Coffs Coast Focus i105

Alykat Creative

June 2019. issue 105

t a m m i s a v o y

1 coffs coast focus.

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team From the

Welcome to the June issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS .

A

nother month, another fabulous jam packed edition! Thank you to all of our supporters, contributors, advertisers, whom we are blessed to work with each day. We love what we do here at FOCUS; we have so much fun along the way, and we hope that this reflects in our epic 88 page edition!

Thank you to all who connect with us.

Whether you read the printed copy that lands in your letterbox, or online, you interact with us directly; it’s each of you who encourage us to work hard to bring you this great publication. We are extremely proud to be part of this small team (comprising Nicci Seccombe, Sam Dawson, Becca Platts and Gavin Moroney). We are passionate about bringing you great local stories, introducing you to people who are making a difference in the

community. We also pride ourselves on getting our advertisers “results”. We don’t just want advertisers to buy an advertisement - we want to be part of marketing solutions. We do thrive on bringing you great content, but we’re also in the business of growing your business!

Cover: When the crew from Bello Winter Music asked us to partner with them for 2019, we jumped at the chance! Tammi Savoy and the Chris Casello Combo are going to be playing at the Bello Winter Music Festival this year, coming all the way from Chicago in the U.S. Their music takes you to another era, and they’re sure to be a stand out at the festival with their unique style. We spoke to Tammi about the show, how she and Chris came together to form the band, and what we can expect to see. If this sounds like a perfect weekend away, grab your tickets now at

bellowintermusic.com - before they sell out.

Decades in the trade: To celebrate the success of local businesses, we present to you a showcase of business powerhouses that have been trading for over a decade. This feature is always a great read, and it recognises businesses that have grown and succeeded over the past decade or longer.

Mick Gentle is a local banana farmer who was born and raised on the Coffs Coast and has been farming in the area for the last 27 years; he feels his love of the land was inherited from his grandfather. After speaking with him, we can see how passionate he is about farming and great local produce. Turn to page 46 to read more ...

Final Say: “Once you have accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”

- Tyrion Lannister.

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Let Mercedes-Benz Australia's New Vehicle Sales Consultant Of The Year Lachlan Brown assist you with your new car purchase.

Lachlan is professional, courteous and knows just about everything there is to know about Mercedes-Benz vehicles. You know that you will get the right advice & friendly service from Lachlan, before and after you have purchased.

Make an appointment with Lachlan on 0402 214 323 for your personalised test drive and demonstration our range of motor vehicles today.

Mercedes-Benz Coffs Coast 4 Tolhurst Place, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Tel 1800 693 876 www.mbcoffscoast.com.au LMD3461 Coffs Coast focus 3

contents

56

Issue 105 - June 2019

focusinterviews

26

feature a special

C.EX 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

The Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery gave FOCUS magazine an insight into all the upcoming exhibitions coming to Coffs Harbour and from the sounds of things we have a lot to look forward to!

28

Jack McCoy.

Legendary surf filmmaker Jack McCoy returns to Coffs Harbour for a one night only special event, along with special guest Dave “Rasta” Rastovich.

30

Jess Boardman.

Jess Boardman has been busy working on a brand new project in Bellingen since we spoke to her last. She has expanded her catering business and opened a new and exciting restaurant! Smoke and Barrels is now up and running, and we’re excited to hear about the process of getting it started and what we can expect from the new restaurant.

the Usual

Suspects

12. WHAT’S ON for June 18. EAT local restaurants 36. TRAVEL TIME with Kerry Moss 38. SOCIAL SCENE with Carole Beros 42. EDUCATION with Nick Johnstone

86

The Dhillon Family.

Multi-award winning builder Perry Homes is proud to complete construction on local business owner Haran Dhillon’s first home.

4 Coffs Coast focus

44. STARGUIDE with Terri Hall 69. BUSINESS MINDS with Sam Wardman 74. ABODE property guide

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Coffs Coast focus 5

focusinterview.

creative ALYSON PEARSON

Artist Alyson Pearson, aka Alykat Creative, is living back on the Coffs Coast AFTER A NUMBER OF YEARS LIVING AND TEACHING DESIGN IN LONDON. HER ILLUSTRATIONS ARE A UNIQUE MIX OF HAND DRAWING, PAINTING AND DIGITAL ART. As well as making art prints, she also uses her designs to create beautiful textiles, which are then turned into clothing and homewares.

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H

ey Alyson. Tell us about your Fast forward a few years, and my favourite and best relationship with the Coffs performing subject during high school was Visual Art Coast. at Jetty High.

I have grown up in, fled and Can you tell us about the mediums you usually had many returns to Coffs, where work with?

I’ve always called home - largely I draw in detail with biro and add basic watercolour because Mum and Dad are here in the same house for texture and colouring, then once these I grew up in, with the creek and the beach on their handmade elements are scanned, a lot of the magic doorstep. The reason for my is experimenting in Photoshop. return this time was because This is why I don’t typically have after living in fast and busy original pieces (like an artist London for a few years, I would a painting on canvas), and WHEN DECIDING ON WHAT craved that sense of home why I release my work as prints.

THEME I WANTED TO and belonging, the coastal When did you decide to start TACKLE NEXT, A MODERN community, old friends and using your illustrations beyond TAKE ON AUSTRALIANA familiar surrounds. printed paper?

STARTED TO POUR OUT OF When do you first remember A couple of years ago I ME. IT THINK IT WAS MY being inspired by art? Has art started making patterns with my SUBCONSCIOUS LETTING always been a part of your illustrations, rather than a scene ME KNOW IT WAS TIME TO life? or single motif, and had quite a COME HOME TOO. It’s funny, because I have a few people suggest using them very sporty family, and I am on textiles - whether that be definitely the black sheep pieces of clothing or homewares. amongst them. But thinking I realised if I wanted to make a about my first interaction with something arty ... it was successful business from my illustrated designs, I would probably seeing my older sister keep a drawing pad of need to offer more than just paper prints, and I’m a her own animal drawings, which was more of a phase big fashion lover myself - so it made sense to try to for her, but was enough to inspire me to give it a go. combine the two.

focusinterview.

ALYSON PEARSON

Can we expect to see some more clothing years now. What inspired you to take this from Alykat somewhere down the track? direction?

I hope so! I did start to explore that in 2017, I’ve always been a people-person and as and although I was really happy with the much as I love designing myself, I wanted to overall look and positive feedback from both help and work with the next generation of customers and potential creatives, so teaching stockists, I soon discovered was in the back of my a few hurdles I needed mind for quite a few to work on if I wanted to years. Then an ad for BECAUSE I’VE DEVELOPED continue on a large scale my dream job actually A STYLE THAT I’M successfully. So, I’ve taken popped up in my social COMFORTABLE WITH a step back and am still media feed one day, OVER THE YEARS, IT FEELS learning and building on and all of a sudden I FAR MORE CHALLENGING the experience. I know I found myself working TO PAINT ABSTRACT want to work with natural in my dream job, in ON A CANVAS, WITH NO linen and potentially London!

LIGHTBOX OR PHOTOSHOP change up my audience What has been most TO HIDE BEHIND. from female to a male challenging about niche, but you’ll just have your creative journey to wait and see how it so far? plays out!

Trying not to care You seem to have a theme of native what others think and allowing myself to animals within your work; what is it that fail. Because I’ve developed a style that I’m inspires you about them as a subject? comfortable with over the years, it feels far When I first started out creating my own more challenging to paint abstract on a canvas, illustrated designs, I was all about woodland with no Lightbox or Photoshop to hide behind. animals like deer, owls, and foxes. It was while That, and the fact that it’s quite an isolating I was living in London a couple of years ago job if you work or create by yourself, so staying and I was missing everything about Australia motivated and connecting with others is - the music, the weather, family, and I was so something I’m constantly working on. drawn to the beautiful flora and gorgeous Where can people see more of your work? animals, which I realised I’d taken for granted Facebook and Instagram as @alykatcreative most of my life. Then when deciding on what is where I update more regularly these days, theme I wanted to tackle next, a modern take and I plan to give www.alykatcreative.com.au on Australiana started to pour out of me. It a revamp soon too. If you want to see the think it was my subconscious letting me know work in the flesh, I’ll be at the next Made With it was time to come home too.

Love market in June.

You’ve been teaching design for a few Thanks Alyson.

Coffs Coast focus 7

focusinterview.

BradGiri FOCUS sat down with Coffs Breakers AFL Women's Captain Katika Adams and the Coach, Brad Giri, to TALK ABOUT THE CLUB, ITS INFLUENCES ON THE COMMUNITY ... and how they are going to get that premiership!

W

hat’s your I missed the sport too much, so when connection with the opportunity arose to coach Breakers' the Coffs Coast? women - I couldn't say no.

I moved to the Has your coaching styles changed Coffs Coast in between men and women?

2001 from Victoria Yes, definitely. Coaching women is so with my wife, Kylie, to be close to her rewarding, because they want to be at parents and enjoy a sea training and play, change. as well as being We have both been avid listeners and working at the hospital willing to learn. I Coaching women is so since then. have found I don't rewarding, because they What does your shout at the players want to be at training sporting history look anymore! and play, as well as like?

With the always being avid listeners I have played most changing style of and willing to learn. I sports at some stage, AFL and new rules, have found I don't shout at the from baseball to I have had to adjust players anymore! triathlons, but my main game structures sport and passion has accordingly. always been AFL. Do you have a I have played since moment that I was eight years old and played for 28 stands out as a Coach? years, both in Victoria and Coffs Harbour.

Certainly premierships stand out, but What made you step up to be a Coach? with the women the main thing that stands I co-coached two first grade premierships out is seeing the growth and development with North Coffs FC in 2002 and 2003 and as they learn all facets of the game, as well afterwards just concentrated on playing. as winning their first game in season 2018.

Being away from AFL for a few years,

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T

KatikaAdams

ell us about Coffs AFL Breakers...

Coffs Breakers is the merging of two clubs. There are four teams within the breakers, three men’s and a women’s. Our home ground is Fitzroy Oval. Last year was the inaugural year, this year being the second year for the women's team. We’ve been very well accepted by the men’s teams; everyone is very supportive and welcoming. The club is very well run and professional, and they take the competition seriously. We are very well supported by the President, Coaches, Secretary and volunteers.

Has Women's AFL become popular in the Coffs region? Surprisingly for a Rugby League known territory - yes. Year on year we continue to develop, because we have a strategy in place with the youth players who come up, so that helps; it allows people to access the sport through other sporting clubs.

This year, for example, we’ve seen a lot of girls come up, and we’ve also seen girls come through from basketball.

You’ve just been appointed Captain; what kind of sporting history do you have? I’ve always been involved in sports from a young age. I was born in Broome, WA, where there’s a rich AFL culture. My brother and I are close in age; I grew up playing football. AFL was king. At school I used to play AFL at recess and lunch with the boys; I developed that skill set by playing every day. During my teenage years on the North Coast NSW I stopped playing, which I missed, but I moved to Perth in 2007 and joined a women’s team to make friends. I played AFL with the Subiaco team, and the love for the sport was re-ignited. I went on to play for the state of WA, before a

torn ACL took me away from the game and WAFL for another six years.

How does having a local AFL club help in the local community? I think it’s positive for young people to have a purpose and a chance to have that feeling of being part of a team. The comradery that is built around a sporting club inherently helps them to understand the roles of what a family and community are outside their own immediate family. The Breakers Football Club, in my opinion, leads the way better than any other team in the competition. They are family oriented, have good role models for young kids and get involved in many fundraising and community events. Recently we all attended the ANZAC Day dawn service together and on July 6, we are have a fundraising round for the Black Dog Institute, to raise awareness for mental health. I guess it’s the small things that make this club special - being professional in our approach to the game and our community, protecting one another - especially on the field there's no other loyalty like being on a team that does that, and this year our girls are playing for each other.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to join the AFL community? Come on down! Everyone is accepting and very welcoming of all ages and abilities who want to play. If you don’t want to play but still want to be a part of the club, we have a team of fantastic volunteers who make the game happen each week and would be happy to have the extra help. The club is united, and spectators get involved with some unreal, on the ground action! The girls' and boys' teams are very much incorporated, and everyone is welcome. Give it a shot, get in contact with the club; we can get you involved straight away.

Maccas Junior Grants.

McDonald’s Coffs Harbour and Nambucca are proud to support local children and groups through their Junior Grants Program.

Lincoln Sawaya Lincoln got very badly burnt by hot oil all over his legs in December. He spent two months in hospital, with many skin grafting operations.

He’s been the toughest kid and is back playing football - Auskick - which is so amazing. The doctors said he would struggle to walk, and he’s now running. He has to wear special boots to play and has padding on his legs to protect the scarring, but the grant will go towards him continuing to play. Lincoln will need new padding soon and ongoing skincare cover. Lincoln has to wear compression leggings under everything 23 hours a day for the next two years, as well as a splint to straighten his leg every night as he sleeps and yet, he doesn’t let it get him down.

The Lab Grafton The Lab Grafton is a registered not-for-profit charity.

The Lab is a network of technology clubs for young people, aged 10 to 16, with high functioning Autism and Asperger’s, who enjoy working with computers. Mentoring of the group is by technical professionals in programming, 3D, Digital Design, and Gaming. We’ve found that some of the most useful things first learned by participants during Lab

sessions are social and personal skills. This includes learning about how to work with others, how to make friends and how to interact socially, as well as simply feeling accepted and valued by peers with common interests, to better prepare them for life.

The grant will assist with payment of stationery, printing, electronic components, insurance and other items required in establishing such a group.

Coffs Coast focus 9

focusinterview.

Bryce Forest

media

At just 22 years of age, Bryce Forest is attracting attention as an up and coming photographer. What started as a hobby as a kid has become a passion that is now blossoming into a potential career, although Bryce has also recently finished his mechanic apprenticeship!

He is a versatile photographer who shoots everything from automotive and portraits, to storms and landscapes.

H

ey Bryce. Can you share with us a bit about your background and how long you have been in the area?

I’m originally from the Yarra Valley, in Victoria. I did some automotive photography in Melbourne until I was 16, and in 2013 moved to Coffs with my family. I’m now almost 23 and still pursuing photography as a career and a hobby.

Where did your passion for photography begin?

I’ve been playing with cameras since my early teens, maybe even younger. My first memory with a camera is using my mum’s Lumix, zooming in and out on some flowers on our property. I entered one of those photos in a local photography competition, and to my surprise - won. That started my passion. Since then, it has continued to grow.

Did you have any formal training?

I have a Certificate II in Digital Media.

However, a lot of my knowledge is self-taught, from the internet. Google and YouTube are full of different photographers sharing knowledge I find it good to take a leaf from someone else’s book!

You have shot quite an array of different genres in your work; which is your favourite style of work to shoot?

This is actually a very interesting question! As I continue to grow my portfolio, I am finding it difficult to choose and stick to one - they say photographers should find a “niche”, but I love all aspects of photography. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques

10 Coffs Coast focus

and subjects. When I see content from other photographers, I am inspired to create something similar - even if it is something I have never done before.

If I were to pick a favourite, it would be storm chasing. There’s something exhilarating about storms that keeps me on my toes - every lightning strike is different and unique.

What would you say would best describes your style?

So like I said, I am still experimenting and learning and yet to find my unique style. I like to capture things as they are with unique lighting ... this shows through in my event and landscape photography. I also love capturing images in the outdoors, even with my portrait and automotive work.

You have quite incredible images of stormscapes in your portfolio. What does it take to be out catching storms, both skill and gear-wise?

Skill-wise, it’s developed over time as you experience more storms, the patterns they follow and the way they move. A lot of storm chasers have the skill and knowledge in weather prediction - unfortunately, I don’t yet!

Just being able to read simple weather maps and radars does the trick for me. Common sense and knowing when you’re too close is a must for safe storm chasing.

Gear-wise, storm photography can be kept pretty simple if you want it to be! There are a few “must haves” and a few “can haves” (luxuries). A strong, sturdy tripod and a camera that has adjustable shutter speed are the must haves. An umbrella or a camera rain cover, a remote shutter release, a wide angle lens are all

My first memory with a luxuries. There is also a result out of the camera, camera is using my mum’s product called a strike but with some situations Lumix, zooming in and finder, which is useful more than others, a large out on some flowers on for daylight storms. amount of work is required our property. I entered It detects the sudden in post production. one of those photos in a local change in light on the I’m on the border of photography competition, camera’s sensor and when does a photo not and to my surprise - won. takes the photo for you become a photo; as I - I think that takes away stated previously, I like to half the fun though! photograph things how What was that they are, and as awesome defining moment where you knew as post production can look, I personally feel photography was going to be more than a that if it is too overdone it can take away from hobby and more of a career? the story and meaning behind some images.

Honestly, I still define it as both. I love the Hypothetically, what would be your ideal saying “Love what you do and you will never shoot? work a day in your life”, because I still enjoy My bucket list shot, without a doubt, is to photography outside of work! The recent be able to shoot a tornado in America! Ideally, defining moment was in February this year, I’d like to spend a month or two in America when I finished my mechanic apprenticeship, (after saving lots of money!) chasing tornadoes. then was conveniently offered two separate Sadly, the funds and knowledge required is jobs as a photographer. out of my league right now. In the meantime, Photography is a little bit more than just I have a soft spot for sunset portraits on the a camera. How have you adapted to post beach, with a nice sun flare in the background. production, and what does this role play in Inspiration can come from anywhere. your work?

Where do you draw yours from?

You are 100% right: it is more than just a A lot of my inspiration comes from camera nowadays, but as a new generation photographers on YouTube and Instagram such photographer I have adapted quite well to as Peter McKinnon, Gareth Kelly and Daniel post production. Having said that, I feel that Tran. I did my certificate of digital media with I still have a HUGE amount to learn in post Daniel, and he has turned into an amazing production, and I am focusing on that. It is landscape photographer. Daniel Sharpe of DK becoming more prominent in photography Photography is another amazing landscape work worldwide. photographer. One day I would love to be Post production does play a role in my able to join one of his dream photography work - there’s no doubt about that. However, workshop tours overseas.

I do like to get my images as close to my final Thanks Bryce.

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Coffs Coast focus 11

focus_What’s On Coffs Coast

J U N E

6

The Dinner Party An elegant dinner party hosted by an influential young man for his manipulative guests is thrown into turmoil when power meets greed, ambition and jealousy. As the evening wears on, The Dinner Party exposes society’s insatiable desire for control and status and the power play between the guests intensifies as the accusations start to fly.

When 6th June. Where Jetty Theatre.

Tickets www.jettytheatre.com/the-dinner-party /?utm_source=cce

2 0 1 9

Camera House Birthday Celebrations We are very excited to be celebrating with a weeklong expo, with all the major camera suppliers coming for daily and evening hands-on demonstrations and tutorials and daily prize giveaways. This is a great opportunity for customers to check out all the latest gear, and touch, feel and ask questions of the experts.

8

Telstra SAP State Championships for Boys The Telstra SAP State Championships for Boys is a major event for young elite football players and coaching staff in Northern NSW. It is the first significant opportunity for players from all across Northern NSW to test their playing skills against players of a similar calibre from all zones in Northern NSW. When 8th June - 10th June. Where C.ex Coffs International Stadium. More Information email rebecca.ramsay@chcc. nsw.gov.au or call (02) 6648 4950.

8

Ball Park Music

16

Coffs Harbour City Orchestra

Ball Park Music have announced their Good Good Mood Tour, taking their latest album Good Mood and favourite hits to regional towns and cities all around Australia. Joining them on the road will be indie singer-songwriters Tia Gostelow and Butternut Sweetheart.

Join us at the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre for a selection of music from Broadway Hits, classical stalwarts from the likes of Beethoven and Haydn and even some chamber music. We will be featuring soloist and returning orchestra member Blake Cutler on the clarinet. It will be a concert not to be missed.

When 8th June. Where C.ex Coffs.

Tickets www.cex.com.au

When 16th June. Where Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, Ridge St, Nambucca Heads. Time 2pm - 4pm.

12 Coffs Coast focus

When 17th June until 21st June. More information Email coffs.harbour@camerahouse.au to go on to our mailing list, so that we can contact you with an invitation.

21

Bellbowrie Nissan Tradies Showcase Race Day Eight race tab meeting; $250K prize money.

When June 21st. Time 11:30 am - 5pm. Cost $10 entry.

22-23

Accelerate Your Empowerment Seminar

Join us for an amazing interactive seminar, learn how to elicit values in a chosen area of life, free yourself from self inflicted limitations, set goals using the NLP model, let go of negative emotions like anger and sadness, get rid of anxiety, step into the cause of your life, and create your future exactly the way you want it.

Cost $199. When 22nd June - 23rd June.

Where CWA, 3 Alley St, Coffs Harbour.

More Info 0403 500 919; danni.healthsuccess@gmail.com

A amber L A W R E N C E

Mike Carr & Blake O’Connor

Four-time Golden Guitar winner, singer-songwriter Amber Lawrence is back with her sixth studio album, “Spark”, to be released June 14. To celebrate the release, Amber is touring nationally with her “Your Town” tour and performing at Sawtell RSL on Saturday 22nd June.

mber is genuinely fond of the North Coast, commenting, “My first holiday as a teenager with my best friends was to Sawtell and Coffs Harbour, and I recall thinking how much I wanted to be able to come back and perform some day. I have since performed at Sawtell many times over the years and always love coming back. I’m thrilled to have Mike Carr - multi golden guitar winner, and 2019 Toyota Starmaker winner Blake O’Connor join me at the show. It’s going to be a fantastic night!”

Recently celebrating her wedding and the birth of her son, Ike, Spark and its 10 songs reflect these new milestones in Amber’s life that she shares in her own style of songwriting - deeply personal, fun and energetic singalong songs, alongside some heartfelt ballads.

The album is a collection of deeply personal stories, including the first single Outrageous, which has just become Amber’s fifth number one song on The Music Network’s Country Airplay chart.

The powerful album opener and forthcoming single Heart is a song about fight and survival, which the album title Spark is lifted from, and the song lyrics will serve as the theme song for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Gold Telethon in June 2019.

Every song on the album was written or co-written by Amber between Australia and Nashville, which makes it so much more intimate to listen to, as Amber lets you into

her personal life with sincere and beautiful dedications to those she cares most about.

It’s been almost three years since Amber’s last solo release, Happy Ever After. In that short time Amber has released two children’s albums (The Kids Gone Country and Aussie Aussie Christmas), released a collaboration with Travis Collins (Our Backyard), won three Golden Guitar Awards in 2018, performed her original work 100 Year Handshake in New York for the President of the United States, co-hosted the 2019 Golden Guitar Awards, began hosting her own radio show for iHeart Country Australia (receiving a nomination for Top 10 New Radio Talent to watch) … and met and married the love of her life and gave birth to baby boy, Ike, in August 2018.

“I’m extra excited about the release of Spark in June - it’s a happy album, it’s fun, it’s energetic - but there’s some really honest and heartfelt songwriting in there too, that I’m super proud of. I really do think it’s my best work yet, and maybe that’s because I’m very happy in life right now - even though (with an eight month old) I’m busier than ever. I can’t wait to perform the new songs live and come back to Sawtell.”

Catch Amber Lawrence on Saturday 22nd June at Sawtell RSL. Tix available: www.sawtellrsl.com.au

Coffs Coast focus 13

14 Coffs Coast focus

focusinterview

Sophie Bird of Tallow and Tide

KIRBY BURTON STOKA COFFEE + SALUTE ESPRESSO

I’m really excited to introduce Kirby Burton, of STOKA Coffee and Salute Espresso. Kirby is a FORCE! Most of us know her for her lovely lattes and punchy piccolos, but today I’m digging a little deeper!

