New England Focus - 61

Feature Story

NEW ENGLAND

Tour de Rocks

COMMUNITY CO-OPERATIVES inside this issue.

Worldwide, community co-operatives have one billion members and provide 100 million jobs ...

LACHIE THOMAS Meet the aspiring future world Superbike champion from Uralla ...

I N S I D E 61

June 2012 // Issue 61

2 new england focus.

editor's note.

editor.

from the

suedee.

Welcome to the June edition of New England FOCUS. hanks to Mitchell Bullen, for agreeing to appear on our June front cover. He’s the perfect subject, because this month the media seems to be full of success stories and achievements by locals on ‘two wheels’. We have a few relevant stories ourselves: Justine Biddle drops us a line about the recent Tour de Rocks ride, which raised $100,000 for cancer prevention.

T

Uralla resident, Lachie Thomas, also chats with us about his strive to hit the world circuit on Superbikes, and Stephen Chapman from New England Mountain Bikers makes riding around the New England sound most enticing.

Other interesting interviews inside this edition include a chat with Armidale Golf Club’s new Secretary Manager, Tim Ellerton, and Manager of our local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, Scott Sears, who reports on the multimillion dollar rebuild.

We congratulate Rocky and Robyn

contacts.

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Contact us for more information.

ADDRESS: 5/164 Beardy Street, Armidale PHONE: 02 6771 5551 FAX: 02 6772 5551 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/focus.ne TV: www.focustv.com.au

Lane at Team Design Australia for their win at the 2012 Building Design Awards. See their feature in our ABODE section.

NIGHT OF NIGHTS Speaking of awards, have you purchased your ticket for Armidale district businesses’ night of nights?

Armidale Business Chamber are hosting The 2012 Business Awards on June 1 at the TAS Hoskins Centre. Our FOCUS team is most excited about this event, as we will be walking the red carpet with FOCUS TV. This means that YOU may be approached on the red carpet by our TV crew. To find out more about FOCUS TV, visit www. focustv.com.au

5TH BIRTHDAY It’s our 5th birthday in June! In reflection, we have enjoyed every moment of our first half decade. We are in the proceeds of planning a huge 5th birthday party. This celebration will be a symbol of the gratitude we feel towards the businesses that have continuously supported us over the years.

Keep an eye on your mail box, as an invitation will be coming to you soon.

FINAL COMMENT “Success is the prize for those who stand true to their ideas.” – Josh S Hinds.

EDITOR’S PHOTO Thanks to Suresh Kumar, for his great photo that features in my Editor’s letter this month. If you would like to see your favourite photos appear in FOCUS, just email me at sue@ focusmag.com.au

Sue Dee. sue@focusmag.com.au

EDITOR: Sue Dee

GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER: Michael Marchment

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ADVERTISING MANAGER: Tracy Le Messurier

JUNIOR DESIGNER: Kyle Rathbone

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ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Lynda Lynch

JUNIOR DESIGNER: Zac Wright

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ART DIRECTOR: Jay Beaumont

ACCOUNT MANAGER: Louise Beaumont

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SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dylan Gaul

PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Barnsley

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable

SUB EDITORS: Jo Atkins / Reg Brookhouse

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FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS.

Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor.

All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. New England Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications Pty Ltd ABN: 62128786005. Material in New England Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications Pty Ltd 2012 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

new england focus 3

inside this Vinnies' Winter Appeal The St Vincent de Paul Society recently launched its Winter Appeal 2012, telling Australians that there is no magic solution to poverty and what is really needed to create meaningful change is compassion, commitment and money. t of living This winter, Vinnies expects to see increased demand for its services, keeping in line with winter trends over the past few years.

Cost of living pressures are compounding the problem, as many more Australians struggle to keep their heads above water.

Issue 61 - June 2012

“Cos pressures are the compoundingany problem, as m ns more Australia struggle to keep e their heads abov .” er wat

For the period June to August 2011, Society members provided almost $3.4 million worth of assistance to people in need in New South Wales alone.

In the Armidale Diocese Central Council, Vinnies provided $165,396 worth of assistance during the June to August 2011 period. $49,581 worth of energy vouchers were provided in that period, a 72% increase on 2010 figures for the same period.

Lachie Thomas

11.

Motrorcycle racer, Lachie Thomas, moved to Uralla three years ago to help run the family café, Galloping Gourmet. His first ride was at 10 years of age, and now he has his sights on the World Superbike championship and Moto GP.

This increase in demand is expected to continue, as many people turn to Vinnies for the first time.

With your support, Vinnies assists with longterm change for thousands of Australians through: homeless services; disability services; mental health services; family violence services; disaster recovery services; youth services; migrant and refugee support; financial support; and education and training.

To make a generous donation to the Vinnies Winter Appeal, please visit vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12.

15.

Scott Sears Scott Sears is the manager of Freeman House, which is a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society that specialises in the provision of residential and community-based rehabilitation services.

41.

Carl Merten Carl Merten’s latest exhibition, Iron and Clay, opens on 15 June, 5 to 7 pm. The exhibition showcases recent sculptures focusing on the disparate qualities of these two materials and expresses Carl's ongoing explorations of figurative and abstract forms.

usual suspects.

the

16. what’s on for June 20. eat featuring local restaurants 35. star guide with Terri

There is no magic solution to poverty.

It takes compassion, commitment and money.

Donate now to the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Call 13 18 12 or visit vinnies.org.au

4 new england focus.

No matter where you are in the world,, read Focus for free online every month th @

www.focusmag.com.au follow us on www.facebook.com/ne.focus w www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat

focusinterview.

Tour

de

Tour de rocks story The Tour de Rocks committee responds to our questions about their recent 210 kilometre ride to raise awareness in relation to cancer prevention, healthy living and to raise funds for cancer research.

H

ow was the idea for Tour de Rocks conceived?

Buildplan has a long association as a major sponsor of the NSW based charity 'Tour de Cure'. The Tour de Cure is a cycling foundation established by Gary Bertwistle and Geoff Coombes that has the objective of finding a cure for cancer. Buildplan’s objective this year was to build on that involvement, with a focus on increasing the engagement both within our business and across our local communities.

Buildplan has a corporate vision to build better lives and community.

After being accepted onto the Tour de Cure team, we were looking for a major local fundraising activity that involved a challenge, promoted a healthy lifestyle and would be achievable by a wide cross section of the community.

In 2010, Jonathon Wheeler successfully led a small contingent of mountain bike riders from Armidale to South West Rocks as part of his Gold Duke of Edinburgh program. The ride was christened the 'Tour de Rocks'.

It followed that this format could easily be scaled up, so it was agreed that the Tour de Rocks would be the perfect format to engage the community with a challenging but achievable activity that focuses on cancer awareness and prevention, while raising funds for research.

How did you conjure up so many supporters?

Everyone has been touched by cancer; it may be a grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister or child, or just a really good friend. When you have a worthy cause that touches the hearts and minds of so many, it is not difficult to engage the community.

When and where did the ride take place?

The ride was over 210 km from Armidale to South West Rocks. Day 1 departed Armidale out along the Waterfall Way to Wollomombi, turned left onto the Kempsey Road, over the Oakey and Styx Rivers, down the Big Hill along

the Georges R River to the Junction. Day 2 was Three Prevention Projects – focused on an extraordinary ride along the banks of the education and awareness of communities.

Macleay River to Bellbrook, an afternoon swim Please refer to the Tour de Cure website for in the Macleay and a great evening enjoying the more information on the selection process. hospitality of the Bellbrook community at the Who were the supporters of the tour? hotel.

The support from the New England The final day had us ride into Kempsey as a community has been outstanding. Not only 240 strong peloton and then complete the final have we been the benefactors of tremendous leg across the Macleay floodplain into South support from local businesses, but also there West Rocks. The youngest rider was a 10 year are a number of extraordinary local people who old girl, and the oldest were two 63 year old have contributed significantly through their gentlemen from Armidale. contribution of time and resources.

How were the funds raised, Local businesses entered teams, what was the total, raised sponsorships, coordinated t “The 2012 ev0en and how are the funds fundraising activities and r fo 0 raised $100,0 ch spent? engaged the community A . ar cancer rese the New Every individual who in training and safe riding om fr ue cheq unity signed up to join the Tour programs. Local clubs, England comm de Rocks, whether a rider from riding clubs to service was presentedurto e the Tour de C or supporter, agreed to clubs, all made a significant ” n. tio da un fo commit to a certain level contribution to the event. of fundraising. This was non It is this contribution, that negotiable; we needed to attract is an expression of our sense of people and businesses with the right community, that's exemplified in regional attitude – those with the discipline to commit to communities. From the dedication and focus a goal and maintain the focus on our objectives. of the committee led by Justine Biddle, to the The major fundraising activities included a extraordinary contribution of our catering, Goods Chattels auction and an Open Garden logistics and safety teams and the significant day. Both were a huge success, raising in excess contribution from the local schools and business of $15,000. The highlight of the auction was houses, it makes you proud to call the New the 'New England Crucible' – a hand made England home. sculpture/fire box by local fabricator, Jamie Any funny moments during the ride?

Hook, and the large number of new products The ride had many memorable moments donated by our local businesses. that started on day one, when some of our The 2012 event raised $100,000 for cancer committee managed to get lost in the Styx River research. A cheque from the New England forest. The whole camp was amused to see Mick community was presented to the Tour de Cure Sozou’s reaction to finding his bike parked well foundation – a significant contribution to the $2 up a tree at the Junction. As with all professional million raised this year. cycling events, it is all about strategy, and the The funds are to be allocated to specific move that resulted in Dave Boundy getting research projects, as determined by the board of outsprinted as we headed into Kempsey was a the Tour de Cure. This year's research projects classic. include: As for one of the sights of the tour, the prize Five Research Projects – to help find a cure; must go to Kevin Hill (63), an Armidale builder Four Support Projects – supporting those smiling all the way, riding in his Blundstone work suffering with the journey of cancer; and boots and high visibility vest!

Who would you like to thank?

The New England community is to be congratulated, along with our extraordinary committee and tour members who just kept asking – “What can we do ... how can I help?”

As always, our community leaders, such as Richard Torbay, who along with being our foundation patron volunteered to contribute to our fundraising activities. The catering and logistics team: Marco, Endy and Soz, who fed and watered 300 people (who originally agreed to look after 50) have become legends within the tour community. Moose Stephens, for his leadership and can do attitude on tour. The team captains who organised sponsorship, fundraising and shouldered responsibility for their teams arriving at the Rocks safely.

A special thanks to singer songwriter, Nikita Wheeler, who wrote and recorded our tour song – What can I do? How can I help? – see Youtube and Tour de Rocks Facebook for a song that says it all.

What's next?

The Tour de Rocks foundation has been established as a charitable organisation with three objectives; Cancer awareness, prevention and research. Whilst we will continue to be associated with the Tour de Cure organisation to ensure the funds we raise are allocated to carefully selected research projects, we also are targeting specific cancer related projects within our local communities.

The Tour de Rocks is now an annual event that will continue to provide an opportunity for our local people to be part of something special. We have objectives that include raising awareness with school children about healthy living and cancer awareness through the Stickman program, encouraging people to be physically active through cycling, whilst raising funds for cancer research.

Like us on Facebook and keep an eye on our website to be kept up to date for the exciting Tour de Rocks 2013 event.

Photographs taken by; Sue Byrnes, Kathie Marquardt & Stephen Glover. new england focus 5

focusinterview.

N E W

E N G L A N D

G I R L S ’

S C H O O L

ROUND

SQUARE CONFERENCE

THREE students and one teacher from New England Girls’ School recently attended the Round Square Conference at Brookhouse School, Nairobi, Kenya. We speak with Freyja Lacey, Molly McNeil, Christina Smith and Mrs Kay Hiscox about their experience.

T

he conference was attended by 300 other students from the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia and had the theme ‘No existence without coexistence’. Who were the key speakers?

Freyja: Some of the keynote speakers included South Africa’s Professor Albie Sachs, photojournalist and activist Boniface Mwangi, environmentalist Dr Paula Kahumbu and presidential aspirant Hon. Peter Kenneth.

My favourite speaker was Boniface Mwangi.

He spoke on the topic Governance in Africa and was very eloquent and had some very interesting things to say.

I gather you were divided into groups and had to work on a service project?

Molly: For service day, I participated in the building of a library in a slum named Kuwinda.

It was the most eye opening experience I have had. It really showed me how poor the living conditions are in slums, and it really struck me how happy the kids were – who, even though they couldn’t speak English, wanted to play with us and have us read to them. The community got involved in helping to build the library, and some of the students, including myself, were asked into their homes and school/church to read to the children.

Christina: I went to the Dr Barnado Orphanage. We looked after an orphan baby for a few hours and also painted some walls.

Freyja: I went to New Life Home, a home 6 new england focus.

What did you all bring home from the for children whose mothers are in gaol or conference? otherwise unable to look after them.

Molly: It’s really hard to explain what the We were meant to build a playground, impact of going to the conference has had including a tyre swing and a rope ladder, but on me, without it sounding cliche! But it we didn’t have enough tools for everyone to was such a great experience, and I’m so help at the same time, and I felt we did not grateful that I was given such an amazing do as much as we could have. opportunity. The most important thing I, There was also a bit of time for personally, have brought home from the adventure ... Freyja, you went conference is perspective, in regard white water rafting, I to my own life and people’s believe? lives elsewhere and what I Freyja: It was great. We st can do to help. did the rafting on the ra nt co e “Th d Freyja: It is hard to say first day and then raft between rich an ent, what the best thing is. I building and team poor is very evidwe but everywhere were would have to say that the building the next day. went the peopleg and amazing people I met and Both these activities most welcomin the friendships I made are were a lot of fun and a friendly. ” the best thing. great experience.

Christina: The activities Christina: I went to the made me realise that not William Holden Wildlife all of Africa is Third World or Education Centre, where I underdeveloped; it’s not constantly in visited an animal orphanage and war, and it is not half as bad as newspapers went on a game drive to see the rare White and news shows report. Although some parts Zebra and Mountain Bongo. of the country are still developing, it is the Molly: For adventure day, I went to Lake people who have the least that seem the Naivasha, the place where Out of Africa was happiest. filmed, where we did a nature walk and saw Kay, tell us about Brookhouse, where the giraffes, impala and other native African conference was hosted ... animals. The following day, we did team Kay: Brookhouse is an international school building activities at the same location, which located on the outskirts of Nairobi. It is a was incredible. The adventure day activities beautiful campus, with impressive buildings were fun, because you got to socialise with behind secure walls. What impressed me other people attending the conference, most, though, were the students. They were and you got to know people from all over confident, eloquent and concerned about the the world and work together to achieve a political and environmental issues affecting common goal on a small scale.

their country. The senior Brookhouse students chaired the forums and ran the small Barazza discussion groups.

Round Square is a worldwide association of around 100 schools which share a commitment beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility. As an educator, what did you think the conference offered delegates in terms of personal development?

Kay: The students gained valuable insights into the issues affecting Kenya. I certainly did. They were also able to develop their confidence by sharing views with other students from different countries and gaining a greater appreciation of the differences between them. On our trips around Nairobi and into the Rift Valley, as a geography teacher, I was fascinated by the street scenes (very confronting at times) as well as the beautiful landscapes.

The contrast between rich and poor is very evident, but everywhere we went the people were most welcoming and friendly. After the conference, we travelled with two other Australian school groups into Tanzania – where we visited Gemma Sisia at the School of St. Jude, before going on an amazing safari into the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

This trip included a visit to a traditional Masaai village, as well as seeing so many different animals in the vast savannah. These experiences highlighted the theme of the conference of coexistence.

Thank you all.

focuseditorial.

C O - O P E R AT I V E S WO R L DW I D E

Co-operatives worldwide have one billion members and provide 100 million jobs, and the top 300 co-ops have a combined turnover of $1.7 trillion – equivalent to the ninth largest international economy.

Co-operatives

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here are around 600 cooperatives in NSW alone. These cooperatives are owned by their members, as is the case with Mutual banking services providers like Community Mutual Group (CMG) with headquarters in Armidale.

CMG is marking 2012 , the International Year of Cooperatives, with a number of events.

Local Mayors, Councillors, business people and academics attended an interactive forum at the University of New England recently to discuss the way the co-operative model could drive greater regional prosperity.

There has been a renewed interest in the cooperatives since the Global Financial Crisis, as they survived the meltdown in much better shape than the rest of the financial and corporate sector.

What is sometimes seen as the drawback of not inviting speculative capital emerged as its major strength, as was the democratic principle of one vote per member. It meant that a special interest group within a business could not hi-jack the agenda and drive through risky investments and measures without the full cooperation of members.

These key advantages were highlighted by speakers at the Armidale Forum, including: Jo Barraket (Associate Professor of Social Enterprise at the Queensland University of Technology); Melina Morrison (IYC Secretariat Executive Officer ); Professor Alison Sheridan (Head of the UNE Business School); Valerieanne Byrnes (Executive Director of People, Communities and Credit at Community Mutual Group); Peter Tregilgas (Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast and author of Social Enterprise Australia) and Tony Wilson (Deputy Chairman of Norco on the MidNorth Coast).

Associate Professor Barraket told participants that niche markets existed for co-ops to retain services in

the rural sector. There was a history of communities b di together h to save their pubs, medical banding services, post offices, cinemas, petrol stations and retail and other businesses. Local Government was often involved, and co-ownership by local people had proved a successful formula. She said complex projects like wind farms were much ars more likely to win approval as “There appeto the it lim no be to cooperative ventures, citing coe th of ty flexibili financial services as banks but the Hepburn Wind Farm in , el od operative m en is owned and controlled by its Victoria as an example. which has be rve members.

Responding to members se “It actually overcame adapted to es iti un m m who want quality local services, co y man the barrier to entry, which ... ” st re te in rather than to shareholders looking of is usually strong community purely for profi t, allows mutuals a much resistance,” she said. “When closer community focus.

CMG and other the co-op is community owned, the mutuals operate successfully in many smaller venture is welcomed.” Other examples of communities well below the ceiling set by larger successful cooperative retailing were the Indigenous banks, which deserted small towns in droves a Cooperatives, which have been selling art online couple of decades ago. Because of strong member successfully for more than ten years. influence, CMG has continued the respected Ms Morrison told the forum the cooperative traditions of local decision making at branch level model had proved to be one of the most enduring and has encouraged its staff to fully immerse and successful ways of running a business for themselves into local community life. It is usually the the last 150 years. She gave the example of the first port of call for people looking for support for West Belconnen Health Co-op, formed to cover community ventures and to help out when people six northern suburbs in Canberra with a high are in need or facing difficult situations. To the proportion of public housing, when there was no management and staff, there is a system of values local doctor practicing in the area. Since 2010, consistent with community engagement, which has the Co-op, with 12,000 members, has opened a an ethical as well as fiscally responsible base. super clinic offering bulk billed primary health care Credit unions originated in Germany in the mid across three sites. It offers members unlimited free 19th century and crossed the Atlantic by the turn medical consultations in return for a $66 annual of the century. Alphonse Desjardins opened North membership fee.

America’s first credit union from his home in Quebec She said in some countries like Japan and in 1900.

Eight years later, he was advising others Finland, co-op members represented more than who wanted to set up similar institutions in the US. one in three households and that internationally, Now there are almost 8,000 credit unions in the co-ops were the fastest growing form of business States, with around 90 million members and more development and included travel agencies, famous than $679 billion on deposit.

The story has been international football clubs, banking and other similar world wide – small beginnings and rapid enterprises. incremental growth.

The Community Mutual Group offers an example There appears to be no limit to the flexibility of of how a small member based venture located on the co-operative model, which has been adapted the campus of the University of New England has to serve many communities of interest – farmers, grown to become the largest inland credit union volunteers, consumers, business and employment, in Australia. It now boasts 29 branches, 3 agencies housing, banking, sport and utilities, to name a few. and almost 70,000 members stretching across It is also receiving a boost through the proliferation the New England North West, Orana and Hunter of social media, with its mantra of networking and regions. cooperation unlimited by geographic boundaries.

Like all credit unions, it provides the same new england focus 7

are ole gs

focuseditorial.

Former Sydney resident, Tim Allerton, did the ultimate tree change to Armidale last year and is currently the Secretary Manager of the Armidale Golf Club. He explains how he has plans to build on what is already one of the best 18 hole courses in country NSW.

