27 minute read
Youth Leaders - Cassandra Wilson
by Focus
LEADERS
with CASSANDRA WILSON
FROM BECOMING U PROJECT
T A M S Y N S P E A R
Hi Tamsyn, so great to meet you. Can you please start by telling us all a little bit about yourself…?
I am 19 years old and live in the beautiful Nambucca Valley with my parents and younger brother. I was born and grew up here going to school at St Pats and then Macksville High School. I am very active person, playing sports like Netball, Touch, Basketball and Athletics since the age of 7, but my passion and my heart is with Netball.
Now that I have finished school, I work at our local hotel and have recently taken on a new role as the Development Officer for Netball NSW and have started studying physiotherapy at Charles Stuart University.
Wow so busy with some amazing things. What do you love about your new role with Netball NSW?
I was an assistant coach, and the coach had a role with Netball NSW. I would see how much she enjoyed her job of sharing this great sport. I thought I want to do that and a few months ago this opportunity came up and I went for it. I adore seeing the kids try something new and then enjoy it so much that they join a local netball association. I love that I can share my sport with others, especially with those younger than me. Being active is very important and builds so many skills.
What skills do you see it build?
It teaches teamwork, leadership and resilience. You learn how to win but also how to bounce back after losing a game. I find it can help with goal setting too, as each week you spend time developing a skill.
I see it build strong friendships and support, access to role models and mentors – the people most close and important to me right now are those that I met through sport.
You mention resilience. I know that you have had to build this yourself due to facing some health concerns.
Yes, that’s right. I have come to appreciate how precious our vision is, after losing mine for 3 months in the middle of peak-Covid last year. Not being able to see people’s faces, our beaches or play sport really took its toll on me but has shown how strong and resilient I am.
I am even more grateful now than I was. I remember being alone in hospital as I couldn’t have visitors because of Covid, and I was wearing a bracelet. When I felt it, it gave me a warm reminder about the people supporting me through this, the community having my back and believing in me. It was only a little piece of jewellery, but I wore it close and it meant something important. I love that I can share my sport with others, especially with those Tamsyn, you are so younger than me. strong to have gone Being active is very through that at such important and builds a young age. Have so many skills. you found that being
open about what you have gone through has potentially helped others across your community?
Yes, I find that young people are looking up to me as a role model now. They can see that even though I had to face, and am still facing, this health hurdle, it’s important to stay positive, grateful and thankful for what we have. I try very hard to be a good mentor, to encourage our youth to have real and open conversations and share what is happening in our lives so we can support each other.
Lastly, I’d like to end on what advice you could give other young people…
I have a tattoo on my arm that says “embrace the challenge”, that would be my advice – try new things, take on opportunities, look for the positives and don’t spend time worrying on what you can’t control, spend more time on how you can react and feel. I would also say love where you live, even if it is a small community, as you can still do everything you want to do and live how you want to live despite the size of the town.
Thanks Tamsyn.
DO YOU HAVE AN AGED CARE
PLAN IN PLACE?
We plan ahead for many aspects of our lives, but few people plan for future aged care needs. Now is the time to change that trend.
The truth is, most of us avoid thinking about our own future aged care needs, delaying our decisions until perhaps they’re taken out of our hands.
Life expectancies are increasing. This means not only might we expect to live longer than our parents and grandparents, but we might also expect longer and more active retirements. However, this does not remove the possibility that we may need help with daily living and medical care in our older years.
If we reach a point when we are increasingly vulnerable, we don’t want to be left unprepared.
Planning creates peace of mind
Planning for our retirement, as we dream of travel, cruise ships and caravans as well as more time playing with the grandkids, can be quite enjoyable. Perhaps that’s why we put off planning for our aged care needs – it’s not as much fun to think ahead to a time when we might need more support.
But with the right advice, planning ahead offers many benefits and can be easier than you think. Benefits may include: • Peace of mind for you and your family • Taking pressure off family when a crisis occurs • Allowing you to have a voice, and • Avoiding costly mistakes.
Creating a plan that will work for you includes consideration for what sort of life you want to live and what makes a good life for you. This should take into account options for where you could live but also how to continue to your interests and stay connected to family, friends and your community. Understanding the costs and planning your finances is a key component of making the plan work effectively.
