Coffs Coast Focus - i142

Today’s students are discovering tomorrow’s solutions.

Studying at Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus or the National Marine Science Centre will prepare you to take on tomorrow and make a real difference in the Healthcare, Science, Education or Law space of the future.

Join a university that’s transforming tomorrow.

You can study:

Pathways to your Degree: Preparing for Success Program Diploma of Health Undergraduate Certificate in Psychological Science

The

exhibition

opens on Friday 4th November at Sawtell

and will be showcasing the work of TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour

DEB MELALUCA

JOSH PYKE

elcome to the November edition of Coffs Coast Focus. What a fantastic month we have had to execute this bumper edition at FOCUS. As you flip through our 128 fabulous, glossy pages, you’ll be introduced to all that makes up this unique city from the eyes of the FOCUS team and all that contribute to putting this wonderful publication together every month!

This month’s cover features Isla Juffermans, a local basketball superstar, working her way up through her junior rep teams to NSW Country State teams and on to a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra. She is now representing Australia

Wwith the Sapphires at the World Cup in Europe and working towards her goal of one day playing for Australia with the Opals!

Who have we featured?

Growing up in Woolgoolga, Jessica Gentle has been heavily involved in local sports her whole life. She went on to play representative Soccer and was then selected to play NCAA Soccer in America. Since returning home, she has started playing Rugby League, and in a short time, has made her way up to playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW as well as being awarded Women’s Country Championships Player of the Year!

Jack Davey has been training and competing in Strongman for over 10 years now. It’s a sport that is on the rise in Australia, and the community at Jack’s gym Fenrir Strength is

growing.

Natalia Cowley has recently moved into the General Manager role at Coffs Harbour City Council. She has quite an incredible resume and we are excited to hear what she has planned for our beloved region.

Meet our local Real Estate powerhouses! We know that the right real estate decisions are life-changing. With area home prices starting at over a million dollars, the expertise of who represents you when buying or selling can make the difference of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This month we have featured some of the best in the business. Check out our Real Estate experts feature.

We hope you enjoy flicking through our November edition.

EDITION

Nicci Seccombe nicole@focusmag.com.au

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR Daisy Moroney Daisyfocusmag@gmail.com

CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Bree McNickle wedeliverfocus@gmail.com

Hi Isla. When did you first discover your love of basketball?

I think I first discovered my love for basketball after a few years of playing it. I started playing at the age of 7, as my mum encouraged me onto the court knowing how much potential I would have at my height. It wasn’t until I was probably around 10 or 11 that I found my love for it, as I was finally able to understand the game and become a much better player.

Can you tell us a bit about your local career, how you went from starting out in the game to heading off to Canberra?

Being a pretty tall and strong player, I was able to develop my strengths in the post through coaching from my local association (Coffs Harbour Suns).

Eventually this allowed me to become a dominant player in my junior rep teams and eventually NSW Country State teams.

Over the years I competed at events like Junior Nationals and other tournaments across the country and eventually I was offered a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra.

You received an exclusive scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport, can you tell us about that?

The scholarship is basically where the best 12 junior players across the country all live and train together in the hope of

creating future Opals players. We all go to school together at Lake Ginninderra college, we train 3-4 times a week plus around 4 gym sessions. There’s also recovery facilities and physios and doctors on site that we can see. We play in an NBL1 Wildcard Basketball League, competing against the best teams around the country during the on season.

It’s a big move going from Coffs Harbour to the Australian Capital playing with some of the country’s best. How has that training changed you as a player?

Training with the best across the country has made me not only develop on the court but also as a better person off the court. Late last year I tore my medial and lateral meniscus which made me sit out of training for around 3-4 months. The facilities and people at the AIS were able to help me bounce back from this and come back stronger on the court than I ever had before.

Continued over...

Isla Juffermans is a local basketball superstar, working her way up through her junior rep teams to NSW Country State teams and on to a scholarship at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra. She is now representing Australia with the Sapphires at the World Cup in Europe, and working towards her goal of one day playing for Australia with the Opals!

We all go to school together at Lake Ginninderra college, we train 3 - 4 times a week plus around 4 gym sessions. There’s also recovery facilities and physios and doctors on site that we can see.

You’re now representing the country with the Sapphires. Congratulations on the recent U16 Gold in Amman! What was that experience like for you personally and as part of the Australian side?

The experience in Amman was extremely unique in the aspects of the country’s culture and the game style played in the Asia cup. Playing Asian teams meant that they were a lot smaller and faster, so we as a big team had to adjust to this, which I think we did pretty quickly. I wasn’t expecting quite the performance that I had, so that was pretty cool, as well as us as an Australian team who had rarely played together. Before that you had the Asian Championships, how did that go?

We were undefeated in the end, so it was pretty good to go over there as a team and dominate. In the final, one of my teammates and close friends Jayda Clark hit the winning free throws with 8 seconds to go and 1 point down, so that was a pretty exciting experience. You’re currently in Debrecen, how is it going for you over there so far? What’s the competition like?

The competition is a lot bigger and stronger than it was in Amman. We lost our first game in overtime so that was a pretty emotional game for us all. We had a taste of the best teams previously to the tournament in Spain

Representing my country to me means that I am not only representing Australia, but also the people that got me here. My family, my friends, my coaches, my teammates and Coffs Harbour. But most importantly my Mum and my Granny.

at the 4 Nations Tournament. We played the top 3 placed teams at the World Cup which included France, Spain and USA. We ended up losing to all 3 teams unfortunately, but it was good to experience the competition prior to the World Cup.

What does it mean to you to be representing your country on a world stage?

Representing my country to me means that I am not only representing Australia, but also the people that got me here. My family, my friends, my coaches, my teammates and Coffs Harbour. But most importantly my Mum and my Granny. Those are the women in my life that have supported my whole journey and put all the time and effort in to get me where I am today.

What are your goals for your future in basketball?

My short term goals would be to represent Australia again later this year at the Under 18 Asia Cup as well as the Under 19 World Cup next year. Long term, I would like to play college basketball in the US after school. And hopefully further down the track, represent the Opals and play in the Olympics.

THE BIG BONANZA

What do you get when you cross a stellar music festival, with the biggest outdoor comedy gala event ever held in regional Australia, paired with cocktail & wine bars, a beer garden and a delectable array of street food? The Big Bonanza, the funnest 2 days of your life! When 4th & 5th November Where Southern Cross University Tickets oztix.com.au

BLUES AND BERRIES

Join in a day of all things Blues and Roots music and berries by the beach. Street food with a berry twist, market stalls promoting their local berry produce and farm tours to Costa Berries Farm. When 6th November Where Beach Street, Woolgoolga Time 10am until 6pm

EMILY MAGUIRE

British singer-songwriter, composer and poet Emily Maguire has released six albums and toured Europe extensively with American legends Don McLean, Dr Hook and Eric Bibb. With songs described as ‘music for the soul’ (Maverick Magazine), Emily’s live show is an intensely melodic and moving experience not to be missed. When 26th November Where Coramba Community Hall Time 7pm until 9pm Tickets aucoffs.sales.ticketsearch.com/ sales/salesevent/77920

FESTIVAL OF MOTOR SPORT

Cars, Karts, Motor bikes, Rally Cars, Hotrods, Muscle & Racing Cars, Power Boats, Aircraft, and all other forms of Motorsport. If it has wheels (or a hull), it will be featured in the Coffs Coast Festival Of Motor Sport and it all starts with a major MOTORSHOW! When 5th November Where Coffs Harbour Race Course More info coffscoastmotorsport.com

THE ART OF AGATHA CHRISTIE

This lecture will surprise you with information about Agatha Christie’s remarkable life as well as take you to some of the locations that inspired her work. A light supper, at 7.15 pm after the lecture, is included in the ticket price. When 21st November Where Main Lecture Theatre D Block SCU Campus, Coffs Harbour Time 6pm Tickets $25 for non members trybooking.com/CCYAJ. FREE for ADFAS members

GRIGORYAN BROTHERS

Acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have created a suite of music inspired by objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection tracing Australia’s diverse and complex history. When 26th November Where Jetty Theatre Tickets jettytheatre.com.au

JACK DAVEY

Jack Davey has been training and competing in Strongman for over 10 years now. It’s a sport that is on the rise in Australia, and the community at Jack’s gym Fenrir Strength is growing.

Hey Jack, Tell us where your Strongman journey began?

I started Strongman training back in 2012! Back then Australia’s Strongest Man was hosted in Lismore each year. I had already been lifting weights for numerous years at the time and a friend and I decided to go and watch the competition because Strongman looked really damn cool. Watching that competition and the weights the athletes were lifting blew me away. I wanted to be strong like them and so began my Strongman Journey.

For those who are unaware, what is Strongman all about?

Strongman/Strongwomen is about being as physically strong and capable as possible. Unlike bodybuilding, competitors are not judged on how they look, but how they lift in

many different “Events”. Strongman events involve a variety of tests of strength often with awkward objects. This could be events like lifting large stones from the floor onto platforms, pressing wooden logs and other objects overhead, or pulling vehicles (trucks, cars and sometimes even planes for the very strong!). There are also moving events, like moving as fast as possible with heavy objects such as kegs or sandbags, heavy handles

loaded with weights carried in the hands (farmers walks), and heavy frames loaded with weight carried on your back (yoke walks).

Sometimes the goal is to go heavier than anyone else can in that event. Sometimes the goal is to be able to do the most reps in a set. Sometimes the goal is to cover a set distance faster than anyone else, while carrying a heavy object.

There are a lot of different combinations of

With the right training program, mental approach, and consistency you can always overcome your limits.

events. This all adds up to what I think is the most thorough and complete test of human strength across many different styles of movements.

What sort of preparation and dedication, not only physically but mentally, goes into the sport?

Lots of training! Like any sport the more you practice the better you get. I find consistency and patience are the most important part of Strongman training. It takes a long time to build strength, and more than many other sports it takes a while to hit your stride in Strongman. Week in, week out, you must push hard to build strength. I find this part to be the most enjoyable personally because I just love training, and the uniqueness of the strongman events. That doesn’t always make it easy though, and mental preparation is the key to success. Make no mistake, big lifts are very hard. They drain you physically and they can intimidate you mentally. There are a lot of days I wake up nervous knowing what weights I have to lift that day. Learning to overcome

your “limits” in this regard is most of the battle. It is also about the most satisfying feeling you can experience.

Lifting a weight you were previously unable to budge and seeing yourself so clearly improving is amazing and part of the fun of the sport.

Where does the motivation come from to get up each day and push yourself to become better at the sport?

For me I just love improving. I have always wanted to be strong, and I love the challenge involved in exceeding my own limits, year after year. Every time you find a new plateau in your training it can initially feel like you won’t ever be able to overcome it. With the right training program, mental approach, and consistency you can always overcome your limits. That is why I do it.

I love a good challenge and how it can force you to really take a hard honest assessment of yourself in order to overcome it. The further I go the more I learn about myself.

Continued over...

One of the other things I love about this sport is how supportive everyone can be of one another. Everyone cheers for you to keep going, even your competition, and it’s very motivating to be a part of!!

STRONGMA N

What would a typical day in your life look like for you and what sort of training is involved?

For me, I wake up around 6am and write programs for 2 hours for the people who train with me, either at my gym “Fenrir Strength”, or via online training. I’ll eat some breakfast and be down at the gym at 9.30am to start training. My sessions are normally finished by about 12-1pm. Then I head home and eat again and have a break for an hour or two. Then I eat again, haha. I’ll then head back down to my gym to train people and run Strongman or fitness classes until about 8pm. Then I eat again, and that’s it.

I train for Strongman four days per week, do two cardio sessions per week on top of that, and have one rest day.

You are a keen competitor of the sport. What does a competition look like and what's the vibe around the competitions?

Competitions are usually five different events over the course of the day, or six events over two days for some of the bigger competitions, testing different types of strength. The vibe at competitions is just

awesome. One of the other things I love about this sport is how supportive everyone can be of one another. Everyone cheers for you to keep going, even your competition, and it’s very motivating to be a part of. I think everyone just loves to watch each other push hard to overcome their limits. Generally between events you spend your time chatting with other competitors while you recover from your efforts. At the end

My sessions are normally finished by about 12-1pm. Then I head home and eat again and have a break for an hour or two. Then I eat again, haha.

of the day after all the events are finished the points are tallied up and the winners are announced and brought up to receive prizes and awards.

What's your personal highlight of competing in Strongman?

It’s hard to really pinpoint one moment for me. I think competing in a really stacked field of competitors and going back and forth on points all day is a really cool thrill.

Managing to pull out the win after a hard fought day is a very satisfying feeling and one that I always look forward to experiencing again. Although Strongman as a competition is in its infancy here in Australia compared to other sports, how fast is the sport growing and where do you see it heading into the future?

Strongman has come a very long way since I started. The sport is becoming more well known every year in Australia. This is thanks to the awesome competition promoters we have, and big festivals like Meatstock, the EKKA and AGQUIP taking Strongman onboard and getting the sport out in the eyes of the public. I can only see it getting bigger and better by the year. Like all sports, injury can and will happen at some point. How do you deal with the harder times that arise in the sport?

Injuries are never fun. I have personally had a particularly bad run with injury this year. When you are injured the best thing you can do is to continue to train hard, doing the things you can still do. Completely stopping all training never fixes anything and staying focused on what you can still do will keep your mind in a good place. If you

combine that with a good rehab program that you consistently execute you will end up back to it as quickly as is physically possible. You also train others at your gym, Fenrir Strength, here in Coffs. What's it like passing on your experience and what's the feedback been from the members?

I love it. Strongman is so much fun. For me to be able to help others experience that fun is a gift I am always very thankful for!. I think I love watching my members hit new PB’s (personal bests) as much as I like hitting them myself. I think it is incredibly cool that I have found a bunch of people who enjoy lifting heavy things as much as I do and people are often surprised at how much they enjoy the process of lifting heavy things. It’s a really fun way to exercise and you can get healthy and fit while doing it. Many of my

members have been training Strongman for years now, so clearly they love it as much as I do.

Is there a specific kind of person that can train Strongman or can anyone get involved?

Absolutely anyone can get involved. Contrary to what you may think, when looking at Strongman/women competitions of the highest level, the sport is scalable to any level. Just because the top level guys and girls are lifting ridiculous weights, doesn’t mean that is where it starts. I have helped people of all ages and abilities get stronger. We meet you where you are and build up from there. One of the biggest misconceptions about the sport is that you must be strong to start. The sport makes you strong.

What's next for Jack?

I injured myself right before Australia’s Strongest Man U105kg this year and was unable to compete. Next year I’m seeking redemption. I believe I can give Australia’s best a challenge next year.

Thanks Jack.

Just because the top-level guys and girls are lifting ridiculous weights, doesn’t mean that is where it starts. I have helped people of all ages and abilities get stronger.

Jessica Gentle

Growing up in Woolgoolga, Jessica Gentle has been heavily involved in local sport her whole life. She went on to play representative Soccer and was then selected to play NCAA Soccer in America. Since returning home she has started playing Rugby League, and in a short time has made her way up to playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW as well as being awarded Women’s Country Championships Player of the Year!

Hi Jessica. Growing up on the Coffs Coast you have always participated in plenty of sport. Can you tell us a bit about what sports you have been part of locally?

Woopi Soccer was a big part of my life and I played with them from when I was five until I was 18. I also played Woopi Touch every year for about the same period of time. I also did Nippers in Woolgoolga until it began to clash with rep.commitments. In between other sports, I participated in Woopi Oztag and League Tag, Coffs Touch and Oztag, Woolgoolga CrossFit and Cross Country. I even did one year of dance but was pretty keen to get the boots back on after that. You have had some impressive achievements in Soccer, can you tell us about your time in the sport?

Some of my best memories in soccer were with WUFC. One of my favourite games ever, was coming back to win the grand final during extra time in my first season with the Wildcats, after being down 1-0 in the 89th minute.

Playing in representative teams like North Coast Football, Northern NSW Football, and NSW CHS eventually culminated in getting

selected to play NCAA soccer in America. Living, playing, and studying in the US was the most amazing experience and I could not recommend it enough to any young aspiring athletes. The coaching, facilities, experiences, and friendships I got access to in my six years living and playing abroad were absolutely incredible, and I’ll always be so grateful to all the people that helped me get there.

Now that I’m back in Australia, I play in the NPLW competition with Charlestown Azzurri.

I have also been lucky enough to coach youth and Special Olympic soccer teams for several years now which is just as rewarding as playing the game myself.

You have now moved into primarily playing Rugby League, how did that move come about?

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a cheerleader when I grew up. Not because I was remotely interested in cheer, but because I thought that was the closest I would ever get to being on the footy field. All my brothers played league, so I grew up watching them,

loving the game, and really wanting to play.

When I was eleven, I played in a six week women’s competition against 20–30 year olds. My tackling definitely needed work, but I loved running with the ball. The next time I played after that was while I was home from America one year and they held an NRLW talent ID day. I got to do tackle tech., testing, and play some games but couldn't pursue league any further due to my soccer commitments overseas.

Once I was no longer eligible to play NCAA soccer (you only get four years), but still had another degree to finish before coming home, I started playing with the university rugby team. While being stuck in the US during COVID, I began contacting people about playing local Rugby League back home. Lockdown put a stop to things in 2021, so this is my first year in the game.

Congratulations on winning the Women's Country Championships Player of the Year award! What did it feel like to play in that Comp and then receive such recognition?

One of my favourite games ever was coming back to win the grand final during extra time in my first season with the Wildcats after being down 1-0 in the 89th minute.

Thank you. I trialled for the Central Coast Roosters not expecting to make the team but just excited to have the opportunity to play. I learned so much and it was such a great experience. Competitions like this mean so much to me as it means people in the country have the chance to play and access pathways too. In many teams growing up I was one of the few people not from Sydney, and my parents had to drive me all over the state. It is massive that girls all over rural NSW get the chance to get involved in representative rugby league as well. Where are you at now in your Rugby League career?

It’s been a whirlwind year for me. I started training for the NSW Country Championships when we got out of lockdown last year. That led me to playing in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership and being selected in the NSW Emerging Country team to play at Nationals. From there, I was lucky enough to get offered a development contract for the NRLW which during the season got upgraded to a playing contract. Even though all these opportunities have been very unexpected,

I’m so grateful to be able to use this platform to encourage others to get involved. What sort of training and skill development are you currently doing?

The NRLW season has just finished and Rugby 7’s season has started so I’m training for that and playing tournaments on weekends. I’m also playing social six a side soccer, touch, and AFL9’s over summer. My gym program has been a little interrupted since I fractured my hand a few weeks ago, so I’ve mostly been doing extra field sessions of conditioning and ball skills. Things are moving ahead quite quickly for you in the sport. What is it about Rugby League that you’re really enjoying at the moment and how do you think your experience in other sports has helped you?

I really enjoy learning new things, meeting new people, and the opportunity to do something I’ve always dreamt of. I’ve been to three different states in the last three weeks, travelling with friends playing a game I love.

In between trips away, I get to work towards goals, challenge myself, and be part of some pretty awesome groups of people. I’m also really grateful for the platform rugby league has given me to get involved with youth teams and girls’ development programs. The conditioning we did in college soccer has set me up both mentally and physically for other sports in terms of work ethic, time management, and good training habits. Where would you like to see yourself heading in the sport over the next few years?

I would love to continue to be involved in the expanding NRLW competition moving forward. If I am lucky enough to get a contract, along with working hard to play my best footy and enjoying the experience, I want to use the chance to give back to the community. I still have so much to learn so I always want to continue improving my personal game. At the moment, I am just taking every opportunity as it comes and loving every moment.

Even though all these opportunities have been very unexpected, I’m so grateful to be able to use this platform to encourage others to get involved.

LINK IS OPEN

SAWTELL CATHOLIC CARE

At Sawtell Catholic Care it’s all about the mission. Our mission is to grow and sustain an inclusive community of Christian care. ‘We care’ is even our motto.

