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121 FEBRUARY 2021
ZOE C O R F E
2 COFFS COAST
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Fresh SE A S O NA L and
C U I S I N E
V E LV E T S O N J E T T Y, C O F F S C OA S T FRESHEST SEAFOOD DINING EXPERIENCE.
Enjoy the very best in local produce alongside our award winning wines and decadent cocktail menu all in a relaxed coastal setting.
OPENING HOURS
Mon – Tue – Closed Wed – Fri – 6pm til 9pm Sat – Sun – 8am til 2.30 & 6pm til 9.30pm GROUP BOOKINGS & FUNCTION PACKAGES AVAILABLE
02 6652 1957
348A HARBOUR DR, COFFS HARBOUR
W W W.V E LV E T S O N J E T T Y.C O M . AU
O sm ke p o r t m a c q ua r i e / W e s t p o r t pa r k
13th February 2021
houSe bands barbecue +
featuring
ASH GRUNWALD BRAD COX CHRIS ROSE + PAM HATA
G A /A D U LT
pitmasters
$65
ANDREW donn PATTERSON ADAM ROBERTS ROBERT THRAVES
G A /A D U LT + barbecue ported by proudly sup
$105
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+BF
includes 3 barbecue plates. Best value!
d tickets very limite event covid safe
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+BF
tickets at www.liveatthesmokehouse.com.au
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www.silviositaliano.com.au COFFS COAST
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Provider #PR-40000780
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Woolgoolga, North Boambee, Coffs Harbour, Emerald Beach & Grafton � � � � � � �
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Book a centre tour or enrol today on 1300 956 200 and discover the ohana difference
www.ohanaelc.com.au
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Provider #PR-40000780
South Grafton
Enrolments open across all centres Call 1300 956 200 to book a tour
NEW! Woolgoolga Early Learning Centre 1854 Solitary Islands Way Woolgoolga
Emerald Beach
Scarba Street North Boambee
COFFS HARBOUR
North Boambee � Coffs Harbour � Emerald Beach � NEW Woolgoolga � Grafton COFFS COAST
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PORTSEA SOFA PRIME LEATHER $1999 2.5 seater $2499 3 seater duo
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www.beattiesfurniture.com.au
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Welcome to the FEBRUARY EDITION.
his month we present to you our 2021 Coffs Coast Wedding Showcase which will be sought after by local couples to be the essential wedding planning tool. February, the month of love and eight months out from the traditional commencement of Wedding season, means this is a timely feature for the Wedding industry to showcase what they have to offer future couples. We caught up with some of our favourite local suppliers. Nostalgia often brings back beautiful memories of childhood and this is certainly the case for our cover model Zoe Corfe. After many years away gaining experience in the floristry world, Zoe has returned to her hometown and created a business that reflects the passion within. Dusty Road Blooms has successfully opened its doors allowing others into its world. Declaring your love for your partner is one of the most important moments of your life. Married by Sam has been successfully marrying couples for
the past 10 years and with her contagious, loving Women in Business - Next Month personality, Sam Dawson is dedicated to creating Our special Women in Business edition allows the envisioned day, one happy ever after. local leaders, managers, and workers to step out Inside this edition in front of their brand, Some of you may know and celebrate the amazing there’s a new gym in work they do within NOSTALGIA town; World Gym. But their business. It's the OFTEN BRINGS many wouldn’t know the perfect combination of an remarkable story behind BACK BEAUTIFUL advertisement to connect Mitch Joyce, who is MEMORIES OF the brand and imagery, responsible for opening CHILDHOOD AND with a Q& A interview the new workout space. THIS IS CERTAINLY and photo to allow locals Rage Music is a one stop THE CASE FOR OUR to get to know you. It's shop for anything local the perfect combination COVER MODEL ZOE musicians and music of an advertisement’s and CORFE. lovers may need. Benny interviews. If you would Ainsley, an enthusiastic like to be part of this and accomplished feature or know someone musician himself, opened up the new store in who has a great business story, please email Coffs recently and has created a dynamic and nicole@focusmag.com.au or sam@focusmag. vibrant space, so we sat down to ask him all about it. com.au
focus COFFS COAST
Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. ADDRESS 3/57 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour POSTAL PO Box 286, Coffs Harbour PHONE 02 6650 9343 WEB www.focusmag.com.au IG focus.mag E info@focusmag.com.au
contacts. SALES MANAGER Louise Beaumont louise@focusmag.com.au EDITION COORDINATOR / ADVERTISING SALES Nicci Seccombe nicole@focusmag.com.au ADVERTISING SALES Sam Dawson sam@focusmag.com.au ART DIRECTOR Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au SENIOR DESIGNER Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joey Dable joey@focusmag.com.au COPY EDITOR Sue Chamberlain info@focusmag.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY/EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Gavin Moroney gavin.moroney@austcommunitymedia.com.au CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR James Dawson james@focusmag.com.au
Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Articles marked as ‘Interview or Contributor’ are non-sponsored content. Coffs Coast Focus is published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2020 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved. FOCUS is printed by Australian Community Media Print & Logistics North Richmond. Our paper is FFC and PEFC certified and meets with ISO14001 accreditation.
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Issue 121 - February 2021 INTERVIEWS
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MICHELE STRAZZARI
ZOE CORFE
If you love getting amongst nature, meeting new people and are up for a quick dopamine hit, Coffs Harbour MTB offers up the goods in picturesque surrounds.
After many years away gaining experience in the floristry world, Zoe has returned to her hometown and created a business that reflects the passion within.
NICOLA BODLE
Knowing thyself takes many years and for wedding photographer Nicola Bodle, understanding herself and her values was essential for her business to blossom.
S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
OUR CONTRIBUTORS 24. Look Good Feel Good - Carole Beros 26. Talking Destination - Fiona Barden 40. State of Play - Gurmesh Singh 68. Pflag - Sam Dawson 72. Fitness Update - Duncan Marchant 86. Education Update - Nick Johnstone CONTRIBUTOR OF
97. Business Minds - Lindsay Russell & Heidi Figenschau
THE MONTH
98. Women in Business - Cath Fowler
DUNCAN MARCHANT
118. Real Estate Update - Chris Hines
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Every month you'll find the latest news, reviews and interviews from these locals.
t i ti t Follow us on
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www.facebook.com/coffscoastFocus
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Valentine's D SUNDAY 1
4 FEB
ay
Spoil
THE ONE YOU
LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
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Matthew Gilligan 4 pages
Matt
Creativity runs deep in Ma Gilligan. Starting out as a chef, Ma enjoyed the visual delights of his creations but felt there was something missing. A er picking up a camera whilst working at the beautiful Norfolk Island, Ma decided to dive headfirst into the world of photography, soaking up as much knowledge as possible. Now, Ma enjoys immersing himself in the natural world, capturing life as it is, and sharing his craÂ? with others throughout NSW.
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P H O T O G R A P H E R
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i Matt. You're a longtime local of Port Macquarie and grew up in and around the Mid North Coast. For those that don't know you, please introduce yourself. My name is Matt Gilligan and I'm a 33-year-old professional photographer and educator. Port is home for me and what a great place to live. I love the diversity we have in our region so it makes it hard to see myself anywhere else. You can often find me out surfing or shooting many of the great locations to be found in our amazing region. You started out your professional career as a chef, but felt something was missing. You decide to get creative, picking up a camera. What was the main drive behind this change and what was it that had you hooked? I had recently been on a trip to Norfolk Island where I was helping run a kitchen for a month, when I met some local lads and one of them was shooting a little Sony set up and I had a muck around and I was hooked. Once I came home, I went down
to the local camera I was literally store and picked up trying to learn the same model and it all, which in fact never looked back. helped me to get The rest just fell into where I am, as I learn it all from being place. I guess with forced myself to really in the water shooting photography it really surfers, or being in a push and learn the helps me be at ease restaurant shooting core fundamentals of and it allows me to be food and content for several genres. out appreciating the editorials. I was literally small things that can trying to learn it all, often go unnoticed. which in fact helped In those early days, what was it that me to get where I am, as I forced myself to you were capturing? really push and learn the core fundamentals EVERYTHING, ha ha I mean that. I met a of several genres. few guys at the beginning of my journey >>> and I learnt lots from them. I wanted to COFFS COAST
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As a self-taught photographer, how have you developed your skills over time, and what would you say has been your biggest learning curve/challenge? I listened and paid lots of attention to people who were willing to part with their knowledge but I also questioned lots of things too, which forced me to deep dive into certain aspects of the trade and that helped me to develop my style. As a creative you are in the eyes of many and some people love what you do and others may not – dealing with critique both positive and unfortunately negative can be extremely tough. Trust and believe in what you're doing as the creative and enjoy the journey that this craft can give you. You have travelled to some amazing 16 COFFS COAST
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My personal stuff, which is surf and lifestyle based, is definitely very free as it allows me to immerse myself in my surroundings and let it all happen naturally.
destinations taking beautiful shots. What are some memorable experiences? All of it. I don’t have any recent travel stories as the year of COVID messed up my travel plans. But if I reflect on times past, I would say the UK was really amazing. I spent a month in Scotland and just embraced the cold and hiked and lost myself most days, and it was truly an amazing experience and so many great memories from that trip. Sony Australia approached you to come on board as an advocate. This involves
photography workshops and training all over NSW. What is involved in this and how does it fit into your life? Verging on two years I have been representing Sony Australia as a digital imaging advocate here in NSW. I have been extremely grateful to have this opportunity to share this with other keen photographers. I host and run workshops for several aspects of photography in Australia and internationally – in Coffs Harbour on 27th February.
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My role as such is to help photographers along their journey with workshops that are based on learning I do custom skills to better their orders for understanding of their everything. People job at hand. camera, and to give have the option to My personal stuff them skills needed to message me and say that I do, which is surf progress. For example, “Hey I love that and I and lifestyle based, is our 2021 New Zealand can get it printed and defi nitely very free as winter workshop is framed?” in any it just allows me to seven days in the custom size to suit immerse myself in my mountains where we surroundings and let it all their needs. will focus on creative happen naturally. aspects of landscape We also have the and adventure opportunity to collect photography where we teach and put guests some of your beautiful images and into incredible locations. purchase your work. You shoot a mix of content from lifestyle I do custom orders for everything. People to commercial. What do you enjoy most have the option to message me and say from this diversity and do you have a soft “Hey I love that and I can get it printed and spot for a particular subject? framed?” in any custom size to suit their I love being out with my camera and needs. I also sell digital copies so if you ask me just letting it all happen in front of me. for a fi le I send an invoice and you have the There is definitely a degree of pressure with rights to a one-off print. any commercial project as you need to be What advice would you share to anyone incredibly focused and concentrating on the
considering a career in photography? Do your research before you put yourself out there. Photography isn't just snapping photos! There is so much to it. By putting yourself out there too early without the sufficient knowledge, you run the risk of unhappy clients and damaging your brand. Photography is a time for me to be at peace when I'm doing my thing. Try to find that with your camera and the rest will fall into place as it's meant to. Thanks Matt.
Follow Matt's work or find out about upcoming workshops here: Insta @mattgilliganphoto Workshops scene.sonyanz.com/our-hosts/matthew-gilligan Website matthewgilliganphoto.com Coffs Harbour workshop 27th February COFFS COAST
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What's LOCAL FACES
F E B R U A R Y
2 0 2 1
The next BIG group show is just around the corner. LOCAL FACES is a diverse exhibition of portraits by local artists, featuring local people from the Mid North Coast of NSW. Perfect timing while you’re checking out the National Archibald Prize at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, why not see what the locals are doing too! When 5th February Where Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery
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VALENTINE’S DAY
Spoil your loved one this Valentine's Day at Velvets on Jetty. Book a Table for Two. When 14th February Where Velvets on Jetty Bookings 6652 1957 18 COFFS COAST
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FLICKERFEST
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Celebrating 30 years, FLiCKERFEST is Australia’s leading Academy® Award accredited and BAFTA-recognised Short Film Festival, and the country’s largest Australian and International short film competition, screening the best of shorts from Australia and around the world, hand-picked from 3,500 entries. When Fri 19 & Sat 20 Jan Time 7.30pm Where Jetty Theatre Tickets One screening: All tix $22, One screening: Members $20, Buy both screenings: $36
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LIVE AT THE SMOKEHOUSE
JON STEVENS
Live at the Smokehouse goes over 4 hours and features live bands on stage, with some of Australia's best pitmasters cooking ’low and slow’ style barbecue. Featuring Ash Grunwald and Brad Cox! The + Barbecue ticket will include three tickets, which you can redeem with each pitmaster giving you three barbecue platters over the event. When 15th February Where Westport Park, Port Macquarie Time 5pm until 9pm Tickets www.liveatthesmokehouse.com.au
The Noiseworks and INXS collection tour The Tour brings hits Take Me Back, New Sensation, Touch, Don't Change, Hot Chilli Woman, Never Tear Us Apart, No Lies and more. This show is an assault of the senses, with nothing but relentless hits! A visceral charge of emotion that will transport you back to 1987 and beyond including the INXS songs that were such a huge part of the soundtrack of our lives. When 26th February Tickets $45 + BF Where Moonee Beach Tavern
(Opp. The Sneaker Lounge)
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focus_interview
If you love ge ing amongst nature, meeting new people and are up for a quick dopamine hit, mountain biking's for you. Coffs Harbour MTB offers up the goods in picturesque surrounds for those who seek adventure and we caught up with President Michele Strazzari to get the lowdown on hi ing the tracks.
MTB C O F F S
H A R B O U R
is an addictive fun activity because of the feeling of freedom that it gives you. Especially since COVID-19 lockdown, many people have found that mountain bike riding has been a great way to not only exercise I think that and enjoy themselves, but mountain to blow off some steam, MICHELE STRAZZARI get outdoors and socialise biking is an with other similar minded addictive fun people. activity because There's a fair few trails of the feeling of i Michele. Coffs Harbour for around 8 years. for people to get out freedom that it MTB Club is our region’s Historically our club and explore. What's gives you. outdoor playground. has been involved in on offer and what Introduce yourself to local and network experience is needed? our readers and tell us racing events and Since 2009, the Coffs about the club and your social rides for more Harbour Mountain Bike role. than 10 years. Club has rented a portion of the Pine Creek Hi, my name is Michele Strazzari and I The sport’s gone gangbusters over the Forest from the Forestry Corporation of NSW. have been the president of the Coffs Harbour past decade. What is it about mountain This occupational permit allows club members Mountain Bike Club for only the past few biking that's so addictive? to build and maintain a wide network of trails months but have been riding mountain bikes Personally, I think that mountain biking of different disciplines and difficulties that are
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enjoyed by up to 1,000 riders each month. competitions are run throughout the The network is subdivided into the familyyear? friendly Cows with Guns cross country Our club strives to be inclusive by holding network of trails and the Sawmill Mountain events for different skill levels and different Bike Park that is designed for intermediate racing disciplines. Cross country races riders and adrenaline seekers, because of the challenge riders’ fitness and are ideal for the rapid descents, jumps and flowing berms. uphill pedal enthusiasts, Enduro style racing We are also blessed provides for fast downhill in having multiple speeds and a friendly-fun neighbouring format, while pair races Connect with mountain bike and social rides connect your local clubs and their trail people in the community. mountain bike networks, such Skill sessions provide club as they can as Jack Ridges for opportunities for riders of guide you to local the Nambucca all levels to develop and trails. Also, riding Club and Mount improve their riding skills. with others can Coramba for the What's involved in Woolgoolga Club. the maintenance, help improve Give us a few development and upkeep your skills! Mountain Biking of the park and its tracks? tips that all We host numerous beginners should know. organised working bees, and the trail Do not be shy and connect with your maintenance crew work tirelessly throughout local mountain bike club as they can guide the year to maintain and build new trails, you to local trails and point you in the right improve drainage and install information and direction. Also, riding with others who have safety signage. A lot of work goes on behind different experience and skill levels can help the scenes by the mountain bike committee improve your skills! and Forestry officers during the approval For those that love to compete and process before a new trail can be built, but take their sport to the next level, what the end product is worth all the time and
effort. Our members continue to give positive feedback about these ongoing upgrades and network. The club is run by volunteers and is completely self-funded. We continue to look for funding opportunities to further develop the trail network and to assist in paying for the Forestry’s Occupational Permit, ensuring that we can keep providing this beautiful trail network that sits on Gumbaynggirr Country. For anyone that would like to come and try out the sport, how can they get in touch? Our Facebook page is utilised frequently, informing our members on weather and track conditions, maintenance work and working bee activities that members can help us out with, skill sessions, social rides and racing events. We also have a website that is currently being updated and will soon sit within the Coffs Harbour Cycle Club website, which the mountain bike club is a part of. Thanks Michele. COFFS COAST
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Darren
D
COGGAN
ark eyes, a winning voice and songs the whole world sang along to; Moonshadow, Wild World, Peace Train, Where Do the Children Play, Father & Son, Morning Has Broken, they have become bookmarks in our lives, deeply personal, as if they were written especially for us. If you were one of the many fortunate audience members to secure tickets for the sold out performances of Darren Coggan’s critically acclaimed productions Peace Train The Cat Stevens Story, Fire & Rain The James Taylor Songbook and Like A Rhinestone Cowboy The Best Of Glen Campbell at Coffs Harbours’ Jetty Theatre in recent years, then you will not want to miss Darren’s latest uplifting production, Remember The Days Of Cat Stevens, at The Jetty Theatre, Saturday March 13 at 8pm. Re-live the voice of a generation, in a celebration of one of the most inspiring and prolific singer songwriters of our time, sung with remarkable authenticity by one of Australia’s most exciting artists, Darren Coggan.
REMEMBER THE DAYS OF CAT STEVENS? The name brings back a thousand memories... “I’ve had some incredible experiences performing at The Jetty Theatre in Coffs Harbour, it truly is one of my favourite theatres in Australia. The standing ovations and warm hospitality that we received with our previous performances were incredible, so I can’t wait to hear everyone singing along to the timeless songs of Cat Stevens, it is going to be a magical concert.” Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse artists, a masterful storyteller with a knack of weaving fascinating and perceptive tales through his songs. Darren has spent the past ten years inspiring audiences with his uncanny re-creation of Cat Stevens timeless catalogue of hits, in the most prestigious theatres across Australia, including The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and most recently playing to standing ovations in concert halls throughout the United Kingdom. “I had the privilege of being invited to London to meet with the great Cat Stevens in 2007. I heard first hand some of the many anecdotes
and stories that I have enjoyed sharing with our audiences in ‘Peace Train’. In this new production, I want our audiences to experience what it might have been like to hear Cat Stevens at the height of his career, a cosmic concert experience of Cat Stevens’ generation defining, biggest hits.” Get on board the Peace Train and ‘Remember The Days of Cat Stevens’ as Darren Coggan traces the path of a man who never stopped wondering about how to make the world a better place. Tickets are on sale now at The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour, www.jettytheatre.com or phone 6648 4930. www.darrencoggan.com
FROM THE STAR OF PEACE TRAIN THE CAT STEVENS STORY
GREATEST
CONCERHTITS
OF CAT STEVENS
STARRING DARREN COGGAN
“Coggan sounds amazingly like Stevens” The Daily Telegraph
JETTY THEATRE, COFFS HARBOUR
SATURDAY MARCH 13 jettytheatre.com ph: 6648 4930
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“Friendl y from the advice fa you kno ces w...”
NOW OPEN
www.parkbeachhomebase.com.au PACIFIC HIGHWAY, COFFS HARBOUR NORTH
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focus_contributor.
Look Good FEEL GOOD with CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS
Learning to Love the way you look… Body image is all about your perception of the aesthetics or a ractiveness of your own body. It involves the way you view yourself compared to the standards that have been set by society or even in the way you have been programmed by your upbringing.
