Dec - Jan 2022/2023

T Business Holiday Closures

his year was the 41st anniversary of Coatesville Scouts and at the group's public meeting held last month, Group Leader Phil Smith spoke of needing to future-proof to ensure Coatesville kids can enjoy scouting for many years to come.

Currently there are seven people who freely give their time to Keas, Cubs and Scouts and some, like Phil and Garth Hinton, have stayed long past their own children's involvement. Jacky McCoy and Darren Blackmore still run the Cubs even though their children are in Scouts and Venturers.

Basically, Coatesville Scouts needs more support and that means adults present at each of the sessions actively helping with the sessions so parent-to-child ratio requirements are met and more kids can join in.

"At the moment there's a waiting list for Keas and Cubs because we just

don't have enough adults to supervise them," says Phil. "We also need parents to step up and help our leaders to run the sessions."

In the new year, the plan is to set up a supporters group like Coatesville School's highly successful Friends of the School. For now, Phil hopes to hear from anyone in the community who'd like to help out regularly or by sharing their special interest with the kids at one of the sessions. Please email Phil at coatesville@group. scouts.nz

As 2022 comes to an end, I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with the Coatesville Chronicle. Thank you to the people who have shared their stories, whether they've written on behalf of a community group or let me tell them, as well as those who have smiled for the camera, even though they don't like having their photo taken.

Thank you to the Chronicle's sponsor AIlsa McArthur and the loyal advertisers. Their financial support keeps the newsletter going, so please support them when you can. Some advertisers have gift vouchers for sale over Christmas and other local businesses will appreciate your support. So, if you find yourself needing a service over the holidays, please check the Chronicle's pages. With the holidays just around the corner, remember to take care on the water and on the roads and wherever the summer takes you, take it easy.

Merry Christmas,

Your editor, Vanessa Johnson

Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001

Dec, reopens 12 Jan. Viviland Bar and Eatery Closes 24 Dec, reopens 9 Jan.

∞

16 December, Friday, 1pm Term 4 ends at Coatesville School. ∞ 18 December, Sunday, Coatesville Market, 2pm-7pm. ∞ 22 January, Sunday, Chinese New Year. Year of the Rabbit. ∞ 30 January, Monday, Auckland Anniversary Day. ∞ 3 February, Friday, Term one starts at Coatesville School ∞ 6 February, Monday, Waitangi Day. ∞ 10 February, Friday, Check your letterbox for the Coatesville Chronicle's February issue. ∞ 12 February, Sunday Coatesville Half Marathon. Enter online at coatesvillehalfmarathon.co.nz

Happy 100th Mrs Campbell

Mrs Betty Campbell celebrated a century with her family and friends at the Settlers Hall on 30 November with an afternoon tea party. Her four children were among the group of 70 or so guests, spanning four generations of Betty's family. Seven people even travelled from Albany, Western Australia to be there on the day, which Betty's daughter Sue says made the party particularly special. "Mum loved it and enjoyed catching up with so many friends. Everyone had a great time, loved the flowers, the food and the atmosphere – as well as catching up with others they knew," says Sue.

New Shoots co-founder, Michelle Pratt, in the Coatesville centre's outdoor play area.

Centre Welcomes Families

Coatesville's New Shoots childcare centre opened on Friday, 2 December with a number of children starting their transition visits. An open day held the next day gave families the chance to take a look around the brand new facility, which offers childcare for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The light and airy spaces are fully stocked with custom built furniture and wooden toys, giving it a natural tactile look and feel. New Shoots co-founder, Michelle Pratt was on-hand to welcome visitors and help show families around. Go to newshoots.co.nz to find out how to enrol.

Hotmix Deliveries to Start

We are pleased to let you know that our guys have been working very hard on processing our firewood for next season, and we are almost ready to start delivering our seasoned hotmix once again. To our existing valued clients, thank you, we really appreciate your support of our charitable trust. To new clients, we would welcome you on-board. As usual, we offer delivery of firewood and also a stacking service should you require it. Please visit our website www.mateatrust.co.nz , press “Firewood” and place your order. We will begin deliveries in December and continue through the early months of next year. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

The hardworking team from Matea Trust

Betty Campbell with her children, from left, Sue, Ian, Liz and Jenny.