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hy did you move to Armidale?

I moved to Armidale in January 2010 to start a new job, after deciding it was time for a tree change. I was born and bred in Sydney, but have always had a yearning for the country life. I really enjoy living in Armidale; it is a very friendly, progressive and vibrant town, and I have quickly learnt to live through the winters!

Do you have experience in management?

I started my working life as an Accountant working with a very large multinational in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) market. In this business, I held roles in sales, marketing and finance for 22 years and came up through the ranks to a senior management level with a national responsibility.

The FMCG business is an extremely exciting sector to work in, with constant change and a continuing reliance on offering new products to the market. I have had significant experience in management of processes, people and projects and believe that this experience, as well as the many lessons of life I have learned, will hold me in good stead in this new challenge.

I think the most important skill in this job is interacting with members and being ready to respond to their needs.

What do you hope to bring to the golf club?

There is little doubt that our club has one 8 new england focus.

of the best 18 hole golf courses in country Yes, I play golf. My current handicap is New South Wales. The course is in fantas17, and sometimes you see glimpses of that tic condition, thanks to the efforts of the on the course. I haven’t been playing much grounds staff. This, coupled with the efforts lately, as I broke my left wrist at the end of of our staff in the office, bar, pro shop and last year. My extended family all play golf, our caterers, provide an exceptional atmoand many are still and have been very good sphere. There is a real buzz amongst the staff at the sport, winning club championships and and a strong desire to succeed. some open events over the last 50 years.

So ‘I’ will be building on what is already in So, I guess you could say I have a very place, so that ‘we’ here at Armidale Golf Club strong golfing pedigree. Importantly, I am can build a successful business operawell aware of what members want tion. from a golf club.

What type of new memAreas of concentration will bers would you welcome be marketing and promoso al e W “ ers to the club? tions, so that we can build welcome playto the who are new ld a 9 We are particularly keen our brand: ‘Armidale Golf’. game and hotition to build the number of juBuilding a business’ brand pe m co le ho nior members in the club. is paramount and involves on Friday r new mornings fo g This is not easy, as many everything we do, from and returnin younger people these days the ‘sense of arrival’ you s. er ” ay pl participate in several sports get when you first walk into during the year and are time the club, the quality of service, poor. We will be looking at new the condition of the golf course types of competitions and golf offerings, and the relaxed atmosphere; that is, the as many young people are reluctant to give quality of the product provided while you are up 4 hours at a time. So, we will be interacthere. ing with schools and other junior organisaOf course, as they say, if you don’t know tions, to build on the work already started by what road you are on, it doesn’t matter our current club professional. where you are going. So I know the Board is We also welcome players who are new very keen to see an achievable strategic plan to the game and hold a 9 hole competition introduced, as well as policies and procedures on Friday mornings for new and returning written up and implemented. Corporate Govplayers. ernance will be key to our success.

Are you a golfer, and what is your It is important we promote the game of handicap? golf and bolster dwindling player numbers.

Golf participation rates are falling, and attrition rates of members are increasing across Australia and in many of the countries where golf is a major sport. This is a huge challenge for all Boards of Golf Clubs, and it is critical we monitor these trends and provide exceptional golf facilities for those interested in the sport.

We are running a business and need to make sure we are generating satisfactory return on funds employed, which we can aim to achieve through increased utilisation of the club house facilities.

Does the club still host functions?

The club still has functions, ranging from wedding receptions, conferences, meetings, parties and wakes. Income from functions is a very important part of our business and allows us to sponsor such clubs as UNE’s Robb College Rugby Union.

Our caterers, Past the Post, provide outstanding meals and with the view from the clubhouse, the facilities provide an excellent venue. There will be a strong focus on driving this part of the business.

Big tournaments coming up?

The next big tournament is not really until October/November, when the Ladies and Men’s Jug events are held. However, we have a very strong program of events during the year – the majority of which are open to anyone with an official Australian Golf Handicap and cater for Juniors, Ladies, Men and Veterans.

Thank you Tim.

armidale

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focusupdate.

Video

7:43

OF THE

MONTH

Watch on your sma phone

VIDEO BY: beyondempathytv.

ABOUT: Polly Armstrong worked with members of Armidale’s Indigenous community to paste up large scale portraits in Armidale’s CBD as part of BE’s Just One Less project and JR’s Inside Out project.

WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CIYQNrgCDg

Image of the month.

A group of us just completed the Green Gully Track earlier this week, which is a fantastic tourism product in the region created by National Parks a couple of years ago. It is a 70 km, 4 day trek, going through some classic gorge country in the Werrikimbe National Park. This shot was taken on day 2 from The Rocks Lookout.

Photo by: Tony Broomfield. Camera: Nikon Coolpix.

LOCAL

READ

Local Author. Caroline Gaden.

Title. Pounding along to Singapore.

Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email editor@focusmag.com.au

This thoroughly researched and indexed book is a compelling military history of the 2/20 Battalion AIF in WWII. Caroline brings the story alive with heartfelt insight, cleverly weaving extracts from the Battalion’s Routine Orders and War Diary with newspaper reports, personal stories and the eloquent and descriptive letters and diary of Bill Gaden, member of ‘D’ Force POW. The reader learns what it was like to be a soldier, or the anxious family waiting back home.

with Robert Gasparre from Armidale Farmers’ Market

W H AT ’S I N

season.

AVAILABLE FROM: Caroline Gaden on (02) 6775 2324 or at cagaden@iprimus.com.au Price: $39.60 including postage.

CABBAGE

Let us help promote your local book or music album.

focusreview.

editor@focusmag.com.au

by Marie Wall of Bistro On Cinders

There is more to the h humble h bl cabbage bb than h you might think. Firstly, they are very generous with the amount of food that they provide; they are densely packed with edible leaves, and there is little waste. In season, they are usually very good value.

They come in different textures and colours, from the deep purple variety to the crinkly leaves of the Wombok and Savoy.

Cabbage is very low in kilojoules, but packed full of fibre, vitamin C (100 g of most types of th his vitamin) vvit itam amin in) and an beta cabbage provides more than a full day’s supply of this carotene.

local dr p.

Merilba Estate 2010 Gewürztraminer

This Gewürztraminer is a new edition to the Merilba Estate stable. This wine by design is a luscious semi sweet style. The wine shows typical spice, Turkish Delight and gooseberry aromas on the nose. The palate shows great acid/residual sugar balance, full bodied and great length. Drink now or until 2020.

Well suited to spicy Asian dishes.

AVAILABLE: Merilba Estate cellar door, Kingstown Road, Uralla.

Cabbages should feel slightly heavy for their size. In n lloose-leafed oosee-l -lea e fed varieties, ea look for crisp green leaves. Green and red cabbages es should sh hou ould ld have shiny, compact leaves. Avoid cabbages with any discolouration rati tion on n or or blemishes.

They can be used raw or cooked (but do not over cook cook, okk, as they ca ccan n become watery and release an unpleasant odour). They ey are ideal ideaal for a stir fry and wonderful when used to wrap up a fillling. ling.

It is not hard to make your own sauerkraut at home. e. Apart from tasting great, sauerkraut has a range of health h benefits.

One of my favourite ways of using cabbage is to ma make mak ke a variation to the usual coleslaw recipe. Finely chop p cabbage and mix with grated carrot, a little grated apple and finely chopped onion or spring onion.

Make a dressing with olive oil, cider vinegar and just st a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise. Throw in some mee toasted sesame seeds, and season to taste.

COST: $20 a bottle.

MORE INFO: www.merilbaestatewines.com.au

10 new england focus.

WHERE

The Armidale Farmer’s Market is on the first and third Sunday of every month in Curtis Park. For more information visit www.armidalemarket.com

focusinterview.

Motrorcycle racer Lachie Thomas moved to Uralla three years ago to help run the family café, Galloping Gourmet. His first ride was at 10 years of age, and now he has his sights on the World Superbike championship and Moto GP.

T H O M A S

H

ow long have you lived in Uralla, and why did you relocate from the Southern Highlands?

I have been living in Uralla now for around 3 years, having relocated from Mittagong in the Southern Highlands. One of the main reasons for moving to the New England was the fact that there are a number of good schools.

Coming from a family with four children, it was definitely one of the main drawcards. I work in the family business in Uralla – The Galloping Gourmet Café – which has been a very quick way to feel part of the very friendly community.

When did you first become interested in riding?

I first became interested in riding bikes at the age of 10, when Dad bought a Honda CT 110 (Postie bike) home and told me: “If I could start it, I could ride it”. After watching him start it several times, I eventually got the hang of it – and this is when I became hooked. I knew there was no turning back. Since getting a dirt bike as a Christmas present from Mum and Dad when I was 14, I can’t remember a weekend when I wasn’t riding bikes. Even if I wasn’t allowed to ride a motorbike, I’d be on a pushbike.

What is your current ranking with the Superbikes, and where do you compete?

This year I am competing in the Australian Formula Extreme Superbike Series. I currently have a 16-point lead in my grade. My goal this year is to take out the C grade series title and move up into B grade next year.

The series is held mainly along the East coast of Australia. Round 1 was held at Eastern Creek, where we took 3rd place in C grade for the weekend and also set a new Personal Best time of 1:35.553. Round 2 was at Wakefield

Park in Goulburn; I had a win for the weekend comes down to the rider’s ability and our ability in C grade and finished 4th overall in race 3. to set the bike up to suit the conditions of The team and I were stoked with the results, the track. It’s all about suspension and set up, because it means that we have a competitive rather than horsepower.

Unforgettable moments in your racing bike to head into round 3, which will be held at career?

Queensland Raceway.

The time I was racing at Winton Raceway Having never ridden at Queensland Raceway, in Victoria and I had qualified on pole, started I am keen to get some practice in before the well, but was overtaken halfway through the race meeting, which will be held in July. Then first lap. The next thing, a rider crashed in front we head down to Wakefield Park Raceway for of me – and we both ended up in the gravel. round 4.

The consequence of that was I lost Round 5 is then to be held the Australian Nakedbike title by down in Winton in Victoria. three points.

There is a fair bit of Do you have or need travelling involved, but e ak m “A lot of people oosing sponsors? it’s an enormously ch the mistake of ful er w This year I am lucky exciting sport – there’s po t the mos t hold to have support from no way I would ever bike they can ge into of and not takinge Ed and Irena from ‘Oz miss any rounds. consideration th where Motorcycle Leathers’.

Describe the bikes technical tracks,t the most n’ They are the Australian that you ride? is er horsepow t. ” en em el t an Suppliers of GIMOTO This year I am riding rt impo Leathers from Italy. They a Honda CBR1000RR supply me with made to Fireblade. We chose the measure race suits. The leathers Honda, because it is one of I am currently wearing are made from the lightest and most manoeuvrable 100% kangaroo hide; this is significantly bikes in the Superbike field. When we were lighter than the normal cow hide suits. The deciding which bike to go with, we also looked leathers fit perfectly and look great. Oz at the race tracks we would be racing on this motorcycle leathers are in Surry Hills in Sydney. year.

Support has also come from Georgie from A lot of people make the mistake of choosing ‘Armidale Food For Thought’ and of course, the most powerful bike they can get hold of ‘Galloping Gourmet of Uralla’. It is fantastic to and not taking into consideration the technical have support from local business in the New tracks, where horsepower isn’t the most England; there is so much this area has to important element. This was one of the major offer. It is exciting to be able to promote the considerations when choosing the Honda. area for its services and attractions through Although the class is named ‘Superbike’, the wide coverage that the Australian Formula we have rules and restrictions we have to Extreme Superbike Series has with both free to follow, so that all the competitors’ bikes are as air and pay television coverage. competitive as each other. This means that it

It is an expensive sport, so we’re always looking for sponsors! Companies can help us ‘in kind’ or pay to put their logos on the bike, helmet etc. I’m happy to be a superfast billboard!

There are sponsorship proposals outlining all the benefits for local business available by contacting Lachie on 0458 712 429 or email: lachiethomasracing@gmail.com Does your family support your love for this sport?

The support from my family is one of the most important aspects of my racing career.

Without the support from my family and dad (David Thomas), there is no way I would be at the level I am now. He has been my coach and mentor right from the start.

What about the danger?

Motorcycle racing has come a long way in the last few years in terms of rider safety. The safety equipment that we wear is the best quality and while sliding down the road at 180 km per hour looks like it hurts, pride is usually the only thing that is damaged.

There is no denying this is a dangerous sport; however, the only time we are ever going fast is on the track in a controlled environment – where the conditions have been determined safe by a lot of well qualified people and there are medical personnel on stand by who can usually get to an injured rider within seconds of an incident.

What is your ultimate goal?

My ultimate goal would be to do well enough in Australian Superbikes to eventually head overseas and race in the Spanish Grand Prix. From there, I would move up into either the World Superbike championship or Moto GP. Thanks Lachie. new england focus

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Aearly world class childhood education Hailed as the best preschool program in the world by Newsweek Magazine, the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education has attracted the world wide attention of educators, researchers and just about anyone interested in early childhood education. This program is only available in Armidale at PLC. Specialist Reggio Emilea Educator, Michele Kennedy, has recently returned from a study tour through Italy, where she had the opportunity to observe and learn from the experts of this philosophy. We catch up with her to find out more.

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ell us about the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

The Reggio Emilia is a city in northern Italy. Following World War II, a forward thinking Teacher, Loris Malaguzzi, and a group of families decided that the only way to look to the future was to focus on the children. Nowadays, the Reggio Emilia approach is recognised world-wide.

Reggio Emilia inspired educators recognise children’s powers of initiative and provide opportunities for them to pursue their own ideas. They view children as protagonists of their own learning – as naturally curious and capable of pursuing what they want and need to find out about the world.

Central to the philosophy is children are viewed as competent thinkers and meaningmakers.

An essential goal is to build and maintain supportive relationships between children, parents and teachers in every direction that lead to genuine, mutually empowering learning.

Children are encouraged to explore their environment and express themselves through many modes of expression, including words, music, movement, drawing, painting and sculpture just to name a few. Educators recognise the rights of children to have a safe, beautiful, responsive and challenging environment in which to learn. They see children as possessing multiple intelligences and competencies, and they invite them to share all their ways of knowing.

Teachers are viewed as active researchers. The teacher’s role is to be engaged in co-creating experiences through observation of, listening to, thinking with and extending the thinking of the children.

Another essential component of a ReggioEmilia educational project is to make visible the learning of both children and adults. This happens through documentation, in which the process of learning is recorded and displayed.

You have recently been to Italy on a study tour. What surprised you most?

During the Easter break, I was fortunate to attend a Study Tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to further my experience and understanding of the Reggio Emilia educational project. I had the privilege of being one of 81 Australian delegates, joining 380 participants from 28 countries.

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new england focus.

I visited an infant toddler centre, preschool and the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre School, where I observed the children in their environment interacting with peers, teachers and learning materials.

The beauty of the learning environments amazed me. The to “ I am motivated schools were so welcoming rse ve di e or m e or expl and engaging. This was e th g in rd co ways of re an incredibly enriching ng ni ar le s n’ re ild ch nature – exploring experience, to see first hand and making this ut our ho ug ro th the changes that have e the Reggio Emilia approach bl si vi ider school and the w been taking place in in practice. community. ” our beautiful Armidale The strength of the bonds landscape and regular nature between the city infant toddler walks involving collecting, centres and preschools surprised sorting and discussing nature. me the most. The educational We have formed a relationship with the approach is integrated into the fabric of the Armidale Tree Group Volunteers, to gain insight local government, community, and its people as into bushcare regeneration, where the children a whole. Presentations and lectures reinforced learnt about local plant and animal species. that education is at the top of their political We then assisted the volunteers in removing agenda.

Periwinkle Weeds.

The educators have worked hard since WWII Line drawing is something the girls do a lot to get to this stage. The strong image of the of. Drawing is an effective way for the children child was everywhere! The children’s learning to record and develop their thoughts, ideas and is highly respected, beautifully documented feelings, that can be later revisited and built and displayed throughout the schools and in upon. the wider community, which made it clear how Pre-Kinder’s interest in symbolic representation children are valued and celebrated as important has seen them exploring through drawing, citizens from birth. painting, constructing with natural materials, How has the trip enriched your teaching? sculpting with clay, playdough and wire.

I have been inspired in so many ways since The life cycle of a butterfly has also been returning. I have seen greater potential in the explored, after we discovered a caterpillar resources available to us here at PLC and within becoming a chrysalis near our classroom. the wider community. I have concentrated Other interests have been creating line on listening more deeply to the children and ensuring larger blocks of time are offered for the drawing plans for our ‘wish garden’ and exploring transformations. A group of 3 children children to engage in meaningful explorations. used blocks and glass stones to create a Mickey I am motivated to explore more diverse ways Mouse robot that transformed into a funny of recording the children’s learning and making alien. this visible throughout our school and the wider “Transforming is when something turns a community – providing more opportunities for different way, like from a robot into an alien.” the children to revisit their work and to reflect India. on their learning before, during and after a “Transforming means that it looks different project. and funny. We laughed a lot when our robot The trip affirmed that what we do at PLC transformed into a funny alien.”

Armidale is rich and meaningful. It also validated Keira. why we embrace this exciting approach and What do you notice about how the girls teach according to its principles. learn?

What are some of the learning experiences Our Pre-Kinders are the directors of their your PLC Pre-Kindergarten class at PLC has own learning. They work to co-construct their recently engaged in? learning experiences with their peers, teachers, Pre-Kindergarten have been researching

families, school and the wider community. By encouraging the children to learn together, they reflect, as a group, upon what they see, what they are curious about and what they are thinking. They hypothesise and discover new meanings, leading the children to surprising levels of symbolic skill and creativity.

Our Pre-Kinders develop thinking skills involved in order to strive for understanding, to figure out complexities, truths and possibilities, through creative hands-on exploration of a variety of materials. By having the opportunities to do so, they consolidate their ideas and are motivated to seek meaning and transfer their knowledge to other contexts. They feel confident in their approaches, as they know their contributions are valued. Ultimately, we engender thinking as a habit of mind within the children.

By presenting documentation of their interactions and project work, the girls have the opportunity to revisit their experiences with others, reflect on their involvement, thinking and continually challenge and grow their ideas.

This facilitates an understanding that learning is built upon prior experiences and is an ongoing process that is more fun when done with others.

How does this approach influence the lifetime learning experience of the girls?

The educational approach nurtures democratic dispositions: openness to different perspectives, deep and curious listening, fluency in many different modes of expression ‘100 Languages’, and critical thinking skills.

By exploring projects of children’s interest in great detail, children are excited by the learning process. This enthusiasm for knowledge, combined with the ability to experience project work in detail, fosters a predisposition for ‘lifelong’ learning.

Thank you Michele.

For more information, visit www.plcarmidale. nsw.edu.au or phone Fiona 6770 1727.

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A L I F E S AV I N G H I S T O R Y

Sears.

FREEMAN HOUSE

Scott Sears is the manager of Freeman House, which is a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society that specialises in the provision of residential and community-based rehabilitation services. Scott explains the ‘life saving’ history of this Armidale rehab service and also its plans for the future.

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ow long have you lived in Armidale?

I was born in Kempsey, but moved to Tamworth when I was 5 and completed all of my school years through to Year 12 at Oxley High School in Tamworth. I then moved to Sydney for 10 years and back to Armidale in 1999 – and have lived here since. My parents still live in Tamworth, and I have a brother who is the resident Police Officer at Somerton Police Station, just outside Tamworth.

Tell us about your family ...

My wife, Leica, is a Registered Nurse and works on the Medical Ward here at Armidale Public Hospital; she has worked there for 10 years. We have 2 sons: Jacob (10 years old) and Harrison (7 years old); both go to Armidale City Public School.

Both children enjoy a range of sports and activities: soccer, football, swimming, motorbikes, horse riding, and Jacob plays the guitar. Both are into their PSP, Wii and everything technological, so they keep me up to date with all the latest gadgets.

Describe a typical day for you at work?

There is no typical day. I can be dealing with staff issues, client issues, counselling, writing tenders, doing payroll, answering emails, in meetings, completing administrative duties such as budgets/accounts/petty cash, presenting at conferences or lectures, in Sydney head office on various committees, recruiting staff – all of the duties that the Manager of a busy Health and Community Service is required to do, I do!