F

irst up, I want people to get some perspective of the last few years for you! How old are you, how old are your babies, and how old is your business? It’s a pretty amazing feat.

Wow, the last few years have been the wildest of my life! I am 31, and I have four year and 18 month old girls. I have been wholesaling coffee in my roastery since 2012. Salute town was opened

when my eldest child was six months, and Salute Jetty when my youngest was two weeks old! I seem to open businesses when I have babies, so safe to say I won’t be having any more babies!

We all know you can sling an epic coffee, but behind all that, you roast beans, stock cafés and sell to the public. So, why coffee?

And how long have you been in the industry pre-STOKA?

Ah, thanks Soph! I was sneaking coffees when world. I had no idea this world ran so deep; I was seven years old, when my parents would I’m so curious! What was that time of your turn a cheek; I love it predominantly because life like? of the taste, and secondly because of what it Baristas are some of the most unique people; symbolises. It brings people a slice of happiness, the specialty coffee world is incredible. My and brings people together! It’s also creative and experience from that time was so much fun, multifaceted. I have been in hospo for 20 years, but also concreted that I really wanted to be in and I began roasting in Melbourne in nine years this industry. I competed in Cologne in Germany ago! in 2009 and then in Maastricht in Holland in What are the most important components 2011 against the best in the world. That year I of a good roast? How easily can it all go went on to live in London and work for Gwilym wrong? The science behind it is fascinating!

Davis, a World Barista Champion. When I was SO many things can working in London, the affect the end result! coffee industry was going But the most important through some major components are definitely changes in understanding beans, equipment that is and really delving into The whole roasting precise and able to ramp the science behind water process is such a up the heat when you quality and how that cool science, with the need, or to make minor affects the flavours you slightest of changes temperature changes extract from coffee, completely changing without completely using refractometers the flavour at the end. losing momentum, and and weighing coffee to understanding these measure results precisely. factors. The whole Lastly, where can people roasting process is such a cool science, with (who would be crazy to not know already) the slightest of changes completely changing buy, try and enjoy your coffee? the flavour at the end. It could be 10 seconds Our roastery, STOKA, is hidden down Park too long or too little, and you will end up with Avenue Lane; it houses our flagship café, Salute something that isn’t what you know that coffee espresso out the front, which has a fairly large is capable of. It’s a little bit of a dance with the retail shelf stocked with beans! We also have flame to really bring out the best in each origin.

Salute Jetty right on the foreshores on Marina Now, if my digging serves correctly, you are Drive! an Australian title holder for latte art and Find us @stokacoffee or coffee making, then competed around the www.stokacoffee.com.au

Bulk billing CDBS available Family-friendly practice Extended opening hours Saturday availability

(Coffs Harbour & Macksville)

Children’s therapist

Grafton

Cnr Queen & Victoria Streets

6643 2225

Coffs Harbour

Suite 1, 252 Harbour Drive

6651 1350

freshdentalcare.com.au

Urunga

46 Bonville Street

6655 5800

Macksville

1 Princess Street

6568 1335

/freshdentalcare.com.au Coffs Coast focus 15

J

Sam Dawson of PFLAG Coffs Coast.

June is all about being proud!

Coffs Coast PFLAG is a volunteer group, whose title is short for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, which supports everybody in the LGBTQIA+ community.

16 Coffs Coast focus

une is officially Pride Month, and I must say - I am proud to be the mother of three children, two fantastic sons and a daughter. One of my sons may be different to your son, because he is gay. I feel after being in this supportive role in PFLAG and as a mum that my son, Ben, has had an easier time than some. He has had two parents who have loved him unconditionally and have known that he is different and have celebrated that really his entire life. Ben grew up in outback Australia, until we moved to the Coffs Coast in 2007 - we visited Coffs Harbour as we had family here his whole life, but our entire family group has always just known Ben as Ben. I think that foundation has been special, but I am learning it is not the norm. I am distressed by many stories that people share with me and by the different LGBTQIA+ people I meet who have had a very hard time either “coming out” or being accepted, or feel a constant daily battle just being themselves.

I came across the term Heterosexism.

Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favour of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that other people are heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm, and therefore superior.

I know I had fears like all parents when Ben was growing up, the stereotypical attitude to gay men and the fear for his safety and that he would be subjected to narrow-minded people who would feel they could abuse my son. This

all terrified me and my husband, Scotty. I don’t want my son to have to struggle, all because he has been born into who he is.

The world, media, social media is always there to remind you. Whether it is a famous footy player who is saying all gays will go to hell, or whether a discussion at work about how the world has gone so over the top politically correct - the daily reminders are there.

I think all these things can be addressed at a grass roots level. Coffs Harbour is an amazing community, and one I am proud to live in. Can’t we just start with what we discuss, what we choose to support and discussions we have? I think we are so great already with acceptance and inclusion, and we love a festival and celebration. I would love to see our community embrace differences and to squash stereotypes and to actually lead by example on a daily basis.

Please pen Saturday 13th July in your dairies, as we do have a great spokeswoman and founder of PFLAG, Shelley Argent, flying in from Brisbane to conduct a FREE workshop at Breakfree Aanuka Resort (major sponsor) to do a lecture/ workshop for all parents and allies - it's going to be great - afternoon tea included and meeting like-minded people ... who knows, you may take away some new information and meet a friend!

PFLAG is here to give help, support and information to families and friends of all gay people, right here on the Coffs Coast. pflagcoffscoast.com PFLAGcoffcoast 0417 861 045

Toogetha Toogetha is a new concept that welcomes the small business community to the new shared, connected digital economy.

Toogetha is a community that will level the playing field that has been very successfully exploited by corporations to suppress small businesses and independent contractors.

Stage 1. Shared 9 to 5 work space, offering hot desking and individual offices on demand. No traditional leases or outlaying vast amounts for office fit out, air conditioning, electricity, water, insurances.

Stage 2. The formation of a modern SME community who operate their individual businesses in harmony with other like-minded individuals or small organisations. This can include formation of partnerships and associations that provide mutual benefit, reassurance, mentoring, business development and cross referral.

Stage 3. Provision of back office business administration services for small business people.

Stage 4. Provision of business and investment education with a focus on finance, and in particular Crypto currency and the blockchain. There is a very good chance that this technology may well be the future of money and the internet. Yet, most SMEs are not aware of the opportunities and the dangers of this technology. Toogetha intends to change this.

Stage 5. Social events. Toogetha is a licensed event space after business hours.

D E R E W O P R E SUP CREATIVE TOGE SUPER-CHANRESS YOUR CBUSSUYOSURIDESIGN, WEB

CALL US TO DIS NEEDS u AND MARKETING sasocreative.com.a

6658 7666

WINNER 2016

WINNER 2016

WINNER 2015

Coffs Coast focus 17

Thai Beef Salad from Beachouse CafĂŠ Woolgoolga 18 Coffs Coast focus

focus

DISHES of the month

COAST HOTEL

ELEMENT BAR

Pork belly - Master stock braised, sticky black pepper caramel, with crunchy Chinese cabbage & noodle salad.

Ploughman’s plate - double brie, prosciutto, salami, feta stuffed green olives, dukkah, light salad, charred bread, honey sesame dipping sauce.

PLANTATION HOTEL

THE PALMS, TOORMINA HOTEL

Neptune Chicken - chat roasted potato topped with chicken breast, king prawns, avocado and bernaise sauce.

Texas Share Platter, 200g rump, pulled pork, short ribs, brisket, buffalo wings onion rings, tennessee smoked corn, jalapeños, sauces and brioche buns

VELVETS RESTAURANT, TWO TAILS WINES

URBAN ESPRESSO LOUNGE

Lamb meatballs with pomegranate glaze.

Red wine beef ragu.

Coffs Coast focus 19

with Madonna Bannerman from Two Tails Wines

wine month of the

Crafty

CHOCOLATE CHILLI VELVET

If you like Chocolate and Chilli, this is for you! Grown and sold at our award winning Cellar door, Two Tails Winery at Nana Glen ...

Counter Culture “Sticky Nectar”

T

his wine demonstrates a blend of Jacquez (Le Noir) grapes grown at the vineyard, and displays both varietal styles to perfection.

With the combination of distinctive dark colouring, herbaceous aromas and black cherry, chocolate and chilli flavours, to the lush fruit sweetness of the Jacquez grapes, “Chocolate Chill Velvet” was created.

Perfect for drinking straight, on the rocks, warm up for a coffee/hot chocolate or your favourite cocktail or dessert.

CHARACTERISTICS: This wine presents deep red colours with berry driven aromas.

Ripe and lush, this wine is bursting with black cherry and chocolate and chilli flavours - with a hit of chilli and a smooth chocolate finish. Low in tannin, with a hint of oak.

GOES WITH: A match made in heaven with dark chocolate or a rich dessert.

COST: $50.

AVAILABLE: Two Tails Winery Cellar Door, 963 Orara Way, Nana Glen NSW. Phone: (02) 6654 3633.

Email: admin@twotailswines.com.au

Just released and fresh on the taps at Element Bar on the Coffs Jetty Strip is the next gem in Stone & Wood’s new limited edition Counter Culture range, their incredibly delicious Hazy Mango IPA, “Sticky Nectar”. With a lovely golden sun colour, fresh tropical aromas, vanilla and lactose for sweetness and balance, then a truckload of fresh mangoes, this incredibly tasty drop will drift you back to summer from the first sip until the very last!

TRADIES SHOWCASE

RACE DAY

FRIDAY JUNE 21 8 RACE TAB MEETING $250k PRIZE MONEY

GATES OPEN 11:30am - $10 ENTRY

20 Coffs Coast focus

Coffs Coast focus 21

22 Coffs Coast focus

Danni Auch Hosting two Coffs Harbour NLP Seminars this year!

Danni Auch, BHS, NLP Master Practitioner is excited to teach NLP and Time Line Therapy® in Coffs Harbour.

NLP is the study of excellence that can help you achieve life’s goals by motivating you to change your negative behaviour.

NLP helps you to understand how your mind works, break your bad habits and get the positive results you truly want.

“This weekend was one the most amazing of my life. I worked through emotional roadblocks and cleared them to bring in my positive future.” (Amanda, Sydney 2017) EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF CREATING YOUR MAGNIFICENT FUTURE In this 2 day seminar you will learn the skills that will guide you back on track with your life You will feel alive again and regain that spark back which makes your life exciting 3 POWERFUL REASONS TO ATTEND Get to know yourself better Increase positive thinking and self confidence Move forward in life and get the life you always dreamt of IN THIS SEMINAR YOU WILL LEARN: How to use your mind to get the results you want How to let go of negative emotions -- anger, sadness, fear, anxiety How to elicit values in a chosen area of your life This is an interactive seminar and it will change your life!

“What you focus on, what your thoughts are, that’s what you get” (Danni Auch) Come and join us for this exciting journey into self discovery!

“I feel amazing after this workshop, it changed my life in more ways than I hoped” (R.I. Coffs Harbour 2018)

Coffs Coast focus 23

THE COFFS COAST GIG GUIDE

FFS COAST

TH

E

CO

9 JUNE 201

1ST JUNE

16TH JUNE

ViAgro and DJ Blakey - The Coast Hotel

Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar

Chris Wiggins - Element Bar

Chris Castle - Sawtell RSL

2ND JUNE

19TH JUNE

Josh Matheson - Element Bar

Josh Matheson - The Coast Hotel

5TH JUNE

Fretless Monk - Element Bar

Ben Francis - The Coast Hotel

20TH JUNE

Phil & Tilley - Element Bar

Madelyn - Element Bar

6TH JUNE

21ST JUNE

Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar

DJ Reit & DJ Bisho - The Coast Hotel

The Dinner Party - The Jetty Theatre

Dean Sharkey - Element Bar

7TH JUNE

22ND JUNE

DJ Reti and DJ Bisho - The Coast Hotel

Doubleshot and DJ Blakey - The Coast Hotel

Dean Sharkey - Element Bar

Tessa Devine - Element Bar

Tangle - Sawtell RSL

8TH JUNE Mum Says Rock and DJ Back Skone - The Coast Hotel Benny Black - Element Bar Ball Park Music - C.ex

9TH JUNE Peter Barry - Element Bar Wayne Rogers - Sawtell RSL UFC 238 - The Toormina Hotel

12TH JUNE Own Shannon - The Coast Hotel Josh Matheson - Element Bar

13TH JUNE Vena Klymo - Element Bar

14TH JUNE

23RD JUNE Graham Moes - Element Bar

26TH JUNE Matty Devitt - The Coast Hotel Vena Klymo - Element Bar Destroyer - The Jetty Theatre

27TH JUNE Richie Langford - Element Bar

28TH JUNE DJ Flak3y & DJ Bisho - The Coast Hotel Tessa Devine - Element Bar Wolfgang’s Musical Circus - The Jetty Theatre

29TH JUNE Car Ram Rod & DJ Flak3y -The Coast Hotel Benny Black - Element Bar Kel-Anne Brandt - Sawtell RSL

DJ Flak3y & DJ Bisho - The Coast Hotel

Gregg Arthur with Quartet Quartet - The Jetty

Ryan Brooker - Element Bar

Theatre

Kava Groove - Sawtell RSL

30TH JUNE

15TH JUNE Occarock & DJ Flak3y - The Coast Hotel Chris Grieve - Element Bar Mental as Anything and The Radiators - Sawtell RSL 24 Coffs Coast focus

Peter Barry - Element Bar

Coffs Coast focus 25

focusinterview.

June FOCUS Editorial

Image Right: Archibald Prize 2019 finalist Jordan Richardson, Annabel, oil on aluminium composite panel, 76.5 x 63cm, the artist. Photo: AGNSW, Jenni Carter Sitter: Annabel Crabb - political journalist

The Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery gave FOCUS an insight into all the UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS COMING TO COFFS HARBOUR AND FROM THE SOUNDS OF THINGS, WE HAVE A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO! For all our local art lovers out there, this is a must know! They also gave us a glimpse into the new Cultural and Civic Space that is planned for Coffs.

W

hat’s happening at your Regional Gallery?

The team at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery is looking forward to sharing another six months of great exhibitions with you, starting with the recently opened Clay Stories.

Now until 6th July: Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia This exhibition of contemporary ceramic work by 22 Indigenous artists from five remote locations around Australia provides insight into the diverse landscapes and art practice from across this amazing continent. Ernabella Arts (SA), Hermannsburg Pottery (NT), Tiwi Designs (Bathurst and Melville Islands), Erub Arts (Torres Strait) and Girringun Arts, Cardwell (QLD) provide important creative and cultural hubs for artists where stories are shared, knowledge is maintained and creativity flourishes.

19th July - 14th September: Saltwater Freshwater Arts Following on from Clay Stories, the celebration of Aboriginal arts and culture continues with the focus closer to home on the Mid North Coast region with Saltwater Freshwater Arts. The Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr nations make up the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, and shine a light on Aboriginal culture in our own region. The Saltwater Freshwater Aboriginal Art Award and a display of contemporary cultural objects will fill the Regional Gallery. There will also be public programs 26 Coffs Coast focus

throughout the exhibition, including storytelling, weaving and language workshops.

20th September - 30th November: Still: National Still Life Award In September, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery’s signature event Still: National Still Life Award, opens with artists from all around Australia delving into the rich treasure trove of ideas that the “still life” genre presents. From exploring the transitory nature of life or the focused attention to the everyday objects we surround ourselves with, “still life” can be loaded with all sorts of symbolic imagery without us even noticing. Open to all mediums, you will see “still life” presented through a contemporary lens in a way that will surprise and delight you. Our special guest Judge of the 2019 award is Rebecca Coates, Director, Shepparton Art Museum in Victoria.

If you’re an artist, online entries close on Monday 10th June. Go to the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery webpage for details.

6th December - 1st February: The Overwintering Project Migratory shorebirds connect the world; their annual journeys bind sky, land and sea into a meaningful whole. Yet, migratory shorebirds are the most endangered but possibly least known of all birds. The Overwintering Project is a multidisciplinary, environmental art project that brings together artists, local high school students, scientists, birders and poets to address environmental impacts on migratory shorebirds and their habitats, including special places here on the Coffs Coast. The Overwintering Project (www.theoverwinteringproject.com) was

importance of the ocean in initiated by printmaker THE WORIMI, BIRIPI, Kate Gorringe-Smith our region, and how we can DUNGHUTTI AND to highlight the unique all work together to protect GUMBAYNGGIRR nature of migratory our shared and beloved NATIONS MAKE UP shorebird habitats found ocean and its habitats.

THE SALTWATER around Australia and FRESHWATER Heads Up … In 2020, New Zealand. Coffs ARTS ALLIANCE, Australia’s most loved art Harbour Regional Gallery’s AND SHINE A LIGHT ON exhibition will include the prize, The Archibald (2019) ABORIGINAL CULTURE full Overwintering Project is coming to Coffs Harbour.

IN OUR OWN REGION. portfolio of over 200 prints See this year’s line-up of

by Australian printmakers portraits from some of as well as artworks by local Australia’s leading painters including the winner, high school students.

Tony Costa. The Archibald runs 4 July to 15 Join our Wall of Wings!

August 2020. Pop it in your diary now!

The Wall of Wings is an integral component of The Overwintering Project and local artists Have you seen the video about the new are invited to contribute prints of individual Cultural and Civic Space planned for Coffs? This shorebirds, which will be attached directly to project will incorporate a new Library, Gallery a wall of the gallery, thus creating a “wall of and Museum commensurate with the creative, wings”. culturally diverse and growing city that is Coffs For more information, see our website Harbour. See the team of architects describe coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/gallery or Facebook the building and the thought process behind its facebook.com/coffsharbourregionalgallery design by visiting the Council’s “Have your say” Other news and events webpage: haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/ World Oceans Day - Saturday 8th June, 2 - 4pm Coffs Harbour Library and the gallery will be celebrating World Oceans Day on Saturday 8 June as part of a global movement. On Word Oceans Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honour the ocean, which connects us all. Join us at the Rigby House forecourt for an afternoon of live music, local art, and scientific knowledge. Celebrate as local experts explain the

cultural-and-civic-space Keep up to date with the latest gallery news by subscribing to our newsletter at coffsharbour. nsw.gov.au/subscribe - you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram @coffsharbourregionalgallery We look forward to seeing you at the gallery soon!

WHAT’S NEXT AT YOUR REGIONAL GALLERY?

Negin Maddock, In Transit 2018, Linocut, stamping and monoprint

COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL GALLERY JULY–DECEMBER 2019

19 JULY – 14 SEPTEMBER SALTWATER FRESHWATER ARTS 2019

20 SEPTEMBER – 30 NOVEMBER STILL: NATIONAL STILL LIFE AWARD 2019

6 DECEMBER – 1 FEBRUARY 2020 THE OVERWINTERING PROJECT

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY 19 JULY 6–8PM

OFFICIAL OPENING SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019 6–8PM

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER 6–8PM

A celebration of Aboriginal arts and culture from the Mid North Coast: the Worimi, Biripi, Dunghutti and Gumbaynggirr nations that make up the Saltwater Freshwater region. The exhibition includes the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal art award and a display of contemporary cultural objects.

Still is a biennial, acquisitive award for artworks in the genre of still life, in all mediums. The award is open to artists at all stages of their careers. The exhibition of 2019 finalists will highlight the diversity and vitality of still life in Australian contemporary art practice.

The Overwintering Project is a multidisciplinary, environmental art project that brings together artists, local high school students, scientists, birders and poets to address environmental impacts on migratory shorebirds and their habitats, including special places here on the Coffs Coast.

MAJOR SPONSORS

JOIN OUR WALL OF WINGS! Local artists are invited to contribute prints of individual shorebirds, which will be attached directly to a wall of the gallery, thus creating a “wall of wings”, an integral component of The Overwintering Project.

For more information see our website.

Proudly funded by the NSW Government SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Tanya Baily, Dance 2017, watercolour on paper – 2017 Still finalist

Image courtesy of Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance

Brian Davidson, Curlew Migration 2018, linocut

NATIONAL STILL LIFE AWARD 2OI9

OPEN TUESDAY—SATURDAY \ 10AM—4PM FREE ADMISSION CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND DURING THE WEEK PRIOR TO EXHIBITION OPENINGS COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL GALLERY RIGBY HOUSE \ CNR COFF & DUKE STREETS \ COFFS HARBOUR

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/subscribe FOLLOW US

 facebook.com/coffsharbourregionalgallery  instagram.com/coffsharbourregionalgallery

 02 6648 4863  gallery@chcc.nsw.gov.au  coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/gallery Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery is a cultural facility of Coffs Harbour City Council.

Coffs Coast focus 27

LEGENDARY SURF FILMMAKER JACK MCCOY RETURNS TO COFFS HARBOUR F O R A O N E N I G H T O N LY S P E C I A L EVENT, ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUEST D A V E “ R A S TA” R A S T O V I C H .

F

resh from presenting at Sydney’s Vivid Ideas, McCoy’s interactive “talk story” keynote/conversation events have captivated audiences around the world with a mix of humour, story-telling, film clips (some never before seen publicly) and photographs from his illustrious career.

McCoy originally came to Australia from Hawaii in 1970 for the World Surfing Contest. McCoy loved Australia so much, he stayed and started showing, making and distributing surfing films around Australia. Coffs Harbour was a regular stop for many years.

The award winning director, producer, cinematographer and allaround waterman’s career has been at the forefront of innovation. He has tracked the development of surfing as an art form over more than 40 years, documenting the greatest surfers in history, including Gerry Lopez, Tom Carroll and Kelly Slater.

Dave Rastovich was the star of Jack’s 2004 award winning film BLUE HORIZON co-starring Andy Irons and will be sharing the stories of the making of the film and working with Andy.

Audiences can expect stories of life and death experiences, along with behind-the-scenes tales of making some of his iconic surfing films, Storm Riders, The Green Iguana, and Occy, The Occumentray.

Jack also shares about collaborating with Paul McCartney of The Beatles, and tells firsthand of his account filming Laird Hamilton’s Millennium Wave, one of the most famous rides in surfing history - a classic story surf lovers won’t want to miss.

M c C O Y

plug!

An Evening with Jack McCoy comes to C.ex Coffs for one show only: Sunday, June 23rd at 5pm. Early bird tickets available now at Jackmccoy.com/talk-story.

“MANIC AND MAGICAL” - THE GUARDIAN, UK

SATURDAY JUNE 29TH | FROM 2PM & 7PM

S

traight from the score and onto the stage, the man known as Mozart appears amid a storm of powder, tumbling and twirling, as musical mayhem and movement fuse in this family show with a circus twist.

To those who know him, he is Wolfgang, the dart-playing, pun-loving rat-bag. To those who are watching and listening, he is the wigged genius Mozart.

Come and discover his irrepressible spirit and vibrant compositions through physical comedy and mischievous antics.

Designed to amaze people from the age of three and upwards, Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus reinvents the composer’s magical music in a skillful and illuminating show featuring Circa’s dexterous daredevil artists and a live accordionist. Watch as the notes are physically lifted off the page as performers bring the renowned compositions to life amidst a storm of powder, tumbles and crashes, all under the eccentric swirl of the conductor’s baton.

THE THRILL OF CIRCUS, THE MAYHEM OF MOZART

Commissioned by The Art Centre Wyong. Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Circa respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters and seas on which we work and live paying respects to Elders, past, present and future.

28 Coffs Coast focus

Coffs Coast focus 29

focusinterview.

