Coffs Coast i46

Feature Story

COFFS COAST

July 2014// issue 46

with Clayton

Donovan

Rebecca Ferrar-Pappalardo

editor's note.

focus C O F F S C OA S T

Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. ADDRESS: 3/57 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour POSTAL: PO Box 286, Coffs Harbour PHONE: 02 6650 9343 FAX: 02 6651 3798 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au iPHONE: www.focusmag.com.au/eat TV: www.focustv.com.au

Melly Shute.

editor.

from the

contacts. EDITOR: Melly Dee melly@focusmag.com.au

SALES MANAGER: Louise Beaumont

Welcome to the July issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS.

louise@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Nicci Seccombe nicole@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Sam Dawson sam@focusmag.com.au

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ART DIRECTOR: Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au

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GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER: Michael Marchment michael@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable joey@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jeff Cowan jeff@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Annalise Montgomery annalise@focusmag.com.au

COPY EDITOR Jo Atkins jo@focusmag.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY: Russell Pell russellpell@gmail.com Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. 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 2014 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

I

did it. I married my best mate. Chris and I met in Melbourne in 2010. During the past four years I’ve been blessed to have Chris in my life. He has supported me through all of my crazy adventures: moving house six times, constantly maxing my credit card, my law degree, adventures to India and most importantly, my decision to relocate us from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour to take on this role at FOCUS. The move wasn’t easy. Chris is very close to his family, and we miss them … but we have come through the other side and the people of Coffs Harbour have been so kind and welcoming to us. We adore living here, in this wonderful part of the world we have found. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank FOCUS staff member Sam

Dawson, who also doubles as a marriage celebrant, for marrying us on the weekend. Now that I’ve shared my story, grab a coffee and sink your teeth into our July edition of FOCUS. INSIDE THE ISSUE Alyson Pearson is an unbelievable illustrator. Raised in Coffs Harbour, she is about to take her talents to conquer the UK. It’s almost racing time; we have a huge racing feature explaining the ins and outs of the carnival that is Coffs Coast’s premier event. Park Beach Plaza’s Caroline Bleechmore and I went on a serious shopping expedition to bring you this season’s latest racing attire. Another fantastic and diverse feature is “Orlando Street”, where we showcase the various business owners

whom make up this precinct. ON THE COVER Clayton Donovan’s 8-minute taster series of Wild Kitchen uncovers Australia’s only hatted indigenous chef. Clayton has a unique approach to food, while exploring the diverse landscape and culture of the North Coast. ED’S PIC This picture was taken at Glennifer Rd, Bonville by photographer Leah Moore: www.leahmoore.com.au A huge shout out to Leah’s husband, David Moore, who shot my wedding on the weekend. Thank you David. FINAL SAY “Don’t have the attitude of: what can I take from my husband, but have Melly Shute – Editor thoughts of what can I give to him.” melly@focusmag.com.au Twitter: @le_mellydee – Sue Dee, my mum.

coffs coast focus 3

focusinterview by Claire Simmonds

REBECCA Ferrar-Pappalardo

Volunteers are everywhere. You probably volunteer to cook the occasional cake for a school cake stall, take a turn keeping score at sport or bring in the neighbour’s rubbish bin. Others take it more seriously, volunteering to run clubs, weeding nature reserves or coaching a team. These are the people who keep our community running and look after those who would be otherwise left behind.

R

ebecca Ferrar-Pappalardo is one of those who spends 4-5 days each week volunteering – in school, two nursing homes and fundraising for the Sawtell BMX Club. After five fulfilling years as a family day carer, Rebecca’s second son was born and she became a full-time mum. When Lewis started preschool, Rebecca had some time. “I wanted to volunteer – to give to the community,” she said. “I’m very lucky. My husband, Pete, has found his niche and he’s good at his work. I’m lucky enough to be a stayat-home mum and support my husband, who works away for days at a time and in his long working hours.” A graphic designer before computers changed the industry and she became a family day carer, Rebecca wasn’t sure what she could offer as a volunteer. “Pete said I was not going to work at the pound, or we’d have 20 dogs,” she laughed. “Pete saw a volunteer job in the paper and said it would be perfect.” Coffs Harbour Community Visitors Scheme matched Rebecca with an isolated 93-year-old woman at a Coffs Harbour Masonic Village in May 2011. “They asked if I could visit Evelyn fortnightly. When I met her, she told me she likes scones, roast chicken and lamb. It’s nice to stop and sit down with Evelyn,” she said. “It’s lovely to take time out and listen to her stories, and I go out afterwards feeling good, because I hear her say, ‘I love you’; I say it genuinely back to her. Evelyn smiles when I walk in and I give her a cuddle and she says, ‘It’s nice to 4 coffs coast focus.

have a squeeze’.” For women like Evelyn, life in retirement, particularly now she lives in a nursing home, can be very lonely. Evelyn’s beloved husband, Don, died some years ago and there were no children, so there is no-one to visit now most of her contemporaries are either in homes like Evelyn or have died. While community visitors like Rebecca can ease the loneliness and over time, offer real friendship, the volunteers are rewarded as well. “For me, Evelyn gives me what my mum can’t – the ability to have a conversation with an older woman who remembers what I’ve just said. I lost the mum I knew a long time ago. Visiting Evelyn prepared me for dealing with issues older people face, which was useful when my parents in Sydney struck problems later that year.” When Rebecca’s father, Peter Ferrar, contracted pneumonia and then emphysema, he could no longer care for her mother, Pam, suffering from dementia. When he was discharged from a Sydney hospital, he moved in with Rebecca in Coffs Harbour until his death 8 months later, and Pam moved into dementia care at Domain. Rebecca joined Domain resident group activities as a volunteer and today spends time each week at Domain with her now much more frail mother, Pam. Throughout this time, Rebecca’s friendship with Evelyn continued, taking her out for morning tea, her favourite Park Beach Bowling Club fish and chips, as well as often sharing family meals at her home. Now Evelyn is mostly bed-bound, the visits are mostly to her room, sharing memories of past outings. Like many mums, Rebecca helps out with

classroom reading, but this year took on a new challenge – to raise money for Sawtell BMX Club to resurface the public track as the club’s sponsorship and fundraising coordinator. “I’ve met some to wonderful, charitable Why volunteer or rly de el e and communityth visit ity un m m Co minded people ? isolated r Rebecca in business volunteer visito almost $11,000 since o rd la since I started Ferrar-Pappa in g in er te March.” un ol believes, ‘V doorknocking for great a is ity un Several days each week m m your co the club,” Rebecca highly s It’ lf. se ur Rebecca doorknocks until yo to gift said. t mended and mos 2pm, when she returns home m co re The Sawtell track to email those decision makers rewarding’.” is open to everyone she’s missed, order sponsorship (except during race and signage, delivers receipts and training nights) and provides certificates of appreciation to donors. a valuable, free, sporting facility “On behalf of Sawtell BMX Club and the kids, in the Sawtell/Toormina area and a safe place to I want to say a big thanks to Coffs Coast for enjoy the thrill of BMX riding. your wonderful spirit and ongoing support.” “Every time it rains heavily – twice a week in To support the club’s fundraising drive for recent months – a group of club members go a bitumen track, contact Rebecca by email: to the track to repair it so the kids can race or beckiefp@bigpond.com. train.” Sawtell BMX Club races each Friday and The heavy rains common in Coffs Harbour Sunday at Hulberts Road, Toormina, and you can wash deep ruts into the steep turns of the race find times on their website and Facebook page track (known as berms) and loose gravel settles by typing Sawtell BMX Club into your search on bumps. Several hours of raking, scraping and engine. compacting the surface by a team of volunteers Coffs Harbour Community Visitor Scheme is needed to restore the track after each storm. Phone. 6648 3662 “Other clubs have bitumen on the berms, Domain Nursing Home but we’ve costed this at around $45,000, Contact. Maria Darcy so I’ve started doorknocking businesses for Phone. 6659 4800 sponsorships and donations and I’ve raised

“

Alyson Pearson.

12.

inside this

Alyson Pearson at the ripe age of 30 has already achieved so much as an artist. She has travelled the East Coast working on magazines, she is a qualified graphic designer and without a lot of formal training, she is an “illustrator”.

Issue 46 - July 2014

78.

Steven Doyle.

usual suspects.

the

Steven Doyle, local tradie, ran Bellingen Solar for ten years. With a long career in all things electrical, he decided to volunteer his extensive knowledge in the electrical game to work on a Sea Shepherd boat.

80. 8 0.

6. what’s on for July 30. eat featuring local restaurants 70. star guide with Terri

49.

Editor’s Picks. Al All product available from Park Be Beach Plaza. By FOCUS editor M Melly Shute and Marketing M Manager, Park Beach Plaza, Ca Caroline Bleechmore.

80. social scene with Carole Beros 97. tourism with Tourism Coffs Coast

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

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

coffs coast focus 5

AROUND THE REGION //JULY 2014

Yoga The ancient Indian practice of yoga has been helping people reap both spiritual and physical benefits for thousands of years. Since society has modernised yoga has become much loved form of physical exercise. For both men and women of all ages, sizes and fitness abilities. Where 115 West High Street What 1 hour classes each When Wednesday 7pm. Thursday, 11am and 7pm. Friday, 6pm Cost $6 - yoga mat required Phone 6651 1278

Deadly Ears for NAIDOC Week

NO KNOWN CAUSE NO KNOWN CURE

6

MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE Brett, Kelly and Laure invite all to attend a Fundraiser for Research. Hemp and Bamboo Fashion Show, Classical Piano Recital, Children’s Activities, $2000 Mega Raffle Draw Where Bellingen Golf Club WHEN: Saturday, 6th July, 4PM

6 coffs coast focus.

Winter Wonderland Gala Charity Event

19

Sony Foundation Australia Gala Charity Event. Tickets are limited and are now available at Parry’s Jewellers and online at www.stickytickets.com.au More info please check out the event at: www.facebook.com/ WinterWonderlandSonyFoundation When Saturday 19th July Where Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour Phone 0427 918 400 Email elizabeth@graceevents.net.au

Breaking the silence among our community is the focus for Australian Hearing at this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations. Australian Hearing will be at the “Who Ya Gunna Call” event on Wednesday 9th July at Coffs Harbour Showground including lots of free family entertainment. Everyone is welcome and Australian Hearing will be conducting FREE hearing checks and providing information on how to prevent and deal with hearing loss. Australian Hearing specialise in providing hearing care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. More info call 6652 0700.

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Geoff King Volkswagen 6 Tolhurst Place, Coffs Harbour MD1000 Tel. 02 6659 1000 www.geoffkingmotors.com.au *Driveaway price of $22,990 is for new Caddy Van Special Edition ‘Runner’ TSI160 manual, white (no added options) only. #Driveaway price of $31,990 is for new Transporter Special Edition ‘Runner’ TDI250 manual, white (no added options) only. ^Driveaway price of $41,990 is for new Crafter Van Special Edition ‘Runner’ TDI300, manual, white (no added options) only. *#^Offer applies to stock vehicles only. While stocks last. Government, fleet and rental buyers are excluded from the Caddy Van Runner, Transporter Runner and Crafter Runner driveaway offers. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Volkswagen Group Australia reserves the right to change, modify or extend this offer. Capped Price Servicing applies to the first 6 standard scheduled services of vehicles. Exclusions apply. Volkswagen Group Australia reserves the right to at any time modify or discontinue the Capped Price Servicing Program. ‡Conditions apply to unlimited kilometre 3 year warranty. See www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au for details. coffs coast focus 7

Editorial

ZAP OUT

Co Counsellors we take all the annoying and time consuming travel search off you your hands so you can get back to the important stuff, looking forward to and enjoying your holiday.

H U N G E R The Big Banana and The Salvation Army are teaming up for a food drive to help those less fortunate. From 14th June to 27th June, Coffs Harbour will rally in attempt to do its part for those less fortunate. Laserforce Area 351 Laser Tag at the Banana in conjunction with the Salvation Army will be conducting a food drive, whereby each can of non-perishable food you bring in will entitle you to $1 off your games of laser tag. The magnitude of the impact The Salvation Army has on our population largely goes unnoticed and understated. On an average week, the salvos provide 100,000 meals for the hungry, and this is just a fraction of the services and support they provide. This is especially important to us at The Big Banana, considering that we live in one of the lowest socio economic regions in the state and understand firsthand the impact of high unemployment rates, limited job opportunities, low median wages and poor infrastructure. We hope to draw a huge crowd to our new state of the art laser tag arena and show the community spirit Coffs Harbour has to offer. Diane from the Salvation Army Coffs Harbour

8 coffs coast focus.

AC Coffs Coast local, Tracy’s been in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry for com coming on 20 years. said, “We are in desperate need of supplies all year round.” The food drive will be starting off with a bang at the official launch event on Saturday 14th June, with a “ZAP OUT HUNGER” day. All members of the public are invited to come along and grab a great deal on laser tag while supporting a very worthwhile cause. There will be a Salvo’s sausage sizzle, and Max the Monkey will be there too!

the plug! Saturday 14th June – “ZAP OUT HUNGER” day (official launch event) Saturday 14th June – Friday 27th June – the public can receive a $1 discount on Laser Tag games for every can of non-perishable food supplied (no maximum limit). For more information, contact Cassie Whitelaw on lasertag@bigbanana.com or 6652 4355 (ext 351).

tracy dodsworth

W

elcome to the new way of booking travel at Travel Counsellors.

Remember how easy it used to be to book a holiday? When someone else took care of everything? When they knew you well enough to get it just right? Tracy at Travel Counsellors believes that this is the only way to recommend travel. It’s such a personal thing, everyone deserves their very own expert who’ll build something that fits them personally. At Travel

We do it at a time that suits you too. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days aw week. Just call for an appointment. Peo People ask me does it cost more to hav have a Travel Counsellor on hand. The short answer is ‘no’. You can still have personalised service at a competitive price.

I am excited to be bringing International Tour companies back to Coffs for film nights. So you can get a taste of what you’ll experience before you even leave town. Our first is showcasing USA, Canada & Alaska with APT & Travelmarvel on the 24th July 2014. Tracy’s office is at Level 1, 9 Park Avenue (in the Professional Centre). Open Mon – Friday 9am -5pm. After hours available by appointment. Phone: 0499 411 004 tracy.dodsworth@travelcounsellors.com.au

focusinterview.

David Catchpole has had a huge career in motorsport; he now is the event manager at Rally Australia! Once again David and the team are gearing up to bring us Coates Hire Rally Australia, Round 10 of the World Rally Championship.

David Catchpole

Coates Hire

A u s t r a l i a avid what is your role with this year’s Rally? Event Manager. How long have you been a part of the Rally team? Since December 2012 and in Motorsport for over 35 years in various roles of administration and as a competitor. We're all so excited for another year of Rally. Tell us everything! This year will see another move for RA, but one we intend to make permanent for at least the next two years and beyond. We have moved to C.ex International Stadium for our main Service Park area, and this year this will be a FOC entry. Patrons will be able to get up close and personal with the drivers and teams and witness the mechanical expertise in a set time. We also have confirmed our new Hyundai Super Special Stage location, which we believe will be the best one yet. Located to the east of C.ex International Stadium on a combination of tarmac and gravel and with the inclusion of jumps and a water splash, I envisage that the entertainment on the Friday and Saturday night will be fantastic. We have also made some major changes to our spectator point options and ticketing. Last year we had around 29 spectator points and over 30 ticket options. This year with our new ticket agent NRMAtix, we have once again simplified the options and in the process reduced prices where possible to give added value. The WRC Super Pass will once again be the ticket of choice for overall value. And we will be vastly improving the infrastructure and services at these locations and introduce an extra Rally Villager this year at Graces on the Saturday to complement Flooded Gums on the Sunday. And we now have the addition of Australian Driver Chris Atkinson in the Hyundai WRC Team. Obviously we hope that all Australian fans will come out to support Chris, and we

also hope that local favourite Nathan Quinn can once again be behind the wheel of a WRC vehicle or even a WRC2 vehicle. Last year Rally faced a few challenges ... how will this year's event be different? How have you overcome this issues? Every motor sport event I have been involved in as an organiser has faced challenges ... that is why we do it and have a love for it – both the challenge and the sport! We now have the event on an annual basis, so that is a huge step in gaining continuity and learning from our mistakes but also bringing innovation to the event to increase the experience for our patrons. The Rally was a bi-yearly event ... this has changed as well? As mentioned previously, we now have an annual contract until 2015 so we would have had three events in a row, which is great for the Coffs Coast and the economic benefits the event brings – $13.8 million net for 2011 and an expected similar amount for the 2013 event. What are the benefits of such a great event for our town on a local level? Aside from the economic benefits just mentioned, the flow on of indirect benefits in the lead up and during the event are substantial, relating to extra staff needed to service accommodation providers, bars, cafés, restaurants, car hire and all of those side products that are required for a world championship event. All of my staff are also local people, so right there we have a small office team of seven employed. We also engage local contractors where possible to complete our works on a local level. This is a world event. How many people nationally and internationally will have their eyes on our beautiful town? The actual TV audience will be somewhere in the vicinity of 50,000,000+ and we expect to have similar TV hours of around 260, including live and repeats. This type of exposure on a global level for the Coffs Coast is huge

e and should not be and infrastructure at all of All of my staff ar , le op underestimated the spectator points it can pe l ca lo also ve ha e w in relation to the certainly be a great family e er th t so righ of am te e benefits we now see day out. And the kids will fic of l al a sm . We also from tourism outside certainly love the noise seven employed ctors ntra of the event from and speed of the Rally engage local co to comcomments we receive cars as much as Dad and where possible on a local plete our works from local business, Mum. Rallying certainly has level.” where they advise a female flavour, with many people from Europe female navigators and drivers especially to come to Coffs all over the world, Molly Taylor Coast after seeing the event on being our current famous female driver TV. overseas. What teams are competing? Are So explain exactly how the event will their any new contenders this year? run, from start to finish. How many days The new kid on the block this year is Hyundai does the event go for? WRC in addition to the 3 main manufacturers The event competition runs over three from last year: VW, Citroen and M-Sport. days, but the kick-off for the event starts And with Chris Atkinson driving for Hyundai on Monday, September 8th with our Fuji and Hyundai now a major sponsor of Rally Xerox WRC Business Breakfast at Bonville Australia, there will certainly be some interest International Golf Resort. This is a fantastic in the team when they land here in September. opportunity for anyone to get up close and The car is certainly a very good looking car, and personal and hear some real stories from the with every event the team are learning more drivers and team members and get a real and more. VW are still obviously the benchmark insight into the world of a WRC person. We but with the changes to the starting order will then start competition on Friday with a procedure for 2014, the gap between the cars Super Special Stage on Friday and Saturday, has certainly been reduced, which has added with the ceremonial finish on Sunday at C.ex the excitement the promoter has been after. International Stadium. How does the ticketing all work? Do we We'd better get behind the Aussie drivers; need to pre purchase tickets? can you tell us about them? Tickets are now on sale via the Rally Australia As previously mentioned, we will have Chris website or directly at NRMAtix. Pre purchase Atkinson and hopefully Nathan Quinn out there is highly recommended to avoid the potential in WRC cars, but there will also be a throng queues at the spectator point ticket sales area. of other local Aussie vehicles eligible for WRC We will once again have a community group class competition. We will also have round selling tickets at all points over the weekend 5 of the East Coast Bullbars Australian Rally but again, urge all spectators to get in early and Championship running alongside the WRC, and plan their weekend via all of the comprehensive this will include classics and side x side vehicles. spectator instructions. We also have another support event running It could be perceived that this is a blokes in the Bucca State Forest, which will be the only event? Can the wife and kids come? Pedders Suspension Coffs Coast 400, which MOST DEFINITELY. We are planning to have will be round 4 of the Australian Off Road a family entertainment/kids' zone at the service Championship. park, but with the added creature comforts Thanks David.

“

coffs coast focus 9

focusinterview.

Feature interview with Fran Stephenson

SAFFIOTI

For Nuccia Saffioti, style, elegance and individuality come naturally; it’s part of her Italian heritage. A skilful and creative designer, Nuccia has recently turned her passion for fashion into a business creating original, one-off head pieces to add the finishing touch to a special outfit. of I’m very proud ge; ta ri he my Italian e th as e m it has shaped y. I think person I am toda ld be ou good fashion sh ired sp in I’m s. es el tim and es ap by nature, sh colo urs.”

“ ongratulations, Nuccia, on the launch of your new business. How did your business come about? Thanks Fran. Creating unusual fascinators and headwear is actually a passion of mine. If I’m honest, to turn that passion into a business has been a dream for a long time that I’ve pushed to the back of my mind, ‘cause I was busy with other things. Since I was about 10, I’ve made all my own clothes and I make soft furnishings for my home as well. I’ve made lots of outfits, including wedding dresses, for family and friends, but it was really when my stepdaughter won best dressed couple with her partner at a race meeting on the Gold Coast that I decided the time was right to turn my interest and creativity into a business. She was wearing a fascinator I had made especially to go with her outfit, and the judges asked where it came from. A couple of her friends then asked me to make fascinators for them. I’ve won best hat, best fascinator and best dressed many times myself at various race meetings wearing my own creations, and I've been asked where I bought them. Style and elegance is a birthright of Italians. Has your Italian background influenced your passion for fashion? Yes, I do believe my love of fashion and my creativity is part of my Italian heritage. Italians really care about their appearance; it’s part

10 coffs coast focus.

of the culture. My parents wouldn’t allow us children to leave the house unless we were perfectly groomed. Fashion, food and family are the most important things to Italians, and fashion was a huge thing in my family. My aunties and uncles were all seamstresses, milliners, tailors and artisans. My earliest recollection of growing up in Italy is of being with my aunties in a room with lots of beautiful fabrics and sewing machines and people coming in to be measured for dresses and suits. That’s what I grew up with. After I came to Australia, my aunt here, Catarina, encouraged me to sew. She taught me to draft patterns and sat me at the old Singer sewing machine which she still has today, and even though I was too small to reach the pedal, she helped me to guide the fabric under the needle. I’m very proud of my Italian heritage; it has shaped me as the person I am today. The word "fascinator" hardly does your creations justice. What makes your fascinators special? I’d describe them as being somewhere between a hat and a fascinator; they’re really an alternative to a hat. When they’re on your head, it’s hard to tell whether you’re wearing a hat or a fascinator, and they’re so comfortable and easy to wear. All my creations are unique, and I feel they are elegant. They’re all one-off designs – no two designs are the same. I make each one by hand with a different occasion or type of outfit in mind. I feel it’s very important that they all look good from every angle, as

most mass produced fascinators don’t. I make sure mine do, and I take particular care to finish them all beautifully. They make lovely gifts also, as they are delivered tissue-wrapped and packaged in a sturdy, elegant gift box that works well for storage until the next special occasion. Do you follow the latest fashion trends? Where does your inspiration come from? No, I absolutely don’t follow the trends, and I don’t look at other websites to gain ideas. I think good fashion should be timeless. I’m inspired by nature, shapes and colours. Ideas just come into my head and either I sketch them quickly, or just make it while it’s fresh in my mind. Even though I don’t follow the current fashions, I am influenced by the different eras. I love the elegant style of the ancient French courts, Madam Pompadour etc. and the soft and feminine traditional styling from the Victorian era. I love the Art Deco period, when lots of hats were worn – the Gatsby style that of course has undergone resurgence. I often use vintage materials in my creations. I deliberately mix colours, because I’ve had comments that it is hard to find nice colours. I still have plenty of black creations and white and creams for bridal, but many of my fascinators are very colourful. I love colour.

What materials do you use? Feathers, sinamay, veiling, organza, crystals, diamantes, pearls, ribbon, handmade flowers – really anything I think works for what I have in mind. I’ve used wood, shells and coral for some of my bridal headpieces to suit a beach wedding theme. I also love using vintage things and I cut things up and recycle bits and pieces like buttons, silks, laces, buckles and jewellery. Some of those vintage fabrics and trims you just can’t buy today. For me to be able to give them a second life makes me feel good. I often look at what I’ve created and think,"Wow ... that would have been thrown out, and look at it now!" Where do you see your creations being worn, and how can we see and purchase them? They can be worn at events such as weddings, christenings, cocktail parties, race meetings, fashion parades, special luncheons – any occasion where you want to dress up and feel and look glamorous. I currently have over 100 designs in stock and on my website: www.fascinatorsbynuccia.com. I’m making new designs constantly. They really are the finishing touch to an outfit, like lipstick is to makeup. Thank you Nuccia.

Wholly Organic KlausTel Custom-designed websites If you're considering a website template, consider these factors first: Functionality: A templated website can only do so much; at some point in the future you may come unstuck when you need to add more content or functionality to your website. Design: A template can start off looking good, but without the know-how it can quickly become a mess of images and poorly formatted content, and you are left with no support to resolve it. Search Engine Optimisation: Templated websites are often built quickly and cheaply and do not perform well in Google searches, and leave little room for improvement. Usability: Without proper optimization, your website can be slow to load and frustrating for your clients to use. In addition, without a Content Management System, updating your website can be a slow and tedious process. Extra knowledge required: Template sites may look like a breeze to customise, but once you pay and download a template, you may find you need additional programs to edit the template and you lack the knowledge required to get your website live and linked with your domain. First impressions count: Your website will often be the first impression of your business. A custom designed website can help reinforce your brand values and make that first impression a positive one. We offer a FREE 30 minute website consultation to help ensure you get a great website. Call Giant Media on 6651 5322 or visit www.giantmedia.com.au

Can Klaustel supply and install business phone systems for small businesses? Yes! We cater for all businesses of all sizes; whether you have one to four lines or two to eight handsets, we have great business phone system packages that are created to suit your business needs. Do I need to lock into a long term contract or payment plan? No. There is no need to get stuck in expensive long term payment plans. Our prices are very affordable; however, we do offer interest free payment plans. Remember, we are a small business just like you. Do I need any sort of maintenance contract? No. Our systems have a one to three year warranty period depending on the make and besides, very little goes wrong with our systems. Can Klaustel bundle my telephone lines using the NBN? YES. We have a free no pressure consultation and have the flexibility to create bundles that suit you and your business What would Klaustel recommend when considering buying a new phone system? Always get a second opinion and quote and remember, at Klaustel the person who sells you the equipment will be the same person who installs and maintains it.

Wholly Organic has been opened for two months now – how have things been going? We’ve had a fun couple of months helping lots of people discover the advantages of wearing natural fibre clothing. We have a great range of beautiful clothes for ladies, men's T-shirts and long sleeve tops plus bamboo/organic cotton underwear and socks for both ladies and men. What about your skincare ranges – are they also natural? Yes, we are proud to stock three local brands of skincare and cosmetics from Super Sea Minerals, Perfect Natural Skin and Botanical Blessings, as well as the full range of MooGoo skincare products. We’ve had a lot of interest from people wanting to change over from their current skincare routine to more natural and organic based products. It’s been fabulous helping people make that positive change – do you know that the average woman uses over 500 different synthetic chemicals on her body each day – our skin absorbs whatever we put on it! We're happy to help anyone wanting to make the change, and it’s all about starting with your most used product – maybe your moisturiser or cleanser. It’s just about making informed choices about where our clothing and skincare is coming from, whether it’s made ethically – and being able to support Australian businesses is another positive. Do you have any other exciting things planned? Yes, we are hosting a Vigorella Layering Evening on Thursday 26 June 2014 from 6pm at the shop. It will be a fun night with champers, nibblies and fashion – what more could we want! RSVP to Michelle at Wholly Organic by 20 June 2014, as places are limited. Wholly Organic – look good naturally!

coffs coast focus 11

focusinterview.

•PEARSON• Alyson Pearson at the ripe age of 30 has already achieved so much as an artist. She has travelled the east coast working on

magazines, she is a qualified graphic designer and without a lot of formal training, she is an "illustrator". Just before Alyson embarks on her next chapter in the UK, we sat down with her to discuss her passion for her work. here did you grow up? How you think your childhood encouraged your career as an artist? Growing up in Coffs Harbour, my childhood consisted of the Planto’s pool room while the parents celebrated Coffs United winnings, intense surfside netball grand finals, walking the dog along the Coffs Creek, hot house parties, beach parties and Triple J every morning before school (there were no cartoons before school in the Pearson household, just alternative music – nice work, parents!) Going to Coffs Primary and Jetty High, apart from Visual Art being my favourite subject, I was just another little punk who called Coffs home, but it wasn’t long after high school that I realised I needed to explore beyond my comfort zone and see what else the world had to offer. Illustration and art as a career didn’t really come in to it yet ... But you don't illustrate full-time; you're also a graphic designer… how did you transition from high school to Melbourne?

12 coffs coast focus.

drawing and making greeting cards along the After high school the last thing I wanted to way, but was still unsure what my "creative do was go to uni; I had no idea what I wantcalling” actually was. It wasn’t until I moved ed to “be”, and I couldn’t imagine anything to Melbourne in 2011 that I really started worse than going back to a school environcreating full series of limited edition prints ment and doing more study after the HSC and realised: I was an “illustrator”. ... blah! But I did see the need to further my skills outside of school, so I took on a Business When you went to Melbourne, where did you work and what attracted Certificate 2 traineeship at a local you to not for profit work? computer store and managed Over the years of worktheir Internet Café. Once I ing as a graphic designhad that under my belt, me After getting so er, the commercialism I moved to Sydney ce design experien and soul-destroying and found myself a ed in Sydney, I mov nature of advertising boring office job. t to back up the co as can start to get to After a year of that, was Ballina, where I you, and that toI knew I had to do of a the Art Director fore tally isn’t me. So, I something creative be local magazine, ck to ba thought, "There’s got with my life. I then I made my way ...” to be a way I can use 09 discovered Graphic 20 in ffs Co my skills and love of Design, fell in love with design for good!" ... and, it and completed my there was. I was fortunate Diploma in 2006. enough to get my foot in the After getting some design door at the not for profit organisation experience in Sydney, I moved back Plan International Australia and have been up the coast to Ballina, where I was the Art their senior graphic designer for the past two Director of a local magazine, before I made years. The pace in a not for profit is so difmy way back to Coffs in 2009 (Mum and ferent to that of a fast-paced design agency, Dad’s granny flat, to be exact). I’d been

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printers or magazine, and I really enjoyed it for the most part ... but obviously it wasn’t quite enough, as I’ve now picked my life up again and am moving on to what I’m sure is going to be a pretty fast-paced adventure! What formal study have you had? As I’m really not the academic type, I try to avoid long periods of study if I can! So when I was researching graphic design, I just wanted a quick three month course to get me started. But I’m glad I ended up talking my parents and grandparents in to coughing up the large diploma fee at the boutique design school, Commercial Arts Training College (CATC). It was a one year full-time course, and I loved every minute of it. There were only 10 of us in the class and we were all little lost creatives with no clue, but the teachers were so lovely and encouraging, and the work was all practical and hands on. We learnt how to use design programs like Photoshop, but we were also encouraged to hand draw and paint and be as crazy and creative as we could. It truly was one of the best experiences in my life, and I hope to be able to teach design to enthusiastic, lost little creatives one day myself. You've had quite the journey; you've

focusinterview.