Photo by Helen Cato

We are coming to the end of another successful school year. With schooling (and life) somewhat back to ‘normal’ this year we were able to do most of what we need, and love, to do at Coatesville School. Except there are still many (thankfully fading) memories from earlier in the year of classrooms full of mask wearing, high levels of ventilation, ongoing absences, testing (not of the academic kind) and

a Year!

constant communication around case numbers, changing restrictions and how they were impacting on school events and activities.

But despite all of that it was a very good year memorable in the fact we got through it very well!

In 2023 that will all be in the past (fingers are definitely crossed with that statement!).

Our people what an effort!

Our staff stayed relatively healthy throughout the year. There were the expected Covid absences but, being spread out, we managed to get through the difficult period of the year. An enormous thank you to our staff for a massive effort great job everyone.

The Board of Trustees elections provided us with a new group to guide our school with several familiar faces! But the ‘old’ and the ‘new’worked very well this year to give our school excellent support. Well done BOT!

Our Friends of the School (FOTS) did a tremendous job with Ag Day and every other event they organised. What a team they are! And their ability to get help from so many others was brilliant!

The parents/caregivers and wider whanau of Coatesville School are absolute stars! Their support during

the year was invaluable and we thank them for being part of a super school community.

Our children were fantastic all year! We are very lucky to have such a great group of children to work with. Positive, hardworking and lots of fun! And we wish an excellent Year 6 group all the best as they venture off to their next step. We will miss them!

Our projects & events

The administration block got a tremendous makeover early in the year! The main office, the foyer, the sick bay, the staffroom. Great outcome!

This summer will be the first in a few years that we do not have a major project happening. But we do have several projects lined up for 2023 including the replacement of our old playground with an exciting new design for the whole community to enjoy.

Ag Day was back in 2022! As great as it has ever been! Super day lots of people, excitement and plenty of $$$ raised too! The recent fundraising total cracked the $30 000 mark a figure everyone was very, very happy with.

Our school cross country was a huge event with the reserve alive with colour and exciting racing with whanau dancing a memorable feature!

And the Coatesville School/ Community pool is now open for a fantastic swimming season!

No keys will be sold after Wednesday 15 December. Keys are available to school families and Coatesville School zone residents.

Bring on 2023!

We wish all readers of the Coatesville Chronicle all the very best for a wonderful Christmas/New Year/ Summer! Enjoy! And we will look forward to a magnificent 2023. See you next year!

Richard Johnson, Principal, Coatesville School

We are your local dedicated specialists for water tank cleaning, filtration installation and servicing, water tank repairs, water deliveries and advice. Talk to us, we love to help! Call Garry on 09 428 0448 or 027 84 77 000 e: help@healthywatertanks.co.nz w: healthywatertanks.co.nz

Pony Club Off to A Soggy Start

Normally by this time in the season Pony Club would be a hive of activity, but thanks to all the rain that’s fallen, the Club is taking the reopening of the grounds very steady. Rebecca Verhoeven, the Pony Club grounds manager says, “We’ve never seen the ground conditions stay so wet for so long. The Club made a conscious effort to preserve the grounds by creating no ride zones over winter, but sadly each time we try to open the paddocks up, we are getting deluges and then it’s too wet to ride again.”

The Club is fortunate to have a big arena and the committee have invested a lot of time and resources in doing essential maintenance work over the winter months, so members can at least have somewhere dry to ride while they wait for the grounds to dry out.

The large arena was put into action recently for the Club’s first event of the season attracting local riders. The event: Dressage in Coatesville, was well received and the Club hosted many visiting riders on site, and luckily everyone stayed dry for the whole day!

Coatesville members have already been out there competing and have had successes representing the Waitemata district at dressage and show jumping competitions. On 12 November, the Waitemata team competed in the inter-club dressage event, and finished second against other clubs in our region. In Show Jumping, a small cohort of Coatesville riders headed to Kihikihi on 19 & 20 November for the North Island Show Jumping Championships. The team fought a good battle, rode bravely and even with a cut down team of only four, they still managed to finish fourth place overall!

There are still a few weeks left until the Club takes a break over Summer. The next event for the club is the Mini ODE on 22 January. This is usually one of the most popular events on the calendar and the club is looking forward to hosting riders from all over the region. In February the Pony Club will be starting its Riders Without Horses programme. This is open to those wanting to learn more about horse management but who don’t currently have their own pony or horse. To find out more please email coatesvillepc@gmail.com.

