COFFS COAST
Feature Story Pete Evans
January 2015//issue 52
SIMMONS The
THREE GENERATIONS
coffs coast focus. 1
WELCOME WELCOME HOME HOME North Sapphire Beach is the kind of place you will truly be proud to call home. A North Sapphire Beach is the of place place where the established andkind welcoming you will truly be proud to call home. community is as much of a drawcard Aas the place where the location. established and welcoming stunning coastal
community is as much of a drawcard as the stunning coastal location.
Contemporary homes sit nestled between a beautiful mountain backdrop, lush Contemporary homes sit nestled between rainforest and a quintessential stretch a beautiful mountain backdrop, lush of Australian rainforestcoastline. and a quintessential stretch of Australian coastline.
Your vision of a beautiful home at North Sapphire Beach waiting,home and isatjust one Your vision of aisbeautiful North move awayBeach from becoming reality. Sapphire is waiting, and is just one
North Sapphire Beach Offers:
· Lots ranging fromOffers: 512sqm to 674sqm North Sapphire Beach ·· ·· ·
· ·· ·
· ·· ·
Overranging 38 hectares of parks open space Lots from 512sqm toand 674sqm Cycle38paths and of timber connect Over hectares parks boardwalk and open space homes with the beach
Cycle paths and timber boardwalk connect Beachstone Café within the community homes with the beach
Only ten minutes drivethe to community Coffs Harbour Beachstone Café within Town and airport Only ten minutes drive to Coffs Harbour Town and airport Land registration due February 2015 Land registration due February 2015 Home and land packages available Home and land packages available
move away from becoming reality.
LLAANND NGG D N NO O W S EE LL LLIIN
OM M $ 2 4 55 ,, 000000 FFRRO 4 coffs coast focus.
E ES NCTERNE T R E V I SVIITS ITTH ET HS EA LSEASL C North Solitary & Fisher CnrCnr North Solitary DriveDrive & Fisher RoadRoad North Sapphire Beach North Sapphire Beach O PO EP N EI N UR NGI NHGO H OSU R S Wed Sun 9am 3pm or byorappointment Wed - Sun 9am - 3pm by appointment
S P LIT
SOLI TAR Y RD
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contacts.
editor's note. Photo credit: Darren Heelis Photography
focus COFFS COAST
melly@focusmag.com.au
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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.
editor.
from the
EDITOR: Melly Shute
nicole@focusmag.com.au
Melly Shute.
Welcome to the January issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS.
I
t’s that time of year, where we stop overindulging in the fruits of deliciousness that is the silly season and we ask ourselves a couple of hard questions. What do I want this year, and how am I going to get it? There are a few things that I wish to work towards - remain focused on completing my law degree, have longer conversations with my mum, be a better boss, send thank you notes, eat clean, and work as hard as I possibly can to bring our community the best possible version of FOCUS. What do you want this year? Go out and get it! And if it’s really awesome, call me - there might just be a story in it. Happy New Year
IN THIS ISSUE Our timely New Year, New You feature sets out to help us reach our health goals. We interview celebrity chef and author Pete Evans and learn about all things “paleo”; Deborah Mailman, who is an indigenous actress that continues to inspire Aussies; and Rob Trezise, the man behind Faces of Coffs Harbour, a self funded project where he plans on capturing 1,000 pictures of the weird and wonderful people that make Coffs Harbour the best place in the world. ON THE COVER It doesn’t get more local than the Simmons family. The family have been in Coffs Harbour for 80 years, originally coming here to carve a career in the rag
trade. Jack Simmons Mensland is owned and operated by Tony and his wife, Elizabeth, who still work five and half days a week on the floor. The store is still very popular and completely iconic to our region. Walk in store and you’ll find three generations of Simmons working on any given day, welcoming customers with a jolly greeting and a huge smile! I adore the Simmons family; I’m honoured to call them my friends and be a part of sharing their story. FINAL SAY “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” - Brad Paisley.
Melly Shute – Editor melly@focusmag.com.au Instagram: @le_mellyshute
coffs coast focus. 9
AROUND THE REGION //JANUARY 2015
VINTAGE TRAIN RIDES
TWILIGHT FOOD MARKETS Pink Silks Ladies Day Coffs Harbour Racing Club
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Park Beach Plaza’s PINK Fashions on the Field, Raffles, Monster Auction, FREE entertainment for kids, dress up and support Breast Cancer research and local women’s health. When Sunday 11th January. More info 6652 1488. www.coffsracingclub.com.au
Located at the beach in Coffs Harbour under the fig trees in the reserve. Culinary delights from around the globe. Fun, social and family friendly. Bring your children, dogs, a blanket to sit on, and don’t forget your bottle of champers! Phone For more information, call Maureen Shaw 0418 447 330. When Every Friday during daylight saving months; 5pm - 9pm. Where Park Beach Reserve, Surf Club Road, Coffs Harbour.
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BEACHSTONE CAFé BRAZILIAN BUFFET DINNER
The riverside parkland will be transformed into an open air gallery. Sculptures will align the pathways for public exhibition for one day only, between 10am and 4pm. To complement this wonderful display will be live musical performances, as well as food and beverage stalls.
Traditional Brazilian cuisine with a Rodizio menu, including a range of succulent BBQ marinated meats in Brazilian style. Carved straight from the skewer at your table by our chefs. Specialty vegetarian dishes will also be available, along with traditional South American side dishes. Fixed all you can eat price and live entertainment. BYO: yes, a small corkage fee.
When 10am - 4pm, Sunday 18th January. Where Morgo Street Reserve, 15 Morgo Street, Urunga. Cost FREE - donations accepted. Contact dgsouthgate@westnet.com.au
When January 16th, 6pm - 9pm. Where Beachstone Café, North Sapphire. Cost $35. Bookings essential 6653 6188.
ART URUNGA SCULPTURE IN THE PARK
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Due to popular demand, the Vintage Trains will be returning to the Coffs Coast over two weekends in January: Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th, as well as Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th. The popular five tunnels and three bridges shuttle will run each morning, with the last shuttle in the evening saved for adults only. On this trip you are invited to BYO drinks and nibbles to enjoy during your journey to Coramba, a quaint country town just west of Coffs Harbour. When Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th; Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January. Where Coffs Harbour Train Station Angus McLeod Place, Coffs Harbour. Cost Adults $20; children $10; family (2A/2C) $50. More info nwmanson@bigpond.com
w
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inside this
The Beautiful Girls. The Beautiful Girls, aka Mat McHugh, are hitting the stage at January’s Drop in Festival, with a new record and contagious beats and style ...
Issue 52 - January 2015
Faces of Coffs Harbour.
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Rob Trezise’s self funded Faces of Coffs Harbour is a project about capturing 1,000 faces of people who live in Coffs Harbour from all different walks of life and cultures, in an effort to showcase the many weird and wonderful people that make Coffs Harbour the best part of the world. This is Rob’s story …
52.
usual suspects.
the
10. what’s on for January 34. eat featuring local restaurants 68. star guide with Terri
Amy Wedd. Amy Wedd began riding motocross and dirt track at the local Coffs Harbour track at 15 years of age. Amy competes in both women’s and men’s classes and loves to race with men, because they are competitive and push her to the edge!
76. social scene with Carole Beros 80. tourism with Tourism Coffs Coast
No matter where you are in the world, read Focus for free online every month @
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coffs coast focus.
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thi si
sc ool
Editorial
Chef/Owner Stefano
DELIVERY APP
B I G
G A R D E N
F U R N I T U R E
SUMMER LIVING OUTDOOR LOUNGE CHAIRS, HANDCRAFTED USING TASMANIAN OAK; IT’S A GREAT PIECE TO ENHANCE ANY ALFRESCO AREA. The timber has a custom lime wash application, then is lightly sanded to reveal the grain and finished with a satin polyurethane coat to protect the furniture. This suite is supplied with Australian made mattresses and cushions, with the cover fabrics in Sundec by Warwick, all handmade in house. Shown is just one of the combinations
available. Big Garden Furniture can custom design just about any style that you like, and the latest colours are amazing. To make your outdoor area a place of beauty, contact Big Garden Furniture for an obligation free quote today. www.biggardenfurniture.com.au or call Gareth 0417 205 807.
Fiasco Ristorante & Bar have launched their brand new home delivery App, free to download from iTunes or Play Store.
& Bar menu prices, with a selection of pizzas, pastas and side dishes on offer. Simply click on your mobile phone and presto, delicious food at your front door!
Stefano and the team have recently renovated the restaurant, and at the heart of the renovations are a custom built wood fire over and a marble pizza bench.
Delivery as little as $5 and free delivery to the Jetty area, delivery as far as Moonee Beach from Tuesday - Sunday evenings. Stay tuned for cooking lessons coming to Fiasco soon.
If you can’t get down to the restaurant to enjoy traditional Italian food - look no further. Fiasco’s pizzailolo, Alessandro, can ensure that you have fresh wood fired pizza brought to you in the comfort of your home… The new Fiasco App offers Fiasco Ristorante
Download the free App today. Search iTunes or Play Store: “Fiasco Restaurant + Bar” Open from 5pm - late, Tuesday - Sunday. 22 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour. 6652 2006
LOCAL RED ROCK ARTIST CARMEL DEBREUIL HAS ENJOYED A PRODUCTIVE YEAR AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO EXCITING PROSPECTS IN THE NEW YEAR.
T
with Joel McCulla from Zulu’s
WH
AT ’ S I N
RADISH
Ah, mustard’s sweet and crisp cousin has come into season, the radish. Its crisp texture and crimson snow appearance should grace every salad while it can. Being a great source of vitamin c, and a brilliant peppery addition to any dish, it is sad to think how under appreciated the once noble root vegetable has become. Whether it’s shaved and put through a fresh tossed salad, or used as a grated addition to pick a coleslaw up and elevate it to a new level, the radish reinvigorates almost anything you want to put into your mouth. One of my favourites is to use a tossed mixture of shaved radish, freshly picked coriander and lime juice and zest as a crisp topper to almost any of my favourite south American dishes.
D e b r e u i l To continue reading about unique ingredients, including a few useful tips and recipes, visit my blog on the Zulu’s Restaurant & Bar website: www.zuluscoffs.com
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he highlight of this year was being a finalist in the Portia Geach Memorial Art Prize," says Debreuil. "It's one of the biggest prizes in Australia." Debreuil participated in two solo and nine group shows, including one at the prestigious NG Art Gallery in Chippendale, Sydney's trendiest art district. She will open a solo show in the same gallery in March of next year. She created a colourful interactive mural at Port Macquarie's Westport Playground. "It's an all inclusive playground for children of all abilities." Carmel also does commission work for clients. "I love working with people to create the perfect visual story," she says. She has also branched into prints of her work on plywood in various sizes. "Now that my work is becoming more of an investment and the value is steadily rising, I like to have some pieces available for those not ready to make a larger financial commitment, but still want to start their art collection. Because my work is painted on plywood, having it printed on the same material keeps the integrity of the original and means even the prints have their own unique thumbprint." Carmel opens her studio/gallery in Red Rock in January. "I'm looking forward to having an open studio where people can drop in, enjoy the process and check out my work and hopefully pick themselves up something special!"
focusinterview.
PETE CELEBRITY CHEF Celebrity chef Pete Evans is embarking on a national tour, educating Australia
on living life through making good choices nutritionally and changing a traditional mindset. Pete chats to
FOCUS about all things paleo and what we can expect to get out of living “The Paleo Way”.
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hat is paleo and living “The Paleo Way”? Living The Paleo Way is about applying principles from the Palaeolithic period, coupled with modern-day nutritional research, to seek out nutrient-dense foods that drive optimal physical and emotional health. By viewing the food we eat as medicine, we can ensure the body functions at peak capacity, giving ourselves the best possible chance of living long healthy, disease-free lives. It also factors in challenges our ancestors would never have faced, such as the invention of agriculture, the change in the grain strains, the creation of trans-fats and highly heated polyunsaturated oils - all of which scientific research now proves can impact gravely on our health. What’s the difference between a paleo diet and a “low fat” diet? I enjoy a diet of 100% grass-fed meat and organ meats, pasture-raised poultry and game, wild-caught seafood, nuts, seeds, some seasonal fruits and lots of brain-powering leafy greens. I avoid grains, legumes, conventional dairy products, non-organic produce and genetically modified and processed foods, so many of which fall into the category of “low-fat” foods. The difference between paleo and a “low-fat diet” (which I do not at all recommend) is that recent scientific research has discovered a myriad of health benefits that come by including the kind of beneficial saturated fats and essential fatty acids (omega-3s) found in everything from avocados to nuts to coconut oil to animal
fats from quality sources. These are important cornerstones of paleo, because they give cues to our brains that allow us to feel fuller after each meal and - because our brains are 70% fat these kinds of good fats are fundamental dietary staples important for brain health, memory function and reducing inflammation in the body. I hear paleo is not just diet, but a way of life. Can you back this up? Making healthy choices every day creates awareness about the ongoing impact the foods you choose to put into your body have on your individual physical and emotional wellbeing. That’s why paleo isn’t a diet. This is designed to be sustainable and achievable because putting our health first is a lifelong journey - a choice we can all make for ourselves, every day with every forkful of food we put in our mouths. For myself, Nic and the girls, it’s about finding balance and consistency - we eat foods that fuel our bodies and minds in a positive way, and we encourage others to do the same. I know for myself making healthy choices has given me the ultimate rewards. At 41, I am happier and healthier than I have ever been before and I enjoy boundless energy, improved mental clarity and focus and positive emotional wellbeing. That’s why I’m driven with laser-sharp focus to share the benefits of what myself, my family, friends and millions of people around the world have discovered, which is that achieving ultimate health and wellness is something that we can do by choosing the natural foods that are right for our individual needs. Some people may say “it’s too hard” or that they feel “too limited” or can’t
e Personally, I lik th al to put my he ith every mouth w st fir d that’s of food I eat, an it d fin t n’ why I do “too el fe or ” rd ha “too ay w e limited” by th live.” that I choose to
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socialise with friends eating the paleo way. Is this a misconception? If so, how? Some people find it different initially because living The Paleo Way isn’t about following a polite doctrine of modern-day “social norms”, and often people will criticise anything they view as different. So be prepared that when you take initial steps towards reclaiming your personal health and wellbeing, you may meet resistance from some. But to be honest, that’s all part of the journey and why I encourage people to be bold, brave and to stand up for what they believe are the right food choices for themselves and their bodies. Remember, it’s OK to “fit out”. To be honest, I’ve never “fitted in”, and I’m OK with that. Personally, I like to put my health first with every mouth of food I eat, and that’s why I don’t find it “too hard” or feel “too limited” by the way that I choose to live. The best advice I can give is to be prepared, plan ahead and try to always make the most nutrient-dense food choice possible available at any given time. My social life has improved dramatically since adopting this way of LIVING, as I have more time, more energy and the conversations are a lot more intelligent now than when I’d had a few drinks to try to fit in. What knowledge can we expect to take away after attending “Learn to Cook the Paleo Way”?
Last year, we focused a lot on the science behind paleo, thanks to having my mentor, US-based internationally recognised paleo diet expert Nora Gedgaudas, author of Primal Body, Primal Mind, discuss the solid scientific evidence that forms the basis of The Paleo Way. But this year, we are focusing more on the practicalities of living The Paleo Way, so there’s going to be lots of cooking! Luke and I will demonstrate the paleo way skills needed to cook on a budget, make bone broths, prepare family food and healthy kids’ lunches, as well as teaching you how to ferment in your own kitchen. Where and when are you coming to town? I’m excited to say that we’ll be at Rydges in Port Macquarie on Thursday, February 12 and at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour the following week on Thursday February 19. How can we find out more information about yourself and this tour? Along with the tour, we are also launching a 10-week activation program called The Paleo Way on January 18, 2015. This is a vibrant health, weight management and fitness program that sets you up and teaches you paleo so you can enjoy a happy, healthier life. For more information on both the tour and the activation program, head to www.thepaleoway.com or Pete Evans - Cook with Love & Laughter. www.peteevanschef.com coffs coast focus.
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focusinterview.
#latitude30south #coffscoast #imagescoffsharbour #rollerderby #girlfights
INSTA like
@ahansw Rising Chef of the Year award! Congrats Michael
@latitude30
HYPOXI COFFS HARBOUR @hypoxicoffsharbour
@hypoxicoffsharbour #coffscup #hypoxicoffsharbour #helenforrest #daniellejohnson
@bonvillegolfresort Head chef @ michaelurquhart of Flooded Gums wins the Chef rising star award
CRISTINA PELL Interior Design and Sustainability Portuguese born Cristina Pell originally studied languages, becoming fluent in French, Spanish and English before going on to study industrial design at Lusiada University in Lisbon.
C
ristina is a member of Green Building Council of Australia and brings her craft of combining interior and sustainable design to Coffs Coast. How do interior design and sustainability partner together? We live in a fast paced world where technology is ever present in our society, which has made us distance ourselves from the intrinsic connection that we have with nature. This distance caused some heavy consequences in humanity’s footprint. But not all is bad, because this brought some awareness of these issues and designs along with other disciplines; problem solving is and will continue to find solutions for these matters. How can interior design and
sustainability improve our quality of life and at the same time be ethical with the environment? Good interior design seeks to create a functional and comfortable space, that is customised and adapted to your needs. This will provide you a personal haven where you can recharge from the fast paced life and busy environments. Sustainability embraces traditional methods (use of natural fibres, materials, vintage pieces) and new technologies to develop and produce materials that are clean and green (recycled, recyclable, renewable), becoming more and more accessible. When these green products are introduced into your home, free of chemicals and toxics vapours, you‘ll end up with better indoor air quality,
prolonging your health, therefore improving your quality of life without sacrificing style. Big or small, residential or commercial, there is always room for a sustainable approach. For more info in how you can combine interior design and sustainability, whether you seek consultancy or management of a design project, please contact me: Eco Interior Design Member of Green Building Council of Australia www.ecointerior.com.au 0412 465 035.
#emeraldbeach #oceanswim #wildlife #kangaroo
real • whole • clean
#LOVE
COFFS COAST NSW @coffscoastnsw Everyone is dreaming of going for a dip in the waters at Serenity Bay
NICOLA DAWSON @nicolajill
- with Mauz
c h oc o l ate tu rk is h de l ig ht Ca ke INGREDIENTS. Chocolate Turkish Delight Cake 1½ cups plain flour 50 g gelatine free Rose Turkish Delight + 70 g extra* 3 tbsp raw cacao powder* 5 tbsp macadamia oil* 1 tsp bicarb soda 1 tbsp white vinegar 1 cup sugar 1 cup cold water 2 tbsp rose water* Rose Petal Jelly* Topping 200 g dark chocolate (for topping) 100g Nuttelex
Extra Turkish Delight Rose petals or Pashmak to garnish*
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METHOD. This is the quickest, easiest, yummiest cake you can hope to make! The trickiest bit is chopping up the Turkish delight, which can be pretty sticky.
Preheat oven to moderate. Line an 18 cm round tin with baking paper. Sift dry ingredients into a bowl, make a well in the centre and add wet ingredients. Whisk gently ‘til smooth. Add 50 g of the Turkish Delight chopped into small pieces. Pour into prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, remove from tin and allow to cool completely. Carefully slice in half horizontally and spread
3 - 4 tbsp Rose Petal Jelly on bottom half. Reassemble. For topping, gently melt remaining Turkish delight with Nuttelex over low heat until melted. Add chopped chocolate, stirring ’til smooth. Spread over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with rose petals or Pashmak if desired. *All available from your local gourmet retailer. This cake is best served immediately. As if you’ll be able to wait ...
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SHORT BUSINESS DOCUMENTARY
DAVID FOULKES
MEET THE CREATIVE SHORT BUSINESS DOCUMENTARY MAKER, DAVID FOULKES.
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professional message. I’ve made short punchy here are you originally from, and when did you first arrive documentaries for a psychotherapist, a market research in Coffs Harbour? company and a sustainable farming food hub, among Ok, it’s a bit complicated. others, to give you an idea. If your market can get to see I’m from Auckland, but after inside who you are, then they are more likely to buy what spending ten years in London you do. This type of content also has a long shelf life and finding a lovely English wife, we moved to Australia and can be used at presentations, on websites, in email with the intention of living regionally rather than in the big marketing or on LinkedIn blogs. That it’s promotional is cities. For us, moving to Australia was more than swapping almost incidental. one big city for another - we wanted to experience big What is your favourite documentary, and how has it skies and less people. After that we pretty quickly settled inspired you? on Coffs Harbour, as it had enough bustle so we wouldn’t Do I have to choose? Hmm - I think a favourite would go mad, but it still felt like a country town - albeit with have to be one of the clips a team of us made for Naked great coffee. Wines Australia. Their concept is so revolutionary and their What is a short business documentary, and how is it people, customers and suppliers believe in what they’re different? doing with such passion, all we had to do was point the The main reason that your basic corporate video seems camera at them and say, “Go!” https://david-moondogfilm. phoney and dull is because the brief is usually all wistia.com/medias/zr97ibo5m8 about “what” people do, instead of “why” I might just be inspired, because with all they do it. that they also happen to make bloody There’s a ton of research on this, good wine, but in truth I think the n he but it really boils down to a simple fact that their mission is primarily Years ago w ed ov fact - we’re very social animals. So m to look after wine producers we first d te ar st I when confronted with two very , while giving two fingers to to the area the in s m fil t or sh similar proposals for a product the supermarket duopoly is making iends fr ith w s nd or service, we’ll go with the ke refreshingly honourable. And wee a one which we feel more they seem to be enjoying but after we w on sort , it couple of awards ore connected to at a personal themselves! I think there’s m of morphed into ith level. In other words, we buy more than a little bit of larrikin w serious learning from people we trust when all subversion there that Aussies r Tony local film mento other things are equal (and even love. Wickert .” sometimes when they’re not). When did your passion for film Knowing “why” someone is in making begin? business is the fastest way to build Years ago when we first moved to that trust, because it can’t be faked. But the area, I started making short films in the the process of capturing that is pretty organic and weekends with friends but after we won a couple flexible compared to the very structured process usually of awards, it sort of morphed into more serious created by a production crew. learning with local film mentor Tony Wickert. He got me When did you first start making business into documentary, and after that I was hooked. documentaries? Where do you hope your passion will take you? I blame Wayne and Jacquie Houlden. They invited me to I still love fiction and would like to blend the two for a make some content for their website about what Janison comedy - a bit like Ricky Gervais’ The Office, where at first do (online learning) in order to reach potential recruits in you’re not quite sure if it’s real or not. the big cities. It was all very technologically amazing, but I would also like to think I have a feature length film up not compelling visually. Then I met some of the staff and I my sleeve, but for now I’ll stick to my day job of helping noticed just how passionate they all were about learning businesses and organisations tell their stories passionately. tools and technology. I decided to make a clip about What are your 2015 plans? the process of learning, because that’s why Janison is in Well, we’re in for a bit of shock, as we’ll be moving business. They used it in their blog and as far as I know, it back to the UK after ten years (and two kids) here in Coffs helped them get a new engineer or two. Harbour! Why would you encourage a business owner to Australia’s been good to us, so it’s bittersweet to be create a documentary on what they do, and how leaving all our friends (and yes, sunshine) but time for a could having this type of content benefit a business change and a new horizon. owner? I’ll be freelancing in media, where there’s a lot of It’s not for everyone, I must admit. If someone really opportunity over there, and Fiona will be leaving the doesn’t care why they're in business, or they think it’s just Cancer Council to pursue more charity work based in to pay the bills, I really can't help them tell a story. And London. second hand cars are probably still best sold via a shouty I’m only worried about the kids being very confused man in a loud shirt. Some things just need to fun and part Aussie/part Kiwi/part English - but they know their shouty! The main benefits of what I call eFILMs are for thongs and jandals from their flip flops, so maybe that’s a those with a complex business proposal or service. good omen. Getting through is really hard without a short Thanks for having us, Coffs Harbour!
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GIRLS THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, AKA MAT MCHUGH, ARE HEADING TO THE HOEY MOEY, WITH A NEW RECORD AND CONTAGIOUS BEATS. READ BELOW TO HEAR ALL ABOUT MAT AND HIS PASSION FOR MUSIC.
G
oing back to the earliest point, where and when did music all begin for you? I can’t even remember. I have a 3 year old now, and I kind of see the patterns repeating from when I was a kid. My dad played guitar and always had friends who played music. He didn’t do it on any kind of professional level but he played and he loved music a lot, so there was always music around. There wasn’t ever a time in my life where there wasn’t a guitar around or something. I got involved with the school band really young, when I was in first grade; I’ve always done it - I don’t remember ever not having it. We didn’t have a television, but we had a record player. What was the instrument you learnt to play in the school band? I played saxophone; I was determined. I was 6 years old, and I said to Dad, “You have to take me to school and get me a saxophone”. The school didn’t have one; they searched around in a closet and they found this rusted old, horrible, beat up saxophone that they’d had for years. The deal was if I stuck with it, then we’d talk about them getting me one or the school buying a new one. For the first two years I was a little kid in first grade, and you weren’t allowed to be in the school band until you’re in the third year. So I played that saxophone for two years and got paid out by all the older kids; they were laughing at me because of this beat up old piece of junk. But then I made it to the third grade, when 18 coffs coast focus.
Releasing stuff independently, eryo ne working with ev r ila m si who has a ally re r ve ne , et minds out at selling any of th to le ab g and still bein I s, ar ye 10 do it after an d ht lig gh hi a er consid a success ...”
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you’re actually allowed to play in the school band. The school bought a new sax, and I was allowed to use it. So, I went from having the worst to the best. I’ve always been like whatever it takes ... I just love playing music. When and how were you discovered? It was pretty weird, ‘cause I’d always just liked to play music and I never really wanted to have it as a job. I studied graphic design; I like creative stuff, and I never dreamed or thought or wondered what it would be like to play music for a job. It wasn’t on the radar! Traditionally being in bands growing up, you’d want to do an EP and go on tours and get famous. I never really wanted that. I was travelling overseas and I’d written a bunch of stuff, and I was busking. I lived in India for a year, and then I lived in New York, and I was busking just to make money for food. I came back and a girl I knew was putting on an open mic night in Bondi. I got a couple of friends to play these songs I’d written and people liked it; they started coming more and more. There’d be an open mic night where there’d be 20 people, and the third time we played there were around 600 people. A guy there picked up a about 10 CDs and went into the Triple J offices and put them in all the pigeon holes of the announcers; I think they thought it was official mail from higher
up or something, and a couple of them just played it. I got a really good response on the radio, so, there wasn’t any real grand strategy - it was kind of just accidental. I didn’t have any desire to get on the radio; I was just driving one day and I heard it. Our first record we did in three hours; it cost $300, and we just plugged in and played and sang everything live, no overdubs - I think that’s gone on to sell 100,000 copies. Just hearing that on the radio and having people buy it was strange to me, ‘cause I’d never actually sold anything. It was just literally intended to pass around at these open mic nights. Growing up, who was your biggest inspiration? My dad, when I was really little. He passed away when I was ten. Whatever he would listen to I would be surrounded by; he listened to a lot of country, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash ... then Sinatra and Dean Martin and all those guys. I was doing all that stuff for years as a kid and then when I hit teenagehood, I got more into punk rock and hip hop - three chord punk rock, like Minor Threat etc. I was right into that and also Run DMC and Public Enemy, NWA, all that raggedy hip hop stuff too. Career highlight? Just being able to still do this and do it inde-
pendently. We have a different set of criteria about what’s important and what I consider successful. We have a set of guidelines as far as how we ethically operate, treat people and what our motivations are. It’s kind of like a check list - are we doing it successfully - and I think we haven’t really wavered from that. Releasing stuff independently, working with everyone who has a similar mindset, never really selling any of that out and still being able to do it after 10 years, I consider a highlight and a success - probably the greatest thing. For me, success and highlights just come over time, moments of illumination, but the whole thing is a process. There isn’t one kind of “Yes! This is it, we made it”; the highlight is bigger than that. It’s more about a body of work and a set of actions over a longer time. Everything passes - you can’t grab onto anything. The good things are super short, and so are the bad things. It’s kind of like where your heart’s at, where your head’s at while your hands are on the steering wheel is what’s important. I think we’ve maintained a pretty consistent model over a long time. Thanks Mat.
the plug! Sat 10 Jan 2015 - opening 9pm. Hoey Moey Hotel, Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour. This is an 18+ event $28.60 www.hoeymoey.com.au
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our new display to see all the changes! coffs coast focus.
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THE SIMMON FAMILY HAVE BEEN IN COFFS HARBOUR FOR 80 YEARS, ORIGINALLY COMING HERE TO CARVE A CAREER IN THE RAG TRADE. CUE 2015, AND TODAY THEIR FAMILY STORE, JACK SIMMONS MENSLAND, HAS THREE GENERATIONS OF SIMMONS WORKING IN THE BUSINESS ON ANY GIVEN DAY.