JESS BOARDMAN HAS BEEN BUSY WORKING ON A BR AND NEW PROJECT IN BELLINGEN SINCE WE SPOKE TO HER LAST. SHE HAS EXPANDED HER CATERING BUSINESS AND OPENED A NEW AND EXCITING RESTAURANT! SMOKE AND BARRELS IS NOW UP AND RUNNING AND WE’RE EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROCESS OF GETTING IT STARTED AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE NEW RESTAUR ANT.

Jess

BOARDMAN

30 Coffs Coast focus

ey Jess. You’ve been Our style is what I like to call modern Australian, working hard on a new having influences from all over the world, project since we last mainly French and Italian. spoke to you. Can you Out of all the dishes you could come up reveal what it is to our with, how does a dish make the final cut? readers?

To make the cut we source the best I have been busy fitting out a new restaurant ingredients we can, depending on what is in and have called it season and available locally.

Smoke and Barrels We then determine how to which is now open and use them based on other located at the top of menu items and how they the Bellingen township. will complement each It’s been a dream of mine This has been a dream other. I don’t like making since the day I started my of mine for many years, the same thing over and apprenticeship in 2005. My and I am absolutely over. The learning never vision with food is very stoked with how it has stops in this industry; unique, and it would turned out. keeping up with modern not be possible to reach What’s the idea trends is super important. my potential working in behind the new What inspired you someone else’s restaurant, restaurant? What to take on this new so I decided to open my own. style of food will you venture? be serving up?

It’s been a dream of We pride ourselves on mine since the day I started delivering a service of the finest quality, using my apprenticeship in 2005. My vision with food fresh and seasonal locally sourced ingredients. is very unique, and it would not be possible to Our friendly staff give you an experience not to reach my potential working in someone else’s forget, bringing creative cocktails and vibrant restaurant, so I decided to open my own. I have dishes straight to your table. had many roles in the hospitality industry that The menus will change every season, have prepared me for the role of restaurateur. ensuring the food is the freshest we can get.

What has been the most challenging aspect

focusinterview.

SMOKE & BARRELS

of starting a brand new restaurant? bar staff and enjoy catching up over a drink One week after receiving the keys, I slipped together after a hard day’s work. in the kitchen at the new restaurant and broke How have you found juggling this project my leg. I’m quite a strong and fit individual and and your catering business? rely on myself to get a lot done, so this made It’s certainly been a challenge, but now that the fit out come to nearly a complete standstill. the set-up is complete, the catering business Luckily, we had some amazing support from will fit right in with the restaurant and work as friends and family, who came together and got one unit. This has worked very well in the past, it done. I am truly blessed to have these people and I am confident it will work seamlessly for in my life. the team at Smoke & Barrels.

What have you learnt What are you most about yourself taking excited about and on such a big project? looking forward to?

I’ve learnt that to Getting the support achieve big goals of our local community I’ve learnt that to achieve big you have to wake up to make this an iconic goals you have to wake early and stay up late; restaurant and having up early and stay up late; working around the Smoke & Barrels as a working around the clock clock gets the job done. special place for people gets the job done. This took This took maximum to meet. I’m really excited maximum effort and was worth effort and was worth to have a bar and match every second, I’m really proud of every second; I’m really beverages to our food; this what has been achieved here. proud of what has been is something new to me, achieved here. and I love learning every Where can people aspect of the food and find out more and beverage industry. keep up to date with what’s happening at Will you be doing most of the cooking Smoke & Barrels? for the restaurant? Do you have a team Through social media; we have a Facebook together yet? and Instagram page. A simple Google search Yes, myself and chef James Golding will be will show you our website, address and phone doing most of the cooking at Smoke & Barrels. number.

The team is already well established from the We welcome people to come and check it catering company and my previous business at out and walk in the door; lots of the Bellingen the Diggers Tavern Bistro. We are expanding locals have been stopping in to say hello and as the business grows and look forward to see what we are all about. welcoming another talented chef to our team Thanks Jess. soon. We have great front of house and Coffs Coast focus 31

focusinterview.

Tammi Savoy and the Chris Casello Combo are going to be PLAYING AT THE BELLO WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL THIS YEAR, COMING ALL THE WAY FROM CHICAGO IN THE US. THEIR MUSIC TAKES YOU TO ANOTHER ERA, and they’re sure to be a stand out at the festival with their unique style of music. We spoke to Tammi about the show, how she and Chris came together to form the band, and what we can expect to see.

W

hat drew you into the music industry? Were you singing from a young age?

I started singing in the church choir when I was three years old, so I’ve been singing all my life. But as I got older, I still sang a little, but it wasn’t something I was really serious about until recently. It wasn’t until 2014 that I started singing professionally. Before I would sing for church, weddings, talent shows for fun, things like that, but it wasn’t anything serious I was trying to pursue. I started out doing backup singing first, and then that just sort of led in to me singing lead.

But, I’m really enjoying it; I love it!

How did you and Chris cross paths?

So, I was actually singing backup with a band that I’m a part of called Lance Lapinski and the Lovers, and he was a sub on guitar for our show, and we met then. But then afterwards he had a show of his own; I was actually out with my husband on his birthday and Chris was performing, and he asked me to sit in on a song. We did Jim Dandy, because that was one of the songs that I sang in the show that he subbed in, so we both knew that one - but we didn’t have any other songs. Everybody was like, “Encore! Encore!” and we were like, “We don’t have anything else though!”

After that we talked. I told him I wanted to come out with a 45, and he said he could help me with that. We started rehearsing and we recorded some things in his basement, and now those songs we recorded are on our EP. From there we just started doing shows together, and we’ve been doing that ever since.

So how long have you been working together now?

32 Coffs Coast focus

When I was younger, MY BEST

We started rehearsing last October/November I think, but our first actual show together was last year at the Nashville Boogie. That was at the end of May last year.

What have been some of your favourite venues or shows so far?

Oh my goodness! That’s kinda hard, because there have been a lot of good ones! But I would say, we did a show that was at the Arcada Theatre; we opened for Tommy James, and then we also had our own set after that at the speakeasy they have upstairs. I really enjoyed that, being able to play at both venues at the Arcada Theatre. And I really like the Arcada Theatre,because it’s really fancy and it has that old-school feel to it! It’s a very historic place; I think it was built in the early 1900s, and they kept the old decor and everything. I just love being there.

Listening to your music, you get taken back to another time almost. What era of music are you most inspired by?

What I do in my set is music from the '50s, mostly. But, I sing all kinds of music from all different eras, and I feel like they all influence my sound. When I was younger, my best memories are of being in the car with the family and listening to old-school music - things like Motown, old soul music, jazz, just everything from every decade! But in my set I do mostly '50s songs by artists whose songs were more obscure, maybe that a lot of people don’t really know much about, and I want to bring attention back to those songs.

How do audiences respond to that old style of music? What sort of fans do you get coming to the shows?

It’s weird to me to even say “fans”! To me, I feel like I’m just doing what I love! But I feel like a lot of people who come to see the shows, even

MEMORIES ARE OF if they don’t know what the for special occasions, but BEING IN THE CAR songs are, I feel they still then after a while I was WITH THE FAMILY enjoy it. But every crowd is like, “This is me; this is AND LISTENING different and every venue what I do!” and I figured TO OLD-SCHOOL is different, so it’s always a I might as well just dress MUSIC - THINGS LIKE different reaction. like this all the time!

MOTOWN, old soul music, jazz, People come up to me I’ve noticed that Chris just everything from every decade! and tell me they love it and and the band get all often they say that they find kitted up too. It makes it quite mesmerising. A lot it quite a show - not of the time, if they’re able just about the music. to, they dance to the music, so I can tell when And the crazy thing is, I don’t ever tell them they’re enjoying it. what to wear - they pick their own clothes. I The feedback I get is good; a lot of the older know a lot of times with bands they want to people let me know that it brings them back - a coordinate and make sure everybody looks the lot of the songs they remember from when they same, but I’ve never told them what to wear were younger, and it makes them happy to see and I’m fine with whatever they choose! And it’s someone from my generation bringing it back funny, because with Chris Casello, it seems like and trying to keep it alive. I feel like that is a his clothes always seem to end up coordinating good response. with mine, even though we don’t talk about it Can you tell us a bit about your wardrobe? beforehand or plan it; it just works out that way!

You often seem to be wearing these Is this your first time to Australia? What are amazing, old style dresses. How extensive is you looking forward to? your wardrobe, and where does it all come Yes, it is! And it’s Chris’ first time to Australia from? as well. It’s very exciting. Having never been The funny thing is that people often think that there, I don’t really know what to expect, but I they are stage costumes, and they’re actually just know that people have told me that it’s nice there clothes that are in my closet already! I’ve always even in the winter - so I’m looking forward to loved vintage style since I was younger. I would nice weather! I’m sure it’s nothing like winter in look at old Hollywood films from the '30s, '40s Chicago! and '50s and also the women who used to sing Thanks Tammi. back in the day, like Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee, and they all dress like that on stage with the big band behind them - and that just stuck with me!

I always liked that style, and I just wanted it for myself!

Tammi Savoy and the Chis Casello Combo So, even before I started singing professionally, playing at Bell Winter Music on July 11th I already had a lot of these outfits in my closet! until 14th. Tickets available from It’s a style I love, and at first I started dressing up www.bellowintermusic.com

S

ituated in the heart of beautiful Bellingen town, Sweet Bellingen’s reputation for quality products, fair prices and wonderful old fashioned customer service has spread far and wide.

These days, there are very few specialty shops left. Sweet Bellingen, once visited, will never be forgotten! The greeting you get on entering the store, the visual delight of the displays and oh, so delicious aroma of all those chocolates and lollies is sure to put an instant smile on your lips.

If living the dream is your goal, then a visit to Sweet Bellingen is a “must do”, to see how it’s done! Bobbi and Nigel tell us more ...

Tell us about your unique business and how you got started.

Sweet Bellingen Chocolate and Lolly Shop

Happy birthday to us! Yes, Sweet Bellingen Chocolate and Lolly shop is eight years old in June this year.

You’re right; it is unique. We are proud of this fact and have worked hard to achieve this. It was my (Bobbi’s) dream to own a sweet shop and, as they say, dreams really do come true ... I had the visual of the shop in my mind and when the right retail space became available, it was just a matter of “Where do I sign?”

What do you love most about your business?

to source Australian made products. Local products first and foremost feature prominently; for example, Ranae’s handmade chocolates based in Bowraville and regionally produced handmade fudge from Yamba. We carry stock manufactured in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney Adelaide, really good Aussie made treats and delights. We also carry imports from Germany, Italy and France and beyond.

Who are your main customers?

Without doubt our wonderful Bellingen and shire community, without whom we would not be in business. Really, we have customers from across our great nation ... and overseas.

Are you the only chocolate and lolly shop on the Mid North Coast?

We are unique with what we do and how we do it. We are often told by customers that there is nothing quite like us between Sydney and Brisbane. In fact, we have travellers who make a special trip from both capitals just to get our chocolates! So, I guess you can say we are “one and only of a kind”.

Tell us about the business opportunity that is available?

Tell us about the products you have.

We both hit 70 last year, the age we envisioned we’d retire when we started this project. Now the business has proven itself, we’re offering it for sale as a going concern. Contact can be made directly to us initially by visiting our website.

Well, to begin with, we try as much as possible

Thanks Bobbi and Nigel.

The customers of course, and being part of the Bellingen community. We are known in town as the lolly lady and lolly man! Some of our little customers believe we live in the shop!

Coffs Coast focus 33

Affordable Healthy Living Discount Bulk Foods Local & Organic Produce Natural Remedies

Open Monday - Saturday 1 Church Street Bellingen 02 6655 9299 www.kombuwholefoods.com.au

Affordable Local Street Food

Open Mon-Fri 11am-3pm 3 Church Street Bellingen 02 5615 8087 www.arame.cafe

34 Coffs Coast focus

Bellingen Kitchen Shop a Bellingen treasure!

Libby and Jamie discovered Bellingen and escaped from Sydney eight years ago. Not long after that, they took on a Bellingen tradition – the Bellingen Kitchen Shop. The shop was originally launched more than twenty years ago and is now firmly established as an essential part of the Bellingen experience. With its many festivals throughout the year, strong community spirit and renowned high street retail and food culture, Bellingen has so much to offer.

Libby and Jamie have enjoyed the opportunity to connect with customers from Bellingen and the broader local region as well as from further afield.

Their objective has been to expand the range of beautiful products that they sell, so you’ll find it is definitely not just pots, pans and potato peelers! You’ll also find homewares and gifts, making this a preferred destination not just for all your kitchen essentials but also for gifts for all occasions.

With a philosophy of offering quality products at fair prices and providing friendly customer service, Libby and Jamie really love the positive feedback that they regularly get from customers. One customer recently described the shop as “a Bellingen treasure”.

The shop stocks many great brands such as Zyliss, Microplane, Chasseur, Staub, Lodge, Woll, Opinel, Neoflam, Scanpan, Denby, Kleen Kanteen, Contigo, Christina Re, Bodum – and many more!

A recent addition is the Australian-made brand Solidteknics with a range of single piece wrought iron frying pans and woks.

Kathy is a long time Bellingen local who has joined the team and now takes great pride in being a vital part of the Bellingen Kitchen Shop story.

Libby, Jamie and Kathy will look forward to welcoming you to the shop soon. Please come in and experience the shop for yourselves!

Coffs Coast focus 35

focus_travel

WITH KERRY MOSS FROM QUADRANT TRAVEL

Quadrant Travel Local tour company Quadrant Travel and Journeys is offering readers the chance to explore Western Australia on their Western Australian Spring Farming Tour in September.

Kerry Moss, Quadrant’s Operations Manager, tells us that they have been designing custom made regional tours for more than 30 years. During this time, they have travelled to almost every corner of the earth and across Australia. Their tours are a unique blend of sightseeing and regional experiences, often getting off the beaten track and meeting the locals.

Tasmania something for everyone

With its captivating history, stunning surrounds and gourmet to food experiences, Tasmania has something for everyone.

H

obart, the capital of the island state of Tasmania, revolves around its picturesque harbour; it’s the backdrop of the many upmarket hotels and restaurants, the launching pad for a visit to world-acclaimed “Mona”, the largest privately-owned museum in Australia, and the home of the city’s seemingly endless supply of boats, yachts and ferries.

from the battle of Salamanca in Spain, a victory won by the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars.

Australia’s second oldest city, after Sydney, Hobart’s dark convict history has become part of its charm, and these days the heritage sandstone buildings of the 1800s stand side by side with modern restaurants and galleries. It’s as if the city’s shimmering beauty has scared away the ghosts of the past. The city’s natural beauty is undeniable; sitting at the entrance to the Derwent River, with bushland edging close to the city centre and the backdrop of Mount Wellington, a more aesthetically blessed city would be hard to find.

Around 100 km from Hobart, on the Tasman Peninsula, is the hauntingly beautiful, historic site of Port Arthur.

Tasmania is already renowned as a foodie destination, but in recent times it’s added several hatted restaurants to its repertoire and is worldrenowned for having some of the best produce.

While on Hobart’s waterfront, you can get the freshest seafood, straight from the Southern Ocean.

Hobart is also the ideal launching pad for experiencing some of Southern Tasmania’s best travel experiences, from the historic Port Arthur, to the rugged Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island.

But perhaps the most famous attraction in Hobart is the Salamanca Markets, held every Saturday since 1972. Hobart was founded on the land that is now known as Salamanca, back in 1804. The Georgian sandstone buildings, still standing today, were originally used as warehouses for early merchants, storing anything from grain and wool supplies to apples and imported goods. Salamanca was given its name 36 Coffs Coast focus

Against the historic backdrop of the sandstone warehouses, the markets feature artisans from around the state, with over 300 stallholders and a huge selection of locally made products, from bespoke jewellery, ceramics and leather goods to organic produce and hand-made cheeses.

Once forbidden territory, it’s now one of the state’s most visited attractions, with its 40 hectares of buildings and ruins, regarded as one of the most in-tact convict sites in the country.

Many highly recognisable ruins remain, the largest and best-known is the penitentiary. It originally opened as a flour mill, with stories of convicts in chains driving the wheels to mill the flour, but it was eventually converted into a prison to house the convicts.

The stillness and beauty of the area are in complete contrast to the tales of torture and tragedy that it bears, and a guide-led tour reveals the grim and violent history of what was regarded as an inescapable prison.

But among the doom and gloom and ruinous but magnificent sandstone buildings are immaculately kept gardens and grounds. There’s a delightful formal garden, once officially the Government Gardens, as they served the purpose of providing respite for the ladies of the settlement, generally wives of the administration and military officers.

Local tour company Quadrant Travel and Journeys, located in Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, is running a Best of Tasmania Tour in October 2019, which is a unique opportunity for travellers to get off the beaten path, exploring and learning about Tasmania. If you would like to find out more, drop in to see the team.

The Western Australian Spring Farming Tour offers the guests so much, including hundreds of kilometres of spectacular coastline, amazing rock formations, long sandy beaches, great food and wine and the lion’s share of native flora.

Other highlights include rich agricultural farmland and the chance to meet and talk to innovative farmers. Add the chance to meet the Benedictine Monks in Australia’s only monastery town, and you have all the ingredients for a wonderful experience.

The September departure of this tour is perfect timing to explore the wildflowers and national parks of Western Australia. The popular Margaret River wine region, spectacular Kings Park and the whaling port of Albany are just some of the highlights that make this trip a unique and

unforgettable experience If it’s food and farming you are interested in, then visits to diverse farming and fishing enterprises, including sheep and cattle, vegetables and olives, crayfish and yabbies will showcase some of the country’s best.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit WA, there’s no better time than in the spring, when the wildflowers are at their most spectacular.

If you would like to find out more, then drop in to see the friendly and professional team in Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, or visit their website for more information: www.quadrantaustralia.com

focus_tech

WITH GAVIN MORONEY

TECH for the M O D E R N

Tech Head

DAY

In this review we take a look at some of the neatest pieces of tech to create masterpieces from the comfort of your own couch.

I

ntuos Wacom tablet: Wacom white dots indicating the active surface area; has been at the head of the it’s a very minimalist piece of design. The stylus game for years when it comes to is very close to a pen, with a very ergonomic digital art. From architects and feel and two buttons along the side, which can engineers to graphic designers and be mapped like a mouse. photographers, all found tablets to On the small Intuos, the included pen has be the perfect tool in the design process. The 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for a way the Wacom Intuous smooth, natural drawing tablet works is simple; experience. If choosing you have a pad which the bluetooth version of is connected to your the Intuos, you will get WACOM INTUOS computer and instead up to 15 hours of battery HOLDS UP NICELY. of a mouse, you use a life and being lightweight IT’S SUPER-EASY stylus (pen) replicating at 250 g, it‘s the perfect TO SET UP AND the life old tradition of travel companion for USE, AND THE pen and paper. From a whenever inspiration NEW FEATURES young age we adapt to strikes. A nice added AND BUNDLED a pencil and paper, so bonus is you also receive SOFTWARE ADD it is quite easy to adapt access to up to three EXTRA VALUE TO THE to using a tablet, giving creative apps, including TOTAL OF THE PACKAGE. you the freedom to Corel Painter Essentials 6, Corel Aftershot 4 and create smooth lines when Clip Studio Paint Pro via illustrating or replicating your Wacom ID after a certain stroke pattern registering your Intuos. from a paint brush. The simplest way to describe drawing with a mouse is like drawing From my use, it works exactly how you want with a rock! it to. Be warned: there is a slight learning The more consumer friendly and most commonly used Wacom is the Intuos line. So far as being an entry-point for pen tablets, the Wacom Intuos holds up nicely. It’s super-easy to set up and use, and the new features and bundled software add extra value to the total of the package. The Intuos is a sleek, clean, plastic slate the shade of obsidian, rounded buttons along the top-most edge and a grid of

31st Birthday Expo at Camera House Celebrating our first year at our new location.

How is the move to the new location?

We are loving our new bigger and better location at 228a Harbour Drive, with parking at the front door and customer parking at the rear, with ease of access for all. The increased store area has provided us with a greater retail area for more cameras, more bags, a large range of frames, fun and interesting gadgets and accessories and a dedicated space available for our biometric passport studio.

We also have a large room for specialised training and large framing of canvas and photographic prints.

Lance Miller has been the local owner of the business for over thirty years. He had a background in electronics and was a wedding photographer originally. He has always strived to have the most advanced, up to date printing machines; he was the first to have a digital photolab machine outside a major city area.

We were also the first regional lab to have a dry digital printing machine that uses no chemicals, keeping the environment clean. In this time, he has also been on the board of directors for Camera House nationally and chairman for three years.

Paul Tidey has over thirty years of experience and passion in photography. He is a brilliant and passionate photographic trainer. In our new bigger and better location, Paul has his own dedicated area for his monthly camera training classes, which have been very popular with our customers. Whether it be a monthly group training or one on one training, if you would like to book, email training@chch.com.au Chad Miller has been around the photography industry since he was very young, carrying the wedding bag and second camera for Lance at weddings, working in the shop after school hours, weekends and holidays to now working in the family business for over 20 years full-time, growing to do his own wedding photography,

commercial work - including family portraits and school formal photography.

Mel Carroll is our photographic printing specialist/guru and has also been in the industry for over 20 years. She has a high colour management skill set, being able to colour correct all types of prints for all types of photographic print media, with her expertise in Photoshop and other color management programs.

How are you celebrating a year at this new location, and what activities do you have planned?

We are very excited to be celebrating with a week-long expo, with all the major camera suppliers coming for daily and evening hands-on demonstrations and tutorials and daily prize give aways.

This is a great opportunity for customers to check out all the latest gear and touch, feel and ask questions of the experts.

All are invited to come and celebrate with us.

Who are you celebrating with?

We will have representatives from all our major camera suppliers - Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Promaster, Sigma, Tamron, Peak Design, Manfrotto, CR Kennedy’s, Phottix Lighting, Joby and Lowepro. They are bringing the latest cameras and accessories and plenty of give aways.

When is this happening, and how can we join in?

From Monday 17th June to Friday 21st June 2019.

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ coffsharbourcamerahouse for all updates and the daily supplier, and also drop us an email: coffs.harbour@camerahouse.au to go on to our mailing list, so that we can contact you with an invitation.

Thanks everyone.

curve as you have to adjust to looking at your screen and while not looking at what you are drawing. I must admit after the first day of use, I wanted nothing to do with it and put it in the cupboard. But after a week of persistence, it‘s actually now the mouse that has been destined to be nothing more than a paper weight.

To check out more of the Wacom line, check out wacom.com.au Coffs Coast focus 37

focus_contributor

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS

Barb Ellis, Diane Osborn

Alison Pattinson, Leeann Lloyd, Ellie Luhr

Barbara Wenman, Dr John Wenman

Jesse Lutton, Adelaide Zietsch

Hoey Moey

Hoey Moey

Hoey Moey

Hoey Moey

Belinda Newcombe, Hannah Dahlen, Frances Guym Elaine Jefford, Simon Stewart-Novle

social scene.

Fairs, balls, sporting events, art shows and anything that people enjoy, FOCUS loves to cover them all! This month was jam-packed with lots of functions and shows to attend, making sure we all have something to do in our spare time - here on our amazing Coffs Coast!

A

side from events, our local clubs and hotels have so much to offer. So many venues provide free entertainment, that people can afford to go out and enjoy themselves and make new friends.

I popped into the Hoey Moey in Coffs Harbour to take a few social images, and the hotel was buzzing!

FOCUS attended an event at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery just recently. The gallery offers a dynamic variety of exhibitions featuring highly regarded national and local/emerging and established artists. There is always an ongoing programme of talks, workshops and events at the gallery, which will spark your imagination.

