Coffs Coast Focus i40

Feature Story

COFFS COAST

January 2014// issue 40

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WALLACE and the Jantzen 100th anniversary collection

Orara Valley Estate

editor's note.

focus C O F F S C OA S T

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from the

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Coffs Coast Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2011 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Melly Dee.

Welcome to the January issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS.

I

t’s that time of year, where we stop overindulging in the fruits of the deliciousness that is the silly season and we ask ourselves a couple of hard questions. What do I want this year, and how am I going to get it? Last New Year’s Day at about 12.10am over a game of Jenga at a Victorian beach house with the goodies in my life, I wrote on a piece of paper three things I’d like to achieve in 2013.

Upon reflection, I achieved those things (one of them was to get FOCUS to 100 pages – tick). So, this year I’m putting the stakes up a bit higher, and I’m telling you all here today as a true commitment to the pledge. In 2014 I am going back to uni to study a Bachelor of Law. It won’t be easy but now that I’ve printed it, there’s no

backing out! I’m up for the challenge – wish me luck! What do you want this year? Go out and get it! And if it’s really awesome, call me – there might just be a story in it! Happy New Year!

IN THIS ISSUE Our wonderful local retailers showcase items that are available in store. Pub crawl feature. Thinking about going for a drink this summer? Why not take advantage of the many free courtesy bus services? Legendary John Paul College teacher, Mr. Bill Van Ryswyk interview.

Artist Jeffrey Baker is exhibiting once again at Opal Cove, and Paul and Amanda Cleland from Orara Valley Estate open their doors and show us their spectacular home.

ON THE COVER Local menswear designer Danielle Wallace is back from New York!

Danielle has killed it on the ctions international stage, with her collections being sold in Bergdorf Goodman and wear Bloomingdales. Recently, US swimwear label Jantzen has recruited her to create their 100th anniversary collection, ielle sold exclusive to David Jones. Danielle is back on the Coffs Coast and hass n just opened Riverina Top Shoppe in Woolgoolga.

EDITOR’S PICTURE This picture was taken by Leah Moore at Tracks Beach, Sawtell. www.leahmoore.com.au FINAL SAY Melly Dee – Editor “Whatever you are. Be a good one”. melly@focusmag.com.au Abraham Lincoln.

Twitter: @le_mellydee

coffs coast focus 3

focusinterview.

Mr. Bill Van Ryswyk John Paul College teacher Mr. Bill Van Ryswyk, aka ‘Bill’, takes a holistic approach to teaching and learning. He focuses on the pastoral astoral needs of his students. He has old school expectations of students, engaging them through chalk, talk and hands on activities.

here are you originally from? I was born in Holland and I migrated to South Gippsland, Victoria in 1951, at the age of four.

When and why did you move to Coffs Coast? We moved to Coffs Harbour because my research indicated that it was a growth area with good opportunities for my children and also a nice place to live.

We moved here in December 1996.

Teaching was your second career. When did you realise that you had a true passion for teaching? I taught Agriculture at Mary McKillop Catholic College at Leongatha, South Gippsland on a voluntary basis for a number of years. However, I did not attain my teaching degree until late 1995, after milking cows twice per day, working full-time as a lecturer at McMillan and then travelling to Melbourne twice per week for two years for lectures and practical classes at Melbourne University.

How long have you been a teacher at John Paul College? I became a permanent teacher in May 2000 after teaching at the College on a casual basis for a couple of years. I was then appointed Agriculture teacher, but I also teach Religion and Science.

You are famously known by your students and parents as ‘Bill’. Why are you on a first name basis with your students? During my 40 odd years of professional life I have taught adults, adolescents and younger students. Having a surname that was difficult to pronounce caused me to encourage students to call me on a first name basis. I am happy to be called Sir, Mr Van Ryswyk, Mr Bill or Bill, as long as I am referred to on a respectful basis. Nicknames are unacceptable. Just as I expect respect from my students, I also 4 coffs coast focus.

ensure that I address them in a respectful manner.

I do not categorise students and whilst some students are easier to manage than others, they all are entitled to the best education. At the end of the day we always leave on good terms, even in some cases after some very challenging moments.

Mutual respect between teacher and student is of utmost importance in order to achieve successful learning outcomes for students.

patronised.

I am the tennis manager, and for many years I managed the indoor cricket team.

Annually I tutor a number of students after school, some from Year 7 right through to Year 12.

For ten years I taught Science to our indigenous students at St Mary’s, Bowraville. This was probably one of the highlights of my short teaching career.

Over the years I have counselled a number of students and am frequently called y m , er ev How to upon to help sort is experience ’ ts en out issues between date is that stud in ly al ci students. pe arning es

What are your learning objectives, and why do you think that students truly love you? I take a holistic le y and approach to teaching I am also a listening the area of literac n ow and learning. I numeracy has sh ear for many ent.” also focus on the little improvem students and am pastoral needs of always happy to students. I am also old give them my time, school in that I have high be it during or after expectations of my students, school. I am also a Catechist engage them through chalk, talk for St Augustine’s Parish, take and hands on activities, and use Communion to the housebound and technology only when it enhances their am carer of the school chapel. learning and my lesson plan. I’m focused With the advancement of technology on their literacy, numeracy and ability to and with students having access communicate verbally. to tools like Google, do you think I am also involved in many varied college that technology is helping students activities: for the past 12 years I have for the better, or do you prefer the facilitated Tournament of Minds, and on old methods of digging out the a number of occasions the students were Encyclopaedia? I am an old school regional winners and JPC were National teacher but will use technology if it Champions in Perth in 2004. enhances their learning, rather than just The Northern Territory Safari is in its 12th entertain them. The jury is out as to what year. Every July holidays 54 students and the student’s educational outcomes will be four staff make their way to Darwin, as a result of technology in the classroom. visiting Longreach, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, However, my experience to date is that The Marbles, Mataranka, Katherine Gorge, students’ learning, especially in the area Kakadu and finally Darwin. It is probably of literacy and numeracy, has shown little one of the reasons that I am teaching at improvement.

67, as next year’s Safari is already fully Thanks Bill.

“

focusinterview.

R o s s Travers Ross grew up on the Coffs Coast, and many people here ere would either have met him, or at least heard his name.

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orn into entertainment, with his mother Julie Ross running her own dance school locally, Travers discovered at an early age that creativity was in his blood – and his desire to express himself through that creativity has not waned as he has grown. In fact, his passion for dance and the arts appears to get stronger with each passing day.

My name is Travers Ross, but my close mates call me: Sexy ... is that weird? Jokes – they call me Trav.

I'm a Coffs Harbour guy, but I currently reside in: Melbourne and the world.

Tell us one fact that people don't know about you: I am not straight, but I'm not gay. I am not white either; I'm not a dancer or hippy.

I like to think of myself as a 'super human', that is truly free with no attachments, limits, stereotype or separation from others. We are one.

Who is your all time celebrity crush?

I'm not a fan of celebrities, but I also don't dislike them – everyone is equal, and the I don’t have a idea of the 'celebrity' I job; I have a at’s believe, is a way to keep os purp e, and th ld or w us blind to us being super to open the h ut tr d human ourselves. to love an

“

Describe your ideal summer getaway? Summer to me is just a time frame that every moment.”

One thing that's in your makes us think we have to life that you can't live experience hot weather now. The without: My heart at this earth is showing us that summer moment; it's teaching me so much was yesterday and winter is today ‘til about the truth, the understanding of my 3pm, especially in Melbourne. own personal power is growing experience after experience on levels I can't describe yet.

Your day job is: Earth School, self belief and trust in something bigger then me that we are all connected to. I don't have a job; I have a purpose, and that’s to open the world to love and truth every moment.

Why are you home on the Coffs Coast? To be with my original family of where it all began and to bring back my new knowledge and share it through art and self expression with everyone.

What projects are you working on? Utopian Dream www.utopiandream.com.au which is open to every single person of existence ... there is no

excuse that can keep you away from this event with me as the leader. If you want in, you’re in.

Surfers or skaters? Both, but I love surfing; it's a big part of me being in that ocean and dancing on that wave.

Ballerinas or ballroom dancers? They are all sexy, and I'd dance with both at once if I could.

What's your last Instagram picture? Me in the recording studio having a sing.

How can we come and see your new show? Book your tickets online here: www. utopiandream.com.au – and visit here for the debut of my first professional production held in Coffs Harbour at Cre8 festival: www.cre8coffscoast.org

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focusinterview.

VANESSA Kennedy Kennedy Jewellers

D and Vanessa are committed about what they do and have developed a jewellery house that is unlike Don any other in the region, aiming to offer only the highest standard in service, advice and jewellery that is truly a exceptional ... therefore growing a successful and rapidly expanding business. Kennedy Jewellers have just e rrelocated from The Promenade to a brand new location on Harbour Drive, Coffs Central. ou've just relocated from The Promenade to Coffs Central, Harbour Drive. Why did you move? And how can your team better service your clients now that you have a more central location? The move was prompted by following the lead of our clients, the majority of whom were continually saying how much easier it would be for them to enjoy the full benefits of our ongoing services if we were more central, so Coffs Central was the natural progression.

Now clients can come by more frequently, even if it’s just to see the new pieces or have a chat. It’s been really great having all the people around; we love the energy the city centre has now ... we are so happy with the decision.

In store customers will find a big glass wall where we can see jewellery crafting happening on site ... tell us what Master Jeweller Don is working on? Well, exciting pieces at the moment, so many engagement rings; love is definitely in the air! We have many commissioned pieces in the works, a combination of remodelling and custom designs for clients. Then there is the 2014 Kennedy Couture Collection, which will launch soon ... absolutely amazing! We have sourced stones from far and wide: things people have never or rarely seen. As Creative Director, I’ve had a ball designing the new store, and now being able to flow that design euphoria into the new collection has been the best. You should see our design boards, overflowing with collection concepts, colour and design inspirations; the new collection is a must to put on your fine jewels radar.

Don is a Master Jeweller. What is that exactly, and what was his earlier career?

A Master Jeweller is a craftsperson who is acknowledged within the industry as having a longstanding career at an exceptional level of 6 coffs coast focus.

workmanship ... generally, someone who has mentored other jewellers, which Don has done with Gemma, one of our now qualified jewellers in our onsite Master Jewellers Workshop.

You not only service your local customers who have supported Kennedy Jewellers from day one, but you also have an international following ... tell us about not only the service that you offer locally, but also for people who have a bigger budget?

We continue to offer the same complete service we had before, but now with greater ability to service a wider clientele. We now have 3 jewellers, so the turnaround time on repairs, remodelling and custom design is nice and quick and still onsite. With the support of our local clients, we have been able to build our brand to a point where we are now becoming recognised nationally and abroad, so we have had many opportunities open up for us. We have been ranked in the top 5 jewellers and designers in Australia for 7 years now in every award entered: JAA, Diamond Guild of Australia, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire. I think the daring yet beautiful designs we created for these awards really took the eye of people with the ability to acquire such pieces; that’s what has brought us the celebrity and BRW rich list clients you are referring to.

You've just launched your online site ... how are your customers responding to that? The response has been fabulous; it really is the way forward. Whether it’s been existing or local clients, they have loved doing research online, often sitting down with their partners for engagement ring ideas and such, then many choose to come in for a face to face experience.

The majority of sales purely from the site have been from overseas, mainly Asia and Europe; they really love our designs and workmanship.

We have been shipping pieces nearly every week. The other day a lady from Germany who has made several purchases online so far was holidaying in Sydney and came up especially to

visit the store – such a wonderful response; she was blown away to see such a store in a regional area. We love such positive feedback.

one is saying, then us taking it all in; this is key.

A jewellery gift is so personal and for the best impact and having a lasting beautiful experience, taking time to find out about the recipient is And you also have a new member of your vital to a great outcome. With the new store family. How do you juggle being fullcomes the launch of our private bar and lounge: time parents and having such a successful a sneaky little nook where clients can have an jewellery brand? We are so blessed welcoming exceptional special experience, sitting down with our third little fella into the world, but I tell you, a drink, looking through design books, reviewing 3 kids, the eldest only four and with special sketch ideas we have done and perusing needs; it takes a village! Don and the jewels in comfort. We call it I both work 50 plus hours a the ‘Anticipate & Celebrate’ week, so the support of my room: the perfect place to mum is vital. Also, the of ity or aj m decide what is just right best decision we made e Th was getting over for the occasion and then sales purely from en from be ve ha te ourselves; by that, I si celebrate it. Mind you, e th y Asia mean letting go of who needs an excuse for overseas, mainl really and Europe; they d thinking we have to jewels and bubbly, really! s an love our design and can do it all. We What's on the agenda e have workmanship. W es can’t, and there is ec for the team at pi ng been shippi no shame in that. So ” k. ee w Kennedy's for 2014? y er nearly ev I say bring on the help, Well, as I mentioned earlier pass the work around, the launch of the 2014 paid for and from those who collection is going to be huge, give it freely. We have a full-time then we are expanding the website Governess who helps care for and due to its success, and adding an online educate the kids, home has become a play shopping facility so clients don’t need to call world slash preschool, hence another part or email to finalise a sale. Many events and of juggling is happily throwing up the balls promotions are in the works, so we encourage and letting a few drop and leaving them there! everyone to come and put their details down Our house is no longer Belle magazine photo on our mailing list and of course get on social shoot worthy ... more like a before photo of a media and follow us. We donate jewellery makeover show, but that’s real, and embracing and offer support to local and international the changing seasons of life is the best advice charitable works. This year will be no different; I could give. Ask for help, don’t get hung up wonderful plans are on the agenda. Every year on things, and enjoy the journey. As for the we approach with an air of expectancy. We are brand, it’s getting bigger and better, full on and always looking forward to new adventures as we fantastic, but at the end of the day it’s seeking grow our brand and our family!

God first, then people, then things; keeping the We truly hope 2014 will be a new refreshing order right is our key! season of joy and victory for many people, What should one consider when looking leaving past adversities behind and embracing to purchase something special for a loved what the future can bring. one? Do you offer personal consultations?

“

Listening! Them listening to what their loved

Thanks Vanessa.

30.

inside this

Beau Beaton.

Beau Beaton grew up on the Coffs coast around motorbikes, so it was only natural that he moved on to a career of riding …

Issue 40 - January 2014

Ralph Lillford.

usual suspects.

42.

It’s Thursday, market day in Coffs Harbour. Ralph Lillford is toting his environmentally-friendly green shopping bag as he moves about the market square.

He stops to buy some vegies … does the lady serving him realise that this man has artwork in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace?

the

8. what’s on for January 22. eat featuring local restaurants 58. social scene with Carole Beros

60. star guide with Terri 90. tourism with Tourism Coffs Coast

No matter where you are in the world,, read Focus for free online every month th @

46.

Hilux SR5.

When asked to review and test drive the brand new SR5 4x4 Double-Cab Pick-up Turbo Diesel, 2013 Hilux, it reminded me instantly of my best friend, Catherine ... read on to find out why!

www.focusmag.com.au follow us on www.facebook.com/coffscoast.focus www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat

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Australia Day Flag Raising Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

When Sunday, 26 January.

Where 10am Botanic Gardens.

The Pier Hotel Great line-up of entertainment in January. We will showcase some of the best local talent plus travelling guests every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in January.

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Highlights include Hekyl and Jive, Friday 3 January.

Cre8 Coffs Coast Arts Festival Jetty Beach Sand Modelling Contest Star FM are proud to present the giant Sand Modelling Competition, to be held at the north end of the Jetty Beach. Entry is free, so come on down and dig in.

When 11 January at 9am.

Where Jetty Beach â&#x20AC;&#x201C; north side of Jetty Beach.

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Featuring a smorgasbord of local and homegrown artists and performers.

8 arts genres showcased, including Coffs Harbour's own Uncle Jed. When Opal Cove Resort.

When AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND. More info www.cre8coffscoast.org

Hammer and the Goon, Friday 17 January.

Richie Williams Band, Saturday 18 January Voodoo Express, Friday 31 January.

A full list of our entertainment can be found on our website: www.pierhotelcoffs.com.au

Sundays in January Enjoy an afternoon of bliss and relaxation at Gardenmania Nursery, Boambee, as incredibly talented local artists including Brianna and Angus, Nathan Hardy and the Mielcrodo duo take you to another place with their soulful acoustic sounds, as you enjoy the view over the pond and let all your worries drift away under the canopy of the ancient fig trees. No cost and no cause; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a beautiful way to enjoy your Sunday afternoon in tranquillity!

Bring along your picnic blanket, nibbles and drinks on Sunday 12 January, 2014 from 3pm - 5pm.

Where Gardenmania Nursery, Boambee.

When Sunday 12 January; 3pm - 5pm.

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focusinterview.

Jeffrey BAKER Discovering a World of Colour Jeffrey is holding a major exhibition of his work at Opal Cove Resort, representing the largest showing of his body of original surreal artwork. The resort offers the perfect location for visitors to browse the collection in a beautiful setting, making the art accessible to both tourists and locals for a limited time.

Jeffrey Baker’s modern Australian style is characterised by his imaginative interpretation of land and seascapes, using unusual techniques such as layering and intricate detailing to produce works of unparalleled beauty. His artistic career has included commission work for homes and interior design, as well as corporate contracts.

The Coastal Colours exhibition will provide something for everyone, from art connoisseurs to those simply looking for a relaxing activity during the summer holidays. Jeffrey will also be at the exhibition daily to discuss his artwork and offer insight into the creative process behind each piece.

On display will be original oil and acrylic artworks, limited edition prints, canvas art prints and small gift items.

Don’t miss out on your chance to discover the exceptional talent of this sought after artist right on your doorstep for a short time only.

The exhibition runs from 4 January to 29 January 2014.

Open daily, 11am - 6pm; free admission. Opal Cove Resort, Pacific Highway (North), Coffs Harbour. (02) 6652 8099 or 0403 202 699.

You might expect a certain amount of flamboyancy from a man who paints such colourful artworks, but Jeffrey Baker is refreshingly down to earth about his life’s work and his passion for connecting with people through art. Here he talks to Fiona Baker about his upcoming exhibition, and how he got to where he is today. ou are exhibiting at Opal Cove this January with your 16th annual major exhibition. What can we expect from this show?

This year we have an exciting array of new pieces on show. I have been working on several dynamic original works, and I’m also thrilled to be presenting my new collection of concept artworks on surfboards and shaped timber, produced in collaboration with local shaper Ronnie Goddard.

Back in the mid 1970s you collaborated with Ron Goddard, who custom manufactures surfboards … tell us about those days and about how you are rekindling that partnership with this year’s exhibition.

This year’s show will take me back to where it all began, with Coffs Harbour’s surf culture profoundly influencing my artist life back then. I was a very keen surfer from my early teens, and I just love the shape of surfboards and the movements they are designed for.

Before moving to Coffs Harbour I had worked in Sydney and painted boards for Midget Farrelly’s company, as well as many other surfboard makers up and down the coast, putting my artwork directly onto the boards. When I came up here I worked with Bob Cooper and also Ronnie Goddard, who had Summer Cloud Boards. It was then that I started making the transition from painting on surfboards to flat pieces of foam and stretched canvases. I had my first exhibition in a Jetty gallery called the Earth Family Work Shop. My images were pretty surreal back then!

In this exhibition Ronnie and I have collaborated to create two unique styles of board that will be on display. Visitors will be able to see some of Ronnie’s signature designs, the ‘Long Gun’ and the ‘egg board’ on show. These hand-crafted boards

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have been decorated with my art and then embellished by hand to produce amazing pieces which are both beautiful and functional. They can be hung on the wall as art, or taken out in the water in search of that perfect wave.

what advice would you offer a young

With technology changing so fast, how has this influenced your capacity to grow as an artist? Technology is a fantastic tool for the visual artist these days, especially in my field. It gives artists like myself the opportunity to offer a wider range of art through quality reproductions of original works, and allows me to produce pieces which are unique and affordable, so that more people have access to my art. Not everyone is in the market for an original artwork, but with technology we can reproduce images on quality archival canvas, which gives each piece a similar look and depth of texture to the original.

This enables me to grow my audience and expand my business to reach people I would never have been able to. For example, last year we had the opportunity to furnish a boutique hotel in Brisbane with my artwork, and without the new techniques available through technology, this would not have been possible.

easy, so you need to seek constructive

You also operate a unique home studio/ gallery. What do you enjoy most about working in this space? When is it open to the public? Having my own studio/ gallery open 5 days a week allows me to welcome visitors into my world, where I get to meet people from all over the world.

I just love discussing art, life, the creative process and the beauty of nature. My art is on display year round, and the relaxed atmosphere makes my art accessible to everyone. The gallery is usually open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10.30am - 5pm and Sundays 2pm - 4pm, but will be closed during the exhibition at Opal Cove.

With years of exhibiting experience,

artist who was looking to take that next step? To pursue work in the creative industries I believe that you first need to have a natural talent that is part of who you are. Developing your ability is not always advice from people who can guide you.

Be patient, believe in yourself, look for opportunities but realise it may not happen the way you might expect. Don’t give up!

Art has always been part of the world we live in, and it’s a privilege sharing your art with others. Never try to restrict your imagination, and don’t let your freedom of expression be hindered; it’s the key to discovering your own abilities as you go through life.

With so much talent around the Coffs Coast, in your professional opinion what is it about this pocket of the world that draws so much artistic talent? The quality of life, natural beauty, education and support facilities make it a great stimulus for developing your artistic abilities. Why would you live anywhere else?

This Australia Day weekend you are also involved in the inaugural cre8 Coffs Coast Arts and Music Festival.

What is this new festival all about? My wife, Gail, and I have been thrilled to be involved with organising this unique event for the first time on the Coffs Coast. The cre8 Festival will bring together established and emerging local artists, as well as artisan jewellers, potters, sculptors, photographers, musicians and dancers to perform and conduct workshops. I am excited to be showcasing my art there, along with the headline acts, Australia’s Got Talent winners Uncle Jed, and nationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Travers Ross. For more info, head to www.cre8coffscoast.org

coffs coast focus 11

focusinterview.

Local menswear designer Danielle Wallace is back from New York! Danielle has killed it on the international stage, with her collections being sold in Bergdorf Goodman and Selfridges UK. Recently, US swimwear label Jantzen has recruited her to create their 100th anniversary collection, sold exclusive to David Jones.

Danielle is back on the Coffs Coast and has just opened Riviera Top Shoppe in Woolgoolga.

D

A

born and bred Coffs Coast girl, you moved away quite young to complete your schooling at a boarding school in Melbourne … how have you found the contrast over the years …Yes, born and bred Coffs Coast girl. I grew up on the beach at Sapphire.

I left Coffs Harbour when I was about 14 to go to boarding school. In hindsight, I think that was my biggest culture shock, but it probably enabled easier transitions later in life. Coffs Harbour was so carefree in comparison to boarding school – a conservative environment with rigid routines. There was a sense of history, privilege and with that responsibility with going to a boarding school – a Little Dead Poet Society. In general, my school definitely churned out a well cultivated bunch. I was very fortunate to experience such different worlds. Still to this day, whenever I return to home to Coffs Harbour I still have this waiting to exhale moment; it's so much more relaxed. Life is easier here. It's just so beautiful here. When I was younger, I missed the beach, weather, friends and family ...

You didn't return here to live once you finished Year 12; you went on to conquer in Sydney! How did you kick start your career in fashion there? After school I moved to Sydney, studied Fashion Design and Drawing at the Whitehouse Institute (a renowned fashion school).

I had always wanted to be a designer ... after

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… how long did you live there, and what my studies I worked in fashion retail and saved collections did you focus on? New York, New for an overseas travel adventure. After returning York is my favourite city in the world and where from travelling, I decided to launch my own line. I I feel most at home; I've had three stints living in figured just in case I couldn't find my dream job, I NYC. The first at 21 travelling; I lived there for six had better create it. I designed a few scarves, but months. Technically I wasn't allowed to work, but thought the particular fabric I was using would a friend had given me a press pass with a letter look good in ties ... all of a sudden everyone was saying I was the magazine's correspondent – that wearing them, from rock stars collecting opened doors! I wrangled my way into their ARIA awards to newsreaders amazing parties at Ivana Trumps, and actors. The coolest stores to a Mikhail Baryshnikov were selling them, every Charity Performance, Thierry fashion publication in Muglers Angel launch with Australia at the time I was very Diana Ross and INXS shot them. A fond to fortunate parties with virtually memory is attending nt re ffe di ch experience su only supermodels. In a Melbourne Cup; y da is th to ill worlds. St to NY I found myself at it was like a reunion rn tu re I r ve whene bour I ar karaoke with Sean of all my children ...

H ffs Co to e hom aiting to w Lennon and Lenny there was always a is th ve ha ill st it's so Kravitz. In Soho I sea of my ties! exhale moment, d.” xe bumped into Kate much more rela A seasoned Fischer, who had just Australian menswear finished filming Sirens designer, you are with Portia, Elle and Hugh. affectionately known as Naturally, we became besties the 'Tie Queen'. Where does and ran amok trying to get into the this name stem from? Tie Queen! coolest clubs and parties all over NYC. From That was Melissa Hoyer, the social/fashion then on, New York was always the centre of the commentators who coined that phrase. It certainly has stuck! Even at my first appointment at the New world to me.

“

York Times with the fashion team, the Australian editor introduced me as the 'Australian Tie Queen'.

The second stint was with my label; I scored my biggest ever single order with Bloomingdales!

Tell us more about your time in New York

The third was enabled after an exclusivity deal

focusinterview.

...

A huge honour l be la a Jantzen is ee gr di pe g in with an amaz t os m e th - probably it images famous swimsu Marilyn of all time were so g in Monroe look a white ng ri ea natural w it on the Jantzen swimsu beach. ”

“

R i v e r i n a

T o p

S h o p p e

-

W o o l g o o l g a

WALLACE with David Jones and a diffusion licensing deal.

I packed up and rented the tiniest apartment, too small to swing a cat, though I did have a Park Avenue address and a fabulous NYC skyline view. As I had a niche product, Bloomingdales was too mass market, my branding aim was the most exclusive department store in every country.

Crazy in hindsight for a girl from Coffs Harbour.

It took me a year to secure a deal with Bergdorf Goodman, probably the most influential and exclusive department store in the world. It took 11 months to just get my foot in the door; it was impossible. Determined, I sent emails, phone calls, even tried bribing junior staff members with champagne and freebies (laughs). I even gave ties to the waiters of the buyers' favourite haunts, in the hope they would notice them! One day I called the boss, which is crazy (no-one answers their phone in NYC) saying, “GQ recommended I called” (I had just secured editorial). The next day I had an appointment with the buyer. There was not yet an order, but he did tell me he thought I would be suitable for an opening coming up and gave me a project if I was interested … two days short of either returning to Australia or renewing my lease, I sealed a deal. Small, but enough to keep me in NYC. Bergdorf Goodman opened doors. Soon I was selling in Selfridges London and Tomorrowland Japan. Following that I had a request from the Vogue Fashion department saying that ‘Anna’, as in Anna Wintour, editor of US Vogue as based on in The Devil Wears Prada, requested to see my ties.

This resulted in Roger Federer wearing my ties in the first US Men's Vogue. There was also editorial in Vanity Fair, GQ, Esquire etc.

Your recent collaboration with iconic fashion designer Jantzen saw a collection of swimwear for 'women with curves' to celebrate Jantzen's 100th anniversary collection. How did this collaboration come about? Jantzen ... it was a surprise! After NYC I moved to Lake Como, Italy, to be close to my manufacturing hub. When my dad became suddenly ill, I returned home just before he died, and I decided to stay. Apart from fulfilling remaining orders, I pretty much thought I would be forgotten about in the fashion world! But I received a phone call from the owner of the company that I licensed my label with so many years before; he wondered where in the world I was? The invitation was to design Jantzen's 100th Anniversary Collection. A huge honour ... Jantzen is a label with an amazing pedigree – probably the most famous swimsuit images of all time were Marilyn Monroe looking so natural wearing a white Jantzen swimsuit on the beach. Or, Farrah Fawcett in the poster wearing the red bathing suit and Liz Taylor and Esther Williams in numerous films. It was great to be back; I really enjoyed the project.

The design process came back so naturally; I had a real sense of this is what I do. I had a beautiful launch, it's been a success, exclusive with David Jones, huge amounts of press and editorial. The campaign and fashion film was shot entirely in

Coffs Harbour and its local model, Chanel, is on FOCUS' front cover. After weeks of scouting for models and locations in Sydney, I brought the entire crew to Coffs Harbour and used gorgeous local girl Chanel Stewart, whom I found at the restaurant Fiasco. For locations we used my place at Arrawarra, the Jetty, to Villa Vivante and the Pet Porpoise Pool. Coffs has definitely been showcased; it looked beautiful.

And now you call Arrawarra Headlands home … what is your latest project, and how will Riviera Top Shoppe be different from the usual Woolgoolga coffee spots? My latest project is closer to home, part born out of necessity, part self indulgence! I needed a cool little coffee hub with fantastic Allpress Coffee close to home. As well, I wanted to inflict a little of my design aesthetic onto Woolgoolga, which I think is a fantastic little village. I'm opening Riviera Top Shoppe, Woolgoolga. It's a cool little Coffee Bar and Store, stocking favourite finds from all over the world and all things summer. I have Sunpocket sunglasses from Sweden, Panama Hats from Ecuador, T-shirts from California, beach bags handwoven in the Philippines, Pendleton beach towels from Oregon, and of course my swimwear, and some vintage finds will also be sold. We will also be the Northern Beaches outpost for Heartfire bakery and with a dedicated section of local products.

Riviera Top Shoppe, 29 River St, Woolgoolga www.woopi.com.au coffs coast focus 13

focusinterview.

CLINTON

HAyward Clinton Hayward Accounting

Wayne 'Wally' Walton has just achieved 45 years of service to Woolworths, Park Ave. He has seen over 23 renovations and seen many colleagues come and go.

It's the family feel that keeps him loyal to the group.