Thirty years of providing accommodation and services to the community we care for has seen Marian Grove, the flagship of our brand, setting a high standard for retirement living and Mater Christi residential care service recognised as a leading aged care provider in our region.

The continuum of care at Marian Grove really is always evolving, adapting to the needs of our residents as they change over time, sustaining their independence and enhancing their quality of life. Now it’s time to introduce our latest innovation and support for our community, The Link.

The former site of Cockbain’s Nursery on Hogbin Drive has been reinvigorated, becoming part of Marian Grove’s village precinct which affords our residents an exceptional lifestyle opportunity in their own backyard. This huge 3.6 acre garden offers our community a wonderful, unique outdoor space to walk, sit and relax, enjoy a coffee and a light meal at the café in the company of friends and family, or some solitude and reflection time if needed. The Link is here for our broader local community as well, as a space for gathering and social connection, intergenerational sharing and enjoyment, in addition to small functions and events.

In conjunction with Mental Health and National Gardening Week (October 10-14) we opened

the Link gates and invited the community to join us for a week of celebration filled with music, intergenerational art exhibitions, community, and fun.

The “official “opening ceremony took place on Tuesday 11 October at 10 am, with Master of Ceremonies Matt Digges introducing a Welcome to Country by Aunty Jenny Skinner, addresses from Sawtell Catholic Care CEO Michael Darragh and Ambassador for National Gardening Week George Hoad AM, with a blessing by Fr Michael Alcock, ably assisted ably by Zippy . A ribbon cutting ceremony followed with assistance from Sawtell Catholic Care Board Chairman David Robson and Coffs Harbour Mayor Paul Amos and the event concluded with uplifting cultural dances and a smoking ceremony by the Giingan Dancers.

Thanks also to everyone else who made the week so special, “The Shed Men” Coffs Harbour Men’s Shed Band, Louise and Wendy for their violin music at the cafe, Youngster Co for tech assistance, The Marian Grove Ukulele Group and The Sawtell Ukulele group.

The Link gardens and Cafe are now open, Monday to Saturday 8.30 am to 3 pm. We are pleased to announce that The Link Café is run

by fellow not-for-profit organisation the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, already known to many locals for their Nyanggan Gapi Café at Sealy Lookout and catering business which invests back into the Coffs Harbour Gumbaynggirr community. We’re looking forward to a beautiful collaboration, giving diners great service in delightful surrounds.

If you’re thinking of retiring, why not take a look around Marian Grove and The Link?

Marian Grove has beautiful, newly refurbished villas available right now, with home options to suit every taste at prices to suit every budget.

Our upcoming promotion offers anyone who moves into our apartments $2000 towards their window coverings and 3 months waived maintenance fees up to the value of $1700.

Our villas and townhouses are also eligible for the three months waived maintenance promotion. These beautiful residences are selling fast, so why not give us a call today and arrange for a visit with our friendly sales team? We’d love to hear from you.

Call us on 0490 522 596, email mariangrovesales@scca.net.au or visit our website at scca.net.au/independent

The Link is here for our broader local community as well, as a space for gathering and social connection...

CELEBRATE WITH US

MOONEE BEACH HOTEL

Planning a party can be a lot of work! We get it, and we’re here to help. Whether you’re hosting a small party or a big bash, we can help you make sure it’s all set up just right. Our team of talented planners are here to make your next celebration come to life.

With years of experience and a passion for helping guests create unforgettable moments, we know how to help you create an event that is unique and memorable for all.

Visit our website www.mooneebeachhotel.com.au for more information and available packages.

COCKRAM

BAYSIDE BAR AND GRILL AT PACIFIC BAY RESORT

You’re the new Head Chef at Bayside Bar and Grill, tell us a little about yourself and your career so far.

I Started my chef journey in Sydney back in 2001 but soon moved to Australia’s alpine region, cooking at Cuisine Restaurant at Lake Crackenback Resort. Those were great years as it allowed me to pursue my passion for skiing and snowboarding. After approximately seven years it was time to look for a warmer climate. My partner's family lives on the Coffs Coast, so in 2015 we made the move and I gained a position as sous chef at Bonville Golf Resort, working alongside then Executive Chef Darren Ryan and his amazing team. When Pacific Bay Resort joined the Coastal and Golf Resorts Group, opportunities began to arise for some of the team to play a role in growing the Bayside Bar and Grill. I am

excited to be given the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge in this new setting and we welcome locals and visitors alike to experience our new Spring menu. When it comes to creating a seasonal menu what do you take into consideration?

Firstly, it’s important to consider what season it is and match that with the produce that’s on offer locally and regionally. Our main offer at Bayside Bar and Grill remains quite similar year round and we look to freshen dishes for each season and focus on creating weekly specials that feature

My partner’s family lives on the Coffs Coast, so in 2015 we made the move and I gained a position as sous chef at Bonville Golf Resort, working alongside then Executive Chef Darren Ryan and his amazing team.

on our chalkboard. That keeps things fresh and exciting. Sustainability and farming practices are important to me. Ensuring that we source responsibly farmed produce is a must.

Our region has some incredible local produce, and we source things like Coffs Coast Prawns, Dorrigo Potatoes, local blueberries, edible flowers from a farm at Nambucca, together with Jacks Creek Beef

from Tamworth.

What is your favourite dish on the new Spring menu and why?

That’s a hard one! Probably the Chimichurri prawns with avocado salsa, preserved lemon and pea tendrils. It’s an entrée that has spice and saltiness and is delicately balanced with the freshness of the avocado and pea tendrils. It really celebrates Spring here on the Coffs Coast. Enjoy with a white wine sitting lagoon side on the decks at Bayside Bar and Grill – Yum!

If you are a meat lover, you just cannot go past the Jacks Creek mb4 (Marble score) sirloin. It’s tender, juicy, and just melts in your mouth. New to the Bayside Bar and Grill menu, we recommend cooked medium rare. The dish is served with potato lyonnaise, broccolini, mustard butter and jus.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy cooking?

The smoker gets a bit of a workout at home when I have the time. You just can’t beat the intense but complex flavours of a low and slow brisket or piece of chicken. I run a full offset wood fire. It’s both relaxing and challenging tending to the fire and enjoying the cooking process.

Throughout your career - what famous Chefs have you admired and why?

As a young chef I always admired the greats like Marco Pierre White, Thomas Keller,

and Stephanie Alexander for always being at the forefront. As cooking has evolved there have been many inspirations like James Viles for his commitment to sustainability, foraging and uncovering local produce.

I love to travel and discover the flavours of Australia and I am inspired by the fusion of flavours available here. The Spring menu at Bayside Bar and Grill is a celebration of local ingredients and fresh flavour – it’s Modern Australian set in a relaxing resort environment.

Thanks Mark

If you are a meat lover, you just cannot go past the Jacks Creek mb4 (Marble score) sirloin. It’s tender, juicy, and just melts in your mouth. New to the Bayside Bar and Grill menu, we recommend cooked medium rare.

Tenderloin 200grams

ground cumin

salt

white pepper

cayenne pepper

grams Rocket

grams Sliced Red Cabbage

Toasted Pine Nuts

Danish Fetta

Balsamic Vinegar

of olive oil

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 juice to finish.

nior Grants

Meet, Darcy!

What have been your achievements so far?

Selected for U14 boys NCAS Volleyball Team for 2021.

Selected for U16 Coffs Harbour Volleyball Representative Team 2021 & 2022. Selected for U15 boys NCAS Volleyball Team for 2022 - this involved a trips to Wagga Wagga and Sydney to compete in Academy Games.

Selected for NSW U15 boys Phoenix Shadow Team for 2022 - this involved 8 training sessions in Sydney and a final competition in Bendigo VIC.

Why did you apply for this grant?

As I am the only U15 boy selected from the North Coast for the NSW Phoenix team, my parents have had to cover all the travelling and accommodation to enable me to attend my training sessions in Sydney.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I am hoping I might go far enough with my volleyball to make it to the Olympics.

Coffs Harbour

Kempsey

Nambucca

Grafton

THYME

Hi Katie. Can you tell us a bit about how you got into music? What made you first pick up a guitar?

My Dad was a professional guitar player so there was always music going on around me and nice electric guitars and amps around the house. My brother and I started at around the same time. There was always a focus on improvising. We would transcribe other people’s solos to pull ideas from, but there was always an emphasis on improvising and pulling a righteous tone. When I first started playing, we were living on a large remote property that was about 45 minutes from town. It was a long way from any neighbours, so I had plenty of time to practice.

You’re one part of the trio Wild Thyme, can you tell us who the other band members are and a little about them?

Laura Targett is an incredible fiddle player. She is originally from the UK and has a background in traditional Irish fiddle, early

classical training and a passion for global folk music. Laura absolutely carves on the bandstand and in the studio. She is a confident improviser and doesn’t hold back.

She is also good at being able to instantly harmonise layer upon layer, which is great in the studio. She is a one-take wonder. Laura is also a mum of four kids and is a talented visual artist.

Arlz is the most exciting double bass player I’ve seen. She started learning classical guitar at age 7 and then moved to double bass. She went to a pretty heavy-duty jazz school and plays with a rare mix of athleticism and creativity. Arlz has an awesome feel and impeccable timing. On stage, she shines with her infectious enthusiasm, sense of humour and mastery of her instrument. She also teaches music, is a volunteer firefighter and is, above all, an excellent human.

You each have quite different musical

backgrounds, how would you describe your style/sound as a band?

It’s pretty hard, to sum up what we do as one genre, so I just say it’s progressive acoustic music as we all play acoustic instruments and we break out of all the boxes. We have just recorded our debut album, which was funded by NSW regional Arts and recorded by the legendary Jordan Power.

We’ll be releasing it at the Jetty Theatre on January 27. An album is a time stamp. This album has tracks that range from Romanian flavours to Bluegrass, to Jazz influenced soloing, to Serbian melodies over a calypso rhythm. Some tunes are just catchy with a pop sensibility.

How did you guys meet and first start playing together?

I live in Bellingen and was playing in a couple of bluegrass bands called The Mid

It’s pretty hard, to sum up what we do as one genre, so I just say it’s progressive acoustic music as we all play acoustic instruments, and we break out of all the boxes.

Katie Crane is one part of the trio Wild Thyme, a truly unique acoustic band that will be appearing at Dark Arts for dinner and a show on the 18th of November!

KATIE CRANE

North and High Lonesome. Laura moved to the area from the Northern Rivers and a mutual muso friend hooked us up. We had our first jam at my place on the veranda. We both had little kids running around causing chaos and we decided that this was the best mothers’ group we’d ever attended. Musically we just clicked too. When you get someone who shreds on fiddle and another person who knows their way around a D28 Martin guitar, it’s going to work.

The only thing that could have been an improvement was a solid double bass player. We had been eyeing off Arlz from a distance, the stars aligned, and she moved to Bello!

We couldn’t believe it, but we also knew she would be snaffled up quickly, so we pounced on her. We played our first gig together after one rehearsal the night before and it was magic.

Why do you think the three of you complement each other so well?

Our three different instruments fill the space

beautifully. There is an intensity that comes from playing with 3 string instruments. We also appreciate each other’s backgrounds. If one of us has a musical idea, we roll with it. There are no limitations and no constraints of genre.

You’re a songwriter too. Do you write many of your own songs for Wild Thyme?

Yes, we all write. A lot of Wild Thyme’s tunes are originals.

What is your process like as a band when you’re putting songs together?

One of us will come up with a new tune or an idea for a tune. It may be a melody that Laura brings. Arlz and I may put chords to it and vocal harmonies. Or I may come up

with a new tune and Laura will put a second melody line to it, and Arlz may suggest trying a particular feel. That sort of thing. You guys have a show coming up at Dark Arts in Coffs Harbour. What can we expect from the show?

The Dark Arts Bar has such a cool vibe. This will be an intimate show. We will be playing some of the tunes from our soon-to-bereleased album and a sneaky peak of our new single before its official release date. There will be high energy tunes, soulful tunes and plenty of improvised solos.

Where can people find out more and grab a ticket?

Tickets are available now at stickytickets.com.au/02whs

Follow our social media pages for gigs, live vids and other info.

WildThymeMusic

The only thing that could have been an improvement was a solid double bass player. We had been eyeing off Arlz from a distance, the stars aligned, and she moved to Bello!

1st

Melbourne Cup Luncheon

C.ex Coffs

Melbourne Cup Luncheon

Sawtell RSL

Musical Bingo with DJ Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

2nd

Karaoke Hoey Moey

3rd

Matty Devitt Hoey Moey

Karaoke Seaview Tavern

4th

Slim Pickens Element Bar

RAKU The Pier Hotel

Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical Jetty Theatre (until 27th)

T’Larmon + DJ Kyle James Hoey Moey

Sabotage Seaview Tavern

5th

Paul Fogarty Element Bar

Party of One Dark Arts Cafe & Bar Jessica Swilks & Rohan Hems + DJ Raven Hoey Moey

Magic Mojo The Pier Hotel Madam Parker & The Vibe City Band Seaview Tavern

6th

Kalyna Rakel Element Bar

Kalyna Rakel Dark Arts Cafe & Bar Madam Parker & The Vibe City Band Hoey Moey

Sam Dyball Coramba Hotel

Georgia Cummins Seaview Tavern

8th

Musical Bingo. DJ Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

9

Karaoke Hoey Moey

10th

Benny Black Hoey Moey

Karaoke Seaview Tavern

11th

Josh Matheson Element Bar

Benny Black Duo The Pier Hotel

Georgia Cummins + DJ Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

Push Band Seaview Tavern

12th

A Human with a Head Element Bar Elisa Ayoub Dark Arts Cafe & Bar

Quick Fix The Pier Hotel

Women Like Us Sawtell RSL Pirra + support from 7:15pm + DJ Ossix Hoey Moey

3 Band Rock Night! Seaview Tavern

13th

Party of One Element Bar

Ocean Road Duo Dark Arts Cafe & Bar Baggy Trousers Hoey Moey

Georgia Cummins Coramba Hotel Rod Deighton Seaview Tavern

15th

Musical Bingo. DJ Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

Katchafire Hoey Moey

Nathan Brett Hoey Moey

Karaoke Seaview Tavern

Grand Baxter Element Bar

Wild Thyme Dark Arts Cafe & Bar

Matty Devitt Duo The Pier Hotel

John Curtin C.ex Coffs

A.Girl + Special Guests Hoey Moey

Who’s Charlie Seaview Tavern

Joe Conroy Element

Grand Baxter Dark Arts Cafe & Bar

Vanessa Lee and Road Train The Pier Hotel

Sydney Comedy Festival C.ex Coffs

Tasman Keith Hoey Moey

Mason Rack Band Seaview Tavern

Josh Matheson Element Bar

Josh Matheson Dark Arts Cafe & Bar

Mason Rack Band Hoey Moey

Josh Matheson Coramba Hotel

Sam Dyball Seaview Tavern

Musical Bingo.

Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

Josh Pyke Hoey Moey

Austyn Jane Hoey Moey

Karaoke Seaview Tavern

Sam

Mick Bateman

Pier Hotel

Steve Bennett + DJ Raven Hoey Moey

Funk Thieves Seaview Tavern

Daniel Hopkins Element Bar

Sam Buckley Dark Arts Cafe & Bar Super Straight Duo The Pier Hotel

Emily Maguire Coramba Community Hall

DJ Breno C.ex Coffs

Beach Rock Event Hoey Moey RnB Night With DJ Richard Gear Seaview Tavern

27TH

Tennyson King Element Bar

T-Larmon Dark Arts Cafe & Bar Hussy Hicks + Minnie Marks Hoey Moey Steve Bennett Coramba Hotel Jam Packed Seaview Tavern

Grigoryan Brothers - This Is Us: A Musical Reflection of Australia Jetty Theatre

29

Musical Bingo with DJ Dangerwaves Hoey Moey

Karaoke Hoey Moey

Josh Pyke is not only an incredible musician, but a songwriter, producer, composer, children’s book author, and has been an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation for many years as well as having set up the Josh Pyke Partnership to provide funding and mentorship for emerging artists.

He is currently touring for his latest album To Find Happiness, and will be playing at the Hoey Moey in Coffs on the 23rd November.

Hi Josh. Can you tell us about your introduction to music and how you first fell in love with singing and writing music?

My love of music really started when I was a little kid. I remember listening to certain songs and having visceral emotional responses to them. The song House At Pooh Corner, which is a country song by the Nitty Gritty

Dirt Band used to make me cry every time I heard it when I was about 6 years old, but it was a response that I started to associate with something being desirable. I wanted to listen to music that gave me “the feels”, whether it was crying or feeling elated or energised. So that was my first real indication that music was something I connected deeply with. When I was 12 my

mate asked me to sing in a band that he’d started in Year 6, and after a lot of cajoling I reluctantly agreed. We played in front of about 600 parents and students and I was terrified but also completely hooked, and from then on, I literally never considered doing anything else with my life. All the way through high school and beyond I was focused on becoming a songwriter.

Can you tell us a bit about your process when writing and composing music?

When I’m writing songs for my own albums, (as opposed to music for film or TV), I really just have to wait until lightning strikes. I wish I could just sit down and make myself write songs that mean something authentic to me, or express something I find interesting, but I really just have to wait until inspiration strikes and kind of be in the state of mind to accept that inspiration. Once I have the shell of an idea it becomes a matter of refining that initial inspiration into a “proper” song, and having a studio at home is a massive help with that. Not being on the clock, and having that space to disappear to has been such a joy, especially when we were all in lockdown!

You have had an impressive career in music, including being recognised with multiple ARIA awards and nominations, what have been some of your personal highlights in your career so far?

We played in front of about 600 parents and students and I was terrified but also completely hooked, and from then on, I literally never considered doing anything else with my life.

It sounds corny, but the biggest highlight for me is when the crowd sings the words of my songs along with me. Just recently I played two festivals over a weekend, one in NSW and one in WA. The crowd was singing along from the first song and sang their hearts out for the whole set. For me, that’s not only incredible validation that my songs have reached so many people over the years, but it’s just a really beautiful and organic way to connect with a whole bunch of strangers. To me that’s a huge highlight of being a musician, especially today when the world feels a little bit more divided than it used to.

Your latest album To Find Happiness was released earlier this year, where did you draw a lot of your inspiration from for this album?

It was really drawn from being in lockdown. Rome was written before Covid, but TFH was very much written in the throes of it. The idea of the album is that even in trying times we need to keep looking for those fleeting moments of happiness. It’s not a permanent state of being, and anyone who tries to sell you a version of life where you’re constantly happy is either mad or a liar! If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that happiness is there, but you have to look for it, and sometimes it’s about shifting your perspective in order to do that. In terms of sonically and production wise, it was very much inspired by having the creative escape of my studio.

I wasn’t planning on doing another record so soon after Rome, but I just found that I kept on coming up with songs that I loved and so I felt compelled to put them out there.

You’re currently touring for this album, what do you enjoy most about being on tour and performing live?

It’s really the connection with the audience. No matter how far I’ve travelled, how much I’m missing my family, or how tired I am, whenever I get up and play, a magical energy

happens and it’s very much about feeling that connection with the crowd.

It is obviously important to you to give back to the community, having been an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation for many years now and also starting the Josh Pyke Partnership. Can you tell us about each of these projects and how you have been involved?

I’ve been an ambassador for the ILF for over ten years now, and my main role there is to raise awareness and funds. They do an incredible job of delivering culturally appropriate books into remote communities and I try to help by spreading the word for them. This year we also piloted an initiative I created called Busking For Change which is set to be their main annual fundraising activity every year which is something I’m very proud of. The JP Partnership was really born from seeing that there was a lack of grants and funding for musicians out there. I saw an opportunity to partner with APRA/AMCOS to provide funding

and mentorship for some emerging artists, and it’s been really rewarding.

Your creativity also goes beyond music, you’re also a published author! How did you get into writing children’s books?