N
ow coming from me that sounds slightly hypocritical! I am involved with Fashions on the Field Competitions at various Racing Clubs, the media, photographic shoots and the Fashion Industry. My business stages Fashion Shows and I have a fabulous shoot with a pretty model in this very magazine… Now this is where you stop here and think about what you are thinking whilst reading this? Are you already thinking you have to lose your COVID hibernation bulge or is it the case of you always beating yourself up about everything, not just your weight? There are four aspects of body image: *The way you see yourself (Perceptual) *The way you feel about the way you look (Affective) *The thoughts and beliefs you feel about your body (Cognitive) *The things you do in relation to the way you look (Behavioral) Try not to hide away from what you are feeling, try to address what bothers you most. If the gym seems like a too hard venture, start a walking club. Even if it’s not to lose weight... do it to get fit...heck I definitely need that!! If it all gets too much go and talk to someone. In these times everything can become more overwhelming! I am not saying to go out and 24 COFFS COAST
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spend all your money but do treat yourself, get a massage, get your hair styled or go and get your make up done…anything that makes you feel better. Concentrate on the good bits...we all have the good bits. I used to have great legs (eye roll) but my ass isn’t huge. You know the regular jokey thing when one partner says to the other…does my a** look big in this? Ha ha well my girlfriend has got a bigger derriere but boy has she got amazing legs!… concentrate on the good bits and work on the others! In relation to being size and age friendly… Lucky for us in this instance, we are one of the good guys… I stock clothes for sizes from 8 to 22 and every single Fashion Show I have ever staged has ladies and guys of all sizes, shapes and ages strutting down that catwalk! I never allow the words like FAT, SKINNY or OLD to be used in the store…it’s like swearing! But this is not about me, it’s about you… There are stores that only stock small, don’t go in them and depress yourself. Work out which stores cater for your size or look or maybe shop online (I never thought I would say that!). Don’t hover on the fact that you’re not a size 8! Speaking from someone with experience that owns a boutique… Here is the hot tip. There aren’t many size 8’s around! Get in your wardrobe...give those impossible sized clothes to the second hand store. These are the garments (I’m also guilty of this) that we hoard
and imagine we will be 20 and size 8 again ha ha! The fact is, some will be always small framed and that is their body size. Be kind to yourself and roll with it... Here are some tips to make you feel better about yourself: *Appreciate all that your body CAN do *Keep a top ten list of all the things you like about yourself–things that aren’t related to how much you weigh, your age or what you look like *Remind yourself that ‘True Beauty’ is not simply skin deep *Look at yourself as a WHOLE person *Surround yourself with positive people and VALUE them *Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” and you are a failure! No no no! *Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about yourself. Work with your body... not against it! *Yes there are a lot of social and media messages out there. This has been around for ever...Barbie wasn’t invented yesterday! But look for the positive, don’t seek the negative…let’s face it, half those girls on the catwalks that are size 6 are not necessarily healthy and you might just be a darn sight HAPPIER than them! Get loving yourself for 2021. Carole Beros Le Dain Designs
DO DON N’’T M T MI ISSSS O OU UTT! !
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| 5525 2582 15 Zenith Avenue Sandy Beach mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au | 5525 2582 | 5525 2582 mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au NSW BLN: 41628. *Conditions apply NSW BLN: 41628. *Conditions apply NSW BLN: 41628. *Conditions apply
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focus_contributor.
TALKING DESTINATION
with FIONA BARDEN
FROM COFFS CITY COUNCIL
Relax and Renew on the Coffs Coast With the hustle and bustle of the summer holidays behind us, now’s the time to treat yourself!
C
lean air, sunny skies, wideopen beaches and purifying ocean waters – our region has everything to help both locals and visitors unwind. From deluxe spa experiences and wellness workshops, to yoga studios and numerous outdoor fitness activities. Relax, get into nature and create your very own retreat, right here on the Coffs Coast. Start the day with a sunrise walk on a seemingly endless stretch of beach, float in pristine waters, or catch a wave. Enhance your serenity at the Sol Collective’s spacious yoga, pilates and movement studio, overlooking the gently meandering Coffs Creek. The beauty of wildlife and nature provides inspiration as you move and breathe. Maybe it’s all about luxury and spoiling. There are many ways to indulge your senses at any one of the Coffs specialist day spas, including: • Endota Day Spa in Coffs Central, where you can relax with a remedial or specialty massage or pamper yourself with a luxurious facial treatment. • Tranquility Spa Retreat in the beautiful Pacific Bay Resort, offering a relaxed, tranquil setting. • Studio M Medi Spa located in the very central Park Beach Plaza, for all of your beauty treatment needs.
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• MiTime Day Spa at the renowned What better way to indulge than relaxing Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort, where you with local food and drinks? A healthy option can re-energise your body and mind. can be found at The Well Journey kiosk • Figtree Day Spa in the charming village in Woolgoolga – grab a cold-pressed juice, of Sawtell is the place for an Infrared Sauna smoothie, smoothie bowl, veggie wrap, or to detox the day away, or the ultimate raw treat to energise your day. indulgence of the First Avenue Package. For a special meal, indulge your palate For nature lovers with delicious seafood looking to unwind and prepared by awardStroll through take in the scenery, winning chefs at lush rainforests take a drive to Dorrigo Latitude 30, a stone’s and take in panoramic National Park, just throw from the water at one hour from Coffs views while enjoying the Coffs Marina. This Harbour is the World restaurant is loved for its the fresh air and Heritage listed Gondwana unbeatable views and peaceful surroundings Rainforest. Stroll through tantalising local flavours. do ed with waterfalls, lush rainforests and take If you prefer to spoil flora and fauna. in panoramic views while yourself at the end of enjoying the fresh air and the day, try The Spare peaceful surroundings dotted with waterfalls, Room in Sawtell where you can kick back flora and fauna. with friends in a cosy booth and enjoy the If coastal scenery inspires your relaxation, local vibes, food and brews and maybe even explore the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk a scrumptious cocktail or two. and reconnect with nature. Stretching from Adding a relaxing, inspiring or indulgent Red Rock in the North to Sawtell in the experience to your everyday or holiday is easy South, this iconic walk traverses spectacular on the Coffs Coast! beaches, wide-open headlands and lush #coffscoast #naturallyconnected rainforest along 60km of the Coffs Coast. Plan your trek with Solitary Islands Coastal Walking Tours and Services – they provide transportation and logistical assistance along the entire length of the walk, or smaller parts if that is more your style.
eat
COVER DISH OMG DECADENT DONUTS ARE GLUTEN FREE, VEGAN HOT FRESH DONUTS DUSTED IN SUGARS MADE FROM REAL FRUIT AND SPICE BLENDS
C . E X
G R O U P
BITES
CHARITY BALL
The C.ex Group is looking forward to an exciting 2021 with all venues and outlets now reopened. C.ex Coffs offers four main dining outlets including The Brasserie, Papaveros, Ribeye Roo op Bar & Kitchen and PLANK Coffee Shop.
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ibeye Rooftop Bar & Kitchen is the place to be this Summer season, with Ribeye Kitchen also recently reopening. Ribeye Rooftop Bar has a selection of tapas that you can wash down with a delicious cocktail or cold beer. Ribeye Kitchen offers a wide selection of a la carte dishes, specialising in steaks and ribs. C.ex Group doesn’t just offer great dining choices; they also care about our community and play an integral role in supporting organisations and causes that make a difference on the Coffs Coast. The Love Bites and Love Bites Junior programs are one initiative that the C.ex Group was more than happy to get involved with. These programs are educational programs that focus on the development of respectful relationships and violence prevention for Years 7-10, in schools and other settings, focussing on healthy relationships. The program helps shift attitudes, norms and behaviours that enable, excuse or minimise the extent and impact of violence. The Love Bites Charity Ball, held at C.ex Coffs on Saturday 6 March, aims to raise awareness and vital funds to support the Love Bites Program on the Coffs Coast. 100% of ticket proceeds will go directly to the Love Bites Program through the Coffs Coast Committee Against Family and Domestic Violence. C.ex Group is proud to be a major contributor to the Love Bites Charity
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Ball and look forward to seeing the Love Bites Programs rolled out on the Coffs Coast. The Ball is also sponsored by NAPCAN and supported by NSW Police and Regional NSW. Kiah Bowen (Region Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator for NSW Police), Taren Preston (Operations Manager for Warrina Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services Co-operative Ltd), Meena Johnson (Program Manager for Wesley Youth Accommodation Services) and David Laarhoven (Department of Communities and Justice) have all been key players in bringing the Love Bites Charity Ball to fruition. Other committee members include Jesse Taylor, Mission Australia Housing and Jenny Pizzi, Wesley Mission. Collectively the committee has organised a fantastic evening that will not only raise awareness of the Love Bites Program in our community but also vital funds to ensure the program can continue in all secondary schools on the Coffs Coast. The evening will begin with a cocktail followed by an introduction by MCs of the evening Kiah Bowen and David Laarhoven, speeches by attending dignitaries and information about how the Love Bites Program will be facilitated. A sumptuous three course meal will be served and topped off with entertainment by fabulous rock band SOUL’D, direct from Byron Bay. SOUL’D is a funky sounding 10-piece rock band, complete with horn section. They are guaranteed to have the crowd grooving and perform a range of classic hits of Soul,
Motown, Funk, the Blues and RnB. C.ex Coffs has had stringent Covid-19 practices in place since reopening in June 2020 and will continue these for the foreseeable future. These include regulated check-in procedures, Hygiene Ambassadors monitoring social distancing and safe practices and regular sanitisation of all surfaces. These will also be extended to Love Bites Charity Ball with measures in place to ensure the safety of all guests. The grand auditorium is able to accommodate a large number of patrons with the 1 person per 2 square metre rule in line with the government regulations and capacity restrictions. Guests will be asked to remain seated at their table and at this stage dancing will not be permitted. We are hopeful that these restrictions will ease soon so that guests on the night may enjoy the entertainment provided to its fullest. This will be a great night out on the Coffs Coast and many people won’t have had the chance to attend an event such as this in the past 12 months so it’s a great opportunity to let your hair down whilst supporting a vital program for our community. Tickets are just $75 per head and the committee is encouraging businesses to purchase a table of 10 for $750 so we can see as many Coffs Coast businesses get behind this great initiative as possible. Tickets available from cex.com.au or contact C.ex Coffs on 6652 3888.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM C.ex COFFS OR ONLINE AT CEX.COM.AU
$75 PER TICKET TABLE OF 10 $750 INCLUDES A THRE E COURSE DINNER
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F R O M S I LV I O'S I TA L I A N O
Spiced
pork LOIN
SALAD
INGREDIENTS Pork Tenderloin 200grams
Salad
Spice rub
100 grams Rocket
- ½ tsp paprika
100 grams Sliced Red Cabbage
- ½ tsp ground cumin
50 grams Toasted Pine Nuts
- ½ tsp salt
100 grams Blueberries
- ½ tsp white pepper
50 grams Danish Fetta
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
100ml Balsamic Vinegar
- ½ tsp ground coffee
Splash of olive oil
METHOD 1. Mix all dried spices together, massage mix over the pork. 2. Place balsamic and blueberries in a saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat, reduce liquid by half. Set aside to cool. 3. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over low to medium heat, sear pork on both sides for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and place in a preheated 170 degree oven for 5 minutes or until the pork has reached an internal temperature of 64 degrees. 4. Remove pork from pan and rest on a cutting board. 5. Toss rocket, cabbage and splash of olive oil in a bowl then arrange down the middle of a plate. Slice pork into six pieces and place on top of mixed leaves. Top with pine nuts, fetta and balsamic blueberries and drizzle with the balsamic blueberry jus to finish. 30 COFFS COAST
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BISQUE J A N
e eh
A N D
H O L LY
Jan and Holly are passionate foodies who relocated from Sydney to Bellingen a few years ago, seeking a lifestyle and community that suited their family. They recently found themselves with an opportunity to start up their own business a er years of fantasising about owning their own food business, and so Bisque Tempeh came to life!
H
i guys, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be living here in Bellingen? Sure, well it all started one summer’s afternoon in Hyde Park, Sydney, where we met on a blind date, after mutual friends put us in touch. We spent the evening on a bench, with a bottle of wine, talking about our shared love of food, travel, and our ideas for the future. Not long after this first meeting, we both took off to separate sides of the globe on holidays we had planned before we had met. Not long after we had returned to Australia, we moved in together. Our baby boy was born a couple of years later. We lived in a cosy apartment on Bondi Beach for our first years as parents, then when our 32 COFFS COAST
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second baby came When the decision along, we realised we to leave Sydney came, We would come couldn’t afford the Bellingen was high on to Bellingen a lifestyle we wanted my list of possible places couple of times a in Sydney and started to land. Jan on the other year on holidays. looking for other hand, had never been to Some of my fondest options. Bellingen before, so leaving memories are of long Bellingen has always Sydney’s east where he had days spent at the been a feel-good place the surf on his doorstep Never Never Creek for me. My family came was a big leap of faith. riding the rapids. from this area. My dad We arrived here in 2018 was born in Macksville and the past three years and my pop, his father, have been some of the best ended up living in Bellingen for a good 30 years so far. We are incredibly happy to call Bellingen of his life, including my entire childhood. We home. would come to Bellingen a couple of times a When did you decide to start up your own year on holidays. Some of my fondest memories business? are of long days spent at the Never Never Creek Probably that first meeting in Hyde Park! riding the rapids. To be honest, for as long as I can remember,
Our beans are sourced from an Australian, family run farm near Albury, NSW. Sourcing our ingredients locally is important to us, so to find a grower within our state was a big win, as most of the Lupin growers are in WA.
a food business has been something we’ve fantasised about. We loved the idea of a small hole-in-the-wall type café/ bar. We knew though, that an opportunity would present itself when the time was right. We try to live that way. Set our intentions, then let the universe guide us. Although, we never expected it would lead us to making tempeh! Why did you decide on making tempeh? When Covid happened, Jan lost his job as a chef and I stepped back from my role at a local Solicitor to help at home while the kids were off school. We really had no idea what we would do next. Then, one day, Jan was chatting with a longtime friend, who owns a tempeh business in New Zealand. Axel said to him “why don’t you make tempeh”, and then literally went on to teach us everything he had learnt over his three year journey with the wonderful fermented bean. An absolute legend of a guy. We are incredibly grateful for him. And, so, Bisque was born! From our humble little home on the hill, we worked day in, day out trialling the techniques we’d been given, until we had a product which we thought was worthy of sharing with the good folk of Bello. We signed up to the NEIS program and began selling our tempeh at the local markets. We didn’t know what to expect and have been completely blown away by
the response from the community. Can you tell us a bit about what tempeh is and about the process of making it? Of course! Tempeh is a fermented product made from beans, traditionally from Indonesia. From start to finish, a batch of tempeh takes us about three days to make. Firstly, we soak the beans, then we boil them, we then inoculate them with the culture starter and then ferment them for around 25-30 hours. Our Tempeh comes in four different flavours: Original (unseasoned), Furikake, BBQ and Tamari. All our spice rubs and marinades are made from scratch by hand using only the best quality ingredients. Running a commercial business inevitably creates waste to some degree, so we are constantly looking for ways of lessening our footprint. To cut back on single use plastic, we use large reusable fermenting bags and portion our tempeh by hand. This process takes a little longer, but we believe it’s totally worth it. What is different about your tempeh and why did you choose to make it a certain way? Tempeh is traditionally made from soy, however, for reasons to do with sustainability and health, we have decided to steer clear of soy and use Lupin beans instead. We use the
Albus variety of Lupin, also known as Sweet White Lupin. It has a lovely sweet nutty flavour and we think it makes delicious tempeh. Our beans are sourced from an Australian, family run farm near Albury, NSW. Sourcing our ingredients locally is important to us, so to find a grower within our state was a big win, as most of the Lupin growers are in WA. Where would you like to see your business headed in the future? We actually love where the business is at now. It still feels manageable and intimate. That said, expansion is inevitable, so our big focus is on retaining that artisan quality. The integrity of our brand is especially important to us, so we want to align ourselves with businesses who share the same values. Where can people find your products? Our Tempeh is currently stocked at Kombu Wholefoods in Bellingen and The Happy Frog and Raw Bar, in Coffs. We have a handful of new stockists on the horizon, so best to keep an eye on our Instagram (bisque_tempeh) and website for details. We will also continue to sell our Tempeh fresh at the local Farmers and Producers Market on a Wednesday afternoon, and at the Bellingen Growers Market on Saturday morning. We really try to encourage our customers to visit us there at least once, as we love that personal interaction - sharing ideas, stories, and the love of tempeh. Thanks Guys COFFS COAST
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Cr a f t y THE
FISHMONGERS Rebecca Marks and Cookie (Joshua Cook) are the new Managers for Seasalt Fishmongers at Toormina! A unique fish deli that is a real “Boat to Plate” concept that the area is lucky to have we had to find out more…
P REVEL BREWING MANGO & MACADAMIA WEISSE SOUR
N
othing beats a refreshing ice cream treat on a warm balmy summer afternoon…except if it’s a beer that tastes like an ice cream! Fresh & icy cold on the taps at Element Bar on the Coffs Jetty Strip is this delicious limited edition kettle sour from Brisbane’s Revel Brewing. Based on the summer classic, the Mango Weis Bar, it’s loaded with fresh mango, macadamia & coconut to recreate an Aussie icon...but in a beer! If you’re game, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create the ultimate adult summer spider!
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hil and Penny are the proud owners of Seasalt Woopi, Seasalt Jetty and Seasalt Sawtell so tell us about this addition of a Fishmongers Deli? Not only are Phil and Penny great people to work alongside, they also share a penchant for sustainable fisheries. We basically want our children to be able to enjoy Australia’s pristine ocean resources well into the future and beyond. Even if that means simply being able to catch a fish themselves to enjoy! The idea came along pretty organically really… What do you and Cookie bring to the business? What is your background and experience? Bec and I have both been around seafood our entire lives. Bec’s mother grew up in a Ballina fishing family so she never had a chance after her father bought
the family tinny and fishing rods for the kids at a young age. Cookie’s love sparked from the first bream he caught at 4 years old with his father and much to his mother’s dismay, determined to turn it into a fish dinner for the family… they all got a tiny fish finger to share each. He was hooked for life. Cookie took that passion and had a 20 year career as a Chef specialising in seafood and now a proud fishmonger. Where are you located and how can we find out more? “The Roost” in Toormina has a fresh face and has been taken over by fish! Don’t worry, school goers can still get the after school hot chip experience and YES of course you can get tomato sauce! We are located right next to Toormina Hotel. Ig @seasalt_fishmongers Phone 1300 737 258 Email rebecca@mrandmrs.fish Web seasaltfishandchips.com.au
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IT IS THE
e t ti e
BU Y A BOAT
THWAITES MARINE IS A FAMILYOPERATED BOATING BUSINESS based in the Coffs Coast.
THWAITES MARINE
They are experienced marine engineers and mechanics, servicing all brands and makes of inboard and outboard engines. They also have a big range of new Stacer boats for sale. We sat down with Ben Thwaites and his partner Laura Peregrin to talk about their set of products...
T
ell us about your boats. All the boats we have in stock suit the most common practices and uses in the area: fishing, diving and pleasure boating. We are very proud to offer this well-stablished brand in Coffs Harbour, for those who seek high quality, reliable, and affordable boats to go out to sea and return home safely. And for those who like fishing in the river, we have selected quality tinnies to use in nearby waterways. Why Stacer? Stacer boats are modern-looking and well
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built. The warranty and quality control are customers. We have a good understanding outstanding and in accordance with the way of people’s interests and needs. Our aim we operate as a business. The new Stacer is to help find the right boat and the right hull designs are extraordinary, with a great engine to suit each customer and family. It blend of ride quality and is important for us that stability. they feel comfortable Everyone seems to be with the product and Our aim is to buying a boat these that they know we have help find the days… their back, with our high right boat and the That’s right! With the quality after-sale service right engine to suit increased demand for boats and maintenance. each customer and in 2020, we had trouble Where can people find family. keeping the stock numbers you? up! We almost ran out of Our premises are on boats before Christmas; 30 Industrial Dr, Coffs everyone wanted a boat! We are now happy Harbour, where we have a big workshop to announce that we are fully stocked up for and shop front with the new Stacer boats. the rest of the summer! Contact us for more information and stay How do you help people find the perfect tuned through our Facebook and Instagram boat? pages. thwaites_marine The staff at Thwaites Marine are all keen, thwaitesmarine experienced fishermen, divers and sailors, www.thwaitesmarine.com.au which makes it easy for us to help our
How to be a Good Wife AISSA
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S M O K E H O U S E
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BRAD COX Australia's newest entrant to the COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE BRAD COX HAS AMASSED A HUGE FOLLOWING after his winning the Toyota Star Maker in 2017
S
o Brad, it's been exactly one year since we last caught up with you and what a year it has been. Tell us a bit about your 2020 and how you handled
first time I've been on a plane since February last year. We usually do four to eight flights a week! Oh that's going to be special. You're extremely talented and you've got an incredible voice. But for those who it. haven't listened to your music yet, can Yeah, well, I did a lot of nothing for a few you tell us in your own words about months, but played PlayStation and drank your sound and what your albums are far too many beers. But then, me and the like? Mrs, Sammy, actually had an opportunity Yeah, definitely. We're a country act, but to go and play some acoustic shows and I get so many people coming to our shows we ended up going to about 40-50 shows that go, “oh, I never liked country music, between Cairns and the Victorian border over until I listened to your records”, so it's always a few months. And then, I did nine album a bit different from our stuff. Especially, launch shows as well the new record’s got acoustically - with a big horn section on reduced capacity. So it. We've got a nine I feel like we're we kind of made the minute song and then breaking the best of a bad situation some kind of more stigma a little bit in for the last six months traditional country stuff Australia. Definitely of 2020. as well. about commercial Good on you, that But yeah, I feel like space for country sounds great. And so we're breaking the music, which is live events are back stigma a little bit in growing every year, on now and you're Australia. Definitely heading to Port about commercial space which is awesome. Macquarie on 13th for country music, February for Live at which is growing every the Smokehouse. Have you been to Port year, which is awesome. So we sit there Macquarie before? somewhere and you know there's something I have. I've got a couple of good mates that we play that everyone should like that live just near Port, and we actually lived hopefully. in Newcastle for 18 months. We’ve been Tell me a bit about your band, who've up there a few times for sure. But yeah, it's you got and what do they play? a lovely part of the world, the Mid North Yeah, look, my band, they're an awesome Coast. So we are looking forward to playing group of lads. Played with them so long as our first gig of 2021. we've been doing acoustic shows. James It's a live gig. So that's that must be Edge, my drummer, is a Novocastrian, pretty exciting for you. Newcastle born and raised. The other fellas Yeah, definitely. I’ve got a couple of boys are from the Central Coast; Hunter Beasley coming up and yeah, it'll be epic as it’s the plays mandolin, tenor guitar, banjo; and the
other guitarist is Jesse O’Neil Hutchin. They're my best mates. We spent so much time together, obviously, before all this rubbish started and, you know, really living the dream playing music with my best mates and having a great time. But yeah, they're all really talented musicians in their own right. You do have a new album as you said, 'My Mind's Projection’ and it's really taken off with a great playlist. But you know, do you have a favorite song on there perhaps. Yeah. My favorite song on the record would probably be 'Remedied', where I collaborated with Adam Eckersley. He's actually on the Mid North Coast now. We spent a heap of time at his place. And, you know, I'm such a fan of his work and he's one of my best pals. So it was a great opportunity to be able to share a song on the record with him. And yeah, it's probably my favorite one. Speaking of fellow people in country music or just in music in general, have you got some other artists that inspire you, maybe nationally or internationally? Oh, yeah, always. And in different genres for sure. But lately, Chris Stapleton, his new record is definitely a big one, but I'm a huge Sturgill Simpson fan. Kyla Childers records are some of my favorites at the moment. And just to wrap up the interview, have you got a favorite quote or phrase that you live by? I do! Frank Sinatra said he "feels sorry for people that don't drink because when they wake up in the morning, that's the best they're going to feel all day." Thanks Brad. The Plug. Tickets liveatthesmokehouse.com.au February 13th 2021
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STAT E O F
PLAY with
COFFS HARBOUR MP GURMESH SINGH
In the last few days of December 2020, MY SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS WERE FULL OF MEMES HAPPY TO SEE THE BACK OF 2020, and celebrating the promise of a be er 2021. Much has been said about the last 18 months – we’ve had to endure the drought, bushfires, flash-flooding, and then the COVID-19 pandemic.