C

ongratulations on your renovations that I've seen happen during my achievement of 45 years time. I've seen the store be swapped around, of continued service to turned upside down and put back together Woolwoorths … how did the again. Not to mention, the many people that I've journey began? Back in 1967 I seen come and go ... was living in Hornsby, Sydney, and I scored the Why do you think that you've stayed job as casual member of staff. After at Woolworths for so long? I I left school I was eager to jump really love the team that I'm a into a job where I could be part of. Management really around a lot of people. I e look after staff. I have th ve lo ly I real never imagined I'd still be part a I'm never had any hassles at at th am te here 45 years later! ent really work ... no complaints

“

of. Managem

I have So when did you from customers, I don't look after staff. ssles ha y an move to the Coffs think. It really is like never had mplaints Coast? one big family. at work ... no co don't I I did 12 months at the from customers, e one Tell us the most lik Hornsby Woolworths, think. It really is hilarious Woolworths .” big family when my now deceased story … any anecdotes parents decided to move up your sleeve? What to Coffs Harbour in 1968. happens on the Woolies My parents had a store in floor, stays on the Woolies floor Urunga. Instead of working for (laughs) – no dirty secrets! Something them, I decided to continue with Woolworths, memorable happened one day when I was hit Coffs Harbour, and I began working as a cleaner in the head with a meat roller. Not on purpose. when the store was on High Street, later named A little bit of blood, I wound up at hospital for Harbour Drive (the old Palms Centre store). three hours – it was only a little scratch.

What other roles have you had within the Long service leave? How long is it and how Woolworths group ... and during the past much do you have owing? I have four long 45 years how have you seen the group, in service leaves owing. You get ten weeks for every particular locally, change? I have worked in ten years. So what's that? Ten months! lots of different departments at Woolies. Back Final words ... A huge thanks to Steve Savage, in the day Woolies was a variety store combined my boss and to the team at Woolworths for with a grocery store. I have worked in packing, making my work place one big happy family. cleaning, night cleaning and I am now the Thanks Wally. docker and store man. Not to mention, the 23 14

coffs coast focus.

It's been nearly 6 months since you've returned to Coffs Coast from your epic family Australian adventure to start Clinton Hayward Accounting … ow is your new practice going?

It’s going great thanks, Melly.

Whilst running your own business certainly has its own challenges, the flexibility and rewards it offers is priceless.

Having Michelle and my son Eli in the office and seeing Eli roll over for the first time is ... well, as I said, priceless.

H

There are a lot of accountants in Coffs Harbour. What makes you different from the others? We offer our clients the option of a quoted annual fixed fee. This basically means we tell our clients upfront what their accounting fees will be for the upcoming year.

This is great for some clients, so they don’t get any ‘surprises’ at year's end. It also means that they can pay their accounting fees quarterly, and this helps our clients with their cash-flow.

Another benefit for our clients under this arrangement is unlimited phone and email support.

Tell us about your new software and how this will benefit your clients. I’m glad you asked, Melly. This new software is very exciting and tells us a business’ financial story.

Through graphs and diagrams, the software clearly provides a visual illustration of where a business’ strengths lie, whilst also illustrating where improvements can be made, in language that we all understand. Through the ‘Power of One’ we can demonstrate how business owners can achieve their financial goals.

What is it about you that your clients value most? I recently conducted a survey, where I asked my clients as a business owner what is the most important service to them

an accountant can offer. The overwhelming response was not price or qualifications, but prompt and efficient service, and at Clinton Hayward Accounting, we certainly pride ourselves on prompt and efficient service. I would also like to add that during the survey, an overwhelming majority of my clients tipped Manly to win the NRL Premiership next year.

My clients are very knowledgeable you know!

(Laughs.)

What types of clients should consider your services? We are a family run business that provides taxation and financial solutions for individuals through to small and medium family run businesses. This includes sole traders, partnerships, companies and SMSFs, or 'Smurfs', as my wife likes to call them.

When looking for a new accountant, what should one consider? I think it’s important you have a connection with your accountant and that they understand what your financial goals and aspirations are. Accountants should no longer be considered as someone you see once a year. We now have numerous tools at our disposal that enable us to assist business owners through the dark and murky waters.

How can we contact you? We are located on the corner of Park Ave and the Highway, upstairs next door to Woolworths, or I can be contacted on 6652 8000 or at clint@ chacc.com.au or find us on Facebook. Is that enough? (Laughs.)

Thanks Melly. I wish all your readers a very happy and safe festive season.

Cheers.

coffs coast focus 15

EDITOR'S PICKS

focus

Bose AE2 audio headphones $189 Available at Park Beach Music & Hi Fi

We're getting ready for summertime with these wonderful finds that are all available from the following great local retailers.

Lettuce Satchel bag $34.95 Available at Love and Kisses

Frolic with Fabric, cotton print dress $289 Available at Seasons Boutique

Harli Shoe $169.95 Available at Seasons Boutique Swarovski Spiral Ring available in white, yellow and rose gold $295 Available at Parrys Jewellers

Socks and Jocks $13.95 Blokes Soap $9.95 Available at Love and Kisses sse sess

16 coffs coast focus.

The Rhinoceros head $189 (size:32.5x61x56cm) Available at VAST Interiors

Original carved Indian cabinet $1899 (size: 1 m x 2 m) Available at VAST Interiors

Bose Soundtouch20 $549 Available at Park Beach Music & Hi Fi

Pa arrrrott ccan an no p ne pe nerr $2 24.

4 95 9 Parrot opener $24.95 A Av vai a la l blle att V AST ST Int nter e io iors rs Available VAST Interiors

1950 19 950 50 Arne Jacobsen 1950s rreplica re plii egg chair in pl ffull fu ull grade g leather $ $1 139 399 9 $1399 Av vaiil Available at VAST IInteriors In t r te

Florabotanica Balenciaga $88 CHANEL NO. 5 $116 Available at Terry White Pharmacy, Park Beach Plaza

Kranz & Ziegler snakeskin bracelet $160 and elements from $63 Available at Parrys Jewellers

coffs coast focus 17

Story by Claire Simmonds, Clairity Public Relations

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Romantic idealists is one view of Amanda and Paul Cleland, owners of luxury wedding and retreat venue, Orara Valley Estate. They fell in love at first sight, travelled shortly after to Bali for a week’s holiday which became a month, returned to Bali for a magical wedding, and today the love between them still shines bright.

owever, they are also highly motivated perfectionists and professionals who put in enormous hours and travel hundreds of kilometres every week to make their divergent dreams a reality.

Paul tells of his first meeting Amanda when he was keeping his hand in as a city stockbroker and she was an English migrant flight attendant at a drought relief black tie ball at Sydney’s Luna Park.

“It was Amanda’s birthday, so just by chance I bought her a drink and then I couldn’t get rid of her – she just attached herself – no really, we just sort of clicked straight away,” Paul said.

Laughing, Amanda said, “It wasn’t like that at all – we did click straight away and then at the end of the night, he said, this is lovely, but I’m moving to Armidale and unless you work for Qantas, we can never see each other again. I said, that’s OK, I do work for Qantas.”

Passion for travel and service The daughter of hotel owners in England’s Lakes District, Amanda was born into hospitality and the hard work involved, but became a fitness and aerobics instructor in the Middle East when she left home.

“That was the start of a year of travelling everywhere and working in hospitality and customer service – I loved it. Then when I finally got my Australian residency, 18 coffs coast focus.

I incorporated Qantas into my belief in travel – going all over Australia and Asia – how good is that for an introduction to a country?” Amanda said.

“After we decided we were right for each other, we got married in Bali in a destination wedding, which is sort of what we’re replicating here at Orara Valley Estate,” she said.

Thanks to Qantas and her world travels, Amanda was able to see and experience incredible, flawless service, which became her passion.

“To me, quality service is completely fluid – it flows beautifully – like on Hayman Island. You just don’t see anyone there, it just happens in the background as wet towels and dirty dishes disappear without you seeing how,” she said.

For years they juggled Amanda’s constant flight schedule, Paul’s city job, short visits to the Armidale cattle farm (managed on their behalf) and Paul’s ongoing entrepreneurial ventures.

Bullish for family change The birth of Amanda and Paul’s son Jasper eight years ago led to an eventual tree change to the Armidale cattle farm for a better family life.

Moving to Armidale was a return to the home Paul first knew when he boarded at The Armidale School as a boy. At the time, his internationally-recognised father

and his mother lived in Papua New Guinea; they then returned to Australia to business and academic success in the finance sector, buying the Armidale farm with Paul before retirement.

“Paul used to sell stock, now he trades stock,” Amanda said, although Paul has not gone from stock broker to stock agent. “I run about 2,500 head of cattle. I buy them, fatten them and sell them,” is how describes his role.

“He’s implemented lots of innovative things on the farm, which others in the district have never seen before and he’s got a lot of respect in the market, which is not bad for a city slicker,” Amanda said.

After the arrival of second son, Charlie, who is due to start kindergarten this year, Amanda found herself looking at the rustic surplus cottages on their farm, near the Gwydir River.

“We had these beautiful farm cottages and I had two children, so I thought they’d be ideal for farm stay accommodation, so I renovated them as I like interior designing – it’s my thing. Now people love going there for the rural experience.”

Turning an apartment into a spacious villa Frequent family holidays in Sawtell for a beach escape from the tablelands led to Amanda researching small coastal holiday units on the internet.

focuseditorial.

Photography by Scott Carle.

“This listing for this amazing Orara Valley villa popped up and I kept coming back to it. I asked the agent, David Small, if he could give me the name of the building designer.

“David said, 'He’s retired; why don’t you just come and look at it and take some photos'. I kept saying, 'I’m not buying it; I just want a unit,' but I went and took a look.

“The walls were thick and beautifully cool – they are made of mud brick.

I kept stroking the walls and saying I’m not buying it, but it reminded us of the villa we were married in, in Bali.”

No ordinary Orara Valley home, the villa still inspires Amanda to stroke the walls as she walks in rooms inspired by Morocco and Santorini with courtyards, water features and a ‘ginormous’ pool.

trails or find peaceful places of calming energy.

Grey kangaroos languidly gaze at awed visitors, who awaken to the sounds of whipbirds and rainforest bird song, and encounter water dragons and occasionally koalas and platypus.

Sleeping 19 in comfort, as a wedding reception venue Orara Valley Estate can accommodate 140 people and is already booked for most weekends in 2014.

Sleeping 19 in comfort , as a ion venue wedding recept tate can Orara Valley Es 0 people 14 accommodate oked bo y and is alread s in nd ke ee w for most 2014 .”

“

Excited talks about creating an Australiana wedding destination from this fascinating home followed. “A week later we had it – well, almost,” Paul said.

Set amid many acres of formal gardens, where Paul has honed his topiary skills and his pool cleaning talents, villa guests can kayak on the Orara River, walk on rainforest

Heavy lifting to success

“Coffs Harbour in itself is a fantastic wedding destination in the luxury market, and couples are very lucky to have three or four quite different homes to choose from. They can have an eagle’s nest of expansive ocean views, a beautiful beach house or our home – voted in the top ten of Australia’s most luxury homes and wedding venues in Stayz 2013 awards,” Paul said.

The location halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, combined with attractions such as beaches, whale watching, extraordinary golfing facilities, deep sea fishing and Dolphin Marine Magic have all been factors for their guests.

Not only weddings, but family reunions, birthday gatherings, yoga retreats and business conferences have all booked into Orara Valley Estate.

“Our suppliers are the reason it has worked so well.

Lauren Robertson from North Coast Luxury Weddings manages our place and the other Coffs Harbour luxury homes as well,” she said. “We have amazing suppliers – Stefano (Fiasco), Spare Chef, the cakes we’ve found are brilliant, and I’m so stoked with the photographers you get here.”

Keeping a large home and garden in perfect, luxury wedding-grade condition with some gardener support is still a big commitment for them both, as Paul lives ‘every bachelor’s dream’ working hard on the Armidale farm for days at a time. After a year spent constantly cramming their clutter into the locked laundry, the family have just moved into a Coffs Harbour apartment.

After the success of a recent ‘famil’ visit by Sydney bridal editors organised by Council, she is keen to market the venue into Asia, as Coffs Harbour is ready to become a serious wedding destination.

However, Paul paled when she enthused about buying another local property to develop it into a wedding venue.

“Unfortunately, she doesn’t know when to stop – she’s a workaholic,” he said. “When she’s got nothing to do, I’m in trouble!” coffs coast focus

19

ARTISTI HQ IS PUTTING COFFS HARBOUR COFFEE SCENE ON THE WO R L D M A P ! A RT I S T I H Q I S C O F F S H A R B O U R' S O N LY E S P R E S S O B A R A N D ROA S T E RY T H AT H A S A L A RG E O F F E R I N G O F T H E L AT E S T E Q U I PM E N T TO M A K E YOU T H E H IG H E ST Q UA L I T Y COF F E E .

A RT I ST I

n full swing each day, the dedicated Artisti HQ team are operating two La Marzocco coffee machines, serving you the finest quality coffee on the Mid North Coast.

You'll find one pumping out the takeaways – you'll never wait more than three minutes for a delicious coffee to go; whilst the other offers you different blends and single origins for dine in.

I

training facility, offering the following courses:

Artisti HQ exposes you to seven different blends and 14 single origins. The team pride themselves on bringing their customers coffee "exactly how they want it". Owner Luke has listened to his customers, realising that everyone's coffee needs are different. When ordering your custom coffee, take into consideration opinions including size, strength and bean choice and most importantly, temperature. We will serve our coffee at 65 degrees standard; if you love a hot coffee, just let us know. If you like it cooler, which will bring out the sweetness in the milk and coffee, not a problem!

Come and enjoy a great coffee while you watch us roast coffee and you sit back in the lounge sipping on your favourite brew (Monday and Tuesday, 7-2). Book you and your friends in for an afternoon cupping session and taste coffee in its raw form, undisturbed by milk.

Offering a 3rd wave brew bar with syphons, aero presses, V60 pour over and gold drip coffee for that afternoon chilled coffee flavour without the morning caffeine kick!

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 4.30pm Sat: 7am - 2pm.

Interested in learning the art of coffee making?

The Artisti Head Quarters is also providing a new

20 coffs coast focus.

• Home Barista, $49: bring in your own equipment and we will show you how to get the best from your home machine. • Basic Barista, $99: private training to get you prepared for employment as a barista. • Advanced Barista, $149: for the serious home enthusiast or a barista who wants to improve their skills to the highest standards.

With fresh light meals readily available at Artisti HQ, there are no long waits in your lunch break and plenty of sweet treats to tempt your taste buds ... perhaps a coffee scroll featuring a our fresh roasted single origin Ethiopian yirgircheffe coffee, walnuts and cinnamon.

If you are looking for that special coffee to make your business stand out from your competitors, call us for a free quote on your custom coffee packing solution.

coffs coast focus 21

Coffs Coast Coffs

Guacamole with golden plantain chips, cevichĂŠ, grilled ocean trout tacos, seared scallop tacos, vego tostada from Lime Mexican.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 22 coffs coast focus focus.

eat.

Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill OPEN FOR BREKKY WEDNESDAY AND WEEKENDS. Join us at Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill for a tasty Breaky from 7.30am! Serving yummy favourites and Fishos specialities; you’ll love starting the day with us!

SEAFOOD LUNCH OR DINNER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. With a delicious array of fresh local seafood and other gourmet fare, Fishos is a fantastic choice for a catch up with friends or family.

PLANNING A WEDDING OR EVENT? Look no further than Fishos. With breathtaking ocean views and tempting function packages to suit all needs, Zoie can help make your event shine!

Make a booking today: 6652 1534 Check out our menus – www.coffsfishos.com.au

Finz on The Beach Open for à la carte dining 7 days a week, ‘Finz on the Beach’ located at Breakfree Aanuka Beach resort is the perfect location to enjoy a delicious dinner and stunning view. We welcome summer with our new dinner menu: a starter of 'Sumptuous seared scallops, crispy plantain chips topped with morsels of Salmon caviar, delicate micro herbs and a saffron & zesty lime sauce' is the definition of summer.

Enjoy a two course dinner for $54 per person including a glass of wine.

Make your booking today by calling (02) 6652 7555 or book online at www.breakfreeaanukabeachresort.com.au

Executive Chef Tim McClay-Talivai

Head Chef Jason Watterson.

1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour t 6652 1534 w www.coffsfishos.com.au

Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort 11 Firman Drive, Coffs Harbour t 6650 2400 w www.aanuka.com.au

open: 7 days. Lunch, from 11.30am; dinner, from 5.30pm; and for breakfast, from 7.30am on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

open: from 6pm, 7 days a week.

Bluebottles Brasserie

Pasfields Restaurant Bar Deck

Come and enjoy our new summer menu and great daily specials.

Beautiful food in our friendly relaxed alfresco atmosphere. Have a look at the 100 Dishes Cookbook, featuring us and other great restaurants along the coast.

Come and see Pasfields' new funky deck roof and relax the day and night away!

The stunning new Pasfields caters for fine dining or just an everyday casual pizza, burger, fish and chips, schnitzel or salad in the bar or deck.

Open for dinner Friday and Saturday nights and catering for all your holiday get togethers.

Happy Hour daily: 4.30pm – 6pm.

Head Chef Gerard Geerligs.

Welcome to clubs and ladies groups that have now made Pasfields their monthly luncheon meeting spot.

Email, call or come in and see us and let us tailor make packages for you.

Head Chef David Ricketts.

Open for breakfast with a view during school holiday periods

Shops 1 & 2, 53 Beach St, Woolgoolga t 6654 1962 open Breakfast and lunch daily.

Dinner Friday and Saturday.

675 Pacific Highway, Korora t 6653 7710 w www.pasfieldsrestaurant.com.au open: Dinner 7 nights from 5pm, Bookings only for weekend breakfasts. Lunch Thurs - Sun.

coffs coast focus 23

eat.

Spicy Chickpea Burger

Spinifex Restaurant Taking full advantage of our amazing location and local produce, Spinifex Restaurant is one of Coffs Harbour’s hippest and most entertaining dining venues. Boasting a large open kitchen with customised facilities for grilling on a grand scale, Spinifex delivers a sophisticated dining adventure. The food will tantalize your taste buds, and attentive floor staff can recommend something perfectly sumptuous to satisfy your cravings. The new summer menu will delight every taste with a range of traditional favourites and new dishes sourced from the best restaurants from around the world.

Wholly Cow Café Great burgers / Organic / Fresh / Healthy Local / Fairtrade coffee / Homemade sauces Are you looking for something different and healthy?

Wholly Cow offers a unique dining experience in Sawtell. Fresh, healthy, local and delicious! The burgers, wraps and sandwiches are all made fresh to order the old fashioned way, using the freshest local produce whenever they can. Everything is handmade, so they know what goes into everything!

Head Chef Sam Allinson.

All items on the menu are available all day, including breakfast! Dine-in, Takeaway and BYO.

Owners Michelle & Ricky Lee

They are bringing back good old fashioned burgers, where you can taste the freshness of the ingredients.

Coast Hotel, 2 Moonee St, Coffs Harbour t 6652 3007 w www.coasthotel.com.au open: Lunch: noon - 2.30pm. Dinner: 6pm - 9pm.

Located opposite Park Beach, Café Aqua's relaxed and friendly environment has made this landmark local café the home away from home for many locals and visitors to the Coffs Coast.

Chef Josh and his team have created a new summer menu sourcing the freshest local produce, which is sure to tempt your taste buds.

Aqua's friendly staff, exceptional food and hospitality will make your dining experience memorable – now serving Merlo Coffee. Join us on the deck, under the sails or inside the café.

Head Chef Josh.

open: Breakfast and lunch 7 days from 7am.

24 coffs coast focus.

2/39 First Avenue, Sawtell t 6658 2682 w www.whollycow.com.au open: Monday to Saturday, 7am to 5pm.

Sunday and public holidays, 7am to 3pm.

element bar

Café Aqua

57 Ocean Pde, Coffs Harbour t 6652 5566

Their motto is simple – ‘burgers how they should taste!

Located in the middle of the Jetty strip you will find Element Bar and Restaurant. Coffs Coast’s newest dining experience offers an extensive lunch menu, which includes favourites such as Saffron and Dill Barra, Handcrafted Wagyu Burger, Roasted Beetroot and Feta Salad and Chicken Snow pea Tendril Salad with Strawberry and Basil Chutney.

At night Element offers a lively and upmarket dining experience with dishes such as Braised Beef Cheeks with Blood Plum Jus or Sumac Dusted Venison with Blackberry Pickle and Peppered Brie.

Try Element for your next lunch or dinner: 6651 6655.

380 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour Jetty t 6651 6655 open: 6 days ‘til late. Monday - Saturday. From January 6, new trading hours open 5 days late, Tuesday - Saturday.

Head Chef Chris Rea.

eat.

Bacon and egg gnocchi with black truffle oil and micro-herbs.

Depot Café The new licensed café located at Coffs Central Food Court, Depot Café has opened offering locally roasted coffee, made by passionately trained baristas which go hand in hand with our funky new shop. At every turn you see something different to talk about.

Come in for a fantastic meal made from fresh local produce that you wouldn’t cook at home. ‘If we have it, we will do it!’ is the motto and attitude of the chefs and team.

Also, why not have a sneaky chardy or beer with your meal at lunch time and look out over the city centre below.

Seaview Tavern The Seaview Tavern Family Bistro is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. In between we have a great little bar snacks menu – so you are always able to get a great feed.

After the winter months and being warmed by our open fires inside, or alfresco in our large beer garden, warmed by mushroom heaters, the warmer weather continues to make it a great place to dine all year round.

Our $10 meal deals make us the popular choice from Monday through to Friday, plus we have daily blackboard specials sure to please even the fussiest of palates.

Head Chef Paul Lynch.

Manager: David Cini

We also do takeaway meals – please ring through your order on 6654 1206.

Coffs Central, Upstairs, level 2 , food court – Depot Cafe t 6651 1812

51 River St, Woolgoolga t 6654 1206 w www.seaviewtavern.com.au fb fb.com/seaviewtavernwoolgoolga open: 7 days, noon – 3pm and 5pm – 8.30pm (extended trading for daylight savings).

open: 7:30am – 5pm Mon – Fri (Thurs 6:30pm), 8:30am – 4pm Saturday, 8:30am – 2pm Sunday

Spicy marinated Prawns, battered kaffir lime leaves and a mango foam.

Saltwater Restaurant Come try our new summer menu.

Enjoy our fantastic food whilst you take in the awesome Ocean View at Saltwater Café & Restaurant.

Our new summer menu has been inspired by this season’s best ingredients.

Find our full menu on our website: saltwateronthebeach.com Open 7 days a week during school holidays; bookings are recommended.

We also have live music Sunday afternoons with share plates, food and drink specials.

Fully licensed, we serve our local Bellingen Brewery Beer on tap, plus a great selection of boutique wines as we support our Australian growers. See you soon at Saltwater.

Horizons Restaurant & Bar It’s back for January – Horizons Brasserie!

11.30am - 9.30pm. Every day.

Dining is easy for families with the new extensive blackboard brassiere menu and daily specials available using the region’s fresh produce and seafood.

REVIEWED BY

Guide

Dine alfresco on the terrace overlooking the pool and lagoon.

Happy Hour daily from 5pm - 6pm.

26th January Australia Day – Join us for Cre8 Music Festival on the reserve at Opal Cove featuring local music talent with food and drink available to enjoy the day.

Opal Cove Resort, Opal Boulevard, Coffs Harbour t 6651 0510 open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner – 7 days a week. Bookings recommended.

Clinton Hunter Head Chef.

Head Chef Adam Gallo.

104 Fiddaman Road, Emerald Beach t 6656 1888 w www.saltwateronthebeach.com open: 7 days during January from 8am.

Live music Sunday afternoons. coffs coast focus 25

eat.

Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki

The Pier Hotel Waves @ The Pier Hotel has some fantastic dishes on offer this summer. Our new menus have been a massive hit; there’s something for everyone. Head Chef Dave Newick and his team continue to produce quality, including delicious fresh local seafood, with trout, swordfish, king prawns and salmon all featuring in some fantastic dishes.

We still offer the best value lunches on the coast starting at $10 and a great range of tap beers and quality wines, available 7 days per week.

Sarong Bar & Restaurant Sarong Loves Summer Exquisite Japanese for lunch, long cool drinks in the afternoon and glorious Pan Asian dishes by night. Sarong is the ideal place to take those friends from the city. Book for Thursday nights, when three of the region's top Jazz musicians provide cool condiments for Sarong's spicy delights.

Relax or party, people watch or tuck into a corner, taste something new or enjoy an old favourite ... the choice is yours at Sarong Bar & Restaurant.

Perfectly located in the heart of Sawtell.

Chefs Makiko & Maiko.

Head Chef Dave Newick.

Cnr Harbour Dr and Camperdown St, Coffs Harbour hotel 6652 2110 bistro 6651 8222

1/24 First Avenue Sawtell t 6658 5857 w www.sarongsawtell.com fb facebook.com/sarongsawtell open Lunch 11.30am - 2.30pm, Monday – Friday. Dinner From 5pm Monday – Saturday.

Gingerbread loaf with honeycomb, ricotta, fresh cherries & lavender honey.

Open: lunch 11.30am - 2.30pm, dinner 5.30pm 8.30pm, 7 days a week.

Café TREEO Sawtell The seaside village of Sawtell comes alive during the summer holidays and Café TREEO buzzes with activity. It’s a place to be seen, to enjoy and to indulge with superb coffee and mouth watering fresh food. Escape from the heat and relax in air-conditioned comfort, or sit back and unwind with alfresco dining under the massive fig trees.

Enjoy a pot of housemade rhubarb, strawberry and mint lemonade teamed with TREEO’s ever-popular pan roasted parmesan gnocchi, or spoil yourself with fresh blueberry cheesecake waffles from the all-day breakfast menu.

Prawn and Chorizo Hot Pot

Macauleys Restaurant We LOVE summer at Macauleys Restaurant, and our new summer menu showcases the wonderful array of fresh produce available in this region during our favourite season.

Imagine a menu full of dishes that are a sensory explosion of all things reflective of summer – wonderfully fresh flavours that excite the palate. Our Prawn and Chorizo Hot Pot features seared locally caught prawns and char grilled chorizo sausage in a chilli, lime and garlic hot pot served with toasted sourdough ... A dish that tastes just like summer.

Check out our summer menu on our brand new website at www.macauleys.com.au

To view the full menu, visit cafetreeo.com or follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.

Owner/Chef Duncan Elliot.

Head Chef Craig Clarke.

18 First Ave, Sawtell t 6653 1099 fb fb.com/ CafeTreeo

99 Park Beach Road, Coffs Harbour t 6652 5970 w www.macauleys.com.au

open: 7 days from 7am for breakfast and lunch.

26 coffs coast focus.

open: Monday to Saturday from 6pm.

eat.

Flooded Gums Restaurant

Surf Club Restaurant & Bar

1 ‘Hat’ Flooded Gums Restaurant at Bonville Golf Resort

Surf Club Restaurant and Bar is located inside the Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club on beautiful Park Beach.

Just 10 minutes south of the Coffs CBD, the Flooded Gums is a Winner of 1 ‘Chef’s Hat’ in the 2013 & 2014 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guides & 2 ‘Goblets in the 2012 & 2013 Fine Wine Partners Wine List of the Year, offering an unmatched combination of setting, atmosphere, food and wine.

What makes the venue unique is the total privacy, personal service, gourmet menus and of course, the amazing ocean and island views.

Our team of talented chefs have created modern Australian menus for your enjoyment across breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Come and experience ‘Hat’ dining at beautiful Bonville today.

Chef Matt Donovan.

North Bonville Road, Bonville t 6653 4002 w www.bonvillegolf.com.au

Surf Club Road, Park Beach, Coffs Harbour t 6652 9870 w www.surfclubparkbeach.com

open: 7 days, bookings essential for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Seared scallop tacos and strawberry margarita.

open: Daily from 7am. Breakfast and lunch. Open for dinner until Sunday Jan 5 (excluding New Year’s Eve).

Lime Mexican

Bacio Café

Lime Mexican Tapas Restaurant and Bar is the newest and most unique restaurant on the Coffs Harbour Jetty Strip.

We are pleased to announce that not only can you get our tasty smoothies and delicious salads in the Cinema Walk Arcade 9 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour; you can also find our big bongo bus at Twilight Markets at Park Beach Reserve on Friday nights, at Moonee Markets, at Bollywood Markets at Woolgoolga and at Bellingen Markets. We are very excited and hope to see you all out and about around town. We can also pop up at your events; if ever needed, just give us a call.

With our energetic staff the fun and vibrant atmosphere lends itself to a menu that has been designed to share across multiple courses.

Come and check out Lime today to experience our fresh take on modern and street style Mexican food, which is complemented by a great selection of wine, Mexican cervezas, margaritas, cocktails, tequila and mezcal.

Open for dinner 7 nights from 5pm 'til late.

Owners Jessica & Trent.

366 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour, Jetty Strip t 0421 573 570 e info@limemexican.com.au open: 7 nights from 5pm till late.

Bookings recommended.

Owners Lara and Craig.

9 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour t 6650 0499 w www.bacio.com.au open: Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm.

Saturday 9am - 2pm coffs coast focus

27

eat.

BACIO

focusinterview.

CAFé

Plantation Hotel

LARA AND CRAIG LAWSON

‘BEST VALUE FOR MONEY’, and that is exactly what the Plantation Hotel stands for. We are proud to announce the Plantation Hotel has just been voted ‘Best Value for Money by the Sydney Morning Herald, Good Food Guide 2014.

It’s of no surprise to the talented team of chefs who have just completed designing the Plantation Bar & Grill’s new summer menu. Winning such a prestigious award and being nationally recognised for our quality of food, generous portion sizes and most of all tasty meals are the bench mark we continually strive to maintain. To further benefit our loyal customers we have launched our new rewards card, giving every customer the advantage of earning points with every food and beverage purchase. To register, just ask our friendly staff for a registration form on your next visit.

Chef John Marshall.

Meet the owners of Bacio Café, Lara and Craig Lawson. They tell us about the café and its adaptation to the healthy lifestyle.

REVIEWED BY

88 Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour. t 6652 3855 w www.plantationhotel.com.au open 7 days, Sun- Thu: Lunch 12noon to 2:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Fri & Sat All day dining

Guide

AHA FINALIST “Best Family Friendly Pub”

Zulu’s Restaurant & Bar New Year reigns in bringing with it a new range of tasty treats at Zulu’s. The thing to watch out for this year is our degustations ... they’re back! Follow us on Facebook to ensure you never miss out on when they are!

Y

ou’ve recently moved here from Sydney ... what do you love about working on the Coffs Coast?

Coffs Harbour is a gorgeous place to live and work. We are excited to be a part of the re-invention of the City Centre; there are so many lovely retailers in town. The slower pace also allows us more time with our family.