By Zoe Chamel

CLOCKWORK

visa services

All aspects of tree work, stump grinding, land clearance. Qualified arborists. Chipper. Free Quotes. Full Insurance. Call Stu 09 446 1258 or 021 175 8660.

All aspects of tree work, stump grinding, land clearance. Qualified arborists. Chipper. Free Quotes. Full insurance. Call Stu 09 446 1258 or 021 175 8660.

Cherie Baird

Skilled Migrant Specialist

Licensed Immigration Adviser IAA # 200900880 +64 21 533 687 cherie@clockworkvisa.co.nz

Cherie Baird Skilled Migrant Specialist Licensed Immigration Adviser IAA # 200900880 +64 21 533 687 cherie@clockworkvisa.co.nz www.clockworkvisa.co.nz

Line up of riders: Waitemata team of Coatesville riders receiving 4th place sashes at NI Pony Club Show Jumping Champs: In Blue (left to right) Chloe Hourigan, Adison Hall, Tyler Lynch, Draft rider, Lili-May Chamel.

Dunedin Dunedin Ahoy!

What a relief for us all – our trip to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ happened with magnificent fine weather which even had ‘Dunedinites’ impressed! We assembled on Sunday night in the hotel and bubbled with excitement – we had all made it and were ready to go.

A must visit for anyone in Dunedin is the Botanic Gardens, one of the finest in the country begun in 1863, and now a Garden of International Significance. The afternoon was spent with some exercise exploring Herewaka, a garden with over 200 rhododendrons and a collection of rare and interesting trees.

The evening at Eltrusco's Italian Restaurant topped off a wonderful day.

Our second day was busy with a tour of the Larnach Castle gardens and a guided tour of the castle, encompassing the fascinating life of William Larnach. A sumptuous lunch and garden visit followed at

Glenfalloch Gardens also out on Otago Peninsula.

Our final strenuous day visiting three amazing gardens in the South was capped off by a Scottish feast at Larnach Castle. It was time for tartan wearing some kilts (which, on one wearer proved to be unravelling!) scarves and sashes with clan badges and brooches flashing. We watched and participated (Paul, Kim and Angelika) in the Piping of the Haggis Ceremony. It was full of drama and historic rhetoric from a true Scot. Demonstrations of the highland fling and the precise sword dance were enthusiastically received and the odd drahm consumed! The four-course meal was started by the haggis tasting (paté-like taste and texture) and followed by tomato soup, entrée of salmon and tatties, main of lamb and vegetables and dessert of berry mousse cake and icecream.

It was thoroughly enjoyable and certainly finished our tour with a night to remember.

The next morning’s departure by bus to the airport was rather subdued.

All in all, the CCGC's Dunedin Trip will long be remembered spectacular showings of rhododendrons and azaleas with other great plant options of the South, and the camaraderie between the members and the enjoyment which we all derived from our time together.

Our thanks go to Tony and Christine Peek who were the garden organisers with Margaret Barker of the Castle fame (it pays to have good friends) and Mary Logan who ensured we were well housed, medicated and fed.

A great team effort acknowledged by the travelling members. We are fortunate to be so well served.

By Jenny Hunter

Above, a selection of photos from the Coatesville Garden Club's trip to Dunedin.

Does Solar Power Make Good Sense?

Harnessing the sun's energy to generate your own electricity is appealing for many reasons. Not only are you independent from price increases and service fluctuations, your power source is natural and readily available so you don't have to be concerned about how environmentally friendly it is.

Tim Dudek, owner of Solarcraft based in Silverdale, has been installing solar power systems in Kiwi homes and businesses for over 13 years. Here he answers some of the most commonly asked questions for people considering a move to solar energy.

Can solar power reduce my power bill?

Grid-tied solar power systems can halve your power bill by producing power, for free, from the sun’s rays. It is best to size your system to cover your daytime loads as best possible, this is covered off during in-house assessments.

How long does it take for a solar power system to pay for itself?

A few years ago, Photo voltaic solar power systems would take in excess of 60 years to pay for themselves,

which for most of us was far too long. However over the last few years the cost has crashed to the point where it will now only take as little as 5 years to pay for itself. We can thank our global economy for this and only hope that the downward trend continues.