What is the history of Freeman House?

Freeman House was the vision of the volunteers of the local diocesan of SVDP and began in 1979 as a boarding house purchased by and staffed entirely by volunteers of SVDP, to assist people with homelessness and drug and alcohol issues who were sleeping rough in local parks and bushland in the New England region. Over subsequent years, SVDP partnered

with the Department of Community Services Quality Improvement Co-ordinator, holds a and the Supported Accommodation Assistance Masters in Policy and Planning. All staff hold Program with a small recurrent grant and minimum qualifications at Certificate 4 Level in expanded its services and encouraged clients alcohol and other drug and mental health (non to participate in the 12 step fellowship of AA clinical), and all Case Managers hold a Diploma and NA. of Case Management with membership with More recently, Freeman House was the CMSA (Case Management Society of successful obtaining funding through the Australia). Several staff hold relevant degrees, National Illicit Drug Scheme (NIDS) and through and all counsellors are Degree or Diploma the Non-Government Treatment Grants qualified and hold current appropriate Program (NGOTGP) with the Department professional memberships. of Health and Ageing and NSW Health and The staff are all very experienced, have was redefined as an evidence-based, longerworked for many years in the health and term residential rehabilitation community services sector and they are all service. This has required a very client outcome focused. change to paid professional I am very proud of the team I like staff and developing at Freeman House and support “That’s why ug working in dr hab; quality management them 100%. We are also and alcohol reople systems and strategic supported by a great volunteer I get to see pe cant ifi professional partnerships advisory committee and gn si g in mak d with organisations such President of Homelessness, life changes anan d positive gainsts – that as the University of New Bev Kerr, who is tireless in improvemen ng.”

England and TAFE. the work she does around the di ar w re is very In 2011, Freeman House state. Without the support of the was successful in securing staff, advisory, volunteers and State $8 million capital funding through President, Freeman House would not the Regional Development Australia Fund to have had the success it has had to date and be redevelop the facility into a state of the art, where it is today. purpose built residential rehabilitation service When and why are you relocating your with transitional accommodation capacity. residents?

The facility will have designated The residents have already been relocated to educational areas, with the ultimate aim of another residence in Claude Street, as all of the developing client skills and knowledge to residential (other than the heritage building) enhance their capacity to live independently. will be demolished, so it would not be possible Tell us about your staff ... to continue to run services from Crescent We have a fantastic experienced, qualified Street. and committed team of staff at Freeman We also have offices in Jessie Street, where House. It consists of: myself with 21 years of the Community Case Managers, myself, health and community services experience with Quality Improvement, Administration and several qualifications, including a Bachelor Intake and Admission are working from. The of Health, Ageing and Community Services rebuild is expected to start in June and will take (Counselling) and Dip Management; our about 18 months to complete.

Clinical Team Leader, Adrian Webber, who What can we expect from the ‘new’ holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Freeman House?

Diploma of Counselling; Kelly Smitham, our The new Freeman House will consist of a 24

bed residential rehabilitation service – all rooms with their own bathrooms on the Claverie Street side. Updated service and kitchen facilities, a clinic, a chapel and boardroom in the main entry of the heritage building, which will have restored wunderlich ceilings.

We hope to have some detox beds, crisis homeless beds, a new learning centre called the Ozanam learning centre, which will have counselling rooms, group rooms, music, art therapy rooms, kitchen and training rooms.

There is office space for all the staff, and 6 transitional units for people making the step moving back into the community. It will be a fantastic facility for Armidale and the wider community.

Can you give us a resident’s recovery success story?

There are lots of success stories, but one that I like is a lady I worked with who still comes back and visits. She drank and abused prescription pills and had lost everything: her job, family, her health, all her money; she had lots of debt.

We worked with her across a 12 month period and through lifestyle changes, her health improved, through counselling and the program she learnt about destructive thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how to develop support networks. Through participation in counselling and rehabilitation, she was able to work off state debt through a program we are linked into with Government called Work Development Orders, and she reconnected with her family.

She is now working and engaged to be married, and her children are back living with her. She comes and visits when she comes up for conferences, and I always love catching up and hearing about what she is up to.

That’s why I like working in drug and alcohol rehab; I get to see people making significant life changes and positive gains and improvements – that is very rewarding.

Thanks Scott. new england focus 15

W H AT ’ S O N A R O U N D T H E R E G I O N / / J U N E 2 0 1 2

what’s Meet the manager of Belgrave Cinema,

Sampson Baivucago.

How long have you out to serve our customers as “Most peoplee worked at Belgrave often as I can. is wouldn’t real a lot s Cinema? I started at the ke ta it Tell us about some exciting it, but Belgrave Cinema when of office work ton a fi lms that we can expect to successfully ru it was re-opened in see soon. We had great success cinema.”

February 1995. This was with The Best Exotic Marigold after a group of dedicated Hotel and The Avengers and are people had formed 'Friends expecting the same outcome with of the Cinema', to keep cinema The Artist (dual Oscar winner for Best alive in Armidale following the closure of Picture and Best Actor), Salmon Fishing in the the Capitol Theatre in 1993. Their aim was to Yemen (Ewan McGregor’s quirky new film show films commercially, while encouraging of an unlikely hero on an unlikely mission) the re-establishment of a permanent cinema and My Week with Marilyn, which features a for the town. They worked with the UNE Union critically acclaimed performance by Michelle and the Ex-Services Club to build a whole new Williams as Marilyn Monroe. complex and the rest is, as they say, history.

Of course, the International Film Festival is Describe a typical day at work? Most always popular and starts on 3 August this people wouldn’t realise it, but it takes a lot of year. office work to successfully run a cinema, so I Visit our website: www.belgravecinema. spend a lot of time on sales strategies and with com.au for information on session times and programmers to get the best films possible for upcoming events. our audiences. That said, I still enjoy getting

2012 Business Awards Black tie event, with guest MC, Stephanie Brantz.

Enjoy food, wine and entertainment for Armidale District businesses' night of nights.

When June 1 @ 7pm.

Where TAS Hoskins Centre.

Tickets www.trybooking.com/BJLI

Armidale City Bowling Club’s ‘Taste Sensations’ Come along and enjoy an Italian pasta and seafood buffet. $45 per person will get you an extravagant array of fresh prawns and oysters, some delicious pasta dishes, a selection of tasty Italian dishes, a drink on arrival and, most importantly, a dessert buffet. A great night out with friends.

When Friday 1 June.

Where Armidale Bowlo – Tops Function Room.

Contact 6772 5666.

2 First Saturday chats The next first Saturday chats will take place between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 2 June 2012, hosted by Sara Abboud (Solicitor). Bookings are essential on 1300 642 166.

NOW SHOWING www.belgravecinema.com.au

16 new england focus.

When 10am to 1pm; Saturday 2 June 2012.

Where Legal Minds, Beardy St Mall.

Contact 1300 642 166.

The Armidale Club Winter Ball Come along for a memorable black tie evening of dance, food and fun. Music by Glenn Heath and The Deep Blue Sea. Tickets are $80 and include beer/ bubbles on arrival, pre dinner hors d'ouevres by BJ's Turntables restaurant. Dinner from Jazzamataz catering and wines from local wineries.

When Saturday, June 2; 6.30pm for 7pm.

Where The Armidale Club.

Contact 1300 642 166.

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Goldilocks Grand Day Out n Sunday 17 June, New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) will be transformed into a storytelling playground for the inaugural Goldilocks Grand Day Out. This special event promises to be a fun-filled day for Armidale families, with plenty of imaginative activities lined up to entertain and enchant the little ones.

Madeleine Winch, author and illustrator of the much-loved children’s book Come By Chance will be in residence, reading her delightful book at numerous times during the day. Come along for story time and view the book’s original watercolour illustrations and life size calico characters currently on display in the Mazda gallery.

Elsewhere in the museum, local artists

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will be leading various creative activities.

On the day, children can try their hand at sculpting clay figures and making miniClaymation movies inspired by the Come

by Chance story with artist and filmmaker Jonathan Larsen. They can also create their very own artist books in the Museum of Printing, design eye-catching book jackets using all sorts of materials with artist and art educator Trish Donald and collaborate with each other writing and illustrating community story books.

The fabulous Felt Tip Theatre Company will be bringing Madeleine Winch’s story to life during mini workshops and performances; the popular photo booth will be back in action for fairy tale dressup portraits and much more.

When hunger inevitably strikes, a sau-

sage sizzle, cupcake decorating, a coffee cart or a trip to neramharvest café will keep everyone in the family satisfied.

Goldilocks Grand Day out presents a wonderful opportunity for children of all ages to explore and enjoy the art of storytelling and book illustration.

Tickets for activities start at $3 and will be available for purchase at the door on the day.

the plug!

Goldilocks Grand Day Out is on at NERAM on Sunday 17 June 2012 from 11am to 3pm.

For more information, visit www.neram.com.au Ph: (02) 6772 5255.

Working Towards a Sustainable Future. he Ascent Group will save up to two million litres of water a year over the next decade, with the completion of a stormwater harvesting project at its Acacia Park site.

Although The Ascent Group has a long history of providing disability and community care services since 1955, the focus is firmly on a sustainable future. As a leading local community based charitable organisation, the core work has been in the area of social and economic sustainability; however, environmental sustainability has now been added as one of the key strategic goals. Already well known for its recycling initiatives, The Ascent Group has embraced an organisational sustainability strategy. One of the key projects just completed is a water harvesting project at its Acacia Park site.

With the aim of harvesting up to 2 million litres of water over the next 10 years, The Ascent Group has installed a rainwater harvesting system to supply water for use in the garden, laundry and for toilet flushing.

The project, supported with $33,783 from the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund Community Savers pro-

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Kevin Mead – CEO, Di Gray – Human Services Manager, John Mann – Recycling Team.

gram, will reduce the use of drinkable water, with the installation of two water tanks with a capacity of 58,640 litres and 40,723 litres.

The extensive roof area of the premises is being exploited as a storm water catchment area, and will not only supplement the town water supply but also reduce the burden of storm water flow from the premises to the Council infrastructure.

The Ascent Group has also opened its state of the art community home 'Walker House' for five people living with disability who have high care needs, incorporating solar passive design principles, solar hot water, solar electricity generation, water harvesting and a water wise garden.

The garden was designed by celebrity gardener Brendan Moar and built by the

Rotary Club of Armidale.

As a member of the State Government’s Sustainability Advantage program, The Ascent Group, along with thirteen other local and regional businesses and organisations, including Armidale Dumaresq Council, UNE and Phoenix Foundry, are working cooperatively to ensure the sustainability of the region.

contact info.

Kevin Mead p. 6774 8977 w. www.ascentgroup.org.au

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You’re invited to come along and have a ball!

Armidale City Bowling Club.

Growing development through community support. he Armidale City Bowling Club has been working closely with community groups for the 97 years it has operated within the Armidale community. These groups range from sporting organisations to health and welfare groups, as well as supporting the development of the community’s local environment through sustainability initiatives. This focus has allowed the Club to develop close ties with over 80 local groups working in partnership with the Club to cultivate and develop a breadth of services for the local community.

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Guide Dog Kilimanjaro trekkers Armidale residents, Deb Warren and Jenny Croaker, are in training to climb Africa’s highest mountain in November, to raise funds for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. “The Kilimanjaro trek is a personal challenge as well as an opportunity to give back to Guide Dogs, so it can continue assisting people with vision loss to be independent,” says Deb, who is blind and uses a guide dog. Jenny works for Guide Dogs across the region.

The Club's direct cash investment in the Armidale community last financial year exceeded $250,000, allowing

us to pledge over $65 per member to the betterment of our wonderful city. The Club's ability to leverage this development is determined by the fantastic support we receive from our guests every day, and it is our commitment to ensure that community support is ‘recycled’ in the local community which owns the Bowlo.

The Club also employees over 50 people all residing in our local community, of which over 30% are in formal training programs, allowing them to develop into future hospitality leaders. If you haven’t visited your Club today, make sure you do, as every dollar you spend at the Bowlo will help us grow and add value to the Armidale community.

They have a number of fundraising events planned, with the Adopt-a-Dog Challenge underway. Local businesses can adopt a Guide Dog collection box for a month, and the public is encouraged to 'feed' the dogs with loose change.

PAT R I C K C R I C K– Armidale Bowling Club.

A very happy member of healthy Inspirations.

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Deb and Jenny will also be at local markets, selling merchandise and raffle tickets, which can also be purchased at Deb’s massage clinic: phone 6772 2221. You could book in for a massage at the same time!

Join Deb and Jenny on July 28 for the Christmas in July Ball and later in the year for a trivia night – all as part of their efforts to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs to establish a puppy breeding program that aims to see more guide dogs working in the community.

For details jcroaker@guidedogs.com.au or 0429 309 379 To make a donation: www.everydayhero.com.au/deb_warren_4 or www.everydayhero.com.au/jenny_croaker

ue to the effects of aging, I discovered I needed to tone up my muscles and use weight-bearing exercises in an attempt to improve my bone density and fitness. So, two years ago I joined Healthy Inspirations – a wonderful women’s gym in Armidale.

With the support, encouragement and guidance of the great staff, I lost 9 kg – a small contribution towards more than 3,600 kg lost

by Armidale women participating in the Healthy Inspirations weight loss programme!

cessful gym member who lost 18.5 kg, I joined the Healthy Inspirations weight loss programme.

Thanks to Healthy Inspirations, the best women’s gym in Armidale, I feel fitter and more youthful.

The atmosphere is positive and friendly.

I lost 9kg – a ion At Healthy InspiraMothers with babies small contribeutthan tions, women and young children towards mor by 3,600 kg lost en have many are made very Armidale wom e th in g programmes welcome. While a in participat irations Healthy Insp available to get fit mother exercises, weight loss e! m and lose weight. children can play or m progra There is a circuit, watch television in a used by most women special room set aside at the gym, a cross trainer, for them. After exercisa walking machine, rowing maing, there is a massage chair in a chines and many classes to choose quiet relaxation room. Not only is from – Strength and Balance, Boxthere a change room, but also a ing, Zumba, Yoga, Life Sprints, and shower and towels are provided Boot Camp. for women needing to freshen up before leaving the gym.

Inspired to lose weight by a suc-

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eat. Over 1,000 downloads. e he Creative team at FOCUS is proud to announce that our iPhone app, called eat. now has ove 1,000 downloads. over “ “We’re really happy with how many loc and visitors have downloaded locals the app and are using it to explore local res restaurants and cafés,” said Michael Ma Marchment, FOCUS designer. “ “Based on growing feedback, we hav now also launched the Android have

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version. So whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, you can now see a great selection of local restaurants with stunning photography.

Or if you still can't decide where to eat, just hit the random button – and let the app decide for you."

Readers can download the eat. app for free just by visiting the website at www.focusmag.com.au/eat and following the links.

Travelling to the source and meeting the makers of eclectic furnishings was something Kerry & Simon often dreamed about. Two years on, Cargo Lane is becoming one of Australia’s hottest boutique furnishing stores.

Featuring decorative collections, special gifts and one off furniture pieces, Cargo Lane is a captivating shopping experience.

So what’s their secret?

“Taking risks that most retailers wouldn’t dream of”, says Simon. “We travel to some of the most remote places in the world, looking for aspirational pieces that reflect our customers’ unique tastes”.

“Taking risks that most retailers wouldn’t dream of.”

Kerry an Interior Designer and Simon from a build design background, recognise good craftsmanship when they see it. Only the finest quality is offered, whether it’s their globally sourced, or Australian made furniture. Coupled with a wonderful combination of flair and originality, Cargo Lane certainly is for the décor aficionado.

Working with suppliers, artisans and merchants from remote places such as the Sahara Desert means Cargo Lane boasts many fascinating items, from decorative homewares and stone-aged basins to objets d’art.

Clockwise from top: A snap shot of one of the sofas available; Simon measuring out a custom made fossil stone table in Morocco; Stunning handmade bowl; Kerry & Simon.

Shop 2, The Old Butter Factory, 1 Doepel Street Bellingen 6655 0054

Located in the Old Butter Factory, Bellingen, Cargo Lane is open 7 days.

New England

The Thunderbolt Inn Hotel Bistro.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android mobiles. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 20 new england focus.

eat.

Salt and pepper squid.

Red Grapevine

Wonder Chinese Restaurant

Red Grapevine – a warm and welcoming environment with well informed and friendly staff, which caters for those who want to experience a three-course meal, to others who prefer to just share a pizza.

At Wonder Chinese Restaurant, you can enjoy sizzling meats, steamed and braised vegetables and all the favourites: spring rolls, special fried rice, dim sims, delicious noodles and rice dishes and much more, prepared with traditional Chinese-style cooking by experienced chefs. Guests can dine in (licensed), or choose from our takeaway menu.

The menu is simple, fresh and produce driven, with a range of modern entrees and mains.

Or choose from the wide range of pasta, risotto or homemade potato gnocchi, or the chef’s speciality – traditional hand stretched thin crust pizza, made with fresh top quality ingredients. The homemade desserts are also excellent.

Owners Brian & Natalie Powles.

Fully licensed, with fantastic cocktails and boutique wines.

Be sure to check out our Super Saving Takeaway Value Packs!

Wonder Chinese Restaurant serves delicious Chinese food. We can also provide gluten free dishes. Phone orders welcome.

There are plenty of specials available for delivery, Chinese takeaway, or dine in.

Owners Kwan and Ching Sue.

Shop 3/111 Dangar Street, Armidale t 6772 8388 w www.thewonder.com.au

113 Jessie St Armidale t 6772 2822 w www.redgrapevine.com.au U HG

open Lunch: Mon - Fri 12-2.

Dinner: Sun - Thurs 5-9 and Fri - Sat 5-10

open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm

Azka Restaurant, Wine and Tapas Bar Azka Wine and Tapas Bar is a stunning, designer space with an exciting range of boutique drops. Match your wine with a tempting selection of modern tapas – perfect for casual and social dining.

Azka Restaurant features beautifully cooked dishes with subtle Mediterranean influences that will appeal to every taste.

The menu focuses on fresh seasonal produce from the New England.

Susie Coventry, Maître d’

Quality Hotel Powerhouse, 31 Marsh Street, Armidale t 6772 7788 open Azka Restaurant – 7 days for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Azka Wine & Tapas Bar – daily from 11am – late. new england focus 21

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focusinterview.

Reviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and featured in the 2012 Edition, Merilba Estate Cellar Door will be welcoming winter in June with a new menu. Featuring deep, rich flavours and local produce, the theme is warming and satisfying – comfort food at its best!

The menu may be changing with the season, but the warm, welcoming hospitality and seriously good service remain as always.

The Cellar Door operates on Saturday and Sunday every week and is open from 11am to 4pm. Wine tastings are available all day, with lunch served from 12pm. Bookings for lunch are essential. Please phone (02) 6778 9145 or 0427 946 828.

Experience warm, welcoming hospitality ...

Merilba offers not just a meal, but a day of experiences.

We speak to Kwan and Ching Sue about the recent refurbishment of their restaurant and their love of the industry.

Kingstown Road, Armidale t 6778 9145 m 0427 946 828 e info@merilbaestatewines.com.au Open Saturday and Sunday, from 11am - 4pm.

T

ell us about your recent refurbishment? Many might remember the restaurant as Dragon and Phoenix, with the dated decor and closed in

windows.

The recent renovation is a real change; it is now more open and vibrant, with natural light coming in.

I urge people to come in and have a look – you will be surprised!

Why the name change?

I decided to change the name to reflect the renovations. P.S. Don’t tell Dad – he won’t be too happy!

Thunderbolt Inn Hotel Bistro

How long has your family owned Wonder? Dad (Kenny) opened the original restaurant back in 1990, so you might say I have been here for over 20 years.

The Thunderbolt inn Hotel Bistro is now serving delicious, honest pub grub. Our emphasis is on true value for your money. Many of our products are bought locally from local suppliers daily, guaranteeing that your meal is always fresh and tasty. We offer homemade desserts, a children’s menu and daily blackboard specials. Our new cook is Tim Sauer, who has many years’ experience in the pub/kitchen game.

Please phone 6778 4048 to book a table by the open fire or just to guarantee a table, as Friday nights and Saturdays are proving extremely popular.

31 Bridge Street, Uralla, t 6778 4048 Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday 12 - 2 and Dinner: Wednesday to Saturday 6 - 9.