What is the ethos of Bacio Café? Our goal is to provide a personal service to our customers.

We wanted to meet people and learn about them, enjoy a chat while we serve them and be able to call our customers our friends. We want them to feel like nothing is too much trouble.

Are you passionate about keeping people healthy? Coffs Harbour people in our experience tend to be health conscious already, so tailoring our menu to them was the obvious choice and goes hand-in-hand with our healthy juices and smoothies.

Chef Joel McCulla.

27 Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour (Pacific Highway) t 6652 1588 w www.zuluscoffs.com open: Breakfast: Monday – Friday, 7am – 9am.

Dinner: Monday – Saturday, 6pm – late.

28 coffs coast focus.

Bacio is the ‘buzz’ café for grabbing a delicious healthy lunch. What’s on the menu? Bacio is about healthy options for dinein or to take-away. Our current summer menu consists of a selection of fresh tasty salads, toasted quesadillas served with avocado and sour cream, sandwiches, rolls, wraps or Turkish with a selection of fillings. Rice paper rolls are one of the most popular items on the menu.

We have gluten free and vegetarian salads, wraps and sandwiches and are happy to make many things to order from our menu to suit dietary requirements. Our homemade gluten free banana bread is getting rave reviews! In keeping with fresh healthy choices, our fruit and veg are sourced locally and eggs and meats free range wherever possible. We also have a kids' menu available all day, which comes in a bag to take any leftovers on your way with you if they have

been too busy colouring in to eat.

Since you’ve taken over from Pina Colada earlier this year, people are wondering, are you still doing juices? What’s your specialty?

Yes, we absolutely are! Pina Colada was an icon in Coffs Harbour for many years; to lose all those healthy delicious recipes which relate to the community would not be fair to all the loyal Pina Colada customers who have supported this local business for so long – with our specialty being the Mother’s Daily.

With the rise of gluten intolerance, how have you adapted to this market? We have found an extensive rise in gluten intolerance and are always working on ways to offer many of our menu items in a gluten-free alternative. We are sure to clarify Coeliac to ensure the utmost care is taken during preparation and are trying to come up with more and more delicious recipes for those on a restricted diet. With these things in mind we offer gluten-free catering in addition to our regular catering services.

Do you only do lunch? Do you do brekky?

We do breakfast eat in or takeaway, and our most popular item on the takeaway breakfast menu is our man-sized bacon and egg Turkish roll with two rashers of free-range bacon and two free-range eggs. We have an all-day breakfast menu, and on Saturday people particularly like our homemade waffles with fresh fruit and caramel sauce. A couple of our healthier menu options are our fresh fruit and yoghurt plate or vegetarian Turkish breakfast of sauteed mushrooms and tomato, baby spinach, and the option of adding eggs. We also have a light, healthy dinner available Friday nights at Twilight Markets along with our smoothies.

6650 0499 9 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour.

coffs coast focus 29

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N O T A E B

BEAU BEATON GREW UP ON THE COFFS COAST AROUND MOTORBIKES, SO IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT HE MOVED ON TO A CAREER OF RIDING …

hat's your day job? I'm a qualified Commercial Refrigeration and A/C Technician. I did my apprenticeship with a local company, Faircloth & Reynolds, and I'm still doing work for them now.

You have grown up amongst a family of motorcycles ... is this why you chose to make a career out of it? Motorsports in general is definitely in the blood. My parents own motorcycle dealerships North Coast V-Twins and Coffs KTM, and back in the day my dad, Ashley Beaton, raced bikes himself.

Growing up with motorcycles around you definitely has an influence, but it's something I have a passion for. When I was younger I just enjoyed riding bikes with my dad and my mates.

Tell us about growing up on the Coffs Coast riding a Pee Wee 50 as a young pup.

It's such a great place to live, with so much available at arm's reach. I first rode the Pee Wee 50 when I was three, but those days were short lived before Dad had me on something bigger that I couldn't touch the ground on. At that age I rode mainly in Mum and Dad’s backyard, always making a mess of it, and still do, until the bikes I was on got bigger, faster and noisier.

Then it was finding friends who had enough room to build a track at their place where we could ride and make plenty of noise without issues. The area has some great State Forestry tracks to explore as well … only by that time I was licensed and registered, of course.

At what age did you start competing? I first started dirt track when I was about 19, while I was still completing my apprenticeship. I tried to squeeze in as much racing as I could. A few

30 coffs coast focus.

years later I talked my father into lending me a 999 Ducati from North Coast V-Twins so I could give road racing a go. This was at Phillip Island in a National BEARS meeting. I won some of my races that weekend against experienced riders on higher powered and newer machinery. It was a real buzz, and I just wanted to get out there again. From here North Coast V-Twins Racing began, and I have competed in various Superbike Series in Australia and Europe since.

What have you been competing in of late?

In 2013 I competed in the Australian Superbike Championship, for Sydney based Suzuki team, Racers Edge Performance with North Coast V-Twins supporting the team. I also compete on an Irving Vincent, owned and built by the Horner Brothers from Victoria, at selected national and international events.

What are your accolades? 2009 National Bears Champion. 2009 C&D Australian Superstock Champion. 2009 3rd Australian Superstock outright. 2009 P5 Historic support Class 1st. 2009 Mac Park Easter Cup Champion.

2009 NSW SuperStock Champion. 2009 NSW D grade Superbike Champion. 2010 Australian Superstock Champion. 2010 Formula Xtreme rnd 3 Winner. 2011 27th World Superstock championship. 2012 Goodwood Festival Of Speed Participant (England). 2013 2nd Australian Privateer Superbike Championship 2013 7th Outright Australian Superbike Championship. 2012 & 13 Geelong Speed trials Participant on the Irving Vincent.

You're such a great role model for younger people on the Coffs Coast … what advice do you have for young guys who are interested in your game? You need to make choices. I was younger when North Coast V-Twins Racing began, but the deal was I had to take it seriously to have their support. While

my mates were out drinking, I was on the waters and having early nights to get up and train each day. I changed my lifestyle, lost 20 kg and gained a lot of physical strength. I still had a great time with my mates, but racing was my focus.

my achievements in racing would have been possible. North Coast V-Twins, Shoei Helmets, Dainese Leathers have sponsored me through the various teams I have been part of, and I am very thankful for their continued support.

Mark ‘Doc’ Downie, North Coast V-Twins motorcycle technician, has had something You are involved in quite a dangerous to do with nearly all my race bikes at some sport. Do you make safety your main level, which is something that always brings priority? Taking what I do to the racetrack me peace of mind. Craig McMartin, 8 times is the safest step to take, as it is a controlled Australian Pro-Twins Champion, my mentor, environment. Having said that, there is coach and supporter, has been a always a risk factor in everything you big part of my racing career; do, but I guess riding around his input, knowledge and at over 300 km an hour on r advice along the way ge un yo some of the fastest bikes as Iw ast is invaluable. While out there does increase when North Co gan, be ng we were racing the ci Ra s in the level of risk. I always V-Tw I had to Ducati in 2009 and wear the highest quality but the deal was have to 2010, local business take it seriously le my riding equipment, and hi owner/operator their support. W having confidence in drinking , mates were out Ross Thompson of the bike and the team ers and I was on the wat Bob Jane T-marts t ge behind me makes it feel ts to having early nigh day.” was always on hand like I’m out on a Sunday ch up and train ea at races, making sure ride.

I was never going out How do you prepare for a with flat tyres, and Ross’s race physically? My height and Brother, car racing legend, Bryan build have always been an issue in Thompson, has been a sponsor and this sport, as the lighter you are the faster the supporter of mine since the moment I took to bike will accelerate. This means I’ve always had the black top. to ride faster into and through the corners, to This year with the Racers Edge Performance ensure I don’t lose pace. Preparing for races is Team has made life easy for me. They are a very a daily routine for me. I watch my nutrition, I family oriented team that get some support cycle a lot, run and do strength training. from Suzuki and various other sponsors, but And of course, your success wouldn't be mostly they are there for the love of racing, just possible without the team who surround like me. you … who are your main sponsors and Final say ... Come out and support the local who makes up your team? I have ridden motorcycle club and see what it’s all about. Dirt for many teams over the years, but the one bikes are a great place to start. team who is the most important to my success Thanks Beau. is my family. Without their support, none of

“

January at the Jetty Memorial Theatre

Klaustel Phones & Data KLAUSTEL PHONES & DATA would like to introduce our new IP MY PBX Phone System by Yeastar and Aristel Networks.

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Your truly local phones and data team.

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Giant Media is moving to the Jetty We're packing up our files and computers and moving to a bigger, better office at 8a, 26-28 Orlando Street!

We've outgrown our old office on Industrial Drive and now have fresh, modern premises situated above Coopers at the Jetty.

January brings the start of an exciting new year at The Jetty Memorial Theatre …

On Tuesday 7 January we are delighted to present the documentary, Shirley Broadway; the story of Coffs Harbour local Shirley Barnett, who recently received the Arts Health Institute Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. The film is directed by Tony Wickert, distinguished director and teacher. RSVP 6652 8088 or jettytheatre@chcc.nsw.gov.au Free entry. 7pm refreshments – 8pm start.

From Friday 10 to Monday 13 January, Russell Crowe, Alan Doyle and a host of celebrity performers will be presenting their Indoor Garden Party which has received rave reviews around the world. These will be the only performances of the show in Australia.

The new office will be a more inviting space for clients and give our expanding team room to grow; it includes a comfortable meeting and presentation area and makes great use of natural timber and even a turf walkway and wall!

For a great school holiday experience, get ready to follow a yellow brick road full of fun and adventure in a new, interactive adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz show will be at the Jetty Theatre on Wednesday 22 January.

There is the option to book in for a workshop too.

Call 1300 600 989 or visit www.giantmedia.com.au to arrange a free consultation for your next web or branding project.

Start 2014 as you intend. Go on and enjoy some quality entertainment this month; visit www.jettytheatre.com now for further details.

CHATS & TONY WICKERT PRESENT

SHIRLEY BROADWAY A celebration of Shirley Barnett’s life long dedication to the performing arts.

Tues 7th Jan RUSSELL CROWE & ALAN DOYLE

INDOOR GARDEN PARTY A unique and original event coming exclusively to the Jetty Theatre in January 2014.

Fri 10th - Mon 13th Jan YOUNGSTARS2.COM PRESENT

THE WIZARD OF OZ International Jubilee Celebration of the 1939 movie with a NEW interactive, fun retelling of Frank Baum’s story.

Wed 22nd Jan Box office hours Tuesday to Friday 12 noon - 4pm jettytheatre.com | 02 6652 8088 facebook.com/jettymemorialtheatre jetty.theatre@chcc.nsw.gov.au 337 Harbour Drive

Proudly supported by

jetty memorial theatre SEASON 2014

coffs coast focus 31

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Chef Robin Croft of Savouries with a twist and winemaker Vinny Dingle of Raleigh Wines are just two of a group of chefs and winemakers offering their wares at Tastes of the Coffs Coast evenings during Festival of Sail.

FESTIVAL

NOW is the time for sitting outdoors with friends, enjoying a fine wine, sampling seasonal dishes and tapping your feet to lilting gypsy tunes.

dd in the sea breezes and great views on thee Coffs Yacht Club lawn, the buoyant sailing crowd d competing in the Coffs-Pittwater race series, and d you have the ingredients for perfect summer evenings. enings.

Tastes of the Coffs Coast is a focus of this year’s Festival of Sail, and some of the coast’s bestt chefs are competing for your taste buds with tempting taster platess at just as tempting prices.

Choose one or up to three nights (January 7, 8 and 9) of sampling mpling the best local produce, paired with award-winning wines from m regional wineries under the Festival of Sail marquee.

Entry to the marquee for Tastes of the Coffs Coast is just $10 0 for table dining in the cool evening breezes.

Select from dishes prepared by Simon Chladil of Coffs Harbour ur Racing Club, Novotel’s Tony Gill, Eddie Delves of Ed’s Tucker Box, Robin Croft of Savouries With A Twist and Spare Chef’s Chris Freeman, man, all while dining in the one perfect summer location.

Wine makers from three local wineries – Raleigh Wines, Two Tails Wines of Nana Glen and Bago Vineyards in Wauchope will bee shar-ing their best drops, several of them award-winning creations. s.

Taster plates range from $3.50 to a maximum of $15, making g Tastes Tastees of the Coffs Coast an affordable way to sample the creative skills off some of our most talented chefs.

Acoustic guitars, mandolin, violin and traditional drumming combine to create the lilting gypsy-folk and Latin sounds of the Northern Rivers Romaniacs band, which will provide live entertainment ment for Taste of the Coffs Coast diners on each of the nights.

Tastes of the Coffs Coast will open in the Festival of Sail marquee quee on the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club lawn from 5.30 - 10.30pm on Tuesday, January 7, Wednesday, January 8 and Thursday, January uary 9. Tickets are $10 for this over 18s event, with live music by the Romaniacs.

You can find out more about this and other Festival of Sail events vents at: www.coffscoastfestivalofsail.com.au – tickets are now on sale at Coffs Harbour Yacht Club or phone Kim on 6658 6666 between tween 9am - 3pm, Monday to Friday. Numbers under the marquee are limited, so be sure you don’t miss out on these perfect summer mer evenings.

32 coffs coast focus.

TASTES OF THE COFFS COAST MENU Tony Gill, Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort Grilled garlic and cheese focaccia: $6.50 Grilled field mushroom topped with Manchego cheese green salad: $10 Prawn and crab spring roll and riberry dipping sauce: $10 Tandoori Milly Hill lamb fillet yoghurt dressing: $10 Strawberry mille-feuille: $9.50 Banana caramel tarts: $9.50

cous-cous with harissa yoghurt: $8.50

Eddie and Liz Delves, Ed’s Tucker Box Handmade Peking Burrawong duck spring rolls with soya, citrus, ginger and chilli dipping sauce: one: $3.50, two: $6, three: $8 Duck pâté with port jelly and thyme served with crispy croutons: $7 Famous Burrawong duck san choy bow served on cos lettuce: $8 Goujon of lamb fettine - fingers of lamb crumbed in fresh rosemary, garlic and parsley with rocket, pear and parmesan salad with a lemon olive oil dressing: $10 Cantonese pork skewer with fried rice: $10 Shiitake mushroom, tofu and haloumi fritter with rocket and wasabi aioli: $8

salad: $8.50

Chris Freeman, Spare Chef Catering Pulled pork soft tortilla with goats cheese and avocado: $9.50 Grilled haloumi on Greek salad lemon and olive oil dressing: $9.50 Moroccan lamb skewers on almond

Coffs banana daquiri with white rum lime and coconut: $7.50 Corindi blueberry and watermelon margarita: $7.50 Robin Croft, Savouries With A Twist: Canape tasting plate: $10 Turkish chicken: $10 Fillet of salmon: $10 Pumpkin & sweet potato stack with a toasted pine nut dressing on a mescalin Profiteroles: $10 Blueberry hotcakes: $7 Simon Chladil, Coffs Harbour Racing Club Finger foods sampler; Szechuan lamb kebab, chilled Vietnamese prawns, curry lamb fillo, spinach & ricotta fillo, vegetable korma puff, Thai prawn kebab; three pieces: $4.50, four pieces: $8 Mini Tex-Mex chicken burger: $4 Greek lamb kebab includes baby spinach, fetta cheese, tomato and yoghurt sauce: $10 Dinner sampler of two finger foods, Greek lamb kebab and dessert: $15 Kim’s strawberry cheesecake: $5 Karen’s chocolate raspberry gateau: $5 Simon’s orange and almond cake with lemon curd cream: $5 Dessert sampler: three mini serves of above: $8

PARTICIPATING WINERIES PART V Bago Vineyards Wauchope’s 28-yearwin old winery collected some more medals the display case in the recent for their En New England Wine Show, the Small Winem Winemakers Wine Show and the North T Coast Tourism awards. Their best-performin wines in awards are the Bago forming Vineya Vineyards Red Boot sparkling rosé and Silver Boot B Silver sparkling chardonnay.

Two Tails Ta Winery Nana Glen’s welTwo coming vineyard grows Chardonnay coming and Villard Vil and Blanc grapes for their white a Chambourcin and Jacquez wines and for the red and liqueur range, which include sparkling varieties. The winery includes ca are open seven days in school and café holiday only 10 minutes from Coffs holidays, Harbou in the Orara Valley.

Harbour Raleig Winery First planted 30 years Raleigh Ra ago, Raleigh Winery grows Chambourcin grapes for their red and Villard f their white ranges, which Blanc for include ports and brandy crémes. The Austra Australian Small Winemakers Show aw has awarded several bronze medals to Ra their Raleigh Fox Gully dry white. Their d cellar door is open seven days in school holiday just 15 minutes south of Coffs holidays, Harbou Harbour.

focusinterview.

African born Kuei moved to Coffs Coast eight years ago. With a determination to educate herself in English and business studies, she has grown her successful salon, African Hair Braids. Kuei encourages all who are contemplating becoming Australian Citizens this Australia Day to try hard to fit in to our great community and educate themselves.

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here are you originally from, what made you decide to leave your native country and why

Coffs Harbour?

I am originally from Kenya, and at the age of 23 I had the opportunity to move here with my sister and four children due to a scholarship through Century Foundation.

Coffs Harbour was decided upon, as it is a beautiful coastal town and quiet. When I arrived in Coffs Harbour, I went straight to TAFE and studied English and then did various Certificate IV subjects, and I am still studying to this day. School and study is a very important part of my life. Back in Africa I went to school from 7.30am 'til 6pm, and I knew that was the only way to better myself.

What languages do you speak?

English now, but my native tongue is Dinka.

What is your business in Coffs Harbour?

My business is called African Hair Braids and is opposite the C.ex Club here in Coffs Harbour's CBD. I have owned the business for eight years.

How has your business grown?

I've been growing since day one. I have changed premises to a bigger one, where I have added a party room as well as lots more stock like a huge hair care range, as well as clothes and handbags from Africa.

I am really into organic hair products and chemical free body lotions too.

What were the challenges you faced with starting up a business in a new

country, and how did you respond so successfully to these?

The biggest challenge was getting educated and learning the process of setting up. I am very determined and I believe in up-skilling myself all the time, and I make sure I am continually learning.

Do you feel your traditional culture adds significant value to the achievements you have made in your professional life?

Yes, my culture is very strongly based in self empowerment and determination, as I learnt very early to have a high respect for education and how that determines the kind of life you will have personally and professionally. I have also brought a bit of Africa to Coffs with my braiding and hair skills. I also find my role here as a helper to new Africans settling here, as I can speak their language and also give advice as I know the area so well now.

What does citizenship in Australia mean to you?

It means everything. I became an Australian Citizen after being here two years, and I was in the first or second group of Africans to ever be made an Australian Citizen in Coffs Harbour on an Australia Day Celebration back in 2004.

What one piece of advice would you give any new citizen to Australia who wants to have a successful and happy life in Coffs Harbour?

Try hard to fit in to this great community and make sure you educate yourself.

Thanks Kuei.

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AUSTRALIA DAY What’s Bring along a rug/chair, picnic or enjoy the variety of local food on offer and join in the Community Celebrations and Ceremony for the 2014 Australia Day at the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Coffs Harbour on Sunday 26 January, commencing at 10am.

9 great reasons to join the Australia Day Fun 1. Flag Raising - Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

2. Family Celebrations Bring a rug and/or chair, your own picnic or enjoy the food on offer, including a good ol' Aussie barbecue and tasty cultural treats.

3. FREE Activities for Kids.

Debra Lee Kidz Biz Concert continues to entertain the young and young at heart. Kidz Biz is a cool interactive children’s concept.

This gimmick-free specialist kid’s show allows kids of all ages to ‘get in and have a go’, laugh, play and basically have a fantastic time!

Girl Guides Aussie Games - egg and spoon race, sack race, water sponge throwing (at human target – lots of fun; kids love it!) Aussie gumboot throwing; ballistas; craft: making Australian bush musical instruments e.g. lagerphone, barcoo dog; Bell Tent on display.

The Smiley’s Characters Concert performing popular action songs and musical games on the kids stage.

Balloon Artist - have fun with different

5. Art by Trudy Smith ‘BODY ART’ 2014 Australia Day will be a ‘Festival of Colour’ surrounded by creative entertainment and family celebrations offering body art in its many and varied forms.

For members of the public it will be nothing short of phenomenal to watch the human canvas take shape during this family event.

Be present to purchase tickets for a raffled prize of a ‘take home’ canvas version of the body art.

6. Deblea Top Shelf has established themselves with their carefully crafted selection of classic, rock & modern hits. Known for their energy and interaction with their audiences, their philosophy is simple “playing good, upbeat music to lift people’s spirits.”

7. Julie Ross Dancers Local talented students of Julie Ross Dance Studio performing bright Jazz routines.

COMPE TITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN PRIZ ES

8. Rafiki African Drumming Band Sensational sounds from the African nation of Burundian presented by the well established Coffs Harbour performers, who will capture the crowd with a range of rhythmic songs.

9. Coffs Coast Pipes & Drums Opening with traditional Scottish sounds from this long established local group.

Lucky Door Prize Young Writer’s Presentation Colouring Competition Aussie Hat Competition

designs, shapes, sizes, colours.

Coffs Harbour Library Storytelling - kids will love joining in with the wonder of these popular sessions.

Enjoy the delights of 2 air fm breakfast, Curried Away, Aussie BBQ, Bushmans Bakery and African Culture Cafe.

Children's Face painting - local artist Trudy Smith and talented daughter team up to present iconic Aussie Day logos and favourite children’s designs.

4. Young Writer’s Competition - Listen to talented local kids recite patriotic winning creations.

34 coffs coast focus.

Debra Lee

Kidz Biz Concert

coffs coast focus 35

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P E T E M U R R AY RELEASES ‘FEELER 10 Y E A R A N N I V E R SA RY ’ ALBUM AND ADDS COFFS HARBOUR TO THE JA N UA RY - A P R I L 2014 N AT I O N A L T O U R .

• OF THE MONTH •

PETE Murray Good news, Coffs Harbour! Pete has not dismissed his loyal fans on the Coffs Coast.

With his original band ‘The Stonemasons’ in tow, Pete looks forward to delighting music fans, bringing us a new show at the Hoey Moey, Thursday 27 February!

Ten years ago, Pete Murray released his definitive album Feeler in Australia. It marked the end of his promising sporting career and the dawn of a hugely successful music career.

The Feeler album reached #1 on the national ARIA charts, sold over 7 x platinum, was nominated for 12 x ARIA Awards and spent over two and half years, yes years, in the Top 100!

36 coffs coast focus.

A decade later, the album tracks are still in the hearts and souls of many Australians, so Pete has released a 10-year anniversary edition of this milestone album, re-mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

It also includes a bonus CD featuring the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra performing Feeler in full, mixed with original album masters.

the plug!

Where: Hoey Moey When: Thursday 27 February Tickets: $40 + BF www.hoeymoey.oztix.com.au

by Hayden Meyers at element bar

Coastal ELIXIR

This Coastal Elixir goes down a treat on the perfect summer afternoon. If you want to be noticed, this cocktail is definitely the pick of the bunch!

Ingredients

Instructions

• 30 ml vanilla vodka • 30 ml alize bleu • 120 ml cloudy apple juice • 60 ml passionfruit pulp

Add vodka, alize bleu with cloudy apple into a shaker with ice.

Shake. Pour 60 ml of passionfruit pulp into the bottom of a serving glass, then carefully pour the mixture into the glass, filling to the top. Add a pineapple stick – pineapple leaf to the side of the glass rim. Get half a passionfruit shell, add 15 ml Bacardi 151 into the shell, and light it up.

W E H AV E A G R E AT L I N E - U P O F E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N J A N U A R Y. W E W I L L S H O W C A S E S O M E O F T H E B E S T L O C A L

Hotel

T A L E N T P L U S T R AV E L L I N G G U E S T S E V E R Y T H U R S D AY, F R I D AY A N D S A T U R D AY N I G H T I N J A N U A R Y.

january entertainment and events ighlights include Hekyl and Jive, Friday 3 Jan; Hammer and the Goon Friday 17 Jan; Richie Williams Band, Sat 18 Jan; and Voodoo Express Friday 31 Jan. A full list of our entertainment can be found on our website: www.pierhotelcoffs.com.au Do you offer functions? We offer functions in our fully equipped Terrace bar. We can cater for many types of events, including 21sts, engagement parties, birthdays, business presentations and meetings; cocktail or sit down meal options are available. We provide facilities including large screen TV which can be used for videos, presentations and slideshows, as well as a sound system with iPod/ phone connectivity.

rump steak and a schooner of Carlton beer for $16.50 Thursday night: Our famous Mexican night, a choice of seven Mexican dishes served with a Corona, wine or soft drink for $15.90.

Sunday Surf and Turf: get a 250 g rump steak topped with garlic prawns for $16, available lunch and dinner.

What community events do you get behind locally? We are a supporter of Pink Silks race day. We also host the Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Calcutta, with thousands of dollars raised each year for a local organisation. The Coffs Harbour Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shed has benefitted from this for the last 2 years.

What are your weekly meal specials? Monday night: Burger and Beer for $12.50. Choose from beef or chicken burger and get a schooner of Carlton beer.

The Pier Hotel has a great relationship with Coffs

Tuesday night: Schnitzel night. Get a chicken breast schnitzel with a choice of 5 toppings for $15.

courtesy bus that runs Friday and Saturday nights

Wednesday night: Rump and Beer. Get a 250 g

book a seat.

Harbour Surf Lifesaving club, and they run meat raffles every Friday night to help raise funds.

Do you have a courtesy bus? We have a â&#x20AC;&#x201C; other times by appointment. Call 6652 2110 to

coffs coast focus 37

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weekly bistro

s l a i c e p S

North Coast Hotel Group aka ‘Four Boys’ is a team of unstoppable local publicans who collaboratively have decades of experience in the hospitality game. They are the brains behind great venues such as The Seaview Tavern, Hoey Moey, Maclean Hotel and most recently Moonee Tavern. Their success is a direct result from the following motto: good beer, good food and a family, friendly environment! Here Harry Barry shares the ‘Four Boys’ story …

monday

meat lovers or or hawaiian a z iz p medium barramundi & salad

10sday tue $10 schnitzel toppers wednesday 00g rump oritzel 2 $10 chicken schn thursday k in r d e e r f & r e g r u b $10 friday bone & chips or t $10 kiev & salad saturday 00g rump oritzel 2 $10 chicken schn $

an

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ink ncluhic iichhsiincludes a free dr whde ickeeenn burger w beef oorr chick

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2-8.3 bistro open 7 days 1

good beer, good food and friendly environment! ow did you end up in this Industry? It's genetic.

My dad was a chef, so as a family we were always in a part of the pub/kitchen/bistro scene.

I have fond memories of executing my first function when I was only seven years of age. It was a Christmas lunch for a Retirement Village. I still remember the oldies loved us kids pretending to be waiters.

we have really focused on getting the food right. It was important to us that the families in Woolgoolga got a chance to utilize the hotel. We’re proud of the fact that we are the sponsors of pretty much every large sporting group and event held on the northern beaches and we work hard at getting our service right. It has gone from strength to strength and has been the cornerstone of all our growth over the past few years.

What is your accent? I'm Irish and have been in OZ since '92. I moved to Coffs Harbour in '03, when my family and I relocated to take over The Plantation Hotel.

How did you end up at the Hoey Moey? Tell us how that journey came to fruition … The owners contacted us and asked us would we be interested in taking on a lease at the Hoey Moey so we jumped at the opportunity. We had invited Twane to take on the role of a partner. Twain has renovated and breathed new life back into Coffs Harbour’s most famous drinking hole.

Twain had a vision to transform the Hoey Moey. He was determined to drive the business, to create a big outdoors space and invite a fantastic, family friendly food offering ‘big feeds, small price’. He also wanted to bring back touring bands and we are all proud of the famous Sunday Sessions!

So you were the mastermind behind the renovations at The Plantation Hotel ... Yes, the owners lived in Sydney and I was tasked with renovating and relaunching the ‘new’ Plantation Hotel. It went gang busters from the get-go and we traded with growth for about four years and sold it on to one of the big groups in 2006.

I moved back to Sydney for twelve months and worked on a pub in Leichhardt. I then hooked up with Ric and moved back to Coffs to take over at The Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga.

It was then the North Coast Hotel Group became the ‘Four Boys’ ... tell us about that ...

FOR OR BOOKINGS PH PH: 6645 2412 28 River Street, Maclean NSW www.macleanhotel.com.au 38 coffs coast focus.

Yes, Ric and I took on the lease at The Seaview Tavern. Ric wanted somebody to free him up from the day to day operations of the pub so he could concentrate on a fairly major renovation of the Tavern. Over the past three years we’ve turned it into a real locals pub.

The food and public bar are fantastic.

Apart from building a functions facility

What was the next chapter? How does Charlie Nalder fit into the picture? Then Charlie arrived on the scene. We had been looking for somebody to share the workload with and we felt that somebody with a different perspective was what was needed. Charlie comes to us from Byron Bay's Great Northern and has worked on national events, Splendour in the Grass.

A whole new world of experience joined our team. He came on board at the Seaview Tavern and quickly learned the

ropes. With confidence he pushed me and Ric out of the way! He has driven the business and improved The Seaview Tavern out of sight over the last two years. Looking at growing outside of the area the Maclean Hotel came up so we picked that one up. Yamba and Maclean was an area we felt our model of cold beer, great food at a good price would work. Ric is up there at the moment putting the finishing touches to the first phase of the renovations before the holiday season.

Surely the pubs should have been enough? Well, I was left without a pub to run! So the Moonee Tavern was a perfect fit for us and a venue that we had hoped to get a hold of for a long time. We picked that one up in June of this year and I have been in there for the last four - five months getting it back on its feet. We have made a few changes to the bar and the bistro and tidied up the beer garden. My sister and brother in-law are running the kitchen for us and we have Tim who will be a great asset to our team for years to come is our new licensee there. I think this will be our best pub in the not too distant future as Moonee grows geographically. This is a long term investment for us and we are looking forward to being a part of the community for many years to come.

Final say: Our mantra is hands on management. You’ll always find us in our venues working with our staff and providing great service for the community. We have some great people around us, including our staff. Hopefully we can watch our staff and our pubs grow and prosper for many years to come!

The Hoey Moey rocks the coast like no other venue around!