It is a place to go and shop, where of the you can find all from a ire Food you requ Artisan or r la lo af of Regu oduce, bread to Fresh pr Foods lth Spices and Hea more if t lo le ho w a d an ” it. you want

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studied graphic design, but I learnt where to find it and how to get involved, so it’s kind of everywhere for me now. CATC introduced me to Semi-Permanent creative conferences, where thousands of like-minded creatives come together to hear and see established and wellknown designers presI’m not really a traditional artent; they’re one of the and am lover, but I love most inspiring events to ern inspired by mod sign go to and I volunteered de illustration and for over six years, doing d that’s quirky an anything I could to be what I’m about to whi m si cal.” involved and am proud do. I have no living to now have my own arrangements, jobs work featured in a bunch of lined up or much money their annual design books. to get me started, but it’s Describe your artistic style ... definitely going to be an advenI’ve never really thought of myself as ture and I just hope I can eventually make an “artist” in the traditional sense of the a name for myself in the creative industry, word, as my process is very technical and whether I end up in Edinburgh or London. structured and finished on a computer! But Back to your passion for art … where I suppose in this day and age of technology, does your love for come from? maybe I should be a little easier on myself? Well, I’m not really a traditional art-lover, After I research images and photos to referbut I love and am inspired by modern illustraence, I hand draw bits and pieces with pen tion and design that’s quirky and whimsiand watercolour, then scan them in to the cal. I’d only ever seen glimpses of it before I

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You've had quite the journey; you've been from Coffs Harbour – Sydney – Ballina – Melbourne – back to Coffs Harbour and now you're heading to the UK ... What do you hope to achieve in the UK? Honestly, I have no idea! I just know that ever since I was young I’ve wanted to live in the UK before I turned 30. My grandmother was Scottish and grandfather English, which entitled me to a UK Ancestry Visa of up to five years. So a couple of months ago it dawned on me that I’m going to be turning 30 this year, and I still hadn't lived out this dream. These things don’t just happen unless you actually make them happen, so that’s

computer and play around in Photoshop until I’ve created a scene I’m happy with. I rarely know what the end result is going to look like; it’s only when I can try out different things in Photoshop that I get the "ah ha" moments! Again, the beauty of working on the computer! Tell us about what you draw, where you draw and what inspires your drawings? I first started out drawing a lot of portraits, spending hours upon hours on detailed pen sketches, but more recently I’ve loosened up my style and introduced more of a story behind the work and am a little obsessed with drawing animals ... adding their own personality by putting a crown or hat on their head, or placing them in scenes doing things you don’t normally see them doing. My latest print series, Escape from the Circus, creates a sense of freedom and hope – it’s funny that a lot of my recent work has the theme of escaping or being free; I wonder if that’s got anything to do with what I’m about to set off to do! I hope to gain new inspirations during my next chapter, so we’ll all have to watch this space – including myself – to see where it takes me and my work. Thanks Alyson.

coffs coast focus 13

focusinterview with Samantha Wardman of CornerPost Marketing

Rachael Smyth Cross Fit Park Beach

achael, you are the master of many things, according to your friends. What does this mean? Well, I guess it means I am a little manic and mental! I assume people are referring to the fact that I am a mother of six kids, coach every class at Cross Fit Park Beach, I’m the director of Surf Lifesaving at the Coffs Surf Club and a surf boat rower, year parent at Poppy’s (my second youngest's) school and ... well, “mother hen” to everyone at the Box (nickname for Cross Fit premises). I just love what I do and love giving back to the community, so somewhere along the lines I’ve just been wired to be able to manage a lot of things at once! Your business, Cross Fit Park Beach, is focused on providing group Cross Fit sessions. Tell us what it’s all about? Cross Fit is fundamentally about forging elite fitness based on functional movement. It emerged in 2005 and was formed using three modalities of fitness: 1) Olympic lifting; 2) metabolic conditioning; and 3) gymnastics movements. The reason it’s so popular is because it can be scaled to any fitness level or ability and does not involve machines, but rather the people, using body weight functional movements. It delivers fitness that by design is broad, general and inclusive and not specialised in any particular fitness type. It differs by degrees and not kind, which means it’s suitable for all ages or fitness levels and builds core strength and conditioning. Plus, it’s just bloody fun! As one of the many "Cross Fitters" that attend the “Box” for training, what can someone new to Cross Fit expect from your approach to fitness? Compared to a gym, Cross Fit is all about coaching. It’s not personal training or group fitness classes; it’s really about creating an atmosphere of fitness that is wholesome and inclusive for all types. Our Box is a real community of people where there’s no judgement, no egos, and no bullshit! The members we have are like a family; they’re an eclectic bunch and no matter what walk of life they come from, there’s a great camaraderie 14

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of time and effort researching the best methods among them all. It doesn’t matter what you lift and movements to build our programs to get or where you finish in a work out, once you’re in results, and we’ve seen some fantastic results the Box, we are all there to support each other. throughout all members. You’ve built a phenomenally successful busiYou spend a great deal of your spare time at ness basically on word of mouth; how did the Coffs Surf Life Saving Club, as the Direcyou do it? tor of Surf Lifesaving. How important is this “If you build it, they will come”, to quote a community volunteering to you? famous movie line. But seriously, I just opened My role at the club is really to oversee and the doors, and they came. I already had a good manage all lifesaving activities, including patrols, following, having taught Cross Fit before in competition sports, training and education and Coffs, so when it came time to open up the cuspatrol volunteers. It’s a role I get great satisfaction tom designed Cross Fit Box in Lawson Crescent, from. I think it’s really important to volunteer and everyone was keen to pitch in and help. So many should be a part of everyone’s lives. It’s essential friends, family members and Cross Fitters pitched to give back to your community. in to set the box up, over the many working bees My whole family patrols at Park we had. It helps also that I am always Beach; it’s a great way to spend at the Box, coaching every sestime together, especially for sion and person and helping teenagers. It gives them them to achieve their Our “bring a the perspective that not goals, whatever they friend” days everything in the world may be. ly provide a friend revolves around them. I think the amazing ting avenue for exis They also learn how group of people who g members to brin a to work as a team, are a part of our Box t a friend to try ou d essential life skills and makes it much easier an , session for free resilience to grow and to spread the word on the this helps grow become upstanding citibeing involved. They lly.” family organica zens and professionals. all love and respect each Water safety is also close other and have become to our hearts, having lost our the best of mates. It’s also an youngest child to drowning in our inclusive fitness style, so we have back yard pool 7 years ago. We are Cross Fitters from 2½ years to 66 years proactive and passionate about doing everyof age participating, so it’s really open to thing we can to promote water safety whenanyone to join. Our “bring a friend” days ever we can. We also hold a memorial classic in provide a friendly avenue for existing memHugo’s name on the last Sunday in November bers to bring a friend to try out a session for free, for kids to participate in at the Surf Club on Park and this helps grow the family organically. Our Beach, which is a nice thing to do in his memory. presence on Facebook has also played a great There are many Coffs Locals who would role in spreading the word and keeping people attest that you are one of the most inspirmotivated. ing individuals around (me included). Where Overall, I think the biggest attraction to the do you draw your strength and inspiration Box is the dynamic group of people, personalities from? and the real sense of camaraderie and commuI don’t know about that, but I guess I draw nity that prevails here each and every day. It’s not my energy from the fact that I love what I do. a cult – just a great place to hang out with mates It’s physically and mentally challenging to work whilst getting fit and healthy. Our programs are 6 days a week, but opening the doors to bright, also customised each day and based on being bubbly and eclectic people every day makes it so scalable to all fitness levels. We also spend a lot

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much easier to do and enjoy. A lot of my strength comes from my family, especially after Hugo’s passing; we’re a pretty close knit crew. We could have easily curled up in a ball and wallowed in what happened, but we choose to be positive and to turn the negative thoughts into positive action in everything we do. I also have two great mentors in my parents, who taught me everything I know and really led by example in every aspect of their lives. Dad passed away recently, unexpectedly, and this difficult time was met by the love and support of a family that was far greater than blood lines; the Cross Fit (and surf lifesaving) family helped us all through that time and continue to give me strength and motivation every day. So I guess if I am giving the same back to them, it’s only returning the same as they have done for me and my family. What sessions are on at the Box each week? We have classes for all ages. There are Cross Fit sessions 6 days a week at multiple times a day; Kristen teaches Power Yoga 5 days a week as well a Running for Athletes (a new beginners to advanced running session) on three mornings a week; plus, we have Lisa from Yoga for the Seasons teaching Japanese yoga on Saturday mornings, Olympic weight lifting with Mick three days per week and preschool, kids and teens Cross Fit classes six sessions per week. There’s also a quarterly Paleo challenge, to embrace the cross fit and Paleo lifestyles combining fitness and food. And for all new members, they can attend a fundamentals class held once a month to teach them the basic core movements of Cross Fit, then get stuck into any class they choose. What’s your life’s motto? “Live hard, train hard and play hard”. Thank you Rach.

the plug! The Cross Fit Park Beach Box is located at 2/14a Lawson Crescent. To find out more, visit www.crossfitparkbeach.com.au or call Rachael on 0488 577 546.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

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focusinterview.

with Clayton

Donovan

The 8-minute taster series of Wild Kitchen uncovers

Australia’s only hatted Indigenous chef Clayton Donovan's unique approach to food, while exploring the diverse landscape and culture of the north coast of New South Wales.

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To me it’s about gathering food from the source whenever possible and meeting the people who produce it. Plus, look where we live ... it is one of the most amazing places in the world! You can’t really go wrong when you pull it all together.”

ild Kitchen was produced locally and highlights the amazing array of produce that exists on the North Coast. At the heart of the series is Clayton’s down to earth approach to cooking, focusing on sustainable farming and "paddock sourcing" ingredients. Throughout the series Clayton travels through the indigenous nations of the region, visiting farms and providores to source the freshest ingredients. The people, stories, culture and landscape combine to create a vibrant and upbeat series that incorporates indigenous culture and native foods in a refreshing and distinctive way. “To me it’s about gathering food from the source whenever possible and meeting the people who produce it. Plus, look where we live ... it is one of the most amazing places in the world! You can’t really go wrong when you pull it all together,” said Clayton. Some of the recipes created in the series include Spanner Crab with ‘roo’sciutto and cauli puree, Asian inspired water buffalo salad with Davidson Plum and a native flower infused panna cotta with wild raspberries and bush honey. Clayton grew up in the Nambucca Valley and began learning about bush foods from his aunty and grandmother. They would let him tag along when they

went foraging for bush foods, and this experience helped t provide him with It would be grea s od fo sh the basis of the to see bu or aj m a as FE knowledge he has taught in TA ’s chef know. component of a ” p. hi es tic During his appren teenage years Clayton was a hell of his menu options, that a drummer and played would become relevant in in several bands. When the next stage of his career. not behind a drum kit, On returning to the he would either be skating or Nambucca Valley in 2008, he surfing with his mates ... somehow opened his first restaurant, “Jaaning finding time in amongst all of this to Tree”, and began using the skills that he had get a job washing dishes and work as a acquired, together with his knowledge of local kitchen hand. bush foods, to create his own unique dishes, After finishing school, he headed off to producing menus that were amazingly original Sydney, where he began training as a chef, and exciting, blending these unusual bush food working in many different restaurants to gain flavours with a wide variety of local produce. as much experience as possible. Two of the most popular dishes on the menu This period included a stint at "The at Jaaning Tree were the citrus cured crocodile Watermark" at Balmoral, where the Head carpaccio with crispy wontons and wasabi Chef, Kenneth Leung, was incorporating crème fraîche and the other, lemon myrtle ingredients such as wattle seed, rosella and smoked kangaroo loin with beetroot, carrots, myrtles into Asian and European inspired caramelised pear and a chocolate jus. dishes. Both are amazing dishes that needed to be Clayton eventually moved to England, where tasted to gain an understanding of the unique he took Sous Chef and Head Chef positions in and original flavours that Clayton incorporates restaurants such as Fowey Hall, the area where in his food ... truly awesome. the inspiration for Wind Willows came from. “Locals, tourists and travellers gravitated This experience abroad added to his already towards these as their meal of choice over extensive knowledge of food and expanded

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more traditional options,” said Clayton. Wild Kitchen is the next phase of Clayton’s journey and a project that he hopes will help bring bush foods into the spotlight. “If you look at the history of bush foods and its exposure, you can see that there have been several pinnacles of attention: Harry Butler and maybe the Leyland Brothers, Les Higgins (The Bush Tucker Man) and then Mark Olive (The Black Olive),” explains Clayton. “If there is a better understanding of what we have in our own backyards, of bush foods, it will help the growth of younger chefs and add to a truly unique style of cooking and flavours for Australia. That’s one of my hopes with Wild Kitchen – to inspire people to find out more about bush foods. “It would be great to see bush foods taught in TAFE as a major component of a chef’s apprenticeship,” said Clayton. The 8-minute taster series will screen throughout June/July in between River Cottage and Gardening Australia on ABC1 at 5:50pm. INTERVIEW BY RUSSELL PELL.

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focusinterview.

Travel Counsellors

WELCOME TO THE NEW WAY OF BOOKING TRAVEL AT TRAVEL COUNSELLORS.

MEET

RYAN WEBBER Coffs Harbour Toy ota and Hyundai.

emember how easy it used to "We do it at a time that suits you too. I be to book a holiday? When am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. someone else took care of Just call for an appointment. People ask me everything? When they knew does it cost more to have a Travel Counsellor. you well enough to get it just right? Tracy The short answer is, ‘no’. You can still have at Travel Counsellors believes that this is the personalised service at a competitive price. only way to recommend travel. "I am excited to be bringing It’s such a personal thing; international tour companies everyone deserves back to Coffs for film their very own nights, so you can AT TR AV EL S R O LL expert, who’ll get a taste of what CO U N SE TH E build something you’ll experience W E TA K E A LL TI M E D that fits them before you even A N N OY IN G A N AV EL CO N SU M IN G TR R personally. At leave town. Our U SE A RC H O FF YO Travel Counsellors first is showcasing U CA N H A N D S, SO YO E we take all the USA, Canada and TH G ET BACK TO – annoying and Alaska with APT FF U IM PO RTA N T ST R D TO A time consuming and Travelmarvel on RW LO O K IN G FO R U YO G IN Y travel search off the 24th July 2014." A N D ENJO your hands, so you Tracy’s office is H O LI DAY.” can get back to the at Level 1, 9 Park important stuff – looking Avenue (in the Professional forward to and enjoying your Centre). Open Mon- Friday, holiday. 9am - 5pm. After hours available by A Coffs Coast local, Tracy’s been in appointment. Phone: 0499 411 004. the tourism and hospitality industry for Email: tracy.dodsworth@travelcounsellors. coming on 20 years. com.au

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M E E T T H E L AT E S T M E M B E R O F T H E T E A M AT C O F F S H A R B O U R T OYO TA A N D H Y U N DA I .

W

e all know you as Ryan from Sawtell Framing; what happened to your framing business? I sold up my business in January to a young couple from Slovakia, who are planning to take the business to the next level. Since selling I’ve enjoyed a few months off playing home dad hanging out with my wife and three kids. I’ve especially enjoyed the time I had with my baby daughter, Ruby; it has been fantastic being with her as she progressed through her early stages. So now where can we find you? I’ve only very recently joined the team at Coffs Harbour Toyota and Hyundai (Skinner Motors), where I am learning to specialise in selling new and used cars. Oh, we adore the team at Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai. What are you enjoying the most about working with such a great team? After working for the last eight years in small business, mostly on my own, it’s a fresh change to be surrounded by so many inspiring people and the camaraderie that goes with it. Between the crew here at Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai there are many years of experience in the car industry, and I’m very lucky to have them as mentors, learning from each and every one of them. What car are you currently in? And what's your dream machine? The family car I have is a Toyota Prado, which we love very much. It’s such a strong vehicle and gives us so many options. We often go off road in it or up and down beaches to fish or surf. The Prado fits our 3 kids plus 3 friends.

It’s fantastic, and we’ve had so many great adventures in it. My other little buzz box that I drive to work I won’t dare to pass comment on. As for the absolute dream machine, ever since I first read about it in a motor magazine back in the early '90s, it would have to be a McLaren F1. In your opinion, what should people consider when buying a new car? And what are the benefits of not only buying locally, but buying at Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai? Firstly, look at the reputation of the brand you’re considering buying as well its history/ longevity. Take the Toyota Corolla, for instance: 46 years and over 40 million sold. Secondly, exactly what purposes the buyer will be using the car for and what features they believe they will need; the buying process can get very confusing otherwise. Lastly, remember that quality remains long after price is forgotten. Buying a car locally at Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai, you will find two very strong brands in Toyota and Hyundai, a great reputation for service and friendly staff – also a one stop shop to make buying and servicing your vehicles a whole lot easier. We have in house finance and insurance, servicing plus a spare parts division. We can save a lot of running around and unwanted headaches. Hyundai has an Aussie driver in the rally this year … what do the Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai team have up their sleeve come rally time? Hyundai has invested heavily into the event, and we have some very special things planned for when the WRC comes to Coffs again. Watch this space!

saso.creative Happy NFY! It’s not exactly ring-a-ding-ding, is it? Still, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on business growth and opportunities — both over the last 6 — 12 months and looking ahead. In small business, there’s always something that can be done to improve results. Here are some ideas:

Youth Directions It’s been a big few months for Youth Directions, and the organisation is ploughing along doing what it does best – supporting our local youth and our local community. We recently moved into new offices in Mildura St in Coffs Harbour, but our phone number is still the same, so if you need to contact us phone 6653 2900 or visit www.youthdirections.com.au Youth Directions is still providing its many programs and services to the community, including: HSC Work Placement, School Business Community Partnership Broker, Youth Connections, Indigenous Youth Careers Pathways, Careers that Care, Future Chef, Directions Plus Group Training, Care Connect and the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan project. We also recently held our annual Coffs Coast Careers Expo – which was a big success, with record numbers in attendance this year. The expo is a huge undertaking and could not be the success it is without the support of our local community! So Youth Directions would like to send out a big THANK YOU to all the presenters who volunteered their time, teachers, career advisors, parents, students, local businesses and staff members, volunteers and community members, who helped to make the expo the most successful yet in our region. Youth Directions would also like to sincerely thank the organisations and businesses who helped to sponsor the Expo – the North Coast Institute of TAFE and Axis Print Solutions.

Get a website: If you don’t already have one, get one. There is no doubt that a website builds your business by devoloping leads, bringing in new customers, encouraging loyalty, building your brand, and establishing your credentials. Get a facelift: If you already have a website, think about a facelift. Be honest: does it look old, dated or tired? Is the Latest News from 2007? Does it display faithfully on mobile devices? You work too hard for prospects and customers to have them balk because your website looks stale. Be social: Depending on your business, a website is no longer enough: you need a social presense, too. Getting “Liked” on Facebook or contributing to LinkedIn or Twitter builds awareness and generates buzz. Blog a bit: If you have a website or a social presence, you gotta shake it. Make sure you’re regularly contributing to your blog or updating your wall or feed so that it looks fresh and gives your subscribers something to read. That’s why they subscribed in the first place, remember. Go Local: Even Google agrees: Local is the new Global. Make sure your marketing spend is realistically distributed: on average, 81% of your market is within 100 kilometres. If you’re spending your money on broadcast media such as television advertising and ignoring more locally-based marketing channels, chances are you’re wasting your money. A focused print campaign will give much better results. Try something new: Marketing and promotion should never be an if-it-ain't-broke-don’t-fix-it proposition. Opportunities for marketing to your audience better are evolving too quickly to think last year’s marketing collateral is good enough for this year. Forget the urgent: Focus on the important. Think about it. Need new ideas for the NFY? Call saso.creative.

coffs coast focus

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EDITOR'S PICKS

Gear up this month with our favourite pieces, all sourced from our local retailers. If you have a piece that you'd like featured, please email melly@focusmag.com.au

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PENGUIN BOOKS, GREAT GATSBY $9.95 - BOOK WAREHOUSE

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coffs coast focus 21

focusinterview.

Dav i d & L o u i s e

rose Ergofix

Physiotherapy & Occupational Health

David and Louise Rose are physiotherapists who came to Coffs three years ago for a “sea change” and are currently maintaining their successful award winning business in Outback QLD, whilst bringing their knowledge and expertise to the Coffs Coast with their new practice. o you guys have a Physio practice in Mount Isa, Queensland ... why did you move to Coffs Harbour? Lifestyle! We have three beautiful daughters, and we were working more than we were playing. We wanted great schooling options for our girls and a healthier lifestyle for our whole family. We moved in time for our eldest daughter to start high school at Bishop Druitt College. Plus, the weather (and surf) are a little more appealing than Mount Isa! It must have been hard for you both to leave a successful business that you’ve worked so hard to build? It was very hard to leave our friends behind. Living in an isolated location, friends are the family you choose. We also miss camping in wild and remote places like the Gregory River. As for our business ... well, we didn’t leave it really. It was time for us to step back into a broader management role … work “on our business”, as they say. Technology allows us to stay in daily contact with our team, and David visits Mount Isa for a few days every month. As well as Physiotherapists, you are both Ergonomic Consultants … what does that mean? After 10 years' experience as a physio, and some years working for an Occupational Health consultancy in Brisbane, Louise went back to uni to study a Master’s degree in Ergonomics. Initially I thought she was crazy, but she was so enthusiastic about the further study, that eventually I caught the bug and joined her. Ergonomics is about facilitating human function within work/sport/recreational environments, 22 coffs coast focus.

to maximise function and minimise limitations of ability and behaviour… i.e. Ergonomics optimises how people work and play. Was your interest in Ergonomics the reason you moved to Mount Isa? Sort of! Ten years ago, while working for the University of Queensland, David was offered a job managing a practice in Mount Isa … one thing led to another, and six months later we’d relocated the family and bought the practice. So, did you have any experience in mining at that stage? Not really. We were both experienced physios, with advanced skills and enthusiasm from our post-grad studies – but we were pretty green in regards to mining. It was a huge but exciting learning curve! Your Mount Isa practice specialises in Occupational Health? We assess and treat all sorts of clients with a full range of musculo-skeletal complaints: general sprains and strains, sports injuries, kids, and elderly clients who are just unsteady on their feet. We also specialise in the prevention and treatment of work injuries. As a primary health care provider in an isolated location, we learned pretty quickly to respond to the needs of the local community and industry. When we outgrew our initial premises, we developed a purpose built industrial rehabilitation centre to replicate an actual work environment – it is complete with 5½ metre truck ladders, digging and walking pits and heavy tools, enabling us to specifically rehabilitate the work demands of our patients. And you went on to win a big award from Qld Workcover? Yes, in 2012 we won the prestigious

Workcover Qld Health Care and communication: Provider Achievement we take time, listen and RY A S A PR IM A Award – that was very problem solve. E R CA H EA LT H exciting! A referrer Efficiency: diagnosis N A IN PROV ID ER entered us in the and effective treatment TI O N, IS O LATE D LO CA ET TY awards and before without over-servicing! PR ED N R A W E LE PO N D ES R we knew, it we’d Award Winning: TO LY K IC QU O F TH E been short-listed. It Workcover Qld Provider TO TH E N EE D S IT Y UN is very rewarding to 2012. LO CA L CO M M .” RY ST U D IN be recognised for your Will you be specialising AND efforts. in Occupational Rehab When and why did you here in Coffs Harbour? start your business here in We have extensive experience Coffs? with a wide range of musculo-skeletal Managing our Qld business remotely injuries and complaints. Of course, we was getting easier, and we were missing remain passionate about preventing and the clinical challenge of day-to-day rehabilitating work injuries, but that translates practice. We had the time and expertise, so easily into ensuring all our clients achieve results it made sense to start practicing in Coffs. We they are looking for. Our techniques are relevant opened a small physio practice in Korora this and effective, and we genuinely care about our year and recently expanded our service to the clients’ success in returning to their jobs, sports Specialist Medical Centre (opposite the public and hobbies. hospital), where we are working closely with What is the best thing about your job? the professional and motivated team at CHC Seeing clients regain confidence in their Medical! abilities – thus regaining and maintaining their Louise, tell us about Ergofix Coffs Harbour? quality of life! David and I are both really good at what we What's been the best business advice do – and we enjoy it! We listen to our clients, you've received? diagnose their injuries, problem-solve the cause “Fortune favours the brave!” and get results – helping them achieve a good What do you enjoy most about working on and lasting recovery. We enjoy working together the Coffs Coast? and are really excited about our new practice. Seeing clients who are active into their middle We go the extra mile for all of our clients! and later years – and helping them to stay active What makes your business stand out above and pain-free. We learn a lot from our clients. your competitors? Share some expert advice with our readers? Four reasons: Prevention is better than cure! Experts: 20+ years' experience, Master’s Thanks guys. qualifications, industry leaders! For more info, visit www.ergofix.com.au

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Getting Brassed-off at the Conservatorium This month we want to share the talents of another of our fine tutors. Lisa Mályusz specialises in teaching Brass and is looking to share the passion with more people.

Faye Thomson Faye Thomson is an accomplished Australian artist and glass engraver. For over 30 years she has designed and handengraved many hundreds of her original designs onto quality decanters, glasses, bowls, plates and vases. She has designed and engraved pieces for large corporations, the Government and private commissions both as gifts and awards, and many have been taken to the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and the Americas. Each of the pieces is unique and features Australian plants, animals and birds and is inspired by the beautiful Australian landscape. Faye engraves the glass using the less common intaglio method involving the use of a hand held, high speed diamond drill. Each design is cut deep into the surface of the glass and has the appearance of a miniature sculptural relief. Today only a few hundred artists in the world employ this technique, as it requires a high degree of training and expertise to achieve the high quality work.

Lisa’s earliest encounters of the Brass kind were on the tenor horn, bordered by the rich tradition of Brass Band playing in the United Kingdom. Moving to Australia at age 12, Lisa took up the French horn and completed a DipMus at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, before moving to Austria, where she completed a BMus at the University of Arts in Graz. Following this, Lisa won a scholarship to study in Holland specialising in the Natural Horn and early music with the Royal Conservatory at The Hague. Lisa gained extensive experience performing with several of Europe’s leading orchestras, including The Vienna Symphony Orchestra, The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, The Amsterdam, Radio Chamber Orchestra, The Hungarian State Opera and Camerata Athens. In 2008, Lisa was appointed rank and file horn with The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, before returning to Australia in 2010. Lisa is one of our valued and talented musicians, gifted with a wicked sense of humour. So, if you have an interest in starting or coming back to brass playing, contact the Conservatorium on 6652 1592.

ENROL TODAY to play, listen, learn & perform at Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium Bray St Complex, Cnr Bray St and Pacific Hwy, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 | Phone: 02 6652 1592 Vist the new website at: www.coffscon.org.au

coffs coast focus 23

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CSU’s strong relationships with the local community and businesses in Port Macquarie provide opportunities for students to undertake placements and develop the practical skills and insights that are not possible in a traditional classroom. As a result, CSU graduates enter the workforce job-ready, with an understanding of the working environment and demands of their profession. Workplace learning opportunities are a key component of CSU’s courses, with students able to undertake placements in businesses, health services, schools or community organisations to develop skills related to their course and their future career. To find out more about the practical learning opportunities at CSU in Port Macquarie that provide you with so much more than just a degree, call 1800 334 733 or visit: www.csu.edu.au/port-info

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Balloons! This month - BALLOONS and why our balloons are something special. We have the best quality balloons in Coffs Harbour and the biggest range. Balloons Plus has been in business on the Coffs Coast for just on 30 years, and some of our customers have been with us all that time. Balloons are a great way to brighten any occasion or call attention to a promotional display. They are not expensive for the impact they deliver. The cost of the balloon itself is only a small part of the cost of creating your display. Balloons come in a big range of prices, with a range of quality to match. It is very poor value to save just a few dollars using “Chain Store Cheapies” when you could double the impact with our beautiful balloons. AN INVITATION ... We would love to have you visit our showrooms and discuss balloons or planning your next event/ promotion. We sometimes work off-site and we deliver; the showrooms may be closed while we are out on a job. Please ring before calling in: (02) 6658 0071; email@coffseventcentre. com – your call will find us on our mobile if we are out. Everything you need for events, parties, functions, promotions, weddings, conferences.

Yellow Brick Road Borrowing tips for self employed/contractors Extract from an article by Mark Bouris, Executive Chairman, Yellow Brick Road. For the self-employed and contractors, the claims about easy mortgages are simply fantasy. The good news is that mortgage lenders do have loans for selfemployed people, contractors and business owners, so long as you can substantiate your income. Here are a few tips: • Have income: Showing income to afford the loan is just the start; when you subtract monthly expenses you must have cash left over to service the loan. • Work on serviceability: Build a history (at least 6 months) of low expenses and high income. Lenders and brokers are obliged to confirm both. • Reduce debt: Eliminate or reduce your consumer debt. Remember, lenders count the limit on your credit cards as money owed. • Show savings: A savings history means you’re serious about the loan and you live within your means. • Do your taxes: Keep your taxes up to date so you can always show your most recent income history. And make sure the tax assessments are paid. • Build a good record: Once you have a mortgage, it can be used to consolidate debt or refinance to a better loan. However, you must have a good record with that loan. Need more? Give us a call and we’ll do our best to help.

Jetty Theatre July brings some great shows to The Jetty Memorial Theatre. Come along and enjoy the cosiness of the theatre to light up the long winter nights! CHASE presents Deadly Factor 2014 A NAIDOC Week Special Event - Tuesday 8th July The Deadly Factor Show is a Talent Quest for Indigenous youth, giving them the opportunity to show off their talents to our beautiful community. Proudly brought to you by Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Social Events (CHASE) for the last 3 years! Also featuring special performances from past winners Taktix and Narina Fergusson and community performances by Brittany Lee and The Deadly Sista Girlz! Entry by gold coin donation. CHATS presents Autumn Song - Thursday 17th July to Sunday 27th July Funny, and with a cast of rich characters, Autumn Song is set in the present day with flashbacks to war-torn London. When teenager, Freya, runs away from home, she finds her refuge is more than a place of healing and what she discovers about her family opens the door to an unexpected future. This play will make you weep and laugh in equal measure. See www.jettytheatre.com for further details and ticket bookings, visit or call the box office noon – 4pm, Tues to Fri: (02) 6652 8088.