Becoming the owner of your own solar power system has more great bonuses than just reducing your power bill; it is a sustainable, environmentally friendly way to reduce your carbon

footprint. Unlike average consumer electronics that are frequently replaced, your average solar system is expected to reliably continue its operation in our harsh New Zealand environment without fail. A period of 25-40 years of operation is not uncommon for solar panels.

Most solar PV systems take less than a day to install, some of the larger 6Kw and above may take a couple of days depending on roof conditions and mounting systems. In most cases systems can be expanded if necessary. Over the last 2 years solar PV panels have dropped in price close to 70% from near $4.00 per watt to $0.60c per watt. This has made them much more affordable!

If your home's roof isn't suitable for solar panels, can panels be installed on the ground near the house?

Yes, if your roof is not suitable for many reasons like incorrect orientation or shading, then a ground-mounted system or carport can be used to put the panels in the best position for solar production year round.

See below for contact information.

Solarcraft wishes everyone a safe and happy

Tim Dudek

Camp & Kayak Action

Coatesville Scout Group held their final camp for 2022 on the weekend of 11- 13 November at Camp Maynard on Paremoremo Road and we were joined by four members of Puhoi Scout Group. This was our first Group Camp for many years that has involved all our four sections Venturers, Scouts, Cubs and Keas.

Everyone arrived at Camp Maynard on Friday evening and were allocated their bunk rooms before dinner and some outdoor activities. Saturday dawned surprisingly clear and fine, so we kayaked up Lucas Creek into Albany from the bottom of Camp Maynard on the river. Logistics for this trip involved borrowing 28 kayaks from Riverhead and Tauhinu (Greenhithe) and getting them to Wharf Road Albany and then towed across to the bottom of camp Maynard ready for a 0930am departure.

First the kayaks from Riverhead were dropped at Wharf Road, then more collected from Greenhithe. Two Jet Skis (our safety boats) were launched at Greenhithe and between the jet skis towing and the Venturers paddling and towing,

all kayaks were in place when we arrived with the kids at the end of the bush track at the river below Camp Maynard. Everyone was fitted with a life jacket and given safety instructions before setting off at 10 am on the incoming tide, paddling up to Albany. We had 28 people on kayaks, two on Jet skis and one in a car that delivered our lunches to Kell Park Albany and swapped for the paddle back to camp, so everyone got a trip on the river.

It took the stragglers just over an hour to kayak right up under the Albany Bridge (by the pub) and into the pool by the waterfall. We tied up here on both banks while some got out and explored, some rested and some even had a swim. Then we paddled back to the small landing at Kell Park where we had lunch before the return paddle back to Camp Maynard on the outgoing tide.

Everyone was back at camp by 2pm and at 3pm we greeted our Keas, who were joining us for the rest of the weekend. The next activity was less physical with Cubs and Keas making their own tomahawks assisted by the Scouts.

By Sunday afternoon it was time to go home. It was a fantastic camp with thanks to all parent helpers and our Venturers who loaded and transported kayaks, towed kayaks on the river then cleaned and returned them for us.

Our recent Group Bonfire was another huge success. About 80 people gathered to share dinner and enjoy a fantastic bonfire. The Cubs and Keas built some wonderful “Guys” for the fire, which joined our Camp Guy (made from pizza boxes) and drew rapturous cries of delight as they were devoured by the flames. Everyone enjoyed the BBQ meal and had a fun evening, and the kids even got to roast marshmallows before heading home.

A big thank you to our Kea leader Janine for working so hard to get our new Kea section up and running this term. With 12 Keas, we have now reached our maximum with a waiting list until we get more parents to become Kea leaders. Another thank you to Jacky and Darren for growing our Cub numbers over the past two terms. So far this term, we have invested nine new Cubs and nine new Keas, with a few still to be invested later on.

If you want to join Cubs (8-11yrs) Scouts (11-14yrs) Venturers (14-18yrs) and Keas (6-8yrs) and are keen to join in the fun at Coatesville Scout Group, please contact Phil at coatesville@group.scouts.nz

By Phil Smith

Tying up for lunch at Kell Park.

The Essential Legal Document

By Tammy McLeod

Mike and Cathy had been together for five years and had two young boys. Mike had adult children from his first marriage and the relationship between Cathy and Mike’s older children was fractious, at best.

Mike and Cathy had been living in the home that Mike had purchased after his first marriage ended. They decided to sell it and buy a new property together. They listed their house and within three weeks it had sold. They had also found the perfect family home for them and their boys and managed to arrange a contemporaneous settlement.