Look what's on in January at the Moonee Tavern

D O O GSW ARS

LL C A KCIAN G N I LL +

WED

$20 + 8 JAN // TIX

LD

BF PRE-SO

PM

PEN 8.45 // DOORS O

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AY MOND

INK R D & IZZA ROUND!

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IPS H C & FISH ESH SALAD W IT H F R

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FR

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8.45PM

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PSE // SAT 11 JAN

RS OPEN OLD // DOO

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// DOORS PRE-SOLD

OPEN 9PM

U O R A

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BUS TED BY RYA R SUPPO

// TIX SAT 18 JAN

ESH SAL ALS W/ FR

IC E O F

A D , C H IP S

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T ITTYOR S S & GRAVY

NS W/ FRESH SALAD, CHIP SBCOTH H MEAL I T M R N A U P H EN K A IP S DEC C H1 C I S A D &2 I H S A LY CL WUITTHRFRD E S HA M 6PM O R T F SAR GARDEN K N I BEE R D & TYAD, CHIPS & GRAVY T I N H C S WITH FRESH SAL ut kids o

door

MEAL DEALS MON-FRI

3 JAN RUNAWAY JOHNNY 9 JAN PAT TIERNEY 10 JAN DRIFTWOOD ALLIES 11 JAN NATHAN KAYE 17 JAN MASON RACK 18 JAN HIGH HORSE 24 JAN FAT ALBERT 25 JAN DIANA ANAID

It’s all happening at the Seaview this January!

N 8.45PM

OORS OPE -SOLD // D

RE

$20 + BF P

YO U R C H O

AK

E TYOR ST& GRAVY

T I N H H C S UIG H C ) M G RLS T L U A F M TU EAU ROM B

The Seaview Tavern is the Northern Beaches home of great food and good times!

H S E S DAY ROM 1PM

SEUE LNIVE MUSIC F

FR

FOR R BOOKINGS GS S PH PH 6652 3833 PH: 84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour www.hoeymoey.com.au

FOR O BOOKINGS PH OR PH: 6653 6199 9 2 Moonee Beach Rd, Moonee Beach www.mooneebeachtavern.com.au

FOR BOOKINGS PH PH: 6654 1206 51 River Street, Woolgoolga NSW www.seaviewtavern.com.au coffs coast focus 39

Don't drink and drive this summer. The following great venues would love to see you again, so why not catch their complimentary courtesy bus? The following popular local venues are offering free transportation services this summer ...

FREE

BUS THE AMBLE INN Travels as far as Woolgoolga and Half Way creek. For bookings contact 6649 2622

THE PIER HOTEL

Coramba Hotel

Use The Pier Hotel's free Courtesy Bus on Friday and 6652 2110 to make a booking.

Saturday nights.

If you have a group wanting to visit, relax with our ur newest addition of a 12 seat luxury courtesy bus r, operating between Nana Glen and Coffs Harbour, 6654 54 4216.

Wednesday to Sunday or by arrangement.

THE PARK BEACH BOWLING CLUB

THE HOEY MOEY

The Park Beach Bowling Club Courtesy Bus runs from 4.30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Courtesy Bus will pick up as far north as Sapphire (including the resorts), all around Coffs Harbour and to the south including the Sawtell/Toormina areas (conditions apply). To book this bus all you need to do is call the friendly staff at reception, who can 6652 3622. book you in for your requested time.

The Hoey Moey have a Courtesy Bus that is not only a safe way to get you from a - b once you've been drinking with your friends, but is also a 1800 768 815 lot of fun! Call free to arrange your ride.

FREE

BUS

greenhouse tavern Runs from Thursday - Saturday from 6651 5488 a few mins 5.30pm - late. before you'd like to be collected.

40 coffs coast focus.

The seaview tavern Courte Courtesy Cour tesy sy Bus runs from Wednesday - Saturday during the th e summer summ su m months from 5pm onwards. Call to make a b bo o ing ok g for f a pick up.

6654 1206. booking

THE MOONEe TAVERN Courtesy Bus runs from Tuesday - Saturday from 6pm - late. Courtesy Bus has its own 0450 356 101. special number

Get Bussed not Busted It’s the weekend! You’ve dressed up. You look hot!

You’re planning a BIG night. But, hang on, how are you going to get home? What’s your Plan B?

The Coramba Hotel Visit the iconic Coramba Hotel, a short 15 minute drive west of Coffs Harbour. Tantalise your taste buds in the Broadaxe Bistro with a combination of Aussie and authentic Thai cuisine, with mid week $12 specials, the legendary home made pizzas available all hours, bistro open 12 - 2 for lunch and 6 - 8pm for dinner 6 days, Tuesday - Sunday.

Mark and Vanessa and daughters Sarah, Naomi and Jessica with their vast hospitality experience are there to make your visit enjoyable. The hotel's bistro has just been renovated to seat up to 120 people, so for your next function give our staff a call on 6654 4216, or bistro during opening hours on 6654 4400.

Sunday afternoons relax in the beer garden to some of our local and interstate musicians, also with a jumping castle for the children.

Come and have a chat with Mark, Vanessa and their courteous staff; you will be impressed. Sit in the coast's best beer garden and soak up the glorious views of the Orara Valley. Remember, CORAMBA HOTEL the FAMILY HOTEL. If you have a group wanting to visit, relax with our newest addition of a 12 seat luxury courtesy bus operating between Nana Glen and Coffs Harbour Wednesday to Sunday or by arrangement.

Were you thinking you were going to drive home? Wrong answer. Even a few drinks can affect the ability to drive and increase the chance of a crash. Sobering up – getting back to zero blood alcohol – takes time. No amount of food, coffee, exercise or sleep will speed up the process.

Plus, there are extra police around this holiday season and random breath testing (RBT) can happen anywhere, anytime.

You may think driving home is the cheapest option – but the consequences of a drink drive offence can be very costly. You could lose your licence, cop a fine, lose your job, lose the respect of your family, friends and colleagues, end up in gaol, or even lose your life. These are all good reasons to make positive choices about how to get home safely after a night out. Remember – driving is NOT an option.

Instead – leave the car at home, get a lift with someone who has not been drinking or using drugs, catch a taxi or catch the bus.

The Council-sponsored Nightrider bus is still running a service to Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches until the end of January 2014 every Saturday night, which leaves the CBD at 2.30am.

For details of pick-up points, go to Facebook and search for ‘Coffs Nightrider’.

BUSES Woolgoolga and dN Northern th B Beaches h Ni Nightrider ht id Coffs CBD & East Coffs to Woolgoolga via Moonee, Emerald Beach & Sandy Beach.

Saturday 2:30pm until end of January 2014.

www.ryansbusservice.com.au www.sawtellcoaches.com.au www.busways.com.au Most bus lines operate 6:15am–9:30pm See timetables for exact schedules.

COURTESY BUSES Ask your local licensed premises about courtesy buses.

TAXI 131 008 08 or 6658 9999

Check Facebook Coffs Nightrider for more information

www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au

coffs coast focus 41

Feature interview with Fran Stephenson

L I L L F O R D It’s Thursday, market day in Coffs Harbour. Ralph Lillford is toting his environmentally-friendly green shopping bag as he moves about the market square. He stops to buy some vegies … does the lady serving him realise that this man has artwork in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace?

nd the woman alongside waiting to be served, has she ever visited The Hermitage in St Petersburg or the Pushkin in Moscow and seen his works hanging there?

Along with these world-renown galleries, Ralph Lillford’s drawings and paintings have been acquired by the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Imperial War Museum and Britain’s National Science and National Army Museums also, galleries in America, Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Sweden, China, Japan, Spain, Ireland, France and Canada.

He has had exhibitions in The Palace of Westminster, The European Parliament in Brussels as well as the Universities of Bradford, London, Brunel and Durham and has lectured in the UK, St Petersburg, Moscow, Amsterdam, Florence, Venice, New York and Paris.

For 16 years Dr. Lillford held the position of Professor of Fine Arts at The American International University located at Richmond, an affluent part

42 4 2 coffs coast foc focus. cus u .

of London which lists residents, past and present, to rival a royal command performance. Today he blends in with the market day shoppers, most of whom are unaware that a man of such distinguished artistic achievement has made Coffs Harbour his home.

Dr. Lillford, your art career started very early I believe? I feel I did my first significant work when I was three years old. My mother kept two drawings, because she thought they were very good. One was a pig, the other of a man driving a car. To look at them now, they could have been drawn by a ten year old.

I was nine when I won first prize in a competition for school children run by the British Government.

It was to encourage people to grow vegetables to help the war effort; it was called ‘Dig for Victory’, and I did a large poster of a potato dressed as a sergeant wearing a V.C. and holding a rifle. It’s now part of a collection bought in 1989 by the National Army Museum in Chelsea in London.

Does artistic talent run through your family?

My father was an amazing artist. He taught himself

to paint as a little boy. He was ambidextrous and could draw with both hands at the same time.

He was a bully and a tyrant, but an enormous influence on me artistically.

And now my son, Pascal, is a painter and designer and teaches at the Kingston Polytechnic in London.

For the London Olympics he was engaged by British Airways to paint doves on their entire fleet of 747s, which he painted in gold. Yes ... it does seem that it does.

As a young man you spent time in Egypt.

How did that influence your early art? When I was 20 I did National Service in the Royal Army Educational Corp and was posted to Fayid in the Suez. It was a marvellous time. I was appointed Platoon Sergeant, plus I ran art classes for officers and their wives. We made trips out into the desert to paint and went to interesting locations like Cyprus, Port Said and Port Suez. The light was brilliant and the colours vibrant and exotic – so different to back home in the UK. In the 1970s during the times of ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland, you did some of your most notable

focus fo oc cu u ussin iinterview. ntte erv vie iew. ew w..

“

I feel very strongly that I am entitled to draw what I want and what I see, and no one should stop me from doing that.”

what I want and what I see, and no one should stop me from doing that.

works in the streets of Belfast and Londonderry.

This must have been very dangerous? I was a civilian at that time, and I’d read lots of disturbing stories about what was going on in Northern Ireland.

I felt I had to go and see for myself.

I stayed with an IRA man in Belfast and went out with the army on night patrols. Each night I came back with 20 - 30 drawings.

One night I came out of a pub and had a revolver pushed under my chin. An IRA sympathizer asked in very foul language what I was doing there. Another time I was arrested by the Royal Marines and taken to a Police Station which had a 20 metre tunnel of barbed wire at the entrance; they confiscated all my drawings.

In contrast, after that I was engaged in an official capacity when I was asked to paint the Royal Regiment of Wales by Prince Charles, who was the Colonel-in-Chief. The keeper of the Queen’s pictures, Sir Oliver Miller, suggested I show my drawings to the British Museum and they bought six works, as did the Imperial War Museum.

What feelings do you have when you revisit your Northern Ireland works? When I returned from Belfast, a group of my friends met me at Heathrow and we laid out all my drawings at the airport. It was then that I realised how foolish I had been to have put myself in such danger.

But I feel very strongly that I am entitled to draw

In Northern Ireland I did about 100 drawings and at least 40 paintings. In 1989 the Head of Fine & Decorative Art, of the National Army Museum, saw them, and she purchased 20 works. In 2006 they held a big exhibition called Painting the Troubles, and she also toured in Australia giving talks on the works.

Rhoades, Gary Nehl, David Helfgott, Nambucca Shire Councillor Martin Ballangarry and James Steeth, designer of the Melbourne Cup and many others. I like to paint portraits and figures in their surroundings.

As an artist, do you feel that you have a mission via your work? Art has always been my strength; I have painted over 500 paintings. I also taught the history of art and got a PhD for my work I 03 20 In on William Hogarth. But my toured India; d an r main strength has always lo ua sq w I sa did been drawing and painting. magnificence. I

Tell us about your work in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace… For over three years I had been hile I 360 drawings w asking permission to go down I feel very privileged to have was there ... ” into the Channel Tunnel to four drawings and a painting draw during its construction. in both The Hermitage in St It was dangerous, as there was Petersburg and the Pushkin in lots of vast machinery and it was Moscow. They are all self-portraits. expensive to take one person down, but Do you find your subject or does I finally got permission. I did 20 drawings. it find you? In 2003 I toured India; I saw The following year I went down again when the squalor and magnificence. I did 360 drawings while I two sections of the tunnel met. I drew the face of was there. I had an exhibition of 70 paintings called the French boring machine ‘Katherine’ as it came Painting the Travels at the C.ex some years back, through. The Queen bought that drawing for the which also included paintings from my travels to Royal Collection.

Greece, Spain, France and Russia.

“

My tunnel works have also been exhibited in shows at The Palace of Westminster, The European Parliament in Brussels and the Brunel University.

After retiring in 1997 you moved to Australia.

Did your art take a different direction then?

Definitely. I immediately had four strokes and surgery, so that changed my life. I painted a massive mural of the Crucifixion for a church in Mudgeeraba in Queensland and have done much portraiture work.

I’ve painted local people like David Doyle, Keith

You’re an inspiration; you’re now 81, you have had eight strokes and you’re still painting …

Yes, I paint or draw every day. I have just finished a work which is currently under consideration by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. A friend, who was a Japanese P.O.W., told me how his hands were nailed to the table during interrogation and I have also read about that; the painting depicts that sort of cruelty.

Thanks Dr. Lillford.

coffs coast focus 43

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44 coffs coast focus.

FROM BLAND TO BRAND IMAGE MATTERS a monthly feature by ◎

saso.creative

Here comes the Sun New Courses for 2014!

We’re very excited to announce a range of new courses designed by our new Artistic Director, Trish O’Brien.

Along with a full performance program for you to enjoy, we are currently launching the following courses for 2014: THE ACADEMY is a chamber music program designed for students who have reached grade 6 or above on any instrument. Chamber music and ensemble playing is vital for all aspiring musicians and gives them that magical experience of combining with other young musicians of a similar level under the guidance of Trish O’Brien. Entry is by audition and successful students will be offered a place in the Academy.

Thanks to very generous sponsorship by a prestigious artist in the USA, two full Academy scholarships per term will be available to especially gifted students.

ROCK & JAZZ JAM SESSIONS. Especially for the under 25s, this program is designed for young musos who want to learn more about how to jam, improvise and perform as a band. Open to the public, these sessions will be guided by our wonderful Jazz and Rock teachers and offer you an opportunity to find your future band members whilst learning all the skills to become a successful performer.

10 Bellingen High students recently graduated from The Big Idea, a project based learning experience centred on taking a business idea from concept to completion.

Over a five month period the students met every week to plan how they would deliver a youth focused Music Skate event.

The students undertook all the behind the scene work that goes into creating and staging an outdoor event, including risk management plans, development applications, infrastructure planning, artist liaison, marketing, budgeting, sponsorship and much more. Their hard work and commitment culminated in a fabulous event, Here comes the Sun, in early December.

Under sunny skies a large crowd enjoyed the tunes of talented young musicians and watched local skaters defying gravity.

At their Graduation Ceremony, the students reflected on the value of leading their own learning. “It was challenging, but really rewarding”. “Because we were passionate about putting on this event, the learning was fun”.

Youth Directions, which leads the initiative, is dedicated to broadening and enriching learning opportunities for young people by bringing together schools, business and community.

Big Thanks to Cath Cosgrave Project Management, Dot Panaretos Principal Bellingen High, Fiona Barden ETC small business support, Pete Papandrea, events management coach and mentor.

Okay, so ... We’ve got your logo sorted and you’re pretty damned pleased with it. We’ve built your website and it’s open for business.

And we’ve even got some preliminary ideas for some brochures to get your print campaign started. Sounds like an ideal time to think about your branding strategy.

What is branding? Branding goes beyond the visual elements of your identity and lays on ‘personality’. Are you an innovative maverick, or are you experienced, focused and dependable? Are you the high-cost, high-quality option, or are you low-cost, highvalue? Simply put, it’s your promise to your customers.

It’s memorable: You can start with getting your logo, name and strapline in as many places as you can. No one can do return business or recommend you if they can’t remember your business name. But give them a pen, calendar or fridge magnet with your name and logo on it, and they will rembember you.

It’s recognisable: Side by side, a product or service with a recognisable brand will outsell its competitors – even when the competitors are seen as ‘better’. Fact. Think of the Pepsi vs Coke blind taste tests. It’s now more or less accepted that in blind taste tests, Pepsi has the advantage over Coke. But in sales, the juggernaut that is the Coca Cola brand wins out, every time.

Good brand, premium price: A good brand lifts your product or service out of the realm of mere commodity, so you get customers willing to pay more for your offer than your competitor’s based on price alone.

It breeds familiarity: I love this: Psychologists have shown that brand familiarity induces feelings similar to friendship. So people will recommend a good brand even if they have never done business with that brand.

If you’re ready to take your business image beyond the ho-hum and make it work for you, give saso.creative a call. We know how to unleash your brand’s secret powers, and make it work hard.

Next month’s Image Matters feature: Focus on Packaging.

saso.creative

TARGETED DESIGN

FOR YOUR BUSINESS

WEB DESIGN PRINT DESIGN PACKAGING

LOGO DESIGN ◎ BRANDING COPYWRITING

www.sasocreative.com.au

6658 7666

coffs coast focus 45

focusmotoring with Melly Dee

TOYOTA HILUX

When asked to review and test drive the brand new SR5 4x4 Double-Cab Pick-up Turbo Diesel, sel, 2013 Hilux, it reminded me instantly of my best friend, Catherine. remember when Catherine went on her first date with her now husband, back in 2010. Julian had decided to take her out for a 'steak'. Excited, 'How chic (pronounced sh-eek), how French," thought my friend. Like teenage girls we had planned that I would text her half way through the date, so she appears to be effortlessly popular ... oh, and of course for safety reasons … Obligingly, at exactly 7.45pm I sent an SMS through to interrupt the date. Two hours later (that's right, a whole two hours later!) she finally replies to me. One line response: "He drives a Hilux; I'm in love!"

Catherine's story proves a recent poll by a UK website that has revealed that over half of the women surveyed are not attracted to men in expensive, flashy sports cars, assuming they are arrogant or up themselves.

Meanwhile, significantly more women are attracted to men who drive either a 4x4 or a ute. Cue: Hilux.

Since jumping in to this bad boy last weekend, I have come to learn that Hilux dominates ute sales across the country, a pretty special kudos considering the market is flooded with serious competitors. The first Hilux was born in the late '60s, and in 1979 Toyota decided to introduce the work horse that is the 4WD system. With continued growth during that period, Hilux has 46 coffs coast focus.

proven its reputation as not only a tough 'unbreakable' power house, but it is also a vehicle for the whole family.

As the saying goes, the Toyota Hilux really is 'unbreakable'. UK car television program, Topgear, recently exposed just how strong the pickup actually is. The hosts on the show put the Hilux through a series of progressively harder challenges, with the last challenge being so ridiculous, I thought, "This car couldn't possibly survive this". The hosts strapped the car on top of a building that was to be demolished. The car was eventually pulled out of the pile of debris. The car was then started up and would you believe it, the engine turned over, and the car was shortly after driven into the Topgear set. 'Unbreakable' really is an understatement.

Toyota have listened to their market; Australians have said that they want a vehicle that is an 'all-rounder', ... something that could take on a role to suit the whole family. This car smashes all of that out of the ballpark, bringing to market a combination that marries a tradie vehicle to throw the tools in, tow capacity to pull the boat or a vehicle that simply looks 'tough'.

As a woman driving for the weekend, I was amazed! This car abolishes the theory that utes are for blue collars. Toyota have really come to the party, bringing Aussies a choice of body styles, four wheel drive stats

and the engine choice of either turbo dieux brings us more sel or petrol. The 2013 Hilux ter fuel efficienspace inside the cabin, better nce, a range of cy, unbelievable performance, k brake b k assist, it safety inclusions (ABS brakes, front/passenger, curtain front and rear airbags) not to mention extreme comfort.

cabin? Bang on. What's important to me whilst driving are the simple things – cup holders for coffee-to-go. Bluetooth teamed with voice recognition. The true feeling of f hil inside i id the h cabin, bi that h elevated l d safety whilst feeling of being up higher than the other drivers on the road gives you a real sense of 'everything is going to be Under the bonnet OK'. Oh, and another you'll find front and Toyota have r noticeable aspect was rear coil spring listened to thei s n' the amount of attenia suspension and market, Austral ey want th tion this car attracts. at th steering powered id sa ve ha an 'allWholly be-jesus, by rack and pinion. a vehicle that is hing that never have I been a The diesel showcasrounder', somet role to part of a vehicle that could take on a ing four cylinders, mily.” fa suit the whole attracts so much attenin-line, belt driven tion! Men stare, droolDOHC four valves per ing in envy at the traffic cylinder, aluminium lights, not even noticing that alloy head with a maxiI'm a woman driver, simply just mum horse power of 126 kW perving on the body! Not forgetting complete with injection type fuel the most important part here, gents ... system. Available in either manual or this car really does turn ladies into school automatic transmission, complete with girls. Let me fill you in on a little secret two or four-wheel drive. here: it's true ... us ladies really are sick for Did I take it four by four-ing? No, I didn't. a bloke in a Hilux! Head down and meet But I did take advantage of the large ute the team at Coffs Harbour Toyota and test tray and picked up a vintage chair that I'd drive yours today. been eyeing off on Gumtree. To test its real

“

capabilities, I would've had to fill it with a tonne of dirt and drive it up a steep hill, and let's be serious … who has a tonne of dirt on hand? What about inside the

Coffs Harbour Toyota, 192-196 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour Tel: 1800 422 805 www.coffsharbourtoyota.com.au

with Joel McCulla from Zulu’s

WH

Emporium would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

AT ’ S I N

Corn.

Stemming from the ancient maize grain, corn had become an integral part of our diets, even if we hadn't noticed it before. Don't fear; we are not like America where high fructose corn syrup is hiding in every item on the supermarket shelf, though the maize starch compound is being used in some remarkable ways to provide us with some foods in far healthier ways.

In Season

Corn starts its fruitful life in a 'milk stage'; at this point it is know as sweet-corn. It's juicy and sweet and delicious; we generally eat it fresh and it needs to be eaten quickly, so it doesn't go bad. Then as the ear of corn ages on the plant, the sugars are 'complexified' into starches and we end up with the grain stage, in which the milky sugar compounds of the corn have been turned into super strong starches.

This grain corn can be milled for cornflour, and nowadays we enjoy it when it gets treated further. A little heat and an acidic environment, and you can transform cornflour into Ultratex, which is a starch compound that requires no cooking, but will thicken and stabilise liquids, providing them with rich, creamy textures.

Yes, this is how your fat free cream based treats are made. It's amazing sometimes how we do scare ourselves, because we don't understand what is going into our food.

Christmas Art Sale Art Supply Emporium has been holding

primed canvasses. Their mantra is: "If we

an Art Sale over the Christmas period and

haven't got it in stock, we will get it or

is happy to announce that they are going to

attempt to source it for you"! Art Supply

continue it on until the end of January to give

Emporium also offers the opportunity for

all the visitors to the area an opportunity to

those who buy their products there to hang

view and enjoy the works of our local and

their works in the gallery, so that they can be

well known artists, including Maggie Hayne,

appreciated by all visitors and customers. They

Rosalind Robertson, Pia Dawn, Robin Tull and

have a purpose built area that is available for

Robert Friend (whose works are shown here).

exhibitions, classes and workshops or for just

If you are looking for something different as a

$5 per day, you can use the space if you or

gift for your family or friends, you should not

your friends have limited space at home.

miss this sale! With works priced at between

Please don't hesitate to contact Sharan on

10% - 50% off, there is something for all

(02) 6651 7771 or email your order or request

tastes, including pieces that will only increase

for information to artsupplyemporium@

in value over time!

bigpond.com – they are located at 2/21 Isles

The store stocks a multitude of products,

Drive, next to Si-Clean Energy.

including Matisse, Atelier & Art Spectrum

Art Supply Emporium would like to wish

paints and Art Basics Premium and Triple

everyone a safe and happy holiday!

To continue reading about unique ingredients, including a few useful tips and recipes, visit my blog on the Zulu’s Restaurant & Bar website: www.zuluscoffs.com

with Claire Simmonds, Clairity Public Relations

Business success no secret Two quite different Coffs Coast business success stories share a common factor. hen a start-up touring dance company came to town, the venue operators were staggered ticket sales exceeded those sold for recent shows by Lee Kernaghan and Arj Barker – well known performers.

W

More than 500 tickets were sold to Eire Entertainment’s A Taste of Ireland Coffs Harbour show in September. The show’s producer Brent Pace is now on YouTube, telling how he was ‘blown away’ and ‘amazed’ at the PR his show received from Clairity Public Relations.

“We measure everything – all our leads – we know through the print advertising we’ve been doing our leads have been steady and increasing and that’s due to the boutique advertising we’ve been doing with Clairity,” Peter Pappalardo said.

Peter Pappalardo and his partner Mick Loxley took over the local Spanline franchise 18 months ago and engaged Claire Simmonds of Clairity

Public Relations early last year.

They recently won seven national franchise awards – mostly for sales success – and two of their team were in the top sales conversions in the country.

“In our business, we’re really good at doing home additions, we’re not good at promoting ourselves. I like to engage people who know what their field is and Claire’s field is public relations,” Peter said.

“People do want to be recognised and want to see themselves above their competitors. A really efficient way of doing that is to get someone to manage that for you – she’s cost-effective and I see value in everything that she does for us,” he said.

Find out how Clairity Public Relations can improve your business profile at www.clairity. com.au or by calling Claire Simmonds on 0415 495 010. coffs coast focus 47

By Duncan Marchant, Coffs Coast Health Club

By Nicola Taylor - Director Girlfit

Desperately

G SEEKIZN IN' SNOO

Go Vita

I N S P I R A T I O N A L

F I T N E S S

I N T E R V I E W

CHERIE PARIK The Edge Real Estate and NextGen Leaders

I

am finding more and more women are having problems sleeping. We seem to fall asleep OK, but often wake around 2am staring at the roof ... sound familiar?

I can tell you, you’re far from alone. I did some homework, and insomnia is the second most common medical complaint, with almost half of all adults experiencing symptoms a few nights a week. Don’t let a bad night's sleep ruin your day. Try the following tips to help knock insomnia on the head!

Use your bed for sleep and sex only. The brain makes connections between places and events, so don’t use your bedroom as a living

room – no knitting, playing computer games, Facebook or TV. Get outdoors; exercise!

Exercise improves restful sleep, but do not do just before bedtime. Exercising in the sun is also important. Sunlight produces melatonin, a sleep promoting substance.

Make your bedroom a sanctuary. Keep it dark, cool and no ticking clocks! Try not to share your bed with kids or pets.

No thermogenics after lunch or caffeine based drinks. If you find yourself wide awake, get up and do something productive; when you feel sleepy, go back to bed.

Happy snoozing, and see you on the beach for some Girlfit sun loving exercise. Until next month, Nic.

with Renee Atkins, owner Beach Bodies Health Club

KEEPING HEALTHY at CHRISTMAS

Here are a few simple tips to keep your goals on track and make sure all the hard work you have done do not go to waste.

When drinking alcohol, remember to stay hydrated and watch the amount of sugar that is in the mixers and cocktails – try to alternate a drink with a glass of water – your whole body will thank you the next day, especially if drinking in the sun.

Keep active! – we are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world – get outside and enjoy it! Now is a great time to enjoy the 48 coffs coast focus.

W

hat is your diet and exercise background Cherie? You’ve heard of the saying 'yoyo dieter' – well, I was like the dynamo diabolo dieter. I’d either do no exercise or exercise to the point of exhaustion and injury. I’d either eat too much or too little with no education about what foods were good for me, or how food effectively fuelled my body. I had no idea about the importance of water and keeping my body hydrated.

So where did it all go wrong? I was raised on a ‘typical’ farmer’s diet of starch, wheat, veg, meat and yeast. An intolerance to gluten and dairy was causing havoc on the functionality of my organs. I have obesity on both maternal and paternal sides of my family, so carrying a few extra kg was accepted as 'normal' in our family.

Add a run of nasty life events, including a severe back injury, and I became an overweight young adult with poor self esteem and an unproductive mind set.

And how did that make you feel? Lousy! I’m naturally an active, positive person – so to be overweight and not happy with myself was a struggle.

W ll it’s Well, it’ that th t time ti off year again i where h we find ourselves indulging and getting into the party spirit - so what can we do to stay focused and on track?

Remember to keep eating healthy – with work functions, choose the healthiest option or make sure that the rest of your week has been healthy to allow for an extra indulgent treat – and don’t go back for seconds – remember your portion sizes.

Thank you for such a positive response to last month’s story about the amazing Kirsten Howton. This month we are catching up with Cherie Parik and her Coffs Coast Personal Trainer Glen Barnett to hear her inspiring story.

outdoors with the family – buy gifts that you and the kids can enjoy outside and that get you moving! Restrict the amount of time that you and the family spend in front of the TV and game consoles – plus most of the local gyms are now offering 24 hour membership – so there is no real excuse of no time!

If you stick to your basic guidelines of healthy eating 80% of the time, watch your portion sizes and alcohol intake and keep active – you will enjoy a happy and healthy holiday.

Then what motivated you to find a solution to the problem? Simple! I looked in the mirror.

Didn’t like what I saw and made the commitment to change! I refused to accept that looking and feeling lethargic and overweight was 'normal' b because it was 'in my genes' and that I couldn’t eexercise because of my back injury. I chose to invest in myself and believe in my ability to make it happen.

How did you go about making that positive change? I took responsibility! I stopped blaming and making excuses. I took control of my situation. I changed my mind set. I decided I’m not going to LOSE weight! I’m going to DESTROY it! I had NO intention of finding it again! I changed the perception that 'obesity runs in the family' and realised it’s actually just a case of nobody runs in my family! I shed my life of negative people and altered my diet to exclude

gluten, wheat and dairy. I armed myself with a specialist’s diet and nutritional advice and got myself a bloody good personal trainer!

Why did you select Glen as your personal trainer and what have you been doing together to achieve your goals? It was imperative I joined forces with a trainer who understood the anatomy of core training. With a severe back injury I had to build core strength before I could focus on cardio fitness. Glen has an in depth knowledge of how the muscles in our body work and interact. Other than a lot of name calling and cursing, Glen and I have done a lot of core work and strength training. Because I think cardio is the devil, we’re building my fitness levels through interval weight training.

What goals have you achieved so far? About 10 kg of weight loss, increased core stability, improved posture and change in body shape.