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n Australia and New South Wales, and especially on the Coffs Coast, we have had it better than most of the rest of the world. Today (20 January 2021) alone in the United Kingdom, over 1800 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19. That would be the equivalent of losing 700 Australians per day when accounting for the difference in populations. Since the start of the pandemic last year, 54 people have died in New South Wales. In New South Wales, our lockdown was short. Our health response has been effective. And by now, most sectors in the community have returned to some sense of normality. Over the Christmas holidays, beaches on the Coffs Coast were packed with holidaymakers who might otherwise have been enjoying a holidays overseas or in Queensland.
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This had a great flow-on effect for direct result of better contact tracing. The our hospitality and tourism industry. addition of the Service NSW app will make Every restaurant and café I visited during this faster again. the holidays adapted quickly to the As your local member, I acknowledge Service NSW sign-in that COVID has requirements. brought immense With the COVID disruption to many With the COVID vaccine roll-out likely people’s lives. The vaccine roll-out to take some time, last thing anyone likely to take some we will be living with wants is another time, we will be living these requirements for lockdown to with these the foreseeable future. add to that. As a requirements for the And we’ve seen the government, we foreseeable future. results first-hand of want to keep the how effective contact economy open, but tracing can help stamp more importantly, to out an outbreak. keep our community When the Western Sydney (Crossroads open. We all need to work together to Hotel) cluster formed, it took four months ensure we keep signing in to venues when to bring the cases under control. The asked, keep washing our hands, keep recent Northern Beaches cluster was getting tested if we have symptoms, and controlled in one month. This was the keep up with the latest health advice.
Follow physical distancing and good hygiene practices
Listen to the health advice
Understand border restrictions before you travel
Gurmesh Singh MP MEMBER FOR COFFS HARBOUR coffsharbour@parliament.nsw.gov.au 1/9 Park Ave, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 (02) 6652 6500 Authorised by Gurmesh Singh MP, 1/9 Park Avenue Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements October August 2020 2020
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LEVI
MILLER At just 5 years old, this kid is definitely one to keep an eye on in the skating world. With a natural gi and big dreams on his mind, Levi is already proving that practice and determination pay off.
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H
ey Levi. You're a familiar face down here at the Coffs Skate Park, but for those that don't know you, please introduce yourself. Hi I'm Levi and I live in Coffs Harbour. I'm about to start my first year of big school at St Augustines. I have two brothers and I skate every day with my big brother Cooper. I love skating with my friends, my dad and my brother, finding different skateparks and swimming. At just 5 years old you're already ripping and getting better and better. How old were you when you first picked up a skatie and what was it that got you hooked? I was four years old when I first started skating. Skating is so much fun and I love going in Skate Comps. I love learning new tricks and I love jumping stairs. I want to always keep skating. You're now sponsored by Chalkies Skateshop. Thats awesome!! Tell us a little bit about this and how it came about. When I was four and first started skating I was at Toormina skatepark one day. It was the first time I met Bevin from Chalkies down there, and that day he gave me my first ever brand new board. I always buy everything I need for skating
Sometimes we skate the halfpipe out the back of Chalkies skate shop. It's a great place for practising tricks and also great because we can skate even if it's raining.
from Chalkies and they have always helped me and made sure I have everything I need. Then in July I went into Chalkies because I needed a new board and Bevo asked me if I wanted to be sponsored and I said yes. I was so excited. You do lessons with the Coffs Coast Skateboard School and are skating in the intermediate group with kids 4-5 years older than you. That must make you super stoked. What type of training is involved? I skate almost every morning before preschool and every afternoon and when I'm not at preschool and on weekends Mum takes us to the skatepark almost all day. I love doing lessons with Danny and Bevo. They are the best. We always learn new tricks but they always make it lots of fun. Sometimes we skate the halfpipe out the back of Chalkies skate shop. It's a great place for practising tricks and also great because we can skate even if it's raining. Other times we have our lessons at the skatepark and they help us work on different areas around the park. It doesn't matter how old the other people in the group are, we are all friends and all cheer for each other and help each other out. We all get excited for each other when we land things
we have been working on. It's the best part about skating. What have you been working at over the past year and what are you most proud of about yourself? I've learned so much and I'm so close to landing heel flips every time. I have been trying to land them for a long time now. I competed in my first skate comps this year. One being Bowl-a-nana here in Coffs. I competed in the under 16s with people 11 years older than me and it was so much fun. Who is your inspiration in the skating world and why? Big Kai from Coffs skatepark and all the big teenagers. They skate so well and we always skate together and they always help me. Also Kieran Woolley, he is 17 and is the best in Australia and he came and skated with me and even gave me a lesson before. What are your dreams for the future? I really want to go to Camp Woodward in America. It's a summer camp for sports and skateboarding. When I grow up I want to skate in big comps all around the world and also have a house and build my very own massive skatepark and work with Bevin teaching skate lessons. Thanks Levi. COFFS COAST
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McDonald's Sponsorship Spotlight
maccasjuniorgrant.com.au munrogroup.mcd
munrogroup_mcd Applications for sponsorship now OPEN
Coffs Harbour Touch Association
The Munro group of McDonald's are happy to come on board and support the Coffs Harbour Touch Association. Despite all the set backs, for them 2020 has been a year of growth. So we are very excited to see what the future brings. 1. HOW LONG HAS YOUR CLUB BEEN ESTABLISHED ? While Touch Football has been around Coffs Harbour for decades, this is only our second year with this current commitee. 2. WHAT SUCCESS AND EXPERIENCES WOULD YOUR CLUB/GROUP LIKE TO SHARE? We have built up our participation rates this season to be our biggest yet for both junior and senior competitions. And all during the pandemic. Our junior comp has more than doubled. We also held our first Holiday clinic this year which was a huge success. 3. WHAT ARE YOUR CLUB/GROUPS GOALS MOVING FORWARD INTO 2021? Our main goals are to grow our club, increase representative numbers and to provide a fun, safe all inclusive atmosphere. We are looking to establish an ALL Abilities competition in 2021. 4. HOW HAS MCDONALD'S ASSISTED YOUR CLUB? McDonald's is a fantastic sponsor. They have provided sports awards for our junior competition and merchandise for presentation day. They have also given our club awareness and promotion. 5. WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ATHLETE’S WITHIN YOUR CLUB? While it is ok to be competitive, remember to always have fun. 6. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MACCAS PRODUCT ? It has to be a McFeast or a classic cheeseburger. 7. HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CLUB ? You can visit our Website coffsharbour.nswtouch.com.au, visit our facebook and instagram pages,or email us at coffsharbourtouch@gmail.com.au
Munro Group McDonald's
proudly supporting our local community
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
Z O E
Dusty ROAD
NOSTALGIA OFTEN BRINGS BACK BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD AND THIS IS CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR ZOE CORFE.
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fter many years away gaining experience in the floristry world, Zoe has returned to her hometown and created a business that reflects the passion within. Dusty Road Blooms has successfully opened its doors allowing others into its world. Hi Zoe. You're the proud owner of the beautiful new florist here in Coffs Harbour, Dusty Road Blooms. Firstly, please introduce yourself and share your connection to our readers. Hello! I am the proud creator behind Dusty Road Blooms, a studio based florist. Late last year I returned back here to live in my hometown of Coffs Harbour, after being 46 COFFS COAST
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Always so special to see someone’s reaction to receiving flowers, definitely a feeling that I continue to enjoy each day when I’m out delivering orders!
in Queensland for about five years. I had always hoped to one day be able to move back to this beautiful area to pursue my own florist business, I’m beyond excited and glad it’s finally happened! I’m sure many readers would agree that it’s wonderful to be able to call Coffs home and work doing something you love. When did you first take an interest in floristry and how have you developed that passion into a blooming business? Well the interest definitely goes back a long way for me, I have loved anything and everything to do with flowers for as long as I can remember. When I was younger we lived on the family farm a little out of town,
where Mum’s garden was always full of fun miscellaneous flowers, plants, beautiful bulbs popping up, and more. I am sure this is where my passion stems from and the reason that the name Dusty Road Blooms was born... One memory I love, is that if we were heading into town for the day, we would pick a few stems (usually some hot pink camellia flowers or daffodils) and wrap the stems up with foil in a little bit of water for the trip. Then they would be given to whoever we were visiting that day. I loved how happy it made people when they were given the humble little bunch of blooms. Always so special to see someone’s reaction to receiving flowers, definitely a feeling that I continue to enjoy each day when I’m out delivering orders! However it would have been early High
School that I took an interest specifically in a career as a florist, I even went to a local florist shop for work experience when I was about 15 years old. Although I’m fairly sure I spent most of that week just wiring and complaining about my sore hands and feet! Thank goodness I have toughened up a bit since then! However somehow that tiny taste of the industry made me more intrigued and certain it was the job for me. After school I worked and saved up to be able to move to the Gold Coast, where I completed my Certificate III in Floristry. While there I worked in flower wholesale, an events company, florist retail shops and volunteered to help where possible, which has given me plenty of valuable experience in the floristry industry that I can now apply in my own business. This also helped me to gradually develop into my own style and now be able to offer something unique and exciting. Wedding season will soon be upon us, which has to be a favourite time of year for you. What are you looking forward to most and what trends are we seeing at the moment? Definitely! Can’t wait for this wedding season to be here, I think it will be a really big, busy year for everyone, especially due to all the 2020 postponements. Really looking forward to it, particularly as there will be plenty of amazing opportunities to showcase my designs. I think the huge dried and preserved trend we are currently seeing
much goes on behind the scenes of a florist, the design, methods, techniques and details. They are heaps of fun, plus it’s always so interesting to see what each person creates from the same selection of materials/instructions. Everyone loves to leave with a new creative skill and their own floral masterpiece. Christmas Wreaths were a hit, and Flower Crowns are always a really popular workshop, especially for Hen’s and birthday parties. If you think you are keen to be involved in the action, keep an eye out, as I will be hosting various ticketed workshop events throughout the year! Where can we find out more, see your work or order your beautiful bouquets? I have actually just recently launched my website, where you can browse the gallery of my previous work and even shop online for deliveries throughout the week. Check it out! (www.dustyroadblooms.com). Or of course I’m always updating Facebook and Instagram @dustyroadblooms with what I’m working on, often I’m at local weekend markets, or I could be prepping weddings/events and other pretty things! Thanks Zoe.
Always remember that us wedding vendors are here to help you get through each step, to make your wedding the best day ever!
will continue and we will see more use of these dried/preserved mixed together with classic fresh flowers in the bouquets and decorations. It’s also becoming quite popular to dry or press into a frame part of the bridal bouquet as a keepsake, which I think is such a lovely idea. What advice would you give to any budding brides and grooms who are navigating their way through wedding planning? Try to relax and remember what it is you’re actually planning – to marry the person you love! The preparation and navigating through all the details can feel like a big task, but try to enjoy it as much as you can. Always remember that us wedding vendors are here to help you get through each step, to make your wedding the best day ever! Floristry is such a tactile creative industry. Do you offer other services where people can come in and get their hands dirty? Yes absolutely! I host seasonal workshops and can also be booked to host private workshops too. Workshops are great as they give a brief understanding into how
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
BONNIE CAPELL CELEBRANT I am available for bookings in Coffs Harbour and surrounding regions and am happy to discuss arrangements if your chosen venue is outside this area. My personal approach to each of you will ensure that your ceremony will hold special memories for you both. My objective is to develop your ceremony to suit your needs, whilst ensuring that all the relevant legal requirements are met. I’ve always loved writing, and as a Celebrant I have the honour and joy of creating beautiful ceremonies for my couples. I put a little bit of
Beautiful Beachside Weddings Set upon the pristine shores of Charlesworth Bay in Coffs Harbour
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heart and soul into every ceremony I write, ensuring it is everything hoped for and more. I’m also a confident and experienced public speaker. I love being there on the big day, making sure everything is in place and ready, and gently guiding you and your guests through your ceremony from beginning to end so you can just enjoy being in the moment.
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WEDDING
STYLING
with LAUREN VESTEY from Living Doll Premier Stylists
From modern upstyles to romantic waves and detailed braids, we are sharing the most on trend styles to help you find a look that is bride worthy, yet still feels like "you".
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hignons Brides are opting for a more effortless vibe with upstyles that are asymmetrical or have a softer almost messy finish. If you have layers, leave them out to create an even softer look around the face. Braids Braided wedding hairstyles are hotter than ever and it’s no coincidence when you take into account the surge of rustic-themed wedding affairs. However, when styled the right way, they can also be used for more formal settings as well. Halo braids, french plaits, undercut braids, braided buns, and fishtail plaits; however you want to wear them, this is one long-lasting trend that’s not going anywhere. Waves The trick to amazing waves is longevity – they need to be able to stand up to hours of posing for photos, embracing loved ones and busting a move on the dance floor – so don't be shy when applying product and bring hairspray to the reception for 50 COFFS COAST
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touch-ups. Balanced with some subtle sombre highlights to add definition and appeal, this look will last a life time. Retro-Glam If you’re inspired by vintage wedding details, borrow your hairstyle from a different decade, too, with curls and twists that would make any pin-up starlet jealous. Ponytail Love wearing your hair up but a traditional chignon is just too formal for you? Dress up a basic ponytail with intricate curls and twists. Short So long extensions are not you – minimalist pixies never looked so good. We’re psyched to see more brides embracing them on their wedding day as well! Hair Accessories From traditional veils, small tiaras, to gorgeous diamanté accessories there is a look right for everyone. But if it is simply not your style, the ever-awesome flower crown isn’t going anywhere. XO Dolls
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
FOXKin &
N I C O L A
B O D L E
Knowing thyself takes many years of ups and downs and FOR NICOLA BODLE, UNDERSTANDING HERSELF AND WHAT VALUES SAT DEEP WAS ESSENTIAL for her business to blossom.
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nce choosing to truly reflect this through her business, people with similar values began seeking out her expertise and creativity, and life once again became
purposeful.
Hey Nic. You're the founder of Fox & Kin – an amazing photography business that oozes realness and purpose, but for those that don't know you, please introduce yourself. Hey! I’m Nic Bodle, a photographer and people watcher, an outgoing introvert, a lover of love, living in Bellingen with my feet in the river and my face in the sun. I have been told that I laugh a lot, and my laugh is very loud and distinct, which is really 52 COFFS COAST
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handy if you’re trying to Wedding photos find me in a packed bar certainly don’t or café. I believe that look like they used shoes are overrated and to! I’m an advocate there is no such thing for keeping weddings as too many tacos. I simple and eco-friendly to be captured. Wedding am, in general, a very and a vocal ally for photos certainly don’t passionate person, and those underrepresented look like they used to! I’m am quite outspoken an advocate for keeping in the wedding about things I care weddings simple and ecoindustry. deeply about. friendly and a vocal ally for I describe myself as a those underrepresented wedding photographer in the wedding industry. I’ll always stand up for for people who don’t like wedding photos. equality and take action for the planet. We’ve seen a real shift in the last couple of years Take us back to when you first took an in how people approach weddings and wedding interest in photography and how the planning, and I think that shift has been business began. reflected in how people want their weddings I don’t remember a time when I didn’t
There have been highs and lows, as there are with any business, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now and I’m so thankful.
have a camera in my hand. I’ve never had any formal training, it’s just something that has always seemed so natural to me. Long before smart phones and selfie sticks, I would go everywhere with a disposable film camera, documenting little moments throughout my childhood and younger years. I remember the anticipation of waiting to get the film developed, revealing what fleeting moments had been frozen in time. That feeling never gets old! At university and various jobs, I was always known as the person with the camera slung around my shoulder, ready to document it all. It was almost 8 years ago when I was asked to photograph my first wedding. I had no idea what to do or what to expect, and that was possibly one of the most terrifying days of my life. I’d previously never even considered the idea of being a wedding photographer, but after the first few weddings and the adrenalin rush that accompanied them, I was hooked. How has Fox & Kin grown and developed over the years as you have grown and developed yourself? When I first set out to become a photographer, I would take any job I could get my hands on – bands, babies, animals, events – you name it. I just wanted to take
photos but had little direction or drive towards anything in particular. But after a while I realised that I was feeling really disconnected from my work and was being pulled about by outside pressure and expectations, rather than being driven by passion. I realised then that I needed to strip my business back to its roots and rebuild it step by step, focusing on what was really important to me. I stopped taking bookings and worked in bush regeneration for about a year so I could clear my head. Then at the beginning of 2017 I launched Fox & Kin, a brand and business that reflected my passions of nature, sustainability, equality and love. These are the ethos that drive my business and, if I’m ever feeling lost or disheartened, I ask myself how I can serve these values. It’s been mind-blowing to see the growth of Fox & Kin in the past few years. I still have to pinch myself whenever I’m published in a magazine or win an award or get to travel the world to shoot a wedding. There have been highs and lows, as there are with any business, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now and I’m so thankful. It’s also been an incredible privilege to be able to hone my focus with the business and work with people and brands who have similar values, rather than just
saying yes to everything, even if it doesn’t quite resonate. I feel as though those people with similar values are seeking me out too and we’ve been able to create some real magic together! Not only are you creative on the wedding front, you're also passionate about taking beautiful images of people in intimate moments. What services do you have on offer for those that reach out to you? I love the storytelling side of photography and think that so much of that gets lost when we stage those extravagant shoots in exotic locations with fancy outfits and dancing alpacas in bowties. Don’t get me wrong, I love those shoots too, but it sometimes feels a little more about the scenery or the décor than the couple. I always wondered to myself, what would happen if we just took that all away, stripped it back to just a couple on a couch at home, no props, no distractions, just two people in love. Wouldn’t that allow us to tell a better story? I started offering intimate couple shoots, and at first, people were hesitant. It sounds a little scary, inviting a complete stranger into your home to watch you in your most vulnerable moments. >>> COFFS COAST
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There was a bit of fear in the unknown, but as soon as I started sharing images from my first few shoots, it absolutely took off. There is so much power in the vulnerability of skin on skin. Just by being physically close to someone we love, our bodies release a myriad of wonderful chemicals that cause us to feel happy, relaxed and in love. We literally produce our own antidepressants by cuddling! So couples often come away from these shoots not only with a gallery of incredible images of themselves, but feeling a renewed passion in their relationship and an excitement for their future together. My aim is to create a piece of art for a couple that they can look back on for the rest of their lives and say “yes, that was us, exactly as we were''. My intimate shoots can take place in your home or in an Airbnb (with the owner’s permission). There is no pressure to take your clothes off or to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I work with couples in the lead up to figure out what they’d like to do during the shoot and what sort of guidance they would like from me. I travel all over NSW for these shoots, but most couples come to Bellingen for a full weekend experience. For people to express their vulnerability and trust in you takes real courage. How do you help people feel comfortable for their shoots? 54 COFFS COAST
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I work with I think just by being couples in the relaxed I help those around me to relax. lead up to figure out Wedding days never what they’d like to go to plan. No matter do during the shoot how meticulously you and what sort of plan a day, there will guidance they would always be some little like from me. surprise that you never ask as many questions could’ve expected. The as they want from me. trick is brush it off and Most people still arrive to go with the flow. Often, I’ll arrive on a wedding a shoot nervous, and that’s okay. Most people day to a flurry of family members fussing over think they’re awkward and unphotogenic and something unexpected. Anxiety is contagious insist that they hate having their photo taken. and a huge (unspoken) part of my job is But I remind them that a shoot with me isn’t keeping couples calm, so often I’ll smooth just “having your photo taken“. It’s a fully things over before they even realise something immersive experience where you dedicate a is wrong, or I’ll defuse the situation like a day to just being present with the person you wedding bomb disposal technician. love. I don’t ask people to smile at the camera The other part of making people or strike uncomfortable poses. I start by asking comfortable, as you said, is trust. Trust is a questions and observing the way they move huge part of being a photographer and it’s and laugh and play with each other. Then I take not as simple as just asking for it. You need to all those tiny little bits of tenderness and tell a earn it. I gain trust from people by being totally story. open and vulnerable myself from the moment You’re a huge supporter of eco-ethical they enquire and book with me, through to the weddings, something that is emerging delivery of their photos. a little more into the mainstream which I get to know couples really well before their is fantastic. What makes you passionate shoot or wedding day. I ask a lot of questions about this and can you share some insight about what’s important to them and what into the choices we can make that align their expectations are, and I allow them to with this concept?
COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
Right from the get-go, when I launched Fox & Kin, I knew that my personal values would be the driving force behind the type of work I wanted to do and the message I wanted to send out. I care deeply about having minimal impact on the earth and leaving things better than we found them. I am fairly vocal about ditching wedding ‘must-haves’ or outdated traditions if they no longer carry meaning for you. I am also highly aware of the massive consumption of wedding related ‘stuff’ that takes a huge toll on the earth. When we talk about eco-ethical weddings, we’re talking about how you approach every stage of your wedding planning. Starting with where your wedding ‘stuff’ is coming from, how it’s sourced and where it’s going. As well as how you interact with your community and support local business. It’s not enough to just have eco-confetti anymore. I mean, that’s a great start, but the world is changing, it’s too late to plead ignorance to everything else. Humanity is moving collectively towards a more
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sustainable future and choosing to celebrate business owner I could be, but at the time I minimalism, rather than decadence. The truth was in disbelief. is, it is no harder to be married with nothing I think so many people connect with my than it is with everything. images because they can picture themselves in There are ways to minimise your impact at them. The majority of media we consume, both every step, while still having everything you’ve digital and printed, is dominated by particular ever dreamed of for your wedding. In fact, I body shapes, cultures and sexualities, and am sure you will find it far more sentimental to it’s not reflective of the real and wonderfully recall the way you felt, and the words spoken, diverse society we live in. I know I still have a than the material ingredients of what was your long way to go with my work, but I try really wedding day. hard to focus on representation of those If you’re not sure where to start, speak to who are not usually represented in the media your wedding planner or vendors, and ask how we consume. It’s really important to me that they can help your wedding to have a lighter anyone can open a magazine and say, “hey, footprint. You can also head to my website and that person looks like me!“. grab a copy of the Mindfully Wed E-Guide put Another thing that I try really hard to convey together by Less Stuff in my images is feeling More Meaning which and emotion, so I really is full of great tips to appreciate you saying The majority get you started on your that. When we look of media we eco-ethical wedding back at old photos, we consume, both journey! like to be reminded of digital and printed, There's so much how people moved, their is dominated by feeling behind expressions, mannerisms particular body your images; they and how a place felt. I find shapes, cultures pull you in and it so strange that we as a give an emotional society are obsessed with and sexualities, and connection. photos of us smiling at the it’s not reflective 2020 saw you camera. It’s not natural of the real and named as the top and it doesn’t convey wonderfully diverse emerging wedding anything other than how society we live in. photographer of great you looked (which, the year by Capture I’ll admit, is sometimes Magazine. Obviously the confidence boost we you're doing something right! need!). Wow, thank you so much. I sure hope I’m Often it doesn’t tell the whole story. I want doing something right! I just followed my my photos to take you back to a moment, gut and my passions and stuck to my values so you can feel everything that’s happening, and here we are today. I’m still learning how so you can be reminded of how that person to take compliments and I’ve always suffered walked and laughed and cried. So you can from imposter syndrome, so I often have a remember the way they looked at you, and you hard time accepting accolades or awards looked at them. I think there’s a lot of power without brushing them off as luck. It was a real in that. shock to be named Australasia’s Top Emerging For anyone interested in learning more Wedding Photographer of the Year by Capture and viewing your work, where can they Magazine, and I remember quite distinctly follow along and get in touch to book bursting into hysterical laughter when I found your services? out, as though my brain couldn’t quite process You’ll find my most recent work on what was happening. Instagram @foxandkin and to dive deeper into Looking back now, I can see that it was a my world and learn more about me, check out result of an insane amount of hard work and www.foxandkin.com dedication to being the best photographer and Thanks Nic. COFFS COAST
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Carmel Kestles Makeup Artist
Carmel Kestles Makeup Artist hello@carmelkestles.com |
carmelkestles.com
|
@carmelkestlesmakeupartist
0476 574 074 | Harlow & Co - 34 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour COFFS COAST
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
DECLARING YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR PARTNER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE.
Married
BY SAM
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arried by Sam has been successfully marrying couples for the past 10 years and with her contagious, loving personality, Sam is dedicated to creating the envisioned day, one happy ever after. Hi Sam. As a Marriage Celebrant who has conducted over 400 ceremonies and is passionate about love in all forms, you enjoy nothing more than helping others celebrate their most memorable day. When was it that you took the leap and started working as a celebrant? I had moved from Alice Springs in 2007 after working in TV for over 10 years and it was always a dream of mine to be a Marriage Celebrant! I had broken my ankle in a freak accident so whilst recovering I investigated how to do this and enrolled in an online yearly course! I was working by day and studying at night. I used my poor family as actors for the video practicals that I had to submit and I graduated in 2011. I then went ahead with advertising and letting the Coffs community know about my services. That is when I decided to buy my hot pink VW Beetle and get a professional logo and website (thanks
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I’ve also been booked to go to a remote cattle station just out of Mataranka in the NT, and I’m marrying my nephew to his partner in Mudgee.
to Giant Media). I also did some wedding expos and put my name out there as much as possible – I did Focus ads too! How has your business grown, expanded and kept up with the ever-changing events in the world? It’s a business that grows organically when people can see how you deliver a wedding, plus word of mouth is so important on how people can see how you are professional and efficient too. I also took the time to make sure all my marketing was aligned from having a logo, car branding, a website I could update regularly and I started my social media too – testimonials are so powerful too. Choosing a Celebrant is so personal and I believe it’s important that you can “click”. I always market myself as fun, yet highly professional with the right equipment too. I think it’s so important that the audience can hear the ceremony clearly no matter the venue or wedding ceremony, indoors or out. Equally each couple need to trust that you will look after them, assist in creating their own
personalised ceremony and make sure it’s to their style. I work closely with each couple to make sure they are 100% happy. If I can make the ceremony part seamless then they can relax as they have so many other areas of a wedding day to organise. With 2020 taking us by storm many couples did postpone with the everchanging rules around weddings and guest numbers, dancing restrictions and social distancing. Some couples went ahead with very small intimate weddings and I did some lovely ceremonies on the beach with relatives and friends all watching via zoom! The week COVID-19 hit I had a wedding reduced from 150 guests to 50 and all of a sudden I had to remember to have sanitiser on hand, space the guest chairs and it was so hard to not do what we all do naturally and hug and kiss! Even the parents of the bride had to stop themselves giving me a hug! What services are on offer and what region do you cover? I cover the whole Mid North Coast but I’ve been so lucky to marry people all over Australia including Queensland and the Northern
e
WHAT NOW?
Now it's time to plan the ceremony and that can include any special mentions, a personal meeting story, particular readings, even extra symbolic rituals like a handfasting or releasing doves. It's now about making the ceremony special and tailored to each couple. Date's set… What's next? Work in your Celebrant on your ceremony and I’m a big believer in a Wedding Rehearsal too.
Some couples through. I love the Territory. This year I’m went ahead whole creating process excited to be marrying with very small of making sure their a couple at Mardi Gras intimate weddings ceremony is exactly itself in the SCC VIP box what each couple with our own butler! I’ve and I did some lovely envisioned. This part also been booked to go ceremonies on the of the day can go too to a remote cattle station beach with relatives quickly but it's actually just out of Mataranka in and friends all the most important the NT, and I’m marrying watching via zoom! part – it’s about actually my nephew to his partner declaring your love to in Mudgee. This is such your chosen life partner a rewarding and soul and you only get to that once (most times!). nourishing career. My children are now all at It’s so true that you form a special connection the marrying stage so their friends are are too, as there is a deep level of trust in me to create, so it’s extra special when you know them. I deliver and follow through – the responsibility recently married a bride in Katherine in the NT is huge. Because you discuss often their with 300 guests and she helicoptered in with meeting story and their feelings of love, it’s her father – what was special was that I was natural that you end up forming a special also the support and witnessed her birth 26 connection – it’s such a special space you share years earlier! and I love when I see them after that in the With your unique approach, ensuring you street or on social media and see their lives get to know the couple and find what unfold like with starting a family. they’re after on their big day, what is it How can people get in touch with you? that you love the most about the special Phone 0417 861 045 connections you create with clients and Email sam@marriedbysam.com.au how do you work with them to make the Web married by sam day a success? FB and Insta under Married By Sam I think it’s important to love what you do Let's get them married… and be passionate about this role as it shines
I need a good Celebrant… What should I look for? Simply call them and arrange to meet plus check out reviews and study their experience and other couples’ experiences. Ask your Celebrant questions important to you and see how they will work with you. It’s great to know their policies on when they arrive prior to your chosen time, do they offer rehearsals, do they lodge and look after all the legal paperwork, pricing and everything they offer. I do… What now? Wedding Ceremony done and a government Certificate issued BUT each couple need to wait for the Births, Deaths and Marriages Certificate to arrive to make any name changes – that usually happens within a week or two and I like to do that for all my couples. Final advice for those planning their wedding? Don’t lose the two of you in the process – be organised and book the essentials and then enjoy the ride. After all it’s about you both, so don’t do anything you don’t want to.
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CAROLE BEROS FASHION STYLIST AND DESIGNER
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We caught up with Fashion Stylist and Designer Carole Beroš who is the owner of Boutique Le Dãin Designs at Sawtell.
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ell us about 2020 and how you fared moving into the New Year? Like everyone else, everything changed consistently and nothing stayed the same! We chose to keep ourselves and customers safe, so we closed the doors for three months. It was hard, but gave us the opportunity to push ourselves in a different direction, this being the start of including more services for our customers at our store. Tell us about the new services you can now provide? As a stylist, I can honestly say we give a 100% commitment to dressing ladies of all sizes at any age to look their best. So we have now joined forces with other businesses to offer a ‘Makeover Package’. This includes having your hair styled at award winning Salon J. Society in Sawtell, Make up and Beauty Treatments at La Fleur D’Alyse Cosmetic Laser and Medispa, and Relaxation, Stress Management, Beauty and Nails at Figtree Day Spa. We also have connections for the guys with Upstairs Barber Co. at Sawtell and clothing from Jack Simmons Menswear. This is a stress-free Makeover Package which includes styling the ladies with a brand new wardrobe and also utilising the garments they already own. If someone wants the Diamond Package, this includes a ‘Before and After’ photo shoot which is great for a gift for yourself or someone special . Call 0417 471 019 for enquiries.
I have had the pleasure of working as a Fashion Stylist for the magazine on some amazing covers! Which I absolutely love! My favourite has to be the Jungle themed one!
We know that you are passionate about Fashion Styling, tell us about how you got started. I started out with the intention of being a Fashion Designer and London was the place to be. I started but followed love and ended up in Australia! I have been involved with two main industries. We owned a catering business for many years, so I’m a bit of a foodie, entertainer and mad cook, but my passion is in design, photography and styling. This has led me to owning my own store which enables me to be involved with all of these! Where has this taken you? I have been lucky in certain areas really; I have definitely been in the right place at the right time. But to give myself some credit, in most cases you have to put in the hard work to get anywhere and focus on moving forward. Touching on being in the right place at the right time, I was working with the amazing Kate Wood-Foye from Port Macquarie, who at that time was a director at Rydges and Sails. She is also part of the FOCUS team down there. Le Dãin Designs was for many years, a partner and major sponsor for the Hotels and Resort group. Staging and styling for Fashion Parades to raise funds for charities was a huge part of our association with that group. Kate introduced me to Jay and Louise Beaumont who
are the owners of FOCUS Magazine. Louise was looking for someone to join forces with their new editor to kick start Coffs Coast FOCUS. I was given the Social Pages Columnist and story writing position back then, that was 10 years ago... Still loving every minute of it! I have had the pleasure of working as a Fashion Stylist for the magazine on some amazing covers! Which I absolutely love! My favourite has to be the Jungle themed one! I remember being there with Nicci Seccombe and Gavin Moroney and it just fell into place in the most amazing way! I ordered in wild custommade millinery from Lotus and Lace Millinery for the shoot styling... Epic! Which photographers have you worked with locally as a stylist? I believe that when you team up with a photographer, you have to have respect and be able to bounce ideas off each other to bring out the best of the shoot. I have worked with Tom Woods from Stimages who travels around Australia now. Back then I had just launched our jewellery design label and we did a huge shoot for the very first Coffs Coast World Rally with fast cars and racing drivers…talk about having a blast!! The collection was called ‘All Revved Up’ and it is still one of my favourite shoots and collections! Continued over... COFFS COAST
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CAROLE BEROS FASHION STYLIST AND DESIGNER
Working with FOCUS, I met Michael Marchment who was a Graphic/Web Designer and photographer for FOCUS Port Macquarie for many years and now resides in QLD. He is a great friend and I am one of his clients. Michael and I have worked on many shoots together, including using sensational motors like 150,000 Mercedes Benz cars from Mercedes Benz Coffs Coast. Thank you Todd Blewitt! We have also travelled to the city in Sydney where I was styling and staged a shoot at the glamorous Sofitel Wentworth for a Race Day Fashion Shoot. The models were Gai Waterhouse’s PA and Racing Manager and were positioned on top of a Grand Piano! Such fun! I had designed jewellery for both Kate and Gai Waterhouse and was also interviewing them for FOCUS and Ladies in Racing Magazine! Busy times but worth the time and effort. Of course I get to work with our current photographer, the talented Gavin Moroney. Gavin is amazing to work with and is multiskilled! Because I have a passion for photography as well as styling, it really works well. On that note, we don’t always agree ha ha! As I said that is part of the success of a shoot, bouncing ideas off each other until it works! We have just completed two shoots; one was fantasy (Met Ball Theme) shot to promote one of Nicci Secombe’s fab events. 62 COFFS COAST
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This one is a glam/dramatic 50’s style shoot. We ordered the Emerald Satin Gown from RSVP in Coffs Hbr. Emma Wood is the model and one of our two main Faces of Le Dãin Designs, the other being Adelaide Zietsch. Photographer Gavin did an epic job and I can’t wait to work with him again! Have you any funny stories to share? Yes! Many but one comes to mind. I was doing a shoot with Nicci from FOCUS, the weather was a bit wild… to the extent of nearly blowing the model’s false eyelashes off!! Ha ha! We were at the Racing Club and we couldn’t pull the shoot into place… “it’s lacking something” chirps Nicci… so off I trotted (excuse the pun) and five minutes later came back with this ENORMOUS horse in tow…. After laughing for way too long we pulled off one of the best Race Day Shoots yet! We hear you are involved in the Racing Industry? Yes! Only on a sponsorship level and with Fashions on the Field. We are involved with many different clubs and own The Le Dãin Designs Summer Cup locally at the end of each year. We also stage flashy Fashion Shows at the Racing Club. Fun but lots of work! Aside from FOCUS, what other magazines have you styled for and worked with? I was involved with jewellery styling for
the late beautiful April Briscoe’s shoots who was the owner of Coast Mag and North Coast Weddings Magazine. They produced some fabulous shoots and I still use some of the images on my promotional vouchers and signage to this day. I also write and am involved with Ladies in Racing Magazine. What is one of the most amazing experiences as a stylist? I have been fortunate enough to be involved with Super Stylist Lynette Pater who is in Melbourne. She has vast connections with many photographers, make-up artists etc. Le Dãin Designs has been involved on a jewellery and accessory level and I sometimes have to pinch myself when I’m included! The biggest blast was when I sent over a jewellery collection and accessories and the shoot hit the front cover of a New York Magazine! Lucky me! Tell us about your plans for the future? I still have the offer standing to work for tourism in Croatia. It would involve helping to stage Fashion Shows and promotions. That can be achieved from here with an annual visit and sending images and ideas. It’s all been put on hold due to the obvious. So I am happy just concentrating on the now, staying healthy and being super grateful for living where we do! Thanks Carole.
COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
SURF CLUB RESTAURANT & BAR
BELLINGEN RIVERSIDE COTTAGES
If you are looking for a wedding venue with stunning views, the flexibility to create just the right atmosphere, fabulous food and flawless service, then look no further. Coffs Harbour’s Surf Club Restaurant and Bar offers outstanding wedding experiences, designed personally just for you. However you imagine your wedding day, we help you to transform our indoor and outdoor spaces to realise the dream. Elegant, funky, bohemian, stand up, sit down, casual or formal: whatever ambience you choose we make it happen and set it against the stunning backdrop of Pacific Ocean sand and surf.
Bellingen Riverside Cottages lends itself as a great special
Contact: 02 6652 9870 or info@surfclubcoffsharbour.com
Contact: 0413 317 635 or bellingenrivercottages@gmail.com
events venue for weddings, yoga and health retreats, girls and boys weekends, family reunions and birthday parties. We have a lovely flat area on the river bank where we hold our weddings. There is plenty of space to house a marquee of any size and we have our own chefs that can cater for the events. The gym is big enough to have a yoga class and group fitness session with a massage therapist on hand for that health retreat getaway.
CO F F S COAST ’ S FAVOU R IT E
WEDDING VENUES
CEDAR BAR & KITCHEN
PACIFIC BAY RESORT
Cedar Bar & Kitchen offers a gorgeous setting for your wedding celebration. Couples are offered exclusive hire of the 112-yearold restored church which has the versatility to be used for both a ceremony and reception. From a relaxed cocktail style reception to a grand sit down feast, Cedar has everything you need for a beautiful wedding. Let our experienced events team manage the details whilst you enjoy your special day in the heart of Bellingen. Ideal for intimate gatherings or large celebrations of up to 100 guests, chat to our events team to start planning your wedding.
As well as being a perfect wedding venue in Coffs Harbour, Pacific Bay Resort offers great value all-inclusive wedding packages. We want to make your big day as memorable and special as possible. Moreover, we believe you should enjoy planning your wedding, not stressing about it. This is where our wedding packages and experience really come in to play. In short, our wedding team will work with you every step of the way to ensure your dreams become a reality. If you’re looking for an exceptional venue in Coffs Harbour then look no further.
Contact: 02 6655 1001 or info@cedarbar.com.au
Contact: 02 6659 7000 or visit www.pacificbayresort.com.au COFFS COAST
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
WEDDING CATERING PACKAGES
MAIN EVENT CARS Main Event Cars provides luxury cars for weddings, formals and special events, servicing the Mid North Coast from Port Macquarie to Ballina. Based in Coffs, we offer a variety of packages for Weddings, Formals and other Special Events as well as corporate travel. Main Event Cars is all about making the transport on your special day perfect. We can tailor a package to suit your needs
and even cater for your fur babies and little ones. Our fleet consists of 3 black Mercedes, one is a convertible, and a blue BMW, but if you have a special request, we will try to find your dream vehicle for you. You can contact the team on 02 8005 8692 or email info@ maineventcars.com.au for a free quote. You can find our packages and more info on our website.
Creating great food with passion, Spare Chef will help you to create memories to last a lifetime. • Bespoke menus tailored to your style & taste • High-end, restaurant quality food
• Premium bar service • Passionate & professional caterers providing peace-of-mind
0402 282 024
www.sparechef.com.au | info@sparechef.com.au
Gavin Moroney 0403 882 699 gavin@gavincreative.com 64 COFFS COAST
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COFFS COAST WEDDING GUIDE - A SPECIAL focus FEATURE
Jan SUZIE AND
J US T
M A R R I E D
JAN AND SUZIE MARRIED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AT CEDAR BAR BELLINGEN WITH ALISON BARTLETT AS THEIR MARRIAGE CELEBRANT, SO FOCUS SAT DOWN TO FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS….
