19 minute read
Style Edit - Melissa Parisi
by Focus
focus_contributor.
the STYLE
EDIT
with MELISSA PARISI
THE HOLIDAY HOME STYLIST
HOW TO REINVIGORATE YOUR HOME WORKSPACE
For many of us, our home office has been in use for the last two pandemic years. If you’re starting to feel uninspired or unmotivated in your home workspace, perhaps it’s time for a refresh! A few minor tweaks and some fine-tuning in your space can have a big impact on how you feel and boost your creative energy.
7 Ways to Reinvigorate Your Workspace: 1. Get Organised
Working on a cluttered desk can increase your stress levels, distractions and limit your creativity. Consider decluttering by removing items you don’t need from your desk or office. People often get excited about cute décor and cover desks with items that may not function well to work around. Crisp minimalism can sometimes feel better than highly decorated spaces. When decluttering, fight the urge to shove all your papers into the bottom drawer. Instead, use colour-coordinated stackable storage boxes, magazine holders, baskets or drawer dividers to organise supplies. Labelling and filing can also make a huge difference in avoiding scary paper mountains forming on your desk. Quick Tip: Have a dedicated place for everything. Putting your pens, papers and headphones in the same place every day will avoid desk chaos.
2. Stick To Your Colour Palette
Use similar tones and colours to keep your space looking clean, calm and peaceful. Work with the basics of your existing items, and choose your colour scheme. Replace items that are not in keeping with your scheme. An easy way to determine what needs to go, is to stand on one side of your room and squint whilst looking at the décor. Items that stand out or look out of place are the ones you could consider replacing with something in keeping with your new scheme or look.
3. Ensure Your Desk Is Big Enough
If your desk can’t hold your laptop and other items you need to access with ease, you may need a larger desk. If you’re dealing with space constraints, you can get creative with storage. Consider storing items under your desk to maximise desk space and opt for a clutter-free style. If you are purchasing a new desk, invest in a desk you will enjoy working on. The surface should feel smooth and comfortable, and you should be able to move your things around. Quick Tip: Consider upcycling a secondhand desk to be sustainable and keep your expenses down.
4. Have A Comfortable Chair
An office is about as much about functionality and comfort as appearance. The perfect desk chair is comfortable enough to spend all day in, but not so cosy that you feel like being slack. Ideally, you want something upright and structured but not uncomfortable or rigid. The exact height, shape and material will depend on who you are and how you like to work.
5. Let Nature In
Studies show that nature can instantly make us feel more inspired and see things from a different perspective. Having plants in the office can increase productivity and decrease stress levels. Position your desk to look out a window if possible, and get a plant or two to improve air quality. Taking a break with an outdoor walk is the ultimate inspiration, but if you can’t do that, bring the outside in. Quick Tip: Natural elements like seashells, crystals, driftwood and flowers are all inexpensive ways to change your décor and include things that inspire you.
6. Let There Be Light
Lighting can make or break a workspace. The best lighting is the kind that goes unnoticed – natural lighting. Position your desk close to a window. Alternatively, invest in a few lamps and experiment with different bulbs until you’ve crafted a set-up that’s as warm and bright as you want it to be.
7. Things That Make You Smile
Sentimental items don’t have to be purely decorative, they can add joy and inspiration to your workspace. Consider using items such as meaningful artwork, items and gifts.
For more Information
Holiday Home Stylist 0449 17 18 17 Melissa@holidayhomestylist.com.au holidayhomestylist.com.au holidayhomestylist
Park Beach, Coffs Harbour has been alive with people keen to enjoy our beautiful beaches and feel the safety of our volunteer lifesavers who have been on patrols since mid-September. The CHSLSC is a community organisation run by volunteers who are dedicated to protecting members of the public who surf and swim at the beach. Patrols are conducted on weekends and public holidays during the surfing season from September to April. In order to continue to provide this community service, the club requires funding to purchase and maintain lifesaving equipment as well as providing training and fitness opportunities for its members, to ensure volunteers are able to perform to the best of their abilities. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the C.ex Group through their ClubGRANTS Program, the club have been able to purchase and maintain much needed lifesaving equipment. Funding from the sponsorship also goes into providing up-to-date training for all volunteer members.