The function was the opening of Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia. It was a busy night at the gallery, with over 140 guests in attendance. The exhibition was officially opened by Bruce Johnson-McClean, who is the Curator of Indigenous Australian Art QAGOMA, Anna Grigson, who is the Curator, and Director Sabbia Gallery, along with Girringun artists Nephi Denham and Abe Muriata. Clay Stories is a significant survey exhibition of contemporary artworks in ceramics. It showcased presented pieces that were both sculptural and vessel-based, which each body of work being a 38 Coffs Coast focus

strong medium for storytelling, representative of the artists' connection to Country. It was a great opportunity for all who attended to peruse the amazing artwork, which was showcased by the travelling show.

FOCUS attended one of the Truth Talks Events just recently, which was staged at the Southern Cross University. Truth Talks is a monthly gathering for women to share stories, to create connection and build community. They have a variety of storytellers with a diverse range of tales shared from the heart. Each month a woman from the Coffs Coast Community shares her story, and I have heard from the attendees who frequent the Truth Talk Events that they walk away inspired and uplifted! One of the women commented that it makes her feel connected and more appreciative of living in such a beautiful area like here on the Coffs Coast.

The event I attended had Leeann Lloyd as the guest speaker. She shared her story of travelling to Nepal to climb to Everest Base Camp in honour of the 100th Anniversary of ANZAC Day. After just having left Everest Base Camp when the 2015 earthquake hit, her and the group were in a very serious life or death situation. The story took us all on an extremely emotional journey with Leeann her rapture at the environment, her fear when the earthquake struck, and the highs and lows of the

rescue mission. Amazing tale! Next month they are teaming up with the Coffs Harbour Women's Health Centre, who will be sharing their knowledge about Women's Health and answering all of your questions. Join their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/truthtalksforwomen/ and this will enable you to find out about the monthly events and get tickets. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month, and all women are welcome to attend.

It is certainly getting colder. I even had my coat on ... well in the morning, anyway ha! ha! I actually enjoy our winters; you can sleep better, get a lot more done (no humidity! Hooray!) and I also enjoy winter fare! Lots of choices to go out for a Sunday roast, but I have to say I am excited at the return of the Sunday Roast Night at Opal Cove. Happy hours is from 5pm, and The Sunday Roast Night includes a complimentary drink. Woohoo!

We all got dressed up to attend the International Midwives Day Hollywood Ball. This event was staged at the Bonville Golf Resort. It’s lovely for Le Dãin Designs to have the opportunity to sponsor an event which is not connected to the racing industry. We kind of get locked into that and to be honest, we support and sponsor all sorts of events, such as school and church functions, sports clubs and lots of different charities. We just don’t run around advocating that fact. Kindness

stretches a long way, and the rewards are great.

We have a very generous town, and we should be proud of ourselves.

Anyway, back to the Midwives Association. Since 1992, the International Confederation of Midwives leads celebrations and global recognition of the work of midwives. This occurs annually, with the aim of raising awareness about the status of midwives and the essential care they provide to mothers and their newborns. A local collaboration between SCU (Midwifery) and Coffs Harbour Health Campus (Maternity) - celebrations were in order, hence the Ball at Bonville Golf Resort.

Oration was given by two key note speakers (Professor Dahlen and Denise Tyrell) highlighting the vital role midwives play in the health and wellbeing of mothers, children and their families.

The Hollywood themed Ball was enjoyed by midwives, student midwives, doctors, academics, family friends and their guests. The Bonville Golf Resort certainly delivered an exceptional service, with the night being finished off on the dance floor grooving to talented local band The Funk Thieves. Great night out.

Here is to ... Juggling the many balls of life ...

But don’t forget to look after the juggler …

Carole Beros, Le Dãin Designs.

focus_contributor

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DĂƒIN DESIGNS

Darren Guy, Fraces Guy

Elaine & Steve Jefford

International Midwives Day Hollywood Ball

Jude Barderte, Karen Plumbe, Alysha Gormley

Belinda & Jason Newcombe

social scene.

Kim Hodges, Melissa Bulloch, Caron Mackie

Christopher Beros, Shelly Lewis

Nicole Moore, Terry Randell

Vanessa McGiashan, Gabrielle Brabander

Kelly Carvill, Rachael Maclaren

Lyn, Laura, Wendy

Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia

Abe Muriata and Uncle Mark Flanders

Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia

Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia

Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia

Coffs Coast focus 39

focushealth

and WITH

DAISY

Wellbeing

MORONEY

WITH

LAUREN

VESTEY

faceit.

beauty trends

THINGS

of the MET GALA 2019

T

he theme for 2019 was "Camp”, and it didn’t disappoint. The event is held at the beginning of May, so as it’s fresh in my mind and I’m feeling inspired myself,

I’ve decided to do a little run-down of some of the makeup trends I noticed. Obviously the Met Gala looks are usually to a theme and therefore exaggerated and stylised versions of day to day beauty trends, but I still think it’s interesting to see how events like this influence us and trickle down into what is fashionable for the masses.

As would be expected for this theme, there was loads of glitz, bold pops of colour, and lashes that could be seen from outer space!

Crystal eye decals were BIG this year. We saw everything from ethereal rays of silver rhinestones radiating around Lucy Boynton’s eyes, to striking pink and purple gems in a geometric winged eye on actress Pom Klementieff, to jewels layered over shimmery golden yellow eyeshadow for an almost 3D effect on Awkwafina ... to mention just a few of my favourite looks!

Of course, there was plenty of glitter too.

Lupita Nyong’o wore an incredible glitter eyeshadow that clearly drew inspiration from a drag look, with her eyebrows glued down and the glitter extending above her natural brow to a drawn on brow.

These glitzy looks are pretty out-there for most of us; however, we can always have a 40 Coffs Coast focus

UP

The Met Gala, aka the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala, is one of the most anticipated red carpets of the year. Anyone with any interest in fashion/celebrities/makeup will likely check out the looks parading down this red carpet for inspiration.

with a new look As the bitter cold of winter sets in, we thinks it’s the perfect time to heat things up with a new look.

go when we’re feeling like it ... Maybe a few rhinestones on your cheekbones or forehead for a music festival, or a glitter eyeshadow with a bit of simple mascara for a girls' night out?

Another trend I saw a lot of at the Met Gala was bright pops of colour, particularly opaque monochromatic eyeshadow. One of my favourites that deserves a mention is Lily Collins’ lilac shadow, paired with a strong gel liner and layer upon layer of lashes (top and bottom); it had a definite '60s vibe going on.

Another standout for me was Sophie Turner’s metallic blue eyeshadow; with her hair slicked back with silver glitter gel, her eyes really took centre stage. I used to think bold opaque eyeshadow in bright colours was best left in the '80s; however, I can see a place for it now if done well and if it’s not competing too much with another colour, but rather paired with soft, barely there, lip and cheek colours.

Statement lashes were on show this year too, with the most impressive having to be Lady Gaga’s hand cut gold leaf lashes … go on, check them out! They were pretty impressive.

Lashes can take a makeup look from pretty to WOW. Choose a set that complement your look and suit the shape of your eyes. Always measure them against your lashline before glueing them; cut them down to match the width of your lids if necessary, and apply with a quality lash glue.

Anyone can take inspiration from these incredibly creative and fun red carpet makeup looks; take what you love about it and make it your own!

T

his season is all about texture and shine; from glossy, rich chocolate tones to beautiful "natural blondes", there is a colour change out there right for everyone.

And as the days are getting much colder now, it's time to start thinking about ways to protect our hair from the damage that the winter elements can cause. Here are five tips that will help you maintain healthy, beautiful hair this season.

1. Let's start with the basics. A good diet and lifestyle is the foundation for great hair, so if you know you've been slipping in this department, it's time to pay attention to your inner health. To grow your best hair, “it’s what is on the inside that counts first.” It's the balance of overall health and nutrition that makes up the foundation for healthy hair. So less STRESS. "We all can try".

2. Soothe your scalp. Cold weather and hot showers can wreak havoc on your poor, fragile scalp. Using specialised shampoos and lotions will help your scalp as well as your hair when it's feeling sensitive, and specialist moisturising products can help treat any dryness and flakes.

3. It's also a great idea to treat your hair once a week with a deep conditioning treatment.

This will help to replenish the moisture, which tends to get depleted from things such as the dry indoor heat, cold outdoor air and excessive heat styling. Our favourite L'Oreal Professional Absolut Repair Lipidium Masque targets the areas where hair is damaged, leaving it feeling more resistant and easier to manage. Hair looks smoother and softer from root-to-tip, thanks to a resurfacing effect.

4. Regular trims are a great way to keep your hair in good health during the winter months as well - every six to eight weeks, just get a light nip of the ends, to help reduce the chances of dry, splitting ends.

5. Go a step darker. In winter, blondes should dial a somewhat darker tone that looks more natural and is gentler on the hair.

Experimenting with darker multi tones in any colour hair can create interest and excitement, sure to brighten up any miserable winter’s day.

Keep warm and rug up and give those locks some much needed love! We know that for the warmer months, we are sure to want to lighten and brighten again.

XO Dolls.

Why you should use a Treatment in Salon Our hair goes through a lot between salon visits. From blow-drying or straightening to the harsh sun, dry shampoo and plenty of dust, chemicals and general foreign particles in the air, your hair starts to feel dry and damaged, in need of a little TLC. That’s why we recommend that a treatment is part of each and every salon visit, to ensure that your hair is up to its absolute best standard as you walk out of the salon, ready to face the world again.

Our famous L'Oreal Professional SmartBond System Treatments penetrate not only the outside layer (cuticle) of the hair but also to repair deeper to create stronger hair fibres. This ceramide-enriched powerful formula protects hair during and after an in-salon service for reinforced, more resistant, soft and shiny hair.

For our clients with coloured hair, a treatment is particularly important. Not only does a treatment stop the colour oxidising in the hair, but it actually helps your colour last longer, by sealing the colour particles into the hair shaft and providing a brilliant shine to your hair.

50%

off first massage

Indian head Indian head

30mins 45mins

$40 $55

Swedish Swedish Swedish

30mins $40 1 hour $70 1.5 hour $100

Treatments help soften and condition your hair, hydrate and nourish it, keeping it looking smooth, shiny and healthy between visits. Your blow-dry will last longer, your styles will stay in place better and generally your hair will be in better condition, all by applying one simple treatment.

Living Doll wants to look after you this winter and with every Colour and SmartBond in Salon Service, you will receive an at home SmartBond Step 3 Treatment for $10. (Saving $35) So do right by your hair, to keep yourself looking and feeling beautiful between visits. XO Dolls.

Aromatherapy 30mins $70 Aromatherapy 1 hour $90 Aromatherapy 1.5 hour $120 Hot stone Hot stone

1 hour $120 1.5 hour $150

Mobile: 0455 218 547 website: sophiemorize.com.au Facebook: Massages by Sophie Morize

Coffs Coast focus 41

focus_education

W I T H B D C P R I N C I PA L N I C K J O H N S TO N E

World Prepared Graduates

Jetty Dental

I am writing this month’s article in the middle of NAPLAN week. As you would already be aware, these are the literacy and numeracy tests that stop every school in the nation for the middle week in May every year. While collecting data about student performance is a useful pursuit, schooling today is more than just meeting the literacy and numeracy benchmarks. It is also about creating opportunities beyond the classroom. Schooling is about “world preparedness”.

I

was reading a future employment report recently, where the takeaway message was about the impact robots and AI are currently having on the job market and will possibly have in the future. The throw-away line in the article I recall was “the robots are coming, the robots are coming”.

cultural aspirations. However, this mission of schooling also needs to include a dynamic and adaptable education that encourages problem-solving, creativity, complex critical thinking and also needs to be rich with a variety of experiences. There needs to be an element of struggle in this journey as well.

This will help students develop their own resilience factors.

Martin Ford, the futurist and author of Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat My educational philosophy centres around of a Jobless Future, opportunities for the explains that only child. It is a nature some roles will be versus nurture debate, under threat - the but essentially if routine, repetitive and students are exposed to THE ONLY WAY TO predictable roles. He engaging experiences FUTURE-PROOF YOUR highlights a handful and placed in activities CHILD’S EMPLOYMENT of jobs, including that put them outside IS TO DEVELOP tax preparation, of their comfort zone, ADAPTABLE, CRITICAL telemarketers, loans then they start doing AND CREATIVE SKILLS. officers, taxi drivers things for themselves, and fast food cooks they will struggle, they are high on the will grow, and they will replacement list. He develop a set of skills also notes that other and a mindset that will roles that involve genuine creativity or are prepare them for a future of change. complex in nature will be too difficult for Schools need to be providing this through AI to master in the next 20 to 30 years. outdoor education experiences, sporting These roles could include artists, business competitions, music workshops, language entrepreneurs, scientists, and medical immersion days and tours, service learning professionals. connections into the local community, and With this information, let’s redefine what schooling is for. The only way to futureproof your child’s employment is to develop adaptable, critical and creative skills. A school’s overriding goal should continue to ensure the full and individual development of every student as a whole person, through the realisation of academic, physical and 42 Coffs Coast focus

creating opportunities for students to engage with people for a variety of different fields of endeavours. Schools can help create students that are world prepared. That is certainly our mission.

Source: Ford, M. (2016). Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future. New York: Basic Books.

Most people can live with having some anxiety about going to the dentist. For those with dental phobias, however, the thought of a dental visit is terrifying. Many dentists create unnecessary anxiety in patients, because they assume all patients have similar pain thresholds and will handle dental procedures in the same way. Dr Paul Crichton and Dr Simon Basha pride themselves on their beside manner and assisting anxious patients in alleviating the stress and anxiety that comes with dental phobias.

The majority of dental phobias come from a previous bad experience or collection of bad experiences in the dental chair.

“When I’m dealing with anxious patients, I take the time to sit and listen to their concerns and discuss the ways that we can work together to minimise their stress,” says Dr Paul Crichton.

One way we help anxious patients is via the use of Penthrox. Penthrox, commonly recognised as the "green whistle", is a hand-held inhaler used

for the self-administration of methoxyflurane, which is a very safe and fast-acting pain killing medication. It is also very effective at relaxing highly anxious patients and is just one form of preoperative assistance that Jetty Dental uses to support patients who are highly anxious. It can be highly effective when other relaxation techniques don’t work.Unlike most dental practices these days, at Jetty Dental, a tropical oasis surrounds us, with garden outlooks from all surgeries creating a calming and relaxing environment, while maintaining the highest standards in clinical care.

If you or anyone you know suffers from dental phobias or are anxious about visiting the dentist,and you think you might be interested in any of these services, give our friendly team at Jetty Dental a call on 6651 7373 or visit our website at www.jettydental.com.au to book your consultation today.

Who’s Qualified to Prescribe the “Wonder Drug”?

With so much health advice available through mainstream and social media, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to determine who the “experts” are and how they can help.

N

o doubt you, like many, are looking for the easiest and most effective way to manage the health of both yourself and your loved ones. One treatment regime that has strong research supporting its wide-reaching benefits on a large range of health conditions is … EXERCISE! So, we caught up with Jess Barber and Brianna Hope, Accredited Exercise Physiologists from Mid North Coast Physiotherapy, to find out why more people are turning to highly qualified exercise experts like them to improve their health.

Who are Exercise Physiologists?

Accredited Exercise Physiologists, or EPs, are highly trained allied health professionals, who specialise in all things exercise! They are experts in designing and delivering safe and effective exercise interventions for people with chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. They complete a four year university degree to become registered and are trusted within the health and medical sector as the key advisors for our community in treating chronic health issues with appropriate exercise.

So, how is that different to a Physiotherapist?

It’s probably the most common question we get asked, but it can still be the most challenging to answer! Both Physios and EPs work within a very broad scope of practice when it comes to client conditions, concerns and treatment. While there are some similarities, we can work quite differently. We’ve both done four plus years at university and have a thorough understanding of the human body; however, our areas of expertise differ.

A physiotherapist will generally focus on the diagnosis of acute injuries and treating pain and restoring function. Confusion often arises, as Physios will commonly prescribe stretches and exercises as part of their treatment. These exercises generally target the management of acute pain and injury.

An Exercise Physiologist will utilise evidence-

based exercise interventions to people who may be at risk of developing, or have existing, medical conditions and/or injuries. The overall aim of Exercise Physiology treatment is to prevent or manage acute or chronic issues and assist in restoring optimal function, health and wellness for individuals.

What medical conditions or injuries are they trained to provide exercise interventions for?

Research continues to reveal that exercise is medicine, and that EVERYONE should be moving their body on a regular basis. Quite often when you are unwell or in pain, it can be the last thing on your mind. However, an exercise program designed by an Exercise Physiologist for your specific issues may be just the thing to make you feel better.

Exercise Physiologists can provide significant benefits for vast number of health challenges, including: - Cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and coronary artery disease - Metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity - Neurological conditions including stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease - Musculoskeletal conditions and/or injuries - Cancer - Kidney conditions - Respiratory conditions like Asthma, COPD and Sleep Apnea - Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD As recognised allied health professionals, many Exercise Physiology services can be claimable under Medicare, DVA, workers compensation and are covered by most private health insurers.

If you want to exercise but are unsure what sort of activities would be suitable for your specific health challenges, you can request a FREE pre-assessment with Jess or Brianna with no obligation for further treatment. Call 1300 273 747 for secure your spot and start improving your health today.

Coffs Coast focus 43

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

June 2019

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

MAY 22 - JUNE 22

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23

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.

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.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

JUNE 23 - JULY 23

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

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.

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.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 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.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

CAPRICORN.

APRIL 21 - MAY 21

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 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.

44 Coffs Coast focus

Don’t get caught up in holding on to 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 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.

BWN. C A T H

F O W L E R

Cath Fowler from BWN is excited to announce the guest speaker for June. Here is what she has to say.

T

here have been lots of exciting things corporate or a small business owner, you’ll find something happening lately with the Business of value (pun intended) with this talk. Even for solo Women’s Network. After a successful businesses who might not be recruiting staff members, evening for our April event, we’ve just you are still making decisions around what service finalised all the details for our next providers or clients to partner with. major get together coming up in June.

Carol has worked as an executive for a number of large We can’t wait to see you there. organisations and has over ten years’ experience in senior If you are working in a small to large corporate or not management roles, working with and through Board and for profit here on the Coffs Coast, run your own business, Management Committee systems and has served on a or are a freelancer, you’ll be made to feel welcome in our number of not for profit management committees. For friendly networking environment. There is no membership the past fourteen years, Carol has been self-employed, fee to join BWN; simply purchase working as a strategic human a ticket to one of our events, and resource management consultant you’ll instantly become a member. on the Mid North Coast of NSW. So, BWN June event we are so lucky to have her share If you are working in a Last year our lunch event at her extensive knowledge at our next small to large corporate the Osprey Restaurant out at the event. or not for profit here on Education Campus was a huge hit.

The maximum capacity for the the Coffs Coast, run your So, we’ve taken on board your great venue is 80 - you’ll want to get your own business, or are a feedback about the venue and the tickets early. freelancer, you’ll be made to amazing food and decided we’ll Introducing our new skills feel welcome in our friendly return here for our next BWN event workshops networking environment. on Thursday 13th June at 12pm.

Since we’ve moved to a bi-monthly There is no membership We’re delighted to let you know option for our large networking fee to join BWN; simply that on top of an amazing meal, events, we’ve decided to introduce purchase a ticket to one you’ll hear from Carol Malcolm, some intimate, targeted workshops of our events, and you’ll who will be speaking to us all about in the months in between our larger instantly become a member.

Defining your Personal Values. catch ups.

This talk builds nicely on our last We have heard your feedback that get together discussion regarding you want different opportunities to the power of building great learn new skills, in different settings, connections, where we discussed with Joanne Vines so in May we are partnering with Aaron from Supercheap from One Agency Coffs Harbour and Sam Dawson from Auto Coffs Harbour.

Married by Sam and FOCUS about how building strong He is inviting us to attend a "Check It" workshop at relationships has helped their business success. And, they his shop, where he will empower us to complete simple gave you ideas for how you could grow your network. vehicle checks, to ensure our safety on the road.

So expanding on this, when you are building new If you have always wanted to know how to check and partnerships, you want to ensure you do so with people change your wipers, fluid, oil and check tyre pressures, who share similar values to you; but, if you haven’t taken then this could be for you (or your teenager who is just the time to sit down and really define what these are, it learning to drive). can make it hard.

Get in quick, as there are only 12 spots available! Tickets Carol is the owner of Workplace Success. Her vision is are just $10, with 100% of that being donated to Warrina to make recruiting the right people, bringing out the best Women’s Refuge. in them and developing a positive values-based culture For both events, check out the BWN Facebook page for achievable for every organisation. Whether you are a large more details and to secure your tickets.

Coffs Coast focus 45

decades TRADE IN THE

A

Adam’s Sawmill 3 5

dam’s Sawmill Pty Ltd is a family owned and operated hardwood sawmill that has been in operation since 1984. We are conveniently located half way between Brisbane and Sydney on the

New South Wales Mid North Coast at Bonville.

Adam’s Sawmill supplies quality hardwood at

very competitive prices. The hardwood timber we supply is rough sawn and green; we don’t dry, dress, or treat our timber.

We are proud of the fact that every part of every log we mill is put to use; nothing goes to waste. We produce a range of general building timber, fencing timber, hardwood sleepers, roof battens, pallet material and dunnage.

46 Coffs Coast focus

Y E A R S

I N

T H E

T H E

T R A D E

All of our offcuts are turned into woodchip and fines (mulch), which goes to the landscape industry. We also produce sawdust.

the workings of the mill and the products it produced and establish good working relationships with suppliers and customers alike.

Adam’s Sawmill has been owned and operated

by Kerr Adam and his family for almost 35 years.

Kerr has a long history in sawmilling, originally cutting railway sleepers for the Victorian Railways from the late 1960s to the early ‘80s.

Now, almost 35 years later, Kerr has mastered the different log species and their characteristics, knows every intricacy of his sawmill and all its hardwood products and has seen those early relationships develop and flourish.

In 1984, with the intention of an early retirement, Kerr moved to Coffs Harbour. When an established sawmill, in Bonville, was placed on the market, the urge to re-enter the timber industry was too hard to resist.

Always one to embrace a challenge, Kerr threw himself into his new venture. There was a lot to master; Kerr had to learn the characteristics of each new log species, familiarise himself with

Adam’s Sawmill has also grown over those years and now proudly employs 25 staff, as well as supporting many local businesses.

Phone: (02) 6653 4216 Email: adamssawmill@optusnet.com.au Address: 314 Gleniffer Road, Bonville NSW 2450 Office Hours: Mon - Fri, 7am - 5:30pm.

focusinterview.

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS FEATURE

decades TRADE IN THE

Mick

Gentle

Mick Gentle is a local banana farmer who was born and raised on the Coffs Coast and has been farming in the area for the last 27 years. He feels his love of the land was inherited from his grandfather and after speaking with him, we can see how passionate he is about farming and great local produce.

H

ey Mick. Can you share with us a bit about your background, and how long you have been a banana farmer here on the Coffs

Coast?

I’ve been growing bananas in Bonville for 27 years. Born and bred in Karangi, I left Orara High School in 1984 to work for Coffs Removals. I was there for 10 years, before starting out growing bananas on a run down farm in Bonville.

My first wife and I grew a combination of varieties on the farm, such as Williams, Cavendish, Goldfinger, Ducasse and Lady fingers. It was many years of hard work getting the farm established and profitable.

As well as farming, we raised two great kids, both now adults, and my son is now becoming a very competent banana farmer in his own right.