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irstly, congratulations on your recent wedding. Take us back to where it all began – how did you meet? Jan and I met doing a musical called “Anything Goes”. We were both ensemble members and developed what in show business is called a ‘Showmance’. After 4 years, we knew it was more serious than that. Tell us about your proposal. We were on a holiday in Bellingen visiting
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heard of dairy cows. After some group photos were taken, the family started to make their way back to the cars. Jan grabbed my hand and suggested “Let’s go get a photo over here now.” As we walked to a section of It was surreal the lookout I could see his and special and hand shuffling around in we wouldn’t have it his pocket. any other way. It was Jan got down on one so lovely to actually knee, presented a ring and Jan’s family and it was have the whole said: “Will you marry me?“ Boxing Day. family with us, after I squealed and said YES! Jan had planned a all - that’s what the We ran back to the romantic drive for us family and they all marriage means to us up Dorrigo Mountain. wondered what was - bringing our families Somehow 3 cars full going on. We said “We’re together officially. of the family decided engaged!” and in shock, to head along too! they all cheered and It wasn't part of the hugged us. No one knew plan, but lovely nonetheless. Not only was the what he was up to except for his father. entire convoy of family there at the lookout, It was surreal and special and we wouldn’t but there was also a gaggle of tourists and a have it any other way. It was so lovely to
actually have the whole family with us, after all – that’s what the marriage means to us – bringing our families together officially. What lead you to finding your Marriage Celebrant Alison Bartlett? We had chatted with our venue coordinator Victoria Harper at Cedar Bar and Kitchen, and she recommended Alison. I looked into her website and saw some testimonials and thought she had a lovely energy about her. I picked up the phone and called her for a chat. I thought it was very important to connect verbally rather than online for such a personal involvement together. I could tell instantly in her voice that she was special. We were interstate so weren’t able to meet up in person until a few months later, so video chats were how we connected until then. What qualities were you looking for when choosing her? I wanted to find someone who was grounded and real, with warmth and joy. I also wanted someone who was able to be personal in the ceremony rather than generic. Alison was exactly that, it was like being married by an old friend we’d known for years. How did Alison make your day special?
I thought it was very important to connect verbally rather than online for such a personal involvement together. I could tell instantly in her voice that she was special.
She embraced the romance of the occasion without any stuffiness or pretentiousness. It was exactly the balance we wanted. She also had some beautiful ideas about presenting the rings. She made all our guests feel welcome and comfortable and everyone had so much fun too. What were some of the standout moments for you on your wedding day? I remember arriving outside the venue with my bridal group and parents, and I was feeling a little nervous! But then I heard this great happy roar of the crowd inside, they were cheering! Alison was revving up the crowd to show their support for us! It was amazing and it made me feel excited reminded me of all the love in the room. Do you think wedding suppliers are important to making your wedding journey memorable? Absolutely. It’s all about the people who work with you to help organise the day.
Everything seemed to run smooth thanks to Alison and everyone involved in helping us. What are you up to now? I am doing Cats the Musical in South Korea! I was contracted here just after the pandemic began and luckily the producers have safely got us here and have been touring here for almost 12 months. Jan was able to come over and we just spent 3 months together while he was able to work online. It was fantastic to have that quality time together. We are excited for whatever the future brings, knowing we will face it together. Have you got any great advice for other couples when planning their big day? Remember the reasons why you are celebrating – and let that be your grounding point when things feel a bit stressful. And remember to stop and breathe and look into each other’s eyes on the day. It goes so quickly but it’s these moments you will remember forever. Thanks Jan and Suzie! COFFS COAST
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PFLAG with SAM DAWSON
KIM PIPER
from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
I decided to interview a colleague for PFLAG this month, Marriage Celebrant Kim Piper and let her tell us her experiences with same sex couples a er Marriage Equality came through over 3 years ago.
K
im, what is your view on Marriage Equality? How important has this been? For me, marriage equality was another step towards humanity equality. All of us, just people, the same but different, with equal opportunities and rights. In my career as an authorised Celebrant, I have realised that love doesn’t have boundaries. It has no recognition of age, colour, religion, wealth or assets, timing or gender. Despite the changes to our legislation regarding same sex marriage, it’s interesting to note that there hasn’t been a massive rush to the altar. It would seem the majority of the LGBTQI community are happy to just have the opportunity and ability to make the same choices as afforded to the rest of the country. How many years have you been a Marriage Celebrant? I studied to be a Marriage Celebrant when my husband and I relocated to the beautiful Coffs Coast from Tamworth, 13 years ago. Both decisions we have never regretted. From your experience have the same
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sex weddings been any different to other weddings? I have experienced an amazing level of acceptance and support for the unions that I have officiated, from their friends, family and the general community. There is a sense of poignancy and amazement that the world has evolved, progressed and embraced the fact that love, is love. I have a distinct memory regarding a ceremony I performed, of the parents with tears running down their faces as their child was able to marry the love of their life, just as their other children had. There is certainly always a level of emotion attached, but at the same time, a joyous, happy celebration of love. Have you found that couples are excited to be able to marry their life partner and be recognised for this by law? Yes! I have been so blessed to be part of these conversations since the changes to the Marriage Act. I was contacted by two lovely ladies to perform their ceremony. One of them confided that they had met me some years ago and knowing I was a Celebrant, she made a silent promise that if ever it became possible for her to marry,
that she would find me. And she did! As with any couple making plans for their special day, it’s always a pleasure to hear their stories. How they met, what they have in common and their plans for their life together. It really is the best job! Does the legal wording change with vows etc? Yes, when the Marriage Act 1961 was updated to allow for marriage equality, the Act definition was changed. It now reads that marriage is ‘the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life‘ replacing ‘a man and a woman‘. There are now also three options for a party’s description: ‘groom’, ‘bride’ or ‘partner’. It is up to each party to decide which option they want to use to describe themselves in the marriage forms. If couples want to find out more, how can they find you? I can be contacted by phoning m: 0413 922 726 or email: k.piper@hotmail.com website: www.kimpipercelebrant.com Facebook: Kim Piper Celebrant I am also available for a no obligation, getting to know each other chat.
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CÃRNIVALÉ
DANCE CO J A C Q U E L I N E C A R N I AT O
Jacqueline Carniato has many years of experience behind her in the dancing world and, a er moving to the area many years ago, her driving force to create somewhere to educate and nurture students' individuality was so strong that she created the successful dance studio that is Cãrnivalé.
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i Jacqui. You have called Coffs Harbour home for over ten years now. Please introduce yourself and tell us what brought you to the area. My name is Jacqueline Carniato, and I am the artistic director of Cãrnivalé. My story begins when I met my husband (a local Nambucca Heads boy) here while I was on a Christmas holiday over 30 years ago. I fell in love with him and everything about the Coffs Coast. We lived in Sydney originally but we both knew this was where we were meant to be to raise our children and enjoy everything regional living had to offer. Not long after your arrival, Cãrnivalé Dance Co was born. Can you share the driving force behind opening your very own studio? Having taught at a number of schools including one in Sydney with over 1,000 students, I thought that the move to Coffs could be the perfect opportunity to ‘take a break’ – but the universe had other plans. I had formed my own vision for a dance school and
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if you ask anybody that has ever been taught to a great performer. by me, they would tell you my teaching ethos is My initial training, not unlike many of definitely unique – something that I knew that my students, began as a preschooler. It was ‘Cãrnivalé’ would make room for. My driving classical ballet based with a strong focus on force was to create somewhere to educate technique. I studied at the NSW College of and nurture each student‘s individuality as a Dance, founded by one of Australia‘s top male performer… to ignite that dancers Kelvin Coe OBE spark! So, I took the leap and ex-Australian Ballet of faith and Cãrnivalé was principal ballerina Kim My initial born. Traynor; their advanced training, not Dancers understand Vaganova (Russian) unlike many of my that quality technique ballet syllabus method, students, began as a and syllabus creates as well as being the strong foundation surrounded by industry preschooler. It was of a great dancer. Tell professionals, gave me classical ballet based us about your training an insight into what with a strong focus background and how it takes to succeed as on technique. you aim to provide this a well-trained dancer, to your students. something I always High quality technical instil in my classes. training and syllabus foundations are truly the As a young dancer, I trained in an era when backbone of our artform – every Cãrnvialé many dancers were pigeonholed; usually doing student knows that a dancer with exceptional one style only, and, when an injury cut my technique can enjoy a freedom of spirit, limitless professional classical ballet career short, I was creativity and give them that something ‘special’ definitely not prepared for the prospect of – the thing that transforms them from a good finding an alternate career. An opportunity to
choreograph and perform in musical theatre then gave me new direction. I found new passions – mentoring young students and being part of the creative team ‘behind the scenes’. If there had ever been a year that taught us lessons, it was 2020. Children need human connection and social interaction more so than ever. In your opinion, what other needs are met by way of dance? One of the most enjoyable things associated with dance is being surrounded by a room Our parents full of people that feel the same way you do probably about dance – and being sought us out cut off from that social initially to teach circle was certainly one their children the of the most challenging skill of dance; they milestone and then you things about 2020; but soon realised that have to help them learn dancers are resilient. interwoven into our how to pirouette! The benefits of a curriculum we teach Our comprehensive positive creative arts their children many programs have the education are many other important perfect blend of highly and crucial to a child’s life skills. skilled technical training development and overall from an early age well being; dance while still ensuring that specifically stimulates the individuality and creative potential of a child’s imagination, improves musicality, each student is embraced and nurtured. The challenges coordination and increases physical extensive curriculum ensures all students are fitness. given the opportunity to systematically progress Our parents probably sought us out initially through levels in all dance genres. to teach their children the skill of dance; Everyone can be taught how to point their they soon realised that interwoven into our toes and plié but a dancer needs versatility, curriculum we teach their children many other must have an extensive repertoire, demonstrate important life skills. We tutor students to build a high level of execution, have a strong stage healthy relationships with their friends, teachers presence; and for longevity, needs to be and respect their industry, themselves, their “bodywise”. To me knowledge is power and bodies, their minds and this unique approach has led to not only our programs‘ overwhelming education is key; understanding your craft and your body is an integral part of our curriculum. success but proved to be an invaluable asset to Why do I enjoy this? Cãrnivalé was exactly our students throughout 2020. Our parents at what I needed as well – a place to be fulfilled Cãrnivalé often say, “what you do here is about as a creator and a nurturer… the journey, the so much more than dancing!”. You see your students as your own children experience, this is what it is all for. What are you looking forward to the most and care for them just the same. What this year and what is on offer for those makes your studio unique and why do you that may choose to join in the fun? so enjoy this? In 2021 we will continue to do what we do As clichéd as it sounds Cãrnivalé is a best; giving our talented crew a place to create community and with their parents we and feel fully supported, offer our students experience each student’s lows, highs, (whatever their passion) a chance to pursue it disappointments and triumphs; for our preschoolers just learning how to skip is a and provide our parents a healthy environment
where their children are nurtured to be the best version of themselves. Different students want different things, for that reason we have many entry levels: our primary stream has everything they could ask for and our junior stream classes have foundation classical ballet, jazz and tap classes and commercial classes in hip hop, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. We also have many extension programs like acro art for those students who want more and for those that just can’t get enough we have our artist intensive program. Enrolments for 2021 are happening as we speak. Where can we go to enrol our children? Each New Year brings an opportunity for a reset, especially this year. We love being able to help our students find classes that interest them, classes that suitably challenge them and are socially stimulating. Bookings are essential, class sizes are kept to a minimum to maintain coaching quality and to make it fair we process enrolments in order they are received. Semester 1 Term 1 classes commence Monday 1st February. Parents can visit www.carnivaledanceco.com any time to enquire or register their child; we also have our face-to-face registration day for students Saturday 30th January from 8.30am – 11.30am at our dance pavilion Cãrnivalé HQ at the Coffs Harbour Showground precinct. Thanks Jacqui. COFFS COAST
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FITNESS
UPDATE with DUNCAN MARCHANT
F R O M C O F F S C O A S T H E A LT H C L U B
WHY IS EXERCISE FOR PRE AND POST NATAL WOMEN SO IMPORTANT? This Month’s Inspirational Health & Fitness Story comes to us courtesy of Amanda Belle e who is a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor at Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina. She specialises in pre and postnatal exercise and just happens to be a brilliant mum too!
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o you’re pregnant and want to know if you should be exercising throughout your pregnancy and how much you can do once your little bub is born. Firstly, congratulations on your little miracle and I’ll get back to answering that question in just a bit. However, it needs to be stated first that it is extremely important to converse with your doctor or obstetrician before participating in any physical activity whilst pregnant. Once you have your all clear it is essential that you speak with a trainer who is experienced in pre and postnatal training, as they can give you guidelines to follow in your training regime. Even the most experienced athlete will need to modify their training schedule over the course of their pregnancy. In general, it is recommended that pregnant women continue to exercise for 30-40 minutes three to four times a week at a moderate intensity. One of the main goals a personal trainer will have for their clients is to maintain a level of fitness, that will assist them when it comes time to giving birth, allow them to potentially heal faster and be able to attend to their little one’s needs more effectively. If you’ve ever wanted to try a sport or particular activity, maybe wait till after pregnancy as this is not the time to try new activities. For example, if you are used to walking and swimming regularly and have a
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Amanda BELLETTE
sudden urge to try gymnastics or basketball, exercise, then please make sure you speak with you may increase you risk of pregnancy a qualified pre and postnatal trainer like myself. problems, as it is advised to keep your heart We will provide you with specialised advice, rate below 70% of its maximum to minimise help in setting achievable goals and an exercise overheating and making bub uncomfortable. program that suits your particular needs to If a particular activity make your experience or exercise is making more manageable and If you choose to you feel uncomfortable enjoyable. get advice from a or causing any kind of Thanks Amanda, trainer who is qualified discomfort, then cease it and if you are looking in pre and postnatal immediately and let your to kickstart your own training, then you will trainer and doctor know. inspirational fitness more than likely hear If you choose to get story with Amanda, call them speak about advice from a trainer her directly on 0439 building your pelvic floor who is qualified in pre 079 664. Coffs Coast and how important it is and postnatal training, Health Club has full in assisting with child then you will more service memberships, the birth and minimising any than likely hear them largest range of group chance of prolapse. speak about building exercise classes, the most your pelvic floor and experienced instructors, how important it is in assisting with child birth an awesome kids creche, professional personal and minimising any chance of prolapse. Pelvic training and weight management programs to floor exercises help strengthen the muscles help you on your journey. that stretch like a supportive hammock from Simply check out their locally owned, fun, the pubic bone to the end of the backbone. safe and supportive community via www. These are not muscles that just get stronger coffscoasthc.com.au, calling 1300 040 479 or by themselves and need to be worked on dropping in to either their Moonee Beach or during pregnancy and after pregnancy to avoid Toormina clubs for further advice. incontinence later on. If you would like to read more Inspirational If you are currently pregnant or have just Health & Fitness Stories visit had a baby and been given the all clear to www.myfitnessstory.com.au
STOP THE
leaks
Does Your Pelvic Floor Need Help?
with AARON HARDAKER
I
ncontinence is a very weak or that are too overactive common problem faced can contribute to symptoms of by people across the incontinence. Like other muscles in lifespan and is particularly the body, the pelvic floor muscles common amongst can be made stronger with exercise, women. Unfortunately, it can which is where physio can help. A often be an issue which is ignored thorough assessment can help to or left unchecked as it can be work out exactly what is causing embarrassing. It can hold you back your incontinence and prescribe the from activities right treatment you enjoy- but and exercise Incontinence is it is treatable! to address the frequently Leading local issues. experienced as physiotherapist Why should involuntary or Aaron Hardaker people seek accidental loss of urine caught up with treatment for from the bladder. Sarah Brown, incontinence? physiotherapist The at Mid North Coast Physio with a simple answer is because it can special interest in Women’s Health. dramatically affect your quality of What is incontinence? life. In many cases, incontinence Incontinence is frequently can be easily and effectively experienced as involuntary or managed so that you can cough, accidental loss of urine from the laugh, run or jump without bladder, but it can affect the worrying about leaking. It is also bowel as well. It’s a really common important to have a pelvic floor problem, with as many as 1 in check before returning to sport 3 women who’ve had a baby after having a baby to ensure that experiencing urinary incontinence. your body is ready to cope with This can be due to several factors, an increase in exercise and reduce including pelvic floor muscle your risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction. That’s why good pelvic problems. floor health is so important. Thanks Sarah. If you’re a woman How can physio help? dealing with incontinence, MNC The pelvic floor is a group of Physio is offering 5 FREE Pelvic muscles that sling under the pelvis Floor Pre-Assessments with which act to support the pelvic Sarah to discuss your concerns. organs and assist in remaining Call NOW on 1300 273747 to continent. Muscles that are secure your spot. COFFS COAST
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OUR MOST POPULAR FEATURE OF THE YEAR ‘WOMEN IN BUSINESS’ WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR MARCH EDITION IN 2021.
CALLING ALL Female leaders, ceo’s, owners, managers and female led businesses are the centrepiece of the business feature. 74 COFFS COAST
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MITCH
JOYCE Some of you may know there’s a new gym in town; World Gym. BUT MANY WOULDN’T KNOW THE REMARKABLE STORY BEHIND MITCH JOYCE, who is responsible for opening the new workout space.
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ey Mitch, your career started as a footballer, can you tell us about your time spent on the field and how did you end up in the building trade? I was following my dreams playing football from a young age with the Cronulla Sharks pathway program. Here we were put through rigorous training including strength, fitness, nutrition and the importance of working as a team. After suffering a serious knee injury and going through an intense rehab I decided to return to Port Macquarie and began my new career doing my Carpentry apprenticeship. Your story took a horrific turn years ago which is hard to fathom. What happened? At the age of 20 whilst still completing my certificates, I dived into a shallow pool at night and broke my C4,5 and 6 vertebrae which is basically your neck. I was flown straight to Royal North Shore where I was told by my doctors I would never walk again and would be a quadriplegic. At what point did things take a more positive turn and how long did the road to recovery take? For some reason one morning around 3 months after the accident, one of my big toes moved and from there the movement started to come back up my body. I was determined to beat the odds and worked my butt off in rehab. After nearly a year in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and Ryde Rehabilitation Centre I had recovered enough to be able to leave without needing a wheelchair, which in itself was kind of a miracle. I never doubted I would walk again but nevertheless it was a scary time in my life. I come from a very strong and determined family and, with their support, I was able to keep my motivation up to keep pushing my recovery. The surgery following the accident was quite a technical one. What was involved and what were the chances of success? So as mentioned above I completely crushed C4/5/6 which is basically the neck region. I had emergency surgery where they had to remove all three vertebrae and replace with a cage,
with the removed vertebra bone they crushed and fitness. I wanted to offer the best facility them up and put that in a paste which then for everybody to feel confident and supported was put in the cage and over time it grows to in. I am proud of the success World Gym Port create one single vertebra in place of the three. Macquarie has had for the local community Although in that time you were classified and I am looking forward to offering this as a quadriplegic, you still had the premium service to the Coffs Coast. willpower to continue your studies to be a What can we expect from World Gym here builder. What drove you to continue even on the Coffs Coast? though you knew there was a real chance As a premium gym we are offering the Coffs of never being able to pick up a tool? Coast the best facility for their training. We From the first time the doctors told me are using Les Mills programs, which are world I would not walk again, I knew they were renowned for their effective results. State of wrong. It was never an option to give up. the art weights equipment – and plenty of It’s not who I am, and it! We have designated this was not going to training spaces for all change that about me. levels of confidence and After all the I did the majority of skills which includes support and my course through a our Comfort Zone, our training I received program that allowed Stretching Area and our in my recovery, I me to do voice-to-text Functional Zone which wanted to be able to as I was unable to use will be the place to find give something my hands. As you could our HIIT classes. We also back. For me, the imagine this at the time have a team of qualified gym is a space was very frustrating Personal Trainers ready but was all I could do. and willing to assist where you can own I knew there was a all members. Another the results of your chance I may not be feature that we pride health and fitness. able to use the tools, ourselves on is our luxury so the next best option amenities which include for me was to Manage backlit LED mirrors in the site. Hence going down the Building/ our women’s powder room, GHD hair dryers/ Construction Management pathway. straighteners, ironing boards as well as saunas How does something like that change your that are accessible 24 hours a day. Lastly, we perspective on life and how has it shaped cannot forget our littlest members – our Kids you into the person you are today? World Creche has so much on offer the kids The accident has made me more determined will be begging for you to go for a workout. to reach my goals. It has shown me that I can This gym will be your second, you also achieve anything and this mindset I carry with have one in Port Macquarie, what brought me every day. on the idea to expand to Coffs? Fast forward a few years, and you As Coffs Harbour is a similar demographic have been spending quite a bit of your to Port Macquarie, I felt that the area would time here on the Coffs Coast, as of late benefit from a World Class Facility like this. I overseeing the construction of World Gym. am proud to be bringing something that Coffs What have been some of the highlights so Harbour is yet to have experienced. We are a far of seeing your dream come to fruition? one stop shop all the way from Supplement/ After all the support and training I received Apparel to our Protein Shake Café, our Creche, in my recovery, I wanted to be able to give Cardio and Strength Equipment plus so much something back. For me, the gym is a space more! where you can own the results of your health Thanks Mitch.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L W O M E N ' S D AY
COFFS COAST
OF THE YEAR The International Women’s’ Day (IWD) Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award acknowledges and promotes the positive contribution of women to the community in the region of Coffs Coast. The award aims to recognise outstanding women working for the empowerment of women and girls.