“Patrons at Park Beach are blessed to be able to enjoy the water while being watched over by our exceptional, volunteer patrol members,” Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club President, Terry Maher said. “A part of our puzzle is that we need to have lifesaving equipment like all-terrain vehicles, inflatable rescue boats, patrol shelter and oxygen equipment. These things aren’t cheap, and they also need to be maintained. Not only that, we invest a lot into our volunteer education and training to upskill our members to ensure our beaches are as safe as they can be.” Maher explained. “So we are extremely grateful for our new Platinum sponsor, the C.ex Group, who have contributed $20,000 in much needed and very much appreciated funding to the Club.”
KAILEY PALLAS BILLIE-JO PORTER
Sawtell
RSL
If you have taken a walk down the iconic First Avenue in Sawtell lately, you would have noticed a few changes taking place at the Sawtell RSL Club! In December, the team finalised stage one of their much-anticipated renovations. This included a beautiful, new area that is light and breezy with large windows opening up onto the main street. Complementing this space is a new and extensive wine list which includes beautiful champagnes, such as Moet and Chandon to enjoy while you sit and watch the world go by.
The second stage is recarpeting the ground floor, a face-lift off the Main bar and a new layout of our gaming room.
Being strong supporters of our local community, Sawtell RSL has enlisted a number of local businesses to assist in the renovations such as FM Glenn Constructions, Cowlings R&R Carpets, Brett Smith Electrical, Inspired Audio Visual and IGT with the project being managed by Jeffress Associates.
Next time you are in Sawtell, stop in to the cool comfort of our Sawtell RSL Club.
ANTHONY
F I E L D
THE WIGGLES TOUR
There aren’t many Australians out there that don’t know who The Wiggles are, and there’s a lot of local kiddies very excited to have them touring through Coffs Harbour this month! We spoke to Blue Wiggle Anthony Field about their ongoing success and what’s new for The Wiggles this year.
Hey Anthony! We are all very excited to have The Wiggles performing in Coffs Harbour. Can you tell us about what we can expect from this show?
We can’t wait to bring The Great Wiggly Road Trip Tour to Coffs Harbour. Audiences can expect to hear all their favourite classic Wiggles songs like ‘Hot Potato’ or ‘Rock a Bye Your Bear’ as well as newer songs like ‘We’re All Fruit Salad’, ‘Hey Tsehay’ and The Wiggles Triple J - Like A Version of ‘Elephant’. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Wiggles show without The Wiggles’ great friends; Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn are joining in on all the fun.
There is a new yellow Wiggle on this tour, can you introduce our readers to her?
You’re all in for a real treat! Tsehay joined us at the end of the year, and she’s an incredible dancer and singer who brings a fresh energy to The Wiggles. Tsehay – which means the sun in Amharic – was originally introduced as part of the Fruit Salad TV Wiggles, who have their own YouTube series, and audiences have really embraced her. You’ll recognise her for her sunflower headband and beautiful smile.
How long has Tsehay been with the Wiggles crew leading up to putting on the yellow skivvy?
Tsehay worked with us as a Wiggly dancer before joining the Fruit Salad TV Wiggles, so we knew that she would be a perfect fit for the group! She’s also an award-winning dancer, representing Australia at the World Latin Dance Championships.
What do you look out for when it’s time to add a new performer to the Wiggles crew?
We’re always evolving and want The Wiggles to be representative of modern-day society, but the most important things are talent and passion for performing. We’re so fortunate to have a cast of truly incredible dancers, singers and musicians who love what they do and want to entertain and educate children.
Almost every kid in the country knows The Wiggles. What do you hope kids get out of growing up listening to your songs and watching you perform?
We aim to educate and entertain children through song and dance, and we hope they feel accepted for who they are. We often chat to people who grew up watching The Wiggles, and they still remember songs like ‘Big Red Car’ and ‘Hot Potato’, which is great. Evie, who is one of the Fruit Salad TV Wiggles, told us that her first ever gig was a Wiggles show, and now she’s come full circle performing with the Australian National Ballet and us!
What do you most enjoy about performing live on these tours?
Everything! Performing and seeing happy faces in the audience is the best feeling in the world.
There has also been a lot of excitement over your Triple J Hottest 100 win! Why did you choose to cover that song and how did it feel to get the top spot?
