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Jeanette Williamson

December 2019 issue 111

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Welcome to the December issue of Coﬀs Coast FOCUS .

n Monday 11th November, NSW was officially declared a “state of emergency. Our stomachs sank. “Surely this isn’t happening?” we thought. “This can’t be happening in communities like ours …” As we rushed home from the office to pack our most valuable items, the irreplaceable sentimental stuff, we rounded up our partners, kids, pets and made sure we had enough food and water in case we needed to evacuate our homes to safety. The anxiety and panic we felt was undeniable. Our heart breaks for those who didn’t have time to do the same and have lost everything. It’s an absolute tragedy, and we cannot begin to understand how you’re dealing with this right now! We just wanted to take the time to say thanks to all the heroes who are risking their lives fighting these extreme conditions, to keep the rest of our beautiful country safe. The RFS, the SES, the Firies, Police and volunteers all put

their lives on the line to help to keep the peace. So hats off to these heroes, and thanks for all you do! Your actions do not go unnoticed. Inside this Edition: After years of dreaming, planning and some time away from home learning the craft, Josh and Lucyna King are excited to bring you King Tide Brewing. They have big plans to open a social venue for the Coffs community - a place to enjoy quality local beer, savour locally focused food, relax and unwind with friends. Lily Isobella has a background spanning over 20 years in the domestic violence and sexual assault sectors. Through her practice and also her speaking career, she has helped guide thousands of women to work through, recover and find strength after trauma. Lily has taken that experience and started Get Up Girl - a self defence, self esteem and self respect program to arm girls and women with reality based self defence skills, as well as teaching them about body sovereignty,

consent, boundaries, self worth and safety. We’ve grabbed a few of our favourite local shops and pulled some inspiration for you just in time for Christmas. It’s important we support shopping local this Christmas, so make sure you turn to our Christmas feature, which kicks off on page 45. Next Month - Families in Business Our communities are small, interconnected hubs, and our readers have a genuine interest in the faces and people behind our successful businesses. Our first edition for 2020 will go off with a bang, featuring local families sharing their stories and success. The FOCUS team would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Bring on 2020! Final Say “If you define yourself by how you differ from the competition, you’re probably in trouble.” - Omar Hamoui.

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contents

Issue 111 - December 2019

focusinterviews

feature a special

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

King Tide Brewing After years of dreaming, planning and some time away from home learning the craft, Josh and Lucyna King are excited to bring you King Tide Brewing... F E A T U R E

Jimmy Wags

Jimmy Wags is an artist and true creative; his work is bold, unique and inspiring. Jimmy also runs local workshops, many with fellow artist Tulli Stevens, that explore art in many different forms and using many different mediums ...

Ruby Fields

the Usual

14. WHAT’S ON for December

Ruby is the girl next door with an endearing downto-earth attitude, armed with Chuck Taylors and vocal cords that could tackle the country’s major festivals. She is super pumped about her regional tour and can’t wait to get amongst it at the Hoey Moey on December 28th. FOCUS caught up with Ruby, to find out more ...

Sourced and Salvage Bruce Jacups was a sustainable builder and salvage sawmiller for many years, and that evolved into making furniture and homewares from upcycled and salvaged materials. From there, Bruce started Sourced Salvage Studio, a store front and artist hub where artists can display and sell a variety of different works that all incorporate sustainable upcycling and repurposing.

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Suspects

21. FROM THE ARCHIVES with Kev Smith 26. EAT local restaurants 42. SOCIAL SCENE with Carole Beros 58. TRAVEL TIME with Kerry Moss 66. EDUCATION with Nick Johnstone 76. STARGUIDE with Terri Hall 94. BUSINESS MINDS with Sam Wardman 110. REAL ESTATE with Amanda Langlands

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ROLLING SETS HILLTOP HOODS The Hilltop Hoods are ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST BANDS, WHO ARE CURRENTLY ON A WORLD TOUR PERFORMING THEIR EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM, THE GREAT EXPANSE. We had the opportunity to talk with Suffa about their massive seven ARIA nominations and their plans for the upcoming year, writing new music and what they have planned for us at Rolling Sets.

hanks so much for taking the time to talk to us. You have a total of nine ARIA Awards and have been nominated for another seven this year; how does it feel to be Australia’s biggest Hip Hop act and to be responsible for the culture that is Aussie Hip Hop? I take no responsibility at all ha ha! We feel really fortunate that our hard work has been so well received over the years, and that our fans grow with us as our music styles develops and adapts as we change as artists. As for the ARIAs, to get so many nominations - we really weren’t expecting it, so it was a nice surprise. This is our biggest album ever, and we’re putting together our biggest show ever. We’re taking it around the world, and it’s selling like crazy - it’s incredible. You recently supported Eminem on the Australian and New Zealand leg of his tour; what was it like to work with him? Did he influence you at all when it came to writing new music? After working with him and seeing him perform, he did definitely influence us. His live show is just next level - he is so big, as well as his shows. It’s on the same level as the Rolling Stones. Just the sheer volume of people involved in the show ... Everything from the band, to the A.V, to the lighting, to the set list - it’s really unbelievable. It’s impossible not to look around you and go, wow, this is how they do it; this is how one of the biggest acts in the world puts

like Melbourne or Sydney, you can sometimes on a live show. One of the biggest ways he influenced us was how we change our show and take those sort of concerts for granted, so to really amp it up, which is something we have be able to play in regional areas is always very definitely been doing. special. You guys are in the middle of a world Coffs Harbour is so excited to see you tour at the moment; where has been one perform at the new Rolling Sets Festival of your favourite places to perform? Or, next year. What can we tell our readers to is there a particular place you’re looking expect? forward to? We want to do a fair few festivals - and in a Going home to Adelaide is always a really lot of regional areas as well. We want to be able great show, with a lot of to produce a show where friends and family in the we don’t scale down our live crowd. Switzerland is a show too much from what beautiful country and has we did on our arena tour. some unbelievable views; We want to bring as much After working with him we played Zurich as the last and seeing him perform, as possible; we are trying show of last year, which he did definitely influence to make it a big show - all was really cool. Everywhere us. His live show is just the bells and whistles for has its different merits; for next level - he is so big, everyone! example, Amsterdam and as well as his shows. It’s What’s next for the its different merits ha ha! on the same level as the Hilltop Hoods? Are you How do those places Rolling Stones. currently working on any differ in comparison new music? to when you perform We’re just about to take shows to regional towns off and go to the States in Australia? and Canada; we tour there until the end of the Amsterdam is a different beast altogether. year. We’re doing 50 plus shows on our tour It’s a totally different crowd; it's a higher ratio and we’re about half way, so we are looking of people who are high. We’ve played Coffs forward to being at home next year and to be Harbour before, and the energy in the regional working on a new record there, as well as doing areas is amazing. Anywhere you go in the the regional festivals that we have booked and world, whether it’s a regional area in Germany performing for those crowds. or America or Australia, the energy from the Thanks again, Suffa - can’t wait to see you crowd is unreal ... Especially in places where and the guys do their thing at Rolling Sets they don’t get a lot of live music all the time; it’s next year! a totally different energy. When you're in a city

Catch Hilltop Hoods at Rolling Sets. When January 25th 2020 at the Coffs Harbour Ampitheatre.

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We want to bring as much as possible; we are trying to make it a big show all the bells and whistles for everyone!

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focusinterview. Photograph courtesy of Coffs Harbour Regional Museum

We took a trip down memory lane with Jeanette Williamson, who was in Coﬀs Harbour when Queen Elizabeth came to visit on her Australian tour 50 years ago.

ello Jeanette. Can you tell us about your history with the Coffs Coast? I’ve lived in the Coffs area for over 60 years. My father and mother-in-law moved up here from Sydney after they retired; we came up for a holiday and just fell in love with Coffs Harbour. It was just beautiful in those days! The banana plantations and the slow moving people here - it was just lush! There didn’t seem to be any cars anywhere, people couldn’t really afford them; everybody just had those dark green Landrovers. Every Friday afternoon they would all hose them out after the week’s work. We just loved the place. We had four children, so we decided to move to Sapphire Beach, which my father-in-law had named actually, because he owned all the property through that area. We bought a banana plantation, which wasn’t very profitable! We had the four kids at that stage, and we just lived out there. There was tank water, we had electricity put on there - which was amazing for those days really; most people lived on these plantations and would use hurricane lanterns. It was quite primitive in those days. It’s coming up to the 50th anniversary of when Queen Elizabeth visited Coffs Harbour, and you were lucky enough to have been there. Can you tell us about your memories of the visit and that experience? We were invited to go to the Civic Welcome for her. We were about 40 years of age at the time, and she was about 44, so we were quite interested and excited to see her. It was lovely to have been invited. We were directed on how to behave, what to wear; as a lady, 8 Coffs Coast focus

I had to wear a hat and long white gloves. We went out and bought new outfits! It was very exciting, actually! We got our girls home from boarding school - they were at school at Armidale. We approached their principal and said we’d like the girls to come home for that weekend. “We can’t do that; it wouldn’t be fair to the other students,” was the reply we got, but we said, “Bugger that!” So, we spoke to our friend Charlie Smith, who was a pilot, and we told him we wanted the girls to come home for this occasion. He said all right, hopped in his little plane and flew up to Armidale to get them! In those days we had a big bakery, we were in bread manufacturing, so we were caught up in this dilemma of how much bread did we need to make for the Queen’s visit? They expected about 50,000 people might come to Coffs, and it ended up being less than half that. They closed the highway in anticipation, so people who probably would have come from Armidale, Dorrigo or Grafton just couldn’t get here! It was a bit of overkill by the authorities, really. The day arrived and our friend Captain Ivan Van Simms, he was the Harbour Master at the time, got the call from Brittania (the Royal yacht) which was coming up the coast; they wanted him to come and pilot the ship into Coffs Harbour. He hopped in his little tinny and met them down at Nambucca. He guided the Admiral and brought the boat into the harbour. They moored it in front of the quarry, then came across from the Britannia and docked at the Jetty. The Queen and Duke and Princess Anne proceeded up to the town, and lots of people were there, but in those days there were no

flags - which is a bit sad. appointments! They They went up to Sealy Lookout In retrospect, it would stayed for quite a while, to admire the view, which have been nice if everyand then finally they was quite spectacular, body was waving flags. were prevailed upon to as it was an absolutely Then they proceeded go back to Britannia, stunning April day, up the main street to the and they sailed out. They and our plantation was Civic Welcome; we had didn’t stay the night; up along that road too. a Civic Centre in those they were only allocated So they went and stood on our days, which was quite a about six hours here. plantation and admired the grand building, and that Tell us about the little view from there as well! was a chance for everysouvenir you have to one to say welcome. show us. They went on to tour My son, who was only around Coffs Harbour. I ten at the time, said remember the Queen was wearing the most to me, “Mum, the Duke is going to come to plain clothes - I think the children thought, town, and he’s going to be so bored. I want to “The Queen is coming; she’ll be in brocade invite him out to the gun club!” He was the satin and a crown!” But she was wearing what official trap boy there - the young fella that I would describe as boring grandma clothes! loaded the guns. So, he and his cousin put They went up to Sealy Lookout to admire together this letter to invite the Prince out to the view, which was quite spectacular, as it the gun club for a shot, and refreshments at was an absolutely stunning April day, and our the bar afterwards. plantation was up along that road too. So, I got out my etiquette book and explained they went and stood on our plantation and how you have to address the royal family. And admired the view from there as well! his secretary wrote back, which was pretty At the reception they spoke to my husband, exciting to my son. The Prince’s secretary wrote John. Queen Elizabeth came across the room back and said, “Thank you, but sorry, we’ve to John, who was quite a commanding looking got a full book for the day”! I’ve kept that fellow, and I thought, “Wow, this is great!” letter and a copy of the one my son sent. They talked about bread manufacturing, and If the Queen came back today and you the wages, business and the like. John told were able to ask her a question, what them they would be sampling the product at would it be? lunch, as we had made some special “royal I would probably ask her if she remembers rolls” for their barbecue lunch. Coffs Harbour and the banana plantations, and After lunch they went on to a surf carnival at the surf club carnival ... I think she probably Park Beach. All the boys were marching around would remember it, because it was pretty with flags, and they had races and boats bobunique. It was the only place they stopped bebing around. The royals just stayed and stayed, tween Sydney and Brisbane, and Coffs Harbour they seemed to love it - there were even some was pretty special, I reckon! officials trying to get them to move on to other Thanks Jeanette.

OHANA early learning

There have been a few recent developments within the Ohana family which we believe will have exciting benefits for all concerned moving forward. FOCUS had a chat with Director Stuart Malouf, to find out more.

lexible Session Times to Maximise Childcare Allowance Our new Six Hour Day Sessions Program, which comes in response to our parents’ requests for greater flexibility, is now available across all age groups at each of our centres. This approach allows parents, who are claiming the maximum fortnightly child care subsidy, the flexibility to maximise the number of days of childcare per fortnight. For example, instead of using all their allowance over three 11 hour days during a two week period, they can now stretch that to, say, six days between the hours of 9 and 3 daily, even during the school holidays. Extra flexibility also allows for eight and nine hour sessions too. And if six hours is not long enough, then we have a session time that will suit, which means you no longer need to accept a whole day of care as a fixed term. This flexibility gives parents in part-time work, for example, more opportunities to claim the childcare subsidy for longer - maybe even give Mum a special day off once a week to do other things. Call us for further details.

A New and Exciting Approach to Preschool Learning As a core part of our Preschool program for three to six year olds, all four childcare centres will soon be integrating a new and exciting learning method built upon a play-based approach to teaching, that’s a whole lot more than just fun and games. The Australian-designed Walker Learning method has over the past 25 years demonstrated marked improvements in the everyday literacy and numeracy skills of young children, particularly boys. Based upon the premise that children are better able to understand if they find things more enjoyable and meaningful, this method complements the formal academic teaching through the Government’s Early Years Learning Framework, already utilised by Ohana. This sets the child up for a smoother transition to big school. The Walker Learning approach requires rigour, planning, systems and understanding, and the Ohana educators are excited about implementing this framework to boost the children’s social

interaction, oral language and problem-solving skills, and help to improve core academic outcomes across the board. A New Centre for Woolgoolga We have this week signed the lease on the proposed development of our new centre on Solitary Islands Way, directly across from the Woolworth’s shopping centre. Sapphire Homes will shortly be commencing the building of this site, and we look forward to taking occupancy towards the middle of 2020. And a New Centre Perhaps? Finally, you may have caught the recent news about the opportunity for a new centre opening

at the Beachstone Café in Sapphire Beach, subject to final approvals, of course. This announcement raised comments from locals concerned about losing their beloved café, restricted access to the beach, and increased traffic in the area. All of these questions were respectfully addressed, and lovers of good coffee were reassured the café will still exist in one form or another. There will be more to come on this topic in the weeks ahead. Call 1300 956 200 to find out further details about our flexible session times, or the new learning program. You can also book a time to come and visit one of our four centres across the Coffs Coast, and see for yourself.

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focusinterview.

After years of dreaming, planning and some time away from home learning the craft, JOSH AND LUCYNA KING ARE EXCITED TO BRING YOU KING TIDE BREWING. THEY HAVE BIG PLANS TO OPEN A SOCIAL VENUE for the Coﬀs community - a place to enjoy quality local beer, savour locally focused food, relax and unwind with friends.

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? I was born and raised in Coffs, living in Safety Beach, Valla and Sapphire during my childhood. After finishing school, I ended up in Sydney, where I lived and worked for 15 years. I spent much of that time dreaming of returning to Coffs to start a brewery. How and when did you get into the brewing industry? I studied Chemical Engineering at uni and did a stint at Toohey’s brewery as a young engineer. This got me on the path, but my passion and experience grew over the years as I turned my focus to opening a brewery in my hometown and set about experimenting and crafting recipes for my own brewery. Tell us about the team involved. It’s a family business. My wife Lucyna, who is Polish, brings her warm sense of Eastern European hospitality to the team. My mum and dad love getting out and making deliveries and playing sales rep. The kids love to teach us about multi-tasking and sleep deprivation, and they remind us to laugh a lot. It’s a full family affair. Craft beer is a hot topic these days, can you tell us a bit of history about this local beer? When we moved back home a few years ago, we were determined to open a brewery in Coffs. It’s such a wonderful city - beautiful surrounds, perfect climate, awesome people. But in my mind, it wouldn’t be complete until

it has a brewery to call its own. Lucyna and I started brewing King Tide beers in 2018, with the goal of bringing fresh and delicious craft beer to the Coffs Coast. We’re currently gypsy brewing, meaning we brew our recipes at other people’s breweries. It’s a great way to get your beer into the market in advance of you having your own set-up. We’re currently brewing at Moorebeer in Port. Get down and check them out. Ryan and Brad have a terrific space and brew great beer. What types of beer are brewed, and what are some of the unique qualities of these? Our ethos is to make beers that are approachable and have a sense of place and connection to the Coffs Coast. There are so many beers on the market nowadays, but there are so few that have that connection to Coffs. People are more interested than ever in the provenance of their food and drink. They love to know where it is made, how it was made, and that it was made especially for them and their community. Where did the different names originate? All our beer names are focused on Coffs, its people, and what makes them tick. The inspiration for our first beer, “Harbour Lager”, goes without saying. Same with “Beached As”, a smooth tropical ale for a beach focused community. We named a beer “Cows with Guns”, after the epic mountain bike track in Bonville. “Grandstander” was a collaboration with the opening of the revamped Coffs Stadium grandstands. And of course, “Jetty Jumper”, in honour of high school P.E. classes, spent taking the leap into the harbour. On Jetty Jumper, we recently got handed a

“cease and desist letter”. is just a fancy name Once you have a clear Turns out that we don’t for a sommelier for direction, it’s key to select have the only infamous beer. It helps when the freshest ingredients jetty in Australia, and assessing beer quality. and then to nurture and someone has already But at the end of the care for the brew right trademarked that beer day, beer just needs throughout the process name. Bummer. So, we’ll to taste great, and it - all the way from grain to glass, be rebranding our red ale needs to complement attention to detail is critical to under a different name. the social environment making great beer. We have lots of fun local in which it is served. names in the pipeline for It’s best not to over future beers, based on complicate it! the recipes I have developed over the years. Where is King Tide sold locally? Watch this space. You can pick up our beers at three great What’s the secret to making a great beer? bottle-os around town - BYO Jetty Cellars, What are the strengths you look for when Ritchies IGA Boambee and Woopi Beach you taste one? Bottleshop. We’re also available at several bars A great beer must start with a clear goal in around town. Deets are on our webpage. mind. Am I brewing a beer to be a refreshing, Plans for the future; what do you hope hot weather thirst quencher? Maybe will happen over the next 12 months? something complex and interesting to pair We have some really exciting plans in with food? Or a “hop bomb” to satisfy those the pipeline. We’re currently working on a with a craving for big, bold flavours? Once brewpub venue in the Coffs CBD. You’ll be you have a clear direction, it’s key to select the able to come and enjoy our great beer and freshest ingredients and then to nurture and locally inspired food, in amongst the brewery care for the brew right throughout the process tanks. - all the way from grain to glass, attention to We want to create an urban sanctuary, that detail is critical to making great beer. is family friendly, and has a sense of place and When tasting beer, I look for balance, belonging. In addition, we’re excited about drinkability and technical proficiency. Are collaborating with local entertainers, artists the flavours in harmony and working well and other businesses in creating a unique together? Does it make me want a second brewpub venue for our great city. pint? Does the brewer know their stuff and Where can people find out more? did they take care good care of the beer? You can check us out online at When you do this for a living, it’s all too kingtidebrewing.com.au or catch us on easy to “geek-out” on beer. I’m a qualified Facebook and Instagram @kingtidebrewing Beer Judge and a Certified Cicerone, which Thanks guys.

Coffs Coast focus 11

JOHANNA NISKANEN

MARNI YOUNG

Q What’s your favourite thing to do on the Coffs Coast? A Go to the beach, particularly North Beach.

Q What artist do you listen to the most now and 10 years ago? A Nicki Minaj, still Nicki Minaj.

BROOKE HALSTEAD

SHAUN WEELANDS

Q Where is the best place to get coffee? A Bluebottles! A skinny cap in a mug is my go to.

Q What was your favourite holiday as a kid? A Going to the theme parks on the Gold Coast with my siblings and cousins

ADAM MCCARTHY

EMMA BROWNING

Q What’s your favourite restaurant in Coffs? A Papa H’s; the carnivore burger is my favourite! 12 Coffs Coast focus

Q Where do you see yourself in 10 years? A In a treehouse in the Canadian forest, having a successful career as a florist with a baby in tow!

Like to stretch your childcare subsidy over 6 days instead of just 3..

experience the ohana early learning difference 6 Hour Day Sessions Program available everyday from 9am to 3pm, all ages from 6 months to school age Need more hours, select from one of our other session programs that suits your families needs Flexible pre-school program based upon the Governmentâ€™s Early Years Learning Framework Located in North Boambee, Coffs CBD Emerald Beach & South Grafton

Talk to our enrolment experts: 1300 956 200 Book a centre tour today

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Coffs Coast focus 13

Provider #PR-40000780

www.ohanaelc.com.au

focus_What’s On Coffs Coast

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 9

BWN Christmas celebration

Frenzal RHOMB

Surrounded by the vineyards and the great company of welcoming business owners, we’ll have a mouthwatering alternate drop menu to choose from. Everyone welcome. When: Friday 6th December at 6:30pm. Where: Two Tails Wines. Tickets: just $50.

Frenzal Rhomb are back with their veritable smorgasbord of musical treats to get you kind of tepid under the collar this year. When: 20th December. Where: Seaview Tavern. Cost: $34.20. Tickets: www.seaviewtavern.com.au

The Overwintering Project EXHIBITION OPENING

Celebrate the opening of this new exhibition that brings together artists, local high school students, scientists, birders and poets to address environmental impacts on Coffs Coast’s migratory shorebirds and their habitats. When: 6th December. Where: Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Cnr Coff and Duke Sts, Coffs Harbour. Time: 6pm - 8pm. Tickets/Info: Tickets FREE at www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/gallery

MIRUSIA

Internationally acclaimed soprano Mirusia, known as the “Angel of André Rieu”, brings her Christmas Memories and The Classics show to C.ex Coffs Harbour. Mirusia has gained worldwide fame as she featured as the star soprano soloist with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra for 11 years, performing in front of millions across the world and featured in some of the most popular and highest selling DVDs of all time. When: 13th November. Where: C.ex Coffs. Cost: Member $54.90, non-member $59.90, U18 $35. Tickets: www.cex.com.au

SEE THINGS Differently

CAROLS by Candlelight

Come along to the launch of our 2020 Season Program, with a tantalising taste of what’s showing at the theatre in 2020. With a surprise for everyone, the season promises an incredible array of entertainment, theatre, music, dance, circus, film and more. When: 10th December. Where: Jetty Theatre. Time: 6:30pm. Tickets: FREE - bookings essential through the Box Office (02) 6648 4930 or at jettytheatre.com

Coffs Coast Carols brings the whole community together to celebrate Christmas in true Coffs style - laid back and family friendly. The fun-filled evening will feature a fantastic lineup of local performers! Santa will pay a visit and to top it all off, the show will finish with a bang thanks to the fireworks display grand finale! When: 14th December. Where: Brelsford Park, Coffs Harbour. Time: 6pm until 9pm. Cost: FREE.

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BRITISH India

The much anticipated return of British India happens this summer, as the boys return to the stage after a 12 month layoff, following the departure of lead guitarist Nic Wilson in 2018. Over the course of their impressive career, British India have earned four Top 10 ARIA albums, eight entries into the Hottest 100 and their classic single, I Can Make You Love Me is accredited Gold in Australia. When: 27th December. Where: Sawtell RSL. Time: Door open at 8pm. Cost: $30 + BF presale, $30 on the night. Tickets: www.sawtellrsl.com.au

Le Dãin SUMMER CUP

Looking for something fabulous to do during the festive season? Why not round up the squad and head to the Coffs Harbour Racing Club for a day with the ponies? When: 30th December. Where: Coffs Harbour Racing Club. Cost: FREE entry; lunch packages available. Contact: 6652 1488.

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Christmas TREE coming to Sawtell

THANKS TO AMIA

ow! A Christmas Tree for Sawtell! How exciting! Kate, can you tell us how this came about? It is really exciting! The Sawtell Chamber of Commerce has been trying to source one for years, but anything suitable has been out of our budget. We decided to approach a local business to partner us, and that’s where Advanced Metal Industries Australia came in! Rick, Wendy and the team at AMIA have been awesome! Wendy, what does this partnership mean to AMIA? As a local business, giving back to the local community and supporting the development of trade qualified people who live in our region is part of our mission here at AMIA. Our apprentices, Adam Vickery and Nicolas Bowden, are very proud to have created Sawtell’s own Christmas tree, and to be able to say to their family and friends, “We made

this”. Their skills learned at AMIA are so much more diverse than most other metal fabrication businesses. Their message to other young people is, “Strive for your passion and don’t hold back”. AMIA has long been working with TAFE NSW. What can the apprentices who pass through your doors expect to gain? Interesting you ask that, as Tim Cheers, our production manager and very first apprentice in our fabrication department, has been with AMIA since 1989 and began his boiler maker apprenticeship with TAFE in 1990. That’s over 30 years ago, and he is still with us. Tim was mentored by our Garry Gregory, still with AMIA, and both Tim and Garry have also mentored long standing members of our fabrication team Adrian Brewer (installations) and Andrew Ryan (foreman). With AMIA offering national clients specialty custom balustrading and metal fabrication works, our apprentices have the opportunity to truly specialise in the intricate skills required to

produce seamless finishes and bespoke work.

apprenticeships at AMIA it’s all about your desire

Our dedicated trade and design teams help in

and passion to learn and grow personally that

the mentoring of our apprentices, from working

shines.

with exotic metals such as bronze and copper, to

When do we get to see the Christmas tree?

reading drawings and contributing to the design and documentation of projects.