SIMMONS The
• JACK SIMMONS MENSland •
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he Simmon family have been in Coffs Harbour for 80 years, originally coming here to carve a career in the rag trade. Back in 1942, Mr Jack Simmon established an outstanding reputation in Coffs Harbour as a businessman of courtesy and integrity. Jack came to Coffs Harbour in 1941 from Bellingen, where he owned a business at the time. He also owned a store in Armidale. Upon arrival in Coffs Harbour, Jack took over a men’s store, formerly known as Blow’s. By 1953, Jack had completely modernised the store. This was entirely in line with Jack’s belief that the store was to keep up to date with the latest selling trends. When the store was first taken over by Mr Simmon, the staff comprised him and his manager, Frank Horan. Frank and Jack had worked together for over 20 years, having a break from being colleagues only when Frank went away to war. It was that period when Frank was away at war service when he brought his younger nephew, Tony Simmon, into business. It was always Jack’s legacy to ensure that the store and the family stayed up to date with current trends and good, old fashioned service. Cue 2015, and today Jack Simmons Mensland is owned and operated by Tony and his wife, Elizabeth, who work five and a half days a week on the floor. The store is still very popular and completely iconic to our region. Walk in store and you’ll find three generations of Simmons working on
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When did you any given day, welcoming The business ha been good to us meet your wife, customers with a jolly love Elizabeth, greeting and a huge and while we do hildre n dc having our gran and how long smile! mily as part of the fa have you been Tony, the Simmons t portan business , it is im ue married? Where have a history in rs to us that they pu did you both Coffs Harbour that s.” their own care er get married, and spans over 80 years. did you have a What is the original traditional Lebanese heritage of the Simmon wedding? family, and who were some We met at a friend’s wedding of the first Simmons to pull up in Armidale and married two years stumps in Coffs Harbour? later, in 1962, in Inverell. Our wedding My grandfather, Lou Simmon, arrived was a traditional Lebanese wedding with in Australia from Lebanon at the turn of about 250 guests. the last century, settling in Kempsey and One aspect of the Jack Simmons Centre travelling up and down the coast as a that hasn’t changed is Trixie, the vintage hawker selling clothing. In 1922 my uncle, ride-on horse. What is the history behind Jack Simmon, established his first business, the famous horse? a drapery and mercery store in Bellingen. Jack Simmon bought Trixie back in 1962. He expanded in 1938, establishing a People seem to appreciate that the price menswear store at Armidale. Jack could see hasn’t changed much in over fifty years - it the potential growth in Coffs Harbour and was originally only a sixpence, then a shilling, in 1941 sold his interests in Bellingen and and now only 20c per ride. We often hear Armidale to establish a menswear store in parents (and now grandparents) telling their Coffs Harbour. children that they used to ride Trixie when Tony, as Jack Simmon’s nephew, when they were little. It really is great. and why did you become involved in the You both still work five and a half days a rag trade? week. What is the secret behind working I joined my Uncle Jack in the business in together every day? December 1952 - fresh out of St Joseph’s Our shop is quite a busy and social place, College, Sydney. My parents had retired to with our two sons working there and their Coffs Harbour two years earlier after selling children coming and going. We always have their drapery and mercery shop in Wingham. friends calling in. Working together as a I was in my parents’ shop from when I could family allows for a lot of flexibility. crawl.
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You have four grandchildren, and your grandsons are beginning to show an interest in the business, making three generations of Simmons in store at any given time. What does it mean to you to have your grandchildren involved in the business? We love it when our grandchildren are with us, at home or in the shop. As toddlers they would spend most of the time knocking stock off the shelves, but now they can actually help put stock on them! Our two eldest grandsons, Anthony and Matthew, enjoy serving customers. Anthony is heading off to boarding school next year to finish his HSC at Riverview. What changes do you think this new generation will bring to the business? The business has been good to us and while we do love having our grandchildren part of the family business, it is important to us that they pursue their own careers. Right now they have their whole life ahead of them, and who knows what they’ll do. It’s difficult to predict what assets they’ll bring to the business and to what capacity but as long as they are happy, so are we. What important lessons have you learnt along the way, and what would you like to pass down to your sons and grandchildren? It’s important to be polite, honest and sincere both in business and personal life. coffs coast focus.
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JETTY THEATRE Upcoming Shows
BELLINGEN CANOE HIRE
A very happy New Year from the team at the Jetty Memorial Theatre! Join us to enjoy some of the best in music, kids’ entertainment and film in the first quarter of 2015.
Bellingen Canoe Adventures is geared for family fun and the adventurous. Hire a canoe: prefer to go it alone? We will give you a map, so you can explore the magnificent estuaries, creeks, picnic and swim spots that the Bellinger River has to offer. Choose from 1 or 2 hours, half or full day hire, bring a picnic and have a swim.
Jodi Martin - Friday 9 January Jodi’s honest folk/roots style, evocative of Tracy Chapman and Sheryl Crow, makes her undoubtedly “one of Australia’s most talented singer-songwriters” - The Weekend Australian. The SPACEY TREETOPS PRODUCTION “NOW: IN sees THE WINGS ON A Jodi WORLD STAGE” touring KEVIN SPACEY SAM MENDES PROJECT COMPANY WILL ZNIDARIC DAVID M. SAUNDERS start of 2015 herTHE BRIDGE new album and bringing her AADEL NODEH-FARAHANI MICHELLE MULLEN KEVIN SPACEY JEREMY WHELEHAN great musical and storytelling talent to the intimacy of the Jetty Theatre. PRESENTS A
WITH
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
AND
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
EDITOR
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MUSIC BY
PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY
Coarse language
NOW - Wednesday 14 January Screenwave and the Jetty Theatre present this fascinating documentary film following Kevin Spacey, Sam Mendes and the Bridge Project Company as they go on the road across three continents with over 200 stage performances of Richard III. The film reveals some of the most intimate moments behind the scenes of the stage production and highlights Spacey’s revelatory interpretation of the lead role. Lily Can’t Sleep - Saturday 14 February Mixing mega fun word play with fantastic physical comedy, this sweet and imaginative piece of theatre will take you on an adventure to a land where anything is possible. Created for children aged 3-8 years old and their families - packed with laughter for everyone. See www.jettytheatre.com for further details and ticket bookings, visit or call the box office noon – 4pm, Tues to Fri; (02) 6652 8088.
JODI MARTIN
of Australia’s most “ One talented singer songwriters. ” THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
Friday 9 January 8pm
LILY CAN’T SLEEP
Fun and imaginative theatre for 3 to 8 year olds.
Saturday 14 February 10am & 12pm
RHONDA BURCHMORE
Sophisticated Ladies of Jazz
embraceable… “ Totally larger than life. ”
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Saturday 28 February 2pm & 8pm
Australia’s most respected short film festival is back in Coffs!
Friday 13 & Saturday 14 March 8pm Proudly supported by
Box office hours Tuesday to Friday 12 noon – 4pm jettytheatre.com | phone 02 6652 8088 email: jetty.theatre@chcc.nsw.gov.au facebook.com/jettymemorialtheatre 337 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour
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Half Day Flatwater Tours: Paddle with a guide, explore the rich flora and fauna that make the local estuaries, creeks and billabongs their homes, while passing dolphins and watchful eagles add excitement to the tour. You will encounter cows swimming - their daily river crossing pilgrimage. We find bridges to limbo under and have swims in the clear waters. Ride the Rapids Tours: Choose from half day or full day. Our grade 1 and 2 rapids make your trip exhilarating. The upstream sections of the Bellinger are particularly picturesque and have amazing swimming holes. Sunset Tours: As the day draws its final breath, it’s time to glide through the reflective pools of sundrenched twilight. Watch the sunset over “Old Man Dreaming”, as massive flocks of egret swoop, fish jump, stars emerge and flying foxes soar, as our guide gives an historic account of the Bellinger and its surrounds. Full Moon Tours: Ambience like never before. Paddle to the gentle hum of crickets and frogs, while the moon throws muted light on all it graces. Experience our unique nocturnal life. Our guide will enamour you with the star constellations above. We are open 7 days and 7 nights per week, and bookings are essential. Happy paddling!
LOVE AND KISSES Ask any switched-on shopper which shop in Coffs Harbour tops the list of “must-look-there-first”, and they’ll tell you it’s Love & Kisses. Owner Judy Sheehan says they had a wonderful Christmas season, thanks to all their lovely happy customers - and yes, they did sell all those Christmas decorations that she fretted about for months! They actually ran out of stock, so get in early this year. Lots of deliveries are still arriving, so there will be plenty of things for holiday shoppers to find - more new silky summer scarves from $7.95, loads of new necklaces and earrings, a new delivery of the popular hand blown glass Friendship Balls, and a great new range of casual bags from England in soft, unstructured leather. It’s a pleasure to browse through this lovely little shop, which has an amazing reputation way outside of Coffs, and a big and growing clientele of tourists and business travellers who make a point of shopping there on every trip through Coffs Harbour. So when you need a little treat for yourself, a welcome-baby gift, a gift book, or something out of the ordinary for a friend, give yourself 10 minutes to check out the quirkiest range of gifts and surprises you’ll ever find under one roof, and enjoy the Love & Kisses experience.
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LOVE + KISSES Monday, October 27 - the day Love & Kisses transforms into Coffs Harbour’s famous Christmas shop! You’ll have to see it to believe it.
tattoo artist Kryscina Merrett
You’ll find tiny handmade matchbox nativities from Peru One our$8.95, most talented artists, Merrett, has now forofjust and nativity starsKryscina made of olive wood from been tattooing foronly five$2.50. years and learnt the amazing skill right COAT OFforARMS TATTOO STUDIO Bethlehem here at Coat of Arms. Krys has developed talent and is There are little Christmas bells from Jim her Shore’s Disney Coat of arms hopes everybody’s Christmas andto start of bringing her style of amazing art on canvas through collectibles range, musical snow globes, more pretty her things the New Year was filled with happy times and laughter. tattoo ability, working with people and onhas skin. than you’d fi nd at Myers ... and Santa dropped off We would like to celebrate with Happy Holiday tattoos and A little about hundreds of Krys reindeers this year! body piercing. ArtAhas been a part of decoration mymemorable life sincemakes I was young. Frompiece penspecial Christmas lovely gift for Make your 2015 holiday withavery an everlasting teachers, to be remembered every year when the tree goes cil on paper, to acrylics and fi nally oil on canvas, art has always of art work or some bling with a piercing. Come get a piercing up. Judyaasays each year more people give Christmas treasures been, not way ofor expressing myself, anwill essential part of and bring friend two or three andbut you save $10 per as gifts to friends and workmates, and Grandmas often start my being, that I have never been without. person. If there is 5 or more you save $15 each. 10% discollection forI each grandchild and a special counts on tattoos that are the same forgive 2 people more. In aprevious years have exhibited my artwork, heldor myChristmas own And ornament every year. this willbeen last for the whole of January!!! solo awesome exhibition special and have published in Wellbeing Astrolog Lots of people shopping already for Secrettwo Santa and the 2003 with fourteen my consist oil paintings. The team at coat are of of arms of 6 tattooist piercers stockings, and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll fi nd in and friendly counter staff. youraccident; needs and canthis Becoming a Tattooist was aAll happy thisdesires was not anbe little shop for under $10. created and made a reality from any of our amazing artists. industry that I had any experience or knowledge in. It just From small intricate to large custom and unique Love &toKisses has built a following over had. seemed me toChristmas be tattoos an extension of quite the creativity I already pieces, ear piercings to implants to scarifi cation. the years, and people come from far and wide Anything to look and I have been blessed to work with amazing tattooists at Coat Of you wantJudy we says can do soyear come andand meet our city team if you shop. each more more folk timedon’t their Arms, whom continually hold the bar of expertise very high. know alreadyCoffs Arm,Harbour Meg, Craig, Clancy, Shae and at Bobbie. tripsusthrough to shop for Christmas Love & Areas of interest forto mewelcome now as aback tattooist are extension of We would also like our body piercer Ness, Kisses. my own - mythical, Hindu and Buddhist inspired and also art a big welcomespiritual, to the newest member of our team Join the people “in the know” - call in soon and browse artwork, figurative and fantasy. Jamie Peculiar! among the treasures.
Klaustel Phones & Data Klaustel Phones & Data
Can Klaustel supply and install business phone systems Cansmall Klaustel supply and for businesses? Yes!install business phone systems for small businesses? Yes! We cater for all businesses of all sizes. Whether you have 1 We cater for all businesses of all sizes. Whether you have 1 to 4 lines or 2 to 8 handsets, we have great business phone to 4 lines or 2 to 8 handsets, we have great business phone system packages that are created to suit your business needs. system packages that are created to suit your business needs. Do I need to lock into a long term contract or payment Do I need to lock into a long term contract or payment plan? No. plan? No. There is no need to get stuck in expensive long term payment There is no need to get stuck in expensive long term payment plans. Our prices are very affordable; however, we do offer plans. Our prices are very affordable; however, we do offer interest free payment plans. Remember, we are a small interest free payment plans. Remember, we are a small business just like you. business just like you. Do I need any sort of maintenance contract? No. Do I need any sort of maintenance contract? No. Our systems have a 1 to 3 year warranty period depending on Our systems have a 1 to 3 year warranty period depending on the make and besides, very little goes wrong with our systems. the make and besides, very little goes wrong with our systems. Can Klaustel bundle my telephone lines using the NBN? Can Klaustel bundle my telephone lines using the NBN? YES. YES. We have a free, no pressure consultation and have the We have a free, no pressure consultation and have the flexibility to create bundles that suit you and your business flexibility to create bundles that suit you and your business What would Klaustel recommend when considering What would Klaustel recommend when considering buying a new phone system? buying a new phone system? Always opinion and and quote, quote, and andremember rememberatat Always get get aa second second opinion Klaustel who sells sells you you the the equipment equipmentwill willbe bethe the Klaustel the the person person who same and maintains maintains it. it. same person person who who installs installs and
giant media The benefits of Custom-designed websites In the market for a new website? If you’re considering a GIANT MEDIA template, consider these factors first: Building great local business success stories… Functionality: A template website can only do so much, at This month are featuring from Married some pointwe in the future youSam mayDawson come unstuck when by you Sam. We have worked with Sam for over fi ve years really need to add more content or functionality to yourand website. enjoy her bright and bubbly personality; she is a true positive Design: A template can start off looking good, but without inspiration. the know-how it can quickly become a mess of images and poorly formatted content and you are left with no support to “I have nothing but complete praise for Bryn and resolve it.
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TIGIST TERESSA
SUZANNE
MORGAN
Suzanne Morgan has been involved in the leather trade since she was a child. Today Suzanne specialises in leather colouring and recolouring. She is passionate about breathing new life into leather, and on any given day you will find Suzanne working at her gorgeous home in Red Rock.
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here are you originally from, and how did you find yourself in Red Rock? What brought you all the way from Canada to the Mid North Coast? I am originally from Vancouver, Canada, and I came to Australia on a travelling adventure when I was 19 with two mates. I fell in love with an Aussie and married. When the marriage ended, I decided to continue travelling. I grew attached to the beauty, climate and the lifestyle of the Mid North Coast, eventually settling in Red Rock. People who live in Red Rock are quite passionate about the area, and I really love that about this pocket of the world. What is leather recolouring, and how did you find yourself involved in this art form? I guess I was born into it. As I got older, it was a natural career progression for me, so I found myself working for various leather restoration companies. Ultimately I am passionate at the thought of bringing life back to quality items that most likely would end up discarded. Essentially, leather recolouring is the application of a new coat of colour to faded, worn and cracked leather surfaces. I can recolour just about anything made from leather: boots, cushions, sofas, jackets etc. There are three (3) steps involved: Cleaning: to keep leather soft and flexible, dirt and grime must be removed. Dirt gets into creases and cracks and holds them open, which makes leather look old and worn, causing the damage to worsen as the leather ages. Re-colour: I mix the tint to match the colour of your furniture. I apply this by hand with sponges. The colour coat restores the furniture piece to near original condition. Condition: once re-coloured, I apply a specialty leather conditioner. Leather is like 24 coffs coast focus.
our skin. If it isn’t cleaned and moisturised on a regular basis, it will dry out and crack. This is the final stage. Your lounge will look and feel like new. What should one look for when considering purchasing a leather piece of furniture? Poor quality leathers are on the increase in today’s market. Generally, low prices mean low quality leather products. I actually prefer working on older lounges, as the quality of the hide is much greater. If price is a factor in your purchase, I suggest you consider quality second hand and then have the furniture cleaned and recoloured. It will then look like new at half the cost. Please beware of fake leathers, vinyls, by cast and split leathers. The market is full of them. When purchasing leather furniture, do your homework and know what type of leather you are buying. (e.g. full grain, pigmented, aniline etc). Check the fine print and make sure the leather is covered in the warranty. There have been cases where only the internal frame is covered in leather; the rest is vinyl. If you have dramas with leather chipping or discolouring and your furniture is still under warranty, act quickly. Once the warranty has expired, the majority of companies are not interested. How important is the work you do for the environment, and what does upcycling and recycling mean to you? I am dedicated to the cause of recycling, as quality items should not be discarded. What is the point in purchasing a new product when a used, quality item can be brought back to life? I am proud that I can be a part of breathing new life into pieces. What type of leather do you specialise in? I will work with most things leather. My specialty is servicing furniture, automotive car seats, marine furnishings, caravan interiors and personal items, including boots and jackets.
I am passionate about restoring old favourites for clients, including jackets, retro luggage, saddles, etc. I can restore almost any piece of leather goods. You can often find me at the markets, where people bring their old leather goods to me and then come back the following week to collect them! The look on their face is priceless! What do you enjoy the most about living in Red Rock, and what does a day in the office look like for you? What a perfect place. I adore the beauty,
the peace, the quiet. I set up my work area under the shade of my verandah, which backs onto native bushland. I clean, recolour and condition small personal items outside in the fresh air. Large jobs such as furniture, automotive and marine furniture are normally undertaken at the client’s home or business premises. If you have a piece of leather that you would like me to restore, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you. 0402 557 072.
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MICHAEL CLEARY JEWELLER MICHAEL CLEARY’S FAMILY OPENED THEIR FIRST JEWELLERY STORE IN HOBART, TASMANIA, IN 1959. BY THE TIME MICHAEL WAS IN THE FINAL YEARS OF HIGH SHCOOL, THEY HAD ESTABLISHED A FLAGSHIP STORE, “DIAMOND WORLD”, IN THE HEART OF TASMANIA, ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF STORES IN VICTORIA. HAVING VISITED COFFS HARBOUR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, IT BECAME MICHAEL’S NUMBER ONE PLACE TO LIVE.
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ou're originally from Tasmania. Tell me about your parents’ business ... What were your memories of growing up in a jewellery store? At the age of fourteen, during the school holidays I had my first experience in the jewellery trade, working for a leading manufacturing jeweller in the heart of Melbourne. Over a couple of years I progressed from polishing hundreds of rings a day to carrying out repairs, ring resizing and making my very own first ring. Upon completing high school in Tasmania, I decided not to accept the offer of a full-time career in jewellery manufacturing and whilst considering my university options, I took a sales position with Myer. Myer offered to fast track me through their management training program. Eventually, what I thought was a short term position ended up to being an enjoyable five year term where I gained significant knowledge on operating a retail business. Due to the ill health of my father, the family business had been wound back to one store and following his death, I took up the offer to join my family. We expanded the business and established the Tasmanian Watch Service Centre that became the official Tasmanian service agent for two leading Japanese watchmakers, Seiko and Citizen. This was the era when the watch industry went through major changes. Accurate digital and quartz analogue watches hit the marketplace with huge success, requiring traditional watchmakers to undertake training courses to understand the workings, how to test, service and repair the timepieces. I found the electronics fascinating and undertook all these courses, becoming a watch technician. 26 coffs coast focus.
After a few years in the jewellery trade, with my practical experiences I had a good understanding of jewellery manufacturing and watches, but I had no idea t how to identify with Nowadays it is no e se e certainty the various often that w mantic, type of gemstones. So I y a gu being so ro sk of ri e th s undertook and passed a that he take ment ge ga en two year course at the buying an University of Tasmania’s ring without his he so partner’s input, ith a Rosny Campus to inspiration w r he can surprise become a registered behind the proposal .” gemologist. layout of My training didn’t stop your amazingly there and for those in the bright store? jewellery industry, we are always The name of the learning, as there are so many facets store comes from Ron that require separate training, abilities and and Joyce Toleman, who first equipment. For example: jewellery valuing, established the store in Coffs Harbor in the late stone setting, stone cutting and polishing are sixties, and the Co. is to signify others have all separate trades. been involved in the business. You now own Toleman & Co Showcase I have always had a great interest in creating Jewellers in Park Beach Plaza. How did designs for jewellery, store layouts and even you manoeuvre your career to this exact fast boats. In the past I have won awards with point? my designs, including a Building Owners & Once we had reached our goal of three Managers Association Award for Best Retail stores in Hobart, I was looking for a new Store Design for a another jewellery store. challenge, and it was suggested that I stand After a couple of visits to the USA studying for the board of Australia’s premier buying the latest retail store designs, I designed the group for independent jewellers - “Showcase”. basic layout and concept of the new Toleman After nine years of serving on the board & Co. Local shop fitters X-Corp, working with eventually as deputy chairman and heading other local suppliers, did an exceptional job the marketing and merchandise committee, I bringing my vision of an open, bright and was looking for another change. inviting store to life. Having visited Coffs Harbor on numerous What is your most treasured piece of occasions, it became number one on my list of jewellery? places to retire. After becoming involved with My most treasured piece of jewellery is a the management of Tolemans, I invested in the beautiful ring that I designed for an extremely business to ensure its continued survival in a rare marquise cut, Pink Argyle Diamond. I changing marketplace. am proud to say that ring was admired by a member of a Royal Family and is now in their Where did the idea for your business’ possession. name originate, and what was the
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What piece of advice would you offer a person who was looking to buy a piece for a loved one? Nowadays it is not often that we see a guy being so romantic, that he takes the risk of buying an engagement ring without his partner’s input, so he can surprise her with a proposal. I believe doing this is very special and adds to the occasion. Sometimes the guy can get the design, stone and/or gold colour completely wrong. At Toleman & Co. we would want to ensure that both are happy to discuss and arrange ways to rectify the situation. What is in store for you in 2015? Our preparations are already well underway for 2015. Usually we do not participate in Post Christmas Sales but, this year we will need to clear stock as new releases from Pandora and other leading suppliers are expected to land in store by mid January, three weeks earlier than past Valentine’s Day releases. By mid-year, my partner, Gina, and I will be travelling overseas to the world’s best jewellery trade fairs to source new and exciting quality product lines like the “EFFY” Diamond Collection, that has already arrived in store direct from the fashion capital of New York. Thanks Michael.
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focusinterview.
FAC ES of Coffs Harbour
Rob Trezise’s self funded Faces of Coffs Harbour is a project about capturing 1,000 faces of people who live in
Coffs Harbour from all different walks of life and cultures, in an effort to showcase the many weird and wonderful people that make Coffs Harbour the best part of the world. This is Rob’s story …
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hereabouts in Melbourne were you raised, and how did your love for AFL ultimately send you to Hong Kong
back in the ‘70s? I was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and came from an Australian Rules playing family. I spent my early years playing the usual sports and when I was coached in Shepparton by the legendary Tommy Hafey, I was confident that I could make the grade as a VFL footballer. I moved to Geelong, where I tried to get selected on to the Cats’ playing list, without success. Like many young people at the time, overseas beckoned. My ambitions of becoming a journalist were limited in Australia, so I headed off to London. During a stopover in Hong Kong, I received a job offer as a photojournalist with a US new syndicate. Tragic circumstances meant that the job 28 coffs coast focus.
The radical
didn’t eventuate. Shortly afterwards, another career opened up for me as an junior executive with the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, where I stayed for four years. What year did you return back to Australia - and why the Coffs Coast? In 1974, having had enough of the high pressure environment and being newly married, my wife and I returned to Australia for a holiday. It was while travelling the East Coast, at an overnight stop in Coffs Harbour, I read of a temporary position for three weeks as relief Lighthouse Keeper on South Solitary Island. It sounded like fun, so I applied and landed the job. Little did my wife and I know it would turn into a year long position and change us forever. The radical change in lifestyle and environment had such an impact on us, we decided that Coffs Harbour was the place for us to put down roots. Some may recognise you as being the face of the Bailey Centre after spending
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estyle
change in lif 22 years working the across the world who t had en nm ro vi en d night shift. Night shift have settled in Coffs an on us , such an impact must be something Harbour. Coffs we decide d that ace that runs through There are also e pl Harbour was th your veins? many who have been wn for us to put do It is true that some living here for decades roots.” people are not suited for contributing and night work, but I guess once serving our community in you have done “lighthouse the usual quiet, unassuming keepers’ hours”, it gets into your country style that I think blood - and the night life seemed to do deserves recognition. me no harm over the 22 years. Then there are those who have served Since retiring you're working on a self in the armed forces and while we see them funded project called “Faces of Coffs out and about, they are often not known Harbour”. What is this project, and why or recognised for their service to our nation. did you decide to start it? I felt that it’s worth celebrating what we Faces Of Coffs Harbour Project came about have here and on the whole, most people due to me noticing that the faces of Coffs seem pretty content and happy. With my Harbour has been changing in recent years. photographic skills lying dormant, last year I While it was mostly an Anglo Saxon purchased some new camera equipment and community in 1974, with a small number commenced documenting the faces of people of indigenous faces along with those from from a cross section of the Coffs Coast to build the Sikh community, now we see faces from a collection of 1,000 faces.
focusinterview.
FAC ES of Coffs Harbour
Do you hope the project raises money for cancer research? The project has potential to raise funds for a charity by selling the images or holding a photo exhibition, should a local service club wish to be involved. The digital copies and copyright to them will be free. Where do you hope to take it in 2015? With the project almost reaching its target of 1,000, I would like to have the 1000th photo taken early in the New Year and get the images displayed and exhibited in Coffs Harbour. Expressions of interest have been made by a CBD property owner to have the images projected as a large video mural and posters for all to see. Once all the images have made their impact, I am donating the collection to the Picture Coffs Harbour archive held by the Coffs Harbour Library and Museum, which will show to future generations and researchers what Coffs Harbour people look like in the years of
2013/2014. A number of ExService personnel faces are Expressions of included, and these are interest have forming part of a display CBD been made by a have celebrating those who to r ne ow ty proper have served our nation te d as ec oj pr es ag im the during the Anzac Centenary and al ur m a large video commemorations here next Currently this ” e. se to l al r posters fo April. is not on public Your other passion is the display and ideally Maritime Museum at the it lends itself to being Jetty; tell us about this? a focal point at the Jetty Coffs Harbour has a history of being in a Maritime Museum as an important port in the past, and so far it has an annexe to the Coffs Harbour not had its story told or displayed. Museum. One of the most prized assets in the Coffs Imagine a replica lighthouse with an Harbour Museum's collection is the optic lens historically themed museum with a café/ and apparatus from the South Solitary Island restuarant alongside the Jetty bringing Lighthouse. It has been valued at around thousands of tourists here each year. $5 million; it is only one of two original First At Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Order lenses in Australia that have been Warrnambool Victoria, a million visitors a maintained intact. year make it one of Victoria’s major tourist
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attractions. What are your plans for 2015? Ideally I would like to see the Faces Of Coffs Harbour Project completed, and to this end I need more people to come forward to be a “Face in 1000”. Travel-wise I have a bucket list of trips to do around Australia, photographing them of course, and if my health and money allows, a visit to Turkey and Iceland. (More photography.) Rob can be contacted by email if you wish to be photographed for the Faces: latitude30south@gmail.com 0457 957 685. coffs coast focus.
29
Jodi
focusinterview.
MARTIN
WITH AUSTRALIA DAY AROUND THE CORNER, SINGER SONGWRITER JODI MARTIN IS LAUNCHING HER ICONICALLY AUSTRALIAN SINGLE, SALTWATER IN MY HAIR, THESE JANUARY SUMMER HOLIDAYS, WITH A RELAXED COASTAL TOUR OF NORTHERN NSW FROM FORSTER TO BYRON BAY.
y I have been luck ur to to gh ou en l times with Arlo severa en be now, and I have d by greatly influence s ve ea w he the way ies or st d an s ng his so ” e. ag together on st
“ here did you grow up, and when did music all begin for you? I grew up near Ceduna, in South Australia, 800 km west of Adelaide on the way to Perth, the last supermarket before the Nullarbor, and on the edge of the ocean and the desert. I remember humming and singing since before I could talk, and being obsessed with Mum and Dad’s vinyl record collection. When I was four, I started making up little songs, and Mum loaned me her cassette machine to record them on. I think that was a big event, because soon after that I decided that I wanted to be a songwriter when I grew up. Songwriting became one of the most important things in my life from then on. By the time I was sixteen, I had written quite a collection - and Kasey Chambers recorded one of my songs for the Dead Ringer Band’s album Homefires, which won them an ARIA Award, while I was in my last year of high school. The Chambers family were amazing, and they inspired me to keep writing. How would you describe your musical style? My musical style is best described as contemporary folk … similar to artists like Passenger, Jack Johnson, The Waifs or James Taylor. I mix my love of folk storytelling and my contemporary folk sound, with other musical styles that inspire me, like blues, country, reggae or soul. What inspires you as an artist? What inspires me most as an artist is life. My songs are about life and people, and this beautiful and sometimes difficult world we live in. I love coming to understand deeper what it
30 coffs coast focus.
means to be human, and learning how to live and love the most fully that I can. And when it comes to musical inspiration, I have to mention great songs. I love listening to great songs, and having a good cry when they move me! It feels amazing - and it’s healing. When people are moved to laughter or tears at my concerts, it makes all the hard work worthwhile, because I know how much it means to me when I experience other artists move me like that. What’s the story behind the album, Saltwater? The name of the album, Saltwater, has a double meaning - it represents the saltwater of the ocean, as well as the saltwater in tears and laughter. The ocean has always been my healing place, and as a kid in a remote coastal town, our entertainment fell squarely on the shoulders of the sea. Just watching the sunlight through the water makes me feel better. The saltwater in tears is also important for healing - kids do it naturally. We can have tears when we laugh, cry, or even when we listen to a deeply moving song, or watch a beautiful movie. Life is an exciting and awesome adventure. And sometimes it can also hurt! I have found that tears, whether they are laughing tears or crying tears are a powerful way to process life and stay really healthy no matter what happens! This has been something that I have personally experienced recently, because both kinds of saltwater have been part of my healing journey after losing my brother
too young. I have dedicated the album and the Saltwater in My Hair music video to him. He was my close friend, my first ever co-writer and he also first taught me to surf when we were kids. The album will be in available at shows, and in stores on Friday 13th February through WJO. Tell us about the Saltwater in My Hair tour: where and when can we catch you? I am launching the first single, Saltwater in My Hair, with a coastal tour of Northern NSW in January while Aussies around the coast are doing exactly that - re-energising with saltwater in their hair. I have packed my surfboard as well as my guitars, and the concerts will have an intimate “around the campfire” vibe, just like I experienced growing up. I am looking forward to playing Coffs Harbour (Jan 9), Crescent Head (Jan 15), Port Macquarie (Jan 16), South West Rocks (Jan 23), Old Bar (Jan 24) and Pacific Palms (Jan 25). You can get all the details - and download a free song - on my website, at jodimartin.com. What’s been the biggest highlight of your career to date? One of my standout gig highlights was playing the Big Top at Woodford Folk Festival, in front of 5,000 people. The tent and amphitheatre just started filling up, and I had no idea that my music had connected with so many people. My biggest career highlight of all happened recently, writing songs for this album with my friend and hero Arlo Guthrie in the States. Arlo played Woodstock, and his biggest selling album
and movie was Alice’s Restaurant. I have been lucky enough to tour with Arlo several times now, and I have been greatly influenced by the way he weaves his songs and stories together on stage. He is a master storyteller, and brilliant at making people laugh and think and feel. Arlo has been a real mentor to me, and having the opportunity to write songs with him still has me pinching myself! Arlo and I started our 3-week songwriting road-trip in New Orleans, spent a week writing in Florida, and then continued on the tour bus from one end of the country to the other, finishing in New York State and Massachussetts. How do you like to spend your spare time? I like to spend my spare time connecting with family and friends, surfing, ocean swimming, fishing, and being close to the sea. I also love reading, learning more about life and listening to music… and of course writing. Anything else you’d like to share with our readers? I want to say thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey with me by being part of the shows, and all of those who have inspired me with their own stories and experiences. Because people get to know me through my songs and stories, I sometimes have the privilege of also getting to know them as well. In meeting people on the road, I get to be inspired by them and the journey they are on. I love people, and feel lucky to be able to connect through music. Thanks Jodi.
the plug! 8pm, Friday 9 January COFFS HARBOUR JETTY THEATRE Show Prices ADULT: $24 CONC: $22 jettytheatre.com
NEW SHIPMENT JUST ARRIVED! Cargo Lane boat timber collection
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focusinterview.