It was such an incredible feeling when they announced we were number one! Who would have imagined that we would beat Justin Bieber! We recorded ‘Elephant’ for the Triple J ‘Like a Version’ and never expected it to take off as it has. When we first recorded it, it sounded too close to the original, and Nick Webb from the ABC suggested we make it more Wiggly, which is why we added ‘Fruit
We aim to educate and entertain children through song and dance, and we hope Salad’ in the mix. The they feel accepted for rest is history! who they are. Do you plan on doing
any other cover songs in the future?
We have a new album coming out in March called ReWiggled and it’s jam-packed with classic Wiggles songs reinterpreted by some of Australia’s top artists, including Spacey Jane, The Chats and DZ Deathrays. And then we cover some of our favourite songs from amazing artists like AC/DC, Queen, Rhianna, The Chats and The Rolling Stones – it’s so much fun! It features all the Wiggles from the core group, Fruit Salad TV Wiggles and the OGs, so there’s something for everyone.
The original Wiggles often still get involved with shows, how does it go getting everyone together?
It’s so good to get the OGs back together! We’re currently doing a reunion tour for adults who grew up with the original Wiggles and it’s been really fun hitting the road again. Murray, Jeff and Greg are always part of The Wiggles, and we’re often working on something together.
What else is on the horizon for The Wiggles this year and in the future?
We’ve got so many exciting plans for this year – there’s a new TV show, the new album, touring, more Fruit Salad TV for YouTube. We’re just so thankful that we can keep entertaining children and so happy to be back on the road performing live.
Thanks Anthony.
SHANE
SECCOMBE
OFFBEAT OPERATIONS
Shane Seccombe has been in the entertainment industry for many years, starting out as a muso himself and then moving into booking artists for local venues and now working on major events and festivals as well. His business Offbeat Operations represents many local and touring artists, as well as venues and events.
Hi Shane. How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
For over 40 years!
Can you tell us a bit about Offbeat Operations and how it got started?
I played drums in a band called Free N Easy that played all the clubs and hotels up and down the coast, I booked all the shows for the band and got to know all the managers at the venues. Our biggest break was being handed over all the bookings for The Hoey back in the 1980’s. I didn’t have any experience in booking any big touring acts, so I was thrown in the deep end! But within two weeks we were booking all the big guns, like Jimmy Barnes, Noiseworks, Paul Kelly etc.
What is your current role with Offbeat Operations?
My role now is looking after all the major tours, outdoor festivals and events and we now also run a production company called Offbeat Productions and Events that hire out pro audio to all major touring bands down to small events, and local artists. My wife Lynne does all admin and books local artists, and my daughter Sharni also books touring acts, local artists, does venue consultancy and all publicity.
What do you enjoy most about working in the entertainment industry?
I didn’t have any experience in booking any big touring acts, so I was thrown in the deep Well first you have to end! But within two love what you do and weeks we were booking all the big have a real passion for music, being a muso myself I have always guns, like Jimmy wanted to make sure Barnes, Noiseworks, artists are represented Paul Kelly. fairly. When I look back on what we have done and the people we have met over the years, the bands we started with when no-one knew them, and where they are now, the friendships made, and the ups and downs of the industry, it makes you a strong person. Putting together major events and seeing people enjoying themselves makes you feel good.
Continued over...
What sort of venues and acts do you work with?
We work with over 14 hotels in NSW and 2 in Queensland and over 12 Clubs on a weekly basis supplying everything from solos, duos, trios, local bands, major touring acts, Comedians and DJs. 90 percent of these venues run 3 days of entertainment per week. We work as exclusive agents for many amazing venues and artists. Some of the acts we work with are Jimmy Barnes, Bliss N Eso, Paul Kelly, The Black Sorrows, Daryl Braithwaite, Hockey Dad, San Cisco, The Rubens, Casey Barnes, Bondi Cigars, Lisa Hunt, and all local artists.
What are some of your favourite gigs that you’ve been involved with to date?