The tree will be lit up from Friday 29th November, in time for the Sawtell Summer

AMIA has a longstanding and time tested

Sessions Christmas Party on Thursday, December

relationship with TAFE, who partner with us in

12, where Santa will be making an appearance,

the delivery of trade qualifications also in our

along with Mrs Claus and her helpers from

window and powder coating departments.

the Smiley Squad! There will be face-painting,

From Year 10 school leavers to mature age

jumping castle, kids’ rides and entertainment

workers, when offering opportunities for

from 4pm! We hope we see you all there!

Coffs Coast focus 15

focusinterview.

Lily Isobella

Lily Isobella has a background spanning over 20 years in the domestic violence and sexual assault sectors.Through her practice and also her speaking career she has helped guide thousands of women to work through, recover and find strength after trauma. Lily has taken that experience and started Get Up Girl - a self defence, self esteem and self respect program to arm girls and women with reality based self defence skills, as well as teaching them about body sovereignty, consent, boundaries, self worth and safety.

ey Lily. You have been given some unique training over the past 12 months. What have you been up to? I have just spent the past year travelling to Melbourne constantly, to get my butt kicked! The goal was to attain my certification as a female reality based self defence instructor, which I am proud to say, I received - along with cracked ribs, busted wrists and a collection of bruises of which I will be forever proud. This type of self defence training isn’t just given out to anyone, and you are among only four women in Australia to complete the training and continue on to teach. How did that all come about? Reality based self defence is not a sport or martial arts, but a street style close quarter combat survival system. To train to be an instructor was one of the most physically and psychologically gruelling things I have ever done. My instructor warned me at the start of the very high fail rate, which I think was meant to scare me. Instead, it motivated me to do myself proud and show other women what we are capable of when we choose to step up. I feel very honoured to have trained with the team that I did - they are all amazing, deeply dedicated professionals, most of whom work in front-line roles protecting women and children from extreme violence. They have translated those skills into a system of self defence that is both practical and realistic for women to use in life. You are now passing these skills on to other women. What was involved in

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becoming able to train others? A lot of pain, a lot of training and a lot of study. Part of the skill set we teach women is to understand the psychology of violence and the physiology of responding to violence. For me, re-training my response system was the hardest part. As women we are not traditionally taught to stand up for ourselves, be loud, defend our space - be safe in the world. We are taught to minimise and placate - which can not only be dangerous at times, but it can also mean that we, as women, do not reach our full potential in the world, out of fear. Why do you feel it is so important for women to have this type of training? I want every woman to live a life without fear. As women, we are taught by society to fear so many things - violence at the hands of another is only one of those things. Fear of not fitting in, fear of drawing attention, fear of speaking out, fear of being not enough and fear of being too much. Fear keeps us quiet; it keeps us small. Fear stops us from “having a go” and fear keeps us “in our place”. The way I am teaching women about self defence is not just about the moves you can do to prevent and survive an attack, but is also about all the ways we can overcome fear in order to step up, play big, be seen and be heard. What sort of age groups do you train? I run a course called Get Up Girl, which trains girls from age five to age 14. I also run regular groups for women aged 16 and over. There are separate groups for women who have already survived some form of violence as well. As a survivor of violence myself, I know how important is is for these women to have a very

The way I am teaching women about self defence is not just about the moves you can do to prevent and survive an attack, but is

closely held and safe putting themselves space in which to explore first, leaving bad jobs, their capacity to move bad relationships, bad through that pre-existing situations. Watching also about all the ways we can trauma. a woman discover her overcome fear in order to step up, How does the program worth, and giving her play big, be seen and be heard. vary for the different tools to defend that groups? worth, explore it deeply, The core message of and be wildly proud of self esteem, self respect it - that is something that and self defence is the same for all women, I will never tire of. no matter their age. We simply modify the I also have a very special place in my heart physical skills for young girls, and ensure that for the women who come with a history the respectful relationship component is geared of trauma and violence. It takes incredible more towards self relating and friendships. Girls strength to rebuild your life after such things, of all ages can, and should, learn about body and to be a small part of that process is an sovereignty, consent, boundaries, self worth unparalleled honour. and safety. There is no age limit on knowing How often do you hold classes? Where and that you are worth looking after and how to go when? about it. I hold classes all the time! There are regular Can women expect to go through the same weekly classes and day classes locally, as well thing you did at your training? as day classes in Queensland and Victoria. The NO! I teach women of all capacities and all program can be delivered in a one day format levels of fitness. The training is about being for organisations and groups not located on the absolute best version of you, and using the the Coffs Coast, and it has also been adapted skill set you already have … and having a good for high schools and youth organisations, with time. Training regularly, though, will guarantee epic results! My big life goal is to have this you get some pretty solid fitness results as well. learning embedded in every high school smart What do you enjoy most about what you enough to take it up. do? We are also currently structuring a similar I absolutely love watching women and program for boys and hope to have it finalised girls transform themselves. The women and for release early next year - watch this space! girls who train with me do all of the work But for now, if you are a woman, no matter - they know that, and they get to be proud your age, and you want to experience of that. That pride is reflected in the way they something life changing, we want to work with speak, the way they walk, the way they carry you. themselves. It shows in the changes they www.getupgirl.com.au make - they start looking after themselves, lily@theoneadayproject.org

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Coffs Coast focus 17

focusinterview.

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focusinterview.

Jimmy Wags is an artist and true creative; HIS WORK IS BOLD, UNIQUE AND INSPIRING. JIMMY ALSO RUNS LOCAL WORKSHOPS, MANY WITH FELLOW ARTIST TULLI STEVENS, THAT EXPLORE ART IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS AND USING MANY DIFFERENT MEDIUMS. He is hoping to inspire kids in particular to never lose their creative spark!

Jimmy Wags, Artist - Coffs Coast Focus interview Pull Quote“We encourage kids to keep their creative spark in a world obsessed with screens.” Intro-

ey Jimmy. Tell us a little about how you came to be on the Coffs Coast? I’m a Clarence Valley kid, sixth generation. I grew up on a farm near the river, moved to town in early adulthood, met a pretty girl and went on a work adventure with her to the Whitsundays. We came home, married and had a little dude. My dad is a surfing farmer, so we were lucky enough to spend Sundays at Mullaway and Christmas at Woopi. After returning home depressed after another cracking Christmas in the park at Woopi, my wife Kylie said, “We’ve got to move down here” ... Eight years in Mullaway - and still loving it. Where did your love of art begin? I’ve drawn for as long as I can remember. I would draw my surroundings, birds, trees etc., then like most artistic teens, found comics and drew my favourite characters. I really liked how imagery can tell quite a story and evoke all kinds of emotions. I was a very sporty kid - footy, running, swimming, surf, skate, motorbikes and horses, but also enjoyed the creative release and calm found in drawing and sculpting. I would dig out natural clay and make race cars, pull motors out of appliances and tinker around. How best would you describe your unique art style? Surf and lifestyle art with a little crazy ... ha ha. I enjoy creating nice surf landscapes,

The ocean is a big influence, although I am looking to expand my creative themes towards the outback. The art process is different from artist to artist. What is your creative process? I pencil wander for my really out there creative stuff. I start with a line and see where my subconscious takes me. Some turn out gold; others go nowhere. I’ve drawn waves forever; I pay homage to the big burning ball in the sky in most of my surf and landscape work. I draw inspiration from nature and the environment and as I’ve evolved, spiritual themes. You don’t play by the rules with your canvases. What are some of the more interesting canvases you have left your mark on? Paint pens have been my medium of choice for a while now, bringing vibrant colours to my creative world. One of the cool things with paint pens is that they can be applied to most surfaces if prepared correctly - surfboards, skateboards, guitars and cars! I recently painted an entire wagon with my art partner in crime, Tulli Stevens, so look out for the surf wagon cruising the streets soon. I still enjoy pencil illustration; my dad’s always hinting that l should revisit charcoals. I have recently had a go at polymer clay sculpture - that’s really cool stuff to muck about with. Would you say having art as a creative outlet improves other aspects of your life? “It is a release; it’s like something inside of

‘IT IS A RELEASE; IT’S LIKE SOMETHING INSIDE OF YOU THAT NEEDS TO BE LET OUT AND IF PEOPLE LIKE IT, IT’S A BONUS’ - MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN.

amusing characters, caricature work, automatic drawing (which I have always just called pencil wandering), environmental statements, detailed pencil illustration and the odd artwork for band albums. Then there’s the weird stuff, ha ha! I’ve heard the words, “There’s something wrong with your brain” more than once. Most of my work was detailed illustration with pencil or pen; I never felt comfortable with a brush. I discovered paint pens about 10 years ago and added vibrant colours to my work; I was hooked. Using paint pens is drawing with paint - it’s great. My family and close friends encouraged me to take my art more seriously, and I soon landed my first paid art job, the Tango Juice Bar sign in Woolgoolga - it’s still there. It’s a surfer hanging ten on a banana, holding an ice cream catching the big drip, with an octopus chilling underwater with a juice. Inspiration comes from unlikely places at times. Where do you draw your inspiration from? At the beginning, surf art, comic books, skate art and band posters. Gonad Man in Waves mag was big in my youth, Jim Phillips skate art is off the hook, Drew Brophy’s paint pen work - incredible. Spider Man, Venom, Spawn comics - the usual ‘90s goodness. Surrealist stuff - Dali, M.C. Escher.

you that needs to be let out and if people like it, it’s a bonus” - Maynard James Keenan. This is very true for myself and many artists, I presume. Lots of artists fear showing their work ... Put it out there! Not everyone is going to like it, but who cares? Art allows me to express myself in a way words would never achieve. Automatic drawing in particular allows you to bypass the analytical mind and tap into the subconscious, that wonderful quantum soup, much like meditation. Throw on some tunes, then just let the pencil flow from the left hand. This is where all the interesting stuff is. You also share your art by teaching and running workshops. What has the response been from past workshops, and what are some of the upcoming events you have going on? Feedback has been positive. I run little paint pen workshops around the place, holiday parks, halls and in schools. Tulli and I run one, two and three day workshops and accept Creative Kids vouchers. We do two day skate deck workshops, three day workshops where kids learn skills with three different mediums under guidance, although still allowing the kids’ creative spark to shine! Kids love it! We keep it fun; I talk a lot, and we run environmental themes throughout. We are always evolving our workshops to keep them exciting, educational and heaps of fun. We host after school creative sessions on Tuesdays at Mullaway Hall - all welcome. We encourage kids to keep their creative spark in a world obsessed with screens. Where can we find out more about your work? See what I get up to on social media: Instagram - @jimmywagsart Facebook - Jimmy Wags Artist Email enquiries to jimmywags@bigpond.com Thanks Jimmy. Coffs Coast focus 19

A W A R D

W I N N I N G

BEARS COTTAGE

A number of individuals and services were acknowledged as winners in the 2019 Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards last month at a grand gala event held in Sydney, at the Shangri La.

inners were selected by a judging panel, who reviewed the finalists and selected the winners based on the answers to selection criteria and supporting documentation. One of our very own Early Childhood Services in Coffs Harbour, 3 Bears Cottage, walked away with two prestigious awards: Children’s Wellbeing and Health Program Excellence and Team Excellence Award (Regional Large Service). A few words from Renae Donovan (director/owner): Trust really is the foundation of all human connections and in a world distracted by technology, it is easy to forget that trusting relationships is what makes a society civilised. Families trust us every day to protect their children and for us, that is a lot of responsibility

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that we acknowledge daily and strive to uphold. Winning these awards based on our activities, programs and relationships, judged from across the Early Childhood Education sector, collectively acknowledges and celebrates the commitment our service shows towards our educators, children, families and the community. “Making the everyday extraordinary at 3 Bears Cottage by influencing children’s wellbeing”. A Wellbeing Program was introduced to 3 Bears a year ago to drive a positive impact in areas most needed for our service to effectively manage our distinct culture and community. Attention to detail became our focus and was lovingly created and promoted by our educators, with the intention to engage our children to be active equal participants in their learning.

We strove to create beauty in our environment, where our educators lovingly tended to experiences that were pleasurable and delightful. Every Early Education Service offers its own unique range of needs. Tailoring those needs to our local setting by adopting an overall “learning together program” across all areas of curriculum is what set us apart and gained us success in the “Children’s Wellbeing and Health Program Excellence”. Team Excellence Awards Regional - oh, what can I possibly say about our 3 Bears team in only a couple words! Words that come to mind are proud, supportive, successful, deserving, appreciation and above all, so patient of their director, me!

I’m sure they would all agree when I say that I can come up with some very unusual ... well, let’s say innovative projects, that aren’t always met with the same enthusiasm as me. However, they always get behind me to make things happen, and this year has not been any different. I introduced a volunteer program to the team this year, that saw each staff member go out into the community and volunteer their time to make good things happen for others, and I believe this project to have had an instrumental role in having us nominated and now winning this award. Thank you to the team at 3 Bears from the bottom of my heart for caring so much about 3 Bears Cottage, as much as I do.

focus_archives

WITH KEV SMITH

WOOLGOOLGA - OR WOOPI TO THE LOCALS - IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND BOUTIQUE TOWNS ON OUR COAST. But, there is a lot of history around its area; some can be found but sadly, most of it has now gone.

oopi was settled back in the 1870s and prior to that, the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people had this place all to themselves, with excellent fishing, cropping in the fertile soil and there were plenty of local animals to hunt. They pronounced the area Wiilgulga, which described a Black Apple tree (some reports say it was the local Lilly Pilly fruit though) but after white man settled and created a village, the name was soon changed to what we have today. By 1883 people saw the value of all the timber in the hills, and soon timber cutters moved in to clear hills and settle. Bush sawmills were established; timber tramlines ran from the beach all the way into the hinterland to transport the heavy logs to awaiting ships. With this, a huge (nearly 500 metre) jetty was built to accommodate the ships carrying the timber away and to bring goods back to Woopi. Originally a shorter jetty was built by an early settler named William Pullen, but needing a longer one, the government stepped in and extended it. Over the years, bashing from the ships and storm damage soon made it unsafe. Sadly, in the 1960s the jetty was deemed dangerous, and it was blown up and dismantled. The infamous Buster (a local shipwreck icon) was moored here back in 1893, when a huge storm broke the ropes and all of the 198 tonnes of Buster floated ashore, where it now lays. In the bush these days, there is very little left of any sign of the infrastructure these pioneers established. You might find the odd timber loading ramp and a 4WD track named after a bush hero, but nothing else. The rail has been pulled up, the huge pulleys that ran cable up the now Creek Road is gone alongside the B.A.T. (British Australian Timber Co) railway, and there is nothing around the beautiful town to acknowledge any history. Tucked down behind the local art centre is the only piece of the puzzle left, and it’s slowly decaying away. A

rail trolley with a piece of timber on is the only survivor of the time. When the men logged the area, gold was also found in vast locations. One of the main mines was located right where the Sea View Tavern is today; up in the bush there are still shafts and drives and a section called Nuggety Gully, where there was a small community. Back in the 1940s, the local community held horse races on Main Beach, aeroplanes often landed and tied up to the jetty, and around town there was a sugar mill. Bananas soon took over the landscape and at the turn of the century Sikh’s were migrating to town, where today Woolgoolga has the largest region of the Sikh/Punjabi population in Australia. Today where the bowling club is, was once the largest hardwood company outside of Sydney owned by the Great Northern Mill; they were so large, they owned their own tramlines up into the forest. The first post office was built around 1892 inside a general store, but by 1898 a dedicated PO was built and after it was moved three times, the PO finally found a home where it is now in the original Woopi plaza. Another building that was lost in time was the Woolgoolga Theatre, that was built next door to the tavern up in River Street; sadly, this building was never saved. Today Woolgoolga is known for its natural beauty in the bush, where there are plenty of 4WD trails leading you to stunning views across the area. There are waterfalls that fall into stunning rainforest areas, and Woopi is now known as the whale watching capital of our coast, due to how close the whales come to the headland. A small consolation for the area is a heritage walking trail around town allows you to explore and discover a few of the local iconic buildings down town. So, why not grab a coffee and have a wander around the area, and don’t forget to head to the Woolgoolga Art Gallery and see the very last timber trolley left in the area. It will be a sad day when this gets scrapped. Coffs Coast focus 21

BRONWYN

HAFEY

Bronwyn Hafey explains how our local Rotary clubs are helping to support the valuable work of LIFELINE in our community.

i Bronwyn. How long have you been a Rotarian, and what club are you a member of? I am not an official Rotary member, but I have a long association with Rotary as a granddaughter, daughter, wife and mother of Rotary members. Our home Rotary Club is Laurieton, where both my husband Phillip (District Governor) and son Nicholas are members. This year, Rotary’s DG Partner’s project is LIFELINE. Firstly - what are “DG Partnerships”, and how do they work? Almost every country in the world has Rotary clubs; however, Australia is unique in regard to the Partner’s Project. The District Governor’s wife, husband or partner can choose a specific project which they believe their district’s clubs will value. They share this project with each of the clubs as they visit and request their financial support to achieve the aims of the project. I chose LIFELINE to support my husband’s focus for the year - Strengthening Local Communities as I wanted my project to support and strengthen individuals, families and communities in our

22 Coffs Coast focus

district and be available to everyone, whatever their age, anywhere, any time of the day or night. How many Rotary Clubs are involved with helping to support LIFELINE this year? District 9650 consists of 56 clubs, from Lightning Ridge down to Coonabarabran in the West and Woolgoolga to Forster on the coast - around 45,000 square kilometres. In visiting all the clubs, I have received incredible support for my project; in fact, a number of clubs had cheques waiting for me. Other clubs are planning and implementing a range of fundraising initiatives, including film nights, concerts, book sales, golf days, theme dinners, and fun runs. The drought has had a huge impact on many rural communities this year. Was this one of the reasons for choosing LIFELINE as an organisation to assist? Yes, our rural families are known for their resilience, but this prolonged drought has really put this to the test. This includes not only those on the land, but also those in the community at large. We have met with those who once enjoyed a thriving business who now rely on charity to survive. So, this was indeed a huge influence on my choice, as I know that LIFELINE is committed

to responding to community need, and provide a full range of resources, information and support - including specific strategies for our drought affected families, and those recovering from the devastating fires. How are you hoping funds raised will actually assist LIFELINE? The funds raised will be used for two vital aspects to support and strengthen community members in our district: Scholarships for additional 24 hour telephone crisis support personnel, so that those in crisis will have their calls answered as quickly as possible and hopefully not wait in a queue. Provide the opportunity for community

members throughout our district (9650), especially in drought affected areas, to attend Community Based Training and Follow up Support, implemented by LIFELINE personnel. I like to think of it as Responsive Training, which will provide the participants with the skills to really LISTEN, respond and support their family, friends and community members appropriately. Where can community members make a donation? Donations can be made by direct deposit to: Account Name: Rotary International D9650 DG Partner’s Project. BSB: 932-000 Account No: 500143137. Thanks Bronwyn.

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focusinterview.

Brian Woollard

Brian Woollard has been a firefighter in our region for nearly 32 years, so in LIGHT OF THE RECENT BUSHFIRES WE WANTED TO GET HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE SITUATION AND SOME ADVICE on how to be best prepared for the continued fire season ahead.

i Brian. Can you tell us about your connection with the Coffs Coast? I was born and raised in Bellingen. I have been here all my life, which is not a bad spot to be, really! You are a firefighter here in the region. Can you tell us about your role and what that involves? I am the station commander of Fire and Rescue in Bellingen. My job is to maintain the operational capability of the station and the safety of my crew when at an incident. How long have you been with the fire brigade, and what has your role been through that career? I've been here 32 years in January. I started out as a firefighter and after about 10 years, I went in to the Deputy Captain’s role, which I was in for about 17 years. Now I’ve been Captain for the past five years. We have recently been seeing some of the worst conditions for bushfires that we’ve had for many years. What are the factors that contribute to fire ratings going up? High fuel content. Any fire is like a triangle; take away the fuel, you won’t have any fire. The three things that make up the triangle are heat, fuel and oxygen. We can't take the oxygen away, nor the heat, so that leaves the fuel. What has it been like to come face-to-face with fires of this scale? We call them dynamic days (the ones you usually see on the news) when the winds pick

up and it becomes quite dangerous. We have extensive training for these situations and each firefighter’s priority is their own safety first, other people's safety second and property third, so if you can save a property in the line of fire, it’s great, but you have to make sure you can do it with the safety of yourself and others coming first. Many have been commenting on how great the communication has been with the public during this period of high fire danger. What were some of the ways that you got word out to your local community? The “Fires Near Me” app is great to stay up to date on where the fires are. Social media is great for spreading word fast throughout the community. Some towns may have town meetings; Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Service held a joint meeting here in Bellingen, which saw about 300 people attending. Where are some areas you can evacuate to if threatened by bushfire? Fire is uncertain, because we can’t always guarantee to be there to assist with everyone in rural areas when there is a dynamic day happening. Urban towns like Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Urunga and others in the area are the safest place to be when there is a dynamic day happening. People in rural areas must be mindful that if a fire does come through, you may have your power cut off (which could mean internet and communication are affected) and be unable to receive help. How are teams organised to face these fires?

FIRE IS UNCERTAIN AND

Fire and Rescue What can the BECAUSE WE CAN’T organise strike teams to community do to ALWAYS BE THERE assist the Rural Fire Service try and protect TO ASSIST, URBAN with the fires in the their house from an TOWNSHIPS LIKE COFFS rural areas, and we still incoming bush fire? HARBOUR ARE THE maintain fire protection in Clear away all leaf BEST PLACE TO GO IF our own town. They have litter, long and dry YOU ARE UNSURE. teams on the ground from grasses, and any thick different stations and they undergrowth near your will put them together in home. Clear the gutters tankers, so strike teams of any leaves or debris. If will consist of three - four tankers that form one you have any overhanging branches over your team. house, try to clear them in a safe manner. Be We have some of the biggest fires burning sure to remove any flammables to a safe place currently that have been burning for quite and away from your home, in case of an ember some time. How long is it likely to be attack. before they’re extinguished? At the end of the day, help yourself as much It's unsure when they will be completely as you can, because with the situation at the extinguished, and we are reliant on rain. We moment a truck may not be able to get to would need a good soaking rain to come your property. If you are unable to protect your through to help extinguish those fires. property and you know a fire is coming, leave How do you prepare to protect yourself as soon as you can. You can always replace a from a bushfire? property, but you can never replace a life. The first thing is to create your fire plan What can people do to assist or contribute with your partner or family. Be aware of what to the firefighting effort and members of each fire danger rating means and use them the community who have been affected by to determine whether you stay and/or when the fires? you are going to leave. Prepare your important There has been a huge support from all over belongings early (passports, photos etc.) and the country with the fires. Any donation is very take only what you need. If you are with much appreciated. You can donate directly to children, disabled persons, someone with illness the SES, Rural Fire Service www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or the elderly, please leave earlier. Inform family or any number of organisations like Red Cross or friends if possible whether you are going to or similar charities that are supporting fire relief stay or go. If you are in doubt, leave as early as efforts. possible. Thanks Brian. Coffs Coast focus 25

ON THE COVER

A variety of delicious cocktails from the Coast Hotel.

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focus_contributor

JOSHUA COOK FROM COFFS HARBOUR FISHERMEN’S COOP

Crafty

Stone & Wood - The Gatherer Fresh and ice cold on the taps at Element Bar on the Coffs Jetty Strip and just in time for the summer months is this absolute gem of a new release from the legends of Aussie craft beer, Byron Bay’s Stone and Wood. It’s beer, but not as you know it, with a super refreshing twist of real watermelon, cucumber and mint. It’s blush hue, easy style and zesty fruit flavour make it the perfect cold glass to tempt even non-beer drinkers to enjoy an incredibly refreshing beer in a whole new way this summer!

with Madonna Bannerman from Two Tails Wines

wine month

Ingredients 350 g - 400 g fresh Coffs Harbour Snapper fillets 2 lemons 2 limes ½ tsp of finely grated ginger ½ tsp of finely grated garlic 1 tbsp. heaped with chopped coriander ¼ of a brown onion Three to four 22 cm rice paper sheets Salt and pepper to taste

of the

Joshua Cook Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Coop Phone (02) 6652 2811 69 Marina Dr, Coffs Harbour www.coffsfishcoop.com.au

Method Preparing the Snapper Marinade • Juice lemons and limes into a bowl; remove all seeds and pips. • Add chopped coriander leaves, sliced onion, garlic and ginger. • Season with salt and pepper to taste. • Dice skinned and boned Snapper fillets into 1 cm cubes and add to marinade. • Cover and refrigerate for 15 - 20 minutes. Rice Paper Cups • Cut each sheet of rice paper into quarters with scissors. • Set your bench fryer to 185 - 190°C. • Have a clean tea towel handy, a pair of tongs, an upside down shot glass and a dish lined with paper towel to place your cups into. This is a very quick process, so you will have to be well prepared. • Using the tongs, hold a rice paper quarter in

the hot oil until it turns from clear to white (2 - 3 seconds) then immediately remove from oil and place over the upside down shot glass. Form the rice paper over the glass using the tea towel, so as not to burn your hand. This will set in a matter of seconds. • Carefully lift the cup off the shot glass and store in a tray lined with paper towel (so as to remove excess oil) and repeat the process. To Serve: • Place a spoonful of the Snapper ceviche mix into each rice paper cup. Garnish with fresh coriander and either diced chilli or diced red capsicum (for a milder option). This recipe and others are available online at www.coffsfishcoop.com.au/recipes. We hope to see you at one of Cookie’s cooking demos, held every Saturday at the Coop at 10am.

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 ...

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

Coffs Coast focus 27

focuscontributor with Rebecca Platts

Hoey Moey Sunday Sesh S U N D A Y

1 7 T H

Who doesn’t love a Sunday Sesh? It has become a staple amongst locals over the years to go down to the Hoey for a Sunday Sesh. The Hoey always puts on a great live band, as well as cheap drinks deals. It has a “doors always open” atmosphere, thanks in large part to the renovations that have been done over the years, which have created a beer garden that rivals others around town. For anyone looking for something to do over the summer, make sure this is on your list. Keep an eye for those banging drink deals and be sure to check out the bistro, that can whip up a chicken schnitzel faster than your girlfriend deciding on what to eat. The Hoey Moey is definitely a “go to”

N O V E M B E R in town when it comes to live music, boasting some great acts coming to Coffs Harbour. Lisa Hunt and Kailey Pallas being local favourites always bring in a great crowd. Hunt absolutely dominates the stage with her gutsy and edgy

Luke and Nicholas

Veronica, Tianna, Mikaela and Gaby

Tayla, Kelsey and Mitch

Nathan and Luke

performances. Ruby Fields will be playing on the 28th December this year, bringing her music, which features a generally teenage, indie rock feel, expressing the pitfalls of being young, with a good dose of humour interwoven into her words Please note the Hoey Moey will be shut from the 18th November ‘til early December. Please refer to their Facebook page for further updates.