22 new england focus.

g “I love cookin get I ; do I t ha and w n io ct fa a lot of satis ers om st cu n whe w comment on ho l ea m e th ly love was!”

Cook – Tim Sauer

Describe your cuisine? I would describe my food as traditional Australian Chinese, with modern variations. At Wonder Chinese Restaurant, you can enjoy sizzling meats, steamed and braised vegetables and all the favourites: spring rolls, special fried rice, dim sims, delicious noodles and rice dishes and much more, prepared in traditional Chinesestyle cooking by experienced chefs. Guests can dine in (licensed), or choose from our

Takeaway Menu.

Do you source local produce for your restaurant? I try to incorporate as much local produce as possible in my cooking, like Pak Choy and Choy Sum straight from Dad’s garden.

The personal rewards that you gain from your business? I love cooking and what I do; I get a lot of satisfaction when customers comment on how lovely the meal was!

Plans for the future? I have been in the restaurant business since I was very young, and I’m still not tired of it. So, I hope to continue in this field and keep serving customers their sweet and sour pork and fried rice for many years to come!

Thanks Ching and Kwan.

icing on the cake with Susie Dunn

focuseditorial.

on the cake.

It feels a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away ... that Armidale was taking shape as an immigrant, mostly European settlement in an old, old land, whose people had tended it for tens of thousands of years.

H

enry Dangar and William and Henry Dumaresq had moved onto land by the mid 1830s.

Commissioner of Crown Lands, George Macdonald, named the site of Armidale in 1839, toasting it in champagne.

In the 1880s in particular, there was something happening that many people now seem to find extraordinary.

It was confidence.

Inevitably, not everyone had it, but there was certainly enough of it to shape the Armidale that we know today. (This is, after all, an icing on the cake column – not a bread and dripping one. History tells us that bad times do happen, but without the good years when good things happen, we’d have nothing to sustain us.)

The 1880s was an extraordinary time in Australia, of course. The last convicts had gone to Western Australia in 1868, and the civilised and erudite James Mort tells me that Melbourne was the richest city in the world!

I’m prepared to take his word.

In 1854, the population in Armidale was 640. By the beginning of the 1880s, it was about 3,000. Even if it had tripled by the end of the decade, just think what had been happening: there were ordered streets and some fine private houses, Beardy Street was sprouting some stately buildings (and had already re-modelled its second Courthouse); Armidale was lit by gas and Saturday night was the night to promenade, police were on the beat, Richardsons (trading since 1842) were planning upgrading to their elegant Emporium among other specialist shops, there were two Cathedrals complete with bishops and other substantial churches, the railway had come to town with a beautiful station to receive its passengers, The Armidale School was being hatched together with other private schools, there were parks and recreation grounds and cultural and sporting activities, the Town Hall (1882) stated its civic importance and the city gave the definite impression that it took itself seriously. Its people expected a certain way of life and facilities to match.

Queenslanders even holidayed here for the climate.

The large landholders had, on the whole, showed progressive confidence in their pastoral properties, both in the homes they built and the lifestyles they established. There were lots of different small farms.

The OED defines confidence as “The mental attitude of trusting in or relying on – assurance arising from reliance on oneself, circumstances”.

Why should we not look around us honestly and feel that same confidence today? Armidale has so much to offer on virtually every front and as well as the many schools, we now have a respected university and numerous opportunities in multiple directions – particularly as the metropolitan cities are becoming increasingly unliveable. The world changes, and we should have confidence in developing for the times.

This is why we should look to act with the assurance arising from reliance on ourselves – there are people here who have the skills to contribute to a golden age for Armidale – let’s use them all. I can never understand why people from outside are often commissioned to do things which could efficiently be done by residents here with a stake in the community and its future – and whose money is spent here.

The new Civic Precinct plan is one that both solves multiple problems and brings a gamechanger to the city, by anchoring the older heart of town at the centre of a confident new chapter of the city’s development in a globalised world.

We should be ‘visitor-ready’ for those who visit our city and its hinterland – sign posted, information easily accessed, public sculptures, an overall distinctive look which shows the town off and differentiates us from other places … a look that shows our confidence in our past and our future.

Let’s keep in mind the questions: “Why say why?; say, “Why not?”

Our past citizens worked towards where we are now. It is time that young leaders put their hands up and get on with the job for the 21st Century.

The Armidale motto is ‘The Fortunes of the House Stand Firm’. new england focus 23

focusfeature.

The Whitebull

WhiteBull F O C U S F E AT U R E

Meet the owners of the Whitebull Hotel, Anne and Terry Corfe and Michelle and Kirk Vidler.

This awesome foursome are very good friends and together, they have built very strong businesses.

24 new england focus.

A

nne and Terry: how did you come to to team up with Michelle and Kirk?

Terry and Kirk knew each other from their football days, both being Rugby League players. They played on different teams and against

each other.

“Take a walk But mutual respect formed a great newly licensed Boardroom upstairs, or just to our ‘Theatre n ca u yo friendship. We kept in casual contact over a coffee and cake, along with showcasing ’; er Be of the years and then when Kirk and Michelle the many good, local wines. If you like to observe a short film of the beers – moved to Coffs Harbour, we ran into each take a walk to our ‘Theatre of Beer’, you making procesique other more often. can observe a short film of the beer making un something ll bu Long story short, a business opportunity process – something unique to the Whitebull te hi W e to th arose in Coffs Harbour that appealed to all Hotel.

Hotel.” of us, so we took the plunge and bought The Trying to cater for everybody is a challenge Moonee Beach Tavern together and from that point that we feel we have achieved: our Monday night on, ran a very successful business.

Trivia is extremely popular with the locals; we have Michelle and Kirk: what plans do you have for the introduced various meal deals each night; for those who are Whitebull Hotel? budget conscious, for those who like the horse racing and The Whitebull Hotel is a lovely, warm and inviting place sports – Saturday afternoon is for you; we have the BIG screen to relax and enjoy a meal, a drink with friends or colleagues, for all of the footy fanatics and poker on Sunday afternoon. hold a business meeting/conference in the restaurant or in our Later in the evening on weekends, we provide a safe

The Whitebull

Port Macquarie focus feature.High School

“We would like to continue with warm customer service with a smile, mouth watering dishes in the restaurant, along with the use of local produce ... ”

environment for young people to meet and socialise with their friends and have hired Newcastle DJs on a Friday night and local DJs on a Saturday night to entertain them.

We have introduced wine tasting events – free of charge to give our customers the opportunity to purchase the wines at very competitive prices on the day!

We would like to continue with warm customer

service with a smile, mouth watering dishes in the restaurant, along with the use of local produce where we can, to supply a tasty bistro meal for those on the run at extremely competitive prices.

Anne and Terry: how long have you been married, and what do you like most about being in business together?

We have been married for what feels like a century.

We married young and had our children young.

Being in business together as a husband and wife team is hard work; living and working together puts a bit of pressure on a relationship, but we are very fortunate that over the years we have grown into our ‘roles’. Terry is the ‘hands on man’.

Being a carpenter by trade, he can fix just about anything. And I have a long history in banking and accounting, so I tend to always be upstairs in the office. We quite often rise in the morning and don’t see each other at all until dinner that night! Then we can sit down, have a drink, and discuss the day’s issues. I think we make a good team and complement each other in many ways. continued over

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25

focusfeature.

The Whitebull

WhiteBull F O C U S F E AT U R E

cont. from over

26 new england focus.

Week’.

This being a corporate motel, our café opened at 7am daily and provided service until 11pm each night. It was renowned for quality meals during the day, sumptuous dishes in the evening and the best coffee in Rockhampton – literally making the pages of Lonely Planet travel books with the advice to Europeans, that if in Rockhampton, make sure you try it!

We also provided a venue for local artists of all genres, showcasing their work and selling it ‘off the wall’ to se “Our Steakhou tourists and locals alike – some Restuarant is ; ne no pieces having left the country to to second Michelle and Kirk: what is is ce en bi am e find a home in Europe. th r your history in the hospitality relaxing and oud Returning to the family in industry? food is local anature Coffs Harbour, Kirk took up a fresh. Our sign, is Kirk and I originate from ll’ middle management position dish, ‘The Bu .”

Bellingen. We have been married se el ng hi in the hospitality industry, and I somet for 30 years and have 3 children did some casual work in real estate and 2 grandchildren. It was here in administration and went back to my Bellingen that our hotel experience began. other passion of administration for medical We were managers of the Federal Hotel for 2 specialists, until the opportunity arose to come to years, before purchasing the lease and continued beautiful Armidale and the Whitebull Hotel. there for the next 10 years; this was during the Anne and Terry: how do you manage the every inception of the infamous Bellingen Jazz Festival. day running of the Whitebull?

After selling the Federal Hotel, we moved our As mentioned previously, we both have ‘roles’ in family to Coffs Harbour for a seachange. It was here the hotel which keep us very busy. While not actively that (along with Terry and Anne) we purchased the working behind the bar or in the restaurant, on busy Moonee Beach Tavern, situated in a small seaside nights you will find one, if not both of us, running village just 10 minutes north of Coffs Harbour. We bistro meals and assisting the staff where possible. stayed here for 4 years, before on selling.

We are fortunate to have a very good and reliable After a long search for the next venture, we team, whom we can trust to oversee the day to purchased again with Terry and Anne, the 4.5 star day operations, but we find that us being on site Coffee House Apartment Motel/Café/Restaurant 24/7 enables us to have a hand and an eye on most in Rockhampton, central Qld – the home of ‘Beef

“Our award winning Chefs are passionate about what they do preparing and serving delicious meals consistently.”

things. We continually liaise with staff to ensure every department is running smoothly.

Michelle and Kirk: describe your dining facilities?

Our Steakhouse Restaurant is second to none; the ambience of the restaurant is relaxing and our food is local (where we can) and fresh. Our award winning chefs are passionate about what they do, preparing and serving delicious meals consistently.

Our signature dish, ‘The Bull’, is something else; you just have to see it to believe it. We strive to make your dining experience a pleasure and one that you wish to repeat.

We have a selection of Penfolds Grange wines to complement our menu, along with many local wines that are sure to excite the palate.

The Whitebull

Port Macquarie focus feature.High School

“ ... we have been to a few other restaurants in town and cannot wait to get out and see and experience more, in our spare time!”

Anne and Terry: what are your personal interests?

Terry is an extremely keen golfer, and any free time you will find him chasing that little white ball around Armidale Golf Course. Besides that, he enjoys horse racing, Rugby League and surfing. I am a qualified aerobics instructor and try to fit a few gym visits in each week around the busy work schedule. Books and movies are also a keen passion.

Family is also very important to us. We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren and relish any opportunity to visit and play!

Michelle and Kirk: what do you enjoy most about Armidale?

Coming to Armidale has been a pleasure. The town is beautiful; we both love Armidale. Kirk has already conned some of the locals to take him to a shearing shed in ‘action’ and has gone to the cattle sales. We have met some lovely people and made friends. So far we have experienced the Rodeo, the Races, Day on the Green (was absolutely

cl close lose lo se)), ), brilliant), the Greyhounds (great fun – you are so close), Hole The Graze (something I think that Armidale could Blue Hole, build on to showcase local produce and wines – maybe a weekend food and wine festival). We have been to a few other restaurants in town and cannot wait to get out and see and experience more, in our spare time!

Anne and Terry: who has played a vital role in the success of The Whitebull?

It is an old cliche, but a very true one – the success of the Whitebull Hotel has been due to a team effort. A strong dedicated team is vital to the past and the continued future success of the Whitebull Hotel. From the amazing cleaning team who arrive early each day to ensure that carpets are cleaned and tables are spotless, to the day and night bar staff who do their utmost to pour your beer ‘just the way you like it’, to the fantastic kitchen team who can deliver 100 plus bistro meals plus restaurant meals with the highest quality in the shortest possible time, and to the friendly wait staff who serve you so efficiently, to the friendly bottleshop guys who will carry your purchase to your car, and to the management team who oversee the ‘show’. Like cogs in a wheel – we all work together.

Who did you inherit the pub from?

Patrick and Karen Gurr purchased the Club Hotel in 2003 and after much planning, totally transformed the old

Club Hotel into the Whitebull that opened in 2006. The brief for the development back then was to offer a warm and inviting environment, where patrons could relax and s socialise in comfort and treat themselves to that special m or a quiet drink with friends. meal Pat and Karen handed the reins over to Terry and Anne in December 2010, and Kirk and Michelle joined them in 2 2011.

It was a seamless transition, and the Bull continues to grow in reputation and status as a true contributor to life in the Armidale community.

We purchased the hotel, because The Whitebull is a fine example of contemporary hospitality that has contributed to transforming Armidale into a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city. The Whitebull has complemented the Evocities Campaign by stimulating change, offering diversity and contributing to the lifestyle experience in regional NSW.

new england focus 27

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The Whitebull

WhiteBull F O C U S F E AT U R E

cont.t. from cont from over

men “All our trades e th om fr are local, e th to r be plum the air electrician, togu ys – conditioning .” ls all loca

Congratulations for being nominated in The 2012 Armidale Business Awards, under the Pubs & Clubs Category. Can you give us some reasons why you may have been nominated?

The Whitebull Hotel is unique in that it offers a ‘true and total New England experience’ to both locals and visitors alike.

From the simple name ‘Whitebull’, conjuring up images associated with the important long-standing local cattle industry, and then continuing with the first impressions upon entering the Whitebull Hotel of the famous ‘New England colours’ … deep reds, inviting golds, warm browns and relaxing rich greens. To the furnishings of dark rich timbers, deep comfy leather lounges and warm welcoming fires – synonymous with the fabulous New England winters. The Whitebull Hotel is

28 new england focus.

like no other hotel – we are in bricks and mortar and in total ambience – the genuine New England experience.

The Whitebull Hotel actively and genuinely supports local industry and local people.

We are committed to sourcing and purchasing from local suppliers in both fresh produce (vegetables and fruits), meats and bakery items, and our extensive wine list proudly boasts fine red and white wines produced by local wineries. All our tradesmen are local, from the plumber to the electrician, to the air conditioning guys – all locals.

The Whitebull Hotel is also very proud to support the local employment industry by having a strong hospitality team consisting of New England locals, from Armidale born and bred chefs, to university students behind the bar. The Whitebull

Hotel are also involved in the local community by supporting many charitable fundraising activities, from school fetes to auction nights, to selling raffle tickets to donating stock and goods – the Whitebull Hotel are locals supporting locals, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Come and check out our ‘Theatre of Beer’ – a glass encased keg beer room.

Here patrons can see the workings of a keg room, where all the beer kegs are stored plus individual beer kegs hooked up and in use, with the myriad of beer lines (piping and tubing) carrying the beer to the beer taps, ready to pour.

The Theatre of Beer also boasts a large computerised screen, where a complete presentation of the making of beer is continually screened, giving patrons a unique insight to behind the scenes processes – another unique experience in Armidale at the Whitebull Hotel. end.

THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER

a The Butcher, the Baker and the Winemaker is in its second year.

This very popular event is a clever blend of some of the best our local area can produce.

A promotion of three family owned and run regional businesses, we all invite you to come and enjoy the best we have to offer in a special lunch event which features local lamb, local bread and local wine. To complete the day, you will also be able to enjoy some of the best local music on offer. he Butcher, Milly Hill Lamb, is owned and operated by Peter and Sally Strelitz and their dedicated team – a family owned and operated company which, in a very short period of time, has made a major impact on the local and national food community. Milly Hill Lamb is produced from prime lambs raised on some of Australia’s most pristine and fertile country. Naturally rich soils, world’s best practise management systems and continuous genetic improvement ensure Milly Hill Lamb delivers an unrivalled eating experience every time. Milly Hill Lamb’s specialist suppliers have been growing prime lambs on the New England tablelands and surrounding districts for generations, thereby perfecting the technique of producing fresh, superior quality lambs.

The Baker, the Goldfishbowl Bakery, has an almost cult following amongst foodies in Armidale. Another locally owned and operated business, run by brothers Nick and Josh Oxley, The Goldfishbowl has been baking its own bread since 2006, but a move to Jessie Street and the building of an Alan Scott Roman-style wood fired oven in 2008 just gave people another reason to visit. The bakery produces organic sourdough and specialty breads. The Goldfishbowl are also specialists coffee roasters (they buy their green beans from direct trade green bean importers).

In the business, The Goldfishbowl’s focus is on using local products: the flour comes from the organic flour mill at Gunnedah; the herbs come from their own garden; and whenever they can get their hands on local fruit, vegetables, eggs and cheese, they grab the opportunity to incorporate them into their menu. The aim of the Goldfishbowl is to provide world class coffee, food and bread to

the whole of the New England.

The Winemaker is premier New England producer, Merilba Estate Wines. Merilba is one of only a handful of local wine producers who are wholly vertically integrated. The grapes are grown in the vineyard at Merilba; the wine is made in the winery at Merilba; the wine is bottled at Merilba; and now the wine is sold through the treasure, which is the Cellar Door at Merilba.

The Cellar Door opened at Merilba in 2009 and has, in a very short time, proved itself to be a great destination for anyone looking to have a great day out, with interesting menus on offer and an array of great wines to savour and enjoy. In 2011, the Meriba Estate Cellar gained recognition in the 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide – one of only two venues in our region and coupled with Merilba Estate being rated a 4 star winery in the prestigious James Hallidays Australian Wine Companion.

A ticket to the event costs $35 and includes lunch, a glass of wine and entertainment.

Children’s (under 12) tickets are $5 and include a sausage sizzle and local fruit. Last year’s weather has encouraged us to limit the number of tickets available, so as not to create overcrowding. Tables will also be allocated to adult ticket holders, so that you all get to spend the day with friends and family. Merilba Estate is situated at Kingstown, 30 km west of the quaint township of Uralla on sealed roads – an easy and enjoyable drive.

The Butcher, The Baker and The Winemaker will be held on Sunday 10 June (long weekend); there will not be any tickets for sale at the door, so please pre-purchase. For tickets and enquiries, contact Merilba Estate Wines (Shaun and Kassy) on (02) 6778 9145, Shaun mobile 0418 432 607 or Kassy mobile 0427 946 828.

new england focus 29

At Invest Blue we are committed to understanding what’s important to you, so that we can tailor a financial plan focused on the most important things in your life.

MYTH

FACT

Financial advice is only valuable if you have significant assets.

Financial advice is beneficial for all people in a wide variety of circumstances.

The view that financial advice is something that only rich people need or deserve stems from a misconception about what financial advice represents.

Financial advice can help people to own their home sooner, create wealth, provide wealth protection / asset protection and maximise retirement benefits.

How we work with you Understand what is important to you.

Challenge your current financial position/structure to reach your potential.

Empower you with complete understanding and confidence to implement your strategy.

Support you throughout the implementation of your financial plan and provide ongoing support.

Review your strategy to ensure you are on track to achieve what is important to you, both now and in the future.

Contact Invest Blue if you want to : t t t t t t t t t

1BZ Põ ZPVS EFCU TPPOFS #VJME XFBMUI GPS UIF GVUVSF 4USVDUVSF ZPVS JODPNF UP NJOJNJTF UBY "TTFTT UIF NFSJUT PG 4FMG .BOBHFE 4VQFSBOOVBUJPO 1SPUFDU ZPVS GBNJMZ JG UIF VOGPSFTFFO PDDVST 1SPWJEF GPS ZPVS DIJMESFO T FEVDBUJPO 4BWF GPS B IPNF IPMJEBZ DBS )BWF FOPVHI NPOFZ UP FOKPZ B DPNGPSUBCMF MJGFTUZMF JO SFUJSFNFOU (SPX ZPVS CVTJOFTT

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30 new england focus.

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end of

year F E AT U R E

Local

Through the sale of Smith Sharpe and Abbott’s financial planning business to Invest Blue, the two businesses have formed an alliance to provide a more comprehensive range of financial services to their clients, both existing and future. Invest Blue’s David Stephen and Smith Sharpe and Abbott’s Grahame Sharpe sat down to talk to FOCUS about the new venture. avid: how long has Invest Blue been in business?

Invest Blue was established in 1996 by Paul Haslam and Steve Sewell, who purchased an established AMP Insurance Agency from John Trestrail and Terry Lloyd. Paul and Steve grew the business rapidly and expanded into financial planning. I joined Invest Blue as a Director in 2003 and since then, three additional Directors have come on board to assist with the growth and development of the business.