Don’t leave it too late
Don’t leave your planning too late. We have helped many of our clients to start the planning
Creating a plan that will work for you includes consideration for process and often discuss what sort of life you when and how to bring want to live and your family into this what makes a good process. life for you. If you’re ready to start the conversation, call us on 0431 414 799 and let us work with you to create a plan for all of your retirement. This advice is general in nature and everyone’s circumstances are different. So it’s important to speak to someone like myself who is a licenced financial adviser (I am an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232). As an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ I have helped many clients to make this choice. I help to find a choice that is affordable, as well as works best for the family and protects the value of the estate.
Call me on 0431 414 799 or email jason@ burleyagedcareadvice.com.au to find out how I might help yours or a loved one’s own position.
P 0431 414 799 E jason@burleyagedcareadvice.com.au W www.burleyagedcareadvice.com.au
NEW NAME FRESH LOOK
HEALTHCARE LEADERS COME TOGETHER
We’re entering a new era for Allied Health care on the Mid North Coast with the launch of Mid North Coast Allied Health, a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing seamless care through your health and wellbeing journey.
While Mid North Coast Allied Health may appear to be a new name for local healthcare, it has a long legacy of caring for the community, made possible by the joining of two long established practices and teams. Mid North Coast Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic and Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy have come together, bringing a wealth of experience which combined has improved the health of almost 30,000 individuals across the Mid North Coast community to date. With the team working across eight locations spanning as far north as Woolgoolga and south as Laurieton, exceptional healthcare will be accessible to the entire Mid North Coast community and beyond. The merger means that clients can now be seen in Woolgoolga, Moonee Beach, Toormina and Urunga to the north, and Laurieton, Wauchope and two locations in Port Macquarie. Mid North Coast Allied Health’s services will include the familiar disciplines such as Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, Massage Therapy, Dietetics, Myotherapy and Occupational Therapy as well as much needed specialised services including Paediatric Physiotherapy, Women’s Pelvic Physiotherapy, Concussion care and headaches, and Lymphoedema management. Through innovation and technology, Mid North Coast Allied Health will also deliver patient care outside of practices, ensuring services are accessible when and where they are most needed, including home visits and Telehealth consultations. At a time when the Mid North Coast region is experiencing significant population growth and the NSW Government has identified a struggle with recruiting and retaining healthcare staff in regional areas, this merger bolsters Mid North Coast Allied Health to continue growing and evolving to meet the ongoing needs of the community. Practice Principals Aaron Hardaker, Micheal Robinson and Robert Eid shared that both practice groups had an unwavering commitment to delivering accessible quality care to support the health and wellbeing of the community. And that commitment inspired them to develop a strategic partnership and merge, so they could do even more, support more patients, with more specialised services through their health and wellbeing journey. Managing Principal Aaron admits he is extremely excited to see the transformation of the MNC Physio signs and shopfronts currently rolling out to join the southern clinics, with a refreshed name and look that will represent an exciting future for Allied Healthcare for existing clients and the wider community. He also hinted at there being more inspiring announcements to come in the near future that will deliver even greater access to high quality healthcare in the region – watch this space!
Managing
Jimmy Wags has started Mid North Coast Skate Club to encourage those interested in skateboarding to get out there and get involved with other keen skaters in the community. They invite anyone of any ability level to get amongst it and cheer each other on.
Mid North Coast Skate Club
Hey Jimmy, tell us what Mid North Coast Skate Club is all about?
Mid North Coast Skate Club is a non profit skate club for skaters of all ages and abilities from Port Macquarie to Corindi Beach. We are about community engaging in skateboarding at our local public facilities, competing and having as much fun as can be had on four wheels.
Why did you feel a need to start a skate club?
We see and are engaged in many other sporting clubs and felt it was time skateboarders had the same opportunities other sporting clubs enjoy. Skating has always been a fringe sport, with social issues surrounding all skateparks for many years. Youth who want to engage in the sport deserve a safe environment to do so and a club environment can give that and more to up-and-coming skaters. We would like to encourage community members and families to gather and demonstrate skateboarding is a great, healthy, fun activity to be a part of.
What’s your own personal experience with skate culture?