DEBORAH M A I L M A N
DEBORAH MAILMAN IS AN AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION AND FILM ACTRESS. SHE WAS THE
FIRST ABORIGINAL ACTRESS
TO WIN THE AUSTRALIAN FILM INSTITUTE AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE.
WELL KNOWN FOR WORKING ALONGSIDE SOME OF
AUSTRALIA’S BEST ACTRESSES, CLAUDIA KAVAN AND ASHER KEDDIE, AND SMASHING CELEBRITY IMAGES OUT OF THE BALL PARK, DEBROAH IS LIVING PROOF THAT YOU DON’T NEED TO BE STICK THIN TO BE LOVED BY ALL AUSTRALIANS. DEBORAH’S CURRENTLY IN TOWN CURATING THE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, FLIX IN THE STIX.
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here did you grow up, and what are you memories of childhood? I was born and raised in Mt Isa, North West Queensland. My father comes from Augathella, Bidjara country, in South Central Queensland and my mother is Ngati Porou from the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. We lived at the rodeo grounds in Mt Isa, as my father was a retired champion rodeo rider who became the caretaker of the grounds, so the rodeo for me is my childhood - cowboys, dust and country music. When did your acting career first begin, and what do you recall of your earlier roles? Back in the day, did being in front of the camera give you a thrill? I trained as an actor at QUT Academy of Arts, beginning in 1990. My earlier roles were on the stage, having worked with Queensland Theatre Company and La Boîte Theatre in Brisbane and touring across the state in theatre-in-education programmes. I made the move to Sydney and worked for many years, again in theatre, for the STC, Belvoir Theatre and Bell Shakespeare before moving into television and film. Radiance was my first feature film, directed by my long-time friend and collaborator, Rachel Perkins. It was a thrill to take that next step in my career and to understand the craft required for film and television. Filming Radiance was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve had. What is your home life like? Where are you currently living, and who makes up your home? Is managing a young family and an acting career hectic? How do you juggle it all? 32 coffs coast focus.
I live on the South Coast of NSW, with my husband and two sons and a menagerie of animals. The country is stunning, and I can't imagine living anywhere else. It’s home, and we are fortunate to have beautiful beaches and an incredible escarpment that runs parallel to the sea. I’m finding it harder to leave if I’m working, because all I care to do is be with my boys and sit and enjoy my home. Being a country girl, I’m far more at peace away from the city. My husband manages the fort when I’m away. After all these years of juggling all our different schedules, we have somehow made it work. It’s not without its headaches, but we’re a good team. I remember watching The Secret Life of Us and remember it as being the first television show to really showcase a city in its finest form … What was being a part of such an iconic series like? Secret Life was a wonderful, crazy four years hanging out with the most incredible people. Working with Claudia Karvan was a real gift. She is simply brilliant. The show definitely reflected my life at the time. The success of the show was phenomenal and one I don't think any of us were quite prepared for. Claudia was the exception, but the rest of us were all unknowns, and that changed in a heartbeat when the show went to air. It was very surreal and quite absurd sometimes, but aside from the madness I got the chance to work solidly with a great ensemble of actors, writers, directors and crew over that time. I’m very fond of the show, and it was wonderful for all involved that it did so well. You've shared your career with some pretty inspirational women, like Claudia Karvan and Asher Keddie. What is is like to work
I’m currently t curating the shor e I’v ch film festival , whi , so re never done befo out ab is y jo e for me th d seeing an s m fil g in watch r me. ” fo what resonates
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with some of Australia's finest actresses? What I appreciate is that the list continues to grow with every job I do. It’s a reason why I love it, working with like-minded people. I’m always learning, and it’s fantastic for me to watch my colleagues offering up ideas and being present. I think it’s a job that requires a difference of mind, and emotionally we are telling many stories and part of that is revealing, even in disguise, a part of ourselves - so it’s nice to have comrades in arms who understand what is required. You are considered a great role model (especially for teenage girls); you are living proof that you don't need to be stick thin to be loved by all… Is this something that you're proud of? My relationship to my body is personal. I find the conversation around body image often hypocritical, so I tend to switch the dialogue or turn the page, because there are more interesting conversations to have. I hope young girls in particular do not get lost in the noise of what some consider to be beautiful, because it’s deafening. You're latest project is curating Flix in the Stix at Botanic Gardens. What does this
mean to you, how did you go about picking the content, and how did you get involved? I’m currently curating the short film festival, which I’ve never done before, so for me the joy is about watching films and seeing what resonates for me. I hope to give over a well-rounded, entertaining programme so that audiences will enjoy it and have a good night out. What are you currently filming, and what's on the agenda for 2015? I will have a few projects that will be released on the big and small screen in the new year. First up is the feature film Paper Planes, coming to the big screen in January. It’s a film for the whole family about a young boy who dreams of competing in the World Junior Paper Planes Championship. It’s great fun with a lot of heart, and I’m looking forward to taking my kids to see it. Blinky Bill the movie will be released sometime next year, which follows the adventure of our much loved koala, Blinky, and his friends. And the critically acclaimed Redfern Now will return to ABC as a telemovie next year.
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Promotional offers are valid from 02/01/2015 until 31/01/2015 unless sold out. *Range may vary by store. †Zoggs offer available on full priced items only, half price offer applies to the lower priced garment, ^off full priced Bodyboards & Surfboards only, ends 31/01/2015. The following offers only available at Amart Sports Coffs Harbour offers include MGP Alloy folding Scooter, Evo Speed beach Cricket Set, WAHU Swim Vest 12-50kg medium, 40% Off All Bodyboards and Surfboards, 30% off All Inflatables, 30% Off All Mask & Snorkel sets, and Nitro 700c Nostalgia Vintage offers valid until 31/01/2015. Due to space restrictions, certain items may not be available in all stores. Not all items/offers available for purchase online. Occasionally due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Amart Sports control, some items may not be available. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount cards. Stock may vary by store. While stocks last. Some items require assembly. No rainchecks on advertised products. We reserve the right to limit the number of items sold to one unit per customer, per day. All bikes are fitted with bells, reflectors and brakes as per Australian Standards. All savings are off full retail price. Terms and conditions apply, see in-store for details. Member pricing is valid to all Team Amart loyalty card holders. Customer must swipe their Team Amart card at the time of purchase to receive the member pricing. A customer may also sign up to the Team Amart loyalty program at the time of purchase to receive the member pricing. †If any other Australian retail store other than Amart Sports has a lower advertised or ticketed price on an identical item which is currently in stock, upon confirmation, we will beat that price by 10%. Applies to internet sites only where the retailer also has an Australian shop front. Item must be identical in brand, style, colour, weight, size and packaging. The offer must be genuine – offered to the general public and not an exclusive deal.
Prosciutto wrapped chicken served with sundried tomato, baby spinach, feta cheese on a porcini and pea risotto and a roast capsicum puree from bluebottles brasserie
download our eat. dining guide for iPhone & Android www.focusmag.com.au/eat
34 coffs coast focus.
pasfields restaurant BAr deck Introducing the Pasfields Seafood Platter for two: whole lobster (natural or mornay), fresh local crab, fresh local bugs, six succulent Woolli oysters (cooked to your liking from our five choices), king prawns, lightly dusted squid, steamed mussels prawns and scallops in a tomato base, tropical fruits and greens $220 (for one, $120). 24 - 48 hours’ notice required. Summer nights on the deck with our new all weather blinds … now you can have your get together or special occasion all year around on our stunning deck (seating up to 100 or cocktail 120) or the entire venue seating 240 or 300 cocktail. See our fantastic trip advisor reviews and let us tailor make your next event. Full à la carte menu New Year’s Eve. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Kylie and Todd Pasfield and team.
beachstone café 2015 is filling up for weddings! The beach and grounds surrounding the café make it ideal for intimate beachfront weddings, with picturesque spots for for an unforgettable backdrop to your celebrations. For all enquiries, please email: info@beachstonecafe.com.au Don’t forget we can also cater for kids’ birthday parties, baby showers, engagements, staff parties and much, much more; you couldn’t ask for a more relaxed atmosphere to wind down after the silly season!
Head Chef Craige Mills.
Beachstone will be opening 7 days a week for the entire month of January, as well as extending our trading hours to 7am - 5pm!
Chef Kim Robson.
675 Pacific Highway, Korora 6653 7710 www.pasfieldsrestaurant.com.au
2 Beach Way, North Sapphire 6653 6188
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.
Monday 10 - 2 (during school holiday & Christmas holiday) Tue - Thur, 9 - 4, Fri - Sun, 8 - 4.
Spinifex Restaurant The Coast Hotel proudly welcomes new Head Chef Craig Clarke and his executive team to the Spinifex Restaurant. Craig brings an enticing à la carte menu at bistro prices to give our diners a pubstronamy experience. The food is fresh and delicious, the coffee is great, and the service is friendly and efficient. Enjoy the housemade desserts and feel guilty later at the Coast Hotel.
Surf Club Restaurant & Bar
Head Chef Craig Clarke.
Coast Hotel, 2 Moonee St, Coffs Harbour 6652 3007 www.coasthotel.com.au Lunch: 12pm - 2:30pm. Dinner: 6pm - 9pm.
Announcing our new summer menu with amazing, delectable, new dishes including our amazing new vegan breakfast and healthy, delicious body cleanse Juice. Seafood, steaks, burgers, light lunches, vegetarian and vegan. Breakfast by the beach and our delicious new pancake bar. Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. Botero coffee and T2 Tea, including Gorgeous Geisha and Southern Sunrise. Our special $10 breakfast menu from 7am until 8:30am every day. Breakfast and lunch 7 days. Wedding receptions, conferences, birthday functions, Christmas parties (book now for next year). Email for a kit: info@surfclubparkbeach.com. Reserve a table on our beachside deck or inside with ocean views. 6652 9870 option 1.
Head Chef & Co-Owner Matt Donovan.
Surf Club Road, Park Beach, Coffs Harbour 6652 9870 www.surfclubparkbeach.com Daily from 7am. Breakfast and lunch.
coffs coast focus.
35
bluebottles brasserie
Pork belly, roast corn puree, grilled peach apple salad.
Bluebottles is the place to enjoy a cool Bondi chai crush or more-ish summer garlic prawn pasta (pictured) these holidays. But did you know they are now also open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, with a mouthwatering new menu?
saltwater cafÉ restaurant NATIONAL FINALIST AUSTRALIA WIDE CAFÉ RESTAURANT, NORTHERN COAST WINNERS CAFÉ RESTAURANT AT THE RESTAURANT & CATERING AWARDS 2014. Summer brings our new and exciting SUMMER MENU. The freshest summer fruits and vegetables are combined to create our delicious menu. Saltwater is the perfect place, just 10 minutes north of Coffs, to enjoy a relaxed breakfast open from 8am, 7 days a week over the summer school holidays. If you love going out for lunch or dinner, our menu has something for everyone. Don’t forget to book now for Valentine’s Day Degustation. Hope to see you soon at Saltwater.
Think freshly shucked oysters, succulent Asian-style pork belly, perfect antipasto boards and decadent house-made desserts you will want to keep going back for more! Download their daytime and dinner menus at www.bluebottlesbrasserie.com.au or www.facebook.com/bluebottles, plus visit them at www.instagram.com/bluebottles8 for photos of their succulent new dishes!
REVIEWED BY
Guide
Chef and owner Amy Kebby.
Head Chef Neville Mott.
104 Fiddaman Road, Emerald Beach 6656 1888 www.saltwateronthebeach.com
Cnr of Beach and Wharf St, Woolgoolga 6654 1962 facebook.com/bluebottles
Open 7 days from 8am over the summer school holidays for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mon to Sat 6:15am - 4pm and Sun 7am - 3pm.
brandy's restaurant
Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill
Big tasty home cooked meals await you at Brandy’s! Huge pork knuckles, lamb shanks, authentic pastas and fresh steaming bowls of chilli mussels will not only fill you up, but also warm you up.
“The best view in town” NEW MENU. With the introduction of multi award winning head chef Sandy Phillips, Fishos Seafood Bar & Grill has a real buzz about it. The kitchen team are excited to learn as much as they can from Sandy and with over 40 years’ experience, he has started to make a big difference. NEW MENU - separate lunch and dinner menu, great new vegetarian options and something tasty for the kids too. FANTASTIC NEW FISHOS SIGNATURE SEAFOOD PLATTER (24 hours’ notice) Weekly Specials: $7.50 weekday lunchtime meals Wed - Ribs & Trivia Thur - Surf & Turf Fri - 80 meat tray raffles.
A friendly rustic atmosphere complete with a kids' room will also ensure you have a relaxed dinner with family and friends. Brandy’s is a new restaurant to the Coffs Harbour area and pride themselves on offering big, tasty great value meals. Brandy’s is the brainchild of singer Adam Brand, and more often than not he is there helping out in the kitchen. Dinner 6 days a week and open for Sunday lunch. (Closed Monday.)
8 Bray Street (The Cinema Complex), Coffs Harbour 6691 3800 Tuesday - Sunday, 5pm ‘til late.
36 coffs coast focus.
Owner Adam Brand.
1 Jordan Esplanade, Coffs Harbour 6652 1534 www.coffsfishos.com.au 7 days for lunch and dinner from 11:30am and 5:30pm and breakfast Wednesday and Sunday from 7:30am.
Head Chef Sandy Phillips.
hello sawtell
zulu's restaurant & bar
Hello Sawtell is your friendly neighbourhood restaurant offering a generous menu, with dishes designed to be shared amongst the table. Small plates like pork belly sliders, cheesey ham croquettes and cured salmon are easy-to-share options before the true feast begins. Giant grilled prawns, whole roasted lamb shoulder, glazed pork belly and braised ribs are just some of the generous dishes on offer. Follow that up with a delicious banana split with peanut butter ice cream or apple and cinnamon filled doughnuts, and you have a night to be remembered! Don’t forget we cater for gluten free and vego; our chefs can tweak any meal to suit your requirements. See you at Hello Sawtell!
Summer is in full force at Zulu’s, with a new fresh menu and some new fresh inclusions in our bar. Chilled ciders, icy beer and some new fresh African dishes to make those summer evenings truly exotic.
Owner/Chef Duncan Elliot.
Head Chef Joel McCulla.
20 First Ave, Sawtell 0417 933 107 facebook.com/ hellosawtell
27 Grafton Street, Coffs Harbour (Pacific Highway) 6652 1588 www.zuluscoffs.com
Tues - Sun 6pm till late
Breakfast: Monday - Friday, 7am - 9am. Dinner: Monday - Saturday, 6pm - late.
the hoey moey
morfish café
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.
Morfish - more than just great fish! Salads, pastas, burgers, all day breakfast, great coffee and, of course, delicious seafood! All meals are cooked to order. Our sauces and dressings are made on the premises and are gluten free, so most dietary requirements are catered for. We also have a selection of cakes which are complemented by our locally roasted coffee. Drop in and let our chefs cook a delicious meal for you, or just unwind with your favourite coffee and cake.
Bring the family down for an affordable and nutritious dinner. Choose from our FAMOUS $7.50 FEEDS from Monday to Sunday or if you prefer something a little more fancy, you can’t go past our Daily Blackboard Specials.
Head Chef David Ricketts.
Owners David & Jayne Hagarty.
Come join us for dinner on January 10th and then stick around and watch THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS perform LIVE from 9pm. Make it a night to be remembered - it’s where you’d rather be!
84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour 6652 3833 www.hoeymoey.com.au 7 days. Mon - Thurs and Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5:30 - 8:30pm. Fri and Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5.30 - 8:30pm.
Main Entrance Park Beach Plaza, Coffs Harbour 6652 8588 7 days. Mon - Wed & Fri - 7am - 5pm, Thurs -7am -7pm, Sat - 7am - 4:30pm, and Sun - 7:30- 3:30pm. coffs coast focus.
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horizons restaurant & bar
finz on the beach Summer brings with it longer days, warmer nights, more social events and time with family ... at Aanuka Beach Resort it also brings an exciting new summer menu designed to encompass all that is summer. Select from share plates, summer sliders with seasonal toppings, delicious fresh local seafood and light snacks; enjoy all this on our Casay decks with a cocktail or glass of wine matched to your dish.
It’s Back for January Horizons Brasserie! 11:30am - 9:30pm every day. Dining is easy for families with the new extensive blackboard Brasserie menu. Daily specials, utilising the region’s freshest produce and seafood.
The Casay Bar & Restaurant is open 7 days a week; please call Aanuka Beach Resort
Relaxing alfresco dining on the terrace overlooking the pool and lagoon.
(02) 6652 7555 to make a reservation, or book online with us at www.dimmi.com.au.
Horizons Bar available to everyone, with a large selection of craft beers and cocktails. Happy Hour 5pm - 6pm every day.
Breakfree Aanuka Beach Resort 11 Firman Drive, Coffs Harbour 6650 2400 www.aanuka.com.au
GETTING MARRIED!? Mini wedding expo - Saturday 17th January, 10am - 2pm. Champagne, gift bag and lucky door prizes.
Open from 6pm, 7 days a week.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner - 7 days a week. Bookings recommended.
Clinton Hunter Head Chef.
Opal Cove Resort, Opal Boulevard, Coffs Harbour 6651 0510 www.opalcove.com
De-constructed lemon meringue pie, lemon myrtle icecream.
flooded gums restaurant Let Head Chef Michael Urquhart, recent winner of the AHA NSW “Chef Rising Star award” and his team delight you with the Flooded Gums’ new summer menu. There is no better place to be, as when the sun goes down, the Flooded Gums Restaurant is transformed into an intimate fine dining experience - the best Coffs Harbour has to offer. Flooded Gums have received “1 Glass” (Wine Spectator Magazine Wine List of the Year Awards - only property in regional NSW to be awarded “1 Glass”) - a wine list featuring age release and current vintages from acclaimed producers in the greatest regions; the potential for serious food and wine matching is limitless.
EDELWEISS Restaurant GRUESS GOTT ... and we wish you all a “Happy New Year”. After two months of renovations and three months being present in Coffs Harbour with our new “Edelweiss Restaurant”, we would like to say, “Thanks to all our customers”. With your help and your very positive feedback, we had an amazing start and we are really looking forward to 2015. “Hereinspaziert”... and check out our new “Daily Specials” from Mondays to Sundays. Come around on Tuesdays to our Locals Night and receive a 15% discount off your total bill. You should try “the Edelweiss Lifestyle”, with more beer, tasty meat and atmosphere.
168 Pacific Highway - at the Big Windmill 6638 9333 7 days. Mon - Fri, 5pm - 9pm. Sat & Sun, 7am - 9pm.
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Head Chef Chris Ferguson. Head Chef Michael Urquhart.
North Bonville Road, Bonville 6653 4002 www.bonvillegolf.com.au Open 7 days; bookings essential.
focusinterview.
focusinterview.
Michael F L O O D E D
d u n c a n + leesa elliot
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or those of our readers out there From personal experience I can tell our who haven’t had the chance to dear readers that your desserts are to die visit your restaurant, tell us a little for. What has been the inspiration behind about Hello Sawtell ... them, and do you feel guilty about making We’re your friendly neighbourhood Sawtell fat? restaurant created by a team with a real passion We try not to be too fancy with our food, and for fresh, delicious and generous food. We’re our desserts are all based on family favourites, also fully licensed, with a carefully selected range just done slightly different. We’ve got dishes like of quality and unique wines rarely seen on the apple and cinnamon filled donuts, pavlova with Coffs Coast. fresh fruit and apple sorbet and probably the We all know that sharing is caring ... most popular dessert is the banana split... It’s How does Hello’s menu embrace this a fresh banana (of course) with cherry jam, concept? caramel, shards of Belgium chocolate, fresh Basically, all of our dishes cream and homemade peanut butter can either be shared with ice cream. We make everything the table or enjoyed in house, including our ice individually; the choice creams, so we get to have Our ham is up to you. Generally a bit of fun with our and cheese between a group you’ll desserts. per croquettes are su pork order a few smaller Anything exciting the popular, as are plates and a few planned for the coming d the belly sliders an .” larger plates and share months? gs chicken hot win amongst the table, so Very soon we’ll be everyone gets to taste kicking off our Sunday everything on offer. It also Feasts. We’ll be creating an allcreates a fun experience, as you-can-eat feast based around you discuss the food and enjoy it the idea of the Sunday roast. We’ll be together. loading up one of our long tables with delicious What have been your most lust-after menu roast meats, seafood, veggies, salads and items? desserts, so customers can help themselves to Our ham and cheese croquettes are super the feast, and we’ll also have our team coming popular, as are the pork belly sliders and the around to the tables to ensure everyone’s plates chicken hot wings. They’re all easy to share and are topped up. We can’t wait to share the deliciously moreish. Then for mains, the sticky concept with everyone; it’s going to be huge! bourbon ribs and the Wagyu steak are probably Hello Sawtell are open Tuesday to Sunday at the top of the list, followed by the whole fried from 6pm until late. To book, call 0417 933 107 Sand Whiting and the 12 hour slow roasted and keep an eye on their Facebook page for lamb shoulder. updates.
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hen did you first decide to become a chef, and where did you earn your stripes? From a young age; my parents had been in the industry long before I was born. My dad, Ray, a chef since the early seventies, was my main inspiration. Although he tried to discourage my entering into the industry, I’m pretty sure I was born into it. Stripes were earned mainly working at my parents’ restaurant, No.2 Oak Street, but also working the “pans” at the iconic Brisbane French restaurant Baguette Bistro, along with other high end restaurants in Brisbane and also the ACT. Along the way there were a few appearances alongside well known chefs in Sydney. Since leaving No.2 Oak Street almost a year ago, you've found yourself at Bonville’s Flooded Gums. What do you enjoy the most about being a part of such an iconic place? Being able to come to work every day and work among the amazing scenery for which Bonville is known for, the variety of offering that Bonville has - weddings, à la carte, functions etc. The team I work with are energetic and supportive and always willing to try something new! You're known for your passion for the finest seasonal, local produce - why do you think “keeping it local” is important to your food? I think it’s really important to support the local producers and the local economy ... Not only that, but I love that I will always have the guarantee of quality and freshness, resulting in a better end product.
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You were recently listed as a finalist in the “Chef of the Year” category alongside acclaimed Sydney CDB chefs such as Peter Doyle. What does something as prestigious as this mean to you? It’s nice to be recognised among such a high calibre of industry professionals and being rewarded for hard work; it’s nice to think that it really does pay off. Winning the Chef Rising Star award was definitely a career highlight. Food trends come and go. What is your favourite current food trend? What do you do to ensure you stay abreast with current food trends? Using inventive cuts of meat means utilising more of the animals and not letting things go to waste. This is an old trend that has come back around, and I find it more of a personal challenge to create something exceptional out of something that most people would overlook i.e. pork cheek, crispy pigs’ ears. This skill has been taught to me over the years in many different places, and I love the challenge of bringing it out in Coffs Harbour. To stay current, I read about big city restaurants and different chefs to see what they are doing. I also like to travel to dine, when time permits. When you're not cooking at Flooded Gums, what can we find you doing in your spare time? My favourite things to do are play golf on the amazing Bonville golf course and spend time socialising with friends and family. Flooded Gums, Bonville Golf Resort North Bonville Road Bonville, NSW. 6653 4002. coffs coast focus.
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nautilus has a hidden gem First of all, we would like to thank local clientele for all their support and the great feedback we’ve received. Stunning breakfasts, light lunches with salad options and a romantic dinner atmosphere with ocean sounds. Looking for fresh local produce ... great service? We have them both. Plus, professional, well-trained, happy staff who go the extra mile to ensure customers have a dining experience. We are a separate business, and everyone is welcome to be a patron in the restaurant within Nautilus villas and spa. Trading hours @ Coffs Lane bistro extended over the holidays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 7:30 - 14:00; breakfast and lunch. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 - 14:00 and 17:30 ‘til late; breakfast, lunch and dinner. BYO option available only. Book an experience on 0421 781 231 Via email: coffslanebistro@gmail.com Facebook: Coffs lane bistro Follow us on Facebook Coffs lane bistro Instagram Coffs_Lane_Bistro Urbanspoon Coffs lane Bistro
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my mate’s place TROY CLUB & RESTAURANT SUPPLIES It’s that time of year again, when chefs, school and TAFE students need to be fitted out for their chef uniforms and chef tool kits. Troy Club & Restaurant Supplies’ experienced team have been providing budding chefs with their uniforms and tool kits for many years. • Chef uniforms can be provided to suit your school’s or TAFE’s preferences. • You can come in and be fitted personally. • Outlying schools can have sample chef uniforms supplied in each size, so fitting can be undertaken by your teachers at school. • Tool kits can be fitted out to each school’s needs or TAFE course requirements. • Bring in your list, so we can assist you to only get the items you require; therefore ensuring you’re not paying for items that aren’t needed. STUDENT OR TAFE DISCOUNTS APPLY TO UNIFORM AND TOOL KITS.
I have been a barista/latte artist on and off for eight years. I am happy that my dream of owning my own coffee business has come to fruition. Besides my wife and three children, coffee is my second love and passion! “My Mate's Place” (an eggshell blue coffee Kombi) is my dream. It's a bonus that “My Mate's Place” is a Kombi. My Mate's Place is fortunate to be able to combine elements of Volkswagen culture with the rich and evocative coffee history, bringing an overall experience for people to relate to/relax/ enjoy. Popular culture at its best! I use Cleanskin Coffee Company's signature blend, “Saint”, which is smooth with tones of butter, chocolate and berry. The best thing about working in the coffee industry is being able to create a beverage that not only looks beautiful, but creates a pleasurable experience through taste, texture and comfort. I also enjoy the forever changing scene, learning more about coffee culture every day and interacting with some real characters. My Mate's Place Facebook and Instagram pages are a great interactive way to see where I will be from Wednesday through to Sunday. I also cater for businesses for their coffee breaks throughout the day.
Direct WHOLESALE SERVICES Eco-Friendly + Disposable Nappies? There was a time when the two were mutually exclusive. Not anymore. A Brisbane based couple have done the hard work, so you can now enjoy the benefits of a disposable nappy - convenient, easy to use, no laundering, plus you can achieve a positive influence for the environment. Lisa Laing and her partner, Lachlan, asked more than 20,000 parents what they wanted in an eco-friendly, disposable nappy then designed and developed - a nappy they believe reflects the answers - Ecoriginals. Available in 4 sizes, Ecoriginals offer genuine eco ingredients, excellent performance, a nappy that feels soft to the touch, and all at an affordable price. In a nutshell: • Key ingredients are mainly plant based material, Cardia Compostable leak barrier film and absorbents, including sustainably forested wood pulp • 100% compostable packaging using Cardia Compostable material • Safe, free from harmful chemicals and fragrance • Leak barrier made from 100% compostable material inside the nappy so more breathable wear (up to 5 times more breathable than conventional nappies) • Quality performance similar to conventional leading nappy brands • $16.95 per packet: Infant (32/pkt), Crawler (30/pkt), Toddler (24/ pkt), Walker (22/pkt) And the really good news is Ecoriginals are now available in Coffs Harbour, exclusively at Direct Wholesale Services.
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ALGY’s CAFE
Helping you with Event Decorating
Algy Semetas grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. His extensive experience in the hospitality industry ranges from owning and operating a number of restaurants and bars, as well as being GM of the famous Frankston International Motel.
Delivering everything you need for events, parties, functions, promotions, dinners, weddings, sporting events and more. Caring, expert advice and solutions - FREE one-on-one expert help with your planning needs - just ring us (02) 6658 0071, or email us: email@coffseventcentre.com. 30 years’ experience supplying quality balloons to the Coffs Coast - 15 years in audio visual - 15 years in event presentation and decorating. Experts in our field, delivering personalised service. We are not just a website with a mobile number - we have a showroom and trained staff. WOW FUNCTIONS - event and promotion theme decorating. Weddings - ceremony and reception decorating. AV CORPORATE - PA Hire (best range), sound, lighting, projection and more. Video your event and stream it live to friends interstate and overseas. BALLOONS PLUS - everybody loves our balloons - the best quality in Coffs. The elegant decorative additions to add pizzazz to any event. Visit us at the Coffs Event Centre, 30 Lawson Crescent - it is best to ring first and make an appointment, so we can make time to show you around - (02) 6658 0071.
Twenty-three years ago, Algy set up shop here in Coffs Harbour - starting with Vogue’s Restaurant, which was located down on Coffs Harbour’s infamous Jetty Strip. He then took over Coffs Harbour’s famous Molly Malone’s Fish and Chip Shop. He owned and operated Molly Malone’s for over eight years. In early 2000, Algy took over the bistro at the old Plantation Hotel, commonly known as Molly’s Bistro. Subsequently he owned and operated Jaks Café in Orlando Street. Finally, for the past six and a half years Algy has owned and operated Algy’s Café in Industrial Drive in the fabulous Isles Drive Estate. With its extensive breakfast and lunch menu, Algy’s Café has lived up to its reputation as one of Coffs Harbour’s premium local eat in or takeaway outlets, also offering a catering service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, please call Algy and the team at Algy’s café on 6652 4144.