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hree inspiring finalists have been selected for the 2021 Woman of the Year Award. The winner of the Award will be chosen for her significant contribution to empowering members of the community and achievement in empowering women and girls. She will receive a monetary award of $1,000 for her project, sponsored by Coffs Harbour City Council. A runner-up prize of $250, sponsored by One Agency, will also be awarded. International Women’s Day (IWD) falls on 8th March each year. The three major women’s groups in Coffs Harbour; the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour Inc., BPW Coffs Harbour (Business and Professional Women) and the Coffs Coast Business Women’s Network (BWN) will be holding their very special breakfast on the morning of 8th March 2021 to provide the opportunity for girls, men and women to come together to share in the successes of our local women and girls. The following finalists will be presented at the IWD Breakfast, in the Grand Auditorium, at C.ex Coffs, Monday 8th March, 2021. ANGELIKA AULERICH Angelika is a volunteer who has been cooking for homeless people since Covid-19 started. Initially, she was reliant on food donations and is now supported by OzHarvest for the last 4 months, and cooks about 112 meals every Friday. She has also been delivering clothes, toiletries
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and blankets to Pete’s place in Coffs Harbour. In addition, she has taught craft classes for women and children, where she was teaching refugee mothers to destress, learn something, such as making jewellery to empower them and possibly make an income. Angelika has volunteered for Uniting Burnside for the past 18 months, and was organising Christmas hampers. EMMA ASPDEN Emma has 20 years’ experience of working with vulnerable people and is currently the coordinator of a program for refugee and migrant women in Coffs Harbour, the 3E’s to Freedom. Emma is giving assistance for women in their early years of settlement, to identify what they would like to achieve today, tomorrow and into the future. For this group of women, who are often not educated in their first language and married very young, life is challenging yet always hopeful. It is her role to empower, build confidence, create community connections and advocate for these women. Emma has worked hard to create a safe place for women to learn, have fun and make mistakes. Tasks like learning to swim, bike ride are life changing for these women. Emma empowers women to successfully navigate their futures by developing confidence, building community and broadening women’s experiences to become stronger through their connections to the local community. LISA NICHOLS
Lisa is a leader in mental health and suicide prevention. She is the Co-Founder of Fluro Friday and RUOK in Woolgoolga. She is well known locally for her engagement in the community and is an RUOK ambassador. Lisa worked in the disability sector for over 10 years and has retained contact with some clients since 2018, checking in on young women and empowering them through Fluro Friday. Through the Kindness Crusaders she is currently mentoring young girls. She is also supporting mental health awareness campaigns in local schools. Lisa also helps women to find employment by building their self-worth and empowering them to design a positive enjoyable lifestyle to become independent financially, mentally and physically. You are warmly invited to the 2021 IWD Breakfast on Monday 8th March 2021, C.ex Coffs, to congratulate the winner of this prestigious award and to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of all our local women. Our guest speaker will be the inspiring local Dr Rosie Ross. The MC will be last year’s winner Lily Isobella. Tickets can be purchased at: www.stickytickets.com.au/HYBKS The 2021 International Women’s Day will focus on the theme ’Let’s all choose to challenge’ #ChoosetoChallenge. Thank you to all the sponsors for the International Women’s Day: Coffs Harbour City Council, One Agency, Smart Choice Law, Focus Magazine and Sticky Tickets.
WELCOME
Dental
At Welcome Dental we want to assist in turning that frown upside down and provide you with a pathway to a happy smile.
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ur name has been inspired by the welcome swallow. The welcome swallow was named by sailors, who knew they were near land when they saw them. They were a welcome sight after a long journey. Their symbolism has included; peace, love and healing in different cultures. Our practice has a tranquil ambience. People sometimes pop in just to look around at the art and are familiar with the artists who are mostly local. Our rooms overlook a beautiful garden with fruit trees and chillies and turmeric that you can help yourself to in season. We have a number of enthusiastic and caring personalities, who are committed to providing high quality dentistry and
We’ll turn that frown upside down.
exceptional patient care in a place where people feel safe, welcome and at peace. Our team at Welcome Dental offer a full range of services from simple fillings, oral hygiene and tooth whitening to implants and orthodontics, including Invisalign. We encourage all of our patients to maintain their oral health through their preventive care both at home and attending regular oral health check ups and cleans. We understand that many people are anxious or phobic about dental treatment and have clinicians who are very experienced in treating people with these. Just let our reception staff know and they can book you appropriately. We can offer nitrous oxide (happy gas) or Penthrox (green whistle) sedation if necessary. Our opening hours are Monday – Saturday
Services.
Late nights Open Saturdays Online bookings Orthodontic treatments Childrens therapist Bulk billing CDBS AirFlow
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon. Our phone number remains the same but our email address has changed.
and we have emergency appointments available every day. Our hours are updated on Google if we have any updates or closures for training. We offer Afterpay and ZipPay and bulk bill Medicare Children’s Dental Benefits Schedule (we can check your child’s eligibility for you if you contact the surgery). Throughout our journey we want to create sensational smiles for people on the Coffs Coast and improve overall happiness and wellbeing. If you want to get in contact with our team, you can phone us on (02) 6655 5800, send us an email at info@welcomedental. com.au or pop in to speak with one of our team. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram. We’ll Turn that frown upside down!
Meet The Team. Dr Sharon Marinucci Dr Margaret Kleinig Dr Mindie Nguyen Dr John Wills Dr Oleg Pushkarev Wendy Summerill Jessica Cantrill
Phone: (02) 6655 5800 Email: info@welcomedental.com.au Website: www.welcomedental.com.au COFFS COAST
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Read P L AY i te
WAT C H
WITH NICCI SECCOMBE
Euphoria Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and written by Sam Levinson for HBO, loosely based on the Israeli miniseries of the same name. It follows a group of high school students through their experiences of sex, drugs, friendships, love, identity and trauma. The series stars Zendaya in the lead role, alongside an ensemble cast. From the beginning to the end, the cinematography that the show had created was incredible. The fact that it’s all relatable to teenagers out there made it just as good. I know for a fact that this is the sort of stuff that happens when you’re in high school, but no one actually believes it because of shows that keep it on the low, and that’s what makes Euphoria incredible.
WATCH Bad People
PLAY Be Here Now - Ram Dass A timeless spiritual classic... full of wisdom, humour, art and practical application. Anyone seeking a deeper spiritual connection will find something of value in this amazing book. With over 150 pages of metaphysical illustrations, practical advice on how to implement a yogic regimen, and a chapter dedicated to quotes and book recommendations, Be Here Now is sure to enrich your emotional, physical and spiritual life. Ages: 18 +
Bad People is the Hilarious and Brutal Party Game. Your friends are just as terrible as you thought they were, this just validates it! Base game package, expansion packs and set available, sold separately. 290 hilarious cards. The most savage party game ever! Vote for your friends on outrageous and brutal questions. Find out what your friends really think of you and get to know your friends better! Share crazy and ridiculous stories after each round.
READ Bicep - Isles
LISTEN
With clubs still shut for obvious reasons, Londonbased Belfast duo, Bicep retooled their second album to suit lockdown listening at home ahead of, they’ve said, a “much harder” live version. Created in their keyboard and drum-filled London studio, ‘Isles’ finds the DJs and producers again fusing atmosphere-building bleeps (the melancholic ‘Cazenove’) with infectious synth lines – ‘Fir’ elicits the eyes-glued rush of watching an edge-of-yourseat epic and feels as though it could explode at any moment.
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An International Affair
DG Debbie Loveday
Rotary District 9650 Conference PANTHERS PORT MACQUARIE 12-14 MARCH 2021 There will be an Arc of Friendship around the auditorium showcasing Rotary programs and projects.
Keynote Speakers
Peter Baines OAM
Shane Fitzsimmons
Dr Ray Hodgson
HANDS ACROSS THE WATER
RESILIENCE
NEPAL
Peter Baines OAM, was a forensic specialist who was sent to Thailand as part of the Australian contingent that was charged with the task of leading the international identification effort of the 5395 bodies that were recovered following the boxing day Tsunami in 2004. It wasn’t the enormity of the tragedy that spurred him to do something. He had previously worked in Bali after the 2002 bombings and saw plenty of death and destruction there.
Shane is the Commissioner of Resilience NSW, a new disaster preparedness and recovery agency. Shane will also be the Deputy Secretary of Emergency Management in NSW. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said he was honoured to have the opportunity to continue to serve the people of NSW in this vital new role, and to work alongside the leadership of the state’s combat agencies.
Dr Ray Hodgson is a Rotarian and an Associate Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of NSW. He is the Founder and Director of the charity Australians for Women’s Health and author of the bestselling book Heartbreak in the Himalayas. Over the past 11 years Dr Ray and his teams of volunteers have provided lifesaving medical care to women and children in remote areas of Nepal. He is currently building a hospital for Mothers and Babies in far eastern Nepal.
Black Tie Evening 14 March 2021
Other Speakers throughout the two days include
District 9650
Entertainment by Rob McDougall of Les Miserable Fame and Daniel Belle. Rob is currently singing with Anthony Warlow in the Secret Garden.
Dave Pearson National Vice Chair – Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Katherine Vaara – Lifeline Mid Coast | Youth Public Speaking Finals Michael Weatherall - Mens Health Educational Rotary Van (MHERV) PDG Greg Moran – Tiny House project Kokoda | Mike Greenslade – Shelterbox PDG Maurie Stack and the Rotary Club of Taree on Manning – Riverstage Project | Rotaract
Register for the conference at www.rotary9650.org.au/district-conference
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t e Little Upholstery S H O P
KEY EMPLOYMENT
T
ell us about The Little Upholstery Shop? The Little Upholstery Shop is a family owned and operated Upholstery Business in Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour. The upholstery trade has been passed down from first to second generation by father to son, Jason Pell. We share a passion for sentimental things in life and you can be assured that we will provide you with a friendly, professional service and a quality finish to that special piece whether it is your favourite chair, a family heirloom or motorbike seat. We also provide a free measure and estimated quote, ensuring there are no nasty surprises for our customers. Let’s talk about staff. Well, we currently have 6 staff including myself as the owner. We are an equal opportunity employer, and this was demonstrated when we approached Key Employment, a Disability Employment Service around 12 months ago. We have now placed two amazing and talented staff with Disability, one being a junior that has just completed the KAPOW program, a youth program run by Key Employment that assists with the transition from school to work. We firmly believe that providing opportunity for everyone is vital to having a productive and
happy workplace, we are proud of the staff we have, and hope to continue to build our team into the future. How has Key Employment helped? Easy to answer! When we first approached Key Employment, the sales team listened to our business needs and was able to coordinate and arrange interviews with the right people. There was no pushing square pegs into round holes, it was about matching the right person for the job. It was a very simple process and it took that added stress off us and allowed us to focus on our customer orders. After employing 2 staff through Key Employment, Post Placement Support Consultant, Cheryl, has been an integral part of the initial training and ongoing support of our staff. Like many new staff in all businesses, it can take time to train and settle in. Cheryl was there for us regularly, to support this process and it has been invaluable to us. Some of the challenges our employees have faced include workplace adjustments and
professional development. Key Employment has provided support for all these issues and more including accessing funding through Jobaccess to purchase workplace modifications to assist staff with physical barriers. On top of all this, Key Employment assisted us with very generous wage subsidies. As a small business this was essential to the ongoing growth of our business and allowed us to reduce the cost of employing new staff. Would you recommend Key Employment to other employers? Put it this way, give them a call and you won’t be disappointed. The process is easy, the staff are great, even if it’s just to ask about other ways they can help your business. With the support for staff or wage subsidies, they have it covered. They can even assist with work related uniforms, tools and equipment. Just give Cheryl a call on (02) 6691 9999 and she will be happy to talk to you about all the services Key Employment offer.
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E D U C AT I O N
UPDATE with NICK JOHNSTONE
FROM BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGE
SCHOOLS IN
W
e all know the Alice Cooper song ‘School's Out’ that talks about the excitement of finishing school but what about the excitement of starting school? For many parents it is a stressful time, as they have to decide if their child is ready to enter Kindergarten. School readiness skills are essential to help parents make that decision, but what does it really mean? School readiness is a collection of skills, knowledge and behaviours that enable your child to participate in their education from the first day. There is, however, a misconception around school readiness that relates to your child being able to read, write or count to one hundred before they start kindy. Please let me assure you that this is not the case. School readiness is a more holistic term that relates to your child’s physical skills and coordination, social and emotional skills, their communication skills and their cognitive skills. The ideal physical skills include some physical coordination (being able to run, jump, climb and track a ball) and the fine motor skills that include the ability to turn pages in a book or being able to correctly grip a pencil (see the resource list for help). Basic health is also vital. I recommend that a vision and hearing examination occurs prior to a child starting school. If challenges are identified early, interventions can be put in place from the first day, establishing positive habits. Being able to independently dress and toilet themselves is essential. You needn’t worry about their shoelace tying ability, this will come later as fine motor skills develop. Social and emotional skills are essential as well. A child needs to have had a range of
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positive experiences with children of a similar materials, such as pencils, crayons and textas. age. The ability to engage and play with • Gross motor skill development - spend other children is very important. They learn time outside walking and talking in different exponentially in this play-based environment. environments. Kick the soccer ball around with They model what they have seen from family them and ask them questions about their day at situations, from the media they are exposed to the same time. and from their peers. Basic manners are also • Read with your child daily. Discuss the story. essential at this point. Developmentally children Let them predict how it will end or what will be are moving from an egocentric time in their on the next page. Join your local library, you will lives to one that recognises wider perspectives. all enjoy the outing and shared experience. The ability for children, • Play card games - this therefore, to be able helps with concepts such to focus their attention as sequencing, waiting Communication and follow teacher their turn, and also skills include the instruction will reduce teaches logic and strategy ability for your child their stress in this new that supports cognitive to articulate needs and environment. skill development. feelings without Communication skills • Before your child resorting to physical include the ability for starts school spend a interactions. your child to articulate little bit of time with needs and feelings the new teacher. The without resorting positive relationship that to physical interactions. Listening skills are you have with the teacher is essential. They essential. Most preschool teachers would are professionals in this age group and are highlight this as being the most important skill. wonderful resources. The confidence and/or ability to speak clearly is • Helping your child with this collection of also important. The teacher is unable to assess skills will enable them to participate confidently understanding and plan for future teaching in their education from the first day. without feedback from the child. A bonus in Useful Resource Links: this category is the ability to follow storylines Pencil Grip Skills - https://occupationaltherapy.com. and identify some letters and sounds. The ability au/improving-your-childs-pencil-grip/ to be able to wait and take their turn can’t be Pencil Grip Products - https://www.pencilgripsplus. underestimated in this domain as well. com.au/products What can you do to help with school Tie Shoe Laces - Bunny Style - https://www.youtube. readiness? com/watch?v=M8DNQvyGnf0 • Social development - arrange playdates or Wiggles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSjoin a playgroup for at least weekly interactions lbKtPXpo with children of the same or similar age. Gross Motor Milestones - https://childdevelopment. • Fine motor skills development - let your com.au/resources/child-development-charts/grossmotor-developmental-chart/ child practice drawing with a range of different
Bishop Druitt College For 2022
Let’s start a journey of opportunity & adventure...
Continuing to provide
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) onsite K-12 Collaborative Student Learning Playgroup Thursday (Term time) Wellbeing Hub, team & programs TOP school on Coffs Coast for HSC Innovative Online Learning
Plus so much more...... www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/about-us/the-bdc-advantage
GET IN TOUCH
01
Register your interest
02
Book a college tour
03
Visit our college
in our college
and receive an information pack
www.bdc.nsw.edu.au Email: enrolments@bdc.nsw.edu.au Phone: (02) 6651 5644 Fax: (02) 6651 5654 111 North Boambee Road, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
FOLLOW US COFFS COAST
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Gabrielle W I L LO U G H BY
Looking back on a lifetime of inspiring learning and building relationships...
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i Gaby. There wouldn’t be many in the Coffs Harbour community that don’t recognise your face, however, please introduce yourself and share your connection to our region. Hello Claire, I am Gabrielle Willoughby (Gaby), I grew up in Kings Cross and I met my husband at the end of High School in 1974. He is my rock; we have been inseparable from then on. We moved to Coffs Harbour at the end of 1981 to take a teaching position at St Augustines beginning in 1982. We have two daughters born in Coffs and three grandchildren. We have lived at Mylestom, Emerald Beach, Dairyville and near the dead centre of town. Coffs is our town. Your career in teaching began back in 1978, and since then you’ve spent it working in Catholic Primary Schools across the region. Firstly, take us back to where it all began. Becoming a teacher was a childhood aspiration. I can’t define any particular reasons, maybe it was the kindness of teachers I have had. There was just a tremendous appeal to help people, to guide others, to unlock the fundamentals of learning. Someone close to me always says “teaching is a gift”, and a good teacher can have an enormous effect on the lives of children. I attended the Catholic Teachers College 88 COFFS COAST
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Someone close to me always says “TEACHING IS A GIFT”, AND A GOOD TEACHER can have an enormous effect on the lives of children.
at North Sydney. After College I taught around the greater Sydney area for four years, the majority of that time at Camden. My move to the Coffs Harbour region, beginning with St Augustines (1982 -95) has been the most rewarding and happiest times in my career. With the support and guidance of some exceptional colleagues, I have worked in all the Catholic Primary schools in the area. At St Francis Xavier Woolgoolga (1996-2002) I was on the Leadership Team as well as a classroom and Additional Needs Teacher. I transferred these skills to Mary Help
of Christians Sawtell in 2003. I’ve had an affiliation with St John Paul College supervising the well-being and pastoral care of past Primary students in my role as School Chaplain. You would have seen many changes across the profession since those early days. In your opinion, what has changed the most? Change is inevitable and constant. There have been significant changes in every aspect of education over those years. Changes in the curriculum, the family unit, the role of a teacher, the language of education and
changes in the classroom environment. From chalk and blackboards to digital technology and personal devices. For example, when I started teaching, schools were open and unsecured, there were no fences. When I attended St Augustines for my interview, it was the day of the St Augustines fete and there was a beer keg on tap! Change comes with all sorts of flow on effects, positive and negative. The stand out for me is technology, the amount of information available to teachers and students instantly. While we are on this subject, I am always proud of the way teachers accept and adapt to changes, which was evident during COVID in 2020. Teachers play a huge role in inspiring young minds to grow and prosper, and there are definitely teachers in my life that I still look upon with great gratitude. What is it that has kept you enjoying your role for all these years? This is easy. It is watching the spark of excitement as students Change comes grasp difficult concepts with all sorts of and important life skills. I flow on effects, catch some of that spark, POSITIVE AND it is wonderful. I love to NEGATIVE. THE encourage their curiosity, STAND OUT FOR ME particularly in the natural IS TECHNOLOGY, the world, inflaming a passion students approach amount of to know more. I try me in the street. The information available when I can to embellish feelings I get are to teachers and the lesson, by bringing wonderful. I consider students instantly. in props, like fossils, myself very privileged specimens and true life to be remembered adventure. These extras so fondly by them, really inspire. You should see the “specimens” especially when they reminisce about particular the children bring to school in return! lessons and events. With your career spanning four decades, If you could give advice to aspiring new it was inevitable that you would begin teachers or those contemplating a career in to see familiar faces walking through teaching, what would it be? the school gates, however, to a different Similar to healthcare workers, who attract degree; The student now the parent. How my utmost admiration, a good teacher ironic? may need to go beyond their professional I see ex-students bringing their children to responsibilities in a duty of care. A good school and I see lots of ex-students around teacher is committed to the task, to do the town regularly. I am currently teaching with best by the students that rely on you. My a former student and have taught with many advice to new teachers is; Teaching is all about former students. It’s a real buzz when former communication, relationships and respect. You
have to love what you do. When the time comes and you decide your working life is ready to take a back seat, what plans will you be ticking off the bucket list? My bucket list is simple and relatively short. I tick it off every day. Maintain a healthy active lifestyle. When you have good health, you have all you need. We have always travelled the back roads of Australia. I love a road trip, anywhere, anytime. Travelling the country is an adventure that began in my teens and we’ll be doing a lot more of that. Before closing Claire, I would like to thank the Catholic schools of Coffs Harbour and all my colleagues who have worked and supported me through this period in my very enjoyable career, it has been a pleasure. Thanks Gaby. COFFS COAST
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I HAVE COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL". JOHN 10:10
OUR MISSION The core mission of Mary Help of Christians School is to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the children in our care. With the Holy Family as our guide, we endeavour to nurture the development of our children in partnership with families in a safe and caring environment. In an atmosphere of care and concern, where each child's uniqueness is valued, we aim to provide an excellent education, so that all children can attain their full potential spiritually, academically, socially, culturally and physically.
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ACADEMICALLY CULTURALLY
SPIRITUALLY
SOCIALLY PHYSICALLY
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T H E E D U C AT I O N C E N T R E
tuition on the move
As you may have heard, our house in Bray Street, Coffs Harbour has been sold. Not the business, just the house.