In 2011, after my marriage broke down, I came very close to leaving the industry. But with the support of some neighbours and a bit of luck, I was able to continue farming on 5 acres of leased land in Bonville.

One day in Bunnings, I was pleasantly surprised to see a friend from my school days, who is now my lovely wife. Together we found a beautiful secluded 14 acres of north facing land with a house and shed at the end of Cassidys Road in Bonville, which we cleared, and it is now our home and my banana farm.

What inspired you to become a banana farmer?

My grandfather first grew bananas in Karangi and had a large property with cattle, chickens, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

Growing up, I loved spending time on the farm and around the sheds; there was always an adventure to be had. I believe I inherited my love of the land from him. When I had the opportunity to grow bananas, I grabbed it with both hands, and I am so grateful that I did.

How has the industry changed over the years?

Regulations and industry accreditation guidelines are tighter now and require more and more effort to stay compliant. Biosecurity has become really important to protect the farm from the impacts of disease. Changes in technology have made things easier in some ways, but for farmers sometimes staying on top of these changes can be a real challenge.

Cartons are now premade and not timber and the transport is faster, by truck rather than by rail.

What are some of the biggest challenges in the industry at the moment?

The spread of disease - many people will have heard about the Panama TR4 outbreak in North Queensland. There are other strains of this disease which are a threat to NSW Farmers.

Weather is always a challenge in the industry. It doesn’t matter where the farm is, while I may be worried about drought, other farmers could be facing cyclones or hail. Farmers are always at the mercy of the weather.

What does a typical day look like for you, and what’s the process from growing to being in the fruit bowl?

There isn’t really a “typical” day on the farm; anything can happen!

Before the banana can be in the fruit bowl,

MY HOPE FOR THE

resilient and yield a once the plant is in the FUTURE IS THAT ground weeds have to dense, creamy and OUR LOCAL FARMERS be sprayed, the plants delicious fruit, unlike any KEEP THE ICONIC are fertilised, suckers are other banana you would COFFS HARBOUR removed (these are the have tasted. shoots from the mother BANANA ALIVE AND What has been your plant) leaving just one PROSPEROUS. secret for maintaining to grow a bunch for the a successful business next year’s crop. for over 20 years?

Once the plant throws There’s no secret for a “bunch”, it has to be me; maintaining a successful business is all pruned and covered with a bag for protection. about the end product.

Once the bunch has matured, which can When my fruit is to my complete take four to six months, it is manually cut satisfaction, I feel a sense of pride that I have from the plant, transported to the shed, and done the best job possible throughout the the fruit is cut from the bunch into hands, whole growing process. It is so rewarding washed, graded, sorted, and packed into cartons.

My bananas are then transported to my agent in the Sydney markets for sale.

What type of bananas do you grow and why?

I choose to grow the Rossi Lady Finger and Ducasse varieties of bananas. I chose the Rossi Lady Finger, after well known local farmer Gerry Rossi came across a shorter Lady Finger plant growing among the taller plants in his farm and decided to propagate from this one plant, thus creating this variety. This plant is half the height of the standard Lady Finger variety, which makes it easier to put a bag on to the bunch, and it is easier to harvest. As a bonus, this fruit has all the great characteristics of the standard Lady Finger.

Ducasse bananas are a Vietnamese variety. They aren’t normally found at your local supermarket, but they are making an appearance in our local growers and Sunday markets. They are easy to grow and very

when I can look into one of my cartons and feel, “WOW that’s great fruit”! There is nothing that completes me more; this is where my passion pays off.

What are your hopes for the banana industry here in Coffs moving into the future?

My hope for the future is that our local farmers keep the iconic Coffs Harbour banana alive and prosperous. There is hope with some new varieties available, and a younger generation of farmers with enthusiasm to grow and change with all the challenges they are faced with in our industry today.

It would be great if the smaller farmers here in NSW can continue to grow beautiful fruit for the larger market and still be profitable. I’d love to see that our local consumers embrace new varieties and continue to support local produce.

Thanks Mick.

Coffs Coast focus 47

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS

FEATURE

CameraHouse

T

Camera House Coffs Harbour are celebrating over 30 years in business, as well as their very first birthday in their new premises on Harbour Drive.

FOCUS had a chat with Lance and Marie Miller, to find out more …

ake us back to the Drive. beginning...

From our new premises, we have been able to Way back in October 1988, provide a training room for Paul’s photography we brought our young family up classes, room for frames, racks of bags, tripods, from Victoria and purchased the sporting optics and all the neat little gadgets that Camera House business. make photography fun.

When did your business open, and who was Today in the store you will find Lance, Chad, involved? and Marie Miller, Paul Tidey and Mel Carroll - our The Camera House business was one of the printer - with a combined 125 years’ experience original stores in the beginning of the Park Beach in the photographic retail industry.

Plaza complex. Within weeks of taking over our What have been some of the changes in new business, we were your business? taking our first “Santa” The digital age photos. We continued revolutionised that tradition for over 22 photography. We have The greatest challenge years, seeing the same seen film cameras become families grow year after obsolete, along with the would be competing on a year, until we were seeing processing of film. Film worldwide market, rather the next generation with cameras gave way to than just with local stores their children. It was a digital cameras. The first but as a national group, very important part of our digital cameras were only Camera House is able to business, ensuring those 0.3 megapixels. Today, export competitively to the families had enduring they are 18/20/24/42 rest of the world. memories. We also grew megapixels, and growing. our school photography The cameras in phones are business and are still now at least 8 megapixels, photographing many of which is why the smaller the schools we started with. compact digital cameras have got so much During that time, Lance was involved on the better.

Board of the Camera House group for 17 years, How have you adapted as time/technology and as Chairman for three years. During that changes? period, the national group grew to have a record We were always the early adapters for the turnover. new technology. Our wet labs became dry After 29 years at the Plaza, we found we had labs, so no messy, dangerous chemistry. We outgrown the available space, and in June 2018 introduced our customers to digital cameras, we moved to our new premises at 228A Harbour and we were as amazed as them at how quickly

48 Coffs Coast focus

technology advanced the features. Once upon a time, a camera was almost a once in a lifetime purchase. New fast developing technology meant customers were updating every one - two years. Today, phones have partly taken over from the smaller compact cameras, but this has also meant a new generation has become interested in photography.

Printing from digital devices like phones, iPads and computers has become the norm. We have the capacity to print enlargements and canvas prints from phone, and new software has just been installed, enabling wifi connection direct from the phone, making downloading even easier.

Customers are continually updating, and there has been a swing back to traditional service with the complex modern technology. Our customers know they can always come back and ask for further information about any of their purchases.

What have been some of your challenges and rewards?

The greatest challenge would be competing on a worldwide market, rather than just with local stores, but as a national group Camera House is able to export competitively to the rest of the world.

The photographic business has always been a personal business. Our reward has been to share in the enthusiasm of our customers’ hobbies and their personal lives. We have been there for the birth, deaths and marriages, and we have loved every moment.

What is the secret to your success?

Passion, enthusiasm and adaptability and wanting to give the customer the right camera

for their needs. It is our job to understand their desires and equip them for their dreams.

And then, enjoy their adventure with them.

That’s why we are still in business. We are still passionate and excited about our industry.

And you have a family ... How do you juggle it all?

Our business has always been family oriented, with all our siz children working in the business for their pocket money. Chad worked with Lance as a photography assistant from the age of 12.

He has now had over 25 years in the business.

Currently, we have young Rebecca Tidey, Paul’s daughter, helping in the shop, every second Saturday.

Tell us about your community involvement.

Having six children has meant we were always involved with most of the sports in Coffs Harbour, from T-ball, soccer, basketball, Rugby League, Rugby Union and AFL, often helping with their team photos. And you will find us glued to the television monitors when the Australia 7’s play internationally, watching our son, Locky Miller, former Marlin, play. Chad is also heavily involved with the organisation of the Dave Irvine Snapper competition.

What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?

Coming originally from Victoria, we never take our wonderful weather for granted and consider how fortunate we are that we made the decision to move here 30 years ago.

How can we get in touch?

Come in and see us at 228A Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, or give us a call on 6652 5766.

Thanks Lance and Marie.

Peter Bulanyi

MEGA WATT POWER Celebrating 30 Years

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hen did your business open, and who was involved? We opened our business in Dorrigo in 1989.

To begin with it was just myself repairing offgrid inverters and solar systems in and around the local district. It wasn’t long before I was being asked to design and install new off-grid solar systems. Back in those days, grid connected solar was still a distant dream.

What have been some of the changes in your business? Around 2005 we became a wholesale distributor of several well-known inverter brands, and very quickly this became a central part of our business. It was at this time that the collective conscious woke up to the reality of climate change. Grid connected solar technology became readily available and coupled with government incentives, our business experienced exponential growth. By 2010 we had become one of the largest and most respected wholesale solar inverter distributors in Australia, with 55 employees, four active warehouses in Coffs Harbour and one in both Perth and Melbourne. At that time, one in five grid connected systems in Australia had an inverter installed that was despatched from one of our warehouses in Coffs Harbour. As the industry evolved, wholesale distribution became commoditised, with larger overseas distributors moving into Australia to gain market share for their brands. The local installation side of our business had also rapidly grown to five installation teams and as we did not want to move our family and business to a capital city, we decided to focus more on growing our installation capabilities, which in addition to serving the local district also includes Mega Watt Power working on many of the largest solar farm installations in Australia.

How have you adapted as time/technology changes? We have always been at the forefront of technical innovation in the solar industry in Australia.

Our small company based in Coffs Harbour introduced to the Australian solar industry many technologies that are now mainstream.

We are particularly proud of our discovery of high efficiency transformerless grid-connected inverters and the enormous advantages they offered solar production over the conventional technology of the day. This one innovation alone that we introduced to Australia increased the output of Australia’s solar production by around 2%.

What have been some of your challenges and rewards? The challenge was and still is the constant stream of marketing based solar companies with limited solar knowledge entering our industry for a quick dollar.

decades TRADE IN THE

Our reward is having installed over 3,000 solar systems and 2 Megawatts of commercial solar to date, with the knowledge that we have actively helped in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, whilst at the same time helping many families and businesses save on their electricity costs now and into the future.

What is the secret to your success? The secret to our success is that we care. We care about the environment, and we care about our customers. This extends into the long-term performance of the systems and the equipment that we sell.

What advice do you have to other business owners on the Coffs Coast? Do what you do because you love doing it.

How do we get in contact?

Phone. (02) 6652 9700.

15 Isles Dr, North Boambee Valley. www.megawattpower.com.au Coffs Coast focus 49

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS FEATURE

Tax Time’s Looming Fast!

East Coast Cabinets

Mr.Cabinets Plummer East Coast

instalike

is upon time I Christmas am Brad Plummer, operator of I Y E Aowner Rus, S and I and N Bnow U S I is N Ethe S SMr : 3Plummer.

5 to organise your Christmas and New Year activities and whilst on started my plumbing career back in 2002, where I moved holidays (for those who get them) to Coffs Harbour the Valleytotostart start planning myto "Decades in the from Trade" - Manning Wow! - Congratulations for all those jobs required in 2019.

The local building apprenticeship.

I remained with the same company for 13 years, everyone who has made the mark with their business. industry is ticking overtonicely, andown everyone is predicting until I knew it was time start my plumbing Business. I On 1stgood July Ithings proudly clock up three and a half decades as more year. believe in hard workfor andnext putting the clients needs first. an owner of East Coast Cabinets and really have to thank all We live inmya 15th greatyear partasofa New South Walesand and hopefully Now drainer I have thoseinto who have been part plumber, of the journey - our gasfitter employees, others from anywhere else will realise thatofthey can seen it all, which gives me a quick prognosis the problem and the support contingent of accountants, bookkeepers, move toway jointous.

New arrivals from “the big smoke” are the best fix it, which saves the customer time and money. lawyers, suppliers etc, our family and friends, and most amazed at how much they can do in a day, as they are not At Mr Plummer always trying to exceed customers importantly, allwe theare wonderful customers andour regular builders spending hours per day travelling to and from work, giving without whom we would not be here. expectations. them more time to enjoy family time, the climate and business a local riding IHaving provideaasmall service that rapidcommunity response toentails emergency environment, as well includes as in our sporting facilities. the highs andpolite lowsand of that andalways being clean part of work, we are well community mannered, and upit.

A growing population supporting locally owned businesses We all each other training after ourneed worktoissupport completed which is by notemploying a commonand plumbing and services result in a growing economy. What more is locals and using other local businesses where possible, trait. there to wish for? contributing toup thetosuccess of the community a result.

We are keeping date with regulations, and as technologies.

To all the wonderful builders and customers who have During the last thirty five years we have seen many young Some of our new equipment is cutting the time to do jobs down supported us throughout the year, a big thank you for your apprentices qualify, and then some have opened their own to half, which we can pass the savings on to you, the client. support, patience and friendship - especially when things businesses within the local area. There has also been the There is no job or small, callyear. me Mr Plummer today, your got chaotic intoo thebig middle of the progress of many of our own dedicated tradesmen as they Coffs Harbour plumber.

Bestmarried, wishes to everyone forand a very happy Christmas andalso a get have children, those children grow up healthy and New Year from all of us. to be part of prosperous our community.

Voodoo Electrical Y E A R S IAuto N BUSIN ESS: 17 and Caravan Repairs.

Voodoo Electrical Make the most of it. It is hardAuto to believe how quickly this year isLocally going.based, We have seen and the Government another reliable, dedicated aredeliver all readily usedbudget, to Michael is originally from Darwin and was taken on many and there are several changes to consider that may impact describe Michael, the man behind Voodoo Auto Electrical directly camping and four wheel driving trip with his family. Some upon you, particularly smallmonth business and superannuation. and Caravan Repairs. This he owners is celebrating a few key of his best childhood memories were exploring the off The Tax Office focus this year is on work related expense claims. milestones. road parts of Australia.

You need to ensure that the following three things have been IN BUSINESS: Two strong years of experience and development He completed auto electrical apprenticeship in Forster, later considered whenhis claiming your deduction: as a business owner and operator. The continued growth has been moving to Coffs Harbour.

INCURRED the expense must have been incurred in earning driven by a -genuine reputation built on effort and integrity.

Asyour well Working at Watson's caravans he developed skills and income.

NEXUS there must be a direct nexus to your current as the support of his family and the local community. understanding of the KEEPING needs of campers and caravan goers employment.

RECORD - you must have a receipt or PERSONALLY: The beginning of married life with wife Melissa needs.

He appreciates that paid this isthe your home You away from claim home. other evidence that you have expense. cannot and soon the arrival of their first baby. The BIg Blue Hilux got a Everything needs to run simply, efficiency andbyreliably.

He will the expense if the amount has been reimbursed your employer. good run exploring Fraser Island for their Honeymoon, where she give honest advice based out on experience research.

We recommend you check the ATO appand - it’s free and captures learnt to four wheel drive and didn’t get bogged at Inskip Point! allHis your receipts via a photo image. services are fully mobile soofyou can stay ininyour home or The many outdoor adventures his childhood Australia’s caravan park enjoying your holiday while Michael does the work Small businesses should ensure that their financial information is diverse top end have instilled a love of camping and four wheel up to date, so that important decisions can be made prior to June on site. driving, bike riding, and fishing. Which he is sharing with his 30.

If youfamily arefacilities lookingare for available new finance arrangements, growing Workshop when required. it is a good idea to have your accounts finalised, so that the bank has up to He is equally passionate gettingtoyour family on or people, off road Michael " I love what I about do, getting meet different date information. for your nexttheir trip safely reliable set on up,the firstroad time." hear about travelswith andakeep them Choosing an Accountant - why use one?

He to the you name... to complete your job with quality materials Tellwill uscome about If you are self-employed, an accountant is an essential part of and equipment, drawing 10 years of experience in the industry.

Michael - Voodoo Auto on Electrical came about as an accident. your team. At Barry Hockey Accountants, we have a dedicated One of my customers commented that I had done "some kind of Contact Michael 0481 for all in your auto electrical team to assist you.onWe not335 only988 specialise taxation, but we have voodoo magic to their vehicle when fixing it " needs andbackground related caravan extensive skills repairs. in finance and banking. Our firm is big Follow the action on Facebook Voodoo AutotoElectrical enough to get the job done andatsmall enough care.

Coffs Coast focus 83 50 Coffs Coast focus

96 Coffs Coast focus

Coffs Coast focus 51

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS

FEATURE

Steve Lawrence (left) and Craig Howe (right)

Rodney

Pade from Pacific Flooring

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YEARS IN BUSINESS: 32 YEARS

hen did your business open, and who was involved?

After a lot of research, we selected some Engineered Flooring that we felt was a good product and have been installing those for a while now. These types of flooring products can be installed and used straight away, but can also be sanded again, just like a solid timber floor.

After completing my trade as a carpenter in 1988, I worked as a builder for a few years, but quickly realised there was a need for someone to install quality timber flooring. I started Pacific We now also specialise in Sports Floors, Flooring as a business where I installed solid installing, sanding and finishing, and we also timber floors. Having building knowledge, I am do the line-marking required. able to do any repairs that are required before There are many products out there and installing a floor. I began after some trial and error, just on my own, but there we have found a few we was a lot of work, so I prefer to use for their employed another fella and positive environmental we worked consistently I started Pacific Flooring as implications, longevity and from Grafton to Port a business where I installed quality. We now specialise Macquarie. Over the years solid timber floors. Having in Hard Wax Coatings, I have almost perfected building knowledge, I very hard wearing, they our technique, and we are am able to do any repairs look and feel great with able to offer our clients a that are required before low VOCs, meaning quality job - and quicker installing a floor. they are the best for the than most. environment.

We then started on I think the secret for us finishing the floors and doing so well for such a long time is that we by doing the sanding and polishing as well. provide a quality job for the client. Listening We were in charge of the whole job and could to what the client wants, being honest with ensure a quality job all round. Clients want them about what will and won’t work for their someone who can do the lot. situation and offering a competitive price is a During this time I also completed my clerk of good place to start. works in commercial and residential building, We have also changed products and tools to giving me greater scope in the type of jobs I improve our impact on the environment, and could do and the scope of the work I could do. this is important to people.

We have put a few apprentices through Reliable, consistent, a good product, a their trade in both the flooring technician and quality job, friendly, honest. These, I think, are carpenter trades. Helping the young fellas get the secrets to our success. their trade is rewarding and challenging. The For more information please phone us on task of keeping them busy and ensuring they 65695779 or 0418660611 or email us on have the opportunity to learn all they need to, I guess made me look for more work we could do. pacificflooring@ymail.com 52 Coffs Coast focus

SP SCREENS

SP Screens, formerly known as Mobile Security Doors, has been servicing the Coffs Coast for more than 25 years. FOCUS had a chat with Sales Representative Craig Howe, to find out more …

What does SP screens offer clients? to wind down after a busy day. On our way Our goal is to make our clients feel more to the beach we pass a number of clients' comfortable and safer in their homes. Our homes with our screens installed, and it range of security screens and retractable makes us very proud of insect screens, shutters the work we do. and outdoor blinds What is the point of are custom made to difference between ensure a perfect fit yourself and your We believe no other company for our clients' doors competitors? We can rival us when it comes to and windows. We believe no other service, value, range and quality. offer obligation free company can rival With more than twenty years of in-home consultations, us when it comes to experience in the industry, we where we are happy always try to exceed our clients' service, value, range to provide free expectations. and quality. With more advice on the most than twenty years suitable screens to suit of experience in the individual requirements and budgets. industry, we always try to exceed our clients' expectations. Our fully What's the best part of living and trained security licensed specialists will be working on the Coffs Coast? We feel so more than glad to measure, manufacture, lucky to be able to live and work so close to and install products in your home with the the most beautiful beaches in Australia; a dip in the ocean after work is the best way least amount of interruption.

SP Screens Coffs Harbour Formerly trading as Mobile Security Doors

Security Screen Doors and Windows Retractable Insect Screens | Aluminium Privacy Screens | Fire and Emergency Escape Screens Diamond Grille Doors and Windows Plantation Shutters | Outdoor Roller Blinds Roller Shutters | Louvre Patio Roofs

Showroom at – 1/11 Industrial Drive Coffs Harbour

1300 939 700 spscreens.com.au Proudly an Authorised CommandeX Expert Master License No. 000103511

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS FEATURE

focusinterview.

Duncan +Carla marchant COFFS COAST HEALTH CLUB

Toormina & Moonee Beach Coffs Coast Health Club has been paving the way in fitness and health on the Coffs Coast for over a decade. FOCUS had a chat with owners Duncan and Carla Marchant, to find out more ...

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hen did your business open?

We moved back to the Coffs Coast in 2008 and bought what was then the Link Gym in Toormina. Our goal was to rebrand and totally redevelop it to become a comfortable, community based fitness facility called Coffs Coast Health Club.

Duncan was originally from Coffs, but had been in the fitness industry owning, managing and investing in clubs in Canberra since he left school in 1996. When we moved home to Coffs, we still owned another Health Club down in Canberra, we had a one year old son, I was pregnant with our daughter, and the global financial crisis had just hit. People thought we were crazy, but I think we seem to operate better under a bit of pressure. We opened our Moonee Beach club to service the beautiful northern beaches in 2016.

What have been some of the changes in your business?

When we first took over the Link Gym, we had a lot of cleaning up to do. We had members smashing weights, meatheads, a poor reputation, poor layout, poor equipment, and a lack of service. The first thing we did was put a wall between the weight room and the group exercise studio, to give the predominantly female group exercise participants some privacy, we upgraded equipment, removed the meatheads, changed the layout to make it more open, and introduced a number of new services.

We completely changed the brand, environment and culture of the club. We focused on member service, starting with the

connection that people had with us in the the way of Sunny Business Awards, Fitness community, right through to our friendly front Australia Awards and even Telstra Business desk and on to the gym floor, kids' club and Awards, but there is no better reward than classes. being a trusted part of the community you How have you adapted as time/ live in and sharing in the success of your team technology changes? and clients.

The fitness market is always changing What is the secret to your success? and we need to innovate along with it, We always focus on the long game. to stay ahead of the curve. In the last ten We’ve been running businesses and serving years we have introduced 24/7 access, new communities in this industry for over 20 member management software, a successful years. The short term, quick buck mentality of weight loss program, some competitors and become a registered products always seem to training organisation, eventually fall over. licensed exclusive Patience and health supplements, dedication to our We both love what we introduced new class philosophy of living in do and when that’s the types, new equipment, the service of others has case, you just seem to run numerous held us in good stead, find a way to overcome challenges and even and I don’t ever see that any challenges within opened another club to changing. your business. cater for demand in our And you have a family local market. ... How do you juggle The changes generally it all? take place through a The juggling can get combination of our quite tricky at times, and very open feedback loop and industry trends. there are moments when you feel like you We’ve got some pretty big plans for our next are going to drop all of the balls; however, ten years too, as we’ve just signed another we have a great support base. Loki, our son, long term lease at our Toormina site. started high school this year and is heavily What have been some of your challenges involved in a number of sports, and Olivia, our and rewards? daughter, is in Year 5 and heavily involved in The biggest challenge for both of us is just dance and drama. We have two businesses the blood, sweat, tears and sheer hard work that employ over 60 locals, we run a small it takes to run a successful small business. farm full of animals, play sport, coach sport, However, we both love what we do and love to socialise and volunteer our time and when that’s the case, you just seem to find a resources. We couldn’t do all of these things way to overcome any challenges within your if we didn’t have our family, friends and a business. Traditional rewards have come in fantastic team around us. We are very grateful

to have them all in our busy lives.