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No. 5 CHURCH STREET 5 Church Street is nestled in the funky little town of Bellingen. Recently taken over by friends - Alison and Paul, Matt and Kristina - have poured all their passion, energy and extensive experience to produce food, drinks and a service experience that really shines! The philosophy behind No.5 is very simple - to create an open space where people from all walks of life can come together to share an experience - and leave inspired. The relaxed, friendly vibe and sincere dedication to quality and community bring friends and strangers, locals and not-so-locals alike to No. 5, enjoying something just a little bit special ... A space that feels like home. Local. Seasonal. Simple. Good. It’s more than just a statement - it’s a dedication to the best things in life. Live music, community gatherings, events and movie nights: No. 5 is ALWAYS the place to be. A strong focus on the best local produce available and a dedication to sustainability and sourcing organic and bio-dynamic produce. The emphasis is on good, wholesome food. A small menu provides staple favourites, while the ever changing always seasonal Specials Board if full of delicious surprises.
6 years at o.p 81 cafe So, it’s been almost six years of evolution at o.p 81 café. We continually change our decor and our menu items to keep in line with the hottest cafés in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Offering cold drip coffee, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options for breakfast, lunch and sweets. All of our cakes, biscuits and meals are made from scratch on site, and our specials revolve around what is ready for harvest in our small but productive vegetable garden in the back yard that uses 50% of our kitchen waste in our compost. As well as our specialty items, we still offer the old faves like Doughnut Fridays (freshly cooked doughnuts with house made jam), happy hour (7am - 8am, Tue - Fri), bacon, eggs, toast and coffee for $12 with an extra coffee for $2, or the regulars like eggs benne with delicately soft poached eggs, rosemary salted dried tomatoes and homemade hollandaise sauce.
You can check out what’s on by visiting our website at www.5churchsteet.com or you can follow us on Facebook.
Our team is passionate about food and service, and our priority is to make sure your visit is an enjoyable experience every time, from your daily takeaway to that special breakfast with that special person or the happy hour. Why cook and wash up, when someone else will.
5 Church Street is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 Days a week.
We would love to see you down at 81 Ocean Parade, Tuesday - Sunday, 7am - 2pm.
For bookings or enquiries, ph 6655 0155 or email cometogether@5churchstreet.com
You can check out our summer menu and like us on Facebook, or come in and grab your own copy in person.
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JODI MARTIN With Australia Day around the corner, singer songwriter Jodi Martin is launching her iconically Australian single Saltwater in My Hair these January summer holidays, with a relaxed coastal tour of Northern NSW, from Forster to Byron Bay. This laid-back first single from her upcoming album, Saltwater, celebrates the healing power of the ocean, and time spent there with family and friends. It connects with exactly what so many Aussies are doing in January… relaxing with saltwater in their hair. With songs that are authentically Australian, Jodi Martin has toured to the far reaches of the globe with some of the best in her field, including Luka Bloom, Bruce Cockburn and Arlo Guthrie. Folk legend Arlo Guthrie, son of Woody Guthrie, has influenced Jodi greatly in music and spirit. Having joined Arlo on tour several times, Jodi recently shared a songwriting roadtrip with the storytelling master, from one end of the United States to the other.
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Following the initial Saltwater in My Hair tour, the full length album Saltwater will be released to stores on Friday 13th of February through WJO, and officially launched by the sea, at the prestigious Port Fairy Folk Festival in March. Jodi’s Saltwater in My Hair tour salutes her childhood spent on the remote desert coast of South Australia. With a realistic-looking campfire and her surfboard on stage, Jodi’s live show makes a unique connection with every single person in the audience, as if they were sitting around a campfire on the beach. Her songs, stories and humour authentically celebrate life in all its richness, and draw the listener in to what is an inspiring and uplifting experience. Jodi says, “I grew up on the edge of the desert and the ocean. Cities were a world away, and most of our entertainment fell squarely on the shoulders of the sea. It remains to this day one of the best ways I can relax - just the smell of the saltwater puts a smile back on my face. It’s my healing place”.
FLIX IN THE STIX
MANSFIELD on the Manning Mansfield on the Manning is a beautiful rural retreat offering luxury boutique accommodation. Set on 16 acres on the banks of the Manning River, our four private properties have been designed to create a peaceful haven for you to relax. Each property has been individually decorated with sumptuous beds, crisp linen, TV and DVD, free wifi, radio and iPod dock, sizzling showers and luxury organic toiletries. Come and restore your senses! Special offer for readers of FOCUS … Book a 2-night weekend break in one of our cabins - from 31st January to 1st March - at the special rate of $400 (normal price $500). Call Jane on (02) 6553 1800.
s Each propertyalha ly du vi been indi decorated - with ds , crisp sumptuous beD VD, free d an V T , linen od iP d an wifi , radio ers ow sh g lin zz si , dock c ni ga or ry and luxu toiletries.”
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CommBank Flix in the Stix is regional Australia’s only film, music, comedy and arts festival. Coming into its fifth year, the 2015 tour will feature a brand new collection of short films curated by award winning actress Deborah Mailman. Deborah was the first Aboriginal actress to win the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She is well known for her roles in successful Australian drama series The Secret Life Of Us and Offspring, as well as films such as Bran Nue Dae and The Sapphires. “I’m thrilled to be part of Flix in the Stix and to bring together some of my favourite short films, filled with artists I love and respect and stories that are a good yarn. I’m so proud of
Australian drama and the many voices that create a vibrant tapestry of who we are. What better way to enjoy a night out under the stars than with a feast of film, food and great entertainment. Hope you enjoy.” As well as short films, CommBank Flix in the Stix will showcase live music by ARIA award winning artists My Friend the Chocolate Cake, and comedy from ARIA award winning threesome Tripod. We don’t think we could fit in more award winning features on the 2015 tour if we tried! Local gourmet food and beverages will be available, and each event is situated in a unique outdoor regional venue. For further information and to purchase tickets visit: www.flixinthestix.com.au
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focusinterview.
GEORGIE L U C O C K A R T I S T
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P H O T O G R A P H E R
GEORGIE LUCOCK IS AN INDEPENDENT ARTIST AND PHOTOGRAPHER WHO WORKS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF MEDIUMS. GEORGIE HAS A SUBSTANTIAL BACKGROUND IN FINE ART INCLUDING A BACHELOR OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, MAJORING IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND DRAWING.
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he is continually extending her knowledge in advanced techniques of creative practice; Georgie believes that to explore her discipline to the full creates the catalyst for adventure that is the essence for ingenuity. Georgie has won and been shortlisted for International Art Prizes including The Australian National Portrait Prize and M.I.L.K. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and independent collections in Australia and also Internationally. Georgie is currently living and working in Emerald Beach, from where she draws so much of her inspiration. Where and how did you start your creative journey? Sydney city is where my creative journey began, at a very early age. I found myself being more excited by my inner imaginative world than my immediate external world… textas, pencils, blocks, Meccano, sand, dirt, toy cameras and a room of my own, any medium I could get my little hands on were my mark makers; a telling sign of the many passionate emotions and movies already going on in my head. Then at four years of age we moved to the country. My outside world immediately drew me out to play - freedom and nature became my friends. How have you developed your artistic style?
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I suppose you could say my style began with colour and simple sculptural forms as a young one. As years went by, a more immediate form of capturing my environment was necessary and my love and need for photography began. The camera has taken me into many worlds I would have feared to tread on my own. I’ve learnt so much about how people, their hearts, their passions and their madnesses react in this diversely beautiful, and at times terrifying universe. I have always been a mark maker, but drawing and painting now join my image making in a large and colourful way; they dance with each other and eventually find an enjoyable aesthetic solution! Which artists have inspired you the most during your journey? Artists who are game enough to express their truth despite the consequence, painters that bring our great land to life … Brett Whitely, John Olsen and Emily Kngwarreye, their fluid lines inspire my own song lines. Photographers such as Robert Mapplethorpe, Diane Arbus, Man Ray, Julia Margaret Cameron and Andy Warhol. The European artists, Matisse, Chagall, Van Gogh, Picasso ... I love their immediate honest use of light and colour to depict the raw emotion of the human soul. Egon Schiele for the energetic risks he took with intimate depictions of the darker sides of life at such a young age. The elegance and peace of oriental art, the
sculptors Brancusi and Louise Bourgeois, the Grafton JADA national drawing prize and the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the designer Coffs Harbour regional still life award, the Eileen Grey - all whom are obsessed with EMSLA. Also at present a piece is hanging at beauty and reaching the heavens the First Avenue Gallery, Sawtell with their crafts influence me. in another wonderful still life You recently told me salon display. Over my that it is "finally career spanning the best happening" for you part of 25 years, I SO T I’V E LE A R N W O H T … what does that have been fortunate U BO M U CH A S, RT EA H mean for you? enough to have R EI PE O PL E, TH D N A S N IO Melly, I think by been represented SS TH EI R PA S SE ES N D A that I mean I have internationally with M R TH EI IS TH IN finally found a photography by CT R EA AU TI FU L, peace within myself galleries around D IV ER SE LY BE A N D AT TI M ES to be all that I am the world and two N IV ER SE .” TE R R IF Y IN G U privately, in that mad competitions; the inner world that began Photographic Archibald so long ago, to now being Prize with a portrait of our that honestly and authentically local international pianist David publicly. A real opening has occurred Helfgott and M.I.L.K. (moments and as a result, a connection to life and to of intimacy love and kinship), which was the people around me in an organic flow of published as a book. It is such an honour to be commissions and exhibitions of all my work able to connect at a global level with my gifts! mediums i.e. painting and photography are You currently have two pieces entered in now happening in quite a large but gentle the EMSLA still life painting exhibition. way. What does being selected into something Where are you currently exhibiting, as prestigious as this mean to you - and and what have been some of the past tell us about these works and how they outstanding moments in your artistic differ? career? As I said earlier in the interview, I feel a I feel honoured to have recently been great sense of honour being selected for the chosen as an exhibiting artist in both the EMSLA, humbled and excited to be exhibiting
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among such fine and highly skilled artists. My goal has always been to reach as many people as I can and touch them in some way with my unique acknowledgement of the beauty in life that always surrounds us but is often hidden. My piece, the plane, was completed in 5 weeks - a finely tuned multi layered artwork as opposed to the other, the ram skull brought to completion within an hour of spontaneous madness. Vive la difference! Both equally magical. You currently live and work from your studio in Emerald Beach. What does a day in the office look like for you? Ha! My offices are situated all over this fine region! My day begins with moments of
sweet madness with my A short meditation, ane, My piece, the pl in beautiful, inspirational and then the creative ed et pl m co was d ne partner, Rachael, juices flow where tu y el fin a , 5 weeks ork tw and our four furry they will. Scary but ar d re ye la ti mul e other, friends tucking into exciting! as opposed to th ght to ou a gorgeous breaky, You also had the ram skull br in an hour ith w n io et followed by a good a photography compl madness .” hour spent connecting business; what was of spontaneous with the world at large that experience like, in a well-chosen café! and how did it push If I’m lucky enough, then you into art? I get to touch base with my Well, it is art - a beautiful friend the ocean or a stroll to gather one at that! I am still active in my my thoughts and desires for the day and then photography business, the only difference there are my studios … a room in my home or being that I now offer an expansion of the a place by a river, usually somewhere peaceful. creative possibilities for my clients when we
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connect to design something together. It can be a personal painting or a photograph now. It is the truthful moments of intimacy, passion, ritual and laughter that I wish to capture, whether that is a wild wedding in the forest or a watercolour portrait. What do you hope to achieve in 2015? Such a big question! I really do truly hope to achieve that which is asked of me from “above” and have no fear whatsoever in actualising that divine reality. Thanks Melly, and after talking to you I’ve gotten to know myself that little bit more! View more of Georgie’s work at www.georgielucock.com or call her on 0427 687 519. coffs coast focus.
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dolphin magic
PAIGE SINCLAIR, CEO DOLPHIN MARINE MAGIC, HAS WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A “DREAM JOB”. PAIGE KEEPS US UPDATED WITH THE PHILOSPHY BEHIND A PLACE THAT IS ICONIC TO COFFS HARBOUR AND DRAWS THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS TO OUR REGION!
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hat is your role at Dolphin Marine Magic? Some would describe this as a dream job; what do you enjoy the most about your role? I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Pet Porpoise Pool Pty Ltd trading as Dolphin Marine Magic. It is true: some would describe it as a “dream job”, and they would be correct! I love the magic that we provide so many people from so many different backgrounds and circumstances. I am also grateful for wonderful animals we care for and the very passionate and dedicated people I work with. All of these elements are the very backbone of what makes my role and this company so wonderful. What is the conservation philosophy at Dolphin Marine Magic? Our main purpose is to educate our guests to provide a better understanding of marine life and our oceans, so that they make changes in their everyday habits for a better environment and develop a deeper love and appreciation of the magical world in which we all live. Baba Dioum, an environmentalist, said it very well in the following quotation he made to the general assembly of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, New Delhi, India, in 1968: “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught”. What are the social responsibilities of having such a park? Our social responsibility is based on business decisions and activities the staff and management make that affect our community and our environment. Only through transparent and ethical behaviour can we contribute to sustainable practices, including the health and welfare of our community and environment. We do this in many ways: in our local community, Dolphin Marine Magic is the best at recycling, sorting, separating and disposing of all rubbish; the systems, programs and equipment we use reduces our need for water, 48 coffs coast focus.
electricity and other natural resources; every year we support the community with close to $200,000 worth of passes and “in the water” experiences to raise funds for any worthwhile cause; we welcome dozens of work experience students, university interns and special needs people every year to learn/experience what it is like to work in a marine conservation park; additionally, we rescue, rehabilitate and release where possible dozens of injured, sick or orphaned native marine animals at a cost to the business of nearly $100,000 dollars every year. What improvements does the team constantly focus on? Customers and their experience; my crew will tell you this is always on the top of my list. Why? Because without customers, we would not have a business. Also important, as explained earlier, is our social responsibility; we have a “Green Team” that look at better and smarter ways of doing things; our Education Crew continually work on improvements to our very popular Ed-adventures; the Maintenance Crew are always building and improving the park with not only capital works but the day to day repairs and maintenance; and lastly, we focus on training/learning for the team members’ development as valued members of the team. What new products have recently been introduced? Our newest product is “The Junior Marine Ranger Program”, which will allow a group of kids 8 - 16 years to experience life as a marine ranger for a day, just like the BLUE ZOO Rookies did while they were here filming last year at the park. Activities include meeting some of the stars from the TV series, making fish buckets, playing with seals and dolphins, helping to care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife in our specialised hospital and educating the public about environmental conservation. www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au 6659 1901
Learn to Stand up paddle board Lessons with all equipment supplied. What is Skee Kayak & Sup Centre’s expertise? Paddling! Flat water and Sea Kayak Level 2 Instructor and Assessor, with Australian Canoeing and an ASI Accredited Stand Up Paddle Board School which abides by the high international standards for teaching Stand Up Paddling for beginners on confidence and technique, through to those wanting to learn beginner surf. Want to learn the basic skills or complete accredited course for kayaking, or Stand Up Paddling skills? We are the go to people on the Coffs Coast. Get a group together and see how
much more fun paddling is with a little bit of technique correction. A recent survey stated: “If you increase someone’s skill set by 5%, you will increase their enjoyment by 30%”, which is my number one goal. History: we have been paddling for over 30 years; it is what we are about. This is why we want to help the people on the Coffs Coast enjoy our passion. Dedicated courses for beginners to build confidence and enjoyment. Purchased a kayak or SUP off the internet, for example, and would like some advice on how to paddle and use your paddling craft? That’s why we are here!
SAVE! FAMILY P PASS
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$
*
3D PASS $59
2 Adults + 2 Kids or 1 Adult + 3 Kids
BIG HERO 6 (CTC) In Cinemas Dec 26
PADDINGTON (CTC) In Cinemas Dec 11
saso.creative
Relax with a good book January is the perfect opportunity with the hectic Christmas rush all over to enjoy a great book. Coffs Harbour Libraries have a huge range of books to choose from and the best part is, they’re free to borrow (another relief after Christmas). In fact, the Library holds 95,000 items, of which approximately 35,000 are fiction titles. The Library has books to suit all tastes, ages and reading needs. Formats include large print books, picture books, magazines, audiobooks, ebooks and e-audiobooks too. Books are also available in languages other than English. The Library’s online catalogue is a great place to search or browse available titles. The Library website also has an entire section devoted to “Books, Movies & More”, including a Book Lovers page which includes Reading Lists and “Who Writes Like” suggestions.
PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR (CTC) In Cinemas Jan 1
Since July 2014, the Library has added over 2,700 new fiction titles to its shelves, as well as 100 new ebooks available for download. New books are added every month. Membership is free for all residents and ratepayers; all that is needed to join is current ID. Coffs Harbour, Toormina and Woolgoolga libraries are open Monday to Saturday. For more information, phone 6648 4900 or visit http://libraries.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au
ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY (PG)
ANNIE (PG)
In Cinemas Dec 4
In Cinemas Dec 18
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB (CTC)
PAPER PLANES (G)
In Cinemas Dec 26
In Cinemas Jan 15
Buy now at eventcinemas.com.au or at the box office
Does your brand have a hangover? It’s 2015, the sun has risen, and man - it hurts so baaaaad! Sounds like someone’s marketing plan went out and got wasted in 2014, and in the brutal light of the new year, it’s all looking a bit dusty. Let’s look at the symptoms: No-strategy headache. This presents as a dull ache, confusion and nausea. You thought you were doing the right thing: you got your brand a website, did some social media, even some print advertising and signage. Problem was, none of it worked together. Your marketing needs to work toward a common goal; chances are, it didn’t “work” because, to the world at large, none of it looked like it was for the same thing. Pace yourself. A “bottoms up” approach to marketing will get you pretty ho-ho-ho pretty quick, but equally quickly it’s just dizzying lights and ideas that only seem good when viewed through marketing “beer goggles”. Your marketing efforts should pace themselves, not only so your prospects and customers have time to absorb and respond, but so you have time to reflect and adapt. Nothing quite like slamming back a dozen White Russians before you realise the milk is off. Know what I mean? The cheap stuff. Remember what those 4-litre cask wines did to you in the ‘80s and ‘90s? C’mon, you know what I’m talking about. Well, why do that to your marketing? The result is pretty much the same. I won’t ellaborate. Don’t go there. If you recognise some of these symptoms, it’s time to make your marketing New Year’s resolutions. The good news is that a hangover is easily cured. Give saso.creative a call this January.
TARGETED DESIGN FOR YOUR BUSINESS
WEBSITEDESIGNPRINTDESIGN LOGODESIGNBRANDDESIGN BOOKDESIGNCOPYWRITING
*Surcharges apply for 3D and Vmax. 3D Glasses $1 (ea) if required. $1.10 online booking fee per pass. Valid for the above films only. Excludes Gold Class and special events. Valid for 2 Adults + 2 Children OR 1 Adult + 3 Children. Children aged 3-15 years. Maximum 1 adult or 1 child can be added for $10 for 2D or $13 for 3D. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Not valid at Event Glendale, Capitol Cinemas Manuka, BCC Cinemas Australia Fair or Skyline Blacktown Drive-in.
call sam and nanette
THUR 12 FEB
6pm-Pre-film activities 7pm-Film starts
6658 7666 sasocreative.com.au coffs coast focus.
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Looking for a straighter and brighter smile in 2015? Than consider Cfast — Cfast can give you an affordable, discreet way to the smile you have always wanted in 6 months or less! Yes, you could be 6 months away from the fantastic smile you’ve always dreamed of, with the revolutionary Cfast Treatment. Cfast is a gentle, minimally invasive treatment for adults that uses sound orthodontic principles to straighten the upper and lower front six teeth — the ‘Social Six’ that make up your visible smile.
ideally with a bonded retainer placed after the Cfast treatment. As a part of the course of treatment you will also receive 1 x tube of bleaching gel to be used with the retainers after you have your brackets and wire removed. If you are interested please call either our Coffs Harbour or Macksville practice and ask for a consultation appointment with Dr Philippa McCarron.
Using a tooth coloured wire and clear brackets, it gently straightens your teeth to give you that beautiful smile you have always dreamed of. It is fast, effective and affordable for adults seeking to correct their smiles. After completing the Cfast treatment, you will need to wear a retainer to support your teeth in the new position and help to prevent relapse. You can choose from different retainer options,
Wanting a brighter dazzling smile for life? Ask about our ‘Bright Smile for Life’ offer — If your teeth have lost their natural lustre and appear discoloured, stained or yellowed, then whitening should be an avenue to consider. We offer take-home tooth whitening products that are safe and effective, and will leave you with a radiant smile within the convenience and privacy of your own home. We take impressions of your teeth, creating a customised
tray for use at home. These trays are designed to hold bleaching gel correctly in place over the teeth while avoiding the gum area. That’s why they’re considered to be a superior at-home style treatment since your dentist can also determine what type of whitening gel concentration is best suited to your teeth. Our team will provide you with customised whitening trays and 2 syringes of whitening gel for just $310 (normally valued at $600) PLUS at every recommended 6 monthly check up appointment with us, you will receive a complimentary top up of whitening gel. To learn more about our ‘Bright Smile for Life’ offer or to book your appointment, contact our friendly receptionists today.
Need an easy and affordable way to pay your dental bills? Fresh Dental Care are very proud and excited to offer our patients a direct debit payment system from $1 a day to cover their 6 monthly preventative appointments. Based on $30 a month or $13.84 a fortnight your Care Plan membership will give you: › 2 x examinations › 2 x scale & cleans › 2 x X-rays, and › 2 x teeth remineralisation treatments every year.
You will save up to $221 per year (based on our standard fees) and as a member you will also receive 10% off any further dental treatments required (excluding Orthodontics, Mouthguards and over the counter products). If your partner would like to join also, their payments are reduced to just $25 a month and we also have ‘Little Chompers’ plans for children. For under 8’s it is $10 a month and for 9-18 year olds it is $20 a month. Plus, if you have a health fund you can still claim your preventative item numbers with your health fund. It’s a WIN-WIN :)
Coffs Harbour 252 Harbour Drive 02 6651 1350
50 coffs coast focus.
Grafton Cnr Queen & Victoria Street 02 6643 2225
www.freshden
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from
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hips ers
Dent al
professional gentle caring
Plan Mem e r b Ca
a day
Making good health achievable for everyone! FAQ’s 1. How often should I visit my dentist?
3. Why is my tooth sore?
We recommend for patients to receive a dental assessment on a regular six monthly basis. This ensures that you receive a professional clean to effectively remove plaque build-up so that oral hygiene is maintained. It also gives our dentists more time to identify any problems before they escalate into bigger issues.
Toothaches are the human body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. This could be a cracked tooth, a dental cavity, an exposed tooth root or even gum disease. We recommend that you schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you happen to be experiencing tooth pain.
2. Why are regular dental assessments so important?
4. What pain-free methods do you offer?
Dental assessments provide your dental practitioner with an opportunity to clean your teeth and detect problems as early as possible. A simple filling at the right time or identifying a cavity early could spare you from needing a root canal or tooth extraction later down the track. These more complicated dental procedures are known to be quite expensive, time consuming and could have been avoided with a simple 6 monthly check up.
We offer anxious patients 2 different options to relax and make lengthier procedures more comfortable in the dentist chair. These include nitrous oxide inhalation (happy gas) and Penthrox™ (a safe and effective relief from pain and anxiety through an inhaler).
Urunga 46 Bonville Street 02 6655 5800
5. How do I know if my teeth are healthy? Chipped, cracked or discoloured teeth, bleeding gums, bad breath and tooth or jaw pain are all indicators of unhealthy teeth. We highly recommend you to arrange a dental assessment with us so we can address the cause.
6. Why do my teeth appear to be yellow? Discoloured or yellowed teeth can be the result of poor oral hygiene or simply due to using certain products that stain the teeth. Some of the leading offenders include coffee, tea, red wine, antibiotics and tobacco. If you’re concerned, call your dentist and make an appointment with the Hygienist.
Macksville 1 Princess Street 02 6568 1335
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focusinterview.
AMY WEDD LOVE OF THE RACE
AMY WEDD BEGAN RIDING MOTOCROSS AND DIRT TRACK AT THE LOCAL COFFS HARBOUR TRACK AT 15 YEARS OF AGE. AMY COMPETES IN BOTH
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S CLASSES, AND SHE LOVES TO RACE WITH MEN, BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPETITIVE AND PUSH HER TO THE EDGE!
F
irstly, how did you get into riding dirt bikes? Both my father and brother raced motorbikes for many years. My brother turned 16, and it was time for him to step up to seniors
What's it like competing against boys? They must hate it when you beat them. I enjoy racing against the boys. They tend to be a little rougher, which is always a good change for me. I have great battles with the
... Dad decided instead of selling my brother’s
boys and with very few females racing in men’s
bike, it would be a great idea for me to learn
classes, it’s always a thrill to beat a few boys ...
how to ride it.
yes, the boys don’t like it when they get beaten
I had ridden my brother’s Peewee before and never took an interest. It was only when my dad and I went to a kick start course at our
by a girl! Tell us about your achievements ... This year was my first year racing open
local bike track that I discovered I absolutely
and national meetings. I competed all
loved it. Two weeks later, a friend and I raced
over the East Coast, from Proserpine in far
our first race meeting… and here we are four
North Queensland, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour,
years later, still racing!
Tamworth, Gunnedah, Kempsey, Taree and
How long you have been racing dirt bikes
Kurri Kurri. My best result to date is 2nd in
for?
Australia in the Women’s Pro Opens for Dirt
I started racing dirt bikes at the end of 2009.
Track. I also placed 2nd in NSW Dirt Track and
I raced locally for four years, and this year my
2nd in QLD Dirt Track.
family and I decided to compete in national and
Do you have a sponsor?
open events around the East Coast of Australia. Who are some of your role models?
I am currently sponsored by Tomsey Racing, Coffs Motorcycles and Lawncare, Slick
Ashley Fiolek is a huge role model to me.
Sportswear, Motul and Pirelli. I can’t thank my
She is a deaf motocross racer who won the
sponsors enough for their support throughout
Women's en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motocross
the 2014 race season and am extremely excited
Motocross Championship in 2008, 2009, 2011,
for what may lay ahead for me in 2015.
and 2012. Although she races a different
What sort of bike do you ride?
discipline to me, I believe the challenges that she has had to overcome in the sport are truly 52 coffs coast focus.
inspiring.
This year I upgraded from a 250cc to a 450cc. I race a Honda CRF 450 and absolutely
focusinterview.
My main future e go al is to promot to ts or sp e motorcycl a lot of females . I have look up young girls who odel , m le to me as a ro .” tic as nt which is fa
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love it. How often and where do you train? I train once a week at Coffs Harbour Motorcycle Club, when they open the track to the public for rec days. The best type of training is bike time - this enables me to fine-tune my bike and technique and most of all, practice. When is your next challenge? Race season for this year is winding down. My next challenge will be the Australian titles in June at Gunnedah. Another big challenge I will face is the Senior NSW Dirt Track titles at my home track (Coffs Harbour) in September. What are the challenges you have faced in this sport? The main challenge I face is being a female in a prominent male sport. Females are definitely not as aggressive as males by nature, and there are not a lot of women in motorcycle sports, so competing against the males is hard. What are your future goals? My main future goal is to promote motorcycle sports to females. I have a lot of young girls who look up to me as a role model, which is fantastic. I help them, encourage them and show them that they can do anything they want if they try. For the first time ever,
at the last dirt track event at the Coffs Harbour Motorcycle Club, we had more females in the demo class than males. I was exceptionally proud of how well they all rode and how they got back on their bikes and kept going, even when they fell off! How does someone get involved in female dirt bike riding? Apart from the necessities - bike, safety gear, etc. a junior rider (16 years and younger) must complete a mandatory kick start course and have a log book that is issued through Motorcycling Australia to be able to race. The Coffs Harbour Motorcycle Club holds coaching clinics with the club’s registered coaches. Best idea is to contact the club or a representative to find out more information. The club’s website: chmcc.com.au has contact details and more information. I am aiming to hold a female only recreational ride day to try to entice females who want to give motorcycle riding a go on an actual race track. What do you love about living on the Coffs Coast? Apart from the fact that I think the Coffs Coast is one of the most beautiful areas in Australia, there is so much to do and see here. Thanks Amy. coffs coast focus.
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COFFS physiotherapy & backcare
A
do yourself a favour Common Hand Injuries
nother year about to tick over, another milestone, more New Year’s resolutions … did you follow through? Twenty years ago I had a dream, but four years ago all but gave up on that dream as it was beyond my capabilities. Not one to toss the towel in, Jeff and I took up the challenge to face our future head on, refusing to “age gracefully” but rather ,”age actively”. So following our new fitness plan and putting many miles under our feet, we achieved my dream this year - to walk the six day Cradle Mt Overland Track unsupported and backpacking our own gear. This is now our fifth trek in three years, and it has opened a whole new world to us - even though my daughter continues to remind me, “Mum, remember you are a grandmother now!” Another dream is to enable others to share our passion to “age actively”, and be a catalyst for them to enrich their lives with the ability to increase their activity and enjoy life. All too often I hear stories of how active people used to be before they “injured their shoulder” or “strained their hip”. Both young and old put up with “aches” they mistakenly think “are part of getting older” or that “no-one can do anything about it”, when so often these comments are far from the truth. So here are some new thoughts to start 2015 with: That aching hip “bursitis” may actually be an overworked deep hip muscle that with
54 coffs coast focus.
May 2015 be your healthiest, happiest and most fulfilling year yet.
appropriate diagnosis and attention you can clear completely. That sore shoulder or “torn rotator cuff” that has stopped you playing tennis may respond to appropriate treatment and strengthening exercises (or is the pain really coming from your neck). Appropriate advice, exercise and bracing can return you to your favourite hobby or activity when painful thumbs have restricted this previously, and that stubborn “tennis elbow” may actually be an entrapped nerve. Arthritic knees can and do respond to exercise, but when severe, your mobility can be improved by being fitted with bracing specific to your needs. Too often our lives shrink inwards due to the restraint of pain, when the solution can often be simple and straightforward. My second passion is to say, “You’re discharged from physio”, to later hear their stories on returning from walking the Inca trail, skiing in Japan, or bushwalking in Dorrigo - activities they thought they would never return to. So in Molly Meldrum’s inimitable words: “Do yourself a favour”. Don’t let pain hinder your start to 2015 - make your resolution one to put your fitness first and seek professional help so you can return to an active lifestyle, whatever that may be. Finally from Sean, Jeff, Patrick, Kate, Aly and myself, may 2015 bring you many smiles, happy times and good health.
