5 minute read
Money Matters - Tanya Howe
by Focus
SCOTT WOLGAMOT
What do you
hope to bring to the position?
An open mind and a lot of experience. I don’t come in with a fixed position, but ready to learn the details before reaching a decision. Experience in surveying, engineering and horticulture, experience on a Council Committee previously, experience in managing projects and working in both large and small organisations. Experience in getting things done.
What are you personally
passionate about? Within the range of topics we are likely to encounter, I guess the Jetty Foreshores and the Waste/Tip issues are foremost. For certain there will be surprises along the way that will prove interesting.
What do you love about our
region? The great variety within such a small geographic area. Wild rivers and great beaches are seldom so close. Plenty of bush, National Parks, small valleys, small towns. I frequently mountain bike with friends, on trails or in
I don’t come the bush to in with a explore areas, fixed position, but and one thing ready to learn the is common details before when we stop reaching a to look out decision. – someone comments that we are lucky to live here.
What do you hope to achieve in your term as a councillor?
I imagine we all want to leave it better than we found it. Within a disparate group of nine Councillors, that will mean a lot of different things. We will have to work together and I guess compromise will be the key.
JULIE SECHI
What would you
like to bring to the position?
I would like to be a diverse and grounded voice. I know such a broad range of people in the community and most of them care greatly for our city. Invariably, opinions and conversations about improving our region come up. I’d like to be representative of and foster these interactions, especially the ones that start with “wouldn’t it be great if...”
What are you personally
passionate about? My primary passion and focus is my beautiful, large family; especially my three outstanding sons. I am so privileged that we nearly all live and work within our LGA which enables us to be a big part of each other’s lives. In addition to my family, I’m passionate about living a healthy and active lifestyle especially yoga and meditation.
What do you love about our
region? My love for our region began when I was younger. I came to Coffs Harbour to visit my family for an extended holiday. I loved it so much I never left. Being from Victoria, my younger self was in awe of the temperate climate, the beautiful beaches, and warm waters. Furthermore, the area’s picturesque mountains and rainforests gave me the feeling that I was living somewhere truly special. I consciously make an effort to recall that feeling on a regular basis and it comes with ease.
What do you hope to achieve in your term as a councillor?
The Jetty Foreshores is high on the priority list. Its transformation has been started and we need to keep that ball rolling. This area is such a unique place for the community and I’m excited to do what I can as part of the team, to uplift this already thriving space to accommodate our growing local population and attract tourists to boost the local economy.
MISSION
P O S S I B L E
MICHAEL DARRAGH
Congratulations on the exciting news that the Link Project attached to the Marian Grove precinct will be operational soon - we chatted to Michael Darragh, the CEO to find out more…
Michael, what is the concept behind the Link Project?
At Sawtell Catholic Care (SCC) it’s all about the mission. Our mission is to provide and grow our community of Christian care.
‘We care’ is even our motto.
For 30 years we have been providing accommodation and services for the community we care for.
Marian Grove has been the flagship of our brand over these years, setting a high standard for retirement living. Twenty years ago, we saw the need to provide extended care and support to the frail aged living in our community, so we launched Mater Christi residential aged care service. Over the years Mater has grown to be recognised as a leading aged care provider in our region, especially strong at supporting people nearing end of life with palliative and hospice care support, as well as dementia care for those developing memory impairment.
The environment around which we provide care and support to the people we serve has always been our beautiful 40 acres of land at Toormina/Sawtell. This grove has become a place of serenity and sanctuary to many over the years, affording a relaxing lifestyle away from the bustle of an ever-busier world.
In recent years we have witnessed the growing need for in-home community care, and the lack of services to support the local demand for this type of support. So last year we launched Sawtell Home Care as a new service, and this is quickly growing a reputation for unconditional kindness and support, helping people waiting for home care to gain access to care in a timelier fashion.
Now we are ready to launch our latest innovation and support for our community, The Link.
Formerly the site of Cockbain’s Nursery on Hogbin Drive, the space has been absorbed into our expanded Marian Grove village precinct, affording our residents an unprecedented lifestyle opportunity in their own backyard. This huge 3.6 acre space is a garden themed parkland, beautifully supporting the pursuit of serenity and reflection. A place to escape and relax for a while.
How will The Link be a benefit to your residents and others living locally?
The Link has been several years in development, and unforeseen in the original vision was the world pandemic situation that would see people living under restrictions that greatly impacted their lifestyle and mental health. The Link could not have come at a better time to answer this challenge. This garden affords our community a wonderful outdoor space to walk, sit, relax, enjoy a coffee and tranquillity, the company of friends, or some solitude and reflection time if needed.
The Link is also there for our broader local community as well. It is a space for gathering