CHASE Presents

THE DEADLY FACTOR 2014

The Deadly Factor is a Talent Quest for Indigenous youth, giving them the opportunity to show off their talents. Proudly brought to you by Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Social Events (CHASE)

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8pm Thurs 17th July – 2pm Sun 27th July 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 Coffs Harbour

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COFFS HARBOUR HARDWOODS

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e are the home of hardwood timber. Whether it’s renovating old or designing new, choose Coffs Harbour Hardwoods timber. It’s beautiful, natural and timeless … Coffs Harbour Hardwoods is a family owned and operated company and has been supplying timber products around Australia and overseas since it was established by Timber Merchant and world champion axeman, Ray McCarthy, in 1961. Since Ray’s passing, his sons and grandsons have taken the company forward and grown it into a first rate hardwood timber supply company. The company had its beginnings as far back as the 1850s, when pioneering and Cedar getting was the mainstay of many North Coast families. This involvement with timber has grown to now encompass the fifth generation and has included in our history such diverse products as the famous Red Cedar for furniture and building products to piles and structural hardwoods

for wharf developments and bridges around Australia and overseas. We provide a range of services in hardwood timber; whether it is tongue and groove flooring, cross arms for electricity distribution companies or even architectural bespoke mouldings. We have the expertise and capabilities to provide our customers with a range of products and services that could rarely be matched by many companies within Australia over the entire spectrum of cutting and milling hardwood timber products. Our timber joinery enables us to provide timber in a moulded form in all different profile types. If you’re after something specialised such as a federation style moulding for an older house or you’d like to line your music studio with a timber moulding for acoustics, we can do this all… and more. Next time you need timber, think of Coffs Harbour Hardwoods. Phone: (02) 6649 2006 Email: office@coffshardwoods.com.au Web: www.coffshardwoods.com.au

Developing local skills and providing valuable business growth. ayden Timbers Pty Ltd (Haydens) currently operates a privately owned hardwood sawmill owned and operated by the Hayden family, who have been involved in the timber industry for a number of generations; Darrell & Val Hayden took over the business in 1978 from his father Roy Hayden. Since relocating to the current site in 1999 Haydens embarked on a multimillion dollar upgrade and now operate a state of the art hardwood sawmill, employing 30 plus people, and providing work for a similar number of personnel through support of subcontractors, freighters, supply and maintenance businesses. As one of the major sawmilling operations on the Mid North Coast, Haydens supply a diverse range of products both domestically and for export. Managing Director Darrell Hayden credits this to key long term staff who form an integral part of the mill operation. Jenni Robertson has been the office manager since 2001 and is involved in all facets of the mill administration. Trent Whitby joined the business in 2007 and has worked in many areas of the mill and was promoted to mill Manager in 2011. Managing a mill of this size provides many challenges

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and Trent has grown with the mill and its operations – he begins with sourcing good quality logs and then continually works at efficiencies in production; while producing high quality end products. Leigh Langens operates the Twin Edger – which breaks down the logs coming in to the mill and sets up production for the saw benches. Leigh has been employed for 12 years. Greg Alexander has been working at Haydens since its commencement in the area. He is a skilled operator who has learnt and developed his trade over 30 years. Both Greg and Leighs’ experience in sawmill operations is invaluable in ensuring production runs to schedule and in producing a quality product. The company is keen to promote and train new employees in the business; there is the opportunity to learn the trade and become a valuable and skilled machine operator. In this regard, the company offers young people an opportunity for employment. Hayden Timbers is a success story for the district, in both promotion of business, promoting responsible forestry practices and providing employment opportunities in the area.

weathertex WEATHERBOARDS Hardwood flooring on a budget: ustralian Solar Timbers (AST), like other sawmills in the local area, is privileged to have access to some of the most sought after Australian hardwood species. Approaching its centenary in the timber industry, the company boasts 4 generations of family working sustainably from the same forests; and with 100 years of work, comes 100 years of experience. Here are a few cost saving tips when considering your next floor: Species: When choosing your floor, start by considering a ‘colour range’ rather than a specific species. Australian hardwoods can be divided into 3 broader colour groups (blondes, reds and earthy browns). By asking what options are available in a colour range rather than a single species, you may find a similar coloured floor at a fraction of the

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price. Level of natural feature: Natural variation or ‘feature’ is a great way to mask everyday marks and abrasions. Higher levels of feature in your floor can be a great choice if you have young children or pets. While different levels of feature may affect the price, it won’t affect the structural integrity your floor. Choosing the right installer: Without a doubt choosing the right installer is a must. Most problems/costs that can occur with a hardwood timber floor are the result of poor installation or preparation of the site. AST works closely with some of the best builders and floor layers on the Mid North Coast. Call our office on 6562 6839 for further advice. 116 Armidale Road, West Kempsey, NSW 2440

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ustralian owned and manufactured with a better than zero carbon footprint, Weathertex external timber cladding is the ideal solution for any builder, architect or designer in search for environmentally conscious and high quality material. All Weathertex products are made from, without any chemical additives, certified state forest or private hardwoods in Australia. Weathertex Weatherboards are guaranteed not to rot, split or crack for 25 years. Sustainability and durability being at the forefront of all products ensures Weathertex delivers natural, long lasting, eco friendly timber products to customers in Australia and around the world. Weathertex timber product is the only product of its kind in the world, containing absolutely no artificial glues or binders.

Weathertex generates CO2 during its manufacturing process however more CO2 is stored in the timber than is generated hence Weathertex has a better than zero carbon footprint. This was confirmed by an independent Government approved auditor during an audit of Weathertex for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. Timbers (and mud bricks) are the only building materials that can sequester Carbon. Features and Benefits: • Easy to install: lightweight, strong and easy to cut using standard DIY tools • 100% natural: 97% timber and 3% natural wax • Better than zero carbon footprint • Termite resistant: all sugars and starches removed • 25 year guarantee: not to rot, split or crack www.weathertex.com.au Ph: 1800 040 080.

Wood Smoke Reduction Program MIDROC (Mid North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils) has received a grant from Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as part of their Wood Smoke Reduction Program 2014. Wood Smoke is a major cause of air pollution. During the colder months where wood heaters are used regularly, they can produce up to seven times as much pollution as cars alone. Evidently, wood smoke is not only detrimental to our health, but also on our hip pocket, costing community members large amounts of money each month to service their wood heaters. The Wood Smoke Reduction Program 2014 aims to reduce wood smoke emissions through educating wood heater owners on better wood heater operation. Wood smoke comprises a number of poisonous gases (including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and a range of organic compounds, some of which are toxic or carcinogenic) and fine particles, which go deep into the lungs. How to "Burn it Bright" Always use plenty of paper, good kindling and small logs. Why? Establishes a hot fire quickly. Add some newspapers above the fuel load. Why? Heats flue and increases draught, making it easier to start the fire. Other important tips • Do not overfill the heater. • Operator should check smoke outside.

Right at Home • Do not try and burn one large log. After refuelling, always leave air control fully open for 20 min. Why? Reheats the firebox and drives off moisture. After refuelling, sometimes a new load does not ignite. It can smoulder for hours. If there is no flame within 1 min, add some newspaper and light with a match. Never place a log across the front of the firebox. Why? It blocks combustion air and makes a lot of smoke. MIDROC wood smoke reduction program 2014 involves: television commercials, radio commercials, social media advertising and print media advertising. It is also a component of the education program to hold information stalls on wood smoke reduction at various community markets within the MIDROC area. To find out more about the MIDROC Wood Smoke Reduction Program, visit their stall at the Coffs Jetty Markets, Sunday 3 August 2014, the Macksville Producers Markets, Sunday 27 July 2014 or check out their website: www. midroc.nsw.gov.au.

Right at Home (formerly trading as Neighbour Aid) is excited to announce its new name and image. Right at Home, funded under the Home & Community Care program, commenced operation in 1996 and has been active in the provision of quality support services to frail older people and younger people with disabilities and their carers on the Coffs Coast for the past 18 years, with the aim of promoting independence and enhancing quality of life. Our highly motivated and dedicated team strive toward empowering all individuals to achieve their full potential through connections with others, fostering true community spirit. We are proud of our strong commitment to personalised services at a local level and maintaining regular, ongoing contact with our service users. The change to Right at Home was initiated to better reflect the work we do in the community. It signifies our strong belief in the individual’s Right to remain independent at Home with

reliable, trusting support. Changing our name and introducing our vibrant and colourful logo will assist in raising the profile of Right at Home in the wider community. Right at Home is fortunate to have a dynamic team of volunteers who willingly give their time to assist those in need. The wealth of skills and life experience they bring to their work, and their passion for giving, forms the basis for our unique ability to really connect with service users. We can offer new volunteers the opportunity to learn new skills through regular training and support, meet new people and remain active in the community. We also reimburse for travel and out of pocket expenses. For further information about volunteering with Right at Home, contact Coffs Harbour on 6648 3650 or Woolgoolga on 6654 7221. Coffs Harbour: (02) 6648 3650 Woolgoolga: (02) 6654 7221 www.rightathomecoffscoast.com.au

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sports & sponsorships Photo by Bruce Thomas

Only the innocent would think the surfers who win the most contests earn the most money. The highest earning world surfer last year,

according to Stab magazine, is John John Florence, who earnt less prize money than 10th-placed earner Taj Burrow. lorence earnt $4.8m from sponsorships, compared to Kelly Slater’s $3.4m, although Slater has consistently won more events. Professional sport earnings are all about sponsorships – negotiating the best deal and keeping sponsors happy. Four Coffs Coast grom surfers have signed on to a smart sponsorship deal with bcu, complete with a professional surf pro mentor to teach them the ropes of looking after sponsors. Erik Safstrom, Ethan Stocks, Sam Browne and Carly Shanahan could be the next John John Florence, if they learn their sponsorship lessons as well as their waves. “It really is a job,” said their mentor and former World Longboard champion, Harley Ingleby. “A lot of surfers and athletes get sponsored and don't treat it like a job. They think they just deserve to be given everything,” Ingleby said. The new bcu Junior Ambassadors vary widely in age and results. Ten year old Carly Shanahan is a stand-out beyond her years, already with some solid results – including the Hurley Blastoff junior event. A huge talent, Carly is from Minnie Waters and competes in both Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour

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Boardriders events. Only a year older is Ethan Stocks, who may be the most talented of the foursome and a potential surf star. Again surfing way beyond his years, he has placed in local regional and state surfing contests and is enthusiastic about his sport. Young teen Mullaway surfer Sam Browne has a more matured surfing style, who has also performed well in local events and has a real passion for the ocean. Even when the waves aren’t rolling, he’s still in the ocean, maybe underwater spear fishing. At 18 this month, Erik Safstrom is already tackling the strong Australian pro junior circuit and won the under-18s Coffs Harbour Boardriders event. Still at school, he is an exciting surfer, who dances the waves with a lot of flair. Unlike most junior sponsor deals of product, the bcu Junior Ambassadors program rewards the athletes with money towards competition entry fees and other expenses. Harley Ingleby is a bcu Brand Ambassador, appearing in bcu television commercials, but he is not expected to teach these groms about waves, just how to become professional surfers. “There are plenty of surfers around that only focus on a solid social media presence, and that’s worth more to some companies than a

contest win,” he said. As a sponsorship mentor, Ingleby expects In his time on the pro circuit, Ingleby has quarterly reports for their sponsor, on their seen surfers who only focus on winning end surfing results, media coverage and social up the poorer. media brand promotion. “I’ve seen a lot of people try to make it as a “Besides being a good surfer, it's really surfer and be good enough but not be able to handy to be able to generate your own get or hold a sponsor.” content and get it out to magazines, websites Tiger Woods is a great example that and producers. Being good on the behaviour outside of sport matters computer is getting more and just as much as sports more vital to add value to performance to sponsors your sponsors.” when it comes to risk to You start to get ental m a t their brand. Business ge a mental picture to t ar st You crusted Insider magazine of salt-encrusted picture of salt-en s sitting indoors, estimates Woods’ little surfer dudes little surfer dude e keyboard to earnings declined sitting indoors, hammering on th definitely . “I $22m after his hammering on become surf pros light and fun ry much-publicised the keyboard want to keep it ve ant the seed pl for them, but just about it and marital woes. to become surf ng so they are thinki wards their “These kids deserve pros. “I definitely to th pa r ea keep a cl to be supported, but want to keep it goal.” it’s important they very light and fun know that they have a for them, but just responsibility to represent plant the seed so they that brand at all times and try to are thinking about it and add as much worth to their sponsors as keep a clear path towards their possible.” goal.” “All four of these kids seem so nice and level Ingleby first pitched the surf groms headed. I just hope they stay that way into sponsorship program to bcu. their later teens and have a good work ethic “I came up with the idea to develop a junior towards becoming professional surfers.” ambassador program with the bcu marketing

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focus cusin interview. nte errv vie i w w..

sports & sponsorships

Photo by Bruce Thomas

team to help some of the aspiring junior surfers from the area, and they have been super supportive with all my ideas.” Gone are the days when businesses will hand over cash to sportspeople and teams out of the goodness of their hearts. Increasingly, businesses expect some recognition and return on their investment. “We were keen to help these kids out with some of the expenses involved in them competing in their sport,”Anna Kingston of bcu said. Tapping into the youth market is challenging for businesses, as youth are so connected on social media and often only connect with mainstream media when it is about their heroes and faves. More Coffs Harbour youth are into surfing

than a generation ago – partly a result of surfing schools like Harley Ingleby’s making it easier for non-surfers to learn how to ride the waves. “Harley is a surfing royalty. All the kids know him and he’s a local who made good on the world circuit, as well as teaching many of them to surf at his school, so he was a natural choice as a bcu Brand Ambassador,” Anna said. “He’s been a pro surfer and knows how to look after sponsors, so he is active on social media, promoting bcu. Our stickers are on his boards and the bcu flags are at the Solitary Islands Surf School, so our relationship is visible,” she said. “For us, having Harley manage the sponsorship and mentor the kids in how to behave online and how to look after sponsors

really is fantastic for bcu.” Ingleby’s relationship with bcu is one of the longest professional relationships of his life. “When I was little, my mum worked at bcu, so I've always banked with bcu,” he said. Surfing still hasn’t lost its magic for Ingleby, even though teaching surfing at Solitary Islands Surf School is now his day job. “I love seeing just how stoked people, in particular kids, get when they get a good wave or get their first wave. I get that feeling all the

time surfing personally, but you can really see it in the kids’ faces when they're just starting out.” It's early days for the bcu Junior Ambassadors program, as the four kids only signed on in May, just as the surf season became a little chilly. Hopefully Erik Safstrom, Ethan Stocks, Sam Browne and Carly Shanahan will learn their lessons well, both in and out of the surf, and make the most of their early talent in the coming summer season.

Get your pedal to the metal sooner. bcu can provide your personal loan approval in as little as 30 minutes* www.bcu.com.au/personalloans Apply online, instore or call 1300 228 228 *30 minute approval applies to instore personal loan applications only. Customer must provide information and documentation at time of application to facilitate loan assessment and approval within this timeframe. Eligibility criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Banking products issued by Bananacoast Community Credit Union Ltd ABN 50 087 649 750 AFSL 241077 Australian Credit Licence 241077. Visit bcu.com.au for details.

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Coffs Coast Coffs

Slow Roasted Duck: half schezwain peppered duck, baby bok choy, fried egg noodle, Asian mushroom broth from Pasfields Restaurant Bar Deck.

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The Hoey Moey

Zulu’s Restaurant & Bar

Welcome to the Beachside Bistro at the Hoey Moey. We are the only hotel in Coffs Harbour with direct beach access. Come and enjoy our newly renovated hotel with spacious beer garden, open plan bar, bistro, drive thru bottleshop and TAB facilities.

Our chef has been back in the bar and has brought some exciting new changes to the table! Like a 17 year old Japanese blended whiskey and some crazy cocktails that need tasting to be believed ... The Death Star ... a Black Forest Martini and Cacao Leaf Liqueur!

We are turning the clocks back for the months of June, July and August, where our Famous $9.50 Feeds will be dropped back down to $5.50. If you would prefer something a little different, you won’t go past our Daily Blackboard Specials. Come in for our famous Sunday Sessions with crab racing, a kids' club to entertain our smallest visitors and LIVE entertainment from 4pm.

Head Chef Joel McCulla.

Head Chef David Ricketts.

27 Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour (Pacific Highway) t 6652 1588 w www.zuluscoffs.com

84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour t 6652 3833

open: Breakfast: Monday – Friday, 7am – 9am. Dinner: Monday – Saturday, 6pm – late.

open: 7 days. Mon - Thurs and Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5:30 8:30pm. Fri and Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5.30 - 8:30pm.

Beachstone Café We now hold fantastic buffet nights once a month, focusing on different themes. Reservations are essential, as we book out very fast! With live entertainment, an array of tasty dinner options, plus dessert, you can't go wrong with an evening out at Beachstone Café! Buffet nights coming soon: 27th June -"Pig on a Spit" 25th July - "Christmas in July" 22nd August - "Hot Night in August" 19th September - "Spring BBQ" 24th October - "Middle Eastern Night" 14th November -"Thanksgiving" Don't forget to book your Christmas Party now! We can take the stress out of planning your Christmas party, while providing you with a night you won't forget!

Bluebottles Brasserie We have re-opened with new management, a new kitchen team and wait staff and a beautifully renovated premises. Our Head Chef, Nev Mott, has designed an extensive menu including beautiful vegetarian and gluten free options like our Moroccan pumpkin and chickpea salad. Or for a real treat, try our grilled and marinated salt and pepper squid with warm crunchy chips. Not forgetting the old favourites, we have kept on the menu the corn fritter stack with crispy bacon, baby spinach, avocado and chive cream, along with pancakes served with fresh banana, maple syrup and honeycomb butter. And to top it off, we have brought on board a new brand of coffee, Botero, plus some added indulgences like our luscious house made goodies including gluten free carrot cake and salted caramel chocolate tarts.

Cnr of Beach and Wharf St, Woolgoolga t 6654 1962 open Mon to Sat 6:15am-4pm and Sun 7am-3pm.

Chef Neville Mott. Owner Aileen Chen.

2 Beach Way, North Sapphire t 6653 6188 open: Tue - Thur: 9 - 4. Fri - Sun: 8 - 4. coffs coast focus 31

eat. Enjoy the best ocean views on the coast in a friendly and fresh dining experience.

Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill Breaky, lunch or dinner with the best views on the Coffs Coast! Serving fresh mouth-watering fresh seafood, fish & chips, flame-grilled steaks, daily specials, coffee and cakes with a bonus backdrop of THE BEST OCEAN VIEWS on the Coffs Coast, come and experience the difference at Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill. Open daily for lunch from 11.30am, dinner from 5.30pm and open for breakfast from 7.30am on Wednesday and Sunday – we’d love to see you at Fishos soon! VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST! www.coffsfishos.com.au

Hungry Bears

Head Chef Scott Patten.

1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour t 6652 1534 w www.coffsfishos.com.au open: 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11.30am and 5.30pm, and breakfast Wednesday and Sunday from 7.30am.

Udon, Sushi, Bento, Bibimbab How do you feel about a Korean and Japanese food combination for a new dining out experience? We have a warm noodle soup (udon) for winter. Also, we have amazing yummy sushi, a creative bento box, and a hot delicious Korean traditional food named bibimbab. You're sure to have a happy experience at Hungry Bears! We will have a 30% discount promotion every Wednesday for students from July. If you are a real sushi lover, you must come and taste our food. We are located next to the Coffs Cinema. Visit our Facebook site to find out more about Hungry Bears.

Owners Kevin and Hanna.

3 Bray Street, Coffs Harbour t 0452 506 745 fb facebook.com/hungrybears4u open: Tuesday - Sunday - lunch 11:30am 2:30pm. Dinner from 5pm - last order 8pm.

Pasfields Restaurant Bar Deck Pasfields provides a stunning new venue for all special occasions, with various options for smaller private areas or the fantastic new panoramic covered deck. But you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy the setting; pop in for happy hour from 4:30pm - 6pm daily and/or a light bar meal or pizza or of course, a beautiful fine dining experience. Winter Specials: Monday to Thursday evenings, enjoy any 2 courses for $40 and 3 for $50. See the website for great promotions. FRIDAY OYSTER BAR midday to late. Now with a large selection of fine whiskey and cognac. Bar and à la carte menu all day Fridays.

Horizons Restaurant & Bar

Bring this advert in for a free glass of FB Pinot Noir or Cool Woods Pinot Gris with each dozen oysters purchased, Fridays from midday to 9pm. Valid until 31st July.

Try Our Winter Dinner Menu. Featuring modern Australian cuisine with a creative menu, which has just changed for winter taking full advantage of the region's freshest produce and seafood. Be tempted with the oven baked shaved calamari with herbed bread crumbs, grilled vine tomatoes & pea puree, warm up with braised beef osso bucco with rosemary infused spatzel, grilled peppers, broccolini, crispy fried leek & gremolata. Remember to leave room for dessert! Sticky date pudding with banana fritter, butterscotch sauce & vanilla bean icecream, yum! Join us for lunch! THE OC LUNCH DEAL. Enjoy a glass house wine, domestic beer or soft drink, your meal and espresso or tea at Horizons Restaurant & Bar overlooking the pool and taking in the coastal views. Guests are able to dine alfresco on the terrace or in air conditioned comfort. All for $23.50pp. 11.30am - 2.30pm, 7 days. Bookings preferred.

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

32 coffs coast focus.

Clinton Hunter Head Chef.

675 Pacific Highway, Korora t 6653 7710 w www.pasfieldsrestaurant.com.au open: Lunch Fri – Sun or any other times for bookings of >10 made in advance. Dinner nightly from 5pm, à la carte, bar menu or takeaway.

eat. Cider Glazed Pork Belly with caramelized black pudding, spiced pear puree & crackle shards

Finz on The Beach

Macauleys Restaurant

Finz on the Beach is open for à la carte dining 7 days a week. The restaurant welcomes a new season with an exciting, colourful and adventurous menu. Contact (02) 6652 7555 to make your booking, or book online at www.dimmi.com.au

The winter chill has hit, and our NEW Menu is already receiving rave reviews from the foodies in the region. Reflective of the cooler weather, our new menu showcases the abundance of fresh produce available locally. Think winter warmer style food like our cider glazed pork belly with caramelised black pudding, spiced pear puree and crackle shards – comfort food with a Macauleys twist! Check out the rest of our NEW menu at www.macauleys.com.au Macauleys Restaurant – seriously great food.

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

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

open: Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm.

open: from 6pm, 7 days a week.

Persian fetta & parsley hash with prosciutto, poached eggs & salsa verde.

Butter roasted spatchcock, celeriac puree, sherry vinegar gel, puffed grains and a herb jus.

Café TREEO Sawtell

Zebu bar + grill

The team behind Cafe TREEO in Sawtell are busy working on their latest venture, “Hello Sawtell”. This new dinner venue, just two doors down from TREEO, will be open in July so keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest details!

Relax at Zebu this Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Kick back with family and friends and enjoy relaxed, contemporary dining, offering everything from plump local oysters to wood fired pizzas, succulent seafood and of course, our speciality char grilled steaks. Serving coastal cuisine from sun up to well after sunset – Zebu is the perfect place to grab a bite, day or night. With free WiFi throughout, making it easy for catch-ups for business or pleasure.

Meanwhile, don’t miss TREEO’s specials board this month. Expect to experience dishes designed to beat the winter chill like their warm braised lamb salad or vegetarian baked beans with field mushrooms, cheese saganaki & poached eggs! Also, don’t miss their Bounty Hot Chocolate made from real Belgian chocolate and coconut!

18 First Ave, Sawtell t 6653 1099 fb fb.com/ CafeTreeo open: 7 days from 7am for breakfast and lunch.

Head Chef Craig Clarke.

Owner/Chef Duncan Elliot.

Executive Chef Adam Tait.

Hay Street Foreshore, Port Macquarie t 6589 2822 w www.zebu.com.au open 7 days, from 6.30am - late. Bar open noon daily. Bookings recommended.

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eat. The Pier Hotel Waves Bistro offers incredible value for money, with a great variety of mouth watering dishes available. Whether you are after a $10 steak for lunch or some fresh local seafood from our extensive dinner menu, there is something for everyone at the Pier Hotel. We have just launched our updated winter lunch and dinner menus. Why not try them today? Come in and talk to Kieran or Dave today about planning your next function.

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OA K S T R E E T F O O D & W I N E I S A R E S TAU R A N T A N D W I N E B A R L O C AT E D I N A C L A S S I C H E R I TAG E L I S T E D C O T TAG E C L O S E T O T H E B U S T L I N G B E L L I N G E N C B D.

Head Chef Dave Newick.

Cnr Harbour Dr and Camperdown St, Coffs Harbour hotel 6652 2110 bistro 6651 8222 Open: lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm; dinner 5:30pm 8:30pm; 7 days a week.

El Toro Loco Latin Cantina Carefully adhering to time honoured traditions of Spanish Tapas cuisine, Executive Chef Danielle Burke has successfully blended old with new to make a beautiful menu that fits snugly into the Coffs Harbour dining scene. The tapas is a stimulating collision of Spanish and Latin American cuisine sumptuous with surprises and offering Brazilian BBQ on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Chefs Jimmy, Liam, Dean & AJ.

382 Harbour Dr Coffs Harbour t 6652 8883 open: Tues - Sat from 11:30am 'til late. Sunday 7:30am - 3pm.

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Owners Phil and Julia Caldicott bring many years in hospitality and tourism to the task of ensuring an unforgettable experience. Our cuisine is European in style, with a distinct French influence. Chef Andy Wood, formerly of the Four in Hand Restaurant in Paddington, is focusing on local, seasonal ingredients

from the beautiful and fertile Bellingen Valley. Sommelier Phil Caldicott has produced a wine list which is small and eclectic, featuring organic producers where possible, with 13 wines available by the glass. Dine by the open fire on a cool Bellingen evening, or enjoy lunch and a glass of wine in the sun on our secluded verandah!

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David Ricketts

at home

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here do you chef? There are 9 - 10 of us in the kitchen team at I am currently Head Chef the Hoey, in addition to our waitresses. at the Hoey Moey on Ocean What are your favourite menu items? Parade. My favourite menu item would have to When did your chef career begin? be anything with steak in it. I love steak! My chef career began 6 years ago, in 2008. You can’t go past our daily specials board, The Hoey Moey is famous for its where we regularly change up the menu. We affordable feeds. How did this concept currently have the 250 g eye fillet with potato come about? mash, brocollini and mushroom sauce When the three boys, Twane or the 350 g Scotch fillet with Voglsinger, Harry Barry and steak fries, salad and your Ric Gianoli took over choice of sauce in addition the Hoey in 2009, they to the steaks already on Shows like Hells needed to come up with our menu. Kitchen are a atch but an offer that was too At home, what are you little easier to w I am good to refuse in order most likely to cook? seriously, when ould w not at work, why to show Coffs Harbour When I am home and shows I want to watch that the Hoey Moey feel like cooking I cook about kitchens!” had changed hands, was whatever my kids will under new management, eat – no time for molecular and this new structure was gastronomy there. serious about changing the Hoey What do you think about Moey for the better. shows like Masterchef and Being the iconic hotel that it is and MKR? What do you think they do for being located directly on the beach, the the industry? Good or bad? people of Coffs Harbour had to be shown I really, really, really dislike MKR and that this hotel is one that was changing for the Masterchef. They are over produced drama better and that the revitalisation of the Hoey shows that don’t really portray the industry Moey was a new chapter for the hotel and correctly. Shows like Hell's Kitchen are a little Coffs Harbour. The feeds started at $5, and easier to watch but seriously, when I am not from that point the price of the Famous Feeds at work, why would I want to watch shows of the Hoey were stepped up gradually so that about kitchens! we can still offer a great meal for a great price, If today was your last chance to have a hence the arrival at the Famous $9.50 Feeds. meal, what would you cook? For the months of June, July and August I'm a simple guy. When it comes time for 2014 from Monday to Friday, we have turned my last meal, give me a fat T-bone steak, the clocks back and are offering these feeds at some mashed potato with extra butter and a price of $5.50. mushroom sauce. What more could a guy Who makes up the kitchen team at Hoey want! Moey? Thanks David.

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t's been a while since we've caught up with you, Kristi. What's new at Pansabella? We have had an exciting few months of promotions with Mother's Day High Tea and our flower making classes, and we have just introduced an exciting addition to our gourmet delicatessen, "Pansabella At Home". I assume the fact that we're moving in to the cooler months, you've decided to introduce Pansabella At Home? Yes, because our night time service has gone into hibernation during winter, we wanted to make sure no one missed out, so we have launched a take home range of our most popular dishes. What are some of the take home items? How are they packaged? Are they OK to transport home? We have our slow roast lamb shank lasagne, tomato, spinach and fetta cannelloni, aranchini balls, a range of quiches, as well as pasta dishes, fresh salad, warming soups and tasty quinoa fritters. The selection varies daily, so be sure to pop in to take a look. Everything is packaged up in our signature white cardboard dishes and ready to take home and serve up. Of course we can do these beautiful products in larger quantities for family gatherings or corporate catering events. We are all very excited about your cheese and wine tasting nights this winter. Tell us about those … who can attend? They would be fantastic for not only friends and families but business staff catch-ups ... Our first cheese and wine tasting night

will be held in the first week of July and will feature a specially selected range of local and international cheeses with matching wines. I will be on hand to explain how and why the cheeses have been selected to match the wines, and we may even have a guest speaker attending, so watch out for details on our Facebook page and in the Pansabella front window for details. Anyone can come along (18+ of course) and it's a great way to meet new people or to catch up with work colleagues out of the office. Your florists is in full swing! Your head florist, Vanessa, recently entered a comp? Yes, she entered the local show with a stunning wedding bouquet creation. It is something that she took the initiative to do herself, and we are all so proud of her efforts. Your wedding flowers are serious contenders in the wedding floristry game. I can speak from experience; your team take this side of the business very seriously… Indeed we do. We have recently acquired an additional flower reservation service in Brisbane, giving us more options for brides and more certainty of the flowers and colours a bride would like. We are really focused on making sure brides in our area have access to fresh market priced flowers for DIY decorating and of course, we can style the full range of bouquets, table decorations and corsages for the entire bridal party. Pansabella Florist, Café, Delicatessen, R24 Coffs Central Harbour Drive. 6652 6635. coffs coast focus 35

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•bluebottles• The new owners of Woopi’s famous Bluebottles are both local to the Woolgoolga area. Dan has been in Woolgoolga for more than 10 years and Renee lives in Emerald Beach.

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WOW ! A N E W A N D D I F F E R E N T R E S TA U R A N T FOR COFFS HARBOUR - W H AT T Y P E O F R E S TA U R A N T I S I T A N D W H AT I S O N T H E M E N U ? L TORO LOCO LATIN CANTINA is a Latin restaurant covering the cuisines of the Spanish speaking countries. How did you come up with such a great name - and what is the meaning? El Toro Loco means the crazy bull. I am a little crazy and stubborn at times, so the name suited. You have such a long history and loads of experience in the restaurant business. Tell us more about this ... I have had over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. I completed my apprenticeship under celebrity chef Guillame Brahimi at The Pond Restaurant in Kings Cross. After moving to Coffs Harbour, I was the chef/owner of 390 on High, Riva Tapas and The Crying Tiger.

36 coffs coast focus.

How do you juggle work and your young family? I come from a very large and supportive family. There is and always has been someone around to help. My dad and my mum are great with both of my children and take care of them when needed. My dad has been a fantastic help setting up both restaurants with my husband, Michael, who is awesome too! Tell us about your future plans ... I believe the word dessert was mentioned, and also an area to enjoy this? Yes, soon El Toro will have a dessert bar with delicious desserts by Jodie Northcott. We will have lots of different cakes and desserts on offer, some by weight, so you can have as big or as small a piece as you like ... or try as many as you desire!

hat is your background? their coffee beans in Maclean. And of course, Our background is customer our service ties that all together. We are formservice and management. We ing a great team with a mix of previous staff visit many cafés, so we have a and new staff who will bring all the aspects of very good idea of what people want from their the café together to ensure that our customers dining experience. We decided it was time want to continue coming back and truly enjoy to put all those experiences into a wonderful their Bluebottles experience. café that we could call our own and stamp our How has the menu changed? mark on! We have kept the favourites on, because We have all been to the old Bluebottles; that’s what our customers have asked for. how is it different? What changes have But we have also injected a new life into the you implemented? menu, just to introduce some variety Well, it’s a fine balance and increase the range. Nev (our between ensuring that the Head Chef) has done a great “old” Bluebottles still holds job in working with us to on to all the great things produce a menu that will It’s important that made it popular please all of our customto us that our with the locals. It has ers. We have intror ou by chefs are known r been a part of Woolduced more options for ou at th customers and n ea cl goolga history for some customers with dietary a e se customer can r ei th re time. he needs and if it isn’t on w t environmen .” ed It is, however, also uc the menu, we’ll accomod pr food is time to introduce some modate them. We have fresh and fun ideas, so that introduced different meal it can evolve with the town sizes, so our customers can and with what people want. We choose to suit their appetite. have started by changing the exterior Woopi restaurateurs are famous of the building with the introduction of a for sourcing fresh local produce ... is big bi-fold window, so that our customers this a big part of your business? can meet and chat to our baristas, get their Absolutely. My passion lies in growing takeaways easily, and it also looks great! We my own foods, so I know what goes into its then set about opening up the kitchen so that production. Food grown locally is often tastier, all our chefs are on show. healthier and better quality, as it is suited to It’s important to us that our chefs are known our climate. So where possible, we are introby our customers and that our customers can ducing local food! We have sourced free range see a clean environment where their food is eggs from a local farm who treat their animals produced. We have completely changed our ethically, and this is something we would like coffee brand and the machine that makes it! to expand into across our entire menu. We are It is a beautiful machine that can make more always happy to talk to local producers to see quality coffees quicker, without compromising what they have on offer! on quality. 1/53 Beach St, Woolgoolga NSW 2456 We got on board with Botero, who roast 6654 1962.