CLASS OF
2014
GRADUATION
C
lass of 2014, congratulations and best wishes as you embark next year on another stage of your learning journey.
of identity and wellbeing, along with confidence
As a result of your participation in just
confident and involved learners has helped to
and the ability to connect and contribute to your world, as effective communicators and
the everyday life of 3 Bears, we as Educators
lay the foundations for a positive and successful
have been witness to an amazing year.
transition to school and with learning for the rest
We have observed you being and becoming Architects, Painters, Doctors, Horticulturists, Scientists, Teachers, Chefs, Hairdressers, Community Service Workers and the list goes on. Preparing you at 3 Bears to have a strong sense
of your lives. We are grateful and feel very blessed that your families chose 3 Bears to share your lives with us for the last five years and from all the Educators and Management at 3 Bears, good luck and farewell.
focusinterview.
DR. ALAN BURROW Dr Alan Burrow, Optometrist, talks all things Ortho K! What’s Ortho K, you ask? A technique that gently reshapes the cornea ...
W FESTIVE SEASON THE INS AND OUTS
EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THOUGHT OF AS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY, WE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES MORE STRESSED, LACKING SLEEP, EATING UNHEALTHY FOODS AND GENERALLY NOT FEELING VERY MERRY AT ALL.
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e all know the negative improve your sleep and anxiety levels. impacts that stress, not Finding an exercise that allows you to enough sleep release your stress is also an essential and bad component - you might find food choices have on our that a high energy boxing heath and sanity - the class is perfect after dealing with work stresses one thing that can gether, let’s To - or a nice gentle yoga help is EXERCISE. discover the class so you can still This time of year n ee tw be connection ss your mind of all the it seems trying re st d an exercise y form of an t busy chatter of those to fit or continue en em ag man gentle walk a om fr , around you might your exercise rouse ci er ex class can tine can fall by the be just want you are to a high energy lease. ” act as a stress re wayside - yet this is after. something that our Whatever you need, body and mind need make sure that this season more then ever. you put yourself first and Together, let’s discover de-stress. Remember that you the connection between exercise will not only feel better, but you will and stress management - any form of make those around you less stressed as exercise, from a gentle walk to a high well. energy class can act as a stress release. Have a very Merry Christmas from Renee Exercise releases feel good endorphins into and the team at beachbodies; we look our system and can help to improve your forward to working with you to achieve your mood, build your self confidence, as well as goals.
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hen did you first decide to waking hours when the moulds have been become an optometrist? worn for a few days, although in some cases At school, my preference was the effects can last for two days. The maximum for the sciences and, having effect is usually achieved in one week. worked in my father’s pharmacy, I considered What vision problems can Ortho K correct? this as a potential career. However, he Ortho K is most effective for moderate suggested Optometry. Following discussion with levels of myopia (shortsightedness) up to a prominent and highly respected optometrist, I approximately four dioptres with astigmatism decided to pursue this path. (two different focal points) of approximately With the advancements in technology, how one and a half dioptres. There have been some have you seen the industry change? advances in correcting long sightedness, but The changes in optometric practice can success is still limited. only be described as spectacular. Can Ortho K limit the development The current sophisticated of myopia? equipment has not only Ortho K has created great revolutionised the excitement, because it diagnosis of ocular nique is the first technique Ortho K is a tech g in conditions, but without significant of gently reshap also increased our ic al side effects where the cornea (opt the eye) understanding of front surface of stringent research g lens . the underlying using a mouldin has shown a which mechanisms This technique, substantial decrease to r mila and treatment in principle is si first tried in the rate of as procedures. Orthodontics, w an ic er m progression of A by renowned A buzz word on ss Je e rg eo G myopia in those st optometri sweeping under the age of 20. in 19 62.” through It is anticipated that the Optometry is earlier Ortho K treatment “Orthokeratology”, also commences, the greater the known as Ortho K. What is reduction in the level of myopia. this treatment? This effect is similar to that found in Ortho K is a technique of gently experimental monkeys, which has also reshaping the cornea (optical front provided a scientific basis for the mechanism. surface of the eye) using a moulding What is the youngest age at which Ortho K lens. This technique, which in principle is similar moulds can be fitted? to Orthodontics, was first tried by renowned While the technique has been shown to American optometrist George Jesson in 1962. be safe with a low complication rate, it is However, its success was limited by rudimentary essential to comply with safety procedures. lens designs and manufacturing techniques, Some children as young as eight can be fitted, materials which could only be worn during provided they have the maturity to follow waking hours and lack of the technology procedures and are suitably motivated. required to measure the shape of the eye. Who fits Ortho K lenses? Recent advances have eliminated these Ortho K lenses are fitted almost exclusively barriers, greatly enhancing the effectiveness by optometrists who have completed and speed with which focusing errors can be additional training and purchased the necessary corrected. In suitable candidates, a significant specialised equipment. change occurs after wearing a mould overnight. 72 Albany Street, How long does the Ortho K effect last? Coffs Harbour 2450 The improvement in focus lasts for several Tel: (02) 6652 7411 hours after a single night’s use of the mould. www.alanburrow.com.au Clear vision is usually achieved during normal
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What I love about
HYPOXI Helen Forrest - interview with Jocelyn Challis
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hat physical training have you done in the past, and how does that compare to HYPOXI training? In the past I have been extremely fit - I have run the London Marathon twice, as well as the 3 Peaks Challenge - so I have had a very high level of fitness, but even during that time I always had the extra weight mend HYPOXI higher enough to ladies, as well as men. around my thighs. I have never been able to actually Did you find it hard to follow the food guidechange my shape, which I had just always assumed lines? was my genetics. So HYPOXI for me was just brilliant No, I didn't. I had protein, salads and ate clean - I - only 30 mins in a machine a couple of times a week just did not get hungry, and I made good choices with has finally balanced me out - so my top now matches snacks. I was being more sensible about my diet my bottom half (laughing) - which is quite - so it was a lifestyle change, not a strict astounding at my age. diet - just small incremental changes What do you love about HYPOXI? to a more healthier lifestyle. It is only 30 minutes, three times e Best thing for you about re th It took a week - it’s exercise at a low 24 d an s th HYPOXI? on m pace - it’s not a frantic 30 min XI PO Y H of ns I was not expecting my body io sess bike ride. During the session t and gh ei w e th se lo to shape to change knocking 50, the machine is applying presat is just centimetres. Th and it has! in sure to my body, and all I have cise 12 hours of exer s You’re invited! ne hi to do is cycle for 30 mins, you the HYPOXI mac ird This is the second in a series ao don't get that hot and sweaty, - which is extr of talks to be held at HYPOXI so by the time you step out nary.” Studio looking at Holistic Health you’re good to go. Options. And how much weight and centiWhy Colonics Helps Weight-loss. metres have you lost over the period? Kate Cooke Naturopath and Nutritionist I have lost 7.5 kg and 72 cm - from my waist, from Flushed with Health, will talk you through the stomach, hips, bottom and thighs. health benefi ts of colonics and interesting facts, such And how long did it take you to achieve that as the average healthy-weight adult on a typical westresult? ern diet carries between 2 - 12 kg of impacted faecal It took three months and 24 sessions of HYPOXI matter stuck to their bowel wall. Oh dear! to lose the weight and centimetres. That is just 12 Where HYPOXI Studio, 5-29/33 Orlando St, Coffs hours of exercise in the HYPOXI machines - which is Harbour. extraordinary. When 29 January, 6:30pm for canapés and welcome. Who would you recommend HYPOXI to? Cost $25. I would recommend HYPOXI for everybody - if you Book online www.hypoxistudiocoffsharbour.com.au are looking to lose weight or firm up and target those stubborn areas that won’t shift - I just can’t recomPhone 6651 8225.
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Non-surgical Facial Rejuvenation
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C A R B O N D I O X I D E L A S E R R E S U R FA C I N G
ong-term sun-exposure, both from work and leisure, is a hazard of life in Australia. Solar (sun) damage affects both the epidermis (the very thin superficial layer) and the dermis (the thicker, deeper layer) of skin. Solar damage to the epidermis results in scaly, dry skin, with red and brown blotches all over. The base of the epidermis is called the basement membrane and is made up of mainly basal cells which are the template cells for formation of new skin cells. Though these cells are replaced every 30 days, the template cells, once damaged, can only produce new cells with the existing damage in them. Solar damage to the dermis results in thinning of this layer, including the collagen and elastin in the dermis, which give form and tone to the skin. Solar damage to facial skin is compounded by ageing changes, causing facial skin to be droopy, thin and lined. The reversal of solar damage and ageing of facial skin This requires repair or replacement of the basal cells of the epidermal basement mem-
brane to rejuvenate the epidermis, and production of new collagen and elastin in the dermis to restore the tone of the dermis. Repair (Healing) is the easier of the two and lasers and intense pulsed light (which has a similar action to Laser) have the ability to convert light into heat, which has a healing effect on the damaged template cells. Replacement (regeneration) of the epidermis and new collagen formation in the dermis is obviously the better outcome and the carbon dioxide laser is the laser of choice for this. The Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) Laser - how does it work its magic? “ Scarless Surgery” has been the holy grail in the use of lasers. For many years, while various lasers had been developed, there were many problems caused by the heat generated, resulting in burn injuries. The carbon dioxide laser causes its desirable effects by ”PhotoThermolysis” (photo= light / thermo= heat / lysis= destruction),ie., the CO2 produces light, which becomes heat, which then destroys the target cells (the basal cell of the epidermis), which is then replaced from basal cells stored in the dermis (please see technical note at the end).
The CO2 laser also stimulates the dermis to produce new collagen and elastin, thus improving both the epidermis and dermis the effects are dramatic when seen! *( Technical note for those need to know !) • The epidermis is a very thin layer draped over the dermis and gains traction and adhesion to the dermis with spike like projections into the dermis, and it is these basal cells that migrate to the surface after epidermal damage caused by the CO2 laser. • The carbon dioxide laser produces its effect by damaging spots of epidermis and leaving normal epidermis between these damaged or burnt spots. Usually heat spreads like ripples in a pool and the spots of heat coalese and cause burn injury. The beauty of the modern carbon dioxide laser is the ultrashort dwell time (laser - skin contact time), and the rapid thermal relaxation time (very short heat diffusion time), which prevent burn injuries. • A further improvement is the development of software, permitting fractional CO2 laser treatment. In fractional treatment, less skin is damaged and treatment is therefore appropriate for younger people with less damaged skin.
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Brooke, Sheree & Louise
DISCOVER COFFS’ BEST KEPT SECRETS Show your summer visitors Coffs’ best kept secrets on a FREE Coffs Ambassadors Tour. With a choice of locations, from headlands and white beaches to cool rainforests and green bushland and a choice of tour lengths from 0.5 km to 3.5 km, there is something for everyone in the summer tours program. GROW YOUR OWN SUSTAINABLE FOOD Wednesday 7 January, 9:30am - 11:30am THE GREAT SEA TURTLE ADVENTURE FOR KIDS Wednesday 7 January, 10am - 11:30am CORAMBA RAINFOREST STROLL Sunday 11 January, 10am - 12pm WHERE OUR FOREST MEETS THE SEA FOR KIDS Thursday 15 January, 9:30am - 11am MAGICAL MULLAWAY Saturday 17 January, 9:30am - 11:30am KOALAS IN OUR BACKYARD Sunday 18 January, 10am - 12pm DISCOVER YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDEN Sunday 1 February, 9am - 11am COFFS RAINFOREST WALK Sunday 1 February, 10am - 12pm A HISTORY OF COFFS CREEK Sunday 8 February, 10am - 12pm BUSH TUCKER AT WOOLGOOLGA LAKE Saturday 14 February, 10am - 11:30am SEA TURTLES OF THE SOLITARY ISLANDS Sunday 15 February, 10am - 12pm A SENSE OF MOONEE - Sunday 22 February, 9am - 11am
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Coffs Coast Nutrition • Have you tried lots of diets, only to re-gain the weight? • Do you feel you know how to lose weight, but find yourself lacking motivation? • Are you confused by conflicting nutrition advice? • Would you like a choice of face-to-face, email or phone consultations? • Are you lacking in energy? • Do you want to be empowered to be the happiest and healthiest you can be? • Would you like to break free from emotional eating? • Could you benefit from nutritional therapy to help manage a medical condition? • Do you suffer from abdominal bloating, diarrhoea, constipation or wind? • Would you like sports nutrition advice for peak performance? Coffs Coast Nutrition’s team consists of university qualified Nutritionists and Dietitians with 5+ years study in nutrition, dietetics, biochemistry, physiology and medical nutrition therapy. We also have a qualified personal trainer and private studio gym. Our focus is on providing holistic nutrition, exercise and lifestyle advice in a supportive, caring and non-judgemental environment. We believe that food and exercise should be enjoyable, and we pride ourselves on offering personalised nutrition and exercise solutions to fit your lifestyle. Start the New Year off in a positive way - give us a call or check our website to find out what we can do for you.
Introducing Xtend Barre “If Pilates sculpts your body, Xtend Barre chisels it!” Xtend Barre brings in elements of dance, ballet and Pilates to create a fast paced 55 minute full body workout that uses a ballet barre to strengthen, stretch and chisel the body - and fast. I have been teaching Pilates for 13 years now, and it is so nice to be able to offer a new programme to my clients. Xtend Barre covers all bases: you get a cardiovascular workout, strength work and flexibility. I have been teaching Xtend now for over a year and have seen some amazing results in my clients! The Xtend philosophy is simple. It is a multi-leveled class geared to challenging bodies of any age or fitness background. It is set to top 40 music and we use props such as weights, small balls, flex bands and yoga straps to constantly challenge the clients. The exercises can be modified for beginners or amplified for advanced clients. NO DANCE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. It is no wonder that Xtend Barre has created so much hype in the media and has so many celebrity devotees. Start your new year off on the right foot with a free Xtend Barre workshop. Contact Elise for details 0414 333 571.
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DIVINE GOATS MILK We tend to forget our skin is our body’s largest organ and the first line of defence against the environment. On a daily basis skin deals with the effects of cold, wind, sun, heat and chemicals, which can leave it feeling dry, sensitive and irritated. Divine Goat’s Milk Soap has launched a luxuriously creamy range of highly effective all natural soap, that isn’t your average soap. Made from the purest of farm fresh goat’s milk, their superior “posh” drop of milk works like a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser in one. Each bar is artisan produced in small batches to keep their quality impeccable, with a beautiful organic shape that makes bathing
a divine experience, while being surrounded with amazing natural aromas. Researched and developed for three years before launching, their soap blends work to heal irritations and keep skin healthy with every creamy lather. www.divinegoatsmilksoap.com.au 244 WHITNEYS ROAD BROOKLANA. 0402 687 533
HANG JUICE This juice is perfect to give you a kickstart the morning after a big night, or if you’re just feeling a little sluggish, bloated or tired the refreshing and energising affetcs of this super juice blend is amazing. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice Freshly Squeezed Pineapple Juice Freshly Squeezed Lemon Small Piece of Ginger Blend all together with crushed ice for an delicious, nutritious and refreshing beverage, can help settle stomach pains and discomfort and is nourishing to your digestive system, energises and refreshes coffs coast focus.
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Baringa Rehabilitation
Enhance BARINGA REHABILITATION
H
i, my name is Brett Caller, and I work as part of an allied health professional team at Baringa Rehabilitation. In 2012 I graduated from Southern Cross University with a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (EP). I did my clinical practical hours here at Baringa in my final year of study and thoroughly enjoyed the learning opportunity. In 2013 I relocated from sunny Byron Bay to the beautiful Banana Coast to start full-time with Baringa Rehabilitation as an EP. The relocation was easy, as my wife was already living here running her health store “Essential Health”, my family live in Valla Beach, and the local beaches soothe my daily early morning surf addiction. As an Exercise Physiologist, my aim is to provide personalised services to help people move better, feel better, and have a better quality of life. The EP team aim to effectively communicate with our patients and provide them the education and skills to take responsibility in their own health and fitness, bettering their quality of life. I’m a firm believer in looking after your body physically, mentally and nutritionally, no matter what your age may be. Not long after I started
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at Baringa, I quickly noticed that the exercise programs I was prescribing to my clients to do at home or at their local gym were not being done. I discovered that this was mostly due to either lack of motivation or they didn’t feel comfortable to go to a local gym. This meant that we weren’t getting the results we were after. For this reason, I started the “Enhance” program. Enhance is an evidence based structured group exercise class run by allied health professional at 3pm 5 days per week. The Enhance classes focus on providing previous and new clients with a fun, safe and motivating environment to achieve their health and fitness goals. Here are a few words from members of the Enhance family on how their lives have changed since starting “Enhance”. Julie (not real name) I made a decision to do “Enhance” at Baringa after going through the excellent Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (C.O.P.D.) course. The Enhance classes have made my life positive again. It is like being given a gift after having a previously restricted life. I can now exercise more and longer in the safe and caring environment that is provided, with support
from other people in similar situations. Enhance provides a well-planned and varied rehabilitation program that is attainable at one's own pace. I will keep attending Enhance, as it makes me feel SO GOOD. Bettie (not real name) My name is Bettie, and in 2012 I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had my lung removed and undertook Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy for several months. I joined the Enhance group about a year ago and have been coming weekly ever since. When I started, I found it impossible to walk 50 metres without being badly out of breath. Now I exercise weekly in this group without a problem. My fitness levels have improved to a point where I am able to resume work with my horses at the race track. This is a very motivated group of people who work hard to improve their fitness levels all the time. Training with other people who have breathing difficulties makes you realise you are not alone, and you can still be healthy and active even when you have health issues. Isabella (not real name) I have a long term mobility problem resulting from internal nerve damage nearly three years ago. Since then I have graduated from a
wheelchair to a four wheel walker and now to a single point walking stick. I joined the Enhance class to improve my mobility and general fitness. The one hour classes that run daily really suit me, as I can pick and choose the classes I wanted to attend. Also, the fact that the classes are run by allied health professionals makes me feel safe and gives me confidence. The combination of cardio, strength and core exercises suits my condition well. My strength and mobility have improved immensely. I no longer need a four wheel walker when on outings, and I only require a single point stick when negotiating kerbs and uneven ground. All members of the Enhance class are encouraged to work to their own ability and all exercises are set up so that each person can complete them at their own pace. The class has a lovely, friendly atmosphere, and I look forward to coming each day. This class is helping me stay fit and mobile, and I will continue to attend for as long as possible as it has enhanced my quality of life. So if you want to exercise but don’t know where or how to exercise safely and find group exercise motivating, then perhaps the “Enhance” program is just what you have been looking for.
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WALK
ALLYSON WILSON AND JAMES DAWSON
FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS ALLYSON WILSON AND JAMES DAWSON HAVE JUST EMBARKED ON A SEVEN HOUR WALK FROM SAWTELL TO WOOLGOOLGA TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.
Our biggest t motivator, I mus th bo e ar e w at say, is th ed personally affect ffer su by people who d we an , ss mental illne ing do lly ia nt are esse .” em th r this fo
“ hat is this seven hour walk you did on Christmas Eve? It was a seven hour walk from Split Café, Sawtell to Woolgoolga on Christmas Eve in order to raise funds for Coffs Harbour Soup Kitchen at Uniting Church. The primary aim of the walk is to raise awareness for mental illness and its link to homelessness. People that suffer from serious mental illness remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in today’s society. They are often faced with a lifelong battle of emotional and psychological instability, their physical wellness is far more compromised than that of the general population, and they have an almost three times higher rate of mortality than that of individuals in the general population. These individuals today still face ongoing stigmas, which are reflected in stereotyping and gross misrepresentations in media. They remain the most socially and financially disadvantaged individuals in our community. They are regularly isolated from society and their families and often end up sleeping in our parks, under our bridges, eating out of our bins and presenting to our emergency departments acutely unwell. They are unable to access expert medical attention on a regular basis due to the fact that they have no fixed address and often are cut off from unemployment benefits. Often they are not able to afford necessary medication,
nor do they have a stable place in which this could be stored. Many of them find that they have their money and medication stolen on the same day that they receive their benefits, leaving them without food until the next fortnight, so they must rely on charities to feed them and clothe them. The Coffs Harbour Uniting Church provides a sanctuary, a safe place, a place where these individuals can have a meal in an environment that does not judge them, and where they often call home. What inspired this, and why do you feel so passionate about helping homeless people? Our biggest motivator, I must say, is that we are both personally affected by people who suffer mental illness, and we are essentially doing this for them. I have always had a strong passion for mental health and homelessness. I am very aware of the challenges that people with disabilities face in our community. Particularly, I am conscious of the hidden disorders that affect one in four people in the world, mental illness. The effect that a disability has on a person can be mild to severe, and without proper shelter and food, the disability can often become detrimental and in some cases lead to death. I hope to raise an awareness of the large number of homeless persons in the Coffs
Harbour community. There are no boarding houses in the area, and the homeless population often must seek assistance from non-government and government agencies. If they do not qualify for assistance, they are left to sleep on the streets or couch surf. What is your background in this field? I went into nursing because I’ve always had a passion for helping people. I soon realised in general nursing I was never given enough time to talk to patients. I then moved into mental health nursing, where I completed a Master in Clinical Science (Mental Health Nursing) and a further Master in Nursing (Advanced Practice). I am a proud credentialled mental health nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. Work-wise, I have worked in acute government mental health facilities and private non-government mental health facilities. I am currently in a dual acute mental health triage and counselling position. I am also the director of Mindfulness Counselling and Psychological Services Australia Pty Ltd, which is a company that aims to support individuals and companies in improving their quality of life through the integration of holistic therapies and evidenced based approaches to mental wellness. How much money do you hope to raise, and how can we get behind you?
We understand the financial pressures in today’s society; however, we would love to raise at least $2,000 for this church. You can support our cause by making a direct deposit in the donation boxes at locations below. What type of training did you need to take to walk such a distance? No training. James and I are constantly moving; we go from one activity to another. We share a passion for adventure sports and all kinds of sporting activities from tennis to boxing. We recently conquered Mt Warning, located just out of Byron, and we plan on many more hikes in the future. Every day we try to do weight training or high intensity interval training. Despite our daily sporting activities, we always have time to show one another we love each other and when you combine a passion with purpose, doing a charity event together is simply a way of life. Thanks guys.
the plug! DONATE a.wilson.19@hotmail.com www.mycause.com.au/ page/85685/7hourcharitywalkformentalillnessandthehomelessincoffsharbour DONATION BOXES Split Café Sawtell, Australian Sports Nutrition, Mass Nutrition, Coffs Coast Health Club, Coffs Hotel and Plantation Hotel.
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By Duncan Marchant, Coffs Coast Health Club
W
hat is your diet and exercise
with; Jacqui is such an empowering and fantastic
very carbohydrate heavy. I enjoyed
woman and I am very inspired by her. She encourages
big bowls of pasta, bread and
me to be the best I can be and pushes me to my limits
potatoes. Before joining the gym, I wasn’t active at all.
in training. I participated in my first 5 km run, and
So where did it all go wrong?
Jacqui was with me every step of the way. I never
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 13, which
that without her encouragement.
was really uneducated in the way Insulin attracts fat
What goals have you achieved so far?
And how did that make you feel? I was really discouraged and felt like it was too hard
Thank you for such a positive response to last month’s story about Hel Parkes. This month we are catching up with Jess Forsythe to hear her inspiring story.
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have lost 17 kg and am now under my pre pregnancy weight. I have also lost fat, increased muscle strength and drastically improved my overall fitness.
Then what motivated you to find a solution to
What are your goals for the future?
When I became a mum, I became more motivated
A Happily married 30 year old and stay at home mother of two, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 13
Since joining Coffs Coast Health Club in July, I
to lose weight. the problem?
JESS FORSYTHE
would have dreamt I would be able to do anything like
meant daily insulin injections for the rest of my life. I and as my weight went up, so did my insulin doses.
INSPIRATIONAL FITNESS INTERVIEW
You don’t often find someone who you connect
background? My diet was always
I want to get fitter and stronger and see my weight back in the double digits, which is something I haven’t
than ever. The thought of not being there for my kids
seen as an adult. I want to be a good role model for
and not being the best mum I could be really inspired
my children and feel comfortable enough to do simple
me to make a change for the better.
activities with them.
How did you go about making that positive
What is the most useful advice you could share?
change? I am educating myself in Diabetes and balancing
Set yourself small progress goals and reward yourself as you go. For instance, just this week I
insulin, food and exercise. In regards to weight loss, I
reached my pre pregnancy weight, so I am going to
sat down with Leslie, who is a food coach at Healthy
reward myself with a bit of pampering. Remember
Inspirations, and she set out a program for me. I then
that slow and steady will eventually win the race, so
tweaked the program slightly to ensure I was meeting
stay focused and believe that you can reach that finish
the needs of my diabetes, and off I went. I found a
line.
fantastic Personal Trainer in Jacqui, and the three of us
Thanks for sharing, Jess, and if you are looking
have made a great team. They have really been a great
to kickstart your own inspirational fitness story,
source of support and encouragement for me.
drop in to see me at Coffs Coast Health Club.
Why did you select Jacqui as your personal
You can also contact our reception team on 6658
trainer, and what have you been doing together
6222, Jacqui on 0421 971 155 or Leslie on 0423
to achieve your goals?
284 421 to get started today.
FITNESS EARS F O R
Y O U R
We visit the gym to stay healthy, yet research has found some gyms and their instructors are pumping up the music to potentially harmful levels, risking short and long term hearing loss for regular gym goers 1.
R
esearch by Australian Hearing’s research arm, National Acoustic Laboratories, and the University of Newcastle, has found noise levels in fitness classes can “Where possible, they should try to avoid be dangerously high - often to that of nightclub repeated exposure to high levels of noise, by levels2. either bringing the volume level down for the High intensity classes such as spin, boxing entire duration or mixing the volume levels and circuit classes experienced the loudest music throughout the class. on average. Spin classes topped the “If you regularly attend a high charts with an average of 94 intensity class at the gym, it is a decibels, with circuit classes good idea to think about how marginally lower at 93 to ng loud the music is. Speak Accordi decibels. Strength research from to the instructor or gym focused classes with e best ysiology labs , th ph manager after class an average noise a fitness way to motivate the and ask them to turn it level of 86 decibels, se class is to increa e down a little if you feel it is still a level known beat of th
“
tempo or
an the is too loud. If you don’t to cause damage music rather th oach pr ap want to ask, bring ear an with prolonged e m lu vo exposure3. plugs,” Janette said. one local health ppy to Janette Thorburn, professional is ha Elizabeth Francis Beach PHD & Valerie Nile BSc, 2014, pp223-226. support.” Principal Audiologist Local Coffs Coast Health Club at Australian Hearing, is concerned about the tendency owner Duncan Marchant is one for instructors to “pump up the of the more pro-active gym operators, volume” to motivate classes to work whose aim is to ensure the health and safety harder, ultimately putting the hearing of members and employees alike. health of patrons - and themselves - at risk. “We are aware of the issue and structure our “In some cases, the research found levels as classes so that any louder sounds are kept to a high as 99 decibels. It is generally recommended minimum time frame, generally in the middle of that people should have no more than half an a class and certainly not for prolonged times,” hour exposure to these kind of levels, yet most explains Duncan. classes are 55 minutes to an hour long, and Four quick tips to protect your ears at the many instructors lead multiple sessions per day. Considering a jet engine reaches around 120 decibels, music this loud is not healthy for us. “Over time, exposure to loud sounds can damage the hairs in our inner ear, responsible for hearing. It won’t happen overnight, but over time this noise can take a serious toll, which is why so many people in their forties to fifties start to notice hearing loss,” said Ms Thorburn. “It’s a good idea for practice instructors to be aware of their music level and the effect it has on long term hearing, as it can have a lasting impact not only on their own hearing, but that of people in their classes as well.”
gym: • Ask the instructor to lower the volume - even if it’s at intervals. • Wear quality earplugs such as Hearsavers to reduce exposure. • Download a smartphone app to detect harmful decibel levels. • Try other workout options that aren’t so noisy. You don’t have to give up your workout … just adapt to keep your hearing fit too! 1. (Elizabeth Francis Beach PHD & Valerie Nile BSc, 2014), p223 2. (Elizabeth Francis Beach PHD & Valerie Nile BSc, 2014), p226 3. (Elizabeth Francis Beach PHD & Valerie Nile BSc, 2014), p224
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FREEDOM •AGED CARE•
FREEDOM AGED CARE ARE NOT TRADITIONAL NURSING HOMES, NOR CAN WE BE COMPARED WITH ANY OTHER AGED CARE COMMUNITY; BUT, AS OUR NAME IMPLIES, WE ARE UNIQUE AGED CARE COMMUNITIES DEDICATED TO DELIVERING UNMATCHED LEVELS OF FREEDOM, LIFESTYLE AND CARE.