What are your goals for the future? Be fit and strong enough to win dancing with the Coffs Coast stars in February 2014! At which time, Glen pipes up and adds, “And to find herself a nice eligible bachelor to settle down with!”

What is the most useful advice you could share? Surround yourself with positive, motivating people who encourage you to become the best version of yourself possible. It took more than a day to put it on – it will take more than a day to get it off ... stay positive!

Believe in yourself. Know you can MAKE IT HAPPEN! Remove the word 'can’t' from your vocabulary ... next time your lazy bones want chocolate, couch and a Channing Tatum DVD, go for a walk instead. While I know my 'future husband' Channing Tatum is HOT; he has nothing on the endorphins and great feeling you’ll get from exercising! You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind set! Finally, lose weight to look good in clothes, but exercise to look good naked!

Thanks for sharing Cherie and if you are looking to kickstart your own inspirational fitness story, drop in to see me at Coffs Coast Health Club or contact 6658 6222 today!

Are you being served?

W

hen choosing a doctor to perform your procedure, there are a number of considerations. Firstly, it makes sense to choose one that is trained and experienced in cosmetic procedures.

These doctors will be members of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia, Australian Society of Cosmetic Physicians or Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery.

These organisations ensure and promote high quality cosmetic medicine and ongoing training for their members.

Dr. Joe

Much confusion exists in the general public as regards to who is the best person to administer cosmetic medical procedures and the basic requirements to carry out these procedures. You may wish to consider the following to help you in that decision.

Secondly, while many doctors can perform a procedure well, it is important to ensure they follow up their treatments with good after care. Doctors that visit on 3 to 4 monthly visits are unable to provide this. A patient should feel at ease to ask questions at all stages of their treatments. They should feel that the procedures have been explained in appropriate detail and have a sense of confidence with their doctor. A good patient/doctor rapport is essential for a satisfactory outcome.

The drugs and most procedures in cosmetic medicine cannot be given to a patient without first seeing a doctor and without doctor follow-up if concerns occur. So, if someone is treating a patient without

such doctor assessment, they are ignoring established guidelines. It is also illegal for the doctor to supply the products to any ‘would be nurse’ without seeing the patient, as is taking financial kickbacks for the supply of these drugs. This practice has occurred in many so called ‘good’ clinics, as well as nurses being sent out to beauty clinics.

This raises 2 major concerns. Firstly, the issue of supervision and secondly the issue of quality assurance. Where Schedule 4 drugs are used, doctor supervision applies.

This means that a qualified medical practitioner should be on site at all times when nurses are treating to provide patient assessment and emergency treatment if necessary. At a beautician centre they do not have any facilities to assist in an emergency. Furthermore, medical clinics must provide strict protocols on cleaning, sterilization, drug handling and storage.

It is unlikely that beautician centres have expensive approved vaccine fridges to ensure correct temperatures of sensitive drugs like the wrinkle relaxers, medical waste removal systems or resuscitation facilities.

Well, it might startle you to know that the majority of doctors/nurses out there have

virtually no formal training. Literally, they have obtained a bottle of wrinkle relaxer/ filler and have been told to inject ‘here’, ‘here’ and ‘here’ on 2 or 3 patients and then left to their own devices without further guidance. Essentially, their patients become their guinea pigs. There is no concept of what anatomical feature is being injected and why, no concept of side effects and how to treat them and no idea of tailoring the treatment to the patient’s unique features.

Most injectors are not attending regular conferences or educational updates. It costs to do so, and that would decrease profit margins. Many casual injectors keep their wrinkle relaxer in a non TGA approved fridge for weeks until used up.

This only decreases the strength of the product and makes for an ineffective treatment. Many injectors may not put adequate doses in or alternatively, use grossly excessive doses. Also, they may be using the cheapest products and not necessarily those that would give the best results. It all amounts to reduced safety and poor outcomes.

As a patient, you need to ask, “Who is performing the procedure?” not, “How much is it?”

coffs coast focus

49

NonSurgical Facial Rejuvenation Facial rejuvenation attempts to reverse facial skin damage caused by ageing, poor skin care and protection, a poor diet or due to smoking.

F

acial skin damage affects both the superficial (epidermis) and deeper (dermis) parts of the skin, resulting in blotchy red marks, brown pigmentation, hyper (excessive) pigmentation of the epidermis and loss of tone in the dermis due to compression of collagen and elastin.

For many years, surgical methods were the mainstay of facial-rejuvenation.

With the availability of injections (dermal fillers and skin-muscle relaxants) as well as Intense Pulsed Light and Carbon Dioxide lasers, there now are genuine, long-lasting methods of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation.

Injection Treatments include dermal fillers (injections into the dermis) to reduce the depth of established grooves on the face, and skin muscle relaxants, which reduce the appearance and severity of facial lines,

50 coffs coast focus.

especially on the forehead, glabella (the part of the forehead between the medial / inner ends of both eyebrows) and ”crow’s feet" (smile lines around the outer parts of both eyes).

With IPL treatment, there is no down time as the skin surface is intact

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Carbon Dioxide laser bring about improvements by working on the basement membrane of the epidermis.

This layer contains the basal cells, which are the core skin cells and which have the capacity to “repair“ or to “regenerate“.

The extreme precision of the pulsed CO2 laser permits removal of the damaged basement membrane and replacement with a new basement membrane from cells deeper in the dermis, in effect causing “regeneration“, and with significant new collagen and elastin formation.

Repair of the basement membrane, as seen in IPL treatment, is caused by the IPL being converted to heat, which has a healing effect on sun and age damaged basal cells.

The “ improvement “ has to be seen to be believed! The treated face appears fresh and youthful, and the changes last for many years.

A course of four treatments at two or three weekly intervals brings about significant improvement in the skin, with reduction of red and pigmented marks, smoothness of the surface of skin and some new collagen formation.

The gold standard in nonsurgical facial-rejuvenation is CO2 laser full face resurfacing.

The procedure is done under general anaesthesia, and there is a 10 to 14 day “downtime“.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, done when the skin damage is less, has a reduced downtime of about 5 to 7 days.

Irlen Dyslexia Clinic People with Dyslexia process visual and auditory information differently. They may have difficulty with: • Tracking when Reading - skip words / lines, lose place, use finger/marker as a guide.

• Reading Fluency - slow or hesitant, confuse or change words.

• Reading/Writing - may confuse letters e.g. b/d, p/q or small words e.g. was/saw, on/no, for/of/from, reverse numbers, letters inconsistent in shape and size.

• Reading Avoidance • Comprehension - need to reread for understanding.

• Spelling • Concentration - easily distracted when reading or learning, daydream, inattentive, disruptive, avoidance of work.

• Copying - lose place, copy incorrectly.

• Sensitive to Light - sunlight or fluorescent light is bright or glary, prefer to work in dull light, find computer screens/white boards bright.

• Eye Strain when Reading - eyes may hurt, strain, feel dry, watery or sleepy. Rub eyes, blink, squint, open eyes wider.

• Headaches/Migraines • Fatigued after Work/School - no energy, prefer to rest after work/school, homework is a chore, avoidance of homework.

• Depth Perception - clumsiness, difficulty judging distance.

• Low Self Esteem/Anxiety • Frustration

Kick off 2014 Kick 2014 off to a positive start with good habits.

Do you want to make the most of every day with higher energy levels and less stress? Physical health and fitness has nothing to do with age. Josef Pilates said “you are only as old as your spine is flexible”.

It is NEVER too late to begin, just begin.

Hara Beyond Movement Studio was created to offer guidance in body conditioning in a relaxed and supportive environment.

At Hara, I share what I’ve learned from my life long experience, continual study and passion for movement. My own experience includes a 12 year career of professional ballet, practicing yoga for 26 years, practicing and teaching Pilates for 13 years, GYROKINESIS® exercise and The GYROTONIC® Method for 12 years.

No matter your current condition, from athlete to first timer, I can assist you with private tuition and group classes to improve your physical strength and flexibility. At Hara Beyond Movement Studio YOGA, PILATES, GYROKINESIS® exercise and The GYROTONIC® Method are not just exercise, these methods offer you a holistic approach to a balanced body, mind and soul.

Join us for a 21 Day Yoga and Pilates challenge 6-26th January 2014. Get the benefits from a variety of conditioning styles.

Book now.

No Hidden Costs Carol and Dennis Williams are the proud owners of Trendz Beauty and Training, a privately owned and registered training organisation (RTO).

"What does this mean to you? Being privately owned means that we are in control of the quality of training we deliver and through sheer dedication and hard work, we have met and continue to meet the stringent government requirements to be recognised as an RTO. Your achievement is our achievement."

As owner/operators of Trendz Beauty and Training, Carol and Dennis provide a high standard of training in all areas of beauty therapy. Whatever your circumstances – parent, students, change of career, Trendz caters for all your learning and delivery needs. The 2014 SIB50110 Diploma of Beauty Therapy will commence on the 20 January in Coffs Harbour and 28 January in Port Macquarie. The SIB202010 Cert II in Nail Technology will commence 18 February in Coffs Harbour and 25 February in Port Macquarie.

Short courses on offer.

"Why not ask us about our flexible finance option?"

coffs coast focus 51

t e r r y

w h i t e

c h e m i s t s

-

c o f f s

h a r b o u r

Terry White Chemists is definitely the place to go to for your beauty and fragrance needs. Customers enjoy the specialist service on offer, along with plenty of added value and bonuses.

T

he beauty department at Terry White Chemists consists of well known prestige brands such as Chanel, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Napoleon and Lancôme and L’occitane.

They also stock a wide range of designer fragrances from Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs and Guerlain, as well as the latest celebrity fragrances.

ve We regularly ha ho w s customer their have waited for eir th y bu to s holiday ee and fr ty du ts uc prod we at th then find out vourite fa r ei th stock all of can, in brands and they ucts od fact, buy their pr .” us cheaper from

“

They have a huge range of discounted fragrances and also offer a price match guarantee on any competitor's advertised price.

Vicki Kelly, Cosmetic Coordinator at Terry White Chemists, has been with Terry White’s for 20 years and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to choosing a special gift for someone.

“We regularly have customers who have waited for their holidays to buy their

52

coffs coast focus.

products duty free and then find out that we stock all of their favourite brands and they can in fact buy their products cheaper from us,” Mrs Kelly said. Customers shopping at Terry White Chemists also receive the added value of professional service from the trained staff and the knowledge that they are supporting local business.

All of the Counter Managers are highly trained to ensure that their customers are receiving the latest information and techniques used around the world.

Mrs Kelly said, “Customers who shop at Terry White’s receive specialist treatment that is lost if buying online. The benefit of buying locally is in the shopping experience that we offer. The staff can ensure that you have a correct foundation match or can recommend a specific product for you. The testers are there for you to try and we ensure that when you are buying a new product, you go away with the correct application techniques. It is so important to ensure that you are getting the product that is right for you.”

Customers who start a beauty file card at Terry

White Chemists receive notice of the specials, gifts and events, so they are always treated like VIPs. Plus, if they have a Terry White Chemists Rewardsplus card, they also receive 10% discount at the prestige cosmetic counters The Terry White Chemists Rewardsplus card, which is available free at any register, rewards customers with points when they make a purchase. The points are then redeemed as cash vouchers and fabulous discounts.

20TH BIRTHDAY EXTREME MAKEOVER Terry White Chemists Coffs Harbour has just celebrated their 20th birthday and celebrated with an 'Extreme Makeover'. The newly renovated bigger, better store offers more services and products.

“We value our customers and their feedback. So what we are excited about is that our new store layout is based on input from our local customers and what they believe would improve their shopping experience,” pharmacist and Terry White Chemists Coffs Harbour owner, Tanya Maloney said.

“We’ve been here for 20 years and always aim to keep at the forefront of what’s happening in our

industry.

well as a large range of gluten-free foods, snacks and breads.

“It was in response to customer feedback requesting The renovation has allowed for the services at this a faster prescription service that our dispensing robot, trusted pharmacy to expand. “We have increased our 'Bender', joined the team at Terry White Chemprofessional area to include two clinic rooms ists during the last store renovations 4 so we can build on our existing services years ago. Increasing our investsuch as sleep apnoea, medication ment in pharmacists and utilising reviews, health checks, and seasonal 'Bender' has resulted in our en be flu clinic and hearing screening.” ve e’ W new 5 terminal 'Scripts Express 20 r fo re he Service', where 95% of scripts Tanya Maloney, managing partner s years and alway of Terry White Chemists Coffs are dispensed on the spot, e aim to keep at th Harbour, grew up in Grafton and with customers only waiting t’s forefront of wha employs over 40 local staff memminutes.” r happening in ou bers in her store.

Our new look store includes stry.”

“ indu

wider aisles, lower shelves, a bigger natural health department, more brands and categories and includes a fresh new look beauty and perfume department. Terry White has recognised the emphasis these days on healthy living, food intolerances, weight management and restrictions to food choices. A popular addition to the store has been the introduction of superfoods, weight management and sports nutrition foods and supplements, as

When shopping at Terry White Chemists, customers can be assured that they are receiving excellent value and the latest products while also supporting the local community.

The newly renovated store continues to be a flagship store within the Terry White Chemists group and a part of the medical hub at Park Beach Plaza. The store also houses Medibank Private and has a doorway to the adjoining Plaza Medical Centre.

coffs coast focus 53

focusinterview.

F A Y E WIFFEN COFFS PHYSIO AND BACKCARE

A lot of people actually don’t know much about physiotherapy and as such, they live with discomfort and pain. Here Faye Wiffen, Coffs Physio and B ackcare, shares her expertise.

W

hat is physiotherapy exactly?

Physiotherapists are health professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat using ‘hands on’ techniques as well as exercise, but also with a focus to prevent disease and disability.

Physiotherapy now covers a broad spectrum of fields. Some focus on musculoskeletal conditions, with special interest in specific areas such as shoulder and hand injuries as I have, acute back or neck pain, rehab after orthopaedic surgery, work or sport related injuries. But it also extends to a large variety from neurological to ergonomics, and from paediatrics to aged care.

Who should consider seeing a physiotherapist? Physios are experts on movement and function, and as such can assist those with any movement disorder present from birth, acquired from injury, or as a result of the ageing process. Pain may be a trigger for this, or develop as a result of this.

By using our manual techniques plus involving the client actively in their own management with home exercise, for example, or modifying their behaviour, physios can help with recovery from injury, reduce pain and increase fitness, mobility and quality of life. In short, if you are in pain, or moving poorly, then physiotherapy may help.

OK, so what is in a walk? Watching someone walk can tell you a lot about what is hindering them – that ‘sexy waddle’ can 54 coffs coast focus.

actually indicate poor core control predisposing to back pain. Stiffness through the hip region can indicate hip pathology, whilst dropping hips suggest weakness in the gluteals and can lead on to a range of lower leg problems. Knock-knees can be due to weakness at the hips or core, poor foot/ankle control, or tight muscles, and so it goes on …

Is physiotherapy painful? What does the first consultation involve?

The first appointment usually involves a comprehensive, detailed subjective and physical assessment, as this will assist with accurately identifying the problem. This is then discussed, along with treatment options. The client will always be involved with this, as we have quite a ‘kit-bag’ of treatment options available, from ‘hands on to hands off’.

Treatment, if ever, should rarely be painful!

My back and neck are really sore; how can you help me? Physios use a variety of treatments best suited to both the diagnosis and the individual, from manipulation to joint mobilisation, posture or ergonomic education, from soft tissue massage to strength training.

For example, there are a lot of people who do ‘Pilates’ for low back pain who are not actually firing the correct deep core muscles transversus abdominus or multifidus correctly, despite all their best efforts. Seeing it work on a real time ultrasound machine is an extremely powerful educator! But importantly, we look beyond just the spine to the whole person as well, and what else may be triggering the back pain. This helps with longer term control.

How important is good posture? Well, we all slouch occasionally. It is when we consistently sit, stand or walk poorly that can lead to muscle imbalances and tension overload on joints, nerves, ligaments etc.

They will tolerate this for a period of time, but eventually will let you know that they cannot take it anymore!

Do I actually need to see a doctor, get a referral and then make an appointment to come and see you? That seems timely and expensive … No, not if you come privately. It is only if a third party such as workcover or veterans affairs is paying the account.

How can seeing a physio improve general health? We all know we are healthier when we are fit – no matter if you are nineteen or ninety – it helps with weight control, reduces diabetes and heart disease, depression and even delays dementia! But it is hard to remain or achieve any fitness if activity leaves you in pain. This is where we can help, but also advise the safest way to regain your lost mobility or strength and get active again without injury.

You really seem to enjoy your chosen career ... I love it! Making a difference to someone’s life, easing their pain, improving their mobility, and restoring their

independence. It may sound bizarre, but my greatest reward is when I discharge them, meaning I have achieved my twin goals – firstly, clearing their symptoms, but secondly teaching them strategies on how to selfmanage or to avoid relapses.

And your son has joined you now.

Yes, Sean has, and it is great to see the same passion in him. I think we are very fortunate to get back as much as we give in our career – not too many can say that about their occupation.

What are your tips for injury prevention? It is really important to keep yourself fit and active through all stages of your life, but that does not mean you need to become a gym-junkie. Daily walking and a few simple exercises can make a huge difference, but it needs to fit into the person’s lifestyle. But we lose fitness quite quickly when our exercise routine gets interrupted, and the older we get, and I count this from forty upwards, the harder it is to get it back. That is why any injury that interferes with your ability to move well and stay well should be addressed early with professional advice.

6651 1745 81 West High Street Coffs Harbour.

COFFS COFFS

SHOULDER & HAND S H O UC LLI NDI CE R & HAND Faye is our only full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association on the Mid North Coast, delivering quality, Common Handhigh Injuries skilled hand therapy.

CLINIC

I

f I had sought help earlier, could my outcome have been better?’ Sadly, all too often my short answer is “Definitely,” when it relates to what

some consider a ‘minor’ hand injury. ANY trauma to the hand, especially if it results in swelling, pain or loss of function, needs early investigation. A delay of only two weeks can result in poor fracture healing, surgical versus conservative treatment, or permanent stiffness. Some common ‘minor injuries’ too often ignored include: • Mallet finger: rupture of the terminal extensor tendon, resulting in droop of the tip of the finger. Delayed treatment results in protracted conservative splinting, surgery, or permanent droop.

• Dislocation and /or fracture of finger:

delay can mean missing corrective surgery, resulting in a bad union. Poor early treatment of either injury can cause

excessive fibrosis with permanent stiffness of finger.

• Skiers thumb: injury to ulna ligament at base of thumb alongside web. Delayed presentation can result in surgery versus conservative splinting, or permanently weakened/painful pinch grip.

• De Quervain’s Syndrome: overuse of the hand can cause irritation of tendons along thumb side of wrist - common in sports or work involving repetitive wrist action and gripping. Early treatment can avoid protracted recovery or surgery.

• Carpal fractures: a simple fall on an outstretched hand can result in fracture of the small bones in the wrist. These can be easily overlooked until a non-union results in increased pain and weakened grip or pinch as with a scaphoid fracture.

C

lass of 2013, congratulations and best

of identity and wellbeing, along with confidence

wishes as you embark next year on

and the ability to connect and contribute to

another stage of your learning journey.

your world, as effective communicators, and

As a result of your participation in just

the everyday life of 3 Bears, we as Educators have been witness to an amazing year.

We have observed you being and becoming Architects, Painters, Doctors, Horticulturists, Scientists, Teachers, Chefs, Hairdressers,

confident and involved learners has helped to lay the foundations for a positive and successful transition to school and with learning for the rest of your lives.

We are grateful and feel very blessed that your families chose 3 Bears to share your lives with us for the last 5 years and from all the Educators

Community Service Workers and the list goes on.

and Management at 3 Bears, good luck and

Preparing you at 3 Bears to have a strong sense

Farewell.

So please, come along and seek early advice for your best outcome!

coffs coast focus 55

BACK SCHOOL

with Karina Morrison, Manager at Australian Hearing …

Dr Jeremy Allen General Practitioner Welcome back from Christmas friendly staff of Karen on the front desk and New Year holidays. and Mandy, our practice nurse. With We hope the festive the addition of audiometry and n Dr Jeremy Alle season has been a spirometry to our ECG facilities, l at Allen Medica ue en good one to all Av we are now able to offer full ea al Centre in Az ntinue those in the Coffs work place medicals and for would like to co me to to extend a welco area Coast area and that those feeling guilty about the new patients to r ou sit Santa delivered the indulging over the break, we vi to come and Karen on of ff sta y dl en right stuff to the are offering free cholesterol fri d Mandy, the front desk an correct addresses. tests which are able to be e.” rs nu e our practic done on the spot.

Dr Jeremy Allen at Allen

“

Medical Centre in Azalea Avenue would like to continue to extend a welcome to new patients to the area to come and visit our

We hope everyone is looking forward to our second year and 2014 as much as we are and look forward to seeing you soon.

How important is detecting hearing loss in your child before they head back to school this NewYear? ery important! Undiagnosed hearing loss makes learning to speak more difficult. Children use their hearing to learn about the world around them and develop communication skills; therefore, hearing is crucial in education development in the classroom and socialisation in the playground.

difficult listening and communication situations

It is important to be aware that some hearing loss can actually be temporary; however, all hearing loss should be investigated.

be referred by Primary Health to Australian

What are the pitfalls of not being able to hear in the classroom, and how crucial is hearing in education? How can you learn in a traditional classroom if you cannot hear the teacher? It’s as basic as that.

not be out of pocket, which is great.

The impact of a hearing loss varies amongst individuals, including: • Soft voices may be unclear • The child has difficulty hearing in noisy environments • Reduced self-confidence • Increased listening effort (irritable by the end of the day) • Delayed speech and language development How do I recognise that there is hearing loss in my child?

Some signs of hearing loss to look out for in children include: • Not aware someone 'out-of-sight' is speaking • Asking for repetitions or saying, “What?” frequently ...

• Doesn’t respond to loud noises • Speech development is slow for their age • Increasing the volume of the TV or sitting very close to the TV • Problems with behaviour or learning in the classroom What is the process if hearing loss in my child is detected? Mild hearing loss is not always easily detected. A child may not show any symptoms until presented with more 56 coffs coast focus.

such as a noisy classroom. However, the earlier you detect hearing loss in a child, the better.

We suggest that if a parent or doctor has any concerns, they initially contact their local Primary Health Audiometrist for an initial screening (i.e. Coffs Harbour Health Campus) and if further testing is required, the child will Hearing for further investigation – which is a free diagnostic and fitting service – parents will Once a hearing loss is identified, then treatment can start which can improve a child’s ability to hear sounds and to learn and understand speech.

What services are available locally? Do students with hearing loss have to travel to Sydney for treatment?

Australian Hearing is unique in the Coffs Coast and Clarence Valley regions, having three caring specialist paediatric audiologists – Jeannette Wilson, Megan Voisey and Cherry Dolalas. Once a hearing loss is detected, your child has access to free diagnosis, fitting and rehabilitation services up until the age of 21.

Children with a hearing loss do not have to travel to Sydney to receive ongoing care from a professional Audiologist. Local families can have the peace of mind that their child’s individual hearing needs will be fully met – our Audiologists have the patience and understanding which comes from the sometimes emotional experience of having a child with a hearing loss.

If you are concerned at all about your child’s hearing, please contact Australian Hearing on 6652 0700 or pop into our Hearing Centre at 2 Lyster Street, Coffs Harbour. Alternatively, you can visit our website: www.hearing.com.au

Treehouse

EARLY YEARS LEARNING CENTRE Tim and Kathryn White are proud owners of Gardiner Avenue Children's Centre in Coffs Harbour and are expanding their business to support the families of Boambee by providing quality child care & education for children aged 2-5 years.

W

hen and why did you get into child care?

My passion for working with children stems from my grandmother and mother's influence, both being early childhood educators themselves.

I have always dreamed of creating the same nurturing learning environments they created for young children. Every day is so rewarding and so much fun when you are around young children.

When did your career in early childhood begin? I was enthusiastic to start a Traineeship

they are engaged and interested in what they do. I believe that knowing children as individuals is a key factor in promoting quality learning. As an educator, I endeavour to provide a variety of hands y Treeho use Earl on activities and interest Years Learning based tasks that will r for centre will cate s, encourage children to ar ye 5 2children aged r fo take risks and try new ns tio si offering 39 po things. ” y. n per da

“

in child care after finishing school in 2005, and this led me to gain a Diploma in Children’s Services. I have childre been working in the child care industry for 8 years, all the while starting a family of my own.

My husband, Tim, and I have two young girls: Emma 4 years and Chelsea 2 years. Over the years I have had experience working with children from 6 weeks old to 5 years, as well as stepping up into a management role to support our family business.

My philosophy Children learn best when

I consider children to be active participants in creating their own learning environments; I believe that children have an inherent connection to the natural world and should be encouraged to explore all natural elements without restriction.

A little about us ... In May 2013, Tim and I purchased our first business – Gardiner Avenue Children’s Centre in Coffs Harbour, and we

have been thrilled with the welcoming response from educators, children, families and the community spirit that is evident at this service.

With the support of our great team of staff and the encouraging responses we have had to the idea of reopening the existing Koala Preschool and Child Care Centre in Boambee, we saw an opportunity to expand our business.

Treehouse Early Years Learning centre will cater for children aged 2 - 5 years, offering 39 positions for children per day. Our passionate educators will develop individual programs tailored specifically to each child while using their experience to inspire curiosity, and combine individual and group activities to ignite your child's learning potential.

Tim and I are really excited about the challenges before us and are looking forward to meeting the families, children and community of Boambee and surroundings. We invite everyone to come in for a chat and take a tour of Treehouse Early Years Learning Centre!

coffs coast focus 57

s o c i a l s c e n e with Carole Beros from Le Dāin Designs

Love & Kisses Ask any switched-on shopper which shop in Coffs Harbour tops the list of ‘must-look-there-first’, and they’ll tell you it’s Love & Kisses.

It’s a pleasure to browse through this lovely little shop, which has an amazing reputation way outside of Coffs, and a big and growing clientele of tourists and business travellers who make a point of shopping there on every trip through Coffs Harbour.

Owner Judy Sheehan says Love & Kisses had a great Christmas season, thanks to all their lovely happy customers, and the hottest sellers were the beautiful glass Friendship balls, Robot clocks, Cubebots, scarves, jewellery and handbags.

Lots of deliveries are still arriving, so there will be plenty of fun things for holiday shoppers to find – funky new handbags from $16.95, and feathersoft scarves from $7.95, and more earrings and necklaces than you’d ever believe.

So when you need a little treat for yourself, a welcomebaby gift, crafty things for the kids, an unusual book, or something out of the ordinary for a friend, give yourself 10 minutes to check out the quirkiest range of gifts and surprises you’ll ever find under one roof, and enjoy the Love & Kisses experience.

You’ll be glad that you did.

58 coffs coast focus.

Social/scene.

Happy New Year! There will be not be one word about New Year’s resolutions from me.

O

f course, it’s a good time to start afresh with whatever helps float your boat, but really it’s all about motivation and perseverance. A good idea is to focus on the positive and what we can be grateful for. We live here on this beautiful Coffs Coast; there’s a good start!

Staying on being positive; I like to think of things being in abundance and get excited with lots of different stuff. That’s one of the reasons I absolutely feel privileged to be part of FOCUS! The boys accuse me of exaggerating everything – I’ve never done that … ever!

We attended the Mayoral Ball which was held at the Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort. The theme was Gatsby and the guests made a massive effort to dress up to the nines in their finest 1920s attire. On entering the main Gatsby Mansion room, the event professionals ’Special Occasions’ had absolutely surpassed themselves with the decorating of the event room. It really was sensational! After a delicious meal we were entertained with music from super talented band ‘Rockhouse’, who kept the crowd up on their feet. Even ‘The Husband’ was up there giving it ‘all that’ on the dance floor with our lovely Mayoress Denise Knight. I hear you were caught on video, Mr Beros! I feel a hint of bribery coming on (very large Valentine’s Day present imminent). There was even a ladies ‘Powder Room’ and Best Dressed prizes were presented to the most gorgeous. The night was a huge success and $4,000 was raised towards the Ronald McDonald House Educational Pathways Project, which directly benefits local children who are battling long term illness.

One of the festive parties that went off with a bang was held by the Coffs Coast Business Women’s Network. The event was staged at the fabulous newly renovated Passfields Restaurant, Korora. The restaurant has a beautiful verandah and boasts amazing cuisine. The girls got to enjoy a scrumptious meal and dance the night

away to Christina Monneron’s six piece American Band. A great night out for the ladies.

Big celebrations were held at the Novotel Coffs Harbour Pacific Bay Resort just recently.

Just fewer than 100 guests attended the graduation of cadets from Papua New Guinea.

The Cadets will return to their country to continue their training to be First Officers on the Dash 8. Captain Daniel Vavar from Air Niugini delivered the graduation speech to an audience of very proud family and friends. The cadets have been training here in Coffs Harbour at Professional Pilot Training for the last eighteen months and have totally enjoyed their stay here on the Coffs Coast.

A great day out for the guys was held at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club. It was the annual Men of League Race Day. Not less than 300 turned up for a touch of the old ‘Male Bonding’ and blast of sport day. This is always a popular event at our local Racing Club. Apart from the excitement of the Race Day, there was a delicious brunch served to the guys with Former League Legends like Neil Pringle, Former Coach Roy Masters and Ross Strudwick to keep the blokes entertained. Of course, it was a great day out and over eight and a half thousand was raised on the day to support The Men of League Foundation.

Staying with the Racing Club, we are definitely looking forward to getting all ‘pinked up’ for the Coffs Harbour Pink Silks Ladies Day on Sunday 12 January. The day is so light and easy, with fun for all the family. The day includes a fantastic monster charity auction, raffles, free rides, jumping castle, NBN’s Big Dog and so much more! A part the frivolities of the ladies and gents getting all snazzed up for the Park Beach Plazas Fashions on the Field, the day supports Love Your Sister, Garvan Research Foundation, Coffs Harbour Regional Lymphedema Support Group, CHHC Intensive Care Unit and Cancer Council of NSW, Coffs Harbour. Info: call 6652 1488.

Another big event not to be missed will be the ‘Indoor Garden Party’ which will be staged at our very own Coffs Harbour Jetty Memorial Theatre from Jan 10 - 13 January 2014. Coffs Harbour will be the only place in the whole of Australia to see the show. Oscar Winning actor Russell Crowe is returning to his hinterland home and bringing some amazing and talented friends with him. The Indoor Garden Party promises to be a sensational show. For info, contact the Jetty Memorial Theatre.

