Coffs Coast Focus i86

COFFS COAST

November 2017. issue 86

1 coffs coast focus.

Feature Story Joel Scalzi

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team

Welcome to the November issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS.

D

aylight saving is finally here! Days are getting longer and warmer.

Can you believe that this edition is our second last edition for 2017?

What a year it has been! We love this time of year. There is so much happening in the community, especially in the lead up to the festive season.

THIS MONTH’S FRONT COVER This month’s cover is dedicated to the Kennards Hire Rally Australia. This is the biggest event to hit the Coffs Coast, and we love getting behind it. Molly Taylor hopes she’ll be driving away with her second CAMS Australian Rally Championship. The rally runs from 17th - 20th November. Get your tickets today!

INSIDE THIS EDITION You may recognise his voice from the local breakfast radio Hit 105.5, but how well do you

really know Joel Scalzi? Joel is one of the Coffs Coast’s most eligible bachelors, and he is on a mission to find his perfect match. FOCUS had a chat with Joel to find out more about the type of person he is and what sort of lady he is looking for.

Photographer Zahn Pithers has a long connection to the Coffs Coast and finally made the more permanent move with his family earlier this year. FOCUS talks to him about his family’s love of surfing, the importance of balancing commercial photography work with personal projects, what type of shoots he has been doing in the area and the industry changes he has seen in a career of over 20 years.

FAREWELL LISA AND NATALIE It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to one our favourite advertising consultants, Natalie Hunt and to our fabulous

photographer, Lisa Cross. Natalie will be embarking on a career change, and we wish her all the best. We love you Natles and will miss you very much! Lisa will be giving birth to her very first child within the next month, and we think she will make the best mum ever!

Thanks for all of your hard work, girls. You have been a pleasure to work with!

NEXT MONTH’S EDITION It’s our annual Christmas edition! Be a part of this month’s “Christmas Shop Local” feature and promote spending locally for all your Christmas gifts and celebratory food and drinks. Let’s boost our local retail economy in time for the festive season!

FINAL SAY “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” - Dr Seuss.

Call us today on 6656 4664 or visit us online at ohanaelc.com.au

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2 centres located in the heart of Coffs: Ohana North Boambee 10 North Boambee Road, Coffs Ohana Scarba Street 13 Scarba Street, Coffs Enrol your child for 2017 today

nature based playground Coffs Coast focus 3

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Zahn Pithers.

Issue 86 - November 2017

Molly Taylor.

Regulars 18. WHAT’S ON NOVEMBER 32. EAT FEATURING LOCAL RESTAURANTS 51. STAR GUIDE WITH TERRI 60. SOCIAL SCENE CAROLE BEROS

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4 Coffs Coast focus

16

It won’t be only the big international stars of the FIA World Rally Championship who pull the fans’ attention at Kennards Hire Rally Australia. A little down the field in a bright blue Subaru, Australian Molly Taylor hopes she’ll be driving away with her second CAMS Australian Rally Championship ...

24 72

Photographer Zahn Pithers has a long connection to the Coffs Coast and finally made the more permanent move with his family earlier this year. FOCUS talks to him about his family’s love of surfing, the importance of balancing commercial photography work with personal projects, what type of shoots he has been doing in the area and the industry changes he has seen in a career of over 20 years.

16 22 Charlie Pade.

Twelve year old Charlie Pade has a passion for tennis. Working hard to be the best he can be, he trains regularly and plays in tournaments up and down the East Coast of Australia. FOCUS caught up with him on the tennis court to hear more about his amazing achievements this year, how he has got this far and where he is headed next.

Nigel Longstaff P E R RY H O M E S Nigel Longstaff is the home consultant for Perry Homes. Nigel will aid clients in finding the right home design that suits their needs, lifestyle and budget. FOCUS grabbed a coffee with Nigel to find out more ...

W

hat is the history behind Perry Homes?

Managing Director David Perry established Perry Homes more than twenty five years ago.

Starting out in Northern New South Wales, the company has now expanded into Queensland and as far south as Newcastle.

As one of New South Wales’ largest home builders, we have cemented this position by establishing a number of modern contemporary designed display homes, strategically positioned throughout these areas. Perry Homes are justifiably proud of their strong reputation as a respected quality builder and endorse this by providing every new home owner occupier with a written 20 Year Structural Guarantee.

Whilst the head office remains in Tweed Heads, where it all began so many years ago, the original principles of integrity, accountability and strict business practice still exist and are the solid foundation upon which Perry Homes was established.

Tell us about your role and area of expertise?

I see myself not as a new home sales consultant, but more as a new home building and design partner. I assist new homeowners throughout the whole building process, from finding a block of land, deciding upon or designing a home that suits their personal needs and budget, including, if needed, helping them organise finance.

My father was a builder, so I grew up with building in my blood and helped him out whenever I could, but decided on a career as an accountant. After 30 years as an accountant, I decided a change of career was in order.

Since starting with Perry Homes I have really enjoyed meeting new people and helping them decide upon what might be their biggest investment. The fact that I have not come 6 Coffs Coast focus

from a sales background I think is a bonus for my clients, as what they get is a building partner who works and believes in being ethical, transparent, honest and going the extra mile.

Tell us about your display home?

My display home, which has won the “HIA Display Home of the Year”, is located at 183 Rose Avenue, Coffs Harbour. The home is the Palazzo 278 Designer Plus, which has a large open plan kitchen, dining and living area, and with its extended outdoor area totals 311 m² in area.

The home features extra wide hallways, an array of ambience features including double walls with recessed picture areas, raised ceilings and a six door stacker door that opens the entertaining rooms out onto a 42 m² outdoor summer lounge. The home has a calm open feel and includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, separate media and activity room perfect for a growing family.

What are the standout features or the benefits of building with Perry Homes?

Perry Homes has a reputation in the industry as being a quality home builder with a large range of great designs for most land types.

We offer our clients a complete building service, from helping choose the right block of land, designing the right home for their needs and offering a no obligation and transparent quote. Our clients are able to design their own home or choose from one of our 150 plans.

We can even knock down an existing house and rebuild a dream home to suit our clients' needs.

What makes you stand out above your competitors?

Perry Homes has been an award winning home builder for over twenty five years, and our knowledge, expertise and trust within the industry is renowned. All our homes are built to the highest Australian standards, and many of our homes have received both Master Builders and Housing Industry Association (HIA) awards.

We offer our clients a complete building service, from helping

How important is founded advice and choose the right block of sustainability when be punctual with your land, designing the right building a new home? response to clients' home for their needs and Advising our clients inquires. offering a no obligation on the right floor plan What are some and transparent quote. to suit the orientation challenges that the of their block of land is industry has faced, paramount to ensuring and how have you the sustainability of their overcome these? new home. With energy costs consistently The availability of suitable affordable land rising, it is important to ensure the new home for our clients to build their dream home is a is sited to take advantage of prevailing breezes constant challenge. Also, the continual rise in and natural light to provide the best living the cost of building materials has meant that conditions and energy efficiencies. it is sometimes difficult to ensure we maintain What are the top three things that people our mission of building quality homes which should consider when looking to build a represent exceptional value. However, we have new home? maintained close business relationships with Firstly, is it important to choose the right all our suppliers and with the economies of location for their needs. This may be being a large construction company such as Perry close to schools and childcare centres, shops, Homes, we are able to absorb the majority transportation, or even the beach! The size of price rises, so as to maintain real value for and the shape of the block of land chosen will money. determine the size and design of the house.

It is also sometimes difficult for our clients The last but certainly not least consideration to obtain finance - often due to a change should be budget. Ensuring the total of the in bank lending policies. Perry Homes has land and the house is within budget with worked hard to form relationships with banks some money left over for furniture can and lending authorities such as mortgage sometimes be a challenge. It is my job to make brokers, to ensure our clients have every sure that we can build a home which suits a opportunity to purchase their dream home. client’s needs and is within their budget - a What do you enjoy most about living on most satisfying challenge. the Coffs Coast?

Where are the hot spots to build on the The temperate climate of Coffs Harbour has Coffs Coast? always been an attraction. This, together with Most of the local land estates are nearly the striking natural beauty of area - where the sold out. However, Seacrest Estate in Sandy mountains meet the sea, makes this region Beach and Nautica Fairways Estate in Safety very appealing to most people. Of course, I Beach (both on the northern side of Coffs find most interesting are the diverse range of Harbour) is where the most action will be, as activities available at any given time. But it will there is a continued supply of land available. always be the great beaches which I find most To the south and west of Coffs Harbour, future alluring. developments are being planned in Halls Road, Visit Nigel Longstaff at the Perry Homes Elements Estate, Bonville and Urunga. display situated at 183 Rose Avenue, Coffs Since conception, what has been the most Harbour. The display is open Monday important thing to you as a local trade? to Wednesday from 10am to 5pm and Client is No.1 - exceed their expectation, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm, listen to their requirements and give well or call him on 0459 320 029.

ROBE

BED 1

3500 x 3750

TERRACE 2100 x 3850

ENS' FAMILY

4780 x 3780 ROBE

BED 4

3100 x 3000

MEALS LINEN

WC DW

WM SPACE T

REF SPACE

P.

L'DRY

C/T, R/H & UBO

KITCHEN

BATH HOB

BED 3

3180 x 3060

GARAGE ROBE

6000 x 5750

ROBE

ENTRY BED 2

3000 x 3060

PORCH

MULTI AWARD WINNER

20 YEAR STRUCTURAL GUARANTEE

25

CELEBRATING 25+ YEARS

focusinterview.

B E T

W

E

E

N

We are a group of twenty-seven emerging artists from diverse backgrounds. We range in age from nineteen to seventy-eight and have been studying and working together for two years.

T

he Title of the exhibition is The Space Between. What does it mean?

It means the space between inspiration and creation for the artist. For the viewer, it means the space between the work and their interpretation of it. For the exhibition, it means a body of works in which the spaces between work together to create a whole.

8 Coffs Coast focus

How do you hope the exhibition will influence those who view it?

We hope that those who view the exhibition will experience a greater appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the world we live in, having seen it through the eyes of the artists.

We hope viewers will find the works engaging and that they can connect with them. We imagine our works may inspire other people

to consider undertaking the Diploma of Visual Arts course in 2018.

Have you exhibited before?

Some of the artists completing the Diploma have exhibited before through pop-up galleries, street art, festival installations and even established galleries. For others, this will be the first time they have exhibited their work.

What is your group connection to Coffs Harbour?

Everyone in the group lives either in Coffs Harbour or nearby. Most of us have lived and worked here for many years. As artists, we appreciate the beauty of this area and know how lucky we are to live here. We find inspiration from the diverse landscape, from the rainforest to the coastline.

What inspires you to want to contribute to the visual arts in this region?

We live in a beautiful part of the world.

We have spent two years working on our art, experimenting and developing ideas and skills, and we are enthusiastic to keep going, to see where our art takes us and to immerse ourselves in a community of likeminded people.

How is the study going?

The Diploma of Visual Arts course has been challenging for many of us, but having said that, it has also been such a rewarding experience. We are approaching the end of two years of study, and the exhibition represents a culmination of what we have learned. As a group, we have inspired each other greatly and positively encouraged one

another to keep exploring our individual processes, techniques and processes.

What is the hardest thing to overcome?

Sometimes the hardest thing to overcome is self-doubt. However, with perseverance, and commitment to our art practice, we are overcoming our own challenges. Many of us have been challenged by using tools and materials we are unfamiliar with, but the teachers and group dynamic have created an incredibly supportive environment.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration can be found everywhere - the natural environment, the coastal landscape, the rural and urban landscape, the changing seasons, the man made environment, other artists, music, poetry, films and books ... The list is endless.

When do you come up with your best ideas?

Sometimes your best ideas are spontaneous and come to you in the shower, at the beach, in the car, walking in nature, or even in dreams. At other times, your best ideas come from researching something in depth, and you come up with an idea that develops into a concept which takes it in a different direction.

Anything and everything can trigger an experience that may inspire an idea.

Group exhibition at The Art Factory, 2/51 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour on Saturday, November 11 at 6pm. Exhibition runs until Nov 25.

Coffs Coast focus 9

focusinterview.

Joel Scalzi

COFFS COAST MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR

You may recognise his voice from the local breakfast radio Hit 105.5, but how well do you really know Joel Scalzi? Joel is one of the Coffs Coast’s most eligible bachelors, and he is on a mission to find his perfect match. FOCUS had a chat with Joel to find out more about the type of person he is and what sort of lady he is looking for ...

W

hat is your on in Coffs. After the show we are doing connection interviews and getting ready for the next to the Coffs day.

Coast?

We finish at 1pm, and then I have a I have come couple of hours to chill and watch The down here to Walking Dead ha! At 4 until 6/7 I’m on the bring colour and energy to the Coffs Coast tennis court coaching at Westside Tennis with my co-host, Tullia, on Hit 105.5 as a Club, trying to inspire and pass on my breakfast announcer. I am an Adelaide boy knowledge to the kids. It’s winding down (more murders per capita than anywhere for a couple of hours, and then it’s nap else) and before Coffs I was in Dubbo, time! learning my trade and taking on new skill What’s your biggest goal in life right sets! now?

Tell us about a day in the life of Joel To have money left over after pay Scalzi. week…

Wowee ... It’s up at Tell us about some 4:30am and then that of your interests and snooze button gets hobbies? a tap on the phone.

Tennis! I have played I hate it being defined Then I listen to Prince’s since I was six, and it’s as a date. I don’t Diamonds and Pearls… my passion. Dancing want anything to From there, it’s a in my briefs on my bed be defined in life. shower and waking up ... Reading colourful I would rather us to be the cranium so that I open vessels searching for novels, like the one I’m can be loose and lucid unadulterated laughter. reading now, Call Girl. by the time I’m on air Doing home videos at 6. Now, that doesn’t (not the X-rated ones) always happen, but as theatre, poems, tapas, long as Tulles and I rip each other, that’s and footy! when the fun begins.

What is your idea of a perfect first Half the time we’re like, is anyone date? even listening! When you go away and Sitting on a bar stool eating tapas separate yourself from the job, you realise and drinking wine while listening to an how lucky we are to get paid to talk sh#t awesome jam. Letting go of our inhibitions and highlight all the great things going and making the world stop, even if for a 10 Coffs Coast focus

couple of hours …

What should we know about you that we would never think to ask?

I’m pretty sure I talk about most things on the radio! But when I was in Year 7, I egged my Headmaster's car. He called me in the next day because he said he heard my laugh as I rode off on my bike.

The car was to be used that night for his daughter’s formal … Sorry!

What do you hate most about the dating process?

Joel, 35

I hate it being defined as a date. I don’t want anything to be defined in life. I would rather us to be open vessels searching for unadulterated laughter.

Have you got a POF or Tinder account,

PROFESSION Radio announcer/tennis coach

and how often do you follow through

HEIGHT 170 cm

with it?

BODY TYPE Small

I do have a Tinder profile. I have it so

RELIGION Joel

that I can put pictures up of myself semi-

SMOKER No

naked.

DRINKER Yes

Tell us about your ideal woman.

DO YOU HAVE/WANT CHILDREN No/Yes

Wow … Someone with a childish

STARSIGN Cancer

enthusiasm, and a laugh that makes me

HAIR COLOUR Black

snort!

EYE COLOUR Brown

How can we get in touch?

PETS No

Google me!

Thanks Joel.

LONGEST RELATIONSHIP 6 months

focusinterview.

Cookbook Author

When Julie Carlyle discovered how much potential there was for cooking in her Thermomix, she drew on her experience as a food, wine and travel writer, plus a love for photography, to start creating her own recipes and cookbooks. FOCUS visited her kitchen and studio to take a sneak peek behind the scenes and find out more about the process.

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I grew up on the Coffs Coast and lived in Woolgoolga as a child. I always had a love of food, and I enjoy trying new things. Being a Woolgoolga girl means I’ve eaten my fair share of delicious curries and Indian dishes.

Can you tell us about the cookbooks you have self-published recently?

In November 2016 I published my first Thermomix Cookbook, called An Indian ThermoKitchen. It was based on recipes I learned from friends in Woolgoolga, restaurant owners and cooking classes in India. I wanted to include all my favourites, such as Malai Kofta, Dhal Makhani, Lamb Keema, plus all the dishes everyone knows and loves. The book was a huge success and completely sold out in six months. It has since been reprinted.

The second book was published in July 2017 and is called A Tex-Mex Fiesta. This is a celebration of Texan BBQ and Mexican cuisine.

The Texan recipes include slow cooked pulled meats, brioche burgers, buffalo wings, twice glazed ribs and bourbon sauce. From south of the border I’ve included recipes such as pork carnitas, jalapeno soup, elotes, refried bean dip, tomatillo salsa, burrito, taco, chili con carne and my favourite, Mexican wedding cookies.

Do you have a background in writing and publishing?

I’ve written about food, wine and travel for the last nine years for magazines and websites.

I’ve had no formal training in writing, publishing or photography; it’s just something that I gravitated towards.

The ThermoKitchen website is a completely new venture for me. I’m writing recipes for 12 Coffs Coast focus

It was such a shock when the books were so well received, and I find it so

the website, creating Lamb Korma available at heart warming when recipes for cookbooks a local restaurant. I must I get lovely feedback and giving cooking have eaten that dish 40 or from people who are workshops in various more times, trying to nail enjoying my recipes. locations on the coast, the flavours. I’d written so it’s a very busy and down five possible variadelicious time. tions of the recipe before Why did you decide I finally had success. I to self-publish, and what have been the tasted my Korma recipe and fell in love all over challenges? again with the dish. My recipe isn’t exactly I wanted to take my time gathering and the same as the restaurant's version, but I creating recipes without publisher and time was so pleased when I no longer craved that constraints. I also wanted to keep costs to dish because I had my own recipe and I could a minimum, so I could offer the books at a make it whenever I wanted. Most recipes on reasonable price. my site and in my books have a similar start The biggest challenge for me has been in life. They’re born out of a desire to recreate in self-belief. When I put recipes up on my something I’ve eaten and loved. website, it’s a huge leap of faith to believe that I tested the waters by sharing my recipe people are going to want to cook the recipes online, and it went crazy - everyone loved it.

I create. It was such a shock when the books I realised that other people were interested in were so well received, and I find it so heart learning how to cook Indian recipes in their warming when I get lovely feedback from Thermomix. people who are enjoying my recipes.

How did you research the recipes for your What made you want to create and share Mexican and Indian cookbooks?

Thermomix recipes?

Before I went any further with recipe When I purchased a Thermomix, I fell in development, I booked a trip to India because love with my machine slowly. There weren’t a I wanted to ensure that all my flavours and lot of cookbooks available, but I could see so recipes were authentic. I attended cooking much potential. All the top chefs have multiple classes, market tours and stayed in homestays Thermomixes in their restaurants to undertake with families whilst I learnt to cook and started both complex and simple tasks, so I knew once to get a better understanding of Indian spices, I got the hang of it I would love it. flavours and cooking methods. Once I returned I soon discovered that the Thermomix makes home, it was a matter of adapting what I had absolutely everything easier! When I started learned to the ingredients and cooking methtesting my curries in the Thermomix, I was ods which are available here in Australia. blown away by how much better they tasted.

The Mexican book was developed exactly The flavours just melded together as if they the same way. It started with a craving for had been cooked in our local Indian restaurant. Mexican food when an American friend who Can you describe the recipe development had lived in Mexico for a while cooked us the process? most amazing dishes. Before I knew what I was Usually I start off craving a particular type really planning, I’d packed up our family to visit of food. A few years ago, I was in love with a her in the US and we were travelling to Mexico

for a joint family holiday.

Are you currently working on another cookbook?

I’m working on a few book projects at the moment. It’s kind of top secret at the moment, but I’m too excited - I have to share. We visit Bali regularly, and I love the Balinese flavour.