Tell us about your community involvement.

Where do we start? We’ve always been very community focused with every business we’ve ever owned. Both Duncan and I, as well as many members of our team, volunteer on boards, chambers of commerce, at local events, in online forums, sponsor local sports teams, schools and individuals. We have a percentage of total income dedicated solely to community involvement, and that’s definitely a positive legacy we wish to leave here on the Coffs Coast.

What advice do you have for other business owners on the Coffs Coast?

Get involved and prove your value to the Coffs Coast. This can be done through many different avenues. Sponsor events, help people in need, coach a sports team, or connect with your community for everyone’s benefit. There’s more to business than just making money. Put people first and realise that some of the happiest people in the world don’t rely on possessions to make them happy. We realised that when our home burned down in the 2003 Canberra bushfires, when we lost all of ours. People don’t remember you for what you have; they remember you for how you make them feel.

What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?

The people. We have an amazingly eclectic collection of humans in our little piece of paradise. There are so many supremely talented and beautiful residents that make up our community, and we plan on spending the rest of our lives here for that very reason.

Thanks Duncan and Carla.

Coffs Coast focus 53

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS

FEATURE

decades TRADE IN THE

Jennings 87 YEARS IN BUSINESS

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hat’s the history of Seacrest, Sandy Beach?

Seacrest, Sandy Beach is a community development by AVJennings just 20 minutes' drive from Coffs Harbour CBD. Surrounded by bushland, green open spaces and close to one of the best beaches on the Coffs Coast, Seacrest is now in its final stages of the development, with a

limited number of lots available for sale.

This is a place where you can make your dream home a reality, with a relaxed seaside neighbourhood of around 160 families, against the backdrop of the Coffs hinterland.

About the area ...

Seacrest’s stunning two-hectare park with mature gum trees provides a welcome sanctuary for native animals. Beach lovers will relish having Sandy Beach on their doorstep - a secluded paradise that’s ideal for swimming, fishing or just building

sandcastles with the kids. There’s plenty to When buying the perfect block of land, do here, with lots of bike paths, picnic spots the next step is to find the perfect house and children’s play areas to keep the whole to fit! So, we have opened up a brand new family happy. And with Coffs Harbour just display village in the Seacrest community, up the highway and Woolgoolga even closer, to help customers find their perfect you’ll find all your daily needs like groceries, home! Located on Zenith Avenue, Sandy shops, schools and services.

Beach, featuring four local home builders, Buying the perfect block of land. including Adenbrook Homes, Perry Homes The AVJennings and McDonald Jones team makes it easy; Homes, open Thursday throughout every Sundays, 10am - 5pm. step of the purchase, About AVJennings ... including the selection Everyone wants to The AVJennings team of your property, there feel like they belong. makes it easy; throughout will be an AVJennings It's part of the human every step of the purchase, Sales Consultant to spirit. For more than 87 including the selection of help. When you buy years, we have helped your property, there will an AVJennings land people build a brighter be an AVJennings Sales allotment, you can future by creating Consultant to help. choose any builder to communities they feel bring your home to a part of. Your home life. This way you know is part of a community, your future is built on which is why we make great foundations. Some budget tips: in sure parkland, play spaces and pathways are addition to the price of the land allotment, designed so that you'll get to know people don’t forget the cost to build a home, stamp in your neighbourhood. We also locate our duty on the home and mortgage, lender’s community developments close to schools, fees, solicitor’s/conveyancer’s fees and shops and transport. We’ve been building mortgage registration fees. Speak to our the great Australian dream since 1932, Sales Consultant for our easy, seven steps to which is why AVJennings remains one of buying your block of land guide. the most recognised and trusted names in Tell us about the new display village. quality, affordable housing.

Live the Seacrest life Final land release selling from $225,000.

Perfect coastal lifestyle for families: Just minutes from the beach.

Bike paths, picnic spots and kids’ play areas.

Last remaining registered land lots.

Registered land lots, ready to build!

Speak to Brett on 0438 068 220 for more details.

Visit our brand new display village today at Zenith Avenue, Sandy Beach NSW 2456 Call 131 878 or visit avjennings.com.au

54 Coffs Coast focus

focuskitchens. Marcus Phillips - Designer Living Kitchens

DECADES IN THE TRADE / FOCUS FEATURE

Community Care Options YEARS IN BUSINESS: 23

kitchen

trends

The process of buying a new kitchen may seem daunting to those brave folks thinking about it. After all, it’s a major surgery to the home. That’s why I have, over the years, developed a smooth, hassle-free process, whereby you will feel that you have been listened to and received relevant design input, including advice on colours and finishes.With unique and cutting-edge design software, our combined ideas come to life with a virtual walk-around your new kitchen. By giving you a number of pricing options for various finishes, you are able to make informed decisions based on your needs.

Trends of course come and go, though classic staples such as satin polyurethane “Shaker” doors leading into full “French Provincial” will always impress. Flat panel polyurethane high gloss doors give a sleek, upmarket feel that has been very popular over the last fifteen years, providing a seamless, “no edge” appearance.

Solid timber doors have always had a place in kitchens, with the natural rich lustre and a range of stunning Australian timbers available.

Having said that, it’s quite unusual to see full timber kitchens these days. Timber veneers and lookalikes are holding their own, and they’re still widely used to great effect in commercial applications; however, they’re not as widely used in kitchens as they were a few years ago …

Lamiwood doors are and have been for years the most popular finish, with greater and more interesting varieties coming on to the market, including the new semi and full gloss Lamiwoods.

With great flexibility and an endless design options, as well a favourable pricing point, Lamiwoods will rule into the future.

Bench tops have evolved over recent years from mostly laminate, then to natural granite, solid timber, Corian and now predominantly manmade or “engineered” stone. As this has become more popular, the pricing has become reachable for most new kitchen buyers, and it adds considerable value to the home. Engineered stone is less porous, a lot stronger than real granite and

97% quartz. Having said that, real granite has an amazing depth and uniqueness to it. Marble can be used to great effect as splash backs and special features. It’s not practical as a bench top as such, due to its porosity. There have been in recent years huge leaps in lighting technology for kitchens, with the advent of LEDs and low voltage lighting. Now more than ever before, we are able to “light-up” our work surfaces, as well as create amazing atmospheres at night that will turn a working kitchen into the entertainment centre of a home. There are now lighting solutions for every aspect, including under cabinet, internal cabinet, under bench and kick board lighting.

Due to the low power draw, LEDs can be utilised for longer periods, without the dreaded power bill woes.

When did your business open, and who was involved? In 1996, Mid North Coast Community Care Options became an Incorporated Association, with a volunteer Board of Management taking over the legal responsibilities of auspice from Coffs Harbour City Council.

In 2017, Community Care Options became a Company Limited by Guarantee and is currently the largest provider of community aged care and disability services on the Mid North Coast.

What have been some of the changes in your business? CCO has experienced significant change, particularly over the last five - six years, as both the aged care and disability sectors have undergone reform. All aspects of our business have changed. We have had to move from a welfare model to a business model. Client choice is now the key

determining factor of success.

What have been some of your challenges and rewards? Challenges - constant change management.

Rewards - recognition of our achievements, winning four state awards since 2015 for Innovation, Business Ethics, Leadership, Work Health and Safety.

What is the secret to your success? Having a vision. Having a strategic plan and working that plan. Loyal clients.

Staff who care about what they do and the outcomes they achieve with and for clients.

25% of our office based staff have been with us for over 10 years.

What advice do you have to other business owners on the Coffs Coast? Know your business, know and connect with your clients, promote and celebrate what you achieve.

Cabinet hardware technology is turning our kitchen spaces into ergonomic masterpieces.

With inventive slide out mechanisms that literally bring everything out to you, the “dead corner” is becoming a thing of the past. Soft-close drawers and doors are standard now on most kitchens.

Advanced lift and sliding doors as opposed to hinged for overhead cabinets are is taking hold in Europe. Sliding doors can be used to great effect by simply sliding to reveal an alternate finish, colour and feel. With great design, imagination and attention to detail, the kitchen becomes the centre of your living space, where you entertain your family and friends, and something that you’ll be proud of for many years to come.

Coffs Coast focus 55

56 Coffs Coast focus

C . e x

G r o u p

-

C e l e b r a t i n g

This year, C.ex Group celebrates their 70th anniversary. WHILE THEIR WORLD MAY HAVE CHANGED OVER THIS TIME, THEIR COMMITMENT AND CORE FOCUS HAS NOT - they exist for the community.

7 0

focusfeature.

y e a r s

C

.ex Group is celebrating the diverse stories of their members, the values they share and the history they create. Every story is different and should be celebrated. FOCUS had a chat with John Rafferty, C.ex Group CEO, to find out more.

Take us back to the beginning ...

Historically, it all started in 1946, when a committee of interested Ex-Servicemen presented at a public meeting the concept for a Memorial Club to honour the service

personnel from WWI and WWII. Mr W.B. King drew up the designs, and the cost was 5,000 pounds.

A single-storey building was suggested, with a small hall, loungeroom, library, billiard room, bar, kitchen and two small rooms of accommodation for the caretaker, and it would also include a memorial bath the size of an Olympic Pool.

The club would be known as the Coffs Harbour & District Ex-Servicemen and Women’s Memorial Club. On July 9, 1949, the first sods were turned to start construction and

less than 12 months later, the club was officially opened.

How many people do you employ?

The backbone of the C.ex Group is undoubtedly our staff. We look to recruit and develop the best people in the region, committed to providing outstanding service to our patrons. With over 180 employees across our three premises, we are proud of the diversity and talent of our staff, many who have been with us for many years several over 20 years!

Cheers to C.ex Group

celebrating 70 years!

June Beverage Specials St Halletts Barossa Poachers Glass $7.00 Tooheys New Pint $7.00 Bundy & Cola Stubby $9.50

Mysterious Diggings Glass $9.00 Tooheys Extra Dry Pint $7.20 Jack Daniels & Cola Stubby $10.00

To help celebrate, every day in June, head in to any C.ex Group venue and purchase a

Tooheys New Pint for just $7 Members only promotion.

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We are proud to be recognised How has C.ex Group look back over the last 70 years, as a market leader in the club evolved over the past 70 it highlights how successful industry in our local area years? the group is today, through and the state. Our rich This year, we celebrate the the positive role the club has history brings a sense 70th anniversary of what played in shaping, servicing and of pride, achievement, is known today as the C.ex dedicating resources to our local inspiration and a legacy Group. While our world may community. We are proud to be towards our promising future. have changed over this time, recognised as a market leader our commitment and core in the club industry in our local focus has not - our strategic area and the state. Our rich aim is to nurture club culture, history brings a sense of pride, build financial strength and make a difference in the achievement, inspiration and a legacy towards our community. promising future. With our expanding club footprint, Our club is culturally and physically one of the comprising three venues, stretching from Urunga to most iconic structures in Coffs Harbour and as we Woolgoolga, we can offer a variety of premium

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leisure activities, including golf, bowls, croquet, squash, bingo, buffets, raffles, eSports and more entertainment! The group has also diversified and acquired real estate, with a unit and the Boulevard and West Boulevard Arcades for future development.

How has the business developed in the past 70 years? What challenges has the industry faced, and how have you overcome these problems?

Gradually over the years we have seen improvements made across all of our clubs, which are not only integral for business success and the future of C.ex Group, but also for us to remain a relevant provider for our members and a great supporter of our community - it's our unwavering commitment of the Group’s vision - “Our Focus is You!” - a promise

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to our customers and a purpose for our employees to achieve.

Whilst our journey has been mostly positive and successful, it hasn’t been without difficult times. For one to appreciate the good times, we must appreciate and reflect on the tougher times.

The club has supported the Coffs community and its members through numerous floods, which has seen our cellar flooded (twice!); however, we were fortunate enough to avoid any major damage on the ground floor of the club. We opened our doors and the club began to be a place of safe refuge, offering shelter, encouraging emergency services to seek some respite, whilst providing meals out of the elements.

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Tell us about your community involvement.

Our vision is to continue to be a leading contributor to the Coffs Coast community, ensuring that not only our local organisations, sporting groups and resources are sustained, but we continue to assist others by partnering resources to bring national and international events to the Coffs Coast, which provide substantial economic value for the local economy.

In the last five years, the C.ex Group has supported over 400+ community groups and donated more than $1.7 million through our ClubGRANTS Program. In addition to this, the C.ex Group is the naming rights sponsor of C.ex Coffs International Stadium, and we sponsor many other local events.

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We continue to Community Crew is work with the Coffs made up of C.ex Group In the last five years, the C.ex Harbour City Council’s employees who are Group has supported stadium and major vibrant and passionate over 400+ community events team in their about volunteering groups and donated City Prosperity unit, to their time within the more than $1.7 million ensure local, national local community, to through our ClubGRANTS and international sports make a real difference.

Program. tourism events keep In 2018, the crew, coming to the Coffs along with C.ex Group Coast.

Mascot Chocolate In addition to our Moose, volunteered an financial support, incredible 1,000+ hours the C.ex Community Crew, armoured in within our local community! their green polo shirts, is made up of the Our most well-known community event C.ex Group staff getting out and about in is our annual C.ex Community Crew Sleep the community, lending a hand where it’s Out, where we aim to build awareness and most needed in their own time. Our C.ex raise funds for important local groups that

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are working to assist the homeless or less fortunate in the Coffs Harbour community.

The C.ex Community Crew Sleep Out is now in its sixth year, and it has raised $214,820 for local social welfare charities and service providers. We are aiming to raise an additional $70,000 at this year's event, in support of local organisations working to combat homelessness.

With the 2019 C.ex Community Crew Sleepout just around the corner, being held on Wednesday 19th June at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, all community members are encouraged to get behind the event by participating and fundraising or donating to the cause. All funds raised are distributed between Warrina Women’s Refuge and the Men’s Resource Centre.

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You are currently undergoing a makeover, with a new look and feel.

What was the inspiration for this, and what can customers expect?

The renovations at C.ex Coffs are well underway and on schedule, with the completion date due in late August. Our new Italian restaurant will be known as Papaveros, which symbolises the significance of the poppy flower - pertinent to us being

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an Ex-Services Club.

We are also renovating the Vernon St entrance and reception area, with Papaveros set off to the right.

The new restaurant will include a woodfired pizza oven, terrace dining areas (in-door and alfresco), larger tables for group dining, bar area, a café area with direct access from the street, and state of the art rest room facilities that include a generous

YOUNG HENRY’S, SELECT MUSIC, STOP START & ONE LOUDER PRESENT...

BALL PARK OOD GOOD GOOD M eetheart rse & Butternut Sw With Sweater Cu

SATURDAY 8 JUNE 7PM BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT CEX.COM.AU

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sized parents’ room.

Our level one food and beverage outlet will be known as the Ribeye Rooftop Bar & Kitchen and will be the first of its kind in the local area.

The new outlet will see our feature steakhouse (previously known as Ribeye on Vernon) reinvigorated to include a lavish bar area, modern rest room facilities, and the main feature of a terraced alfresco area

offering a tapas style menu that boasts multiple lounge and table areas, including personal cabanas with city views.

Each outlet will be well appointed with modern furniture and fixtures, and the menus will have a fresh, contemporary style that will allow different offerings in the different areas of the club.

C.ex C.ex

COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CREW CREW C.ex SLEEP SLEEPOUT OUT COMMUNITY CREW 2019 SLEEP 2019OUT 2019 It’s our community.

our community.

It’s It’s our community.

HOW: Build awareness and raise funds for local WHEN: Wednesday 19 June, 6pm - 8am HOW: Build awareness and raise funds for local WHEN: Wednesday 19 June 2019, 6pm – 8am charities that are working to improve the condition WHERE: charities that are working to improve the condition WHERE: WHEN: Wednesday 19 June, HOW: The C.ex Community Crew WHY: Every night 116,000 people in Australia WHY: Every night 116,000 people in Australia The C.ex Out, Community Crew Sleep Out, year, now in its don’t have a safe place to sleep or call home. The 6pm -don’t 8am Sleep in its sixth The C.exnow Community Crew Sleep Out, now in its have a safe place to sleep or call home. The sixth year, has raised $214,820.88 for local social number of homeless Australians is a rising issue sixth year, has raised $214,820.88 for local social number of homeless Australians is a rising issue has raised WHERE: C.ex Coffs International $214,820.88 for local welfare charities and service providers. with the rate of homelessness increasing by 2.7% welfare charities and service providers. with the rate of homelessness increasing by 2.7% We are aiming to raise an additional $70,000 at each year.

Stadium socialWe welfare charities service by are aiming to continueand the momentum each year. this year's event in support of local organisations Homelessness is often the result of multiple growing the event annually and raising further working to combat homelessness.

Homelessness is often the result of multiple WHY: Every night 116,000 people providers. complex issues causing families and individuals funds for local organisations working to combat complex issues causing families and individuals toin face crisis situations that leave them physically, homelessness.

Australia don’t have a safe place We are aiming to raise an additional to face crisis situations that leave them physically,GET INVOLVED: Register as an individual or team psychologically and financially at risk. Without participate in the event, experiencing what it or team GET INVOLVED: Register as an individual psychologically and financially at risk. Without to to sleep or call home.

The number $70,000 at this year’s event in support, these circumstances can quickly spiral for many homeless Australians on any and to participate in the event, start fundraising support, these circumstances can quickly spiral may be like out of control forcing Australians to sleep out in given night. of homelessness increasing 2.7%out in support of local experience whatorganisations many homeless Australians out of control forcing Australiansby to sleep the cold. on anyor given night. the cold.

Sponsorendure a participant express your interest to

each year.

working to combat homelessness.

become Sponsor an eventasponsor. participant or express your interest to GET INVOLVED: become an eventRegister sponsor. as an

TO REGISTER TOOR REGISTER DONATE OR DONATE VISIT cex.com.au VISIT

individual or team to participate in the event and start fundraising or sponsor a participant.

cex.com.au Proudly supporting:

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Who are the local tradesmen working on the renovations?

We are proud to have over 25 local contractors and suppliers working on the construction, with approximately 100 local tradespeople being employed. Some of the contractors include All Areas Demolition and Excavation, All Metal Fabrications, Faircloth & Reynolds, FJE and J Farlow Concrete, Laser Electrical, Laser Plumbing, Novocastrian Scaffolding and Rooney Glass. Paynter Dixon, our building contractor, has tried to ensure that we are supporting local businesses as much as we can.

Tell us about the different areas inside the

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club. Who are they named after and why?

Currently, with 10 food and beverage options across the group, there is something for everyone to enjoy! The Brasserie serves up modern Australian cuisine with an Asian infusion seven days a week, offering affordable lunch and dinner options.

Legends Sports Bar offers the ultimate place to have a punt, with our Platinum TAB incorporating an outdoor TAB area; it’s the next best thing to being there watching the game or being track-side watching the race in the flesh.

We also have the biggest LED screen in Coffs Harbour for all your sporting events, such as the

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Our members are the pinnacle of everything we do! We

see our members as State of Origin! for Papaveros Italian Café/ those who come on our The coffee shop, Restaurant. journey with us, frequently previously known as Our kids’ area is known visiting the club to enjoy our Cutler’s Coffee Shop, as the Little Diggers Kids facilities and present on special has been relocated to Club, and it is a fully superoccasions, such as ANZAC Day. vised kids’ playroom open our sunny Vista Deck, every night from 5:30pm, now trading as PLANK. with the name honouring We will continue to use our ex-service personnel the Cutler’s name, in and honour of Sir Arthur Roden Cutler, by naming one of our lounge diggers. areas in C.ex Coffs as Cutler’s Lounge. For How important are your members, and almost a decade we operated the coffee shop, how do you become one? and this has now been removed to make way Our members are the pinnacle of everything

we do! We see our members as those who come on our journey with us, frequently visiting the club to enjoy our facilities and present on special occasions throughout the year, such as ANZAC Day. Our staff strive to provide the best experience possible for our customers and are always looking at new ways to deliver exceptional customer service.

Membership is open to everyone over the

age of 18, and a C.ex Group membership has its benefits! Members become part of our free loyalty program, Star Rewards, where they enjoy discounted food and beverage, rewards points on purchases, entertainment and access to exclusive promotions and events! You can sign up online or head into any C.ex Group premise and see one of our friendly reception staff.

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What gigs can we look forward to at the C.ex Group this year?

We will continue to deliver top quality entertainment acts for the region, and 2019 will be no exception! It has already been a jam packed few months, with us hosting Troy Cassar-Daley, Bjorn Again, Belinda Carlisle, Polish Club, Meg Mac, Robertson Brothers, Arj Barker, Pete Murray, Lee Kernaghan, Urzila Carlson and Jimeoin, just to name a few …

This calibre of shows will continue throughout 2019, with more exciting acts planned for the remainder of the year, such as Ball Park Music, Boys in the Band, Never Ending 80s, Killer Queen and Hot August Night featuring Peter Byrne and the Sydney International Orchestra.

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We are excited about what What plans do you the future holds for C.ex have to celebrate your Group and invite you to week celebration from 70th birthday? continue to be a part of Sunday 25th August for Our 70th anniversary our journey - without your members, that will see of the club is here, and support and commitment, we them enjoy vouchers we are excited to offer simply don’t exist. for goods at seriously our members the chance discounted prices. to share in a prize pool To further celebrate of $70,000 cash, with our anniversary, we will our $70,000 in 70 be holding a Gala Ball on Days promotion (Permit Saturday 24th August 2019, which will include No. LTPS /19/32584). One lucky member is dinner, entertainment and a presentation of guaranteed to walkaway with a life changing the club throughout the years and how it has $50,000 guaranteed cash! We encourage progressed to what it is today. We invite all all members to participate in this exciting members to come along to this momentous promotion, commencing Monday 17th June celebration and share in the commemorations of 70 years of service to the community 2019. We will also be running a birthday

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tickets will be on sale soon.

What is in store for the future of the C.ex Group?

We are excited about what the future holds for C.ex Group and invite you to continue to be a part of our journey - without your support and commitment, we simply don’t exist.

We will not only measure our success on our achievements and financial strength, but equally on the legacy we are creating. We seek to improve people's lives and enrich the community we all live in. This is what we do and will continue to strive for as we nurture our values and culture through innovation, change and community engagement for the next 70 years and beyond.

C.EX GROUP ON 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS

PAYNTER DIXON HAS PROUDLY BEEN WORKING WITH C.EX GROUP IN COFFS HARBOUR FOR OVER 25 YEARS!

Together we are creating a new and improved C.ex Coffs, due for completion late 2019. Exciting times ahead for C.ex Group.

(02) 9797 5555

info@paynterdixon.com.au

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Travel Centre Coffs Harbour is celebrating 70 years of continuous business, having first started in Coffs Harbour in 1949.

T

ravel Centre is a boutique travel agency with an uncompromising focus on customer service. Drawing on a wealth of industry experience and years of first-hand destination knowledge, owner Glenda Halliwell and her team specialise in creating unique and experiential holidays. The Travel Centre team are experts when help is needed for planning that special journey, your next seasonal holiday, or even a brief interlude.

Step inside a world filled with potential - a world where no trip is too small or too grand.

With all that experience comes incredible insight into the world of travel options, with a range of unique and out-of-this-world ideas for your next unforgettable trip. And, through our range of leading travel partners, Travel Centre Coffs Harbour can provide you with exclusive travel opportunities and benefits.

Travel Centre is also the Coffs Coast cruise specialist. All the team are fully accredited cruise experts and do regular training to keep up to date. We are passionate about our job and love

to talk cruising! In fact, we love to talk about all types of travel!