Botanica - An Evening in the Gardens S A T U R D A Y

9 T H

Set up as a fundraiser for the Heart and Soul Foundation, this event really went above and beyond. As the first of its kind, it was an absolute success! The market stalls were varied and worth the time to visit. Custom skateboard decks were available, as well as local favourite Tallow & Tide, amongst an amazing collection of local businesses with sustainability as their main focus. A special mention has to go all the live collaborators, offering up an eclectic mix of performances. The pole fit dancers provided a real insight into the sheer strength and skill set it takes to own that pole on stage. The fashion show was an absolute hit with the crowd,

28 Coffs Coast focus

N O V E M B E R

showcasing all of the collaborators who were a part of the festival; it highlighted the amazing talent and businesses that we have here locally. A bit about the Heart & Soul Foundation: “We provide programs to support women who have been through violence and trauma, allowing nourishment of heart, mind, body and soul. Our vision is to have women feeling inspired and to bring them into wholeness - feeling connected to self and community and therefore able to move from surviving into thriving.” If you would like to donate or know more, please visit their website www. heartandsoulfoundation.com.au

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT

Coffs Harbourâ€™s favourite steakhouse kitchen is back with a refreshed coastal feel, revamped menu and view!

Ribeye Rooftop Bar & Kitchen is an 18+ outlet

PAPAVEROS ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY FOR LUNCH AND DINNER AND SATURDAY FOR DINNER CAFE OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OR CONTACT THE CLUB TO RESERVE YOUR TABLE ON 6652 3888

Coffs Coast focus 29

THE COFFS COAST GIG GUIDE

FFS COAST

01 9

DE 2 CEM BER

30TH NOVEMBER

18TH DECEMBER

Firies Fundraiser Day - To support the 8 local fire brigades in the valley. Monster raffle/Bands/ Childrens Entertainment/Monster PLUS more Follow Coramba Hotel on FB for all the details.

Cocktails Craft and Acoustics ft Matty Devit - The Coast Hotel Vena Klymo - Element Bar

1ST DECEMBER

Thursday night vibes ft Jaxon Pollard - The Coast Hotel Peter L Barry - Element Bar

Chris Wiggins - Element Bar Kailey Pallas - Dark Arts Brew & Bar TANGLE - Coramba Hotel

4TH DECEMBER

Cocktails Craft and Acoustics ft Dave Fahey - The Coast Hotel Mardi Wilson - Element Bar

5TH DECEMBER Thursday night vibes ft Benny Black - The Coast Hotel Saije - Element Bar

6TH DECEMBER TGIF w Rjay & Bisho - The Coast Hotel Kailey Pallas - Element Bar Peter L Barry - Dark Arts Brew & Bar Fat Albert - Seaview Tavern

7TH DECEMBER The Last Melon & J-Stainz - The Coast Hotel Chris Grieve - Element Bar Peter L Barry - Dark Arts Brew & Bar Who wants to be a Rockstar feat Misschief - Seaview Tavern BLACK COWS - Coramba Hotel

8TH DECEMBER

Tina Turner Show - Hoey Moey Tennyson King - Element Bar The Snow Goose & The Fairy Doll - Jetty Theatre MAL EASTICK & ANDREW HEGEDUS Coramba Hotel

9TH DECEMBER Yhan Leal - Dark Arts Brew & Bar

11TH DECEMBER Cocktails Craft and Acoustics ft Kaley Pallas - The Coast Hotel Josh Matheson - Element Bar

12TH DECEMBER Thursday night vibes ft Ryan Parsons - The Coast Hotel Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar

13TH DECEMBER Black Friday ft Bisho and Flakey - The Coast Hotel Mirusia - Coffs C.ex Calum Foulis - Element Bar Josh Matheson - Dark Arts Brew & Bar Marshall O’Kell Band - Seaview Tavern

14TH DECEMBER Magic Mojo and Skoney - The Coast Hotel Jaxon Pollard - Element Bar Roo & Carly - Seaview Tavern

15TH DECEMBER Chris Grieve - Element Bar TIM STOKES - Coramba Hotel 30 Coffs Coast focus

19TH DECEMBER

20TH DECEMBER TGIF w Flakey and Bisho - The Coast Hotel Kailey Pallas - Element Bar Mischa Tanashevich - Dark Arts Brew & Bar Frenzal Rhomb - Seaview Tavern Lisa Hunt & Forever Soul - Moonee Beach Tavern

21ST DECEMBER Inna grooveand Ben Whitty - The Coast Hotel Dean Sharkey - Element Bar Peter L Barry - Dark Arts Brew & Bar RnB Night with DJ OB1 - Seaview Tavern

22ND DECEMBER Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar Josh Matheson - Dark Arts Brew & Bar D’BOYZOS plus HE SMILEY SQUAD Coramba Hotel

24TH DECEMBER Xmas eve Catchup w Rjay - The Coast Hotel Kailey Pallas - Element Bar

26TH DECEMBER Boxing day vibes with Jacob Murray - The Coast Hotel Boxing Day Beats - Hoey Moey Daniel Hopkins - Element Bar

27TH DECEMBER TGIF w Rjay and Bisho - The Coast Hotel Crystals 80s Reunion - Coffs C.ex British India - Sawtell RSL Dean Sharkey - Element Bar Anna & Jed - Dark Arts Brew & Bar Hekyl & Jive + The Smiley Squad - Seaview Tavern

28TH DECEMBER Clariti and Cam n Bert - The Coast Hotel Ruby Fields - Hoey Moey Benny Black - Element Bar Peter L Barry - Dark Arts Brew & Bar McKenzies - Seaview Tavern Thirsty Merc - Moonee Beach Tavern

29TH DECEMBER Josh Matheson - Element Bar Peter L Barry - Dark Arts Brew & Bar BAD SNEAKERS - Coramba Hotel

31ST DECEMBER 90’s to Now party ft Jimmy Laing and Bisho - The Coast Hotel New Years Eve with Kailey Pallas - Hoey Moey Peter L Barry & Chris Wiggins - Element Bar ROWLAND & SHEKINAH - Coramba Hotel

Coffs Coast focus 31

Kailey focusinterview.

Pallas

Kailey Pallas is a musician who has an incredible resumé for someone as young as she is. By the time she was 13, she was a fully qualified singing teacher starting her own business; she has performed in musical theatre, landing many lead roles; and she has opened for many big artists, including Shannon Noll and Daryl Braithwaite. Her music career is continuing to soar, and we are looking forward to seeing where she goes from here.

ey Kailey. Tell us how you came to be here on the Coffs Coast. I’m originally from Newcastle; we moved to Coffs in 2018 for my dad’s work at The Bayrange Group. My whole family loves Coffs; Coffs is definitely home for me. Music has been a lifelong journey for you; where did it all begin? When I was five, my dad used to play piano for me and I would sing. On my sixth birthday, my parents bought me my first guitar and I felt connected right away. One of my fondest memories was when I was six busking at the Newcastle Farmers Markets. I only knew three songs, so I used to just repeat them; now I look back and feel sorry for the stall owners who were around me having to hear the same three songs on loop for hours on end! When I was eight I started learning singing through the Conservatorium and started my Australian Music Examination Board singing exams. By the time I was 13, I was a fully qualified singing teacher and held Cert. 2 in guitar and began my vocal teaching business. I then started acting at Fox Studios in Sydney, which led me to finding a new passion in musical theatre. I studied musical theatre for three years and was in over 20 musical productions, gaining many leading roles (“Nancy” in Oliver being a favourite) whilst studying at Hunter School of the Performing Arts. I graduated school in 2016 to study my Diploma in Music Industry, majoring in performance, being one of the youngest to ever receive the qualification. In 2017 I completed a Cert 3 in Sound Production. I then relocated with my family to Coffs Harbour, and I was lucky enough to get in touch with John Logan, who gave me my first local gig opening for the legendary Glenn Shorrock; it was such an amazing experience. 32 Coffs Coast focus

After this, I was put in touch with Offbeat Operations and was offered a few regular gigs at local venues. I now gig professionally every week and have managed to make music my full-time career. You draw your inspiration from a different time. Who inspires you? The style of music that intrigues me most is Soul, but I also love jazz and Blues. I take my inspiration from a lot of iconic artists such as Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Freddie Mercury, the Beatles, Prince and Whitney Houston, to name a few. The reason they inspire me so much is because they all have one thing in common: they put everything into their performances, and they sing with true soul and passion. I’m hoping to bring back a timeless vintage sound with my own music. You have gone from singing teacher to backing up for some big artists. How has the transition been, and what was it like opening for artists like Darryl Braithwaite? In the last 12 months I’ve had the honour of being the opening performer/musician for acts such as Glenn Shorrock, Dean Ray, The Radiators, Mental As Anything, Sir John Rowles, Shannon Noll and Daryl Braithwaite, and was recently given the honour of opening for Dragon at the International World Rally Championship. These artists are inspirational performers and have been great mentors for me. How did you get your start? My first ever gig was when I was six years old and I got the opportunity to perform for Carter Edwards Band by phoning a radio station. From there, I ended up live on Carter Edwards’ radio program; it was there where my passion for performing began. After that I worked really hard performing around Newcastle, Singleton and the Central Coast, searching for opportunities. I believe that hard work is the key to any success and having faith, knowing that I’m on the right

path. found sometimes some How often are you lyrics can spark inspiration When I was five, my dad playing? And how for another song in the used to play piano for me do you feel knowing future. and I would sing. On my you have turned your Ten years from now, sixth birthday, my parents passion into a full-time where do you see bought me my first guitar career? yourself, and where and I felt connected right I’m lucky enough to would you like to see away. I want to be able to be performing anywhere your music career going? bring out emotions within from three - nine times a In 10 years from now I’d people through music. week. I push myself to be love to be performing in busy and work towards front of millions of people. continuous improvement. I want to release number I try to be as productive as one albums that are soulful possible. I’m currently working on a piano set and and played on TV and radio and be performing adding a stomp box to complement my sound. internationally. I want to be able to bring out What’s your favourite venue you have emotions within people through music. played to date? When you’re not singing and playing music, I do love performing at my regular venues, what’s a typical day in the life of Kailey? such as Element Bar, The Hoey Moey, The Music is my life. My social life is performing at Plantation Hotel, Dark Arts, to name just a few. gigs; I’ve recently just finished recording my first I enjoy my regular gigs, as most of my followers two singles, Black Tears and Anymore, which are are locals and they’re so supportive. I’d have to now available for download on my music page say that I’m blessed to be a performer, as no two kaileypallasmusic.com or Kailey Pallas Music on performances are the same. Facebook. I’ve been lucky to have ARIA Winning Known for singing, you also play a couple Producer and Engineer Anton Hagop produce of instruments. What do you play, and what and mix my songs, to make them the best they instrument would you love to learn? can be. I’ve gained sponsorships with Coffs Piano and guitar are the main instruments I Guitar Shop and Mindy’s Salon 44, so my guitars perform with, but I also play the flute and violin. I are always perfectly tuned and my hair on point would love to learn how to play the theremin; it’s with De Lorenzo products, which I’m proud to such a unique sounding instrument. represent. What’s the process of writing new songs I’m usually learning new songs, practicing for like? shows and doing promotional work - either social I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and intended media or chasing more gigs. I am extremely family to write a song. Lyrics usually just come to me, orientated, so hanging with family completes me, sometimes in the form of a whole song, and along with focusing on my career. I’m currently sometimes just a line or two or chorus, and preparing to work at the Tamworth Country even just a melody first. I always carry around Music Festival 2020, where I’m delighted to be a notebook, so if any lyrics pop into my head I not just performing, but also compering on the can quickly write them down. I keep everything Imperial Stage for 10 days throughout January. I write, even if they’re not the best lyrics. I’ve Thanks Kailey.

Coffs Coast focus 33

Hux’s Seafood Tell us about Hux’s Seafood? We are a small family operated business and pride ourselves on providing that personal touch and going the extra mile for our customers. We specialise in providing boneless fillets for ease of handling for our customers, and we cryovac our fillets to keep the products extra fresh and hygienic. We are located at 2/8 GDT Seccombe Close. What’s your connection to the Coffs Coast? My husband, Tony lived in the Sawtell/Coffs area for many years as a teenager. Prior to owning the business, we have spent many family holidays here. How long have you owned the business? What’s it like working with family? We purchased the business in March this year. We moved here from Gunnedah, along with two of our daughters and their families. We are a very close family and as far as working together, so far so good! Do you offer walk-ins as well as commercial

coffsracingclub.com.au 62 Howard St, Coffs Harbour PO Box 482 Coffs Harbour 2450 (02) 6652 1488

34 Coffs Coast focus

services? We sell retail and wholesale. Our retail shop is open six days per week. Our truck goes to Armidale Thursdays, parked at Armidale Market Fresh; we go to Bellingen twice a week, at the Farmers and Producers Market on Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons parked at the Fuel Stop. We also go to Gunnedah the third Friday of the month. Where do you source your seafood from? Our products are locally sourced off the trawlers and local fishermen. We aim to provide all Australian seafood and locally caught seafood. What will you have available over Christmas? Any suggestions of what we should look out for? Over the Christmas period we will be open right up to and including Christmas Eve. We will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but will be back open for business after that. We will be taking orders for Christmas up until Monday 16th December.

Coffs Coast focus 35

focusinterview.

Fields

s this your first time visiting Coffs Harbour? What are you most looking forward to? I’ve only visited Coffs on my way through to Byron, but it’s always been a zone I’ve wanted to stay overnight in and suss. So, I guess I’m keen to see the local pubs and park up at the beach for a bit. What can we expect from your Coffs show? As with any show, we always want it to feel fun and personal and a bit inappropriate, so expect some sh*t jokes, a beer soaked floor and something that sounds a bit like a jam in a garage. Where did the inspo for your latest EP, Permanent Hermit come from? Our latest EP, Permanent Hermit is mostly a transition from our first EP (Ya Dad’s Opinion For Dinner) that still has some upbeat songs but introduces a new kind of theme in regards to growing up and starting to have issues with yourself, more than those around you (i.e. parents, school, parties etc.). You do talk about your parents a lot in your lyrics - how do they feel about what you’ve been doing? My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my music and I’m grateful for it, 36 Coffs Coast focus

Understanding your equipment is just as important as playing it if you want to travel around the world with it all. I

THINK IT’S A SUPER INTERESTING PART OF MY CAREER - not to

mention I really enjoy building things with my hands.

as I know many people don’t have that same privilege. Understandably, they were worried about me pursuing music and wanted me to have a backup plan. I didn’t want to listen to anyone at that stage and was so passionate about music, that it created a bit of a rift between us. So sometimes those lyrics can be about the good or bad times - all important parts of the journey. Now we’re all best mates. In an interview with triple j, you talked about building your own guitars and equipment. Why is that important to you?

focusinterview.

Understanding your equipment is just as important as playing it if you want to travel around the world with it all. I think it’s a super interesting part of my career - not to mention I really enjoy building things with my hands. Playing music, you don’t always feel like there’s something tangible to look at that you’ve achieved (other than playing a live show or clocking your “streams” online) so having a guitar I’ve built myself is a constant reminder of what I’m doing and what I will continue to do. Since breaking the top 10 of the 2018 triple j Hottest 100 with your track Dinosaurs, how are you handling the spotlight? The day we broke the Top 10 was insane, and more than anything made me stoked on the family I’ve chosen in my bandmates. It was a reminder of the constant support we’re showered with and the hard work we pour into this project. I think the term “spotlight” is a bit overrated. We’re just four d*ckheads who play music and sometimes people want photos with us, and that is super flattering. Your Splendour in the Grass set was pretty epic. How did you enjoy it? It’s been each of our dreams to play Splendour, as we’ve all been in the previous years and have made countless memories there. We were ecstatic when we found out and immediately started planning interesting aspects for the set, but we mostly kept in mind that we’d have fun surrounding our set too. We all felt really connected to that crowd; we could see faces, and the singalongs were surreal. Do you have any festival survival tips you swear by? Survival tips? I’ve always considered myself a bit of a fezzy mum (it stops there; I’m terrible with kids). Just making sure one of you has a bag with Panadol, bandaids, sanitiser, a portable charger, sunscreen and a list of everyone’s emergency contacts. Personally, I always dress quite practically for festivals, but I do enjoy everyone’s creative approaches - as long as they’re safe in regards to the weather. Blokes off their heads in mankinis at midnight when it’s three degrees is more painful to see than funny.

I THINK THE TERM ‘SPOTLIGHT’ IS A BIT OVERRATED. WE’RE JUST FOUR D*CKHEADS WHO PLAY MUSIC AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE WANT PHOTOS WITH US, AND THAT IS SUPER FLATTERING.

Who inspires you the most? I couldn’t pick one source of inspiration. I take it in from so many circles of people around me from different phases of life. My parents, my band, my friends, the team I work with to keep this dream alive, all the musicians/artists/comedians who have given me ideas. It goes on. Who is currently on your Spotify playlist? I’ve been listening to a lot of Big Thief, The Magnetic Fields and The Shins. They’re all quite chill bands, but I’ve been relaxing the last few weeks and enjoyed their stuff. If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why? I’d have a dinner party with Carl Barron; he’s my favourite comedian and a miserable b*stard, and it’d just be sick to sit in his presence and talk about more than jokes. Marilyn Manson would be an incredible person to unpack a heap of hot topics with; he’s ridiculously intelligent, creative and super f*ckin’ weird, but I’m into it. Lastly, I reckon Bowie would have to be a fairly extravagant supper attendee. Always hard answering these questions, because the answer constantly changes and you think of something better the next day. What’s next for you in 2020? Hopefully 2020 brings on more of the same. Love, live music and free sh*t. Thanks Ruby Note: Ruby has partnered with PLUS1, so that $1 from every ticket goes to support GO Foundation and their work creating opportunities for Indigenous youth through education.

Catch Ruby Fields at the Hoey Moey on 28th December. Tickets are $29.10 and available from www.oztix.com.au Coffs Coast focus 37

w h a t ’ s c o m i n g u p at your

REGIONAL GALLERY

“Dome-inatrix” steamroller print by Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring, created at the 2013 Wayzgoose festival in Tacoma, Washington, USA. Used with permission of Dead Feminists

The Coﬀs Harbour Regional Gallery team is excited to share what’s happening over the next nine months with you, starting with our must-see event: Steamroller Printmaking Theatre.

he team has been working with students from Woolgoolga and Toormina High Schools to create hand carved printing plates of endangered migratory shorebirds, which will be inked up and printed with a steamroller in the Castle Street carpark in Coffs Harbour (behind Coffs Central) Saturday 30th November from 8:30am. These large scale prints will be hung in our next exhibition, The Overwintering Project. 6th December 2019 - 8th February 2020 The Overwintering Project Migratory shorebirds connect the world; their annual migration journeys bind sky, land and sea into a meaningful whole. Yet, migratory shorebirds are the most endangered but possibly least known group of 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 exhibition will also include Wall of Wings community printmaking project, art book collective ArtBookObject lead by Sara Bowen and Jeremy Sheehan’s Transmigration.

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14th February - 18th April 2020 An Artist’s Garden: Terri Butterworth and Guy Gilmour An Artist’s Garden presents work by two of the Coffs Coast’s most established and respected painters: one abstract, one figurative. Terri Butterworth and Guy Gilmour have been painting the people and places of the Orara Valley for decades. Strongly connected to place, these artists interpret the valley’s landscapes through two distinct lenses. Terri Butterworth’s pure, abstract paintings immerse us in a layered experience of place, including her Glenreagh garden. Spanning the past 20 years of his practice, Guy Gilmour’s sensitive and intimate observations suggest imagined narratives and prompt nostalgic memories. 24th April - 27th June 2020 Tradigital: Brentyn Lugnan Robert Hunter Collection Tradigital is a solo exhibition by leading Gumbaynggirr artist Brentyn Lugnan. Strikingly contemporary, Lugnan’s work remains deeply grounded in Gumbaynggirr culture, embedded with traditional symbolism and spirituality while taking it firmly into the future. Brentyn creates paintings that are inspired by the land his family originates from and its stories, drawing on the

traditional knowledge of elders, together with his distinctive style and technique. Local art collector Robert Hunter donated his collection of Aboriginal art to Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery in 2018. Featuring the work of 27 artists from Central Australia, the Kimberley and Arnhem Land, these paintings explore the rich concepts that bind Aboriginal artists, communities and land together. 4th July - 15th August 2020 2019 Archibald Prize Awarded to the best painting of a notable Australian, the Archibald Prize is a who’s who of Australian culture, from politicians to celebrities and from sporting heroes to artists.

Prestigious and controversial, the Archibald Prize is Australia’s foremost portraiture prize. The Archibald Prize awards $100,000 prize money for the winning artist. In its 98th year, the Archibald Prize has been held annually since 1921. Finalists are exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, before embarking on a yearlong regional tour. 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!

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Munro

GROUP

GROW WITH US AND HAVE FUN ALONG THE WAY

We love nothing more than watching our employees grow. Did you know that a lot of our most successful managers started their careers as crew members? At Macca’s, we believe in nurturing growth and development at all levels. We oﬀer comprehensive training and development programs that make it easy to be successful.

cDonald’s is proud of the opportunities we provide our employees to grow. Not only do we provide over 100,000 Australians a place to work, 700 alone across our six restaurants, but we provide essential training which gives our employees the skills to further their careers. McDonald’s invests more than $40 million annually on training crew, managers and corporate employees, offering all of our employees tremendous opportunities to gain the skills to forge a career within the McDonald’s network or outside of it. As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), McDonald’s is able to issue nationally recognised qualifications at different stages throughout your career. Furthermore, employers Australia-wide respect the value of a McDonald’s role on a resumé and the skills and values an individual will have developed whilst working for us. Macca’s offers a range of traineeships throughout your development: Certificate II in Retail Services (SIR20216) and Certificate III in Retail (SIR30216). Traineeships combine theory and practical workplace experience in a flexible learning environment. Macca’s also offers a diploma qualification through our management development program. We’ve got systems in place designed to create future leaders; so there’s no limit to what you can achieve with us. Our restaurant managers have the great responsibility in managing businesses that generate millions of dollars in sales, often looking after a team

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of over 100 employees. But from time to time, you’d still be making the odd Big Mac®. Macca’s really can offer you the flexibility, training and enjoyment that we think everyone deserves in a job. Our fun team environment embraces all walks of life, so why not join us and enjoy the journey together? We love working as a team and reaching goals together - as McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc famously said, “None of us is as good as all of us”.

Crew Perks

Macca’s is a fun, friendly, environment not only for our customers, but also for our crew, who deliver the freshest food, the tastiest ingredients and the greatest service right across the country.

lots of different roles at Macca’s. With an unprecedented number of opportunities in each of our restaurants, we encourage each of our crew members to diversify their skills. Working at Macca’s is stimulating, challenging and fun!

Learn, Develop, Grow,

Macca’s is the first job many of our employees experience, and first jobs can be daunting. However, you can come to us with confidence that we’ll train you well and train you properly. Everyone’s given the chance to shine - and to make mistakes along with way and in no time, you’ll be learning valuable skills such as critical thinking, time management, customer service, handling money, quality control and equipment maintenance.

Work with Friends , make new Mates,

Score Epic Discounts

Our crew have told us that Macca’s is the best way to work with your friends, and make new ones! Broadening your social circle and bonding with people your own age while working in a high energy environment means work = fun.

As a McDonald’s employee, you’ll receive access to myBENEFITS, an exclusive online benefits site, which has offers from over 300 retailers like JB HiFi and Woolworths. Our great food isn’t just for our customers. Our ace menu is also enjoyed by our crew through an exclusive employee discount card, offering fantastic discounts on McDonald’s food including a 50% discount on a meal during, before or after each shift, and other discounts at McDonald’s restaurants Australia-wide.

Enjoy Flexibility

At Macca’s, our super-supportive management teams offer work hours that can fit around your commitments, like school, sporting events or family commitments. To help young employees balance work and study, our flexible rostering system can accommodate exam periods and other important activities. Plus, if you’re a school student, you won’t be asked to work too late on a school night. Winning!

Experience Variety

Whether you’re a budding burger builder or a barista, you’re always exposed to

We Celebrate In style

We celebrate our people and recognise their efforts, with our Annual Munro Group Awards Gala Night held at the C.ex club each year. We award approximately 40 of our staff across six restaurants with gift cards and trophies in five different categories. These categories include Crew Person of the Year, Production Excellence, Customer Experience

Excellence, McCafé Excellence, and People Excellence. We put on a fun night where crew get to formally dress up and let their hair down. Then they are treated to platters of food, old fashioned games, photobooth fun supplied by Happy Booth and topped off with a mammoth ice-cream buffet. Our leaders also get to celebrate in style; this year our managers headed to the Coffs Cup for a fun social get together, allowing everyone to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere. Café Treeo catered the event with the most amazing array of food, and Oppy Entertainment kept us busy and amused with lawn games. At Christmas, the crew is invited to attend our McDonald’s crew Christmas parties, which are always a success - previously celebrating the festive Season at The Bonville Golf Resort, Club 300 Bowling and The Big Banana Fun Park. Many of our people are able to utilise the foundations learnt at McDonald’s to pursue their professional careers, even if they decide to move beyond the McDonald’s family. Our focus on developing our employees has been a huge success. Many of our corporate employees and franchisees have either progressed through McDonald’s restaurants as crew members and managers, or have previously worked at a McDonald’s restaurant; for example, while at school or university. McDonald’s provides an unmatched opportunity for young people to learn skills that they can apply throughout their working lives. Our managers are equipped to effectively run multi-million dollar businesses, and the skills they develop are invaluable in managing a successful business.

