl and the Pussycat – July 8–9; Beep – August 19–20.

Getting crafty Luna & Co Designs has opened a new arts and crafts headquarters in Lisarow. It’s hosting craft classes for adults and, school holiday workshops and kids’ parties at the new venue, as well as a heap of fun activities planned to encourage children to get creative. Luna & Co Designs is running four-hour workshops over the winter school holidays, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which vary from making slime and weaving dream-catchers to polymer-clay sculpting and plaster painting. Each month, it’s also holding a Saturday morning workshop where children can learn an artistic skill – be it how to tie-dye, create with air-dry clay, or master ceramic plate-decorating. Parents will be excited to hear they can sign their children up to a creative workshop using the NSW Government’s Creative Kids’ vouchers . lunaandcodesigns.com

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FUN FOR KIDS

Science play Grab your steamer and dive into the world of STEM this Winter.

The Junior Science Academy, an outreach program of Macquarie University, is coming to the Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre these school holidays. The program has a team of experienced educators that lead quality, hands-on classes in science, engineering, technology and maths to primary schoolaged children. Topics range from robotics and architecture to chemical reactions and aquarium keeping. The scientific concepts are taught in a fun environment with lots of experiments, art, drama, physical activity, craft and other hands-on activities used to facilitate learning. Oh, and a major bonus: you can use your Creative Kids’ voucher to book these all-day classes, too. mq.edu.au/about/holidays

RAW & UNBOUND Would your child like to whittle a piece of wood? Do they know how to construct a rope swing? What would they create if given seedpods, gumnuts, sticks and a sphere of clay? This is the kind of open-ended play that children experience in Raw & Unearthed’s new Unbound classes – a series of casual classes aimed at six to12-year-olds who are being home-schooled. Raw & Unearthed has been running weekly nature-play sessions for children aged six and under since 2015, but it was only in May it launched this new initiative. The program’s founder and co-owner Bec Carey is an early childhood teacher and local mum, and she says the new program evolved after “interest from within the community grew”. As a home-schooling parent herself, Bec says, “I could see the benefits Raw & Unearthed has had on my own school-aged children… and so Raw & Unearthed UNBOUND was born.”

The two-hour classes run on various dates throughout the term and can be booked casually or as a bundle. rawandunearthed.com/

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KIDS ON THE COAST

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD The uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 restrictions at the start of 2021 meant some schools did not hold their usual open days for 2022 enrolments. But parents are still left with having to make the all-important choice that will shape their child’s future education. To help in that decision-making, COAST magazine is presenting a virtual tour of some of the leading independent secondary and K–12 schools on the Central Coast.

For some students, a school’s academic strength is most important, for others sporting or arts facilities are important. Or perhaps STEM subjects are a major focus. Asking your child what they like or dislike in their current school can also be a good lead-in and, lastly, a good indication is how the school responds to your individual questions.

Not all independent schools are shown here, but it’s a good starting point.

EAST GOSFORD St Edward’s College • A Christian Brothers’ school for boys.

• Learning opportunities are paramount, and young men are challenged, nurtured and inspired to achieve their personal best in the areas of academia, pastoral care, sport, leadership, spirituality, and extracurricular activities.

• The school is particularly proud of its state-of-the-art specialist classrooms in science, PDHPE, art and music, TAS, drama, computers, food technology, as well as its contemporary learning centre and library. It has more than 800 computers, an indoor basketball stadium, and three ovals.

• Gifted and talented students are provided extension programs in all-year groups, together with HSC extension classes. The college also has a strong background in providing support for students with various learning difficulties.

• The college has a rich tradition in sport, and social outreach to those less fortunate.

• School size: 1,000 boys and 125 staff. stedwards.nsw.edu.au/

St Joseph’s Catholic College • A Josephite school empowering young women and encouraging them to strive for their personal best in all areas.

• Teaching programs are embedded with the elements of the Quality Teaching Framework, with access to the latest technology, a strong pastoral care system and a rich and comprehensive student leadership program.