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focus cooking with Mauz.

real • whole • clean - with Mauz

Mauz’s Tunisian Spinach and Freekeh Pie

INGREDIENTS. INGR

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hat is your family background, and how has your childhood influenced your passion for food? I’m a wog! My mother was Greek/Lebanese, and my father is Austrian. As a child I always knew that the food we ate at home was NOT what most other families at that time ate. My biggest culinary influence was my Greek aunty (aka my mother’s best friend). As both my parents worked full-time, I spent a lot of time with aunt, mostly in the kitchen, where I spent many wonderful hours learning to cook Greek cuisine. I also had another aunty who was Swiss, and from her I learnt an entirely different style of European cooking. From a very young age I contributed to preparing meals at home and have always enjoyed experimenting with different spices and ingredients. While other kids were out doing other kid stuff, I’d be at home teaching myself to make crumpets from scratch, or puff pastry or croissants. I went through all sorts of crazy culinary phases. If I could, I think I’d be quite happy to spend all day concocting. Working in a gourmet food store, what are the feelings that you've noticed people have about food? People seem to spend a lot more time thinking about food now. I believe the enormous popularity of cooking shows and “celebrity” chefs is definitely an influence. People are encouraged to be more discerning and experimental with their palate, and it’s great that when people come into work wanting all kinds of “strange” ingredients, we usually have them! I love the surprise on their faces:

“Yes, we have annatto seeds”, “Yes, we have hing powder”, “Yes! We have mastica”, etc. People are definitely becoming more health conscious too. They are beginning to realise the importance of what they’re putting in their bodies for fuel. It always seems odd to me that people who have terrible diets are shocked when their health starts to fail. Good food and good health are intertwined. What's your food philosophy? Firstly taste. If it tastes nasty, I don’t want it! Fresh (local if possible) fruit and vegetables. Experiment! Try different flavours and techniques. Boiled vegies are yucky (one of the reasons I think so many Australians don’t eat enough vegetables is because they’ve only ever eaten them boiled), try roasting, add garlic, olive oil and lemon juice (every wog’s holy trinity!) Have an open mind and don’t be scared! Don’t skimp. Life’s too short to use bad olive oil! I personally choose to eat a plant based diet because it makes me happy, and I am also very conscious of where the food I eat is produced and under what conditions. I wish more people would be more aware of how the food they eat is produced. Tell us about the dish you've cooked for us today ... I wanted to make something fairly simple (a little time consuming in the prep, but well worth the effort!) and delicious, with a nod to my Greek heritage (it’s my “take” on the classic Spanakopita), plus I wanted to include some ingredients that people might be unfamiliar with. It is an inexpensive and well balanced meal that also tastes really good! Everyone’s a winner!

2 bunch bunches silverbeet, washed, roughly chopped stalks removed (if the stalks aren’t too and stalk them finely and fry with onion and stringy, chop c garlic) 1 brown onion chopped cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 3-6 clov Olive Oil (Rylstone Organic in my kitchen!)* 1½ cups freekeh* 1 pkt Herbies Tunisian Spice Mix* 3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast Flakes* 12 sheets Fillo Pastry 2 vine tomatoes sliced

METHOD. Fry onions, garlic and stalks in a generous splash of olive oil on a low heat for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Add 2 tbsp spice mix and stir to coat. Increase heat and add spinach, stirring continuously until wilted. Cover and cook over low heat ‘til cooked (approx 10 minutes). Stir occasionally and add a little water if necessary. Mixture should not be too wet, but you don’t want it burnt either! Meanwhile, cover freekeh with water, cover and bring to the boil. Cook for 15 minutes ‘til tender but still a little chewy. Drain and add to spinach mixture along with yeast flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cool.

ASSEMBLY. Lay fillo pastry out on clean work bench. Brush an 80 x 90 cm rectangular baking dish with olive oil. Brush top sheet of pastry with oil and carefully place in dish. Continue with another 3 sheets. Spread half the spinach mixture in and top with half the sliced tomato drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. Continue with another four sheets pastry, brushing each one with oil as before. Trim edges if necessary. Top with remaining tomato as before, and remainder of oiled pastry, scrunching slightly to cover pie. Sprinkle a tsp of spice mix on top and bake in moderate oven for 40-50 minutes.

Serve with Rocket and Roast Pumpkin Salad with Chickpea Croutons and Almonds.

INGREDIENTS. Nice bunch rocket (or other mixed greens) 1½ cups Pumpkin, peeled, cubed, tossed in olive oil and roasted in a hot oven for approx 30 minutes. 1 can Organic Chick Peas* “croutonized” 1 small red onion, finely sliced Handful flaked almonds* toasted in moderate oven for 8-10 minutes ‘til brown and yummy

TO FINISH. Generous dash olive oil Guava caramelised balsamic vinegar* Drain, rinse and thoroughly dry chick peas. Combine with 1tsp Tunisian Spice Mix and ¾ tsp salt and spread flat on a paper lined baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes in moderate oven, turning after first 20 minutes. In a large bowl, combine first 4 ingredients. Add olive oil and vinegar to taste (don’t skimp!) Top with toasted almonds and serve with your pie and a beatific smile for a job well done! coffs coast focus 37

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In a nutshell, Hello Sawtell is a social, light hearted and upbeat dining experience where the menu is designed to be shared amongst family and friends.”

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d u nca n + l e e sa e l l i ot

Building on the huge success of Café TREEO in

Sawtell, owners Duncan and Leesa Elliot are getting ready to open an entirely new dining experience. We sat down with them to find out the inside scoop on their highly anticipated new offering.

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e’re all very excited! Please share the news about your latest project … For a while now we’ve been talking about our next venture. It’s been three years since we opened Café TREEO, and we wanted to build on that reputation and open a dinner venue. We wanted to create a restaurant that was unique and combined all of the ingredients that we believe makes a truly great dining experience. From this point, Hello Sawtell was born! What can we expect at Hello Sawtell? In a nutshell, Hello Sawtell is a social, light hearted and upbeat dining experience where the menu is designed to be shared amongst family and friends. You see a lot of restaurants going down that "share plate" road these days, and we understand why: it’s a fantastic concept. We truly believe food is something that should be enjoyed with the people you love. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that "share plates" mean "small plates"; expect to feast on generous serves! We want to share our creativity in the dishes we create, focusing on flavour and cooking with care and passion. The food itself will borrow from global influences, but essentially it’s the food we love to eat and cook. Ultimately, Hello Sawtell

Cured salmon, sourdough & pancetta crumbs, avocado & creme fraiche

is a casual dining experience – a place you can relax and enjoy in an environment The village is that doesn’t take itself buzzing seven people too seriously. Expect a days week, so me co n friendly, genuine staff know they ca day y an on and delicious food of to Sawtell ve ha d an k ee the highest standard. of the w an l d Sawtell is fast a beautiful mea iques.” ut browse the bo becoming the foodie from Michael hub of the Coffs Coast! Jackson to When we opened Café Madonna. How does TREEO in 2011, there were your past experience already some really popular cafés compare with life in and quality restaurants in town, and Sawtell? since then a few more have opened up and It’s definitely a change of pace, and few more are in the works. Sawtell is truly it took a while to settle into. The kitchens becoming a foodie hub, which I think is I’ve worked in over the years were ferocious. fantastic for the community. That intensity is what I was always used to, We’re also big believers that competition is so when we came to Sawtell I had to learn to healthy, as it drives you to keep pushing your take it down a gear and chill. My wife, Leesa, business to the next level – and I think that’s has had a lot to do with helping me relax one of the reasons why Sawtell restaurants and pulling me into line when I put my stress are held in such high regard; we’re all family head on! But aside from food, surfing is my run or small operators who take great pride passion, so being able to live and work in in our work. We also work extremely hard. such a beautiful village and do all the things I The village is buzzing seven days a week, love … it’s a great lifestyle for myself and our so people know they can come to Sawtell family. on any day of the week and have a beautiful Speaking of family, I hear you have a meal and browse the boutiques. new addition on its way very soon? Duncan, you’ve had a bright career We sure do; we’re expecting another son at working in some of the best kitchens the start of September. We’re definitely going across the globe, cooking for celebrities

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to have our hands full! But we were trying for this baby for two and a half years, so were stoked when it finally happened. Plus, we both have different roles within the business. Leesa is the brains behind the scenes and I’m the work horse, so that allows us to maintain a fairly normal family life. Well, we wish you both the very best of luck. When can readers come and try Hello Sawtell, and how can they stay up to date with the latest news? We’re super excited about the opening and will finally be able to share Hello Sawtell with everyone in July. To stay up to date, keep an eye on our Café TREEO or Hello Sawtell Facebook pages. Lastly, we just wanted to say a very big thank you to our amazing customers who have supported us over the years; we have a great following and appreciate all the encouragement we’ve received for the new venture! Thanks guys. coffs coast focus 39

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meet a

local.

Blue and dW White hite

Veterinary Clinic COFFS HARBOUR & WOOLGOOLGA

Do you need a vet who has the latestt medical and surgical equipment quipment AND listens to you, addressing dressing your needs and those of yourr pets, while being friendly and approachable? roachable? ro t the Blue & White Vet, we are able to offer hite At the Blue & W the very best level we y, sa e Vet when w of care for your ill w e w u, will contact yo pets in a caring our vets contact you and rtunity and friendly po welcome the op environment. ncerns co ur yo s us sc to di ugh ro th Staff at the Blue and guide you be a es im et m & White Vet will what can so ” time. take the time to appointment and will very uncertain discuss all of your not keep you waiting. The needs and concerns Blue & White Vet is able to tailoring veterinary care provide lab services, x-rays and for you in a friendly and ultrasound, at our practice, during approachable manner and discussing your appointment. all treatment options with you. We want to provide for the needs of our At the Blue & White Vet when we clients by asking you what those needs are. say, we will contact you, we will contact you We want to hear from our clients if we have and our vets welcome the opportunity to exceeded your expectations and where we discuss your concerns and guide you through have failed, we especially want to address what can sometimes be a very uncertain any problems because calm seas do not time. We treat your pets as family members make for good sailors. at all times. The Blue & White Vet provides a 24hr Your time is valuable and we respect your service should you require: 66512477.

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Debra Mutton General Manager, Coffs Event Centre ow long have you been on Coffs Coast? 38 years. I came here as a child, now I feel almost a

but it is wonderful to work in – because in essence, we sell "happiness", and our day to day communications with people are mostly about fun, creativity and delivering joy, be it for a local! wedding, party, or even a Describe your typical business celebration. ... in essence, we day ... When you're not sell happiness, In my job there is busy running your day and our day to no such thing as a successful business, with communications about typical day; every day where can we find tly people are mos is different. I love my you? d fun, creativity an job; it is the sort of job Jamming with other ...” delivering joy I always dreamed about, people who love and and the fact that every play music! You make day brings a new surprise a lot of friends and have or challenge makes work so a lot of fun – I love singing, enjoyable. It can be really hard work playing guitar and the excitement of and sometimes there is a lot of pressure learning the drums. It is great relaxation to make things happen on a tight time and wonderfully rewarding when everything schedule. The artist in me loves creating, comes together in a great sound. and I get a great "buzz" when people love COFFS EVENT CENTRE what we produce. AV Corporate Pty Ltd What's the best thing about being a part 30 Lawson Crs, of such a wonderful industry? Coffs Harbour It is the people you meet day to day. Phone. 6658 0071 The industry is not one you will get rich in, Web. www.coffseventcentre.com.au

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Simon CHLADIL Russ Atkinson Russ Atkinson and Simon Chladil, CEO and Events Manager of Coffs Harbour Racing Club … meet two men who are part of the team that work hard in bringing the premier event, Carlton Mid Coffs Harbour Gold Cup, to our great community each year.

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hat facilities are available at this festival? There will be a full variety of facilities available for the public – from centrally located bars, food courts offering diverse styles of snacks, “fashion refreshers” for the ladies to touch up makeup, hair etc. as well as the expected TABs, Bookies and toilet facilities. To cater for the large amount of people, we will also have two big screens on the track and large screen TVs throughout the building. What packages are available for individuals, small groups and business owners/corporate packages? 2014 will see a whole new Bigger Corporate Marquee area for the larger companies, as well as smaller marquee packages. The Carlton Beer Garden has moved to a venue in front of the track for individual or small groups and of course, there are the hottest tickets at the all-inclusive premium Gold Cup Lunch Marquee and the VIP Lounge, all available to buy online. How is this year going to be different from last year? The Club has opened up a great deal of the main entry area to make it easier on arrival to reduce the queues. The standard marquee packages that were previously located behind the other marquees in The Beer Garden have now moved to the main marquee area also, while the Beer Garden for individual and small group purchases has now moved to the venue alongside the main grandstand building (The Trackside Lounge). “Fashions Central” with the fashions stage and registration marquee will this year be located beside The Gold Cup Lunch Marquee in front of the Parade Ring. Drinking responsibly is a big factor on the day; do you offer transportation? There will be all the standard public bus routes and taxis available at the start of the

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including colour coordination displaying this day – while from 4pm there is a Taxi Rank on season’s winter fashion statement. Monochrome Howard Street and we also offer a large con(black and white) continues in trend from sumtingent of courtesy buses to get people to the mer, whether in stripes, blocks, chevrons or CBD, Sawtell or around the Jetty precinct. Drink responsibly throughout the day, and DON’T drive florals. Add some passion to your racewear look with sleek tailoring and luxe silhouettes in this if you’ve had a few. year’s leading shade – RED! Florals are Where should people park? a key trend this season, but go Car parking will be available for darker more dramatic accessed from Hogbin Drive looks, not pretty pastel – however, we also offer ly ite shades. Think deep security parking at the fin de – es Ladi w ne and intense colours southern end of C.ex ur yo r ea w e day th re paired with overfo stadium with a free be in s shoe it is a sized floral patterns shuttle bus service and remember, on grass – black, white, right to the entrance winter race day t club. So greens, deep reds of the course as a very lawns, not a nigh not els, think thicker he ack is and blues. The convenient option. e tr stilettos, and th Park Beach Plaza The real question for tiny e ac pl e never th Fashions on the Field we want to ask you mini skirts.” will be very hotly conis: Simon, what do we tested this year and with wear this year? What is over $20,000 in prizes, your fashion advice to the including extremely generous punters? Gift Cards from Park Beach Plaza, Ladies – definitely wear your new shoes stunning prizes from Le Dãin Designs, Novotel in before the day and remember, it is a winter Accommodation packages and lots more! It will race day on grass lawns, not a night club. So be those entrants who have the extra finishing think thicker heels, not stilettos, and the track touches that will prove to be the winners. Don’t is never the place for tiny mini skirts. An overall forget gloves, matching handbag, a cardigan or elegant statement, style and originality, racing blazer, or even a cashmere scarf. elegance from top to toe, including dress length R u s s e l l between slightly above the knee to mid calve. Seems like only yesterday we sat down Remember to dress for the conditions on the with you and Simon to discuss Coffs Cup day – it can get very cool early in the day at this Carnival. Time flies … What’s on the agenda time of year. this year? Fashions on the field is a massive part of Yes, the time certainly flies – must be getthe day; what will this year’s judges be ting older. Each year we challenge ourselves to looking for? deliver a better Carnival than the year before, Headwear is to make the overall statement and this year should be no exception. We have and still complement the outfit. Hat or headthe support of Racing NSW with a Saddle Up wear with a winter influence is essential e.g. Sunday on July 27th, where additional focus is fur, felt, wool. Style and design of the millinery, placed on trying to get people out of the city a focus on an overall, well-groomed look with and into regional areas to enjoy a day at the attention to detail and wearability. Being on races. Again, a great Sportsman’s Breakfast trend, outfits must be complementary in style,

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lineup will be on offer on the Wednesday and on Gold Cup day, with some improvements for guests in our Carlton Mid Beer Garden location and corporate sites as well as a new home for Fashions on the Field. We will also streamline our wristbanding for Under 25s at the main entrance. We are all excited for another year of fashion, racing and all of the club’s hard work this festival. What’s on the festival calendar? What are the exact dates and meets? The first day of the Carnival is the Saddle Up Sunday – NBN Community Cups Raceday featuring the Sawtell Cup and Kids’ Fashions on the Field, which is on Sunday 27th July. There is a Cup Launch at the Plantation Hotel on 2nd August and then the Westlawn Sportsmans Breakfast from 7.30am on Wednesday August 6th. This is followed on directly by our Sportsmans Raceday. The Gold Cup Calcutta will be held at the Pier Hotel that night, and then it’s back to the races the next day for the Gold Cup on August 7th. Who are the major sponsors this year, and what do they bring to the event? Sponsorship is a vital cog in the running of any sporting club, and we are so grateful for the continued support we get from these businesses. Carlton Mid is the major sponsor of the Carnival, and Park Beach Plaza comes on board along with Le Dãin Designs and others to support our Fashions on the Field. There are so many others I would like to recognise for their support here, and without each and every one of them we would not be able to put on such a wonderful Carnival. Any hot tips? For the last few years the returning horses have fared well, so they’re always ones to watch. I think there may be some local interest this year and while it’s a bit early to lock anything in, that’s probably where I’ll be looking this year. Thanks guys.

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HORSE TRAINER

Brett Bellamy Brett Bellamy is a successful horse trainer. At 5am any given day you'll find Brett at our local stables training up to 30 horses.

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ou're known as the biggest horse trainer in Coffs Coast. What does a day in the life of a trainer look like? What time do you rise? I usually rise about 5am in the morning and arrive at the track at 5.30am. To start with, I’m saddling horses for jockeys and track work riders to work around the track, then hosing horses as they come back from being worked. After this is finished, it's on to the cleaning of boxes and yards and then making up feeds and feeding horses for the morning. Monday is always nomination day for race meetings held from Friday to Sunday. On one non race day during the week I’ll take horses in and out of the spelling paddocks they are at. The afternoon shift consists of exercise for the horses on the walking machine, cleaning of stables and feeding horses their night feed. I also work out what track work each horse will be doing the next morning or if they need to swim or go to the beach. How did your father's career influence yours? When I was a young boy living in the Hawkesbury district, my father transported horses to the races for Sydney trainers and I used to go with him. When I was a teenager, my parents owned a pub, which was alongside the Hawkesbury racecourse. I spent Thursday afternoons generally at the local races, much to the disgust of my mathematics teacher, who wished he was there as well. Whilst we lived in the hotel, I came into contact with many different trainers and stablehands, so I suppose that it created an interest in the racing game for me. I got my first horse at the age of 13

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o To win these tw I , ps hi rs ie prem urs on spent a lot of ho four or e re th , ad the ro ce ra days a week at ould not meetings, and w to achieve have been able staff and this without my wife y m support from .” and family

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and spent many an hour riding around Hawkesbury racecourse and surrounding area, pretending to be a jockey, along with my brother. You're nicknamed "Bart". How did that name come about? The nickname Bart most people would think came from Bart Simpson, but he wasn’t around back then. My father bought me a woollen peaked cap when I first started training, which he had seen Bart Cummings wearing in one of his many news stories. I used to wear it to the track in the mornings and one of the local trainers quipped, "Who do you think you are – Bart Cummings?" and I said,"Hopefully I’ll be like him one day". Where did you earn your stripes? Tell us about your career as a young pup? I first started training horses in Coffs Harbour when I was granted a license at the age of 18; prior to that I had worked for my father, who was training a small team at our property in South Boambee Road. You also had a stint in the building industry … when did you realise that your real passion was in raising horses? Whilst still working for my father in the mornings, I decided to do an apprenticeship as a bricklayer, but unfortunately I broke my leg while exercising a horse along Boambee Beach, and at this time when I was able to work again, the building industry was very quiet in Coffs. The only other thing I knew anything about was

racing, so I decided to move back to Sydney to work for a trainer called Mal Barnes. After I spent two years with Mal, I thought it was probably time to move on. I left Sydney, as I had acquired a job working in SA for Colin Hayes at Lindsay Park in Angaston through a family friend, Tom Brassel. I spent two years there learning about racing and also worked on the breeding and breaking-in horses side of the property. I looked after the stallions and assisted the vets. When did you move to the Coffs Coast, and how did you become involved with horse training in this region? I moved back to Coffs Harbour after a season managing a small stud outside Tamworth in February 1986. I had been breeding horses with my family and started out training with two young horses that we had bred and purchased from the stables that I am still in today. My father also had contacts with the Syndication group called Hyperion Thoroughbreds. They fortunately sent horses up from Sydney that weren’t quite up to city class racing for me to train, and we had a lot of success with many winners. Your accolades include winning the Trainers Premiership ... At this point you must feel like you've had a large career? I have won a lot of Northern Rivers Racing Association Trainers Premierships, but the two that are most satisfying to me were the two consecutive Country NSW Trainers Premierships

that I won. To win these two premierships I spent a lot of hours on the road, three or four days a week at race meetings, and would not have been able to achieve this without my staff and support from my wife and family. I suppose my career compared to a lot of others has only just begun; I’ve seen them come and I’ve seen them go – hopefully I’ll be here for a bit longer yet. I have a few things which I still want to achieve, like winning a Coffs Harbour Cup race. How many horses are you currently training? Any to watch this carnival? At the moment I am training between 25 and 30 horses. Magic Merle is one that I have bred and have high hopes for. What's your hot tip? Keep your money in your pocket? My hot tip is to enjoy every win you have at the races, no matter where, as you don’t know when the next one will be. Tell us about the annual golf day you attend at Bonville? My annual golf day at Bonville started out as a day of golf with clients, friends and jockeys who all come to attend the Coffs Cup each year from near and far. As we all work on Wednesday and Thursday, it is our day to let our hair down and enjoy ourselves. This day has grown from our first year of 24 players to its current standing of 144 players. Anyone who wishes to attend can nominate to play, but you need to get in early. Contact Bonville Golf Resort in early July for details. P.S. This is not a serious day; it is a fun day! I haven’t had anyone play who hasn’t enjoyed themselves yet. Thanks Brett.

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LA FLEUR D'ALYSE Have your face glowing for the race season. Visit La FLEUR d’Alyse, Coffs Harbour's premier Medispa.

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e have some fantastic specials to have you ready to stand out from the crowd. Why not start with an Aspect lactobotanical peel? No matter what your skincare concern is, this lactic acid derived peel guarantees exceptional results every time. Powerful yet gentle, it is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Want that sun kissed glow? Then our Xen tan is the answer, creating an instant tan that develops and deepens over time – a long lasting and natural finish that fades evenly with a pleasant scent. For smooth skin on the day, we suggest waxing for an immediate result. Ask about specials. Our clinic offers the latest and safest nonsurgical cosmetic treatments to the Coffs coast. Look fabulous, feel fabulous, be fabulous, drop a dress size in 9 days with our race day nutritional cleanse and receive a free body treatment; contact us for details. Our private facility caters for individuals, couples and groups of up to 10 people. Detox, lose weight, burn fat and rejuvenate your body in our infrared sauna. Our one to four person sauna and our two to ten person spa or private spa bath are perfect for winding away the stresses of everyday life. Our products capitalise on what science has discovered about nature's anti-aging properties, particularly gold, crushed pearl, essential oils, and are infused with a range of vitamins, minerals and Dead Sea Clay to bring out your natural beauty. La Fleur D’Alyse’s spacious spa facility and perfectly manicured gardens make it the ideal venue for a wide array of gatherings, from hens' nights to birthday parties, girls' nights to baby showers. We also offer a full range of beauty therapy treatments, waxing, wedding and special occasion make-up. Why not have a pre-race day spa treat with your friends and receive a complimentary trial make-up? At La Fleur D’Alyse we’re all about relaxation and indulgence. Our deluxe herbal tea of the day is the perfect way to begin and at the completion of your stay, enjoy a complimentary bubbly beverage garnished with gold leaf or hibiscus flowers and a devilishly good 46 coffs coast focus focus.

chocolate treat, combined with a special takehome gift. We also offer complimentary morning and afternoon tea for all packages over $200 and groups of four or more and complimentary high tea with bubbly for half and full day packages. We utilise the latest in anti-aging techniques, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and the Dynamic Lift non-surgical facelift. The microcurrent stimulates and rejuvenates the muscle, while stimulating the natural production of new collagen and revitalising the facial tissue. Combined with L E D light therapy, it is perfect for pre wedding preparationand special occasions like race days. Both of these options are offered as a course of treatments for optimum results. La Fleur D’Alyse also offers an extensive range of less invasive cosmetic treatments; these include Non-Surgical Facelifts. Dr John Wenman uses Promoitalia Revitalising Absorbable Threads, to achieve a full face and neck lift and have you looking seven to ten years younger. We also offer a full range of Injectable Fillers. Barbara specialises in a Liquid Facelift using a combination of injectable products. Why not have your lips kissable and ready for race day with our special Lip Enhancement Package? Or, our special Harmony Package to improve imperfections and restore facial balance eliminating wrinkles and lines – PARTICULARLY THE FROWN LINE OR CROWS' FEET. These treatments can last from six to twelve months, with others up to two years. Regen is the latest cosmetic treatment available; it’s produced using a small amount of the client's own blood. PRP stimulates your own cells to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin. It improves skin colour, elasticity, tone and thickness – dubbed the "Vampire Facelift". The applications for Regen are endless; almost anywhere on the body can be treated – even stretch marks can be improved. A course of treatments is recommended. We also offer a wide range of Laser treatments, including Tattoo Remval and IPL for Facial Rejuvenation and the removal of unwanted body hair and a wide array of skin peels, including the TCA Peel. Visit www.lafleurdalyse.com.au, email: lafleurdalyse@bigpond.com or phone us: 6652 8943 to begin your journey to a younger, more vibrant looking you.

Coffs Cup outfit sorted? No? Well... design it yourfself!

Handmade Jewellery Handmade jewellery inspired by free spirits, bohemian souls and the wild side in us all … Willow and Wander is a local design company that creates hand made jewellery featuring natural stone elements, crystals, pearls, gemstones, gold, brass, silver and leather sourced from every corner of the globe. All findings are lead and nickel free, and each design is individual and unique. Alongside ready to wear jewellery, Willow and Wander also specialise in wedding and special occasion accessory design. There is a fabulous pre-existing collection of designs in the studio space, including gorgeous silk flower crowns and crystal head chains, or Willow and Wander can create a unique design for you – reference material welcome. Willow and Wander is available online: www.willowandwander.com.au and www.birdmotel.com.au. Instagram @willowandwander In the Local Area: First Ave Boutique, Sawtell; and Wolf and Willow, Bellingen (ready to wear collection only). And the studio is open by appointment; please call or email for a time – this is the best option if you are looking for special occasion accessories. For an appointment, please contact Martha on 0423 580 810 or email hello@willowandwander.com.au

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EDITOR'S PICKS

R AC E W E A R FAS H IO N All product available from Park Beach Plaza By FOCUS editor Melly Shute and Marketing Manager, Park Beach Plaza, Caroline Bleechmore

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TAROCASH REED DRESS SHIRT $89.95

TAROCASH SUIT COLLECTIONS FROM $140.00

WALLACE BISHOP GENTS SELECTED GUCCI WATCHES $1230

TARGET LUNAA DRESS SHOE $30

CONNOR CONNOR CUFFLINK $19.99 coffs coast focus

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EDITOR'S PICKS

R AC E W E A R FAS H IO N SPORTSGIRL MISTRESS SUNGLASSES $39.95

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SEASONS BOUTIQUE FLOWERS N STRIPES BLOUSE $179

COLETTE BY COLETTE HAYMAN JAMELIA ENVELOPE CLUTCH BLACK/BLUE $29.95

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ABFAB FASCINATOR $39.95

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LOVISA GOLD LEAF STENCIL HEAD CHAIN $16.99

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R AC E W E A R FAS H IO N

JADE HAIR DESIGN GHD HAIR GOLD SERIES $165 SPORTSGIRL POUT ABOUT IT MAD ABOUT YOU LIPSTICK $9.95

TARGET NUDE BY NATURE SCRUB 150ML $17.95 TARGET CHI CHI DOUBLE ENDED EYESHADOW BRUSH $9.95

SPORTSGIRL BODY GLOW TAN $12.95

SPORTSGIRL LIP JAM PEACH $5.95

TERRY WHITE PHARMACY NAPOLEON PERDIS LIP PENCIL RED ROCOCO $25

TERRY WHITE PHARMACY NAPOLEON PERDIS MATTE BLACK EYE INK $28

TARGET REVLON PARFUMERIE NAIL POLISH $15.95

TERRY WHITE PHARMACY DOUBLE HAPPINESS GEL $38.99

TERRY WHITE PHARMACY NAPOLEON PERDIS, DEVINE GODESS LIPSTICK $35

TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS NAPOLEON PERDIS - LASHES HOLLYHOCK $24 coffs coast focus 51

with Carole Beros from Le Dāin Designs

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Sharon Lenton

I recently had the pleasure of catching up and interviewing the effervescent Queen of Racing Events, Sharon Lenton. Sharon works full-time for

an international law firm, but manages to find time to run her successful business Thoroughbred Events Australia and be totally passionate and involved in so many areas of the racing industry.

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hat made you so interested in the racing industry? It is one place where a woman is a lady and a man is a gentleman. After working hard at work, I love getting dressed in beautiful outfits complete with stunning headpieces and accessories while watching the magnificent Thoroughbred do what they do best – compete. I have met so many amazing people over the years; I just can’t imagine my life without racing. Have you a favourite racetrack? No, I don’t, because I have so many, for different reasons – including Coffs Harbour. I do love the carnivals at any racetrack. There is always such a buzz! You are also in publishing; tell us more ... Yes, I am. I have been lucky enough to write articles for The Ladies in Racing Magazine, and I have to say I have a strong passion for my monthly article for Racing NSW Magazine. This is a magazine which focuses on racing around NSW. I am not limited to fashion and can write stories about horse trainers, owners, my events or events I have attended, including carnivals around NSW. What is the fashion etiquette of the race track? I love this question, as this is what I truly try to incorporate and encourage into the racing industry. Racing fashion is all about glamour and class. It is where you are able to incorporate your own individual style on fashion. There are a few golden rules: a. Skirts must at least come to your knee.

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b. For autumn/winter, shoulders must be covered Neil Grigg is definitely my favourite. He has c. Strappy shoes are kept strictly for spring/summade many pieces for me over the years. He is so mer. Preferably closed in, for autumn/winter. talented and never ceases to amaze me. d. There is a different fabric for hats for each Tell us a bit about yourself and your business, season which must be adhered to: Thoroughbred Events Australia … e. Spring/summer: sinamay, Firstly, I am always on the lookout fabric, straw, silk flowers. for new talent in the racing f. Autumn/winter: felt, industry, whether it is a new wool, feathers, velvet, milliner, a fashion house, I always say keep d it simple, chic an heavier fabric. presenter, or a "fashions ething Racing fashion, on the field" contestant classy. Find som n that is your mai an while there is norwho has an exciting it's focus, whether mally a slight trend, new look. Thoroughpiece outstanding head Make you can always bred Events Austratfit. or the actual ou e is play safe with a lia (TEA) has a few bl sure your ensem ly classic suit or dress. avenues to showcase ab balanced, prefer and I always suggest a their talent. We hold two g ba g with matchin timeless black dress in fashion events a year, besh oe s.” your racing wardrobe as ing at the commencement an absolute must. Then you of each new racing season. Lacan add the current trends with dies luncheons (held at a five star a headpiece or accessories. Other timehotel) around 10 milliners and jewellery less colours are cream, navy and red. I am a huge designers display and parade their latest fashions fan of the '40s glamour. While gloves are not and accessories. compulsory, they always add that little bit extra, Also on a monthly basis there is an online and it is lovely seeing a woman in them or holding Fashions on the Field competition, with over them in her hand. 200 girls all over Australia competing. They must What are your style tips for entering fashions state which track they are at, their milliner and on the field? fashion label. There is an overall winner at the end I always say keep it simple, chic and classy. Find of each season. There is also an online Millinery something that is your main focus, whether it's an Competition. We are pleased to announce we outstanding headpiece or the actual outfit. Make have Melissa Hoyer (Fashion Stylist) as one of our sure your ensemble is balanced, preferably with finalist judges. I must say we are also pleased to matching bag and shoes. You need to stand out, have you, Carole, on that same panel. so find something that is your "pop" piece! I dress various ladies for racing events, including Do you favour any milliners? Jaimee Rogers from TAB, Christy Johns from Sky

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Racing and Giaan Rooney, to name but a few. I am a millinery consultant for various racegoers. We run and assist various charity events supporting the NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust, Lou’s Place and Nelune Foundation. Where are some of the clubs you sit on the judging panel? Of course, your fabulous Coffs Harbour Racing Club, Newcastle Jockey Club, Wellington Race Club, Mudgee; I also coordinate and host these events at Scone Race Club’s two Day Racing Carnival, Gosford Race Club and Wyong’s Magic Millions Race Day. What do you enjoy most about our beautiful pocket of the world? Coffs Harbour has always held a soft spot for me. I have made some great friends over the years, so I take every opportunity fly up to this perfect piece of paradise to visit them. You literally have everything here; I love the Coffs Coast! What is your title at the Coffs Carnival? I am an official fashion judge, a title that I hold with privilege and pride, and I'm looking forward to a fabulous 2014 Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Carnival. What local events do you host while you are here? Last year we had "Hats and Bubbles" to kick start the racing season in the Lounge at The Pier Hotel. It was a sell out! This year Thoroughbred Events Australia can’t wait to host a very special cocktail party to kick off the racing carnival. It will be held at beautiful shop in Sawtell you and I both know what that is all about! Thank you Sharon; see you at the races. Carole Beros.