I've been rolling about since I was in pre-school, skating and competing with mates and peers. I was lucky to grow up in a town with a concrete bowl and a steel half pipe. Skateboarding culture was alive and well during my teen and early adult years. Our peers and awesome members of our community gathered support to build Grafton skate park, which was a really great regional park for the time. I have had some great opportunities, formed life long friendships, travelled the country, laughed, cried and had an absolute blast, all thanks to skateboarding. With the help of our awesome committee, crew and community, all I want is to give to the skating community what I received.
What’s involved for the members?
Members are given the opportunity to showcase their skills and learn from their peers in a friendly competitive environment. We encourage everyone in the Mid North Coast who rides a skateboard to join us. Yearly membership is $30 (entry in all events) or a casual membership on event day of $10 if you’re not about for other events. As we
grow, so will the divisions and locations. We have a bunch of kids, as many girls as boys, and a good crew of teens and adults. I’m currently battling it out with the young guys as I’m currently the only competitor over 40 – hey old guys, let’s get the masters division up and running!!!
Who can join up to the club and do they need any experience?
All are welcome!! Beginners to experts, old guys to micro groms. If you ride a skateboard on the Mid North Coast, come check us out. Not into competing? Come hang, free skate, see some awesome skating. Don’t skate? Come have a feed and a yarn, cheer on the ankle busters and old farts, it’s a great spectator sport. Action packed.
You are hosting skate events and comps here on the Coffs Coast. What has the turnout been like so far?
Turnout has been great, we held our first comp at Corindi, with a rad bunch of skaters turning up to see what we are all about. Mums, Dads, Nans and Pops, a great vibe. The second comp recently at Woopi park gathered more new faces which was great, we are starting off humble and happy to see the club grow naturally. Good people, rad skating. We are heading south, next event in Coffs.
What has the feedback been like so far from club members?
Feedback has been good, we were ironing out the bugs on the first comp. It ran pretty smooth, we took advice from the skaters and members as to how they felt things could go and made a few changes. The introduction of a fully stocked canteen on site for all the hungry rippers was a welcome addition. We were bang on starting time at Woopi, heats were smooth with free skating in between and a little best trick comp at the end. We don’t need to have you for your entire Sunday. Skate, chill, eat, mingle, nab a prize and go off on your merry way for the rest of your Sunday afternoon.
Who are some of the stand out skaters you have in the club so far?
It’s tough to single individuals out – the skaters know who the shredders are at the moment, these guys and girls push the limits and are tough as nails. They are setting the bar for the region and are amazing to watch. There were some very talented boys, girls and adults skating in the last two events, although it’s the encouragement and support of the skaters who are not on top of the leaders board who get out there and have a go, with the crowd cheering them on, making a new trick, finding a new line, that make us smile, as much as watching the amazing talent.
Although in its infancy, where do you hope Mid North Coast Skate Club can get to?
Come hang, free skate, see some awesome skating. Don’t skate? Come We envisage the club have a feed and a growing steadily with yarn, cheer on the members, gaining more ankle busters and old sponsorship and funding farts, it’s a great to hold bigger events, spectator sport. offering awesome comp day prizes and crowning end of year champions. We are excited to be possibly helping future champions of skateboarding fulfill their dreams. We see this steadily growing with other regions starting clubs also. We look forward to our own events and future events incorporating other regional clubs.
Where can we find out more?
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ midnorthcoastskateclub to keep up to date on events and comps, talk to the guys at Chalkies Skate Shop and Coffs Coast Skate School about what we are up to in the near future. Shout out to our sponsors (greatly appreciated and still looking for more to fund these awesome events) • Diggers RSL (major sponsor) • Chalkies Skate Shop • Coffs Coast Roofing • Honour BJJ • Box Factory Burgers • Tango Juice Bar • Hoorang Skateboards
Thanks Jimmy.
Open daily for lunch and dinner September offer
Purchase a main meal from our Lunch Specials and receive a drink on the house!*
*Terms & conditions apply, members only promotion, selected beverages only. TP/00969
WOOLGOOLGA
C.ex Woolgoolga - C.ex Woolgoolga is a bowling club located 20 minutes from Coffs Harbour in the heart of the community of Woolgoolga. Featuring two synthetic bowling greens, Buster’s Brasserie, freshly renovated TAB and lounge areas and plenty of off-street parking at the door. There is a full bowls schedule including Indoor Bowls and coaching & bowls lessons are also available upon request. The club boasts a large Auditorium that can comfortably seat up to 300 people for conferences, weddings, eisteddfods and more. There is also some smaller rooms available for groups of up to 50. Catering can also be arranged for any event through Buster’s Brasserie. Buster’s Brasserie - Our exciting new dining outlet features an enticing menu influenced by modern Australia mixed with a few of our favourite Asian dishes from our former Walter’s Bistro. Located at C.ex Woolgoolga, Buster’s Brasserie boasts a relaxed, coastal feel with quality meals and great service. Contact the club for any event enquiries on 0266541307.