The recipes are really well suited to the Thermomix, as it cuts down so much time grinding the spice pastes. The recipe I’m developing at the moment is a Balinese Spiced Snapper with Coconut Lime Rice. The fish is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed in the Thermomix Varoma. It’s a work in progress.

I’m also working on a children’s Thermomix cookbook, which focuses on packed lunches and after school snacks for kids. All the recipes will be designed to help children learn to cook with the Thermomix whilst being a practical lunch box option. My ten year old daughter, Anais, and I are working on this book together, so all the recipes are “Kid Approved.”

You also take beautiful photos to go with your recipes. What do you think makes a great food photograph?

Thank you so much for such a lovely compliment. I try to create images that make you hungry when you look at the page. The food has to look too tempting to resist.

Where can people find out more?

If readers are interested in creating more with their Thermomix, they should take a look at my website: www.thermo.kitchen I share lots of new recipes each week. If they need to speak to a consultant about their machine, there is also a contact form on the website. Details about the cooking workshops I’m hosting are also on the website. At the moment we’re running Tex-Mex Fiesta cooking classes, and I’m looking forward to the Beginners Thermo Cooking Class.

Thanks Julie.

Coffs Coast focus 13

focusinterview.

Adam

Strickland Snake Wrangler

Adam Strickland has been snake wrangling since he was a kid growing up on he edge of Bongil Bongil National Park. With the weather warming up and snakes becoming more active on the Coffs Coast, FOCUS caught up with Adam to find out more about how we can live alongside snakes peacefully - and what to do if one gets too close.

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hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I grew up in Bonville. We were the last house on the street for a long time, so from a young age, if I wasn’t at school or playing a sport, I was in the bush that is now Bongil Bongil National Park. I felt so at home when I was out there and was fascinated by all the animals and plants.

Where does your love of reptiles come from, and how long have you been working with them?

I love all animals, but reptiles have always fascinated me a little more than other animals - mainly because so many people have negative thoughts about them. I remember when I was just a kid helping my father in the garden, when he saw a snake and killed it with a shovel. He said it was a Copperhead, and I was confused as to why he killed it. I was always reading animal books that my mum bought for me, so I went searching for that snake in a snake book and eventually found out that it was a swamp snake. I read up about it, and it made me a little sad that my father killed it, as it was just trying to survive.

Later on when I was still young, my sister and I regularly checked our well for animals like Blue-tongue Lizards that may have fallen in. One day we saw a snake at the bottom of the pipe at the water line, clinging for its life.

So I climbed down a ladder to the bottom where the snake was, with a pipe in the shape of a snake hook that it was able to climb on.

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whether it be a snake that someone saw in the backyard to ones Once back to the top of stuck in netting or the well, I was able to sit I love all animals, but reptiles some other man made the snake and pipe on the have always fascinated object. So I will go out ground in the sun, where it me a little more than and help situations began to warm up. Soon, mainly other animals, where snakes may a little garden skink came because so many people have be in trouble or out of the pipe, the snake negative thoughts about them. sometimes where the saw it, moved towards it person is not at ease. I and ate the skink! find it satisfying when What type of snakes are it’s a snake that I can we most likely to see on save or one that is injured and can be helped. the Coffs Coast?

The people that find these snakes are good Carpet Pythons are by far the snakes we to work with as well, as they show they care tend to see the most of in the Coffs area; they about the animals. have adapted so well at living amongst us. We Is there a snake rescue you will never provide the food that they eat by attracting forget? rats and mice to our homes and give them The most recent one was a 1.8 metre plenty of places to live, like our roof spaces. brown snake in netting at Glenreagh. This Carpet Pythons are actually a great animal story stands out not only because it was to have around our homes, because they yet another netted snake (three so far this help control pest animal numbers, and we season), but because the couple, who have rarely notice them because they’re quiet and moved from Melbourne for a rural lifestyle, relatively clean; they don’t go to the toilet very had such a positive attitude towards the often, and they shed their skin in one piece. snake.

They didn’t want the snake harmed Being quite large, with some growing over 2 and were in the process of cleaning up and metres, we do notice them when they are out removing the netting when they come across and about and moving through our backyards. it.

They are a lot slower than most other snakes Once I cut the snake out, I cooled the due to their size and the fact that there aren’t snake down in a bucket, as it may have been many animals out there that will take them in the sun for most of the morning, and on, besides maybe a dog or a large bird of snakes can stress from being hot. While I did prey. this, we spoke about what they may come Can you tell us about what you do at across while living there and how to live with Reptile World? What do you find most the animals on the property. The respect they rewarding about this work? showed for the animal’s life and their future I get callouts to all sorts of reptile situations, there was reassuring to me that we still have

good people out there. We then took the snake down to the creek to let it go.

Can snakes and humans live together peacefully? What are your tips for staying safe in snake season?

Yes, we can all live together, and people need to understand that we move into animals' homes all the time. Snakes, like all animals, are just trying to survive. No snake is actively seeking out humans to bite; they will only bite for two reasons, and they are to food and in self-defence. So if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

Keeping your homes clean and tidy helps, so you don’t attract their food, like rats and mice. Also, keep your lawns cut short, so if a snake does cross your yard, you can see it and give it room to continue moving through.

What should people do if they see a snake?

Leave it alone. If it’s inside your house, give it options to get out, like leaving the nearest door open. You can call us at Reptile World, and we can assist you or help by giving you a number of other rescuers in our area.

Where do you relocate snakes, and why is this important?

We are very cautious as to where we take snakes. I use Google maps a lot to find bush pockets within areas. It's important I don’t just take a snake next door, otherwise I will get a call from the neighbours, but I also don’t take the snake that I get from one side of town and take it to the other side of town, as we are actually not certain as to what happens to them when putting them in unfamiliar territory.

Thanks Adam.

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zahn P I T H E R S

Photographer ZAHN PITHERS has a long connection to the Coffs Coast and finally made the more permanent move with his family earlier this year. FOCUS talks to him about his family’s love of surfing, the importance of balancing commercial photography work with personal projects, what type of shoots he has been doing in the area and the industry changes he has seen in a career of over 20 years.

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hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

My father moved here about 30 years ago, and we’ve come to visit him for holidays every one of those 30 years. My wife’s parents live here also. We bought some land in the area about 15 years ago, and my family has finally made the move and we are now living in paradise!

Dad was drawn to the relaxed lifestyle and good surf. He was inspired to move here by my uncle and surf filmmaker Alby Falzon, who bought 100 acres of land just south of Coffs in the 1960s. He built a farmhouse on it and it was a base for his friends, including my father, to go surfing from.

Can you tell us more about the connection your family has with surfing?

My mother came 2nd in the Australian surfing championships in the ‘60s. Her sister was a great surfer and movie glamour, who even did films with Elvis Presley. They were 16 Coffs Coast focus

at university. I chose media (majoring in known as the “Binning Sisters” and were photography) because I knew I’d have sponsored by surf and car companies to travel the East Coast teaching people how to a great mentor in my father. I thought do “The Stomp”, which was the latest dance maybe I’d end up doing surf photography, but events led me towards commercial move in the ‘60s. photography. Dad’s career also took him My father was a founding photographer into commercial and of Tracks Magazine, advertising photography, and he travelled the DAD’S BEST ADVICE and I spent many hours coast photographing on the phone asking for the best surfers in WAS ‘STICK WITH advice on how to “make the country and IT, KEEP SHOOTING it” as a commercial doing layouts for the AND NEVER GIVE photographer. Aside from magazine. My uncle, UP YOUR DREAM’. I lessons on composition Alby Falzon, started REALLY OWE HIM A and how to communicate Tracks and made the LOT FOR THAT. with clients, Dad’s best classic cult surf film advice was “stick with it, Morning of the Earth. keep shooting and never My wife and eight give up your dream”. I really owe him a lot year old son surf, and I’m still trying to for that. convince my five year old daughter to take it You have been a photographer for over up, but she’s not convinced yet.

20 years. How did you get started in the How did having a photographer as a industry, and what changes have you father influence your own career? witnessed since then?

I graduated from high school with grades After graduating from university, my first to get me into either business or media

job was in a television studio with long hours for very little reward; it just wasn’t my thing.

One day a photographer hired the TV studio for a stills shoot, I asked him for a job, and he said, “You start on Monday”.

On day one I was handed a film camera and was asked to shoot catalogues for Woolworths and other major businesses.

Soon after, the studio bought the first digital camera to come on to the market. It was $50,000 for that camera. Digital was so new, that many clients didn’t trust it and would ask for film instead. It was a long learning curve, but now it’s hard to believe that film ever existed - everything is digital.

What is your advice for the emerging photographers out there?

There are so many areas of photography, so I won’t try to cover them all, but the best advice I ever got was my father’s.

Keep shooting, never give up and believe in yourself. If you have steely determination and a love of your craft, anything is possible.

Photography is a lot more accessible to everyone now. Has this changed the role

THE WORK I DO IS EXTREMELY VARIED. ONE DAY I’LL BE WORKING FOR A MULTINATIONAL COMPANY AND THE NEXT I WILL BE SHOOTING FOR A SMALL LOCAL BUSINESS.

and value of high quality professional photography?

Good photography is still good photography. The downside of digital is that anyone can be a “photographer”. It has lowered the quality of photography in general, and to me it’s obvious when someone has done a DIY job. A business will spend thousands on building a new website, but cut corners with the images and visual content.

It’s not the camera that takes a great photo; it’s the person behind it with years of experience. Just because photography is a lot more accessible, doesn’t mean a business should do it themselves. The results from

a highly trained professional photographer are worth every cent and the value to your business and how the market perceives it can’t be understated. Great photography makes your business look great.

Can you share some of the most interesting shoots you have done on the Coffs Coast?

I only relocated here earlier in the year, but already I’ve had a few interesting shoots. I have photographed a local blueberry farmer for Woolworths, a motorbike rider in the hills behind Bonville for a new trail bike app, I’m looking at shooting some corporate portraits for a few local businesses, and I’ve been shooting drone and landscape

images for both business and private clients (landscapes for people’s walls and drone images for real estate).

Next week I’m shooting a local singer/ musician for his latest round of press shots … On his back he has a tattoo of Jesus and the Devil arm wrestling.

We are going to try and portray this struggle between good and evil in our shots.

What do you like about drone photography?

Drone/UAV photography is fun. It’s great seeing the world from such a unique perspective. It’s opened up the sky as a place to shoot landscapes and gives clients an opportunity to show off their assets in a new way. There’s a huge difference in the angle of view when shooting from the ground, or even from a mountaintop, than when shooting from hundreds of metres above the landscape. The same scenery gains another dimension, and the viewer gets a much better understanding of the surroundings.

Done in the right way, drone photography and video is one of the most interesting forms of visual expression.

How do you balance commercial work with personal projects, and why is this important?

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some great clients over my time, and the work I do is extremely varied. One day I’ll be working for a multinational company and the next I will be shooting for a small local business. This commercial work allows me to fund personal projects. Commercial work is producing work to a client’s brief, whilst personal projects allow me to fully control the outcome of my images. I enjoy the challenge of working to a client’s brief, but

personal projects allow me to express myself fully. I think a healthy mix of both commercial and personal projects is most satisfying.

How do you stay fresh and inspired creatively?

In the early days it was simply looking at the work of others and reading photography books and websites. Now I find inspiration comes from my subject matter, especially with portraits. Getting to know someone is key to the inspiration for the image or series of images. I recently shot an award winning portrait book called Australia Street; it’s a book of people from my street. There’s a video on my website that shows how the book was inspired.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time is spent surfing and looking after my two young kids. There’s a bit of golf in there, teaching the kids to skateboard and discovering our beautiful natural environment here on the Coffs Coast.

I’m also renovating part of the house and spending time creating an edible and native garden.

Where can people see more of your work?

I’ve been working with a very talented Coffs based web design company to create my latest website. It has portfolios, client case studies, as well as behind the scenes videos on the sets of my shoots.

You can see videos of Mel B, Dame Edna, the shooting of my award winning portrait book, Australia Street, as well as landscape and drone photography pages at www.zahn.net.au Thanks Zahn.

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focus_What’s On Coffs Coast

N O V E M B E R

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Ladies & Tradies Night The Pink Silks Trust Ladies and Tradies Fundraising night is aiming to raise $50,000 for the very FIRST All-Terrain Medical Rescue Vehicle for the Coffs Coast. When Friday 27th October.

Where Hoey Moey. Time 6:30pm. Tickets $40.

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Walk for Brain Cancer Walking to raise awareness and raise money for research for Cure Brain Cancer, Australia. When 5th November.

Where Meet at the Harbourside Markets. Time 8:30am - 9:30am. Cost Adults $20, kids $5, family $30.

More information Contact Ann on 0409 893 743.

Paul Kelly

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Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce the tour of one of Australia’s most loved and respected artists, Paul Kelly.

He will be joined by a stellar line-up of special guests across the tour, with Steve Earle and Middle Kids. All ages.

When Sunday, November 12. Where North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Coffs Harbour. Tickets $84.90.

Tickets available www.frontiertouring.com/paulkelly

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Food Con 2017

November’s FoodCon 2017 will be a unique opportunity to get the key players in our area together over one day, to connect with each other, expose their products and services to potential markets, and to collaborate and inspire the future direction for our region's food journey. When Monday 13th November. Where Coffs Harbour Showground. Tickets $45 available at www.foodcon.com.au

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Kennards Hire Rally Australia The beautiful Coffs Coast of New South Wales will play host once again to Rally Australia, the annual Australian leg of the FIA World Rally Championship. Only Australia's second world championship event, alongside Formula 1, this epic competition features some of the world's greatest drivers battling for supremacy in the toughest and most varied conditions on the planet. When 16th November - 18th November. Where Coffs Harbour. Tickets www.rallyaustralia.com.au

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Art goes to Court

The Friends of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery are taking the Arts to court, and you are invited! A unique opportunity to see what’s inside Coffs’ new courthouse without guilt or accusation.

The courthouse gardens and foyer will be the location for a special evening with an impressive line up of national and local Arts voices to entertain you. When 24th November.

Where Coffs Harbour Court House, 2-16 Beryl Street, Coffs Harbour. Time 7pm - 10pm. Contact (02) 6648 4863; gallery@ chcc.nsw.gov.au Website www.friendschrg.com.au

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The Jetty Food and Wine Festival For the first time ever, the Jetty Foreshore will host a Food and Wine Festival for all ages. Get in quick though, because tickets are selling fast. When Saturday 25th November.

Where Jetty Foreshore, Coffs Harbour. Time 12pm - 9pm.

Tickets www.stickytickets.com.au

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H One of AUSSIE HIP-HOP’S MOST PROLIFIC ARTISTS, ILLY IS BACK IN PORT MACQUARIE ON HIS “TWO DEGREES” TOUR and his most extensive tour to date ... with 10 more epic shows to play under his belt before wrapping up the year, he caught up with FOCUS for a quick chat …

i Al. Congratulations on your album, Two Degrees. I know it’s been out for a while now, but what excited you the most about releasing this one?

I think it is the best album I’ve done, so I was really confident with it. There are still anxieties and the pressure that comes with releasing music to the world, but I was excited for people to hear it. I kind of made the decision to put Papercuts out, which in hindsight couldn’t have worked out better, really. On a whole, I am blown away with the support in being able to do this - the biggest tour I’ve ever done is testament that the album has been really well received, which is amazing.

Everyone has their favourites on the album, but what is your favourite song and why?

Papercuts is definitely my favourite to perform, to play live. I love playing it, because it gets people so worked up. Highway, I really love ... Oh my, to be honest, I kinda love all of them.

Degrees is great; I’d talk about every track on the album if you keep me going.

Your Two Degrees regional tour looks like it’s going off!

I love the fact you caught the train to your home gig at Frankston; how did that all come about?

A lot of my high school mates were going ... I’m not Frankston, I’m from the Frankston train line. From 12 - 20 I spent a lot of time up and down that train line, a lot of my friends still live on stops on the line. They were all going to come, so I said, “Let’s

just catch the train down” - so we just did that. That had been my plan, and then someone started a Facebook event … It was cool; it was something nice to do. I hadn’t played a show on the line in six or seven years, so it was nice to do something like that.

You have six collaborations on your current album. Whom would you most like to collaborate with next?

That’s a tough one. I can’t really answer it - as far as a feature act, I’m not sure. I’d love to work with producers like Whatsonot, Peking Duk ... More on the production side of things is where I want to go. If you ask me in like a few weeks when I start really turning one eye to new music, I’d have a much better answer for you.

Whats on your iPod right now?

My iPod right now is Citizen Kay’s Belly of the Beat, and Kuren’s new single, Mastercraft - and incidentally, because they both came out on my label in the last couple of weeks, how’s that for a plug?

If you could take any three people out to dinner, who would it and why?

Any three people? Man, I don’t even know - maybe like Trump, Hitler and Nickelback, and blow up the dinner.

Thanks Al.

Don’t miss Illy on his Two Degrees regional tour with special guest Citizen Kay on Saturday 4 November 2017 at the Hoey Moey. Tickets hoeymoey.com.au/on/illy-at-the-hoey

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W I T H S A M W A R D M A N F R O M C O R N E R P O S T C R E AT I V E

social media marketing &

Need help with your marketing and social media skills?

Join the Principal of CornerPost Creative, Sam Wardman, at these empowering and handson marketing workshops. Sam has over 15 years’ marketing experience and a real passion

to take the actions to execute the plan and measure the results. It’s on the 31st October from 9 - 4pm.

skills or brush up on your existing, book in to

“The presentation was thorough and friendly.

I’m a teacher as well and I appreciated the way you looked after the group with wit, professionalism, expertise and genuineness” Johanna, workshop attendee.

one of these exciting workshops on in October

Social Media Promotion for Small Business

for sharing her marketing knowledge with her clients and the business community. So, if you’re keen to learn some new marketing

and November.

Marketing Planning Workshop If you are a business owner or marketer with a little experience or marketing know-how this is the workshop for you! You will learn practical and hands-on tools to develop the blueprint of your marketing plan for the new year, plus the latest marketing trends and tools to better equip you with implementing and managing your marketing activities. Sam will guide you through the steps to creating your very own tactical plan and give you the tools

This hands-on workshop will delve deep into the world of social media marketing, covering the best ways to promote your business through Facebook and Instagram advertising.

We’ll cover audiences, insights and the different types of posts and ads that you can create. Plus, we’ll look at current trends in these areas too. It’s on the 29th November, 9 - 1pm.

To register your interest or to book your spot, please visit www.cornerpostcreative. com.au/workshops

MARKETING PLANNING FOR 2018 WORKSHOP

Tuesday, 31st October, 9am - 4pm Create the blueprint for your 2018 marketing plan.

Tickets $330 inc gst Morning and afternoon tea plus lunch provided

FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Wednesday, 29th November, 9am - 1pm Learn how to promote your business with social media advertising.

Tickets $165 inc gst Morning tea & light lunch provided

Book online at

cornerpostcreative.com.au/workshops 20 Coffs Coast focus

goBananas f u n z o n e

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For the first time in history, Coffs Harbour now has its own “Time Zone” style Family Entertainment Centre (FEC)!

o Bananas Fun Zone has now opened its in the gift shop. There is a great selection of fantastic doors at The Big Banana Fun Park, and it prizes, including toys, novelties, electronic equipment features some of the latest and greatest and much more.

Ticket Redemption gaming machines in the “This new facility is a fantastic new attraction for the world! This boutique FEC features park which adds a totally new games such as Down The Clown, dimension to the business.