Coffs Coast focus 41

focus_contributor

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS

Adelaide Zietsch and Emma Wood

Dance with the Coffs Coast Dance for Cancer

Michelle Clarke & Margaret Gill

Pauline Cahill, Deb Myrthe, Scottie Trebon and Tom Trebon

Alice Williams and Darren Smith

Dance with the Coffs Coast Dance for Cancer

Gary Hutchinson and Mark Spencer

Botanica, An evening in the gardens

Di Leach, Ann Gee, Margaret Miller

As I type the column this month, I am feeling very lucky to be alive right now! Having been in an area that was sitting on the edge of waiting for the next message from the NSW RFS about the latest fire alert is certainly a wakeup call to the fact that anything can happen at any given moment.

e would like to send enormous gratitude to those who have and still are battling these horrific fires and to all who are helping the victims, which includes all the creatures with fur or feathers who have suffered in this catastrophe. Never think that you cannot make a difference; any act of kindness is a blessing! It doesn’t have to cost money … your donated time is simply precious! FOCUS attended the ever so special event, Botanica: an evening in the gardens just recently. Considering the day before the skies were filled with smoke, on the day of the function the haze had cleared somewhat, enabling excited guests to enjoy this pretty event, which was staged in the Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens. FOCUS was one of the major sponsors, and you could purchase tickets to enter and enjoy delicious food and beverages in the FOCUS Birdcage, whilst having stageside views of all the live performances. The festival was buzzing with live music, performers, art shows, market stalls, food trucks, chef demonstrations, picnic areas on the grass, a fashion parade and so much more. BOTANICA: an evening in the gardens was raising funds for the Heart and Soul Foundation. This foundation provides programs that support

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social scene.

vulnerable women who have been through violence and trauma, allowing nourishment of heart body and soul. The vision of the foundation is to have women feeling inspired, bringing them into wholeness - feeling connected to self and community, and therefore able to move from surviving into thriving. This event, which was set up in such a beautiful surroundings and organised and showcased with such passion, left me feeling totally uplifted. The opening night of the Local Artists Exhibition was a night where artists such as Christine Hundt, Narelle Telford, Christine Wilson, Lynne Mak, Gunda Briggs, Tasmin Pepper, Geoff Crispen, Beth Gibbins, Adrienne Hmelnitsky, Christopher Wynne and Ben Jackson could showcase their works. On show, aside from the amazing paintings are ceramics, photography and craft arts. The launch was staged at the Exhibition Space at the Art Factory at 2/151 Orlando Street in Coffs Harbour, and the exhibition runs until 4th January and is closed on Christmas Day. For enquiries, contact: Lisa on 0417 692 219 or lisamagri@bigpond.com - pop this on the calendar; it would be a shame to miss out! I attended an event with our FOCUS boss Louise Beaumont at the Beachside Opal Cove Resort just recently. Louise has a passion for deep sea

diving, so this was close to her heart! The Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Daybreak has run a marine educational and marine career familiarisation event called “Rymarine” for school-age students between 15 and 17 years of age since 2006. A special dinner with a guest speaker is normally part of the annual event. On this occasion, Dr Richard Harris (whom I was lucky enough to meet and chat with) was the very special guest speaker. An audience of over 200 attended to listen to one of the stories that rocked the world! In June 2018, 12 boys and their soccer coach were brought out alive from a flooded cave in Thailand. The odds of a successful retrieval were very low, and we all held our breath. Pivotal to the success of the mission was Dr Richard Harris (Harry) who as a specialist anesthetist and expert cave diver sedated the trapped boys, so fellow British cave divers could guide them underwater through kilometres of murky flooded tunnels. Harry’s cave diving friend, veterinary surgeon Dr Craig Challen, assisted Harry with this harrowing task. Together, they were nominated as Australians of the Year for 2019. Funds raised on the evening through ticket sales and sponsorship by Caringa Australia (Coffs Harbour), Regional Australia Ban, Jetty Dive, OAS Business Bookkeeping and Carpet Court National

Tiles will enable the Daybreak Rotary Club to purchase another Welch Allyn vital signs monitoring device for the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute. I attended the ever successful Stars of the Coffs Coast Dance for Cancer just recently. This gala fundraising event is held annually at the C.ex Coffs. I remember attending the very first event, which was staged back in 2011! This fundraiser always pulls in a crowd and never fails to be a great night of entertainment, good food and a night to dress up and raise funds for the cause. If you are looking for something different to do the day before New Year’s Eve and want to start celebrating early, bring your family or friends to the Le Dãin Designs Summer Cup Race Day on 30th December. This is a family friendly and fashion race day, so you can come casual or dress up and maybe enter into the Le Dãin Designs Fashions on the Field. There will be a best dressed family category, so come in and join the fun and take the fam up on the stage. For luncheon packages or any other enquiries, call the Coffs Harbour Racing Club: 6652 1488. Here is to … Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year. Bring on 2020! Carole Beros, Le Dãin Designs.

focus_contributor

Michael and Mel Crossland

Coffs Latin Rhythms

The Fabulous Ones at Botanica

Botanica, An evening in the gardens

Peter and Opal Bellden

Kevin and Louise Riddell

Karen Wright and Robin Russell

Andy Brown, Rachel Choy and Marilyn Brien

Jane Martyn, Peter Donnan, Trevor Martyn, Linda Nolan and Geoff Donnan

Jetty Dive Centre Crew and Staff

Botanica, An evening in the gardens event organisers

Mark Spencer and Dr Richard Harris

social scene.

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DĂƒIN DESIGNS

Lianne Rootes, Tanya Howe, Sam Dawson

Jenny Evans and Wendy Mason

Dance with the Coffs Coast Dance for Cancer

Botanica, An evening in the gardens

Rymarine Students

Coffs Coast Focus Team

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CAROLSby SAVE THE DATE FOR AN ALL STAR LINE UP IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, and from 6pm on Saturday 14th December it will also sound a lot like Christmas in the heart of the city, with Coffs Coast Carols at Brelsford Park.

offs Coast Carols brings the carols. Well-known local Maureen Burgess has whole community together organised the “We’re All Stars Choir” - an all to celebrate Christmas in abilities choir and as we go to print, organisers true Coffs style - laid back are promising even more surprises. The and family friendly. We look spectacular show will be hosted by 105.5’s AB forward to welcoming you, and the Mayor of Coffs Harbour, Cr. Denise your family and friends to celebrate and Knight. spread some Christmas cheer. Santa will pay a visit to do a final check of This year’s lineup is brimming with talent, his naughty and nice list and to top it all off, and includes Swanee (John Swan) who has the show will finish with a bang thanks to the recently made his home fireworks display grand on the Coffs Coast, finale. the delightful Kada It’s not just performers Miller, opera songstress on stage; you can also There will be three Bernadette Fisher (née entertain and treat the kids local choirs performing, Squires) from Brisbane with face painting, fun including a combined and Kailey Pallas, who is inflatables and glow sticks schools choir featuring rapidly making a name that will be available for more than 80 children for herself all over town. purchase thanks to Coffs from local schools, who Organisers have also Girl Guides. will perform ‘Jingle reached out to the You can bring a picnic, Bells’ and ‘Rudolph the schools and been lucky or there will be plenty of Red Nosed Reindeer’. enough to add three delicious food and drink girls from different stalls to choose from! schools in Kate Shieds, So come on down, dress Imogen Damon and in your craziest Christmas Ginger Freudenskim to the bill. outfit and sing loud and proud from 6pm, There will be three local choirs performing, Saturday 14th December at this feel good including a combined schools choir featuring celebration, Coffs Coast Carols by Candlelight. more than 80 children from local schools, A huge thank you to our major event who will perform Jingle Bells and Rudolph sponsors this year: JLE Entertainment, C.ex the Red Nosed Reindeer. Coffs Community Group and Coffs Harbour City Council, as well Orchestra will also perform, as the event as the many local businesses who are showing starts doing orchestral versions of popular their support for this annual community event.

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cripmas

THE O N I O J OT H P TA SAN

Q L A IRTU TIME E V SA AND

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THE

Christmas FAIRY $5.95

UNISEX SOCKS Made in Australia from Australian Cotton - $14.95

MY FIRST DOLL $36.95 suitable from birth

Pierre Cardin MENâ€™S LEATHER WALLET $49.95

CARRY-YOUR -CUTLERY $29.95

Great Work MUGS $10.95

Glass TRAVELLER Mug $29.95 48 Coffs Coast focus

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Love & Kisses It’s official! Judy is now crowned THE EARRING QUEEN of Coffs Harbour! At Love & Kisses you’ll find handmade earrings from Montreal, Canada … three different brands from France … sterling silver from Thailand … and hundreds of others … from $9.95 to $79.95 … from little pearl drops, to chandeliers, to wild neon colours. Earrings in today’s top photo are handmade in France using the original moulds created from 1829 to 1920. If you can’t see what you want in the shop, always ask - Judy has amazing things hidden in her Aladdin’s Cave storeroom! Hottest items so far this Christmas season are: FOR THE GIRLS: Peppermint Grove candles from Bowral - $18.95 and $39.95 Handmade rings and earrings from Montreal - $37.95 Anti-Theft travel bags for next year’s trips - from $59.95 FOR THE BLOKES: Bee houses - new stocks have just arrived. Cloud Weather Station $39.95 - perfect Dad gift. Leather wallets from $34.95 to $49.95 FOR THE KIDS: Cat’s Cradle string game $5.95 Adventurers items from $4.95 My First Doll $36.95 FOR TEACHERS and FOR SECRET SANTA: Music Mug $9.95 Pen Set $10.95

Flowers on First At Flowers on First, Sawtell we are bursting with colourful flowers, plants, pots and gifts for the Christmas season. We have expanded our Christmas decorations and gift lines over many years, and our loyal customers keep coming back each year to choose some special decorations and Christmas gifts for family, friends and loved ones. Ballerinas, caravans, unicorns and birds are just some of the Christmas decorations we have in store, alongside our freshly made bunches and arrangements of colourful flowers. Our recently updated website www.flowersonfirst.com.au will feature several beautiful Christmas florals, along with hampers and gift plants. Follow Flowers on First on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with new stock arrival - fresh flower availability and Christmas specials, or simply pop in for a browse. Happy Christmas, and thank you to our loyal customers and to the wider community for your support throughout 2019. P.S. Due to the popularity of native and dried flowers, we advise to order your Christmas and event flowers early to avoid missing out xo.

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1. 4.

8. 6.

7. 10. 9.

11. 12.

17. 15.

16. 13. 20. 18.

14. 21.

19. 1. Men’s Stussy Tee - $59.95 / 2. Champion Classic Twill Cap - $39.95 / 3. New Era 9Forty NY Cap - $34.95 / 4. Lacoste Court Master - $159.95 / 5. Stance Socks - from $17.95 6. Lacoste Beach Shorts - $119.95 / 7. Uppercut Solid Cologne - $29.95 / 8. Guitar Accessories / 9. Pop! Funkoverse Boardgame - $69.95 / 10. Uppercut Hair Products 11. Adidas NMD_R1 - $199.95 / 12. Women’s Lee Hailey Singlet - $49.95 / 13. Women’s Lee Stevie Shorts - $109.95 / 14. Dr Marten’s 1460 Day Of The Dead - $279.95 15. Converse One Star Slides - $79.95 / 16. Assorted Books & Gifts / 17. Frank Green Reusable Cups & Bottles - from $34.95 / 18. Converse Infant Gift Set - $39.95 19. Women’s Stance Socks - from $17.95 / 20. Women’s Stitch & Hide Newport Wallet - $109.95 / 21. Savanna Pizza Cutter - $34.95

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THE

H A RV E Y N O R M A N So Peter, what is it that makes Harvey Norman different from other retailers in Coffs Harbour? My team and I strive to bring Coffs Harbour residents the industry’s best price on quality products every day of the year. We refuse to be beaten on price; in fact, we will match any genuine competitor’s advertised price on identical products. After all, why should people in regional areas pay more? Why do you think Harvey Norman have been so successful in Australian retail? I believe the strength of the Harvey Norman business comes from its people. With such a large range of product, it’s extremely important to have a highly trained enthusiastic team to help customers select the item that best suits

their needs. There’s nothing worse than getting home to discover that the oven you purchased won’t fit, or that your new TV won’t connect to that old sound system of yours, and that’s where the team comes in. Whether you’re looking for an air conditioner, a sofa, mattress, desk, computer or just a new kettle, our sales staff are willing to spend the time required to help you make a well informed decision. So what’s coming up at Harvey Norman? We have some amazing promotions on offer this year in the lead up to Christmas; customers looking to grab a bargain will be extremely pleased. In a tight retail market, the consumer definitely benefits from retailers fighting hard for their business, and that will without doubt be the case this December/January.

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Birkenstock Arizona - $130 AVA I L A B L E F R O M E D E G R E E S

Kingtide Brewing Beer AVA I L A B L E F R O M L O C A L S T O C K I S T S ( S E E PA G E 10 )

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Apple iPhone 11 Pro 64GB - $1,749 AVA I L A B L E F R O M J B H I F I

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Cherry Almond Pack - $65

Tallow & Tide Candle - $44.95 & Ceramic Dish - $40

AVA I L A B L E F R O M O U T P O S T H A I R

F R O M TA L L O W & T I D E

GA $117.05 and VIP $229.25 ROLLING SETS 2020

RM Kitchens + Bathrooms / Granite Transformations The team at RM Kitchens + Bathrooms / Granite Transformations would like to wish our loyal customers and the wider Coffs Harbour community a merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous New Year. The holiday period is traditionally a time spent with family and friends to reflect on the year that has passed and focus on your plans and resolutions for the New Year - the perfect time to start planning your next renovation! Whatever the renovation you are dreaming of, we can help turn it into reality. We offer custom cabinetry for all areas of the home, including the kitchen, laundry, wardrobe and home office. Along with complete new kitchens, we also have the ability to re-face existing kitchens, including the use of a quality engineered

stone overlay, which can be installed straight over the top of your existing benchtops. We offer full bathroom and laundry renovations, including coordination of all trades from start to finish, making for a smooth, worry-free renovation. Our new website: www.rmkitchens.net has tonnes of renovation inspiration, and our designers can also assist in creating your dream space. Our office will be closing for the holiday period from 1pm on Friday 20th December, and will re-open from 9am on Tuesday 7th January. Call our office now on (02) 6652 2022 to book in your early 2020 installations.

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Barry Hockey Accountants East Coast Cabinets Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Christmas is rapidly approaching, and 2019 is all but over. Hopefully everyone will enjoy a well-earned break and quality time with family and friends. Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for their business and patience, contractors for their work and assistance, and our suppliers for their continuing support. For those who are not as organised as they would like, we may still be able to help with those last minute jobs before Christmas. Now is a good time to start planning and organising your jobs for next year. With January being a short production month, February will be on us before we know it. After a few weeksâ€™ rest and respite, we will commence the new year with a restored supply of vim and vigour. Planning is the most important part of your job. Think carefully about what you wish to achieve not only in looks, but practical design as well. Select (not necessarily purchase) all of your appliances and fittings, as well as the colours and materials before finalising the design and quotation. Ensure that your appliances will be available when required, so as not to create delays on the job.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We would like to wish all our clients, family and friends a happy and safe Christmas and prosperous New Year. Please take care over the holiday season and enjoy the festivities. Please note that our office will be closed from 12pm Friday 20th December 2019 and will reopen Monday 6th January 2020. The festive season is traditionally a time to spend with family and loved ones. It is also a time to reflect on the year that has gone and focus on your plans for the New Year. I find that many people think about their financial situation over the holiday period and how they can do things differently or improve their situation in the year ahead. If you are looing forward to your retirement, then it is never too early to start planning. You need to consider how much income you would need to live on in retirement. A budget is a great way to start looking at your spending habits. We thrive on seeing you reach your dreams, which really brings smiles to our faces. At Barry Hockey Accountants, we have a dedicated team to assist you. Our firm is big enough to get the job done and small enough to care. Personal service and attention to detail is our business.

focusinterview.

Trish Fox spent many years living and working in East Africa and after returning to Australia and moving to Coffs Harbour, she decided to take on a new venture - so Parachichi Trading began. Parachichi Trading imports handmade goods from various projects in Africa, with the funds going directly to the people and communities that are producing them.

TRISH fox

ey Trish. You’ve lived all over the world; how did you come to be on the Coffs Coast? After operating a hair and beauty business in Tanzania, East Africa for 14 years, I decided to come home to Australia - and with this decision came the problem of where? I knew I wanted to be close to the coast and Coffs seemed like a great choice, as it has a major airport, thriving industry, awesome beaches and natural bushland. So, why wouldn’t you move here! You have spent a lot of your life over in Tanzania. How did you end up there, and what was life in Africa like? I had travelled extensively around Africa for years, and I just didn’t want to leave. It was at this time another close Australian friend, who was a hairdresser like myself, and I decided we would start a hair and beauty business in Arusha, Tanzania, where the UN Tribunal of the Genocide in Rwanda was underway. With the large contingent of European lawyers, judges and extensive staff within the UN, there was a growing need for new services within this small community, so we took the opportunity to create a business for all these new incoming professionals from Europe. Establishing this new business also meant we were able to train and provide employment for local women in the art of hair and beauty. When we first opened our doors, many of our local Tanzanian employees could not speak any English, with Swahili being the local language, and for most of our clients English was their second language - this combination created some quite amusing times. All of the amazing women who were trained in our salon learnt a new language and new skills, that have enabled them to go

on to establish businesses of their own or gain employment in other sectors. Life in Africa, what can I say … it’s exciting, adventurous, vibrant, hard and always hectic. It is nothing like you can experience on holiday. To live and work in Africa is a whole new ball game. I have had the best and worst times of my life in Africa. It is a time I will never forget and never regret - I wouldn’t change a thing. The friendships I made will be for a lifetime; the experiences will never be forgotten. You have created Parachichi Trading. What made you decide to create this business, and how has the process been so far? After arriving in Coffs Harbour, I needed to find work but was reluctant to go back into hairdressing. I had the desire to do something that would have purpose, while helping the communities of Africa to share their amazing talents. That is when Parachichi Trading was born. The business is based around sustainable and ethical fair trade, whereby I am importing handmade goods from various projects in Africa, with the funds going directly to the people and communities that are producing them. The process of launching Parachichi Trading has been quite a learning curve for me, as many rules in Australia have changed since I last lived here. However, the importance of being able to give something back to the continent that was my home for so many years and to the people who shared their country with me was quite significant. That was my driving force. All of the products provided through the community-based enterprises that partner with Parachichi Trading are produced by hand with the utmost care and quality, making them truly unique. You have partnered with groups like Virunga Widows Foundation; what’s it like being in partnership with such a noble group?

The Virunga Widows Foundation ... What can I say; such an awesome project, as are all the projects. The VWF was established to help the widows of fallen rangers who worked to protect the mountain gorillas from poachers in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These widows are now being taught new skills, so as to be able to sustain, survive and create an income to support their families after the loss of their husbands. The skills they are being taught is such an integral part of not only protecting these mamas and their families, but also to highlight the need for continued education about conservation within these areas. This is not the only group you have partnered with. What are some of the others? OK, for example … Maasai Women Art, Arusha Tanzania - a non-profit organisation that is helping Maasai women in Tanzania, whereby the women are making jewellery to earn an income for themselves and their families. Traditionally, these women were cutting down trees to sell charcoal by the side of the road. There is a huge erosion problem in this region of Tanzania, so a project like this is helping the Maasai families, as well as the local environment. Other partners include: Kenya Pet Collars - Hellen Kariuki: Hellen decided to start a small bead working business in her village in Kenya at the beginning of 2019. She now employs a number of women from her village to assist in the business, which has quickly grown. The gorgeous beaded pet collars are now sent around the world, and Hellen is helping to support the local community in which she lives. Leen Samyn Designs: established to help one of the last nomadic tribes of The Great Rift Valley; the funds from these wares creates an income for this tribe, who are trapped in a world where nomads can no longer roam free, as has been their tradition. The beautiful wares are

crafted by skilled hands; each individual item is unique and by producing such special pieces, this tribe is able to provide for their community and survive in a new world. All of your business is a fair trade project. For people who may not know, what is the importance of fair trading? Fair trade is about supporting the development of communities in developing countries to enable them to have control of their future for themselves and their families, while also protecting the local environment. The vital factor of fair trade is that funds go directly back to the local communities. How are the communities you are working alongside benefiting from this? The communities are learning new trades and skills that are helping them earn enough to support themselves, while also helping build their communities and protect their local environment. For example, many of the people in these communities will be able to afford medical care, to be able to pay for school fees for their children, water, food … all the necessities that we often take for granted. The majority of your products are sustainable; why is sustainability important to you? Sustainability for Parachichi Trading means that we can help these African communities to maintain and balance a healthy environment and economic system for themselves, their families and the environment where they live. This will build healthy communities that will not only have the means to survive, but have the chance to thrive. Where can we find out more? To find out more about Parachichi Trading and our partners, we can be found at www.parachichi.com.au Thanks Trish. Coffs Coast focus 55

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WITH FIONA BARDEN

events+ UPDATE

Unforgettable Beauty and Ancient Territory Earlier this year, Glenda Halliwell from Travel Centre Coffs Harbour celebrated her husband’s birthday with a Silversea Kimberley cruise - and loved it. There are many places around the globe that are described as remote, timeless, “off the beaten track” or the “adventure of a lifetime”. Australia’s Kimberley region really is one of the last remaining authentic wildernesses - it is every explorer’s final frontier. Dramatic coastlines, powerful waterfalls, abundant wildlife and history dating back 40,000 years or more - the Kimberley is the ultimate expedition experience. Revel in the rich reds of the land, the churning emerald waters and the brilliance of sapphire skies. Zip around in zodiacs, kayak through silent gorges and imbibe not only the beauty, but also the wealth of history of the region. In 2021, Silversea will return to Australia’s breathtaking Kimberley region from June

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until September, for Silver Explorer’s first deployment to this ancient place. Six voyages will be Kimberley intensive and explore the area over an immersive 10 nights. The elegant Silver Explorer is the perfect platform for experiencing these untamed landscapes. Sophisticated, spacious allsuite accommodations, with butler service, complimentary champagne, spirits, beers and fine wines, truly world-class cuisine, unlimited WiFi and included gratuities are luxuries rarely seen in expedition cruising, yet are notable Silversea inclusions. Throughout the voyage learn about the history, geology, wildlife and botany of this spectacular area from lecture presentations and guided sea and land tours offered by your knowledgeable expedition team. Plus, with a complimentary flightseeing tour of the Bungle Bungle Range, be humbled by the absolute splendour of this unique region like never before.

’Tis the season for festivities, fun and fantastic events. With the mercury rising and the holiday season rapidly approaching, capitalising on the long days and bountiful sunshine sees an abundance of events and experiences for locals and visitors to celebrate the Coffs Coast summer.

he Coffs Coast has a number League cricket game between the Sydney of standout opportunities for 6ers and the Adelaide Strikers. These visitors and locals alike, and we energetic matches see the two teams limited encourage you to play, taste to 20 overs each to score as many runs as and explore the region during possible - ensuring an electrifying evening full the upcoming sparkling summer season. of action packed cricket. Whether you are a Throughout this year, the strong focus dedicated cricket fan or a new to sporting on the natural beauty of the region has events, this match guarantees three hours of played a major part in the promotion of the big hits, dramatic catches and fast paced fun Coffs Coast. Building on the award winning for the whole family. “Create your paradise” television and web ELTON JOHN FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK promotion, this year saw the release of ROAD TOUR the “Naturally Connected” campaign. This Preparations are well underway to promotion has had great success, engaging welcome Sir Elton John to our beautiful more visitors with a new storyline. Building city. With two shows locked in for the 25th on this push is the and 26th February, music fresh edition of our fans young and young destination magazine, at heart will be rocking 101 Reasons to the night away to the Play, Stay, Taste and international superstar As an awarded events Explore. The newly on his global farewell city, Coffs Harbour revised publication, tour. Hailed as a musical looks forward to hosting due to be released masterpiece, this tour amazing national and in early December, international events in will see the flamboyant highlights the diversity the upcoming months. singer perform over of businesses operating 300 shows across five in the area, particularly continents - guaranteeing tour operators and fans across the country an food experiences, all of opportunity to witness Sir which add to the wide range of opportunities Elton John in all his brilliance one last time. available for our visitors. Distributed through With tickets selling quickly, this event will see many locations on the Coffs Coast and the entire region bustling with thousands further afield, we invite you to have a look, of additional visitors staying a while on the be inspired, find something new to do or Coffs Coast to do the “crocodile rock” with revisit a favourite. Become a tourist in your Sir Elton one last time. own backyard. Information about these events and other As an awarded events city, Coffs Harbour activities can be found on looks forward to hosting amazing national www.coffscoast.com and international events in the upcoming We wish you a very happy and healthy months. holiday season, as you welcome visitors BIG BASH LEAGUE CRICKET and invite them to enjoy becoming On Sunday, January 5th, C.ex Coffs #naturallyconnected to the abundance of International Stadium will host a Big Bash treasures on the Coffs Coast.

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Thank You from Kevin Hogan MP Our region has been devastated by bushfires. I would like to thank our RFS volunteers, emergency services and first responders for their tireless efforts; they are doing an incredible job keeping our communities safe. Disaster assistance has been made available, and below are some websites that you may find useful. If you prefer, you can always phone my office and we can direct you to the right area (6621 4044). The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is 1800 227 228 Human Services - humanservices.gov.au/ individuals/services/centrelink/nsw-bushfiresseptember-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding - www.raa.nsw.gov.au Disaster assistance site - www.disasterassist.gov. au/Pages/home.aspx

NSW emergency information - www.emergency. nsw.gov.au/ General enquiries relating to insurance - 1800 734 621 or www.disasters.org.au For help with fencing and livestock management - blazeaid.com.au To keep up with fires in our region, go to the following websites: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au Or call the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information line on 1800 679 737. If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Advice on how to plan and prepare from the RFS: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare Road closure updates: www.livetraffic.com/desktop.html Please stay safe.