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o, time for a welcome, new start, can’t wait. Term one we will still be providing the same excellent tuition as you have been used to, but it will be at Moonee Street. Details will be sent to all customers. This is for term one only. Term 2 we’ll be ready to open up our fantastic new Centre in Harbour Drive. There will be so much more to offer, all under the one roof. For all students from kindergarten to Year 12, preschool aged school readiness program and some tertiary tuition as well as NDIS programs and programs for adults. There will be free assessment for primary students, team classes for secondary students and other special interest classes,
especially Languages, where we have Japanese, Mandarin, Arabic, German, French and Hindi. While students are being tutored parents can enjoy a coffee downstairs, do a bit of shopping, get a haircut or just window shop. Tuition; individual and team based tuition is an excellent way to help students confidently traverse the road through their educational journey. From curriculum knowledge to building confidence and self-esteem, tuition not only provides support in learning but also assists with helping students to become more productive members in their class at school. Liz Stevens, Proprietor of The Education Centre says “Please don’t discontinue tuition too early; the phrase ‘we’ll just see how he/
she goes without tuition’ may possibly lead to failure or the student just giving up. The best path of action is to transition from individual to a small group – team tuition – then when they are showing confidence and higher marks they may be ready to go it alone”. Sometimes tuition can take a year or more. When choosing tuition, look at the long term and plan ahead. The Education Centre will have special yearly discounts available from this year as well as the usual discounts for advance payments. For information regarding our temporary address or any tuition booking please call 02 6652 2222 or email coffsharbour@ theeducationcentre.com.au. Website: wwwtheeducationcentre.com.au
Tuition also available: Bellingen, Macksville and Lismore Suite 201/202, Level 1, 24 Moonee St, Coffs Harbour Phone 6652 2222 2/7-9 Market Street, Woolgoolga Phone 6654 8397 Level 1/9 Duke Street, Grafton Phone 6643 5610
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e CHILDCARE FOR WOOLGOOLGA
Ohana has opened its new centre in Woolgoolga, conveniently located across from Woolworths on Solitary Islands Way.
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ocal families will now have more options for quality childcare in this rapidly growing region. And enrolments are filling fast, so give us a call to join us for
2021. LEADING DESIGN Designed from the ground up to incorporate all the latest technical innovations, the new centre includes a welcoming interior with vaulted ceilings allowing for heaps of natural light, and interconnected rooms with soundproof panels, along with a calming colour scheme. Notably, the main rooms are a generous open plan area with individual workspaces and educational resources, specially designed to teach our cutting-edge Walker Learning program to smaller groups. CUTTING EDGE EDUCATION Based upon a play-based approach to learning, our Walker Learning program is a whole lot more than just fun and games. It's an innovative educational program that caters for all ages and generates results across the board in comprehension and literacy, across all age groups. All of which helps set up the preschool child for a smoother transition to big school. To find out how your child can benefit from this approach, call Ohana today on 1300 956 200 for more details.
NATURAL OUTDOOR PLAY AREAS There's so much here to like. With easy access from indoors to outdoors, the new playground comes with a secure landscaped area featuring fun climbing frames and cubby equipment, places to gather and hide, lots of grass, and superb shading from overhead shade cloths and freshly planted trees. Come and see for yourself by booking a centre visit today. HEALTH AND SAFETY We take our children and staff's wellbeing very seriously by regularly checking for temperature and overall health throughout the day. We use the latest contactless technology so you can check-in and check-out faster with greater efficiency. And all families can monitor their child throughout the day with regular updates via a convenient mobile app. FOOD AND NUTRITION With a dedicated chef on the team, Ohana truly excels in its new range of meal plans by serving up fresh, tasty and nutritious food cooked in-house daily. Catering for even the fussiest of diets, we now offer different meal plans to cover vegetarian, vegan, Hindu and traditional diets. Just one of the ways we make childcare easier for all families. Call us to find out more. SUSTAINABILITY Like Ohana's other four centres, the
new Woolgoolga centre will run entirely by solar energy using solar panels and battery storage. An ongoing commitment to the environment also means generating compost for the thriving garden beds and phasing out single-use plastics, office paper and other consumables. LOCALLY OWNED Ohana Early Learning is locally owned and already running four other centres across the Coffs Coast at South Grafton, Emerald Beach, Coffs CBD and North Boambee. This new centre at Woolgoolga confirms the demand and popularity for their particular brand of quality childcare. WE ARE HIRING! Yes, we are in the process of hiring dedicated staff to help run this new and exciting centre. Applications can be made online via our job portal on our website or call us on 6656 4664 for more details. NOW TAKING ENROLMENTS To enrol your child, or to book a tour of the new centre, visit our website and enter your contact details, and we'll be in touch to organise all the paperwork. If you need more information specific to your individual needs, please contact Anne, our dedicated enrolment specialist. Maybe ask her about the flexible day sessions designed to maximise your childcare allowance? COFFS COAST
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RAGE MUSIC IS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR ANYTHING LOCAL MUSICIANS AND MUSIC LOVERS MAY NEED. Benny Ainsley, an enthusiastic and accomplished musician himself, opened up the new store in Coffs recently and has created a dynamic and vibrant space, so we sat down to ask him all about it.
B E N
A I N S L E Y
RAGE music
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ey Benny, in the midst of a lockdown you decided to follow a life passion of music and open up a music store here on the Coffs Coast. How long had you been dreaming about opening up a shop like this? It’s something we both dreamed of doing for a long time, but to be honest I don’t think we ever thought it could be possible. Especially with everything that’s going on in the world and the state of the live music industry at the moment. Seeing the finished product and getting to do what we love every day is an absolute dream come true and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s all come together. As a musician yourself with experience with certain instruments, how do you decide on what to stock in your store? In the beginning it was seeing what was and
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wasn’t available to us locally and trying to fill bass guitar in my current project and loving the in the gaps from beginner to more advanced challenge. players. My aim is to give our students and customers The goal has always been to have affordable the same positive experience and stepping quality instruments new and used all the way stones in music that I was lucky enough to up to more professional high-end gear. have growing up. We also stock a What have you learnt huge range of band about yourself so far My aim is to give merchandise, clothing by running a music our students and and jewellery. shop? customers the same What instruments do I guess the main thing positive experience you play personally & I’ve learnt is that all the and stepping stones in did you take lessons? years I spent locked away I started off learning music that I was lucky in my room playing guitar piano when I was five etc wasn’t a total waste enough to have with local Piano Teacher, of time after all… lol. In growing up. Carmel Robinson. all seriousness though as Carmel was absolutely far as the business side amazing and handled my young crazy self goes, I’m learning something new every day. extremely well. You have been able to separate the space A few years later I picked up the guitar and and incorporate a barber and photography was self-taught until I started taking lessons studio. These are all quite different with Kim Michaelson who was also an amazing businesses; what was the motivation for teacher and mentor. adding these into your space and how do Years later I ventured into drums and music you find they all work together? production, though now I’m focusing on the On paper it sounds crazy but funnily enough
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it all works together perfectly. Kirra aka “Cuts by Kirra” worked with me in our previous store as the inhouse Barber. When the decision was made to make the move and verge into the music scene it was a no-brainer that Kirra had to come too, as we work together really well, and she brings such a vibrant energy to our space. When the store closes it transforms into Heidi’s photography studio, under “Heidi Bell Photography & Studio Melita”, where she specialises in everything from newborn babies and family portraits to boudoir and modelling shoots. Heidi has had a successful photography business in Coffs for years, so it was a perfect opportunity for her to expand into her very own studio space. Aside from selling instruments you also offer music lessons; can you tell us what’s on offer? We’ve been extremely lucky to have local musician and guitar teacher Damion Towner join us bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. For the last 15 years Damion has performed
locally and around Australia as both a solo artist and in many awesome bands. During the school term you can book Damion for a lesson in guitar, drums, bass, harmonica or vocals, and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed. We also have Paul Barret from the local band “Flying Giant” teaching drums for both beginner and advanced students. Paul specialises in progressive rhythm and techniques and is the perfect teacher for anyone wanting to take their drumming to the next level. What is the age range of your students and do you need to be at a certain level to learn? The students range from five years old to people well into their 60s, and you can definitely begin at any level. You’re never too young or old to rock! There are no rules in music and each lesson is structured to suit each student’s individual goals. That’s especially where Damion’s and Paul’s teaching shines. What’s some of the feedback from students so far?
Parents have often said how much their kids are enjoying the lessons, it’s like they’re picking up a different kid afterwards. They are happy and excited about their achievements and what they are learning. They leave happy and feeling good about themselves. Damion’s students react really well to his multi-faceted approach to teaching. He’s written a theory course for guitar where they work on scales and arpeggios, and also gives them the option of choosing any song they wish to work on. Where do you see Rage Music heading in the future? Hopefully continuing to grow and support local musicians getting to do what we love for years to come. Thanks Ben. COFFS COAST
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COFFS CON
NEWS with PAT BREARLEY
The benefits of early music education show the importance of music within children’s development.
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arly Childhood Music classes at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium encourage a positive attitude towards learning, and build foundations for future musical development. Participation in an Early Childhood Music program will make a significant contribution to your child’s overall learning, helping them to develop. Children are curious about music and fascinated by sounds. They thrive on repetition and need a variety of opportunities to engage with their music. A balanced program which promotes singing, physical response, playing instruments, creative expression and quiet listening will support and strengthen learning of musical concepts and assist in all aspects of childhood development. Children’s music lessons are developed from a breadth of musical repertoire of nursery rhymes, children’s songs, rhymes and chants. Most songs are repeated for several lessons so that the children know them well and are confident to join in. This begins to build up a “song repertoire bank”
which greatly contributes to the children’s development and growth. Music classes are a special time for you and your child to share together. Your role of support, gentle encouragement and participation are of great value. There may be times when your child appears not to be joining in and this is OK. They have times when they need to just sit and listen. Children are constantly absorbing the lesson in their own way and continue to observe and listen. Creating a relaxing and encouraging environment in the Coffs Con ECM classes is a priority of our teachers, and helps the children become comfortable and involved. Participation in Early Childhood Music will assist your child as they improve their: - Listening skills - Auditory discrimination skills - Sensitivity to rhythm and melody - Concentration - Aural and visual memory - Spatial awareness, balance and coordination - Self-confidence and esteem - Self-expression and creativity
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BUSINESS
MINDS with LINDSAY RUSSELL & HEIDI FIGENSCHAU
from Fluke & Fern Marketing Agency.
VAYDA Maher VAYK AY SWIM
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hen did you realise you wanted to create your own swimwear collection? I’ve been wanting to start a swimwear brand for years! I’ve grown up by the ocean and love having quality swimwear that lasts a lifetime. Two years ago, I looked into starting a line but didn’t like the idea of mass production, massive waste, huge discount sales because of excess stock and all that jazz. I wanted to create something with a positive ecological footprint, environmentally conscious, and has a story that makes you feel good buying swimwear. And that’s how I got to where I am today with VayKay Swim! What is dead stock, and what inspired you to use this type of material for your new brand of swimwear? Simply put, dead stock is excess material from larger companies that would otherwise go to landfill, but instead it gets to live another life. For the future, I’m planning to use materials made out of recycled fishing nets and ocean waste, but for now, I want to use materials that are already out there such as dead stock. I love hunting for the dead stock - finding colours and patterns that (fingers crossed) everyone will love. I also aim to travel overseas to get cool dead stock fabrics for future collections. It’s awesome because sometimes I may only get a few metres of it - and with only
a few sets made out of that fabric, everything swimwear offering? stays unique. Imagine owning a bikini that no 100%! I want to be accommodating for one else in the world has! everyone. Once I have more fabrics, I am You make items to order, how do you wanting to create a build-your-own-bikini think this helps you stand out from the section on my website to cater for everyone’s crowd? likes. I’ve already done a few sets for kids, and Hand sewing swimwear from dead stock is I love the idea of a Mum & Daughter matching a time-consuming process. By letting people set - it makes my heart so, so warm! create custom pieces, I feel In the future - watch out like they appreciate the Mums, bubs, boys and maybe creation of each individual Life goals: even puppies, who knows! bikini or one-piece Sewing From handmade boardies, more. I adore the idea of swimwear out of limited run screen-printed someone having a piece the back of my van shirts, embroidered hats - the of swimwear that may not while travelling possibilities are endless!! ever be created again. Oh, this awesome Make sure to follow me @ and all of my swimwear is country! vaykay_swim to see what reversible too. So basically, comes next. you get two handmade You’ve already got your pieces for the price of one, win-win! own VayKay Van. What does the future of What are the sustainable practices of VayKay Swim look like, and what part will VayKay Swim? the van take in this? I have so many ideas circling in my head for The van is actually part of my life goals: where this business can take me, and I want to Sewing swimwear out of the back of my stay as environmentally conscious as possible van while travelling this awesome country! I whilst I’m growing. Right now, my packaging love leading a simple life, and I’m more of a is plastic free (apart from stickers), and I use minimalistic person. I don’t need many things compostable mailers. On top of that, all of my to be satisfied, so I know that I could fit my swing tags are made out of plantable paper, whole life into the VayKay Van and escape. If I meaning that you can put the tag directly into the ground, and soon you’ll have either daisies, can make some cool swimmers along the way, it can't get much better than that. poppies or rudbeckias growing. Use code FOCUS for 10% off your Since everything is handmade by yourself, are you open to special requests first VayKay Swim purchase at www. from customers like a build-your-own vaykayswim.com.au COFFS COAST
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Cof s Bypass started
KeviFEDERALn HOGAN MP MEMBER FOR PAGE Kevin HOGAN MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PAGE
Looking forward to 2021 Happy New Year! 2020 had a number of challenges for our community. We are all looking forward to a more positive 2021. Some of the projects I look forward to seeing progress in 2021 include the $1.8 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass where work has begun, the $23 million Woolgoolga Sports Complex which was started last year and the $1.1 million Woolgoolga Whale Trail upgrade which will be started soon.
All are important projects for our community. Australia Day Australia Day is here and I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable day. It’s a great day where we welcome new citizens and recognise the service of people in our community with Australia Day Awards. Most importantly, it’s a great time to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful country. We all have a lot to be grateful for.
Email: kevin.hogan.mp@aph.gov.au
Find us on Facebo k: Kevin Hogan MP Lismore Offce: ph: 02 6621 4044 63 Molesworth St, Lismore Instagram: Woolgoolga to Ballina section finished Grafton Offce: Coffs ph: 02 6643 3973 Bypass 1/83A Prince St, Graftstarted on kevin.hogan.mp Paciic Highway Upgrade:
Email: kevin.hogan.mp@aph.gov.au
Find us on Facebook: Kevin Hogan MP Instagram: kevin.hogan.mp
Authorised by K Hogan MP, National Party of Australia - NSW, 63 Molesworth Stre t, Lismore NSW 2480
Lismore Offce: ph: 02 6621 4044 Grafton Offce: ph: 02 6643 3973
63 Molesworth St, Lismore
1/83A Prince St, Grafton
Authorised by K Hogan MP, National Party of Australia - NSW, 63 Molesworth Street, Lismore NSW 2480
First Class Accounts – Coffs Harbour Helping business owners achieve financial compliance and positive cash flow strategies Save Time: Focus on what you do best; running your business and let me take care of the paperwork. Know the Numbers: I can report to you regularly on cashflow, expenses and capital, so you don’t have to worry about it. Work Smarter: Master your accounting software the easy and painless way – get an initial setup. Training and support for MYOB, QuickBooks and Xero. Forget BAS headaches: With my assistance, your BAS will be accurate, up to date, and on time – avoiding penalties. On-site or Off-Site: I can come to your office or work remotely using the latest cloud based software like Xero. Tax Return & Preparation: I can also assist in preparation and lodgement of your tax returns.
Call Sabina Ramana on 0466 220 544 for your initial free consultation. E: sabina.ramana@firstclassaccounts.com www.firstclassaccounts.com/coffs-harbour
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Paciic Highway Upgrade:
CharterNet C O F F S
C O A S T
Jack Dixon, Principal, Chartered Accountant
Practical Cashflow Strategies for Small to Medium Businesses
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s the saying goes, Cash is King, and as a new year gets underway it’s worth considering what can be done better to manage the lifeblood of your business. 1. Negotiate favourable payment terms with suppliers. If you work with a few larger suppliers, try requesting extended payment terms of 60 or 90 days. This hinges on good relationships, but slowing payment frequency where possible will help your cash position. 2. Request upfront and milestone payments from customers. If you provide services on a retainer or a fixed fee quote, it’s worthwhile requesting a percentage upfront. This establishes payment credibility for new customers, and can strengthen your cashflow if working on a project across many months. 3. Lease, don’t buy. Leasing
often provides a more favourable cashflow position than buying outright. While there are fees and interest costs to pay, they’re generally tax-deductible, reducing your tax burden. Interest rates have never been lower. 4. Get In Front of the Tax Game. Smart business owners set aside tax obligations intermittently, so they aren’t blindsided when larger bills come around for paying super, BAS, or income tax, which are often on a quarterly cycle. Also, be proactive and talk to your accountant about tax planning well before 30 June (ideally around April or May). Being on the front foot with your tax strategies will allow you to optimise your tax payments, in terms of both timing and amounts due. This is a significant and underutilised way to improve available cashflow within the business. To talk about cashflow strategy within your business, contact CharterNet Coffs Coast today.
Thinking of Retirement? It is never too late or too early to think of retiring. Having financial independence and freedom is something that we all strive to achieve. Retirement is a time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your working life. Retirement Income Review Final Report The Government has released an independent review which confirms that “the Australian retirement income system is effective, sound and it’s costs are broadly sustainable”. It also finds that our system is well placed to respond to economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some key findings with respect to the system’s three pillars include: • The Age pension, compulsory super and voluntary savings results
in most Australians achieving adequate retirement outcomes. • There are several ways to boost retirement incomes without having to increase super contributions including more effective drawdown of super assets, better-after-fee returns and accessing equity in their home. The full report can be found on the Treasury website. So, what will your retirement look like? At Barry Hockey Accountants, we have a dedicated team to assist you.
36 Moonee Street, COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 PO Box 90, COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 Direct: 0472 636 400 | Office: 5616 0100 CharterNetCoffsCoast.com.au
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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
with CATH FOWLER
Vivie e Shorter EMER ALD ISLAND DISTILLERY
F R O M T H E D I G I TA L L A N E W AY
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an you tell us a little bit about your career and what led you to create Emerald Island Distillery? I grew up overlooking the kangaroo grass of Emerald Beach headland and the vast everchanging coastline. My home was full of fresh produce, homemade pickles and warm baking. When getting my first job it was a natural progression to move into the world of food, tagging along with the caterers of the emerging Coffs Harbour wedding scene. I then worked for fifteen years in the business end of Sydney. I loved the vibrancy of The Big Smoke and fully immersed myself in everything the city had to offer. I loved the innovative food and the abundant nightlife, however I deeply missed nature. I eventually returned to Emerald Beach, where I have rekindled my affinity with the land and sea. It was while working with the clever women of the Cheesemaking Workshop and Deli that I became inspired to also pursue my passion… my passion for incredible gins. Incorporating the botanical abundance of the region and my affinity for the science of distilling. What products are available and how we can get a hold of them? Emerald Island Distillery are currently producing four incredible gins, available via our online store - EmeraldIslandDistillery.com. au - offering free local delivery.
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Being as Emerald Island Distillery is Emerald Island Distillery Barrel Aged Gin is handcrafted, we pride ourselves on our best enjoyed as you would a fine brandy. flexibility, embracing the changing flavours of What’s your favourite gin-inspired the seasons. Like boutique wine, our products cocktail? are influenced by their vintage, with seasonal Emerald Island gins are fabulous mixed variety coming through in the freshness of our into martinis and exotic cocktails; however, I gins. Our products are all natural and bursting personally like to enjoy my gins with limited with flavour. corruption. I love to drink Premium Dry Gin my gin neat on ice, however OUR - with bold notes of there’s a good reason why PRODUCTS juniper, garden grown few people think of gin, cumquats and local ARE ALL NATURAL without thinking of tonic raspberries (& a whole too. An Emerald Island Gin AND BURSTING lot more) this gin is & Tonic is simple, fresh and WITH FLAVOUR. brave and fabulous. fabulous. For a hint of sour, Our Premium Dry Gin is I recommend swapping your complemented by summer fruit. traditional slice of lemon, for a squashed berry Mirage Gin - this gin changes like a or nectarine slice. mirage. It pours like a blue wave into your Have you always called the Coffs Coast glass but once topped with sparkling tonic, it home? changes to the radiant lilac of tropical island I grew up in Emerald Beach, when the flower. streets were still dirt and my feet reflected the Berry Slow Gin is Emerald Island Distillery’s streets. I delivered the local paper, so I knew take on a traditional English-style Sloe Gin everyone by the name of their dog. (thus the cheeky spelling). Taking advantage I moved back to the Coffs Coast because of the succulent tropical berries of the region, nowhere else has ever felt like home. The area Emerald Island Berry Slow Gin changes with feels so alive. Nature is everywhere and the the seasons. town is alive with culture and innovation. Barrel Aged Gin - lovingly aged in What piece of advice would you give premium shiraz barrels from Brokenwood women making their way in the business Winery. This gin has all the bold characters world? of our Premium Dry Gin, plus the dark vanilla You can have it all, but you don’t need to flavours of French Oak & peppery Shiraz. do it all.