Celebrations were held by local organisation Youth Directions at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus just recently. The event was named a ‘thank you function’ and was thrown at the Innovation Centre. The day was held to acknowledge its various business, education and community partners and supporters.

Approximately 60 guests attended the event and enjoyed canapés and celebratory drinks.

Youth Directions Executive Officer Liz Wilkins reflected on the impact of combined efforts in enhancing opportunities for the young and the importance of local communities investing time and effort in young people. Also thanked on the day were the many high school and TAFE teachers, principals, Head Teachers, VET Teachers and co coordinators and careers advisors who have supported school business community partnerships, workplace learning for HSC students, at risk youth programs and activities, mentoring arrangements and careers, employment and employability initiatives. An uplifting event.

Going back to me exaggerating a tad, I would like to point out that both of the men in my house come up with remarks like, “There is absolutely nothing to eat in the house!”(I am definitely not Old Mother Hubbard) and the latest is, “There is nothing to watch on the television!”... when we have millions of channels on the box! Oops, here I go again!

Here is to making something special out of nothing.

focusinterview.

Photos by Saltwater Photography.

Seasons B O U T I Q U E

hen sourcing labels for women on the Coffs Coast, are you more attracted to local, national or overseas designers?

We are always on the lookout for labels that are exclusive to the area. Usually we are attracted to fabrics followed by classic design; we have a soft spot for French brands, as they are unique and quite distinctive. Price is also a factor when buying. If we can shop local/Australian we certainly will, as long as it ticks all the boxes.

Our Sydney agents are always on the lookout for new and exciting brands to complement our stores; we have a close relationship with them and most have visited our stores and know what works well for us. When buying we consider what our customers want and try to also give them something different; we look at the current trends and choose things that will fit into our Coffs Coast Lifestyle!

We are excited to introduce Elizabeth Cook’s (Frolic with Fabric) label featuring Marimekko fabrics from Finland – renowned for their original prints and colours in gorgeous linens and cottons. These are stocked at out central store and can be ordered to make. This labels is exclusive to Seasons Boutique.

What is your target demographic?

Our demographic is women who appreciate quality

w and good fabrics and who enjoy help from us with styling.

As we have 3 stores, we cover all ages!

Plaza – specialising in mother of bride/groom/guest of wedding.

Montique, which are Australian Designs, caters for special occasions with styles to suit every body shape.

Veronika Maine is great for corporate wear and special occasion.

Promenade – this store is our most casual for 40+ with labels that have stood the test of time – Yarra Trail, Seven Sisters, Marco Polo.

Our Sydney s agents are alway w ne r fo t on the lookou ds and exciting bran r ou t en em to compl a close stores; we have them ith relationship w ted si vi ve ha and most what ow kn d an es our stor .” works well for us

“

Coffs Central – our newest store has a great selection of shoes, beautifully made Italian and Spanish brands that are not only gorgeous, but comfortable as well. When buying shoes we are aware our customers are looking for comfort as well as design.

Our central store also has great brands Collette

by Collette Dinnigan with her beautiful exclusive

fabrics, Seduce for our younger customer and casual labels Boo Radley, Jag, Ping Pong and more.

We will always be able to accommodate you with one of our three stores, as we carry different stock in each.

We all love what we do and get great satisfaction when dressing ladies, be it weddings or just because they need it!

For any styling advice or just to say hello, we are always happy to see you.

the plug!

3 local stores - 6651 3033 • Seasons Central • The Plaza • The Promenade coffs coast focus 59

JANUARY 2014

WITH TERRI

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

September 24 - October 23

Your leadership qualities are likely to be drawn on this month in the workplace. You have brilliant arbitration skills and a very strong sense of justice or fairness. You are also very inspirational to those who may be unmotivated, and have the ability to pull the team into action to achieve the best result. You will also notice personal confidence growing. Have fun.

Lapis Lazuli is great for clarity of thought and direction.

Choices bring total change into life, as you know it can be expected. Setting some fresh goals will be beneficial at this time also. Your manifestation ability will also be amplified, so have fun and give yourself permission to succeed. A peaceful atmosphere will be essential, as your mind is likely to be working overtime.

Citrine attracts abundance; try wearing some.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

February 20 - March 20

June 23 - July 23 Ju

A lot of people will be drawing on your strength and wisdom this month. Protect yourself by thinking you are inside a bubble, as this will create a barrier between their stress and your divinity, allowing you to offer guidance at no personal cost to your energies. You will hear yourself speak wise words; hear these for your guidance also.

Turquoise is a great crystal for communication.

Carry some when counselling.

Time to stimulate that quick thinking brain.

You may be feeling a little intellectually bored at present and since your brain is like a muscle, it needs to be used so you don’t lose it. Find an interesting topic, book or a class to satisfy yourself and have fun learning something new passionately.

Record Keepers are fantastic for holding and retaining information.

October 24 - November 22

Try paying attention to how gifted you are at creating what you desire. The quicker you recognise this gift, the more success you will experience in manifesting. Try finding a place in nature you feel safe in, remove your shoes to earth yourself and think about what you want. Fill yourself with the excitement of already having it, then think a BIG thank-you to the universe and let it go.

Citrine will assist in creating.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

March 21 - April 20

July 24 - August 23

November 23 - December 21

An opportunity to access something from your past will be likely to present itself. Be prepared for it by identifying what it may be and write a list of all the things required, then take action and get some things from the list so you can achieve full success. Avoid sabotaging it by thinking, “Too hard; can’t do”. This opportunity will greatly benefit your self-esteem and self worth.

Citrine is a very powerful motivator carry some.

Self worth and a sense of deservability may need a little personal attention this month, as the universe has some special rewards aligning for you. However, if you don’t know you deserve them, you may be vulnerable at sabotaging them. Try smiling at your reflection as often as possible each day to reinforce a knowing that you do deserve great things.

Clear quartz is a powerful amplifier for reinforcement.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

Justice for any unresolved issue from your recent past could be anticipated. Identify any fear that may have been triggered and release it. Thinking of its answer or opposite will replenish a sense of justice and empower you. A knowing that you are creating every influence in your life will give you more confidence and ownership of your reality.

Selenite shatters negative thoughts and fears.

60 coffs coast focus.

Relationship bliss can be anticipated, as your personal confidence reflects your love life.

Validate your partner’s strengths and be compassionate toward their weaknesses, as you are both helping each other reach your full potential. Joy will be experienced in the quality of giving that your connection offers. Enjoy!

Rose Quartz, the crystal of love, will amplify your heart’s contentment.

You will benefit enormously by looking inward and reflecting on all the qualities and attributes you chose to bring into this life, as this will keep you impervious to conflict or anxiety. Your sensitivity is amplified at present, so tune into your nurturing qualities for inner peace and calm.

Playing in nature with animals or the garden will benefit you incredibly.

Aquamarine will keep your energy light and conflict free.

If you have been feeling unsupported lately, this is because you are required to recognise how strong and independent you already are and how little you need from external sources.

Identify what emotions you feel you want from others and wake them up inside by breathing them through every cell. This will replace neediness with a knowing that no hurdle is too big for you push out of your way.

Ruby aids in building personal confidence.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

Listen to your ‘gut feelings’, as they will lead you into an exciting experience that is a ‘meant to be’ one. You will enjoy playing with gifts or talents that will relate to this opportunity and your confidence and self-esteem will benefit enormously. Have fun discovering something new you are already very good at.

Apophyllite is a great crystal for aiding in reaching full potential in projects.

Prahu Dining Table

Recycled Boatwood Timber and Metal

Domini Dining Table Solid Teak Hardwood

Alfresco Dining Table

Solid Mango Hardwood with an Oiled Finish

Coffs Harbour Store 153 Orlando Street Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

Find us NOW on facebook Vast Interior Coffs Harbour

Hours Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 4pm Sun: 10am - 2pm

www.vastinterior.com.au

coffs coast focus 61

focusinterview.

JENNIFER Jennifer Hill and the team at CHESS Employment are offering a brand new service that is not only supporting people with a disability, injury or illness into employment, they now offer support to people that are at risk of losing their job. ennifer, I believe that CHESS is now offering an exciting new service to the Coffs Coast Community; tell us about this ... Yes, CHESS is not only supporting people with disability, injury or illness into employment, we are now also aiming at offering support to people already in employment who may be at risk of losing their job because of illness, injury or disability. At CHESS, we call it ‘In-Job Support’.

I know you are passionate about on the job support ... what is your background in this field, and how does this help you deliver this service? Apart from working in the employment service industry for over 10 years, I have experience in managerial roles and the workers compensation industry and am also a qualified Rehabilitation Counsellor.

I believe my experience, skills in mentoring and advocacy and my professional qualifications give me the knowledge and expertise to provide quality support to both the employee and the employer.

I know how tough it can be to be in business. Focus needs to be on the bottom line to stay in the game, which can impede employers having the time or knowledge of how to make staff wellbeing a priority.

What is the main goal that is being achieved by implementing support within the workplace and what benefits does this have? If an employee faces the risk of losing their job due to illness, injury or disability (particularly related to mental health issues) then CHESS can assist on the employer’s behalf by assisting the employee to connect with services and programs that can help them address their health issues and through that commitment, retain their job.

CHESS In-Job Support services involve an individually tailored program which works on a strength-based recovery framework to address the reasons the job is at

risk.

The benefits include: 1. Reduce costs - Retaining good staff reduces costs associated with replacing staff such as recruiting, lost productivity and lost expertise.

2. Staff Morale - When an employer takes a proactive approach to an employee with health issues, it can add value to the organisation’s culture and staff morale.

3. It’s FREE - The In-Job Support is a government funded free service (funded by the Department of Employment under the Jobs in Jeopardy assistance program).

4: Is this support intrusive in the workplace and is it confidential?

No, this support is not intrusive in the workplace. As mentioned, it is individually tailored and support can be provided outside of work hours if necessary so it doesn’t impact at work.

In addition to employers requesting support for employees, employees can seek In-Job Support individually without employer involvement if preferred.

Either the employer or employee can contact me directly in confidence to discuss what’s happening, and I can advise if the In-Job-Support program would be beneficial.

5: Have the results been positive?

The results to date have been very positive, as has the feedback from both employees and employers I have been working with.

I am sure without the support given to those I am currently working with, things would have been very different in many ways.

Interestingly, many I have explained the program to who are currently unemployed have stated they believed if they had had this type of support when they were experiencing difficulties in their previous employment, would most likely still be there and not currently looking for work.

We’ve got you covered with In-Job Support Contact Jennifer Hill Phone 0459 601 774 COFFS HARBOUR 43 Gordon Street

(02) 6691 9333

WOOLGOOLGA 47A River Street

(02) 6654 0338

BELLINGEN 15 William Street

(02) 6655 2113

NAMBUCCA HEADS 47B Bowra Street

(02) 6568 5046

GRAFTON 149 Prince Street

(02) 6644 3222

YAMBA Shop 2/32 Coldstream St

(02) 6646 8911

Coffs Harbour Employment and Support Services Inc. trading as CHESS ABN 91 677 106 763 Registered Office: 43 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour

62 coffs coast focus.

MACLEAN 20a River Street

(02) 6619 1940

Crowe Horwath proud to be Pink Crowe Horwath is a major supporter of the Coffs Harbour Racing Club’s 2014 Pink Silks Ladies Day held on Sunday 12 January. his uni unique racing event raises a awareness and funds for breast cancer research and local women health. A great cause! And women’s a great initiative by the Coffs Harbour Racing Club to play host.

one of the largest providers of practical accounting, audit, tax, superannuation, business and financial advice to individuals and small and medium businesses. Our offices are located in most regional country centres across Australia, Crowe Horwath proudly sponsors this something that makes our business very unique. We live in and contribute event, one that is quickly becoming to the same communities where we a ‘hot date’ in the annual racing do business, just like our clients. calend The First Pink Silks Ladies calendar. wa held in 2007, and the Day was Crowe Horwath recently expanded to majorit of all funds raised so far have a global accounting network which majority u been used to aid research, purchase now delivers high quality audit, tax equipm equipment or help fund local and advisory services in over 100 organi organisations and support groups – countries. So if you want to go places ‘helpin to support local women in ‘helping in business, we can take you there. are our area’.

Crowe Horwath offers the About Crowe Horwath Crowe Horwath Australia is

relationship that you can count on - large enough to offer a very wide

range of expertise and skills – yet still able to deliver a local and personal touch. You can rely on the dynamic team at Coffs Harbour who pride themselves on developing long-term relationships with clients, ensuring continuity and consistency of service.

So if you’d like to ‘back a winner’ and be part of our growing clientele who benefit from our financial and business advice, please contact Jill Dixon at the Coffs Harbour office on (02) 6653 0850 for a no obligation consultation with one of our qualified professionals.

For further information, please contact: Vanessa Lahey, Marketing Business Partner, Crowe Horwath, (02) 6776 5100.

coffs coast focus 63

Charles Sturt University Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie is looking forward to a huge 2014, with new teaching facilities to open and construction to begin on its new main campus.

Campus director Dr Muyesser Durur said the work would allow CSU to expand its course profile into social science and psychology to complement its existing courses in business, creative industries, health and rehabilitation science, justice studies, medical radiation science and paramedics.

CSU recently redeveloped a building in Munster Street to offer students studying the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science access to the latest technology and equipment.

“The Munster Street campus will have two medical imaging laboratories with advanced x-ray equipment and image viewing stations,” Dr Durur said.

“It will include three teaching spaces, suitable for 30 students each, two smaller classrooms, for up to 12 students each, additional space for practice rooms, and office and storage space.

“Along with our current campus on Grant Street, the Munster Street campus is temporary until the new, main campus on Major Innes Road is opened.”

The Best Art on the Coast this Summer!

The first buildings in the $40 million campus building project will be available to students in 2015. Construction will also include the $8 million Food, Soil and Water Research Centre to be built by CSU in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

CSU received $13 million in Federal Government support under the Education Investment Fund for the establishment of a permanent campus at Port Macquarie, and a further $5.9 million in the recent federal budget toward the research centre’s construction.

“Charles Sturt University’s vision is for the Port Macquarie campus to draw on the strengths of the region and its people to create a sustainable learning community dedicated to local growth and prosperity,” Dr Durur said.

The Glasshouse Port Macquarie is hosting two outstanding exhibitions this summer – the Archibald Prize 2013 Regional Tour and Bodywork: Australian Jewellery 1970-2012.

the 2013 Archibald Prize is no different.

Needing little introduction, the Archibald Prize is Australia’s most famous and prestigious art prize. It is now on its regional tour, taking 39 finalist portraits to just eight galleries across NSW and Victoria. Glasshouse Port Macquarie is the only gallery on the Mid North Coast to host this year’s tour – and it is on display until January 26 and is expected the draw thousands to the gallery. The Archibald Prize was first awarded in 1921 and over the years some of Australia’s most prominent artists have entered and the subjects have been equally celebrated in their fields – and

jewellers exploring jewellery from a number

Also on display is Bodywork: Australian Jewellery 1970 - 2012 from the National Gallery of Australia, featuring the work of 42 Australian of viewpoints. The exhibition presents the visitors with a fabulous and intriguing display of jewellery, examining the themes of Romanticism, Interpreting the Vernacular, Encapsulating Nature, Technics, Social Message and Sculpture for the Body. Jewellery designers work on a small scale and exercise advanced craft skills to bring a variety of materials together as desirable and durable objects. All of the works are from the collection of the National Gallery of Australia.

Curious about where you’re heading?

At Charles Sturt University we believe curiosity and passion lead us all on the path to greater knowledge.

That’s why our Port Macquarie Campus offers a growing range of courses with a practical focus, helping you gain the knowledge and skills you need to find employment on the Mid North Coast, as well as further afield.

Scholarships are available to help you with the cost of getting a degree and a huge range of courses is also available for study by distance education.

There’s never been a better time to talk to us.

www.CSU.edu.au/port 1300 135 435

The National Gallery of Australia acknowledges funding support from Visions of Australia, an Australian Government Program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of cultural material across Australia; and the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.

F3133A

Susan Cohn Systematic Gibsonia no. 2, condom pendant 1995 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra purchased 1995. The National Gallery of Australia is an Australian Government Agency

64 coffs coast focus.

sawtell catholic care of the aged

S KYM BELLAMY

V I LLAG E M A N AG ER

CHRISTINE FARRELL

F A C I L IT Y M A N A G E R

awtell Catholic Care of the Aged, (SCCA) a ministry of Mary Help of Christians Parish Sawtell, offers retirement village living in Marian Grove and at Villa Maria with residential care at Mater Christi Aged Care Facility.

Our friendly staff can n arra ge an sit of inspection vii. A Mater Christ n is to consideratio for come and stayd to a respite perior the gauge a feel fo facility.

Summed up in the motto, 'We Care', SCCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to provide physical, emotional, spiritual and pastoral care for elders of all walks of life, cultures and beliefs.

Compassion and respect for the dignity of each person characterise the care and service offered.

Marian Grove (179 self-care units) and Mater Christi (101 single units with ensuites) are set on 27 acres surrounded by a

nature reserve. Within the spacious landscaped grounds are Our Lady of the Way Chapel, the Village Recreation Centre and the Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shed.

Amenities and services at Marian Grove include an emergency system, care support, daily transport to medical appointments, shops etc, library, grounds upkeep, and community activities such as bingo and indoor bowls.

Mater Christi is a residential aged care facility providing accommodation for 101 residents and includes a 25 bed dementia specific (secured) unit.

Registered Nurses and qualified staff provide care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. A lively and varied activity program supported by volunteers is offered to suit the needs of each individual resident. Mater Christi is accredited by the Commonwealth Aged Care Standards Agency.

Find out more on our website: www.scca.net.au or phone (02) 6653 1241 to arrange a visit.

coffs coast focus 65

focusinterview.

Tony Palin

Tony Palin is best known locally as the owner of Carbrasive, which for 30 years manufactured and exported a range of special purpose abrasive products.

arbrasive was sold in 2008 to Elgi Rubber, an Indian based company. Tony and his wife Paula relocated to India for a period to set up the manufacturing plant, before returning home to Coffs Harbour.

C meet a local

tradie.

Eli Bailey Electrical Installer- Reg Latter ow long have you been a part of the team at Reg Latter, and what is your role? I have been working for Reg Latter Electrical for the past two and a half years.

H

In 2010 Tony and his golfing mate Wayne Scott purchased the local business Sawtell Glass and Aluminium and rebranded the business:- ‘SGA Architectural Window Solutions’.

Wayne and Tony over the last 3 years have developed the brand SGA and set up a modern and technologically advanced manufacturing plant and showroom located at; Unit 4/24 Isles Drive, Coffs Harbour. SGA’s management team is Wayne Scott, who for over 30 years has been the sales face of SGA and heads sales and marketing, Tony Palin leads the highly skilled production team and Tony’s wife, Paula Palin is the office and accounts manager.

The management team believe the future for ‘SGA Architectural Window Solutions’ is optimistic, with leading building firms and developers offering the new partnership their full support.

SGA has a genuine desire to be the foremost manufacturer of architectural windows, doors and commercial products in the

My role in the company includes a wide variety of electrical installation, fault finding and repairs, as well as quoting, project planning, grid connect solar design and installation, and Level 2 Service Provider work.

How many people are employed locally by Reg Latter?

We all see the vans; how many are there exactly? We currently have a team of 28, including three administration staff and have four utes, 12 vans, one bucket truck, one four wheel drive line truck and one 15 tonne crane truck.

What initially drew you to this type of career? As a kid I always had an interest in computers, electronics and fixing things. I thought doing an Electrical Apprenticeship would be a practical way to turn my interests into a career. One of the best things about our trade is that there is always something new to learn.

What do you like best about your job at Reg Latter Electrical? The variety. Each day I work in new locations with different technology and meet people from all walks of life.

My job is never boring. I have also been given many opportunities to advance my skills and qualifications through training courses provided by the company.

Can you share any DIY husband horror stories? I have seen plenty of DIY electrical work and have heard quite a few horror stories. Luckily I have never personally seen any major damage or serious injuries caused by DIY work. Electricity is definitely not something to play with, particularly if you are unsure of what you’re doing. As an apprentice we are taught how to work safely with electricity. Reg constantly re-enforces to us that the safety of ourselves and our customers is always the number one priority.

Reg Latter 30 Isles Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 (02) 6651 8566 66 coffs coast focus.

Coffs Coast region. SGA welcomes anyone building a new home or renovating their existing home to visit the modern showroom and view the extensive range of ‘VANTAGE’ products on display.

SGA have developed a bullet point list called the ‘SGA Advantages’, highlighting why their customers should consider SGA for every building project, large or small. SGA now offer the highest bush fire rating windows and doors available to the local market and as demonstrated recently in the Blue Mountains, these high rating windows can mean the difference between life and death.

SGA pledge to their clients that they will always offer ‘a quality product at a fair price’.

Tony and Wayne take pride in the knowledge that every SGA client receives products which are of the highest standards, as all manufacturing processes are audited annually by the Australian Window Association to ensure they comply with relevant Australian Standards.

Unit 4, 24 Isles Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone. (02) 6658 0000 Email. sales@sgaaws.com.au

G.J. GARDNER. H O M E S

GJ Gardener

The property market’s upswing is gaining momentum, with a surge in auction activity and signs of a quickening in price growth, according to Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan.

istorically low interest rates and benign economic conditions are also helping. The ANZ Bank agrees, according to their most recent Australian Housing Chartbook the extended period of weak housing sales is being replaced by a surging sales market.

H

Rick and Susan Fischer, the new owners of GJ Gardner Homes Coffs Coast, welcomed the news of this positive upturn in the market. This couple are passionate about their new home construction business, using an expert team to build the highest quality homes. Rick explains that they want to give their clients a great building experience with the outcome being a home the client will love which also will be a sound investment for their future.

He believes that what makes their business different is their absolute focus on being ‘local’; they have a local team of designers, new home consultants, local trades people and suppliers.

Why does this matter? Local builders know the coast’s soil, the

best times for building, what climate and environmental issues to consider and how to find the optimum housing position on a block of land which takes into consideration the Coffs climate.

Soon Rick and Susan will open their new office, a New Home Design Centre, which will allow them to showcase the 24 new house designs added to the G. J. Gardner Homes range for 2014. These architecturally designed homes are modern, spacious and have been created to be cost and space effective from the front door to the back door. Celebrate the vibrancy of family life, enjoy all the comfort great design brings – with so many new designs to choose from there is one perfectly tailored for your family’s lifestyle.

G.J. Gardner Homes Phone. 02 6653 6335 3 Green Bluff Rd, North Sapphire, NSW 2450 Email. coffsharbour@gjgardner.com.au

Reg Latter Electrical Fisher Design + Architecture

House Check Ken Mavin’s Gutter Cleaning offers both Domestic and Commercial Gutter Cleaning Services. Ken is a local and has been providing his services in the Coffs Harbour area for several years. He is fully qualified and comprehensively insured, with over twenty years’ experience working at heights.

Our Key Benefits are to protect your home and yourself from water damage, fire risk, personal injuries from falls.

Prevention: regular maintenance prevents expensive repair bills from undetectable problems not seen from the ground.

Maintain: even with gutter guard, leaf litter and debris still breakdown into gutters and require maintenance.

Save: water is not lost and is clean flowing into your water tanks.

Affordable: Most homes only need to be cleaned once a year, costing on average $100 - $150 Ken Mavin’s service includes: Careful placement of ladders, so gutters are not damaged.

Debris removal by hand to prevent damage to gutters. Environmentalyl friendly.

Re-attaching gutter guards properly (if applicable).

Complete and thorough gutter cleaning.

Free placement of roof tiles while on site (if required).

Prompt, reliable service.

Inspecting the outside of your home for any observable damage. Verbal roof report.

Ensuring that downpipes are completely free of obstructions to the ground level.

10 years, helping to create living environments that are

Wow, 2014 marks the 35th year of Reg Latter Electrical servicing the electrical needs of the Coffs Coast! Once again our efficient and dedicated 29 strong team, including 19 service vehicles, are on the road and ready to look after the Coffs Coast with any electrical need, big or small.

cost effective to build and run, maximise the building site’s

Reg Latter Electrical proudly offers the following services:

Your home is for life Anna and Christian Fisher have been helping locals along the North Coast to realise their building projects for over

potential, and enhance the quality of life.

Understanding the environment and climate of the region, and knowing local Councils, builders and suppliers means they can help their clients to navigate all aspects of the building process. “Not all clients require full architectural services, so we allow our clients to choose in which areas they’d like our assistance: from design advice, concept

Level 1 Service Provider - Accreditation No 3450 - providing all of your network infrastructure requirements within the Essential Energy area. We run a bucket truck, four wheel drive line truck and fifteen ton crane truck.

Level 2 Service Provider - Accreditation No 3141 - ‘A’ Grade Level 2 Service Providers in the Essential Energy area.

For larger, more complex projects, Fisher Design +

Hot water repairs – warranty agents for Rheem, Vulcan, Solarhart, Edwards, Chromogen, Aquamax, Apricus, and repairs to other makes and models, tank replacements, electric and solar hot water systems.

Architecture collaborate with other consultants and

TV Antenna installations and repairs

experts to create efficiently implemented and co-

DATA/PHONE/COMMUNICATIONS - Austel accredited open registered cablers and installers

designs, architectural drawings, assistance with council applications or working with a builder,” said Christian.

ordinated, high quality residential, commercial, and public buildings.

Knowing how hard many people find it to know where to start, Anna and Christian offer clients a free initial consultation without any obligations. “We want to make sure our clients achieve the most from their building investment and get the right advice that suits their needs and their budget,” said Anna.

THERMAL IMAGING AND REPORTING - preventative maintenance SAFETY WORKPLACE STANDARDS RCD Testing and Test and tag services We employ highly qualified staff that are committed to maintaining the highest quality of workmanship and site safety, allowing us to complete your project on schedule.

design for life

House Check

Photography ST Images For assistance with your building project, please visit us online or call Anna: 6655 0191 | 0407 064 736 Christian Fisher AIA NSW Reg 7316 www.fisherdesign.com.au

FI SHER DESI GN + ARCHITE CTURE coffs coast focus 67

Latin Rhythms

Launching Australia Day Weekend

Welcome! Coffs Latin Rhythms Inc. (CLR) was formed in late 2009 by a small but dedicated group of dancers to promote Latin dance and music in Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas. CLR is a not for profit organisation run by a group of passionate people who love to dance and enjoy a fun social experience.

Launching on Australia Day Weekend @ the stunning Opal Cove Resort – outdoors and indoors. www.cre8coffscoast.org Featuring a smorgasbord of local and home-grown artists and performers.

8 arts genres showcased.

2 stages filled with contemporary emerging and established performances, bands, dancers.

Headlining Uncle Jed – recent Australia’s Got Talent winner and so much more!

Travers Ross and his company of dancers unveil 'Boji', original Show.

Poetry-Slam Competition – Sassy. Challenging. Fun. Great prizes.

Artists and artisans displays and sales outdoors and indoors.

Interactive Workshops on 25 and 26 Jan in Art, Dance, Creative Writing, Music and more.

Outstanding Digital Media Indoor ‘Chill-Out’ Space: Minimovies, Photography.

Roving and Interactive Performance Artists.

Paddle With a Poet – Coffs Creek Promenade Experience.

Aus-Day Festival entry: children free; adults: $10 donation (includes Uncle Jed).

100% profits to Frontier Projects Haiti charity; www.frontierprojects.org and Headspace Coffs Harbour All artists, performers and artisans – book a space on stage / in marquees / indoors and showcase with us!

Contact us on 0455 279 093 or go to www.cre8coffscoast.org

Each week CLR runs a variety of classes, including Salsa, Bachata, Zouk and Tango. In addition to our normal class timetable, we also organise regular social nights on the second Saturday of each month, and other special events with visiting instructors and workshops throughout the year.

We have been able to bring a very high standard of both Australian and international dancers to Coffs Harbour as guest instructors.

Weekly classes are just $10 each and CLR membership is only $5 per year. CLR has had an ongoing relationship with the Coffs Ex-Services Club, which offers a safe, friendly environment to do classes in air conditioned rooms and on professional dance floors, and social surroundings that encourage students to catch up and get to know each other after class.

We are open to absolute beginners right through to advanced dancers.

Ours is an inclusive, happy dance group where all members are encouraged to have input, mutual respect is revered, and the main aim is to have fun and dance.

Come along and give it a try; you’ll love it.

68 coffs coast focus.

focus_travel

with Kerry Moss from Quadrant Travel

Kerry Moss

Quadrant Australia Did you know there’s a local company organising personalised tours to 6 continents around the world?

Internationally focused but regionally based in Coffs Harbour, Quadrant Australia has been taking travellers around the world on their special interest tours for more than 30 years.

Holidays with Kids.

A

s the holidays begin again, the same question raises its head again; where can we take the kids for holidays? Determined to find the perfect solution, I settled down on the lounge with a glass of wine and a bundle of brochures I’d collected along the way.

It quickly became clear to me that there was not one answer to the elusive question. Whilst there might be the perfect holiday for my family, that may not the answer to the prayers in your family. So here is the summary of my research (oh, and at this point I should remind you that my 20 plus years in the travel industry also contributed to these opinions).

If you’re after an activity filled holiday with a capped budget, then you could consider one of the hundreds of cruises available for families.

There are such varied options available, including 7 day itineraries to the Pacific Islands of New Caledonia, Fiji or Vanuatu or a more scenic and leisurely itinerary to New Zealand.

For those without passports, you can still enjoy Australian cruises including Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia. Cruises are an excellent way to keep the costs under control; you pay up front for your accommodation, meals and many activities. You’ll love cruising, because the kids are constantly entertained in a safe, controlled environment whilst enjoying spectacular scenery and excellent food; the kids will love cruising because of the huge water slides and the 24 hour ice cream.

After something a little more laid back? A place where you can waste away the hours in your deck chair while the kids can snorkel straight off the beach? Maybe Fiji is more your style. There are world class resorts, many of which offer meal packages and family rooms.

You’ll love the relaxed way of the Fijian people

and the kids' clubs. The kids will love that it’s less than 3 hours on a flight. Any parent who has taken a 5 year old on a long haul flight will understand the importance of this!