Today, Invest Blue employs over 30 staff and has offices in Armidale, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Gladstone and Rockhampton. Our services have expanded considerably over the years and through a number of alliances, we are able to offer our clients additional services as part of their overall financial plan, including accountancy, business advisory, taxation, general insurance, lending, stockbroking, tailored portfolio management and property services.

Grahame: what is Smith Sharpe & Abbott’s role in the business community?

We provide accountancy, taxation and forensic accounting advice and services to businesses throughout the New England region. We are also heavily involved in the Australian Year of the Farmer, as consultants to the board of directors and sponsors providing all financial, taxation and accountancy advice and services to this worthwhile charitable body.

All of us at Smith Sharpe & Abbott are very passionate about recognising the amazing work done by the Australian farmer and helping to get the message out there that we need to support our Australian farming industry.

David: tell us about the new partnership between SSA & Invest Blue?

Our alliance means Invest Blue clients now have access to quality, specialised Accountancy and Taxation services; while clients of Smith Sharpe and Abbott now have access to the full

range of financial planning services offered by Invest Blue. As part of the alliance, Invest Blue has also purchased Smith Sharpe & Abbott’s financial planning business, to ensure their existing clients continue to receive quality financial planning services in light of Jack Abbott planning to retire in the coming years.

Grahame: how did this partnership come about?

A chance encounter with David Stephen in the streets of Armidale led to a conversation about the future of both of our businesses. Invest Blue had plans of growing their business and wanted to provide their clients with access to accounting and taxation services, and at Smith Sharpe & Abbott we were looking for a solution to a succession challenge we could foresee in our financial planning division.

We wanted to provide our financial planning clients with the best possible service, and we were confident that Invest Blue would provide our clients with that service. We could also see that there were many benefits for both our businesses and our clients of setting up an alliance between our two businesses.

Grahame: how will SSA clients benefit from this partnership?

Smith Sharpe & Abbott’s existing financial planning clients are now clients of Invest Blue and will receive the high level of service and advice that Invest Blue is known for. Not only will these clients have access to the local Armidale team, they will also benefit from the expertise of Invest Blue specialists, who work to provide the best possible advice and support to all clients. This will be a massive benefit to all clients, as they now have access to more areas of financial planning expertise and advice. Invest Blue also offers ongoing support and reviews, to ensure clients stay on track to achieve their goals.

Where we see that a Smith Sharpe & Abbott accountancy client requires financial planning advice, we will refer them to Invest Blue, with complete confidence that their financial planning needs will be addressed.

David: how will Invest Blue’s clients benefit?

Invest Blue clients will now have access to quality, specialised

accountancy and taxation services provided by Smith Sharpe & Abbott. This will not only benefit our local clients, but will also benefit our clients located throughout Australia. For example, through the use of technology, clients in any location could have Smith Sharpe & Abbott complete their tax return, with the confidence that they are using a reputable and experienced business. Where we see that an Invest Blue financial planning client requires the services of an accountant, we will refer them to Smith Sharpe & Abbott, with complete confidence that their accountancy needs will be addressed.

Grahame: what excites you most about this alliance?

First and foremost, we are so pleased to have found a perfect home for our financial planning business in light of the succession challenges we were facing. We are confident our clients will be looked after.

The alliance also gives our clients a greater choice of financial planners, and they will benefit from the scale and expertise of not only Invest Blue but also their licensee, AMP Financial Planning.

We also have the opportunity to build our business through adding value to Invest Blue clients with our accountancy and taxation services.

We are excited to be partnering with a young and dynamic team, and we are all looking forward to working together to build both our businesses and to providing our clients with more services.

David: a closing summary?

The coming together of our businesses through this alliance is a really exciting development for our clients and our respective businesses. Both our businesses were founded in Armidale, and we share a passion for our local community and helping more people achieve their financial goals. Both businesses are very active in the community, working on a continuous basis with a number of local charities. We see so many synergies between our businesses and are confident that our clients and our businesses will greatly benefit from this alliance. new england focus 31

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“ This is the month that you must review your annual taxable position. ”

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year F E AT U R E

The Tax Time.

Countrywide Financial.

This time, it is exactly the same as last time. Uh oh ... the sky is falling again. Just like last time – and the time before that. In fact, the sky seems to be falling quite regularly.

Yet, still here we still stand. Does all this fear mongering and panic really matter all that much? Well, if you have taken the lessons on board from the last GFC, then you should be more than ready for the second chapter of the same GFC. After all ... we all know that the 1st GFC never really ended.

So here we are again, but this time the culprit isn’t the Lehman Brothers collapse. This time it is the apparently the Greeks. I say 'apparently', because the Greeks are only a symptom of a greater malaise. If the truth were to be told, the real problem is you, and me, and everyone else. We want more, but we don’t want to pay taxes. More bread and more circuses, more government and more social security.

Less productivity, less tax receipts, an aging workforce and population. More healthcare, more drugs, more, more, more and ever more.

Less people studying science and engineering.

Are these numbers starting to add up?

You bet they are. Business collapses,

32 new england focus.

Once again, the end of the financial year is almost upon us. The month of June is a critical time for employees, businesses and Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs). This is the month that you must review your annual taxable position and consider whether you should look at tax planning strategies. I personally think that SMSFs need to do a review in June – especially if they are in pension or have dealings with related parties. bankruptcies, redundancies, insecurity and ever more uncertainty. What you and I do about it?

Well, we all need to keep our powder dry. Save rather than spend. Don’t borrow. Get back to the simple pleasures of life. Do some additional study. Whatever you do, don’t give in. Just keep slugging away! No matter how dark things might seem today and perhaps in the coming months, you must remember that it is only money. Money is NOT reality.

Remember that you are not alone. Everyone else is also receiving the same bad news. If you need some portfolio counselling (we used to call it reviews), then give country wide Financial Solutions a call on 1800 450 446. We can help you to understand what is happening and can provide free sympathy.

SMSF Tax Planning 1. Check that you have made the required pension payments during the year.

2. If the fund has rental income from a related entity, make sure that this has been paid to the fund.

3. Review your investment strategy, to see that it is in line with your current investment portfolio.

4. If members wish to contribute additional contributions before 30 June, check that they have not exceeded their maximum allowable amount.

5. If your auditor has provided you with a management letter with items that need to be addressed, use this time to rectify those

problems (if they have not already been dealt with).

Employee (salary and wage earners) Tax Planning 1. If you want to use the log book method for motor vehicle claims, check that it is current. If it is not, make sure that you start before the end of June.

Business Tax Planning 1. Pay your employees' June quarter superannuation before 30 June 2012.

2. Remember to do your stocktake at 30 June 2012.

There are many more things that need to be examined before 30 June 2012, and I would suggest that you talk to your accountant or contact Chris Sole at Sole Taxation.

Elders Insurance recognises the need to be able to tailor insurance to suit the needs of householders, business owners and farmers.

Ben Page from Elders Insurance

Tailored insurance to suit individual needs

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Carole, Wayne and Belinda and ‘Shaka’.

“It’s why we have agents based in local communities throughout Australia – servicing the very unique and individual requirements of our rural and regional clients,” said Elders Insurance New England Agent, Ben Page.

“There is nothing more frustrating than trying to sort through insurance issues with a consultant who could be based anywhere in the nation, with no real grasp of the person’s situation or local area.

“Because we’ve been serving rural and regional Australia for so long, we know exactly what local people and businesses need in terms of their insurance coverage.

This means you’re advised on the most appropriate cover for your local conditions and circumstances, and you only pay for the cover you need.”

Ben said when it comes to making a claim, Elders Insurance New England works quickly and thoroughly to make sure claims

Taxation & Cash Economy.

Are you in business? Are you a tradesperson? Then the ATO have got you firmly in their sights this year! Read on to discover the latest Tax Office tool to combat the cash economy.

are handled fairly and without delay for its clients. In many cases, claims can be managed in the local office.

Local insurance made easy Elders Insurance New England offers a broad range of general insurance services, relating to home, contents, vehicles, business and farm. The team will assist you in making your insurance decisions easily and with confidence.

For further information about Elders Insurance products and services, please contact Ben Page on (02) 6772 7500 or call into the office at Bundarra Road, Armidale.

This 'tool' is called Bench-Marking. The Tax Office uses industry averages on key expenditures for your type of business and then compares your figures to their statistics. How does this affect you?

Where your expenses in certain categories are found to be above their Bench Marks, the Tax Office can subject you to an audit or even re-assess your income and issue default assessments. This can have serious consequences for your tax liability. Now is the time to ensure that you are prepared and to re-assess your records before the

financial year ends. ons If you do not understand the implications for your business, you would be well advised to talk to a tax professional.

They can explain the consequences of Bench-Marking tailored to your business.

The Bench Marks are also able to be downloaded from the ATO web site.

If you need further clarification, then make an appointment with Wayne Cannon at the Income Tax Professionals. Being an accountant and registered tax agent, he can explain the details to you in simpler layman terms and help put your mind at ease.

You can make an appointment by calling the friendly staff at ITP, The Income Tax Professionals, on 6771 5077. Their office is located at 88 Dumaresq Street, Armidale, next door to the Armidale Bowling Club.

Local business insurance made easy.

Business insurance cover for property, business interruption, theft, machinery breakdown and motor vehicles. We can even include cover for items such as employee dishonesty, employment practices and statutory liability in one package.

Elders Insurance New England Bundarra Road Armidale NSW 2350 eldersinsurance.com.au

Insurance

EIN100129 05/12

For more information please call Elders Insurance New England on 02 6772 7500.

new england focus 33

34 new england focus.

JUNE 2012

WITH TERRI

A R I E S.

L E O.

SAG I T TA R I U S.

MAR 21 - APR 20

JUL 24 - AUG 23

NOV 23 - DEC 21

Celebrations are on their way, so don’t give up your dream. You have needed to recognise your own strength and independence, so you can succeed. Don’t allow the frustration of feeling suspended to spoil your passion or focus.

Ruby worn daily energises the aura with passion and persistence.

You have answers to other people’s dilemmas. This is because you have a cosmic understanding of life. You are a natural teacher, and other people are drawn to you because they know you have their answers. Don’t be afraid to speak; just be aware of your motive.

Sugilite helps us to connect to our dreams, for understanding life from different perspectives.

The world is your oyster. You will soon be finishing off old business ties and making ways for new opportunities, so be prepared. Some new friends are entering the picture, which is why old relationships are fading away. Words need to be spoken to clear some old issues. Speak your truth from your heart.

Zincite helps creation of new ideas.

TAU RU S.

V I RG O.

C A P R I C O R N.

APR 21 - MAY 21

AUG 24 - SEPT 23

DEC 22 - JAN 20

Love life and relationships should be lifting your mood. Enjoy the little things in life, to realign your energy with joy that can be lasting. Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve.

Rose quartz is the crystal of love; wear it.

GEMINI. MAY 22 - JUN 22

Don’t get caught up in holding onto garbage or things that are not a priority; this takes your confidence out of the picture, leaving you wondering where to go next. Set some fresh goals and enjoy!

Selenite is great for an abundance of crystal clear energy.

‘Enjoy the moment’ is this month’s challenge/lesson. You have the chance to soul search and look deeply within. Treat your discoveries with respect, as this will help you to grow at a tremendous pace.

Self-appraisal should be an honouring process.

Kunzite and Hiddenite give us inner balance and harmony. Try wearing some.

Make a wish, but be aware of WHY you want what you are asking for. The universe is calling for your attention to your personal needs. Release fears of being proficiently able to support yourself.

Larimar enables us to nurture ourselves.

LIBRA.

AQ UA R I U S.

SEPT 24 - OCT 23

JAN 21 - FEB 19

Your attention is being called to your appreciation this month. You have been too caught up in life’s challenges to recognise the things in life that make your heart sing. Try keeping a gratitude diary for several weeks, where you write down three things daily you are thankful for, as this will establish new patterns of gratitude.

Turquoise is great for expression.

You are about to tumble into a new experience, filled with passion and natural talent. Listen to your intuition, as you will be divinely guided along the way. You are being given an opportunity to strengthen your self-worth and your self-confidence, which will enable you to receive bigger and better things out of life.

Carnelian is a very powerful motivating crystal.

CANCER.

S C O R P I O.

P I S C E S.

JUN 23 - JUL 23 JU

OCT 24 - NOV 22

FEB 20 - MAR 20

Listen to your inner voice. Your restlessness is quieting, and change is imminent. Pay attention to cycle’s endings and know when to move ahead. Opportunity to express your creative self is approaching, so remain focused until the task is complete.

Citrine connects our imagination to our intellect, resulting in new ideas.

Life has felt challenging to say the least recently, but try to re-connect with your laughter to ease your fears of the unknown. You have a brilliant sense of humour, and this aspect of your nature will keep you excited about the future.

Ruby shatters fears and rejuvenates a love of life.

You need to make a choice. There are beautiful gifts coming into your reality, but you need to know you deserve these things. Sit quietly somewhere in nature and state (even to yourself) what your heart desires, then give yourself permission to receive it.

Aventurine is great to carry for changes.

new england focus 35

Education + Training

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The sky’s the limit at TAFE New England Institute!

There are a wide range of study options available to you at TAFE New England Institute. Taking some time to think about your education and career goals can help you take the next step to finding the right course or pathway of study for you.

Find a course to match your skills.

NSW course.

Armidale Campus offers courses in a wide range of industry areas, from trades and primary industries, business administration, visual arts, screen studies and graphic design to allied health and community services, tourism and hospitality, English as a second language and literacy and numeracy, among others. We offer flexible study options to suit a variety of work and life situations.

Completed your HSC? If you’ve completed or are about to complete your Higher School Certificate (HSC), TAFE New England Institute can offer you:

Students who complete a TAFE NSW course leave not only with a nationally recognised qualification, but also with the significant advantage of experience in their chosen field.

We have experts in just about every industry.

Our customised training means that you don’t have to waste time, energy and money using more than one training provider.

• A range of Diploma and Advanced Diploma level courses that provide credit towards a university course.

Some TAFE NSW courses have various entry requirements. You can choose a course to suit your experience level and learning needs. Many courses require little or no work experience or access to the workplace and don’t require completion of a previous TAFE

• a wide range of full-time and part-time courses to provide you with workplace skills and qualifications sought by employers.

ed “Our customisthat ns ea m ng ni trai to you don’t haveer gy en e, tim te as w g in us ey on and m more than one er.� training provid

• Apprenticeships and traineeships, which combine formal studies with work and onthe-job training. • Pre-apprenticeship courses to develop your employability skills. • Recognition of prior learning gained through TVET, other HSC studies and employment.

Talk to a TAFE New England Institute

Counsellor for help selecting a course to start your career.

TAFE New England Institute course selection is not based on an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank

accredited TAFE NSW qualification.

School subjects for which you could gain recognition include: • TVET studies (nationally recognised units from Training Packages or Accredited Courses).

(ATAR).

• A range of Board-developed HSC subjects.

Recognition and credit for school studies.

You may be able to obtain recognition for subjects and courses you’ve studied at school to gain credit towards your nationally

Enquiries to Armidale TAFE are most welcome.

You can discuss study opportunities available for Semester 2, 2012 by contacting the Beardy Street campus, or telephone 6773 7700.

imagine...

Your career possibilities with A TAFE New England Course!

Semester 2 studies with Armidale Campus There are a variety of courses for study at the campus or external studies including: Business, Management, Quality Auditing, Human Resources, Marketing, Occupational Health & Safety, Access to Work & Training, Language, Literacy and Numeracy, Preparation for Work and Study, Tertiary Preparation, Skills for Work & Training, Agriculture, Massage Therapy Practice, Outdoor Recreation, MYOB, &RPSXWHUV IRU %HJLQQHUV ,QIRUPDWLRQ 7HFKQRORJ\ 8VLQJ &RPSXWHUV LQ DQ 2I¿FH (QYLURQPHQW Children’s Services, Fitness, Graphic Design, Horticulture, Hospitality, Aged Care, Home & Community Care, Community Services Work, Massage Therapy Practice, Introduction to Wool Harvesting, Shearing, Wool Handling, Wool Classing, Wool Clip Preparation and Tourism.

4XDOLÂżFDWLRQV IRU WKHVH SURJUDPV YDU\ IURP &HUWLÂżFDWH , WKURXJK WR $GYDQFHG 'LSORPD 3OHDVH HQTXLUH

Information and Enrolment day for Semester 2 enrolments will be conducted Tuesday 26 June 2012 between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm at the Armidale Campus.

&Ĺ˝ĆŒ ĹľĹ˝ĆŒÄž Ĺ?ĹśÄ¨Ĺ˝ĆŒĹľÄ‚Ć&#x;ŽŜ Ä?ŽŜƚĂÄ?Ćš Ĺ˝ĆľĆŒ Ä?ĂžƉƾĆ? ŽŜ ÄžÄ‚ĆŒÄšÇ‡ ^ĆšĆŒÄžÄžĆšÍ• ĆŒĹľĹ?ĚĂůĞ Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ä?Ä‚ĹŻĹŻ Ĺ˝ĆľĆŒ ĆľĆ?ĆšĹ˝ĹľÄžĆŒ ^ÄžĆŒÇ€Ĺ?Ä?Äž ÄžĹśĆšĆŒÄž ŽŜ Ď­Ď´ĎŹĎŹ Ď°Ď°Ď´ ϭϳϲ Ĺ˝ĆŒ Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?Ćš ĹśÄžÇ ÄžĹśĹ?ĹŻÄ‚ĹśÄšÍ˜ĆšÄ‚Ä¨ÄžĹśĆ?Ç Í˜ÄžÄšĆľÍ˜Ä‚Ćľ Follow us on Twitter @NEI_TAFE

36 new england focus.

Find us on Facebook TAFE NSW, New England Institute

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Chandler PUBLIC SCHOOL

Newling

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Chandler Public School, situated on the outskirts of the village of Wollomombi, is a small school doing big things. handler Public School is a welllearning performance skills, as well as learning resourced school, where students skills such as juggling. are taught in a nurturing, caring Chandler Public School has a significant sportenvironment. As a small school, we ing program. As well as our in class sport and PE have wonderful working relationships between programs, we are part of the Active After School all of our students, teachers and parents. Our program, which offers students an additional rustic rural setting is complemented by extenhour of sport 2 afternoons per week. Students sive beautiful gardens within our playground. at Chandler engage in sporting activities such as Students have access to a tennis court, sand pits, tennis, soccer, basketball, archery, canoeing and playgrounds, a soccer field and cricket pitch. bowling.

Students at Chandler have access to all of At Chandler we strive to guide our students the latest in educational technology. Students to become strong, independent members of participate in online learning communities with the community. We have extensive transition students from other schools across programs. Children in the community the region, ensuring that they who are 4 years old are invited are able to work collaborato attend free transition days, tively with a wide range once per week in term 2 d of peers while still and 3 and two days per pe develo “Students have s, en rd ga maintaining all of the e week in term 4. Children bl extensive vegetetaa large advantages of being are gently introduced ra which gene Students e. uc od pr of educated in a small into the school setting, nt amou n lunch on a cook their owex school setting. Stuensuring that when periencing regular basis, of fresh, dents have access to they enter Kindergara wide varietytables..” interactive whiteboards ten they are confident, seasonal vege in every room, video comfortable and eager conferencing, a computer to learn. Similarly, we offer per student, as well as a extensive support to Year 6 bank of laptops. Wireless interstudents when they prepare for net throughout the school ensures high school, including weekly web and ease of access to many applications. video links with students from school around the Sustainability is important to the students of area. Students have the opportunity to develop Chandler. Students have developed extensive excellent collaborative working skills and friendvegetable gardens, which generate a large ships with a wide variety of students, which amount of produce. Students cook their own supplements the existing high quality transition lunch on a regular basis, experiencing a wide programs also conducted by our high schools. variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Chandler Chandler Public School enjoys significant comPublic School has now become part of the munity support and has a range of traditional Stephanie Alexander garden program, which will events which supplement our school year. Since see extensive renovations to our kitchen, expan1937, the school has hosted The Finlayson Cup sion of our gardens and a stronger cooking annually, which sees small schools from around program which will include guest chefs. the region travel to Chandler to participate in an The arts are a prominent feature of educaathletics carnival. Other traditional annual events tion at Chandler. We have a fully equipped Rock include the Billy Cart Cup, held on Melbourne band, with students receiving weekly group and cup day, which sees students, parents and comindividual music tuition from specialist music munity members race in homemade billy carts. teachers. Our students enjoy learning to play For further information, or to arrange a time the Marimbas. Our drama program has been to tour our beautiful school, please contact the expanded to include circus skills, with students Principal, Mel Wood, on 6778 1335.