Bean Bag Toss, Milk Jug Toss, The Fun Zone has added a real Ice Ball alley roller, Lane Master buzz to the café and gift shop All games are a game of bowling, Deal or No Deal, Pirates area, and the feedback from skill and the better you are, Hook, Extreme Shots basketball, both tourists and locals has the more tickets you can Wack N Win, Treasure Quest and been extremely positive. It’s win. The tickets are many, many more! The centre also great to see families of all ages then used to redeem features a toddler play area and a having a great time playing prizes at our “Prize coin operated fairy floss machine, the games together,” says Hub” in the facility or at our which makes fresh fairy floss right the park’s General Manager, redemption counter in the before your eyes! The attraction is Michael Lockman. gift shop. reminiscent of a carnival side-show Go Bananas Fun Zone is alley and is a heap of fun for the located between the café entire family. and gift shop at The Big Like other FECs such as Time Banana Fun Park, right behind The Big Banana itself, and is open to the public Zone, at Go Bananas Fun Zone guests play our fun and seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, with extended exciting machines to win tickets. All games are a game of skill and the better you are, the more tickets you can hours during NSW school holidays. For more information, you can contact the park on 6653 4355 or win. The tickets are then used to redeem prizes at our “Prize Hub” in the facility or at our redemption counter fun@bigbanana.com or visit www.bigbanana.com

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OF S TA R S L A N O I AT HE INTERN PULL T G I O B H E W RALIA. NSHIP N LY T H T O O I S E P U B A M A T Y ’ CH ALL , IT WON R A L LY HIRE R D S L D R UBARU R O S A W E N U A N I L E F TK HT B THE TION A RIVING A BRIG D N E N E I T B T D A L L E’L FIE FA N S ’ PES SH N THE O W H A L LY O D R O E LIAN R AY L T A R Y A LITTL T L S L AU MO ALIAN D CAMS N O C E AUSTR ER S WITH H Y A W A ...

ONSHIP I P M A CH

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A R D S K E N N

T

H I R E

he first came at last year’s event when Taylor, then 27, became the first woman to win the title. This historic achievement catapulted the Sydneysider into the ranks of elite Australian sportswomen, but it wasn’t her first success in the

sport.

Subaru Australia appointed Molly to the coveted role of “works” driver in 2016 after she had established a record as the world’s most successful female rally driver, winning the European and British ladies’ championships, among a string of other trophies.

Molly leads the 2017 Australian Rally Championship standings going into the final round on the Coffs Coast. Here, she explains what winning the first title meant and how she’ll approach the next potential milestone. She also pays tribute to her mum, Coral, who has pioneered the path to success with four co-driving championships of her own.

From your current leading position, how are you feeling about going into a three-way showdown for the 2017 Australian Rally Championship at Rally Australia?

I'm feeling excited! Of course, there will be nerves and anticipation, as we have a lot riding on the event. But mostly I'm just looking forward to getting stuck into it and having a good fight with the other guys. Regardless of the Championship scenario, the atmosphere at Rally Australia is always electric.

From your current leading position, how are you feeling about going as defending champion; will you be changing anything you normally do before or in the rally? For instance, your physical and mental fitness training?

I think what has been our strength over the past year and a half is that we put in a lot of effort to be as prepared as possible before every event. I'm always making sure that I am doing everything I can from my side to be able to perform at my best. From that point of view, no one rally is different from another. Coffs Harbour in November will be quite hot, so I guess one thing I like to physically prepare for in particular is dealing with the heat. I'm actually doing my first Ironman in a few weeks after the rally, so I'm hoping my fitness will be at its peak come November.

Becoming the 2016 Australian Rally Cham-

IT’S BEEN SUCH A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH SUBARU AS A FACTORY DRIVER, AND I’M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE BUILDING ON WHAT WE HAVE STARTED.

pion at Coffs Harbour last time was a huge achievement - how did it feel for you after so many years’ of hard graft here and overseas?

It felt and still feels surreal. I don't feel as though it has sunk in.

Rally is a tough sport, with incredible highs and lows. When you've been on the rally rollercoaster for so long and been through so much, when it all comes together it's a pretty amazing feeling. It makes it all worthwhile.

How has your year been as Australian Rally Champion driver? What has changed in your life as a result?

We've definitely received more interest and exposure from the mainstream media, which is great for the sport and Subaru. I think we have been able to share rallying with more people who may not have otherwise known much about the sport, which is a huge positive. The good thing about rallying too, is that it keeps you grounded. Competing this year, my results last year are irrelevant. We have to keep working hard and keep earning every stage time out there. So from that point of view, we are very much focused on the future and continuing to improve. There's always room for improvement.

How much of your achievement is due to hard work, how much to natural ability, how much to the influence of family and rally friends, how much to other factors?

I suppose there's a whole combination of things you need to put together in rallying.

For sure you have to have the ability; however, driving is a learnt skill, so no matter how much “natural” talent you may have, you still need to work at it. I feel like I've really had to work a lot over the past 10 or so years to become a better driver, and I am still learning all the time. There's

certainly a lot I have learnt from family and friends within the sport, which has been a huge help. But, at the end of the day you are still the one behind the wheel and you have to drive the car. I don't think anyone can achieve much in rallying without hard work from the whole team being the biggest factor. Every person in our team has worked incredibly hard, and it's a combination of that all coming together which is what get the results.

What was the most difficult time or experience over the years during your journey to the championship?

There have been a few tough times. When I first moved to the UK alone, that was really tough, but it was also an exciting adventure and a bit of a whirlwind. In 2012 and 2014 I only competed in part programs, and that was probably the biggest challenge - trying to put together the budget to compete and prove myself, but also not having enough to compete regularly to stay fresh in the car, or do the right preparation etc. Then you are putting yourself out there in the World Championship after having four or so months out of the car against people who have been in the car all year with regular testing.

It was a challenge, but you've got to try with whatever resources you have, don't you! It was still better than admitting defeat. It also forced me to look more closely at how I could prepare myself better outside of the car for rallies.

Although you have always strived to keep gender out of your achievements and compete on equal terms with male drivers, what were the particular challenges for you as a woman in the career you chose?

Going to new places where you don't know people was sometimes a challenge, because I felt like I had to prove myself all over again each

time. At the end of the day, it's always about the job you're doing. No-one can argue with that. When you get to a rally, there are enough challenges during the rally to keep you occupied and focused on the task at hand. I think I have also been lucky to have received so much support from the rally community.

Are you aware of the example you have set for other sportswomen, and how do you feel about that?

Initially no, but it's something I'm becoming more aware of. I feel like I have such a long way to go; it's strange to think of someone looking to me. Although, I must say it's pretty heartwarming to meet young girls who are inspired to get involved in motorsport and humbling to be a part of that journey for them.

Who have been your mentors and inspirations in your career?

My mum and (champion driver) Neal Bates have probably been my biggest mentors throughout my whole career and two people I really look up to. I also admire Michele Mouton and Fabrizia Pons and have been fortunate enough to be able to work with them. I admire them not only for their results, but their attitude and determination.

With one championship behind you and the potential for another in Rally Australia this year, what are your longer-term professional goals?

Firstly, to go back to back with the Australian Rally Championship titles! It's been such a fantastic opportunity to work with Subaru as a factory driver, and I'm excited about the future building on what we have started. Mum has four ARC trophies at home, so I still have some work to do before I can claim bragging rights in our family. I'd love to compete overseas again also, so always working on new ideas. The Subaru Rally Team USA is hugely successful, and I'd love to give that a crack if there was ever the opportunity.

Thanks Molly.

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COFFS HARBOUR HYUNDAI

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Now at Coffs Harbour Hyundai call 1800 422 805 or Visit coffsharbourhyundai.com.au

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Do you think Nathan Quinn would drive his rally car on no name brand budget tyres?

I think not!

Why not give our friendly staff a call and wish Nathan well in the World Rally.

A quote is free, and it is as easy as a phone call! Call us on 6652 3042.

Misty Optic

Lisa Hunt

and fun ENTERTAINMENT

K E N N A R D S

H I R E

R A L LY S E R V I C E PA R K

For the first time since the Coffs Coast has had the WRC Rally, families and locals alike can take part in all the action by visiting the Rally Service Park at C.ex Coffs International stadium and enjoy a huge line up of free entertainment, kids’ activities, giveaways and more over the four-day event.

O

ver the Friday and Saturday, visitors to the Service Park can not only partake in the thrill of the WRC Service Teams and their drivers working their magic during car service times, but also enjoy the many free kids’ activities, including: jumping castles, face painting, giveaways and even PlayStation gaming consoles, where kids can compete on the latest WRC2 game to win some amazing prizes.

There is also a great line up of free entertainment for Friday and Saturday afternoons into the evening, with local bands Funk Thieves, Misty Optic, D’Boyzos and Chris Grieves taking to the main stage, plus the muchloved popular entertainer, Lisa Hunt and Forever Soul headlining Saturday night’s entertainment.

Plus, Red Bull will have their DJ in residence throughout the weekend in the Red Bull Lounge and Bar, with full bar facilities from noon daily.

Lisa Hunt and Forever Soul - Saturday night from 8:15pm and 9:30pm Lisa Hunt is an American born, Byron Bay based Soul Sensation! Her show, Forever Soul, is a retrospective of Motown, Soul, Funk and Disco and has been wowing audiences here in Australia and on the Coffs Coast for a decade. She has a fantastic repertoire of songs, including lots of old favourites by Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and The Supremes.

Win $5,000 Cash at Rally Service Park There’s also a chance to win $5,000 cash simply by visiting the Rally Service Park, thanks to local sponsor Coffs Harbour Skoda.

Entries can be gained through: the HitFM and Triple M radio contests; from the Bellbowrie Coffs Harbour Skoda dealership; or by visiting the Rally Australia Merchandise marquee at the Service Park. Entries can be placed in the barrel located near the Red Bull Lounge, and the winner will be

drawn on Saturday night at 8pm on the main stage.

AND IF THE Fireworks Show on ENTERTAINMENT, FUN Free shuttle bus from Saturday 9:15pm Super Special Stages AND CHANCE TO WIN And if the entertainment, Friday and Saturday fun and chance to win cash CASH ISN’T ENOUGH, If you’re lucky enough isn’t enough, head to the HEAD TO THE SERVICE to be heading down to the Service Park on Saturday PARK ON SATURDAY Super Special stages at the night to watch the huge NIGHT TO WATCH THE Jetty Foreshore on Friday fireworks show at 9:15pm HUGE FIREWORKS and Saturday night, you and celebrate this fantastic won’t miss out on any of SHOW AT 9:15PM world-class event with a the nightly entertainment, colourful bang! with a free shuttle bus from Food and Drinks the Jetty to the Service Park. Plus, we’ll have free You won’t be left hungry or thirsty either at the shuttle buses from the Service Park to the CBD, Service Park, with a great choice of food vendors, Park Avenue bus stop from 10:00pm. including: Ed’s Tucker Box, Doobies Dogs, Ribeye Download the WRC Rally App for all the on Vernon, plus coffee van and slushies too! Plus, latest news! Visit Rally Service Park Friday, Red Bull Lounge will have full bar facilities from noon daily.

Saturday and Sunday for loads of free fun!

JOIN IN THE WRC RALLY ACTION E PARK AT THE RALLY SERVIC STADIUM @ C.EX INTERNATIONAL

ily!

Free entry, entertainment & fun for the whole fam THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER

SATURDAY, 18 NOVEMBER

• HitFM & Triple M Live Broadcasts & Giveaways 9am-5pm • Chris Grieves 3pm • Misty Optic 5pm ER FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMB • Meet the Crews live 7.30pm approx.

• Triple M Live Radio Broadcast & Giveaways 2pm-6pm • NSW & QLD State Rally Championship Presentation 7.45pm • D'Boyzo's 5pm • Coffs Harbour Skoda $5,000 Cash Giveaway draw 8pm • Meet the Crews 7.30pm approx.

• Lisa Hunt Forever Soul 8.15pm & 9.30pm • Funk Theives 7.45pm • Fireworks show 9.15pm

• Meet the Crews live 12 noon approx.

A! WIN $5,000 CASH FROM COFFS HARBOUR SKOD our Skoda and at the Service Park • Entries available from Bellbowrie Motors/Coffs Harb Rally Australia Marquee. the main stage.

• Entry Barrel is located at the Service Park near Stage.

• Prize drawn Saturday, 18 Nov at 8pm on the Main

SUNDAY, 19 NOVEMBER

• Live Broadcast Wedding Bells stages on big screen 12 noon-2.30pm

RED BULL LOUNGE & C.EX COFFS BAR Open from 12 noon daily ALL DAY FREE ACTIVITIES & FOOD VENDORS FRIDAY 10AM – SUNDAY 3PM • Jumping Castles for the kids!

• Face Painting - Saturday from 10am – 5pm • Food trucks - Ed’s Tucker Box, Doobies Dogs, Ribeye on Vernon, Coffee van & slushies!

– • Next level Playstation WRC2 Gaming competition big! win to test your WRC2 driving skills

NSW permit number LTPS/17/18196

day night from 6pm to the Service Park for live enter

s - Friday & Satur **Free shuttle bus from the Jetty Super Special Stage

tainment plus from service park to CBD

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FXBC put Chris Hines from Unreal Estate in the driver’s seat!

2017

R A L LY A U S T R A L I A Jason Burnett from The Edge Real Estate is ready to hit the road with FXBC!

Kick your business into gear with Fuji Xerox.

Pace notes help give the driver a view of the road ahead without being able to see it. At the Fuji Xerox Business Centre, we analyse where your business is going and arrange notes to help get you on the right track. You can then put your foot on the gas and fly down the road of productivity. We have a qualified and experienced service team that don’t cut corners, to give you the traction you need to keep out of the ruts.

Timing is crucial with rally and business. It has been said that pace notes can take 20% off a rally driver’s time. Similarly, our software has been able to create an average of 50% time saving off current business processes.

Ultimately you can drive an unknown stage without a co-driver; however, you will need to slow down for every crest with minimal visibility of what’s ahead, so you will probably need a crash helmet to strap in for the ride. At FXBC we give you the confidence to change gears, put your foot on the gas, leave your competitors in the dust and take the chequered flag.

So rev into FXBC now at 1/26B Isles Drive, Coffs Harbour or call 6652 6844.

THE fastest rally drivers and cars on the planet are heading for the Coffs Coast to wrap up the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship on 16 - 19 November.

T

he event will be one of Australia’s biggest motorsport events of the year, attracting thousands of spectators and a global television audience to follow the action on the forest, rural and city special stages.

On the 25th anniversary of WRC in Australia, Rally Australia will be more challenging for drivers and more exciting than ever for spectators.

“The World Rally Championship unfailingly delivers incomparable action and drama at every round, and that will certainly be what spectators can expect at Kennards Hire Rally Australia,” says the event’s Chairman Ben Rainsford.

“This year’s new cars from Toyota, Hyundai, M-Sport Ford and Citroën are faster, louder and more spectacular-looking. They’re so fast, even the drivers say they’re awesome, and I promise the

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DEDICATED SPECTATOR ZONES SERVICED BY SHUTTLE BUSES WILL BE PROVIDED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS EACH DAY, OFFERING EXCELLENT, SAFE VANTAGE POINTS ...

action spectators see on the stages will be breathtaking.”

After a colourful free rally show and ceremonial start in the centre of Coffs Harbour on Thursday 16 November, the 13th and final round of the WRC will cover a total of 318 kilometres across 21 competitive stages until the Sunday afternoon finish.

Friday will test drivers with all-new stages, re-located north to the area around Glenreagh. The Destination New South Wales Super Special Stage on the Coffs Harbour waterfront on Friday and Saturday nights - featuring actor and rally fan Shane Jacobson as guest commentator - will incorporate a new roundabout obstacle and an extra jump, giving spectators longer views of the

cars.

A new Saturday afternoon stage, Argents Hill, will be the first of three televised around the world. Sunday’s 90-minute live broadcast from the Wedding Bells Power Stage will close the event and the 2017 season.

Dedicated spectator zones serviced by shuttle buses will be provided at several locations each day, offering excellent, safe vantage points and full facilities.

The event wraps up with a spectacular podium presentation back in the Coffs Harbour CBD on Sunday afternoon, when Coffs residents can congratulate themselves on successfully hosting one of the most prestigious and popular contests in world motorsport.

NATHAN Quinn

H

Local Legend Nathan Quinn is the city’s hometown hero, with a genuinely strong following.

e’s contested every East Coast Rally Australia, all except 2013, in his own Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. In 2013 he drove an Italian-run Mini John Cooper Works and finished an outstanding eighth outright. He also became a fan favourite for his colourful stage-end interviews. Nathan is widely experienced in the Asia Pacific, China and Malaysia championships, and at Rally Australia 2016 clinched the NSW title.

When Kennards Hire Rally Australia comes to the New South Wales Coffs Coast on 16 - 19 November, drivers from Australia and New Zealand will be striving to make their mark alongside the big stars in the FIA World Rally Championship.

Five of the region’s fastest young talents will step up to the WRC challenge, not expecting to win outright, but aiming to compete in the company of the world’s best, benchmark their ability and

enjoy the chance to be part of a world championship event in their own backyard.

Australians Harry Bates, Molly Taylor, Brendan Reeves and Nathan Quinn and New Zealander Mike Young confirmed their entry plans when they attended the official launch of Kennards Hire Rally Australia at Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour, today.

Crews from Down Under represented 19 WRC entries last year, and event organisers are encouraging as many as possible to line up again.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for regional competitors. It’s a full FIA World Championship event, but anyone who is appropriately licensed and has an eligible car can enter. That’s not something you can do in many other motorsport disciplines,” said Rally Australia’s sporting chief, Clerk of Course Wayne Kenny.

tjm

Crafty • Welder’s Dog Farmhouse Ginger Beer •

Fresh and cold on the taps at Element Bar on the Coffs Jetty Strip is this absolute gem from Welder’s Dog Brewing in Armidale, their brand new Farmhouse Ginger Beer. Super refreshing with a distinct crisp, big ginger flavour and a mouth watering tart finish, this little ripper is the perfect best friend for a balmy weekend session!

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REVVED UP 2017 KENNARDS HIRE

FOR THE

RALLY AUSTRALIA

KH877_1017

With over 165 branches across Australia and New Zealand, and equipment to suit everything from DIY to large scale construction, Kennards Hire makes any job easy.

Coffs Harbour Branch: 34 Marcia St (Just 5 mins away from the service park)

28 Coffs Coast focus

135 135

kennards.com.au

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focusMotoring.

WITH LAARZ

DRIVEN RANGE ROVER VELAR DATE 5TH OCTOBER 2017 DEALER BELLBOWRIE MOTORS

Motor mouth rating

9.5/10

velar RANGE ROVER

ONCE IT WAS JUST ONE MODEL, BUT NOW “RANGE ROVER” IS A B R A N D S PA N N I N G F O U R M O D E L S , INCLUDING THE NEW VELAR.

W

elcome to the latest instalment in the brave new world of Range Rover, which began in 2004 when the Rangie Sport joined the world’s original luxury SUV and expanded further in 2011 with the introduction of the sleek Evoque mid-sizer.

The Velar brings a new level of design, luxury and off-road capability to the mid-size premium SUV class.

Now the Velar fills the size and price gap between the latter two and - because it shares its advanced, aluminium-rich platform and engines with the similarly priced Jaguar F-PACE - it is far more sophisticated and luxurious than the Evoke.

It is fitted as standard with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and - except for the cheapest petrol and diesel models - adaptive air suspension; it also brings a class-leading level of off-road ability.

Not that many Velar buyers will care. The closest most owners will go to off-roading will be the swimming hole at the “Promised Lands”. Although rock-climbing capability will be a nice-to-know for customers and remains a prerequisite for Range Rover, it’s on-road performance that will matter to the vast majority.

The Velar excels on shire roads and the A1 motorway. It is sublimely quiet, refined and 30 Coffs Coast focus

relaxed; it feels a little design packages (Velar, The highlight of the softer and more luxurious R-Dynamic and First beautifully crafted, than the F-PACE and its Edition). high-quality other mid-size rivals from All models - from interior is JLR’s Germany on the bitumen, the 132 kW Ingeniumnew Touch Pro Duo where the air suspension engined D180 to the infotainment system, is supple and the steering 280 kW supercharged V6 which comprises two 10precise, if a little slow and P380 come with a inch high-definition colour lacking in feedback for 2,500 kg braked tow touch-screens. my sharp responses. capacity.