Kevin HOGAN Kevin HOGAN

We sat down with Dean from Ashton DESIGNS and Sawtell Kitchen Centre to talk about what’s new around town and how we can get a hold of some of his amazing work. Dean has been in a prominent business owner in town for many years now and things are only getting bigger and better !

Y I would like to thank the RFS volunteers for everything they are doing see my contact details below I wouldPlease like to thank the RFS volunteers email: kevin.hogan.mp@aph.gov.au for everything they are doing 63 6621 Lismore Lismore NSW NSW 2480 2480 63 Molesworth Molesworth Street, Street, Lismore 6621 4044 4044 Lismore Office: Office: Please 6643 see3973 my Grafton Office: Office: 6643 3973 Grafton

contact details below 1/83A 1/83A Prince Prince Street, Street, Grafton Grafton NSW NSW 2460 2460 email: kevin.hogan.mp@aph.gov.au

Find us us on on Facebook: Facebook: Find Hogan MP Lismore Office: Kevin Kevin6621 Hogan4044 MP Grafton Office:

Instagram: Instagram: kevin.hogan.mp 63 Molesworth Street, Lismore NSW 2480 kevin.hogan.mp

Authorised Authorised by by K. K. Hogan Hogan MP, MP, National National Party Party of of Australia, Australia, 63 63 Molesworth Molesworth St, St, Lismore Lismore NSW NSW 2480. 2480.

6643 3973

Find us on Facebook: Kevin Hogan MP

1/83A Prince Street, Grafton NSW 2460 Instagram: kevin.hogan.mp

Authorised by K. Hogan MP, National Party of Australia, 63 Molesworth St, Lismore NSW 2480.

our pop up shop is almost up and running, can you tell us a bit more about the pieces it will have… Yes! The pop up shop is getting close to being open and it’s getting very exciting! We will officially open on Saturday 7th DecemberWe will have a large range of pieces on show, everything from dining tables, vanities, sofas. At Ashton Designs, we believe in creating memorable, timeless and tailor-made pieces of furniture to enhance the experience of any space you have in your life How long can we expect to see the pop up there for? We are aiming at opening for 6-8 weeks. Our aim is to get our name out there as well as getting some exposure and brand awareness, we could potentially be looking at having a longer retail space depending if things go well. Are you collaborating with any other local artists for the shop? We are! Luxcrete Designer Concrete will be joining us to display some of their amazing work, there will be a few collaboration pieces and also

some of their beautiful concrete bench tops. We also have a few small artists who will have some of their work on display. Is the plan to open up a permanent retail space or to keep it more tailor made for custom designs or is it a bit of both? At this stage we have no desire to open a retail space, we enjoy creating tailor made furniture and believe each piece should be unique just like each of our clients. You’re a big believer in supporting local business, what is like working with other locals in the trade who are just as passionate as you? Love supporting local trades especially when they have a passion for their work! Having creative and like minded people to work alongside us pushes us to create amazing pieces and inspire us to be the best we possibly can. How does it feel to have 2 successful businesses under your belt? For me, I just enjoy producing quality products that make people happy, whether it’s a new kitchen, a new vanity or one or our tailor made pieces of furniture. Coffs Coast focus 57

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WITH KERRY MOSS FROM QUADRANT TRAVEL

Turkish Delights A trip to Turkey is like flicking through the pages of a history book - each step a different era, with a different tale. Whether it’s the military history of the great Julius Caesar, who famously came, saw and conquered, or the shores of Gallipoli, Turkey has an epic history. The Turkish people are social and familyoriented, which is evident in Turkey’s delicious food. Whether it’s a meze plate, crisp vegetables from the family garden or seafood plucked fresh from the sea, sharing a meal in Turkey takes you straight to the heart of the culture. The modern cities of Istanbul and Ankara are an eclectic mix of East meets West and never disappoint. From the old cities through to the modern bars, the streets are abuzz with activity. Many consider Istanbul a crucial off-point to the Silk Road, the historically important international trade route. Turkey’s charm lies somewhere between its

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stunning landscapes and friendly locals but if you think you’ve seen diverse landscape before, then prepare to be surprised on a visit to Turkey. The honeycombed hills and hand cut caves of the World Heritage listed region of Cappadocia look as though they’ve been dreamt up from the pages of fairy tale, whilst the view from your yacht as you cruise through the Aegean Sea is both breathtaking and humbling. Whether it’s cruising the markets or the waterways, it’s hardly surprising Turkey has attracted so many people over the centuries. And for FOCUS readers, a unique opportunity is now available with local tour company Quadrant Australia to join their Ag Highlights of Turkey, including ANZAC Day at Gallipoli, departing 17th April 2020. For more information, drop in to see the team in Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour, or visit their website: www.quadrantaustralia.com

MELBOURNE A

D A T E

W I T H

ARGUABLY AUSTRALIA’S CULTURAL CAPITAL, MELBOURNE IS UNDOUBTEDLY THE HOME OF OUTSTANDING FOOD AND SPECTACULAR ART, coupled with world class sporting events and superior sightseeing. If you haven’t been to Melbourne lately, then you’re really missing out.

t’s true that Melbourne is still home to entertainment complex, Crown; home to many of the things we all know and stunning and luxurious restaurants. love, like trams and football, but with Within driving distance of Melbourne is its multiculturalism, edgy street art some of the finest sightseeing in the country. and limitless choices for extraordinary Heritage listed and stretching 243 kilometres food, some say Melbourne has between the cities of Torquay and Allansford, overtaken its nearest rivals. The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s If it isn’t enough to be the cultural kings, best coastal drives and the ideal viewing then consider the blue-ribbon sporting platform for the magical 12 Apostles. events that Melbourne serves up each For an eclectic mix of stunning white year. Many world events call Melbourne beaches interposed with hi-octane motor home and bring festivals and activities to sports, then don’t miss the opportunity accompany them. The to visit Phillip Island. Australian Open, a Make the pilgrimage to premier Grand Slam the Penguin Parade to event on the world observe the penguins as tennis calendar in they emerge from the IF IT ISN’T ENOUGH January every year, has sea and waddle across TO BE THE CULTURAL called Melbourne home the beach to their sand KINGS, THEN since 1972; whilst 2019 dune burrows, or soak CONSIDER THE BLUEwill be the 58th year of up all the action at the RIBBON SPORTING the world’s oldest and Australian Motorcycle EVENTS THAT most prestigious surfing Grand Prix. MELBOURNE SERVES event held annually Hire a car and UP EACH YEAR. at Bells Beach. Closer escape from the city to to home, Melbourne indulge in the finery of is home to a football the Yarra Valley food culture like no other, and wine region. Fine where they proudly house 10 out of the 18 wines and local produce are housed in professional AFL teams. historic surrounds, all within easy reach Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, from Melbourne. Or if luxury is on your and this is reflected in their food. You can mind (and budget) then consider spoiling find everything from street food through yourself with gourmet food and indulgent to the finest dining in the country, with accommodation in Daylesford, known for its a sample of every possible cuisine within natural mineral springs and fabulous local walking distance of the food streets of Lygon produce. St and St Kilda Rd. Take time to wander With direct and affordable flights from through the laneways’ eateries and stop in Coffs Harbour, there is no better time to hop at some of the country’s finest casual dining, on board and explore Melbourne and all she or if you’re lucky (and rich) enough, then has to offer. Visit your local travel agent to consider booking into Melbourne’s premier find out more.

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T H E F I R S T F U L LY A C C E S S I B L E P U B L I C G A R D E N S PA C E I N C O F F S H A R B O U R

Tell us a bit about the background to your city farm project. Key Employment has been working with people with disability for nearly 30 years, and in that time we have spent millions supporting various groups and services - particularly those working with disadvantaged young people. We are in the Coffs Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame and have won many state and regional awards for Community Service. Yet, we always wanted to do more. In early 2016 we purchased the old Catholic Club building with a vision to create a Community Headquarters for Youth, Disability, Employment and Training. Part of that vision was our Youth Hub, which is working really well and provides opportunities for at risk young people to engage with mainstream programs in a welcoming and safe environment. One other vision was our City Farm. Our plan was to use some of the old bowling greens to create an accessible sensory garden for people

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with disability, disadvantage, illness and injury to aid rehabilitation and build mental health and skills. But we ran out of money. So, how did it go from vision to reality? A few things â€Ś One was the work of our own team, particularly Darren Long, who drew up the plans and kept the concept at the front of our plans. Secondly is the support of a number of businesses, who donated time, equipment, tools and funds to maintain the momentum required to move forward. These include Bunnings, All Areas Demolition and Josh Stokes Earthmoving. Most importantly, and the thing I am most proud of was the support from the community. We had been applying for grants and donations from various bodies for some years, but it was the NSW Governmentâ€™s My Community Project funding that got us over the line. Thanks to Gurmesh Singh for his support, and then in an online poll we gathered enough local votes to win the grant.

There are several community gardens in the area. What makes this one different and special? This is so much more than a community garden. Firstly, it is called KEY’S GROWING HEALTHY LIVES FARM. It will be the region’s only fully accessible pocket farm and will meet the needs of people with illness, injury and disability. In particular, the sensory garden will aid rehabilitation and build mental health and skills. It will engage people to share in food or to just use the space for reflection and mindfulness. There will be chooks and bees, as well as a green house and propagation area. AND, it’s going to run off the grid. We will harvest our own water, recycle everything, and use solar power. Are you targeting the farm to just specific groups, such as people with disability? No. This farm is for everyone. Of course, there will be a focus on disability, but only insofar as the farm will be fully accessible. This includes those with sensory and psychosocial disability. We are also hoping to provide opportunities for senior citizens and retirees to volunteer in the garden and enjoy the space, as well as passing on skills to others. There are so many things we want to do in the space. These include growing food to distribute to the needy and establishing demonstration areas where schools can bring students to learn about provenance and healthy eating. We want to provide work experience areas for people interested in working in horticulture, where there is currently a local skill shortage. In a nutshell, it will provide opportunities for disadvantaged people to participate in community, build resilience, improve mental health, recover from injury, learn new skills and establish pathways to employment. It will provide food and develop education and understanding of healthy lifestyles, support curriculum development in horticulture and

food science for local students. You spoke about the community voting for the farm. What attracted them to your proposal? I think there has been such a positive response because people are really concerned about the high rate of youth unemployment, and they understand the potential for the farm to address this. Other areas of concern for the community include lack of opportunities for senior citizens, increased obesity rates among the young, and the farm’s ability to focus on these as well as the promotion and education of healthy lifestyles. So now you have the cash, how will it be carried out? Key Employment will provide the labour and planning to establish the farm. A committee of volunteers will manage the development and ongoing activities. We have interest from local schools, refugee advocates, Indigenous groups and NDIS providers as well as business to kick-start the project now that it is funded. Once established, it will be self-funded into the future. When? We have yet to see any of the funds, but expect to be underway in December, when we will hold a sod turning ceremony where supporters can get the publicity they deserve. We will finish the groundworks drainage construction etc. by April and should see produce, eggs and honey soon after. At any time before that, donations of shrubs, plants etc. will be most welcome.

Come and help us: Build our garden, plant our garden, eat our garden, or just come and smell our garden.

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Bruce Jacups was a sustainable builder and salvage sawmiller for many years, and that evolved into making furniture and homewares from upcycled and salvaged materials. From there, Bruce started Sourced Salvage Studio, a store front and artist hub where artists can display and sell a variety of different works that all incorporate sustainable upcycling and repurposing.

Sourced

Salvage

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ey Bruce; where did catchments. The main impetus for being here is Sourced Salvage start? you have to have at a minimum 50% recycled Well, it started around materials in your work. There can be anything a year or so ago. Iâ€™ve been from jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, a sustainable builder and even some paintings, depending on where the salvage sawmiller for up canvases and frames were sourced. to 20 years now in the area. I started to put Where do the salvaged materials come from my timber into kitchens and joinery, and at that are used in some of the work? some point I decided I wanted to get more A lot of the timber, for example, in my work creative with it. So, I started making furniture has been salvaged locally from storm damaged and homewares out of upcycled and salvaged trees or small development stuff. None of it is materials. I started Sourced Salvage Studio in from forestry or old growth. Say if someone has 2018. It started with a tree that was becoming me, then another 10 dangerous and overhanging like-minded artists joined. a house, I would mill that We have anywhere up. A while back I had a from 25 - 40 different contract with Coffs Council WE ARE TRYING TO artists, depending on the as a portable sawmiller RE-TRAIN PEOPLE month, mostly within and would take all their THAT THERE ARE the Bellingen and Coffs log dump near the airport OTHER OPTIONS at the time and would AND THAT ART, also take their roadside HOMEWARES AND prunings. A lot of the pieces FURNITURE CAN here have been created BE SUSTAINABLE. with a plethora of different materials, which may look like scrap to some. Itâ€™s quite interesting, because in each piece you might find bridge timbers, old bolts and carvings. Every piece has been re-imagined from what it was originally intended. What does sustainability mean to you? In this world everyone is starting to become more aware of the throwaway lifestyle that has evolved, especially around Christmas, where we push a button and have something turn up on our doorstep. We are trying to re-train people that there are other options and that art, homewares and furniture can be sustainable and not just a big monoculture of factory-driven plastic industry, and also to start the conversation that there are options out there which are

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sustainable and more accessible than you think. With each individual piece, where does the idea spark from, and what’s the creative process like? For me, it’s like reverse engineering - and it’s quite the jigsaw. I had MY ADVICE IS TO TRY 50 tonnes of salvaged TO BE AS MINDFUL AS timber which I cut and collected over 20 years. POSSIBLE AND THINK away from a product So, I decided that instead BEFORE YOU BUY. that may be a little more of selling it off, I would WHEN PURCHASING expensive and handmade. use it for creating. I’m like THINGS, HAVE A LOOK For example, you could a kid in a candy store; I AT SOME HANDMADE buy a cheap $100 piece lay out a heap of pieces STUFF, AS THEY MAY of furniture or a $500 on the floor and see BE HEIRLOOM PIECES handmade piece. Most what works with each SOME DAY, AND THEY of the time that $100 other. I feel like a mad WILL LAST 10 TIMES piece would be long gone scientist creative genius. LONGER. compared to that $500 I get to walk around the piece that has lasted 15 workshop and gather years. Try to buy locally pieces, information, and support local art energy and history of the like you would your local doctors, lawyers, café pieces and get to work. owners etc. I draw inspiration from the world around me. What are the benefits of buying sustainable Now ideas are coming from necessity too, with products? people coming into the studio and requesting The benefits of buying something that has custom pieces, like a key hanger out of rustic been repurposed is it’s usually come from a timber, which I may not have thought to make. good place and instead of the materials being Some people may see something in the studio destroyed or sent off to the tip, you have and request a similar design, but out of different supported local art. A lot of the time you will be timbers and sizes. Also, a lot of work is displayed able to find out the origins of the piece and the and other artists in the shop may get ideas and materials used in that art or furniture. use it as a springboard to create new pieces. Where would you like to see Sourced What advice would you give to our readers Salvage go into the future? about sustainability in their own lives? We are an artist hub at the moment, but the The machinations of big business lure us all momentum is going in the direction of teaching in, because they have great marketing, products workshops as well, whether that’s in mosaics, have been mass produced and we are told what we need. The majority of these products are fine, different mediums of painting and to teach people about sustainability within furniture but there are a lot that are cheaply made, and and homewares. It would be great to introduce the processes of how they are made are terrible music and coffee to the shop to combine arts for the environment. and food, and just to hangout and chat with an My advice is to try to be as mindful as possible artist! That’s the beauty of having artists in the and think before you buy. When purchasing studio, because on any given day it could be a things, have a look at some handmade stuff, as great space to learn. they may be heirloom pieces some day, and they Thanks Bruce. will last 10 times longer. Sometimes we steer

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Regeneration Revolution! Here are 13 ideas of things you can do to reduce your impact on the planet. 1: Grow your own food - you can turn your backyard into a carbon removing food hub, where every kilogram of vegetables you grow reduces emissions. 2: Reduce Food Waste - if food waste was a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Finish your food and eat before your food goes off and consider composting. 3: Eat less meat - aiming for 50 - 60 g of meat a day and choosing organic, grass fed or biodynamic meat is ideal. 4: Put carbon back into the soil by sponsoring a farmer to do this. 5: Ride share - share rides with a work or study colleague at least once a week. 6: Reduce air travel - this is one of the most damaging ways we can impact the planet. Offset plane travel by flying carbon neutral or staying in hotels that use renewable energy, use public transport, or hire an electric car. 7: Use public transport or your own steam. 8: Install solar panels if you can, and check out the site renew.org.au 9: Choose a 100% renewable energy company. 10: Appliances - look at their energy rating and switch off instead of leaving them on stand-by. Appliances can take up to 33% of your energy bill. 11: Become a true minimalist and purchase for quality, not quantity. Avoid single use items and shop sustainable or items made from recycled materials. 12: Help educate girls - this reduces family sizes, which helps with over population. 13: Change your browser to ECOSIA. It uses ad revenue to plant trees. Fifty million trees have already been planted!

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Bulky

offs Harbour City Council has introduced improvements to the bulky household waste service available to all households paying a Domestic Waste Occupied Land charge. This will lead to improved street amenity, as well as maximising material recovery and recycling, whilst still providing up to four (4) bulky goods services per year. Coffs Harbour City Council provides eligible households with two options for disposing of their bulky waste items: 1. Request up to two (2) free self-haul vouchers from 5th March each year to take your bulky household waste items to the Englands Road Waste Management Facility, and/or 2. A dial-up user-pays booking system to organise a collection from your premises. Userpays collections are for a fee of $46.00 - payable at the time of booking via credit or debit card over the phone, direct deposit or in person at Coffs Coast Waste Services office (25 Englands Road, Coffs Harbour). You may request up to two (2) user-pays kerbside bulky household waste collections between 8th July 2019 and 2nd March 2020. Please call the CCWS Hotline on 1800 265

W A S T E

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495 for further information, to request a voucher, or book a user-pays bulky household waste collection service. Vouchers are mailed by post to eligible properties, so ensure you order your vouchers at least two weeks in advance, so they have time to arrive. Vouchers will only be sent to the corresponding street address. Vouchers will not be mailed to PO boxes or to another address, i.e. the owner of the property’s home address. Booked in kerbside collections are to be no more than three cubic metres in size. Self-haul vouchers are limited to no more than 200 kg per voucher, and up to three cubic metres in size. Accepted vehicles include: sedans, station wagons, utility and standard box trailers without size extensions. No light trucks. The service is unavailable in Coffs Harbour between 2nd March 2020 and 12th April 2020 and between 27th April 2020 and 5th July 2020. However, residents can still call the hotline on 1800 265 495 and book in a collection during this time, and the first available date will be allocated outside these periods. Collections are not available on public holidays, or over the Christmas period between 23rd December 2019 and 6th January 2020.

re-using your BAG Each month we distribute your FOCUS in a plastic sandwich bag to protect against weather. Being quite small, it’s easy to toss them into the rubbish bin. There are many ways in which you can reuse your bag. We hope these ideas inspire you … • DIY Gloves. Perfect when you need to clean something messy. • Portable water dish when walking the dog. • Easy to pick up poop bag when walking the dog. • Pastry bag. Fill bag with frosting. Push out air and seal. Cut a small hole in the corner and push out frosting. • Cold pack. Fill with water, freeze and use on sore muscles after exercising. • Disposing of cooking oil. Pour in used oil, seal, and toss in rubbish.

• Bath pillow. Taking a long bath: blow air in to bag and seal. • Survival kit. Keep your goodies in when travelling in car. Tissues, bandaids etc. • Floatation device for valuables. If you're stand up paddle boarding or down at the beach, keep phone and keys inside and seal shut to protect against water or sand. • DIY funnel. If you have any further ideas of ways to reuse your FOCUS sandwich bag, please feel free to post your idea on to Coffs Coast FOCUS' Facebook page.

F E A T U R E

best

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The three bin system we use in Coﬀs Harbour is recognised as the NSW best practice waste management system for the type, size and collection frequency of household bins.

OUR RED BIN Your red lidded bin is collected fortnightly and is for waste that cannot be recycled or reused. Materials placed in the red-lidded bin are ultimately destined for landfill. With landfill space rapidly diminishing on a local and world wide scale, it is everybody’s responsibility to reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible. Acceptable items in your red bin: • Plastic bags and other non-recyclable plastics • Foam trays and polystyrene, including meat trays • Pyrex, ceramics or pottery • Broken drinking glasses • Broken toys • Nappies • Clothes, rags and shoes - acceptable but always try to donate or give away items in good condition YOUR YELLOW BIN Each person on the Coffs Coast generates approximately 1 tonne of rubbish every year. Of this, up to 40% is recyclable. The following items can be placed in your yellow-lidded recycling bin: • Aluminium foil and cans • Clean paper and cardboard • Milk and Juice cartons including tetra packs • Glass bottles and jars such as beer and wine bottles, jam and vegemite jars etc. • Steel food cans and lids; such as baked beans, dog food etc. • Empty aerosol cans • Plastic containers - we call it rigid plastic, but just check to see if it’s got a recycle symbol and a number 1 to 7. (NOTE: some plastic bags are stamped with a recycle symbol 1-5. However, no plastic bags are acceptable in your yellow bin.) These items can be dropped off at your local Community Recycling Centre for FREE: • Gas bottles, fire extinguishers and smoke alarms • Chemicals

• Full aerosol cans • Motor oil, cooking oil • Light globes • Paint • Household, car and boat batteries • Electronic waste YOUR GREEN BIN Collected weekly, your green lidded organics bin is only for organic waste. This means food scraps, garden waste and grass clippings. Soiled paper such as tissues and paper towels are also acceptable. This waste is turned into high quality compost which is widely used by home gardeners and commercial landscapers, farmers and gardeners on the Coffs Coast. Chances are, that if you purchase locally grown produce, flowers or turf; it has been grown using compost from your green bin. These items DO go in your green bin: • Food scraps such as fruit and vege scraps, bones, seafood shells, coffee grinds, tea bags and tea leaves, egg shells, spoiled yoghurt, cream or cheese • Garden clippings like grass clippings, small branches, sticks, leaves, flowers • Small UNTREATED and UNPAINTED timber off-cuts • Soiled paper such as paper towel, tissues, newspaper These items DO NOT go in your green bin: • Bags - plastic, compostable or biodegradable • Soil and rocks • Large or thick branches, logs (as a general guide, anything thicker than your arm does not belong in your green bin) • Treated timber • Timber furniture or toys • Plastic of any kind • Nappies If you have just moved to the Coffs Coast region, or into a new home that does not have a kitchen organics bin, or, if you do not have all three 240 litre wheelie bins, please contact us on 1800 265 495, email us, or visit our offices at 25 Englands Road, Coffs Harbour. Coffs Coast focus 65

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

focusinterview

with Sophie Bird of Tallow and Tide

the arts in focus The arts have lost their priority over the last 10 years in Australian schools, while greater importance has been placed on literacy and numeracy standards through the benchmarking of the standardised testing of NAPLAN.

hile this decision making in some schools was deemed logical and in some cases an ethical and moral imperative, the schools that have continued to develop their arts curriculum, student access to the arts and even expanded their arts curriculum have flourished. This article relates to the importance of the arts in developing the whole child. I argue that the arts provide an access point for all learners and that a positive and progressive arts program has academic and social outcomes that can’t be ignored. For the purposes of this article’s brevity, I will focus on music education within the arts. The benefits of music to student learning are well documented. Academic Outcomes A significant Canadian study that looked at the educational records of more than 110,000 students found that “students highly engaged in music were, on average, academically over one year ahead of the peers not engaged in school music” (Guhn, Emerson, & Gouzouasis, 2019, p. 1). This study identified evidence of positive relationships between school music participation and high school exam scores in English, Mathematics, and Science. This result was significant, as it took into consideration gender, cultural background, and socioeconomic status. A US study by Zellner (2011) aimed to explore the relationship between instrumental music education in Years 8 and 11 and critical thinking. The results indicated that the instrumental music sample consistently outscored the non-instrumental music sample when compared to the reading and mathematics skills. Recently, Mike Tyler, the Chairman of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and the current Principal Education Officer for Queensland’s Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Music and the Arts, supported these claims and noted research linking “developing language and reasoning skills with musical education” (The School Bell Podcast, 2019). Collins and Adoniou (2018) stated that “Neuroscience has found a clear relationship

66 Coffs Coast focus

between music and language acquisition”. They noted that musically trained children also have better reading comprehension skills and that music education can also give us clues about a child’s struggles with reading. Their research has found three and four-year-old children who could keep a steady musical beat were more reading-ready at the age of five than those who couldn’t keep a beat. Social Outcomes In addition to helping students progress in Mathematics, English and Science, Music can help students’ self-confidence, self-discipline and teamwork. Martin (2014) noted that music education also supported self-esteem, listening skills, encouraged creativity, reduced stress and helped students with additional needs. The value of arts programs within formal schooling is undeniable, and I encourage parents to speak with their respective school principals about the quality of arts education in your school. Does it meet the needs of your community? Should there be a refocus of resourcing? In my school community, it is valued and celebrated as a core element of a highquality education. Sources: Collins, A., & Adoniou, M. (2018). Learning music early can make your child a better reader. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/learning-music-early-can-makeyour-child-a-better-reader-106066 Donoughue, P. (2018). ABC show Don’t Stop The Music examines what learning an instrument can do for a child’s brain development. Retrieved from www.abc.net.au/ news/2018-11-09/what-learning-an-instrument-can-dofor-achilds-development/10472320 Guhn, M., Emerson, S. D., & Gouzouasis, P. (2019). A Population-Level Analysis of Associations Between School Music Participation and Academic Achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1-21. Retrieved from https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2019-34936-001.html Lee,L. (2019). Transforming a School Through Arts Integration - Structuring a school around the arts can help students excel academically and develop social and emotional skills. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/transformingschool-through-arts-integration Martin, L. (2014). 10 Benefits of Music Education for Students. Retrieved from https://www.learningliftoff.com/ ten-benefits-of-music-education-for-students/ The School Bell Podcast (2019). Music Education. Retrieved from https://www.isq.qld.edu.au/media-resources/music-ineducation Vaughan, T., Harris, J., & Caldwell, B. J. (2011). Abbotsford Victoria: The Song Room. Retrieved from https://eprints.qut. edu.au/69164/1/69164.pdf Zellner, R. (2011). A study of the relationship between instrumental music education and critical thinking in 8th- and 11thgrade students [Dissertation]. Curtin University. Perth.