Ideal for team building sessions, family fun events and Christmas parties. Contact the club to book a date today.
Bring a natural coastal harmony and warmth into your home with coastal
from seashells to unique furniture pieces. We ship Australia wide. Open 7 days and also online www.thatbeachshop.com.au Shop 3/62 Beach Street, Woolgoolga Phone: 6654 2092 Mobile: 0418 402 073
TOYS
Dayne Taylor grew up in and around the water and has been a fisherman for as long as he can remember. The sport has taken him adventuring all around Australia and he is now running a local comp at Urunga that brings in hundreds of keen fishermen every year.
Hi Dayne. You and your family have a strong connection to the water, can you tell us about that?
I am the eldest of 6 kids born into a family of both recreational and commercial fisherman. My Dad’s side of our family were involved in trawlers running out of Brisbane Water just near Woy Woy, and my old man was an avid Surfer and mad keen Freediver “Spearfisho”. My Mum and our Grandparents were also mad on water-skiing and had a couple of big boats running in the Hawkesbury River also, so as far back as I can remember – fishing, boats and the water were always a big part of my life. It sounds clichéd, but you could go as far as saying I was born on the water!
My parents owned a small waterfront acreage on Lake Macquarie, so my childhood was spent terrorising the Bream, Whiting and Flathead population out of our little 12’ tinny. We were a family of 6 kids in a school with only 28 students at Eraring Public. My brothers, sister and I cut a deal with our School Principal as we’d regularly turn up late after a hot bite on the water; we’d supply the Mud Crabs for him and he’d give us $5 each for them and go easy on us for turning up late. Everyone was happy!
When did you first start fishing?
I have seen photos of myself in a pram fishing off a jetty at South West Rocks around 1 or 2 years of age at my Mum's place recently. Most of my earliest childhood memories involve fishing and the water so I couldn’t give you an exact date – but at least 32 odd years ago!
After growing up right on the water you moved inland in your teens, but we hear you still managed to keep fishing?
In my early teenage years, a split in our family saw us move out west to the Hunter Valley, with fishing and water running in our veins it was hard to keep us out of the small freshwater creeks, rivers and dams. I soon learned the art of freshwater species such as Golden Perch, Cod and Australian Bass.
During this period, I guess you could say I totally immersed myself in Bass Fishing. It was a way for my mind to completely shut off with all the things going on at home in our family life and the craziness that is “becoming a teenager”.
At age 15 I left home and ended up in boarding school studying Agriculture, it helped shape me into the person I am now 100%. I believe I learned morals, honesty and of course the ins and outs of business which has helped me all the way through my life. It’s also where I met my wife Sally, who I’d eventually marry 8 or so years later.
When did you first start competing and how did that come about?
After spending years honing my skills lure fishing for Bass and Bream, I decided I would try my hand at Tournament Bass and Bream competitions in my late teens and early 20’s. I never thought I was better than anyone else, I just enjoyed the pressure of the competition situation.
Tournament fishing ended up taking me all around this great country and meeting some absolute legends along the way. I competed as a Pro Angler in the B.A.S.S. Australia Nation, ABT Bass & Bream, Gamakatsu Teams Series and Hobie Kayak Bream tournaments over the years and was fortunate enough to fish in a fair few Australian Championships along the way.
What have been some of your most memorable competition moments?
If I had to pick 3 of my most memorable fishing competition moments – they would be: Winning a boat! Being crowned the Champion Angler at the B.A.S.S. Australia Nation on Glenbawn Dam back in 2017. And getting to stand on the stage at Somerset Dam in Qld at a B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Championship with my kids by my side when I dropped a bag of
2 fish on the scales for 3.5kg on the final day to rocket me into the lead and the huge crowd erupting and cheering!
What have you been up to since moving to the Coffs Coast with your young family?
I wanted to get back to just enjoying fishing as a recreational sport and focus on giving back and paying forward the experiences and knowledge fishing has created for me.