Joyland Carers Retreat Officially opening January 21, 2015, Joyland Carers Retreat is a purpose built respite for carers situated in Korora, 300 m from the beach in Coffs Harbour. Being a carer for most of my life, and being a specialised counsellor in this field, I understand the complexities of caring and the toll it can place on one’s health and wellbeing. Caring for a family member, friend or neighbour who is frail aged, has disabilities, chronic illness or mental health issues is a full-time job, with many carers suffering carer burnout, chronic fatigue, isolation, loss of self identity and depression. Joyland is the ultimate respite and retreat where you can totally relax from your caring role in a restful and peaceful atmosphere with home cooked meals, days to relax, dream and rejuvenate your energy. As I have stated, I have worked as a counsellor for six years in the caring field and have the utmost respect and gratitude to the unsung heroes in our communities. As a Family Therapist, Ellen Slater Counselling Services offers a complete counselling service
very aspect of life in a Freedom individual needs. Freedom also has its own Aged Care community is based team of Diversional Therapists, who are onsite seven days a week to coordinate and around access to 24 hours implement activities to contribute a day nursing care, to your wellbeing. throughout the day and Each community is a night. The truly unique n vibrant social centre built and special thing he w d an If on passionate pillars about Freedom is your health e will of personal freedom, that you never have needs change , w e th se ea friendship and fun. to worry about the simply incr care level of nursing At Freedom, couples changing levels e you require in th n can live together; even of care you may acy of your ow iv pr if one partner’s health need. Caring for you ” Freedom home. deteriorates, we simthrough every stage ply increase the level of of the ageing journey is nursing care to the partner our passion and our requiring more care. And at promise. Freedom you can also continue to If and when your health needs live with your pets in your own Freedom change, we will simply increase the home. Every Freedom resident is recognised level of nursing care you require in the and respected as part of the Freedom Family. privacy of your own Freedom home. You For family, it means peace of mind knowshould never have to leave. ing you are with the best aged care service, Every Freedom community has its own enjoying all the freedom, fun, friendship and Registered Nurse with a team of Personal personal care you could ever want. Carers at your call throughout the day and Freedom Aged Care has a new community night. On a day-to-day basis, every Freedom resident has their own Personal Case opened in Coffs Harbour; call us today on Manager and a care plan specific to their 1800 357 681. We are here to help.
“
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for individuals, couples, families and carers. On the last Friday of the month a free community group called “Goddess Sisters” will be offered from 10am - noon, with morning tea provided. This group is for women to share their gifts and talents, or if you would like to come and enjoy the company of others, this group is for you. Counselling appointments are available Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm, with after hours appointments and Saturday mornings by arrangement. I welcome you to have a look at my website www.joylandcarersretreat.com.au to see what is on offer.
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COFFS HEALTH HUB H e a d t o T o e H e a l t h c a r e
hat is this exciting new space My (Pam’s) background is primarily in Law, having opening up at the Jetty? a law degree and Legal Executive status. I am also a We are excited to be opening the qualified Sports Injury and Massage Therapist; EFT/ Coffs Health Hub, which comprises Tapping Trainer/Advanced Practitioner; Reiki Master; various Allied Health Services focusing on providing Trained as a Life Coach and Counsellor; currently Head to Toe Healthcare. studying and training as a Hypnotherapist. I attend What services will be on offer? regular training both nationally and internationally on We have several offices for lease neuroscience for reprogramming/rewiring and already have a Podiatrist, the brain and the effects and impact of Psychologist, EFT/Tapping meditation. I will be teaching regular Trainer/Adv Practitioner/ meditation classes. l We have severa Counsellor/Life Coach, The idea was born from a e offices for leas Hypnotherapist, joint passion and desire to a and already have logist , ho Naturopath, Massage have a bright, happy space yc Podiatrist , Ps r/ ne ai Tr g in Therapist. We will offering various therapies with EFT/Tapp r/ be running regular the intention of providing Adv Practitione Co ach,/ Empowerment and Counsellor/ Life the resources for Head to Toe t, Hypnotherapis Goal Setting workshops, Healthcare. sage Naturapath, Mas Meditation Classes and What is the main philosophy ” t. is Therap hope to have a Yoga teacher behind this new business use our space as well. We will venture? also run regular Health Educational Our main goal and philosphy is Information evenings i.e. education on keeping people healthy from Head to Toe. diabetes. How can people find out more? What is your background, and how was this By calling our office on (02) 6699 2820 on the idea born? Jetty at 4/30 Orlando Street and speaking with Sarah Mark comes from a multi-disciplinary Private Practice our Admin Assistant; or calling Pam on mobile 0423 and has 18 years’ experience as a Podiatrist. Mark is 214 320 / visit pamelamillican.com... or come see us also trained in Diabetes Education Management and at our office opposite the Pet Porpoise Pool. We would Dry Needling. love to help you with any questions you may have.
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Coffs Harbour PODIATRY Coffs cardiology Redz Hairstudio & cafÉ A New Year, a New You. Our friendly, talented and passionate team of specialists can look after your hair, beauty and makeup needs. Introducing the 2015 Redz Team: From left: Paige Shanahan, Alex Palmer, Ivy Young, Quyen Nguyen, Jay Emery, Lisa Kelly, Laura Dillon. Looking for a change for the New Year? Want to look a cut above the rest? Need some expert advice? As specialists in hair, makeup and beauty, the Redz team can consult with you and guide you through the process of selecting the hairstyle and makeup to suit your face shape and complexion, attire and accessories, whilst keeping in mind the function you are attending. We offer a range of services ... Experienced and highly qualified stylists, Coffs Harbour’s Premier Wella Professionals Salon, on trend with latest colours and styles, bridal hair and makeup, hair and makeup for whole bridal group, formal updos, chemical straightening, perms, hair extensions, facial waxing and tinting, complimentary Redz Café coffee. For your fresh new look, why trust your hair or makeup to anyone else but the experts?
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In 1994, Coffs Cardiology opened its doors and since then, has grown into a vibrant and caring practice. It provides all those services available in City Cardiac Units. Working closely with the Coffs Harbour Health Campus, Dr Waites has also developed Cardiac Services at the Base Hospital. They are able to perform complex cardiac procedures which previously required transfer to Sydney. They have visiting Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Paediatric Cardiologists. Coffs Cardiology is proud to offer the whole suite of cardiac services and consultations, 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring for rhythm disturbances, stress testing and echocardiography, as well as pacemaker and defibrillator interrogation and programming. With their Clinical Trials Unit, they are at the forefront of drug development and through the hospital they access the Coronary Angiography Laboratory, enabling diagnostic and curative procedures to occur. They liaise with our Rheumatology colleagues, operating the first Rural Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Clinic in the country. Their highly trained staff of 13 have a training program whereby local individuals are trained in cardiac technology. Their staff members are extremely well trained, focused and loyal, caring for all patients. Their equipment is brand new and state of the art.
What is an ingrown toenail? An ingrown toenail is a common condition whereby the nail grows into the skin. The toe normally will be sore, red, swollen and sometimes infected. What causes an ingrown toenail? There are many causes of an ingrown toe nail. The most common cause occurs by the cutting down the side too far, and not cutting the nails straight across. Other causes include tight fitting footwear, injury to the toenail, or nails that are curved in. Some people are at a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails, including those with poor foot hygiene, sweaty feet, or even flat feet. Some people treat their own ingrown toenails at home, or simply leave them for months and years without seeking help for fear of the pain associated with having an ingrown toenail. How are ingrown toenails properly treated? As Podiatrists, we are specially trained medically to treat ingrown toenails. Some ingrown toenails can be treated conservatively, and in some cases in one visit. This is usually done pain free. Other nails are treated with a minor surgical procedure. This is done in the Podiatrist’s office, taking less than an hour. The procedure involves taking a small portion of the nail away followed by a chemical application to the nail bed to stop that portion from regrowing back. This procedure leaves most of the nail in place, with a good cosmetic look to the nail. Most people are back to normal daily activities the next day. If you feel you have an ingrown toenail, do not suffer any longer; call for a Podiatrist’s help or opinion. Call Coffs Harbour Podiatry today on 6651 3824!
DIVINE GOAT’S MILK SOAP THERE’S A NEW SOAP ON THE MARKET THAT’S GETTING LOTS OF ATTENTION ... A LUXURIOUS AND EFFECTIVE ALL NATURAL SOAP.
JENNY PRYCE - DIRECTOR, SOAP MAKER AND GOAT LOVER
MEET “POSHIE” BANDY
ot only do the beautiful blends (the milking goats) drink. There’s no average help you to relax and refresh trough water here! The life force of the with their amazing aromas, the farm’s unique location has helped produce a carefully considered ingredients luxuriously creamy “posh” drop of fresh milk work at keeping your skin healthy, with superior nourishing qualities. naturally. The powerful main Artisan produced in small ingredient is their not batches to keep their so average goat’s milk, quality impeccable, They’re that works like a Divine’s soaps contain offering cleanser, exfoliator and specially selected % Focus readers 20 moisturiser in one, botanicals and natural OFF all products thanks to their farm’s clays that all work at until 09/02/ 14; unique location. healing skin irritations use promo code e th at What grew from naturally, as well as 0 S2 U C FO a passion for mixing delighting the senses. check-out. ” mud and leaf “potions” Hand-blended swirls as a little girl, to studies of pink and purple clays in natural therapies and an work to gently detoxify skin, abundance of pure fresh goat’s milk lemongrass and ground ginger on their local Brooklana farm, came the to stimulate circulation, spearmint successful launch of Divine Goat’s Milk and lavender to uplift and refresh skin, Soap. Jenny says: “Our soap isn’t your colloidal oatmeal to soothe redness, as well as average soap, and the farm isn’t your average ground almonds with pomegranate to gently farm either.” Backing onto Dorrigo National exfoliate and renew tired, dull skin. Divine Park, the farm’s streams overflow with ships Australia-wide; to view their beautiful mineral-enriched waters from the Gondwana range of blends and online shop, go to rainforest, streams from which their “Poshies” www.divinegoatsmilksoap.com.au
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ARTISAN PRODUCED IN SMALL BATCHES TO KEEP THEIR QUALITY IMPECCABLE.
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JANUARY 2015
with Terri
AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19
You have been busy recognising cycles that repeated in your past. However, you have grown in wisdom since. This is why they have little if any effect on you now. Set new goals and watch the outcome. Moonstone is great for ending and beginning cycles.
PISCES.
February 20 - March 20
You’re a problem solver; this is why others are compelled to share their story with you. You often hear wise words escape you. Hear these words; they will guide you well. Enjoying your creative pursuits is likely to be a strong influence towards the end of the month. Citrine Stimulates our creative energy.
ARIES.
March 21 - April 20
Connect to your inner strength and gentle wisdom. Identify your qualities you approve of, to align yourself with the highest opportunities and abundance in life. Make a wish list, not a resolution. 2+0+1+5 (= 8 the year of good luck and abundance). Enjoy! Amethyst connects us to our life’s purpose. Wear some.
TA U R U S . April 21 - May 21
If you’re feeling unsupported, look inward at what needs strengthening and activate it. Set some short-term goals as well as mid and long-term goals. You will soon know that there is no hurdle too big you to remove. Laugh at your fears and become their answer. Ruby gives us strength of mind, body and spirit. 68 coffs coast focus.
GEMINI. May 22 - June 22
Endings and new beginnings are likely to play a major part in this cycle. Set some goals and stay tuned into your feelings to identify your opportunities. It will be important to feel passionate and happy connections in the home and workplace. Moonstone is great for new cycles. Wear some.
CANCER. June 23 - July 23
A fresh outlook toward the New Year will aid in becoming better aligned to receive good luck and abundance in all things. Release any fears and become their answers. Ownership of your reality will be a strong influence; embrace it. Clear Quartz amplifies energy.
LEO.
July 24 - August 23
As long as you are content to love, you will sparkle. Avoid placing conditions or hopes on your giving, as you will be disappointed. Instead, feel the Leo joy of giving, because you love to give and do it unconditionally. Feel how big your heart can be. Rose Quartz, the crystal of love, initiates all levels of love in our energy.
VIRGO.
August 24 - September 23
Romantic feelings towards life can be expected this month. Connect with your gratitude as often as possible to benefit from the simple pleasures in life. Relationships will offer some adventurous new discoveries of the self, and feelings towards career are likely to change. Set some goals. Carnelian is great for our enthusiasm and strength of will.
LIBRA.
September 24 - October 23
Stay connected to your beautiful qualities; these will open doors of endless opportunities. 2015 symbolises an abundantly lucky year. Set some new goals and make a wish list. Prioritise some alone time for yourself and enjoy your solitude. Blue Lace Agate clears the mind and enlightens it.
SCORPIO.
October 24 - November 22
If you’re carrying any undigested emotions from 2014 into this year, an abundance of negativity could follow. Release these emotions, so life doesn’t have to bring them to your attention. Think of something new to feel and wish for it. Malachite helps release past hurts and recognize the strength gained.
S A G I T TA R I U S . November 23 - December 21
If you are feeling trapped in life, it could be that you have outgrown your old beliefs and need to create new ones. Try debating your beliefs and see what you come up with. Anything that interferes with reaching your fullest potential is likely to be released this month, making way for better things. Citrine shatters negativity and attracts an abundance.
CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20
Listen to your wise words when you are counselling someone. Your Guides are speaking directly to you on these occasions. Where would you like to see yourself at the end of the year? Let this aid in setting new goals. Career has to offer a happy environment for inner peace. Snowflake obsidian shatters workplace negativity.
Photo Credit is Northern Horse Images
BANKSIA Preschool & Long Daycare centre Banksia Preschool & Long Daycare Centre is a family owned and operated centre that operates 50 weeks of the year. We are open Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 6pm. We cater for children aged from two years to five years of age. We have a dedicated, passionate and caring team of educators who work together for every child’s early learning. We have inside and outside learning environments. We have strong community links with the local schools which include visiting school libraries, concerts and also connect with the community in order to help our children have a better understanding of their outside world. We offer yoga, tennis, and soccer programmes for the children. These programmes are designed and run by qualified instructors. Sustainability was a huge focus during 2014, with the successful implementation of our community garden; this focus will continue during 2015. We believe that working together with families, we can help support both you and your child through the very early years of their life. Call Sandra to make a time to visit and discuss your child’s education during these very important years. Our Facebook page www.facebook.com/banksiapreschool is designed to share our educational programs and the memories we have made.
CYCLOID VIBRATION THERAPY (CVT) FOR HORSES DOGS AND HUMANS Equissage is safe, easy to use, natural, non-aggressive and noninvasive, with proven medical benefits. Top riders, trainers, Pysios and competitors use it! Australian made in Brisbane by Niagra Therapy. The Equissage Back Pad gives a deep cycloidal massage to the whole horse, as it penetrates through 4 ft of bone and 2 ft of muscle, whilst the Tendon Boot treats the majority of the horse’s leg and foot problems. The Hand Unit offers a concentrated effort on certain areas of the horse or dog. Horse - a standard treatment for a horse is around 20 mins with the backpad including Tendon Boots = ½ treatment. This equates to a 10 km light walk for your horse. Humans - treatment with the Niagra Thermo Cylopad – ½ hour. Dogs - treatment with the hand unit - 15 mins. With regular use you can improve: Local Blood Joint mobility Pre and circulation Sore and cold post racing and lymphatic backs performance drainage Fibrinogen stiffness Swollen joints Vertebrae Swollen knees Laminitis Problems and tendons Foot abscesses Pulled ligaments Colic Venous drainage Sore shins Respiratory issues Contact at Jam Agencies: Jen Aarts on 0428 550 413 sales@jamagencies.com
Dr Alan Burrow Optometrist Dip Optom F.B.O.A. (HD) D.C.L.P. D.ORTH. F.B.C.O. MSC.(Med.) G.C.O.T. M.OPTOM. G.C.B.A
Our goal is to provide patients with the clearest, most comfortable and efficient vision possible to cope with today’s visually demanding environments. While many occupations previously needed both clear distance and reading vision, today’s increasing emphasis on digital devices frequently requires a multifocal solution providing clear vision at distance, intermediate (e.g. computer screens, dashboards) and near. Many major technological advances have occurred since the first commercially available multifocal lenses were launched in the 1950s. Hoya has been at the forefront of multifocal lens development for many years, consistently delivering high quality state-of-the-art lens designs. Unlike standard progressive lenses, HOYA’s iD LifeStyle FreeForm lenses are optimised to each wearer’s individual prescription, offering wider distortion-free zones with smooth interactions between distance, intermediate and near. Their premium quality Diamond Finish multicoated scratch resistant coatings reduce distracting reflections, particularly when driving at night. One of Hoya’s outstanding features is its “zero error tolerance” standard. Even high-quality lens designs need to be dispensed with precision, as small errors can lead to poor visual performance. Hoya has a quality control system which is superior to the vast majority of its competitors. To learn more about the Hoya range of lenses, visit our website alanburrow.com.au.
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FUN FURNITURE CHARCOAL CAFE CHAIR $49.98 BUNNINGS
This month FOCUS loves chairs of all shapes and sizes. A touch of Scandinavian, a splash of modern and a burst of industrial style. With prices to suit all family members and budgets, all chairs can be sourced locally, encouraging us to shop local! These on trend chair solutions can breathe new life into your space! If you have an item that you would like featured here, please email: melly@focusmag.com.au
CHROME DIAMOND WIRE CHAIR - BLACK POA BISQUE INTERIORS
GOAT HIDE STOOL $249 CARGO LANE
AGE TAN LEATHER OFFICE CHAIR $1,450 CARGO LANE
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INDUSTRIAL SWIVEL STOOL $275 CARGO LANE CLIFTON INDOOR SADDLE STOOL $129 EARLY SETTLERS
VIENTO REPLICA CHAIR $49 FANTASTIC FURNITURE
RECYCLED TEAK & IRON CHAIR $249 CARGO LANE
VESPOE MAGAZINE CHAIR MADE TO ORDER WITH YOUR CHOICE OF MAGAZINE COVER $299 www.vespoe.com
Adirondack chair $550 cargo lane
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Come on over for a
at t h e m o o n e e tav e r n
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hat do you mean, “cook your space. We now have seating for over 400 people own?” in the Beergarden, and we can seat nearly 300 I mean just that … we will under cover out of the elements. sell you a steak, a skewer, a Is it true that you have a putt putt course lamb chop, a cutlet, maybe some fish or some for the kids? chicken, or for the families we have a family It sure is! We have a six hole putt putt course, pack (enough to feed a family of 5, including a jumping castle, a football pitch, basketball some sausages for the kids) and you, the hoop, an indoor kids’ movie room and open air customer, will take the meat to the newly built kids’ movies on the stage in the Beer Garden BBQ area in our Beer Garden and cook it to your (when we don’t have a band) to keep the kids liking! entertained. Why would I do this? Is there a reason you have focused Because everybody likes to so heavily on the kids? have a beer and chat while Families are our bread they stand around the and butter. The Northern a We have invested g barbie! This is the Silly Beaches are filling up tin lot of our marke Season, and it is our with new sub-divisions, p sorshi dollars into spon ams busiest time of the and with new housing g te of local sportin e w d year; our Bistros are comes young families. an and good causes w ne t ou busy and the queues We think this growth ek se will actively portunities are long and sometimes will continue for sponsorship op ths.” on m 12 the wait for meals can another 10 years. These xt ne in the blow out … this “cook families are our primary your own” option will allow target market. Our industry you to buy your dinner and has changed; our focus is on cook it yourself, and you set your creating an environment that own time table. We will give you a side mums are comfortable bringing their salad and you can buy a baked potato or a kids to. If we can achieve that, then the selection of other seasonal salads. The family dads will come in their droves, keep the kids pack will include the usual soft drink and entertained and the mums comfortable, and we dessert for the kids. can become the hub of our community. Will it be expensive? How does a hotel get involved with the We have built all our pubs around Good community? Quality Pub Grub at a Great Price! This will be no Firstly, by giving the families a place they can different. We will have our usual bargain options feel comfortable in. We have invested a lot of and for the real meat connoisseurs out there, our marketing dollars into sponsorship of local we will have a few choice cuts for you to choose sporting teams and good causes, and we will from. actively seek out new sponsorship opportunities It looks like the Beer Garden has had a face in the next 12 months. lift? What’s next? Yes. We have had the Moonee Tavern for over Who knows! Most of our decisions are made a year now, and we have gone from strength because we have listened to our customers. We to strength. We have become a victim of our plan on listening to what they have to say, and own success … we needed more room to sit hopefully we can keep the customers we have people during our busy service periods. We have happy and encourage some new ones to give replaced the old shade sails with a weatherproof us a try. solution and created a few decks to break up the Enjoy!
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FREE
BUS
Don't drink and drive this summer. The following great venues would love to see you again, so why not catch their complimentary courtesy bus? The following popular local venues are offering free transportation services this summer ...
THE AMBLE INN Travels as far as Woolgoolga and Half Way creek. For bookings contact 6649 2622
PARK BEACH BOWLING CLUB coffs museumTHEdps
Runs Mononda, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4.30PM. 6652 3622 Call reception for bookings
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THE HOEY MOEY The Hoey Moey have a Courtesy Bus that is not only a safe way to get you from a - b once you've been drinking with your friends, but is also a lot of fun! Call free 6652 3833 to arrange your ride.
THE pier hotel Use The Pier Hotel’s free Courtesy Bus on Friday and Saturday nights. 6652 2110 to make a booking.
greenhouse tavern
c.ex From Sawtell to Sapphire Beach, 12.30pm to close. Contact us on 6652 3888
We have a courtesy bus service available from Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm. The courtesy bus can also be acessed by appointment. Phone 6651 5488 to make your appointment today. coffs coast focus.
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kids eat free At c.ex CORAMBA HOTEL Visit the iconic Coramba Hotel, a short 15 minute drive west of Coffs Harbour ... Tantalise your taste buds in the Broadaxe Bistro with a combination of Aussie pub meals with mid week specials, the legendary home made pizzas available all hours, bistro open every day for lunch and 6 - 8:30pm for dinner six days, Tues - Sunday. Mark and Vanessa and daughters Sarah, Naomi and Jessica with their vast hospitality experience are there to make your visit enjoyable. The hotel's bistro seats up to 120 people, so for your next function give our staff a call on 6654 4216. Come along Wednesday nights for our pool comp or Friday nights for the Joker poker. Also offering a variety of raffles before dining in the bistro. Sunday afternoons, relax in the beer garden to some of our local and interstate musicians, also with a playground for the children. Come and have a chat with Mark, Vanessa and their courteous staff; you will be impressed. Sit in the coast's best beer garden and soak up the glorious views of the Orara Valley. Remember: CORAMBA HOTEL the FAMILY HOTEL.
It’s summer time, and the weather is fine! What better time to introduce a new menu? The Brasserie at C.ex Coffs has some delicious new additions to the dinner menu, including coconut king prawns, baby back pork ribs, rib and rump combo, lamb two ways, lime and chilli rubbed pork cutlet, roasted beetroot salad, poached Barramundi with coconut and lemongrass reduction and braised beef cheek in a red wine jus, as well as some of our old favourites, herb and garlic marinated chicken dagger and roast pork or lamb with all the trimmings. Our Monday to Friday lunch menu includes seven delicious meal choices starting from just $9.90 for members and $10.90 for non-members. We also have a great selection of cook to order meals available daily. To download our full menus, visit our website www.cex.com.au. If your family is looking for somewhere child friendly for dinner, the Brasserie is ideal. We have some great kids’ meals available on our menu from only $6. Let the kids enjoy our fully supervised Little Diggers Kids Club, while you sit back and relax ... and the best part is, Kids eat FREE in January if seated by 6pm, which is yet another tasty reason to bring your family in to the Brasserie. For bookings, phone 6652 3888.
KidS Eat FreE in JAnuARy Simply purchase any adult main meal and get a kid’s meal FREE every night in January if seated by 6pm.
*Terms and conditions apply. Must purchase one adult main meal to receive a free childrens meal and be seated by 6pm.
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THE BIG BANANA
TURNS 50 THE BIG BANANA, THE FIRST AMONG AUSTRALIA’S GIANT TOURIST LANDMARKS, OPENED IN DECEMBER 1964. IT WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF MR JOHN LANDI, WHO HAD COME HERE FROM AMERICA TO STUDY THE INSECTS WHICH ATTACK COMMERCIAL BANANA PLANTATIONS.
J
ohn Landi had heard of a famous “Big Pineapple”, which overlooked the Dole Pineapple Cannery in Hawaii: “We eat what we can, we can what we can’t” was their equally famous company slogan. He decided to use a “big banana” to promote his roadside fruit sales. The Banana Growers’ Federation welcomed his idea and provided half the funds for the project. A local engineer, Alan Chapman, designed the giant sculpture by taking precise measurements of the prize-winning banana from the 1964 Coffs Harbour Agricultural Show. The Big Banana is constructed of ferrous concrete. It is 13 metres long, 5 metres high and 2.4 metres wide. Visitors can walk through The Big Banana and see in photographic form, how a bunch of bananas is grown. When it was first built, The Big Banana stood in splendid isolation with only a banana plantation backdrop. There were no buildings or urban development near it, so it appeared to be huge. Many people now visiting The Big Banana ask if it is the original “Big Banana”, because it no longer seems to be as large as they remember it. It is the original BIG BANANA, but because of the development around it and the realignment of the Pacific Highway, it has been somewhat dwarfed by progress. By the mid 1960s, John Landi had opened a milk bar, and his banana milkshakes made Coffs Harbour famous. The Big Banana became a favorite rest stop for travellers on the Pacific Highway. John Landi had a dream of turning The Big Banana into a Disney-style theme park, but sadly this was not to be. He sold his half interest in The Big Banana to John Enavoldsen, a local banana grower, who became the sole proprietor.
In 1988 The Big Banana was sold to Horticultural World, partly owned by a local accountant and entrepreneur, Bob Johnson, who set about transforming The Big Banana into a fun-filled education showcase for horticulture. Adjoining properties were acquired and the 43-acre site on the slopes surrounding Coffs Harbour’s famous landmark went through a nine month intensive redevelopment project with a $30 million budget. The grand opening was on 25th June 1989. Sadly, this coincided with the “recession we had to have”, and The Big Banana went into receivership. In 1993 it was bought by a small Australian owned family company controlled by Mr Kevin Rubie. Since 1993 there have been gradual changes made at The Big Banana. First was the installation of the Wiegand Family Toboggan Ride, which has proved very popular with the locals as well as holidaymakers and those just passing through. For those with limited time, a skywalk was built over the top of the bananas, giving access to the amazing views from above the plantation - a great way for travellers to brush away the cobwebs and stretch bodies and legs weary from driving. In 1999 The Big Banana Ice Rink opened and has been very well received. It is great to see so many people enjoying themselves and learning new skills at the same time. In 2002 The Big Banana Indoor Snow Slope was opened. Many people who had never seen snow have enjoyed a snow experience on the Snow Tubes here. Sadly, the cost of electricity made the snow slope unviable, but there are plans to transform this site to a new and exciting attraction by 2016. In 2003 the Big Banana Souvenir & Gift Shop underwent extensive refurbishment
and remodeling. It now has 50% more floor space than the original store and has an exciting new range of souvenir and giftware. In 2006 the Rubie family welcomed The Village Building Company as joint venture partners in the park and soon after, The World of Banana’s theatre and plantation tour was opened. This informative tour gives and in-depth and humorous background on bananas and the banana industry in Coffs Harbour. In 2008 The Big Banana inflatable waterpark was installed, featuring the biggest inflatable water slide in the world! The waterpark has continued with great success and is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. In September 2013 we welcomed a new attraction to The Big Banana, one of the most advanced Laser Tag systems in the world, Laserforce “AREA 351”! This system caters for all ages with its unique and advanced “handicapping system”, making it fun and challenging for everyone. In December 2014 we introduced a 36 hole Mini Golf course which was constructed at the base of the banana plantation Cliffside. The course has integrated some of the theming of the early 1900’s town that was originally installed for the train ride. These structures have been restored to maintain another big part of the Big Bananas history. Every one of our mini golfs 36 greens are individually hand sculpted to make them a challenging and enjoyable experience for the entire family. There are also many more rides, attractions and improvements planned for The Big Banana in the coming years so watch this space! The Big Banana is a family place with something for everyone. It’s a “Whole Bunch of Fun!” coffs coast focus.
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with Carole Beros from Le Dāin Designs
Cutting the cake: from left - Sarah Marciano (Feros Care Director of Clinical Services), Ivan MacKay, Jennene Buckley (Feros Care CEO)
Coffs Solar Energy, Mark McClurg and Vicki Gee. Winner of the 2014 Solar System Competition at Coffs Coast Sustainable Living Festival.
Daniel & Emily owners of The Observatory Holiday Apartments with Andrewe Ettingshausen
Woolgoolga Dance Studio
Gina Szary, Deb Meagher and Kirsten Howton
Margaret Bruggisser, Peter Atkinson, Frances Larder and Sue McEntyre
Ally Wils and Jimmy Dawson
White Ball.
Elsie Wilson (Wommin Bay Village resident) and her daughter, Janice Barkle
W
Social/scene.
e have never seen such an influx of tourists throughout the holiday season! These visitors frequent the Coffs Coast year after year; this is a sure sign that we live in one of the most beautiful and desirable places in Australia! Along with editor Melly and her husband, Chris Shute, we attended one of the most impressive fundraising events of the year. The colours to don were black and white, and the venue of choice was Cocoa Café and Restaurant in Coffs Harbour. The Black and White Cocktail party was staged by Glenda Halliwell to support her involvement in raising funds for the Cancer Council NSW 2015 Celebrity Dance for Cancer. A shout out to Scott Nolan, who ran the auction. The invitation read: “A party should be two things: classy and fabulous!” That it was. A night filled with great company, delicious food, and the evening rose over $19,000. What a sensational effort. To kick start a number of January events, don’t miss out on the ever popular fundraiser at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club. The Pink Silks Race Day is not only a race day where everyone gets to get all dolled up in pink attire; it is a charity event which raises funds for women’s health organisations and cancer research. Save the date, January 11th, 2015! Also supporting Pink Silks Fundraising will be a night of fun and frivolity. There will be a 50 Shades of “pink” movie night on Wednesday 18th 78 coffs coast focus.
Looking forward to a new year filled with as much entertainment and events this last one had to offer!