Coffs Coast P R O P E R T Y
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G U I D E
Hibbard HOMES
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INVESTMENT PROPERTIES - H O W D O I S TA R T ?
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ou don’t need to sign up to courses and investment groups, you just need to take that first step to find out exactly where you stand (financially) and then have the right people guide you through each step. Australians are retiring broke. Just looking at what your affordability is could quite literally change your future for the better. Orient yourself by getting assessed by our team to see where your current financial situation can take you - you could be very surprised. Investing in real estate may sound like a dream but what’s stopping you from living it? If you’ve already purchased a home the market may have moved in the right direction leaving you with plenty to use to invest in another property which can then bring in more income! We encourage anyone that has purchased
Ok so you have your own home, now imagine you were able to start buying investment properties (ok, maybe just one to start..) - it happens! It’s happening for people even when they had absolutely no idea that it could be possible for them.
their own home to get If you’ve already checked to see what purchased a home position they’re in when the market may have Equity. Your equity it comes to purchasing isn’t a set number. moved in the right another property (and The market value of just like for our owner direction leaving you your property can go home buyers, we make with plenty to use to up or down, so the the process of purchasing invest in another equity you have in investments extremely property which can the property can also simple.) then bring in more rise and fall. Right WAYS TO BECOME AN income! now, the market is INVESTOR continuing to rise in Savings. If you have all our locations. You can use equity from enough savings to now go and purchase an your home to help purchase another home. investment property - wow you are one of Your affordability needs to get assessed, the few. In this social era of typically being and your home will need to get valued, a bill payers not savers, no matter how great calculation of future rental income goes into our income may be, Australians typically pay the equation and you could be pleasantly their bills and spend the rest. If you have surprised at the options you’ll have. (All this savings that can be used to cover the deposit gets taken care of by our team so there’s no for another home, then your purchase can confusion about what happens at each step). go through similarly to when you buy as an >>> owner occupier. COFFS COAST
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INVESTMENT PROPERTIES - H O W D O I S TA R T ?
Rent-vestor. A rent-vestor is someone who rents where they want to live and buys where they can afford. This strategy is becoming more popular. It’s also a way for first home buyers to get a foot on the property ladder when their current residing location is either not ideal for them to purchase or out of their financial affordability. Rent-vesting could create a fantastic opportunity for first home buyers for as long as they have not lived in the home and it has always been purely for investment, they will still be eligible for Government grants and concessions available for first home buyers (if they meet all required criteria). This could mean that they are getting an extra income through their investment property, and with any growth in the market plus what they’ve paid off the home they could use that property to leverage themselves into a better position to buy their own first home at a later time. Superannuation. If you are considering using your superannuation to buy property, there is value in seeking advice from a 104 COFFS COAST
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If you charge less rent than what you are making in mortgage repayments, the net loss can be used as a tax deduction, which is known as negative gearing or having a negative cash flow.
professional early on. Correct structuring and good investment selection within super can ensure a positive cashflow to the SMSF without members needing to make additional contributions. If you have a selfmanaged superannuation fund (SMSF), you may be able to use the equity inside your SMSF to make property investment. Whether you plan to buy an investment property or invest elsewhere, it’s worth speaking with your financial adviser beforehand so you can make sure it fits with your other life goals and your circumstances. 64% of people that are thinking about investing want to invest in the same area that they live in - and we totally understand why! Think of it like a business. Is it a good product? How easy is the delivery? Is it working for you financially? Is there someone
you can contact after the sale for maintenance queries (and will they get onto them straight away?) You may not be able to afford an investment home in the same area that you live in, should that stop you from investing? Which is best - positive or negatively geared property? When it comes to property investing, nothing polarises investors more than the debate over positive gearing and negative gearing. Those in favour of positive gearing argue that it's the best way to build your wealth while those on the other side of the fence say negative gearing is the only way. If you charge less rent than what you are making in mortgage repayments, the net loss can be used as a tax deduction, which is known as negative gearing or having a negative cash flow.
Hibbard HOMES
If you have some negatively geared properties in your portfolio, aim to balance it out with positively geared properties to offset the losses.
A positively geared property is where the rental income that you receive from your tenants is more than what you pay to own the property. Negative gearing means you will be out of pocket but there will be tax incentives and this type of property could be likely to have strong capital growth. Positive gearing means you’ll have an extra income, and perhaps the property won’t have the strong capital growth. Which one should you aim for? Generally speaking, a sustainable portfolio is all about balance. If you have some negatively geared properties in your portfolio, aim to balance it out with positively geared properties to offset the losses. It’s important to get advised by experts including a financial adviser and a mortgage broker. (don’t stress about having
it all figured out before checking your affordability - one step at a time gets you to all the right places.) Capital growth vs steady rental income (known as rental yield) - which to aim for? Whilst it is possible to have both strong capital growth and a high rental yield, it is rare. The answer to this question is not as straightforward or obvious as one would hope because different personal and financial circumstances and investment strategies give rise to different responses.
Capital growth properties continue to rise in value - sometimes steadily, sometimes in leaps and bounds. On the one hand going for strong capital growth seems an obvious choice because of the potential to generate long-term capital profit. However, rental yields on high growth properties tend to be low meaning these properties are almost always negatively geared. Whilst this provides the investor with some useful tax breaks (under current tax legislation) it still means they will be out of pocket each month until the property is sold (which is when they’re likely to make their money). COFFS COAST
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Properties with a higher rental yield on the other hand, usually provide for a positively geared investment property meaning the property is generating cash reserves which can be used to pay down the loan or for any other purpose. The downside is that when it comes time to sell, the capital gain is likely to be less than that of the strong capital growth Making small property. steps forward Often it is a choice toward investment between the goals of NOW could make the capital growth or high difference so that you rental yield and this in don’t retire broke. highly recommended) turn comes down to what to make informed best fits your objectives, decisions about your your risk profile and what financial future. is affordable for you (hence ALWAYS seeking Making small steps forward toward financial advice from an expert.) investment NOW could make the difference so A high rental yield strategy is all about that you don’t retire broke. generating positive cash flows now thereby While friends and family have their own helping protect the investor from interest rate experience and views on purchasing property, shocks and significantly reducing the potential it’s so important to speak with an accredited need for ongoing cash injections. This is a less expert to get your situation checked, to get the risky investment strategy. right information for you and your financial Individual needs and objectives will position. determine the type of investment property and Hibbards investment homes have all the location that you should look at. A detailed premium inclusions that our owner-occupied financial analysis including running some whathomes have - ducted air-conditioning, if and cash flow scenarios is the best way (and free-standing baths in the main bathroom, 106 COFFS COAST
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tiled alfrescos, coloured driveways, stone benchtops. And everything is included in our listed price - there are no extras. EVER. We only provide fully complete homes. If you haven’t looked through one of our homes recently, you must call us to book a walk through! We have the right people ready for you at absolutely every step of the way. Buy direct from the builder, no inflated costs, no unforeseen additional expenses, brand new homes with maximum depreciation benefits, the best property managers in each area, and a service department to help you make sure your investment home is kept in the best condition. Contact us today! hibbards.com.au/invest
H I B B A R D
H O M E S
Hibbard Homes
WE GET RESULTS
Our professional team is with you the entire way, achieving the best outcome for you is our motivation
Shane Hessenberger 0405 313 272 Licensed Real Estate Agent & Auctioneer
Donna Tozer 0431 006 183 Sales Consultant
Call us today for a free appraisal in sales or property management SOLD
SOLD
20 Macauleys Headland Rd, Coffs Harbour
23 Island Rd, Sapphire Beach
View our properties online
www.coffsharbour.harcourts.com.au
Suite 1–15 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour Jetty 02 6600 1688
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DESIGN | INNOVATION | QUALITY | PERFORMANCE
Proud partner and supplier of Hibbard Homes for over 6 years. Showroom: 39 Uralla Road, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. E: info@windowsanddoors.build P: 1300 733 599
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Nathan B A L DW I N A CUT ABOVE M O W I N G & YA R D C A R E
A Cut Above Mowing & Yard Care is a new addition to the Coffs Coast and a local business run by Nathan Baldwin. Nathan and the team are professional and dedicated to providing quality care and maintenance to your property. Focus wanted to know more...
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i Nathan, tell us about your business and what makes you “A Cut Above”! A Cut Above Mowing & Yard Care is a new, family run business, consisting of myself, my wife Kate who is on call for the big jobs and takes care of the admin, our 2 kids, Jordie, 8 and Jax, 6, who start their shift around 4pm each day, helping to unload the trailer, clean it out (Jax is a gun on the blower) and pack the mowers away. We are dedicated to providing quality care and maintenance to properties on the Coffs Coast, offering professional service and reliable advice, making us A Cut Above! What inspired you to With my start this business? background I have worked in retail for over 20 years, being in garden tools for the most part, and my love for the selling outdoor garden outdoors, creating A power tools. The lack thanks to repeat Cut Above Mowing of flexibility and the business, referrals and Yard Care, was constraints of working by our established really a no brainer. for somebody else each customers, strong Our new venture day was starting to take connections to other allows the flexibility its toll, and then Covid local businesses and that I had been hit. Having been stood of course, a little help missing. down from my job of 12 from social media! years was bittersweet. All of this would not The fear of the unknown be at all possible if was lingering but the time with my wife and we were not delivering on our promise of kids showed me what I had been missing. providing quality care and maintenance with Once things returned to our “new normal”, professional service and reliable advice! I was, for the first time ever, able to take the How has all this rain affected you? kids to footy training or swimming, pick them It has certainly been a challenge, but there up from school if they were not well and is a positive in everything! It has meant a just hang out with family and friends. It was few longer days here and there to meet important to me, that I not miss out on the demand, but it has also provided time with simple pleasures anymore! the kids during the holidays, which has With my background being in garden tools been great. We have built a strong clientele and my love for the outdoors, creating A Cut that are understanding of Coffs Harbour’s Above Mowing and Yard Care, was really a no unpredictable climate and have been able to brainer. Our new venture allows the flexibility manoeuvre our bookings to ensure the Coffs that I had been missing. Coast is looking A Cut Above! What steps have you taken to build A Cut Tell us, what services beside mowing do Above? you provide? I was fortunate to have a head start with We provide all your garden needs; mowing, contacts in the trade, and Coffs has a great whipper snipping, brush cutting, hedging, reputation for referrals by word of mouth. A green waste removal, weeding, spraying, Cut Above is going from strength to strength, general tidying, wood chopping, as well as
chainsaw sharpening and advice on the right tools to best maintain your property! If the job is outside our scope, we have a great network of professionals that we can refer you to. Whether it be tree lopping, or your mechanical needs, spare parts for your outdoor power equipment or a handyman around the house we will be able to put you in touch with a reliable tradie to get the job done! What’s the best advice you have when it comes to lawn maintenance? Let me do it! Honestly, the best advice I can give is to stay on top of it! Easier said than done here on the Coffs Coast with the crazy weather we have had this summer. The grass is growing before our very eyes! When you are not pushing a mower or trimming hedges, where will we find you? Depends… If it is footy season, it will be at Auskick, at a local game or in front of the telly, otherwise, we will be out the back kicking a ball, having a hit of golf on our home made green or camping with mates! How can we get in contact with A Cut Above Easy…. Give me a call on 0438 000 715, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @ACutAboveCoffsCoast Thanks Nathan. COFFS COAST
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David NORA
AND
MARIAN GROVE
One of the big issues around retiring is knowing when you’re ‘ready’. David and Nora made their move into a Marian Grove New Release apartment late in 2020 a er considering this question for some time!
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e’d known people here for years” says David. “We bought a café at Urunga so we were close by and we used to come and sing here, as well as having friends who moved in to the Village that we kept in touch with.” “We’d bought a big house in Urunga as well because we had family living with us, and at first it was okay. But then the family moved out, and we retired and started travelling. Well, you had to have someone to come and check on the house, to keep an eye on it …” “To cut the grass,” laughs Nora. “That’s right, all the maintenance,” David continues, “and we were away for eight months visiting the family overseas, so we started thinking that maybe we should look at downsizing, somewhere we could just lock it up and go away.” David and Nora looked around at various options. “We looked at other places and at units, but there was always something we didn’t like. As we got older, we thought maybe we should consider a retirement village but it’s funny, every time you look in the mirror, you tell yourself, I’m alright, I’m not ready for that yet!” Then Nora became ill and life changed for the couple. “We thought, we need to be
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Life can change very quickly,“ says David. “It’s a bit confronting to have to look at the future sometimes, but we know we’ve done the right thing.
somewhere smaller and if one of us is left, then the other one can look after it more easily” says David. ”We started looking seriously, but it seemed like everywhere we went it was a two storey place, or you had to drive to get anywhere, there was no view and some of the places after you’d paid for it you’d have to spend the rest of your money fixing it up. All the while, the people we knew in Marian Grove were telling us, ‘you should move here’!” “We knew this new place was being built, but we missed the first open day,” Norah says. “So we left it for a while until a good friend in the village brought it up again and we came and had a tour.” “We had a good look at the display apartment and thought, yes, we could downsize, give the kids everything we were going to leave them anyway and fit everything in here,“ David says. “It was a brand-new place with nothing needing doing, it’s a walk to Toormina to the shops and the Doctor, you can walk down and get the paper and everything else you want is close too, like it was for us in Urunga where we walked everywhere. So we made that decision, we were ready, and we put our house on the market.”
Enter the global pandemic, holding up the whole process, until eventually the couple sold their house and made their move. “We couldn’t be happier” says David. “The assistance from the Marian Grove team during the sale of the house was great- and look at this view. I’ve been down and gotten myself inducted into the men’s shed and we’re going to join the choir when things start up again, but we’ve been so busy I don’t think we’d have had the time anyway!” “We’ve joined the library too,” says Nora. ”That’s right, when they told us there was a library, we thought, oh it’ll be a little cupboard somewhere,“ laughs David. “We were pleasantly surprised – we haven’t been back to the other library since we moved in!” So what’s the final word? “Life can change very quickly,“ says David. “It’s a bit confronting to have to look at the future sometimes, but we know we’ve done the right thing.” Thanks so much David and Nora, for sharing your story with us. Would you like to enquire about making a move to Marian Grove? Call us on 02 6653 1241, we’d love to hear from you!
Come home to Marian Grove
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Set within 27 acres of landscaped award winning gardens and surrounded by bushland yet only minutes from Sawtell, Marian Grove’s vibrant community is waiting for you. Whether you want a villa, townhouse or apartment you can find just the right place to call home. Enjoy life at Marian Grove where we’ve been caring for our community for over 27 years.
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(02) 6653 1241 We’d love to hear from you!
For more information call (02) 6653 1241 or visit www.mariangrovelifestyle.com.au
CA
SAW
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COFFS COASTE focus 113 *Availability on apartments at $390,000 is limited. Average price of apartments is $560,000. Departure fee payable, enquire for more information. C LL LI T
CATHO
Abode CHH
TRADE DIRECTORY
COFFS HARBOUR
HARDWOODS
161 Tallawudjah Creek Road, Glenreagh
Visit our website coffshardwoods.com.au
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Phone: 02 66492006
Check out our social pages | @coffshardwoods
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CETNAJ C H R I S RYA N We spoke to Chris Ryan from Cetnaj Coffs Harbour about him and the team, their incredible longevity in the lighting industry and how things have changed over the past couple of years, as well an amazing donation for the community...
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ell us about your role and history with Cetnaj... My role is varied and wide and over the years a lot has changed. We need to keep up with technology and trends, customers and the electrical industry in general. I came to Cetnaj in 1995 after a small company I was working for, National Electric, decided to close the office here in Coffs. I worked there for about 8 years and used to travel up as far as Murwillumbah calling on customers and retail stores, selling our agency lines. When I started with Cetnaj we were in a small building on the corner of Mildura Street down at the jetty, and I worked in the trade section and progressed up the ranks from there. Even after an expansion we outgrew that premises and moved to our current address in 2006. You’ve got a pretty special team at the Coffs Harbour branch, tell us more... I think we have a pretty special team here as well! With lots of experience and industry knowledge with many of our team over 15 years. Joanne and myself celebrate 25 years this year working for Cetnaj, as well as Jenni with 20 years and Troy nearly 18 years. The other four staff members Rohan, Nicholas, Justin and Laura are just as enthusiastic in their roles and look forward to helping anyone who comes in with an idea about home renovations or just needs some
assistance solving a problem. What are some major milestones that you’ve seen in lightning over the recent years? There have been lots of innovations over the years with wi-fi and bluetooth becoming more prominent in the market place as Smart Home technology is increasing in popularity. Advancement in LED lighting is massive and makes up a big part of our business. The efficiency of LED is continuing to grow and expand and will continue to do so because of their energy saving features and attractive designs and are used in all areas from domestic to commercial. LED stands for 'Light Emitting Diode', a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light. In 2019 Centaj made a pretty significant donation to the local hospital, what was involved and how did that come about? Last year with the help of our directors we made a considerable donation to the children’s ward at the health campus, “with the help from the Humpty Dumpty Foundation, we donated an Intellivue MX450 Monitor valued at $22,240 to the Special Care Nursery at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus.” We hope this will make a difference to the health care services in our area. “Cetnaj's support of the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and the local community in which they operate is immeasurable. Their support of families in Coffs Harbour means
children have access to the latest lifesaving medical equipment. I applaud this contribution to Coffs Harbour Health Campus as it demonstrates Cetnaj's commitment to the wider community.“ - Paul Francis, OAM, Humpty Dumpty Foundation Founder and Executive Chairman. What’s your connection to the Coffs Coast? My family and myself love the Coffs Coast. I was born In Glen Innes and moved here with my family a bit over 40 years ago. We live in paradise, Coffs is continuing to grow and expand, as has our business. Come and see one of the most experienced teams on the Coffs Coast for all your electrical/renovation ideas. Thanks Chris. COFFS COAST
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REAL
ESTATE with CHRIS HINES F R O M U N R E A L E S T AT E
So welcome to this month’s real estate column. This month I am starting in an almost philosophical way to begin my story.
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hat came first, the chicken or the egg? One may ask why I would start a real estate story off with an ancient paradox that has sparked many a debate over many years, but in so many cases it mirrors a dilemma faced by so many home sellers/buyers, being, should I buy before I sell, or do I sell before I buy? From the outset I must say that I do not think there is a definitive answer for either perspective, but I think it is very much based on the person's circumstances and market conditions. I suppose in many ways the dilemma of whether to buy or sell first is brought about by our basic need to be assured of shelter for our families and ourselves, however the practical side of it is very different. Unless you are in the enviable financial position to purchase the new property without needing the funds from the current home, you indeed have some decisions to make. There are ways to mitigate the need to be sold prior to purchasing your next home. Speak to your banker about bridging loans or other finance available. These types of loans allow you to purchase your new home whilst you are in the process of selling your old home. Just remember that in all things financial there are both advantages as well as pitfalls. If your home
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should fail to sell, their financial penalties can thing would be to sell your existing home become overwhelming when you are paying first, or at least have it under an unconditional two mortgages. contract before purchasing. This is not without Of course there is always the possibility that its associated problems as well however, mainly you may be able to rent being; once you sell your your existing home and use existing home you have Unless you are in its equity, along with the nowhere to live whilst the enviable incoming rent, to borrow awaiting to find and move financial position to for the new house, once into your new home. purchase the new again this is of course on a Whilst your home is property without case by case basis. in the market, of course needing the funds from Another remedy, and you will be searching for the current home, you one that I actually have your new home, however indeed have some used in the past myself, this can always lead to decisions to make. is to purchase the new disappointment as well if property with a delayed you find your dream home, settlement. This means that you have to but you are not in a position to move forward exchange contracts unconditionally on the new with the purchase until you sell. You may be property with a 10 percent deposit, however lucky enough of course to have a buyer on your rather than the normal 4-6 week settlement property. Renting or staying with relatives is period it is extended to a longer period to allow always an option whilst you search for a home, you to sell your existing home. The danger in but at least you have the peace of mind moving this however, is that if you do not sell in the forward that you are in a position to buy agreed time period, you run the risk of losing unencumbered. your 10 percent. Of course you also have to So, as you can see, there is no real decisive find an owner who is agreeable to the delayed answer. Most importantly seek sound advice settlement in the first place. As a back up to this and do what is best for your family and yourself. it would also be advisable to have had some Well, do you buy first or sell first? It’s really up additional finance options, such as a ‘bridging to you………. I’m going back to try and figure loan’ already approved should the worst case out the Chicken and the Egg (and I reckon it’s scenario unfold. the Egg). Without doubt however, the more prudent Have an Unreal month.
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Built to inspire. Built for you.
Azure 27
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We have over 150 different floor plans to choose from, including single and two storey, granny flat and dual occupancy… there’s sure to be a design to suit your lifestyle. Whether you have a flat or a sloping block of any size, even knocking down your existing house to rebuild a new home, you can be sure we can bring your vision to life. If you can dream it, we can build it. Azure 27
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