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Education + Training

Every child can achieve their dream at Newling Public School. With a professional staff using the latest technology innovations in modern classrooms, each child is given a boost into their future. ewling Public School prides Partnerships with UNE and secondary schools itself on delivering outstanding ensure students develop their academic educational programs,” says knowledge in English, mathematics, science Newling Principal, Mr Murray and history and are able to transition Cox. ”The staff are committed to the idea successfully through primary, secondary of lifelong learning, using the most current and tertiary education. Gifted and Talented learning programs to develop students skills students are provided with opportunities to and self-confidence.” participate in enrichment programs.

Leading the way in technology innovation, Students are provided with many Newling Public School was selected to be opportunities to develop their cultural and only one of twenty schools in Australia and social needs. Lunchtime activities, including New Zealand to be pilot schools for the art and craft classes, chess club, computer Microsoft Partners in Learning program for club and gardening club encourages students 2012. Every classroom is equipped with an to engage with their passion and interest. interactive whiteboard, and students are Students are encouraged to think ‘green’, provided the latest tablet computers with vegetable gardens placed in the and regularly access the school’s picturesque playground and a excellent video conferencing composting and recycling facilities. Kindergarten scheme facilitated by the teacher Mrs Liz Peazley student Environmental y and “ Quality literacrams commented that: “It is Impact Squad. Newling numeracy progare simply amazing to watch Public School choir ts for all studen ghly hi by the children speak proudly participates in ed deliver rs and with other students the Armidale Eisteddfod skilled teache” support staff. in different classrooms and the Armidale Creative across Australia.”

Arts Festival.

Newling Public School is The school boasts committed to the individual wonderful sporting facilities, child, with family and community with cricket nets and an allparticipation fostered and nurtured. The weather court for netball and basketball. school hosts a weekly playgroup for families This year, Newling has been successful in every Thursday in the school’s spacious hall. gaining representation in state and regional Newling’s ‘Little Stars’ Transition is a shining sporting teams. success in giving the children the best possible “Newling Public School aims at nurturing start to school, with the children engaging every child with the opportunity and skill to in activities that prepare them for future prepare them for the future through extensive academic and social success. academic, cultural and sporting programs,” Quality literacy and numeracy programs states Mr Cox. ”The cheerful, caring family for all students are delivered by highly skilled school environment ensures all students are teaching and support staff at Newling individually catered for, to ensure a lifelong Public School, to ensure academic success passion for learning. The smiling faces of the for students. The Best Start program in children as they walk into their school attest Kindergarten positions students well for that the school indeed aims for every child academic success, which is maintained to achieve their dream at Newling Public and supported throughout the grades.

School.”

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new england focus 37

Education + Training

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Sustainable lifestyles Many people seem to believe that there is nothing they can do to lower their carbon footprint and reduce their electricity bills, unless they can make structural changes to their homes. But what about lifestyle changes? What contribution can they make?

Short Course Training and Why

Many of the changes that reduce power bills and our carbon footprint relate not to our house, but how we live in it.

Changing our habits isn’t necessarily costly and can save money.

I have worked alongside Aboriginal people for some time and find that I am definitely the richer for the experience.

In response to this, Sustainable living Armidale (SLA) has developed the 'I Can Do It!' public forums. The first public forum is to be held on Tuesday 29 May at 6 - 9pm, at the Wesley Hall, Uniting Church. Armidale architect, Mahalath Halperin, a member of SLA, has spent her professional life exploring these issues. She will bring local knowledge, resources and ideas of how to change our habits to reduce energy use and costs.

Driving to Guyra one day, with our Aboriginal Enterprise Officer at that time, Shane Levy, we discussed the multitude of short course training programs.

As well, from June to August, a series of practical and free workshops will be conducted, focusing on the ways we use energy in our homes, produce and lose heat and understand our electricity bills. A tour of four local houses will also explore some of the problems and solutions of living sustainably. With the support of the Men’s Shed and the Women’s Centre, two workshops will demonstrate and provide an opportunity to make curtains and pelmets for your own home. Registrations for the workshops is essential.

And so, we herd people into training rooms and deliver information – because we can, and because they are there.

'I Can Do It' was funded by the Environmental Trust. For further information, please contact Debra on 0468 379 370 or icandoit@slaati.org

38 new england focus.

Shane said, "We are very good at creating the path for the boy, but we do little to prepare the boy for the path."

So often it’s about having information and mercilessly inflicting it on others who don’t have it. Not a good look!

Trainees sit dumbfounded and confused, because he or she has no idea how the learning will benefit them or whether it will be fun. They just want to leave.

Why not spend time at the beginning of a course helping trainees discover how the training can bring some happiness, joy and prosperity into their lives.

Let them know that what they will be doing can be personally rewarding and fun to do.

By: David Henderson (New England North West BEC).

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Short Courses at NECC It has been said that those who complete short courses to brush up their skills or learn new things show an enthusiastic attitude, self-discipline, drive and the desire to do well. What employer wouldn’t want these characteristics in their employees? Short courses are practical, convenient and can breathe new life into that tired, old, worn out resume.

Stay-at-home parents, carers and even retirees can really benefit in a range of ways from short courses. Fresh new ideas and skills which are both inspiring and fulfilling can help a person holistically in their personal development journey.

At New England Community College, we are proud to offer a diverse range of General Short Courses, accredited and non-accredited, that reflect the unique nature of our local community. It is our hope to empower and inspire you on your learning journey. The College provides day, evening and weekend short courses and workshops, including business, aged care, computing, creative crafts, health and wellbeing, literacy, photography and fine art. The first step starts here – which passion will you pursue today?

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Education + Training

Be at the forefront of distance education with UNE. Almost every UNE degree is available by distance education, allowing you to tailor your studies to suit your life. UNE keeps in contact with you via a range of communication channels and supports you with online technology. ommunication between lecturers and students is readily available via email, online discussion boards, telephone, video chat and intensive schools. UNE online facilities allow you to send questions, submit assignments, order library books, check your grades and access other resources 24 hours a day.

The Distance Education Experience at UNE Captain Debbie Hohaia’s experience of studying online through UNE is typical.

Wanting to deepen her knowledge of Indigenous education in Australia, Captain Hohaia found that UNE’s Master of Professional Studies program was one of only a few options that would allow her to do so at Master’s level.

Captain Hohaia, an Education Officer with the Australian Army based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin, is involved in the ongoing education of members of the NORFORCE (North-West Mobile Force) infantry regiment of the Australian Army Reserve.

“I was able to interact with the lecturers and the other students online both through

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the discussion boards and by email, and was very grateful to the lecturers for their helpful tuition and feedback. The courses in which they provided regular comments online were especially beneficial.”

The mother of five children (two of whom are still living with her at home) and grandmother of six, she’s now studying towards a PhD degree. “The UNE Master’s program has certainly set me up with a good basis of background knowledge for my current studies,” she said, “and has helped me to understand the issues relevant to my day-to-day work.”

While she was able to complete the online Master’s program without ever visiting the university’s campus in Armidale, she hopes to be able to do so one day, as she recalls her UNE experience with pleasure. “I was very pleased with the program,” she said. “I enjoyed every subject. And I have definitely recommended the program itself – and UNE – to others.

Stand Out at a 5-star University There’s a 5-star university on your door step. UNE, for 12 of the past 13 years, has been awarded five stars for 'Graduate

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Satisfaction' by the Good University Guide 2012 – an unprecedented result for an Australian university. The University of New England also receives 5 stars for 'Indigenous Participation', 'Access by Equity Groups' and 'Generic Skills'. UNE has proven that it is a stand-out university – why not choose a university that will make you stand out?

Trimesters at UNE In 2012, UNE moved to a trimesterbased system. With three teaching periods each year, trimesters offer you greater flexibility in your studies – and may even allow you to finish your degree program sooner. Trimester 3, which runs from October to February, is non-compulsory for all courses, meaning that you can study in Trimester 1 and 2 only.

A Bonus for Regional Students If you’re from a regional, rural or remote location in Australia, you are eligible for up to 5 bonus points, which count towards your entry at UNE (except for entry to degree programs in Medicine, Music, of Psychology with Honours). More information about this can be found at www.une.edu.au/regionalbonus

new england focus 39

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The UNE College Experience Choosing a university is one of the first major decisions many young people have to make. It is also a challenging time for parents with all the usual concerns for their children ... Where will they live? ... Who will look after them? ... Will they be happy? he University of New England has a special focus to solve these concerns – an attraction that many other universities would love to have – the UNE Colleges.

On-campus students at UNE in Armidale can choose to live in one of eight colleges, which offer much more than just a bed and food.

Each of the colleges provide their residents with a personalised university experience, giving them the opportunity to become well-rounded, highly sought after graduates.

This is achieved by not only providing exclusive academic support for residents within the colleges, but also opportunities to become involved in leadership, community, professional development, sporting, cultural and social programs that leave graduates with refined life skills and a breadth of experience that employers find extremely attractive.

Our Alumni always tell us that their time at college made the difference between getting the job and not. The reason behind this is that organisations look for not only intellectual

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ability when hiring new employees, but also things like teamwork, leadership and extra-curricular activity, all which “Our Alumnithat lie at the heart of the UNE college always tell us llege their time at co experience. Research today also ce made the differen e th suggests that someone’s ability g in tt ge n ee betw university study and t.” to succeed in their career is highly job and no meet the challenges dependent on their emotional of new courses. When intelligence, or being ‘street smart’, as not studying, students well as their academic abilities, or ‘book have the opportunity to smart’. participate in a variety of social, Each of the colleges at UNE have a different cultural and sporting activities, which helps ethos and student experience for their with meeting new people and having a healthy residents, allowing new students to select study-life balance. somewhere that best suits their needs, values There are also numerous financial support and budget. Whether you want a catered opportunities available in the UNE colleges, college with all cleaning and services included, with more than $150,000 in scholarships, a self-catered and self-contained apartment, or bursaries, awards and prizes offered to new something in between, the UNE Colleges have and returning students. On Thursday 17 a solution.

May, 24 UNE College students were formally All of the colleges appoint student leaders to presented with residential scholarships at the address the needs of residents, whether they UNE Scholarships Ceremony. are academic or personal. Academic support Brent Valente, recipient of a college Scott initiatives allow college students to adapt to

Williams Opportunity Scholarship, said the prize would assist him with living expenses, textbook and university purchases and support living away from home to study his Bachelor of Law/ Bachelor of Business degree full-time.

Experience shows that students living on campus, in a college, often have fewer worries, more friends and regularly achieve better academic results than their peers living in town in rented accommodation.

Applications for on-campus accommodation in Trimester 2, 2012 and Trimester 1, 2013 are now open online at une.edu.au/about/living The UNE colleges also welcome prospective students and their family to visit our campus and tour our facilities. Simply get in touch with us through the Future Student section on the UNE contacts page une.edu.au/contacts

Wright Village

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focusinterview. artist profile

MERTEN

Gallery 126.

Carl Merten’s latest exhibition, Iron and Clay, opens on 15 June, 5 to 7 pm. The exhibition showcases recent sculptures focusing on the disparate qualities of these two materials and expresses Carl’s ongoing explorations of figurative and abstract forms.

H

ow has your work improved/ changed since we last interviewed you in 2010?

It’s a lot more playful! Clay allows an intuitive creativity to satisfy my interest in hand-built forms and figurative sculpture. The recent addition of two kilns to an already well-equipped studio and being a member of the Armidale Pottery Club have opened up some major changes in direction. While I’ve always sculpted with clay as the first step in the complexities of creating a bronze sculpture, it’s a fairly recent development in my art practice to take the clay further in the form of finished ceramic sculpture. Lower material costs encourage experiment (clay is so easily recycled!) and the freedom to push an idea without the financial constraints of bronze casting is a real bonus, enabling a greater creative flexibility. I enjoy this release from inhibition.

Some of my recent works are sculptural vessels; others are quirky, satirical, fun and may interest psychiatrists. The technical aspects of finishing ceramic sculptures present a whole new challenge. I had no idea how complex, how alchemical, is the mixing and testing of glazes, the different types of kilns and firings and the variety of results when the kiln is opened.

Iron in its various forms affords the equally satisfying but different approach of cutting, welding and finishing. The iron sculptures in this show are another kind of creative exploration, a sort of sketching in steel, that I’m increasingly drawn to as I get older. Perhaps this reflects a natural urge, a desire to utilise one’s creative

“The elementsn in this exhibitioctic are pretty ecle nge – sort of free-raat have sculptures th l.” gone a bit fera

time more effectively, to bring ideas into reality within a relatively short time. The iron sculptures in this exhibition include wall, table, indoor and outdoor pieces, some from core-ten and others finished in two-pack polychrome.

How is this exhibition different from your last showing at Gallery 126?

This is totally different! The last show focussed on bronze and pastels. The elements in this exhibition are pretty eclectic – sort of freerange sculptures that have gone a bit feral.

You are also a silversmith. How did you learn this craft?

I have an identical twin brother, Rex (yes, there are two of us!) who is an amazing jeweller and silversmith. We both entered trades – Rex at Hardy Brothers, and I as the last apprentice Diesinker and Steel Engraver at G.A. Miller and Sons. Coming from a myopic family of jewellers, engravers and silversmiths, my apprenticeship

added medallic art and toolmaking to the Merten repertoire. The silversmithing skills were the result of an extended apprenticeship in the design and hand-building of prototypes for manufacturing various items of silver-plated and stainless steel tableware. This led to even more skills by repairing antique silverware.

One of the best ways of learning is to iron out the dents, replace the spouts and handles and repair the damage inflicted on sterling silver – often the hand-raised work of highly skilled gold and silversmiths.

What inspires you?

Just about everything. The older I get, the more astonishing is the diversity and multitude of new things and our understanding of old things. New technologies of 3D printing have enormous creative potential.

An increasing speed of communication

and availability of information is opening up such a plethora of images and ideas for artists, that there’s a risk of being under or overwhelmed, depending on your age. I have to confess I’m something of a computer luddite and not addicted to constant smartphone dependency. This is something that allows for those uninterrupted quiet moments of creative contemplation I find essential.

What’s next?

Who knows? Hopefully, more of the same.

I still seem to have lots of ideas left in me.

Combinations of various materials, the privilege of making something enduring –and hopefully meaningful – to future generations.

Perhaps after Joan Relke and I finish the Pensioners Hill BHP Billiton project at Gunnedah, I’ll start carving those blocks of marble we have on the property for another exhibition.

Thanks Carl.

new england focus 41

A R M I DA L E C L U B The Armidale Club, located on the east end at 91 Beardy Street, continues to deliver unique events throughout the year ... now it’s time to don your black tie or cocktail dress and grab your ticket to this year’s Winter Ball at Armidale’s most unique and exclusive venue. he Club will be holding its ever popular Winter Ball on 2 June 2012 from 6.30pm to late and will be featuring the talents of a dynamic Jazz/Blues band from Bellingen, Glenn Heath and the Deep Blue Sea.

T

“We are delighted to be able to host such a great visiting band this year at the Winter Ball, and this will also provide the opportunity for all of our very own and much loved local musicians to have their own night out at the Club,” said Chris Serow.

“John Harrison of TurnTables restaurant is preparing some hors d’oeuvres for us all to enjoy by the best open fireplace in Armidale on arrival, with pre-dinner champagne, wine and beer included on arrival. Paul Mailfert of Jazzamataz Catering will be serving up a delicious main meal. The main meal will be complemented by some of our great local red and white wines, followed by fruit and cheese platters. After dinner, the night will launch into dancing, chatting, catching up and meeting new friends, and the usual merriment that we

42 new england focus.

all expect and associate with events at the Club.”

As is always the tradition, l will “The main mead by The Armidale Club te en em be compl Winter Ball is limited to t local some of our greaines, w te an exclusive 80 tickets. hi w d an red and Members and guests followed by fruit.” atters pl se ee ch should act quickly to get a table together and purchase and corporate functions, their tickets from either Black popular theme nights, special Dot Music on Dangar Street dinners, Thursday Trivia Nights, or Legal Minds in the Central Mall, Duncan’s Blues Nights each second Thursday, before they are sold out. Tickets are just $80.00 progressive cinema, Friday night meat raffle per person (18 years and over only). with tasty nibbles from TurnTables restaurant, “We are very pleased that we are able to host and the Club’s weekly pool competition, beer, such an important event in appreciation of the food and wine appreciation and is committed lifestyles that we all share in our diverse and to the presentation, support and promotion talented community,” Chris said. “The Armidale of live concerts and shows by our much loved Club is proud to be a member of Locals 4 local musicians, artists and bands. Some of the Locals (Southern New England) Incorporated, events that are coming soon include the up and which was inspired by Greg Jackson, and we coming Burlesque theme night on 14 July 2012, are hoping that the Club will be able to host a a Gentlemen’s Ball and a Ladies Night out, Locals 4 locals festival later in the year.” followed by Oktoberfest weekend, Halloween, The Armidale Club is the host to many private a Teachers Schoolies Night in November

and The Armidale Club’s famous seafood degustation night, to be hosted by Paul Mailfert in December!

The Club is currently reviewing its annual programming to cater for some of the ideas its membership has put forward to further diversify and cater to the needs of our local community, including special singles nights, day time functions, bus tours, weekend events, gaming nights, revisiting the popular beer appreciation and joke nights and a program of stand up comedy, music hall and other live performances on a frequent basis throughout the year.

For information and event updates, subscribe on Facebook or visit the Club website at www. thearmidaleclub.com

E N E R G Y S AV I N G T I P S

energy

answers.

“Today, more than ever, we all need to be aware of the energy we use, how much it costs and the impact on the environment. To help you be energy efficient at home, we’ve asked some of our energyanswers team to share some of their top tips.”

Essential Energy is the operator of Australia’s largest electricity network, spanning 95 per cent of New South Wales’ land mass.

Owned by the New South Wales Government, Essential Energy employs around 4,600 people and also provides water and sewerage services to customers in far western New South Wales.

the house, customers can have a big impact on their winter electricity consumption.

difference to a room’s temperature and your energy consumption,” Matt said.

“By setting heaters and air conditioners to a comfortable 18 to 22 degrees, you can still ensure your families’ comfort, without overheating your house,” Matt said. “Each degree warmer can add to the amount of energy you use.”

Fixing draughts, resealing around windows and doors if there are gaps, and using door snakes to keep the cold out and the warmth in can all make a difference to how a home retains heat.

ts, Be informed and save You should make sure “Fixing draugh nd ou ar g on energy use this your heater’s thermostat in reseal ors winter. As wintery is not near an open windows and doand if there are gaps es to chills hit regional door or draughty using door snak t can New South Wales, area, as you may keep the cold ourence ffe Essential Energy be overheating your di a all make e m ho a w is reminding room based on a cold ho to retains heat ... ” customers how to thermostat. stay warm this winter, Residents should also make while still keeping an eye sure the areas being heated are on their power consumption. well used, or consider zoned heating Essential Energy’s Regional General Manager, Matt Patterson, said by making a few small changes around

if possible.

“The use of heavy curtains, blinds and shutters can make a noticeable

Other tips to make the most of energy consumption this winter include installing insulation in walls and ceilings if possible and covering windows to stop heat escaping through glass.

You could also look at making use of the sun by moving work areas or frequently used chairs into direct sunlight, away from cold, draughty spots.

For more information on energy saving tips, customers can contact Essential Energy’s dedicated energyanswers team on 1800 363 749.

new england focus 43

focus travel feature

“A chance to unwind in an almost perfect climate amidst the sub tropical surroundings of banana plantations and rainforest covered hills.”

Scenic 2013.

Leigh McLennan from Harvey World Travel

Welcome to Moree Plains.

I have just returned from a European River Cruise on the brand new Scenic Crystal, attending her Christening in Rudesheim, Germany, on ANZAC Day.