February. Only $25 per ticket for the movie, a glass of bubbles and a few prizes. Sounds like fun to me. The Jetty Memorial Theatre always has a never ending stream of entertainment to delight audiences of all ages. Our CHMCC presented the Broadway musical Hairspray just recently, and we went along to enjoy the show, which was directed by Lisa Jonas with musical direction by Maureen Burgess and Tim Egan. Hairspray is based on the movie of the same name and can be enjoyed by all of the family. We all went, and it was nothing short of fabulous. It was set in the 1960s in Baltimore, where the ‘50s were forgotten and the cheeky ‘60s were about to explode. The heroine of the show, Tracy Tumblad, has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on the local dance program. From then on in a short space of time with much dancing and “Hairspray” she transforms herself from outsider to teen celebrity - lots of fun! Something special from Woolgoolga came in the form of an end of year production called Reflections, which was presented by The Woolgoolga Dance Studio. It was staged at the Woolgoolga High School Hall. There were two separate concerts showcasing all age groups, from two years to Fit and Fab Ladies. Owner/director Rebecca Ross was over the moon with the success of the show and commented that the teachers had worked extremely hard to bring their vision to life to create this awesome experience for the audience. Another venue that always guarantees some fantastic entertainment is the Coffs Harbour
Regional Gallery. It was a full house. The audience sat mesmerised as magic was preformed on the keyboard. Apart from being a sensational pianist, the man is highly entertaining and is certainly regarded as a one man show. On the same night as the super popular Sawtell Summer Sessions held on First Ave, Sawtell - Nicola Taylor launched her brand new beautiful business, “Skinfit”. The location of the new salon is situated on First Ave and is absolutely gorgeous. Guests attending entered into an area of opulent decor lit up by twinkling crystal chandeliers. The back deck opened up to a balmy summer night, where guests got to enjoy champagne and canapés whilst celebrating the opening of Nicola’s new salon. We couldn’t possibly cover all the Christmas events over the last month, but here are two that we both very different but certainly lots of fun. It was another cloudless, balmy night, when the Coffs Coast Health Club held their annual Christmas party down at the Sawtell Surf Club. The club room and beach frontage was packed with excited party goers ready to enjoy the night’s presentations, delicious finger food, along with a good dose of festive cheer. Another fabulous event was held at the Fleur D’Alyse Cosmetic Laser and Medispa. To celebrate the festive season and simply indulge you, Barbara Wenman held a delightful high tea and bubbles event. It was a day of pampering, champers and sweet and savoury delights, from the Belgian glazed chocolates from Wicked Berries to a section
of finger sandwiches and other savoury treats to tempt everyone. Ladies enjoyed being beautified by the specialists of the spa and had the luxury of being in the atmosphere of an old English tea garden. There was even a small pop up shop with jewells and millinery (pink hats all ready for Pink Silks) from House of Le Dãin Designs. The tables were laden with tiered plates of goodies, and bowls of old English scented roses filled the air with the scent of romance. There were also prizes for the prettiest dress and the most fabulous hat. A day to remember for sure! On the same day as the La Fleur d’Alyse event, I had to do a double blast and attend another event that same evening. There was a sea of white at Aanuka Beach Resort on Saturday night, and it wasn’t because of a wedding. Coffs Coast local Kue Hall was celebrating her recent promotion to Regional Vice President with Arbonne International - and with the promotion came a new, white Mercedes Benz. Family, friends and colleagues came to celebrate with a white party; the theme was in line with Arbonne International’s pure, safe and beneficial ethos. The health and wellness company is committed to providing pure, safe and beneficial products that are botanically based, vegan and PETA approved. Speaking of “white party”, our editor Melly could have told me. I turned up in a black and fluro pink dress! Safe to say I stood out! Here is to wishing you a happy and healthy New Year. Carole - Le Dãin Designs.
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with Carole Beros from Le DÄ in Designs
Vicky Hunter and Jay Dsouza
Stacey Baylis and Peter Siri
Glenda Halliwell and Sally Simon
Aly Willmott, Meg Kadwell and Sarah Willmott
Bill Vloedmans, Irene Mason and Graeme Bassett
Scott & Lisa Bohringer, Mick & Jo Canning, Tanya & Alan Johnson and Debra Gooley
Danielle Wallace, Chris & Melly Shute and Glenda Halliwell
Wayne Glenn’s Crew supporting Pink Silks
Steve & Tegan Ewart and Bella & George Jessett
Social/ scene. Julie & Gordon Smith
Kate Hynard and Julia Wills
Sue & Ian Hogbin and Graeme Brindley
Betty Weick and Tommy Memphis
Dale Sagar and Nicola Taylor
Caroline Campbell and Fred Parker
Barbara & John Wenman
Jacqui & Glen Barnett
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with Dene Zahner, President of Tourism Coffs Coast.
Old Bottlebutt WINS GOLD NSW State Forest’s visitor attraction, Old Bottlebutt, a grand and ancient Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) tree located in Burrawan State Forest, is officially the best new tourism destination in NSW.
NSW State Forests was acknowledged with two other Silver awards, for Strickland State Forest (ecotourism) and for “Visit NSW Forests - Experience a Forest Playground”, Forestry Corporation’s destination marketing campaign.
Old Bottlebutt won the Gold Award for New Tourism Development at the NSW Tourism Awards held in December 2014 at Darling Harbour, Sydney. Old Bottlebutt is the main feature on a beautiful 600 m loop walking track, beginning and ending at the Burrawan picnic area (shelter, tables, car park, toilets). The walk features remnant rainforest, a viewing deck and an easy-grade track. Old Bottlebutt is unique in its shape, its large flared “butt” having a massive girth of over 16 m.
To visit Old Bottlebutt: from Wauchope travel south on the Bago Road 10 km, turn left onto Internal Break Road and follow the signs. From Port Macquarie, follow the Pacific Highway south and take the Bago Road exit. It is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week and is free. Find out more: www.forestrycorporation.com.au www.facebook.com/forestplayground Twitter: @visitnswforests Instagram: #visitnswforests
UPDATE AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE FESTIVE SEASON AND THE BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE SUN SHINES BRIGHTLY FOR THE SUMMER HOLIDAY PERIOD AND WE SEE THE INFLUX OF TOURISTS AGAIN THIS YEAR.
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he low Australian dollar will help Weekend. For more information, please go boost domestic tourist numbers, to www.saltwaterfreshwaterfestival.com.au and let’s hope that they all decide Every second Thursday of the month to make the Coffs Coast their during the summer months, The Sawtell holiday destination of choice. Summer Sessions will take place, with As usual, there were/are a local buskers, musicians and number of activities and local artists performing. festivals happening over the There will also be giant December/January holiday The Saltwater games, cars and ival period. Freshwater Fest motorbikes on show ffs The 21st Annual returns to the Co e tim and also cooking st Motorcyclists TOY RUN Co ast for the fir al iv st fe is demonstrations. For for the Salvation Army in 3 years. Th
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more information, celebrates Indi took place on the 13th and will open on re ltu cu go to www. December. This was eekend .” Australia Day W quite the spectacle, with sawtellnsw.com.au hundreds of motorcyclists The Jetty Carnival will riding from North Beach again be taking place at Bowling Club to the Jetty the Jetty Foreshore, and entry Foreshores via the village of Sawtell to is free. line the streets and welcome these riders These are just a few of the exciting from all over the state participating. activities happening over the summer In January we will see the return of rail holiday period, so make sure that you motor shuttles. Sites include Red Hill tunnels promote these to holiday makers and also and Boambee Creek. For more details, go to show your support by attending these great www.coffsharbourrailcentenary.com.au events. The Saltwater Freshwater Festival returns On behalf of the Tourism Coffs Coast to the Coffs Coast for the first time in three Board, I would like to wish you all a safe and years. This festival celebrates Indigenous culture and will open on Australia Day 80 coffs coast focus.
prosperous New Year.
focusbusiness. with the Sawtell Chamber of Commerce Taylor Shone and Geoff Baldry
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They say sometimes you need to look back to go forward. Over recent months my desire to ensure that the history of our Sawtell is catalogued and accurately passed on to generations to come has become a priority.
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he information and photos held by the Sawtell Historical Society are remarkable and incredibly interesting. With the dedication, passion and commitment of businesses and locals alike, working together to forge our unique and popular tourist destination, we have immense opportunity. What would Ossie Sawtell think of today’s Sawtell? A man with a vision for a seaside escape for inland residents, and a thriving business hub in its own right. I hope he would be proud to see businesses and residents continuing to work closely together for the sustainable longevity and economic benefit of Sawtell. Hence, as we set off on another New Year, the Chamber has nothing but a sense of excitement and opportunity, as Sawtell businesses look forward to 2015. The Chamber has implemented and grown a number of initiatives throughout 2014, and local businesses are now seeing an increased patronage and turnover as a result. In fact, such is the popularity of Sawtell as a destination for both the broader Coffs Coast locals and tourists alike, that there is now an extensive (and growing) waiting list of businesses seeking shop space. Of course, Sawtell’s ongoing success is reliant upon a few core fundamentals. Firstly, passionate and engaged business owners who can put aside personal agendas and competition to unite ideas and passion for Sawtell. Secondly, the financial assistance provided by sponsors, businesses and residents alike to ensure event success, and targeted media advertising (including online and social media). Finally, and most importantly, is the spirit of the volunteers who make all these events and ideas come to life and give of their
valuable time to assist with the smooth and successful running of all events. The Chamber of Commerce is a collection of business owners who volunteer their time and are passionate about our local life and desire for every business, and indeed Sawtell, to thrive. We invite all local business owners to join the Chamber and be part of planning the sustainability and prosperity of Sawtell through, and well beyond, 2015. Feel free to contact us via www.sawtellnsw.com.au Here are just a few dates to lock into your new 2015 diaries, so that you don’t miss out on all the fun: Sawtell Summer Sessions continue 12th February and 12th March, as the Main Street comes to life at dusk to the sounds of entertainment and celebration. Sawtell Chilli Festival, 4th July 2015, is already well into the planning stage and continues to go from strength to strength. It’s without a doubt now one of the culinary and entertainment highlights on the Coffs Coast calendar. Keep an eye out for the postponed Open Air Cinema event, Hot Rod street party, and Summer Sessions from late 2015 again. A warm welcome to the latest business addition, SkinFit (Nicola Taylor continues to grow her successful GirlFit brand to now include a little luxury and pampering), and I am sure that by the time this goes to press the transformation of what we have all known as “Barrells” will be complete and in operation also, as another Coffs Jetty business expands into the Sawtell precinct. On behalf of everyone at the Chamber, we wish you and your families a Happy New Year, and may 2015 be a successful, safe and satisfying 12 months.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is “learn something new” so you can write a new chapter in your life story, North Coast TAFE can help you make 2015 your Year of Learning. No matter where you are in your life - starting a career, returning to work, switching careers, or just keeping your brain active by learning new stuff - you can make your own story through any one of over 600 courses at North Coast TAFE. North Coast TAFE’s latest Student Engagement Survey showed that around 97% of its students surveyed were satisfied enough with their learning experience to recommend it to others. One such person was Taylor Shone from Sawtell, who started out doing a Certificate III but ended up completing a Diploma of Events Management at Coffs Harbour Education Campus. “TAFE enabled me to enjoy learning… I loved it from day one!”
“TAFE truly changed my outlook on education. From something that seemed so hard and defeating in Year 10, has now become a challenging and exciting form of developing my education,” said Taylor. No matter how much, how little, or how long ago you last learned, North Coast TAFE can help you find a learning pathway to suit your individual needs, be it online, on the job, or on campus. North Coast TAFE provides high quality, accredited teaching along with unrivalled student support and learning environments. Don’t wait another year to find out how exciting your story could be - learn something new at North Coast TAFE in 2015! Visit northcoasttafe.edu.au or call them on 1300 NCTAFE (628233) to learn how to express yourself through your year of learning.
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focus_travel
with Kerry Moss from Quadrant Travel
quadrant travel & journeys It’s that time of year: Santa is on stress leave and all the shoppers are madly trying to tick things off their Christmas lists. It’s also the time that locally run tour company Quadrant Australia releases their 2015 calendar of tours. 2015 has some exciting new tours on offer, including the Glorious Gardens of Britain, the Ag Tour of United Arab Emirates & Jordan and the Thoroughbred Racing Tour of Scotland, England and Ireland.
Kerry Moss
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f you were around in the ‘60s and made the most of our time and packed each ‘70s or have travelled in South East day with a manageable mix of sightseeing and Asia, you’re sure to have a story about relaxing in the afternoon heat. We welcomed Vietnam. the afternoon addition of blocks of ice in the As a child of this period, I grew up hearing pool to cool us down from the morning’s about a foreign country with a dark history. As I activities. got older however, my curiosity grew. It peaked We dined with the locals, when one day we this year and the decision was made. It was loaded our bicycles onto a leaky wooden ferry time to visit this country that I’d heard so much and rode through the countryside. The rice about. The research began and the excitement fields were dotted with hard working farmers built; we were off to see a country that had making a hard living in the searing heat. long been on my mind. This didn’t dampen their hospitality though, On arrival in Danang, a major port when we arrived at our host’s home to and large city in central a gourmet feast with produce Vietnam, I was surprised sourced fresh each day from that I felt like I’d walked the local markets. The food off the plane and I’d expected was exceptional, and we busyness, I’d into the Vietnamese felt like we’d learnt a but s, ao ch d countryside. I’d te little of their craft with ec p ex d te ec p ex ot expected busyness, a cooking class held by n ad Ih s es ln fu ce I’d expected the banks of the Thu ea p e th at th s es n d n chaos, but I had Bon River. ki d an e th om fr g n zi not expected The turquoise waters of oo was d an gs n di n the peacefulness the Cham Islands called ou rr su .” le p and kindness that us more than once for an eo p e th was oozing from the opportunity to cool off from surroundings and the heat, contribute to the the people. local economy at the handicraft It was hot - very hot! A heat I hadn’t markets and snorkel in the warm felt for some time … A heat that made water less than 20 km by speedboat from it hard for me to take a deep breath, but the shores of Hoi An. we had left our cool winter temperatures We shopped for tailor made clothes and behind and arrived in the middle of the shoes and dined in many of the fabulous local Vietnamese summer, so it shouldn’t have been restaurants, but on our last night we were a surprise. rewarded with a sight that even we hadn’t We left the airport and set out on our way to prepared ourselves for, the Hoi An Full Moon Hoi An, a World Heritage ancient town that Festival. Held on every 14th day of the lunar boasts grand architecture, fascinating history month, Hoi An, ancient town, switches off its and is home to what would soon become one electric lights and shuts down to motorized of the highlights of our trip, the Full Moon vehicles. Locals and tourists light lanterns and Lantern Festival. float them down the river in the centre of Hoi Time went quickly as we explored the An. It’s a truly magical experience and gives you surroundings. We quickly realised that our a glimpse of what life may have been like 400 10 days would not be enough. We would years ago when Hoi An was a booming and definitely want to come back here, but we affluent port.
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It’s a good opportunity to see some exciting new destinations with a twist. Join NewEngland gardener Lynne Walker exploring the many glorious gardens, castles and stately homes of Britain. Perhaps 2015 is the year to take the rare opportunity to join owners, breeders and racing enthusiasts on the Thoroughbred Racing Tour, including two race meetings at Royal Ascot. Quadrant also operates a local travel agency for all your travel needs and still runs many of their tried and true tours, such as Best of South Africa and their Agricultural Tour to China -
tours that have been perfected over their 30 years in operation. Travellers on Quadrant Australia tours have wonderful things to say about their experiences. Kelvin and Sandra Cox, who recently returned from the Agricultural Tour to Ireland and UK said, “This was our third trip with Quadrant. Whilst each trip varied with scenery and customs, the common thread still remains; that is, excellent preparation, accommodation, industry visits, tour guides, tourist experiences and wonderful personal service. Each tour group has been amazed at the organisational skills of the company. Our groups were a nice sized country group of people with similar interests. “We have made friends for life and have been rewarded with unforgettable experiences.” If you’d like to know more about Quadrant Australia, drop in to see the girls in Vernon St Coffs Harbour or visit their website at www.quadrantaustralia.com to download the list of 2015 tours.
business owner
CLAUDIA NEVELL. Garden Expressions
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hen did you first open the Garden Expression, and what brought on this decision?
I started Garden Expressions in 1994,
actually twenty years ago. I had just moved to Coffs Harbour and having worked in Germany, England and Sydney in this field, it seemed the obvious thing to do to start a Landscape Design business here. At the time, that was something very new to Coffs Harbour. Personal home gardens are often an oasis. In your professional opinion, what importance does a garden play in everyday life? A garden means different things to different people. It can be acres in a rural setting, a neat and tidy suburban front garden, a collection of potted plants on a
balcony, or maybe a food producing back yard. What all good gardens should have in common is that they provide respite from the daily grind and spark creativity and a sense of nurturing in their owners. By opening the front gate, a sense of transition from the outside world to the private space should be noticeable and make people feel good. A garden should be a place of change, never static, always developing. What plants thrive in our geographical location and what should one be looking at planting as the weather warms up? Now is a good time to plant a tree. It will add another dimension to your garden and placed to the north or west of the house, it will give shade and make for a much more pleasant ambient temperature. Always choose a tree species carefully. There is a suitable tree for every garden, even a small one. Consider how high and wide it should be, deciduous or evergreen; do not rely on labels to provide information - ask a horticulturist. And whilst we are in a subtropical region, always consider micro climate and aspect when choosing any plants. Some favourite trees of mine are Crepe Myrtles, Magnolia grandiflora and Waterhousea floribunda Sweeper. You've recently opened an online store; tell us about this arm of your business? Apart from structural elements, lawn and
about making a statement. Keep it simple; garden beds, most gardens benefit from the avoid adding too many different elements. addition of a feature or focal point. More Scale is paramount; a lot of small items, often than not, I include items such as large whether they are plants, pots or tiles, make pots or a sculpture into my designs. I did, a small space look very cluttered and even however, find it difficult and costly to bring smaller. A few well chosen pieces such as a the right pieces to Coffs Harbour. Hence, a couple of chairs, a table and a feature pot sourcing trip to Vietnam provided a great with a striking plant can transform a small opportunity to look for a suitable range of space. Every item has to be just right and items that I would be able to use in my look perfect all year round. If screening projects. I did find a supplier with just is required, maybe use large grasses the right kind of pots and outdoor in an oval shaped pot to save furniture to suit most styles space or place an oversized of gardens and outdoor pot with a sculptural spaces in our area. plant against a bare Garden Expressions ue iq We create un wall. Laser cut metal now stocks a great ul tif and beau d en sc screens are also very selection of stylish, an tr at gardens th t si , ns io useful to screen or mostly large pots in sh fa current eir th in ly ab rt divide a space. a range of neutral fo com d are an t en nm ro vi What is the number colour tones to suit en ntain. ” ai m to sy ea one question one most homes. And to should consider when complement the pots starting a garden? there are some beautiful Consider using the services stools, chairs and garden of a landscape designer. People tables. Everything is available onoften assume that starting a garden is line, and we can also help with advice over something anyone should be able to do. the phone. This is not the case. A professional landscape What about apartment living or designer can see potential, opportunities and spaces that aren't big … What types of solutions that most people wouldn’t think of solutions would you suggest for this - simply because they do this every day and type of gardener? are trained to get a project off the ground. When dealing with small spaces, it’s all
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Claudia Nevell 0409 513 305 info@gardenexpressions.com.au www.gardenexpressions.com.au
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ONLINE
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84 coffs coast focus.
focusinterview.
The rise of the
MASTERPLANNED Community Buying a property is the largest and most considered purchase you will ever make and for some, merely a dream. Yet in an ideal world, everyone should be able to own their own home - somewhere their children can grow up and create special memories.
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owever, the Australian dream of owning a detached house on a quarter acre block has become too far a stretch of the imagination for some; the issue for many being the price point, lack of houses on the market and rife competition of houses for sale. With the population continuing to grow, less available property and house prices steadily increasing nationwide, Masterplanned Communities have grown in popularity over recent years, with people favouring a location that offers space, an outdoor lifestyle and well planned community as opposed to cramped inner city conditions. Masterplanned Communities are often built in response to a requirement for housing, with location predefined by the local council, typically built on undeveloped land on the borders of cities. New towns are meticulously designed, often with families in mind, close to transport links and inclusive of onsite amenities such as parks, schools, shops, café and leisure facilities, dependent on the location and size. THE DRAWCARD What appeals to most is the outdoors lifestyle that comes as part of a Masterplanned Community, with plenty of outdoor space and parks, often nestled in picturesque surroundings, close to nature reserves, botanical gardens or the beach, along with a real sense of community where everyone knows their neighbours. Purchasers are afforded the option of designing and building their dream home or
a home and land package pre-designed for the block by a partner builder. Surprisingly, it’s much more cost effective than buying and renovating an existing house, and purchasers have the opportunity to design and build their house from scratch, with full control over the process, input in the design and construction. Who doesn’t want to live in a brand new home that they’ve designed? Masterplanned Communities are designed with a range of different sized blocks, providing the opportunity for families, first time buyers and retirees alike to design and build their dream home at an affordable price, turning a dream into a reality for people who had never thought it previously possible to build their dream home. NORTH SAPPHIRE BEACH Located on prime beachfront land, the North Sapphire Beach Masterplanned Community is located only 10 minutes from Coffs Harbour town centre. The community possesses all the elements of the ideal Australian family lifestyle, with beach living, an existing community and contemporary award winning homes on offer - inclusive of over 38 ha of lush rainforest and parks, cycle paths and timber walkways that connect homes with the beach and onsite Beachstone café, all of which play a big part in the village feel of the site. The impressive playground just next door to the café is popular with the children of the community, while the adjacent park is utilised for Girlfit outdoor fitness training sessions, in addition to hosting many community gatherings and celebrations.
Inclusive of over 38 ha of lush rk s, cycle rainforest and pa alkways w r paths and timbe es with m ho that connect te si on d an the beach l of al , fé ca ne to Beachs rt in the pa g which play a bi .” te si e th village feel of
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PROUD RESIDENT Luke Floyd is the owner and head barista at community café, Artisti HQ, a boutique roastery located in Coffs Harbour with a focus and a passion for producing quality coffee. Each day you will find Luke and his team roasting their own beans and serving the finest quality coffee in Coffs. Luke, his wife Liz and son Archie moved into their new home at North Sapphire Beach in June 2014. “We decided to buy a block and design the family home the way we wanted it. We used Tim Blay, a local builder. He was great, and we are really happy with the openplan design of our home,” said Luke. North Sapphire Beach appealed to Luke and his family because it’s somewhere their son, Archie, can grow up and safely learn to ride a bike. “The other big drawcard is being able to walk down to the beach at the weekend and not have to get in the car. Once you’re at North Sapphire Beach, everything is on your doorstep. There are walking and cycling tracks that connect to the beach and a great kid’s park. It’s a friendly community where you know your neighbours - I meet someone new pretty much every day.” SUMMER EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY Summer is here and North Sapphire Beach is hosting a free moonlight cinema night on Thursday 8th January. Guests can arrive from
6:30pm to reserve the best spots, with a screening of Frozen on the lawns outside the Beachstone café at 7:30pm. Free popcorn will be handed out on the evening to enjoy during the movie. The local board riders club will run a sausage sizzle and collect a gold coin donation for parking, which is available on site and will be clearly signposted on arrival. Everyone in the area, whether a local resident or family on holiday, is welcome to come and join the fun and find out what the community is all about. BEAUTIFUL BLOCKS NOW AVAILABLE Following the sell-out of Watergum Release 1, land can now be purchased at the gorgeous Watergum - Release 2 (26 lots). The landscaping to O’Sullivan park located nearby the Watergum lots is well underway and will include an open grassed area, a new timber boardwalk, and a small playground with sand, bench seats, balance logs and a fun tunnel slide. Over 8,000 trees, ground cover plants and shrubs will be planted in this park alone! If you would like to find out how you can join the community at North Sapphire Beach, contact Robyn Goddard, Project Sales Manager on: T (02) 6653 6288, M 0428 619 919, or visit the website: www.northsapphirebeach.com.au/now-selling coffs coast focus.
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focusinterview.
OLIVIA GERHARD
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hat is your role at MSL Property Agency? I am a property consultant and my role at MSL is being involved within the sales department. I will endeavour to provide exceptional service if you are looking to purchase or looking to sell. Were you always interested in real estate, and when did you first get into the industry? I have always had a very keen interest in real estate and have kept an eye on the market over many, many years. I only actually pursued my career in the industry just over two years ago and have never looked back. I have found my “niche”, so to speak. I have resided in the area for almost thirty years now, and I do not have any intention of leaving for quite a while yet. I have always been employed in an environment that has involved dealing with the public, having an administration background that has also included conveyancing, and various sales positions. What advice do you have for people who are looking to buy or sell? To make sure that you are dealing with an agent who provides 100% honesty and clearly listens to your wants and needs. You
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RENAE SMIDT
hat is your role at MSL Property Agency? Property Consultant. Were you always interested in real estate, and when did you first get in to the industry? I have been in sales for over ten years and have bought and sold some property myself. It is incredibly rewarding when you walk away from a sale and you have made both the vendor and purchaser very happy… Tell us about your background ... I was a fitness instructor for 12 years (and do still have my fair share of fluro lycra in the cupboard). In my late twenties I got into media sales followed by radio announcing and was in that field for 10 years. What advice do you have for people who are looking to buy or sell? Do your research when it comes to choosing an agent. Deal with an agent whom you connect with and can relate to, not one who spins the most jargon. Your house is your biggest asset and you want to
CHERYLYNN KRIX
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hat is your role at MSL Property Agency? My main role with MSL Property Agency is Customer Service. I am also trained as a Property Consultant. Meeting so many different people makes the job fun and enjoyable. I became a part of MSL in 2013. I had never worked in real estate before and never even thought about it. A position became available with MSL, and I snapped it up. It’s certainly been an enjoyable journey. You are never too old to learn something new. Tell us about your background ... In previous years I was employed as a Teachers Aide with special needs children. The job was very rewarding and special, but change is always exciting. I also own a small sales and marketing agency with my husband, which we run from the North Coast. Can you share advice for anyone considering buying or selling in this market? Be honest to yourself and to others. Do your homework, and
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MSL PROPERTY CONSULTANT should also ensure that you have done your own research into buying and selling, so you are up to date with the market. What do you love the most about our region? I love the lifestyle that it has to offer. There are so many different things available to do and so many places to see. We have the coastal attractions (beaches etc.) and also the inland attractions (bush). It is a fantastic environment for raising a family. I think we have the best region in NSW. What do you enjoy the most about your role? I get rather excited when meeting new people and also when I have to attend a home for the first time. I really get down to the nitty gritty and will ask you the ins and outs to ensure I have the correct information about the needs and wants of a client. Can you share advice for anyone considering buying or selling in this market? Now is a fantastic time for buying and even selling in Coffs Harbour and its surrounds. You really need to make sure that you are comfortable with the agent who is selling your asset. Try to be realistic on the price you list your property at, as this will ensure that potential buyers will not be lost.
MSL PROPERTY CONSULTANT deal with someone who understands that, not someone who only sees dollar signs when negotiating the sale of your property. What do you love the most about our region? Definitely the people. I love the fact that when I walk my dogs in the morning or go for a morning run that everyone speaks to me; people are so friendly and often offer a helping hand when I look like I am struggling up a hill. Coffs Harbour is big enough for us all to have our own space, but small enough to still have a sense of community… Teamwork is essential, but what role does your position play in the business? Greg Inglis can’t win a premiership without the bunnies, Michael Clarke can’t win the ashes without the rest of the Aussie cricket team, Lleyton Hewitt can’t win the Davis Cup on his own. Teamwork is everything ... Can you share advice for anyone considering buying or selling in this market? Make sure your agent is working for you, not themselves …
MSL PROPERTY CONSULTANT everything will run smoothly. What do you love the most about our region? Living in the Orara Valley, I love that it only takes us half an hour to get to the beach. From the bush to the beach - too easy! Teamwork is essential, but what role does your position play in the business? Communication is very important with running our business smoothly. Being the first person you see on entering our office, it is essential that I am aware of all our properties and the information regarding them. Clients want to be answered by the first person they speak to. Having the information makes it a lot easier. Our team work really together to make an easy flow with the clients. Can you share advice for anyone considering buying or selling in this market? It’s just a great time to do both at the moment; gut feelings are great - use them! Don’t be scared to ask lots of questions - better to know than not.
focusinterview.
MSL
PROPERTY AGENCY WITH MELINDA allamby
MSL Property Agency pride themselves on being proactive in the market place. This month we interview the sales and property management team. Melinda and her team deliver consistent results for residential and commercial properties from Sydney to Brisbane. Servicing properties for management, sales and leasing, MSL Property Agency are known to be strong communicators with sound market knowledge in our region!