This year we are really excited, as we will be holding our biggest travel expo ever. Due to support from our travel industry partners, we have expanded our cruise expo, which has been held every year since 2007 to include all types of travel. The expanded expo features a diverse range of travel experiences, with almost 40 suppliers on hand. They are eager to provide all the information you may require to be inspired to commit to that “holiday of a lifetime”, or add new travel adventures to your life experience.

On just about every travel bucket list you will find Africa. Bench Africa is regarded as

the most prominent Africa holiday specialist in Australia. Established in 1969, they have 50 years of knowledge and are committed to providing stylish, unique and memorable holidays. Each member of the Bench team has travelled extensively throughout the vast and enigmatic continent, so you can be confident that they have the in-depth knowledge to design the very best Africa packaged holiday or personalised trip. Bench Africa offer a number of travel itineraries, escorted or independent, photographic or special interest. With offices in South Africa and Kenya, Bench has its eyes and ears on the ground, and can be there for you every step of the way. Talk to the African experts

at the expo.

At the other end of travel’s spectrum, Europe offers a wonderful choice of destinations, culture, history and amazing scenery. If you want to experience the Continent when it is less busy with other travellers, you might consider a White Christmas visit. Albatross Tours have been operating winter tours in Europe for over twenty years and specialise in Christmas market tours.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a slower paced holiday, soaking up the yuletide festivities under the twinkling Christmas lights, taking in the sights, aromas and atmosphere of the markets. See Albatross at the expo about this special experience.

Christmas in the Slovenian Alps 11 Days | Munich to Munich | 18 December 2019

SAIL IN LUXURY CLOSE TO HOME AUSTRALIAN GRAND VOAYGE 50 DAYS OF AUTHENTIC BEAUTY Imagine waking up on Christmas Day with views across magnificent Lake Bled located deep in the Slovenian Alps. Explore the old city of Ljubljana, the snow fields of Kranjska Gora, shop at festive Christmas markets in cobblestoned squares, and stay in a 900 year old Italian Castle!

15 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450 | Call: (02) 6652 1833 66 Coffs Coast focus

Secure your suite on the inaugural circumnavigation of Australia onboard our luxury flagship Silver Muse. Departing on a roundtrip from Sydney on 31 October, 2020, experience the finest things New Zealand, Indonesia, and our stunning Kimberley Coast have to offer.

All-inclusive fares starting from AU$27,890PP. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT TRAVEL CENTRE 02 6652 1833 | GLENDA@TRAVELCENTRECOFFS.COM.AU TRAVELCENTRECOFFS.COM.AU Fares and information correct at time of print. Visit the Silversea website for full terms and conditions.

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We all love to travel, and for most people overseas travel is a wonderful and enriching experience.

There will be, of course, a diverse variety of cruise line experts on hand at the expo, to help you discover what’s new and what’s hot in the world of cruising. Over the years, Glenda and her team have experienced a wide variety of cruises, embracing enchanting river boats to luxury liners and expedition ships.

Glenda has recently returned from an amazing Kimberley Coast cruise with Silversea

Cruises. Silversea is renowned for its high level of service, exotic destinations and all inclusive luxury. Talk to Glenda at the expo if you are interested in luxury cruising and the worldwide itineraries that Silversea has to offer. Needless to say, she still has many more cruises on her bucket list, which

seems to grow longer with every new development in the industry. The other holiday she is looking forward to is a multi-generational cruise, when her grandkids are old enough to enjoy the fun to be had on a cruise holiday.

We all love to travel, and for most people overseas travel is a wonderful and enriching experience. However, being given the unpredictable nature of travel, misadventures whilst on holiday do sometimes occur. That is

why you should never leave home without travel insurance. There is a saying in the industry: “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. It is always best to never leave home without it, and we encourage clients to make sure they have appropriate cover. You can find out more about this important aspect of travel at the expo with Suresave Insurance.

The Travel & Cruise Expo will be held at Pacific Bay Resort on Saturday 1st June 2019. Entry is free! Glenda and the Travel Centre team extend you a warm welcome to the world of travel; see you Saturday 1st June!

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SOUTHERN

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oin Glenda when she returns tea, coffee and spice lands. Beyond these to India - this time to the mountains, in the wedge shaped plateau, enchanting south! are great old cities supported by rich farm Discover the real India on lands and a culture that has its roots in the an escorted tour with Glenda historical Kumari Continent from where, Halliwell. Spend sixteen days they claim, civilisation spread across the exploring the best of southern India in a world. small group with Glenda, who is an India Wherever you go in the south you’ll expert. uncover splendid relics of the many Your personalised tour includes strolling civilisations that have inhabited this land along the tree lined avenues of the former over two millennia. The spectacular rockFrench colony of cut shrines carved out Pondicherry, the

by Buddhists, Hindus famous cave temples and Jains at Ajanta of Mahabalipuram and Ellora, the palaces, and the Dutch port The south’s vibrant tombs, forts and city of Cochin. Enjoy a cities are the pulse of a mosques of Muslim cruise in a converted country that is fastdynasties on the Deccan rice barge, plying forwarding through are just some of the the backwaters of the 21st Century, while diverse cultural treasure Kerala. Take a tuk tuk also at times remaining trove to be found in the excursion through staunchly traditional. land that also gave birth bustling villages, learn to yoga. traditional Indian South India’s glorious cooking methods, or culinary variety and perhaps try an Ayurvedic massage. melange of dining options are an adventure Enjoy the best that the region has to offer in their own right. Many famous and on this comprehensive and interactive small traditional staples hail from here, including group journey. You will visit tea plantations, the large papery dosas, fluffy idlis, and a witness spectacular coastal sunsets, immerse spicy Portuguese-influenced cuisine of fiery yourself in local village life, all in comfort and inventive fusion. style. Your local guides have been picked for The south’s vibrant cities are the pulse of a their local knowledge and understanding of country that is fast-forwarding through the each region you visit, to ensure an up close, 21st Century, while also at times remaining personalised and insightful experience. staunchly traditional. The cities are great The coastal city of Kerala is a world away for browsing teeming markets, soaking up from the frenzy of elsewhere in India. With local history and indulging in India’s more its famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, fashionable side of arty coffee houses, chic Ayurveda treatments and delicately spiced boutiques, plus trendy microbreweries and cuisine, it is easy to see why its local cocktail bars. inhabitants refer to it as “God’s Own This will be Glenda’s fourth visit to India, country”. Here lie the best beaches in south and she is excited to be able to share with India and to the east are the mountains of you this amazing journey through India’s the western and eastern Ghats, home to the south.

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FULLY ESCORTED 16 DAY SMALL GROUP JOURNEY Chennai to Cochin

Departs: 18 September 2 02 0

Twin Share $9,300.00 per person, Single Supplement $3,300.00, Business class upgrade $3,400.00 Group Size: Max 12 Guests WHAT’S INCLUDED • Return economy class flights from Sydney with Singapore Airlines • 15 nights deluxe accommodation • Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 7 dinners • Transport in comfortable air-conditioned mini coach • Flights Chennai to Trivandrum • Sunset cruise, dance show, country boat ride, cooking demo • Expert English speaking local guide

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Business Minds with Sam Wardman of CornerPost Creative

DFM FINANCIAL GROUP

Kirkaldy

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hris, welcome to Business Minds. Tell us how you came to call the Coffs Coast home.

The Coffs Coast has been my home since primary school, when my parents moved here in the early ‘80s to become the inaugural teaching staff at John Paul College. However, for many years before that, we would come to the Coffs Coast for school holidays, so my fondest memories are those of caravanning, fishing and surfing around Coffs. While I moved away for university and early in my working career, I have always had strong ties to Coffs and when my wife and I decided to start a family, the Coffs Coast was the only place we considered raising our children.

How did you come to be a financial planner?

After a decade in the hospitality industry, I realised that I had a passion for building relationships and helping people. My love of finance led me to a career change into an area where I knew I could combine all of these passions.

DFM Financial Group have been in Coffs for a long time. Can you please share with us a little more about the business?

DFM Financial Group, which started as Duncan Financial Advisers 30 years ago, was founded

by Rees Duncan. It was solely a family business providing financial advice to the Coffs Coast, until I was able to join the team in 2010. Since then DFM Financial Group has expanded from Kempsey to the Gold Coast, offering a full suite of financial services, such as Accounting, Mortgage Broking, and most recently NDIS Plan Management. The other two Directors of the

DFM Financial group are direct relatives of the founder, and we still consider our business as holding a family culture.

What have been the highlights to date?

There have been so many: from winning several Coffs Coast Business Chamber Sunny Awards and licensee Practice of the Year Awards, to helping Cancer Council NSW with Pro-bono work for cancer survivors. The greatest highlight personally has been seeing the spark in my clients’ eyes when I can tell them the dream of a comfortable retirement can now be achieved.

Share with us some of the challenges you’ve encountered running a business?

Like all SME [small to medium enterprises] business owners, the greatest challenge is the balance between spending time in the business versus on the business, while managing to find time out of the business to have a life. This constant juggle can only be achieved with the support of both my work family and my home family.

This especially is needed when challenges such as the acquisition of a new business is being integrated into our existing service offer. This can be a trying time, as two business cultures are melded into one.

Another challenge has been the ability to allocate resources into our newest service offering, that of NDIS Plan Management. This is a completely new industry, and we have been one of the first in the Coffs Coast to specialise in this part of the NDIS. This means that we had to develop and train every new employee, as prior experience in this field was non-existent.

Being in a professional services business, customer loyalty and experience are

paramount. What is your approach to managing this?

I believe that customer loyalty is not gained by offering discounts or specials, but instead by providing an exceptional experience, every time.

This experience is gained through interaction with the right people, so my approach to managing a client experience is ensuring that I employ those who align with our business values. DFM Financial Group prides itself on helping people with money, and we believe that everyone can experience financial freedom. I know that we cannot change what we cannot measure, so we use Net Promoter Scores to continuously improve on the service we provide.

We survey our clients regularly, to ensure they are receiving the level of service they desire and to ensure that they know the areas of financial services we can help them with. In fact, it was through a client interaction that led us to investigate offering our NDIS Plan Management service in the first place.

For those budding investors or people just looking for a starting point with financial planning, where would you start?

Building wealth, for most of us, does not happen overnight. Making small changes to how you spend and what you save, as early as possible, will have huge rewards in the future.

Many Australians, in my experience, do not know simple financial facts such as how much they spend each week, how much interest they pay on their mortgage or car loan, how much they have in superannuation, or the benefits of compound interest. The best place to start for budding investors is investigating what you have, what you earn, and what you owe. From there, set

your goals and map out an action plan to achieve them.

For some, the action plan may start with saving a little more then you currently do, while others may need the services of a professional to reach the larger goals in life, like buying a home or planning for retirement. We believe that everyone can experience financial freedom, so it may be worth seeking professional help to achieve these important life goals.

What marketing activities do you find most useful?

I believe that in professional services, word of mouth (WOM) referrals are the most effective.

People need to trust that the person providing the financial advice, accounting information or loan recommendation is looking out for them in the best way. So those seeking a service like this will most often ask their family and friends for a recommendation on who can look after them.

While this probably doesn’t answer the question around marketing activities, I have found that while building brand awareness is important, it is more of a buyer re-enforcement and therefore secondary to the usefulness of WOM. Finally, what is your favourite part about the Coffs Coast?

My favourite part of the Coffs Coast is the diversity of the environment. Where else on the East Coast of Australia can you walk through a rainforest, swim in a freshwater creek, go for a surf and see the migrating whales on the same day? For someone who has just explained that it is a balancing act to find time to enjoy life outside of work, when the pendulum swings in my favour, the Coffs Coast really does provide endless options that are so close at hand.

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Visitors love the Coffs Coast The spectacular nature based experiences of the Coffs Coast and the passion of our local tourism operators are paying off with increased tourism visitation numbers.

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fter a wonderful sun abundant array of nature based attractions drenched summer and the and experiences, prioritising these activities to whirl of the recent school markets in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and holidays, the Coffs Coast Regional NSW. can celebrate growing One of the aims of Council’s Industry tourism numbers. Recent and Destination Development section is visitation statistics have shown the Coffs to facilitate the growth of a strong and Coast welcomed almost two million visitors sustainable tourism industry into the future in 2018, a substantial increase from previous through education and support across years. As a multi gateway destination, a 16% all areas of the industry. The industry increase in overnight visitors from other parts “Champions” program fosters a collaborative of Australia and close to industry approach by 100,000 international encouraging operators visitors has driven this to engage and share success. While guests business knowledge are drawn to the region and support. These While guests are drawn to the for a variety of reasons, quarterly Champions region for a variety of reasons, it is the interaction with events provide a time it is the interaction with the the spectacular natural and cost-effective way spectacular natural assets and assets and experiential for businesses to keep experiential opportunities opportunities that their finger on the that have enamoured visitors have enamoured pulse of activities and to the Coffs Coast. visitors to the Coffs experiences available Coast. These natureon the Coffs Coast, to based experiences are share with visitors they consistently rated as a come into contact with. vital part of a destination The team have received great support visit. from businesses across the region for these Coffs Coast boasts protected National Parks, initiatives and have created a calendar of nature reserves and 71,000 ha of marine relevant business workshops to take place park which play host to a number of these over the next 12 months. The next event, experiences and provide a beautiful base for in June, focuses on business marketing in visitors and locals to enjoy. With an estimated the form of creating effective and engaging 150 different species of birds in the hinterland content as a business story. To find out and an extraordinary 550 fish species, along more about what is involved in becoming a with turtles and dolphins just off our shores, Champion or book in to the June workshop, the abundance of flora and fauna adds to the email paradise@coffscoast.com.au delight of visitors to our region.

The ultimate showcase of visitor experience Regional Tourism Organisation, Destination on the Coffs Coast is through the newly North Coast highlight the importance of created destination video produced to activities involving nature and the outdoors highlight the natural connection available on for visitor satisfaction, showcasing that the Coffs Coast - connection with family, with visitors stay on average 18% longer in the nature and with each other. Check it out on region when they participate in these types of www.coffscoast.com activities. The Coffs Coast capitalises on the #coffscoast #naturallyconnected

ColorTile C O F F S

H A R B O U R

Rod and Amanda Mapleson, our local tile experts, opened their first store here in Coffs Harbour nearly ten years ago. Their locally-owned showroom, ColorTile, features a fantastic range of tiles from all around the world, including different colours, shapes, sizes and prices. Speaking to Rod, we talk about what makes their showroom unique, and the latest trends in town.

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odney, what makes your local business so special?

Our people make our business special. We are a small, close team of people who believe the customer comes first. We also source tiles that are on trend and have an extensive range on display.

Tell us about the team.

There is Elisa, our showroom manager, who has an associate diploma in interior design.

She also looks after many of our builders. Elisa really cares about her customers.

Sue is our most experienced tile consultant, who listens closely to her customers. I think that is what her customers really like about her.

Sue loves it when her customers pop in to the showroom just to tell her how happy they are with their renovations, no matter how big or small.

Also working in the design area is Amanda,

who is our interior design consultant and has 25 years’ retail experience. Amanda has a great knack of knowing what her customers want.

She provides the same level of service to all customers, no matter what their budget.

Our newest employee, Tori, goes above and beyond to solve problems and is known to do research for her customers to get tiles that aren’t even on our showroom floor. Tori has a great passion for the industry.

Our storeroom expert, Chris, manages our incredible range and only the other day told me that working at ColorTile felt more like being in a family than working for a business.

Then there is Lucas, who is known around town as the ColorTile deliveryman. He has been with us for some time and also helps Chris out in the warehouse.

And there is Leigh, who is a “jack-of-alltrades” and works part-time. He helps across all areas of our business.

Oh, and lastly there is myself. Tiles have been my profession for as long as I can remember. I am very proud to have opened my first tile showroom here in Coffs: Coffs has been my home for 10 years, and I couldn’t think of a better place to live and work.

And I like to give back to the community via sponsorships: we support local schools and sporting clubs.

What a great group of people. As a last point, could you give our readers a hint about trends you are seeing here in Coffs?

Both large format and Terrazzo-look tiles are very popular here in Coffs, along with the coastal look. In our showroom we have this

huge collection of natural-look tiles: it is about getting the look of timber, terrazzo, travertine, etc. without the ongoing maintenance. I find that these tiles are very popular amongst our customers who have families, because the tiles are tough and don’t require a lot of effort down the track. Many of our customers love them, because it means for them more time and money - spent on doing things they really want to do, rather than on maintenance and cleaning.

ColorTile showroom: 155 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 t: (02) 6651 8555 www.colortile.com.au

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Value Packed.

The GLA and GLC Urban Editions have arrived. Now available at Mercedes-Benz Coffs Coast, they're value-packed with extras. Featuring panoramic glass sunroof, KEYLESS GO comfort pack, heated & electric memory front seats, metallic paintwork and more, the GLA and GLC Urban Editions are ready to take your urban SUV experience to a whole new level.

Ends May 31 2019. Visit Mercedes-Benz Coffs Coast and make your move today.

GLA 180 Urban Edition

GLC 200 Urban Edition

$49,900

$69,900

With over $3,500 in extras.

With up to $8,500 in extras.

*

Drive away

*

Drive away

*$69,900 (incl. GST) is the maximum recommended drive away price for the GLC 200 Urban Edition. $49,900 (incl. GST) is the maximum recommended drive away price for the GLA 180 Urban Edition.

Vehicles must be ordered between 1 April and 31 May 2019, and delivered by 30 June 2019 at participating Mercedes-Benz retailers, or while stocks last. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.

Further details at www.mercedesbenz.com.au/urbanedition.

Mercedes-Benz Coffs Coast 4 Tolhurst Place, Coffs Harbour 02 6648 3519 DL3461 www.mbcoffscoast.com.au

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Two Reasons Log Book Servicing is important

ADVANCED MECHANICAL SERVICES

Are you wondering what all the fuss is over log book servicing? Can’t figure out why it’s so important and why you should be putting your hard earned money towards it?

Well, let’s have a look at two reasons why log book servicing is important.

1. PROLONG YOUR CAR’S LIFESPAN Log book servicing includes a host of procedures and essential inspections. Regular maintenance of moving parts of the car like tyres, drive train oils, fuel and cabin filters etc. Log book servicing thus helps your car run at its peak performance and helps you save money on car maintenance, all through the car’s lifespan. On the other hand, the effect of skipping periodic and timely log book servicing will eventually show up in two - three years, with signs of higher wear and tear, lower fuel efficiency and frequent escalations in repairs.

2. BETTER RESALE VALUE With regular log book servicing of your car you not only have a full-service history, but also ensure higher resale value. If your car has a record of regular service and maintenance, the resale value of the car will certainly be higher, since the prospective buyer is assured of a well-maintained vehicle.

NOT LONG AFTER MOVING TO COFFS HARBOUR, CRAIG MARKWORT AND CHRIS RANFORD

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STRUCK UP A FRIENDSHIP, MAINLY OVER THEIR COMMON INTERESTS AND BACKGROUNDS.

hey were discussing their previous business experience one day and realised that with the knowledge they both have, they could open their own business, Advanced Mechanical Services. And, so they did!

FOCUS caught up with the pair, to find out more …

When did your business open, and who was involved?

We opened our business in January 2015 with a bang! We are both fully trained automotive technicians in a broad range of areas, who have lived on the stunning Coffs Coast for years. Chris actually started an automotive business back in the UK in 1990 and was lucky enough to work closely with industry leaders in ABS development and fuel injection! He has extensive knowledge with all European cars, while Craig actually started out at Toyota and BMW dealerships! His knowledge extends to all Australian models, including all-wheel drive and 4x4 cars.

What services do you offer and provide?

If you own a car, we can help! Think of us as your One-Stop-Shop for all your vehicle’s needs. We pride ourselves on our great service, and we provide free job estimates. Some of our services include air-conditioning repair and re-gas, brakes, timing belts, suspension, pink and blue slips, clutches, batteries, auto-electrical, radiators, and even historic registrations for cars over 30 years old! We also offer services, from basic right through to manufacturers’ log book. Phew!

We keep all repairs in house, which ultimately saves the customer time in

their busy work/life schedule, and at all times the customer is able to speak to us both directly in respect to their vehicle.

We are also happy to quote on any jobs that might be a bit outside the box.

We love a challenge, so if you have a request that’s unusual or unique, bring it on!

How have you adapted as time/ technology changes?

Many people don’t realise that even in our industry, you have to adapt to technology changes! We keep abreast of new technology and ensure we have the latest in snap-on diagnostic equipment and keep ourselves up to speed with training. While some may find this training to be a bit boring, we really enjoy it, and it keeps us ahead of the competition.

What do you like best about your job/business?

Considering we both love everything to do with cars, there’s not a lot we don’t love about our business! Working on cars rates very highly (of course!) along with meeting the wonderful people who entrust us with their vehicles.

Troubleshooting and fixing technical problems, along with repairing cars gives us great satisfaction! And who wouldn’t feel awesome seeing a client walk away smiling and knowing their car is in tiptop condition!

What is the secret to your success?

Well, we don’t like to give away our secret to success (!); however, one of the driving forces behind our success is that we care. And we’re not just saying that!

We really care about our customers, and we care about their needs. We want them to be safe while driving out on the roads, so we go above and beyond

to make sure our customers’ cars are maintained to a safe standard.

And you have a family ... How do you juggle it all?

Both of us have families, and it can be difficult to juggle both at times. There are weeks on end where we are busy at work, but we always try to make time to spend with our families and friends.

We are incredibly lucky that we both have wives who fully support us and for that, we are incredibly thankful. We are also passionate about charity work and ensure we dedicate enough time for that as well. In fact, a lot of our weekends are spent raising funds for local charities.

Tell us about your community involvement.

A few years ago, we decided to start a not-for-profit car club with Stuart Copeland from Shannon’s Insurance, as we all love vintage cars (admiring them, restoring them, driving them!) From there, it grew to a club with over 400 members and we donate to various local charities in Coffs Harbour, including the Uniting Church soup kitchen, Banardos Australia, Cancer Council, Wesley Mission, Camp Quality, and many more.

Nothing brings us more joy than helping raise much-needed funds for these charities. We admire and applaud the work they do and want to give back as much as we can.

What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?

What’s not to love! The Coffs Coast is just an amazing place to live and work.

We enjoy the beautiful weather, the stunning coastline and above all, the people.

Thanks guys.

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G U I D E

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UNIQUE CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

BUILD BY THE SEA IS A LOCALLY OWNED, FAMILY RUN BUILDING COMPANY BASED IN WOOLGOOLGA. IT WAS ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BY EDDIE AND ANNE BROOMFIELD AND IS NOW LED BY EDDIE’S SON, SAM BROOMFIELD.

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hat is the history behind Build by the Sea? Eddie and Anne established a partnership over 40 years ago and during this time, Eddie was a renowned builder in Woolgoolga. Sam trained under Eddie as an apprentice, and eventually the business was incorporated to the company “Build by the Sea” in 2004.

After excelling in his industry over many years, including the award of “Regional Apprentice of the Year”, Sam became a registered builder with HIA and stepped into the lead role at Build by the Sea. He has since taken over as the sole director and expanded the company over the past ten years. Build by the Sea now has a full administration and accounts team, in house drafting, client liaison staff and an established team of very qualified carpenters.

Build by the Sea values quality in all aspects of its services. This is not only seen amongst the in house team, but extends out to our selectively chosen local contractors and suppliers. Build by the Sea prides itself on delivering impeccable attention to detail, a high level of personal service and an experience that each client will enjoy.