Le Dain Designs has been established for seven years. The name Le Dain (pronounced le da) is the owner’s family name which is Jersey-French. There are stockists situated locally, in Sydney and overseas. Their Flagship store ‘House of Le Dain Designs’ is situated on picturesque First Avenue in amongst the boutique style stores and fine eateries under the glorious Fig Trees on the main street of Sawtell. Local owners Carole and Ivan Beros have designed a boutique which is both opulent but welcoming. It has the charm of an old fashioned store with the modern pizzaz of today. There is an emphasis on personalised service with experienced stylists available at all times. Appointments can be made outside of hours to suit our busy lifestyles. Fabulous makeup artist Bianca Ling on call from La Fleur D’Alyse to add to their specialised services available.

They pride themselves in dressing ladies of all ages, of all dress sizes for any occasion. Whether it is simple casual wear, a day at the races, mother of the bride or evening and cocktail attire you can be assured you will leave feeling confident and dressed to impress. There is a now also a selection of long dresses available for that special occasion. There is a section in House of Le Dain Designs from ‘In Touch Boutique’ whose Flagship store is situated at Nambucca Heads. Owner and designer Carole states that their beautiful clothing can complete any look, so it seemed fitting to join forces.

There is a wide variety of Millinery in store at all times. Australian Milliners such as Neil Grigg, Cynthia Jones-Bryson ,Merideth McMaster and Bev Gunn deliver special designer headpieces direct to the store. Apart from every day jewellery, there are the Designer jewells from Le Dain. They consist of Freshwater Pearls, Austrian Crystal, Semi Precious stones and vintage treasures. Original Pieces can be designed and created for that special gift. Designer pieces were just recently flown to L.A and Las Vegas to feature in an exclusive shoot that showcased Australian Designers. Talented Melbournite Lynette

Pater (Inset photo) was the Stylist and the shoot was photographed by World renowned Maurice Renaldi. Maurice has photographed celebrities such as Jerry Hall to Opera Singer Dame Joan Sutherland. He was even photographed the beautiful Princess Diana! He has photographed major fashion spreads for both Valentino and Versage. This was indeed a privilege for Le Dain Designs. Owner Carole mentioned that while this was very exciting they like to promote House of Le Dain Designs as being a store for every lady and will suit all budgets. There are Gift Vouchers available and the clothing, Millinery and jewellery ranges from under twenty dollars up to.... Indulge yourself! Le Dain Designs want you to leave the store having enjoyed the whole personalised shopping experience. The look of the boutique changes from week to week but you will always be greeted with a smile.

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Coat of Arms Studio timeless tattoos Coat of Arms Tattoo studio situated in the heart of Coffs Harbour is the longest running tattoo and body piercing studio on the North Coast. The sole trader and buisiness owner, Arm, has owned the shop for 22 years, allowing people of the area to have access to a safe and professional environment whilst receiving quality and impressive pieces of art. Be assured at Coat of Arms we use the best quality inks without the harmful impurities, hospital grade sterilisation and best quality surgical steel jewellery, none of those cheap and nasty products on the market, allowing all procedures

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to heal without any problems. The team at Coat of Arms consists of 6 tattooists, two piercers, and friendly counter staff. All your needs and desires can be created and made a reality by any of our amazing artists. From small intricate tattoos to large custom and unique pieces, ear piercings to implants and scarification. Anything you want, we can do it, so come and meet our team if you don’t know us already: Arm, Meg, Craig, Navs, Krys, Clancy, Queenie, Shea and Bobbie. For any further assistance, call 6651 1893 or come and visit us at the shop 6/7 Monterey Arcade.

YOGA FOR THE SEASONS WITH LISA TELFORD

YOGA F O R

T H E

SEASONS It's Hibernation time! Winter's cold temperatures and longer nights encourage us to seek and connect with the warmth within ourselves. Winter is the time to focus inwards, consolidate the body's energy, build strength and stability, as well as a time to rest and regenerate.

COFFS

Physio & Backcare

Being proactive can prevent that acute episode from becoming chronic, and return you to full activity sooner.

Sciatica

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ciatica refers to pain arising from the sciatic nerve – the longest and thickest nerve in your body. It arises from lumbar spinal nerve roots (L4/5, S1/2/3), passing through the buttock, and down the back of your leg all the way to your toes. It is a major supplier of muscles, and sensation in the leg. Irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve can cause pain referred anywhere along its path, pins and needles, numbness or in severe cases, muscle weakness. It can be misdiagnosed, and local problems in the leg can actually be the source of pain, e.g. hip arthritis or calf strains. It is most common between 30-50 year olds, and can arise from a bulging lumbar disc (ruptured discs are not as common as one thinks!), bony spurs, arthritis of spinal (facet) joints, or pinching by muscles (such as piriformis). However, sometimes it is just an irritable or sensitised nerve. Correct treatment will depend on a thorough and expert assessment so the correct treatment choice can be made. Pain and inflammation (if present e.g facet joint arthritis) need addressing. Treatment then needs to focus on the main findings. If, for example, there is stiffness from

Common Hand Injuries

the arthritis, then mobilisation and exercises can improve flexibility; if muscle spasm (e.g. piriformis) is pinching the sciatic nerve, massage and stretching can assist in releasing it. But if it is a sensitised nerve, then stretches may appear to give temporary relief, but can aggravate over the longer term. Importantly, retraining of the deep trunk core stabilising muscles has been proven to reduce your likelihood of recurrent back pain in the longer term. Visualising on Real Time Ultrasound will assist in learning to isolate them correctly and with the correct timing, only then should one focus on strengthening. Avoid aggravating activities, bend and lift correctly keeping your back straight and holding the load close to your trunk. Watch that posture, especially when sitting (there is more pressure on your discs in sitting than standing or lying), support the gentle curve at the base of your spine, and keep knees and hips level. Even when severe, most episodes of sciatica respond to conservative treatment within six weeks (90%). If you have any lingering questions, feel free to give us a call.

n Five Element Theory, Winter is ruled by the Water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. These organs are linked to the structural integrity of our body, our sense of identity, our hormonal and nervous systems, our bones, our sexual energy and reproductive functions. The most common complaints today are too much stress and a lack of “vital” energy – along with hormonal imbalance, lower back pain and an inability to relax! People who constantly tap into their kidneys and adrenals for energy – rather than relying on adequate rest and nutrition – are potentially depleting their kidneys, accelerating the aging process. Depleting the body's minerals affects bone density, teeth, hair – also creating spine and lower back issues, hearing problems, plus the physical and psychological effect of stress including memory loss, insecurity, exhaustion, low libido and urinary complaints. Winter is your chance to address and improve these issues. When our water element functions correctly, our fears disappear and we feel confident in our ability to excel in all our endeavours. Discover a calm sense of inner security, of support and willpower, plus drive and motivation. The desire to hibernate during this time of year is appropriate. Rest! Rest! Rest! Eating warm hearty soups, stews, whole grains, root veggies, beans and roasted nuts and seeds help to warm the body’s core and keep us nourished. Sleep early, rest well, stay warm, and expend a minimum quantity of energy. Cook with miso, garlic, ginger, cinnamon,

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cardamom, onions, cayenne, and turmeric to warm your body. Seaweeds eaten toasted, raw, or in soups can also replenish the kidneys. Cut down on coffee and drink teas like fennel seed, ginger root, fenugreek, chamomile, and peppermint. In yoga we do a lot of back and squeezing moves which not only strengthen the back, but calm the nervous system, allowing the body and mind to relax. It's the perfect time to start meditation or relaxation. Start with sitting still for 10 minutes looking at nature and feeling your breath flow in and out. That’s all you have to do. When the mind kicks in, observe it, allow the thoughts to flow without creating a story or attaching to them – much like watching clouds on a windy sky. If the thoughts are important, they will come back, so just let them flow. Set your phone alarm for 10 minutes and allow yourself to be still and befriend yourself. Use the huge range of music or guided relaxations, and meditation on YouTube to help you. It's all free. Meditation is basically only three things: 1) be present in that moment – nothing more present than feeling your breaths flow 2) being aware of all sounds, mind talk, sensations, but 3) not reacting. Just step above it all and observe. That’s it! Take care this winter, keep the lower back/ kidney area warm, eat hearty meals, get to yoga, relax and Rest! Rest! Rest! Lisa Telford www.yogafortheseasons.com.au Yoga classes are at the Moonee Beach Shopping Centre studio. coffs coast focus 55

breast reduction surgery ‘Breast Hypertrophy’

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reast hypertrophy (enlargement) can be an early problem for a woman or a gradual increase in size over the years, causing neck, shoulder and back pain, restriction in mobility and exercise and significant difficulty in getting well fitting clothes including brassieres. Principles of surgery Surgery involves reduction of skin and breast tissue (which is made up of glandular tissue and fat) and also the elevation of the nipple-areola complex. The method of choice While there are many methods to reduce the breast, the vertical mammoplasty, initially described by the French surgeon Dr. Daniel Marchack, later popularised by Prof Madeline Le Jour of the University

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of Brussels in Belgium and now fine tuned by Dr. Elisabeth Hall-Findlay of Banff in Canada, is a very sound technique. It gives an excellent reduction of breast size, good nippleareola complex elevation, minimal scarring and excellent long-term results, with maintenance of shape and position. Postoperative restrictions The surgery is done under general anaesthesia, usually as an inpatient in hospital. While surface healing takes place rapidly, internal healing, the regaining of strength and the restoration of shape takes up to 6 months. However, the initial three weeks is a key period in the healing process, during which there are many restrictions on the activities permitted. A specially designed compression garment is also used for the first

three months. Time off work, including at home and looking after young children for at least the first three weeks after surgery helps in the recovery from surgery. Breast droop (Ptosis) is also well-corrected, with a very similar technique, the vertical masto-pexy. There are a number of operations, for correction of ptosis, which use skintightening techniques. While technically simpler and less time-consuming, the improvement is short lived, due to the restretching of the tightened skin. The vertical masto-pexy, is quite similar to the vertical mammoplasty, but with a very small reduction of breast tissue, and with an excellent lift of the breasts and nipple-areola complex, and with long-lasting results.

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advertorial

“ Lauren

CURTIS Speech h Therapist t Baringa Rehabilitation

“ At Baringa Rehabilitation I am responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders, including difficulties with speech, language, fluency, voice and the swallowing function of individuals.

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his includes working with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other problems that can affect speech and language. People who experience difficulties swallowing food and drink safely can also be helped by a speech pathologist through exercise, diet modification and individual meal time strategies. At Baringa Rehabilitation, speech pathology services are provided to people of all ages, including children, who have communication or swallowing difficulties. I work in a multidisciplinary team of professionals to assess and treat people with a range of difficulties; this involves liaising with medical and allied health staff concerning overall treatment aims, prognosis and management to facilitate team

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discharge planning. t I am part of a My commitmen re to patient ca multidisciplinary team t stop at the no es do that works with holistic patient. I take a outpatients who have ch ee sp to approach neurological conditions ng ri su en y, therap that may require s have that the patient speech therapy. This in the re ca continuing may include individuals ent.” programs where the nm ro vi ho me en who have had a stroke, patients’ carers or acquired brain injuries and/or loved ones may be able Parkinson’s disease. During the to assist them with their program, individuals will work on continued therapy, as well goals that are important to the individual as providing support for patients and their family. These may include and families through counselling and the communication skills required for education about communication and returning to work, living independently, or swallowing difficulties. improving ability with social interactions and Speech pathology intervention communication with your family and friends. may include trialling and prescribing My commitment to patient care does augmentative/non-verbal communication not stop at the patient. I take a holistic aids when appropriate (e.g. alphabet approach to speech therapy, ensuring that boards, communication boards and speech the patients have continuing care in the generating devices), activities to regain home environment. This can include home communicative skills, treating a person

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to swallow safely and without choking following a stroke, or assisting children and adults who have difficulties learning to read or have difficulties being understood when trying to verbally express their wishes to others. Alternatively, I am involved in providing speech pathology services to children in the areas of speech, language, fluency and assistive forms of communication. This may include working with children who are difficult to understand in a child care centre, helping school students understand what their teacher is telling them or improving fluency and confidence in children who may have a stutter.

By Duncan Marchant, Coffs Coast Health Club

INSPIRATIONAL FITNESS INTERVIEW

AARON HARDAKER 33 year old father, husband, born and bred local and owner of Mid North Coast Physiotherapy Thank you for such a positive response to last month’s story about the supermum Kirrin Maloney. This month we are catching up with healthcare professional Aaron Hardaker about his new Medical Fitness passion, to hear his inspiring story.

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hat is your personal sporting background, Aaron? I have always been fanatical about sport; however, my ability hasn’t always matched my passion! I have been lucky enough to play rugby union in Australia, England and Ireland and shared some great success with fantastic friends along the way. I have just come out of retirement for a final hurrah with some other old has-beens with Coffs Snappers in reserve grade, against all my better medical knowledge! My sporting background has also included representative volleyball, basketball and soccer, as well as refereeing basketball up to a national and international level. What is the worst injury you’ve personally suffered? In late 2011 I suffered a significant knee injury playing Oztag, requiring two lots of surgery, having some of my cartilage removed, grown in a lab then implanted back into my knee. This meant 4 months on crutches and a long rehab process to get back to walking, riding and eventually running. The surgery has been successful and I have been able to make a great recovery; however, there is still some lasting damage that needs to be looked after to ensure the knee keeps working for a little while yet. What encouraged you to become a Physiotherapist? I was interested in physiotherapy through my love of sport and was lucky enough to do work experience with a fantastic local physio while still at school. I have to admit I was pretty naive about what physio entailed when I got accepted to university – my aim was to work with sports people, but I quickly realised the variety available within the profession. I have been lucky enough to work with everything from elite professional sport to burns victims, spinal injuries, stroke rehab, developmental issues with children, post-surgical rehab, work injuries and

general day to day complaints like bad backs and sore necks. What is the worst injury you have ever treated? A guy I treated a few years ago suffered severe injuries from a sky diving accident, where he crashed into a house on the way down. He smashed up half his body and had to undergo multiple surgeries to repair a number of broken bones and major muscular injuries. Through an exhausting rehab process, he eventually returned to work as a self-employed tradie, got back to surfing, ski paddling and stand up paddle boarding. He continues to be a very motivated individual, which has led to him recently completing the Tour de Rocks charity ride from Armidale to South West Rocks. It is amazing to see someone progress from the hospital bed with major trauma to leading a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle once again. So how can we all benefit from your new Coffs Coast MedFit concept? Coffs Coast Medfit is all about changing the traditional method of accessing healthcare, where we hunt around to find the right health professional to address our needs. Instead, we are bringing them all under one roof to ensure the best care for every client, every time. It’ll be a one stop shop for people who need to improve their health and fitness through the collaboration between physiotherapy, exercise physiology, personal training, massage therapy and weight loss coaching. It will mean that people will be able to move between health professionals seamlessly, making it easy to access the skills and knowledge of every member of the health care team to get better results sooner. I believe this is the future of healthcare and I’m certain clients will enjoy the convenient experience. Thanks Aaron. If you’re looking to kickstart your own fitness story, drop in to see the Coffs Coast MedFit team at Coffs Coast Health Club or contact 1300 27 37 47 today.

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Park Beach Physio

Secret Women’s Business Workshop

Pilates Instructor Liz Moye would like to introduce her latest fitness classes, held at Park Beach Physiotherapy.

So many women wake up one day and find that the life they have been living doesn’t fulfil them any more, and yet they do not know what they want to do or even what makes them happy.

Barre Attack is the complete Barre Fitness class that combines the best of Pilates, fitness training and ballet. Using the ballet barre and resistance bands, it integrates the fundamentals of Pilates with cardio intervals, core work, functional exercises and dance to create a total body workout. Classes vary from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the format. As a client you don’t need to bring any special equipment, and you don’t need any experience. Below is an overview of what you might expect in your first class; you’ll love it! • Music will start pumping, and the instructor will lead by example. Just follow them and concentrate on your position and timing. • Classes generally start with a warmup to get you in the mood and allow you to loosen up. Relax; the fun is about to start. • The actual structure can vary, but you can expect the following: • Barre Sections, Elastic Sections and Cardio Section July only! Special of $15 per class, with a limit of 6 persons per class. For times and more information, call (02) 6651 6477.

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Meet Michelle Kent Michelle is our Organisational/Child and Adolescent Psychologist specialising in Occupational Psychology, such as EAP, Organisational Consultancy, Workers Compensation, Psychological Assessments and Critical Incident and Trauma including specific work with adult survivors of child abuse. Michelle has a special interest and experience with a broad range of cultures, children, adolescents and families. Michelle works with children and young people with a focus on anxiety and depression, trauma, cultural complexities, Autism, ADHD and other behavioural or learning issues. Michelle collaborates with a number of professionals, including: Verity Stoker, our Clinical Psychologist; Jessica Watters, our Clinical Psychology Registrar; and Kyla Holley, our Eating Disorders Counsellor. If you are worried about yourself or someone else, talk to a doctor, call us on 6653 7489 or check us out at www.apawc.com.au

Secret Women’s Business Workshops is offering women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond a series of courses that will help guide them through their “wilderness years”. The different workshops assist women to gain some clarity as to how they want to spend the second half of their lives and realise their potential. Pamela Lund is the Principal of Secret Women’s Business Workshops. In 2000 Pamela trained as a Counsellor and Life Coach. She now specialises in coaching and counselling women to find their purpose and discover their passion. Pamela has been a regular guest on various regional ABC radio stations and has written columns on personal development for various media, as well as coaching hundreds of women to find their way out of their “wilderness experience”. Next workshop: “Women of a Certain Age” Sunday 27th July and 3rd August 2014. 10am to 4pm: $225 Please ring on 0410 607 501 to secure your place: www.approachingmenopause.com www.secretwomensbusinessworkshops.com.au

Are aches and pains slowing you down? “I want to keep going!” The most common phrase we hear from clients who delayed seeking treatment is that they were scared they’d be advised to rest or stop participating in sport or activity.

Melly Shute.

I recently saw a picture on the cover of one of those trashy magazines that I don't usually read but err… I was at the doctor's surgery and errr ... I was secretly delighted that plastered across the cover was a close up of Miranda Kerr's butt, and guess what? She has cellulite. Immediately I panicked! “Oh no! if Miranda Kerr has cellulite, I'm a goner!” would consider myself to be a fit and that kind of looks like a stand up solarium with healthy women in my early 30s. I'm no your breasts and arms out (you're fully clothed, angel though; I drink lots of red wine and of course) allowing you the freedom to surf I'm a crazy diner. So in preparation for my one of Helen's iPads, read a magazine or gab wedding, I was delighted when I received a on your phone. phone call from a very savvy business owner, Inside the airtight chamber you'll find bike Helen Forrest, the brand new owner of Hypoxi, peddles, where you peddle for 30 mins in inviting me to do a product review. order to keep blood flow in the areas Hypoxi What's Hypoxi? Well, it's the new buzz targets: lower tummy, buttock and word to hit the international stage thighs. Who is the genius that but not only that; Helen and the invented this bad boy? Dr team have recently brought Norbert Egger. Some type Hypoxi is a the craze to the brand new of German genius who scientifically Hypoxi studio in Orlando figured out that if you ed proven target Steet. The science behind m stimulate flow in to a ra og pr weight loss it? particular area (such as to ks that wor s re et Hypoxi is a scientifically im lower tummy, buttock nt ce ce redu er w lo e proven targeted weight and thighs), fatty acids th nd ou ar loss program that works to could metabolise faster, tummy, buttock reduce centimetres around making you lose weight and thighs .” the lower tummy, buttock and and zap cellulite. We all thighs. What the hell, you say? know that exercise is the Well, it works like this: firstly you key to weight loss, so he cleverly turn up prepared to commit to 12 sessions, married in the peddling to assist in the generally within a four week program. You process. are taken in to a beautiful change room, What's the catch? You can't exercise for where Helen weighs you, measures you and eight hours after being in the “pod”, and you tailors a program based on the appearance of can't eat carbs. your skin tone, elasticity and goal. So, how'd I go? When I started, I was in the After that you are asked to climb in to a throes of eating celery and carrots for breakfast wetsuit type outfit, and you lay on a bed where lunch and dinner in preparation for my big day. the air is aspirated from the costume and you You do have to help yourself: stay off the are gently massaged, encouraging blood to booze, try and keep your carbs down etc. But circulate whilst you are in the costume. Was I after only six sessions, I had magically lost a petrified? No, because the whole experience is huge 8.5 cm. Since then, Helen has become completely relaxing. my friend. She is a brilliant woman - not only Still don't believe me? After 20 - 30 mins of that she owns magic machines that will literally a complete body massage, you are then helped change your body shape. out of the wetsuit-relaxation-body-suit and www.hypoxistudiocoffsharbour.com.au you're asked to jump in to an airtight chamber 0419 490 310.

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The truth for most clients is that you don't have to stop to recover! The first step to recovery is a timely and accurate diagnosis. At Ergofix we will listen to your incident history, examine your injury with experience and skill and solve the problem … with YOU at the centre of the treatment plan. David and Louise Rose each have over 22 years’ experience in Physiotherapy assessment and treatment of injuries. They both have advanced qualifications, and they both CARE about their clients’ outcomes. If you are suffering aches or pains, then come and talk to us. As well as assessing and

treating you, we will answer 4 questions in your initial consultation: 1. Your diagnosis? 2. How Ergofix can help you? 3. How you can help yourself? 4. How long your injury should take to recover? A testimonial from a fellow physiotherapist and Ergofix client: “David and Louise were very patient as we slowly teased out the signs and symptoms of my complex and frustrating knee/calf injury. My exercise goals were always considered, and this team also showed amazing flexibility in scheduling appointments around my busy work and family commitments. I am now well on the road to recovery, thanks to Ergofix Physiotherapy.” K.J., Physiotherapist – Coffs Harbour (Nov. 2013).

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West High Remedial Kathy Eagles: the new face to West High Street Remedial Massage. Kathy is taking over the reins and adding a slight name change to West High Street Remedial Sport Massage and Reflexology.

Winter is the season of rest and retreat, regeneration and repair. It’s natural to have less energy to burn during winter, and it is important to stay balanced and conserve your energy.

Kathy has been working in a Remedial Massage clinic in Coffs Harbour for the past 8 years with her mentor, Julia Kent, and now has decided to branch out on her own.

Although you shouldn’t stop moving altogether, don’t use up the little winter energy you have with over activity and added stress. It is actually best not to over sweat and open the pores of the skin, as Qi can easily be lost and cold can come in. Do gentle and balancing movement for your mood and immune system.

Kathy specialises in trigger point therapy by relieving painful trigger points in the muscles that refer and cause pain elsewhere in the body.

Our classes at Hara adapt to the seasons; the studio is kept warm and we have tea on tap. Our classes are designed either to be restorative or to stoke your fire.

Massage is an effective way in releasing tight shortened muscles that are injured or in spasm.

Our team specialise in Classical Pilates for all levels, including rehabilitation, injury prevention, body conditioning, cross training for sports, specialty classes for osteoporosis, fall prevention, pre and post natal. As well as Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis, Hatha, Restorative, Vinyasa, pre and post natal Yoga and massage.

Kathy is a qualified and registered Remedial Massage Therapist and Reflexologist, with 10 years’ experience in the industry.

Kathy is passionate in educating the importance of looking after the body with regular maintenance massages or “body tune up”; just like a car, the body needs to be serviced regularly to perform well. Kathy also promotes wellness for the feet, with Reflexology, by stimulating and mobilising the feet and ankles to help with circulation and movement in the feet.

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HARA Winter Yoga & Pilates Intensive

Winter Yoga, meditation and Pilates Intensive, 30th June - 11th July. Five classes for $48. Please contact us for class times and bookings on 6652 4462. Beyondmovementstudio.com.au.

FRESH DENTAL Want to know how to avoid “BILL SHOCK” at the dentist? Become a member of Fresh Dental Care Plan, with interest-free, dental care plans. From $1 a day, it is easy to budget with direct debit payments, no credit checks, and a one off registration fee of $28.

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ave you been putting off regular dental checkups? Avoiding having that sore tooth looked at? Scared of what might need to be done, not to mention the cost? At Fresh Dental Care we know how difficult it can be, which is why we’ve implemented Australia’s leading dental payment plan. An easy and more affordable option to spread out the cost over time. Our practice philosophy is that people should be happy and healthy, and we want to make a difference in our community by improving oral health and giving people smiles they want to show, Because Smiling is Important! Tooth decay is the most

common health problem in Australia today. It is five times as prevalent as asthma. Periodontal disease is the fifth most common health issue in Australia. Both tooth decay and periodontal disease are largely easily preventable by regular preventative appointments with your Dentist and Hygienist, and that is why we are very excited to be able to make it more affordable for our patients so you can achieve and maintain excellent dental health for life. Our contribution to maintaining happiness is to smile, and smile a lot. Smiling naturally releases endorphins and serotonin, which send messages to the brain to elevate your mood and alleviate pain. At

Fresh Dental Care our goal is to make each and every patient walk away with something to smile about. So affordable preventative care is what we are passionate about and hence why we developed our Dental Care Plan, so it can be achievable by everyone in the community. Payments will be direct debited either fortnightly ($15) or monthly ($30) and this will provide you with 2 preventative check-up appointments a year - 2 exams, 2 cleans, 2 x-rays and 2 Fluoride treatments, all for just $360 a year, which is a saving of up to $221 a year on our standard fees. PLUS, members of our Dental Care Plan will receive 10% off any further general treatment required (does

not include orthodontics or implants). There will be a six month waiting period on your first preventative appointment. Couples and families will receive a further discount again. Couples will be just $55 a month and children will be $20 each a month when signed up with at least one adult. Fresh Dental Care look forward to welcoming you as part of our Dental Care Plans. Call today and speak with one of our helpful reception staff in either Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Urunga or Macksville, or drop in and meet our friendly team and find out more! Visit us at: www.freshdentalcare.com.au Like us on facebook: www.facebook. com/FreshDentalCareMidNorthCoast

professional gentle caring

Easy to budget and interest free, no credit checks and once only $28 registration fee

just

$

a day

Every 12 months receive 2 exams, 2 cleans, 2 x-rays, 2 fluoride treatments

Macksville

1 Princess Street

02 6568 1335

All this for just $360 per year, giving you a saving of up to

$221

Plus patients on our Care Plan Membership get a further 10% of any other treatment required

Urunga

Coffs Harbour

02 6655 5800

02 6651 1350

46 Bonville Street

252 Harbour Drive

Grafton

Cnr Queen & Victoria Street

02 6643 2225

www.freshdentalcare.com.au coffs coast focus 63

focusadvertorial

SLATER &

GORDON WATCH THIS SPACE A QUIET and productive revolution is behind the walls of Coffs Harbour’s newest office development. In only a few weeks, the workplace is already re-defining barriers between lawyers, their clerks and administration staff and inspiring creativity and productivity in the staff. "I reckon we could get jobs as commercial real estate agents after this, as we’re all doing guided tours for people who want to see what we’ve done,” laughed Heather McKinnon, Practice Group Leader of Slater & Gordon. When you first walk inside, you see more than the usual number of client meeting rooms than most regional legal firms and some funky decor. Behind the public face, there are more obvious differences. Below a light-filled central atrium is a large common space, again with funky, "forest" decor (reflective of Central Park) and two rooms which appear to be trendy diner booths. On two sides of the "park space" are open plan desks. There are no private offices. None. Not one lawyer sits behind any wall – glass or otherwise. Almost a quarter of the office space is dedicated to a light-filled café-style staffroom and kitchen. “Slater & Gordon are doing a study on us,” Ms McKinnon said. “We’ve got a sociologist and an architect visiting us every six weeks as a test case for all Slater & Gordon offices in Australia and the United Kingdom.”

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focusadvertorial

Coffs Harbour is trialling the evolving Slater their needs. & Gordon Workspace, based on Activity The natural light-filled building and the Based Working (ABW) workspace theories. interior fit-out was built by CBuild (North Instead of large offices where staff perform all Coast). work, different spaces are created for work of “CBuild were engaged to design and collaboration, concentration or creativity. construct the project, based on the brief from “For us, the biggest change is moving lawyers property developer, the Hayer Group, which out of rooms,” she said. required managing the design changes as the “In the old style, there was a lot of inefficient, project evolved,” Clive Simmonds of CBuild wasted space and not enough space for client said. rooms or staffrooms.” CBuild (North Coast) is a Coffs HarbourSlater & Gordon is promoting work in teams based construction company operated by Clive and investing in staff by trialling ABW strategies. Simmonds, who has worked with building Other businesses to have introduced ABW designer Paul Stuart for more than a decade. are Macquarie Bank, Commonwealth Bank of “The brief was for a modern, cost-effective Australia, Goodman Group, Jones Lang LaSalle, design, energy efficiency and a floor plan which Microsoft, BHP Billiton, KPMG, PWC, AMP, and can be retrofitted into one to four offices if National Australia Bank. needed,” said Paul Stuart of Stuart Design. “I think any knowledge-based business would Colours and furnishings can have big impacts have to look at it. on staff morale and pride. “My team can hear me on the phone and “Orange is vibrant and uplifting,” said Nicolle know what’s going on at the same time Foster of Natural Habitat, who chose as me. the building colour selections and “The exchange of some of the office furnishings. information is much faster “Pairing this quite bold and my ability to manage orange with black and I’ve be en and supervise in our charcoal creates a working a environment is more sophisticated foil for standing up for a day enhanced. One of the the contemporary couple of hours n and only sit dow s. big outcomes we’ve nature of the nt when I have clie I’m been told to expect architecture, then g; It’s a fitness thin is if you’ve got a complemented by the I d an burning calories relatively junior person limes and forest greens r.” tte concentrate be in your team, how flowing inside,” Ms quickly they learn from Foster said. this close relationship.” “Slater & Gordon are Cross-pollination between the only law firm listed on the legal teams is already increasing. Australian Stock Exchange and I “I’m finding people are coming over to talk to wanted to do the best I could for them,” said me and I’ve had Lara from another team doing Harry Singh of the Hayer Group. “It’s an energy some research I needed. When I was locked efficient building with lots of natural light and away, I didn’t see the brains trust we had.” looks very commanding from the street.” “What’s been interesting is the big increase in Sue Irwin of Slater & Gordon’s Melbourne social connections – everyone’s got more energy property services unit co-ordinated the fit-out about spending time doing things together. for the company and was eager to share the “I’m seeing a real shift in workforce credit with others. engagement, motivation and creativity.” “The Coffs Harbour team have been There are health benefits too. exceptional and positive from the beginning,” “The architects create pathways to make you Sue Irwin said. move. All the printers are in a central area and “But a big thing which concerned them were corridors – not on shortest route – keep you that there were some matters which can’t be moving.” discussed in front of others,” she said. Personal workspaces – much smaller than “Four weeks from moving in, our quiet previous offices – feature desks which can be rooms didn’t exist on the plans. But the builder wound up easily for staff to stand up to work. came up with alternatives we could afford from “I’ve been working standing up for a couple savings he gave us.” of hours a day and only sit down when I have “Some of the ideas architects come up with clients. It’s a fitness thing; I’m burning calories are not practical in a building or cost thousands. and I concentrate better.” Clive picked up on these and saved us an Interior workspace design is by WMK amazing amount of dollars and still got us in Architects, an award-winning team behind here on time.” many successful capital city ABW projects. The success of the Coffs Harbour ABW trial No ABW design can be effective if the could result in up to 70 Australian Slater & building does not support the objectives. Gordon offices adopting the strategies. In Coffs Harbour, Slater & Gordon found a Assuming staff aren’t too occupied leading property developer and a builder willing to meet tour groups of curious locals.