My first was working with Michael Chugg on the Vans Warped tours, then Surf Skate & Slam, Long Way to the Top, Red Hot Summer concerts both in NSW and QLD, Curry Festival, Scotts Heads Festival, Blues & Berries Festival, Make it Rain event, Lakeside Festival in Forster. Plus INXS last shows in Australia, Skyhooks last ever tour, Hunters & Collectors, Jack Johnson, Michael Franti… There are so many great shows. It’s really nice to still be working with the same management
The one that companies and bands stands out all these years later. The was being part of one that stands out was the Make it Rain being part of the Make fundraiser for the it Rain fundraiser for the bush fires at The bush fires at The Beach Beach Hotel Byron Bay Hotel Byron Bay over two nights with Bernard Fanning, Tex Perkins, Wolfmother, ARC (members of Spiderbait, You Am I, Jet) with special guest Steph Gilmore on guitar, Chris Hemsworth, Celeste Barber and working with Secret Sounds, Premier artists to make this happen and we raised over $238,000 in two
I take my hat off to all the hard working venues that kept their entertainment on and worked with the rules so the show could go on.
nights!
The entertainment industry has taken a huge hit during the pandemic, what are your hopes for the industry moving forward?
I hope we can all get on with our lives and move on from this pandemic, we can't just lock ourselves in our lounge rooms forever, we have to learn to live with this and get out and enjoy music again. This industry was hit the hardest out of all this, we have moved major
We strive to keep all our artists working as much as we tours 3 to 4 times, had can and make up for festivals that we worked lost time, and ensure on for 8 months being our venues are also pulled from us within getting back up on days of the events. their feet as they also I take my hat off to have taken a huge hit all the hard working venues that kept their entertainment on and worked with the rules so the show could go on, we all need to have food on the table. I hope all States talk to each other a bit more, shutting down state borders, or having different regulations in each state makes it extremely hard to book a tour.
What are some of your plans for Offbeat Operations heading into the future?
We strive to keep all our artists working as much as we can and make up for lost time, and ensure our venues are also getting back up on their feet as they also have taken a huge hit, so to have full houses back at our venues again with everyone singing, dancing, drinking and having FUN.
Where can people find out more about the artists you represent and the services you offer?
Go to our website offbeatoperations.com.au
Brothers Elliott, Sam and Zaac Margin, along with mates Scott Baldwin and William Zeglis make up the band The Rubens. They are currently touring and passing through Coffs Harbour this month, so we took the opportunity to have a chat with Elliott!
Hey guys. Can you tell us how the band came together?
Three of us are brothers, Sam, Zaac and I. Sam and Zaac started the band in 2011 out of boredom really, then asked me to join. We started writing songs before realising we needed a drummer if we were going to start playing live, so we called Scotty who was Sam’s school mate. He was also probably pretty bored so said yes. We got by without a bass player for a while before we convinced Will to join us.
As friends and family, what’s the dynamic like between you all when creating your music and performing?
It’s really an advantage being brothers and good mates. We’ve spent our lives together so there’s no surprises on the road. We also understand each other’s tastes and value our opinions when it comes to being in the studio and writing music.
How would you describe your style of music?
Probably blues/rock/pop.
Can you talk us through what the songwriting process is like for you guys?
Sam and I are the main songwriters in the band. Most of the time we write on our own then show each other demo versions of the songs before getting into the studio to record them properly. We have on occasion written together but we’re pretty shy when it comes to being creative in the same room.
What are you most looking forward to with this tour?
Being in a room full of people and a big PA.
Can you tell us about ‘Waste A Day’ and the inspiration for the song?
This is one of the rare songs that Sam and I wrote together. It was getting to the end of recording our last record and this song came really easily out of a session at Sam’s place. It was too late for it to get onto ‘0202’ but we really loved it
It was getting so decided to get to the end of it out as a stand recording our last alone. record and this song You released came really easily ‘0202’ last year, out of a session at are you working Sam’s place. It was too late for it to get on much new music at the moment or do onto ‘0202’ but we you like to take really loved it so a break while decided to get it out touring for a as a stand alone. current album? We’re always writing while we have down time so we’re accumulating songs at the moment. It usually takes a few dud songs before we start seeing what the next record is going to look like so no announcements on album 5 yet.
What have you guys got planned for the rest of 2022?
We’re filling it up with as much touring as we can to make up for lost time! And writing in between.
Hoey Moey Hotel I Friday, 4 March 2022 I at 6:00 pm