Having my own kids really kicked that one off. I would tell them stories at night and the ideas would develop, and finally I decided to actually write some of them down. It was a long process of learning the craft, (it’s actually really hard to write a good kids book!). I’m very proud to say I have 7 kids books out now, with another 3 to come next year. I was recently in Korea and got the chance to meet up with the publisher who has released one of my books over there, and it was pretty wild to see a book I wrote in English translated for a Korean audience. Very cool!

You’re playing here on the Mid North Coast in November in both Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, what can people expect from the show?

I’m playing solo on this run, but I did incorporate a loop pedal and a few other elements. Hayley Mary will be joining me on this tour and we’ll play a few songs together too, so it should be a lot of fun. I always try to play tracks from across the whole gamut of my career, but that’s getting harder now having 7 albums out! I try though!

Thanks Josh, see you at the Hoey Moey!

This year we also piloted an initiative I created called Busking For Change which is set to be their main annual fundraising activity every year which is something I’m very proud of.

Kym Pitman is a local singersongwriter whose music instantly transports you into the story she is telling. Much of her work is inspired by a deep connection with the natural environment and the stories of her own and others experiences here.

Hi Kym. Can you tell us about where your music journey began?

When I was a wee tacker, as early as I can remember, my Dad would play his guitar and sing to my sister and I and we would sing along. He and Mum used to have friends come around and play together and late at night I would stand on the step to the doorway and peek through the old fashioned keyhole to watch and listen, then race back to bed when someone came to the door. Dad had a 1962 Nylon String Maton which I still play now. I started learning the violin when I was nine years old and I loved it. I loved classical, folk, Irish, jazz, anything. When I was about thirteen, I started teaching myself guitar and writing songs. Songs became my great love. How would you describe your style of music?

I’m generally slotted into contemporary folk as a genre but for me that’s kind of limiting. I work across boundaries of genre. My songs are stories and I like to paint their sentiments and places with whatever musically beds the story best. I love working with drums and strings and harmonies. I love the simplicity of

a small vocal with sparse guitar. My songs are pretty connected with the land and generally contain a deep longing to live in connection as part of the beautiful natural world. Maybe I’m an independent singer-songwriter with contemporary ecological folk tendencies! What are some of your biggest musical influences?

I’ve thought about that question a lot. There’s instrumental music I heard a lot of as a child that still seems to live in me. Joaquín Rodrigo was played in my house a lot when I was a teenager and his music moved me to the bones and still does, not that I play Spanish at all. Mum took me to see Ralph McTell in concert as a young teen and I fell in love with his songs and voice. It was around then I started playing guitar and writing songs. I drank my fill of Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, Emmy-Lou Harris, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and then Tracy Chapman, and on it goes. They were all my imaginary friends as I continued to love writing songs. Then there was Shane Howard, his music stole my heart. His voice was so honest and true to his songs and he was singing about making a better world. And of course, the late Uncle Archie

Roach, what a legacy of truth telling through song he has left this country and the world. You are a very talented songwriter. Can you tell us about your writing process, and how that becomes a finished song?

I don’t have a recipe to follow. Sometimes I can be sitting playing guitar and a line or two just sort of shows up, music, lyric or both. That’s an exciting feeling and I’ll repeat it over and over until another bit comes. Sometimes I think it could be important to write a song about something going on in the world and I’ll ponder it for days or weeks before the song or story starts to come.

Once something is emerging, I sit with my guitar and usually the lyrics will find their way through a bed of chords. It’s a real process of trust for me. I can’t push the song out or overthink it, I just have to let it breathe its way here. Then there’s always the bits that feel unfinished. I might hear someone say something in a conversation or on the radio and, bingo, it holds the line I’m looking for to finish a song. I call those bits pennies from heaven! I have to sit with a song for a long time before it's finished.

Where do you draw a lot of your inspiration from?

I think a lot of my inspiration comes from a deep love of the natural world and, at the same time, a longing for us not to consider nature in any way as something separate from ourselves. The bush and the wild environment hold so much imagery and metaphor. “The Lovers” as an example, is inspired by two trees in the Guy Fawkes National Park. Many of my songs tend to be in relationship with particular places and a love of wilderness. There are also stories drawn from my own and others experiences of this crazy beautiful world. There’s definitely a bit of a melancholic stream running through my songs but I like to think song has the power to help transform grief into beauty, suffering into hope and complacency into action. Can you tell us a bit about the process of recording and releasing your latest album Stones Mumma Kissed?

Between family, bushfires, Covid lockdowns, landslides, floods, the album took about three and a half years to make. For those years it was like “Stones Mumma Kissed” had a life of her own and gracefully wove her way between life’s obstacles. The album was recorded in Bellingen with Scott Collins and then mixed by Paul Ryan in Darkwood.

Releasing albums is now all about navigating the very curious world of streaming and social media. Did you know the artist gets 0.03 cents per stream on Spotify? I’ve learned that Bandcamp is the most ethical platform and best looks after artists. It’s a crazy world out there. I’m just putting the music wherever I can and learning as I go. You had a couple of other people work with you on this album. Can you tell us about them and their contribution to some of the songs?

I think one of the most special things about this album is the voice of Uncle Micklo Jarrett speaking Gumbaynggirr into some of the musical landscapes. The day we were recording

with Miklo we had a tiny Kingfisher in the studio as well that Paul’s family were looking after. It was pretty cool. My long-term friend Chris Judd played guitar and helped with arrangements. Other locals include Pete Skelton, Ollie McGill, and Pablo Blitzer. Kirsten Mackenzie, James Ross, Linda Cochrane and Aly Patmore sang harmonies. The album definitely reflects this fine community of musicians.

Working with Paul was just fantastic. We had all the instrumental and vocal recordings like a palate of paint to create a picture. Paul attended deeply to the story of every song. He knew how to keep true to the experience and imagery of the lyrics whilst painting the soundscapes to support them. What sort of response have you had to the album so far?

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea no doubt, but there’s some cool feedback rolling in.

You may remember Bruce Elder, former eminent music critic for the Sydney Morning Herald. He did this review for me.

“With music there is no substitute for genuine, deep emotional involvement and, on this remarkable collection of songs, Kym Pitman delivers with a disarming and charming authenticity. She feels every note she plays and imbues her vocals with an emotional honesty which reaches deep inside the listener. This is music created with a strong, watery ambience (it is no accident that the collection includes tracks titled “Deep Water”, “Wild River” and “Flood”) and with a clarity of vision which sees the world with a tenderness and love which is flawless in its honesty and perceptiveness. It is a CD that insists on being listened to over and over again. Each new experience opens up exciting and surprising vistas of beauty. Yes, it really is that good.”

BRUCE ELDER

Where can people learn more about you and your music, or have a listen?

The album is available for download on Bandcamp, Spotify and most streaming platforms. CDs can be purchased via Bandcamp and at ‘Weave’ in Bellingen

I’m doing a live concert with friends, to celebrate the album at Thora Hall on Dec 2nd-Tickets through Eventbrite. On December 10th we’re at The Urunga Originals. In January - Cygnet Folk Festival in Tassie and Number 5 Church Street in Bellingen.

Did you know the artist gets 0.03cents per stream on Spotify? I’ve learned that Bandcamp is the most ethical platform and best looks after artists. It’s a crazy world out there - I’m just putting the music wherever I can and learning as I go.

MANDY NOLAN like us!

Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs are coming to Sawtell RSL on Saturday 12th November with their stand up comedy show Women Like Us. We had a chat with Mandy ahead of the show and she’s already got us excited!

Hi Mandy. How did you first get into doing stand up comedy?

It was an accident really.

I was 17, at uni and doing a monologue in a feminist cabaret show about how awful men were. It was so liberating. I had no idea that you were allowed to do that. I did a monologue about my first period. It was so embarrassing. Apparently it was hysterical. It seems like text book feminist outing – but there was something very cathartic about sharing my shame on stage and receiving laughter, it was like being cleansed. I think it's what hooked me. This sense that everything wrong with me could be absolved by an audience who adored my brokenness rather than demanded perfection. I was a young woman who had one foot in the world of modelling, the other in growing hairy armpits and burning down the patriarchy. Feminism paid shit but it was much more fun. Plus it took 2 minutes to get dressed

rather than 2 hours. So I chose the dark path. What do you enjoy most about performing live?

I love the immersion in performing. Before you go on stage you feel nervous or uncertain, it's hard to have a coherent conversation. That’s what is good about travelling with another performer like Ellen, because she gets it. She is like that too. Your name is called and it's like being a swimmer diving into a pool. It’s other worldly on stage. It’s my mindfulness practice. I am so present when I perform, it's me and the audience. I love the connection and the intimacy. That sense that what we create together is unique. No show is ever the same. The audience and I make something that I can never do again. It’s like magic and I love that. I don’t learn lines. I just walk out and walk back

It’s otherworldly on stage. It’s my mindfulness practice. I am so present when I perform, it’s me and the audience. I love the connection and the intimacy. That sense that what we create together is unique.

40 minutes later. What happens on stage is like a fabulous dream. It’s the best drug in the world. You stepped away from the comedy circuit for a little while. Can you tell us why and what it’s like to be back into it?

I stepped away to stand for the Greens at the last Federal election in the seat of Richmond. It’s been held by the Labor incumbent for about 18 years. We came so close to winning. It was one of three seats in Australia held over for a week, and has been touted as one to watch at the next election. We only need a 2% swing now to win. If I get preselected I will run again. I love my community, and we have been through so much with the recent flooding, they deserve a local member who will fight for them. There’s just not enough happening here for people who are vulnerable. I’ve

We are constantly told ``it’s the funniest show I have seen in years”. ‘Wish I’d bought my husband – he needs to hear this.’ We put into words every single thought you had in the last week

always been driven by the need for fairness, social justice and protecting the environment. It’s never been more important. I don’t give up, I’m relentless, just ask any one of my ex husbands. How did you and Ellen Briggs meet and end up working on this show together?

Ellen walked into my comedy class around 15 years ago. She told her friends she was learning the piano. She was just a natural. An easy story teller with this quick wit and this killer punch. She looked like such a nice young mum but she had this fantastic mean streak in her work. It was so unexpected, and it made her so loveable on stage. She said the kind of things that everyone was thinking but wasn’t game to say. It’s one of her most endearing characteristics. She is very down to earth and she doesn’t tolerate fools. She hates my driving too, which I love because it means she does all the driving.

Can you tell us a bit about Ellen and what it’s like working together?

She’s the wife I always wanted. She is such

a capable person. I am always so impressed with her. She does our BAS statements and she’s always on time. She is efficient and on top of things – if you ask Ellen to do something you don’t have to ask twice. It’s done. She is incredibly generous, and she gives so much of her time. Whether it's turning up for a fundraiser or rolling up her sleeves volunteering, she is the kind of woman you can depend on. She’s a naturally beautiful person but completely un-self aware and she hates shopping! Ellen is happiest on her ride on mower, and in summer she listens to the cricket on her headphones and mows nine acres two days a week. If you had to choose five people to be on a desert island with one would be Ellen. She’s practical, kind, capable, funny and she’s honest. She will tell you when you are being a dick and that takes true courage.

Women Like Us is currently touring and will be at Sawtell RSL on Saturday 12th November, what can people expect from this show?

You can expect to laugh every 10 seconds for nearly two hours. It's a workout. Our show has now been performed over 200 times, it's evolved and is completely different to what we started out as. It’s got funnier and funnier.

We are constantly told “It's the funniest show I’ve seen in years”, and “I wish I’d bought my husband, he needs to hear this.” We put into words every single thought you had in the last week. It’s creepy and sweet and funny. Your shows are always described as being very relatable. What are some of the subjects that always seem to get a good reaction from the crowd?

Ageing parents, stinky teenage boys, annoying husbands, menopause, chickens, badly behaved dogs, bras, breastfeeding, bikies. We go everywhere!

Is it just for the ladies or do you think the guys will get a laugh out of it too?

No one ever asks male comedians this question. That's because men are seen as ‘universal’ comedians and women are seen as ‘niche’. I mean who would want to listen to the perspectives of women? Certainly not men. It must just be for women. If you are with a man that can’t handle two women on stage talking about life through their eyes, then it's a pretty good indicator that your bloke probably is a bit of a dick. We have so many men come to our show and tell us how much they loved it. They’re always surprised. We don’t pick on them, we are too busy talking about ourselves. Where can people find out all the details of the show?

Go to womenlikeus.com.au

EXHIBITION

Hey Deb, tell us about why the Muse Exhibition was created?

The exhibition showcases the work of TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour 2022

Visual Arts graduates - twelve emerging artists, expressing our MUSE. Organizing the exhibition ourselves, is a requirement of our TAFE NSW Diploma of Visual Arts. A daunting task, but invaluable learning experience

and critical milestone in our professional development. MUSE celebrates our emergence into the wider arts community, and we’re looking forward to sharing our work with everyone. All works are for sale, so it’s a great opportunity to purchase something before our work is even more renowned.

Who are the artists exhibiting and what are some of their artistic backgrounds?

We’re an eclectic group, spanning in age from 18-70, with varied interests, life

The art exhibition Muse opens on Friday 4th November at Sawtell Art Gallery, and will be showcasing the work of TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour 2022 Visual Arts graduates. We had a chat with emerging artist Deb Melaluca to hear all about it.

experiences and artistic backgrounds. Some are studying art after a career in other sectors such as conservation, marine biology, education, childcare, fashion, business and hospitality, whilst others have had a creative path for some time. This has given diversity to our work, which is reflected in the exhibition. The themes in MUSE include - gender fluidity, mental health, surrealism of video gaming, expressing diversity in manga and anime art, overlapping narratives about nature, connection to Gumbaynggirr Country and the intrinsic beauty of colour, texture and form. Exhibiting artists are: Rachael Barlow, Emily Bradley, Shaunna McIntosh, Fiona McPherson, Deb Melaluca, Jess Portsmouth, Matthew Price, Pooney Pun-Gribble, Colby Radcliffe, Ciarnah Robertson, Zara Satchell and Avalon Zukowski-Boulon.

What are the levels of experience of each artist?

Everyone brought a different level of artistic skill and experience to class, which has fostered lively discussions and a productive learning environment. Some studied art at university previously, whilst others had

completed the TAFE NSW Certificate III in Design Fundamentals before doing the Diploma. Regardless, the course was a great “leveller” – and enabled everyone to focus on honing their preferred artistic

MUSE celebrates our emergence into the wider arts community, and we’re looking forward to sharing our work with everyone.

You attend weekly classes together. How have you all bonded over this artistic journey and how do you feel that process aids each of your artworks?

The Diploma is a fulltime course, with two days of class time and lots of assessments and art making at home. We’ve studied together for two years, which has been a bonding period of shared learning and artistic development. But of course in addition to studying, everyone had work and personal issues to juggle. So fostering a supportive space of trust was vital.

COVID was incredibly disruptive. We had long stretches of online classes which made hands on learning near impossible. And when we did come back to class, there were months when people were off sick or in isolation from

being in close contact. It also affected the availability of teaching staff this year, which has further impacted us all. Nevertheless, we rose to the challenges and formed invaluable networks with classmates and teachers.

TAFE NSW teachers are practising artists, so their knowledge is current and relevant. We were extremely fortunate to have the expertise of Sara Bowen, Nikky Morgan-Smith, Jeremy Sheehan, Jo Elliott and Josh Mackenzie and various support staff. Sadly, we’re grieving the recent passing of Josh, whose classes were a great mix of humour, creative energy and colour. You’ll always be an inspirational MUSE to us Josh. What sort of preparation goes into curating an exhibition like this?

It’s a huge amount of work, especially when

Each artist uses different disciplines to present their ‘musings’. There’s paintings, ceramics, drawings, thread sculptures, collage, printmaking and assemblage from discarded materials.

we’ve not done it before! Each artist develops a body of work for the exhibition, but deciding on the theme, medium and composition isn’t easy! There are multiple other tasks we’ve had to learn. Securing the right venue and dates, raising funds to pay for the event (gallery space, marketing material, catering etc.), asking a Gumbaynggirr Elder to do the Welcome, preparing invites, flyers and posters, organising a website, social media platforms and other media promotion, installation and dismantling the exhibition, and being at the gallery for two weeks to greet people who come to see MUSE.

What mediums will you have on display at the exhibition?

Each artist uses different disciplines to present their ‘musings’. There’s paintings, ceramics, drawings, thread sculptures, collage, printmaking and assemblage from discarded materials.

What’s the feeling of anticipation like for the artists, displaying work for the first time?

There’s a rollercoaster of emotions. Vulnerability, nervousness and great excitement. It takes courage to share our work in an exhibition for the first time, but this is just the beginning. Our work will mature after we move from being graduates to professional artists.

What are your hopes for the exhibition, not only yourself, but all the artists involved.

The exhibition is not only a snapshot in time of our art, it is a celebration of our hard work and dedication over two years. It would mean the world to us all to have the support of the local community and other artists visiting MUSE to share in our enthusiasm. There’s such a vibrant artistic community in this region, of which we’re all looking forward to being part of. The Diploma has given us skills to develop a professional arts practice and work in a range of artistic sectors. So watch this space, as we all have different creative aspirations and maybe we’ll exhibit together again sometime in the future too. For me, the exhibition is a

dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be an artist. My MUSE is Gumbaynggirr Country, and there are pieces in the exhibition that I’ve done in collaboration with Gumbaynggirr Artist Tori Ann Donnelly, which I’m extremely grateful for. Proceeds from the sale of these works will be donated to Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, the first bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW that opened this year at the TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour campus.

Discover the inspiring work of local emerging artists ready to make their mark on the world - and be stimulated by each artist’s MUSE. This exhibition is not to be missed!

MUSE 5-19 November 2022. Opening Night 6PM Friday 4 November. All welcome! Sawtell Art Gallery (corner of Lyons and Bayldon Roads, Sawtell)  @muse.exhibition.2022 museexhibition.com

Hey Rhys, tell us about your journey in becoming a DJ.

I started my journey as a DJ back when I was about 12, when my brother bought himself a set of decks. Watching him practice got me interested and wanting to learn. Any chance I had I was practising till I finally got myself a set of decks. I used to tag along to house parties where my mate Simon used to play, he taught me a fair bit. A few years passed and the inventory of equipment started to build which then led to my own gigs coming in. Once I turned 18 I transitioned into pub and club gigs and haven’t looked back. Were you trained musically before getting on the decks?

then working it into live sets. Who's your inspiration in the industry and why?

I have a few, but the main one is Hardwell. I’ve always been drawn to his style of music in his production and his live sets. James Hype is one too, the way he mixes live with loops, effects and vocals to piece his set together is amazing to watch and learn from. What style of music do you play?

I play a massive variety of music. Being a party dj it allows me to jump through different genres to keep the crowd interested as well as cater for everyone’s taste in music. What is your favourite tune at the moment?

I play a massive variety of music, being a party DJ it allows me to jump through different genres to keep the crowd interested as well as cater for everyone’s taste in music.

Turn On The Lights Again, by Fred Again. You're one of the resident DJ’s at the Coast Hotel. How's the nightlife on the Coffs Coast?

Summer we have locked in some of the best acts around Australia at the moment, which is something patrons can look forward to.

Aside from Coffs you travel and play. What's your personal favourite gig to date?

Hands down would be Lucky Thursdays in Melbourne which I played a couple of months ago. The production within the club is the highest quality around.

What would you consider to be your personal dream set?

A set at either Tomorrowland or Ultra Music Festival. These are both two of the biggest festivals in the world and have been for a long time. They always set the bar high with line ups and production. Are you creating your own music?

At the moment I only create my own edits of songs to play within my sets to keep them interesting. I’m starting to learn how to remix and also produce original tracks.

Where do you see yourself heading into the future?