Rear legroom is Standard safety fairly tight; there are equipment at base some reflections from the heavily chromed level is extensive, including autonomous centre console and you have to pay extra emergency braking with pedestrian detection, for a surprisingly long list of optional extras lane departure warning, reversing camera, - including even a luggage net - but I think six airbags, traction/stability control, roll prospective buyers will be so enamoured with stability control, cornering brake control, the Velar’s “reductionism” endearing design and torque vectoring by braking, anti-lock brakes, high-tech features that they’ll overlook these emergency brake assist, brake pad wear foibles. indicator, hill descent control, gradient release The highlight of the beautifully crafted, control, hill launch assist, trailer stability assist, high-quality interior is JLR’s new Touch Pro Duo tyre pressure monitoring and a perimeter alarm. infotainment system, which comprises two 10Other range-wide standard equipment inch high-definition colour touch-screens - the includes all-wheel drive, a ZF eight-speed upper one for navigation and the lower one for automatic transmission, Terrain Response, audio, climate, seat, off-road and other vehicle Powered Gesture Tailgate, electric park brake, functions - many of which are echoed in the adaptive dynamics, idle-stop, electric power 5.0-inch colour TFT instrument display. steering, automatic wipers and headlights, front/ There’s no shortage of choice, with three rear LED lights, heated wing mirrors, acoustic diesel engines (D180 and D240 four-cylinder and laminated windscreen, keyless entry/start and D300 V6), six petrol engines (P250 and P300 rear parking sensors. four-cylinder and P380 V6), four equipment Base models run on 18-inch alloy wheels but grades (Velar, S, SE and HSE) and three still score a leather steering wheel, illuminated

vanity mirrors, Morzine headlining, 5.0-inch instrument panel display, black gearshift paddles, metal scuff and tread plates, dualzone climate-control, ambient interior lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, air quality sensor and 250W eight-speaker audio.

In short, with 50 model variants and an endless options list, there’s a Velar for everyone if you’re prepared to pay for it and wait for it.

Either way, with this much customisation, style, technology, luxury and all-terrain capability now available in the mid-size premium SUV segment, get ready to see a lot more of the sleekest, most car-like Ranger Rover ever at your local school kiss-and-drop soon.

For further info / test drive call: 6656 8740.

Tech Specs.

2018 Range Rover Velar D240 PRICE $80,950 (plus on-road costs) ENGINE 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel OUTPUT 177 kW/500 Nm TRANSMISSION Eight-speed automatic FUEL 5.8 L/100 km CO2 154 g/km

Unprecedented offers for a limited time Exceptional offers across our demonstrator range

Audi Bellbowrie

Exceptional offers available across our entire demonstrator range at Audi Bellbowrie. Limited time only. Must end Dec 30, 2017.

Audi TT Coupe 2.0 TFSI S tronic Scuba Blue, Assistance package, 20" alloy wheels.

DNG42T From $74,990*

Audi Q2 Sport 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic Quantum Grey, S line sports package, Assistance package, Technik package. DNG42V From $53,990*

Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S tronic Corina White. DPV14J From $29,990*

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic Glacier White, 21” Audi sport alloy wheels.

DNG42D From $102,990*

Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic Assistance package tour, Technik package, S Line Sport Package, Electric Panoramic Sunroof. DNG42Y From $94,990*

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic Monsoon Grey, Panoramic sunroof, Technik package, Assistance package. DMC79V From $53,990*

Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic Monsoon Grey, Assistance package, Panoramic electric glass sunroof. DPV14H From $73,990*

Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S tronic Cosmos Blue, Comfort package 2, Audi smartphone interface. DPV14G From $41,990*

Audi A6 Sedan 2.0 TFSI S tronic quattro Glacier White, Electric opening sunroof, Technik package, S line sport package 1. DQB04E From $97,990*

Audi Q5 Sport 2.0 TFSI S tronic quattro Ibis White, Full panoramic electric sunroof.

DPV14F From $78,990*

Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI S tronic Nano Grey, S line exterior package.

BBM100 From $50,990*

Audi A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI S tronic quattro Glacier White, Technik package, S line sport package, Assistance package tour, heated front seats, Panoramic sunroof. BBM200 From $97,990*

Visit Audi Bellbowrie today to find out more.

Cnr Pacific Hwy & Halls Road, Coff s Harbour South | Tel. 6656 8700 | audibellbowrie.com.au **Offer ends December 31 2017 or until stocks last. Vehicles receive the balance of registration and of new car warranty. MD062422

Coffs Coast focus 31

Roasted pumpkin, brown lentil, baby spinach, grilled chicken salad with spiced yoghurt dressing, from Toormina Hotel.

32 Coffs Coast focus

menu shortly. Our chef, Blake Wittenberg, is very excited with all the great produce he gets to use over the summer period. Be sure to make your way down and have a look at the new and upcoming changes to the Pier Hotel.

Head Chef Blake Wiittenberg.

We are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner; to make a reservation, please call the Pier Hotel on 6652 2110. We look forward to seeing you.

Barbecue Pork Ribs served with and Dr steakand fries.Camperdown St, Coffs Harbour Cnrcoleslaw Harbour hotel: 6652 2110 bistro: 6651 8222 lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm; dinner 5:30pm - 8:30pm; 7 days a week.

Curcumin, that has demonstrated relief for people with all sorts of disease states including Irritable Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and cancer.

Also, Curcumin is protective for the heart, the liver, the skin and the brain by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation. Ginger is also known for its powers in settling the stomach and for its anti inflammatory qualities, and Chai spices in milk are just like a warm cuddle from a smiling bear.

Owne Matt a

So if you want to feel on top of the world, give one of our turmeric lattes a go at O.P 81 café.

Velvets Restaurant

Berry Bliss, charlotte with a light coconut Parade, Coffs Harbour 81 Ocean meringue, crunchy crumble, vanilla 6652 cream 9011 Located in the heart of the Orara Valley, and ruby jaffa.

7am - 2pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Nana Glen.

Velvets Restaurant at Two Tails Wines has something for everyone.

the hoey moey

Velvets Restaurant prides itself on freshly sourced produce and champions the local artisans and provedores, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and community.

Welcome to the Beachside Bistro at the Hoey Moey with our newly renovated kitchen. We are the only hotel in Coffs Harbour with direct beach access. Come and enjoy our beachside hotel with spacious beer garden, open plan bar, bistro, drive thru bottle shop and TAB facilities. Have you tried our new Gourmet Pizza range? There is a large selection to choose from and you can have these eat in or takeaway. Come in and check out our takeaway specials or phone ahead for pick-up.

If a pizza is not what you are after our FAMOUS Sink your teeth into a half slab of BBQ Pork Ribs, coleslaw and fries cooked $7.50 FEEDS are always available daily. to perfection every day of the week! That’s right! You’ll be able to enjoy these BBQ Pork Ribs all day, every day, but not just at the Hoey Moey!

These BBQ Pork Ribs are now available at The Moonee Tavern and the Seaview Tavern as well! Wash these ribs down with ice cold beer in any one of our fantastic venues, complete with beer gardens, open plan bars, HEAD CHEF bistros, kids' rooms, Drive Thru Bottleshops and TAB and Keno facilities.

Velvets have designed a Spanish tapas style menu, allowing its local produce to speak for itself.

With both indoor and outdoor dining options available, Velvets Restaurant provides a unique Coffs Harbour dining experience that encapsulates the essence of the Orara Valley lifestyle.

The Hoey Moey

GUS PREZIOSO.

Grab a napkin and sign up for a Members Card today for fantastic bistro, bar and bottleshop specials. Visit our website for all the details.

Great Food, Live Music, Good Times.

84 OCEAN PARADE, COFFS HARBOUR 6652 3833 WWW.HOEYMOEY.COM.AU

Head Chef David Ricketts.

7 DAYS. MON - THURS & SUN: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5:30 - 8:30PM. FRI - SAT: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5.30 - 9PM.

84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour Thai Beef Salad.

6652 3833 www.hoeymoey.com.au

House crumbed chicken parmigiana with chips and side salad.

7 days. Mon - Thurs & Sun:12pm - 2:30pm; 5:30 - 8:30pm. Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5.30 - 9pm.

mr. good beans We pride ourselves on bringing a personalised service and product: a finely tuned espresso coffee just how the customer likes it, gourmet café food made from scratch in house, and a friendly, comfortable experience to all who walk through the café door.

HEAD CHEF

NICOLE Try the mouth-watering Mediterranean grilled chicken salad this HATCH spring, made fresh from locally sourced vegetables, mixed with feta, kalamata olives and semi dried tomatoes, topped with grilled chicken breast and sweet 963 ORARA WAY, NANA GLEN 6654 3633 potato wafer thin chips and drizzled with Chef’s secret zesty citrus dressing.

WWW.TWOTAILSWINE.COM.AU Mediterranean flavours expertly blended to match the Australian spring light, yet very satisfying.

WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY

Head Kristy

FROM 11AM ‘TIL 4:30PM.

Follow us on Instagram and find our Facebook page @MrGoodBeans

Shop 1 Moonee Marketplace, Moonee Beach 6656 4511 www.mrgoodbeans.com.au Monday – Saturday 6am – 4pm and Sundays 8am – 3pm

coffs co

Spinifex Restaurant

Plantation Hotel

Our new menu selections have been flying out the door, with something for everyone’s tastebuds - from the usual classics such as the chicken schnitzel with gravy to our Thai coconut fish of the day meal or balsamic vegetable stack. We pride ourselves on sourcing fresh and local produce to complement our menu.

This month in the bistro we have live entertainment for your dining enjoyment on Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm - 9pm; come check it out. $10 weekday lunch specials are a big hit, with four selections to choose from and includes a free middy of Little Creatures pale ale! Weekly blackboard specials, à la carte menu, bar menu, kids’ menu, $10 lunch menu and $12.50 night specials, $15 steak and egg Thursdays and the best for last ... $15 Sunday roasts. What more could you ask for?

COAST HOTEL, 2 MOONEE ST, COFFS HARBOUR 6652 3007 WWW.COASTHOTEL.COM.AU FRIDAY AND SATURDAY LUNCH 12:00 - 2:30PM, DINNER 5:30 - 9PM. SUNDAY TO THURSDAY LUNCH 12:00 - 2:30PM, DINNER 5:30 - 8:30PM.

If you’re looking for the best value in Coffs Harbour, look no further than the Plantation Hotel … The team at the Plantation pride themselves on offering outstanding service alongside quality food at an affordable price, that will keep you coming back time and time again.

HEAD CHEF KANELLA ORMSBY

Pop in and try something off our brand new à la carte menu, with a tasty selection of burgers, pastas, salads and premium grade steaks, plus all your pub favourites, cooked using fresh local produce and plated with the personal touches of head chef Dave Newick.

HEAD CHEF DAVID NEWICK.

The Plantation Hotel … Delicious Food, Friendly Service, Incredible Value!

88 GRAFTON STREET, COFFS HARBOUR. 6652 3855 WWW.PLANTATIONHOTEL.COM.AU 7 DAYS. MON - THURS & SUN: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5:30 - 8:30PM. FRI - SAT: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5.30 - 9PM.

Coffs Coast focus 33

Steak sandwich on toasted Turkish bread and BBQ sauce, served with thick cut chips

Harbourside Markets return to the Jetty!

November will see the unveiling of the new outdoor space and the return of Harbourside Markets to its former Jetty location after months of steady construction work.

It will feel great to be back home, and there have been plenty of big changes while we have been away!

The old site has been totally redesigned to accommodate our weekly Sunday market of over 80 local maker and growers’ stalls, who now return to a purpose built community market and entertainment space.

Toormina Hotel

At the Toormina Hotel, you’ll be welcomed by our lovely staff and management team. Your family night is covered with our child friendly environment and our mouth-watering menu.

One of our favourites this spring is the roasted pumpkin, brown lentil, baby spinach, grilled chicken salad with spiced yoghurt dressing. Alternatively, try our all-time favourite, delicious steak sandwich on toasted Turkish bread and BBQ sauce, served with thick cut chips. Whether you are after a place to bring the family for a meal or looking for a venue to host a celebratory dinner, you will be pleasantly surprised!

HEAD CHEF ISTVAN KATONA

Do not forgot that Christmas is not far away; so please give us a call to book your function.

13 MINORCA PLACE, TOORMINA 6653 1039

Salt and Pepper Squid, tzatziki, Asian salad, snow pea vine with chilli fig caramel

Coffs Harbour Golf Club

Tucked away at Coffs Harbour Golf Club is Lakes Café. Surrounded by lush greens and rolling fairways, escape the stress of everyday life and relax.

Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in the newly renovated Clubhouse or a delicious meal with friends on the balcony. With a new team specialising in modern Australian cuisine and favourites with flair, the Lakes Café is a must-visit.

*Conditions apply to all specials. Member pricing.

EARL ST, COFFS HARBOUR 6652 3244 BREAKFAST: 7AM - 11AM, WED - SUN. LUNCH: 11:30AM - 2:30PM, TUES - SUN. DINNER: 5:30PM - 8.30PM, THURS - SAT.

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There is a new permanent stage, plenty of footpaths, or try out the new outdoor exercise station. The land has been built up and lush grass and new trees have been planted. The design also takes into account its harbour location, with a new boardwalk inviting brilliant sea views into the space.

It has been wonderful for Harbourside Markets

MON - SAT 10AM - 12AM, SUNDAY 10AM - 10PM. BISTRO OPEN FROM 11AM - 9PM DAILY

Daily specials include lunch from $12, Thursday night $15 Schnitzel and Saturday brekkie from only $10*. Kids welcome!

The markets will be BIGGER, BETTER and BRIGHTER than ever before, with lots of new features for you to enjoy. There is also plenty of undercover seating, so sit back on our funky, new outdoor bean bags while you soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the market food, creative stalls, live music and kids’ entertainment.

HEAD CHEF JACOB BARNABY

to partner with different community events over the years. The market space will now better cater to festival and event use, so we look forward to bringing you even more! Don’t miss Gratitude Day on the 12th November!

This site renovation marks an exciting new time of growth in the markets’ 10 year history. These continued improvements to the Jetty foreshore area allow everybody to enjoy the natural beauty and unique public and historic spaces we all proudly call home. Join us in November to explore our new addition to the Coffs Jetty landscape.

Follow Harbourside Markets’ Facebook page for our confirmed November market launch date, or go to our website: harboursidemarkets.com.au

Join the heart of Coffs’ arts and culture scene…

Volunteer today for the 2017 - 2018 season Call (02) 6648 4930

Intro:

Upcoming shows Thu 26 Oct Cinematinee film: After The Storm Sat 28 Oct Wayne Rogers: Gone but still FABULOUS Thu 9 Nov Cinematinee film: Una Fri 3 - Sun 26 Nov The Sound of Music Fri 1 Dec Elvis: American Legend (Luke Spiteri) Sat 16 Dec Menopause The Musical

jettymemorialtheatre

@jettytheatre

Box office hours Tues to Fri 12 noon – 4pm jettytheatre.com | phone 6648 4930 337 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

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focus coffee.

Piccolo To Go. Entering our 10th year of business, Piccolo To Go has Coffs Harbour’s first shipping container coffee shop at the Bailey Centre.

a great Christmas gift idea, you can contact Ros

We are a dedicated team of local coffee lovers with many years of experience in the coffee industry.

container. Pop into the Bailey Centre and see

For years we’ve been searching for a reusable coffee cup we loved, and finally we found it - the Ecoffee Cup. We are currently the only stockists in Australia and Coffs Harbour. The Ecoffee Cup is an alternative to plastic, made from organic bamboo, ranging in size and offering fabulous designs. The Ecoffee cups are

5am - 1pm and Saturday, 6am - 1pm.

Dish and Spoon.

directly on 0431 142 597 or via our FB page.

The whole range can be seen at the shipping Mikey, Ros or Craig for your next coffee fix.

Piccolo To Go is open early Monday to Friday,

THE BAILEY CENTRE 153-156 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, COFFS HARBOUR 0431 142 597 FACEBOOK.COM/PICCOLO.GO

“Coffee made perfect” - the slogan of Sensory Lab, our coffee supplier, resonates so deeply with the way we view and prepare coffee.

equally awesome coffee. Have you made us you favourite coffee haunt yet?

Come in and try the difference that specialty coffee, from farm to cup, can have on your coffee experience.

Of course, it isn’t all about the coffee; we also offer a menu that calls back to fresh ingredients and old skool cooking techniques, to pair amazing food with

384A HARBOUR DR, COFFS HARBOUR 0477 600 640 FACEBOOK.COM/DISHANDSPOON

Are they coffee ice cubes?

With the warmer weather, it’s time to find that special afternoon cool drink to quench your thirst. Resist the sugar overload and enjoy a cool cold drip caffeine hit. With six hours cold brewing, it boasts a lighter extraction more like a whiskey or tea; cold drip coffee will rehydrate you and give you the smooth afternoon buzz you are after. Try our Colombian single origin mint infused ice cubes over cold drip extracted PNG single origin kimel Estate Peaberry.

37 VERNON ST, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW 2540 PRE ORDER: 0434 700 910 WWW.ARTISTI.COM.AU

36 Coffs Coast focus

Coffs Leagues Club Their motto is “Let us look after you” - and the team at Coffs Leagues Club certainly take that seriously.

Since 1993, Coffs Leagues Club has been a part of the local community and has become quite well known for expertly catering for celebrations; from weddings to wakes to training days, they’ve got you covered.

Sit out on the deck and enjoy the licensed bar, tantalise your taste buds in the bistro and be blown away by the beautiful function room.

Coffs Leagues Club isn’t just your go to for special occasions either; their $10 meal deal is fantastic value, with something for everyone. Choose from eight options (all of which come with a basic schooner of beer, glass of wine or soft drink), including 200 gram scotch fillet, chicken schnitzel, fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, beef, veggie and fish burgers.

Fantastic food, great atmosphere and service with a smile is why so many Coffs locals call the club their second home.

Family-friendly, plenty of space for the kids to play, and an abundance of off street parking.

Everyone welcome Monday to Friday nights from 5pm; come on in and meet the lovely new chef at the helm, Jodie, with full bar and bistro. The team at Coffs League Club is looking forward to seeing you soon.

Coffs Coast focus 37

Come & Hook Up!

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An initiative to grow stronger “farm to fork” connections across the food industry, FoodCon 2017 will bring together foodies from the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast region for a day of tasting, networking and idea sharing.

nput from local food producers and businesses as part of the newly formed Coffs Coast Food Collective, combined with feedback from previous Mid North Coast Food Forum events, has brought changes to the FoodCon 2017 program.

FoodCon 2017 will allow plenty of time for attendees to interact with each other, along with providing information on food tourism, social media and digital storytelling.

Section Leader, Industry & Destination Development, Coffs Harbour City Council, Stephen Saunders explains, “Connection will be the theme for this year’s event. Creating and enhancing connection between local farmers, growers and fishermen, producers, food businesses, retailers, restaurants, chefs and consumers will be represented by expert speakers and activities throughout the day.”

One of the most anticipated sessions of the day is the Harvest Hook Up, a variation on “speed dating”, where attendees spend one minute at a time getting to know another

38 Coffs Coast focus

member of the food industry, sharing tips and making useful contacts.

Food tourism is cited as one of the fastest Sometimes it’s just one Facebook is a growing tourism activities great idea, one spark of growing opportunity across the world. To give inspiration, or one new for food businesses local businesses a better contact that can make to market themselves, understanding of how they all the difference to the but doing it well can benefit from this trend, future of your business. requires some FoodCon 2017 special guest expertise. Robyn speaker is John Stanley. John Simon will present will share his knowledge a session on how to attract new customers and experiences from more than 35 years of on Facebook, not just speak to current ones. working with producers, chefs, providores and Robyn has significant experience working retailers around the world. with small businesses, particularly in the food, John is the only accredited consultant in hospitality and tourism sector, developing Australasia with the International Food Tourism the Pyrmont Food & Wine Festival in Sydney, Association and is recognised as a leading expert. Just this year he has worked in Canada, which now attracts 25,000 people annually, and leading the “small bar” revitalisation of France, the UK, Russia, and Italy. All of this is Sydney’s laneways. added to his current major project, creating The Producer Showcase will provide and marketing 11 food trails across WA.

opportunity to savour some of the best produce in our region. From award-winning bush food preserves and blueberry products to turmeric tea, micro-herbs, sustainably-raised beef and local seafood, attendees will be able to taste the flavours of our region.

