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Sharni Seccombe is one of many Seccombes who reside here on the Coffs Coast. Her dad a successful musician, her brother, Micky, a drummer, a family business in music promotion, a partner who is a renowned surfer, plus four children under ten years of age – here Sharni shares her family’s story ...
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hen did the Seccombe family originally move to Coffs Harbour? As long as I can remember and to my knowledge, we were all born here. As far back in my generations, my brother and I were born here, as were my kids, then going back further, my dad and all his brothers and all their cousins were too, as were their aunts and uncles – all at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital. And a brief estimation, how many members of the Seccombe family are currently residing on the Coffs Coast? That’s a big question to answer and would require much research, so to answer in short – LOTS! In fact, as I type this, my brother’s lady is bringing another Secco into the world! I have people come up to me and say, “Hey, I’m related to you”, and I have never met them. It’s not just the Seccombes either; we are related to other local families too: the Lindsays, the Harrisons, the Shipmans, the Millstoms and others also, which makes us a big part of the Coffs Harbour family tree! Some would say we are all a bit wild at times (laughs). Where do you and your dad, Shane Seccombe, fit into the picture? My dad has lived in Coffs all his life. My mum moved to Coffs from Sydney when she was 16 and met Dad. My brother and I have lived here all our lives and now have young families we are bringing up in Coffs Harbour also. My dad has two brothers, my grandfather has four brothers and sisters, who all married and had kids! We have definitely contributed to the population on the Coffs Coast! Our immediate family is known through the music scene with our business Offbeat Operations ... and we’re just well known Coffs Harbour locals, really – and proud to be too. Your dad is renowned in the community for not only his successful musical career, but also his character. What’s the best thing about your dad? Dad is one of the most hardest working people I have ever met; he just never stops. The best thing would have to be his honesty and integrity; he never lets anyone down. Dad was 6 coffs coast focus.
doing a tour with Jimmy Barnes one year; Dad was the agent/promoter, played drums in the support act and also did sound for the other opening act. Jimmy came up to him and said, “Mate, the only thing you are missing here is the hot dog stand!” He hardly ever complains; he just rolls up his sleeves and goes for it. Dad seems very chilled out most of the time, but he is a real thinker; he doesn’t say much, so when he does have something to say, I always listen. Growing up, Dad was tough, but fair. He does things the old school way. Music is the core of his being; I love that he has followed his passion all his life and he stays true to who he is as a person and a businessman. He does what he believes in; he’s never too influenced – a leader, not a follower. Your brother, Mick, is a drummer. Seems music is in your genes? My bro, Micky, plays drums in Reggae band Ebb n Flo; Dad was a drummer. Dad played in bands before he started the agency; watching my brother play is like watching Dad when I was little. It’s funny, especially when I’m watching Micky play at the Hoey Moey, because it’s where Dad used to play all those years ago! I have been around music since the day I was born, so I guess you could say it is in my genes. Though I can’t play an instrument or sing to save myself, and neither can Mum (sorry Mum). But we are better behind the scenes anyhow! I do love music very much. I love how happy it makes people and how much influence it can have on people’s lives. It’s highly underestimated. Being around all those ‘80s bands like Diesel, Barnsey, The Angels as a kid; to this day, I say that music is still my favourite! How was Offbeat Operations born? Who is in your team, and what bands to you work with? Well, at the very beginning Dad played in a well known band called Free n Easy; they played at the Hoey Moey all the time. The owners back then were Phil and Jo Budin, Ron Walker and Mick Rowles – very good friends of ours still now. They basically got sick of the bands always ringing them asking them for a gig at the pub, so they asked Mum and Dad if they
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Dad’s drea would do the bookings gets so tough on the bands as the beginning w for them. At the time, sometimes; we do our best Barnes to book Jimmy Dad was a bricklayer to keep bands working lifetime. just once in his and drummer in his at the venues/people to ne on He has since go band and Mum was a appreciating that you need s ad lo y booking Barnse y stay at home mum. Me live music to create the best an m of gigs - plus so and my brother were atmosphere and to have the s.” othe r band toddlers. At first, Mum crowd and keep it. and Dad didn’t want to do it; And you have three children agents had bad reputations for under 7; how do you juggle ripping people off and generally being family and busy work life? wankers ... Dad was in a band; he knew Simply, with thanks to my family. We all what agents were like. But after much help each other! I definitely do not do it on encouragement from other musos and the Hoey my own. Like all working mums, I have to be Moey, they decided to take it on and try to turn organised and always have to plan. I prepare that reputation around that had been created my week in advance: from swimming lessons, by agents in the past. The owners handed dad school runs, surf runs, and being a part of the this book that had every contact in it you could Coffs Harbour Boardriders committee; we are imagine, every manager of every band from busy – but happily busy! I love nothing more Jimmy Barnes to Hoodoo Gurus, The Cruel Sea though, than to snuggle up with my kids on the – almost every band in the country (laughs). So, couch at the night after the long, busy day; kids Dad and Mum took it on, they started booking are the best thing ever! the Hoey, and it just skyrocketed from there. We all know your partner, Lee Winker, as a Dad’s dream at the beginning was to book surfer, so I’m guessing your children have Jimmy Barnes just once in his lifetime. He has taken an interest in surfing? since gone on to booking Barnsey loads of gigs My three year old son, Harlem, and 20 month – plus so many other bands. I think it worked old daughter, Reef, are too young still, but so well because Dad was in a band, so knew like to pretend they surf and definitely take an what it was like on the other side of the fence interest in it (laughs). They are at the beach and how hard it is on the road financially. And that much, I suppose it’s a way of life for us all Mum knew how hard it was as a wife with two anyway ... Harlem, I predict, is going to be a little ones, trying to manage while Dad was on drummer; he is obsessed with drumming – he the road, so he and Mum seemed to find this carries drumsticks around everywhere! As soon nice balance to work with, with venues and the as we get in the car I have to play his favourite bands, and try to meet in the middle. Ebb n Flo track, and he drums onto the back of It’s just me, Mum and Dad in the office. I my car seat while I’m driving (laughs). He is just was almost born into my job; it’s all I have ever about to get his first set of drums. known. We now exclusively book five venues My eldest son just turned 7. Hunter is the and can proudly say we still exclusively book one we have our eye on with the surfing; he the Hoey Moey. We have made some very loyal has such a natural talent for it and lives and business friends. When the publicans move breathes it. He charges pretty big waves for a around, they still ask us to book their venue, 7 year old. Lee only started surfing when he even if they move to Sydney or Queensland, was 13, so Hunter has a big head start on his which I think is something to be proud of. They dad. I have lost him to the skate ramp and see the work we put in and want to continue surf already, that’s for sure. It seems one son working with us. If we are shown loyalty by is following the Seccombe tradition and one bands or venues, we give it back tenfold. following his dad’s side. Our baby girl is yet to The most important thing Offbeat have show us what she is made of! always clung on to is to keep music live. It Thanks Sharni.
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