Rest, Relax and Warm Up in Artesian Water Country

Crystal is the culmination of all Scenic has learnt since launching their first ‘Spaceship’ five years ago, and I have no doubt she is the best ship cruising the rivers of Europe. Later this year another 4 of the ships are undergoing refurbishment and will have the same innovations as Crystal, such as Scenic Sun Lounges (your balcony fully encloses at the touch of a button).

Australia’s Artesian spa capital. Our community boasts gorgeous,

From 2013, Scenic River cruising will be fully inclusive – alcohol (except Top Shelf), including Mini Bar, is included, there is all day ‘grazing’ at the River Café, and all cabins will receive Butler service. Having everything included meant that I spent a total of EURO 49.00 on board!

one of the luxurious salons, day spas, and alternate therapy centres.

Another great place to escape our winter is Canada, one of my favourite places! Scenic Tours is the biggest operator from Australia to Canada, because they do it so well. 2013 product will be released any day, and there are sure to be some bargains, such as free upgrades on Rocky Mountaineer and the Alaska cruise for those who book early.

entire family…

South America is now Scenic Tours third most popular destination. I have just had some well travelled clients return from a Scenic Tour of South America, and they loved it.

the Southern Hemisphere, or drop a line in one of our many

We invite you to one of our FREE information evenings to learn all about travelling to these destinations with Scenic Tours.

Experience modern country living at its best and visit the vibrant

Europe River Cruising, Canada, Alaska and South America

FREE INFORMATION SESSIONS You are invited to join us for our free information sessions where you will learn more about these amazing destinations and exciting new itineraries.

Europe and South America Thursday 7 June 2012 Canada Thursday 12 July 2012 SEATS ARE LIMITED SO PRE-BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL

Call Harvey World Travel Armidale to RSVP Shop 10, Centro Armidale 225 Beardy St, Armidale NSW 2350 Phone: (02) 6772 1177

44 new england focus.

A progressive and dynamic destination, ideally nestled on the New South Wales and Queensland border and recognised nationally as

The Ultimate Getaway.

warm days during the autumn and winter months.

The Moree Plains is a Shire rich in culture, heritage, agriculture and natural assets.

Warm up and relax in the therapeutic hot Artesian apas before enjoying a self-guided heritage walk, take a stroll through our many beautiful parks and gardens, or stop for a pampering massage in Moree Artesian Aquatics Centre is nearing completion of its $6 million redevelopment – new hot Artesian spa pools, a fantastic children’s aqua play area, an awesome water slide, an 8 lane FINA standard Olympic pool and much more will be on offer for the Our exquisite Art Deco town centre provides a spectacular old world ambience. Browse through our specialty boutiques, popular throughout the region for their quality designer clothing lines, or dine at one of our many cafés and restaurants.

Why not take a guided tour of the largest pecan nut farm in waterholes. Moree offers a great selection of motels, hotels, caravan and camping accommodation options. townships of the Moree Plains ...

We look forward to seeing you in Artesian Water Country.

With its entrance located on the Pacific highway just 7 km north of Coffs Harbour City centre, Opal Cove Resort commands an absolute beachfront position on beautiful Korora Bay. Just a few minutes’ drive from local tourist attractions in Coffs Harbour in Northern New South Wales.

The luxurious 4 star resort offers families, couples and conference delegates alike a chance to unwind in an almost perfect climate amidst the sub tropical surroundings of banana plantations and rainforest covered hills.

Guests can unwind in the sun by the swimming pool ... do nothing but sip cocktails, work on your tan and read that book you never seem to finish, play a leisurely round of golf on the resort’s 9 hole golf course, have a hit of tennis on the day/night flood lit courts, be pampered in our own day spa, wine and dine at an hour that suits you, hit happy hour daily, plunge into the spa, sweat the stress in the sauna, exercise your good intentions in the gym, wander on the secluded beach in front of the resort; do it all ... or do nothing at all!

With a range of accommodation, including hotel style rooms and self contained villas, there is something to suit every taste or budget.

focus travel feature

Visit Inverell in June.

Inverell is known far and wide as the Sapphire City and has many and varied attractions to suit even the most discerning traveller.

Whether you are planning to stay for a while, or perhaps even a day trip, there is something for everyone.

Visitors love to try their luck with a bit of sapphire fossicking, and Inverell doesn’t disappoint. Even those who have never been fossicking are catered for, with equipment and tuition available at 7 Oakes and at Fraser’s Creek Sapphires. Those with experience may like to test their skill at other sites, many of which are free of charge.

For nostalgia buffs, a visit to the Pioneer Village is a must. Once you walk through the gates, you will step back in time into Inverell’s pioneering past. A visit to the village isn’t complete without tantalising your taste buds over hot tea and damper.

The National Transport Museum in Taylor Avenue houses one of the largest collections of vintage vehicles in NSW – from cars to buses and a wide variety of motorcycles. Also on site is an amazing antique doll collection.

Inverell is surrounded by top quality vineyards. Thomas New England Estate Wines Cellar Door offers wine tasting and delicious light meals close to town. Our other wineries are also well worth a visit.

Spend a day, a week or a weekend at the magnificent Copeton Dam, just 35 km from Inverell. Catch a Cod or Yellow Belly, bushwalk, play golf or tennis, put the boat on the water, take the

Australia’s No. 1 in Outdoor Spas kids to the playground area, or just sit back and breathe the fresh air and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

The Limestone Caves and Macintyre Falls just out of Ashford are two great locations for a picnic with the family. The recent rain in the district has the area looking amazing. Photographers will get some sensational shots.

The Meandering Macintyre footpath mosaic can be found outside the Art Gallery in Evans Street. The mosaic represents the flow of the Macintyre River. It was designed and created by members of the Inverell Art Society and their group of dedicated volunteers, with assistance from Inverell Shire Council, Service Clubs and community members. The colourful local flora and fauna incorporated into the design makes this attraction appealing to all ages.

Visitors can enjoy our beautiful national parks and take a walk around Goonoowigal bushland reserve. If it’s the great outdoors you enjoy, or you want a spot of bird watching, you are well and truly catered for.

Inverell has developed a wonderful reputation for its magnificent CBD and boutique shopping centre. You will be pleasantly surprised by the diverse range of local businesses and what they have to offer, along with some of the bigger chain stores.

Visitors refer to the town as ‘friendly Inverell’, and our hospitality is second to none. Inverell is welcoming, and the community prides itself on providing an experience that visitors treasure for a long time after they return home.

Bigger range. Spa World brings you spas and relaxation products from around the world. With over 60 models of spas, spa pools, hot tubs and swim spas to choose from, not to mention Infrared saunas, gazebos and accessories, you can be assured of finding the perfect product for your needs. Spa World offers three distinctly different brands of spa pools and swim spas to suit every taste and budget.

Outstanding value. Because we are buying for stores Australia wide, we have the buying power to negotiate better prices.

These savings are passed on to you, our customer. In fact, if you can find the same spa, or swim spa at a cheaper price, we will match your quote.

Enhance your lifestyle. Are you seeking a way to unwind, ease pain and increase energy? Do you want to relax?

Relaxation. From the moment you immerse yourself in the warm, soothing waters of a spa, your life will change. Tension will slip away. Pain will ease. You will experience an increased level of wellbeing, and the stresses and strains of daily life will seem further away.

The benefits of hydrotherapy. Immersion in warm water raises body temperature, causing blood vessels to dilate and circulation to improve. Better circulation results in a better release of toxins, promoting a healthier immune system, relieving pain and reducing stress.

We work with our suppliers using the latest computer assisted design programs and extensive testing to provide you with the ultimate hydrotherapy experience.

new england focus 45

focus travel feature “Play tennis or squash, then enjoy the sauna afterwards ... or do nothing at all.”

Sanctuary Resort.

Bellingen Music Festival. A must for Classical music lovers; June 8 - 10.

Bellingen will once again play host to a festival of fascinating and varied Classical music over the long weekend, 8 - 11 June.

Five wonderful major concerts are planned. The Song Company, led by Roland Peelman, opens the festival and performs on the Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as holding workshops for local schools and the community.

Musica Viva ‘Rising Stars’, the Orava String Quartet, perform with the Song Company on the Friday and the thrilling, innovative Melbourne Guitar Quartet on the Saturday.

Music “The Bellingen l al ks Festival than d our supporters an C, in particular, ET Officeworks and SI Energy.”

Shelli Hulcombe (soprano) with Deirdre Rickards (piano),

Bellingen Tourism

46 new england focus.

Accord pour Deux, a unique horn duo, and Bellingen’s amazing Youth Orchestra complete the line up of major events. There’s more though.

Local Classical guitarists, Karin Braidwood and Karin Winer, are playing at the Nexus Art Gallery on Saturday, and Bellingen’s AkaBella will sing out on Sunday morning.

All concert details are at www.bellingenmusicfestival.com.au

Weekend passes ($130) and individual concert tickets are available online or from Roots Records, Hyde St, Bellingen, Ph 6655 2159. The Bellingen Music Festival thanks all our supporters and in particular, ETC, Officeworks and SI Energy.

Come to the Sanctuary Resort at Coffs Harbour, where you can soak and relax in a warm, bubbling spa bath and forget about the chilly New England region for a while.

Our ‘Getaway from Armidale Spa Package’ includes: spa room with king size bed, bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates on arrival, 2 free drinks when dining in the Treehouse Restaurant and a 12 (noon) late check out ... all for an amazing $155 per night.

If you prefer just a standard king or queen room without the spa but would like all the other goodies, you can have the Getaway Package for just $129 per night.

Book for a Friday or Saturday night and you can also enjoy 2 main meals for the price of one in the Treehouse Restaurant.

Play tennis or squash, then enjoy the sauna afterwards ... or do nothing at all.

You might want to stay all winter and not go home!

new england focus 47

“Here are some handy options to take the edge off the cold this winter.”

“Tongue in cheek and blatant humour, with intentional foibles and dancing mishaps.”

Don’t Get Caught Cold.

Save the Date Winter is upon us, so if you’re thinking of heating or hot water, here are some options.

Brivis ducted heating is one of the most efficient ways to heat your whole house, with zoning areas that can be shut down when not needed, energy can be saved and your energy bills reduced. Starting from around $7,700, Brivis ducted heating is a great improvement to your property and lifestyle. We also supply and install smaller gas space heaters at a lower price.

Hot water systems are another necessity that seem to play up in the cold months. If your current system is over 10 years old, it may be time to think of replacing it.

If you have existing infrastructure for offpeak electric hot water, this is the most cost effective way to upgrade your existing system at present, with government rebates for solar and heat pump units non existent at present. The pay back period for your installation is greatly extended at present.

One option if your present unit is dead is that you could purchase a solar ready tank at a reduced price and add the panels or tubes at a later date, when you can purchase the additional components to convert to solar. Another option is the installation of a gas instantaneous hot water system.

If you have any queries regarding hot water, heating or any plumbing queries, contact me via email to snellplumbing@ bigpond.com or phone 0423 077 746.

48 new england focus.

Plan ahead and save the date to visit some beautiful gardens in St Peter’s Garden Weekend.

Right now in Armidale, it is getting cold and frosty, leaves are falling, and many plants are resting over winter. Soon however, the warmer weather will be here and the beauty of spring will be upon us. Nature has a cunning way of getting us outside again to enjoy the beauty of new growth, delicate flowers and wonderful colours. Visiting gardens brings pleasure to many, for a number of different reasons.

It may be to get new gardening and planning ideas; it may be to learn about plants or to get out and have a walk with friends, or it may even be to find a quiet place, sit, contemplate and restore your soul.

In November we will once again open gardens in the Amidale and surrounding districts. Each garden is distinctly different and each is different in size, type of garden and plants grown. Once again, we have an Australian Plan Society native garden open as part of the weekend. Not only are there gardens to view, the St Peter’s Cathedral Hall will host various stalls and provide morning tea and lunch on the Saturday. The St Peter’s grounds and Cathedral will also be open over the weekend. There will be 2 plant stalls – one being run by the Armidale Australian Plant Society members.

A Ballet Comedy Direct from New York, Les Ballets Eloelle’s Artistic Director of the 2007 smash hit Men In Tutus, Victor Trevino, brings back to Australia for the first time his new hilarious Australian World Premiere production, MEN IN PINK TIGHTS. From the thrilling pirouettes of the male dancers, in drag, with brilliant and innovative choreography, to the side splitting humour, all presented with specially-designed lavish costumes valued at $3 million, Victor Trevino’s new debut hit MEN IN PINK TIGHTS is a show designed for male, female, young and old. This production is the ultimate send up of both Classical and Contemporary Ballet.

The combination of brilliant dancing technique, tongue in cheek and blatant humour with intentional foibles, dancing mishaps and of course hissy fits by men, playing both male and female roles (some of the men do actually look like gorgeous women, while others are hairy chested men with pancake makeup, but all in tutus etc. dancing on perfect Pointe) creates great entertainment.

This is a show not to be missed!

focusinterview.

New England

MOUNTAIN BIKERS

A word from Stephen Chapman, Publicity Officer for New England Mountain Bikers.

hat is the history of the club?

New England Mountain Bikers (NEMTB) was formed in 2003 by Mark and Tieneke Trotter, Dave Rugendyke, John Scott Hamilton and James Harris. There were regular social rides happening then. But it was the building of a 4X track in town (Kookaburra Crest) that really got the club going. PCYC and A Armidale Dumaresq Council helped fund the tr track, and it hosted a couple of Australian and n national races in the 4X series in 2004.

Cross country and some down hill racing, aalong with regular social rides at The Pine Foreest and a track at UNE formed the basis of the cclub activities from then until now.

T Tell us about mountain bike tracks around A Armidale?

We are blessed with some fantastic places to ride mountain bikes in and around Armid dale. All of these tracks are free to ride at any

time, and it gives the club great pleasure to see people of all ages out there riding tracks that we have built.

The pick of the trails would have to be at the Piney (The Armidale State Forest). Our club has some fantastic track designers and builders, who have put in countless hours to build and maintain true cross country mountain bike trails in the Pine Forest. The trails are signposted, and maps are available on the club’s website at: www.nemtb.com.au There is a 12 km long course (marked with black arrows) with some tricky A lines, but there are easier (but slower) B lines around the hard bits. There is also an easier green track (6 km) and a yellow short summer series track (2.3 km).

The 4X track in town at Kookaburra Crest has this year been rejuvenated and extended to form a 1.7 km cross-country loop. This track has some great jumps combined with some steep but short climbs. NEMTB used this for their Summer Series, that has just finished.

There are other tracks at Fat Tyre Farm and Robbers Run that have been built and maintained by some enthusiastic locals, halfway between Armidale and Guyra.

Do you have any champs in your club?

Our most successful racers are Holly Harris and her dad, David Harris. They are both current Australian Champions. Earlier this year Holly won the Under 19 (even though she was only 16!) National Cross-Country title in Adelaide. David competed in 4 races in Perth, Mount Buller, Canberra and Newcastle. He was the overall winner and picked up the ‘All Mountain Cup’ for the masters (40 - 50 years old). We are really proud of both Holly and Dave! They have been the best female and male riders in this area for a while, and now we

know they are the best in Australia.

We have some very promising younger riders, with Michael Harris, Katherine Hosking, Bella Hosking and Emily Wooster starting to win races. But perhaps our biggest ‘Champs’ are the volunteers who help the club run so well. Working bees are well supported. Special mention must go to Bill Platts, who works tirelessly in his own time to build and maintain tracks.

Describe some of your events?

Our biggest event is held each March and is called UNE 12 Hours in the Piney. It is a massive event and is growing each year. We also have a Summer Series (short course Monday afternoon 35 min races) and a Winter Series (Sunday afternoons every 2 - 3 weeks at the Piney).

We host a round of the Mid North Series each year in September called ‘Attitude @ Altitude’.

Our club members always support other local rides, like the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Charity rides at Walcha, Guyra and Inverell. A group of us just did the ‘Tour de Rocks’ to raise money for cancer research.

We have held numerous ‘Come and Try’ days and skills sessions, including the Get Active Armidale activities organised by Armidale Sports Council. We are lucky to have a trained mountain bike coach, David Harris, who gives us tips on these occasions. Of course, we also have organised social rides.

Are you looking for local support and if so, how can readers help?

They can get out there and ride! That can be either socially or competitively. They can join our club and perhaps help us build more great tracks! Or, they can become a sponsor for next year’s 12 Hours in the Piney in March.

Thanks Stephen.

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Call 6772 6798 Now (offer expires June 10th, 2012) or visit www.gymridz.com.au for PROOF and Free Report: “Tight, Toned and Terrific In 10 Minutes A Day: The Official Fitness Guide For Busy People ” Gym Ridz Personal Training * 4/225 Mann Street * Armidale

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focus Men’s Health feature

H E A LT H

Saving Men’s Lives Rotary Supports Men’s Health.

The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Australia was established in 1996 by the Rotary Club of Lane Cove.

Since then, the combined Rotary Clubs of Australia have donated nearly a million dollars to fund the PCFA. In particular, they have funded major research fellowships – each of $100,000 a year for three years – to enable a young researcher to establish a prostate cancer laboratory.

Rotary a nt co inues to be r te or pp major su of the Prostate ch Cancer Researrough Foundation th s and both awarenes fundraising.

A permanent seat on the National Board has been set aside for a Rotarian, and each of the six state boards has the aim of including at least one Rotarian on each Board.

This is only one of many ways in which Rotary assists our community, both locally and around the world.

50 new england focus.

If, like us, you would like to help others, you too should join a local Rotary Club, to help to really make a difference.

In late 2006 we launched a network of PCFA Ambassadors, who had the clear brief to represent the work of the PCFA to Rotary Clubs across Australia.

Today, Rotary continues to be one of our major supporters through both awareness and fundraising – it is truly a partnership that is saving men’s lives.

focus Men’s Health feature

H E A LT H

Armidale Physio Plus.

Men are part of the general population at the Physio Plus clinic. Whether we’re dealing with children, teenagers, adults or the aging community, we aim for optimal, total functioning of the body, so that you can reach your full potential.

Improved Detection Advanced new scanner to improve disease detection in Armidale and surrounds.

Patients and doctors from Armidale and surrounds are set to benefit from improved access to vital scans and faster, more accurate diagnosis of disease following the installation of an advanced nuclear medicine scanner at Armidale Radiology.

Armidale Radiology is now offering nuclear medicine services, thanks to a new SPECT/CT machine, which will be used to scan patients for heart problems, invisible fractures, cancer and other hard to detect disorders.

The sophisticated SPECT/CT scanner – which takes two different types of scans then merges the images together – will provide doctors with more precise information about how different parts of the body function and help more accurately localise problems such as active tumours and inflammation.

Armidale Radiology’s Dr Martin Young said: “The scanner combines SPECT nuclear medicine images, which show aspects of body function, with CT images, which highlight body structure, to give a more accurate result than using either technique by itself.

“The new technology will also be particularly useful in scanning areas of the body such as the spine and limbs, where it is sometimes hard to determine from nuclear medicine imaging alone whether the problem lies in the bone, joints or adjacent soft tissues.”

Often men are more reactive than proactive in their search for solutions. Pain is usually the motivating factor.

Prevention Is the Key. Seeing is believing – Naturopath Nadine Groves has certainly witnessed this over the last decade, by supporting thousands of people with their health.

Our body is very intelligent and normally gives us early signs of health problems that eventually can lead to chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular and prostate issues, diabetes, anxiety and cataracts. Being alert to the early signs is a way to reduce the incidence from occurring before a painful condition presents itself. These conditions are areas of health that a Naturopath can assist with, whether they are lifestyle or family inherited traits. Through a naturopathic consultation, various assessments and tests are used to identify key areas which will improve your body’s ability to be healthy.

The live blood cell analysis test is one method Nadine uses, as it provides an accurate and immediate indication of the state of a person’s general health. Like the soil, the body needs the right nutrients; this allows a strong and healthy foundation. In a naturopathic consultation, this is what we work towards. Nadine is available at New England Food For Thought at 164 Beardy Street, Armidale. Ph (02) 6772 9166.

We carry out thorough assessments, come to diagnosis, deliver hands on treatments, and prescribe exercise rehabilitation supported by evidence based research.

There are many preventative practices available for men, including muscle re-education and movement retraining i.e. Pilates and Feldenkrais. Muscle re-education quite often involves assessment of the core muscles which stabilise the spine and hips. The core is the basis of strong movement and often requires assessment on the real time diagnostic ultrasound to correct and optimise poor muscle recruitment.