FoodCon 2017 will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Coffs Harbour Showground from 9am to 4:30pm. A relaxed tasting lunch highlighting local produce, local wines and beverages will be a highlight for all who attend. It will be held alongside the Producer Showcase, allowing maximum time for attendees to mingle and chat.

For tickets to attend or information about participating in the Producer Showcase, visit the website www.foodcon.com.au or call Nicole McLennan on (02) 6648 4834.

focusinterview.

MR EAGLE ROCK With a stellar career now spanning more than 50 years and showing no signs of slowing, Mr Eagle Rock Ross Wilson is one of Australian rock music’s most enduring and lauded talents.

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wice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame (1989 solo and 2006 with Daddy Cool), Wilson continues to win acclaim. Eagle Rock has been included in the National Film and Sound Archive “Sounds of Australia Collection”, three singles from his 2010 album I Come In Peace were added to playlists at over 50 commercial stations nationally, and the title track was released as a single accompanied by a hot video, the 1st RW studio vid since 1990! Ross again set new records for a performer of his generation, with his 5 Decades of Cool concert series nominated for the 2010 Helpmann Award for “Best Contemporary Australian Concert”.

Wilson independently released Ross Wilson - The Greatest Hits in 2016, as well as re-releasing 1989’s Dark Side Of The Man in digital only format and releasing his version of Johnny O’Keefe’s Wild One as a charity single for the Reclink Community Cup. From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock, as a solo artist, or as songwriter of A-grade classics such as Eagle Rock, Cool World and A Touch of Paradise, or producer of the legendary Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep, The Johnnys, and more recently The Screaming Jets, Ross's involvement with success has continued unabated.

He fronted Daddy Cool and exploded out of the ‘70s playing rootsy ‘50s sounds. He then formed Mondo Rock, who surfed the contemporary scene with chart

topping singles and albums radical rearrangements of the hits, He fronted Daddy Cool and from the mid ‘70s to the late plus fresh airings of worthy lesser exploded out of the ‘70s ‘80s. As a solo performer and known works. Reactions from playing rootsy ‘50s sounds. major songwriter, he continued both critics and fans have been He then formed Mondo to achieve success and make overwhelmingly positive.

Rock, who surfed the his mark during the ‘90s and Late 2008 found Ross in contemporary scene beyond, with his songs being Nashville with producer Mark with chart topping recorded by artists as diverse as Moffatt, directing sessions for an singles and albums from Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, album full of brand new songs. the mid ’70s to the late ’80s.

DEF-FX, Custard, Jennifer These trax were temporarily Rush (EU), Troy Cassar-Daley, shelved while he took the 2009 Leslie Avril, Hey Gringo, You 5 Decades Of Cool concerts Am I, Uncle Bill, Keke (Spain), to Melbourne and Sydney and Renee Geyer, Christine Anu, Duane Jarvis (US), Elkie released the resulting filmed footage as the debut RW Brooks (UK), Ann Kirkpatrick and Lee Kernaghan, solo DVD Ross Wilson Live At The Palais, showcasing Sovereign, Pleasantville, Beccy Cole, Sonic Jihad, RW's long and diverse catalogue with guest and The Wiggles! On trips to Europe and the USA performances from members of The Pink Finks, The he collaborated with O/S writers and concluded the Party Machine, Daddy Cool, Spectrum, Mondo Rock, millennium as a special guest performer on John Skyhooks and a three song duet with national icon Farnham's I Can't Believe I'm 50 tour and live CD/DVD. Jimmy Barnes.

On top of this in the “noughties”, Ross kept a busy Ross Wilson performs with his band The Peaceniks tour schedule of his own with his live action band at over 100 shows a year throughout Australia.

Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks, including national appearances on the successful A Day On The Green series with Chris Isaak and also Crosby Stills & Nash, then began sessions for Tributary (Liberation Blue See Ross at the Sawtell RSL on 11th released mid-2008), a semi-acoustic project that revisits November. Tickets www.sawtellrsl.com.au songs from his career catalogue resulting in sometimes Coffs Coast focus 39

4 WEDNESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER

Scott Day-vee - Element Bar

THURSDAY 2ND NOVEMBER

Mick Bateman - Sawtell RSL Live Jazz - Element Bar

FRIDAY 3RD NOVEMBER

Benny Black Duo - Seaview Tavern Empire + DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey Top Shelf - The Pier Hotel The Sound Of Music (Until 26th) - Jetty Memorial Theatre DJ Bisho & DJ Flakey - Coast Hotel Simply Bushed - Sawtell Rsl Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar

SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

Heat 1 Coastal Sounds Comp - Seaview Tavern Illy - Hoey Moey Money Shot - The Pier Hotel Troy Kinne - C.Ex Coffs Magneto & DJ Breno - Coast Hotel Surf Report - Sawtell RSL Tommy Castles - Element Bar

SUNDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

The Black Sorrows - Hoey Moey Mei Wei & Swingfonia Jazz Show - C.Ex Coffs Vince Genoese - Sawtell RSL Jack Churchwell - Element Bar

TUESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Paul Hayman - Sawtell RSL

40 Coffs Coast focus

17

Coffs

GIG GUIDE

3

WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER

Peter Barry - Element Bar

THURSDAY 9TH NOVEMBER

Una - Jetty Memorial Theatre Mick Bateman - Sawtell RSL Tessa Divine - Element Bar

FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

Money Shot - Seaview Tavern Gunshy + DJ Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey First Ave - The Pier Hotel Bob Evans - C.Ex Coffs Dj Bisho & Resident DJs - Coast Hotel Mark Bergin - Sawtell Rsl Jeremiah Johnson - Element Bar

SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

Heat 2 Coastal Sounds Comp - Seaview Tavern Dj Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey Rowland Moye - The Pier Hotel One Night Stand & Resident DJs - Coast Hotel Ziggy - Sawtell RSL Owen Shannon - Element Bar Ross Wilson - Sawtell RSL

SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER

Chisel Revived Show - Hoey Moey Lee Kernaghan - C.Ex Coffs Sebastiaan - Sawtell RSL Craig Freeman - Element Bar

WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER

Yhan Leal - Element Bar

10

THURSDAY 16TH NOVEMBER

Mick Bateman - Sawtell RSL Life Jazz - Element Bar

FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER

Misschief Band - Seaview Tavern Double Shot + DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey The Stunned Mullets - Sawtell Rsl Who's Charlie Duo - The Pier Hotel DJ Bisho & DJ Rjay - Coast Hotel Benny Black - Element Bar Paul Kelly - Regional Botanic Gardens

SATURDAY 18TH NOVEMBER

Heat 3 Coastal Sounds Comp - Seaview Tavern Mick Bateman - The Pier Hotel Occarock & Dj Breno - Coast Hotel Troubadeurs - Sawtell Rsl Chris Wiggins - Element Bar

SUNDAY 19TH NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

Who’s Charlie - Seaview Tavern Magneto + DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey Magic Mojo - The Pier Hotel DJ Bisho & DJ Breno - Coast Hotel Rowland & Shekinah Moye - Sawtell RSL Owen Shannon - Element Bar

SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER

Final Coastal Sounds Comp - Seaview Tavern DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey Aqwa - The Pier Hotel Phat Tracta & DJ Breno - Coast Hotel Top Shelf - Sawtell RSL Dean Sharkey - Element Bar Sawtell RSL 60th Birthday Featuring Top Shelf - Sawtell RSL The Jetty Food & Wine Festival - Jetty Foreshore

SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER

Marshall Okell Band - Hoey Moey Lucky Starr - Sawtell RSL Josh Matheson - Element Bar

Tommy Memphis - Sawtell RSL Aqwa - Element Bar

WEDNESDAY 22ND NOVEMBER

The Strides + DJ Helmy - Hoey Moey

THURSDAY 23RD NOVEMBER

Vena Klymo - Element Bar

Billie-jo Porter - Element Bar

Pecking Order - Jetty Memorial Theatre Mick Bateman - Sawtell RSL Live Jazz - Element Bar

MONDAY 27TH NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY 29THNOVEMBER THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER

Mick Bateman - Sawtell RSL Live Jazz - Element Bar

Coffs Coast focus 41

focusinterview.

life is fine P

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Undoubtably one of Australia’s most highly respected and prolific musical artists, Paul Kelly is taking his band on the road for a special regional tour, stopping off at the Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens. FOCUS was lucky enough to pin him down for a chat …

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i Paul. With a successful career spanning over 43 years, how has your writing style or topics changed over the years?

I don’t think it's changed that much. You never know what you’re doing when you’re writing a song - well, I don’t anyway. I sort of figure out what's happening somewhere in the middle of it. So for me, songwriting's always been a bit like fishing; you don’t know when you’re going to get a song, but you’ve gotta turn up if you wanna get a bite.

You’ve collaborated with a myriad of talented artists over the years. Who has been the most memorable?

There have been lots of good ones, and one I’ve done recently was with A.B Original doing a version of Dumb Things with them ... Way back to working with Kev Carmody writing From Little Things Big Things Grow around a campfire at the Wivenhoe Dam in 1998; writing Treaty, working with Yothu Yindi on his second record, going up to Arnhem Land and staying up there for a while getting to know other members of his band and spending time on their country. Lots of highlights.

Having written songs and collaborated with indigenous artists vocalising about Aboriginal Social Injustices, what is it that is so prevalent and makes you 42 Coffs Coast focus

so passionate about this issue within society?

When I left school and started travelling around, I started to realise I hadn’t learnt anything at school about Aboriginal history or culture, so I started digging around for myself and realised that there was a huge silence or gap in Australian culture about our history. I think it's still playing out today; it’s never been fully acknowledged that there was a war going on when Australia was settled by Europeans, and I think that's had its ramifications right through to today.

Let's talk about the new album. Not only has it topped the Aria Album charts, your shows are selling out fast. You haven’t really had much of a gap over the years in terms of album production; what do you think it is about Life is Fine that has been so well received?

I thought it might do OK, but it's done better than I expected. You never know which records are going to be popular and which aren’t. I wanted to make a playful, upbeat record with the whole band; I released two records last year that were more philosophical and meditative - a record of Shakespeare sonnets and a record of songs I’ve sung at funerals. So I think it was just coming out with a record that was in such contrast to those that people have responded to.

It really is a different record, where you’ve taken the back seat on a couple of

It's a beautiful poem; it’s a poem about suicide, but it

tracks, employing the On the Australian leg ends up being about the amazingly talented of the tour you’re will to live, ending with Vika and Linda Bull … bringing some special a burst of joy, life is fine, A lot of my favourite guests along with you, fine as wine. It’s the appeal bands always have including Steve Earle, of it, the combination of dark another singer take an amazing artist and and light in the song, and I a song on a record. I writer. Have you guys thought that would point to the think it gives variety to played alongside each record as a whole. the record; I wish I’d other previously? thought of it 30 years I first met Steve Earle ago! I’ll probably keep when I was in America on doing it, making records like this, always in '87, so I’ve known him for many years and having someone else sing at least one or two caught up with him when he visits Australia songs. and seen him over there. We both like each The title track's lyrics were written by other's music, but we’ve never actually American writer Langston Hughes. Where done a show together. We’ve been at some did you read this poem, and what drove different festivals together, including Blues you to use it as the lyrics to this album's Fest in Australia and also festivals in America, title track? so we’ve crossed paths quite a few times. I A friend of mine sent me The Time a couple wanted to put a good strong bill together for of years ago and said, "Why don’t you try the show, and I knew he was keen to come putting some music to it?" The beauty of the out to Australia again - so we started talking. poem by Langston Hughes is that it actually Thanks Paul. reads like a song lyric. I didn’t change his words at all or adapt them; I used his words exactly as they were written, and they just naturally formed into a song pattern.

It's a beautiful poem; it’s a poem about Tickets are selling fast for Paul Kelly’s Coffs suicide, but it ends up being about the will to Harbour Show; don’t miss out on your live, ending with a burst of joy, life is fine, fine chance to see this amazing artist in action. as wine. It’s the appeal of it, the combination Paul Kelly @ Botanical Gardens of dark and light in the song, and I thought Sunday, 12 November, 7pm. that would point to the record as a whole. www.frontiertouring.com/paulkelly

Coffs Coast focus 43

focusinterview.

focusinterview.

Ladies &

TRADIES

NIGHT LOCALS TESTIFYING FOR THE ARTS

The Pink Silks Trust Ladies and Tradies Fundraising night is on Friday 27th October 2017 at the Hoey Moey. The aim of the night is to raise $50,000 for the very FIRST All-Terrain Medical Rescue Vehicle for the Coffs Coast.

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ow daylight saving and summer is The Honda ATV will be customised for use approaching, we are all enjoying by the rescue teams; the patient pod will be the fantastic weather and making imported from the US and attached to the the most of the beautiful place we back of the Honda ATV, and the custom trailer live in. Families and individuals are out doing will be made locally, so that any of our local all the things they love, like 4WDing, camping, emergency services can use it, at a moment’s horse riding, bush walking, mountain bike notice. It’s all vital TIME to get to the accident riding, rock climbing, swimming, surfing and site and rescue the injured. fishing.

When you know this information, it’s hard The more remote we are, the more we to pretend you don’t - especially if you or your love the adventure and the experience, but family are people who enjoy our great beaches unfortunately accidents happen - and PST was and bushland. It’s peace of mind knowing it’s so surprised to find out available, if you needed it. that the Coffs Coast This is a vital piece of doesn’t have an Allrescue equipment for Terrain Medical Rescue our local community and Vehicle, specifically local emergency services, This All-Terrain Medical designed for off-road and PST is passionate and Rescue Vehicle allows access and rescue. motivated to raise the five rescuers to access the Currently, the rescue funds and buy this for use location quickly and with teams have to drive this summer. all their equipment, with their vehicles as far There are a few ways the specially imported patient as they can and then to be involved in the pod allowing safe transport of that load themselves with fundraising. Come along person, on a spinal board with the medical and rescue and join in the fun and oxygen, to the waiting ambulance. equipment and hike to fundraising activities at the accident location, the Hoey for $40/ticket. sometimes up to 5 km.

The night is generously Once there, the person/s donated by the Hoey are assessed and stabilised and then the hike Moey and the entire ticket price is a donation back with the person/s, to the ambulance and towards the vehicle, thanks to the Hoey Moey, on to hospital.

Carlton United Breweries and Treasury Wines.

TIME … All that takes TIME, and the sort of You can also be involved by donating time no one wants to experience when they’re products or services towards the night, with injured, hurt and need treatment. a huge thank you to the 20+ generous This All-Terrain Medical Rescue Vehicle businesses already involved in our raffles, live allows five rescuers to access the location auctions and lucky door prizes. quickly and with all their equipment, with the Or you can make a tax deductible donation specially imported patient pod allowing safe to the Pink Silks Trust by contacting info@ transport of that person, on a spinal board pinksilks.com.au with oxygen, to the waiting ambulance.

For more information about the night, Now, imagine if there are two or three of please head to our website: pinksilks.com.au or you needing help … the Hoey Moey website: hoeymoey.com.au

44 Coffs Coast focus

On 24 November, the Friends of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery are taking the Arts to court, quite literally.Their event “Art Goes to Court” will see artists from many spheres convene at the Coffs Harbour Courthouse, itself an architectural work of art, for an evening of fine wine, food and artistry.

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rt lovers will be entertained by community expression, and let’s not forget a dazzling array of artists. Local pure enjoyment! dramatists from the Young Actors What are the biggest challenges for artists Studio will be joined by world working in a regional community? famous acts such as Scott Muller of Ten Tenors BELINDA: Let’s be honest; it’s got a lot to do fame and sandpainter John Thiering. with funding. I was born and bred in the inner The main act will be musician, journalist west Sydney suburb of Haberfield. I went to a and radio and television presenter James performing arts high school in Newtown, so Valentine, who will travel to Coffs Harbour you can imagine I was submersed in the arts especially for the event. Anyone who watches every day. Opportunities were at my fingertips.

The Mix on ABC Television will be familiar This will never be the case in regional Australia. with James Valentine’s Pub Chats, in which DAVE: Professional stigma. The idea of he talks casually with artists about the having a business in the creative industries issues consuming arts hasn’t been taken as enthusiasts. (If you seriously in regional as haven’t seen it, check it in metro areas. A lot of out on iView.) people don’t associate Are the Arts important architects, interior Most individual artists are to the health of a designers, broader also small business owners regional community? film production roles - they need to develop BELINDA: My personal as being “artists”, but a whole separate focus is on finding they’re all part of the skillset to manage, platforms for the next creative industries. Most develop, and grow a generation of artists in individual artists are also sustainable business – our community. This small business owners and that’s in addition to being is vital not only for they need to develop a creative. It’s a balancing act. local youth who are whole separate skillset gifted in the arts, but to manage, develop, for all students to build and grow a sustainable independent thinking skills, gain ownership, business - and that’s in addition to being and learn from one another, which can only creative. It’s a balancing act. There are many happen when they are engaged in creative avenues out there to help regional artists challenges. though, if you know where to look and are a DAVE: I would probably expand that out and bit entrepreneurial. say that it’s culture, not just the arts, that make JO: Making a living! Artists are often a regional community healthy. You’ve got all of expected to do things for free and almost these big festivals that bring people together. always have to have another form of income.

They bring visitors and money into town Many are unaware of their rights in relation to great events like Curryfest, the WRC, the issues such as copyright and payment. Tapping Screenwave International Film Festival, Bello into groups such as Arts Mid North Coast can Winter Music and Sawtell Chilli Festival. help with information, knowledge sharing JO: The Arts are important for ANY and promotion. As a community, we need to community, but in the regions, arts can play recognise the contribution the arts makes to a crucial role in addressing issues of social the region’s economy. inclusion, intellectual stimulation, self and Thanks everyone.

focusinterview.

[GRATITUDE DAY]

GRATITUDE DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE EMPOWERED, REFLECT AND CONNECT WITH THE MANY DIVERSE AGENCIES, ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS THAT ASSIST US IN OUR REGION. FOCUS HAD A CHAT WITH DAVID (LAARZ) LAARHOVEN TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT ON THE DAY…

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hat is "Gratitude Day"?

Alongside our diverse community's Emergency Services we will be presenting to the greater community a holistic and collaborative event with views to make it an annual open day for all services some which just aren’t that accessible or work away in the background to keep our community safe. The day is designed and built in conjunction with crews in mind to celebrate, display and offer tactile, evocative and sensory connection to the services, building community awareness and resilience.

What inspired you to create an inclusive event such as Gratitude Day? The region's emergency services units are very important to our community and in times of need, we rely on their individual and collaborative merits to be supported, to recover and to continue on with our lives when chaotic or tumultuous events occur.

As the region, our nation and the world becomes more connected with various forms of media, we are exposed to unconventional, dramatic events, and people need to know that there is assistance available, how to contact them, what you can do to help yourself, your family or the community; it is comforting and refreshing.

When we have an open day at Fire & Rescue, I am always so overwhelmed at the great number

of people who come through our station, their interest in the appliances, tools, the job, and questions they ask. I thought, what better way to have the community rewarded with knowledge than to talk to my fellow emergency services personnel and have them band together and share our holistic and collaborative merits at a community open day.

What types of activities and offerings will be there on the day?