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SLATER &

GORDON WATCH THIS SPACE

coffs coast focus 65

It’s the Simple Things Novaskill meeting regional employment needs

In March this year, Dale and Tammy Ryan from Southern Cross Commercial Cleaning were awarded the BCU Bill Ussher Enterprise and Innovation Award. Mel talked to them about their business success and discovered their secret lies in the simple things.

With so much in the media about unemployment in our region, it’s easy to draw conclusions about unemployed people being on the dole and just wanting to go surfing or be online gamers. However, in our experience, this is not what we see.

Mel: Congratulations on winning the Bill Ussher Award. Why do you think you won? Dale: One of the judges said we stood out because we didn’t say we wanted to be the biggest; we just said we wanted to be the best. We’re not about becoming a major conglomeration. We just want our customers to think we’re the best. Mel: How do you go about making your customers think you’re the best? Dale: I say to our guys all the time, “No one notices what we do; they only notice what we don’t do”. It’s the simple stuff. It could be sweeping under the front mat or cleaning their front glass. I might send out a text to my guys saying, “It’s phone week. If you haven’t cleaned the phones this week, do ‘em”. Tammy: We are constantly in contact with our customers too. We ask, “Does this still suit your needs?” We understand that businesses change. Mel: You may not want to be the biggest, but you’ve gone from nothing to 14 staff in six years. How have you done that? Dale: I just started hitting the pavement and talking to people. We got our first customers, Accent Bathrooms, after we’d been in Coffs Harbour two months. That was my only regular job – one hour every Thursday. It was tough times. But then once it did start to go, it just went! Tammy: We used to advertise to start with. But now we don’t. It’s all word of mouth. Mel: Have you ever lost a client? Dale: We’ve only ever lost a client because their businesses shut down. We still have Accent Bathrooms, our first customer. We’ve very proud of that.

Mel: And now you are managing 14 staff out of your home. Is that difficult? Tammy: That part’s fine. I’ve always been a people person. We hire most of our staff through word of mouth. Our staff is family. We don’t want to be the type of boss that lords it over people. I think that’s why our staff has stuck with us from the beginning. Mel: Do you have any special technology to help manage all those people on the road? Dale: Phones. And they come here for their supplies, so we get to chat to them face to face. That’s basically it. I don’t need to monitor what they’re doing, because I can see when I walk into a site. I’ve got a key to all the sites, so I can follow on through and say, “You’ve missed this”. Mel: What would you recommend to someone else starting a new business locally? Tammy: Talk to people. Make sure you’re providing the service that’s needed – not what you think is needed. Dale: And have a plan, but be prepared to change it. Mel: Did you have a plan from the very beginning? Tammy: Yes. One thing they said about our award application was, “You actually have a business plan.” According to the judges, a lot of businesses start up without any sort of plan at all. I was surprised. If you don’t have a business plan, you’ve got no idea where you’re going.

It’s the simple things that create a good business. But that doesn’t mean that business is simple. That’s why MJ Accountants works with our clients to sharpen their business plans and strategies.

Looking for business ideas, education and inspiration? Check out the Money with Melanie section of our website www.mjaccountants.com.au/welcome-money-melanie. Looking for an accountant to partner in your business and personal success? Give me a call on 6652 8788!

66 coffs coast focus.

We see a lot of unemployed people desperate for training so that they can get jobs and get off the dole, but we also see a sad cycle of not enough jobs, no experience and insufficient training. Without training and experience, it is near impossible to get a job – so how do we get experience and jobs? We need the local workforce to pull together, to provide work experience and to assist with on-the-job training, to help our long-term unemployed get back into the work routine. Novaskill are doing their bit – currently running an Intro to Warehousing course designed to

specifically meet the needs of longer-term unemployed – people who may not have finished school or those who have had a range of barriers that have prevented them from joining the ranks of the employed. There are huge warehouses constantly under construction, and these places need people who have some training and work experience. We try to structure our training to meet local needs – but we need others in the community to help. Do you currently have a warehouse? Can you help us out by providing work experience? What’s in it for you? What’s in it for all of us? Our community benefits as a whole when we all pitch in to help move unemployed people into the workforce. Let’s all be part of the solution! If you would like to offer work experience spaces to warehouse trainees, please call us on 6601 7000 or email training@novaskill.com.au

Colin Dennis SMS Community & Strata

HOLIDAY COAST CREDIT UNION has announced the recipients of its 2014 Community Partnership Grants Program.

We asked Colin Dennis, the Managing Director of SMS Community & Strata Specialists, what does SMS offer prospective and existing owners? • Friendly and obligation free advice • Depth with 20 years’ standards strata experience e If you would lik • Small managements n, • No hidden fees or more informatio welcome call charges just call our free 863 5 35 • You receive 00 • Arrange tradespeople 18 r be num n free io at personalised service lig ob with no trade an r fo ck .� with a designated commission information pa strata manager and • Owners free to choose assistant their own tradespeople • We are locally owned, • Incentives for new with an emphasis on managements supporting local businesses and • Short term agreements available tradespeople • All internet banking facilities available • Industry leaders in IT technology • New interactive website soon to be

“

completed (operational by end of July 2014) • Fee levels are comparable to market

If you would like more information, just call our free call number 1800 355 863 for an obligation free information pack.

rants totalling $78,000 are now

G

(our customers) with quality, independently

being distributed amongst 37

accredited products and services with a continuing

local organisations following the

emphasis in the education of members in the

review and consideration of the

benefit of saving and the wise use of credit.

many applications received from local not-for

In addition to this, and in the true spirit of a

-profit community and sporting groups.

mutual organisation, we annually distribute some

The selected projects for funding this year

of our profits to various local community groups

again demonstrate the overarching credit union

that, like us, work to enhance the well-being of

philosophy of “People Helping People� and in

our community.

doing so, assist in making our communities a

We at Holiday Coast remain committed to the

better place to live, work and play.

growth and well being of our local communities

“In this current financial year we have now

and the support of the many volunteer groups

given or committed to grants and sponsorship

that enhance those communities�, CEO of Holiday

totalling $187,924, with our annual giving to Life

Coast Credit Union Neville Parsons proudly stated.

Education and other community support initiatives in addition to the current funding distribution.

1st Coffs Harbour Scout Group are the recipients of $1,642.65 and Bellinger Valley-North Beach

Holiday Coast Credit Union remains focused on

Surf Life Saving Club who received $2,112.50.

improving the economic and social wellbeing of

These funds will go towards purchase of

its members and the communities in which we all

equipment to aid them locally. Life Education also

live.

receives $33,000 pa for the Coffs region, as well

As a business, we focus on providing our members

as the Mid North Coast.

The friendly team you can trust Meet the new team at SMS - friendly, experienced professionals. t -PDBM PXOFST t .BOBHFNFOU BOE TVQQPSU TUBČ t "ČPSEBCMF SBUFT OP NBOBHFNFOU UPP TNBMM $BMM BOE TFF IPX XF DBO IFMQ ZPV

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DFA Financial Planners The team of experienced advisors at DFA Financial Planners is happy to assist both individuals and companies in all aspects of financial planning and will always go the extra mile to provide friendly, personalised, down to earth service. Some of the areas we can assist with are: investments, superannuation and personal insurance, as well as retirement planning, self-managed superannuation funds and wealth management. This list is not exhaustive, and our friendly team would be more than happy to talk about any of your financial needs, whether you are an existing client or just seeking advice.

property or refinancing your existing loan, as

With an in-house Mortgage Broker and associated Accounting specialists, we are able to assist with buying your first home, an investment

your finances in order". Why not contact DFA

well as finding the best possible solution for your

a cancer journey.

accounting and taxation needs, including general bookkeeping and payroll services. Self-Managed Superannuation Funds are our specialty, and you should seek advice before setting one up. Having offices across NSW, we need to be able to adapt to the changing demands of our clients and the industry. We establish a one-to-one relationship with each of our clients and provide

The Mid North Coast Local Health District has been part of an innovative program aimed at demystifying the cancer journey for Aboriginal people. Culturally-appropriate booklets developed in partnership with the local Aboriginal community are the first of their kind in the state. We talk to Aboriginal Health manager Dorothy Wilson about this important resource, which is making a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal cancer patients.

tailored advice for every individual and business. With the end of the financial year fast approaching, now is the ideal time to "get Financial Planners today on (02) 6652 6977 or info@dfafinancialplanners.com.au.

W

hat is the Cancer Journey Program? The booklet aims to demystify the cancer journey. The reader is navigated from reception through to treatments (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) using both text and photographs of the cancer unit. The booklet working party wanted the reader to have a visual reference so that when they first come to the North Coast Cancer Institute (NCCI), they can recognise where they are and where they are going. The use of culturally appropriate artwork by Alison Williams, a Gumbaynggirr woman, and Steve Donovan, a Birpai man, as well as photos featuring members of the local community were seen as being vital to the success of the project. NCCI staff have conducted information evenings which included culturally appropriate explanations of what cancer is and how it is treated. Aboriginal health care workers and community elders also toured the oncology treatment room and the radiation therapy areas to further demystify the journey. These evening educational tours are now held annually. Respecting the Difference, Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training and Identification has also been provided for NCCI staff. Cancer education sessions have been provided for Aboriginal staff across multiple organisations to better prepare staff to support Aboriginal people going through diagnosis and treatment and to better understand risks/prevention and treatment. Why was it developed? A lack of knowledge of the Cancer Journey can often make people

68 coffs coast focus.

fearful of the system and in some cases, this can stop Aboriginal people from actively accessing the health care system for cancer treatment. The primary aim of this booklet is to provide culturally appropriate information for those individuals who either have a cancer diagnosis, or are supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis. Who was involved in the development of this booklet? There were monthly yarn up sessions with the “Cancer Project Mob” (Aboriginal health workers, Medicare Locals, Mid North Coast Local Health District, Aboriginal Medical Services, Cancer Council, NCCI and Aboriginal Community members). These sessions helped to identify the barriers which deter Aboriginal people with a cancer diagnosis from accessing services. The sessions resulted in the development of local solutions to these barriers. Has the booklet improved the life of our mob going through the cancer journey? A comment from a local man says it all: “Now things have changed for the better, the booklet has helped me, it has great information resources for me, our people and other races of people, it shows, there is help there, seek treatment early, and if you need to then read through this book because it has all the relevant information to help you.” Regarding the NCCI tour: “I had a bit of a negative view of the building simply because of my need to attend for treatment; however, the initiative to show people around, have a look at what happens and see what NCCI have to offer is invaluable.”

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coffs coast focus 69

Please join us to y support the Sony lia ra st Au n tio da Foun hee t. Th Gala Charity Even inter w a te ea cr ill w event rienccee wonderland expe July” in as m ist hr for a “C oom of in the grand ballr Coffs rt, so Re ve Opal Co ting a en Harbour, repres ussiv ive cl ex d an ol crisp, co atmosphere.”

“

JULY 2014

WITH TERRI

Winter Wonderland With your support, this Gala Charity Event for The Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday camp will be a huge success and will assist children and their families with special needs living in the Coffs Harbour region. Coffs Harbour Year 11 and 12 students are given the opportunity to care for a child with special needs over a four-day period in what is a unique and life-changing experience for all involved. The students, supported by a team of dedicated teaching and medical staff, are responsible for the care of these children twenty four hours a day over the course of the Camp. They quickly learn about the challenges and demands involved in caring for a child with special needs. Not only do the students have an enriching experience, but the children are treated to a weekend full of activities and interactions they would not normally have the opportunity to experience. The Camps also provide much needed respite for parents, siblings and primary carers in what may be their only break of the year. It will be a spectacular night of entertainment with our very special guest, the hilarious Akmal Saleh, champagne reception, decadent three course meal, an extravagant array of prizes to be won and more celebrity announcements to come. Early bird offer – we would like to encourage your business to book a table; each table seats eight guests and when doing this, you only pay for 7 guests. We will also brand your table with your logo and recognise your support throughout the evening. Tickets are limited and are now available at Parry’s Jewellers and online at www.stickytickets.com.au For further information, please check out the event at: www.facebook.com/WinterWonderlandSonyFoundation

70 coffs coast focus.

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

September 24 - October 23

There’s magic to be had in your nurturing. You heal and empower so many and are very pacified in nature. Keep it as your retreat and play in the garden; you will surprise yourself with what nature reflects back to and about the gardener. Clear Quartz amplifies our manifesting abilities.

Stand strong and independent emotionally as the more you give in to feeling unsupported and let down, the more vulnerable you are at becoming a needy person. Think of the emotion you need and breathe it through every cell in your body. Turquoise and Citrine are great for self worth, throat and solar plexus chakras.

PISCES.

CANCER.

February 20 - March 20

June 23 - July 23 Ju

Avoid taking life too seriously; all this is doing is bringing out a grumpy you, which isn’t you. You are the practical joker the fun loving one, so lighten up and watch your spark affect everyone else. Rose Quartz is a wonderful crystal for self-esteem and unconditional love.

Laugh and lighten up. You’re taking life far too seriously, and this is leaving you feeling trapped by your own negative thoughts. Be aware of your thoughts and disciplined enough to reshape them. Your fears and doubts will dissipate, and life will seem to pick up momentum again. Rhodochrosite helps us find our inner child’s joy of life.

ARIES.

LEO.

March 21 - April 20

July 24 - August 23

Trust in yourself better. Everything you truly put your mind to is successful. Avoid relying too heavily on others for emotional support, as this is making you see yourself weaker and needy. Instead, wake up those emotions in yourself and breathe them through every cell in your body. No hurdle will seem too large. Moldavite will transform your energy and gives flight to new opportunities.

SCORPIO. October 24 - November 22

Think about what you want, then fill yourself with the excitement of already having it, then think a huge thank you to the Universe and forget about it. Then sit back and watch how clever you are at manifesting what you want. Ruby helps connect us to our passionate and creative self.

SAGITTARIUS. November 23 - December 21

Make some choices, and then be patient for your outcome. Having no control of the timing may prove a little frustrating at times but if you keep the passion for what you’re pursuing in sight, the journey will be fun, rewarding and well worth waiting for.

You are good at manifesting your desires, but you are trapped by your old beliefs. If you debate your old beliefs and create new ones, luck will follow. The Universe is offering a path of cleansing through a purging of anything or anyone not serving the highest good for your future.

An exciting new opportunity is likely to surprise you. You will realise how meant to be it was when you acknowledge your gifts and talents it requires. Peaceful surroundings will stimulate your creative thoughts; aim for serenity in your workplace.

Citirne enhances our intuition and connects to the solar plexus chakra.

Selenite is a very powerful cleanser.

Turquoise is great for self-improvement..

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

CAPRICORN.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

December 22 - January 20

Listen to your “gut feel” with matters of the heart. Your mind complicates things and as your decisions will affect your emotions, your heart knows best; so let your heart guide you, and feel protected by your intuition.

Romance is strong for you; to benefit the most, avoid having expectations of your partner. Keep focused in the romance and notice all the little things your partner does for you. Set some short term goals and remain focused in the now.

Yellow Jade connects the heart and solar plexus charkas.

Zincite helps creation of new ideas.

You have had a lot of reflection time lately and now are going into a new cycle where your passed experiences will hold no power over you. This result of personal growth has also attracted new fertility in your mind, body and spirit. So expect some adventure. Angle aura in Quartz or Danburite aligns our highest good.

focus_travel

with Kerry Moss from Quadrant Travel

Kerry Moss

WORLD CUP RUGBY AND FARMING A SENSATIONAL MIX I f y o u’ re p a s si o n ate a b o ut far mi n g an d r u g b y , the n this is an experience you do not want to miss!

T R AV E L L I N G O N A T O U R

A

s a veteran in the business, I often costs by matching you up with other single get asked about the benefits travellers to share a room. of travelling on a tour. Images You’re short on time – You can be sure of a tour leader holding a tacky that if a tour company with all their years of souvenir high in the air so you can recognise experience, local contacts and professional them amongst the thousands of other tour services available to them can’t manage to see leaders at the base of the Colosseum come the sights in your allocated annual leave, then rushing back to me. I need to stop and remind it’s unlikely you’ll be able to either. It’s their myself that there are arguments for both industry and the good ones are experts in sides, and that guided tours are nothing like their field, so use your time and their services what they used to be and can often be wisely to get the best out of your holiday. the best solution for travellers You don’t have any other when venturing overseas. option – Sometimes the Firstly, let me dispel the only way to get there is Travelling with myth that tours involve by guided tour. Take an escorted tour a group of 40 people the Inca Trail in Peru, e th e of takes away som g of varying ages being for example, or the in stress of not know t gh dragged around Kokoda Track in Papua ri e what to do. Th so al Europe seeing 20 ill New Guinea; these w er tour lead e tim ch ea countries in 20 days so destinations are heavily u yo teach a little t ge u yo el and not once being regulated, with a select av tr you more given the opportunity number of travellers wiser and a little to sample local cuisine or granted permits through independent.” spend some time soaking reputable tour companies up the culture of a place. Those each year. And even if you days are gone. This type of tour still CAN travel independently to some exists and does appeal to some, but tours countries, it doesn’t mean you should! have evolved to include everything from You like the idea of controlling your cycling through Vietnam with 6 of your costs – Generally tours are an upfront cost newest friends, to a fully equipped small ship with many inclusions such as accommodation, cruise through the Galapagos Islands with a transport, sightseeing and meals. Whilst fellow group of wildlife enthusiasts. travelling independently can sound so So to address your questions, here are my romantic, when traipsing around Paris top 5 reasons why you might like to give the looking for a reasonably priced hotel with idea of joining a tour a second thought. breakfast included, you may regret that you You’re a first time traveller – I still recall didn’t consider the 3 day tour Paris City Tour the very first time I stood at an airport widePackage that was offered by the local tour eyed and naïve about what lay ahead of me. company. The entire process can be daunting. Travelling It’s true there isn’t a one stop shop that fits with an escorted tour takes away some of the every traveller, but one thing’s for sure: tour stress of not knowing what to do. The right companies are currently evolving and offering tour leader will also teach you so each time new and exciting products that may just suit you travel you get a little wiser and a little you perfectly. more independent. Quadrant Australia, with offices in Coffs You’re travelling on your own – Harbour, Armidale and Brisbane has been Whether it’s company or security you’re operating their own special interest tours for after, travelling on a tour can provide you more than 30 years. Drop in to see the team both. Some companies even help reduce the in Vernon St, Coffs Harbour, to find out more.

In October 2015 Quadrant Australia is providing a selection of tours combining the World Cup Rugby with the best of agricultural production in the UK and Ireland. “The great aspect about these combined programs is people can tailor the tours to their preferred duration, budget and destinations,” Tour Leader and General Manager of Quadrant Australia, Graeme Mitchell, said. “You can enjoy a full 28 day experience including eight games of world rugby with Category C seats, or select from four reduced length packages.” There are five packages to choose from, ranging from the full 28 day program down to 14 days, covering a combination of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. An extension package to include the finals is also available on request. The UK and Ireland has breathtaking scenery coupled with rich and fertile country and agricultural enterprises to match. In addition to the rugby, the tours take in fascinating tourist highlights

unique to the UK and Ireland, along with interesting farm and agriculture visits including cattle, dairying, cropping, sheep and some more diverse enterprises. “An important point to make to farmers is they may be eligible to claim these tours as a business expense given the agricultural study components,” Graeme said. Due to advance booking requirements, please express your interest for these tours no later than 14th June 2014 by calling Quadrant Australia on 1300 301 128 or by registering your interest online at http://www.quadrantaustralia.com/Farming_ Rugby_UK_Ireland.asp. Quadrant Australia currently has over thirty agricultural technical tours and special interest journeys running overseas during 2014 and 2015. For more information on all of their tours, please view their website on www.quadrantaustralia.com or phone them on 1300 301 128.

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coffs coast focus 71

focusinterview.

h o m e s Brian Hopwood is a very well-known identity here on the Coffs Coast and he has some very exciting news to share. Brian has joined forces with Dixon Homes, who are one of the largest home builders in Australia. Brian explains how joining forces provides him superior buying power, which enables him to pass savings directly to clients, while continuing to providing quality workmanship for exceptional value. I sat down with him to discuss why and how he came to this very big business decision and how this will effect the Brian Hopwood Homes well established brand.

rian, after 25 years building here on the Coffs Coast, why would you change from Brian Hopwood Homes to a Franchise? And why now? Basically, the time has come where we are finding it very hard to remain competitive. When we change to Dixon Hopwood Homes, we will continue to keep the same Brian Hopwood Home quality that we are renowned for, but we will have an enormous buying power due to their national buying rate. Dixon Homes has been building since 1959. The Franchisor is a public listed debt free company and is one of the biggest builders in Queensland. Having this stability is a huge advantage in the home building market place, and we see huge benefits joining forces with them. I can imagine you did not take this decision lightly – what impressed you about Dixon Homes and the quality of their products? This is a decision that wasn’t taken lightly. I've been approached numerous times by other Franchisees over the last 25 years but when I looked at Dixon Homes, I found there were just so many advantages in going this way. Every time I have been approached by a franchise, I have gone over and over it for at least three months to seriously consider their offer. I have never seen a great advantage at the end of the day. Obviously if it costs me less to produce working orders, then it costs me less to produce a house. What really blew me away was price, the huge selection of materials they use, web pages, plans, and the advantages went on and on. This is not just for me, but for the client. One of my biggest problems is people coming in and saying, "What am I going to be paying for a house?" With the Dixon system, they have over 2,000 pre costed designs on the internet. For example, someone will walk in here and ask for a price on a 4 bedroom home with double garage, walk in robes etc. and within minutes we will be able to produce a plan and 72 coffs coast focus.

alk give an accurate cost of the Someone will w for k as d an house they want. in here m oo dr be 4 a We are happy to work a price on le garage with clients and personalise home with doub and c. these designs and come walk in robes et will e w es within minut up with ideas, but at least a plan e uc od pr be able to they have a starting point. te ra cost and give an accu ant.” This new move will w ey of the house th building site or at the allow us to cover a much office. Although a client broader field, as the Dixon may not always see the Homes range caters for granny advantage, be assured that flats, duplexes, single and 2 storey these savings are passed on to our designs at an affordable price. With much clients. more competitive rates on our standard houses, Another example that is exciting to me is this purchasing power will flow through to our being able to work with steel frames. custom designs. A lot of clients have approached me over the Obviously what we are best known for is our years to build in steel; I have found that steel individual homes, and we will still be able build frame was too expensive, and this increased custom homes that are architecturally designed. the price of a home so that it was unaffordable. What else impressed you about the Dixon However, now that I can offer steel frame to all Homes philosophy? my clients, they are over the moon. Dixon is about producing quality and energy There will be no compromising on quality at efficient affordable housing, with the ability to all. We will still use the same subcontractors like have designs to suit the local country areas and our painters, carpenters and tilers ect. flexibility to adapt to local estate covenants. In general, our savings are in the materials; the Natalie and I travelled up to Queensland, and pricing is really mind-blowing. we were both blown away by the quality of the Will this merge have any benefits to buyers product, and the pricing that they were able to in the investment market or first home produce was astounding. As a standalone builder owners? I have seen just how difficult it is to remain YES, with pricing – this is the big answer. competitive against a national buying price. After People who thought they could not afford a working for the last 35 years for myself, I would Brian Hopwood Home ... “well, they can now”! like to think that I have the knowledge to run For example, the house and land packages a successful business, but I believe I can also be that we have already pre sold were going to have successful under this new banner. laminex bench tops, but with these savings our Dixon respect that I have this wealth of local clients are now choosing stone bench tops. knowledge and I'm able to combine this with I was talking to a client the other day and their national buying power – that’s a WIN-WIN she was going to get the standard tile roof and for every one! timber frame, but is now going with a Colorbond How does all this translate to the buyer – roof and metal frame. With the savings she your client? has made, she is upgrading her bathroom and Dixon are also so professional with other amenities, and all for the same price! aspects of the business, like the computerised I am guessing they have probably gained estimating system which is able to deliver $7,000 in value for the same price – this is the accurate costing efficiently, which in turn saves exciting part! I believe we are doing the right time and money which is reflected in our pricing. thing by our clients. Saving time is money, whether out on a

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Final say… The one thing I believe is that we are honest and upfront and if I am getting an advantage from this, then I will pass the this advantage on. The people who have signed with us already are all going to be able to enjoy this huge advantage. We are well established and well known, and I know the market and know the people here and I have been dealing with people over 25 years as opposed to someone that blows into town and tells Coffs people what they want. I have made a lot of friends here. I know what Coffs Harbour’s expectations are, and it is a matter of moulding these houses around to suit this area. We have not advertised until now, and the response we are getting already about combining with Dixon Homes is phenomenal. By just being able to price the Dixon way we are seeing such a huge response already – we are very excited. Even customers we had previously quoted for have returned to us. We have the same sub contactors as always, just really well priced materials. How can people see the products and the quality of these homes in the flesh? We are constructing a new display home at Valla in conjunction with the Pearl Estate, which will show everything like bathrooms, tiles, kitchens, and we also have new showroom right here at Dixon Hopwood Homes office with a display kitchen, display bathroom, tiles, fittings and bricks so people can check out the quality for themselves. For an appointment, please call the office on 6650 0200 OR VISIT OUR PRODUCT DISPLAY OFFICE AT 101 WEST HIGH STREET, COFFS HARBOUR.

STEEL FRAMES & TRUSSES TILE OR COLORBOND THERMATECH STEEL ROOFS CONVENTIONAL FOOTINGS WHERE POSSIBLE

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"A National Youth Summit challenging today’s generation to become tomorrow’s leaders". 300 youth aged approximately 15 – 25 from across the region are invited to attend a 3 day youth summit on July 16th, 17th, 18th in Port Macquarie.

uminosity Youth Inc. is a not-forprofit local organisation that was formed in 2012. The initiative was established and is driven by a core working group comprised of representatives from local business, university and youth in the Port Macquarie region who are passionate about and committed to investing in our future leaders. Through consultation with local youth, the idea to hold a youth focused summit was born - an event where they would have the opportunity to be inspired by presentations from successful and dynamic individuals. As such, a diverse range and list of potential speakers was established, and there are already eight reputable guest speakers lined up to visit Port Macquarie. “Youth are our future, so it is imperative that we provide them with the building blocks, support and encouragement they need to grow into the best version of themselves. This Youth Summit is an invaluable opportunity to contribute and invest in our future,” said Kate Wood-Foye, Chair of Luminosity Youth Inc. Key speakers to present at the three day summit include: PETER KAGEYAMA - Direct from the USA AKRIM AZIMI - Young Australian of the Year/ Student/Indigenous Ambassador SEBASTIAN TERRY - Thought Leader - 100 Things to do Before you Die JODIE FOXX - Entrepreneur/Shoes of Prey/ Lawyer 74 coffs coast focus.

BRONTE O'BRIEN Mental Health Advocate and Prolific Scribbler KATHRYN STEPHENS - Mindset Coach STEPHANIE LORENZO - Project Futures MITCHELL HUGES - NBN Sports Journalist TIM O'DONNELL - Choreographer and Dance Photographer - Milwaukee Ballet EMMA GEE - Stroke Survivors and Physiotherapist BLISS AND DJ ISM - Aria Award Winning Group Bliss n Eso ASHLEIGH TAVARES & PATRIC KUO - So You Think You Can Dance 2014 DR LISA HARVEY SMITH - CSIRO Astronomer DR ANDREW VAN - CSU “We are extremely delighted to bring this calibre of speakers to the Mid North Coast and give our youth the opportunity to hear them and speak and interact with them. "The theme of this year's summit is 'Dangerous Ideas', where we challenge the youth to be creative and look for opportunities to harness entrepreneurship and set goals for their futures. This year we have focused this theme into 'Your Idea, Your Community, Your World', and will have a special hands on challenge for the youth who attend that will see their ideas come to fruition," added Kate. Taking place over the three days will be a series of key note speaking presentations, workshops and discussion panels aiming to "Inspire, Challenge and Excel" the youth. There will also be a social aspect to the summit, where youth will have the opportunity to participate in Open Mic Night and Meet and

Mingle events to share their ideas with like of each and everyone who went. Michael’s minded individuals. story has inspired me beyond words. Living the The cost to attend the all inclusive summit is dream!” $295 per person. “Thank you so much for this amazing Local businesses who want to support the experience; words cannot describe how summit are invited to offer "Scholarships" these last three days have inspired me and to enable local youth to changed the way I look at life. It attend. The investment by was phenomenal - cannot their business will be wait for next year!” acknowledged, and “Thank you for uch Thank you so m they will be given sponsoring me for the for this amazing the opportunity to Luminosity Youth ot nce; words cann rie pe ex support an attendee Summit last week. e last describe how thes ired so they can attend. I found Luminosity sp in ve ha three days e th Businesses are educational, d ge an ch me and was It e. lif encouraged to look motivational at ok lo I way nnot wait ca al en to their own staff and thoroughly om en ph to see who they can enjoyable. I wanted for next year!” send to attend this to learn about giving inspiring event. to my community, giving Kate adds, "This is a to others and how to run valuable opportunity, and we and establish a business, which encourage local businesses to contact Luminosity did for me. I’m aiming to us to discuss offering scholarships positions, so come next year, and I shall recommend it to that more young adults can attend." others. Thanks again for sponsoring me, and I With registrations now open, anyone aged shall talk to you in the near future.” Now in its second year, the annual summit 15 to 25 (roughly) are invited to check out the could not take place without the generous Luminosity website for the full details about support of local business - in particular, the the summit, and to register/or express interest major sponsorship from Mid North Coast in being the recipient of a scholarship. Local Health District, The Department of www.luminosityyouthsummit.com.au Employment, and Holiday Coast Credit What last year’s participants are saying: Union. “What an incredible three days! It has For a full list of sponsors, see our advert on changed my aspect of life completely! I am not page 18. saying this to boast, but I’m saying it on behalf

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coffs coast focus 75

LIISA RUSANEN

COFFS HARBOUR RESIDENT SELECTED TO ATTEND “CAMP EARTH HOUR” RETREAT ON GREAT BARRIER REEF

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iisa Rusanen of Coffs Harbour was selected to represent the Coffs Coast community at a climate change retreat at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef from 30th May to 1st June. The workshop, which brought together 40 current and future community leaders from around Australia, was hosted by Earth Hour and builds on the successful “Lights Out for the Reef” campaign from earlier this year. Organisers say that 31% of Australians participated in Earth Hour 2014, which also included the world first Lights Out for the Reef documentary broadcast on Network Ten. The workshop was the next stage in the roll out of a new look Earth Hour which will involve year-round community action on climate change, building on the Lights Out moment in March each year. Liisa Rusanen, co-founder of the Coffs Coast Climate Action Group, was one of

1,100 Earth Hour event organisers from around Australia. Liisa organised an event at Coffs Regional Community Gardens attended by about 50 people, which included a screening of the documentary film Two Degrees. “I’m delighted to have been selected as a community ambassador for the Coffs Coast region at Camp Earth Hour. “Coffs Harbour is a coastal town dependent on tourism and agriculture, making us vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate. The great news is we know how to fix it and many of the solutions could actually bring economic and social benefits to our community. We all just need to be doing our part. “This is the critical decade for action on climate, and I’m proud that our community has the potential to show real leadership.” Coffs Coast Climate Action Group: coffsharbourclimateaction@gmail.com

“ LIISA RUSANEN, CO-FOUNDER OF THE COFFS COAST CLIMATE ACTION

GROUP, WAS ONE OF 1100 EARTH HOUR EVENT ORGANISERS FROM AROUND AUSTRALIA. LIISA ORGANISED AN EVENT AT COFFS REGIONAL COMMUNITY GARDENS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 50 PEOPLE, WHICH INCLUDED A SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY FILM ‘TWO DEGREES”

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Lisa Nichols - President of Woolgoolga Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce

COFFS HARBOUR

RUNNING FESTIVAL

lisa nichols. THERE ARE 1,001 THINGS YOU CAN DO ON A VISIT TO WOOLGOOLGA, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOUR INTERESTS LIE.