Build by the Sea primarily works from Sapphire to Red Rock. Our services include: • Design, drafting and construction • Custom built homes • Additions and renovations • Multi-dwelling residential constructions • Professional fitouts • Consultation and council submissions

BUILD BY THE SEA VALUES QUALITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF ITS SERVICES. THIS IS NOT ONLY SEEN AMONGST THE IN HOUSE TEAM, BUT EXTENDS OUT TO OUR SELECTIVELY CHOSEN LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS.

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Tell us about your team and their area of expertise.

Build by the Sea has a large team of highly skilled carpenters and a support staff to ensure our projects run smoothly. We are also actively involved in vocational training and are lucky to have an extremely competent and enthusiastic apprentice.

Build by the Sea’s employees have been hired for their passion for building and their commitment to the local community of

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WE REALLY LOVE WORKING ON CUSTOM NEW HOMES AND RENOVATIONS. IT IS WONDERFUL CREATING OUR CLIENTS’ DREAM OF BUILDING A QUALITY NEW HOME FROM THE DESIGN STAGE, RIGHT THROUGH TO LANDSCAPING THE GARDENS.

Woolgoolga and surrounding beaches.

Our staff are all valued community members.

Build by the Sea receives most of our new projects via word of mouth. This is due to our valued team, who deliver outstanding creations in a professional manner. We develop strong rapport with our

clients to deliver an excellent result with each project.

What services do Build by the Sea provide?

With over 50 years of combined building experience, our team at Build by the Sea are highly specialised in our field, enabling us to complete a wide variety

of projects. We really love working on custom new homes and renovations. It is wonderful creating our clients’ dream of building a quality new home from the design stage, right through to landscaping the gardens.

We also enjoy the satisfaction of restoring an existing building, bringing it new life. As part of building a new home, renovation or custom fit out, our company has the ability and knowledge to guide clients through the entire process.

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Building your home is often stressful!

There’s lots of time, effort and many decisions to make. We believe our role throughout this process is to make the journey of building or renovating as enjoyable as possible.

Build by the Sea prides itself on delivering exceptional personal customer service. We communicate with our clients on a regular basis, with updates and on-site meetings during the construction. All projects are delivered at the highest quality and are supported with industry warranties.

Tell us about some of the new, exciting projects you are working on now and in the future.

All of our projects are exciting! This year our biggest custom project is a new devel-

BUILD BY THE SEA PRIDES What are the standopment on Woolgoolga ITSELF ON DELIVERING out features or the Headland. The developEXCEPTIONAL PERSONAL benefits of building ment is architecturally CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE with Build by the designed by design stuCOMMUNICATE WITH OUR Sea? What makes dio 22 and consists of CLIENTS ON A REGULAR you stand out above a house and two units.

BASIS, WITH UPDATES AND your competitors?

The finished project will ON-SITE MEETINGS DURING At Build by the Sea boast sleek, modern THE CONSTRUCTION. we pride ourselves on lines and feature “on quality workmanship trend” materials. and client relationThe rest of our ships. The company schedule this year structure also allows us to work with clients involves major renovations in and around from the beginning concept stage through Woolgoolga. We showcase all our finished to the realisation of their dream home. projects on our website [www.buildbytheWe believe that good relationships are sea.com.au] and our ongoing projects pivotal to the quality of our projects. Build through our Instagram feed @buildbytheby the Sea has enlisted local, loyal, reliable sea.

and top-quality contractors and suppliers.

Our team is open, personal and honest, which ensures the experience for our clients is positive from beginning to end.

Build by the Sea are aware of the pressure and stress when making the correct decisions for a new home or a renovation.

Regular contact with our experienced staff allows our clients to enjoy the journey and relish in the excitement of their build. Sam, the company director, is on hand and available throughout the entire project. We really get to know our clients and customise our services to each individual request.

Build by the Sea ensures that our clients are entirely satisfied during and after completion of their projects.

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How important is sustainability when building a new home?

Sustainability is extremely important and something that Build by the Sea consciously considers and implements in all our projects.

We work with our design team and clients to support the inclusion of products that will improve the sustainability and longevity of their homes. The climate of the Coffs Coast and the proximity to beaches requires specific considerations in regards to choice of materials, energy sources and waste

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management.

It is important not to consider just the sustainability of a new home, but the impact of the construction on our ecosystem. Part of the reason Build by the Sea enjoys renovations is the restorative process, rather than demolition. We have a focus on proper disposal of waste and adhere to best practice recycling. Any products that are removed that can be reused, are stored for later use or revamped. We will often use removed timber from walls or floors to

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create new items within the same renovation.

What is the process when a new client walks through the door?

The process for dealing with each client is as varied as the clients and their requests. Usually the first experience with our company for every client is initial contact with Sam. After discussing the outline of a client’s project, our client liaison officer, Katie, will arrange an onsite meeting with Sam to determine the client’s requirements for completion of their project.

From this point, quotes and contracts are fully customised to meet their individual needs.

Throughout the process, our clients are introduced to the team completing their project, which is inclusive of employees, trades and suppliers. Build by the Sea ensures that our clients continue to have a direct line of communication with Sam throughout the entire project.

Build by the Sea tailors our projects to the individual, providing honest, sound advice with clear guidelines and timeframes within budget.

We pride ourselves on listening to what our customers want and delivering a personal experience tailored to the client’s needs.

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K & R ROOFING

What are the top three things that people should consider when looking to build a new house?

1. Design. We believe design of a home is very important and should be customised to consider multiple factors. This involves looking at the positive characteristics of the land, building attributes and design functionality.

Other important things to consider are sustainability, liveability and aspect of the building. We believe our involvement at the design and planning stage will ensure the best outcome for our clients.

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WE BASE EVERYTHING OFF

2. Quality. Quality can’t afford them! Our OUR BIGGEST COMPANY ensures longevity. experience and detailed VALUE - QUALITY. WHEN Build by the Sea knowledge of products WE THINK ABOUT has handpicked our allow us to work closely QUALITY, IT IS NOT ONLY local contractors with our clients to align OUR FINAL PRODUCT, BUT and suppliers, who their dreams with their THE WAY WE CONDUCT have exceptional affordability.

OUR ENTIRE BUSINESS. workmanship. We are Where are the hot therefore able to ensure spots to build on the all our projects are Coffs Coast? completed to a standard Our hot spot is right of excellence. where we are based, Woolgoolga.

3. Budget. We can’t build homes if our clients Woolgoolga and its surrounding beaches

are undergoing major growth, with people being drawn in by its charm. We are excited to be a part of enhancing our picturesque seaside village.

Since conception, what has been the most important thing to you as a local trade?

We base everything off our biggest company value - quality. When we think about quality, it is not only our final product, but the way we conduct our entire business.

We promote quality teamwork, communication and relationships within our team. We provide quality services to

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our clients. We have created a network of suppliers and contractors based on the quality of their work. They work with us because of the quality of our relationships!

We are proud to say that because of this, much of our business comes through word of mouth - not only from previous clients, but also from our contractors and suppliers.

How important is it to support local businesses?

Local businesses are the heart and soul of our community. The building trade is such that it is not possible for us to do our work

without supporting local businesses. All of the trades working with Build by the Sea are small business of their own. Most of our suppliers are locally owned or operated.

We employ a local team, engage local trades and purchase from local suppliers as a priority.

Furthermore, supporting local businesses does not mean sacrificing quality. We can offer quality assurance, because we have the loyalty and support of our professional local contractors and suppliers.

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What are some challenges the industry has faced, and how have you overcome these?

The building industry faces many challenges.

It is important for our community, workers and clients that the building industry evolves positively and that we at Build by the Sea are abreast of these changes. There are always new building standards and codes, workplace safety legislation improvements and a constant stream of new products.

Sam has joined the Northern NSW HIA committee and was recently appointed as Chairman. The rest of the team are also involved in continuous learning and have regular contact with industry representatives and stakeholders. Additionally, in his role as Chairman, Sam is able to provide feedback to

national governing bodies advocating for local issues. This helps to ensure that the industry evolves, keeping our communities in mind.

Tell us about your community involvement.

We believe in giving back to the loyal community that has chosen to support us.

As a business, community involvement is important to us and makes us feel proud to be a part of enhancing our local area.

Our past projects include • Working with Woolgoolga Public School P&C to redesign and create a new sensory playground • Consultation assistance to the Woolgoolga Surf Club • Consultation assistance to the Woolgoolga Sikh Temple

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WORKERS AND CLIENTS THAT THE BUILDING INDUSTRY EVOLVES POSITIVELY AND THAT WE AT BUILD BY THE SEA ARE ABREAST OF THESE CHANGES.

• Sponsorship of local sporting teams Currently we are supporting an upgrade to the Woolgoolga Community Gardens, giving professional advice and support regarding project management.

Our team are all proud community members, with involvement in a variety of organisations.

They each give of themselves in varying degrees throughout our community, and their acts of

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kindness reflects our business and our proud association that we have with each of them.

What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?

I love that I live in a place where I feel like on the weekends, I’m on holiday!

I can enjoy active sports, great food and picturesque scenery, all within walking distance of my home.

We really are lucky to live and work in such a beautiful place.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/FMfcgxwBTjzpVtwsrNDnQBvSsLkjdfst?compose=VzqbCKmKPRJdjnSppWcgZrzzRHtHTrPKJgr…

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WITH KEV SMITH

AMANDA LANGLANDS FROM LANGLANDS PROPERTY

real estate update.

The Hamptons Style Obsession Continues

Running through our hinterland is a remarkable piece of history that has nearly been lost forever. The Glenreagh to Dorrigo railway was once the lifeblood between the hinterland and lower regions. Back in 1910, an idea was conceived to run a single line between Dorrigo and Glenreagh to transfer goods down the mountain.

Over the many years there was a war, lack of money and other delays, but this remarkable 70 km line was eventually opened in 1924.

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here were 13 “stops” along the way, from platforms, simple sidings, through to

line there are some fantastic structures that are either very hard to access via 4WD tracks, or are locked in between private properties.

These include two curved tunnels, each

about 170 metres long, open paddock stops, between Glenreagh and many of those The original Lowanna and TimberTop, where stops still exist today. At Station was flat packed thousands of micro bats Lowanna, the station from the USA to Australia, have made their home, has been fully restored just like a huge Ikea several massive square back to its former glory; pack. Timber and other water towers, an old you can visit old sidings goods were railed down crane and steam engine like TimberTop or Lloyds to Glenreagh to then be relics at Lloyds Siding, if you have a 4WD to loaded on to the rail line a huge timber trestle access fire trails. Here’s to Newcastle and Sydney a fact - the original bridge near Moleton, for use, or to be loaded Lowanna Station was then there’s the massive into ships for destinations flat packed from the iron and steel bridge overseas.

USA to Australia, just that spans the ever like a huge Ikea pack. flowing Bobo River.

Timber and other goods Unfortunately, most of were railed down to the line is in disrepair, Glenreagh to then be loaded on to the along with train relics along the line - not rail line to Newcastle and Sydney for use, due to vandals, but through lack of of use or to be loaded into ships for destinations and funding to keep it running, as the last overseas. train ran in 1972 due to line damage, and This amazing feat was accomplished through the authorities shut the line down. thick mountainous scrub, steep inclines, These days a volunteer group at Glenreagh and even several landslides occurred while are slowly restoring and preserving several building the line. Even in today’s railway carriages and other gear for years to come; circles, this rail line still amazes the experts with its steep climbs and horse shoe type it’s a shame they will never run on the line system to go around spur lines. Along the again.

Light, breezy and sophisticated - it’s no wonder the Hamptons interior design style has grown in popularity around the world.

Real estate agents, builders and designers have all witnessed increased interested in this timeless style.

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he Hamptons has a relaxed and textures. I love that the Hamptons style elegance, with a timeless and helps create a relaxed atmosphere for sharing luxurious feel. These style of quality time with friends and family - and what homes originated in Long Island is better than that? coastal towns for the rich and 4. QUALITY FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS famous. The theme ages well, requiring little to Now that the details are the main focus, one no updating due to the classic look. should make sure there’s quality to be found in How do you go about achieving this? Well, here them. Natural materials and textures help define are five simple steps to get the look. the Hamptons style. Linen upholstery or white 1. NEUTRAL COLOUR PALETTE FOCUSED cotton are a popular choice for your furniture, AROUND WHITES AND CREAMS as they give that fresh, effortless elegance. Add The home’s colour palette achieves this with a a pop of colour with some soft blues, and you number of variations of have the perfect coastal whites, with accents of vibe, which I so very much grey and blue used as love. Quality and not complementary notes. quantity is key. Having Once you identify the look These neutral colours fewer objects enables the you’re after, it’s important give the whole house eye to better appreciate to realise that whilst its timeless charm and a the finer details and consistency throughout your fresh look and feel. find joy in discovering space is very important, you 2. WALL PANELLING great craftsmanship. This can still adjust the overall AND BUILT-IN graceful style is designed theme to suit your own CABINETRY to shift attention to the personal style.

Wall panelling and finer details. Anything skirting and built-in super bold or modern cabinetry gives a home will stand out, so use a simple-chic Hamptons discretion with colour and aesthetic. Usually the panels are white, with patterns. the contrasting colour set on the wall above it.

5. SPACIOUS, OPEN KITCHENS This provides a refined, classic look, and in this The Hamptons look would not be complete case can be complemented with weathered oak without a classic open kitchen. This popular furniture and blackened timber floors. theme is known for using white shaker style 3. OPEN AREAS WITH AN OPEN FLOOR cabinetry with recessed panel doors. It’s all PLAN about the detail.

To create a sense of luxury, you need space.

One of the exciting things about building Having an open plan design is crucial to the or renovating your own home is planning overall look and feel of a Hamptons inspired the interior style. Once you identify the look home. Your home should feel spacious, with you’re after, it’s important to realise that no cluttered area to be found, be it the livingwhilst consistency throughout your space is room, the kitchen or the bedrooms. It is, if you very important, you can still adjust the overall will, the point where classical meets minimalism theme to suit your own personal style. Go and for the minimalistic feel, space is required. It more traditional or laid back, add more coastal, calms the spirit and encourages the eye to look beachy décor or opt for traditional, luxury at the details, rather than be lost in sea of items decorating. The choice is yours.

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focusmotoring.

With their dealership OPERATING IN PORT MACQUARIE SINCE 1987, THE PLOWRIGHT FAMILY’S MOTORING STORY features highlights too numerous to cover here.

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uffice it to say, the stewardship of the Lexus brand in northern New South Wales continues to be the pinnacle for Warren, Andrew and Hiroko Plowright.

In line with Lexus’ Japanese heritage, the Plowright family and the Lexus of Port Macquarie team embrace the spirit of omotenashi anticipating the desires and needs of guests.

“Whether servicing a vehicle or looking to purchase, it’s this spirit that welcomes guests and provides our inspiration,” says Andrew. But further to the longstanding business partnership with Lexus, the connection with Japan runs even deeper. Andrew Plowright met his wife, Hiroko, when they were both working in the brand’s international headquarters in Tokyo the 1990s.

“Thankfully, our family enjoys a long history with the iconic corporation and Japanese culture.”

OMOTENASHI THE JAPANESE WORD FOR HOSPITALITY Since the origin of the brand, Lexus have operated with a simple purpose - to create vehicles that are designed around the owner, that anticipate needs and make the journey amazing. It means that Lexus and dealers around the world, such as Lexus of Port Macquarie are always seeking to anticipate and fulfil needs with intuitive touches.

Whether it is versatility, comfort or exhilaration, Lexus 84 Coffs Coast focus

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offer something for almost any lifestyle. The SUV range features the UX and NX crossover SUVs, along with the segment defining RX, now available with seven seats. Each of these models are available in petrol or self-charging hybrid electric drivelines.

For the ultimate in off-road or towing situations, the LX four wheel drive wagon delivers the choice of petrol V8 or the legendary twin turbo diesel 4.5 litre V8, boasting 200 kW of power and 650 Nm of torque.

Along with the SUV range, Lexus also offers more in the form of the CT hybrid hatch, luxury petrol and hybrid electric sedans of all sizes and of course, sports cars. All inspired by the legendary LFA Supercar, the Lexus sports car range is constantly evolving.

Following the recent reveal of the LC Convertible Concept shown above, the latest news is that the 351 kW RC F V8 coupe is soon to star as the agents' vehicle of choice for their high velocity pursuits in Sony Pictures' Men in Black: International.

"The Lexus RC F sports coupe provides the perfect vehicle for our team of Men in Black agents, led by Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, as they protect the galaxy" said Jeffrey Godsick, EVP, Brand Management and Global Partnerships, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group.

Lexus are trailblazers in automotive innovation.

Available in nine Lexus models, Hybrid Drive Technology is an example of this innovation, combining a petrol engine working seamlessly with an electric motor to provide a responsive and highly efficient drive. The result? Smooth and powerful acceleration as both engines work together to maintain optimal power

control. Impressive mileage while cruising and improved efficiency while decelerating and stationary. And of course, cleaner driving, with reduced CO2 emissions.

But Lexus masterminds are always striving for better.

In the spirit of Kaizen - the quest for continuous improvement - Lexus engineers are committed to creating a hybrid that’s faster, smoother, leaner, quieter and cleaner. With every new Lexus Hybrid model released - such as the recently launched UX - that quest becomes more of a reality.

The same Kaizen commitment is the driving force at Lexus of Port Macquarie. Thanks to a stable team of enthusiasts - many with decades of tenure at the dealership - Lexus guests can expect an ownership experience geared around ease and convenience. The acclaimed Encore Privileges programme rewards owners with a range of exclusive benefits during the four year, 100,000 km new vehicle warranty period, such as complimentary service loan vehicles, DriveCare, exclusive owner events and more.

Experience Amazing at Lexus of Port Macquarie.

FREEDOM FURNITURE PA R K B E A C H H O M E B A S E

Freedom Furniture at Park Beach Homebase is open for business as usual, seven days a week. FOCUS chatted with owner Leanne Watson, to find out more ...

Freedom is all about style - what home ideas do you have in store?

We have endless ideas in both our homewares and furniture departments. We arrange our floor displays, so that you can see how they might look in your own home. From coastal loungeroom settings, to vignettes to appeal to the global traveller in you, we really have something for everyone!

We offer innovative furniture pieces to fulfil your storage or space saving needs, as well as larger scale pieces to accommodate open spaces for large families. Our huge range of homewares, such as mirrors, rugs and decorative accents will have you adding the finishing touches to your spaces.

Tell us how we can be inspired to make our homes beautiful.

The entire store is designed to inspire you from start to finish. We group our displays in identifiable themes and use wall colours to complement each area. This offers a great foundation from which you can create your own look, choosing the elements from our displays that you like best.

Our talented team can walk you through the store and offer creative design solutions to help you feel inspired, and you can also view our website and social media pages for further ideas.

Can you tell us what the current trends are at the moment?

Trends are ever-changing; however, a large portion of our store lends itself to the coastal lover, due to our demographic, and this is always popular with our customers.

“Friend l from t y advice he you kn faces ow...�

Thursday 2pm-6pm Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm or by appointment

www.parkbeachhomebase.com.au PACIFIC HIGHWAY NORTH, COFFS HARBOUR | Plus 15 lifestyle brands

OPEN 7 DAYS

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MULTI-AWARD WINNING BUILDER PERRY HOMES IS PROUD TO COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION ON LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER HARAN DHILLON’S FIRST HOME.

The Dhillon Family

Perry Homes BUILD THEIR FIRST HOME WITH

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aving moved to Coffs Harbour some five and a half years ago, the Dhillon family have firmly established themselves in the area. Haran and Parmjeet Dhillon own and manage a successful commercial fruit and vegetable farm in Corindi. Sprawling some 20 acres, the farm’s current crop includes tomatoes and cucumbers, which are distributed throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Located in the Woopi Beach Estate, Woolgoolga, their new home is an ideal location, just 10 minutes from their business and 20 minutes from Coffs Harbour.

Mr Dhillon commented, “We chose Woolgoolga for a number of reasons. It’s close to work and just 20 minutes from Coffs Harbour; plus, it is a great location to raise a young family.”

Sought-after land in the Woopi Beach Estate is still available, with prices starting from $235,000 for a circa 600 sqm lot, plus further land releases coming up. The estate is proving popular as a lifestyle choice, being in walking distance to the beach

86 Coffs Coast focus

and boasting a new town centre with a host of amenities, plus a number of quality schooling options for families.

Perry Homes has over 50 home designs and 150 floor plans to choose from. And the beauty of building with Perry Homes is that they are happy to modify their floor plans and even create a custom design.

Mr Dhillon added, “We shopped around quite a few builders, but what drew us to Perry Homes was their build time. We have friends who have built with Perry Homes previously, and they were happy with the product and recommended them to us.”

The Dhillon family have chosen to build the popular Avalon 27 design. The expansive Avalon home at just under 250 sqm boasts four bedrooms, two living areas and a dedicated study. The extensive kitchen with walk-in pantry is centrally located and overlooks the terrace and dining area. With the media room located to the front of the home, there is plenty of space for family members to spread out and make the most of their “down time”.

New Home Consultant, Phillip Hitchins added, “One of the unique features of the Avalon home design is the guest bedroom with its own ensuite - perfect for when

One of the reasons we chose to such as flooring and visitors come to build over buying an established of course, the exterior stay and a growing home was the fact that we could materials of the home.” family. This was a The Dhillon family key deciding factor personalise the home to our tastes home is nearing for the Dhillon and preferences. We have been completion, Site family.” able to select our bathroom Supervisor Phillip Davies The Dhillon family and kitchen fixtures and said: “We are in the final were also able to fittings, as well as the usual days of construction on take advantage items such as flooring the home. The build of the great Solar and of course, the exterior has gone smoothly and System promotion materials of the home. there are a number of that Perry Homes standout features in the were running, which home, such as the raised included a free 2.2 kW battery ready ceilings which emphasise system fully installed during construction. the amount of natural light in the home.”

Environmental and sustainable building Established in 1993, Perry Homes has options are becoming increasingly important been building throughout the Coffs Harbour to purchasers. Solar Energy Systems are area for more than 20 years and is firmly not just great for the environment using established as a trusted and respected renewable energy, but they also save you builder in the region. money on your power bill.

If you are thinking of building or you’re Mr Dhillon commented, “One of the interested in one of the many Perry Homes reasons we chose to build over buying an home and land packages available, visit established home was the fact that we Perry Homes’ display homes located at 9 could personalise the home to our tastes and 11 Zenith Ave, Sandy Beach. They are and preferences. We have been able to open seven days a week from 10am to select our bathroom and kitchen fixtures 5pm, or call Phillip Hitchins on 0428 271 884 for more information. and fittings, as well as the usual items

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Call 13 2 to book 8 36 a tour

Aged Care has never come with so much Freedom When many people think of aged care they think of a nursing home and living on someone else’s timetable.

But that’s not what you’ll expect after visiting Aveo Freedom Aged Care Coffs Harbour, a welcoming community that gives you the flexibility to do what you want. It’s a genuine alternative to a nursing home.

SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Freedom Aged Care^

Nursing Home

24-hr nurse services – immediate response nurse-call technology

✓

✓

Low, High, Palliative and Dementia Care

✓

✓

Government funding available

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Your own self-contained home with kitchen, bathroom, laundry and courtyard/garden

✓

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Couples stay together

✓

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Family and friends can stay whenever they want

✓

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Pets are welcome

✓**

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No means-testing or asset-testing required for move-in

✓

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Call 13 28 36 to book a tour **Subject to management approval. ^This comparison is a guide only and we encourage you to compare for yourself. FRE250

Aveo Freedom Aged Care Coffs Harbour 13 28 36 aveo.com.au/freedom

92 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast focus 88