BEV DYER C H A S I N G

S U N D A Y S

This is a woman to watch! Coming into the gifting season, Bev Dyer has all you beach bums covered with a gorgeous, laid back lifestyle brand ...

ey Bev! Who are you, and bodies with a focus on ethical practices. what is Chasing Sundays? I personally visited the factory during the Hey! I’m a mama, I have sampling phase of our first clothing collection; three young boys and we live it was critical for me to visit and inspect the in Valla Beach. My husband factory, meet and work alongside the makers. was born on the Coffs Coast, I feel it goes without saying that CS is and I’ve lived here since a young child. sustainably focused; we’re on a mission to Chasing Sundays is a coastal lifestyle label produce sustainable, conscious and kind that brings practical products together to products, responsibly sourced and with the represent and support our quintessential laid planet in mind. back Aussie lifestyle. My favourite thing about you is the real I feel like your brand really does capture world woman you are. You share your the ultimate Aussie summer vibes, and family, your cooking, your dates; you’re your women’s range is so well loved. down to earth and really relatable in what When did you decide you share online. Was to start designer this a conscious choice, womenswear, and or just flows naturally? how has that journey Also, pray tell on your been? favourite summer Having quality made Oh, thank you! It smoothie recipe! products is top of the list, had always been a long Definitely naturally; I feel but just as important term goal of mine to being real and transparent are the people who are introduce womenswear on social platforms is producing our items; I to CS, but I honestly important. I want to believe we are only as never expected to do connect and create a crew; good as our people. it so soon. I decided I want my followers to to start sampling my feel as though they know designs in early 2018 me, the person and family when an opportunity behind the brand. I always came my way to learn the ropes and haven’t debate with myself if I’m over sharing. slowed down since! It’s been a journey! I don’t Ohhhh ... I’ve been loving this super quick have any qualifications or formal training in raspberry smoothie lately. A local farmer drops what I do; I just know what I like and run on free organic raspberries to the Valla Tav on a gut instinct. There have been lots of downs Friday, so I stock up when I call in to grab my and things not going to plan ... but SO much cheeky wine! learning. The ups and wins have totally made Lastly, where can people buy, love and try it all worthwhile! your glorious brand? Can you give me a snapshot into the On our website, chasingsundays.com.au We ethics in your businesses production? also have a pop up shop in Nambucca Heads I’d love to hear about that side of your that will be open until Christmas - Shop 1/3 business. Mann Street. Having quality made products is top of the Locally you can try on and see our products list, but just as important are the people who in Tallow & Tide, Coopers Surf or Vivid in are producing our items; I believe we are only Bellingen. as good as our people. Our factories have Dont forget to give us a follow on the ‘gram been audited by internationally recognised @chasing.sundays

focushealth

and focusinterview.

Wellbeing WITH

WITH SAM DAWSON OF PFLAG COFFS COAST

Jenna Ferriera’s H E A L T H

A N D

LAUREN

VESTEY

FROM

LIVING

DOLL

NEW YEAR

Hair Resolutions

F I T N E S S

Thou shalt not break!

ommit to regular hair cuts!

This month I am chatted with Jenna Ferriera, a health and fitness coach who has been providing nutritional coaching via her own app, and training Hayden one on one, which has resulted in amazing weight loss and instilled confidence. Hayden is a transgender male who came to Jenna after transitioning from a female to male with a specific goal of feeling more confident within his body.

enna, please tell me about your business; what’s your overall goal, and what do you have in store for next year? The goal of Jenna Ferriera’s Health and Fitness (JFHF) is to create “fitter bodies and healthier minds” through achieving a balanced lifestyle. I am most proud of my clients when they finally feel happy and comfortable in their own bodies. JFHF provides tailored personal training programs, online nutritional coaching, and fitness programs via the JFHF app, that is specific to each individual client’s goals. I am excited for 2020, as the JFHF app is having a revamp early next year, which will enable me to empower more people not only on the Coffs Coast, but right around Australia. At JFHF we are creating some awesome nutrition and fitness workshops for 2020 to help bust the myths on fad dieting and living a balanced style. Can you tell us more about Hayden’s training program? After Hayden’s transition, the medication and stress took a significant toll on his physical

and mental health. Hayden wanted to feel more confident in his own skin. He does not have a specific weight loss goal in mind, but is seeking a unique body image that empowers him in his own skin. Nutritional coaching isn’t focused on weight loss, but about creating fitter bodies and healthier minds. How has Hayden adapted to your program, and what improvements has he made? With all of my clients at JFHF I provide tailored fitness and health programs to suit their individual goals. Hayden has lost over 18 kilograms since June this year. This massive achievement is a result of his hard work and consistency - no fad diets or eliminating his favourite foods. At JFHF I pride myself on providing easy to follow nutrition and fitness programs. As Hayden says, “If you’re willing to stick to it, you will get the results”. Hayden, what message do you have for our LGBTQI + community? The only person putting limitations on the body you want is yourself. Fitness is an allinclusive community.

aren’t particularly fond of. But, nobody is perfect and if we can learn how to mask those tiny flaws with some little tips and tricks from your hairdresser, life would be so much easier. This is the first step in finally learning to love and manage your hair.

If you are anything like me, I have already filled in my 2019 diary with appointments, important dates, meetings, and birthdays etc. for the coming year. I know if I don’t put it in the diary (and in I won’t chop all of my hair off, just the phone with alarms set) I will forget. We because I hit a certain are endlessly multiage. tasking, never saying Forget the stereotypes no SUPERWOMEN out there that are telling that have everyone you because of your else’s needs coming WE ARE ONLY TALKING age you have to look first. So we do need to FIVE - 10 MINUTES like this. Rubbish; work book and have these HERE, LADIES. JUST appointments in our with what you have! If THINK: THERE ARE 1,440 schedule, otherwise you suit long hair with MINUTES IN A DAY. WHY eight weeks will soft layers, rock it ‘til NOT ALLOW SOME TIME stretch out to three, FOR OURSELVES TO FEEL you are 100 (if it still four, five or even six AND LOOK OUR BEST? looks good). Ask a Living months, and we will Doll Stylist for advice on be wondering why we what suits your face and can’t do anything with your personal style. our hair. Accept compliments and share the love. Allow more time for yourself! Gorgeous hair will attract compliments, We are only talking five - 10 minutes here, and so will smiling women exuding ladies. Just think: there are 1,440 minutes confidence and happiness. Let us be in a day. Why not allow some time for a network of women supporting and ourselves to feel and look our best? Make encouraging each other. If you see a women the effort for yourself, because no one else with a haircut you LOVE, then give her a can do it for you. compliment and maybe even ask where she I will stop beating myself up about my had it done. I know it will make her day. flaws. Let’s face it, ladies; we all are caught up about one or two things about our hair we

2020 is your year, ladies! XO Dolls. Coffs Coast focus 67

focusinterview.

Sharon Marinucci

ell us about your on the areas in which we love to work. We background and what led have fantastic support staff that we could not you to start Fresh Dental do without. The practices are beautiful, with Care: original artworks and cheerful colours. We The eldest of five children, avoided the traditional minimalist aesthetic and I was born and raised in created spaces where we hope most people Adelaide, which had and retains a strong focus would feel comfortable, as they would in their on art and food. It was an influential place to own lounges. In Grafton and Urunga we have spend my youth. The Adelaide Festival and art “healthy eating” gardens with fruit and herbs have always been contemporary and diverse. I that people can pick and take home with them. recall a city filled with giant burning Hill Hoists, We have a strong community focus. Among a French circus where clowns fought with angle other things, our therapists go out to schools, grinders and the contortionists, the “human preschools and community events and show knots” wore nothing but well placed socks. children how to clean their teeth and why At the food and wine festivals, passionate, it is important. We give away 4,500 - 5,000 talented chefs, often with no formal training, toothbrushes a year this way. I once knew a paired with world class wineries and dished boy who never knew he was supposed to brush up thousands of delicious meals over a matter his teeth, never had a toothbrush until he was of hours. The amazing eight and someone came food was globally and out to his school. That’s personally influential, with what’s stuck with me and chefs like Chong Liew, the why we do it. At Fresh we are so lucky father of fusion cuisine. What are the most to have such a diversity I ended up studying common myths of wonderful dentists, dentistry, because two surrounding dental hygienists, therapists days before the Year 12 care? and oral health results came out I went Many people think therapists with diﬀerent for my six monthly check that baby teeth are not interests that we each get up. The new dentist was important and that they to focus on the areas in young and beautiful and can just let them rot. which we love to work. utterly delightful - so I Baby teeth are incredibly changed my preferences. important. Aside from the When I was accepted, I fact that kids need them thought, “Bloody hell, to eat and to smile, and what have I done”! I’d never even considered aside from the fact that if they go bad they can dentistry before that. It has been an enormous cause terrible pain and infection that may even privilege, really fun, and a fascinating career. require hospitalisation, they are needed to keep I graduated from the University of Adelaide the space for the adult teeth and help guide with First Class Honours in 1996 and travelled them into the correct position. There are lots of around for a while before settling in Coffs kids who would not have needed orthodontics Harbour. I never thought I’d stay - but 23 years if their baby teeth had been taken care of. later, here I still am. It is a wonderful place What do you think is the most important where children can adventure and experience part of good oral hygiene? nature and whenever you get off a plane in 1. Doing it! Coffs, the air is usually so much nicer than 2. Make sure you’re doing it right. wherever you’ve been - warm and not too dry, Australians are a bit lax in this regard as a and clean and welcoming. rule, and it does not pay. Nothing we do to fix What do you think makes Fresh Dental a tooth is as good as healthy tooth structure. Care so unique? As creatures of habit we tend to miss the same At Fresh we are so lucky to have such a spots over and again. A hygienist is the best diversity of wonderful dentists, hygienists, person to help you get it right, and visiting therapists and oral health therapists with a good hygienist regularly is one of the best different interests that we each get to focus investments anyone can make. 68 Coffs Coast focus

COFFS HARBOUR

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Coffs Coast focus 69

CC Facial Aesthetics Dr Cecilia B.D.S (left) and Dr Caroline B.D.S (right) pictured at their place of work. AMCAL Pharmacy, Specialist Medical Centre, Coffs Harbour Base Hospital . CC Facial Aesthetics provide anti-wrinkle injections, dermal and lip fillers within Amcal Pharmacy at The Specialist Medical Centre. Whether youâ€™re after kissable lips for under the Mistletoe or you want to slow down the signs of ageing, CC Facial are here to help. Dr Caroline Gordon B.D.S and Dr Cecilia Mwanje B.D.S are both dentists, working locally at The Dental Centre and Brad Pearce Dental respectively. Both have had an interest in facial rejuvenation for many years. The high standard of dental training in the UK combined with further qualifications in facial rejuvenation demonstrates their competency and capability to administer these treatments. They regularly attend courses to keep up to

70 Coffs Coast focus

date with new techniques to ensure they keep the general public safe. As with any injectable treatment, risks and complications, although rare, can occur to the best of injectors. You can rest assured that if a complication occurs, Dr Caroline and Dr Cecilia, being local to the area, are able to assist straight away. They take their line of work seriously and urge anyone who is thinking of having injectables to thoroughly research and seek a reputable provider. Dr Caroline Gordon B.D.S qualified from the University of Liverpool, England in 2012 and has been working with the injectables field for over five years. Dr Cecilia Mwanje B.D.S qualified from the University of Birmingham, England in 2000. She then spent 15 years working within the UK prior to making the move to Coffs Harbour in May 2016.

A / PROF H A RV EY WA R D

DIFFICULTY CONCEIVING?

S O M E T I M E S

L I T T L E

atural conception is highly age dependent, with chances of conceiving being about 20 - 25% in a womanâ€™s 20s dropping to under 5% at age 40. With many women wishing to start their families later in life than before, it may be helpful to determine how difficult pregnancy might be to achieve early, rather than waiting for time to elapse before investigating. One of the important tests to check is the AMH level or Ovarian reserve, which gives a rough estimate of how many eggs may be left before menopause. Egg quality tends to deteriorate as women get older, and even some young women have reduced ovarian reserve. Detailed investigations are required to determine any specific reason for difficulty conceiving. In a relaxed yet professional manner, your results are discussed and advice provided to you and your partner as to your options for the much wanted conception. Every pregnancy starts with the release of a womanâ€™s egg from her ovaries, whether naturally or after stimulation, so learning about your menstrual cycle is paramount for conception, and smart phone apps such as EVE or CLUE are really helpful. Irregular periods, especially with polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS may need special consideration. Women with this problem may need their cycles regulated and may need help with follicle development using

H E L P

I S

N E E D E D .

timed medication like Clomid or Femara to boost the chance of ovulating. This is carefully monitored for progress. One option is called Follicle tracking. This process uses an ultrasound in our clinic to determine when a follicle (egg) is developed sufficiently on a given day of your cycle. The follicles in your ovary look like small cysts, and they each may contain a microscopic egg. A tiny injection under the skin may then be used to stimulate the egg release about 35 hours later. This means a couple can time natural conception to the hour! To further improve the chance of pregnancy, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is available. This is a special delivery system to transport a carefully prepared and purified semen sample into the cavity of the womb. This has been offered at our facility for the last four years, and it has been our pleasure and privilege to be able to follow these pregnancies to their happy conclusion at delivery. For more details, contact A/Prof Harvey Ward, who specialises in this procedure; he loves to help you make a birthday! A/Prof Harvey Wardâ€™s practice, Womens Reproductive Care, together with Dr Aaron Budden, specialises in fertility, pregnancy, prolapse and urinary incontinence, laparoscopic surgery and all general gynaecology, with relevant appointments available.

Coffs Coast focus 71

focusﬁtness

W I T H D U N C A N M A R C H A N T , C O F F S C O A S T H E A LT H C L U B

MyFitnessStory

.com.au

This month’s inspirational health and fitness story comes to us courtesy of Michael McMahon, who is the new assistant manager of Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina. Read about him here, and then pop in to see him at the Toormina club for all of your health and fitness needs …

here did you live before your move to the Coffs Coast? I was born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria. I lived in Carnegie, which is a small suburb in between Caulfield and Chadstone Shopping Centre, South East of the Melbourne CBD. Why did you move to the Coffs Coast? I have visited Coffs Harbour on multiple occasions for short holidays. Every time I visited, I loved the vibe of the place and the picturesque landscape. Everyone I interacted with was friendly and made me feel as if I was a local, despite being from out of town. I have a couple of friends who used to live in Melbourne, who recently relocated to Coffs Harbour, which made settling in to Coffs Harbour easier than expected. I originally moved to Coffs Harbour as a recruit for the Coffs Harbour Breakers AFL Club, and intended to stay here to play football, and return home; however, since my recent move, I have come to the conclusion that I love the place, and intend to make it my home, despite not having any family in the region. Why did you decide to work at Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina? I spoke to a number of locals in the area who spoke very highly of both Duncan and Carla Marchant. I think having an approachable boss is vital in running a successful business. I like to keep fit and healthy, and what better place to work than the “Region’s Most Awarded Health Club”. I believe with my skills and attributes, I can contribute significantly to the club in the near future! What do you do at the club? I am the assistant manager at the Toormina Club. My major role is focused on customer service of our amazing members and community. At the club, I am responsible for ensuring that all our members are treated as equals, feel comfortable coming in to the gym at any stage, and hopefully leave with a huge smile on their face.

72 Coffs Coast focus

What types of activities do you enjoy outside of work? I am a huge sports fanatic! Since the age of five, I have played AFL football and cricket. Since moving to Coffs Harbour, I have found my love for the ocean, and tend to spend a lot of time making the most of the stunning weather which the town provides! I workout as often as I can, and feel great pleasure in maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle. What is your philosophy on healthy living? I believe healthy living can be divided into several categories. Healthy eating - you are what you eat! I ensure that I inject my body with nutrients and foods which are beneficial to my health. Regular exercise - I believe EVERYONE should try and exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Exercise can be anything from doing 50 push-ups at home, to going for a short jog/run throughout the day if you can’t get to the gym! Work/life balance - if we are all caught up in work, we can develop stress and anxiety within our everyday life. Although working hard to achieve results is critical in life, I believe that we need to live life to the fullest. What are your dreams for the future? Originally, I studied outdoor education and business marketing at university. Since the completion of my course, I have found a love and passion for marketing and administration. In more recent times, I have developed my communication and management skills. In the future, I would love to bring my passions to the Coffs Coast Health Club and hopefully develop the club into the most successful health club in the country! Outside of work, I am aiming to work hard to save up, own a property and one day have a family of my own to provide for. Thanks for sharing, Michael and if you are looking to kick start your own inspirational fitness story, drop in to see him at Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina, to get started today. More inspirational fitness stories can be found at www.myfitnessstory.com.au

REVEALE

With Christmas just around the corner and the many eating (and drinking) occasions that accompany it, you have probably started to think about the few extra kilograms that generally come with this period. On average, Australians gain 0.8 - 1.5 kg over Christmas time; and it’s not often easy to shift the excess weight once the New Year rolls around. So, what can you do to beat the Christmas bulge? Mid North Coast Physio’s Accredited Dietitian Katie Drury has revealed her top tips to eat healthy while still enjoying the Christmas festivities.

hy is it important to remember nutrition over the festive season? Research has shown that weight gain over the holidays usually occurs around the mid-section; and while a few kilograms may seem quite harmless and easily reversible, unfortunately the reality is this weight is not often lost. Carrying weight around your mid-section is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as increasing the load on your lower back, which can cause or worsen existing back pain. Through implementing a few key strategies, you can decrease your risk of developing chronic lifestyle diseases and still enjoy the yummy foods that are available at this time of year. What are some strategies that can be used to make Christmas eating healthier? 1. Don’t skip breakfast: instead, opt for a filling and healthy breakfast to start the day off on the right food, and avoid over-eating when it gets to lunch and dinner time. For example, eggs on wholegrain toast, a wholegrain cereal, such as Weetbix with low-fat milk or fruit and yoghurt. 2. Stick to healthy plate portions: aim to have half your plate filled with non-starchy vegetables or salad vegetables (i.e. everything but potato, sweet potato and corn). 3. Avoid Boxing Day over-eating by freezing leftovers on Christmas Day in individual portions that can be defrosted when required. 4. Take time to appreciate the foods you are eating; put your fork down between bites and

take notice of the flavour and texture of foods when you are eating. 5. Drinking alcohol can add to the merriment of the festive season, but you don’t need to drink in excess to be the life of the party. Aim to have at least two alcohol free days per week, and try not to have more than two alcoholic drinks per day. 6. Keep up your exercise over the holidays! Ask for a gym membership for Christmas - many local health clubs, like our friends at Coffs Coast Health Club, have 24-hour access - even if they aren’t staffed over the festive period. Also, get outside on Christmas Day with the family for a game of backyard cricket or touch football. Who can benefit from seeking help from a Dietitian before and after the festive season? If you are someone who finds that you do so well with your weight loss goal throughout the year, then by the time it gets to the New Year you must start all over again, as you’ve regained all or most of the weight you had lost. In this sort of case you often require more support and motivation to get you through the festive season, as well as education about healthier choices to make. In addition, through developing the skill of mindful eating and portion control, you will often find it much easier to continue your weight loss throughout the year. If you would like to find out more about how a Dietitian can help you, call 1300 273 747 to request a FREE pre-assessment appointment with Katie. These appointments are strictly limited, so call now to ensure you avoid the extra kilos this Christmas.

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focusinterview.

Northside Health Massage therapists are part of the allied health team at Northside Health. Our accredited and experienced therapists specialise in remedial, manual lymphatic drainage and relaxation massage. Remedial massage may be beneficial for migraine and tension headaches, neck and back pain, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, hamstring injuries, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and repetitive strain injury. Treatments are individually tailored and may include trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, joint mobilisation and facilitated stretching to reduce pain and improve range of motion. Postural imbalances are assessed with corrective stretches and exercises offered for long-term results. Manual Lymphatic Drainage uses very light pressure applied in certain directions to encourage movement of lymph fluid around the body. Enhanced lymphatic circulation speeds-up the process by which waste products are carried away from the tissues and back to the heart. It can be beneficial for treating lymphoedema, fluid retention, post mastectomy lymphoedema of the arm, post-operative swelling, sinus congestion, swelling during pregnancy, and fibromyalgia. (Full-body drainage requires 90 minutes.)

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Stick it to DEPRESSION D R A L EX J O A N N O U

Relaxation Massage has been found to destress the body and mind by activating the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. Long, smooth, gliding pressure gently manipulates superficial muscle tissue to achieve a general sense of calm. Relaxation massage has many health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, increasing peripheral circulation, improving skin tone and appearance, stimulating the lymphatic system, improving gastrointestinal activity, and boosting the immune system. Our therapists are registered with some health funds and welcome Workcover clients. Massage gift vouchers are available from Northside Health, which make great Christmas presents.

FOCUS chatted with Dr Alex Joannou about his new book, “Stick it to Depression - Another Tool in Your Doctor’s Bag”.

he World Health drugs are not the answer for everyone with Organization has declared depression. Some 30 - 50% of patients that depression is the experience significant side effects from these number one health problem drugs. And even under optimal conditions, in the world. Depression some 50% of patients fail to respond directly affects 300 adequately. That is to say, the patients remain million people, and the suffering is largely with a level of depression. unnecessary. He is currently writing his second book Dr Alex Joannou has been a medical doctor Stick it to Depression - Get Your Life Back for forty years and has been practicing as on Track, Naturally, which will address this a GP in Coffs Harbour since 1982. Due important subject for the general public. This to his own health problems, he looked will be available early in the New Year. Stay to complementary tuned! therapies in the 1990s Dr Alex has been to help solve them. This researching this method ultimately led him to of treating depression This book, his first, is due learning acupuncture in conjunction with out December 2019 and in 1998. He has been psychologists from is written for GPs, to help working on the problem Southern Cross University them understand the of depression for the and presented their potential for acupuncture last ten years, since the findings at the World to help relieve anxiety partner of a close friend Congress on Medical and depression, as well as ended his own life as a Acupuncture last chronic pain conditions. result of depression. month. In the pilot He has written a book study, some 93% felt Stick it to Depression that the acupuncture - Another Tool in Your helped them, with Doctor’s Bag, in which he describes how he 40% describing it as a spiritual experience stumbled on a system of acupuncture, which or emotional release. A second, larger he named Transformational Acupuncture, trial will be run next year, with the aim to treat anxiety and depression and then of demonstrating a significant impact describes effects that it has had on the lives on depression. Dr Alex will be seeking of his patients. participants for the trial, and you can register This book, his first, is due out December your interest in being a participant by calling 2019 and is written for GPs, to help them Northside Health on 6652 5322 and leaving understand the potential for acupuncture to your name and contact details. help relieve anxiety and depression, as well He has taught some 30 acupuncturists in as chronic pain conditions. Dr Alex, as he is Transformational Acupuncture in workshops known to his patients, is keen to inform the in Sydney and Melbourne and has plans to medical fraternity, because antidepressant take it internationally.

focusinterview.

We caught up with Cortnie from Coffs Harbour Genesis Gym, one of the biggest gyms on the Coffs Coast. We got the inside scoop on what’s been happening at the gym and how we can get involved!

GENESIS Health and Fitness

i Cortnie; thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us. What’s new at Genesis Coffs Harbour? At Genesis Health and Fitness Coffs Harbour we are currently underway with our transformations renovation to innovate the club. With a complete refit of gym equipment, a dedicated functional training space (think ski-ergs, kettle bells, sled track and battle ropes) and transformed cycle studio, teamed with changes to our group fitness time table, with new programs to the club and addition programs to our small group personal training program Coaching Zone, you will have everything you need to continue on your fitness journey. How will these new upgrades benefits the club and its members? These renovations are sparked by our vision to inspire a world of movement. We are always looking for ways to assist our members, whether beginners or experienced, reach their goals. Having led the trends in removing barriers to exercise with our ease of access, small group personal program Coaching Zone and extensive group fitness timetable, we will have something for everybody - new cardio equipment, new lifting platforms and replacing all strength equipment, as well as a few handpicked pieces no other club has! All new equipment has been extensively researched and we have invested in the best brands on the market, not just the best at marketing. What advice do you have for someone wanting to join a gym?

programs which cater to all fitness and experience If someone is looking to join Genesis Coffs Harbour, come down to the club and talk with levels. They are designed to enable members new one of our membership consultants, who can you to exercise to achieve amazing results, learn new help you set your goals and connect you to the techniques and gain confidence, while progressing right program and trainers to reach your goals and through to more challenging workouts in a fun improve your health and fitness. Genesis has the environment. right vibe to bring the best out in you. Our group fitness timetable is also expanding; a Why choose Genesis Health and Fitness? new program is launching in December with the If you are looking for introduction of BootyHIIT motivation, support or just (a class utilising resistance a great environment to train bands to target the glutes in, Genesis has something for both form and function). for everybody and a fantastic Instructors have also worked Having led the trends in community atmosphere, really hard on our recent removing barriers to exercise you will feel comfortable spring spectacular launch, with our ease of access, and supported every time to which saw all instructors take small group personal enter the club. the stage to run an exciting program Coaching Zone What classes does Genesis and extensive group Saturday morning launch offer; can you give fitness timetable, we will event which consisted of five you the low down on have something for everybody. back to back programs. Coaching Zone? Our in house training roster Coaching Zone is a group is also underway, with our personal training program most recent course giving combined with nutrition staff and the community and support from our passionate trainers. Whether trainers a chance to build their personal qualified you are easing back into fitness or looking to find skills, with boxing training being held in the club. a new zone that challenges you, Coaching Zone Also offering classes to school sports programs provides unlimited 45 minute group personal and a training facility for studying students - we training sessions from beginner to advanced, really are a club for everybody. using MyZone heart rate technology and the With our amazing trainers, coaches and latest techniques, helping you to better your instructors, we have a timetable stocked with performance time and time again. There’s a current amazing classes and sessions for your workout. six week challenge already underway. Thanks Cortnie. Coaching Zone specialises in a series of scalable Coffs Coast focus 75

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

December 2019

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

MAY 22 - JUNE 22

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23

Preparing for a move is likely to be a major influence this month. Words need to be expressed and the longer you procrastinate, the harder it will be to express with honesty. Give yourself permission to speak and communicate from the heart, then these words will not be misunderstood. Sunstone will attract like energies to you.