One in eight men develop continence problems as they grow older, but few know how to deal with it. The evidence for physiotherapy as a preferable treatment continues to accumulate.

Commonly we see men for a range of issues, including: Sports injuries, whether you are an elite athlete or weekend warrior.

• Neck, back and shoulder pain • Post-operative rehab • Retraining muscles and specific strengthening • Neurological rehab e.g. Parkinson’s disease, post stroke, spinal cord injury • Amputee rehab • Ergonomic advice • Work injuries and workplace advice.

Discover greater ease, improved performance and less pain with Physio Plus.

new england focus 51

focus Mens Health feature

Ken Thompson Lodge Passes Another Accreditation.

Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution is very proud to announce that Ken Thompson Lodge has just passed another accreditation.

RFBI has provided $36,000 over the past 9 months to reopen and keep operating Open Door in Glen Innes. The next Federal Budget will include $100,000 to keep the doors of a crucial Glen Innes youth centre open, according to the Independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor. The Open Door Youth Centre, which provides afterschool activities and life skills training for disadvantaged local kids, has operated successfully for two years, but was in danger of closing due to a lack of ongoing funding.

“The whole

ur recent accreditation went extremely well. In preparation for this, we undertook a full system review of all 44 standards. We achieved the maximum accreditation period of 3 years and on the suggestion of the auditors, we are now working towards a best practise award.

O

For the Men

We also provide special services for our male residents. We have regular outings in our bus to festivals s community ha Mr Windsor says: “The t gh and local hotels; our ei w its n w ro th r oo local community will be D n pe O residents also enjoy e behind th also I ... e thrilled to hear the good tr en C h ut the Bunnings DYI Yo gnise news. particularly refico workshops, which ncial the very kindn na “Open Door aims to have been specifically e th contributio ofon s’ as reduce antisocial behaviour tailored for older m Royal Free nt by supporting local youth people. Many activities Benevole Institution.”

– particularly those who are at Ken Thompson Lodge dealing with family dysfunction. are specifically aimed at men; at the moment we are working on Local schools and police have already our wooden outdoor furniture and our newly noticed an improvement, as some of the installed raised garden beds.

Open Door participants re-engage with their Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution proudly support The Open Door Youth Services in Glen Innes.

52 new england focus.

education. Many local families were quite distressed to hear the service could close due to lack of funds. Thankfully, this new federal

H E A LT H

funding will ensure the doors of this crucial service stay open.”

The $100,000 federal grant will cover rent and pay for a co-ordinator to oversee the programs run at the Open Door Youth Centre.

Mr Windsor says the program’s success can be attributed to widespread community support.

“Alan Brennan of Pathfinders, Sandra Smith – the program co-ordinator, and Glen Innes elder, Rosemary Curtis, deserve much credit for advocating the benefits of this program.

“The whole community has thrown its weight behind the Open Door Youth Centre – from the volunteers who run the programs, to social workers, schools, Police and even the local supermarkets, who donate fresh food.

I also particularly recognise the very kind financial contribution of the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution.

“The Open Door Youth Centre is a living example of the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child.

“I’d like to congratulate Glen Innes residents for taking action to build a healthy community.

I’d also like to thank the Federal Government for recognising the work of the local community by backing this service with federal funding,” Mr Windsor concluded.

Manager Joanne Baartz, Ken Thompson Lodge.

focus feature

focus Mens Health feature

H E A LT H

“The key is to mix things up and keep things interesting.”

Transform your life at SportUNE It’s never too late or too early to take the first steps to transform your life.

SportUNE is full of people who have taken that first step and made the commitment to undertake a regular fitness program. Meet four of them.

J

osh Edmunds (27) came to UNE in 2004 as an unfit and overweight young man. He is now 53 kg lighter and a successful fitness instructor who lives life to the full.

What was the catalyst for you to lose weight and get fit? Growing up, I was always the fat kid, but as I got older, I understood the health risks and social impact of carrying extra weight.

What motivated you? Friends and the fitness instructors at SportUNE. I lost weight and found that not only did I start to look better, but I felt better. It does get hard sometimes, but the key is to mix it up and keep things interesting.

How long did it take? It’s ongoing – a lifestyle change. You may fall off the wagon, but it’s more about re-educating yourself. It should be slow and steady, and that way you will keep off the weight.

Greg Jackson (43) is a busy man. His weekdays go a bit like this: up at 5.30am, takes his daughter to swimming, into work by 7.30am, mid morning at the gym, back to

work, son’s rugby coaching, work, then home for dinner! Exhausting to read.

How do you do it? I’ve always had a love of training and keeping fit. I have built up a great team of people at work, so I am able to take time out during the day. I feel fresher and more motivated after a workout. I really enjoy the like-mindedness of the people in the gym. The facilities are second to none, which is great, as it allows me to adapt and broaden my routine.

What keeps you motivated? My kids. I want to be involved in their sport. I am competitive by nature, so I still want to beat them in a running race along the beach! I’ve always played sport but with a busy life, I find training is the easiest and best way to keep myself fit and well.

Dave Robbins (70) ran a successful sports store and has always been involved with athletics and triathlons. He is extremely fit and says he has been fanatical about sport as far back as he can remember. He will continue with his fitness routine until they cart him out in a box!

Josh Edmunds

What do you do to keep fit? I have always kept fit. As I get older, it’s more important to maintain physical activity. Every morning I do 15 mins of stretching, 4 days a week I swim and bike ride, and I visit the gym 3 days.

Exercising helps me stay strong, sleep better, and it slows down my arthritis.

What brings you to SportUNE? I have always enjoyed swimming and have used the pool here since the early ‘80s. Until recently, I haven’t used weights, because I couldn’t justify the extra fee; however, now it has became an all in one fee, I spend more time in the gym. Weights have helped with my muscle development, pain relief and my overall

wellbeing.

John Faithful (82) is a retired grazier. Two years ago he started coming to the gym at SportUNE. He also rows a single skull on Malpas Dam every Saturday morning.

What motivates you to come to the gym each week? Exercise was never high on my agenda. Work kept me fit. Now life has slowed down, I need to keep active.

What do you enjoy about it? I was never sporty, but I always loved rowing. I come to the gym to use the rowing machine and the weights. My daughter tells me by staying active, I have a better chance of beating cancer and disease.

new england focus 53

Thinking Criminal Law with legal minds

BY E L I Z A B E T H S TA H LU T

THINKING

CRIMINAL LAW SOMETIMES, WE MAKE A MISTAKE. THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, WHETHER YOU’RE AN ORDINARY PERSON OR A WELL-KNOWN CELEBRITY.

W

hile some matters can re- until you can be brought to a Court to apply sult in penalties or fines, for bail. Your lawyer can apply for bail on your more serious matters behalf and explain the conditions to you. If such as assault, theft, you’re granted bail, it’s very important that fraud and manslaughyou do everything the Court tells you to do, or ter usually result in being arrested, charged, you might end up staying in custody until your going to Court, and, if convicted, serving a next Court date. gaol sentence or other imposed punishment.

What happens if you have to go to Court?

It is important to know what to do if you are When you go to Court, you will get to say if accused of conduct where you are charged by you want to plead guilty or not guilty. the Police.

A not guilty plea means you’re not admitWhat if you're arrested? ting to the offence. The Police will present It’s a criminal offence to resist arrest or their case through a prosecutor or a public assault a Police Officer. Our Police prosecutions solicitor. This is where Officers serve and protect our a lawyer can help, by assisting community in some of the you with the Court procedures e “When the Polic ith w most difficult situations and and presenting your case have finished t you le n ca ey deserve our respect. Coin Court. The prosecution you, th If go or charge you.you operate and go quietly with must always prove any you get charged,ay in the arresting officer to the case against you beyond a might have to st u can Police Station. The Police reasonable doubt. If they custody until yo urt Co a can arrest you if they have can’t, the Court will find be brought to il.” ba r fo y good reason to think you you 'not guilty'. to appl have committed an offence or A 'guilty' plea means you’ve are about to. You will have your admitted to doing the offence. opportunity to give your side of the You might, however, have good story. reasons for the actions you have taken. These The Police can hold you in custody, while would not be excuses for bad behaviour, but they do their investigations. This won’t usuthey might show you don’t deserve to have ally be more than four hours; however, some ‘the book thrown at you'. things – for example, waiting for the lawyer If you have pled guilty or are found guilty, to turn up – won’t be counted as part of the the Court has to make a decision about an time they can hold you for. You are entitled to appropriate penalty after weighing up all of contact a lawyer and usually be invited to take the circumstances. Pleading guilty on the first part in an interview. You should request your available opportunity can result in a discount lawyer's attendance straight away. You should on any gaol term that you would be required not admit or make any statement or sign any to serve. Retaining a lawyer will assist you in documents in relation to any charges until you determining the proper steps to take. have met with your lawyer and first obtain So, if you‘ve been arrested and are facing legal advice. charges, see a lawyer as soon as possible, so When the Police have finished with you, you can get the knowledge, help and profesthey can let you go or charge you. If you get sional support and assistance you need. charged, you might have to stay in custody Elizabeth Stahlut – Solicitor.

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focus

editorial.

M O T O R I N G W I T H LY N DA LY N C H

Lynda Lynda Lynch from FOCUS will be spending the next few months scouting around the region looking for new cars to review. She decided to start with a small car, because many people are downsizing due to the current fuel crisis. Here is what she thought after taking the Honda Jazz Vibe for a spin.

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any people own and enjoy big cars, such as wagons and 4WDs, which are perfect for long highway or outback trips, but a lot of big car owners (including myself) also keep a small vehicle to run around town in. The limited edition Honda Jazz Vibe is classed as a SMALL car, but it certainly has BIG features. It will only drink 5.8 litres of fuel per 100 km, which leaves plenty of change in your wallet to spend on the finer things in life. I was most impressed with the magic seats that can flip and fold into 18 different combinations, making it easy to carry all shapes and sizes. For a small car, it is baffling how big it is on the inside, with storage galore. I also like how it is designed for crystal clear, all round vision, which allows passengers to enjoy the view in full, widescreen HD glory.

I am told that safety is very important to the manufacturer and that this little beast is I also like how full of preventative and it is designed folr protective features, both crystal clear, al inside and out, and that's round vision, which allows why it comes with 5-star passengers to in ANCAP safety rating. enjoy the viewn HD better described as sleek, Honda tells me that they full, widescree sporty and dynamic. The were asked to improve on glory. exterior looks great, with a the already popular Jazz, so mesh grille, curved front and they came up with the Jazz Vibe. rear bumpers, raised wheel arches, With its aerodynamic body and sporty rear LED brake lights and stylish headlights. look, the Vibe offers heaps of get up and go.

Other features include six airbags, 10 cup I was a bit hesitant to drive this flash looking holders (yes, 10), side impact door beams, car to begin with, but I was pleased to find Bluetooth, climate control air conditioning, that the steering felt as smooth as silk and front fog lights, sports cloth seat trim, tilt cornering was actually enjoyable. and telescopic adjustable steering wheel and Most small cars are referred to as cute driver's vanity mirror (what woman could live or zippy, but not the Jazz Vibe. It would be

without this?)

I inquired about pricing and to my surprise, this car that has everything is most reasonably priced, starting from around $86 per week.

I could keep bragging about this awesome vehicle, but you really have to climb into the Jazz Vibe yourself to appreciate what I am talking about.

Call in to see the team at Hardman Honda and be sure to mention that you heard about the Honda Jazz Vibe by reading New England FOCUS.

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focusinterview.

Professionals A R M I D A L E Luke Fahy drops us a line to explain why The Professionals Armidale have moved across the road in the West End Mall. hen did you first open The Professionals Armidale? I used to work for another real estate brand, but I always felt that I was treading water. I was full of ideas, but found it hard to move ahead. Initially in 2005, the Professionals Group approached me about opening a Professionals office; however, I was loyal to my old brand, and at 24 years old it was all a bit scary.

to our strengths.

In 2006, the Professionals group in New Zealand asked me to speak at their annual conference, and at that point I knew I had to do this, as their brand was moving forward – not backwards. I then mentioned the idea to Anthony (my business partner at the time) that I wasn’t happy where I was, and once I left he said, “Why don’t we do this Professionals thing?”

The new premises offers so much more. We now have two boardrooms, 15 offices and car parking (everything we could wish for). The new premises also allows us to keep growing in terms of staffing levels. We have a rental department, sales department, strata department and commercial department.

The big picture always included a move, because I wanted the best in their fields to work with us.

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Because I love real estate and wanted to progress in my career, it was a no brainer to team up with the Professionals. And so at 26, the journey started! While Anthony didn’t stay around long, I was blessed to have Kristie Saxby with me from day one, and by 2009 she became a partner of the firm, along with John Sewell.

The fact that we all worked together for 10 years made us fit well, and without doubt they are the best partners anyone could wish for. Each of us have skills in different areas, and we are able to all lead and work

56 new england focus.

Where and why have you relocated?

We relocated directly across the road from our old building, to ‘the sunny side of the street’ in the West Mall. This exciting move is due to growth in business.

When we started, we had 4 staff including myself, but today we have a team of 12, so the need for a bigger and better location has arrived.

“It is a bit like ball building a foot t the team; you waners best team play bies and some newain to grow and tr yourself.”

While it took some time to get right people to join us, finally we have all the right key players. It is a bit like building a football team; you want the best team players and some newbies to grow and train yourself.

With our current fantastic dozen, we now feel like winners. And I might also mention that out of our 12 staff, 10 have won awards in their fields on a national level.

What was involved in fitting out your new premises? To be honest, John and

Kristie didn’t have much faith in my ideas at first – and I don’t blame them. But in order to get things right, I decided to leave a lot of the ideas up to Kristie, John and Ben. This decision paid off, and Kristie has especially proven she knows how to design an office right down to the last detail. I had some great ideas ... which were all knocked back! But I did, however, pull Paul Marquart aside to sneak some of my concepts in ... now we have this fantastic all new and modern office.

What interesting properties do you currently have on your books? We have lots d of quality homes for sale, from the high end market to the first home buyers’ more economical buy. I truly believe now is the time to buy, as we have some fantastic valued homes on offer at the moment.

NEW ENGLAND

property guide.

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focusabode.

to “ Our aim isst g create intere in l na tio nc fu d an s building design to that respond te the immedia social physical and context.”

Team Design Australia is owned and operated

by Ron and Robyn Lane. They are very proud to have just won a major award at the 2012 National Building Design Awards.

H

ow did Team Design Australia first begin?

Ron established Team Design Aust. (T.D.A.) in Brisbane in 1988, from the former Armidale based Building Design practice of R. K. Lane & Associates (established 1979). In1993, T.D.A. re-established in Armidale.

We specialise in the formulation, design, documentation, administration and project management of commercial, institutional, industrial and residential projects. Our aim is to create interesting and functional building designs that respond to the immediate physical and social context.

Who works for Team Design Australia?

Our current Designers are Ron Lane, Peter Holzberger and Darren Fittler. All have extensive backgrounds and experience in building and interior design, estimating, and construction

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detailing. Robyn Lane keeps the business side intact and ably assists with our Interior Design works. Peter was the very first employee of Team Design back in 1988 when in Brisbane and still is very much a mainstay of the team.

Darren, the youngest member, brings his fresh design and artistic talents to the business.

We have also been fortunate to have many other highly experienced and talented employees over the last 10 years, including John Davidson (now with Rice Developments, Armidale), Adrian Vickery (now with LEGS, Inverell), Gary Ible (Building Designer, Armidale) and Roslyn Hanson (Engineer, Newcastle).

Tell us about the state and national awards you have just won?

This year’s BDA National Conference and Design Awards was held at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The design awards are where we, as Building

Ron. (Rocky) Designers, can showcase our skills in design and creativity to the nation. The awards also display the creative use of materials and the various challenges that they may present.

Our recent BDA Awards include: • State and national awards winner – 9 / 2 storey townhouses, Lennox Head, North Coast, NSW. Category – medium/ high density multi residential (over 6 dwellings).

• State Awards – commendation for New England Division of General Practice Office,

Peter.

Darren.

Rusden Street, Armidale. Category – comm commercial buildings.

What was the design intent of the award winning building?

Ron’s biggest challenge in the execution of a complex design brief for what amounted to the creation of a residential sub-community was how best to ensure all nine townhouses optimised the lifestyle advantages of the desirable sub-tropical locality of Lennox Head. Working to a strict budget, we’ve been able to deliver a

focusabode.

deceptively spacious group up of of stylish stylilish h two storey townhouses, all of which share the advantages of clever orientation without compromising form, function or thermal quality.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

Most of our design evolves from the brief requirements of our clients, budget constraints, the site orientation and location, views, localised surroundings and streetscape.

We rarely find a client who has a pre conceived idea on what building styling they would prefer. We often prepare various concepts (in 3D) that might be appropriate, and this then allows the clients to visualise the project and have input on the final design.

Other major local projects TEAM DESIGN AUSTRALIA has designed?

We have been privileged to be the Designers of many local iconic and awarded buildings ,including: • The Mews’ Townhouse / Commercial Development and Café Fitout, Moore Street (Regional Heritage Design Award – 2007) • Coles East End Shopping Centre, Marsh, Dumaresq and Faulkner Streets • Forsyths Accountants Office, Rusden Street • The Pines Motel, Marsh Street • Quality Hotel Powerhouse, Marsh Street

• Belgrave Twin Cinema Complex Interi ior Interior Fitout • Health Care Offices and Consulting Rooms, Rusden Street (NSW BDA Design Awards Commendation 2011) • Office refurbishment of Darby Building, Jessie Street (ACC Heritage Award Winner) • Minimbah Primary School and Nutrition Centre, Galloway Street • 18 Nathaniel Pidgeon Drive (ACC Heritage Award Winner and ACC (Westpac) Design Excellence Award and 5 Star Energy Efficiency Award) • Aged housing development for Dept of Housing, Old Ben Venue School Site, Rockvale Road • Waste Transfer and Recycling Facility for Armidale Dumaresq Council Which businesses are most vital to your success?

Currently we are working on multiple projects with Rice Developments, both locally and throughout NSW and QLD. Nick Rice has always been a great supporter of Team Design, and we enjoy working with Nick and his experienced team and family. Another local client who believes in our work is Lindsay Kaynes (Reginald Investments P/L), who keeps us motivated and creative on a wide range of projects

scattered throughout the country.

Our largest current local project is with the Armidale Ex-Services Club, with Bob Ryan and a motivated Club committee pushing forward with their major works program. This is an exciting and important project for Armidale’s future.

Tell us a bit about your involvement with the Armidale Ex-Services Club.

We’ve been working with the Servies for about 5 years now, doing numerous small design jobs. More recently, we were appointed building designers of the Motel that Servies is undertaking. The development approval for the Motel was not granted last year, because Armidale Dumaresq Council was not satisfied with our ‘refuge-in-place’ solution to the requirement to evacuate the Motel in the case of a 1 in 100 year flood.

We have since been in negotiations with the Council and other interested parties to find an alternative solution to the flood issue, and we are now in a position to re-submit the development application with a bridge across

Dumaresq Street, to allow patrons and guests a safe, flood-free evacuation route carpark in the event of a 1 in 100 year flood. We’re now hoping to get development approval in the next few months and commence construction of the bridge and first stage of the Motel as soon as possible.

What’s next?

We are fortunate that work levels are on the increase again, and the long term prospect for TDA is very bright. Hopefully, this is a positive sign for the design, building and construction industries in general. We will have more input into the awards over the next few years, as we venture into new projects with clients who understand and desire good quality buildings and the need for thorough design to enhance the visual form and function of their buildings.

If your building is never noticed, liked or disliked, then you haven’t achieved an outcome!

the plug!

For more information, please phone: 6771 4977 or 0402 456 954 (Ron).

new england focus 59

Educating the region’s boys and girls since 1974 and growing stronger Boys and Girls Transition to Year 6 Now Open for Mid Year Enrolments For more information contact Alice on 6774 8752 or email enrolments@negs.nsw.edu.au

Uralla Road, Armidale NSW 2350 Australia T +61 02 6774 8700 E info@negs.nsw.edu.au www.negs.nsw.edu.au

learning with spirit