No I wasn’t. It’s all been an on the go lesson for me, learning a lot through the various people I have met over the years, as well as teaching myself. Watching other DJ’s live sets on YouTube has been the biggest way for me to learn, see how other people do things and then learning it myself and

Nightlife is extremely consistent in numbers at the Coast. Coming out of Covid restrictions we have seen a lot of new faces coming out on a regular basis. With adding small things regularly, we are always looking to enhance peoples night out to be the best around the area. Shaping up for

Looking forward, I’d like to tour Australia a bit more, as well as head overseas for some gigs which is one of my goals. I would also like to run my own music festival one day within the region, bringing some of the hottest acts at the time around.

Thanks Rhys.

IS A LOCAL

AT THE

AND IS STARTING TO TOUR HIS ACT TOO. HE PLAYS A RANGE OF TUNES TO KEEP EVERYONE ENTERTAINED AND IN PARTY MODE!

STATE OF PLAY

The NSW Government is proudly delivering major projects across the Coffs Coast, transformative and timely projects which will bring significant economic and social benefits for many years to come.

The Coffs Harbour Bypass is taking a major step forward with the detailed design close to being finalised as the Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture continues geotechnical work ahead of major construction in early 2023.

Over the next six months, teams will be drilling more than 300 boreholes and excavating dozens of test pits within the project alignment to verify ground conditions, with these works helping us better understand the terrain for when major construction ramps up.

The boreholes will vary in depth between four and 70 metres. Each site will take between two and seven days to drill and reinstate depending on weather and access.

This work is one of the main steps in informing the final design ahead of major construction early next year.

The Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture was awarded the $1.35 billion major works contract in June.

The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour Bypass, a game-changing project for the daily lives of local residents and commuters

travelling through our city.

The 14-kilometre Bypass will include three tunnels at major ridgelines, three key interchanges, access roads and a new bus interchange at Kororo Public School.

This is the biggest infrastructure project in the city’s history and it will be a key piece of infrastructure connecting the East Coast, resulting in wider economic benefits for the Coffs Harbour area by making the CBD a more attractive place to visit, shop and work.

I encourage people to visit the Pacific Highway Upgrade website for further details.

Our local community will also be the beneficiary from the completion of a major milestone in a $13 million project to transform maritime facilities at Coffs Harbour.

The installation of a new travel lift will deliver a range of benefits for commercial and private vessels as well as members of our community.

The installation of the travel lift enables 75-tonne vessels such as commercial fishing boats, cruisers and catamarans, to be lifted out of the water and maintained in an environmentally controlled area which will minimise the risk of contaminants entering the

waterway.

The $13 million Coffs Harbour Marine Precinct Project will deliver improved safety and accessibility for all boating enthusiasts and commercial vessels while reducing environmental impacts.

The NSW Government’s commitment to invest in updating maritime infrastructure makes access to waterways easier and safer for all vessels and watercraft users. Facilities such as these encourage tourism which in turn delivers an economic stimulus to local communities.

The travel lift was put through final testing and commissioning and was in operation in October.

A new Maritime Operation Centre and the installation of an unleaded vessel refuelling facility for public and government agency use are also part of this program of works.

Construction of a new boat maintenance facility, which now includes the travel lift, and the expansion of the government agency marina have already been delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $205 million Maritime Infrastructure Stimulus Program to improve and modernise maritime facilities.

COFFS HARBOUR MP GURMESH SINGH

PFLAG

with SAM DAWSON

focus contributor. from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

This month I am happy to share with you a beauti ful and personal family experience story. To protect the young person, there are no names attached, but I know you will appreciate the angles shared here.

Our future daughter was born in 2013 when our first son was just over two. A happy baby, then an outgoing toddler who loved to dance and make people laugh. Clothing battles began at a young age, even before we realised he preferred girls clothing. His chosen outfits were always wonderfully outrageous.  He loved a purple satin skirt from the dress-ups at daycare, so I made him a similar one. He wanted to wear it everywhere, but we weren’t sure what to do at first.  Our boy wants to wear girls clothes? Was this a phase? We let it be at home but enforced boys clothes to go out, which didn’t make him happy of course.  It wasn’t just clothing either, he preferred girls toys and TV shows too. These battles went on, with push-back from family members who didn’t approve.  My husband struggled more than me as time went on and we realised this wasn’t a phase.  He needed time to grieve for his son and come to terms with our new normal. We will never forget one day when he wanted his face

painted.  We showed him the boys face paint options with no success. We then showed him the girls options and he got a fabulous rainbow face paint, he was so happy!

He started preschool rocking his favourite butterfly t-shirt and tutu. When big school was getting closer, I said to my husband, soon he will realise he has a boy’s name. Just before school started, he proudly announced his amazing new name and asked that we change pronouns. The name fluctuated for a bit then she settled on one. It then felt like she allowed her adults a brief grace before she started telling us off for using the wrong name or pronoun. Our super confident change maker started school as her true self and school has been a great experience so far.

LGBQTI+ people have better outcomes with a supportive family behind them. Our child didn’t choose this difficult path, all humans are who they are.  Back in the early days, some of our family members thought we were enabling our child’s behaviour. No parent would consciously choose this challenge. Once our whole family embraced our young person for who they were, the troubles and fears didn’t seem to matter much anymore. Our child is not in need of medical intervention yet, but that may happen soon and we feel we are educated as much as possible for what is to come.  Our aim is to ensure we have a young person who is happy, healthy and confident.  If she is all these things, then we are doing a great job as parents.

No parent would consciously choose this challenge. Once our whole family embraced our young person for who they were, the troubles and fears didn’t seem to matter much anymore.

The International Women’s Day - Coffs Coast - Woman of the Year Award, an initiative of the IWD Planning Committee in 2015, was set up to acknowledge the positive contribution of women in the region of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area and Bellingen Shire. It aims to recognise nominees who are involved in work of a voluntary, community, business or professional nature, and who, within that arena, would be displaying vision and initiative inside their role.

Past award winners include Christina Monneron (2015), Charlotte Young (2016), Jane Tavener (2017), Aunty Bea Ballangarry (2018), Shelley Lowe (2019), Lily Isobella (2020), Emma Aspden (2021) and Jade Naidu (2022).

In 2018 a runner up Award was introduced, won by Kyla Holley (2018), Kamla RuthnamWebb (2019), Auntie Kerrie Burnet (2020), Lisa Nichols and Angelika Aulerich (2021) with Jodie Wood (2022).

Nominations are now being called for the 2023 IWD Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award, to be announced at the IWD Breakfast, on Wednesday 8th March 2023. The three

major women’s groups in Coffs Harbour; the Zonta Club of Coffs Harbour Inc., Business and Professional Women (BPW) of Coffs Coast, and the Coffs Coast Business Women’s Network Inc. (BWN) come together to organise the IWD Breakfast. This is to acknowledge the positive contribution of women and girls in the region of the Coffs Coast, and to recognise the winner, and runner up of the Woman of the Year award.

CRITERIA

Nominations are now

being called for the 2023 IWD Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award, to be announced at the IWD Breakfast, on Wednesday 8th March 2023.

professional capacity; and Is a resident of the Coffs Coast (Coffs Harbour Local Government Area and Bellingen Shire).

The International Women’s Day Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award 2023 will honour a woman who:Makes a key contribution in enhancing and improving the lives of citizens within the local community;

Promotes economic, cultural and or social wellbeing of citizens within the community; Is actively engaged with the local community in either a voluntary, community, business or

The two awards will consist of an inscribed trophy and publicity for the women and their cause. A cash prize; $1,500 for the major Award Winner, co-sponsored by Coffs Harbour City Council and The Physio Movement (TPM) and $1,000 for the Runner Up, sponsored by One Agency Coffs Harbour, allows both the winners to advance their objectives. All finalists are recognised and acknowledged for their own achievements.

Nomination Forms are now available by email from: iwdwotycc@gmail.com as well as on the Facebook page IWD Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award 2023. Closing date 14 November 2022.

THE SEARCH IS ON AGAIN to recognise outstanding women in the Coffs Coast region who demonstrate innovation, commitment, and a significant contribution to empowering members of the community within the local government area.

Come down and see us at Nutrition Warehouse, located at the Bailey Centre and have a chat about how we can help you achieve your dietary and fitness goals!

This month’s spotlight is on the Anabolix range! They have designed their products for the fitness enthusiast to help anyone take their game to the next level and get the most out of their training and recovery.

When it comes to fitness goals what you do in the gym is important, but what you do outside of the gym is just as crucial. What you eat, drink and most importantly, how you sleep will play a vital role when it comes to achieving your fitness and health goals. With a powerful blend of natural ingredients Anabolix Rest3d is designed to help calm and boost sleep quality.

If you are serious about those gains but struggling to increase muscle mass or gain weight, it’s time you consider Monst3r Gainer by Anabolix. This unique blend of protein and slow releasing carbs has been formulated to create a calorie surplus that is packed with nutrients to support your body. Or, if you have a problem digesting lactose, try Isolate. It is a purer form of whey, with greater bioavailability and absorption, you receive the maximum amount of nutrients from each serving. No added sugar and no fats – just clean and lean protein.

Looking to add a kick to your workouts? Is your current pre workout just not getting the job done? Try Anabolix Freak3d!

With 300mg of stim ingredients it will certainly improve your energy levels and have you feeling pumped to smash the roof off your session!

It can be hard to get a complete range of vitamins and nutrients through whole foods every single day, that’s where we come in!

What is Airflow?

The Airflow is the newest technology available for teeth cleaning. This machine is perfect for sensitive teeth and easily removes stains along with any hard or soft build up. Gum disease is a preventable disease and if teeth are cleaned regularly, gum disease can be maintained and stabilised. There is no pain with gum disease so usually if you have sensitive teeth or gums with teeth cleaning there is usually an underlying condition/reason.

This machine removes the dental biofilm (which is the build up on your teeth) and is the main factor in decay, gum disease. Biofilm also increases the risk of Alzheimers, heart disease, respiratory disorders, diabetes and more.

What

the benefits of the Airflow?

This machine has WARM water and is a

method of

cleaning by most

Once you have tried this machine

will love it. The

is given in the least invasive way,

Once you have tried this machine you will love it. The treatment is given in the least invasive way, with the highest level of comfort, safety and efficiency.

the highest level of comfort, safety and

How often should I have dental cleans?

Teeth cleaning schedule is based on the individual’s oral health and past maintenance programs which can influence their current

health status and treatment needs. Once gum health is established then maintenance appointments are a must. Averaging between 3-6 months is a perfect time for maintenance appointments. These appointments are more comfortable and easier for patients to have done, if done more regularly.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

You haven’t had a clean, like a clean by the Airflow machine!

The Team.

Dr Sharon Marinucci

Oleg Pushkarev

Dr Claire Greer

Summerill

Cantrill

Waldorf

Barbara Wenman

Meet the skilled and caring team with Barbara Wenman at La Fleur D’Alyse, Coffs Harbour’s Premier cosmetic laser and medispa. We are moving to 6 / 60-62 Albany street commencing Monday the 28th of November. We look forward to seeing you in our new clinic .come and visit us for your pre Christmas treatments and be looking fabulous for the festive season.

Dr John Wenman and cosmetic nurse Barbara Wenman are very experienced in Cosmetic Medicine, having been in the industry for over 20 years and being among the first in Australia to establish non surgical cosmetic medicine. Dr. Wenman is a member of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine and has been a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians for over 40 years. He was recently made a Life Member for his services to medicine. Cosmetic Nurse Barbara Wenman is a Registered Nurse and an Associate Member of the Australasian Society of Cosmetic Medicine. Like all members they maintain a commitment to high standards of treatment patient

safety and ongoing training.

In skilled hands, cosmetic treatments can turn back the hands of time and create natural looking results. Together with skin treatments such as peels, injectable dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections they create an effective and relatively simple way to refresh the face. Barbara specialises in the rejuvenating effects of cosmetic injecting using dermal fillers and muscle relaxing injections. She creates natural non surgical facelifts restoring youthfulness to the face, eyes and lips.

Dr John Wenman and Cosmetic Nurse Barbara Wenman have both trained in Australia and overseas and have a strong ethical view to continued staff training, quality of results and client safety.

at La Fleur D’Alyse

Together with skin treatments such as peels, injectable dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections create an effective and relatively simple way to refresh the face.

Rhiannon

Tell us about your background as a professional hair stylist?

My hair styling career began in Melbourne over 20 years ago. I started working in salons such as Conrad Mace and Semaarns and discovered that I have a flare for creating designer styles. It wasn't long before I was managing multiple salons and being approached to style for television presenters and some of the countries wealthiest. What plans do you have to grow the business?

My approach has always been professional and fun. Knowing that my clients are relaxed, enjoying the experience, and getting exactly the style they are after.

My plan is to have an upbeat salon. A salon that's trendy and up to date with styles from around the world. My staff will be very well trained. With regular up-skill training from my Sydney educators and maybe a sneaky lesson or two from my colleagues who've worked within the London & Paris Fashion Week. What services do you offer?

We offer are all colours ranging from highlights to lowlights which add dimension and freehand balayage to achieve results quickly.

Demi and Semi ranges pick up on the light and dark, giving a more natural look rather than a solid colour, face framing, pastel colours which are soft and subtle but very pretty and of course crazy colours! Pinks, purples, reds, greens etc.

A styled cut and blow wave to finish off these amazing colours creates the perfect look for each individual, taking in their face shape, skin colouring, features, personality and how the client can manage at home. Who makes up your team and what areas do they specialise in?

Our team is made up of myself (Rhiannon), and over the next few weeks people will have the opportunity to meet our newest member Saje. Saje is just entering into the industry and we are very grateful that she has chosen us to lead her step by step through her training. She is a breath of fresh air when it comes to her enthusiasm and passion.

What styles and colours are on trend?

Over the past year we have seen a lot of women embracing a more natural look.

It can be a process of blending the new growth of salt and pepper with old coloured ends if not willing to take the snip. Bold highlights can be done on all hair colours, not just blonde. The key is getting the tone right and Rhiannon suggests keeping it in the

gold family. Soft golden pops are great for everyone, since gold is what reflects the most light creating the utmost shine.

The New Year has seen a few people itching to go blonder. Rhiannon suggests easing in with a blonde balayage for a seamless transition.

Tell us about your wedding packages?

If you're getting married we create the perfect style to suit you with trials making sure we have the perfect style so on the day everything runs smoothly.

We also do bridesmaids and any wedding guests so everyone can sit back, relax and enjoy the day.

Do you have any hair tips or advice for our readers?

Best tip for keeping your colours ever lasting is the condition of your hair. Healthy hair holds colour and locks it in so it all comes down to the products you use.

How can we get in touch?

We have multiple ways to get in touch with the salon.

rhidesignhair.com.au 0436110828 (02) 6699 2122

Meet Rhiannon Hunter, the senior stylist and owner of Rhi Design Hair...

COUNSELLING CONVERSATIONS

with JULIE

Mental health is the ability to cope with, and bounce back from adversity, manage and solve problems in everyday life and cope with the daily stressors that life brings. Good mental health is made possible by supportive family and social relationships, physical health, work-life balance, and reduced stress and trauma.

Mental ill health refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that interfere with an individual’s cognitive, emotional, or social abilities, affecting mood, thinking, and behaviours. Mental ill health affects all genders and children of all ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. Mental ill health experiences are common in Australia, with anxiety being the most common type of mental health condition. Anxiety conditions generally involve feelings of distress, worry, or tension.

Common phrases we hear are “this makes me nervous”, or “this gives me anxiety”. It is often difficult to determine if you are feeling nervous or have anxiety. Although both are associated with a sense of disquiet, and worry, how we experience them is quite different. The terms feeling nervousness and anxiety are often used interchangeably, however, feeling nervous and having an anxiety condition are two completely different things. So how do you know if the experiences you are feeling are from nervousness or an anxiety condition

NERVOUS OR ANXIOUS WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

as both cause a variety of similar physical and cognitive symptoms?

What is the difference?

Nervousness

• Temporary - typically ends when the stressful situation is over. • Less intense - does not prevent you from engaging in something that makes you worried or nervous. • Response to something specific - respond to a specific stressor or threat. • Rarely leads to negative coping behaviours - nervousness or worry often leads to problem-solving strategies. • Manageable with self-care - use known and helpful strategies.

Anxiety

• Persistent and ongoing - the intensity may fluctuate, but it does not completely go away. • More intense - prevents you from engaging in activities you enjoy, makes it difficult to focus, and interferes with daily life. Professional and personal functioning is impacted. • Often more generalized - it is difficult to determine what you are anxious about; it does not have a specific focus, and it may change frequently. • May require therapy or medication - anxiety is a disruptive and problematic psychological state. Strategies to overcome nervousness

• Remind yourself that nervousness is normal in uncomfortable and challenging situations. Let go of the fear and accept the feelings as a completely natural bodily response to something that is outside your comfort zone.

• Be prepared - allow extra time to get ready for a work presentation or social situation,

feeling rushed often puts additional pressure on our regulatory system. • Practice what you will say and how you will present the information. Practicing before the event will enable you to feel more relaxed and prepared.

• Create a positive mindset - use positive self-talk and imagery. Think of the desired outcome and how success will look and feel.

• Share how you feel - talk to a trusted friend or family member about how you are feeling. They will help you see the situation rationally and positively. • Use relaxation techniquesbreathing exercises, listening to music, aromatherapy, going for a walk, exercising, yoga, singing, meditation, and playing with your pet. Use strategies that help you to relax and feel calm in your mind and body.

Anxiety strategies

• Stress management techniques - exercise, mindfulness, breathing exercises, yoga, journalling, healthy lifestyle, planning worry time, progressive muscle relaxation, using positive self-talk, challenging unhelpful thinking, and being kind to yourself.

• Consult a health professional as there are many ways to treat anxiety. Working with a healthcare professional will ensure you have the best treatment, strategies, and solutions that have optimum benefits and outcomes for you.

Until next month, be kind and gentle with yourself.

Julie Thomas  MCouns, BPsychSC, BEd (ECTeach) Member of Australian Counselling

CAN

your

TO fostering family

Consider these flexible foster care options, and help meet the urgent need for carers in Coffs Harbour.

Respite care is a valuable way to give full-time foster carers an occasional break, while expanding a foster child’s support network. Many people start their own foster care journey this way, either as a one-off arrangement, or maybe for one weekend a month.

Kirsty, a Uniting respite carer on the Mid North Coast, explains that children who need respite care “become part of your crew and come along to everyday activities like bush walks and dinners at friends’ houses.”

It’s a way of showing children that there’s a whole village looking out for them. Another fostering option is emergency care at short notice, giving children who may be leaving a critical situation a safe place to stay until they can return home, or until a more permanent place is found for them. This type of short-term care may also be needed when a child is unable to move to another carer

immediately. It may just be for an overnight stay, or for a few months while alternative arrangements are made.

Right now there’s an urgent need for foster carers in your community – whether that’s fulltime, part-time, or sometime. Find out how you can foster your way with Uniting.

Call 1800 864 846, email ask@uniting.org or visit the Uniting website.

Coffs needs you to foster care now.

Open

SPEAKING

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS COMPETITION

The audience was entranced by the quality and variety of presentations with many observers commenting on the assuredness and exuberance of the competitors.

Let me tell you about my family…

My five favourite words.

If I had three wishes… I love it when…

Students from Catholic schools in the Coffs/Clarence region did just that when they came together for the inaugural Regional Public Speaking competition in the Saint John Paul College theatre recently.

The public speaking competition has expanded each year with the number of schools running grade competitions growing.

Organiser, Mrs Rebecca Edwards, told Focus, “It has been just wonderful to see the children grow in confidence over the years. I would like say a special thanks to our friends at Toastmasters, particularly Mark West, for their support with adjudication on the day.”

Imagine if you had to speak for 3 minutes about one of the following:

Coffs Harbour Catholic Schools

with NICK JOHNSTONE

FROM BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGE

Much has been written about parenting styles when it comes to nurturing healthy, independent and resilient children. Terms such as helicopter parent or tiger mums have developed over recent years but one that I am concerned about is the “best friend parent” and while these terms are stereotypically amusing, they are of course an oversimplification. The following article is a series of thought bubbles built from 30 years of experience teaching and 24 years as a parent.