You have some exciting new influences knocking at your door. All you need to do is open yourself to receiving the best of what life can offer. Avoid compromising your standards, just because you don’t want to miss out. The more you can love yourself at present, the more rewarding your month will be. Carry some calcite for spontaneity.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

JUNE 23 - JULY 23

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

Relationships will prove to be a major influence affecting you this month. Speak honestly and openly to avoid any misunderstandings. Play with your partner more, to help them feel a little more cherished. Aries have such independence and focus on their needs so much, that their actions can easily be interpreted as a noncaring attitude.Rose Quartz is the crystal of love; place some in your environment.

Strength will be your major attribute that you will lean on this month. You will be likely to recognise that there is no challenge too big for you to easily remove from your reality. Your mind will benefit from some interesting information, so keep an eye out for a new book or something to learn about. Lapis Lazuli benefits self-awareness.

You are learning to stand stronger, by looking at all cycles that repeated over and over in your past. You are a different person now, so there is no need to fear the repetition of these things. Simply claim the benefits of being in that situation and give yourself permission to be freed from this pattern. Moldavite is a very powerful crystal for transformation. Try wearing some.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

You are slipping into the habit of taking life too seriously at present, which is waking up fears and self-doubt. Don’t forget how clever you are at getting what you want. It isn’t by chance that you can so easily manifest new things into your reality; you just need to recognise this gift in order to receive your full potential. Larimar will assist with personal nurturing benefiting self-worth.

You may be feeling unsupported and neglected at the moment, as you are always there for others but feel no-one is there for you. Take some precious time out for yourself and do nothing but spoil yourself and focus on all your beautiful qualities with complete contentment. Sunstone will strengthen your leadership and independence.

Set fresh goals in order to make some comfortable decisions soon. You are about to tumble into an experience that you may be completely unaware of; but have no fear, as this feels like an answer to a previous wish or prayer. You will have fun discovering new talent and perhaps new friendship. Cuprite will connect you with a sense of purpose.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

CAPRICORN.

APRIL 21 - MAY 21

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

Changing circumstances will be an important influence this month. You can expect new friends, new learning, even a new outlook at home. You can expect a move or the need to re-arrange things. A speech is coming forward to someone from your past; this will be likely to free some old emotions which may have been playing with your thoughts lately. Turquoise will benefit you if you wear some. 76 Coffs Coast focus

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. Distract yourself from not having it yet, by concentrating on all the wonderful qualities you have. Aventurine is great to carry for changes.

You are likely to be drawn to spiritual influences this month. Playing with new talent and discovering new friends with likeminded attitudes will add a well-deserved break to the monotony of everyday living. You may need to strengthen your energetic protection, as you are vulnerable to other people’s sadness and torment at present. Try wearing some ruby for a few weeks.

You are learning to appreciate the difference between head strength and stubbornness at present. You will be likely to recognise patterns of behaviour from the past, which may surprise you. Avoid self-judgement, as this will only hinder your growth. Instead, thank yourself for these insights and commit to making change. Wear some azurite for self-approval.

FAIRCLOTH FEATURE

FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS 3 5 Y E A R S â€¢ 198 4-2019

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FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS

“WOW, WHERE HAS 35 YEARS GONE! WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FROM OUR STAFF, CUSTOMERS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, MY WONDERFUL FAMILY, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.” - PETER FAIRCLOTH, DIRECTOR. Since commencing business together on 2nd December 1984, our founders Peter Faircloth and David Reynolds have worked closely together to create one of the most successful businesses ever to come out of Coffs Harbour. From those early days on their own in an XA Falcon panel van to having about 200

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employees and a fleet of 120 cars, utes and trucks, the journey exemplifies that of the self-employed Aussie who is prepared to have a go.

in New South Wales and Queensland over the last 35 years. It is all these people who have helped create the wonderful Faircloth Reynolds story.

Together with their wives Hazel and Julie, and supported by their families, Peter and David have created employment and training opportunities for over 500 people

The Faircloth Reynolds head office in Hurley Drive Coffs Harbour is now the focal point of a company that has six depots in New South Wales and Queensland and

which has undertaken refrigeration and air-conditioning work in every Australian state. While the vast majority of our work takes place between Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and the New South Wales/Victoria border, our expertise is still regularly sought in many other Australian locations.

FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS

“WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CUSTOM OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS.”

One of the hallmarks of Faircloth Reynolds’ business success is longterm and ongoing relationships with well-known companies, including the Woolworths group, the Wesfarmers group including Coles, K-Mart and more, Lendlease. F.M. Glenn Constructions, Paynter Dixon and literally hundreds of other small, medium and large enterprises.

We are also indebted to the many hundreds of small businesses and “mum and dad” customers who have entrusted Faircloth Reynolds to look after their refrigeration, air-conditioning and catering equipment needs. We thank you for your support and custom over the past 35 years. We look forward to sharing some of our history, our stories and information about the work we do with you. We also look forward to many more years of providing great service and significant work opportunities in the local Coffs area in which we live and work.

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FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS Coffs Showroom & factory Our showroom and factory in Hurley Drive, Coffs Harbour showcases one of the largest displays of refrigeration, airconditioning and catering equipment between Sydney and Brisbane. Our customers are able to inspect and touch a huge range of premium quality equipment from some of Australia and the worldâ€™s leading manufacturers. Our refrigeration partners include Skope & Bromic, who are continually improving their products and their energy efficiency, to ensure trouble-free operation for our clients. In air-conditioning, we are proud to be distributors for Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, Fujitsu and Panasonic. Having installed and serviced thousands of

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split, ducted and commercial airconditioning packages from the suppliers, we are happy to stand by them and their ongoing reputation for quality products and great aftermarket warranty and service. Brands represented in our catering equipment division include Rational, Brema, Vitamix, Frymaster, Robot Coupe and Moffat. Even more importantly, our highly skilled team of trained service technicians, many of whom completed their apprenticeships at Faircloth Reynolds, ensure that equipment installed by us continues to be serviceable and efficient for many years.

“THE SKILL SET WE HAVE IN THIS TEAM CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME. THE WORK THAT LEAVES THE SHED IS FIRST CLASS” - PAUL LOADER, STAINLESS SHOP SUPERVISOR.

One of the most impressive parts of the Faircloth Reynold set up is the stainless steel and metal fabrication factories operating as part of their Hurley Drive premises. This fully equipped workshop is able to provide a wide range of cutting, shaping, welding and pressing services to construct everything from custommade stainless steel benches and splash backs, round, square and custom sized air-conditioning ducting and attachments and virtually

anything else that can be made from steel. Our highly skilled team of fabricators, welders and apprentices ensure accuracy and quality in every project undertaken. Recent local examples of our work can be seen throughout the C.ex Coffs Harbour International Stadium and both the newly renovated Ribeye and Papadero’s restaurants in the C.ex Group Coffs Harbour.

BOOK

YOUR NEXT FUNCTION, MEETING OR EVENT

KITCHEN DESIGN & FITOUT BY:

CALL (02) 6648 4950 TO ENQUIRE TODAY. Coffs Coast focus 81

FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS apprenticeship & trainee program A vital component of Faircloth Reynolds’ success in Coffs Harbour is its apprenticeship and trainee program. Approximately 250 apprentices have earned their trade while in the employment of Faircloth Reynolds, and between 10 and 15 new apprentices are engaged every single year. Even more pleasing is that many of these apprentices have stayed with the company after completing their trade, and some of them are now in management and other senior roles.

“OUR PASSION FOR HIRING AND TRAINING YOUNG LOCALS CONTINUES TO INCREASE. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMPANY.” DAVE REYNOLDS - DIRECTOR.

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geoff stokes hr/it manager “The Apprenticeship program is essential to keep the business growing. Engaging young people and teaching them a trade enables us to maintain a competent workforce, which is critical during the current skills shortage. Supporting apprentices through the learning process and ultimately seeing them become tradespeople is a very rewarding part of my role.”

“TO GET SKILLED WORK OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN IS JUST AWESOME.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS ON

35 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Proudly Supporting Their Digital Strategy TRAFF1K.COM Coffs Coast focus 83

“Our service team is committed to delivering customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all of our branches. We are focused on improving our customers’ experience through ongoing innovation and development across the diverse range of services we provide.” - Jeff Cuneo, Faircloth Reynolds service manager. After a humble beginning in Coffs Harbour, Faircloth Reynolds now regularly provides its professional services up and down the east coast of Australia, with a large part of its work being undertaken from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to the New South Wales/Victoria border and well inland into both New South Wales and Queensland. To support this expansion, Faircloth Reynolds now has permanent depots/offices set up in each of Brisbane, Ballina, Armidale, Port Macquarie, Sydney and its Coffs Harbour head office. This helps ensure that in each of these locations there are permanent, local staff who develop intrinsic knowledge of our local clients’ business and equipment needs. This coverage also allows Faircloth Reynolds to provide a 24 hour per day, 365 day per year after hours and emergency callout service to all clients in our coverage areas.

Faircloth Reynolds for 35 years of service in the community

12 Hurley Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 PH: 1300 136 306

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FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS

requesting a quote to installation in <7days. Aircon unit works great.” - Jude T “We would like to take this opportunity to commend and thank Faircloth & Reynolds for the amazing job they do. The whole team are extremely knowledgeable and professional and we highly recommend them.” - LJ Hooker Commercial Coffs Harbour “I found Faircloth & Reynolds staff to be very professional, courteous, prompt in their provision of information and responses.” - Graham J

what our clients have to say about us “It started with our air conditioning packing up not long before Christmas, which turned out to require a whole new system installed. It was a positive experience from the first point of contact with Faircloth and Reynolds. “ - Fiona R “Fantastic service, friendly staff, great products, will recommend to family, friends and neighbours.” - Liz C

“Fantastic service! David was competent, knowledgeable and great at communicating with us on our air-conditioning needs, and arrived on time! Highly recommended.” - Rachel R “We experienced wonderful customer service! We were very happy with the timeliness, price and high standard in which the job was completed. We would definitely

use your service again and highly recommend to others. Thank you.” - Barbara E “Brilliant company to deal with, the sales rep was honest and answered all of our questions about the ducted air conditioning. The installation crew were professional and cleaned up after themselves. Pleasurable experience!” - Michael M “Excellent, timely and friendly service. From

“We recently had air-con installed at home thanks to David it was a straightforward and pleasant experience during the quotation and advice process, even though our house design presented difficulties. The installers were equally helpful and professional and we were delighted with the finished product.” - Christine C “After we had tried multiple different companies who all failed to cure longstanding commercial refrigeration issues, the Faircloth team came in and made it look easy. Since then, the problems have not returned. THUMBS UP!” - David C “Outstanding service. On time. Respectful. Tidy. Fantastic crew. Exceptional product.” - Martin W

PERFORMANCE WITHOUT COMPROMISE Flexibility in your line up

Moffat have completely redesigned the Cobra range with one thing in mind - how to provide our customers with the equipment to set their style in their way in any culinary application. Elevate your kitchen presence with the new Cobra series.

To find out more about how you can experience the new Cobra way of cooking, contact Moffat on 1300 268 798 or visit www.moffat.com.au

moffat.com.au

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Faircloth Reynolds in the

MEN’S SHED Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed does an awesome job supporting its members and clients. “Faircloth Reynolds has been very generous with its time and efforts to help in the development of the Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed. Thanks for your ongoing support.” - Ken Ryan, President, Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed. We were happy to again contribute to their recent installation of Daikin Australia air conditioning in their training and meeting rooms.

Airfoil Manufacturing congratulates Faircloth Reynolds on 35 years in business.

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FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS “Thank you to Faircloth Reynolds for your continual sponsorship of Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club over the past 15 years.” - Peter Timothy, Committee, Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club.

The Faircloth Reynolds Cool Room is currently at the RFS headquarters at Coramba cooling drinks and keeping food that has been donated and is being distributed out to all the RFS sheds.

MICHAELA PLEASANCE, EMILY WHITE AND AIMEE CAPARARO OF BCU

c.ex community crew sleep out

“C.EX GROUP IS EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS, WHO DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR OUR BUSINESS AND EVERYBODY ELSE THEY DEAL WITH.” - JOHN RAFFERTY, C.E.O. C.EX GROUP.

rotary club coffs harbour “It is nearly impossible to calculate the amount of time, goods, materials, labour etc. provided to the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour by Faircloth Reynolds. Their contribution to our community work and fundraising is massive. Thank you Peter and David.”- Rob Anderson, Past District Governor and Past President, Rotary.

C.ex Group is a proud client of Faircloth Reynolds and congratulate them on 35 years in business.

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FAIRCLOTH REYNOLDS

innovation and energy efficiency David Reynolds, director of Faircloth Reynolds, went to the AIRAH industry awards in Sydney on Thursday 14 November, 2019. Faircloth Reynolds completed a joint project with Woolworths designing and installing a Co2 based refrigeration project at Woolworths Prestons. The Prestons integrated HVAC&R transcritical CO2 system has broken new ground in terms of the use of CO2 in Australia’s hottest climates. The system was launched in December 2018

and successfully navigated the January 2019 heatwave in Sydney without incident. In early February 2019 a peak of 48°C ambient was recorded on the gas-cooler deck, yet the system – which serves 34kW of frozen produce load, 205kW of chilled produce load, 325kW of space cooling and 154kW of space heating – delivered compliant temperature performance to all connected loads. Significantly, the scope of works, design briefs, specifications, controls platform design, training, rack manufacturing,

installation and commissioning were undertaken by local technology partners. The project is a testament to what is possible and scalable in Australia today. The project was a combined plant using C02 as a refrigerant that runs the refrigeration in the store and also chills and heats water for the air conditioning . It is the first of its kind on the southern hemisphere. The project won the national award for the innovation and energy efficiency of the plant.

National Home Builder of the Year

4 YEARS RUNNING!

G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour. Call 02 6691 3509 or visit 171 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour

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â€œThere has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Faircloth Reynolds team. The opportunities here are amazing, not just in Coffs Harbour but everywhere that we work on the East Coast of Australia.â€? - Kevin Murray, Operations Manager

Happy 35th Birthday to Faircloth Reynolds

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Coffs Coast focus 91

focus_tech

W I T H M AT T O S B O R N E F R O M T E C H A D D I C T S

Tech Head

the

DJI

DRONE I T ’ S S U P E R E A SY TO U S E A N D T H E P E R F E CT C H R I S T M A S G I F T !

The DJI Mavic Mini is extremely safe to fly as it comes equipped with a 360-degree propeller guard that fully protects the propellers and improves flight safety. Thanks to advanced sensors, Mavic Mini can also hover precisely. The DJI Fly app offers a variety of creator templates that generate awesome videos with just a tap. Even beginners with no editing experience can turn any moment into a hit. Whilst the DJI Mavic Mini drone is extremely tiny, its feature set is the complete opposite: •

Ultralight @ 249g total weight

•

30-minute flight time

•

4km HD Video Transmission

•

Vision Sensor + GPS Precise Hover

•

3-Axis Gimbal 2.7K Camera

• Simplified Recording & Editing SOME OF THE AMAZING BENEFITS RECOMMENDED BY DJI: EASY TO FLY AND FAMILY FRIENDLY - DJI certainly has a drone for everyone! One of the main reasons for this is they are really easy to fly. With easy-to-follow flight tutorials built into the DJI fly app flying will be a breeze. With the added benefits of teaching you everything that you need to know from how to ensure the drone sensors are calibrated correctly, auto take off and the return to home function. 92 Coffs Coast focus

junior

grants

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

Beaches Hockey Club

M I N I

he compact yet powerful Mavic Mini is the perfect creative companion, capturing your moments in a way that effortlessly elevates the ordinary. Together with the easy-to-use DJI Fly app, you’ll enjoy a simplified flying experience and a perspective unlike any other.

Macca’s

UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE There is nothing quite like an aerial view! This perspective makes for fantastic photographs that will take your breath away and shine a whole new light on the ordinary things around us. SMOOTH VIDEO FOOTAGE - DJI Drones offer unparalleled smoothness when taking videos as all their drones come with high-performance gimbals. The gimbals have made DJI’s Drones a top choice for movie makers and V-loggers around the world. But, they’re not just for professionals, as many drone users use it to capture precious family moments or stunning footage when they go on holidays. MAKE MONEY - Drones present many money-making opportunities, for example, photography, movie making, mapping, 3d modelling, precision agriculture, advertising real estates, inspecting structures and many more. PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - DJI have a range of additional parts and accessories available to support and enhance your experience like, lens filters, additional batteries, prop guards, spare probs etc and with the peace of mind of the worldwide DJI repair network you will have an ultimate flying experience. DJI CARE REFRESH - KEEPS YOU FLYING A unique comprehensive and reliable service plan that offers two replacement units in one year, allowing you to enjoy your DJI product with greater peace of mind wherever you go! The DJI Mavic Mini is light and extremely portable, fitting in the palm of your hand when folded down and nearly as light as your smartphone. With the added benefit of being a DJI Drone and starting from as little as $599 – It’s the perfect gift idea!

What have been your achievements been so far? Beaches Hockey Club was always a strong senior club, but we didn’t have any junior teams to feed into those. So, we set about creating a junior development structure to ensure the long term viability of the club. We started with a single U9 team in 2014. That grew quickly and in the space of five years, we now have U7s, U9s, U11s, U13s and U16s. Why did you apply for this grant? With the creation and development of multiple junior teams, comes additional costs and responsibilities. For each team that we enter into the competition, we need to make sure that we have a good quality goal-keeping kit (upwards of $600), practice balls, game balls and training equipment. We rely on the fundraising efforts of our members and the support of our sponsors, but it isn’t always enough.

How will this grant benefit you? And how do you plan on using it? As mentioned in the previous question, the goal-keeping kits, training equipment (markers, rope ladders, cones, practice balls, ball cages and so on) are all really expensive. This grant will help to ensure that all of our players across all of our age groups have access to the best quality equipment to help them be successful. What are you hopes and dreams for the future? Beaches Hockey Club hopes to build on our junior numbers and to help develop individual players to be the best that they can be. We currently have two NSW hockey representatives in our junior ranks and representatives in North Coast CHS, North Coast PSSA and NCIS. Who knows; one day there might be a Hockeyroo or Kookaburra that has come through our junior system, and that would be outstanding!

JACK Goodfellow What have been your achievements been so far? Last year and this year I have been selected to play at the NSW PSSA state championships for North Coast for softball in Tamworth and cricket in Wollongong. In addition, this year I am one of two players from North Coast PSSA cricket team selected to attend the cricket development camp in Campbelltown in October, which is a great opportunity to enhance my skills and assist with possible selection in the NSW state team. Why did you apply for this grant? I have applied for this grant to assist with costs associated with travelling to three locations within a month (Tamworth, Campbelltown and Wollongong). My mum tries her hardest to ensure that I am able to have the opportunities available to me to play the sports that I love. How will this grant benefit you? And how do you plan on using it? I will use this grant to assist with transport and accommodation costs to attend all three events. This assistance will

help me greatly towards achieving my dreams and participating in the sports I enjoy and am good at. What are you hopes and dreams for the future? My hopes and dreams for the future are to play cricket for NSW and Australia. Who inspires you the most? Shane Warne. I am a leg spinner and find him someone I look up to who was an amazing wicket taker for Australia and inspires me to follow my dreams.

YOUNG

Scientist AWARD

K-12 Wellbeing NEW BDC

Bishop Druitt College students have had great success in the Young Scientist Awards this year. The STANSW Young Scientist Awards is a major project of the Science Teachers’ Association of New South Wales (STANSW).

HUB.

Wellbeing is a central focus at BDC and is based on ensuring that the physical, emotional and social needs of everyone in the community are met, taking into account individual requirements.

fter consulting with the BDC community to see if a Wellbeing Hub was something that would be of great support and benefit to the students, the decision was made to bring this space to life. BDC’s vision is to create a wellbeing environment through the construction of a brand new K-12 Wellbeing Hub. The Wellbeing Hub will be a one-stop-shop for information and resources on strategies to build and sustain the wellbeing of the whole school community. This new space will support

at-risk students and reduce stigma around mental health issues. The Wellbeing Hub will be supported by our two school counsellors, two chaplains and the K- 12 Director of Student Wellbeing. It will contain five offices, a small group counselling room and a large activity room. The activity room is called The Oasis and will be used by various BDC student groups. Some of these groups are Mindfulness, Goori Group, Breakfast Club, Art for Wellbeing, LQBTQI+, Rock and Water, Human Rights and Environment Groups, to name just a few.

ienna Biggs received a Most Promising award for her study of peripheral vision. She found that people with brown eyes have better peripheral vision than those with blue eyes. Tilly Howard received Second Place in the 7/8 Chemistry category for her work on the water content of shampoo. She determined that over seventy percent of the weight of shampoo is water and asked the question, “Why are we wasting precious resources to transport all of that unnecessary weight?” Bennet Mitchelhill received a Silver Award in the Regional category. He used a device to detect different brain waves while listening to music and found that classical music is not the best music to calm your mind! Jasmin Henson Gallardo investigated

pretreatment of Acacia seeds, to determine which species was most suitable for use in plantation forests and was rewarded with Second Place in the 9/10 Biology category, as well as a Gold Award in the Regional category. And finally, Emma Serisier won First Place in Earth & Environmental Science, a Sponsor Award in the Working Mathematically category, a Silver Award in the Regional category and she has been selected in the Australian team for the International Science and Engineering Fair in USA in 2020. This is the third year in a row that Emma has represented Australia, last year bringing home a Third Place (in the world) in the Animal Sciences category. For more information about the Young Scientist Awards, visit http://www.youngscientist. com.au/

Walk With Us! Apia Steppin Out

Local residents are invited to come along on Wednesday’s at 8:30am to have a try and find out more about joining the group. The walking group meet at the Apia Branch at 4 Park Avenue. There is no need to register prior, just come along for a walk and stay for a chat and complimentary coffee or tea. Heart Foundation Walk Organiser and Apia staff member Merran is encouraging over 50’s to take up walking, no matter what their age or

fitness level. There are many health benefits of regular exercise and is also a great way to socialise and meet new people. “Heart Foundation Walking is fun, free and easy—so why not give it a try. We walk every Wednesday at 8:30am.” Participants of the program receive Heart Foundation Walking newsletters and recognition for their walking (including certificates es and vouchers) after they have reached major walking milestones. Residents are asked to please pop into the Apia Branch at 4 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour to attend or find out more about this new walking group. Alternatively contact us at communityengagement@apia.com.au

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Come and join the Apia Steppin Out walking group and take the steps towards a happier healthier lifestyle. In partnership with the Heart Foundation, Apia run a free local walking group in Coffs Harbour to provide their customers and local over 50’s residents with a fun, free way to become more physically active.

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Business Minds with Sam Wardman of CornerPost Creative

A P P L E R E N E E S E M E N Z A A N D J U S T I N I D D L E S

enee and Justin, welcome to Business Minds … tell us a little about yourself? Just a couple of ageing kids, recently escaped from the big smoke to find some space and freedom in the country. Justin is from Bellingen, so when we sold our café in Darlinghurst, Sydney in May 2018, we naturally made our way up the coast and found this area too good to leave. I’m from San Diego, California, a sweet spot to call home, but each year I go back I am reminded of why I ended up in Australia ten years ago. We’ve got a four year old named Vinnie, who loves his “work home” and is a happy little helper around the shop. You recently opened The Black Apple café at Moonee Marketplace; can you share with us how this came about? We opened a soulful little café called No Mans Land up at Corindi almost immediately after getting up here - just a grassroots operation with Justin on the pans and me on the machine, but the town embraced it and it took off. Locals happily donated produce from their own gardens and gratefully supported every dinner we held. Although we ran into problems with our lease, our year at Corindi showed us how vital a local café can be to a small community, and we’ll always appreciate the friendships forged and memories made up there. We were keen to reopen in the area and were lucky enough to finally stumble across

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the opportunity at Moonee Market. We spent a month working with Luke Hearn Carpentry to achieve some aesthetic edits that would help us lend our vibe to what was previously a slightly sterile space. Luke was an absolute pleasure to be around, a naturally skilled carpenter, and an invaluable source of ideas throughout the project. We scouted Marketplace for furniture and secondhand shops for all the bits and pieces, so there’s definitely a bit of serendipity in how it comes together. Justin made the timber tabletops, which is easily the manliest thing he has ever done. We’re proud of the way it turned out, and we hope our customers feel happy and at home in the shop. What do you strive to achieve with your customer experience? The experience should be cohesive - friendly, comfortable and top quality, but unpretentious and thoroughly real. Our space matches our coffee, which matches our food and the interactions between staff and customers. We cherish wit and banter and the folks who come to the café for a laugh and a catch up, above and beyond that sweet caffeine. We’re happy to accommodate reasonable changes to the menu, so you get what you want. We want people leaving with a smile on their face, feeling that we’ve got something special going on and eager to come back with friends. Share with us why you are so passionate about the hospitality industry? We love that each café takes on a life of

its own far beyond the seed we planted on day one, and that the organism evolves along with the staff, customers and local community. Both Justin and I love the adrenaline of a big “rush”, and the comradery that is built in those crazy, hectic interdependent moments. We appreciate the art of good coffee and the creativity and satisfaction that go hand in hand with wholesome clever food. What marketing activities have you utilised in promoting the new business? We’ve got some following on Instagram and Facebook, so we throw up a post every few days. Aside from that, we really rely on word of mouth, as in every industry. We found out from No Mans Land that Coffs has a buzzing little communicative grapevine and people want good food and coffee. We feel like if we’re doing a good job, people will come. The marketing team for Moonee Market has also been really generous with their support. In your opinion, what do you believe are the pillars to a successful business? Do what you enjoy. Give generously, but know your worth. Learn when to listen to criticism and when to stand your ground - both of those actions deserve respect. Understand every aspect of your business, front and back. It’s way too easy to run a very busy café that doesn’t make any money. The Black Apple is the “new kid on the block” in Moonee. What can we expect to see in the future? Expect perfect coffee and an ever changing menu of locally sourced goodies by day, with

lively dinner and drinks by night. We’ll be serving handpicked Australian wines, local craft beer, live music, and our usual fresh hearty fare on Friday and Saturday nights through the summer. We’ll announce more about the nights soon. Do you have a life motto you live by? Not really, but our mate CJ always says, “Teamwork makes the dream work” and we reckon he’s spot on. The Black Apple is an extension of all the people who help make it happen every day. Our amazing chefs, Scott and Kayley and each of the floor staff who rock up with a smile every morning. Bailey Coffee, for reliably roasting the best drop around. Bellingen Hearthfire Bakery, for incredible artisan sourdough, and each and every one of our producers and suppliers for doing their bit to keep this well-oiled machine running. From the recycled timber art on the walls to the handmade ceramic keep cups, we are truly a group effort and a mirror of our community. We appreciate you all. In your spare time, what are your favourite things to do on the Coffs Coast? We’re beach bums, so any spare time is spent on the sand or in the water with our son and our dogs. We’re stoked to be around such an abundance of trails for hiking and biking and secret spots for fishing and canoeing. We get excited about what’s for dinner around breakfast time, so if we’re not cooking up a big feed at home, we’re supporting the other amazing local businesses in the area. Thanks Renee and Justin.