Quadrant Australia’s Operations Manager, Kerry Moss says, “Our tours are an excellent opportunity to share your passion with other like-minded travellers whilst exploring some of the most spectacular sights of the world.

One of my fondest memories during leading one of our tours was crossing the impressive Andes Mountain Ranges between Chile and Argentina on a small boat with 20 of our passengers. We were met at the other side and taken to a family farm nearby where the family had prepared a traditional Argentinian BBQ. These were seasoned travellers left

absolutely speechless by the snow-capped mountains, arctic air and Argentinian hospitality. It reminded me that even after 20 years in the business, we still have the opportunity to change people’s lives with travel.”

In 2014, they’re offering a number of special interest tours, including a Photography Tour of Vietnam, a History and Archaeology Tour of Jordan and Thoroughbred Racing Tour of UK and France. On closer inspection of these itineraries, Quadrant Australia seem to have mastered the fine art of unique experiences.

Kerry tells us that on their Gardening Tour to the UK last year, the group even got to meet Prince Charles.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Quadrant Australia, drop in to see the team in Vernon St, Coffs Harbour, or visit their website at www.quadrantaustralia.com

If you have a budding scientist in your family or kids that like to get out and about in nature, then look no further than our very own country. The Northern Territory is ruggedly beautiful. Visit ancient rock paintings and gain an insight into one of the world's oldest living cultures or feed the jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River in Kakadu National Park. The memories you make on this trip will last you a lifetime, and the photos of the Australian outback make spectacular viewing.

Really want to impress the kids? Live every child’s fantasy of meeting the ‘real’ Santa at his home in the North Pole. Fly an impressive distance to Finland in Northern Europe and help the kids obtain their international reindeer drivers license whilst out picking a Christmas tree to decorate in the village of Rovaniemi.

Cross the Arctic Circle and visit Santa Claus Village, where a personal chat with the big man in the red suit is guaranteed. Sure it’s not for everyone, but the look on the children’s faces when Santa calls them by name and welcomes them to his home in the North Pole would be unforgettable. Whilst you’re there, you can check out the spectacular sights of Scandinavia, so it wouldn’t be a wasted trip!

Getting the balance right for a family holiday isn’t always easy. One thing is for sure, after years of travelling and seeing unhappy kids dragged through the streets to satisfying the parents desire to see as much as they can in a shortest possible time, I’ll be choosing an option that ticks as many boxes as possible but results in happy kids = happy holiday!

Happy travelling. coffs coast focus 69

focusinterview with Samantha Wardman of CornerPost Marketing

Having experienced Georgie’s life coaching program first hand, I can say with much confidence and gratitude that she has helped my life become fuller and to manage daily stresses and career pressures with resilience and self-assured belief. So it’s my pleasure to interview Georgie for Business Minds this month.

G

eorgie, your background and experience is quite diverse – tell us how you came to be a wellbeing consultant? Well, it’s been quite a journey! From a very young age I’ve always been fascinated with how we humans tick. Fascinated with the workings of the mind, brain, body – and how we care for and run these systems most effectively to create resilience, happiness and wellbeing.

In my early and mid twenties I was fortunate enough to travel, work and live in some amazing parts of the world – South America, India, Canada, the UK, and Europe – and this broadened my perspective on what it takes to bounce back from the small (or big) challenges in life and how to use these as stepping stones to more learning and growth, to be more and achieve more of what we are capable of.

When I returned I ran a health and wellness business for some time in Perth, before I decided to train as a Naturopath and Nutritionist here on the Coffs Coast, which I have done for over a decade now.

I formalised my long-term interest in understanding the mind through my post-graduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Jansen Newman Institute in Sydney and going on to become a certified professional life coach through the Coaching Institute in Melbourne. I’ve continued to immerse myself in studies of emotional intelligence, positive psychology, NLP, brain science, and mindfulness based stress reduction – synthesising the best available skills and practices I could find into a very practical and down-to-earth approach for creating lasting positive change.

For those who have not heard of your skills before – what exactly is a ‘wellbeing consultant’ and why might someone seek your services? That’s a great question!

Wellbeing, as I see it, is not just the absence of disease or illness. Rather, it encompasses positive emotions such as happiness, joy, love, contentment, self-assurance, gratitude and inspiration; yet importantly, it also encompasses a sense of meaning and purpose, growth and accomplish70 coffs coast focus.

ment, and strong, affirming relationships.

As a wellbeing consultant, you could say I help people to create more of all that!

People who seek out my services tend to simply have a sense that more happiness, clarity, meaning and balance are possible vee had u’’v ou If yo in their lives. They have a he moments in th wellbeing. hunger for living a fuller eling fe of so st week or la g in life that feels like the -react Holistic Cancer Supover-taxed, over just or one they were meant , port gs in th l al to sm hing’s et m to live. So you could so e lik g in For the last three years feel e, think of coaching as a missing from lif I’ve worked with the e is mor structure of professional what you need Petrea King Quest for Life ” e. lif ur support, insight and acresilience in yo Foundation in Bundanoon countability that assists you on their residential programs in making those meaningful for those living with cancer, serichanges. ous illness and other life challenges.

“

Your business, Quantum LifeSkills, offers a range of great services designed to help people make the most out of their lives – what are some of these? All our services are designed to inform, inspire and empower you to overcome life’s hurdles – whether in your career, health, relationships or life itself – you will feel equipped to rise confidently to embrace a life full of vitality and wellbeing.

Life Skills Coaching is all about helping you to change the way you think about the stress or challenges you face, so you can train your mind to look at life with a new clarity, calm and confidence in yourself, to finally move forward powerfully in your life. When you develop a vision for your life and career that is in direct alignment with who you are and what you most want to do in this life, you become inspired.

Nutrition – food for good mood To feel good mentally and emotionally, we often need to feel better physically in our bodies too. Our nervous system, adrenals, pituitary and thyroid all play crucial roles in balancing your mood, energy levels and wellbeing and all are dependent on certain key nutrients to optimise hormones, neurotransmitters and neuro-peptides for good mood and brain functioning. As part of our services we offer real solutions to rebalancing the biochemical patterns of stress to re-establish physiological

I offer tailored counselling, coaching and naturopathic consultations – a safe, professional and empowering space for people seeking to make meaning of difficult experiences and actively contribute to their own healing. I also offer this service on the Coffs Coast.

Meditation and Mind Fitness This is an approach I incorporate into my life skills coaching sessions, as well as a service I will be offering as evening sessions in 2014. Meditation and mind fitness is ancient wisdom fused with modern research which re-wires your brain to be less reactive to things that used to upset you, and promotes greater clarity of thought, better judgement, decision-making as well as empathy, compassion and self-compassion.

Stress plays a significant role for many people in their career; tell us about the program you have coming up that will help people create more resilience to stress ... It’s a comprehensive 6-step stress resilience system that will empower you to more effectively navigate stress, optimise your health, relationships and productivity, and to overcome adversity to stay on track with what matters most in your life and begins in March. Over six weeks we bring together the latest research, evidence-based therapies, and practical tools for creating lasting positive change.

We include meditation and mind fitness practices,

life skills training and key strategies for optimising health and wellbeing. The way we think about daily stress and challenges is the key in boosting resiliency and this program will teach you these important skills.

What’s your advice for those busy professionals who ‘work more than live’ and experience stress or ‘burn out’ on a regular basis?

If you’ve had moments in the last week or so of feeling over-taxed, over-reacting to small things, or just feeling like something’s missing from life, what you need is more resilience – the ability to persevere and adapt when faced with challenges.

Here are three things those busy professionals can do to develop resilience: Build your coping resources Exercise, meditate, get enough sleep, each high quality nourishing foods, play more and practice some form or relaxation on a regular basis. Switching on the relaxation response more regularly helps you handle stress far better.

Harness your inner ally Many of us have a critical inner voice that undermines us, obsesses about negative experiences and focuses our mental energy on guilt, resentment, shame or blame. How much more useful would it be to have an inner ally whose voice you could always count on for support, love and sound advice? Start by catching what that inner voice is saying to you and practice training it to be on your own side.

Let go of perfectionism Lastly, quite simply, let go of trying to be perfect! You are capable, worthy and enough as you are – give yourself permission to simply be you, whether in work, relationships or life.

What’s your life motto? Learn, love, give and grow – live the life you came here for.

Thanks Georgie.

Storytime Fun in the Holidays Coffs Harbour Library will present another special FREE Holiday Storytime in City Square on January 6, 10, 13, and 17 from 10am - noon.

“A big plus is that it costs nothing to take part and can really help kids learn to love books and reading at a very young age.

“The library has been holding Storytime in the school holidays in the City Centre for a number of years now,” said Jan Rooney from City Centre Marketing.

“As a special treat the library staff will also be bringing show bags for the children to take home, which will include a library membership form, colouring-in page, bookmarks, balloon and other goodies.

“Storytime is a very popular weekly feature at Council’s libraries, and these special sessions are a great way for parents and guardians to come along with their littlies and find out more.

“The sessions are always popular, and mums and dads can make the most of it by grabbing a coffee or snack from one of the many nearby cafés while watching their little ones enjoy the stories.”

coffs coast focus 71

focusinterview.

Cara FIGHTING FIT

This time last year the delightful Hat Fitz and Cara were riding high. They’d toured Europe, receiving great acclaim for their wonderful ‘Wiley Ways’ album, and had then come home excited for the album’s Australian release and tour. iley Ways reached the top of the Australian Blues Charts (it stayed firmly in the charts for 12 months), and received rave reviews all round. To top things off, Hat Fitz and Cara’s shows and festival appearances were attracting large, often sell-out crowds. It seemed that Australia as a whole had finally caught on to the charm, wit and wonderful musicality of the wee lass from Ireland and the big, bushy Queenslander.

Then in December 2012, Cara was involved in a near fatal car accident, not far from the home she shares with life and musical partner Fitz. A driver pulled out in front of her while she was travelling at 70 km an hour, leaving her with nowhere to go. Fractured ribs, a damaged 9th vertebrae, a sprained back and neck and substantial frontal lobe bruising, along with a whole world of pain, brought the progress they had made to a grinding halt. But Cara was lucky to be alive, and they were grateful for it. Together, Cara and her gentle giant Fitz tackled the doctors’ and specialists' appointments and the resulting legal wrangling, while keeping their family fed and afloat.

The dynamic duo had to cancel plans for another Australian tour, and also had to 72 coffs coast focus.

weigh up whether or not to return to the with Cara’s seemingly never-ending rehaUK in June of this year, where they had bilitation. They also started to plan for the been invited to headline the Sark Folk Fesrecording of their next release. tival and perform at the London Almost exactly one year after City Festival, amongst other the accident, Hat Fitz and invitations. Fitz and Cara Cara are delighted Together, Cara bit the bullet and made to finally be able to and her gentle the trip – managing announce a short e d th giant Fitz tackle to fulfil their tour ' ts run of shows in lis ia doctors’ & spec commitments with d New South Wales an appointments the assistance of l ga le for January 2014. ng the resulti pain killers, cortisone le hi w They’ve aptly called g, wranglin ily m injections and gritted fa r ei th g it the 'Fighting Fit' in keep .” at teeth. The trip was lo af d tour.

They’ll be playan d fe made more worthwhile ing tracks from Wiley by picking up new EuroWays, alongside other pean management, with the favourites and they will be inpair signing on with Alan Robinson troducing new songs to audiences from Manhaton Records. which they’re really excited about. Cara

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On returning home, Fitz and Cara retreated back to their rural hideaway to rest and for Cara to undertake yet more surgery, this time on her wrists to tackle the carpal tunnel damage which was a further complication from the car accident. There was concern that the damage would hinder her chances of returning to the drums. The pair kept their spirits up though, determined to keep on. They wrote new songs, performed a handful of local shows with a drummer hired to fill in for Cara, and continued on

says that they can’t say too much more about the new album just yet, but that you can expect to hear them explore some exciting new directions. They warmly invite all their NSW friends and fans to come along for a catch up and celebration. What are you waiting for? On your bikes!

Sunday, 26 January No.5 Church Street, Bellingen Ticket enquiries: 6655 0155

Mark and Angela Andrews are the proud owners of Aqua Pool and Spa Service here in Coffs Harbour.

They are your answer to looking after your pool or spa, as they are a complete pool shop and mobile service that comes to you.

hey will clean, test, balance and maintain your pool, or, simply deliver your chemicals, parts and equipment, while you are having a life!

Mark and Angela, you are a local family business; tell us about you and your background? Mark – growing up in Sawtell, Mark is a licensed builder with extensive experience in all facets of construction management, including swimming pools.

Angela – originally from Coonabarabran, Angela has extensive experience in administration, office management and book keeping.

Is there a difference in pool are many traps; pools are like people, products? Do you know they are all unique. Aqua takes what chemicals are the time to keep our customers required for each fully informed on all matters Aqua takes the pool? Yes, chemicals concerning their pool or spa. ep ke time to lly fu s er m sto vary in quality and Aqua customers only pay for cu r ou matters informed on all performance. Yes, what they need. Customers r pool concerning thei mers sto cu we have an extensive can trust our advice. or spa. Aqua at they wh r fo y pa ly range of high quality on There is a lot of talk about s can need. Customer chemicals available .” ce vi pool fencing compliance; are ad trust our for all pools and spas. you able to assist customers Aqua tests all pool and on the latest legislation? spa water on site, with some Yes, Aqua Pool and Spa service can of the best technology available. carry out a Pool Fence Condition Report.

“

What are the biggest traps that pool owners encounter? There

Swimming Pool compliance certificates will soon be required for all sales of homes that

have a pool. The new rules also impact on residential tenancy agreements.

What is the best advice you can give our readers on caring for their pool? People's lives are extremely busy and hectic Aqua believe we can save our customers time, money and hassle. Aqua comes to you; you never have to leave home and go to a pool shop again.

We will test your water on site and deliver all your pool and spa needs to your door, we will even clean and maintain your pool or spa if required. We use the latest technology for testing and balancing pool and spa water; we only sell high quality products and we don’t take our customers' business for granted. Call us today!

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st a o C s Coff

Let’s Bake & Decorate Let’s Bake & Decorate is a cake decorator’s heaven.

Catering for everyone from novice to professional, they have the knowledge and advice to help you through any project.

The 2014 Dancing With Coffs Coast Stars is set to be another truly amazing event. We highlighted five of the dance couples in our November issue, e, e, and here we meet the other four dance couples.

If you can think of an item you would need, odds are they either have it or can get it.

Stocking a fabulous range of Fondants and Buttercream icings in white and ready coloured, they are sure to have what you require.

They also stock Whip’n’Ice, which is a frozen icing that tastes like whipped ice cream.

They have every tool imaginable, along with cake toppers, cup cake wrappers, colour gels, candles, sparklers, sprinkles, dusts, moulds, stands, pre made flowers etc. as well as an extensive range of cake tins for sale and novelty tins for sale and hire.

They can even print photos and messages onto edible icing sheets.

Cake decorating classes are also held regularly, teaching the Wilton Method of decorating.

Come in and see this amazing shop for yourself. You’re bound to find something you need.

T

he event is a major fundraiser for Cancer Council NSW to help fund cancer research, cancer support and information services, cancer prevention programs and cancer advocacy to governments.

For the fourth consecutive year, C.ex Coffs are major sponsors of the event, and it has been great to work with the wonderful events team at the club. The event, which is on Saturday 1 February, will see 450 guests support and cheer on the nine dance couples, whilst they sashay and spin on the dance floor.

Carol Myers, Principal at Pacific Dancentre, has been involved in the event as a dance teacher since its inception. She got involved to honour her family, friends and acquaintances who have been touched by cancer. Carol is coaching Tony Cahill, C.ex Group Sports Manager, who will be partnering Julie Potts. Tony, who has never danced before, has said he is definitely out of his comfort zone, but couldn’t resist being involved due to the events admirable cause. “My mother died prematurely in her 50s with lymphoma. She was not only a great mum, but also a great friend.

If we can help by raising funds, which ultimately assist in funding research to find a cure and prolong the lives of good people, for that I’d be happy.”

Sandra Smith, co-owner of Razzle Dazzle Rockers, along with her husband, Dale, has been involved with the event since the beginning four years ago. Sandra and Dale both have a ‘star’ to train, so they will be competing against each other.

Razzle Dazzle Rockers hold dance lessons throughout the year in Rock and Roll and Lindy Hop. This year Sandra is dancing with Khane Duncan, Director of DFA

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Financial Planners. DFA is already involved with the local Cancer Council office, as they offer their financial services free to local disadvantaged cancer patients who need help and guidance with their financial affairs whilst going through treatment. This is why Khane was delighted to become more involved for such a great cause.

2CS and Southern Cross Ten have also

Suzanne McCarty from HARA Beyond Movement Studio, which teaches yoga, Pilates and gyrotonic, has some amazing career highlights as a Prima Ballerina, including dancing on stage at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Suzanne is dancing a ballet with Jesse Taylor from Mission Australia. Their performance will have a sense of fun and comedy to it! “Dancing With Coffs Coast Stars is a great opportunity for us all to get involved and give back to such an important cause in our community,” says Jesse. “I hope to see you all there!”

fantastic auction. Major sponsor for the

Kristy Pursch, of So Dance Studios, is back again for 2014. Kristy and her dance partner and husband, Rob, competed in the event for the first two years and they have come back again for 2014. Rob has always partnered their star, so this time it is Kristy’s turn! Kristy is dancing a swing with EJ, breakfast announcer on 2CS. EJ recently lost an uncle to cancer and is always happy to do his bit for the community. He wants to use the opportunity to not only raise money, but also awareness. As part of his fundraising, EJ is holding a motorbike ride on Saturday 18 January starting at North Coast V-Twins. The ride will finish at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club with a band and a spit roast, so even if you don’t have a bike, you can come and join the party afterwards. The cost of the ride is $25 per person. For further information about the ride, contact EJ on 0428 056 834.

come on board as our major media sponsor, along with FOCUS and Coffs Coast Advocate. It is great to have such great support from the wonderful media teams on the Coffs Coast.

Whilst we are all enjoying the amazing show on the night, there will also be a event, local jeweller Parrys Jewellers, is donating a stunning pendant made especially for the occasion. Each year they donate a gorgeous piece of jewellery and this year is no exception, with a piece titled ‘set infinity’, which was inspired by Michael Parry’s personal experience when he lost his mother to breast cancer 4 years ago. This unique piece designed by Michael features a 23.7ct tear drop London Blue Topaz with a diamond infinity bail all set in 18ct white gold; we cannot wait to see this year’s masterpiece! Barbara Wenman from La Fleur D’Alyse has donated a full day luxury spa package for two people, valued at $2,500 and Q1 Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast have donated five nights in a two bedroom ocean view room.

Don’t miss out on this great night and get in quick for the final available tickets.

You can get your tickets from C.ex Coffs or online at www.cex.com.au – for further details about the event, you can log on to the Facebook page at www. facebook.com/dancingwithcoffscoaststars or call Fiona at Cancer Council on 6659 8400. To donate to any of the wonderful stars, go to www.doyourthing.com.au and search Coffs Harbour on the map to find the individual fundraising pages.

FLIX stix in the

tralian public, winning the first series of The Celebrity Apprentice, with her starring role in the hit drama series House Husbands and most recently presenting Australia's Got Talent.

Australia’s Queen of Comedy, Julia Morris, joins FLIX IN THE STIX as guest film curator and Australian actors John Howard and Damian Walshe-Howling come on board as patrons of the festival!

F

LIX IN THE STIX is proud to announce Australia’s First Lady of Comedy, Julia Morris will be the 2014 Guest Film Curator. Julia, affectionately known as ‘Lady J-Mo’, joins the FLIX IN THE STIX family having recently won the 2013 Helpmann Best Comedy Performer of the Year Award.

2014 FLIX IN THE STIX Festival goers across 9 regional locations will be entertained by Julia’s “Favourite Funny Flix” a curated collection of hilarious short films from Australia and around the globe. Morris’ personal motto “Dementis

Pro Is” translated as “Mad for it” gives a small insight into what we can expect from her as 2014 FLIX IN THE STIX Guest Film Curator.

Julia has been a regular on Australian television and radio since her on-screen debut on 'New Faces' in 1985. She has toured extensively as a stand up comedian and won awards in Australia, America and the UK, where she was named Time Out London’s ‘Comedy Performer of the Year’ in 2004. Since moving back to Australia at the end of 2011, Julia has secured her spot in the hearts and minds of the Aus-

"Who doesn’t need a laugh? I'm a huge fan of short comedy films and as someone who has spent a significant amount of my life in regional Australia, I love what the guys at Flix in the Stix are doing in creating this Regional Music, Comedy & Film festival – Eskimo Joe, Axis of Awesome and me – it’s definitely the Best Night out in the Bush and that is not a euphemism. I ran my own short film competition for a couple of years and the stand out films were always when I got to have a good laugh - I am beyond delighted to be involved in the ‘Best Night out in the Bush’ and look forward to selecting some brilliant short films to entertain delicious Regional Australians”. 2014 Flix in the Stix Guest Curator, Julia Morris “We are over the moon that Julia has accepted our invitation to guest curate our short film collection for 2014 – our audiences are in for a real treat”. Flix in the Stix Director, Simon

Rollin.

FLIX IN THE STIX are also proud to announce the appointment of their first ever festival patrons who include acclaimed Australian actors John Howard and Damian Walshe-Howling.

FLIX IN THE STIX will see approximately 80 minutes of short films screened at every event alongside comedy exponents The Axis of Awesome and live music, compliments of Aussie band Eskimo Joe.

the plug!

Tickets for FLIX IN THE STIX are on-sale now through TICKETEK and other select outlets. www.flixinthestix.com.au www.facebook.com/flixinthestix @flixinthestix Friday 7 February North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Coffs Harbour

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RON RO N ST S STARTED ARTE AR TED TE D HI H HIS S SURFING CAREER IN THE EARLY ‘60S. 100% COMMITTED TO THE SPORT, HIS CREATIVE SIDE KICKED IN. HE STARTED SHAPING IN 1970, AND IT HAS BEEN HIS PASSION EVER SINCE.

hat brought you to Coffs Coast in the 1970s and how did cult surfing film Morning of the Earth influence the move from Merimbula, NSW? What was life like for you back in the day? What was your earlier career? I left Maroubra in 1972. I had already travelled the south coast from Sydney to Tasmania living in an old van that I had converted to a camper, I thought I would check out a warmer climate. So, I came up north. I met Bob Cooper, and he gave me a job shaping for him; it was quite funny, because I had asked him if he had a spot shaping and he said he already had a shaper, but he found out I was a carpenter by trade and said, “Why don’t you renovate my shop (the ceiling of the now Element bar is my work)”. Anyway, he approached me the next day and asked if I could start tomorrow. I explained that I had to go back to Sydney to collect my tools, and he said, “Oh no, I meant can you start shaping. My shaper left last night”. So I started shaping and have made this my career path ever since.

I started making boards under my own label, Summercloud, in 1974. I worked from an old shed on the road into Korora. They were fantastic years 76 coffs coast focus.

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– I was pretty much living a lifestyle straight out of the movie, Morning of the Earth. I was building boards on the North Coast and going to Bali every year to test them.

more waves because of it! Getting into shaping was purely self indulgence for me; I wanted to design and build my own boards ... and to get better at it, I had to make more!

Surfboards were real art forms then: single Why is the way you operate unique? I do fins with beautiful coloured sprays. almost all of it myself. I wouldn’t say Jeffrey Baker did most of the art that is unique so much, as rare work on them; I am doing these days. a few for his upcoming How have you seen the I I explained that exhibition in the New progression of board to ck ba go had to Year. It’s been great shaping from the late y m ct lle co Sydney to working with Jeff h “O , ‘60s to today. and how id sa he d an tools, again. have you adapted to can you start

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no, I meant

aper left Cue: 2014, and you the change? The ‘70s shaping; my sh started I So . t” are renowned for through to the mid ‘80s last nigh ve made your brilliance in board designs were rapidly shaping and ha th ever pa custom manufacturing changing; everybody was this my career since.” surfboards … what is thinking outside the square, that exactly, and how and it was exciting stuff! did you wind up in this Especially the late ‘70s; I am in fact profession? There are too many quite chuffed knowing that I have gone surfers out there riding the wrong boards through the early years of surfboard design for their weight and experience. A custom when your next board was a quantum leap and built surfboard is made with all that in mind. design was limited by only your imagination. Back Sometimes even your foot size will determine in the day they were heady years, and we won’t the board you ride; too many people are riding a see those things happen like that again. The last 20 certain length because it will fit in their car. I’ll let or so years’ design has been more subtle in change. you in on a secret; old guys like me are catching Boards are looking more the same year after year.

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I was ten years of age and have never looked back – not until I learnt to kitesurf. It has been a most amazing thing to do; who would have thought that you could drag yourself onto a wave with a kite? And no crowds; t no d My design di I am finding myself opting d ire qu re meet the more towards kite surfing as w I so , ts measuremen n now, as our beaches are Te t. en ev e out of th k, ac tr becoming more crowded, e th n w do years that be s but my favourite spots for er w po e th d an book a wave would have to be realised the rule was Diggers and Shellys. was stupid, so it

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thrown out!”

However, the last ten years have seen younger surfers wanting to try more retro shapes, and the fish thing has been great for re-hashing older designs. I don’t think I have had to adapt ... I have always thought I am just a part of the metamorphosis, and I’ve been lucky to be given an innovative mind!

China is destroying your craft … how are you coping with this? Are you finding that people are appreciative of a unique, custom made board as opposed to a mass produced number out of China? China is not good for us manufacturers. There is no competing with their low price, and in my opinion most of the stuff that comes from them is flotsam and jetsam. They have made surfboard manufacturing a bit of a mug’s game, I’m afraid … but hey, that’s the way of the world and there will always be someone popping out cheaper product, and we all know how dollar driven society has become.

With the way machines can computer cut just about anything now, the soul is gradually

getting sucked from surfboard shaping. Less and less people are hand shaping surfboards now, which means it’s getting easier and easier for anyone to copy a design that’s had years of research and development go into it. I’m not bitter about it ... just a sign of the times, and I use the technology myself. I have noticed in the last year or two that there are more surfers aware that buying cheap imports is not good for the Australian board industry. There are surfers who know what they want and have an eye for detail, but they are a niche market, and that niche is getting smaller and smaller.

On a lighter topic, how and when did you get in to surfing, and in your opinion where is the best place to catch a wave on the Coffs Coast? My father was a keen sailor,and it looked like I would follow in his footsteps until my older brother dragged me down the beach and pushed me onto a wave.

We've heard that you're a twice Australian Surfing Champion, what has been your proudest career moment to date?

I surfed through all the events to get to an Australian titles one year, only to be told I was not allowed to surf the board I was riding because they had released a new book of rules where board dimensions had to add up to a certain number. My design did not meet the required measurements, so I was out of the event. Ten years down the track, and the powers that be realised the rule book was stupid, so it was thrown out! My proudest moment was my second Aussie title, where I surfed through all events, unbeaten in every heat from start of the year to the Aussie title, on that same design! Unfair advantage? I hope so; that was my plan as a designer.

What's your 2014 New Year’s Resolution?

Stay as fit as I can, so I can kite surf as much as I can, and tell my wife I love her more often.

Thanks Ron.

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40 p ar ke s d rive - k orora I n t h e e a r ly days . . .

Graham Taylor was born in the Sunnyside Hospital, Coffs Harbour in 1943. He grew up on a banana plantation in Korora with a younger brother and two sisters.

During the war years, Grahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, Bruce, cleared the land himself and initially grew tomatoes.

The story goes that he bought some banana suckers from a local man who had just returned with them in his suitcase from South America and sold them for five shillings each. Bruce put them in the ground and that was the beginning of his plantation, as row by row they climbed up the hill until they covered his land. In those days Korora consisted mostly of banana plantations that grew all over the north

ch. facing slopes and reached almost down to the beach.

The children of the farmers would run barefoot to the primary school in Korora and had an idyllic life of freedom to explore. When the farmers dug dams for irrigation, the children swam in them, jumping in from overhanging branches of the surrounding trees.

They ran freely over the rocks in Korora Bay collecting crabs and worms for fishing bait. They were wild but happy, a by-gone age that is often reminisced about these days.

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Graham married Jill in 1968

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Graham had already met Jill, a ‘Ten Pound Pom’ in Terrigal one Easter weekend. She had only just arrived in Sydney three weeks earlier after a voyage on ‘The Northern Star’.”

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Graham attended Coffs Harbour High School at the Jetty and went on to Sydney University to study dentistry. He graduated in 1966 and his first job was on King Street, Sydney, in Peter Muller’s surgery. Graham had already met Jill, a ‘Ten Pound Pom’ in Terrigal one Easter weekend. She had only just arrived in Sydney three weeks earlier after a voyage on ‘The Northern Star’.

Several years later they became engaged and then married on 20 April 1968. The following year they embarked on P & O’s ‘Arcadia’ and did the ‘Variety Voyage’ back to the UK, stopping

at 18 ports en route, including Hong Kong, Japan, Vancouver, San Francisco, LA, Acapulco and through the Panama Canal, stopping at Miami, Jamaica, Nassau and Bermuda before arriving broke but happy in the UK in March 1970. They had imagined spending just two years there, visiting Jill’s relatives and seeing as much as possible of Europe – however, 30 years later they were still there having run a three man dental practice in South London, had two children – a son, John, and a daughter, Carolyn, who were both educated there but retained their Aussie passports.

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Staying on the farm in Coffs Harbour became a little crowded, so Graham bought No. 40 Parkes Drive, a Cape Cod style house with a ‘70s interior décor. It was convenient because it was adjacent to the original farmhouse, so Graham just had to go through the back gate in order to work on the farm.”

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40 Parkes Drive…

In 1998 Graham decided he should return to Australia for an extended time to assist his sister, Evol, running the plantation and looking after their elderly parents. This eventually became a yearly event, and they began to spend six months in Australia and six months in the UK, trying to time it so they arrived at the beginning of summer, missing the winters on both continents – an idyllic lifestyle.

L e t t h e r e n o v at i o n b e g i n …

Staying on the farm in Coffs Harbour became a little crowded, so Graham bought No. 40 Parkes Drive, a Cape Cod style house with a ‘70s interior décor. It was convenient because it was adjacent to the original farmhouse, so Graham just had to go through the back gate in order to work on the farm. This worked perfectly for a few years, then Graham’s father passed away in 2006 at the amazing age of

100 years and three months.