Academic Success

No one wants their child to fail. We all want our children to be happy, engaged and successful but sometimes a child will struggle with their schooling. This creates a feeling in the parent that originates from two sources. The first is ego related. We question our parenting ability. For example, if you were good at maths at school and your child struggles with algebra this reflects your failure to support them or advocate for them. The second is more altruistic. We simply would like to see our child have an easier run at life. This comes from a place of love. Deep down we also recognise that life is difficult, and at some point their child is going to fail at something and we want to see them experience disappointment and watch them bounce back. The soft skill of building grit and resilience needs to be stressed and developed at a young age. Children will surprise you. They need opportunities to test themselves. Don’t get me wrong, children benefit greatly from parental input into their child’s

OVERPROTECTIVE TO PRODUCTIVE PARENTING

education. Parents are greatly appreciated as partners in their child’s education by teachers. However, I would suggest that success be measured by their growth rate. Schools often have a narrow definition of success and high performance needs to be celebrated, but don’t buy into this as the sole definition of success. Congratulate them on their awesome efforts in the areas where they worked really hard. Help them plan for achievable improvement in the areas where they struggle or haven’t really applied themselves. The fear of failure is only generated when failure is not seen as an opportunity to grow.

Trouble at School

At some point, your child will get into trouble at school. I would be surprised if they make it through adolescence and this doesn’t happen as they push boundaries. That’s okay, but they need to learn that their choices have consequences. Please support teachers or the school administration, or at least, please don’t undermine teachers when this happens. They actually do have your child’s best interests at heart.

Conflict Resolution

It is awful when your child is having friendship problems. Every child goes through this and every parent wishes they could take the pain away. However, picking up the phone to call the other child’s parent, or marching down to school is not the answer. Step back. Remember, if you vanquish all the dragons, you also vanquish the dragon slayer. Acknowledge that conflict and rejection feel terrible. Validate your child’s feelings and

ask, “What’s your plan?” If they haven’t got one, “That’s okay, we’ll figure it out together.” Work with the school to face the challenge together. Most schools have staff that are trained in conflict resolution or have counsellors who can help with building friendship skills.

Learning Autonomy

It is a source of comfort for some parents that their grown children still come home to get their washing done or paperwork filled. It’s nice to be needed; however, when you continually do tasks for your child instead of requiring them to look after themselves, you do them no favours. Step back. Age-appropriate responsibility needs to be given to children. By high school, they should really be organising their own school bag and making sure they have homework, lunch and sports kit or musical instruments. A bug-bear of mine is watching parents carry the school bag for their primary school child into and out of the school. It is their bag that they need to pack. They need to carry it and take responsibility for it. If they forget their sports bag or hat and they can’t do sport, or they have to sit in the shade at lunchtime, that is the consequence. Children’s learning is built upon trial and error, and cause and effect don’t rob them of these learning opportunities.

Finally, I will finish this article with two quotes that you can discuss as a family.

“There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” - Kurt Hahn

“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one.” –Sue Atkins

contributor.

LEADERS

with CASSANDRA WILSON

FROM BECOMING U PROJECT

C O R D E L L L O C K W O O D

Hello Cordell, so great to meet you. Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself….

I was born and bred here on the Coffs Coast. I’m a proud Gumbayynggirr man who is very passionate about my culture. It’s important to me that people have a better understanding of what the aboriginal culture is truly about. Being part of the schools in the local area has been a great platform for me to be able to give back to my people and everyone who is part of our community.

You mentioned how much you love being a mentor, why do you love it so much?

I don’t consider myself to be a mentor, however a lot of people do label me as a mentor which is nice, but I feel like I have so much more to learn and do before I hold that title.

I am really passionate about educating my community about the aboriginal culture. I believe culture fixes every aspect of our human lives. It’s very fulfilling to empower other people through my culture. Who is your mentor?

My elders are my mentors. I do have a lot of love and respect for particular elders who have paved the way and have gone

over and beyond, in particular for me which has taught me many great life lessons. This in turn has given me the knowledge and understanding to be able to share what I’m learning with others. How would a young person find themselves a mentor?

I think for a young person to find their ideal mentor, they have got to want it. Most schools have mentors and teachers that are willing to guide and share advice. It’s very important for young people to remember that the respect level is a two way street. Dancing is a big part of your life. How did you get into this and why should young people consider starting it too?

For me, the importance of artistic creation, dance, art and other creative things within our culture is important. It gives us the opportunity to be able to express ourselves as to who we truly are and give others a better understanding of the power, beauty and strength that my people

hold. Being a dancer myself, and performing in front of people gives me a great sense of pride especially making the elders proud of me. We tell stories through dance, painting and language. These creative outlets are important because it gives us other ways to express ourselves as well as telling our story in these artistic ways. There are life lessons within these stories. What are some projects/things you have on the go right now? Or – What’s next for you now that you are not at Toormina HS?

I have a few different projects going on at the moment which has been really cool. All I’m going to say is “watch this space”

What advice would you give to other young people?

Believe in what you’re doing, trust the process and back yourself. It’s your journey, it’s your life, stay strong and focused and think for yourself.

Thanks Cordell.

I am really passionate about educating my community about the aboriginal culture. I believe culture fixes every aspect of our human lives. It’s very fulfilling to empower other people through my culture.

Coffer various community support programs along with the national 13 11 14 phone service. Chandler Macleod have been assisting Lifeline with specialised staffing and volunteer appointments across their organisation.

the TEAM

As a volunteer led, service delivery charity based in Coffs Harbour, Lifeline North Coast supports the national Lifeline 13 11 14 telephone services, manages five retail outlets and a warehouse, offers regional training and development support for workplaces and community, provides community engagement and awareness campaigns and delivers a harm reduction counselling program, GambleAware. As a charity

KATE WATSON

123 words over

Kate Watson is our Commercial recruitment specialist. Kate will look after any local businesses and National clients for all their temp labour hire requirements. Specialising in Construction, Warehousing, Event Staff and Aged Care Workers, Kate will respond to your needs in a timely manner in this current market where good staff are hard to find.

labour market. With positions ranging from clinicians, financial counsellors, volunteer coordinators and project staff Chandler Macleod have taken the recruiting pressure away from the busy charity to enable them to support their clients and help-seekers.

NILAND

Chandler Macleod is a recruitment services

Neva is our government recruitment specialist. Neva manages our local and state government clients across all of regional NSW. Neva is currently busy recruiting civil operators and road workers up and down the coast from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.

just hiring, they aim to understand what makes people tick, and how to bring out the best in everyone they encounter. Chandler Macleod is extremely happy to be able to support such an important project, helping to find counsellors that will go on to make a huge impact in changing people’s lives.

ELLERMAN

Jo is our permanent recruitment specialist and Team leader Coffs Harbour. Jo recruits across commercial and government for all roles and industries looking to secure permanent staff. Not only is it hard finding quality staff in a candidate short market it is also a task retaining staff. If you find yourself in need of replacing staff or needing further staff to complement your team Jo can help.

“Kristy and the Chandler Macleod team have been amazing to work with. They have met all of our varied demands for our recent appointments

MEETING minds -OF THEon the

COFFS COAST

BY SHARLENE KING

We know the Coffs Coast is one of Australia’s best regions to live, work and play. But did you know it’s also one of Australia’s most soughtafter locations to study psychology? City dwellers from Sydney, Melbourne and beyond frequently relocate to the Coffs Coast to do a Psychology Honours year at Southern Cross University. Our region’s liveability factor is part of the appeal, paired with the calibre of the University’s psychology teachers and five-star student support.

Psychology student Rory Julian has savoured every moment of his Honours year at Southern Cross University – literally.

Under the supervision of Australia’s pleasure expert Dr Desirée Kozlowski, the Sydneysider set out to examine the positive effect of social interaction on our wellbeing, and whether we savour different kinds of conversations depending on how old we are, as we go through life stages.

For example, are you a deep and meaningful conversation type of person, or do you like light-hearted banter? Do you prefer sharing the experience of bingeing a TV series or playing a game of touch footy?

“I’m very drawn to people,” Rory says. “I love social psychology, talking, conversations and interactions with people. For me, it made sense to explore why we enjoy those conversations and the different ways we enjoy them as well.”

Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of

communication savouring, it’s a new field of research.

“Savouring is prolonging positive emotions by being intentionally mindful and attentive during past, present and future experiences. Communication savouring is applying this concept to language and social interactions,” Rory says.

The fact that we are social creatures means we do get happier the more we interact with people around us, especially if you are trying to savour those moments.

for short – to determine whether age groups differ in how they communicate and how they savour communication.

The results of Rory’s CSI survey are fascinating.

I love social psychology. Talking, conversations, interactions with people. For me, it made sense to explore why we enjoy those conversations and the different ways we enjoy them as well.

To conduct his study, Rory consulted with internationally renowned researchers Dr Margaret Pitts and Dr Jian Jiao from the University of Arizona (USA) to develop a worldfirst Communications Savouring Index – CSI

“We found younger adults savour communication the most, middle adulthood savours it the least, while older adults are also quite high but below younger adults. It’s kind of a U-shape as we go through life” says Rory.

We’ve also measured wellbeing and found a similar U-shaped trend. We’ve found a significant positive correlation between communication savouring and wellbeing. The higher your communication savouring score, the higher your wellbeing score.

The findings indicate our capacity for deriving enjoyment from interactions, tends to change with the weight of responsibility.

“Across the board it’s knows that middle adulthood has the lowest levels of happiness and highest levels of depressive symptoms,” Rory says.

A mixture of work pressure, family life, economic status, relationships and the like, mean our energies are occupied and there is less time to cultivate and enjoy interactions with others for the simple joy of it.

Last month Rory presented his thesis at Southern Cross University’s 18th Annual Psychology Honours Conference. The two-day showcase of student research projects is the culmination of the one-year Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with Honours Degree and moves students closer to a career as a registered psychologist or researcher.

“The Honours year is an enormous milestone for psychology students and they should be rightly proud of their achievements,” says Dr Eric Brymer, Psychology Honours Course Coordinator.

Many of these studies will have great impact, which is a fantastic testament to the quality of the work produced by the students and the support of their supervisors.

With his Honours thesis submitted, Rory is looking forward to summer on the Coffs Coast and contemplating his next move, including completing a Master of Professional Psychology at Southern Cross University.

With the introduction of the Master of Professional Psychology this year, Southern Cross now offers a full suite of academic pre-requisites to register as a Psychologist in Australia. These five years of study – the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and the new Masters of Professional Psychology – are all available at the Coffs Harbour campus.

“Ultimately I’d like to work as a clinical psychologist and help people,” Rory says.

I’ve always been fascinated by people. I think the human brain is incredibly interesting

and the more I got into it the more I realised what a science it is.

I also love how broad psychology is. You can look at such a variety of concepts from hard science to abstract concepts. You can go into research or practice.

Rory hasn’t looked back since relocating from Sydney to Coffs to pursue research under Dr Desirée Kozlowski.

“A friend encouraged me to move to Coffs. They said Southern Cross University has really good lecturers and supervisors, the staff were lovely, and the small psychology cohort meant it was close-knit as well. All of that sounded like it would suit me,” he says.

Desirée is brilliant, she’s great. She has interesting insights. I feel very lucky she’s my supervisor. She encouraged me to pursue communications savouring which is wonderful because it could have implications for PhD research into the future.

My research has application. Savouring is something you can train someone to do. You can teach people strategies to savour events and experiences more often which can ultimately impact on their wellbeing. This is the direction it’s going and what makes it exciting, because it’s so new.

Dr Desirée Kozlowski says, “It’s fabulous supervising brand new researchers like Rory –especially where we are collaborating directly

with international researchers in the field. Not many Honours students would have that opportunity and positive approaches to mental health, such as savouring, are showing enormous promise and that’s why I’m writing a new unit on positive psychology which will be offered in our undergraduate program from next year.”

What is psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context.

Career prospects

Psychologists work in a variety of industries and career options are diverse from clinical psychology to organisational and even sports psychology. Psychologists are in demand across industries with a projected increase in the psychology workforce of 13.3% between 2021-2026 (Labour Market Insights, 2021).

Study psychology at Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University’s facilities in Coffs Harbour include a state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building, biometrics running track with specialist equipment as well as laboratories for allied health specialities such as speech pathology and occupational therapy. The campus is home to a dynamic community of researchers and every year a conference showcases the best research to emerge from the articulated professional psychology program.

scu.edu.au/psychology

So many of these studies will have great impact, which is a fantastic testament to the quality of the work produced by the students and the support of their supervisors.

kden carter

Hey Kden, when did you first get into football and what position do you play?

I was pretty much born with a footy in my hands, that’s what mum says anyway. I started playing rugby league when I was 5 in the U6s for Nambucca Roosters, scoring tries since day one haha. I have played many positions such as half back, 5’8, wing, centre and I now play fullback. My favourite position to play would be centre because I love getting on the outside of my wingers and putting them through. I love running through holes and being upfront in defence and being physical. You originally started out playing Rugby League and this year transitioned to Rugby Union. What made you switch?

I played league up until U13’s and made the switch after the 13’s season ended. It wasn't challenging me as a player and if you had the chance to watch any games that season, you would have seen that our team was epic, undefeated all year and took out minor and major premiers. I felt bad for the other teams that were getting beaten 50+ nil sometimes, It was good to win but not like that, half of the games had to be called off due to the mercy rule. What's it been like to transition to Rugby Union and how have you adjusted to the new flow of the game?

The transition has been good, and exciting. So much has come from this rugby season. Playing fullback in rugby allows me to lead the boys around from the back, kind of like a coach with the loudest voice on the field.

You have had quite the dream year on the field. Tell us how it's going so far?

It's been a big year, an epic season so

far. Our Snappers team were undefeated this season and we played the Marlins in the semi’s and the Grand final down at Port. We were minor and major premieres. We travelled to Orange for the MNC Axe Man team to play at the State Champs earlier in the year and I was selected in the NSW Country team as fullback. That led to 2 trips to Narrabeen Sporting Academy for a training camp and two games over two days to make the final squad selection which I made as starting fullback. We took on the city team at the City V Country at Bathurst.

And then there was the Waratahs. You don't just play for the Snappers but have also been selected for representative teams. What's it been like?

A good challenge for me being from such a small place to being selected in big teams from big places. Some of the boys in my Waratahs team didn’t know where Coffs was. Being in a representative team has also helped me gain more confidence on the field and I’ve made heaps of new mates which is cool too.

two days and won the U15 Gen Blue Cup, which no one was expecting. You recently had your end of year presentation. What awards did you win?

Lots! I had to put them in the pram to get them to the car afterwards! I received Best and Fairest, Players Player, Clubs Highest Point Scorer, Major and Minor Premiers.

Recently you got a call with some really exciting news we heard?

Yeah I did! It was like my soul left my body when I found out and Mum couldn’t believe what I was going on about.

it was like my soul left my body when I knew what it was about. Mum couldn’t believe what I was going on about, finding out I had been selected in the U14 Gen Blue Waratah team was jaw dropping

Finding out I had been selected in the U14 Gen Blue Waratah Team was jaw dropping. We had to travel down the next day for the induction, to get my kit and have a physio assessment. All the boys are from the Sydney area and I’m the only one from up here. We have travelled down 4 times and are on a break now and go back to training early December. We have travelled a lot this year.

What's the competition like on the field at those high levels and how have your teams done in the comps?

The level of rugby is the highest level you can play at my age. It’s physical, really physical and nonstop on the field with minimal mistakes and errors. I recently played in the Under 15 Gen Blue Cup Competition. I was in the U14 Gen Blue team and we were undefeated over the

Although only 14, where do you see yourself in the next 10 years with the game of rugby?

I am hopeful that I will be playing first grade for the Waratahs and Wallabies. Representing our Country would be my top goal. I want to make a career out of Rugby which will allow me to travel to other countries to play, like Japan, Fiji and NZ.

Kden Carter is unstoppable at the moment. Playing Rugby League since he was 5 and now transitioning into playing Rugby Union, he has recently been selected for the U14 Gen Blue Waratahs team!

WIIGULGA SPORTS COMPLEX

The building looks pretty impressive from Solitary Islands Way, can you tell us a bit more about what’s inside?

Wiigulga Sports Complex is an inclusive, vibrant and healthy community space for locals and visitors to gather, play, compete, practice, learn, perform and celebrate. Outside, there are playing fields to suit senior and junior AFL and Cricket, cricket training nets, exercise equipment and excitingly, the first public pump track in the Coffs Harbour area!

Inside Wiigulga Multipurpose Centre you will find the Sports Hall that features 2 multisport courts that can be used for basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball, badminton and pickleball as well as a stage and dressing room areas for performances. Across the hallway are the Sangeet Rooms, which are flexible spaces for meetings, functions and workshops. Plus, there is a café, designated meeting room and full commercial kitchen. We’ve squeezed a lot in!

Is it just a venue for sport?

First and foremost, Wiigulga Sports Complex is about providing a fantastic facility for local sport and active recreation. A very close second, is its purpose as a community hub, providing economical spaces that can be used in different ways, from group fitness classes, yoga and meditation, to meetings, functions, exhibitions and performances. We can’t wait to see how the community embrace and activate the facility.

Tell us about the striking artworks/design elements?

This is an important site for the local northern

Gumbaynggirr community and we wanted to honour this connection through the design. City of Coffs Harbour worked in partnership with the National Aboriginal Design Agency to secure an artist through an EOI process.

Mullaway based Gumbaynggirr artist Tulli Stevens’ piece, ‘Gawbarri’ (which means ‘meet, get together, gather’) was chosen and can be seen used on different surfaces and treatments throughout the complex, including a huge colour print in the foyer and café space, laser cut into the external metal façade and on signage and glass.

Why Wiigulga at Woolgoolga?

Wiigulga Sports Complex was named in tribute to local Gumbaynggirr heritage and culture.

Wiigulga is the original name for Woolgoolga and refers to the black apple tree which is found locally and on the site. It is pronounced Wee-gill-gah.

Extensive consultation on the name was undertaken with a number of key Indigenous stakeholders including the City’s Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the Garby Clan Group, Coffs Harbour District Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Garlambirla Guuyu Girrwaa Elders Corporation and Aboriginal community members who have a connection to the site, which was historically an important teaching trail for the community.

Where did the funding come from for the project?

The Wiigulga Sports Complex project was jointly funded by the Australian Government, NSW Government and City of Coffs Harbour.

Throughout the design consultation process, additional options outside the scope of the

main project were identified by the community working group as desirable inclusions for the use of the community. Local businesses and community organisations were invited to contribute towards these and together Woolgoolga community organisations and businesses contributed an additional $187,000. It’s not the only sports facility in Woopi. What other sportsgrounds and activities are there?

Woolgoolga, like the rest of the Coffs Coast, has a great selection of sport facilities for organised competitions or active recreation. Just across the road from Wiigulga Sports Complex is Solitary Islands Sports Ground and in the township of Woolgoolga there is the Clive Joass Memorial Sports Park and Centennial Oval. There are local teams and organisations for football, rugby league, AFL, cricket, athletics, touch football and, with Wiigulga Sports Complex, people will soon have even more choice.

How soon can we get in there?

The Official Opening is set for Saturday 3 December and we would love for the whole community to join us to celebrate.

The free open day will feature come and try, hands-on sessions from many of the sports that will call Wiigulga Sports Complex home, as well as the opportunity to explore the different spaces in the complex and how they will be able to be used by the community. There’ll also be jumping castles, facepainting and heaps of fun stuff from our community contributors.

Mark your calendar - 10am–2pm, Saturday 3 December. You can find more information on the event listing on City of Coffs Harbour Facebook page.