Two days before they went to the lawyers to sign the documentation, Mike sadly suffered a major stroke. The stroke left him not only paralysed down one side, but the doctors also said that his cognitive ability had been impaired, and it would be some time (if ever) before he would have capacity again. Cathy was devastated. Not only was she having to deal with this life changing situation, but they were only days away from selling one house and moving into another. The first thing the doctors asked Cathy was whether she had Mike’s power of attorney. Cathy

did remember their lawyer talking about powers of attorney to them at one point, but it seemed like something that old people did. Mike was 58, but surely not old enough to need powers of attorney, they had thought.

Mike’s lawyer confirmed that Mike didn’t have powers of attorney in place, but they were also concerned about the impending settlement of the sale of the property. The house they were selling was in Mike’s name only as he had owned it before his marriage to Cathy. That meant that he had to sign the documents, transferring the property to the new owner. There was no way around it. If he had powers of attorney in place, then the attorney would have been able to sign.

There was nothing to be done other than make an urgent application to the Court for orders appointing Cathy as Mike’s attorney. However, as Mike had adult children, they would need to be advised that Cathy was making the application, and consent to it. They were not happy that Cathy would then have full control over Mike’s financial affairs and instructed a lawyer to oppose the application.

The whole thing turned into a disaster, costing time and money, not only with the application to the Court, but the fact that Cathy couldn’t settle on the sale, or the purchase of the new property. It meant that she and Mike were left paying penalty interest to both the purchaser of the property they were selling and the vendor of the property they were purchasing.

Enduring powers of attorney are one of the most essential legal documents that you can put in place. In many ways, even more practical than a Will. If you die without a Will, then there is a process that is followed to deal with your assets. However, if you lose capacity and haven’t put in place powers of attorney, then you do need to make an application to the Court. This costs both time and money and depending on your family circumstances, can be much more complicated than it needs to be. It is also a misnomer that only the elderly need powers of attorney. Any one of us at any time could have an accident or medical event that causes a loss of capacity. If you haven’t already, get your powers of attorney in place today.

Do you have an Enduring Power of Attorney?

The protection of assets that we have all worked so hard to acquire is an important consideration for most people.

If you have a will, but not assigned anyone to act as your Enduring Power of Attorney, you could inadvertently be putting your assets at risk.

An Enduring Power of Attorney will look after both your property and personal care and welfare should you become incapacitated to make your own decisions while you’re still alive.

If you have not put in place an Enduring Power of Attorney, contact Tammy McLeod or one of her team for specialist advice.

CRAFTED LEGAL ADVICE FOR PEACE OF MIND.

Tammy McLeod, Trust Law specialist, Managing Director, Davenports Law.

Local Board Round Up

By Louise Johnston

After an announcement by Mayor Wayne Brown this week, Auckland's 21 Local Boards now need to tighten their belts and drop around 50 percent of their planned community projects to help the super city's bottom line. This means that many of the environmental volunteer projects and pest free groups could potentially lose their Local Board funding. Also on the cards is the proposal to drop the level of service in our parks. This would include fewer rubbish bins and less mowing.

While it may all sound like doom and gloom, in Coatesville we are lucky that our volunteers provide many of these services. From the Coatesville Hall committee, Resident and Ratepayers, Pest Free Coatesville, the Garden Club and the Scout’s to name a few. Often what they do for the community goes under the radar. As we approach the end of 2022, I would like to thank all the volunteers for all the work they have done, Coatesville would not be the same without you.

Have a wonderful break over the festive period and I am really looking forward to working together for 2023.

Merry Christmas!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Jenny Hunter, winner of the Coatesville Chronicle book giveaway from the November issue. Jenny sent in her recipe for spicy apple cake (shown right) and takes home a copy of New Zealand Gardens to Visit by Juliet Nicholas and Rosemary Barraclough.

Jenny is an active member of the Coatesville Country Garden Club and writes their columns every month. Jenny is also one of the Coatesville Garden Club volunteer crew who make monthly visits to Kawau Island to keep the Mansion House gardens in order. Apparently, her spicy apple cake is a favourite with those who make the voyage across the sea to Kawau and rumour has it there might be a bit of a mutiny if she didn't present one at morning tea after a hard morning's toil.