• The school provides a rich and diverse range of co-curricular activities including sport, dance, drama, Rock Eisteddfod, choir, social justice, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. sjcc.nsw.edu.au/

ERINA Central Coast Adventist School • Operated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, this is a coeducational, non-academically selective K–12 school that seeks to deliver an authentically Christian and uniquely Adventist education experience.

• Academia, sporting pursuits, the arts, personal development, leadership and authentic spirituality all have their focus within

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EDUCATION the school program and in the extended community.

• An extra-curricular program provides outdoor education, numerous cultural pursuits, and sporting teams with representation through to the highest levels.

• The school welcomes parental involvement in school life and actively pursues an identity of being a part of, not apart from, the local community. ccas.nsw.edu.au/

ERINA HEIGHTS Central Coast Grammar School • An independent, K–12, co-educational, non-selective and nondenominational school.

• Harvard University’s ‘Teaching for Understanding’ framework guides a whole-school approach to teaching and learning.

It has a technology-rich learning environment, as well as a comprehensive co-curricular program that includes performing arts, robotics, outdoor education, sport and more.

• In recent years, 30 per cent of its HSC students seeking an ATAR have achieved 90 or above.

• Needs-driven learning extends high potential learners, and supports those coping with learning challenges.

• Students are encouraged to participate in projects that contribute to communities at a local, national and international level.

• School size: 1,290 students ccgs.nsw.edu.au/

FOUNTAINDALE Central Coast Steiner School • An independent school offering a dynamic, creative and contemporary educational pathway from early childhood to Year 10. Its vision of education is one that focuses on the wellbeing, growth and development of individual students.

• Lessons are shaped to incorporate collaboration, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking.

• The school is particularly proud of its facilities, including: a purpose-built laboratory, art studio, multi-purpose hall, teaching kitchen, performance stages, highly resourced library, as well as adaptive classrooms.

• Parents are encouraged to stay involved in their children’s education through the Parent Community Network. ccss.nsw.edu.au/

GOSFORD ET Australia College (Employment and Training Australia) • An independent, Years 7–12 secondary college and adult training college with a focus on providing students the skills to be successful in a career in the workforce or further study.

• Students’ aspirations are aligned with the right training college program or a secondary college pathway plan to assist in achieving their goals.

• The college has an academic focus on literacy, numeracy and

r u o T a e k a t Come and Enrolling now

KINDY & YEAR 7 2022 Visit www.lakes.nsw.edu.au for school tour dates

KIDS ON THE COAST the importance of a good work ethic, and empowers students with a balance of freedom and responsibility.

• Students are treated as young adults with teachers and students alike on first-name terms, no school uniforms, and no homework.

• There is a no-bullying policy adhered to by teachers.

• ETASC’s Gifted and Talented Program aims to develop students’ skills in a real-world context that also accommodates individual learning needs to develop the student’s natural abilities. etaustralia.com/secondary-college/

GREEN POINT

ENROLLING NOW FOR KINDERGARTEN 2022

Green Point Christian College • The college encourages the development of the spiritual, social, intellectual, cultural and physical potential of each student – achieving well academically as well as in other endeavours including sport, representative sport, music, maths, English extension, and science, and to flourish in life.

• The school is particularly proud of its focus on the Graduate Profile, which highlights five key areas including godly character, exercising collaboration, life-long learning, creative and critical thinking, and being socially engaged.

• HSC results are strong with a majority of students achieving in the Band 4/5 range, and with a number of students reaching a Band 6 average result. The College is proud of the many early university offers that its students enjoy each year.

• 2019 NAPLAN results included 100 per cent of Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 students achieving at or above the National Minimum Standard in Writing (NMS). The college achieved higher scores than the state in every year group and in every section.

• The college employs an Enrichment Team to support all children from K–12 who need adjusted learning.

• Extra-curricular activities include debating, public speaking opportunities, surf safety, chess and representative sport options. The college also has a well-developed music tutor program and concert bands.