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hen did you first get into the real estate game? Such a long time ago; my first ever job when I was 14 as a coffee runner for the local real estate agent. I then worked my way through the ranks. I have had a few breaks in between agents when I have bought and sold various businesses, but real estate keeps pulling me back to something I love. So give or take a few, around 20 years in the field. How long have you worked in Coffs Harbour? What do you love about our region? I moved from Sydney to Coffs Harbour in 1998 and had great opportunities with some local agents, both residential and commercial sectors. Coffs Harbour is an amazing place to live, and my husband and I chose to raise our three beautiful girls in this fabulous environment. Where else can you find friendly people, with the freedom of running wild in the bush then relaxing on the beach all in one day! Do you normally represent buyers or sellers or both? Our agency represents both in a way. We are avid listers of properties and are very serious in what we do. Owners have given us the greatest responsibility in selling their homes, and we do a damn good
is that there is a life outside real estate. job in selling them. As listings are not as I always reply … “My life IS real estate”. forthcoming as in the cities, we have a great That is why I created MSL Property Agency, amount of buyer interest,with referrals with its first office based here in Coffs coming in from Sydney and Brisbane areas. Harbour and our second office in Sydney We define what these buyers’ real needs opening in 2015. and wants are and walk with them all the Do you also look after way to a great sale. property leasing and MSL Property is having management? huge success; what are Yes. Property the pros of dealing is am te leasing and with a smaller, Our e amazing, and th management, boutique agency? at we both Our team is huge success th l comes are achieving al th residential and amazing, and the ng down to the stre ople commercial, huge success that pe and passion for ve play a major we are achieving ha e W and real estate . , ur role in the all comes down to fo of a sales team t ec rf pe a is success of our the strength and th and I find ” e. agency. Along passion for people balanc with managing and real estate. We large portfolios from have a sales team of Sydney to Brisbane, this four, and I find this a gives our clients a broad perfect balance. Owners who base of potential future growth list with us do not get “lost in the for acquiring new assets. crowd”, but instead are treated as if What sets MSL Property Agency they are the only listing we have. That’s apart? how it should be. We don’t have to limit We are a one of kind agency with the or to conform with standard marketing, passion to deliver outstanding results. Our but instead think outside of the box with team always try new and innovative ways to unlimited resources. stand out in the crowd. Never let your home What are your personal strengths as a become just another one on the market. real estate agent? Think outside the box, have great people on My personal strengths? I have been told board, and experience the difference. perhaps too many times over the past years,
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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT THE CONSERVATORIUM AN INTERVIEW WITH TRISH O’BRIEN
It’s Time FineShow Tuning Your Number One Asset You know it’s summer in Coffs Harbour when At Carnival MJ Accounting weHennessy are dedicated the hits town. Chris and his to helping our clients grow and thrive.Luke In our to Amusements, find resources that benefit our clients, we have brother now search run March’s discovered that our clients themselves have a lot to teach about business the business that has been staging our Carnival success. Inyears. a new ofChris interviews for Focus, Mel Jenkins finds out the for the last 25 Melseries spoke to about ‘secret sauce’ thatofdrives clients’ success. the joys and challenges being a our showman and why Coffs Harbour has a special place in his heart. small business owner is the company’s If you start with these small steps, you can work You and Luke are fourthasset. generation most valuable Yet tooshowoften up from there. men. Was itthat always destiny to run the asset your gets run into the ground. Mel: What about food? family business? This week I spoke to Renee Atkins Renee: Preparation is what’s important here. bad March’s was started in 1946 by from BeachAmusements Bodies about how to fine tune your Beingperiod down occurs? at the Jetty, it’s too easy to order my grandfather andyourself. his father, but we didn’t number one asset: We So have to cut back Leftovers on wages.are Our trained food. I plan ahead. a lifesaver. start the familyowner business. When we fin-you But I also are do cook ups on Sundays, so I no have operators full-time, so they get paid matMel:out As ainbusiness yourself, have ished school,your Luke own started doing eventsuffering? managehealthy food ready for the week. ever found performance ter what. But the casuals really suffer. It’s hard, ment, and I went into carpentry. Another great is take to enroll yourtimes staff.with Get but you’ve just idea got to the bad Renee: When I first started Beach Bodies, I But we have a real passion for this industry. It one person to bring in healthy lunch for the was a single mother and working 80 hours a the good. took us a few months, and we both came back whole team one day a week. That way the week. I didn’t do any exercise for about 18 March’s has been around for almost seven into March’s. We gave “normal life” a trial, but whole team are eating healthy and you only months. I stopped eating balanced meals and I decades - is there a secret to your success? it failed. have to prepare one meal each week. It’s great lost personal focus on living healthy, as I was so What is it you love about the show busicreate a clean friendly forWe team spirit, and itand also makesatmosphere sure your team busy encouraging everybody else. ness? and we keepat the prices as cheap as possible, so is operating their best. Mel: did youenjoyment manage to backpeointo WeHow give so much to get so many are do happy keep coming Mel: How youtoknow what’sback. a healthy exercise when you were working such long families ple. That’s the best part of our job. meal? As “cheap as possible” can be a diffi cult hours? My brother and I supervise the whole attracRenee: MyHow rule of thumb is if mythe grandmother strategy. do you decide right price? Renee: It wassure veryeveryone hard. I focused on job getting tion, making does their and can’t recognise it, I don’t eat it. Stick with the I go on what’s affordable for me. I think, some good staff around me.and Andsafely. then But I come things are running smoothly basics – veggies, fruit, meat or tofu. If you stick to just set aside time. I would actually book an “Could I afford to take the family and would I down to the Carnival and you’ll see us jump on a the outside aisles of the supermarket when you appointment for exercise. I started with two come back again atyou thiswill price?” ride, or have a go at operating one. That’s what do your shopping, be on the right track. hours a week on the that.microphone and we really like toand do:built get on And I listen. Sometimes I jump in the ticket get crowd Mel:the You are amped lucky, up. because you work in box and sell tickets. People will normally tell you What the diffi cultieshave inherent a gym.are What if I don’t time in to your get to if you’re too dear! industry? the gym? Of course you have to be careful not to be too It’s very hardare to always budget,things because Renee: There youyou cannever do. Try cheap, or you’ll find yourself with a worn out really know happen. standing calfwhat’s raisesgoing at thetowater cooler – just machine and no money to fix it. weonhad two rides at the NamriseLast upweekend and down your toes. Build core bucca River Festival. It was the-weekend strength while you’re driving pull your after belly Phil The Coffs Harbour Carnival is different than
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Hughes died,your andspine people his hometown were button into atinevery red light and your other shows, because you stay here down. We itearned half thePark money we did the hold until turns green. an extra block for a whole month. What keeps you coming year can youuse budget for that? awayprior. fromHow the office, the stairs, put the back? coffee out of us reach setway. things up to And machine weather affects in a–big We’ve We couldn’t see ourselves not being in Coffs force lucky yourself to move. been lately; the last two seasons have been Harbour at Christmas time. I was only a small pretty dry. But three years ago at Coffs Harbour child when we started coming years ago, Thriving a complex these days. That’s why MJ25 Accountants half the nights and weresurviving rained out,isand we just business and now my girls too. I our feel clients a part oftothe offerslost sothe much advice. We love workit with completely vibe.more than tax and compliance
sharpen we share ideascommunity and learning to keep you up on the latest How do youbusiness respondstrategy when anand unexpectedly in Coffs Harbour. business thinking.
It’s important for business owners to take time out with their families. MJ Accountants hope to Looking forsee business ideas, education inspiration? Checkthis outyear. the Money with many of our clients at theand Coffs Harbour Carnival
Melanie section of our website. Looking for an accountant to partner in your business
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he Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium begins enrolment for a new year this month, with lessons beginning on 27 January. We spoke to Artistic Director Trish O’Brien about the value of learning music and what “the Con” has to offer. You were a bit of a child prodigy, performing with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at 14. Do you think the study of music is only for the gifted? Definitely not! Ideally, all children should have access to music education, through an instrument or their own voice. Learning an instrument is now proven to enhance children’s educational outcomes, behaviour and social interaction. Children don’t have to be “gifted” to gain educational benefits and have fun. How does the Conservatorium help children of different ages, experience and abilities find the joy of making music? We have 25 highly experienced teachers who guide students at their own pace. We offer group, shared or individual lessons and, as students progress, they can join ensembles and perform publicly. Students can sit AMEB exams to mark their progress, or they can simply learn for enjoyment. We also cater for students with disabilities and teach during school hours in several schools around the region. We are trying to make music accessible to everyone. At what age can children start learning music at the Conservatorium? At birth! We provide Early Childhood Music classes for infants to children up to 5. And when are you too old to take up an instrument? Never! We take students right up to their 90s. You can enjoy learning music at any age! How do you know what instrument will be right for you or your child when first starting? Sometimes it can take a while to discover the right instrument. Issues like height, dexterity, fine and gross motor control and co-ordination can influence success. I am always happy to talk to students who aren’t sure, put a few instruments in their hands and see which fits and appeals most. I’m also a big believer in being chosen by
the instrument - magic happens quite often at the Con, and my cello certainly chose me! What about experienced musicians? Does the Conservatorium offer programs to help them grow? Yes. Along with high-level tuition in many instruments, we run an exciting ensemble program. “The Academy” for advanced string players, “The Decatones” contemporary vocal group, “40 Fingers” guitar quartet and our Primary Choir for budding young singers all offer challenges for intermediate and advanced musicians. And in 2015 we are launching a new jazz ensemble. Plus, we regularly team with the Coffs Harbour Music Society, Musica Viva and touring artists to provide high quality workshops with master musicians. As Artistic Director, what programs do you have planned that will add value for this year’s students? Along with our regular classes, we will be hosting at least six workshops by visiting artists, and we are launching the Conservatorium String School in October. We will also host a number of performances, including the inaugural Coffs Harbour Guitar Festival in June. This is going to be an exciting year for our students! If you are interested in enrolling for lessons or want to find out more about workshops and performances, contact the Conservatorium after 13 January. 6652 1592 www.coffscon.org.au www.facebook.com/CoffsCon
focusinterview with Samantha Wardman of CornerPost Consulting
Linda Nolan Excel Property Agency
L
inda, you are well known face on the Coffs Coast. Tell us a little about your background ... My young family moved here from Wagga Wagga 25 years ago, and from that point we all fell in love with
gaining skills in many different commercial sectors. Now returning to the industry, I really feel it’s the right time and move
e predicts? The gypsy in m t enough no That there is foreve r r ou e property to hous n. It’s getting tio t growing popula er to find the righ rd ha d harder an be xt trend will property... the ne mpact homes co r smaller, smarte ted age and less was with smart stor us pl , es m ho wling space than spra nt ie fic ef gy er en a focus on more properties ...” yle st ar ul od m d an
“
to buy and sell prop-
show them property (wow, that was a lifetime
different
ago). People are well-informed when you meet
reasons.
them to make better financial decisions. I feel the
Investors
industry is now changing again, back to a more
for me, and Melanie and
dance and school activities and blended in easily
the team at Excel Property
within the community. I personally had fallen in
Agency are the right fit.
love with the Coffs Coast: the location, climate
The team at Excel Property
conditions, but
and the people.
Agency seem to offer a real
others like the mums
boutique agency service to clients.
was priority, and it was a big deal for me when I
Tell us a little about your approach to
applied for the job as the receptionist at Cruick-
client service?
shank Real Estate in 1995, having never worked
come and go with the economic
and dads outgrow their properties, people are always moving for various reasons, in and out of the area, downsizing or upsizing.
Our clients are our core focus. They entrust us
We don’t put people in our cars anymore to
erty for
Sawtell. We were active with the kids in Nippers,
Being a mum while my children were young
which is great.
face to face personal approach; people are wanting and expecting better service. I welcome this expectation and believe personal customer service is now vital to survival. What’s your favourite part of selling a property for your client? Easy, that’s “Exchange”! It’s when we put the SOLD sign up and celebrate! It’s a big buzz for the seller and buyer, and me!
in the industry before. With four men on the
with their biggest asset, whether it be for sale or
interview panel, I felt rather intimidated. To this
management. They want their property looked
advice I hold dear, “Your attitude to selling real
with the sale of a property. Leaving a property
day, I am grateful to those men for giving me an
after in a professional manner with attention to
estate is between your ears”. It is your attitude
with the keys and trust of the owner to market it
opportunity. They unleashed the businesswoman
detail, and we take this responsibility seriously.
to the market and how positive you remain in
for them is a great feeling, one I never tire of …
We manage our clients’ property as if they
the tough times that count. My experience has
it’s a real privilege.
were our own, and yet advise them with confi-
taught me how to work within different market
What’s the next trend for the real estate industry?
in me, hungry for success in a totally fun loving way!
Many years ago I was given one piece of
The next best feeling is when you are entrusted
I instantly loved the vibe in the industry and
dent professional advice as needed. Tenants are
conditions and go with it to get the best results
was fortunate to grow within this firm. I moved
extremely respected and important to us; happy
for our clients.
into a management role and gained rewarding
tenants ensure happy owners, and this is our
business and people skills then moved into sales,
number one priority. Our property management
over the past decade; will it change? Yes, I believe
lost the face-to-face in this industry - laying down
and I have never looked back!
continues to excel and has done so since its incep-
so. With the interest rates expected to remain
the smart phones would be great - less texting
tion nearly a decade ago.
low, confidence will grow in the market once
and emailing and making more personal calls.
I have also been active within Rotary Club of
Locally, the market prices have been hovering
I think I’ve touched on that a little: a revamp on customer service! In simple terms, we have
again.
Yep, I sound a little old fashioned, I know, but I
the Pride of Workmanship Awards. I love what
ment, but the priority is the same; we value our
With the ever changing pace of the digital
like it that way. The gypsy in me predicts? That
this club does; they’re so proactive!
clients - they are number one to us. Treating them
world influencing how business is done,
there is not enough property to house our forever
You recently got back into the real estate
personally, achieving great results for them, really
what changes have you seen in the real
growing population. It’s getting harder and harder
industry after a short hiatus; what made you
makes our day. We ensure our clients receive the
estate industry?
to find the right property. I also think the next
return?
“Excel Experience”!
Coffs Harbour Daybreak over the years, including
Sales is a little different in nature to manage-
I don’t profess to be an expert in the indus-
trend will be smaller, smarter compact homes with
The local property market hasn’t yet bounced
try, but I have experienced change. I have seen
smart storage and less wasted space than sprawl-
in different roles, and at times it be an emotional
back from the GFC all those years ago. Do
digitally based tools help agents manage their
ing homes. Plus, a focus on more energy efficient
and draining profession if you put your heart and
you still see the market being low, or are you
busy lives better and interaction with clients
and modular style properties … remind me I said
soul into it. I thought I had exhausted real estate
seeing positive change?
become more efficient. I have seen the internet
this in 10 years!
educate our clients, so much so, that real estate
If you could sum up Excel Property Agency in three words, what would they be?
I had worked in the industry for over 15 years
within me, but I have recharged the batteries and
I might have a different approach to real estate
I’m back ready to kick some goals. In my break
than some. Yes, there are factors outside our
agents have to be on their toes when it comes to
from the industry, I was fortunate to have worked
control that affect the market place and the econ-
knowing about every facet of a property. There is
with some outstanding businesses in the area,
omy, but at the end of the day people still need
so much more transparency in the industry now,
Energetic, focused and super-friendly. Thanks Linda. coffs coast focus. 89
C O F F S
C O A S T
property guide
21 Signal Street EMERALD BEACH PHOTOS BY GETHIN COLES/REALMEDIA.NET.AU
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21 Signal Street EMERALD BEACH
TROY MITCHELL AND DEB GRIMLEY, LOCAL COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENTS WITH A PASSION FOR PROPERTY, HAVE RECENTLY DEVELOPED A GORGEOUS APARTMENT BUILDING ON EMERALD BEACH HEADLAND.
i Troy and Deb. You are the masterminds behind this fantastic development; when did you initially acquire the land? Well, it was lengthy process, Melly. We moved to Emerald Beach in 2008. We quickly realised our instincts were right and that this beautiful beachside village was where we wanted to stay and call home. Troy likes surfing, and I am an avid beach walker. We decided to start looking around for a permanent residence whilst we were renting. We knew the type of property we were searching for, but found it almost impossible to locate. Lo and behold, we were out walking one day, when we noticed
a for sale sign pop up in Signal St for a piece of prime land located adjacent the headland reserve, with 270 degree ocean and nature reserve views. We decided we didn’t want to build a “a single dwelling”, and elected to create two apartments. With appropriate development, the site’s amazing features could be enhanced by a clever design which upon completion, would result in a unique property. Troy was not originally as keen as I was about the potential of the land, and it was some time later for Troy to come around to fully appreciate the site’s potential - after much perseverance by me, of course (laughs).
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Troy Mitchell & Deb Grimley
There’s an abundance of g bl ack wildlife includin s, ey cockatoos, ospr ngaroos ka d an es bi la al w riety of va a to in addition flora .” other fauna and
“ Do you plan on becoming developers? We are not developers, and the project was not completed to a developer’s budget. The property was listed for sale pre-GFC in May 2008 for $985,000. We purchased the land in August 2010 for $825,000. This led to a 12 month building design period, and a 12 month council approval process, followed by a successful tendering process, with construction commencing in late 2013. We will reside in apartment one. The sale of apartment two by onsite auction on 31st January will not provide any
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developer’s profit; it will, however, reduce our overall development costs. The building cost is $1,200,000 and the total development costs, including council fees and community contributions, will be $2,300,000. We are expecting that the sale price of apartment number two will have a “seven” in front of it. Describe the beauty of Emerald Beach Headland; who would enjoy this type of living? Emerald Beach Headland is a unique location, as its surrounded by Moonee Beach Nature Reserve, with easy access to three beautiful user friendly beaches, so there’s
a sheltered beach whatever way the breeze is blowing. There are fantastic walking tracks over the headlands and protected seating areas for picnics and watching the surf. There’s an abundance of wildlife, including black cockatoos, ospreys, wallabies and kangaroos, in addition to a variety of other fauna and flora. Located within Solitary Islands Marine Park we see turtles and are able to get close and personal with migrating Humpback Whales. We think everyone in general would enjoy
this type of living. Troy has even joined Landcare to help care for the adjoining nature reserve. What types of views does the property enjoy? The site’s location at the eastern end of Signal Street provides an elevated position, from which views over the surrounding nature reserve and marine park can be enjoyed. The development was designed to maximise these views, as it enjoys fantastic southerly views from Coffs Harbour’s mountains and Marina to Serenity Beach, which is only 50 metres away. Northerly views from
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Woolgoolga Headland, sweeping around to the western mountain range, including Emerald Heights, with Emerald’s main beach in the foreground, which just happen to be a mere 75 metres away. Whereas most homes generally have only one aspect, these apartments enjoy two aspects, thereby making the most of the available views. The building has been designed allowing each aspect to be enjoyed with an external terrace, so if the breeze is coming from the north, a sheltered southern deck with amazing views is available and vice versa. There’s just something so beautiful about being elevated and looking around the beauty of this lovely area. Do you recall your first meeting with local architect Frank Scahill? We certainly do ... Frank is an artist and loves his hats. You could say it’s his signature. Frank also loves a chat over a good coffee. Frank is an “old school” architect and still draws by hand. Every time a change was proposed, Frank started drawing another set of plans. He helped us immensely with all the design
aspects and dealings with council. The development being such a unique design where neighbours voiced their support, left us time to deal with our day to day lives. Frank was originally recommended to us by a local builder developer and was instrumental in obtaining the end result we wanted. Our initial instructions to Frank was to create two apartments, in a modern contemporary design with classic styling, but to be light and simple and not overbearing on the land. Frank’s design did not intentionally comply with the council guidelines, as he wanted to create a more superior building and at the same time, cause minimal impact on our neighbours. Whilst eye brows were raised initially, Frank’s design was soon greeted warmly by council and neighbours due to the superior design form. By not complying, our neighbour’s views were less impacted upon compared to a building that fully complied with council. Frank also included some privacy design principles to ensure the occupants enjoyed maximum use of the terraces.
21 Signal Street EMERALD BEACH
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21 Signal Street Large open r windows, stacke lds doors and bi-fo ews. The vi e th e is im max ser of ha rc fortunate pu able to is o tw t apartmen lour and add their own co basic e th flair because of template.”
“ What were your main objectives with this property? The site is a highly visual, well known parcel of land in Emerald Beach. If the design was not worthy of the site, then we’d be wasting everyone’s time and energy. We wanted a home that was modern, but not overstated in its appearance. We wanted the building to blend in with the landscape and to “hug” the site. Clean lines were sought, with not too much going on in respect to contrasting colours or materials. We were focused more on the different texture of the materials, instead of using different colours. Keeping the property classic and timeless in its appearance, so that it didn’t date, was a high priority. A dominant use of light-weight materials were
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used to complement the environmental sensitivity of the position and beachside location. You can’t see the roof from the street or from the adjoining nature reserve. Whilst the reserve is a public space, we don’t have any privacy issues, so we used generous window coverage for views and natural light. We didn’t want to over capitalise either, as we live and respect a modest and simple lifestyle like most Emerald Beach residents. What are the materials that you chose, and why did you decide to resemble a traditional beach house? On our many trips to the beach and observing buildings adjacent to nature reserves, we saw
EMERALD BEACH
how fibro and weatherboard cottages made a statement about simplicity and having fun at the beach. We definitely wanted something that fitted in with coastal living and not a typical suburban building. We chose lightweight James Hardie building products which are sympathetic to coastal development and incredibly low maintenance. We wanted the building to complement the flow of the site. We stayed with the traditional white “Surfmist” colour, because it blends in beautifully with the surrounds and is a very popular choice. Inside we have kept the decor very simple, with white walls and blackbutt timber flooring.
Large open windows, stacker doors and bi-folds maximise the views. The fortunate purchaser of apartment two is able to add their own colour and flair because of the basic template. Who built the development, and why did you choose this builder? Brian Hopwood was our chosen builder whom, by the way, also wears a hat! However, he only started wearing a “stylish” hat after Frank started his project management meetings. Brian meets us on site every week to walk us through the build. We were just so glad, as there have been quite a few changes on the way, unexpected but important. We knew that Brian had extensive coastal building experience and a fantastic team of tradespeople. Brian’s knowledge was evident to us from the start.
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Brian was quick to point out areas that could be improved and reworked. We both had different ideas throughout the build and Brian was always there to guide us, thankfully, as it can be a stressful time ... Who was a part of the interior design, and what was the brief for the interior design team? We arranged a meeting with Nicolle Foster from Natural Habitat once the building plans were finalised. We had noticed and admired Nicolle’s work
around town and knew she was the right person for the job. We generally knew exactly what we liked and wanted from our interest in real estate and architecture and from our travels locally and overseas. Nicolle’s instructions were that we wanted something timeless, classic in appearance, yet practical, low maintenance and very comfortable to complement refined coastal living. Nicolle’s suggestions were spot on, and our meetings were always something to really look forward to. Nicolle’s choice of colours, textures,
fixtures and fittings were fantastic. This style of living is the ultimate in beachside living. What type of lifestyle does this type of living create for a potential buyer and why? We feel people who choose to live a simple, healthy, coastal outdoors lifestyle in a beautiful natural environment would enjoy living in the apartments. Whether you enjoying walking, swimming, fishing, surfing or just plain relaxing, it’s all available at your door step. The air is clean and
fresh, the apartments enjoy plenty of natural light, and there are wonderful views from two aspects to enjoy. The location offers a choice of three stunning beaches to find a suitable “possi” to swim and relax. You can walk to Woolgoolga along the beach for breakfast or lunch, which we enjoy on a regular basis. Everything you need is generally available in Emerald Beach village, and it’s all within an easy walking distance.
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21 Signal Street EMERALD BEACH
For the purchaser of apartment two, there isn’t a garden or lawn to maintain, as Troy will be taking care of that. The development incorporates substantial garden beds at the front and rear, planted with highly ornamental established plants, including Brazilian giant bromeliads, Mauritian red edged pandanus and South African hybrid aloes. Investors may also be attracted to the apartment as Emerald Beach is a very tight rental market and a popular holiday rental location. Young professionals would also like to live here, as it’s low maintenance and modern. Talk us through the space inside including the living, master bedroom and kitchen areas? We believe the kitchen is the heart of the home, so we’ve positioned the dining and living
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areas and master bedroom on the same level. The living space enjoys high ceilings with a central open plan kitchen/dining area leading to either the lounge or master bedroom, both of which enjoy external terraces with stunning beach views. The designer kitchens have oversized island stone benches, smokey mirrored splash-backs, and select Miele appliances. Master bedrooms have luxurious en-suites, hers and his robes and stacker doors to a south facing terrace. Generous living areas have bifold doors to the northern terrace. Tell us about the design elements behind the kitchen? Well, the kitchen is open plan, with the central island bench allowing easy access for a number of people preparing food at the same time - and is also great for entertaining.
Whether you , enjoying walking , ng swimming, fishi n ai pl st ju or g in rf su ailable av l al s relaxing , it’ .” at your doorstep
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The fridge is strategically placed within the kitchen so people can access it easily without having to pass through the preparation area. Whilst we knew what was required, we needed an expert designer to put it together for us. Marcus from Designer Kitchens had the ideas, patience and technology to show us how well each kitchen would work. Apartment two enjoys a generous walk in pantry with its own preparation bench. Feature 70 mm island bench tops contrast with the 25 mm floor cupboard bench tops. We chose Heitech technology kitchen cupboard systems for simple and easy closing
drawers and cupboards. Appliances by Miele were chosen to complement the design and quality of the apartments. For the lady of the house, is there walk in wardrobe space and plenty of storage? Ladies, you can never have enough robe space! The kitchen and the bathrooms have been designed for the lady in the house, and so to have the robes. He and she built-ins feature long and double hanging space, shoe shelves and generous drawers. David from Coastal Wardrobes provided excellent designs to maximise the full
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You can walk to g Woolgoolga alon t as kf ea the beach for br we or lunch, which basi s. r la gu re a enjoy on ed is ne u yo ng hi Everyt in e bl generally availa ge , lla vi h Emerald Beac easy an in ith w l and it’s al .” walking distance
“ use of the robes. Favourable storage areas are provided on both levels, in addition to oversized garaging. How is the property protected from the elements? The apartments enjoy more than one aspect, allowing the owners to choose where they wish to sit and relax. Northern and southern external terraces enjoy glazed balustrading, with the 1.4 metre high northern balustrade offering both maximum privacy and protection from the sea breeze. Are all of the bells and whistles included, such as NBN technology and the like? When building a new development, it’s crazy not to include the latest technology. Category six wiring has been installed for
future TV technology. Office areas are fitted with computer wiring, and both apartments are NBN ready to use when available, with existing wiring in place internally. Lighting throughout is functional and highly efficient, with flush ceiling LED light fittings. Final say ... We hope to inspire other owner developers to consider buying that more expensive parcel of land and creating say two apartments, one of which can be sold to reduce the overall development costs. It’s been a lot of fun creating such a beautiful building, and we invite your readers to drive
past and observe the completed project. We haven’t planned on doing another development such as this, so we wanted to make this a development to be proud of, by providing luxurious beachside living, on a strategic site in Emerald Beach, whilst at the same time complementing the environmentally sensitive nature reserve. The understated simple nature and beauty of the apartments creates a wonderful living environment, which is sympathetic to a casual and refined coastal lifestyle.
the plug! To book an inspection or find out more about this property, please contact: Troy Mitchell at LJ Hooker Coffs Harbour 6651 6711 0417 695 915 woolgoolga.ljhooker.com.au/PAHCC
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Pandanus Apartments A S E L E C T I O N O F 1 , 2 A N D 3 B E D RO O M D E S I G N E R A PA RT M E N T S L O C AT E D C L O S E T O E V E RY T H I N G !
A
fter several decades of noting the changing housing patterns of Coffs Harbour and in particular the desire of long term residents to downsize and enjoy the harbour precinct and café lifestyle, Barry Booth relocated the First National Business from the Town Centre to the Jetty strip in April 2012. Working with the owner of a prime development site at the Jetty, Barry, in consultation with his Sydney based Architect son, combined the local market research of the demands of retirees, small investors, single residents and the elderly, all of whom seek a very convenient location where they can live amongst an established community and be surrounded by local services.
The location of Pandanus, in the heart of the Jetty, was the only available site that seemed to “tick all the boxes” in regard to a walk to everywhere locality. Guidelines for the design of the complex included maximising natural light, creating a feeling of indoor/outdoor lifestyle that complements our sub-tropical lifestyle, security, ease of access for residents, affordability, choice of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom floor plans and pricing to accommodate singles, couples or downsizing families. In addition, we anticipate the project will be highly sought after by investors who will benefit from the rental demand for the apartments, which is expected to be unprecedented due to
the location. The project is scheduled to commence construction in April 2015, which is an additional benefit for locals who are planning to downsize, and sell a family home and relocate to the Jetty. The extended settlement time allows for a stress free time to plan their move to correspond with the completion of the building in mid-2016. Early sales achieved to date have reinforced the original vision and concept for Pandanus, as it has been well received and supported by local “downsizers” planning their next chapter of enjoying life at the Jetty! You can secure an apartment at Pandanus with a 2.5% initial deposit, with the balance of the
The heart of the Jetty ... Pandanus apartments 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartments | Buy now, settle June 2016 Average price $445,000 | Contact Barry Booth 0417 695 899 | bbooth@fncoffs.com pandanuscoffs.com.au
total 10% deposit payable prior to construction commencing. Deposits are to be invested in an interest bearing trust account with accrued interest payable to the purchaser upon settlement mid-2016. Apartments are available from $325,000 for a 1 bedroom apartment, with an average price of $445,000 for the 2 bedroom apartments. Full particulars of the different apartment floor plans and available colour schemes can be inspected at the First National Coffs Coast Jetty office, or drop by for a coffee at Urban and let’s have a chat about how we can make living or investment at Pandanus a reality for you!
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Stay cool with G.J. Gardner Stay cool with Homes Coffs Coast Stay cool with G.J. Gardner G.J. Gardner Summer Special. Homes Coffs Coast Homes Coffs Coast Summer Special. Summer Special.
Need some inspiration for for Need some inspiration Need some inspiration for your new home? yournew newhome? home? your Put a deposit down in December or Put down in December or or Putaadeposit deposit down in December Janurary and receive a Daikin Inverter Ducted Janurary receive a Daikin Inverter Ducted Januraryand and receive a Daikin Inverter Ducted System installed from $3,625*incl. G.S.T. (RRP $7,250) System installed from $3,625*incl. G.S.T. (RRP $7,250) installed +System *Limited time onlyfrom $3,625*incl. G.S.T. (RRP $7,250) + *Limited time only
+ *Limited time only
*Price valid until 31.1.15. Price based on Daikin Inverter Ducted System FDYQN100 10kw. Price valid for first 5 customers to deposit in Coffs Harbour. Any change from this system will result in a price variation. Images may depict fixtures and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes, these items include furniture, decorative items or internal fixtures. For details please call G.J. Gardner Homes CoffsPrice Harbour. Fischer Built Inverter Pty Ltd BL#191313C *Price valid until 31.1.15. based on Daikin Ducted System FDYQN100 10kw. Price valid for first 5 customers to deposit in Coffs Harbour. Any change from this system will result in a price variation. Images may depict fixtures and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes, these items include furniture, decorative items or internal fixtures. For details please call G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour. Fischer Built Pty Ltd BL#191313C
*Price valid until 31.1.15. Price based on Daikin Inverter Ducted System FDYQN100 10kw. Price valid for first 5 customers to deposit in Coffs Harbour. Any change from this system will result in a price variation. Images may depict fixtures and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes, these items include furniture, decorative items or internal fixtures. For details please call G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour. Fischer Built Pty Ltd BL#191313C
Drop in for a chat today.
Drop in for a chat today.
Drop Office in for a chat today. Office 171 Orlando Street Office
1712450 Orlando Street CoffsOrlando HarbourStreet NSW 171 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Opening Hours Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Monday toHours FridayOpening 9am to 5pm Opening Hours Monday to FridayMonday 9am to 5pm to Friday 9am to 5pm Display home 3 Green Bluff Display homeRoad
Display home
Sapphire Beach NSW 2450 3North Green Bluff Road
3 Green Bluff Road
Opening HoursBeach NSW 2450 North Sapphire
North Sapphire Beach NSW 2450 7 days 10am to 4pm Opening Hours Opening Hours 7 days 10am to 4pm 7 days 10am to 4pm Call us on (02) 6691 3509 or visit online gjgardner.com.au Call us on (02)at 6691 3509 or visit online at gjgardner.com.au
Call us on (02) 6691 3509 or visit online at gjgardner.c