Graham and Jill by now had become accustomed to travelling between the UK and Australia every year and when their son, John and daughter Carolyn both decided to make Sydney their home, it became easier to spend more and more time on this side of the world. It has become even more of an attraction recently with the arrival of two grandchildren.

It then became important to decide what to do about the Cape Cod – should they do superficial improvements, sell it to someone else and let them do it, or grab the opportunity to do a major renovation?

The last option was the one they chose, and the project became a dream come true for Graham, who even dreams about DIY! He studied and passed the exam and became the Owner Builder for the project, which began on 1st May 2012 and has consumed most of his time ever since.

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About Graham… Film Making Graham had a friend at high school called Bob Young, who became an architect, based in Newcastle, and together they started discussing possibilities for the house. Bob came up with a radical concept – a central three level glass atrium – and from there the plans developed. Jill and Graham loved the concept, so it was decided to go ahead with the major renovation. There followed many meetings and discussions of all aspects, and everyone had an input. Amendments were made until eventually a design was arrived at that everyone was comfortable with, without compromising the original concept of a central atrium. A major benefit of the atrium is the

airflow. The lower louvres allow cool summer

Green, who is a builder, had already helped

to first floor level, the house seemed to take

breezes in and the louvres on the upper

Graham’s sister Evol re-build the farmhouse.

on a life of its own, rising up like a phoenix

windows draw the heated air out – you could

Mark agreed to manage the project with

from the ashes, and from an ugly duckling a

call this ‘nature’s air-conditioning’. The revised

Graham and act as the building contractor.

beautiful swan emerged. They now have a

plans included a lift to service the three levels

Mark and his team did an excellent job and

‘glass palace’ with uninterrupted views of the

manufactured by Domus in Italy and installed

Mark, like his father, is a first class tradesman

ocean and two of the Solitary Islands.

by Easy Living. Bob’s colleague, technical

and his attention to detail is exceptional. The

Graham has many interests and hobbies.

draftsman John Wilson, took on the task of

design has showers on all levels, so it was very

While in the UK in the early years, he joined an

drawing the detailed construction plans.

important to ensure there were no potential

amateur film-making club which won a ‘Best

Another school friend of Graham’s, Jeff Green,

leaks. Mark’s cousin, Clinton Green, carried out

Amateur Film’ one year for Golden Medallion.

who remained in Coffs Harbour and who had

all the vital water-proofing. Most of the sub-

The award was presented to them by Sir

his own plumbing business, helped Graham

contractors used had worked with Mark before

John Mills at the National Film Theatre on the

to make the decision to become the Owner

and they proved to be helpful and reliable.

South Bank. Graham got so interested in the

Builder of the project, because his son, Mark

After the demolition of the Cape Cod down

technical side of this business, that he and a

We love your paint projects and we want to help make yours amazing like Graham Taylor’s latest renovations.

We stock all our favourite brands including Dulux, Berger Premium, Cabot’s and more and we have a gazillion ideas we just want to give away.

Come in store and talk to our team about your next project.

Coffs Harbour 175 Orlando St Ph 6652 4952 InspirationsPaint.com.au 82 coffs coast focus.

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friend opened a video dubbing studio in Barnes which they ran alongside their other businesses for ten years.

They initially dubbed sound onto film for television, and the BBC was their major client.

T a y l o r

Apart from his determination to build up his dental surgery, Graham got more and more attached to life in the northern hemisphere because of his love of snow skiing, sailing and film making. They had many ski holidays in the Alps and three times sailed the Greek Islands with the kids, giving them a lifelong love of sailing.

However, he never forgot his roots and they had many trips back to Coffs Harbour, usually at Christmas time, bringing the children to teach them the family history and to experience the Aussie lifestyle. These trips must have gone a long way to persuading them to make Australia their home.

Marine Rescue...

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At Marine Rescue Graham is now the Radio Officer and teaches navigation. He is also on-call for the Boat Crew, sometimes dropping tools, donning his uniform and dashing off to assist in any emergency that may occur in our local waters.”

On returning to spend the summers in Coffs, Graham joined the local Marine Rescue. He’s always had an interest in boats and navigation; in fact, he spent seven years helping his friend Mike Wunderlich, also a local boy who is now a retired dentist, build a 33 ft Sailing Catamaran, which they share. At Marine Rescue Graham is now the Radio Officer and teaches navigation. He is also on-call for the Boat Crew, sometimes dropping tools, donning his uniform and dashing off to assist in any emergency that may occur in our local waters. He has become famous for his ‘Brandied Bananas’ which he cooks at their various fundraising events – particularly the ‘Gleniffer Jazz Afternoons’, where the MR puts on the barbecue. The Coffs Harbour Marine Rescue do a wonderful job supporting the boating public off the Coffs Coast and thanks go to Graeme King, the Unit Commander, Lindy Powells, Kevin Recknell and Skippers Greg Taylor, Mark Halling and Ross Cowan – among many others. Anyone reading this who has a love of boats and the sea, would be most welcome to join up.

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4 0 A m a n o f m a n y ta l e n t s . . .

Graham is a man of many talents and interests, to name a few – Ham Radio, computers, filming, photography, electrics and electronics, plumbing and building. He has renovated about seven bathrooms for family and friends and can fix most vehicles – especially the farm tractors, which he puts down to growing up on a farm and learning from his father how to save money and recycle everything. He has installed a home theatre in the new house, which he wired up himself, so now there is a large screen for showing movies, a projector and surround sound. Music can be piped all

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around d the th house h and d with ith a media di server he can feed a different movie to each room – should anyone so want! They say that behind every successful man is a surprised wife!

Well, Jill says she is not just surprised – she’s flabberghasted!

T h a n k s t o a l l i n v o lv e d !

Graham would particularly like to thank – Audrey at Reece Plumbing for her efficient and friendly service; Chris at Advance Metal Industries and Robert and Simon at Plumbe Joinery for an outstanding job on the two staircases in the house, which proved challenging, and John at North Coast

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C i lD d i iin choosing h i Commercial Doors ffor hi his advice the solid core interior doors and the bespoke front doors.

In addition, Graham would like to thank Paul and the boys at 3D Paints for their advice in choosing the correct paints and showing him how to use the airless spray gun. Many thanks to Steve of Steve Black Electrical, who would regularly drop in on his way home to check on progress and answer the myriad of questions Graham bombarded him with.

Also, many thanks to Nicolle Foster of Natural Habitat for her excellent assistance in choosing the exterior and interior colour scheme, which

has enhanced the whole design of the house.

Finally, Graham would like to thank all the suppliers and sub-contractors who supported him in this venture and contributed to this month’s ‘Property Abode’, including Cowling’s R & R Carpets for their prompt laying of the carpet during the busy pre-Christmas season.

C O A S TA L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Meeting the challenge of refurbishing an existing beach house for maximum energy efficiency while achieving quality architectural design outcomes.

The idea of renovating an existing Cape Cod residence at Korora first emerged on New

focusabode.

Year’s Day 2011, when the owners, dear friends Graham and Jill Taylor, offered me the opportunity to redesign their large, out-ofcharacter, Cape Cod house at Korora. A key challenge was the desire to retain the existing brick structure while reconfiguring the dark and uninspired plan for improved atmosphere and liveability, emphasising spectacular ocean views and capturing summer breezes.

A key objective in approaching this challenge was to resolve a number of weaknesses in the existing building by using recognised sustainability principles by enhancing the potential for natural light and air flow, insulation with solar energy and storm water harvesting systems.

S u s ta i n a b l e d e s i g n s t r at e g y

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Finally, Graham would like to thank all the suppliers and sub-contractors who supported him in this venture and contributed to this month’s ‘Property Abode’, including Cowling’s R & R Carpets for their prompt laying of the carpet during the busy pre-Christmas season.”

Fortunately, due to the large 400 m² floor area, there was sufficient scope to remove part of the internal structure so as to create a full height, 25 m² glass atrium.

The purpose of this atrium was to increase natural light and air flow, by way of overhead windows and skylights. This resulted in significant additional light from north and east.

Other sustainable attributes are storm water and solar harvesting systems, located and designed to be as discreet as possible, while maximising both water and energy collection capabilities, together with operational efficiencies. A solar collection hub was provided, being a series of solar panels located on the western roof area, away from public view.

The 3 kW/hour solar array is linked to the grid. This produces an estimated 4,331 kW of energy per annum, resulting in a surplus being returned to the grid.

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Storm water collected from the roof is distributed to a set of storage tanks with a total capacity of 5,000 litres. The tanks are sited at ground level outside the kitchen and positioned to achieve gravity flow off the roof, while also minimising visual impact.

main stairs, is effectively the heart of the house, with the main living room featuring an expansive 35 m² turpentine floor, leading to a 21 m² ceramic tile deck. The kitchen and butler’s pantry overlook the rear garden. A home theatre and study are located at the south end of this level.

From the planning viewpoint, my aim was to open up all floor levels so as to feature the expansive ocean views, together with potential for the creation of spatial opportunities.

The upper level comprises three bedrooms, with facilities and decks. This level is accessed from both the lift and a separate flight of brush box stairs. In summary, it is felt the success of the project is largely due to the commitment shown by the design and construction team, addressing a range of challenges, with some being particularly complex.

On arrival at the lower level (atrium floor) from the car park, a visually striking, crescent-shaped brush box staircase offers dramatic access to the ground floor above. The lift is located adjacent to the atrium, together with a study and guest suite.

An ‘air bridge’, overlooking the atrium, provides a direct link between the living room and lift.

The ground floor, accessed both from the lift and

My appreciation is particularly extended to team members, including Graham and Jill Taylor, builder Mark Green, engineer Chris Wood and technical draftsman John Wilson.

Bob Young, Architect.

coffsharbourstone®

quality craftsmanship in Marble and Granite

Office: 4/40 High Tech Drive TOORMINA NSW 2452 OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm Phone: (02) 6658 5600 Fax: (02) 66585 606 Mobile: 0419 224 225 Email: coffshbrstone@hotmail.com

sophisƟcated but elegant designs 86 coffs coast focus.

focusbusiness. with the Sawtell Chamber of Commerce

clive greenway.

focusinterview.

Scotty Seccombe Australian Fighting Karate

Happy New Year to all the FOCUS readers from the businesses and traders in Sawtell. We trust that your Christmas break and New Year celebrations were and are everything you had hoped for and New Year’s resolutions are set in stone ! ere in Sawtell we are still retail giants has made it tough for small enjoying our visitors, many retailers to compete, but urged Australians returning to the area after to throw their support behind them. I believe fantastic past vacations that it is also essential that small business focus and experiences on our on delivering a superior customer experience, beautiful Coffs Coast. The Sawtell traders look remain proactive in their promotions and have forward to busy days and nights during the a thorough product knowledge as well as a month of January and welcome our tourists competitive price point. Certainly the retailers and locals with open arms. The trend has and service providers in Sawtell can be proud always been that February shows much slower to say that they pursue these initiatives year retail growth, as one would expect following round so we hope that our community will the end of Christmas trading and a decrease show support for our small businesses and our in visitor numbers. It is particularly village this year as well. This summer we important during this month are very proud to host the ‘Sawtell and the ones that follow Summer Sessions’ every second that we remember the Thursday of the month. important work started e w The dates for the next er m m This su d in earnest in 2013 ou events are January 9, pr ry ve e ar ll te and supported by aw ‘S February 13 and March e th st to ho ns’ every io ss Se various organisations er 13. First Avenue will be m m Su of the committed to closed from 4.30pm second Thursday r the s fo month . The date the ‘Shop Local’ to 8pm and feature January next events are campaign. local buskers, musicians d 9, February 13 an Australians recognise and entertainers under March 13.” that small businesses the iconic fig trees. are a vital cog in the The atmosphere will be nation’s economic wheel, family friendly and you can but they often forget to support dine alfresco at one of the many them. A recent galaxy poll showed that restaurants or browse the eclectic mix 94% of Australian consumers recognise of shops in the cool of the evening. Sawtell the importance of small business but is equally as beautiful during the evening as it admit to forgetting to support them. 90% felt is during the day, so come and visit us during sadness, sympathy and disappointment when a our Summer Sessions. Our last evenings have small business closed down in their community. been so well received, with the Chamber 58% believe that small business gives the receiving many letters of appreciation, and community identity and 58%believe that small my thanks goes as always to the tireless business provides convenience whilst 45% work done by the volunteers who pull these believe that small business delivers a superior evenings together. The Sawtell Chamber of customer service. These are very important Commerce is run by a committed group of findings and certainly results that most people volunteers, and all support is encouraged and would have to agree with. The Council of Small welcomed. More information can always be Business of Australia’s executive director Peter found on our website: Strong said the domination of the nation’s www.sawtellnsw.com.au

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Scotty and James Seccombe, father - son duo, are the proud owners of Australian Fighting Karate − the next generation of Martial Arts.

W

hat is your background and when did your son, James, decide to take the reins? I started in Martial Arts in 1987 in Shotokan Karate with now 7th Dan Shian Bill Young. I joined the military and was qualified in Military Unarmed Combat, where I trained soldiers. I was also lucky enough to train abroad with our British counterparts.

use of circuit based training of these techniques.

Age is no barrier, as our training is designed to be self-paced to help students achieve their fitness and training goals over time.

With safety of children being a big priority, how important are things like safety checks and working with adult checks in your school? Does your team have First Aid credentials? We ensure all our instructors James and I trained in Commando Krav Maga, are 'working with children' cleared and are Boxing, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do, then in first aid qualified; we engage with local 2011 we decided to open our own school – police and periodically have stranger danger Australian Fighting Karate. James was graded presentations for our students. Within our club to black belt in 2012 by Shian Bill we also run instructor training regularly Young. Our school has now in both emergency procedures grown to a small but and management of injured or family oriented club and sick students. This provides e th nd te I ex in April this year we a positive and transparent invitation to all come to s decided to give James atmosphere within the club er ad re ur yo ay and the opportunity to where parents, students down and say g’d ning trai take the reins. This and instructors can all have a go at our a great enabled him to feel safe and comfortable I believe we have otes om product that pr in a gain experience in during their training. ss health and fitne ning management of the We do not at any time trai family friendly club and for me to be promote fighting or train in environment.” able to travel and train inappropriate techniques in in Okinawa and run selfour Little Commandos or adult defence seminars throughout classes. the state for World Martial Arts Tell us about Punchfit … what is it Alliance members. and who can participate? Our Punchfit

“

You not only teach younger people, but you also encourage older people to train as well … tell us about that? Our ‘Little Commandos’ has been very effective. Our adults class also provides a great opportunity for teens and adults, both men and women, to train at their own pace in a safe and professional environment. A lot of people say, “When I get fitter, I’ll come and train”. The truth of the matter is that’s why you should come and train, as aspects such as traditional Kata improves balance, co-ordination, concentration and strength, while our self-defence training promotes self-confidence and knowledge, and our basics allow for fitness conditioning with the

training provides an excellent fitness outlet for both men and women of all ages. During training you are taught correct boxing technique and practice these by performing combinations over two minute rounds. This training provides not only good fitness, but good fun. The training is done in a self-paced environment with our three fully qualified Punchfit instructors, James, Mel and myself.

Final say ... In closing, I extend the invitation to all your readers to come down and say g’day and have a go at our training. I believe we have a great product that promotes health and fitness in a family friendly training environment.

Thanks Scotty. coffs coast focus 87

focuseditorial.

Top Left: Boral tradesman at work, Herons Ck; top right: Hardwood Wharf Timber (Wharves 8 and 9 Pyrmont) supplied by Haydens Timbers, Telegraph Point; Beneath right, Boral Timber’s kiln dried structural timber used at UWS Climate Change and Energy Research Facility.

Forrest NSW N o r t h

C o a s t

Taskforce North Coast Forests Taskforce - the journey from primary producer through to the refined finished products starts and ends here on the North Coast with our rich supply of Australian woods. We meet some businesses of the Taskforce.

ayden’s Sawmill As the timber industry evolves into the 21st Century, it is faced with new challenges including smaller diameter trees, reduced volumes of timber and tightening environmental and planning regulations.

With these issues in mind, Darrell Hayden, owner of Hayden’s Sawmill, set about building a high recovery mill that minimises wastage.

In Darrell’s view, the conversion of timber to woodchip is not consistent with his vision of achieving the highest and best use of local hardwoods.

Accordingly, Hayden’s operation places as much emphasis on the lower end of the market as on the high-end premium logs.

“Over the years we have found that we can achieve some really positive results by converting off cuts into products such as mine timbers, pallet timber and fence palings,” said Darrell, who is obviously very proud that he operates what he calls a true recovery mill. A message from the Hatch Timber Group: “Australia has some of the best quality renewable resources available in hardwood timbers, and none more distinct than NSW North Coast Hardwoods. The NSW North Coast region has been a valuable supply resource in quality hardwoods to the Hatch Timber Group for many years. A stand out example is the hardwood wharf timbers supplied for the construction of Wharves 8 and 9 Pyrmont.

Without the combination of quality NSW North Coast hardwood resources and the milling expertise of Hayden Timbers sawmill, we may not have been able to admire the natural beauty of hardwood timber featured at Pyrmont,” Mark Campbell, Sales Manager, Hatch Timber Group.

Boral Timber – North Coast operations Boral has developed and produced wood products in Australia for over a century.

88 coffs coast focus.

Today, Boral Timber is one of the largest manufacturers of Australian hardwood products and a major supplier of certified hardwood and softwood in Australia.

Boral offers a wide range of Australian native hardwood timber products, including solid strip flooring, overlay, parquetry, green and seasoned structural timber, decking and cladding, with Boral Timber an industry leader in hardwood flooring.

Production and distribution operations are coordinated through Boral Timber’s headquarters in Sydney and timber products are produced at long established mills in Central and Northern NSW. The company employs more than 250 people in its hardwood operations, with mills located at Murwillumbah, Kyogle, Namoona, Koolkhan, near Grafton and Herons Creek, near Port Macquarie.

Over 80 per cent of Boral’s hardwood timber products come from their North Coast mills in Australia. The Herons Creek Timber Mill, near Port Macquarie, is one of the largest hardwood saw mill sites in Australia, providing sustainably managed hardwood structural and decking products throughout Australia. The Herons Creek Mill employs over 80 people across the 20 Hectare dry mill and saw mill sites, dispatching over 50 trucks per week. In recent years Boral Timber has invested in upgrading the Mill at Herons Creek with safer and more efficient technology and recently finished construction of additional drying kilns.

In addition to the Herons Creek site, Boral Timber continues to invest in energy efficiency through improving green power generation and upgrading mills to ensure that the utilisation of resources is maximised and material wastage is reduced.

Boral Timber General Manager, Stephen Dadd said: “The timber industry is currently facing import pressures, high energy costs and resource uncertainty. As an industry leader and major employer in the NSW North Coast,

it is important for Boral to support the locality and the timber industry. We will continue to invest in the main North Coast timber mills, with the focus on equipment, safety and technology. We are also involved with the North Coast Institute of TAFE supporting apprentices in joinery, cabinet-making, wood machining, and shop fitting.”

Boral Timber products are used for structural, commercial and residential renovation projects across Australia.

For example, Boral Timber’s Kiln Dried Today, Boral the F27 structural timber Timber is one of rs re tu ac was used in the uf largest man using locally sourced rdwood development of of Australian ha hardwood in the late or aj m the University of products and a ‘80s, starting first with ed ifi rt Western Sydney’s supplier of ce d oo w ft Rose Gum (Flooded so d an hardwood Climate Change Gum) and then Sydney .” ia al in Austr and Energy Research Blue Gum soon after.

Facility at Richmond in They also use prominent New South Wales (NSW).

Australian hardwoods such as Boral Timbers hardwood Tasmanian Blackwood, WA Jarrah flooring products are also currently and Tasmanian Oak, using these timbers being used in the refurbishment of the to make furniture of a very high standard Laurieton services club, located near Port and attention to detail, design and build Macquarie. quality. No MDF or particleboards are used at Francis Furniture – only solid timbers and select Francis Furniture plywood using features such as their unique Francis Furniture has been designing and sliding tapered dovetails, which allows the custom building quality solid timber furniture timber its natural seasonal movement on all in Port Macquarie since 1982; this year their carcass work and mortise and tenon on represents our 32nd year in business. Operated tables and chairs giving extra security. Combine by brothers Kim and Chris Francis, Francis this with an uncompromising approach to Furniture has expanded production and sales ensuring they use only the most appropriate in recent years to meet demand for Australian fittings and hardware available for a long made quality furniture from customers from service life, and you begin to realise why many as far afield as Victoria in the south and of their customers keep coming back and are Queensland in the north. still happy even after decades of owning their At Francis Furniture they use some of the finest first piece. timbers available, many of them North Coast Kim and Chris Francis are passionate about the hardwoods such as Sydney Blue Gum, Rose furniture they produce. They have developed Gum and Blackbutt. Francis Furniture started

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focuseditorial.

Top left - Outdoor area, designed and manufactured by Bago Woodworks.

Top right - Galston Forest Dining Suite by Francis Furniture, Port Macquarie.

Planning for our Future The growing population of the North Coast is stimulating an increase in the demand for renewable building materials, of which timber is the most environmentally friendly. a reputation for designing and creating unique pieces to suit their customers’ individual needs.

Imagine being able to see your furniture come to life, as Kim uses 3D software to create a virtual model of the piece you have envisioned.

Their free custom design service is particularly popular with people trying to find something that will compactly and neatly store all their gear, be it entertainment equipment, books or crystal. Each piece is unique, whether made from a standard design or modified to the customer’s requirements. Their website has a mountain of images to look at and will give you an idea of what they have available and some of their unique designs: www.francisfurniture. com.au – or call in and see Kim and Chris at their showroom, located at 3 Belah Road, Port Macquarie or phone them on 6581 0276 for fine custom made furniture.

Bago Woodworks Bago Woodworks has partnered with ‘Sentrel’ balistrading over the last 6 years to design and manufacture a handrail and balustrade system.

This has had its challenges over the years, from sourcing consistent straight and defect free timber, to supply shortages in required sizes and species. Having trialled various timbers, methods and sources, they now mainly utilise NSW Spotted Gum. To overcome some of these issues they source small quantities of green private and NSW State Forest timber from Hayden’s Timbers and Coffs Harbour Hardwoods, then air, solarkiln and process to our requirements.

Between Bago Woodworks and Sentrel, this product alone has created direct employment for 6 - 7 workers and maybe 2 - 3 indirectly.

With Spotted Gum’s natural beauty and durability, it has been the outstanding market winner with our customers.

The other side of the business produces high end Australian hardwood joinery and furniture.

Again, they source both green and kiln dried products to meet these needs, green timber coming solely from local Hayden’s Timbers and KD from Boral, Moxons and other reputable suppliers.

With the local hardwoods’ strength and density, they have been able to come up with some unique furniture designs that would not be possible with other imported timbers. With nearly all their products being ‘Made To Order’, and Australian hardwood’s unique difficulties, they have to be quite innovative in their construction methods.

Australian timbers have a very special uniqueness that can’t be matched by imported species, with local Blackbutt and Bluegum in both select and light feature grades featuring highly in the range.

On the NSW North Coast, over 800 000ha of State Forest is sustainably managed to produce timber products ranging from beautiful floors and timber decks, to strong bridge girders, electricity poles and wharving piles.

The industry-led North Coast Forests taskforce believes that it is now time to change the many misconceptions about this truly sustainable industry. Visit the website (www.forestmatters.com.au) or our Facebook page www. facebook.com/NorthCoastForestsTaskforce) for good news stories about this most important

local industry.

Of course, illegal logging is a major contributor to tropical deforestation and forest degradation. Australia has recently passed legislation to prevent the importation of illegally logged wood. However Australia’s forest management practices still rank amongst the highest in the world in terms of environmental sustainability.

Consumers who buy local timber can be confident that they are purchasing a high value, environmentally sustainable and long lasting product.

To ensure you are purchasing sustainably managed timber buy wood that has been sourced under certified standards such as the Australian Forestry Standard.

Affordable Flooring The Dorney family operates two hardwood sawmills: Newell’s Creek at Markwell and S A Relf & Sons at Bulahdelah. The company is now widely known for its quality flooring and decking products and have won a number of prestigious awards, including the ATIC Quality Assurance award (twice) for timber flooring manufacturers. Anthony Dorney says, “The properties of timber offer qualities unlike any other material – flexible in its application, durable yet not harsh underfoot, along with a wide range of colours and attractive features.

Since timber is a natural product, it may have a wide variety of natural features and colour variation within the one species. Every floor is unique and may well vary from timber samples or showroom displays”.

Anthony goes on to say: “Flooring available from S A Relf and Sons is made with a secret nail profile and end matched; the wider floorboards, 130 mm x 19 mm, are top nailed to minimize cupping. All timber is sourced locally and kiln dried on site.

The species available are: Sydney Bluegum, Coastal Blackbutt, Brush Box, Turpentine, Grey Ironbark, Flooded Gum and Stringybark and graded in accordance with the amount of naturally occurring features such as gum vein, tight knots, checks (thin shrinkage cracks), borer holes etc.

This is another great North Coast timber company producing a distinctive and very appealing product from sustainably managed North Coast forests. coffs coast focus 89

focusrealestate.

with Chris Hines from Unrealestate

focustourism.

with Dene Zahner, President of Tourism Coffs Coast.

real OK, you’ve taken the big step and decided to sell your home ... never an easy decision, but nonetheless one that has to be made from time to time.

ou’ve chosen a real estate agent to market and sell the home for you (hopefully me) and you’ve asked that all important question, “What can we do to improve our chances of selling for the best price?”

Your real estate agent has come to your house to assess what needs to be done to sell it the quickest. The word ‘de-clutter’ continues to come up. You assure your agent that you are a very neat person and that everything will be clean when the potential buyers come to view it. Many sellers encounter the same situation each day. What agents wish their clients would understand is that de-cluttering is more than just keeping the architraves dust-free and the countertops wiped down. Try some of the following tips and wow your real estate agent, and especially, your buyers.

With pen, paper and clipboard in hand, tour the outside of your home, then the inside.

As much as possible, pretend that you don’t own the house and that you’ve never seen the place. You may quickly see what your real estate agent meant by de-cluttering when you use this new perspective. Write down anything which is the least bit offensive to the eye, including unruly hoses, toys in the front yard, cluttered shelves and newspapers stacked up in the laundry room.

The list will seem longer the more times you go through the process. However, the more you notice, the more prepared your home will be for eagle-eyed buyers.

The biggest stumbling block for sellers preparing their home for the market is their lingering attachment to their house. From repainting a room neutral, to taking family photos off the wall, sellers must accept that their time in that particular house is coming to an end. To counteract this mental block, take your most personal items out 90 coffs coast focus.

of rooms first. Get plenty of clear plastic tubs, or boxes to store your items. Treat the de-cluttering process as if you are preparing a model home for viewing. In order to sell your home, you have to give the buyers room to imagine their personal belongings.

Little forward-thinking daydreams about decorating your new abode should also counteract those strong attachments.

A good round of de-cluttering will often leave you with a pile of boxes and bins to contend with. Although stacking them up in a closet seems like a nice, out-of-the-way option, this may not be the best choice.

Consider that closet space is often one of the key selling points for a home. Closets should look as impeccable as possible.

This will aid greatly in creating a spacious feeling. If the closets are crowded and messy, the buyer may think that your home is just not big enough, even if it has the square meterage they want.

Your garage is the most acceptable place for storage in the mind of the buyers. Of course, not everyone has this luxury. If you can convince a family member, friend, or even a neighbour to let you store those boxes and crates, then take advantage of the opportunity. However, if you really need or want your storage items in the house, then try to stack them up in the least conspicuous place you can find. A shed can usually stand to have a few of these storage bins stashed in the corner. Better yet, think about renting a temporary storage facility to house these things.

Despite all your efforts, be prepared to hear your real estate agent tell you that you still have too many belongings cluttering the house. If this happens, just remember that they’re on your side and that they’re the expert. Also, remember that a well-DE cluttered house is one of your quickest ticket to a ‘Sold!’ sign.

UPDATE

Over the summer holidays the Coffs Coast swells with an influx of happy holiday makers setting out to experience our perfect climate, unspoilt beaches, rivers and verdant mountain ranges. Aren’t we lucky … we have everything here – mountains, rivers and sea! e sure to welcome our visitors with friendly smiles; the more hospitality we show, the more likely people are to enjoy themselves and return again in the future. The Coffs Coast is an idyllic destination, and we have the opportunity to capitalise on our natural assets and vibrant community to achieve a strong local economy.

region’s biggest attractions! Dolphin Marine

In an effort to boost visitor numbers, local company Jetty Research in conjunction with Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is conducting a survey to identify new opportunities for improved air services between Coffs Harbour and Brisbane.

(Gumbaynggir word for ‘blue’) cements

So if you ever travel by air or road to Queensland, for pleasure or business, we want to hear from you!

Coast, then why not follow our Facebook

Increased flight options will result in more visitors to our region. Tourism is one of the major employers in our area and generates benefits to the Coffs Coast community well beyond the activities of accommodation, tour and attraction operators. Tourists spend money across all types of businesses, from retail and restaurants to real estate.

All business sectors and the community, either directly or indirectly, derive benefits from the tourism dollar spent in our local economy.

And lastly, don’t forget the annual visitor

The survey only takes 5 - 7 minutes to complete and can be accessed via the web address: qld2013.questionpro.com (survey closes January 13).

If you’d like to join Tourism Coffs

Now for some great news from one of our

Remember: tourism is everybody’s business!

B

Magic has recently celebrated the launch of their long awaited Sea Lion exhibit, aptly named ‘Seal Shores’. Guests will be able to see the cheeky seals playing in their new home – swimming in their large new enclosure, frolicking under their waterfall and basking in their ocean themed environment. This new exhibit, along with the recent arrival of baby dolphin ‘Jiling’ the marine park as one of the biggest drawcards to our region. Congratulations to the Dolphin Marine Magic team!

If you would like to stay in touch with all the latest news and events on the Coffs page? You can find us at www.fb.com/ tourismcoffscoast guide, Coffs Coast Explorer, is out now!

If you’d like to view in online, visit www. coffscoast.com.au About us: Tourism Coffs Coast is a not for profit organisation that is committed to developing a vibrant and thriving tourism industry within the Coffs Coast to maximise the social and economic benefits for our community.

Coast, please contact us via: info@ tourismcoffscoast.com.au or visit the website www.tourismcoffscoast.com.au

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