Spicy Apple Cake

1½ cups of peeled, cored & chopped apple (Jenny often uses more)

1 cup sugar

4oz (125gm) butter

1 egg

1½ cups of flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon (heaped)

¾ tsp nutmeg

¾ tsp allspice

1 cup of sticky raisins

1 cup of chopped walnuts

Method

Put apple into a bowl, cover with sugar, stir to coat and leave to stand for at least 2-3 minutes. Melt butter and stir in egg before adding it to the apple mixture. Place flour, baking soda and spices together. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just mixed.

Spray tin, spoon in mixture and bake at 180°C for 30-45 minutes. Test with a skewer. Cool for 10 minutes before turning out. Cool completely and sprinkle with icing sugar.

Jenny says you can try using different dried fruit and nuts; pecans instead of walnuts and craisins instead of raisins. And she says the cake is great if you microwave it and serve it with custard!

You can purchase your own copy of New Zealand Gardens to Visit in time for Christmas, or to enjoy with a cuppa, from all good book stores for $55.

Contact: Stephen Hudson

Tel:

Stephen@AutoGates.com www.AutoGates.com

Classifieds

A1 Sure Services Tree Care All aspects of tree work, stump grinding and land clearance. Qualified arborists. Full Insurance. Free quotes. 446 1258 or 021 175 8660

Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114

Bruce Gillespie Fencing For all lifestyle block and farm fencing. Phone 027 273 1793

Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352

Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 021 191 4195

Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066

GET IN SHAPE Local private gym for one-on-one training or small group sessions, specialising in weight loss, general fitness and rehabilitation. Call Debbie 027 441 8769.

Haven Hair Design Need a completely new look or just a trim? Senior hair stylist and salon owner Lisa Cross will help you look and feel your best. Call today to book your next appointment at Haven Hair Design in Albany village. Phone 09 415 4424 or book online www.havenhairdesign.co.nz

LAWN MOWING, You Grow & Joe will mow. Lifestyle, commercial and residential. Ph Joe 021 624 494 /

joseph@propertyfit.co.nz

Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033

Painters & Decorators Marshall Painters can help with all your painting needs; interiors, exteriors, even waterblasting to make sure you get the top quality finish we're famous for. With over 50 years experience in the company, we have the skills you need. Call Marcus on 021 024 86516 or email marshallpainters@gmail.com.

Pilates in Coatesville Hall, Thursday @ 6pm. Special – 2 free lessons for new clients. $12 school term, $15 concession card and $20 casual class. Contact Abraham on 021 122 1530 or abrahampardo@gmail.com

Professional Oven Cleaning

All size ovens, local references and great service from an experienced professional. Text Kiri 021 233 6028

Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863

The Blooming Beekeeper fully maintained beehive service. The ideal eco-friendly gift. Bee packages; beekeeping lessons; artisan bee products; swarm catching. Coatesville based. Call Val 021 755 833.

Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223.

Zumba at the Coatesville Settlers Hall on Mondays at 10am. $15 per session or $12 each if you buy five. For more information, or to book your space at the next class, call Hana 021 02212714.

Wishing you special time with family and friends!

Another fast-paced and erratic year has almost come to an end. This year has seen continued memorable events in the area like our well supported Anzac dawn service, our monthly markets that attract people from afar into the community, our two wonderful cafés, useful dairy as well as our friendly crew at Coatesville Motors.

I want to say a special thank you to all my clients, both vendors and purchasers. Over the past year they've made my journey in real estate a rollercoaster of incredible stories — connecting that purchaser with their new home; the vendors having worked so hard to prepare the house for sale then the sense of joy when I sell it for them so they can move onto their next exciting phase; talking with potential clients who are looking to sell or purchase in the future; keeping them informed of the local market and building strong relationships along the way.

I will be making the most of this special time with my ever-growing family which includes our seven gorgeous grandchildren aged 4, 3, 2, 1,1,1 and our new addition of one-month old Freddy! Starting Christmas Day with the tradition of Hamish’s waffles and champagne, followed by present opening and secret Santa games. We love the full-on lunch with turkey and ham and spend our afternoon playing games; Kubb, giant jenga, golf putting and one-year paddle board races on the pond!

I sincerely wish everyone in this truly special community, that I have enjoyed for over 22 years, your own version of fun and festive times.

Remember, the real estate season kicks off again in January so connect with me and let's make 2023 your year!