The day, Sunday 12th November, will consist of information stalls, and static and dynamic displays complementary to the numerous services/organisations. You will be enthralled at the latest response equipment in action. Get up close to flood, surf and other rescue boats, fire trucks, including the behemoth Aviation Fire & Rescue rig from the airport, police patrol and response vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, ambulance, first-aid and other high-tech disaster response equipment. We are even holding out for the Aeromedical Heli Rescue service to make an appearance.

You can learn about how you can best prepare and plan for disasters to improve your resilience and that of your neighbours and communities. There will be volunteer opportunities, kids' activities, giveaways, height safety demonstrations, kitchen fire simulators, Hazardous Material unit, lots of stalls and more!

Where is Gratitude Day being held, and who is assisting you on the day?

Gratitude Day will be showcasing the purpose built entertainment/ event/display site that is at

Accidents happen ~ life happens - and throughout everyone’s lives they are faced with daunting, shocking and memorable experiences that with

the jewel in our crown, rebuild. To have the chance The Coffs Harbour Jetty to share our information Foreshore, adjacent to and skillsets across a the purpose built market broader audience will give knowledge, consideration, site identified by the our community the edge compassion and support we can community as a priority to overcome adversity and will recover and rebuild. in the future design and stress caused by and remodelling of the unfortunate events. I hope foreshore precinct. after this inaugural event to We chose this site and to work with Coffs offer an annual day to more regional agencies Harbour City Council and Kim Towner from and organisations that support our region. the very popular Harbourside Markets, as every What is the cost to enter the event and Sunday crowds flock to the stalls and space. receive all this vital information?

People are there to be entertained, relax and The event is absolutely FREE to enter, open feel empowered by the philosophy surrounding to all ages, and the event space is flat and the locally produced products and services accessible to move around and enjoy. The take encapsulated in the successful markets, now home knowledge is endless, and it's well worth in their tenth year. The community certainly extending the invitation to the whole family and has embraced Kim’s fortitude to halt imports friends to join in, giving them the best chance to and focus on building and encouraging start understand the qualities of each of the region's up business, strengthening our economic services and perhaps see how they can be a development through the markets. part.

What is the biggest and best thing about How do people find out more about this day for you, Laarz?

Gratitude Day? Every day I turn out at NSW Fire & Rescue They can go to the Gratitude Day Facebook on the job, my emergency services colleagues page. If the answer is not there, they can drop and I are faced with challenging and diverse me a message. situations that the other persons involved in Thanks David. the incident or accident did not choose to be in. Accidents happen - life happens - and throughout everyone’s lives they are faced with daunting, shocking and memorable experiences that with knowledge, consideration, compassion When Sunday 12th November.

Where The Jetty Foreshore. and support we can and will recover and Coffs Coast focus 45

OPENING NIGHT SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 6–8PM EXHIBITION 23 NOVEMBER 2017 TO 20 JANUARY 2018 JUDGE LISA SLADE FIRST PRIZE $20K THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO BE THE JUDGE! COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL GALLERY INVITES YOU TO VISIT THE GALLERY AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE STILL ARTWORK. THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER RECEIVES $5K. PEOPLES CHOICE VOTING TIMES THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 3–6PM \ FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBER 10–4PM \ SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 10–2PM STILL 2017 FINALISTS Tony Albert \ Louise Allerton \ Kelly Austin \ Tanya Baily \ Elie Begg \ Annette Blair \ Rene Bolten Mechelle Bounpraseuth \ Terri Butterworth \ Fran Callen \ Tom Carment \ Angela Casey \ Tiffany Cole \ Karl de Waal \ Trisha Dean Mary Donnelly \ Scott Duncan \ Sarah Edmondson \ Nicolette Eisdell \ Merran Esson \ Ben Fayle \ Guy Gilmour \ Sarah Goffman Ronnie Grammatica \ Linda Greedy \ Colleen Greig-Canty \ Vanessa Holle \ Alana Hunt \ Susan Jacobsen \ Laura Jones \ Helle Jorgensen Paul Kalemba \ Laura E. Kennedy \ Myriam Kin-Yee \ Zai Kuang \ Michael Langley \ Sam Leach \ Kellie Leczinska \ Alison Mackay Josh Mackenzie \ Kiata Mason \ Julian Meagher \ Robert Moore \ Stephen Nothling \ Susan O’Doherty \ Sarah O’Sullivan \ Sassy Park Victoria Reichelt \ Elvis Richardson \ Damien Shen \ Brendan Smith \ Tim Snowdon \ Richard Spoehr \ Vipoo Srivilasa \ Nathan Taylor Samantha Thompson \ Anselm van Rood \ Prue Venables \ Lilli Waters \ Kati Watson \ Greg Weight \ Mirra Whale \ Cleo Wilkinson MAJOR SPONSOR

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL GALLERY OPEN TUESDAY–SATURDAY 10AM–4PM FREE ADMISSION Cnr Coff & Duke Streets\Coffs Harbour 02 6648 4863 coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/gallery facebook.com/coffsharbourregionalgallery Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery is a cultural facility of Coffs Harbour City Council 46 Coffs Coast focus

National

Still Life AWARD

Left: Kellie Leczinska Mortgage - Death Pledge 2016 Large Format Photograph printed on Platinum Courtesy of Contact Sheet Gallery, Sydney

Below: Tony Albert Mid Century Modern - Snake, Fish, Shield 2016 Pigment print on paper Courtesy of Sullivan+Strumpf

Sarah Goffman Asian table 2017 2017 PET plastics, other plastics, enamel paint, permanent marker

An exciting new exhibition, Still: National Still Life Award will be showcased on the Coffs Coast at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. FOCUS popped into the gallery to have a sneak peek at the exhibition ...

W

hat is Still: National Still Life Award?

2017 is the inaugural Still: National Still Life Award. The gallery is building on its previous still life painting award, and taking it in an exciting new direction. Still: National Still Life Award provides a rich and diverse cross section of contemporary art practice in Australia, thanks to its decision to open the still life award to all mediums. This cross section will surprise, engage and delight the community.

It is rare to have an exhibition focusing on a genre (Still Life) that crosses all mediums.

While we still have paintings, the exhibition also includes other mediums such as film, ceramics, photography and 3D works. The exhibition traverses many recurrent still life themes, e.g. mortality, memory, materiality and the mundane. You will see work by established high-profile artists alongside emerging younger artists.

Who will be exhibited?

There are works by 63 finalists (chosen from over 600 entries) on show: Tony Albert, Louise Allerton, Kelly Austin, Tanya Baily, Elie Begg, Annette Blair, Rene Bolten, Mechelle Bounpraseuth, Terri Butterworth, Fran Callen, Tom Carment, Angela Casey, Tiffany Cole, Karl de Waal, Trisha Dean, Mary Donnelly, Scott

Duncan, Sarah Edmondson, Nicolette Eisdell, Merran Esson, Ben Fayle,Guy Gilmour, Sarah Goffman, Ronnie Grammatica, Linda Greedy, Colleen Greig-Canty, Vanessa Holle, Alana Hunt, Susan Jacobsen, Laura Jones, Helle Jorgensen, Paul Kalemba, Laura E. Kennedy, Myriam Kin-Yee, Zai Kuang, Michael Langley, Sam Leach, Kellie Leczinska, Alison Mackay, Josh Mackenzie, Kiata Mason, Julian Meagher, Robert Moore, Stephen Nothling, Are there any local Susan O'Doherty, Sarah Coffs Coast artists being O'Sullivan, Sassy Park, showcased?

Victoria Reichelt, Elvis Yes, we have established Richardson, Damien artists Guy Gilmour and Shen, Brendan Smith, The Still: National Still Life Terri Butterworth, as well Tim Snowdon, Richard Award will be an acquisitive as young artists, Ben Fayle Spoehr, Vipoo Srivilasa, art prize of $20,000, and Elie Begg.

Nathan Taylor, Samantha with a new addition An increasing number Thompson, Anselm van of a People’s Choice of local businesses Rood, Prue Venables, Lilli Award of $5,000. have come on board to Waters, Kati Watson, Greg support this award. Who Weight, Mirra Whale, Cleo are they?

Wilkinson.

We are proud to have That is quite an amazing support from Mercede-Benz Coffs impressive list of artists. Which are the Coast, SASO Creative, Slater and Gordon, and most established and high profile artists, Moving Art. that people will flock to see?

And the lucky winner, what do they Yes, it is a list of great calibre. Some of the receive? most recognised and high profile artists are The Still: National Still Life Award will be Tony Albert, Guy Gilmour, Laura Jones, Same an acquisitive art prize of $20,000, with a Leach, Susan O’Doherty, Vipoo Srivilasa, Greg new addition of a People’s Choice Award of Weight and Prue Venables.

$5,000.

When can people vote for the People's Choice vote?

For the first time ever, there will be a special preview of the award for the Coffs community.

The community is invited and encouraged to “be the judge” this year and vote in the People’s Choice Award.

The gallery will open Thursday 23 November, 3 - 6pm; Friday 24 November, 10am - 4pm; Saturday 25 November, 10am 2pm for People’s Choice voting. The People’s Choice Award will be announced at the official Opening Night on Saturday 25 November, 6 - 8pm.

Exhibition: 23rd November 2017 to 20th January 2018.

Where: Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Website: coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/still Coffs Coast focus 47

The P

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48 Coffs Coast focus

If it’s your ďŹ rst home, or if it’s time to renovate, reďŹ nance or invest, My Mortgage Manager are here to help make it happen.

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y Mortgage Manager is an independent finance advisory business, founded in Coffs Harbour in 2012 by Managing Director Christine McGregor. In 2016 Craig McGregor joined the business as Commercial Manager, Joanne Rolfe as Client Manager, and this year Fiona Erquiaga has commenced as Lending Manager, combining over 65 years’ finance industry experience.

Specialising in all aspects of residential, investment, commercial, business, SMSF (LRBA), motor vehicle and equipment finance, Christine and the team’s sole purpose is to empower clients to live a lifestyle they desire, working together to create a secure financial future for themselves and their families.

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Then they get a range of options, before working out which one is right for you, not what’s right for the lenders.

My Mortgage Manager has established a loyal client base due to their delivery of superior service and outstanding results for clients.

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Love & Kisses.

Lily & Fox Boutique Tech Addicts.

TechAddicts is a new and exciting store just recently opened, with a focus on creating an “Experience”.

When you first step into the store, you will be presented with a large modern and well stocked showroom featuring all the major brands, with a large focus on gaming. You can even come and try the latest in gaming notebooks, accessories and gaming chairs yourself.

We have a massive emphasis on ensuring the customer is getting an “Experience”, not just making a purchase; by having the majority of the stock we sell on display, this allows our customers to essentially try before they buy.

Have you ever wanted to build your own gaming PC, try virtual reality or learn to build and fly an FPV Drone? Come in store and find out how we can make this happen for you.

We also provide quality repairs to the major brands of desktops, notebooks, drones, phones and tablets.

These are just some of the many experiences you will find at TechAddicts.

We live and breathe technology and want you to come and experience it with us!

Lily and Fox Boutique is a boutique store tucked away in Cinema Walk Arcade in the Coffs CBD. We are passionate about bringing beautiful women’s boutique clothing and the latest trends of fashion and accessories at an affordable price to the Coffs area.

We stock many Australian designed brands of fashion and we also have a range of other products instore, from our organic vegan skin care, to our Australian soy candles, to our range of bohemian jewellery.

As the weather is warming up, we are getting ready for spring and summer. There are heaps of stunning pieces and something for everyone.

Lily and Fox Boutique is a local store which has introduced AFTERPAY and ZIPPAY to our online store, meaning locals can AFTERPAY or ZIPPAY their new look online, then pop in and pick it up in store to instantly have their new clothes, with the pay later, interest-free option.

To see our new summer stock arriving weekly, follow our Instagram and Facebook pages to ensure that you keep up with the latest fashion on the Coffs Coast. We are open Monday to Friday, 9 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 2, or feel free to shop online anytime.

This month’s Top 10 hot sellers at Love & Kisses are unusual and fun …

1. Fair Trade bags and wallets handmade in Cambodia from recycled fish food bags, and Elephant brand cement bags from $13.95. Great gift for interesting people!

2. Lava lamps - retro, fun, calming for kids and adults. Great colours. $19.95.

3. Elf on the Shelf - brings more of the magic of Christmas to every home with small children.

4. Letters to Santa - great new release from the Elf on the Shelf company. $39.95.

5. Friendship Balls - handblown glass, lots of colours - lovely gift for a best friend.

6. Fair Trade seagrass Market Baskets - saving the planet, and smart too, from $25.95.

7. Book seats - the tried and true old favourite more popular than ever, some new colours same old price - $39.95.

8. Beautiful feather quills, made in Italy, gift boxed with ink.

9. Moleskine Diaries.

10. Sterling silver earrings - $12.95.

Join all those people “in the know” and put a visit to this great little shop on your to-do list this week. There’s something new arriving every day, and Love & Kisses is THE best place to go when you need to start thinking about your Christmas list.

Coffs Coast focus 49

50 Coffs Coast focus

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

Tropic vibes

this Summer with Vast

November 2017

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19

MAY 22 - JUNE 22

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23

You are good at manifesting things, so try this technique. Stand barefoot on the earth filling your body with white light. Think of what you want; fill yourself with the excitement of having it. Think thanks to the universe and forget about it. Have fun!

Citrine attracts an abundance.

Time for change! You are needing to have the feeling of purpose or destiny playing out.

So set some fresh goals and have fun enjoying your experiences. Cater to the needs of your clever mind; you may be feeling intellectually bored at present.

Amethyst connects us to our higher knowing and wisdom.

If you have been feeling suspended lately, it is possibly the outcome of carrying some undigested emotions for a while. Try exploring the emotional map of the human stomach according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, for insight.

Aquamarine is great for releasing.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20

JUNE 23 - JULY 23

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

Total new beginnings! Think about what you want, but know why you want it. This is most important to ensure you won’t ask for anything out of fear or insecurity. Set goals to cater to your mind, body and spirit.

Rose Quartz is wonderful for self-confidence and appreciation.

You are such wise souls and as long as you cater to your nurturing needs, you will be balanced. Being the beautiful home makers, it will be easy for you to forget about yourself; this is why you would benefit from having a project to work on that gives you satisfaction.

Rhodochrosite helps us find our inner child’s joy of life. Carry it for a couple of weeks.

Listen to your wise words when giving counsel to another person; you speak such wisdom, but may not be aware of its significance. This is just one method our Guides use to speak to us.

Turquoise is great for confidence.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

You can expect total change this month.

New beginnings will be likely to be so different from those things you will be stepping away from. Newfound love and passion for what you will be pursuing will be very rewarding.

Carnelian helps us take active steps towards change.

It is important to know you deserve great things, or you could sabotage your rewards in life. Self esteem issues may be strong at present. Try working with positive affirmations to lift your self worth.

Rose Quartz is great for self-esteem.

Now is a great time to fulfil a dream that you may not have had the opportunity to follow.

Make a list of all things needed, then take action to acquire a few things from the list.

Citrine connects us to our creative genius.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

CAPRICORN.

APRIL 21 - MAY 21

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

You may be taking life too seriously, so lighten up and prank and play more. Only then will you be freed from your entrapments.

You recent fears have triggered destructive self thought patterns; be aware of your thoughts and be kind to you.

Rose Quartz is the crystal of love.

A wonderful surprise from the universe can be anticipated. It will bring opportunity for you to discover gifts and talents that you may not even know about. You will feel grounded and content with this win-win situation. Enjoy!

Kunzite and Hiddenite give us inner balance and harmony. Try wearing some.

You have been feeling stuck in scenarios far too long already. Set some fresh goals and give yourself permission to achieve. Your mind is so strong, it can be great or devastating. It is your choice.

Clear Quartz attracts positive energy.

Coffs Coast focus 51

Sawtell RSL Celebrating 60 years 52 Coffs Coast focus

focus _ feature.

Sawtell RSL Celebrating 60 years

T

ake us back to the beginning …

The shed was owned by the sub branch and was later donated to the Girl Guides. It wasn’t until November 1957 that the club moved to its current location in First Avenue, Sawtell.

With assistance from Woolgoolga RSL, local publican Frank Cleary and a club from Gloucester, funds were raised to purchase two blocks of land in First Avenue, and building commenced!

Over the years, further land purchases, major reconstruction and renovations have occurred, leaving us with one of the most modern and up to date premises in the state!

Sawtell RSL Club came from humble beginnings, where a group of returned service personnel united to form a committee and conducted their first business in little more than a shed in Elizabeth Street in Sawtell. Celebrating 60 years in 2017, today Sawtell RSL Club is a social and dining destination for Sawtell locals and visitors. We caught up with the team at the club, to hear how things have changed over the past 60 years and to learn more about their exciting new renovation.

Who are the key How many people do The club will be even more of a players? you employ? family favourite destination, with We are fortunate to We currently have 61 our brand new outdoor have a fantastic team of staff members and in kids’ playground currently people right across the fact, we have two staff being built adjacent to the club! members who have been Oasis Bistro - we will open in Our board is made here for over 30 years the coming month. Check out our up of seven directors, and another two who website and Facebook page for who have between them have been here for over dates! dedicated over 66 years 20! We are more like a to the betterment of the big family. club, and they are strongly Is the club child supported by our General friendly?

Manager, Greg Agius and Assistant Manager, Definitely! The club will be even more of a Greg Rae. family favourite destination, with our brand new

outdoor kids’ playground currently being built adjacent to the Oasis Bistro - we will open in the coming month. Check out our website and Facebook page for dates!

Coming up on Saturday 2nd December is our Kids’ Christmas Party, where our members are invited to bring their kids or grandkids for a couple of hours of entertainment. Santa will be here, Deb Leaney will be singing some tunes, and we will have lots of giveaways!

We also host a number of kids’ events throughout the year and are a popular venue for dance recitals, school and sporting presentations.

Coffs Coast focus 53

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How has the club changed over the past 60 years?

Where do we start? The club has grown and evolved from being essentially a small social gathering hall, to one of the premier clubs on the Mid North Coast with over 7,000 members and a high volume of holiday makers and visitors through our doors each year.

We have hosted international and national artists in the Princess Room, and today we sponsor a large list of local community groups, sporting teams and charities. We really are a hub for the whole community to enjoy, and we are proud to be able to provide

We really are a hub for the

that service to Sawtell now at our club and whole community to enjoy, locals and visitors. in the industry as a and we are proud to be able How has the business whole. Diners expect to provide that service to developed in the more choice in food Sawtell locals and visitors. past 60 years? What and beverage, which challenges has the our team is always industry faced, striving to deliver. We and how have you also happen to be in overcome these problems? the centre of a bustling foodies haven, where The club has transformed enormously diners converge to enjoy all that Sawtell has over the past 60 years. Not only in the ways on offer. It’s a great scene to be a part of and mentioned in the previous answer, but the it keeps us on the ball when looking at what whole market has evolved, and we have been our diners want from a dining experience. on that change journey too.

The club has also transformed to be There is a far greater emphasis on dining far more of a family destination. We have

always had a very large community focus, but we find that families spend more time out together and are looking for a place where they can relax in comfortable, modern surrounds.

Our whole renovation from the two dining areas (Waves Café and Oasis Bistro), our outdoor dining area, The Mick Stanley Terrace, new bar area, kids’ playground and renovation of our upstairs dining room is all about making people feel comfortable, like they are at a home away from home.

The other big development I think all businesses have faced is the rapid rise of technology. With modern society more

CONGRATULATIONS

to Sawtell RSL on your 60th Birthday And to FM Glenn on the successful refurbishment works

Coffs Harbour Demolitions Pty Ltd is proud to have been the Demolition Contractor for this project.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Unrestricted Demolition (DE1) • Structural & Detailed Demolition Specialists • Friable (ASA) & Bonded (ASB) Asbestos Removal • Site Remediation • Residential, Commercial and Industrial Demolition • Emergency Response and Insurance Work • General Strip Outs • Fully Trained, Experienced, Safe, Dedicated and Professional Staff • General Labour Services • Fully Insured

COFFS HARBOUR DEMOLITIONS

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WORKCOVER LICENCE AD210733 (DE1 – Unrestricted) AD211637 (ASA - Friable) (ASB - Bonded)

54 Coffs Coast focus

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digitally connected than ever, we have worked hard to keep our presence and accessibility to information up to date. We launched a new website a few months ago, and we dedicate time to keep our Facebook page up to date with the latest news, footage from the club and engaging content - jump on and say hi!