The 4th annual ffs Bendigo Bank Co al iv st Fe g Harbour Runnin ay nd is on again on Su dust so r, be em pt Se 7th s, get your off those jogger t training entry in and star ast’s Co ffs for one of Co events .” biggest sporting

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READY, SET, GO! ENTRIES OPEN FOR COFFS RUNNING FESTIVAL.

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ast year’s festival attracted over 1,500 participants, taking part in the Key Employment half marathon (21.1km), Coffs City Works 10 km fun run, Beachside Radiology 5 km run/walk and the Athlete’s Foot 3 km run/walk, and organisers are expecting record numbers again this year. Held on a bush trail on the beautiful Coffs Creek Walkway, all events start and finish at the Coffs Harbour Showground and meander along the south and north banks of the Coffs Creek. The 3 km and 21.1km events also take runners through the scenic Botanic Gardens. Event ambassador Steve Moneghetti is thrilled to be part of the event again for the fourth year running, hailing it as one of the most unique courses he has run on. After taking out the 10 km event in 2013, Moneghetti went on to run the 21.1 km in the 3rd fastest time of the day. He then completed the 5 km fun run with his son and finished his morning with the 3 km event, which he ran with his daughters. He said after the race, “This is one of the best courses in the world and I love it so much, I decided to run it four times.” The success of Coffs Harbour’s Bendigo Bank Running Festival has been recognised by Destination NSW, selecting it as one of their Regional Flagship Events for 2014.

n fact, having a lie down is one of the in a hidey-hole haven you can get lost in many things you can do when you stop for hours – perhaps on your way to the by! It’s still warm enough to recline and beach for your lie down? As well, there are catch some sun (safely, of course) on fabulous and unique treasures to make your our beautiful, quiet beaches, perhaps while house a home; you just won’t find things reading a book or even better, the latest like this anywhere else. The retail heaven edition of Coffs Coast FOCUS! You can doesn’t stop there. Woolgoolga’s also head up to Whale Watch Punjabi farming heritage Headland and gaze out means the fresh fruit and to sea or up at the vegetables are not E IL H passing clouds – a only ridiculously W , N OW CA N gorgeous way WO O LG O O LGA W fresh and smell A N Y SL O to while away O FF ER YO U M divine, you M O M EN TS, PACE D H EAV EN D LI K E TO an afternoon also have the E’ TH IS M O N TH W SO M E relaxing on opportunity to T U BO A TE LL YO U JOY O U R EN TO the soft grass. finally get hold S AY W OTH ER E A SI D E V IL LAG SE L If pampered FU of that hard TI AU BE Y, TH IS TY PE lying around to find exotic A N D FO R M A N IS TH EI R N O F RE LA X AT IO TO WAY is more your spice or fresh GO N U M BE R O N E G IN LK style, there produce you’ve E’ RE TA TO LE T G O … W !” PY A ER TH are a number of been searching A BO U T RE TA IL indulgent day and for to put in your beauty spas where favourite curry dish. you can horizontally bliss If the exotic is something out to your heart’s content. you fancy, Woolgoolga’s Now, while Woolgoolga can offer spice shops and Indian grocers will not you many slow paced heaven moments, disappoint. this month we’d like to tell you about All of these wonderful boutique shopping some other ways to enjoy our beautiful experiences are sure to make you hungry; seaside village and for many, this type of using all of that energy, strolling leisurely relaxation is their number one go to way to around the beautiful sun dappled streets, let go … we’re talking about retail therapy! so you may want to stay for lunch… or Woolgoolga isn’t just the hidden gem start your day off the right way before of coastal beauty; it’s the hidden gem of your shopping adventure with a gourmet gorgeous boutique shopping opportunities breakfast OR you may spend a whole day as well. From clothes to shoes, homewares getting lost in what’s on offer and decide to to outdoor adventure equipment, stay for dinner. Woolgoolga retailers have you covered. Whichever you choose, you’re spoilt for You’re bound to find something to fall choice (but we’ll tell you about that another in love with, the latest winter fashions – day) and if all of this relaxing and shopping relaxed through to glamorous or (and don’t is the total opposite of your day in paradise, tell too many people, it’s a secret) some of then check back in next month and we’ll the best racing attire and millinery on the tell you all about how to get your adventure Coffs Coast. There are books, lots of books, on Woopi style!

Organsiers were thrilled to receive the Flagship funding and are aiming to attract participants from all over NSW to experience the unique Running Festival course and all that is on offer on the Coffs Coast. Race Director Mick Maley said, “The great thing about this event is that people do not have to be fast or elite to participate. Age or ability is irrelevant, as long as they come along, enjoy the experience and go home with a smile on their face; that‘s what it’s all about.” He continues, “We encourage mums and dads, nans and pops, babies in prams and everyone in between to walk, jog or run to help support this great community event on Sunday 7th September. Category winners will all receive prizes and there are also some terrific random draw prizes up for grabs.” The Bendigo Bank Coffs Harbour Running Festival raises money for the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour and local children’s charities and has raised over $90,000 since the inaugural event in 2011. Local charities: Life Education, Coffs Coast Autism, Camp Quality and the Early Childhood Intervention Program will benefit again this year. The 2014 Bendigo Bank Coffs Harbour Running Festival is on Sunday, 7th September. To register, or for more info, go to www.villagesports.com.au or contact Village Sports on 6651 2029.

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coffs coast focus 77

focusinterview.

EXPERIENCE

S T E V E N

D O Y L E

STEVEN DOYLE, LOCAL TRADIE, RAN BELLINGEN

WITH A LONG CAREER IN ALL THINGS ELECTRICAL, HE DECIDED TO VOLUNTEER HIS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE IN THE ELECTRICAL GAME TO WORK ON A SEA SHEPHERD BOAT. SO INSPIRED BY THE SOLAR FOR TEN YEARS.

INTERNATIONAL CREW AND VOLUNTEERS THAT DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO SAVING WHALES, STEVE FELT COMPELLED TO SHARE HIS STORY AND EXPERIENCE …

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o see a Humpback breach and crash back to sea is such an inspiring sight. When I was a kid, you would be lucky to ever see one, even if you looked hard for a whole season. I have just had the privilege of working as a volunteer with Sea Shepherd: an organisation that’s done plenty to protect our East Coast whales. I do not usually get excited about doing electrical work, but this week was an exception. I was picked up at Melbourne airport by Graham, the Melbourne chapter coordinator, and driven to Williamstown, through a maze of old corrugated warehouses onto a wharf at the end of which lie two ships: big impressive creatures framed by Melbourne city lights. The first is The Steve Irwin, where Graham says the crews of both ships will be at dinner, and the second vessel is The Bob Barker, on which I will be staying and working. My eyes are glued to the ships as we drive up the wharf. Deck lights wash the camouflage paintwork of grey, blue and black and the Sea Shepherd Jolly Roger: skull – trident and Shepherd’s staff, brings the ships to life. I can’t wipe the smile from my face, and you can see pride in Graham’s eyes as he opens the rope gate at the bottom of the gangway and we climb aboard.

78 coffs coast focus.

We enter through an Everyone was open hatch, then descend ed friendly, interest down very steep stairs. an ory d in telling their st out Steel gives way to ab finding out a bit timber as we enter the as proud w seven thirty and you. Everyone feeling a deserted mess. I drop d an the working day to be there, modesty my bags and have a begins with a of strength and ” quick look forward at the morning meeting shone through. homely big lounge: comfy at eight, where I get chairs, lounges and bean officially introduced to bags, an entire wall of books the crew, then I get a tour and masses of DVDs, guitars in of the inner workings of the a timber rack, pictures of whales and ship with Dan, the chief engineer. skulls and action shots of crew defending Dan’s from the US and graduated in electronic whales, and big TV up front. What a space to engineering and mastered in robotics. I ask Dan hang out, but not now; it’s time to join the what drew him to Sea Shepherd? crew for dinner on The Steve. “The area specialised in was for applications The Mess of The Steve is busy ... over 30 in space,” said Dan. “By the time I finished crew. Crew numbers double when they go my studies, I felt like there were more imporon campaign and the Captains have left ships tant things to do here on earth. I delivered my managers, engineers and boatswains in charge. thesis and joined Sea Shepherd the next day.” Sometimes it can take time to find your feet That was in 2005 and Dan has been here ever in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by a sea since. He shows me a number of electrical jobs, of new faces, but this felt different. Everyone and I get to work. Today most of the crew are was friendly, interested in telling their story involved in doing public tours of the ship or and finding out a bit about you. Everyone was selling Ts and hoodies from a stall on the wharf. proud to be there, and a feeling of strength As the days pass, the boat begins to feel and modesty shone through. familiar and I get to know the crew. There has The next morning I got up early and did been an almost constant grinding noise coming some stretches on the helicopter deck as from below; I look at the two dirtiest guys sitthe sun was coming up. Breakfast was from ting in the mess at lunch and say, “Is that you

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making all that noise?” They laugh and nod their heads and one says, “Come down and see what we do.” They are working deep below the waterline on the hull of the boat. I see these guys working in a tight space, respirators, overalls and lead lights, grinding rust in preparation to paint. I take a photo and give them the thumbs up. Later I learn Phillip is from Germany and joined Sea Shepherd straight after he graduated as a mechanical engineer. He has spent most of the last six weeks working on the hull in this tight space. “Would you do this work for money?” I ask. He laughs, shakes his head, and says – “No way!” The next day Molly, a young English girl, joins the boys below decks; surface preparation complete, they begin to paint. Molly had been accepted by Sea Shepherd before completing her degree and left the day after graduating in psychology. She has been in Australia a little over a week. “What brought you to Sea Shepherd, Molly?” I ask. “I wanted take a gap year and travel I looked at backpacking, but I wanted to do something useful and good.”

focusinterview.

Photo credit: Clancy Walker.

Carl is another young fella who came to Sea Shepherd straight from high school and has already served on one Antarctic campaign. All these guys said they hoped to stay with Sea Shepherd for quite some time and if needed, go on campaign to Antarctica in December of this year. I am so impressed by these young people, and I tell them so. There are so many amazing people aboard, such as Andrea, the ship’s manager, a lawyer who joined Sea Shepherd in 2005, and Phil the boatswain, carpenter, small boat operator – mechanic and photographer with US navy experience. I think, where else can young people find mentors like these? As I work, deliveries pull up on the wharf with fresh produce from sponsors to feed the crew; we are fed exceptionally well, and I even get to experience vegan grapefruit scalp infusion, instead of shampoo. A yoga teacher donates a weekly class and a local doctor drops by for dinner and gives free consultations. After a hard day’s work, it’s fascinating to stretch out in the lounge and watch footage of Sea Shepherd campaigns. The action in Whale Wars is really intense and my respect for the captain and crew of The Bob rockets, as they clash with Japanese whaling vessels on the high seas – and I do mean clash! In the 1960s, estimates of the East Coast Humpback population were as low as 200. Now whale watching is an industry that brings many millions of dollars to our shores; the Humpback population is increasing, and with their love of breaching and fin

slapping, their recovery is easy to see. It’s July 1, and I have been back home for a week. It’s the official opening of the whale-watching season, and Emma and I take the kids to visit grandma, who lives at Emerald Beach. She meets us at Look At Me Now headland and we go for a walk. There is a pod of dolphins cruising Mooney Beach, kangaroos lazing in the sun and of course, we see a whale. I smile and think of the Sea Shepherd Crew; if I had The action in stood on this spot in the ‘60s Whale Wars is when I was my daughter’s age, d my really intense, an ain what chance would there be pt ca e th respect for of seeing a whale? b Bo e Th of and crew h with At dock, Sea Shepherd volas cl ey th as s et rock ssels ve g unteers work hard – six days a lin Japanese wha dI an – as week. They are mentored by an se on the high exceptional team and supported do mean clash! ” by a network of shore-based volunteers, donations and sponsorship from Australia and around the world. Their website: www.seashepherd.org.au has the latest news – documents their truly amazing history, has action footage of recent campaigns, an online store and ways to get involved. Working with the Sea Shepherd was an amazing experience; I look forward to helping again this year and maybe one day joining a campaign at sea. It feels great to be part of a direct action movement – a movement that really stands up; and if you’re a tradie like me, there is a shortage of volunteers.

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coffs coast focus 79

s o c i a l s c e n e

Below. Irene Cowley, Caryn McNally, Judy Degnan, Shirley Vandyk, Jan Smithers

with Carole Beros from Le Dāin Designs

Photo courtesy if David Moore Photography

Right. Congratulations U 8s mixed: 1st Harley Walters, 2nd Hughie Vaughan, 3rd Hunter Winkler, 4th Harry O’Brien

Left. Vignes Family

Above. Ray M artin, Joanne Uttley and Paul Francis

Above. Sandra Spence, Kasey Hannon, James Hannon,Naomi Enevoldsen

Talk about living in the fast lane ... we are about aab b ou o u t to t o live l iivv e on o n the t he h e fast f as a s t Coffs C o ffff s Coast! Co C o aass t! Co It's full steam ahead into our d double oub bll e w b wh whammy h ammy aam m my m y rracing aacc in n g sse seasons! e aass on o n ss!!

Above. Nicolle Foster, Caroline Bleechmoore & Sam Wardman

Social/scene.

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ot only is it the start of the Coffs Harbour horse racing season with the sensational Coffs Harbour Gold Cup, it also makes way for the “Rev Up” for 2014 Super Special Stage of the World Rally! So whether it’s the dust off the race course you crave or the dust flying off those fast moving Rally cars … hold onto your hats! It’s going to be nothing short of sensational! We attended a talk by Mr Adrian Newstead, who is the director of the Cooee Aboriginal Art Gallery at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. A crowd gathered for this enlightening evening and enjoyed refreshments whilst listening to Adrian tell his story and discuss his book, The Dealer is the Devil. Mr Newstead was also a part of the ever popular Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. The Program Director, Mr Brian Purcell, commented that it was all about sharing, learning, having fun and coming together with excellent writers in beautiful Bellingen. Highlights included the novelist Alex Miller (twice winner of the Miles Franklin Award), the famous Bellingen Poetry Slam, rediscovering nature in the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Dominic Knight, a founder of The Chaser, idealistic cynic now heard 80 coffs coast focus.

Right. ZAB Relocation Party

on ABC Radio. Yolnu women from Arnhem Land welcomed everyone to the Country of Laklak Burarrwang, Arnhem Land, with Great stories, including those told “a library in the land”. The sun was shining for the Sawtell Women’s Bowls Major/Minor 3 Bowls Pairs Carnival 2014. Ladies arrived from far and wide to enjoy the competition. The Carnival is run under the rules of the NSWWBA, so all the ladies were dressed up in their colourful uniforms. Apart from bowling, morning tea and a picnic lunch was available. For anyone with a fancy for Asian fare, Nelsons Chinese Restaurant at the Sawtell Bowling Club was open for lunch. Judy Degnan, who is the President of the Sawtell Women’s Bowlers, commented that it had been a wonderful day and consisted of three games of 13 ends Major/Minor 3 Bowl Pairs. Teams from Urunga, North Beach and Park Beach took part. She went on to announce the results. Winners Wendy Polley and Lesley Wheeler 3 wins and 57 points. Sylvia Watson and Diane Tree 3 wins and 57 points and Betty Ellis and Nancy Little 2 wins 1 draw and 50 points. On the 20th July, the club will welcome visiting players from many states for the 11th

Sawtell Festival Week of Social Bowls. On Tuesday 22nd July the Women’s Club will be holding a Market Day with many stalls, an auction, cakes and produce, plus a great day of bowls. Wednesday is the Men’s Day, with a boat trip on the Nambucca River for the visiting men and women. Thursday has mixed bowls lunch and a film show. Friday is men’s bowls and Saturday is mixed bowls, a dinner and entertainment. I attended the Mannatech’s launch event at the Bonville Golf Resort just recently. Guests sipped champagne whilst listening to industry leading experts like Dr Anne Marie Marynycz (PhD National President of the Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia. The launch was for the skin rejuvenation creme product “Uth”, which is an innovation in skincare technology. Coffs Harbour is the first regional city to see this revolutionary skincare cream and Mannatech believes that the Coffs Coast is the perfect area to kick off their international series of launch events across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The skies cleared and out came the sun for the crowds attending the annual Brides and Grooms Wedding Expo. This is an annual event that is staged at the beautiful Bonville Golf Resort. No less than 500 guests sipped

champagne and enjoyed live entertainment provided by E-Lion, The Frapp and Ben Francis. Delicious mini cupcakes were served by the team from Sweet Love Cake Couture and one couldn’t resist the delicious sweet treats from Amanda Schenk from Sugar Plum Cakes. I have sampled her sensational Desert Buffets and believe me they are scrumptious! Contact Amanda on 0401 864 528. There were exquisitely themed Bonville Ceremony and reception areas decorated by the likes of the super talented “Special Occasions”, to name but a few. With over 35 exhibitors for the guests to peruse, it was a fabulous day. Le Dãin Designs had the pleasure of showcasing a selection of their long gowns, fine millinery and jewells of course! The show had an edge to it courtesy of Jade Woodward of North Coast Fashion Academy. Jade co-ordinated the runway showcase as part of the Mercedes-Benz Coffs Coast Fashion Festival. Staying with weddings and all that jazz! Our dear friends, Dwayne and Anne’s daughter and granddaughter of Shirley and the late John Vignes recently married her fiancé Blake Crompton at the beautiful Villa Vivante. Carole, Le Dãin Designs.

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KITCHEN DESIGN TRENDS BY MARCUS The Design Process The process of buying a new kitchen may seem daunting to those brave folks thinking about it. After all, it’s a major surgery to the home. That’s why I have, over the years, developed a smooth, hassle-free process whereby you will feel that you have been listened to, received relevant design input, including advice on colours and finishes. With unique and cutting-edge design software, our combined ideas come to life with a virtual walk-around your new kitchen. By giving you a number of pricing options for various finishes, you are able to make informed decisions based on your needs. Kitchen trends Trends, of course, come and go, but classic staples such as satin polyurethane “Shaker” doors leading into full “French Provincial” will always impress. Flat panel polyurethane high gloss doors giving a sleek, upmarket feel have been very popular over the last fifteen years, providing a seamless, “no edge” appearance. Solid timber doors have always had a place in kitchens, with the natural rich lustre and a range of stunning Australian timbers available. Having said that, it’s quite unusual to see full

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timber kitchens these days. Timber veneers and lookalikes are holding their own and are still widely used to great effect in commercial applications; however, they’re not as widely used in kitchens as they were a few years ago ... Lamiwood doors are and have been for years the most popular finish, with greater and more interesting varieties coming onto the market, including the new semi and full gloss lamiwoods. With great flexibility and an endless design options, as well a favourable pricing point, lamiwoods will rule into the future. For more information, please contact Marcus on 6652 5984 or pop in and check out our showroom in Lawson Cresent.

TOYOTA & HYUNDAI SERVICE CENTRE

We are very familiar with your sales team, but behind the scene there is Coffs Harbour Toyota & Hyundai Technician team – what is this department and who are your customers? The after sales team here is made up of our Service and Parts and Accessories departments. There is a misconception that we only service cars that are either a Toyota or Hyundai, when in actual fact we service all makes and models. The parts and accessories team provide genuine and non-genuine parts to suit all cars. What technology is the team trained in? Hybrid technology is fast becoming the way of the future, and Toyota have four models that use the world leading Hybrid Synergy Drive. This means our techs are constantly receiving training from Toyota to keep their knowledge up to date. We receive the latest diagnostic equipment and training from Toyota & Hyundai, which means a fast and accurate diagnosis to get you back on the

road in no time. Are the guys trained Toyota & Hyundai technicians? Yes. The majority of our techs have been with us since the beginning of their careers and all have completed factory training. We currently have two apprentices going through the Hyundai Advanced Apprentice Academy, and Tim Orr received the Hyundai Master Technician award 2013, which was no easy feat. What are the benefits of taking your Toyota or Hyundai to your factory trained technicians? We know what to look for when working on your car, because we know the product inside and out. Our work and parts used are warranted for peace of mind. An added benefit of having your vehicle serviced regularly and using genuine parts and accessories is that the resale value of your car increases. We offer a courtesy bus to make it easier to get back to your day. Call us for a quote.

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COASTAL ALUMINIUM RAINE & HORNE After 20 years in their Harbour Drive location, Raine & Horne Coffs Harbour has relocated to a brand new office in Orlando Street."The time was right for a major makeover of our business, and the move to Orlando Street has given us that opportunity. We've started from scratch with new signage and a complete new office fit-out," said Principal Christine Clarke. The staff love the new office and the fantastic vibe in the area. We are surrounded by new energetic businesses, and the volume of residents and holidaymakers in the area ensures the constant flow of potential buyers calling past each day. Over 75 years of combined local knowledge and experience is available to you when we represent you in the sale of your property. When selling your property, an advertising and marketing campaign will be specifically tailored for you to gain maximum exposure in the market place. Raine & Horne is a leading real estate company that provides comprehensive real estate sales and management services to our clients, large or small. By teaming with Raine & Horne, you're getting an experienced partner and a powerful friend in real estate to help you achieve your real estate dreams. Call in and have a chat with the friendly staff at Raine & Horne, now at 27 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour Jetty.

Coastal Aluminium Products Pty Ltd is a locally owned company, located at 1/24 Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour. We design and make great looking gates, fencing, privacy screens, awnings, balustrades. With so many standard Colorbond powdercoat colours, as well as our Knotwood range (aluminium with the look of timber), there is a colour to suit all needs. The systems have been designed for seamless installation – no welding required. With the Knotwood concealed fixing system, you will never see screws again. Our products are designed to suit the intended environment and have the advantage of: • Not warping or drying out in the sun • Termite proof • Won’t split or crack • Ideal for areas of extreme fire danger • Can be constructed onsite avoiding access issues • Strong and sturdy Being so adaptable, aluminium can also be used for matching planter boxes, outdoor furniture, shade screens, fencing inserts and louvres. Ask us about a great loyalty program, that can save you money on your everyday purchases. Contact Shane and his team today for a no obligation free onsite assessment and quote on 6652 7772, or visit the showroom to see the great products first hand.

Add decorative flair with: • Privacy Screens • Shade Shutters • Gates & Automation • Balcony Railings • Landscape Accents • Custom Designs

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Quality Aluminium products servicing the central to north coasts of NSW

Proudly manufacturing and installing at Dolphin Marine Magic - Coffs Harbour.

For more info & a free quote give us a call

Visit Our Showroom at: Unit 1/24 Lawson Crescent, Coffs Harbour, NSW Check out our website... www.coastalaluminium.com.au

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COFFS COAST VALUATIONS For almost 20 years Coffs Coast Valuations has provided a professional and independent property valuation service to a wide range of private and business clients across the region. All of our valuers are members of the Australian Property Institue (API), ensuring adherence to high professional standards of practice and ethics. Although we specialise in many different types of valuation reports, our focus is to provide an accurate, reliable and cost effective service to our local clients in the areas of SMSF compliance, taxation, building insurance and for pre-purchase/pre-sale purposes. A pre-purchase valuation report can potentially save thousands of dollars by giving the purchaser a powerful document to begin negotiations and providing a comprehensive assessment of the true market value of the property. Below we have listed the valuation services we offer to our clients. For your specific valuation requirements, please contact us on 6650 0922 to speak to a Certified Practising Valuer, or visit our website at www.coffscoastvaluations. com.au. Feel free to drop by and meet us personally… our office is located at 2A/27 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour.

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COASTAL Located in Mildura Street in the heart of the Jetty area is Coastal Media, a media agency focusing on advertising and marketing for both national and regional clients. Coastal Media specialises in television commercials, web video production and professional photography, while also being qualified to assist clients with developing marketing concepts and strategies and website design. Coastal Media began with a staff of two when it moved to its current studio warehouse location in Mildura Street. Four years on, the business has grown, now employing six people and, the premises has been renovated to include a "green screen" for video and photography shoots, a state of the art sound and editing studio, a conference room for client meetings, a sundrenched

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MEDIA reception area and a comfortable staff lounge. Producer Sinclair Black said, "It's great being so centrally located. We are only a stone's throw away from some of the businesses we work closely with, including Giant Media and Prime7. Some of our clients, including First National, Hibbards, The Edge and The Pier Hotel are also within walking distance. It’s great working within this spectacular part of the Coffs Coast. Cafés, restaurants, the beach and Coffs Creek are all close enough to make the most of before work or on our lunch breaks.” It’s an exciting time for Coastal Media, working on some large national campaigns right now and being situated in what is fast becoming the new business hub of the Coffs Coast.

NU-ERA

RENOVATIONS

Nu-Era is focusing on home renovations and restorations. Renovate and extend your living areas in your home with a one-stop shop business. Nu-Era co-ordinates all trades people involved to alleviate any pain and worry. We can design and construct a renovation to turn your house into your dream home. Nu-Era is locally owned and employs 14 local tradesmen and sources materials from local businesses. We can assist you to achieve the ideal design to suit any budget with our Builder/Estimator. Contact us for an obligation free consultation and let us show you "Value For Your Money". When it comes to fit-outs and renovations, we pretty much have done it all. With three builders employed at Nu-Era, no job is too big, from kitchens

to full bathroom renovations to built-in wardrobes to office fit-outs to restaurants. With us, nothing is too difficult. Nu-Era offers a wide array of building and remodelling services, for any job, big or small. Our tradesmen know how to get the job done right the first time, so that you're left with a quality-finished product that is lasting and affordable. Our team will assist you throughout your project and advise you on the different possibilities. Whatever your desires and wishes may be, we can provide you with a fitting solution. Our passion for the building trade means that we're serious about doing a good job. We are continually improving our customer service skills and customer contact rapport. We ensure you'll be impressed by our workmanship and professional attitude.

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The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is the official body of Australia’s home building industry. As the only national industry association for Australian building professionals, we represent the interests of the housing industry at regional and national levels. Our extensive membership program supports residential builders, trade contractors, developers, design professionals, kitchen and bathroom specialists, manufacturers and suppliers. We have been supporting the Australian home building industry for more than 60 years and we are actively present in Coffs Harbour. HIA’s vision is to be one association which: • Speaks with a united voice on industry issues • Provides quality services at the lowest possible cost • Encourages industry high-standards through self-regulated commercial conduct A powerful member association HIA’s large membership base gives us political

strength and the ability to develop and advocate policy recognising the importance of the housing industry to all Australians. HIA’s logo is displayed as a sign of professionalism on building sites right around the country. Our members are responsible for over 80% of new homes and renovations in Australia. HIA’s commitment to members includes: • Access to a national team of safety experts to help manage workplace safety • Advice on frequently changing local and state government building regulations • Home building industry news updates and publications • Training and professional development including information nights, workshops, seminars and nationally accredited training courses • Help for apprentice and advice on hiring and working with apprentices • Legal assistance and technical support

there are many reasons to join HIA > You want to be part of a strong national association with over 65 years history behind it. > You want your customers to know you work with a strict code of conduct. > You want access to a great range of products and services that make your work life easier. > You want to draw on the expertise of some of the best technical and legal staff in the industry. > You want to have up to date, industry resources at your fingertips.

Over 40,000 building industry professionals already benefit from a wealth of HIA knowledge and experience every day. Call us today for a chat to see what we can help you with.

Contact the HIA Coffs Harbour Office T: 1300 650 620 or visit hia.com.au 84 coffs coast focus.

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MOLLY&ME CAFÉ & CATERING

TAX TIME IS HERE It is hard to believe how quickly the year has gone and tax time is here again. If you are a self-preparer, the myGov website is a new initiative this year providing a gateway to many Government agencies. If this all sounds a bit daunting to you, then seek the assistance of a tax professional. Remember that the cost of managing your tax affairs is fully tax-deductible. It will also give you piece of mind in getting your tax affairs in order. We can assist with “on the spot” tax returns. So if you are time poor, call us for an appointment. We will let you know what you need to bring. Meet our new staff member We would like to welcome Meg to our team. Meg has replaced Natalie, who has gone overseas for two years – lucky Natalie! At Barry Hockey Accountants, we have a dedicated team to assist you. We not only specialise in taxation, but we have extensive background skills in finance, banking and small business. Our firm is big enough to get the job done and small enough to care. Personal service and attention to detail is our business.

TOM KENDALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS A family owned and operated business, and we pride ourselves on honest and reliable workmanship. We have been established for over 25 years, and we have a fully equipped and immaculate workshop with two highly experienced and knowledgeable motor mechanics. We service and repair all makes and models, including four wheel drives, diesel vehicles and commercial fleet vehicles. Some of the services we provide: All Mechanical Repairs New Vehicle Servicing / Log Book Servicing Engine Reconditioning Suspension Repairs Rego Checks (E-Safety Inspections) Computerised Diagnostics Automatic Transmission Service Gearbox Servicing and Replacement CV Boot and Joint Replacement

Molly&ME Café is located on one of the busiest streets in Coffs Harbour. Molly&ME Café in an on-site premise operation with a primary focus on serving food that is fresh and consistently amazing. We believe in fresh and healthy food. We proudly serve Amelia Franklin Organic Coffee, which is roasted by a wonderful local Bellingen supplier. Molly&ME Café offers a menu of delicious à la carte and savoury selections complemented by an array of mouth-watering desserts. CATERING – Molly&ME Catering now provides clients with high quality catering for all types of events, including boardroom lunches, cocktail parties, sandwich platters and dinners. We would like to cater for your lunches, formal dinners, corporate workshops, seminars, conferences, cocktail functions, business openings, Christmas functions and weddings. We are proud to provide our clients with true value, boasting excellence in quality of food, high service standards and a personalised service to suits your needs, preferences and budget. Our chef, Chris, prepares menus for all types of events. Molly&ME’s passion for food is what will set your menu apart. Chris is known for his creativity and quirkiness. He knows the menu is integral to a successful function and takes pride in creating seasonal menus, which are reflective of the North Coast fresh produce, with a modern flair that caters for all types of functions and events. Contact us for more information on what is available to suit your next event.