Cr Paul Amos

Mayor, City of Coffs Harbour

AGED CARE

Increase in the interest rate. In residential care you have a choice to pay for your room as a lump sum or a daily fee. This choice will be based around what assets you have and the interest rate that is used to convert the lump sum into the daily fee.

On 1 October the interest rate jumped from 5.00% to 6.31% per annum, making the daily fee (or “rental” option) a lot more expensive.

If you are moving into care now, or in the future, this makes your daily room price more expensive and more people may choose to liquidate assets to pay the lump sum –refundable accommodation deposit (RAD). But this choice should not be based on just interest rates. You also need to consider your objectives, liquidity, taxation, estate planning and impact on age pension entitlements as well as means-tested care fees. This is where I can help with a full analysis and advice on your options so you can make better and more

informed decisions.

Increase in the daily cap for means-tested fees. How much you are asked to contribute towards your ongoing care costs is based on an assessment of your assets and income –through a means-test assessment. This meanstested fee is subject to a daily cap (maximum), an annual cap and a lifetime cap.

A new government funding model that started on 1 October saw the daily cap increase from $264.81 per day up to $358.41 per day. This applies to people already in care, as well as those who have not yet moved in.

It is an issue for cashflow management. Some self-funded retirees who previously chose to not disclose finances to Services Australia may want to consider changing their mind, to reduce how much they have to pay on a daily basis.

The change might also have an impact on cashflow for residents when they first move

into residential care and are waiting for their means-test assessment to be determined by Services Australia. Ensuring you have all the paperwork done quickly (and accurately) will be even more important.

I am here to help.

If you would like to arrange a meeting to find out how I might help yours or a loved ones’ own position, call me on 0431 414 799 or email jason@burleyagedcareadvice.com.au. 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 TM 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.

Two things happened on 1 October that have seen aged care costs increase for some people in residential care –the interest rate increased and so did the maximum daily means-tested care fee.

CORRIE W A D E

Hi Corrie. You are a teacher at your studio Corrie Wade Studios, can you tell us about the main three things you teach there?

Absolutely. My three hats are Piano, Dance and Coaching. Piano wise, I offer private and group lessons, both in the studio and online. I am part of a global community of teachers who are changing the way music (and particularly piano) is perceived and taught. The underlying message is that we are all deeply musical, and that learning to play piano can be easy, fun and a brilliant way to access our own creativity. I also run weekly casual Zoom lessons for any musicians who want to access fluency, creativity and their own brand of mastery : The 9 Doors to Mastery Program.

The Coaching hat broadly speaking offers two services - Personal Growth Programs which can include any of the following (think of it

like a menu) - personality typing - enneagram, relationship dynamics, numerology, name analysis, biorhythms, sacred geometry, fractal mapping, ikigai, life-blueprints, spider charts, dreamlining, and more. The second service is Professional Up-skilling. This includes study systems, memory tools, accelerated learning, clever practice - 80/20 rule, facing blocks, maximising output, changing paradigms, problem solving, and more. An example might be a University student wanting help with studies and/or exams. My role is quite varied here, but it could be to help them understand their course material better, or give them study tips and tools that will help them learn and remember much

more effectively. If you have fun while you are learning you are probably going to have better results!

The Dance hat. Well I started teaching with cassette tapes so you can imagine that I have been doing it for a while. My thirst for knowledge and understanding meant that I couldn't stay in just one style, so while most of my contemporaries specialised in one or two forms, I continued to move and study from style to style and my services reflect this. I offer over 40 different styles of dance, including wedding dance lessons. More than just teaching this dance style or that, I love facilitating students' experience into the dance world and all the possibilities that it offers -

Corrie Wade is someone who never stops working on personal growth and learning himself and is passionate about teaching. He teaches through three main streams; Piano, Dance, and Coaching.

You could say that I am a Creativity Coach. Essentially I am deeply passionate about studying and learning and tapping potential.

new people, new communities, travel, new ways to see the world. These hats seem really different from each other. Why these services?

At first glance these do seem like really contrasting hats and areas of work, however, they all overlap in some way. These days my wedding dance lessons often contain elements of couples therapy, or piano lessons that look at the big picture like life goals and purpose, or coaching sessions that end up using music to remove creative blockages. I think of it like synergy - the power of multiple elements when they come together.

You could say that I am a Creativity Coach. Essentially I am deeply passionate about studying and learning and tapping potential.

When I was a kid I tried to memorise the dictionary whilst riding my bicycle at the same time. Riding no hands down the country mile, flipping flash cards and revelling in new ideas and information. I didn't finish the dictionary but I did learn how many words I didn't know! What is it like moving between each hat?

I love the diversity of the work. I also never know quite what is going to happen or unfold from lesson or session to the next. And the power of synergy means that all my different hats and skills support each other. As a young man I was fascinated by figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci. He was coined as a Renaissance Man - a belief in our limitless capacities for development through the acquisition of all knowledge, skills and experiences.

Can you tell us a bit about your musical and dance beginnings? When did you first discover these creative outlets and what made you fall in love with them?

Musical beginnings started for me quite young. My mother was very musical, and I have early memories of lying underneath a grand piano, listening and dreaming of being a pianist one day. I also learnt early on, that the actors

on stage are often having even more fun than the audience.

Dancing started in Australia after I finished University. It was love at first sight and it ended up taking me around the world, living and training and working in different places, so many wonderful and unexpected experiences. Teaching dance on a frozen lake underneath Mt Fuji in Japan; training flamenco in a cave in Spain; attending dance congresses with 8000+ people in Germany and teaching and travelling around Scotland. It sometimes feels like I have lived multiple lifetimes already. As someone that is always learning and growing yourself, what do you enjoy about passing on your knowledge and skills to others?

Facilitating other peoples “aha” moments is an honour and a joy. Also, that people are capable of so much, if the space is set up correctly. What do I mean by that? A simple example would be we don't use the words "practice" or "homework" in the piano studio. Both of these are loaded and also imply that we are not there yet, and it is hard work. You are a musician from your first lesson with me. Have you always been a teacher or have you spent time as a performer in these fields as well?

Teaching I think is part of my DNA.

However, when you are teaching larger groups, something of a performer/entertainer does seem to emerge - or is required. In the dance world I have spent quite a few years in performance troupes and doing choreography work. There is a joy here, and I do love the buzz of the curtain!

Whether you’re teaching piano or dance, or coaching someone through something else in their life, is there a common lesson that you feel is important for all of your students?

That they believe in themselves. I have had one-legged dance students, blind piano students, I have taught music in the deaf community - we have so much potential. The only thing holding us back is ourselves and our imagination.

What’s on the horizon for Corrie Wade Studios?

Great question! I have a variety of programs that are soon to be released to the public. I am particularly excited about the 9 Doors to Mastery - Piano program, which started only a few weeks ago. Essentially weekly online group lessons, combining the cosmology and possibility of the enneagram, with the pedagogy of piano. These are casual workshops - meaning that you can drop in anytime. Each week we explore a different musician with their unique set of skills and possibilities on offer.

Thanks Corrie

When I was a kid I tried to memorise the dictionary whilst riding my bicycle at the same time. Riding no hands down the country mile, flipping flash cards and revelling in new ideas and information.

NATALIA

C O W L E Y

COFFS HARBOUR CITY COUNCIL GENERAL MANAGER

Hi Natalia. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and how you ended up here on the Coffs Coast?

I’m a Chartered Accountant and have spent the past 20 years in the finance field in New Zealand, Australia and Bermuda. I was born in Bulgaria, attended high school in Zimbabwe, where I learnt English, and went to University in Auckland, New Zealand, completing a Bachelor of Business in Accounting and Information Technology.

I started my professional accounting career as a graduate external auditor at Deloitte in Auckland, New Zealand and completed my Chartered Accountancy designation there, before joining Ernst & Young in Australia and eventually Bermuda. Ultimately, I transitioned to the banking sector, again specialising in finance and more recently joined the local

government sector, working as a Chief Financial Officer at both Muswellbrook Shire Council and Central Coast Council, before securing the Director, Corporate Affairs at Central Coast Council.

I was motivated by the opportunity to lead the progress of City of Coffs Harbour, with the support of our Councillors and further securing its status as a progressive place to work, play and stay in regional Australia. What are some of your qualifications and experiences that relate to your new role as General Manager at CHCC?

In October 2020, I took on the Chief Financial Officer role at Central Coast Council, which is one of the largest councils in NSW, four days before the Councillors were suspended by the Minister and an Administrator and new Chief Executive Officer were appointed to resuscitate, what had become, the biggest financial disaster in recent local government history, with

approximately $200m in unrestricted cash deficit and needing the Government’s support to pay the wages of its 2,000+ staff. Over the next 18 months, alongside the Administrator and the CEO, I played a key role in refloating this sinking ship by efficiently driving the implementation of decisive and targeted actions, which enabled Council to resurrect itself and become financially sustainable.

Being part of this historic case study, has instilled in me the discipline of taking brave and decisive actions early, even when they are not popular or palatable but are the right ones for the organisation and the community, ensuring that strict governance protocol is followed and remaining focused on the future, while not dwelling on the past. This was not only a story of a financial crisis, but also a people crisis, because part of the solution was to part ways with almost 300 staff, so the solution not only required deliberate financial strategies but also considerate cultural and

Natalia Cowley has recently moved into the General Manager role at Coffs Harbour City Council. She has quite an incredible resume and we are excited to hear what she has planned for our beloved region.

reputational strategies.

Can you explain to our readers a bit about your role as General Manager and some goals that you may have for yourself in this role?

My role as a General Manager requires me to set a clear vision, purpose and expectations for my team identifying where we are heading and why, clarifying the key deliverables and expectations of how we need to work together, providing transparency, context, support and guidance to the Mayor and Councillors and navigating relationships with external colleagues and stakeholders.

My goals for this financial year are:

Realistic capital program – reduce the capital works program by over $50m so it can be more realistically financed and resourced this financial year;

Financial sustainability – eliminate the $5m projected loss for this financial year through tighter cost control and revenue diversification;

Waste management – investigate alternative waste disposal options and secure a permanent waste transfer site;

Economic development – deliver targeted business development and networking initiatives; grow the reach and impact of tourism initiatives; deliver diversified events further strengthening the eco-tourism, sports and arts & culture offering;

Our people – optimise the organisational chart, expected deliverables and workload and span of control tension points in order to strengthen the City’s culture.

What has been your impression of the Coffs Coast so far and what are you enjoying about the area?

I love the nature and the incredible proximity between rainforest and ocean. You can be hiking one minute and surfing 15 minutes later. The 15 minutes suburbs where everything you need is generally 15 minutes away. You can be in a city restaurant one

minute and purchasing farm gate produce 15 minutes later. I enjoy the unique character of all the different villages and the rich food variety. I think we’ve got some of the best presented and maintained roundabouts around and we seem to have more stunning headlands and associated walks, than anywhere else I’ve been. And I agree with the international news article that claims that Muttonbird Island offers the best sunset in Australia. What do you see as some of the strengths of our area, community and council?

In my opinion, the Coffs Coast captures the Australian essence of sun, surf, community spirit, nature, sports, tourism, health, being your own boss and a pinch of nostalgia. We are a region of entrepreneurs, sporting over 6,000 businesses, many of which have started out as side-hustles. We have a marine life so rich and unique due to the meeting of two ocean currents, we might as well have our own lane. One of the most temperate climates in Australia producing over 70% of Australia’s blueberries. A world-class sporting complex, offering world-class service. A leading health precinct and a healthy dose of creatives. What are some areas that you feel we may need to implement some change in?

I’d like to see no empty shop fronts and would encourage the pilot of more pop-up stores in those empty locations, as this seems to be successfully working elsewhere. We’ve got some great resorts and I’d like to see some more reinvestment going into them so they look renewed and refreshed. I’d like to see large developers do some developing to assist with accommodation shortages. I’d like to see organisations with vacant buildings repurposing / re-activating those. I’d like to see more certified eco-tourism businesses. I’d like to see a higher percentage of kids completing high school. I’d like to see a greater level of co-operation between the key stakeholders in the city. I’d like to see less focus and energy wasted admiring a problem / perceived problem and revelling in its misery, and instead have more energy and focus directed towards being part of the solution. How would you describe yourself as a leader and how would you like to lead CHCC into the future?

I lead with purpose, passion and determination. I have found that the more we know, the more reasons we tend to find to not do things – so I drive to get things done within our strategic, financial and resourcing capabilities. I won’t satisfy everyone, because there are always competing priorities – but I can guarantee that there will always be a logical reason behind my decisions.

I won’t satisfy everyone, because there are always competing priorities – but I can guarantee that there will always be a logical reason behind my decisions.

focus contributor.

MATTERS MONEY

with BARRY HOCKEY

MORTGAGE VS SUPER

If you have a mortgage, should you make extra repayments or would you be better off in the long run boosting your super? The answer is, it depends. Your personal circumstances, interest rates, tax and the investment outlook all need to be taken into consideration.

What to consider Some of the things you should weigh up;

Your age and years to retirement The closer you are to retirement and the smaller your mortgage, the more sense it makes to prioritise super. Younger people with a big mortgage, dependent children, will need to wait until age 60 before accessing super. So better to pay down housing debt, perhaps building up investments outside super.

Your mortgage interest rate This will depend on whether you have a fixed or variable rate, but both are on the rise. As a guide, the average variable mortgage interest rate is currently around 4.5 per cent so any money directed to your mortgage earns an effective return of around 4.5 per cent.

When interest rates were at historic lows, you could earn better returns from super

and other investments; but with interest rates rising, the pendulum is swinging back towards repaying the mortgage.

Super Fund Returns

In the 10 years to 30 June 2022, super funds returned 8.1 per cent a year on average but fell 3.3 per cent in the final 12 months. In the short-term, financial markets can be volatile but the longer your investment horizon, the more time there is to ride out market fluctuations.

Contributions are taxed at 15 per cent going in, but this is likely to be less than your marginal tax rate if you salary sacrifice into super from your pre-tax income.

into retirement. As mortgage interest payments are not tax deductible for the family home (as opposed to investment properties), younger borrowers are often encouraged to pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible. But for those close to retirement, it may make sense to put extra savings into super and use their super to repay any outstanding mortgage debt after they retire.

Tax Super is a concessionally taxed retirement savings vehicle, with tax on investment earnings of 15 per cent compared with tax at your marginal rate on investments outside super. Contributions are taxed at 15 per cent going in, but this is likely to be less than your marginal tax rate if you salary sacrifice into super from your pre-tax income.

Personal sense of security For many people there is an enormous sense of relief and security that comes with having a home fully paid for and being debt-free heading

All things considered As you can see, working out how to get the most out of your savings is rarely simple and the calculations will be different for everyone. The best course of action will ultimately depend on your personal and financial goals.

Buying a home and saving for retirement are both long-term financial commitments that require regular review.

This is general information so you should seek the assistance of a financial advisor to discuss your personal circumstances.

REAL ESTATE

with

It is also a time when most of us are probably more likely to be swayed by the promise of big dollars and cheap fees, as opposed to doing our homework and listening to expert opinion.

Many people think they should entrust the sale of their principal place of residence to the real estate agent who puts the highest value on it. Not necessarily so, and in many cases the absolute last thing you should do, if you want to actually sell.

Talk to people you know who have recently sold in the area, act on advice from people whose opinions you respect. Word of mouth is the best source of current information about local real estate agents or any other professional services.

Intending sellers should also obtain submissions from agents who are active in their local area.

You can tell if agents are active by the number of ‘Sold’ signs they have, and by the quality of their local advertising. Choose two or three agents and get them to put their submissions in writing.

Some of the criteria to consider are, a busy well located office, level of service, specific advertising details, fees and expenses, and a commitment to feedback during the marketing programme. Make sure they show you comparable sales in your local area, no

two homes are exactly the same, but compare similar properties to your property, they give you a great indication of what you can expect.

Once you have two or three submissions you are in a position to compare apples with apples. It’s no good going with the agent who puts the highest value on your home or offers you the lowest commission only to find out that there is obviously a reason why they are heavily discounted. Many would-be sellers see through this kind of false economy too late. Like everything else in life we don’t mind spending money as long as we get value for money. And at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how little you’re paying if you don’t sell regardless.

As hard as it is to do, do not focus on the fee or commission that the agent is going to charge you. Consider first if you think that agent and agency is the best to represent you in the sale of your property. In a nutshell, are they the agent who is going to represent your best interest, ethically and honestly and put the most amount of money in your back pocket at the end of the day. Not just a high ‘fantasy’ listing price that doesn’t reflect the true market price of your property.

One of the biggest problems in selling a home is overpricing in the beginning of the marketing campaign. The first few weeks are often crucial,

as it is during this time that the most amount of property ‘hits’ either on the internet, print media or agents buyer data bases occur. If it is overpriced and misses its target buyer range, it may be destined to stay on the market for a considerable time.

Potential buyers recognise overpriced property for what it is, this makes them cautious and decreases competition for the property. Most overpriced properties fail to attract offers and purchasers end up with the psychological edge once negotiations are under way. Take your time about choosing an agent, after all, it’s not something you do every day and you want to be confident in your choice. Do your homework and don’t be seduced by fantasy prices.

Be extremely careful of the agent who gives you the highest price and then reduces his commission in order to get your business. If he or she can’t show their worth to you, do you want them negotiating one of the major financial transactions in your life?

Never forget that for most of us our home is the largest investment we ever make. It’s our nest egg, part of our superannuation package, and our kids’ inheritance. Choose and choose wisely, if you were going to a medical specialist you wouldn’t make a decision based solely on price.

FROM UNREAL

Placing YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FINANCIAL DECISIONS the majority of us ever make.

TMP RENTALS

RENNGER & JOANNE MCINTYRE

IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came into the Property Management business. I’ve been in Property Management for three decades and it’s what I love to do!

I literally started from the bottom, working on reception on a Saturday to help a friend out. I caught the bug pretty quickly and within 2 years was working full time in the property management industry. I’ve worked my way through almost every role –from Leasing Consultant, to Property Management Assistant, Property Manager, Senior Property Manager, Sales Secretary, Sales and then securing my full Real Estate License and starting my own agency. I’ve managed rent rolls from 100 properties through to over 1000 properties.

makes

Tenant perfectly, so it is a stress-free

Tell us more about that. TMP was created out of a confident sense that all landlords should be able to create a hassle-free investment experience. We know when the experience is managed, and the landlord and tenant are fully informed of the process and what is occurring at all times, this is possible. Both the landlord and tenant should be confident that the Property or Tenancy Manager is working to the best of their ability and ensuring that all parties interests are at the forefront of their mind. And so that’s what we’re about at TMP – simple good old fashioned communication and service.

ends.

I also love training up and coming agents, and I contract to the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW) as a Trainer and Assessor on a regular basis.

TMP Rentals is a dedicated Property Management agency.

Because we are solely dedicated to tenancy management, it’s always our priority. We have extensive experience dealing with all sorts of issues across all sorts of property types, and we know that experience and ability to quickly and swiftly deal with issues, find solutions and matchmake landlords and tenants perfectly, saves our clients time, money and stress.

We love people and we love property! Nothing makes us happier than matching Landlord and Tenant

perfectly, so it is a stress-free experience on both ends. Everyone who works at TMP is the same, it’s a prerequisite for being part of the team.

No matter what the market is doing, there is always an opportunity to create a positive experience and that is what motivates myself and the entire TMP team on a daily basis. I mean, come on – who doesn’t love to see a relieved smile, knowing you helped ease someone’s stress load?!

How can people get in touch with you? You can find us on the socials. You just recently opened a new office? Two, actually! We have been operating out of a property at the Jetty for about 2 years and we’ve grown so much, we have just relocated to a larger space, still at the Jetty, just a couple of doors up the road. We have an incredible team and I love that it’s expanding! We’ve also just recently opened an office in Grafton too, servicing the Clarence Valley. Very exciting times and we’re so excited about being locals providing this service to locals, especially in times when investing and finding a property can be more challenging than usual.