Over the years I have been extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work in the Fishing and Boating Industry here on the Coffs Coast, I have also had part time gigs writing columns for fishing magazines. And I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the country with my family and friends fishing, camping and boating in some awesome locations whilst catching some incredible fish along the way.
You started your own fishing tournament, can you tell us about it and where the idea came from?
I have a massive passion for sustainable fishing and continue to promote catch and release / sport fishing for our future generations to enjoy this great pastime I love so much.
Back in 2014 I started the inaugural Berkley Urunga Sports Fishing Flathead Tournament. I didn’t have plans for it to end up like it has, but I knew there were a few locals that wanted a fishing competition that was 100% catch and release (meaning all the fish caught go back in the water alive and healthy). So, I gathered some sponsors to help out with a few small prizes and we slapped together a comp. Turns out we had 250+ people show up in small town Urunga from all over the east coast of Australia to compete.
How has that comp evolved since it started?
We have had in excess of 350 to 400 competitors every year since it started and have given away over $100+k worth of prizes including 4 boat, motor and trailer packages, thousands of rods and reels, lures and other fishing tackle. And we are currently planning the 2022 edition to be held this November the 11th, 12th and 13th.
Where can we find you these days? And if you’re heading out for a fish, what are some of your current favourite spots?
These days you can find me fishing out of my interpretation of the ultimate allrounder – an Australian Hand Made Plate Alloy Boat. I
I have a massive passion for sustainable fishing and continue to promote catch and release / sport fishing for our future generations to enjoy this great pastime I love so much. have a custom-built Formosa SRT 495 Pro Side Console, sporting a Suzuki 140hp outboard motor.
I love this boat as it allows me to load up all our camping gear and head North into Qld and the NT, or even out west of NSW chasing everything from Barra, Cod and Bass, to offshore and for some island hopping or reef fishing. It’s a great stable fishing platform for both inshore and offshore.
And I have gone to town loading it with a ridiculous amount of marine electronics and gadgets. If you are interested in knowing more about my boat – please come down and see it at North Coast Boating Centre in Urunga. I’d love to show you through it!
Coffs Harbour Catholic Schools
For many years Coffs Harbour has been an engine room for live music and the performing arts. Many professional composers, performers, engineers and journalists in our contemporary and vibrant Australian culture were born and raised in our local Coffs Harbour school community.
At St John Paul College, the music department is thriving and has shown a strong presence within the school and community with regular lunchtime performances, concerts and more recently recording projects, which have been featured on local radio stations. Students have the opportunity to join one of the many school based ensembles which include the College Choir, Stage Band and Drumline, proving to be a great success and a valuable experience for the students’ musical development.
An extension of the music faculty is the instrumental tuition program. The tuition team provides quality one-on-one tuition in a range of instruments by the best local teachers who bring with them a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to the students.
Year 7 and 8 students learn contemporary music instruments, gain experience with real world recording and software, compositional and performance skills. The elective classes foster high level and industry standard performing skills, where students select their own focus instrument and perform regularly for a variety of live audiences. The music teachers at St John Paul College are highly regarded performers themselves and bring that experience into the classroom.
This year music students have recorded upwards of 12 original compositions in the new recording studio, which is the latest addition to the department, offering budding composers real direction in the contemporary music industry.
HSC music students consistently perform well above state average and a strong proportion of these students continue toward a career in the music industry.
SAM
MELINZ
Yr 10 Music Student
Hi Sam, can you tell us a bit about yourself? I’m 15 years old from Coffs Harbour and I’m in year 10 at SJPC. I enjoy all things musical and have been involved in local theatre productions and enjoy playing guitar and jamming with mates.
What do you enjoy about music at SJPC? I think it’s great that the teachers are helpful and are able to share their skills and advice on a range of instruments, especially as I play a few. The resources are of a high standard and cater for all of our needs, which we have access to for rehearsals whenever we want. This has given me a place to share my love of music with like-minded people from all walks of life.
What has been your experience with music at SJPC? Overall, it has been a positive experience that has taught me life skills and has allowed me to network and form strong friendships.
What are you looking forward to over the next few years?
Exploring different genres of music, features and origins as I have a strong interest in deepening my knowledge of this. I also wish to further develop my songwriting and music production skills as I’m considering pursuing something in live production or recording after school.