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GIZMOS Don't just buy a computer; create your computer! We custom build systems to suit your budget. From a basic computer all the way up to the monster gaming beast, from business machines to servers, ours are built in a matter of hours, not days. We have all the parts to build the exact

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ELECTRONICS computer you're looking for. Need help with your computers? The Gizmos staff are knowledgable and use the parts they sell. They'll be able to guide you through all of your computer needs. Largest selection of cases on the coast!

JOINERY & STAIRS

Tell us about your business. Why did you decide to specialise in stairs? I opened Derrin’s Joinery a little over 18 months ago to fill the gap left by the closure of another local joinery and my previous employer. I’d wanted to start my own business for a few years beforehand, so it was just the push I needed. I love the ability to work one on one with the customer from start to finish, which just isn’t possible working within a larger company. Manufacturing stairs became a passion in the early stages of my apprenticeship many years ago and now is an obsession for quality, innovation and to be known as the best. Are stairs the only work you do?

Can we come to you for other joinery requirements? Derrin’s Joinery specialise in staircases and front entry doors, but also have the skill and experience to make any type of timber door or window. We might only be a small workshop, but we don’t shy away from the larger jobs and are happy to locally manufacture all your joinery needs. What’s the best thing about being in the Orlando Street precinct? Well, it has everything you need in one spot, so there’s no need to go running all over town, and it’s all locally owned. I’m a big believer in buying from local businesses to improve Coffs Harbour’s economy.

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WATSONS ALUMINIUM

The Art Factory has been a part of the Coffs Harbour community for 22 years. Our business focus is the making of quality custom picture frames. With 30 years’ industry experience, we are also able to offer our customers the best advice and a wide variety of treatments for the presentation of their favoured piece of artwork or memorabilia. We work with our customers to find the right solution for them, taking into account what works best for their artwork, as well as considering the customers’ personal tastes and décor.

The Art Factory – Unit 2/151 Orlando Street, just next to Cetnaj Lighting. We can be contacted on (02) 6658 0300. Open 9.15am - 5pm, Monday to Friday and 9:15am - 1.30 Saturdays.

Are you looking for lighting, electrical or data for your home, business or new project? Are you looking to shop from a 100% Australian owned company? If you answered yes to any of the above, Cetnaj can help you! The team at Cetnaj Coffs Harbour will give you the best, every time. This is demonstrated by the branch recently receiving the title of Cetnaj Branch of The Year (2013). Judged on items such as excellent customer service, Cetnaj Coffs Harbour was judged the best of almost 40 branches across Australia. Come in today and experience the best service, extensive knowledge and great prices. Cetnaj is a 100% Australian owned and operated company which was established in Kempsey, NSW, in 1976.

Specialising in fabricating high quality, custom made, aluminium, stainless steel and glass balustrade, handrails, pool and landscape fencing, privacy screens, slatted fencing and screens, as well as personal and security gates in both manual and electronic, for domestic, commercial and industrial areas. Priding ourselves on having an innovative design service, quality tradesmen and quality products backed by 35 years of experience, you can really see the difference it makes in the finished home when something has been custom designed for a space, compared to an off-the-shelf product which has been adapted to fit. Offering a range of aluminium sections, sheet and plate, cut to size, we also provide all manner of aluminium and stainless steel fabrication and welding. Offering free measures and quotes, call in and see our showroom and range of products available at 165 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour, or call 6652 6566 and let the helpful team at Watsons Aluminium create that something special for you.

SHOP WITH THE #1 CETNAJ BRANCH

Great ranges instore!

Our friendly staff are ready to help you!

Come in and see us today! ROUD O F DP IT AN

151 Orlando Street Ph: 6652 7400 cetnaj.com.au

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Being conveniently located in Orlando Street with easy access from Hogbin Drive or the Pacific Highway and with parking at our door, calling in for a quote or collecting finished work is made very easy.

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We also offer advice on conservation and restoration utilising both in house and external services, as well as showcasing original artwork in our exhibition space.

Working with customers and many quality local builders and their clients to create that something special to add value and personality to your home, we are committed to quality and service at all times.

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We pride ourselves on finding solutions to difficult and unusual work, as well as delivering a quality product. Whether you require the mounting of an original painting or photograph on canvas, wether your artwork is a collectable piece, family photo or sporting memorabilia, it will be treated with the same care and attention to detail.

Watsons Aluminium is a family owned and operated business and has been part of the Coffs Harbour community for 35 years.

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DWS Your Local Coffee Experts

East Coast Cabinets

Coffee – how do you like it? The range of blends and roasts is almost infinite, and success in finding the perfect taste for you depends very much on personal preferences. Smoothness, balance, aroma, body, flavour – all combine to produce the final coffee experience.

East Coast Cabinets is a long established business which shifted into Lawson Crescent in the early 1980s. It has been managed by Deb and Peter Farquhar since July 1984. They and their long term team of employees and families have been staunch supporters, wherever possible, of local businesses and the community, contributing towards the area’s growth and economy as much as possible.

Direct Wholesale Services (DWS) is a well-known local, family owned business specialising in disposable paper and plastic packaging, tableware and cleaning products and equipment. Less well-known is the fact they sell a range of coffee beans to the general public, well suited to meet the needs of the discerning home coffee drinker. As exclusive distributors of Piazza D’Oro espresso beans in the region, DWS is able to offer a comprehensive range of blends from delicate yet complex mild roasts, to rich full-bodied dark roasts, each with distinct characteristics to suit palates from the developing to the most sophisticated. Also available is a wide range of coffee making accessories – tampers, thermometers, jugs – and cleaning products for both espresso and pod machines. Trained in coffee making by the William Angliss Institute, DWS team members are well placed to help you decide on the right coffee for you – come in and taste today!

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They remain the only cabinetmaking business in the area to hold a NSW State HIA Top Homes Award for Kitchens and through their association with local builders, have supplied cabinetwork to many other award winning projects. Kitchens, vanities, robes and associated cabinetwork are not their only areas of activity. They are also widely recognised for their commercial fit-outs in shops and offices etc. both locally and in the northern region of the state. The last 30 years have seen many changes in the industry. Products have developed from basic to state of the art. However, the biggest changes have resulted from the implementation of technology. This has provided the industry with invaluable assistance in designing, quoting and construction, allowing everyone to provide a complete professional package, all from under the one roof.

NORTHSIDE HEALTH 14 EDGAR ST COFFS HARBOUR JETTY

ow long has Northside Health been in business, and have you always been in and around Orlando Street?

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Northside Health has been providing high quality health care in Coffs Harbour for almost 30 years. From a sole doctor working from the family home, the practice moved to a single shop in Northside Shopping Centre, Park Beach Road, Coffs Harbour. Continued growth has led to the need for expansion in 2010 to current facilities at 14 Edgar Street, Coffs Harbour Jetty, just off Orlando Street. Who are the GPs and what is their professional background? Dr Alexander Joannou: General Practice; Integrative medicine, Medical Acupuncture; Esoteric Acupuncture; Nutritional and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Dr Rosemary Ross: General Practice and Women’s health; Preventative Health and Lifestyle Modification; Naturopathy for 16 years before studying Medicine. Dr Ashish Sinha: General Practice; Family Planning; Children’s Health; Geriatric Health; Mental Health; Skin Cancer checks.

Dr Chris Inkson: General Practice; Children’s Health; Geriatrics; Chronic diseases; Respiratory and Skin conditions; Mental Health. Dr Evgenia Biryukova: General Practice; Women’s Health; Mental Health and Geriatric Health. Dr Olga Voloshyna: Paediatrics; Internal Medicine including Cardiology; Neurology; Diabetes; Obesity; Gastroenterology; Womens Health and Mental Health. Dr Adrian Hekel: Nutritional Medicine; Mental Health; Hypnotherapy; Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; General Medicine; Autism; Acupuncture. Dr Cathryn Platt: General practice; Mental health; Chronic disease management; Geriatric Health; womens health; adolescent health. Dr Alan Jones: Orthopaedic medicine. Also interested in healthy lifestyle issues. Dr Dru Haywood: General practice; Mental health; Childrens health; womens health and HIV medicine. Dr Gillian Gould: Smoking Cessation Specialist. Medical and Traditional Acupuncture. Dr Kyle Owen: Chiropractor, Trigenics

practitioner interest in musculoskeletal medicine. What makes Northside Health different to other GP clinics? Northside Health emphasises a respectful patient-doctor partnership, with an emphasis on an integrative approach in terms of disease prevention and health promotion. We recognise that health is more than merely an absence of disease, and we see our role as assisting our patients in a positive direction toward physical, mental and social wellbeing. We work in partnership with patient and other health personnel to develop personalised programs when managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. What services do you offer? We offer a range of services to address all your medical needs, including: • Women’s health • Children’s health • Lifestyle and nutritional health programs

• Herbal medicine/Naturopathy • Acupuncture • Travel advice and vaccination • Smoking cessation advice • Skin cancer checks and treatment • Workcover and pre-employment medicals What is your philosophy? Northside Health is an holistic patient centred practice committed to providing accessible, equitable and affordable quality health care. Our priority is to deliver superior health outcomes and empower our patients by increasing their health literacy within the context of a dynamic patientpractitioner relationship and by raising awareness of community health issues. Our practice delivers a service which builds a bridge between medicine and complementary therapies. What plans do you have for 2014? We look forward to welcoming new patients and visitors to our area and to continue providing high quality health care.

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For the love of locals 90 coff 90 off ffss coast ff co coa c oa o asstt foc focus. fo ocus us.

MOTHER NATURE’S NOW IN a FARMER’S HANDS!

B BUYING fruit and vegetables d st direct from the farmer is almost a as satisfying as growing them y yourself. Iconic local fruit and veg sstore Mother Nature’s has

rreceived a breath of fresh air ffrom local farmer Rob Foster ster and his wife Nicolle, also a a local l business woman.

local institution for 20+years, Coffs Harbour residents have always appreciated the convenience and parking of Mother Nature’s on Orlando Street, although unfortunately its repu reputation for quality had been slipping in recent years. “For som some time now, Mother Nature’s has been looking a bit tired and rundown,” new owner Rob Foster said. “As a local grow growing up here in Coffs, Mother Nature’s was a part of the reta retail landscape and it was time that someone gave her the love that she deserves!” Since taking over the business in early April, our first priority has been restoring the quality of the produce and buying direct from local farmers,” Rob said. The first farm supplying the store is his own, which he points to, North-West from the front door of the store. “You can just about see the farm from here – at the end of Mastracolas Road – hardly any food miles to the store from our farm,” he laughed. “Picked today and sold today – fresh

from farm to table!” A fourth generation farmer, Rob grew up on a local banana plantation, but went on to specialise in tomatoes and cucumbers, growing some of the tastiest tomatoes you will ever find. He has quite a following: “Rob grows the best bloody tomatoes in Australia; you can’t go past his little grape tomatoes without eating one,” his landlord, Murray Bailey said. “I’ve even got photos of his tomatoes on my phone – I’ve been buying them for years,” Mr Bailey said, producing his phone to prove his point! Murray Bailey knows his tomatoes. As a member of WH Bailey & Sons family business, they sold fresh produce at the same location decades ago and ran trucks in and out of Sydney produce markets for decades. “Rob’s got a big job to revive Mother Nature’s, but he’s got some wonderful ideas.”

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MOTHER NATURE’S NOW IN a FARMER’S HANDS!

Cutting out the d middle man an ge hu a is s st co transport es hn s advantage to fres e’ ll be w s and cost saving r local passing on to ou e us ak m to s customer t the ns ai ag e iv tit compe .” ls big multi-nationa

“ Also from a local farming family (Dorrigo, potatoes) Murray gives a big tick of approval to plans to bring more local produce into the store and boosting the local economy rather than the Sydney/Brisbane markets. “You’re going to be more competitive if you’re dealing direct with local growers,” he stated. Rob agrees: “Cutting out the middle man and transport costs is a huge advantage to freshness and cost – savings we’ll be passing on to our local customers to make us competitive against the big multi-nationals.” Food miles are not only an ethical choice about minimising fuel, refrigeration and other energy inputs and labour costs to a product, but every food mile lessens the nutritional food value, as it adds to the age of the fruit and

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vegetables. Freshness matters, as valuable nutrients are lost the longer produce takes to reach your mouth. Previously, all fresh stock in the store was sourced out of Sydney markets. Even local produce travelled all the way to Sydney and was trucked back before it appeared on local shelves. Since taking over the business, Rob has sourced herbs, zucchini, broccoli and custard apples from Coffs Harbour, lemons, limes and oranges from Bonville. Valla beetroot, Bellingen zucchini and local bananas, avocados, beans, peas, sugar snaps and garlic are

all now on Mother Nature’s shelves. He’s also sourcing apples and pears from Uralla (near Armidale): “They don’t grow here on the coast, but Uralla are closer neighbours than Victorians and still within our ‘local network’,” Rob

explains. “A lot of people – and I’m one of them – care about food miles,” Rob said. “Transporting food to central markets and back again is a waste of time, money, fuel and just adds to what the customer is charged. It’s about our larger carbon foot-print too, and we have to do our part for the environment.”

“We can’t source local for everything of course, not everything is grown around here, and I won’t buy local at the expense of quality, but I will buy local whenever I can.” While multi-nationals might be buying up the little stores elsewhere, at Mother Nature’s the farmer is fighting back, and it’s good news for local consumers here in Coffs.

QUALITY After decades of supplying his own tomatoes, cucumbers and other farm produce to middle men to take to market, Rob Foster thought there had to be a better way. “We are consumers as well – we can’t grow everything our family eats on our farm.” Rob first made offers to buy the Mother Nature’s store in Orlando Street two years ago.

It didn’t work out then, but “the seed had been planted”, so to speak and kept his desire for a local outlet burning while he worked on the wholesale sideline to his farm. “When it comes to supplying local restaurants, quality is critical,” explains Rob. “I’ve been delivering my produce to local restaurants for years, so I’ve built relationships on reputation and trust; the key is maintaining the reputation.” It is clear that Rob Foster is passionate about the produce from his farm and that passion extends to the produce of his colleagues and our region: “I wanted to connect with my customers, to create direct channels for the produce I am so proud of, and I wanted to share those connections with other local farmers. “As a farmer selling direct, our customers can be sure of the quality. I know that the produce is handled with care and is not tired, chilled or heat stressed by travelling to and from the markets.”

ce are Organic, spray-free and ethical produce ’s. key objectives for Rob at Mother Nature’s. ules “Organic produce can be tricky. The rules are very complicated and often beyond what ack most consumers are seeking. Our feedback portant from customers is that ‘spray-free’ is important dable), to them and if it was possible (and affordable), many would only buy ‘spray-free’. We will ut we obviously continue our organic range, but are trying to achieve ‘spray free’ on as much of our produce as is possible. anic’ “So when sourcing from my ‘non-organic’ local suppliers, I am talking to them about going spray-free with their crops. “‘Spray-free’ is much easier to achieve than full organic certification (the land has to be certified organic before the produce can be). In short, ‘Spray-Free’ produce will remain a permanent feature in Mother Nature’s, and it will grow as demand allows,” Rob concluded.

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MOTHER NATURE’S NOW IN a FARMER’S HANDS!

SPECIALTY (AND EVERYDAY) GROCERY LINES Always a reliable source of pantry essentials, “gluten-free” and “organic” grocery products, Mother Nature’s is expanding its grocery lines and welcomes customers’ requests for speciality products they have discovered elsewhere. “We can’t guarantee to sell everything customers want, but why wouldn’t we draw on the interests of our customers – the store is here for them. If they discover a product that is good, and we think it will sell, then we’ll give it a go,” Nicolle explains. “Rob’s our expert farmer and can’t be beaten for his knowledge on fresh produce, but as a busy working mum, I understand the need for convenience, quality consistency and still want to be inspired to cook or entertain. We’ve added new products like organic and Fairtrade coffee roasted by Amelia Franklin in Bellingen, organic chocolate and a range of organic pre-packaged snacks for lunchboxes, to name a few. My sister, Dale, in

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ants

Everyone w Melbourne has been For most people, s quality, but it ha a great resource … though, VALUE is about t price, to be at the righ with a background PRICE. Raising a family st not ju otherwise it’s in national wholesale or on a limited budget any an option for m food marketing (which is most of us), consumers.” and sharing the families have to prioritise administration of our and consider … what can I social media, followers afford to buy? find out about specials as “Everyone wants quality, they arrive in store. We have but it has to be at the right plans for more interactive displays price, otherwise it’s just not an option to give our customers ‘inspiration’ but for now, for many consumers” explains Rob. “We consider following our Facebook page for daily understand that at Mother Nature’s buying specials and great hints about how to use them direct from local farmers, both large and small, for dinner and stay tuned for lots more new helps us to keep the prices down for customers. products over the coming months!” I’m interested in talking to any local grower THE MEANING OF VALUE with regards to supply,” Rob said. VALUE means something different to “It also means a fair price for our local everyone. Some people value organic produce, farmers, as they are selling produce locally and some value one-stop shopping, others value without freight costs and the 10-15% market convenient parking. All of this value is on offer agents commissions.” at Mother Nature’s. Lower prices isn’t the only value returned

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to Mother Nature’s customers. Shopping with children will earn a free child-sized apple for each child and lunchbox favourites are now available at Mother Nature’s in junior sizes – so no more wasted money on half-eaten fruit. It’s hard to beat Mother Nature’s as a onestop, convenient produce store. The central Orlando Street location makes Mother Nature’s an easy location for many shoppers. Many Northern Beaches dwellers find it easy to duck into the store on their way home. Residents in Park Beach, Coffs Harbour West and Coffs Harbour Jetty would struggle to find a better stocked, better-priced range of fresh fruit and vegetables anywhere else.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Increasingly, people are wanting to be educated about their food ... consumers like to know where the produce comes from and how it was grown. For example ... how do you know if a custard apple is ripe, what kale is used for, or how to

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cook okra? Everyone wants to trust that their avocados will be fresh, green and usable. Supermarket shopping robs you of this knowledge and self-service counters are inconvenient and frustrating. What’s wrong with providing customer service and a human smile these days? Most of our team at Mother Nature’s have worked in the store for many years – led by store manager, Graham Steele, for decades. They know fruit and veg, so ask them your questions. New owners Rob and Nicolle Foster are both born and bred locals. The Foster family have a longstanding farming heritage which continues on Rob’s tomato and cucumber farm today. Rob’s parents, still locals, have grown bananas in Coffs Harbour for 50 years. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents were bean growers in Gympie and Englands Road, Coffs Harbour. While Rob is between both farm and store, Nicolle continues to run Coffs Harbour’s best known and award-winning interior design business, Natural Habitat Interiors & Design. Her role to date has been weaving her design magic over the store in a gradual transformation. “I’ve been concentrating on the rebranding and revitalising of the store fit-out,” explains Nicolle. “It was tired and dated. A market atmosphere with the

use of blackboards, timber and background colours let the produce sing … the hero here is the colourful, fresh fruit and veg.” “Nicolle’s parents (retired builder and restaurateur), and many of the local trades have toiled after hours and over Easter, so the store could keep trading while we gave Mother Nature’s a facelift,” Rob said. “We need to thank all our suppliers and tradies for their support, and of course our families – that goes without saying!” Nicolle and Rob’s daughter, Perry, has joined the team after school hours, whilst 10 year old son, Luca, is more interested in surfing at this stage. “There will be plenty of jobs for him as he gets older!” Rob laughs. More than just convenience and good value, Mother Nature’s has an expert team of fruit and vegetable specialists, led by a fourth generation farmer, to answer all your questions and help you find what you need. We all need a doctor, dentist or other services sometimes ... but we need our farmers every single day!

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focusinterview.

While Batey Vigors Accountants has just celebrated its first birthday, the partnership between Glenn Batey and Dianne Vigors began in 1997, when they commenced working together for Byrne & Miller in Sawtell.

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hat type of clients do you service? Our practice specialises in several areas, including advising individual investment clients of the taxation implications of negative gearing and capital gains tax on rental properties, direct shares and managed funds. Our business clients comprise sole traders, partnerships, private companies and family trusts, covering a range of industries from primary production to medical specialists,

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construction to retail. We take care of all your Self Managed Super Fund taxation, compliance, advice, as well as audit requirements. What services do you offer? All aspects of Tax and Business Accounting services for individuals, partnerships, trusts and companies, Self Managed Super Funds, GST and BAS services, Bookkeeping services, including short term relief for business owner’s holidays, Payroll Services, MYOB or Reckon assistance and training and Company Secretarial.

If I send you an email enquiry, will you send me a bill? We do not send an invoice each time a client contacts us. Most clients receive an account for services provided at the completion of a particular task, such as lodgment of a BAS or preparation of financial statements. We believe it is important for clients to feel they can contact us to answer their questions or provide assistance when needed. We encourage our clients to keep in touch with us and discuss what is happening at the time they are making important decisions; it will save them time and money down the track. Tell us about any recent changes to the industry that have affected your business? With the removal of the accountants' exemption from 30 June 2016 and the introduction of a new limited Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), previous advice and service, particularly in the Self Managed Super Fund, are restricted to qualified ASFL licence holders. This presented an opportunity for Glenn to return to the text books and undertake the Deakin Prime Institute of Public Accountants Diploma of Financial Planning to enable us to continue to service and grow in this complex area of Self Managed Super Funds. What qualifications and memberships do you have?

Glenn is a Fellow member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), has a Bachelor of Business Degree, Advanced Diploma of Accounting and the Diploma of Financial Planning completed during 2013. Dianne is a member of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), has an IPA Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting and an Advanced Diploma of Accounting. We are both a Justice of the Peace and available to certify clients’ legal documents anytime. How much contact do you have with your clients? At Batey Vigors Accountants we value the personal service we offer our clients. All clients have full access to Glenn and Dianne at all times, meetings are held at their premises or our offices based on what is most suitable. If clients have any other questions, we are only a phone call or email away. What makes your clients’ experience unique? We enjoy working with small businesses to ensure their success, assisting in areas that are not the core activity of their business, but nonetheless an important area of all businesses that are often left to last or even overlooked. We pride ourselves on dealing with a diverse range of clients at their level, ensuring we understand the needs of their business.

focustourism.

with Dene Zahner, President of Tourism Coffs Coast.

UPDATE

This month, I would like to welcome Gary Fry, who is our new Executive Officer for Tourism Coffs Coast. Gary has worked in tourism in one capacity or another most of his working life. At this stage, Gary will be working with us over the next three months. I had opportunity to speak with Gary just before he started work with us.

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hat was your work in Alice Springs? My paid work in Alice Springs was as Director of the Alice Springs Desert Park. The Desert Park is a mix of botanic garden, zoo and cultural centre. It introduces people to the deserts of central Australia, unlocking some secrets of those places. I was fortunate to work with some highly skilled people across Alice Springs, which has a high level of tourism. I learned much from them. At the Desert Park, we were always very clear about our purpose. Our 50 staff knew we worked in tourism and that was our primary driver. It was because of our clear vision and simple purpose that we could ensure we were not distracted in our work. I was always enormously proud of our success in regional Australia. Our visitors would often favourably compare the Desert Park with what they would expect from a large city. What other work have you done? It has been my privilege to have worked with some really clever people on some great projects over the years. I continue to have some involvement with the people from the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance here on the Coffs Coast. We are working to ensure there are habitat corridors for our wildlife. A lot of my work in central Australia was with central Australian Aboriginal people. We worked together on projects as diverse as wildlife conservation, horticulture, art, and employment. I have recently managed a project for Taronga Zoo on Lord Howe Island on which we worked with woodhens and currawongs. In Alice Springs, we did a lot of thinking and developing strategies around urban use and renewal, engagement with tourism, and work with young people, especially young

Aboriginal people. What excites you about tourism on the Coffs Coast? In one easy day, you can visit a beach, a rainforest and country high enough to see snow occasionally. There are not many places with those opportunities! This is an area of stunning natural resources and high levels of food production. There are still untapped opportunities to work in both areas in a truly sustainable manner. We are able to tell stories of this area to our visitors and have them experience some of what the Coffs Coast has to offer. We can do all of that in a manner which is sustainable in all senses of the word. Indeed, there are ample opportunities for micro-businesses to further develop in accommodation and aspects of eco-tourism. What brings you to the Coffs Coast? We bought a home in Bellingen four or five years ago. We were looking for somewhere in Australia with some pretty intact habitat, great weather, and good schools, and settled on Bellingen. We moved here in 2012, and then travelled through the England, Wales and Scotland for three months or so. I have always had enormous respect for the people of regional and remote Australia. As someone who was born and grew up in the country, I was keen for my son to have those same opportunities. 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 maximize the social and economic benefits for our community. If you’d like to join Tourism Coffs Coast please contact us via: info@tourismcoffscoast. com.au or visit the website www. tourismcoffscoast.com.au Remember, tourism is everybody’s business!

NEWNHAM KARL WEIR NEWNHAM KARL WEIR & PARTNERS ARE CONSULTING SURVEYORS WHO SPECIALISE IN PROVIDING SITE SPECIFIC SURVEY WORK FOR LOCAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND ALSO ROADWORKS AND POWER LINE SET-OUTS FOR LARGE CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THEY OFFER ALL SURVEY SERVICES, AND NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL.

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ow long have Newnham Karl Weir been in operation? Newnham Karl & Partners, Consulting Surveyors, have been established in Coffs Harbour since 1973. Bruce Weir & Partners, Consulting Surveyors, have been established since 1986. In 2002 the groups merged to form Newnham Karl Weir & Partners. A V Spagnolo & Associates, Consulting Surveyors, have been established since 1986. In January 2004 the firm merged with Newnham Karl Weir & Partners. The combined group specialises in cadastral and engineering surveys with particular emphasis on large scale urban planning of residential estates, including feasibility studies, control surveys, road design, water, sewerage and storm water drainage, project management, environmental studies, construction supervision and contract management. The group provides specialist services to government departments, Councils, major developers and private clients, as well as being part of project consultants with engineering and architectural groups on major development projects. The group employs qualified professional surveyors and drafting staff and uses electronic measuring and data recording equipment, interfaced with computer facilities using Land Mark, AutoCAD and 12d software. Introduce us to the team ... Our Directors are: Heinz Karl, Anthony Spagnolo, Ken Alderman and Bruce Weir.

We consist of three Registered Surveyors, one Candidate Surveyor, six Surveyors, one Instrument Person, four Surveyor’s Assistants, one Draftsman, one Practice Manager and two administration staff. From the common customers to the more unique; who are your typical customers? Our clientele varies widely, from someone looking to have his or her boundaries marked, to local building contractors, to people wanting to develop their land for subdivision, be it Torrens, Strata or Community Title, to large government and corporate departments such as Roads & Maritime Services, Lend Lease Services Pty Ltd and Abigroup. For young people considering their career path, why would you recommend a career in this field? We would recommend a career in Surveying as it is a profession that you can travel with, and it is a bit more exciting than just sitting in an office all day like other professions. You also have the chance to be out in the field or on large construction sites using highly accurate instruments. But it's not all serious. Tell us about some of the more fun, technical elements of the work you do? A recent innovation to the field of surveying is GPS navigation, which allows a Surveyor to pick up more accurate information in difficult terrain. Even more recent is the introduction of un-manned aerial vehicles that operate via remote control. 5 Murdock St, Coffs Harbour. 6652 6630. coffs coast focus 97

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focusrealestate.

with Chris Hines from Unrealestate

real ROFILE P S S E BUSIN

Steve has had over 30 years’ experience as a licensed electrician, starting out his trade at 16 years of

age with the then Sydney County Council and branching out into another career path whilst always continuing with his electrical contracting work part-time.

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teve relocated from Sydney Services we offer: to Coffs Harbour 22 years We undertake all types of electrical ago, after marrying a local services, from domestic to commercial, born Coffs Harbour girl and inclusive of general electrical services, since has been a very level 2 electrical services, energy active member of the local auditing and light retrofitting, community, contributing commercial and industrial to many sporting projects. We also organisations and specialise in solar supply our e ad different fundraising and installation and m ve ha e W cal opportunities. grid work. position in the lo trusted In 2007, Steve Team: Steve community as a with ss extended his business Black, Joe Pratt and electrical busine ery solutions for ev to full-time capacity. Dylan Turner are our .” ed ne al ic tr elec Business aims: it is nucleus team, plus we our aim to be the most have a team of highly sought after electrical skilled and experienced service in the Coffs subcontractor electricians Harbour region, with focus who assist us. on experienced and timely service, Steve’s favourite: Steve’s interest catering to every electrical need, leading to lies with all things energy efficient which satisfied return customers who are happy to result in decreased power bills. Energy recommend our services on to others. auditing, retrofitting energy saving products, We have made our position in the local solar supply and installation are his specialty. community as a trusted electrical business, He gets a great thrill when able to save with solutions for every electrical need. people hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars We always strive to ensure there is no off their electricity bills. compromise with the level of services Steve Black Electrical offered. 6653 7887.

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he biggest issue many Most buyers prefer to make the upgrades homeowners face when listing themselves, not pay a premium for what their house for sale is the price. you have done. Ultimately, this means the You want to get the most you higher price may find little interest, because can, but be careful when it the value of the upgrades is ignored by the comes to pricing it too high. potential buyers. This can also lead to the Listing Your Property With Too High a frustrating situation wherein you realise you Price spent more money on upgrades than you For no particular reason, you have picked up will ever get out of the property. Ouch. the itch to sell your house. Maybe there are The final risk associated with pricing your developments in your area that have caused property at the top of the market is the massive appreciation and you simply want potential it will be ignored. The general rule to cash out while the going is good. Maybe in real estate for buyers is to purchase the you just are interested to see what someone lowest priced home in an area and then fix it will pay. up. With minor changes, appreciation gains In making the decision to sell, you do the can be significant. If your home is already research to find out what at the top of the market, a buyer comparable homes in really cannot do this and will the area are selling actually have to wait for for and how long it other properties in the takes them to sell. area to appreciate. Savvy One You decide to list or even moderately n io at justific e ak m your property at knowledgeable buyers s er many sell h ig h a g the top of the will not take the bait. n for picki es ad gr p u e ar market, because Pricing your property price e th to e n you have serious for sale is a trick issue. do property. ” upgrades and the Figure out your market research shows and make your own comparable homes conclusions. To maximise are moving pretty profit, it is best to be in the quickly. While you may be middle of the market, but always willing to wait a bit for an offer, below other homes that are superior you run a risk of sabotaging yourself. to your property. Time is a two way street in the real Once again, as I have said before, find estate industry. While you are probably a reputable Real Estate Agent, who can not particularly interested in waiting a appraise your property and also show you long time to move the property, buyers documented evidence on how they came are considering time as well. Specifically, to that price. Just remember one crucial they are wondering why so much time has piece of advice though: don’t choose an passed since your home was first listed. Is it agent based solely on the price they tell you. an indication that there is something wrong Choose the agent whom you believe has with the property? Many potential buyers the relevant skills to market your property will start to think so. If you price the property and get you the best price. Together, you at the top of the comparable market, you can then come up with the correct pricing run this risk, and selling becomes very strategy. difficult. The best strategy to get your home sold One justification many sellers make for is correct pricing, great presentation and picking a high price are upgrades done standout marketing. If you get these three to the property. In many scenarios, this is key points correct, you put yourself in a great logical and makes practical sense. That being position to get your property sold, regardless said, you may be in for a nasty surprise. of market condition.

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New office now open.

New home design centre now open.

Give us a call or drop in for a chat today.

At G.J. Gardner Homes we take the stress out of building your new home. With up front costing, inspiring designs and local trades, we are your local building specialists.

171 Orlando Street,

Why not come and see how we can turn your dream home into

Contact:

a reality by visiting our new office, now open for inspection at : 171 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour, 2450

G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450.

on 132 789 or visit gjgardner.com.au

Photographs may depict fixtures, finishes and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes. These items include landscaping –including planter boxes, retaining walls, water features, pergolas, screens, swimming pools, pool decks and fences. Fischer Built Pty Ltd. BL: 191313C.