Or give us a call 6651 2944, or drop into one of the offices! We’re always up for a chat about how we can help.

Aleta & Co Realty

Welcome to Aleta & Co Realty, we are an independent agency specialising in property sales and property management on the beautiful Coffs Coast. Established by Aleta in 2022, she brings together a team whose purpose is to offer a personalised and boutique real estate experience. We pride ourselves on providing a bespoke and personal service, believing that relationships with our clients are more important than the number of transactions we do and this resonates in the number of awards we have won during our 13 years in the industry.

Aleta was honoured to win the 2016 Real Estate Results Network ARERA award for Regional Agent Achiever of The Year and the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 Rate My Agent Award for Agent of The Year for the Coffs Harbour area. As her reputation continues to grow, Aleta will service the Coffs Coast along with her dedicated and wonderful staff with integrity, empathy, initiative, and outstanding results!

Our team have all grown up locally in the Coffs Harbour region and are experienced property professionals with an in-depth and up-todate understanding of the local sales and rental markets ensuring a seamless customer experience. We concentrate on fine tuned systems, continued professional development, systemised processes and on being an industry leader in all that we do. We offer tailored services in residential sales, property management, project sales and marketing.

From modest beginnings to a reputation built on quality and trust, call to speak and meet with our team today.

BOUTIQUE, PERSONALISED AND

Tiare Sanders | Whitney Stephens | Charlotte Gray Aleta Stephens | Natalie Scott

SAWTELL

REAL ESTATE CO.

Sawtell Real Estate Co. is a family owned business founded by Father and Son team Barry & Matt France that services Sawtell, Coffs Harbour & the Surround.

Can you tell us a little about your agency?

After 30+ years of experience in construction and development, real estate was a natural transition. I began as an agent in 2011 and worked for two local agencies where I gained insights into the market. In 2018 I decided

to create Sawtell Real Estate Co where I could combine my construction experience with my real estate knowledge and provide clients with an exceptional level of service. Our agency has a strong focus on the most important aspect of real estate, relationships.

To achieve this, we needed to provide

outstanding end-toend service to each of our clients and represent ourselves with an unwavering commitment to integrity and transparency. Our ability to grow and nurture the delicate relationships of vendors and buyers, ultimately bringing both parties together to achieve outstanding results, sets us apart from the crowd.

Our ability to grow and nurture the delicate relationships of vendors and buyers, ultimately bringing both parties together to achieve outstanding results, sets us apart from the crowd.

Our office is positioned in the very heart of Sawtell Village allowing for convenient access by the local community. First and foremost, we are a family run business. I was adamant on remaining a family run business and declined offers to join larger, established franchises. This decision has allowed us a rare freedom in our operation, enabling us to cater a personalised service to each individual client and taking into consideration their unique circumstance. We guide our clients through the entire sale process, assisting you from pre sale

preparations through to sale, and transitioning into your next home.

Can you tell us more about the local market?

The local market has certainly changed quite dramatically over the past 5 years. Our focus suburbs have been the south side of the Coffs Harbour region, which has seen massive growth in an exceptionally short amount of time. As more people have discovered our special slice of coastline, we have seen a substantial increase in buyers from the capital cities and the southern states relocating to the area for the quality of life and friendly locals.

This has brought some fantastic diversity to the area, opening many doors for increased employment opportunities, and promoted investment from companies who have acknowledged this new demand. This demand has not only resulted in an increase in property prices, but also increased growth to the entire community, which now sustains multiple generations due to the availability of jobs and service. I believe we will continue to see our market hold value for many years to come, with expected growth even through a more ambiguous economy.

What do you believe is important to be successful in this industry?

Success in such a competitive industry is highly dependent on your dedication. In my opinion, an agent’s role is to become highly competent in understanding what a property’s true market value is and combine this knowledge with good old fashioned hard work to ensure your client achieves the best possible result. An agent that can commit to the workload and ensure their client feels comfortable and confident throughout the entire experience will set themselves on the path to success.

What do you like most about the industry”?

Real Estate has been one of the most rewarding industries I’ve had the pleasure of working in. The ability to assist people in selling and purchasing such an important asset, in most cases their biggest asset, is an honour and privilege..

What are the core values of your agency?

Our agency values are very clear - family and community. We pride ourselves on providing a reliable service to sellers and buyers. We treat our clients like we treat our business, as family. Our approach to communication is transparency and integrity. This ensures that you as the client are well informed and have your finger on the pulse. To live up to our values, we needed to become experts in understanding the true value of properties in the local market and understand the local community. Being reliable experts in our local market ensures our clients’ interests are being represented at the highest level.

Real Estate has been one of the most rewarding industries I’ve had the pleasure of working in. The ability to assist people in selling and purchasing such an important asset, in most cases their biggest asset, is an honour and privilege. Phoning a first home buyer to congratulate their successful purchase and hearing the excitement and joy in their response is a great experience. The ability to empower a vendor with achieving a truly fantastic price result, is equally rewarding and can change the course of a client’s life. Throughout the highs and the lows, nothing is more rewarding and fulfilling than helping people traverse the unknowns of real estate and getting the clients desired result.

How can we get in touch?

Contact Barry France on 0407 301 404, barry@sawtellrealestateco.com.au

Contact Matt France on 0411 675 860, matt@sawtellrealestateco.com.au

Contact the office on 66588840, admin@ sawtellrealestateco.com.au

ALLISON WHAITES

WHAITES

AGENT

Allison Whaites Estate Agent is unlike any other agency and works around the community seven days a week providing guidance and education in Real Estate.

Allison prides herself in putting her clients first, with top of the range marketing and quality service combined with a very competitive fee structure that leaves more money in the pockets of her clients.

Can you tell us about how you came to be a Real Estate Agent?

At the centre of my professional career has been a desire to help those in need and a sense of community. I have devoted much of my working life to supporting the

community’s most vulnerable. In 2009, as a property manager for North Coast Community Housing, I supported people facing homelessness and domestic violence by helping them find safe shelter.

In 2013, I started my first job in the real estate industry, working as a Property Manager for First National Baily & Gough in Grafton which paved for a successful career. I later became a Senior Property Manager of the business. In 2019, my husband Julian Bryant and I decided

to take a leap of faith and open our very own business Allison Whaites Estate Agent. Through hard work and perseverance. I now have a team of five members and my business services a wide geographic area from Evans Head in the North to Bowraville in the South. I have also been the winner of the Agency of the year award for Grafton and South Grafton for the past two years.

Can you tell us about your role?

I'm the Owner and Managing Director. My day to day role includes managing the office

Allison Whaites is a Licensed Real Estate Professional who specialises in Property Sales and Property Management. With over 10 years working in the Grafton and Coffs Harbour market you won’t go wrong selling your home with Allison.

I now have a team of five members and my business services a wide geographic area from Evans Head in the North to Bowraville in the South.

and staff, meeting with clients, networking and selling and leasing properties.

I don't believe in 9-5. I believe in delivering the best outcomes for our clients which involves working Sundays. What do you think is important to be successful in this industry?

Passion. The real estate industry can be demanding with long hours and late nights, so it's important to have a passion for the industry and a love of what you do to avoid burnout.

Selling or leasing a house is so important to clients because we are really talking about families and putting a roof over their heads, so it's important to always be on your best game and always giving it 100%.

What are your goals moving forward with your career?

Our goal is to continue to expand our services along the Mid North Coast. I'd love to see Coffs and Grafton offices continue to grow and put on more staff, but I'd also love to eventually be opening up other offices in

key towns in our region. What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years?

The biggest highlight of my job is seeing a young family achieve the Australian dream and get the keys for their first home. Personally I'm very proud of having gone from social housing to now growing my own business which has been the winner of the Agency of the year award for Grafton and South Grafton for the past two years. How can we get in touch?

7/150 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour 0487 289 471

Phone 02 5626 8070

allisonwhaitesestateagent@yahoo.com whaitesestateagent.com.au

The real estate industry can be demanding with long hours and late nights. So it’s important to have a passion for the industry and a love of what you do to avoid burnout.

You’re a woman business owner operating in a mans’ world… Commercial Real Estate - with huge success – how have you done it?

I spent over a decade in corporate real estate, after completing my property economics degree.

Corporate real estate teaches you things standard real estate agency practice can never teach you…Gives you experience & industry skills like no other! It builds thick skin & resilience and strong relationships you can rely on to help your clients maximise their return from investments. Your signs are everywhere and everyone is talking about CPS! You seem to be dominating the market –what’s your secret?

There is no secret. DO THE WORK needed to get the deal done. Treat your clients with the respect they deserve. Take the time to understand their needs and follow through. Don’t slack off, don’t become complacent, adjust with the times, do the right thing, get yourself a kick-ass team and above all – don’t let your ego get in the way of doing good business.

Where do you see the Coffs commercial property market?

High level of Government infrastructure spend committed to the area with the bypass, airport & university upgrades along with a lot of private enterprise spending, like the CODA development by C.ex; Shoreline by

Bachrach Naumburger Group, Gowings commitment to the region long term and the highly anticipated Pacific Bay Resort film studios and village – things are looking positive for Coffs from an economic point of view. There is a mass of job opportunities in the region (so many businesses looking for good staff) and large businesses are moving to the region. The Coffs Coast still presents an affordable option for people wanting to make a sea or tree change from the Cities. Increased interest rates have not slowed the appetite for commercial property. There is still high demand and low supply. As such, we are still seeing tight yields/low cap. rates - reflecting there is still strong confidence in the market for Coffs Coast investments.

to determine the value of commercial property.

Generally speaking: the higher the cap rate, the higher the risk. The lower the cap.rate, the lower the risk. If cap.rates are increasing, it may be an indication that the market is slowing.

Yield measures a property’s potential income. Calculated as a percentagebased on the property’s cost or market value, annual income and running costs. It does not take into account how much the property increases in value over time (the capital growth).

Increases in interest rates has not slowed the appetite for commercial property.

There is strong demand and low supply. As such, we are seeing tighter yields/ lower cap.rates

What do you mean by tight yields and low cap. rates?

A capitalisation rate (or cap. rate) is a measure on return, it gives you an indication of the risk involved with the property.

The cap. rate basically tells you what your investment return will be on the property and how it compares to similar properties in the same area. It’s one of the main methods used by valuers

Generally speaking: The higher the level of risk the property represents = the higher the yield (% return) an investor will want (and banks will require, in order to lend the money). The lower the risk the property presents = the lower the yield (% return) an investor will want (and banks will require in order to lend money).

Think of it as “high risk = high % return” & “low risk = low % return”

We may not see 7 to 8+% returns back in Coffs Coast for a while – purely due to the low level of risk investors place on investing in the region.

A lot of people chase higher returns because it is ingrained in us that a higher return must mean a better investment.

A property with a high rental yield may

be good for cash flow, but it does not necessarily indicate a low-risk investment with good, achievable capital gain/growth in value.

** Always consult your financial adviser/accountants when assessing investments **.

There’s not a lot of people in Coffs who don’t know Cherie or CPS – tell us something we might not know. CPS is an award winning real estate agency, #1 in the state – Small Agency Category. My husband and I also own a carpentry business, are co-owners of a rural supplies company and a brewery and enjoy the quiet life with our German Shepherd.

e are very excited to feature Sarah Speirs, Principal and Licensed Conveyancer and Ellie McEvoy, Licensed Conveyancer from One Step Conveyancing Services in our Property Edition. Sarah established One Step Conveyancing Services eight years ago. One Step now employs Ellie McEvoy as a second Licensed Conveyancer and two amazing support staff Quinn Carniato and Magenta Bailey. In the coming months One Step will also have a third Licensed Conveyancer on board to complement the already strong team. We recently had the opportunity to sit and have a chat with Sarah, here’s what she had to say:

Can you tell us about your role?

My role as a business owner and the Principal Licensee of One Step means even if I’m not directly assigned to a client’s matter, I still oversee all files that my staff are working through. A normal day would consist of managing the day-to-day operations of the business, ensuring all staff and processes are continually up-to-date and we are providing the best service to our clients and industry associates that we possibly can. More recently I have been focusing my attention on further expanding our services to meet the needs of

Wour growing community.

What do you think is important to being successful in this industry?

All staff at One Step have a high focus on customer service. This means we keep all clients up to date with how their matter is progressing. We pride ourselves on providing this service and it is reflected with the feedback we receive from real estate agents, mortgage brokers and our valued clients who comment on the level of communication and the extra effort all staff provide throughout the duration of their matter.

We have developed an organisation which can provide a streamline, flexible service depending on what our clients’ requirements are. We have the most up to date technology to provide conveyancing services across NSW or to clients locally who would prefer a remote service. At our newly renovated office space in Woolgoolga, we can assist clients in a relaxed, and welcoming environment. Most of our clients still like to meet staff in a professional space and this has been paramount to the success One Step has had in making the process of buying or selling a property less stressful for our valued clients.

What are your goals moving forward with your career?

One Step is soon to have a third Licensed Conveyancer joining our team. This will allow

me as the Principal to oversee all files and provide an even more thorough service to our clients. We are also expanding our services into larger development projects. One Step has already established itself as a leading practitioner for land subdivisions and with the growth in the Greater Coffs Harbour area we are now receiving enquiries from developers to act on behalf of ‘off the plan’ transactions in large residential buildings. Having the three Licensed Conveyancers gives One Step an advantage to manage larger scale projects and provide these services.

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years?

Seeing One Step grow to become a trusted and leading provider of conveyancing services on the Coffs Coast and surrounding areas. One Step’s continued growth, with long term employees that are committed and experienced. The new professional office in Woolgoolga providing a separate conference space where clients can come and meet with our staff. Most importantly though, I think our greatest achievement is being known in the local community by our clients and our working relationship with local industry associates as a reliable, professional and friendly organisation that prides itself on providing the best service possible.

Licence number: 05001089

BUSINESS WOMEN

CATH FOWLER

THE DIGITAL LANEWAY

Can you tell us a little bit about The Shoreline?

I’m very excited to talk about The Shoreline. The Shoreline Aged Care Home will offer premium residential aged care beds providing a comfortable senior living environment for those that are looking for tailored care and attention.

Featuring spacious rooms, lounge and living areas, senior social activity areas and shaded landscaped gardens. Our residential aged care is specifically designed to create a sense of home through our commitment to a luxury custombuilt environment, engaging activities and professional staff.

What’s your favourite part of the work you do?

I thoroughly enjoy the interaction with residents and their families. It’s a very difficult and challenging time for a lot of people entering aged care and being patient and compassionate really is the key. I learn a lot from the families I meet and it is incredibly sad what some people are dealing with daily. Knowing at the end of the day that you have

helped a family in a time of need is really rewarding.

Who is your greatest influence in the work you do?

Personally, my biggest influence was my father who I sadly lost this year. He taught me patience, respect for others, a strong work ethic, to always think on the positive side, no matter what goes wrong, and to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.

Within my work at the Shoreline, my greatest influence is the team within which I work. We are all very experienced in this industry, yet it requires the combined efforts of the whole team, including the executive team, the RNs, the clinical staff, concierge, waitstaff, housekeeping and the catering staff, to ensure the Shoreline delivers the quality experience we are hoping for. I’m excited with the team of professionals we have employed, everyone is passionate, and this creates a really nice vibe throughout the facility. Have you always lived on the Coffs Coast?

I am originally from the Central Coast but have worked throughout Sydney as well as having worked in remote places like Young and Broken Hill. I moved to Coffs Harbour

FIELD KERRIE

with my husband in 2002 and we soon started our family. My 2 sons are currently finishing their HSC whilst my daughter is studying at university.

We live near the beach and love the coastal lifestyle. I like to stay active and I’m always out walking or attending the gym.

What piece of advice would you give women making their way in their career?

Be true to yourself, always listen to your first instinct and learn and educate yourself on the brand, product or industry you work in. Knowledge is power, and when you feel confident in yourself the rest will fall into line. Also, be kind to each other, supporting other women in the workplace and building each other up is important.

Where can people find out more about The Shoreline?

Contact myself at The Shoreline kerrie@theshoreline.com.au or check out theshoreline.com.au. We have started tours of the home and are thrilled to show people around and sit and discuss your care needs. We want to know how we can improve this stage of life for you; we work around your care needs, social needs and the activities you love to do. We have a fantastic home and I’m thrilled to be the person to show you around. theshoreline.coffs theshoreline_coffs/

I’m excited with the team of professionals we have employed, everyone is passionate, and this creates a really nice vibe throughout the facility.

The Edge Coffs Harbour opened the doors to its first office in Harbour Drive in November 2003, with Partners Jason Burnett, Tim Bynon and Mark Webb heading the team.

With an experienced lineup with a progressive outlook, the three principals knew that in a city with a higher than average number of real estate agencies, they would have to work hard to succeed.

With that in mind, they set out to win over the hearts and minds of their future customers by meeting people, talking to them, developing relationships and gaining trust. That commitment, combined with a fresh and vibrant marketing approach, paid off. The company was awarded the “Highly Commended New Business” category at the 2004 Sunny Awards (Coffs Coast Business Awards).

Continuing this through the years, our team, both in sales and property management, have achieved success after success. Amounting to numerous awards and industry recognition,

THE EDGE

again highlighting our commitment to service and clients.

These agents and property managers are some of the most respected and trusted agents on the Coffs Coast. “I think our attitude is different, and people notice that”, says Jason, “The bottom line is that real estate isn’t just about land and houses, it’s about how and where we live”. Over the years, The Edge has grown from an office of 5 to an office of over 40 employees, making The Edge one of Coffs Harbour’s largest agencies. As The Edge has grown, it has also learned, attributing to its success to evolving and changing with the local market.

From humble beginnings, The Edge has evolved, leading the way in sales and property management services on the Coffs Coast.

Embracing new technology and systems along the way, we constantly strive to be market leaders “Our experienced staff are our greatest assets,” Jason said. “They all have years of experience in our local market, guaranteeing our clients that their property matters will be handled professionally and diligently”.

The team at The Edge prides itself on being experienced real estate agents with a commitment to service that ensures their clients’ needs are not only met but exceeded!

Over the years, we have had the pleasure of assisting many people to achieve their goals in life. Many of these people have referred us to other people and become lifelong friends, which as an agency, we are always appreciative of. Our entire team thanks the local community and beyond for the support in creating a successful local business. Moving forward as business owners, we see exciting times ahead for our area with positive confidence. With future works to the highway bypass, planned developments and an expanding sustainable community. All adding to a progressive city attracting people and new businesses to our coastline. As we have all known for years, Coffs Harbour is an excellent place to call home for young and old.

MARK WEBB

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? Having moved out from the UK with my wife and small children, my focus and career goal was always leaning towards hard work in the business sector.

I enrolled in business courses to enhance my qualifications whilst working to provide for my family. My initial stepping stone to the industry was simply applying for an advertised position in real estate. From that point I spent many hours of hard work, long hours and continual training. I had found my chosen career in real estate.

Within that time period, I achieved great success winning numerous awards in real estate, achieving and surpassing industry sales targets, whilst also training new personnel within the business.

Can you tell us about your role? My role within The Edge Property agency is varied and broad based.

Since starting our business 18 years ago myself and my business partner have been changing roles. We have become the number one agency for sales and rentals on the Coffs Coast. My role is still a very hands on approach to everything. The role of business owner whilst still achieving excellent sales results for my clients is paramount. I also take an active role in our property management division. I also oversee 14 property managers within the office.

What have been your greatest highlights over the years? Marrying my wife, having our children and having grandchildren and their support.

Taking the brave step to move to the country and create a new life. Using my ability to retrain and forge a successful career in Australia.

Achieving recognition and awards within the industry over many years. Helping create a vibrant small business within Coffs Harbour. Having a business that has made charitable donations to many organisations over the years.

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? When I was leaving school, my parents were selling their property, and I was interested in the process. The following year I applied and was successful in gaining a traineeship in Real Estate. Twenty-five years later, I am still in the industry and worked my way from being a trainee to owning my own office.