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Peter Robertson competes in martial arts and has recently been to Japan representing Australia. He has trained and competed side by side with his kids and says it ﬁlls him with pride to be able to do so.

i Peter. Tell us about your personal history here on the Coffs Coast. I moved here seven years ago for my children, as I was moving around a lot with my work and this was having a bad impact on my relationship with the kids. I moved into a house at Moonee Beach with one of my sons. Three weeks later, my daughter came and lived with us. Three months after that, another one of my sons, who was living in Lithgow at the time, came and moved in with us. Within six months of me moving to Coffs, four of my six children were living with me - best move I ever did. Plus on weekends, my youngest son came and stayed. He was living with his mother in Bellingen, so the family was together again. My eldest son was living in Germany with his wife. You have recently gotten back from Japan, where you placed in all styles of martial arts competition. What was the journey like to get to compete in Japan? A lot of hard work. My children were getting jobs that required them to move away; for example, my daughter joined the airforce, giving me more me time. So, I started back training in my martial arts again. Then I started to compete again; finding that I was gaining good results, I put more and more time into

training. Last year I became Queensland State Champion in the open division free-sparring. Then in December, I gained a third place in both the point sparring and free-sparring in the over 35 division. With this, I was invited to represent Australia. What was it like competing on the big stage, and what was the competition like? It is hard to explain. The time and effort you have to put into being ready is all consuming; you become single minded on one thing to represent yourself and country well, because you know that the other competitors would be doing the same thing. The competition was at a world class level. I came home with a third place in the open division point sparring and it made all the hard work worth it - plus, it was fun. Your love for martial arts has been a long one. When did you first start? My father started taking me to boxing classes when I was nine, because I was being bullied at school. He thought this would help me gain the confidence to stand up for myself. This passion has also been passed on to your kids. What was it like doing what you love alongside your children? It gives me great pride. When the family were young, I was teaching martial arts fulltime in Sydney with my own school, Universal Tae Kwon Do of Australia, so of course the kids wanted to learn with Dad. Over a period

IN 2006 THERE WAS A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE GOLD COAST; THREE OF MY BOYS AND I WERE PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. THE PRIDE I HAD BEING WITH THEM LINING UP FOR THE MARCH PAST WAS UNBELIEVABLE.

of about five years, three of my boys were enjoying the sport of martial arts and did quite well at it. One became the Under 14 Australian Champion and another Under 11 State Champion. In 2006 there was a world championship on the Gold Coast; three of my boys and I were part of the Australian team. The pride I had being with them lining up for the march past was unbelievable. How does the martial arts style you compete in differ from what we initially perceive when we think of MMA? Big difference; it is no contact. It is about technique and control. You have to complete your punch or kick with correct technique with a feather touch, and then pull it back without it being blocked. You learn all the skills of the ring fighting, without all the heavy contact of the MMA sport. What has the training taught you not only about the sport, but about yourself? Control of your emotions, i.e. anger, because when you become angry, you lose control, then the fight. Plus, without hard work - there is no icing on the cake. The best thing is that I’m healthy and I have made

many friends worldwide with the sport. You have had some uphill battles on the road to your success. What have they been, and how have you overcome them? Even though the sport is no contact, I have had a broken foot and hand. You learn to accept these situations and move on and keep training around whatever is put in front of you. It is only another challenge. My biggest challenge was when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This to me only became my best motivation tool. I was going to go the alternative method. So, I started my research, and I’m still continuing that. Diet was the most important part of my research; we are what we eat. So with diet, fitness and a positive mind, two and a half years later, my readings are down! What’s next for Peter? Next year I have volunteered to work abroad in Africa. While travelling around the continent of Africa, I also hope to learn the martial arts styles of that great continent. My continued challenge is to always be learning something different and to keep an open mind; plus, be a good role model for my children. Thanks Peter. Coffs Coast focus 95

2020 Limited places in other years

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BUSINESS WOMEN’S N E T W O R K

2019 has been a great year for the BWN, WITH LOTS OF NEW FACES JOINING THE BWN COMMITTEE. WE’VE BEEN SO PLEASED TO HAVE ATTRACTED GREAT SPEAKERS TO OUR EVENTS. It’s been fantastic to see lots of new and returning attendees come along and network with other like-minded businesswomen.

’d like to say a huge thank you to the wonderful community has come together during these trying times women on this year’s committee, who have taken with the bushfires in our area. time out of their busy lives to ensure the BWN The homes around Glenreagh and Nana Glen have continues to be a welcoming and inclusive space for been most affected, and this includes one of our biggest business owners in the Coffs Harbour area. Thanks so supporters this year. Maddie and Barry from Two Tails Wines much to Cass Wilson, Kerry Farmer, Kerstin Thode, Sabina did not hesitate this year to come on board as sponsors of Ramana, Meagan Flannigan, Lace the BWN. Browning and Simone King for your And while it was planned long before dedication this year. You’re all smart, the fires for us to have our Christmas intelligent women whom I’m so glad party out at the beautiful winery, it If you’d be interested in joining to have grown to know over the seems more fitting than ever that we as a the BWN committee and past twelve months. community support the small businesses taking us to bigger and better Want to join the BWN and village of Nana Glen this Christmas places in 2020, now is the committee? season. time for you to get involved. If you’d be interested in joining Join us for the BWN Christmas Our Annual General the BWN committee and taking celebration Meeting is being held at us to bigger and better places in Everyone is welcome at our BWN 6pm, Wednesday 27th 2020, now is the time for you to Christmas Party celebration this year. November at the Coffs get involved. Our Annual General Whether you’ve been to all of our events Harbour Support Services Meeting is being held at 6pm, or this will be your first one, we will boardroom - 14 Scarba Wednesday 27th November at the welcome you with open arms. Street, Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour Support Services Join us at Two Tails Winery for a boardroom - 14 Scarba Street, delicious three-course meal from the Coffs Harbour. There will be a multi-award-winning Velvets Restaurant number of positions available on the on Friday 6th December at 6:30pm. committee, and we’d love to see some fresh faces join the If you haven’t tried the food at Two Tails yet, you are team. in for a treat! Surrounded by the vineyards and the great Community and connection company of welcoming business owners, we’ll have an As we head towards the end of the year and reflect back mouthwatering alternate drop menu to choose from. on the great community and inclusive feel of our events, Head to our Facebook page to purchase your tickets. we can’t help but think about how our wider Coffs Coast Cath X. Coffs Coast focus 97

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focusAbode.

Builder of the Month

CONSTRUCTIONS

Jason and Emma De Groot are a husband and wife team dedicated to building homes - great homes. What drives them is their personal pride in their work, which they understand reﬂects directly on reputation. At JDG Constructions, you deal with decision makers - business owners who take responsibility and can make decisions. FOCUS had a chat with the couple, to ﬁnd out more about their latest projects …

i Jason. JDG Constructions has had a busy year so far; can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to since we last checked in? Coffs is experiencing lots of growth, so it’s a busy time for renovations and new builds, which is great! On the work front, we’re really proud to have been recognised by HIA again last year for our work (though we didn’t come home with the win on this occasion); on the home front we’ve moved from concept to starting our own build - so we both know what it’s like to walk a mile in the shoes of our clients. The latest Coffs Harbour Quarterly Economic Insight Report shows that the Coffs Coast is seeing an increase in dwelling approvals and that Coffs is well above the Regional NSW median dwelling prices - so it’s a good time to add value to your home or invest in a new build here, and we are both passionate about helping local families bring their vision to reality.

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Builder of the Month

CONSTRUCTIONS

What is the history expertise. Our portfolio ranges from behind JDG ConstrucWe are a core team of Hampton-style homes tions? four at JDG - don’t be in Sawtell to traditional JDG began operatfooled though - we are farm-style homes in ing in the local market backed by a truckload of Boambee - we’ve got a in 2010. I knew at an awesome trades and supdepth and range to our early age I wanted to pliers that we couldn’t builds, so it really helps when start my own business function without. we understand what clients are and answer to myself. Lucas has 22 years’ looking for. When it comes to my experience in all facets building projects, some of the building industry, may say I’m a perfecand he has worked on tionist, but this is just everything from large my standard of delivery. I love what I do, and commercial construction to heritage listed full it’s paramount that my clients love coming home renovations. Prior to joining the “JDG home to their piece of paradise that I helped team”, Lucas spent eight years as site superbring to life. visor/head carpenter for a high end builder Tell us about your team and their area of in Bayside, Melbourne, building multi-million

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Builder of the Month

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CONSTRUCTIONS

dollar homes. Needless to say, he is an asset to our team! Riley is a Coffs boy, born and bred. He has spent his entire working career in and around the Coffs Harbour area, so he knows the town and its building industry incredibly well. And there is Emma - who some might say is the real boss. Emma is my wife, and she too has spent her entire life growing up on the beautiful Coffs Coast. What is the process like when a client approaches you about a build or renovation? With every build we aim to make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We like to sit down with our clients and have a good chat about what they are trying

get to a place of comto achieve - understand I have always loved the fort to demonstrate their vision, get a feel for design process, but there that we deliver on our their dreams, seek clarity is nothing better than promises. The building on the non-negotiables, actually constructing process needs to be gain an appreciation for something and getting underpinned by trust, any of their reservations/ positive feedback from so we like to invest concerns, and lastly make clients when they see their quality time establishsure we know what their dreams become a reality. ing the relationship up desired timeframes are. front. Our portfolio ranges We work with clifrom Hampton-style ents at the very start of homes in Sawtell to tratheir journey and conditional farm-style homes in Boambee - we’ve got a depth and range to tinue to foster a good working relationship as they evolve their plans with their designer; our builds, so it really helps when we underthis early engagement is a really good way for stand what clients are looking for. We’ve got us to help support clients navigate the design some examples of our handy work to help

process and helps to build a preliminary quote that is accurate. From here, it’s then about the timeframes and details that are normally firmed up with a preliminary agreement, which facilitates a final quote, contract and then construction begins! What part of the process do you most enjoy and why? For me, it’s the physical building. I have always loved the design process, but there is nothing better than actually constructing something and getting positive feedback from clients when they see their dreams become a reality. What sorts of trends have you been seeing recently in home design?

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focusAbode.

Builder of the Month

CONSTRUCTIONS

Home building and renovation has gone through a similar trend to food (who had heard the term “plating up” before MasterChef?) with some of the reality TV shows that focus on transforming a home - albeit with a massive team of people who work round the clock to meet some tight timeframes. It’s great, because it can help clients get good exposure to so many of the new materials, design options, and inspires them to be bold in their choices. However, it creates expectations that things can be done faster than in the true sense of “reality”, but this is why we pride ourselves on creating an open and honest relationship with our clients. You work alongside many other trades

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and suppliers here on on vision, timeframes First and foremost, you the Coffs Coast and and most importantly, need to trust your builder seem to have a great make sure they are paid - we can be a pretty working relationship on time and treat them good sounding board with many of them; with respect. Because of through this process; why is this important our mutual bond, they without this, you will be to you? always do a good job, second guessing everything Having a core team of and I’m proud they are along the build. four, we know we need part of the JDG Business. our quality standard What are some to be reflected by who common challenges we partner with for our you have to face as a trades and suppliers, so we’re really selective building company? about whom we work with. It’s important to Environmental conditions, such as unexme that we demonstrate quality in our interpected periods of heavy rain are always a actions with them - making sure we are clear challenge - but we navigate around this by

leveraging our experience to set a realistic timeframe with some contingency, so we don’t cause disruption for our trades or create stress for our clients. What advice would you give to people considering building or renovating? Building can be a really stressful time for people, and at JDG we pride ourselves on helping our clients navigate this journey. First and foremost, you need to trust your builder - we can be a pretty good sounding board through this process; without this, you will be second guessing everything along the build. Secondly, you need to have an idea of want you want to achieve and be realistic on what

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fits within your budget. Have a list of non negotiables, but also have a list of things that are less important and that you’re happy to amend if needed along the build. What can people expect from a JDG Constructions home? Quality … and me on the tools. I’m exceptionally proud of my work, and this shows through in the final product. Tell us about some new, exciting projects you are working on now and in the future. Personally, Emma and I are building our dream home on our property at Glenreagh. Like most builders, I know this will be a long project of weekend work, as my clients’ projects always take priority. Maybe check back with me next year to see if we’re in yet.

Outside of this, we life growing up on the are being kept busy with Coffs Coast; is there Secondly, you need to have an three projects on Ocean anywhere better! idea of want you want to Front Drive … For me, our lifestyle achieve and be realistic What are the stand out on what ﬁts within your is unbeatable. I love features or the benefits budget. Have a list of non living on a farm that of working with JDG negotiables, but also have a list keeps me busy, and I Constructions? of things that are less important love spending time at 1. Working with me. Ha and that you’re happy to amend if ha - but all jokes aside, I the beach. Here on the needed along the build. will be there on the tools Coffs Coast, you get from start to finish. the beauty and access 2. Dedicated team of to both. professional perfectionists. Where can we find out more? 3 Attention to detail. You can call us on 0401 042 029, email us What do you enjoy most about living on info@jdgconstructions.com or jump on to our the Coffs Coast? website: www.jdgconstructions.com.au I’ve been lucky enough to spend my entire

Builder of the Month

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a little piece of Mexico...

Our Business Minds feature writer Sam Wardman has been busy globe-trotting the past few months through Central and North America and has brought back some amazing artisanal goods for her brand-new side hustle, The Interior Trail - featuring home décor and gifts made with love from around the globe. For this month only, you can visit her pop up concept store in Woolgoogla to pick up something special for your home, or even Christmas gifts for friends and family.

ow did the concept of The Interior Trail come about? I’ve always had a passion for interior décor since a young age and after completing studies in interior design in early 2018, I felt like it had ignited a little spark in me to do something bigger in this space. I also love retail and anyone who knows me, knows that I live to travel! And so, I decided to combine all my loves together and start The Interior Trail. Now I essentially travel to interesting destinations around the world (whilst working remotely for my marketing agency), talk to locals and source goods that are preferably hand-made using traditional production techniques passed down from generations, and often with a beautiful story to every piece. I buy direct from the makers where possible and in small quantities. I also try to follow the slow design and manufacturing concept, where the focus is on a slower design and production process, thus increasing the quality of the product and allowing the uniqueness and craftsmanship to shine. I spent just over a month in Mexico and was amazed at the handicrafts and culture and fell in love with the country. So, it’s only fitting that the first range is from Mexico. What does the name The Interior Trail 104 Coffs Coast focus

represent? I came up with this name thinking about travelling and that you often have to go off the beaten track to find the good stuff! It also has an undercurrent of Wanderlust in it too - which means to have a strong desire to wander, which is the very essence of who I am! I think (and hope) that it will become a brand that people go to for affordable and unique décor and gifts they may not have seen in Australia before. I also hope that people trust that what we source is really made with love and that every piece has a story. Tell us a little about what people can find at the pop up store? There’s a lovely mix of home décor, artwork and gifts. Including beautiful cushions, throws, hand painted ceramics, hand embroidered bed runners, purses & bags, plus, table runners from Belize in the Caribbean. There are colourful hand dyed, woven hammocks in single and double size. Bright braided and leather dog leads, which I’ve never seen in Aus before and will have any pooch looking sharp. There are some stunning hand painted artworks telling ancient Mayan and Aztec stories, as well as beautiful illustrations by a Canadian illustrator, Jaimie Dolan, including a couple of exclusive Mexican inspired artworks, and a handful of Mexican Huarache

I SPENT JUST OVER A MONTH IN MEXICO AND WAS AMAZED AT THE HANDICRAFTS AND CULTURE, AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE COUNTRY. SO, IT’S ONLY FITTING THAT THE FIRST RANGE IS FROM MEXICO.

leather shoes. There are also some lovely Australian sourced hand made goods, including ElleGrove earrings, Emerald Beach candles, Essentiallee Pure lip balms, Mimosa Botanical bath soaks and more. We’ll also do gift wrapping for Christmas too. Share with us one of the piece’s stories … I just love the story of Gloria, who hand makes and dyes traditional Mexican cotton hammocks. She has been handweaving hammocks since she was a little girl, and the traditional Mayan technique of hammock weaving has been passed down through three generations and now to her. Gloria and her son, George are both advocates for the slow design and making movement, not compromising on quality or craftsmanship and are really proud of their craft. I just love the bright colours and quality, and I can’t wait for customers to come and take a look and maybe even choose to take one home for summer. Where will the store be located? The pop up concept store will be located in the Woolgoogla Marketplace arcade, where the Sunset Room and Sea Salt are also, at 1/4 Market Street. We’ll be open from Thursday 5th December through until the

end of December. Open Thursday and Fridays 12 - 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm. Come in and say hi! Why do you love interior design and decoration so much? I think it actually came from my mum! She always made an effort decorating our rooms as children and loved to shop! Her side of the family are quite artistic, so I have never been too far away from the paint brush or making something with my hands. I’ve always been quietly obsessed with all things interiors. And as I have gotten older, I have really become to appreciate the effort and skill it takes to design and decorate a beautiful home in your own unique style. Often the strongest memories people take away from a home are the unique pieces of décor or artworks they see. I guess this is where the concept for The Interior Trail came from. What’s in store for The Interior Trail in 2020? Well, the next step is launching the online store in 2020. I’m looking forward to bringing back goods from more destinations next year, perhaps Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hawaii and even sourcing more home-grown beauties. Stay tuned for more at www.theinteriortrail.com.au

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Mickey Mouse Plumbing You’ve done your fair share of bathrooms now; what is one of the most satisfying parts about what you do? The end result by far. When clients walk into their finished bathroom and see the end result, it’s the best part of the entire process. Renovating can be really daunting for home owners, and we strive to complete bathrooms as quick and stress free as possible. You’re quickly becoming the “go to” for bathroom renovations on the Coffs Coast. What areas do you specialise in? I specialise in luxury bathroom renovations. I love putting new ideas together with clients and trying things that we haven’t yet seen in previous renovations on the Coffs Coast. I am very meticulous with my planning and finishes. I believe my passion for the job is what helps deliver quality bathrooms for my clients. Time and time again, I am fixing bathrooms that have failed due to corners being cut for a cheaper price. I am very proud of the fact that I use quality products that I know will last, and the tradies who work alongside me are the best in

their respective areas. I think that is what really sets Mickey Mouse apart. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I have big goals for the future. My plan is to remain with complete bathroom renovations, getting bigger and better as we go along. I would love for my business to be well known for the quality we provide, the designs and finishes, that it becomes more of a brand rather than a company that offers bathroom renovations. My dream for the future would be that a Mickey Mouse bathroom would be a recognised buying point for homes across the Coffs Coast. A little birdy told us you have something big coming up; can you let us in on the secret? Yes! I have teamed up with two local businesses for an exciting giveaway. The giveaway allows the lucky winner the opportunity to get started on their dream bathroom renovation with a $1,000 voucher at Reece Bathrooms AND a $1,000 voucher at Beaumont Tiles. All you need to do is enter the draw on social media! Vanity by Pieces of Saph. Concrete top buy Luxcrete.

Coffs Coast Rendering How did you get started in business? Since completing my trade, forming my business here in Coffs Harbour was too easy with the amount of upcoming growth in the area, as well as being supported by friends and family, and being perfectly positioned on the coast line. What’s so impressive about this particular bathroom? This bathroom is particularly impressive, as it features the use of Giorgio Graesan products, which hadn’t quite reached Coffs Harbour until now. It’s a unique product, with inspiration drawn to the customer from a recent Block episode. This then left us the great opportunity to put together a sensational bathroom with the help of some amazing local trades. Is this a trend we can expect to see in the future? Giorgio Graesan products have been trending throughout the major cities for years now. Being such a versatile feature product, I can definitely see a massive future for it here on the Coffs Coast. Being able to work individually with designers and customers to create one of a kind feature walls and bathrooms means endless

and unique results that will never tire. Similar lime based products have been used throughout other countries for centuries, with it only just starting to filter through Australia within the last decade or so, and with its high popularity, I can predict it will trend well into the future. Can this be used to modernise existing bathrooms? One hundred per cent. These Giorgio Graesan products are able to be applied over existing tiles and painted plasterboard, which makes it the perfect cost effective choice when coming to bathroom renovations, being able to create seamless walls throughout your new or exciting bathrooms, while making grout lines a thing of the past. Where can you see your business going in the future? I’ve been aware of these amazing products for years now, but only now I feel Coffs Harbour is allowing me to push my business in the Venetian plaster direction - which is seeming to show a very promising and exciting future ahead, while allowing me to work alongside some amazing and creative people along the way here on the Coffs Coast.

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Blue Ribbon Homes Blue Ribbon Homes is a locally owned company that has been building homes on the Mid North Coast and surrounds for over 30 years. We are proud to boast a reputation of honest and reliable service to our clients, built with hard work and dedication. Design Flexibility At Blue Ribbon Homes we pride ourselves on offering our clients unique custom designed homes that will cost you no more than building from our extensive range of standard floor plans. You may already have some plans drawn up, or maybe even just a sketch; either way, we are more than happy to quote on your plans and help develop your ideas. Free Site Inspection We can arrange a free pre-purchase site inspection of your land, providing you with the right advice to help with your land purchasing and building options. After discussing the requirements of your new home, we will develop your unique concept

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plan. You’ll then be provided with a full and comprehensive itemised quote, you’ll see exactly what we have included in the price, which means there’ll be absolutely no hidden extras.

AMANDA LANGLANDS FROM LANGLANDS PROPERTY

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Challenging Site? No worries! Challenging sites are our speciality. We can achieve the desired outcome for our clients at an affordable price. If it fits your land, lifestyle and budget, rest assured, we can build it for you. Stress Free Building Some people consider building a new home to be stressful, but at Blue Ribbon Homes we make it easy and enjoyable, as it should be! Our experience and skills will give you the confidence to know you’re in great hands, leaving you free to enjoy the exciting experience of building your new home. At Blue Ribbon Homes we can make your dream home a reality! Call us today for a chat on (02) 6651 8144.

As they say, the only constant is change - and this is certainly true in real estate. While real estate trends tend to evolve more slowly than those affecting fashion or food, when they do, they tend to have significant impact on how buyers view properties which is why sustainability is now such a VALUE-ADD inclusion in any property.

hat are the four trends set to influence real estate in Australia: 1 TOUGHER, MORE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN We are seeing a trend towards the use of more environmentally friendly and renewable materials. Australians are becoming more aware of the scarcity of resources and the effects of climate change. The push for sustainable building practices, the popularity of products made from renewable resources and the use of natural, ecologically friendly material will continue to change the real estate industry. Sustainability is also set to influence the generation of power. Solar and wind power will start to become the norm, rather than the exception, and a push away from electricity draining inclusions such as electricity hotwater units. Not only will we see more existing homes with solar and solar hotwater, but other technologies will become standard too. Examples of an architectural approach which focuses on sustainability are already cropping up across Australia. Eco-friendly passive homes blend environmental sustainability with contemporary luxury, showcasing how natural materials are increasingly being used in interior design. Australians can look forward to a trend that sees more natural and sustainable materials being used in properties in urban areas. You may find that the trend towards sustainable design will allow sellers to charge a premium for their properties and that buyer demand for authentic Australian designs and interiors will continue to grow. The move towards solar and other alternative electricity-generation

systems will be seen as adding value to homes by reducing costs. 2 AFFORDABILITY With property prices skyrocketing, buyers are demanding homes that boast the best quality materials, despite many having a limited budget. This has led to the development of materials with a luxury look and feel, but costing far less. A good example is the use of natural stone. This option is expensive and adds significantly to construction costs - but alternatives such as stone veneers are becoming increasingly popular. Affordable quality is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. These cheaper options are making it more affordable for buyers to take on renovation projects. 3 WATER-SAVING MEASURES AND APPLIANCES With the effects of El Niño and climate change becoming more pronounced, it seems likely that the country will continue to experience periodic dry conditions, making water conservation an ever-present worry for those purchasing property. Water efficient water systems in the home and rainwater tanks are becoming more popular with home owners. A trend is also being seen for smaller swimming pools, which take less water to fill. 4 RECLAIMED BUILDING PRODUCTS For most homeowners, there’s no substitute for authenticity. It is all very well and good for the introduction of modern materials that are durable and light on the pocket, but many still crave the real thing. Recycled timber flooring and “retro” materials for many buyers is a way to bring a piece of history into their homes, while providing an opportunity to express their individual style and taste.

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Discover a place to be yourself The feeling of home isn’t just memories of what was once there. It’s a haven of freedom – where you can live on your own schedule, how you want. At Freedom Care Communities, you can decorate your home and make it your own, while being part of a close-knit community. Cook in your own kitchen, have the grandkids stay over, and live with your partner, pet or even on your own. Come and see how Freedom Coffs Harbour can be right for you.

BOOK A TOUR TODAY Freedom Coffs Harbour, 92 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour Call (02) 6690 2100 or visit FreedomCareCommunities.com.au

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