You have recently undergone a makeover and have achieved a new look and feel inside the venue. What was the inspiration for this, and what can customers expect from it?

The inspiration was to give the club a beach/seaside feel and better reflect our location (directly opposite the beach!)

Also, we just really wanted to give every person who walks through our doors an experience and a feeling that they have arrived “home” - that this is a relaxed venue, they can sit back and enjoy a drink with friends or grab a meal with the family, and we believe our new renovations achieve that.

We still have a few areas to finish off, but we are so excited to have it all completed for our members and visitors to enjoy!

How important is it to support local business? Tell us about your community involvement.

The local community and businesses are at the centre of the club’s focus. As a not for profit, our charter is to give back to the community and it is at the core of our ethos.

The club contributes support and donates funds to a host of sporting groups, local charities and community groups large and small in and around Sawtell. We are privileged to also be the host venue for some of the area’s largest charity events.

Sawtell businesses are our neighbours and are vital to our village. We are proud to be by their side attracting locals and visitors to the area to benefit all.

We buy local and employ local trades as much as possible, and as the local tourism information centre, we encourage our visitors to experience all that the Coffs Coast has on offer.

Who were the local tradesmen who worked on the renovations?

FM Glenn led the way with this project, with Coffs Harbour Demolitions taking out the old The other big development I to make way for the new. Then think all businesses have faced came DKM Ceilings, Adam Boyes is the rapid rise of technology.

Tiling, Adam Sheridan Tiling and With modern society R&R Carpets. more digitally connected Axis IQ, and One Printing and than ever, we have Signage helped us out with our worked hard to keep our re-branding. And the team from presence and accessibility to Faircloth and Reynolds are always information up to date. working tirelessly around the club.

Sawtell Picture Framing have provided some beautiful framed photographs of the local area that are featured around the Club.

Any Entertainment have ensured that our sound system, TV screens and inhouse media are state of the art.

G&A Cabinets have installed a privacy screen for our gaming lounge and will be decking out our new reception area in the coming weeks (can’t wait to see their work!)

Nambucca Plumbing have also been kept busy with the five new bathrooms they installed.

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Coffs Coast focus 55

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Tell us about the different areas inside the club.

Our dining offering was recently revamped with the newly launched Waves Café and Oasis Bistro.

Our café is open every day from 10am until late, so you can even grab a coffee and cake after dinner or following a film, with light snacks and drinks served all day.

It also houses a massive cake display, which often trips people up with its enormous selection - it really is so hard to select just one cake when there are so many yummy ones to choose from!

The Oasis Bistro is also open seven days, and we have a great selection of fresh and cooked seafood, steaks, classic favourites and kids’ meals. We do a great roast every day of the week, which keeps our Head Chef Jim Fahey and his team busy from quite early in the day until late!

56 Coffs Coast focus

Our bar on the ground floor has also been expanded to service the new outdoor area, The Mick Stanley Terrace. The late

Sawtell RSL Celebrating 60 years

The new kids’ We also have Mick Stanley was playground is directly a range of other absolutely a Sawtell adjacent to the bistro, so function spaces legend. Sadly, Mick passed soon mums and dads will which we hire away in July last year. be able to enjoy a meal out to businesses whilst the kids play! and organisations Our new Dining Room for meetings, has had a stunning renovation, complete presentations and celebrations. with all new floors, walls, furniture and There is the well-known Princess Room, white shutters. We have our Seafood Carvery which was modelled on a cruise liner (we Smorgasbord - the Coffs Coast’s ONLY couldn’t touch that vintage charm in our Seafood Carvery Smorgasbord - in this room renovations!) which has hosted and continues Friday and Saturday nights, and the room is to host some of the best national and available for private functions outside of these international touring acts. Some of the biggest times. acts that we have seen at the club over the With the gorgeous décor that is now in that years include Mental as Anything, Hunters room, The Dining Room is already proving to and Collectors, Suzi Quatro, Bob Geldof, Dr be a very popular function space and as the Hook, Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes and Cold weather warms up, the outdoor deck upstairs Chisel, The Choirboys, Chocolate Starfish, is a great place for a Christmas function or Peter Andre, Grinspoon, The Cruel Sea, The birthday celebration.

Whitlams, Frenzel Rhomb, The Living End,

Spiderbait, Violent Femmes, Xavier Rudd, Black Sorrows, The Beautiful Girls, Sarah Blasko, Butterfly Effect, Paul Kelly, and let’s not forget the Hot House Parties of the ‘90s!

Downstairs our gaming facilities have been renovated with a new outdoor area, and our TAB area is a punter’s paradise, with all the latest in technology and comforts you could wish for.

Our bar on the ground floor has also been expanded to service the new outdoor area, The Mick Stanley Terrace. The late Mick Stanley was absolutely a Sawtell legend. Sadly, Mick passed away in July last year.

Aside from serving on the board for over 30 years, Mick dedicated so much of his life to the local community. Nothing was ever too much for Mick. And at the end of every day, he would call in for a cold one, telling his yarns.

Naming the new alfresco area after Mick is

focus _ feature.

a tribute to this great man and will keep his memory alive for years to come.

What is happening at the Sawtell RSL over the coming months?

We have always been known for our firstclass entertainment, and the warmer months certainly won’t disappoint!

We have our Melbourne Cup luncheon on Tuesday 7 November, which is always a really fun day for everyone, with entertainment by Paul Haymen, a two course meal, sweeps, lucky door prizes, and of course, all the action, live from Flemington, streaming onto our big screens.

On Saturday 11 November, Ross Wilson

... we have former lead singer of the Deltones, Danny

(Daddy Cool and 30 December we have Myers and Yakaty Yak Mondo Rock) will former lead singer of the at the club, followed perform his solo show.

Deltones, Danny Myers

by Jimeoin with his new Ross is super talented and Yakaty Yak at the show, ‘The Ridiculous’ on twice inducted into the club, followed by Jimeoin Thursday 11 January.

ARIA Hall of Fame and with his new show, The not only had a massive Ridiculous, on Thursday career with Mondo 11 January. Jimeoin is Rock and Daddy Cool, absolutely hilarious, and but also as a solo artist and hit songwriter for his show will be a sell out so get your tickets Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham and Joe Cocker, quick. and produced smash hit albums for Jo Jo Zep Any of these shows would make wonderful and the Falcons, Skyhooks and Screaming Christmas gifts and can all be purchased at Jets! our website.

Then in the Christmas holidays on Saturday What can we enjoy about the Sawtell RSL

through the week?

Part of being here for the community means there is always something happening in the club!

There are too many activities to list here, but we have weekly raffles Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, members’ cash draws (where you can win thousands!) Thursday through to Sunday, free entertainment every week, dance classes, bingo, snooker, table tennis, darts … The list goes on.

It’s also just a really great place to chill out and relax with a drink, meal or coffee any day of the week.

Coffs Coast focus 57

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Sawtell RSL Celebrating 60 years Tell us about the brand new car you will be giving away.

To celebrate our 60th birthday, we tossed up a few ideas and decided it would be great to celebrate our milestone occasion by giving one of our members an extra special gift!

The promotion is on now and will run until the grand prize draw on Saturday 25th November, where one member will win a brand new Suziki Swift.

It’s a great little car and perfect for zipping around town!

There is still time for people to enter. You simply need to be a member (if you aren’t already you can join online via our website) and you can swipe your membership card

58 Coffs Coast focus

To celebrate our 60th birthday, we tossed up a few ideas and decided it would be great

Tell us about your at the Rewards Terminal function room and twice per day for your free to celebrate our milestone packages. entries (between 10am occasion by giving one of our We offer three - 3pm and 5pm - close). members an extra special gift! rooms (Princess Members will also get Room, Boardroom bonus entries when they and Dining Room) spend $10 at Waves Café which allows us or Oasis Bistro throughout to cater for small the promotional period. groups for meetings, up to large gala events What plans have you got happening to and shows. celebrate your 60th birthday?

We have all the modern facilities you The car draw evening (Saturday 25th could want, with any special requests able to November) also will mark our 60th birthday be arranged by our Functions Manager on celebration. Everyone is invited to come into your behalf. the club for the draw and stick around for The catering options range from light the cutting of our birthday cake and night of meals, nibble platters, finger food, carvery entertainment.

and smorgasbord menus, as well as two or three course menu options.

We have a great new functions package that you can download from our website, which covers all of our function options and facilities.

What do you love about Sawtell?

Sawtell is a fantastic place to live and work. We are so lucky to be at the centre of the village scene, with all the great dining and entertainment options that are available and all just across the road from one of the best beaches in the area.

Most of all, we love that our days are spent surrounded by awesome locals and visitors who also love Sawtell as much as we do.

focusinterview.

Tim Webster

aka Timbadim the Clown

Tim Webster has spent most of his adult life clowning around, but it is his drive to combine fun, colour, music and magic to help others around Australia and the world that makes his antics so special. Here Tim shares his inspiring journey, creating change in the world through laughter and the arts.

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

Twelve months ago I decided I needed a life change, so I moved here from Melbourne, where I had lived most of my life. I was looking for a location that was not only surrounded by beautiful nature, but also beautiful weather, and it has been the best decision I have ever made.

What inspired you to become a clown?

Being diagnosed with leukaemia as child, I was fortunate that Challenge Cancer Support Network invited me to attend camps with other children suffering from cancer. Once I turned 18, I wanted to give back to the Community for all the support that was given to me, so I joined up as a volunteer as a camp leader. One year we had a comedian magician come and perform for the children, and for the first time I noticed how they had forgotten about their pain and were rolling on the ground laughing. It was a light bulb moment; I wanted to take pain and suffering away from people and bring happiness and joy.

Why did you first start combining humanitarian work with clowning?

After many years of learning the arts of performing and magic, I got caught up performing for money and forgot the true reason why I had learnt the arts in the first place. I decided to give up entertaining and to explore exotic worlds, saving up enough money to travel to East Africa for six months.

Luckily, I still had the desire to take my clown clothes and magic with me, and my life changed in a small town called “Jinja” in Uganda next to the Nile river and surrounded by tribal and orphan camps.

I noticed four young orphaned children wearing rags playing cards and asked the boys if I could show them a magic trick. They were so happy and delighted, they asked if I had any more, and ten minutes later I walked out of my hostel room with a bag full of magic,

to be greeted by close to 150 community world performing for individuals who could members waiting to watch a magic show! never afford to see a magic show or those I performed a comedy magic show for the suffering from homelessness, poverty, wars entire community, and in exchange they went and disabilities, I received an email from Dr. and gathered their drums and danced and Patch Adams asking if I would like to work sang traditional songs all night. It became with him and his clowns in Costa Rica. I was a night of happiness, celebration and an so inspired by my time with him, I asked how exchange of cultures at no cost. It was at this I could assist in making a change in the world, moment that I discovered my true purpose and he advised me to start up a movement in as a performer - where I could give back to Australia and reach out to as many individuals those less fortunate than myself and bring as I could with an open heart. true happiness without money. I spent the I created the first Hospital Clown group next ten years travelling in India, which now the world, visiting only has over 300 Indian hospitals, orphanages Humanitarian Clowns and refugee camps to volunteering in hospitals, spread love, happiness orphanages and slums It was at this moment that I and joy to close to a to make a difference to discovered my true purpose as million children. the lives of others living a performer, where I could I was looking at how in hardship. This October give back to those less I as an individual could Humanitarian Clowns fortunate than myself and bring make an impact in the will be visiting India for true happiness without money. world, reflecting on the our sixth consecutive changes of bringing year. communities together What positive effects that I had personally can clowning have on seen and experienced while travelling and individuals and communities? volunteering in Africa, India and at home in Humanitarian Clown volunteers all work Aboriginal communities. I started researching one on one with each individual, with an the effects that laughter can have on open heart to connect without judgement and individuals and discovered clowning creates make them feel special. change in a colourful way for thousands of I have personally seen the positive effects people around the world every day. There that clowning and the arts can have on those are over 72 countries using clown therapy suffering. For example, as a young boy lay on for those suffering, and I knew this was my a hospital bed, screaming in pain while doctors calling, my way of giving back. and nurses attempted to treat burns to 90% What led you to create the Humanitarian of his body, we entered the room in bright Clowns organisation? colours and with musical instruments and Along with a passion for making people magic we were able to keep him distracted happy through the arts, I always felt I had a and comfortable.

In a rehab centre, family members and purpose to help others in any way I could. nurses were all cheering for an older man who Humanitarian Clowns was created in 2012 started walking for the first time in 12 months and is about bringing laughter and support to since a motorbike accident, when asked what those living in hardship by using the arts and made him walk, he turned around and said human connection to bring relief to those in “All the colourful people inspired me to walk hardship. today”. In a leprosy colony, an older woman After spending 10 years travelling the

started crying whilst holding one of the clown volunteers and when asked why, she said it was the first person she had hugged in about 20 years due to the stigma of Leprosy.

After performing a big magic show for everyone in an Aboriginal community called Wadeye, I was pulled into the local police station by the sergeant, who could not thank me enough for what I had just done. He said for the last 50 years the community had been made up of two different Indigenous tribes that were at war with each other, and it was the first time he had seen both tribes come together laughing and having fun.

In the Northern Territory Humanitarian Clowns partnered up with World Vision Australia to create a comedy clown show focusing on health messages such as washing hands and healthy eating and awareness of trachoma to hundreds of Aboriginal youth.

What are your favourite magic tricks and costume accessories?

HA HA HA! For me it’s a magic wand that has a lever on it that turns the wand into a feather duster. I love this wand so much, because I can touch the face of children suffering from extreme disabilities, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and it generates so much happiness. I use it more as a sensory toy with the children, but it really works.

The other props I love are bubbles and balloons or any type of magic that the kids are able to perform, but when I attempt to it doesn’t work. This type of magic allows the individual in front of me to not only feel special, but also in control.

Can anyone be a Humanitarian Clown?

How can people find out more and get involved?

Absolutely anyone can get involved. If you have the desire to bring joy and happiness to other people and you love to goof around, then we would love to hear from you.

Website: humanitarianclowns.org Facebook: @humanitarian.clowns Email: humanitarianclowns@gmail.com Thanks Tim. Coffs Coast focus 59

focus_contributor

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS

Kelly, Tasha, Jarad Pleasance

Renae Hunter, Tullia Connor

Joel Scalzi and Nathan Quinn

Trudy Smithers and Tracey Foster

Joanne Higgs and Vicky Bamford

Maree Kelly and Raelene Risby

Emma Binns and Max Wood

Rally Launch

Anthony, Mel, Dylon and Jack Morris

I

Social /Scene

have never gotten used to the hot Christmas days. I still insist on cooking up the full traditional storm and would never dream of spending it on the beach! But when it comes to being able to spend a lot of dining "alfresco" and enjoying activities and events in the great outdoors … We are definitely living in the right place! The lucky country indeed!

There is always lots of fun at the fairs that are staged in the warmer months. The start of the ever-popular Sawtell Summer Sessions is due to start in a couple of weeks. First Avenue is closed for the evening, and locals and visitors can peruse the local shops and dine at the eateries at their leisure.

There is entertainment for the children and lots of fun to be had by one and all.

A brand-new festival to look forward to is being staged at Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches. The Blues and Berries Fair is going to be ... Berry exciting (couldn’t resist that). It will be a community-fair style event that will capitalise on agricultural growth in the area to boost tourism and bring the community together. The Blues and Berries Community Fair will be a celebration of the rich agricultural history within our local region. Woolgoolga is

60 Coffs Coast focus

This year has flown by, it seems like only a month ago the Easter Bunny was here, and now I am very sure that Santa is shining up his sleigh! Maybe we all get so busy, we hardly notice the time flying by!

known as the Berry Capital of Australia. The music will play on all day, with exciting activities for the children. There will be stalls, and even a blueberry pie eating competition! 5th November ... Save the date; it sounds like fun!

Looking forward to attending the celebration of the "Race that stops the Nation" at the Coffs Harbour Racing Club. Our version of the Melbourne Cup race day will be fun as usual, I am sure. One of the Fashions on the Field sponsors, Le Dãin Designs, together with Racing Carnival Escapes will definitely be filling a few luncheon tables overlooking the racecourse. It is just a good time to take a break from the fast pace of work, get dressed up and have a bit of fun … See you there!

There were celebrations just recently; it was Girlfit’s 8th birthday. They were celebrating the changing of so many ladies' lives through fitness and friendships. Their celebrations continue with their pre-Christmas challenge open to all women from Port Macquarie to Woolgoolga. Nicola designed GF 28 to improve women’s fitness and wellbeing. It's available at six beaches up and down the coast. This month we are covering many of the great opportunities we can participate in, outside in the fresh air. Nothing better than being out on the beach, smelling that salty air and getting fit at the same time.

No wonder the girls were celebrating their 8th birthday!

numbers, including the return of past attendees and new women joining the group!

FOCUS attended the launch of the brand-new Dinner Menu at the Dark Arts Café situated in Coffs Harbour. What an amazing space! It is really unique … looks like a slick city eatery! As the venue packed out, delicious dishes were served to the guests. There was music and dancing, and everyone had a really amazing time. Friends of ours have been a couple of times; it is certainly not a place you can only go once. One of the fun nights they attended was a Saturday Night Blues Extravaganza with "Howlin Norton". What with the amazing food and great vibes, who could resist!

The Bunker Cartoon Gallery is always a place you can guarantee to have a good time. One of the exhibitions that was staged there just recently was sponsored by Crowe Horwath’s parent company Findex, which showcased an amazing collection of abstract paintings by George Petrou of 15 Victoria Cross recipients.

Business Women’s Network recently held their monthly meeting at Beachfront Opal Cove Resort.

The theme was "Lessons learned in Business" featuring a panel of five fabulous business women.

It was an entertaining morning with plenty of laughter and networking.

Local solicitor Heather McKinnon also discussed the value of arts and culture in the community, including the opportunity to become a corporate member of Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery!

It was a successful breakfast with a swell in

I am unsure if this could be classed as an event, but I definitely think it could be part of a show. Our very own Edition Co-ordinator Nicci Seccombe from FOCUS was a guest on the Hit105.5 show with effervescent Joel and Tulles. There was nothing sensible about this, and that’s just the way we like it here at FOCUS sometimes! It was the show's "Mating Call Game"… Umm, I did hear Nicci mention that she had been practicing for the competition ... Which animal mating calls had she been researching? It's left us all slightly confused, but I do know something, the owl one was kind of believable, but the goat mating call... Hmmm …

All I can say is, "Don’t give up your FOCUS job, Nicci!" Too funny!

Here is to …

Laughing a lot and living life to the fullest …

Carole, Le Dãin Designs.

focus_contributor

WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS

Kylie Steminger, Sarah Andrews and Vanessa Bateman

Justin Crowe, Kath Crowe, Anna Scott and Kayne Smith

Alexie and Hunter Lickiewicz

Nick Bamford, Christopher Beros, Angus Carvalho, Laura Bamford, Billy Bamford, Mia Hoy, Joe Bamford

Trudy Thomson, Adelaide Zietsch, Allison Whaites, Barb Ellis

Coffs Coast BWN Breakfast

Julie Armstrong and Caralea Cameron

Mel, Leah, Kerry, Julie

Coffs Coast BWN Breakfast

Natalie Hunt, Joel Scalzi, Tullia Connor, Nicci Seccombe

Mathew Carter, Narine Carter, Jillian Wenban and Luke Wenban

Photo by Kirsty Fikkers Photography

Matt and Vicky Hunter Photo by Kirsty Fikkers Photography

Gabriella Batiste,Samantha Sorensen, Richie Sorensen

Girlfit Birthday celebrations Photo by Kirsty Fikkers Photography

Jim Claven, George Petrou, Rob Caldwell,Caroline Tyler, Peter Neville

Crowe Horwath’s Caroline Tyler and Scott Seccombe Photo by Kirsty Fikkers Photography

Rob Caldwell and Scott Seccombe

Coffs Coast focus 61

101 THINGS TO DO RALEIGH WINERY

THE BIG BANANA FUN PARK

Located just 15 minutes south of Coffs Harbour the award winning Raleigh Winery is a great spot to visit. Whether you are holidaying here or a local the Raleigh Winery is a destination with the lot; a scenic drive, great views and free wine tasting on arrival! Sample the range of unique Boutique Wines, Red and White Fortified Wines and their famous handmade Brandy Cremes. Relax with a tasty cheese platter on the riverside deck and soak up the breathtaking views across the Bellinger River to the mountains.