Can you tell us about your role? I am the Licensee in charge of The Edge, so I have the ultimate responsibility for everyone who works in the business. My role predominantly is ensuring everyone is following their legal responsibilities, financial legalities and making sure we are on top of our compliance requirements. I also have a loyal client base who I still assist with their real estate needs. What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? The real estate industry is definitely an industry where you will get out what you put in. Hard work and commitment will ensure your success in the industry. The best real estate professionals I have worked with over the years have been good listeners, and for me, this is an important skill to be successful in the industry.

What have been your greatest highlights over the years? I have been fortunate to have had many great highlights in my career. Starting my own business when I was 24 years old was an early highlight. I have broken many sales records over the years, including some of the largest transactions registered in the area, which have been great achievements. My greatest highlight is creating The Edge into the business it is today. Watching my team grow and develop into the best team in town has been my greatest achievement.

an you tell us about how you came to be a real estate

I think I was always destined to be in sales of some description. I remember negotiating my first deal to sell my Nintendo. It was my greatest asset at the time, I was about 7. The deal was $220 but at $20 each Saturday it meant it was paid off by the end of the soccer season.

How I got into real estate was a result of my part time job through high school. I worked just around the corner from home at the local service station at Sapphire Beach. I got to know the regular customers over the 5 years I was there, and one of those was a local real estate agent. When I finished school, it was that connection that provided the opportunity for a one year traineeship at NSW Real Estate. That was 18 years ago.

I’m a sales consultant and part of a team of 11 sales agents at The Edge. We sell properties and our job is to manage the sale process for the purpose of achieving the best result

What do you think is important to be successful in this In addition to the basics (be honest, be organised, be present etc.) the most successful agents are often great listeners. They ask more questions and are never complacent about the value and importance of what we sell, and for this reason the top agents are always an investment, not a cost. Meaning they add more value

What are your goals moving forward with your career? Changing market conditions are usually the best to grow your business. I’m always looking for new ways to do things. I’m

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades

Every time I list or sell a property is a highlight for me, I never get tired of it. They are all important, and each

AMY KEBBY

THE EDGE PROPERTY

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? I was always interested in the real estate industry. After many years in the hospitality and retail industry, I decided to make a career change.

Can you tell us about your role? As an agent, you’re helping people buy the biggest purchase they will ever make. You need to have a range of different skills, including customer service, problem solving, a good negotiator, time management and being available anytime of the day or night. Also helping vendors to achieve the best price for their home, and working endlessly to sell a home, whether it be in the few weeks or months to find the right buyer.

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? I work to a consistent routine, working hard and always having great communication. Good customer service, and honesty between buyers and sellers and the simple things like calling people back. The industry can be up and down so a positive outlook and genuine enjoyment of what I do helps me stay focused.

What are your goals moving forward with your career? To sell more houses than I have the year before. My last achievement was to complete my Stock & Station License and setting personal goals helps me stay focused and love what I do. What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years? Last year was my highest amount of sales in the one year. Every day is a highlight when you are helping someone buy or sell a house. It’s always a lovely surprise to have a previous vendor call you to sell their house again. Having been in the industry now for over 6 years, I have met some amazing people and built a rapport for repeat business.

AUCTIONEER

YEARS,

MONTHS IN THE INDUSTRY

BRETT

THE EDGE PROPERTY SALES CONSULTANT / LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT 13 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

Can you tell us about how you became a real estate agent? I previously worked in the automotive industry but the desire to stay on the tools was fading so I commenced studying a Diploma in Property Valuation. I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to enter the real estate industry and started my career as a Property Manager. While property management was never the end goal, it was still a valued experience that further enhanced my knowledge and skills across the entire property industry. Once making the switch to sales I immediately knew this was the long term career for me and I’ve really prospered since joining The Edge Property Agency.

You have sold over $40 million of local real estate in the past 12 months - what do you put your success down to? I believe my success can be attributed to a number of things; having a positive attitude, strong work ethic, clear communication, great market knowledge and simply doing the right thing by people. If you stay true to your values and work hard the results will naturally follow. A large percentage of my business comes from repeat clients and referrals which is humbling and very reassuring. What do you love most about your job and what keeps you motivated and passionate? I love the variety that real estate offers. Every property is unique and I’ve met some really great people from all walks of life. I genuinely get a buzz out of each and every sale and the team environment and culture at The Edge is incredibly positive and fun to be a part of.

GRANT LARSEN

THE EDGE PROPERTY

LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT STOCK & STATION AGENT, AUCTIONEER, SALES CONSULTANT OVER 25 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

an you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? Prior to moving from NZ to Coffs Harbour in 1994, I spent 20 years in the building industry, in both commercial and residential sectors. My last role in NZ was General Manager of an International Building Company. For the first 3 years in Coffs Harbour, I was the local Branch Manager for the Williams River Steel Group, before being invited to join the real estate industry. I was with NSW Real Estate for 24 years, before that business was amalgamated with The Edge Property Agency in 2021. Can you tell us about your role? I see myself as a facilitator, putting people and properties together and then helping to guide and advise them so they can make their own strong decisions.

CTHE EDGE

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? A complete understanding of the local market and knowledge of the area. To provide honest and valuable advice to all my sellers and buyers.

What are your goals moving forward with your career? Simply to provide the best service I can to all my clients.

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years? In 2016 I had the honour of being named a Top Agent in Australia, by Top Agent Magazine, the premier real estate magazine, featuring the most reputable agents from around the world.

MURRAY ROBERTSON

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? It was during my seven years as a Media Consultant, that I first met Jason and Mark from The Edge. We worked together to develop marketing strategies to ultimately position The Edge as the leading real estate company on the Coffs Coast. Over the course of this relationship, Jason had extended an open invitation to join the sales team at The Edge. Let’s call it a seven-year itch in April 2015, and I made the transition from media to real estate and haven’t looked back.

Can you tell us about your role? Some key elements of my role are market analysis, property appraisals, marketing, sourcing and introducing buyers, maintaining a strong database, arranging inspections, negotiating sales, and liaising with conveyancers/solicitors and other agencies as required. In this role, I strive to provide prompt, reliable and courteous communication, transparent feedback, and unbiased, well-informed market advice. My aim for each of my clients is to make the buying and selling process as smooth as possible.

THE EDGE

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? Importantly, you must love what you do and be fully invested in achieving the best outcome for your clients. I believe that listening and gaining a true understanding of your clients’ needs, along with an honest and courteous approach is the key to success in this industry.

What are your goals moving forward with your career? It is an exciting time to be in real estate on the Coffs Coast. From our perfect climate, beautiful beaches, National Parks and lifestyle to the continued growth in infrastructure, including the Coffs Harbour Bypass Project, the secret is out. My goal is to continue to grow as the Coffs Coast continues to reach its full potential.

THE EDGE PROPERTY SALES CONSULTANT/LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT 7.5 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

TAMMI LEAVER

THE EDGE PROPERTY SALES CONSULTANT – LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT 25 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? Whenever I am asked this question, my response is that I was born into the real estate profession. My father, Rodger Pryce, returned our family from Sydney, back to Coffs Harbour in 1980 to open the Elders Real Estate franchise. Since starting my career at 17, I have progressed through various positions, from Property Management to Marketing and Sales.

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? To be successful in this industry, empathy is a key attribute, combined with a strong work ethic, a genuine interest and a strong desire to help others. The selling and buying of property is one of the most important decisions we make, and as an agent, we need to understand the needs and the objectives of those who we are engaged to help, always being mindful of how best we can assist them throughout the process.

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years? The highlight of my life to date, has been meeting my husband in Sydney 13 years ago and moving back to Coffs, buying our own piece of paradise and raising our 2 beautiful boys. My career highlight was working in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney at Double Bay, for one of Australia’s most successful real estate agents, Bill Malouf, learning invaluable negotiating and people skills. There is no place like home, so returning to Coffs, is proving to be the right move, selling the benefits of this region understandably, is something I do very naturally.

TOM SULLIVAN

ow long have you been selling real estate? I joined the real estate industry in 2010, selling property from Urunga to Arrawarra Headland in that time. Living in Sawtell and with our office in Coffs Harbour, most of my work tends to be in Coffs and towards the south side of town.

What do you think is important to be successful in this The role requires a skillset of solid communication and a great deal of empathy and understanding. From our customer’s point of view, buying and selling a property is always an emotional process!

I am quite systematic in my approach to real estate. Over the years I have committed a great deal of time into training & development, and have established a system that has proven to consistently achieve a

I think it is the simple details that are important, do what you say you are going to do, return a phone call, and give honest advice and good old fashioned service. If you treat people well and provide a positive service experience, then the results will follow. What do you enjoy about the real estate industry? I think it is the people who make the job enjoyable. We meet many different people and come across all types of personalities which makes every day interesting. I also tend to build a strong relationship with my clients and some of my closest friends are people that I have met

Thanks to technology I am also able to work from anywhere with a laptop and an iPhone, although this also makes it hard to take I love that the office changes every day. I can be in a small suburban unit in the morning, and then off to a multi-milliondollar beachfront property in the afternoon.

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades Agent of the Year – Sawtell (2016, 2017, 2020, 2022) Top 5 Agent – Coffs Coast (2018, 2020, 2021)

JAZMINE HUGHES

THE EDGE PROPERTY SALES AGENT

5 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

Can you tell us about how you came to be a real estate agent? I was a small property developer, business owner and investor with my husband. Together we designed, built, renovated and sold properties. I enjoyed the experience so much I wanted to be more involved in the industry. My previous experiences have also given me a great understanding of the investment process, which in turn gives me great insight into the investor based enquiries I receive.

THE EDGE

Can you tell us about your role? In my role I think the most important part is always in the best interest of our clients to exercise due care, skill and diligence in performing the listing and sales processes. We also need to be clear and honest, not make misrepresentations and to have good negotiation skills.

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? To be successful you need to be understanding of the client’s situation and trustworthy. You also need to be hard working mentally and physically as the position requires you to be dedicated. You need to be available and always ready to assist. Keeping your communication with your vendors and buyers is critical, as you navigate both parties through the sale process to settlement.

What are your goals moving forward with your career? Keeping a work life home life balance while ensuring that I’m satisfied that I have given my full honest attention to my clients, especially in relation to getting the best price for their properties . As well as keeping them informed and updated while also ensuring that I’m there to help the buyers through the sale process.

Kylie Dean is a Coffs Harbour local who has worked in the region’s conveyancing industry for more than 20 years. Having been mentored by some of the Coffs Harbour region’s most prominent and respected lawyers, Kylie brings local knowledge and a dedication to customer service to KD Property Conveyancing.

Can you tell us about how you came to be a conveyancer?

I started working as a receptionist at a local law firm. Having always been very interested in the local real estate industry, I really took a liking to conveyancing. I love helping clients achieve their property dreams. It is so rewarding to know that people have purchased their dream home. Assisting first home buyers is one of the most rewarding. It is a huge step in people’s lives and being able to make that happen is extremely gratifying. Having been mentored by two of Coffs Harbour’s most reputable lawyers, I gained truly beneficial knowledge during this time and am so very grateful for the hours that were spent educating me in the industry.

Can you tell us about your role?

I am a Licensed Conveyancer and Licensee at KD Property Conveyancing and have been in the industry for over 20 years. I opened my own business in 2020 which has always been a goal of mine. Local real estate agents, clients and brokers/lenders who I have dealt with throughout my career have been very supportive recommending me to clients, which I am so very grateful for. I now have clients returning to me for their second and third sale or purchase of property. My business was successful very quickly.

I had been searching for a paralegal to assist me and thank goodness, I received a message from my paralegal Amber Nicholls. Having known Amber for many years through the industry, I knew how efficient and amazing she was and I employed her straight away. She is a wonderful asset to my business. Amber is a local who has been in the conveyancing industry for over 15 years. Having worked at local law firms throughout her career, Amber is exceptionally knowledgeable in all aspects of conveyancing.

What do you think is important to be successful in this industry? Compassion and ability to make clients feel at ease. Also taking all the legal jargon out of the transaction. Moving home or buying/ selling a property is extremely stressful, probably one of life’s biggest stresses and, having gone through it ourselves, we understand. We aim to take all the stress out of the property transaction and provide our clients with cost effective, efficient and caring property transactions. Having grown up in the local area, I have a really good knowledge of the local area which I find to be very helpful when assisting clients. We also act for clients buying or selling throughout NSW. We also understand that people buying property are usually at work during office hours and with this in mind, I am always happy to meet with clients or make phone calls after business

hours. For busy clients who cannot make it to our office, we can complete the entire transaction electronically.

What are your goals moving forward with your career?

Moving forward I want to ensure that all of my clients are always able to contact me directly. I always aim to return client calls and emails within the hour if I have been unable to take a call. I aim to keep my business at a size that will allow all of my clients to receive the best possible service and ensure that I will be able to provide personalised service and my undivided attention to each of my clients transactions.

What have been your greatest highlights and accolades over the years?

Having obtained my qualifications through Macquarie University, my greatest highlight would be receiving my Conveyancing Licence. Obviously opening my own firm comes in at a very close second. Seeing my son obtain his Law Degree and becoming a Lawyer is an amazing personal highlight. I love to get involved with the community and assist sporting teams, charities and most of all, helping my clients achieve their property dreams!

How can we get in touch? Call 66001446, email Kylie@kdpropertyconveyancing.com. or you can also visit our website www.kdpropertyconveyancing.com

It is so rewarding to know that people have purchased their dream home.

Assisting First Home Buyers is one of the most rewarding! It is a huge step in people’s lives and being able to make that happen is extremely gratifying.

focus contributor.

BUYING PROPERTY

with VANESSA SIMPSON

BEACH OR BUSH EXCLUSIVE BUYERS’ AGENTS

Most vendors are realistic around what’s currently happening in the marketplace, and most are open to negotiation, especially if the price is inflated.

There are plenty of interesting and unique properties available now. Our favourites in the marketplace are:

6 Cardinal Close, Coffs Harbour. This property presents as a lovely family home and has been tastefully updated. The reserve at the back affords the possibility of a wonderful play area for children.

The highway will be closer to this property than it is currently - a factor to consider during price discussions.

For apartment living in a great location with a spectacular view 3/47 Ocean St, Woolgoolga. This property is going to auction on 5 November.

To the south and an easy commute to Coffs is 31 Allison Road, Hyland Park. A beautiful lifestyle property, with a prime waterfront position. I encourage a chat with the sales agent around price if this property tickles your fancy.

We have fewer active buyers and more listings available, which means great opportunities for both savvy investors and owner occupiers.

flood affected? If yes, what percentage of the parcel and has water ever entered the dwelling? Have there been any offers?

Why are the owners selling? Are you aware of any DA’s recently approved or pending nearby?

What percentage of the surrounding houses are owner occupied?

If yes, how many and has the advertised price been updated to reflect any rejected offers? Why are the owners selling? Are you aware of any DA’s recently approved or pending nearby?

Of course, as always, remember your due diligence and questions for the sales agent, such as, is the property zoned as

What percentage of the surrounding houses are owner occupied? What are the current occupants paying for utilities? What is the annual insurance premium? Does it include flood insurance?

Happy house hunting and Good Luck!

Please introduce us to your business BuildBio? BuildBio is a family-owned and run business specialising in indoor environmental health. We help keep families and buildings healthy through mould inspections, methamphetamine testing, electromagnetic frequency testing and more. Using a thorough auditing process and lab results, we identify the root cause of your issue and advise you on the best way to fix it. If your property is currently undergoing

remediation, or you are buying, renovating or designing a home, we also offer advice on proactively preventing mould outbreaks. Adrian, what are some questions that you get asked a lot from customers? Most clients want to know if their “sick” building is causing them health issues. They might have a range of symptoms, from runny noses to chronic fatigue and brain fog, and often poor air quality is to blame. Sometimes, they’ve already undergone remediation, but because there are no legally-enforceable standards for

fixing mould in Australia, they’ve been given a quick fix and the mould keeps coming back. We work with them to find the root cause and prevent future occurrences.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you have been in the building industry? My wife Kareen and I grew up in Coffs and are grateful to be back raising our family after eight years living in regional WA. A builder by trade, I’ve been in the industry for 14 years. Working on mould-affected properties in Port Hedland sparked my passion for Building Biology and I’ve spent the past five years focused on remediation and building health.

What would you say to our readers who are thinking about giving you a call?

Please do! We’re genuinely passionate about keeping homes and commercial properties healthy, which is why we offer a free phone consultation for anyone who has concerns. We have a unique perspective. We combine building experience with environmental health qualifications and have completed the only government-accredited training for mould assessors in Australia. So, whether you’re an owner, renter, landlord or buyer, we’d love to chat about your building’s health.

GOODBYE TO MOULD, MOISTURE DAMAGE, AND OTHER BUILDING HEALTH ISSUES ONCE AND FOR ALL.

AND LINDY M c RAE

How and when did the Choices Flooring story begin? Choices Flooring was first developed in 1993 by Newfurn and was originally branded as Carpet Choice. It originally had 17 stores in Victoria. Since then, after a further brand update, Choices Flooring has rapidly grown to include more than 140 stores across Australia.

When did you take over the business and what plans do you have for the future?

Jeremy and Lindy have been dealing with Choices Flooring for over 15 years through the domestic and commercial building Industry. Jeremy has over 25 years of experience in the building industry and is a registered Commercial and Residential Builder himself. Lindy has years of experience as a Domestic and Commercial Building Operations Manager and Product Resource Manager.

Through the years of experience in dealing with Choices Flooring, it has always delivered high quality products, installations, and results. When relocating to the Coffs Coast from The Yarra Valley in Victoria at the end of 2021, we were excited to find Choices Flooring Coffs Harbour for sale. From the moment we became familiar with the business we could see a clear vision to grow and expand the business. We can see our showroom being a great facility not only for retail clients but also for architects, builders and interior designers to utilise in order to meet their clients needs. Choices Flooring Coffs Harbour is excitingly going through a transformation stage. The Showroom and displays are becoming updated in November, and the level of products

and services available will be extended. Choices Flooring Coffs Harbour will be able to provide high quality product and services for entry level flooring renovations right through to high end architecturally specified projects. There is no flooring product Choices Flooring will not be able to track down or source for their clients. What will set our store apart will be its “simple to shop” store environment that allows the customer to easily select the floor they have been searching for.

What products & services do you provide? Choices Flooring Coffs Harbour provides supply and install of carpet, luxury vinyl, hybrid flooring, engineered timber, rugs, window furnishings and window shutters. We can provide flooring options for retail clients as well as fulfill the needs of architects, interior designers and builders.

We also offer Room View on our website and in our showroom. This enables our customers to take a photo of their room, upload it and see their flooring selections and options in their own room. We are developing a customer office and conference room where builders, architects and interior designers can come in and sit and work with our products. They can bring in their clients as well if they wish and develop their concepts and visions with full access to our samples and

product range. We also can provide a high quality well run expert flooring supply and installation service for all commercial projects no matter how small or large these projects are. With the added advantage of Jeremy’s extensive commercial building knowledge and project management experience, our clients can be reassured that they will receive a high-end finish that is well managed. This is an area we have seen first hand in the building industry that needs improvement. We are excited to be able to fill the gap and merge our skillset to provide a seamless, high quality, installation service.

How can we get in touch? To get in touch with Choices Flooring Coffs Harbour you can visit us at 48 Park Avenue Coffs Harbour, Email us at coffsharbour@chociesflooring.com.au, or phone us on 02 6652 2473.

We service Macksville through to Yamba and the hinterland. We are also aware that some clients may find it hard to visit us in-store for product selections or may live some distance away from us. Clients who cannot make it in-store can call us up and we can bring samples to their home to assist in product selection. We offer a free measure and quote service.

Thanks Jeremy and Lindy.

With the added advantage of Jeremy’s extensive commercial building knowledge and project management experience our clients can be reassured that they will receive a high-end finish that is well managed.

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