• The school takes a strong stand on bullying, which is upheld by teaching staff and the executive team in consultation with parents and carers. It educates students in pro-social and positive behaviour programs.

• The school engages in regular community service and volunteer opportunities, as well as a structured missions program.

• The school communicates with parents through a number of channels including a Parent Portal where parents can access notes and teacher emails, notes home with students, email, social media, and a weekly newsletter where parents can view upcoming events.

• If a child is sick or otherwise absent, homework or lesson material is provided through the parent or student portals, and by communicating with parents upon the student’s return to school.

• School size: 1,000 students. gpcc.nsw.edu.au/

gpcc.nsw.edu.au/kindergarten2022

GreenPointChristianCollege registrar@gpcc.nsw.edu.au 02 4363 1266

KARIONG Central Coast Sports College • Offers a unique academic environment where the responsibility for learning is handed back to the student and teachers act as mentors and guides rather than directors.

• It’s not just about academics and it’s not just about sport. CCSC feels strongly about each child’s overall development.

• The college is proudly progressive, and is committed to an active education that provides access to a wide portfolio of sports and activities to not only stimulate the students but also promote good health and wellbeing.

• The college continues to extend its sports programs and activities to engage more students with their sport of choice. ccsc.nsw.edu.au/

WARNERVALE Lakes Grammar Anglican School • A co-educational K–12 school operated by the Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation.

• Its vision reflects the Christian foundation of the school, with a focus on learning for a purpose and students’ responsibilities to others.

• The school has a comprehensive curriculum and strives to provide excellent learning experiences in all key learning areas.

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EDUCATION

Life-long learning habits are developed through ‘Building Learning Power’.

• Students with additional learning needs are catered for by the Learning Support teams and gifted students by the Gifted Education facilitators.

• There is a Year 5/6 Opportunity Class and, in the Senior School, a program called ‘Cognito’ which provides a wide range of opportunities for students to explore areas of interest more deeply. lakes.nsw.edu.au/

MacKillop Catholic College • A college for families seeking an authentic Catholic education for their child, available from Kindergarten to Year 12.

• The school is particularly proud of its reputation for providing spiritual enrichment, quality academic support, leadership programs, sporting and cultural experiences and opportunities. mccwdbb.catholic.edu.au

WYONG Wyong Christian Community School

students from Kindergarten to year 12 flourish academically, emotionally and spiritually.

• Working hard, being kind, showing respect, valuing others, speaking the truth in love, providing correction from a loving perspective and being effective peacemakers are all important Biblical principles.

• The school is also keen to see students fulfilling their potential in performing arts, sports, community service and being learners for life.

• It is consistently ranked in the Top 5 schools for HSC results on the Central Coast (across the last three years).

• It has a Dedicated Learning Support Team; Years 7 and 8 Creative Arts ‘Working Beyond’ classes for students gifted in creative and performing arts; and academic extension opportunities.

• The school interacts with its broader community by sharing facilities and participating in community events, as well as students volunteering in various areas of our local community.

• Parents are kept in touch through the school app, email, one-on-one between teachers and parents. Regular school community events. wyongccs.nsw.edu.au

• A ministry of Wyong Baptist Church, the school is a wellestablished co-educational school based on biblical beliefs, values and behaviours.It provides an environment in which

KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 12

enrolling now FOR 2022 AND BEYOND www.wyongccs.nsw.edu.au

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115

Fish Safe Off The Rocks Your guide to rock fishing on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is a great place to fish but fishing off the rocks can be very dangerous.

Please follow these simple tips to fish safe off the rocks: Always wear a life jacket – it’s the law!*

Never fish alone

Check conditions first – look at the weather and water reports

Ask locals for advice on where to fish

Wear light clothing

Wear appropriate shoes with good grip

Tell others about your plans

Bring ropes and torches

Never turn your back on the ocean

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Call Triple Zero (000) for help if someone falls in the water, do not go in after them!

See other tips for fishing safe, and check out our map of rock fishing locations on the Central Coast at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/rockfishing