TRADING: Open Wed to Sun 10am-5pm.

7 days during NSW school holidays.

ADDRESS: 36 Queen Street, Raleigh NSW 2454 PHONE: 02 6655 4388 WEB: raleighwines.com.au EMAIL: info@raleighwines.com.au

The Big Banana Fun Park is the BIGGEST Fun Park on the Northern NSW coast! It boasts 7 fantastic attractions including a 17.5m tall Giant Slide, Toboggan ride, Laser Tag arena, 36 hole Mini Golf course, Theatre and Plantation tour, Ice Skating rink and the biggest Water Park between Sydney & the Gold Coast!

TRADING: Open 9am to 5pm 7 days (Attractions time vary) ADDRESS: 351 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour PHONE: 02 66524355 WEB: www.bigbanana.com

TWO TAILS WINES Come out and relax at the Winery. Enjoy some wine, local produce and Tapas dishes inside the newly renovated bar and Velvets Restaurant. Orara Vale Vineyard is located approximately 25km northwest of Coff s Harbour at Nana Glen in the heart of Orara Valley. Why would you want to be anywhere else? Bookings are essential.

TRADING Tues to Sun 10:30am - 4:30pm Open Monday during school Holidays ADDRESS 963 Orara Way, Nana Glen EMAIL admin@twotailswines.com.au PHONE (02) 66 543 633 WEB twotailswines.com.au

THE JETTY FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL The Jetty Food and Wine Festival is an initiative of local regions to produce an event that showcases the talent of the local area to the local people. We welcome all people to attend the event who value in buying & tasting local produce, enjoy an abundance of wine tasting and relax while listening to the smooth sounds of musicians. The Jetty Food and Wine Festival will be help at the new look Jetty Foreshore and is the perfect way to spend a Saturday with the entire family!

GROOVE ROBBERS, THEN JOLENE, D’BOYZO’S, BIG QUARRIES + MANY MORE DATE 25th November WEB www.stickytickets.com.au Proudly sponsored by FOCUS and Coopers

www.coffscoast.com.au 62 Coffs Coast focus 16 coffs coast focus.

DOLPHIN MARINE MAGIC

10% OFF

Dolphin Marine Magic, Experience.Discover.Act MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE 10% OFF ADMISSIONS AND ANIMAL EXPERIENCES* TRADING Open · 9am–3pm ADDRESS 65 Orlando Street, Coff s Harbour NSW 2450 PHONE 1300 547 737 EMAIL tickets@dolphinmarinemagic.com.au WEB dolphinmarinemagic.com.au *This ad must be mentioned at time of booking and presented upon arrival to receive discount.

COUPON CODE: FOC10%

For more events click on coffscoast.com.au

DISCOVER THE BEST PLACES TO STAY, EAT, DRINK AND PLAY! Download the FREE Coffs Coast travel APP for apple iPhones, iPads, android devices and tablets.

101THINGS TO DO ON THE COFFS COAST

Creative Events

ON THE COFFS COAST

From a much-loved musical, remarkable sand

and light projections are all part of the OUTA

art in the court house, and cartoon absurdity,

experience.

to a national art prize exhibition, there is a wide variety of artistic events coming up on the Coffs Coast.

And not to be missed is the inaugural STILL: National Still Life Award exhibition. This prestigious award attracted more than 600

A new event sure to grab attention is the

entries from around the country. The selected

Open Up To Art (OUTA) weekend in Bellingen.

finalist artworks include painting, drawing,

Exhibitions, drawing and digital workshops,

photography, printmaking, ceramics, glass,

street art, music, singers, performers, film

sculpture, video, printmaking and textiles.

HERE’S SOME MORE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING:

Comedy Company – Nov 3 to 26, Jetty Memorial

STILL: National Still Life Award – Nov 23 to

Theatre, Coffs Harbour

January 20, 2018, Coffs Harbour Regional

Insanity Streaks with a Hint of Landscapes, by

Gallery

Deb Mansfield, Alex Riske, JP Willis Exhibition – now until Nov 18, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery Good Time, Swiff Film Club – Nov 9, Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour The Sound Of Music, Coffs Harbour Musical

Tony Lopez – Nov 3 to January 28, 2018, Bunker Cartoon Gallery, Coffs Harbour Open Up To Art (OUTA) – Bellingen Gallery

Art Goes to Court hosted by the ABC’s James Valentine, Friends of the Coffs Harbour

& Framing Studio, The Sustainability Centre,

Regional Gallery – Nov 24, Coffs Harbour Court

Bellingen Brewery, Nov 11 &12

House

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE EVENTS AND MANY OTHERS, VISIT WWW.COFFSCOAST.COM.AU

CoffsCoast

CoffsCoast

CoffsCoast

CoffsCoastNSW Coffscoast Coastfocus. focus 63 coffs 17

focus_tourism

WITH STEPHEN SAUNDERS OF TOURISM COFFS COAST

focus_contributor

tourism

W I T H C A R O L I N E B L E E C H M O R E , C Y B E R S A F E T Y A D V O C AT E

cyber mum.

UPDATE

Online Safety Tips for Parents

Are you being found?

Do Your Kids Sleep with their Device?

Of great importance in any business is the need to be found online. This is particularly important for tourism businesses, with customers wanting relevant and up to date information at their fingertips.

Taking a device to bed is a very common habit which most adults are now guilty of in today’s digital age. But, when we let our kids take their devices to bed, what are the impacts?

T

his source of information can be Additional to the opportunities available used for forward planning and bookon www.coffscoast.com.au for visitors and ing or to make a choice once visitors business, the new coffscoastevents.com.au site arrive at our destination - what can has been recently released primarily as a guide I do today, or what experience can I have right for event organisers to plan and deliver events now? within our area. Events are an important part Coffscoast.com.au is a source of this inof our visitor economy, and the event website formation to visitors who have arrived in the focuses on providing information, templates, area or who are planning to visit, showcasing checklists and expert advice to make it easier to places to stay, play and taste in our destination. organise and run events in the region.

Recent upgrades to the website content have The online guides are easy to understand highlighted the region’s focus and opportunities for both the novice and the more experienced in nature based activities and experiences. New event organiser allowing organisation, delivery details and stories of bush walks, mountain and monitoring of all types of events. Local bike paths and kayak trails combined with venues and suppliers to the Coffs Coast event the sounds and views of local birds, glorious industry are encouraged to list their details free waterfalls and amazing headlands reflect the of charge on the online event directory. rich natural assets of our region. Visitors can exThe Coffs Coast has a plore and be involved in vast mix of festivals and the natural beauty of the events from international, Coffs Coast in their own national, state, regional time, or on organised and local opportuniWith over 16,000 unique tours or trails. ties, each supplying a website visitors per Coffs Coast tourism different experience for month, this free opportunity for businesses can submit visitors and residents in businesses that service the visitor information and images cultural and sporting economy is fantastic for them, for about their businesses arenas. Recently Coffs the destination and for the visitor. to Council’s Industry and Harbour yet again won Destination Development the globally-acclaimed team. With over 16,000 International Festivals and unique website visitors Events Association (IFEA) per month, this free opportunity for businesses World Festival and Event City Award - for the that service the visitor economy is fantastic for third year in a row. The award means that Coffs them, for the destination and for the visitor. is once again ranked alongside some of the Currently information from food businesses world’s greatest cities and recognises the sucsupplying goods or services to visitors to the cess and growth of festivals and events in the Coffs Coast is being sought for the TASTE area, the diverse range of sporting and cultural section of the website. Food, particularly events supported by the community, and the local food, is an integral part of any visitor’s contribution that events make to our region. experience. Through the development of food The upgraded tourism site and the new trails, tales of food provenance that showcase events website are important tools to showcase the variety of restaurants and cafés serving the paradise on offer on the Coffs Coast. local food, the tastes of the Coffs Coast are a coffscoast.com.au delicious part of our tourism offering. #createyourparadise 64 Coffs Coast focus

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ccording to a study conducted by the each night, they’re not completing enough Royal Children’s Hospital in Melsleep cycles (most kids and teens need bebourne in June 2017, 43% of all chil- tween four and six sleep cycles per night). dren are taking their devices to bed, Night waking - viewing scary or violent and one in four of these children report having content can cause nightmares, particularly sleep problems. In America, the National Sleep amongst younger children under 10 years of Foundation estimates that 89% of adults and age. While many parents wisely restrict their 75% of children have at least one electronic kids’ exposure to violent movies and/or video device in their bedrooms. games, sometimes we overlook the scary or I’m inclined to think that the American disturbing images or video that are featured figures are more realistic, as I feel the problem on TV news programs and distributed via social in Australia is bigger than we want to admit. media.

Given that there is now Online dangers - it medical evidence that isn’t just the sleep issues screens can have a negthat put kids at risk with ative impact on our kids’ devices in the bedroom. sleep, it’s essential that Research shows that Tablets and smartphones parents teach today’s most cyberbullying, sexemit blue light, and this kids how to use screens ting and children accesscan cause sleep delays. appropriately and ening pornography takes Children’s eyes are still force boundaries around place at night, because developing and haven’t when and where screens devices are in bedrooms. yet developed the can be used.

The added danger here is protective pigments that Some of the many that because of the way enable them to filter out some issues when letting kids kids' and teens' brains of the harmful blue light. and teens take their deare wired, their prefrontal vices to bed include ... cortex (the part of the Sleep delays - tablets brain responsible for and smartphones emit blue light, and this logical thinking and impulse control) doesn't can cause sleep delays. Children’s eyes are work at night, and their emotional brain is still developing and haven’t yet developed the working instead. So, they're literally at risk of protective pigments that enable them to filter being more impulsive, taking more risks and out some of the harmful blue light. Blue light being emotional, and this means that they can suppresses the body’s production of melatonin make mistakes. (the hormone that regulates their sleep-wake What can parents do? cycle) which kids need to produce to fall asleep The simple and most effect course of action quickly and easily. is banning devices in bedrooms for kids and Interrupted sleep cycles - if children have teens. If your teens require their smartphone to digital devices in their bedroom, the alerts and use as an alarm clock, there are ways around notifications can wake them up and interrupt this; buy them an actual alarm clock or better their sleep cycles. A typical sleep cycle takes still, install parental controls on their devices to approximately 90 - 110 minutes to complete disable the internet during bedtime and ensure - four stages of non-rapid eye movement the phone is switched to night mode.

(NREM) and one stage of rapid eye movement Cyber Mum Australia.

(REM). If kids are being woken multiple times www.facebook.com/cybermumaus

focus_travel W I T H K E R R Y M O S S F R O M Q U A D R A N T T R A V E L

Quadrant Australia.

If you’ve been to Europe before and you’re interested in going back to get off the beaten track, then why not consider local tour company Quadrant Australia’s, Farmers Tour to the Balkan Peninsula!

Tips for Travellers

This tour through the little-known region of the Balkans is one not to be missed and offers a superb opportunity to “get off the tourist trail”!

Visiting Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Slovenia, the tour offers a comprehensive program of farm visits, including sheep, beef, dairy, cropping, honey, rose oil and wine. As well as stunning historic and cultural sites, the tour also offers an opportunity to taste regional produce, view breathtaking landscapes, visit ancient and beautiful cities and experience amazing hospitality. There is just so much of interest on this excellent value tour.

How travel changes

from one generation to the next .

I

Regardless of when you are born, research says that some things are pre-determined. It’s often easy to pick someone’s generation based on their interests, habits and patterns.

f you’re thinking about planning a trip in as much in as they can. They’ll look for destinathe next 12 months, check out what the tions that are multi-purpose, such as a beach research says about your generation. holiday with a cultural experience or a theme If you are part of the Gen Z (18 park with a luxury resort.

23-year-olds) then you are more likely to try Gen Xers are a fastidious group, who something new. It’s thought that you are risk though travel less are also most likely to spend takers and adventurous in your travel plans. As more on hotels and accommodation. Ninety one of the most budget-conscious generations, per cent of this age range relies on traveller Gen Z is more likely to start the research and reviews and look for deals to decide on where planning process without to go. When booking a a set destination in mind, trip, they tend to go with and rely on their smarta brand who provide the phones when looking for most information on a Baby Boomers, those aged travel inspiration. They potential location.

55+, may make up just 25 are influenced by deals Baby Boomers, those per cent of the Australian and appealing imagery aged 55+, may make up population, but according and record the moments just 25 per cent of the to research they hold with technology.

Australian population, 53 per cent of the The Millennials (24 but according to research nation’s wealth. In 35-year-olds) take more they hold 53 per cent of addition, they’re more trips than any other age the nation's wealth. In determined than ever to travel. bracket. They tend to addition, they're more focus on exploring rather determined than ever to than visiting friends and travel. The 65 - 74 age family and are more likely group, for instance, has to combine business and pleasure by extending shown an 80 per cent increase over the past a work trip to sightsee and explore. five years on numbers holidaying overseas.

They travel spontaneously and look for social They are the least likely generation to be media worthy travel experiences. limited by budget constraints, and yet are most With pictures of exotic destinations and admotivated to travel to a destination through venturous excursions flooding the social feeds value for money. They like to combine holidays of millennials, it’s no surprise that travel has with visiting family and are very methodical, become a top priority for this generation decisive and organised when picking a location Gen X (36 - 55-year-olds) often have and provider. demanding careers, are raising children and So whether you’re a Baby Boomer, a caring for ageing parents; Generation X is busy. Millennial or Generation Alpha (those born So, Gen Xers don’t have time to waste. They after 2010), your travel plans might be set to want to make the most of each trip and pack change.

Highlights include visiting the capitals of four countries, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica and Ljubljana and Dubrovnik, one of the best preserved medieval walled cities in the world.

Travellers will get the chance to sample local products such as cheese, wine and oysters and also visit The Lipica Riding School to see the famous Lipizaner horses.

Farmers Tours offer travellers the chance to meet and speak with local producers to experience the true authenticity of a country, and each of the Quadrant Australia tours offer

unique experiences only available to a selected few. The tours are fully inclusive of airfares from Australia and represent excellent value.

Quadrant Australia have been operating special interest tours for more than 30 years and have tours to Europe, South Africa, USA, Canada, Asia and throughout Australia. The tours are an enticing blend of special interest and sightseeing and provide a wonderful opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. They combine your greatest passions, agriculture, history, culture, fabulous scenery and wildlife. Quadrant Australia have a local office in Coffs Harbour in Vernon St, and more information can be found on their website: www.quadrantaustralia.com

Coffs Coast focus 65

Health Wellbeing focushealth

and

WITH NOURISHED EARTH

Smoothies for Good Health

This month we are delighted to share with you some of our favourite nourishing smoothie recipes. Smoothies are a great way to detoxify, boost metabolism, build muscle, support energy and maintain a healthy digestive system.

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hese nutritious drinks are a great way to enrich our body with a number of essential vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates, which will assist in boosting immunity, elevated energy and increased motivation.

Smoothies can taste amazing and there is a huge variety of options to suit everyone’s tastebuds.

Protein Smoothie

For the chocolate lovers there is a range of cacao smoothies; for those who feel the need to cleanse and detoxify, green chlorophyll rich smoothies may be the choice for you. The combination of ingredients you can use is endless. Depending on your mood, health concerns, goals and preference, you can get creative with ingredients that are perfect for you.

Berry Blissful

2 frozen bananas

1 cup of organic blueberries

½ cup of coconut cream

Handful of soaked cashew nuts

1 cup of water

1 cup of coconut water

1 avocado

1 teaspoon of coconut nectar or raw honey

½ cup of oats

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

2 tablespoons of nut butter

Handful of ice

1 serving of grass fed whey concentrate 2 tablespoons of cacao

Clean Green Smoothie

Weight Burn ½ frozen banana ½ cup of organic berries

1 Lebanese cucumber

1 serving of protein powder (we like either a whey isolate or college peptides)

2 handfuls of spinach

¼ avocado

Handful of fresh mint

1 tablespoon of flaxseed

1 cup of coconut water

1 tablespoon of MCT oil

1 tablespoon of grated ginger

Handful of greens (spinach or cucumber)

Juice of half a lemon

1 cup of coconut water or water

1½ cups of chopped pineapple

Juice of half a lemon 66 Coffs Coast focus

WITH LAUREN VESTEY FROM LIVING DOLL

Hair

Contouring The Next Big Thing

Everybody is talking about contouring. The stars’ secret is out! We all know about contouring using makeup, but how do we get the hottest new look?

C

ontouring - the look of now free-hand application and highlighting, shadow Have you ever wondered how and light are targeted to create depth and allure. it is the stars always seem to look Your Living Doll Premier Professionnel colourist amazing? Even in those supposedly will create shadows with dark tones and reflect candid makeup-free shots? Their secret is the the light with lighter tones. Balance is the word, hottest thing in hair right now: hair contouring. the aim being to create the illusion of a more Now within everyone’s oval, more symmetrical reach, hair contouring shape face. ensures you can look like Just for you a star, no matter what Now that the secret The colours and shades are you’re doing! of hair contouring is well selected with your skin tone in Deciding which hair and truly out, the only mind, and their placement is trend to follow can be thing to do is talk to your decided in consideration a difficult task. Ombre Living Doll Premier Stylist. of your facial structure and balayage, two-tone and features. Through a mix The hours spent in front and bronde ... That’s of carefully placed free-hand of the mirror playing with why hair contouring is application and highlighting, make-up palettes can be the word on everyone’s shadow and light are targeted to transformed into time lips - it takes the best of create depth and allure. spent on things you’d all the available choices rather be doing. Hair and makes them work contouring means you for your individual skin wake up with your best and eye tone and face shape, accentuating the positive and creating beautiful contrasts through light and shade.

Contouring for everyone Because every hair contouring service is custom-designed, it is a look that not only works for everyone, but is a look that is completely unique. The colours and shades are selected with your skin tone in mind, and their placement is decided in consideration of your facial structure and features. Through a mix of carefully placed

features already accentuated! Your hair stylist will work with you to create a 100% tailor-made hair contouring service for your hair.

The marvel of hair contouring is that the effect is subtle - as far as your hair looks! But the overall effect is absolutely sensational. Like everything truly elegant, hair contouring works because it seems so simple. But it takes an expert hand and eye to create a masterpiece. Experience the art of hair contouring today at Living Doll. XO Dolls.

Kaboodle Body & Beauty Our makeup: INIKA is 100% Australian owned. INIKA started in Sydney in 2006, and we’re proud to say that in that time we’ve become a globally recognised and trusted go-to brand for organic and natural makeup.

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Coffs Coast focus 67

focusfitness

W I T H D U N C A N M A R C H A N T , C O F F S C O A S T H E A LT H C L U B

MyFitnessStory

.com.au

Thank you for such a positive response to last month’s story about Tia Allen (Roby). By the time you read this article, she will be happily married and not only that, SHE IS ALSO NOW PREGNANT!

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huge congratulations to both Mr Pat and Mrs Tia Allen! This month I thought I would change tack and catch up with myself and pass on a bit of what I have learnt from 20 years in the fitness industry, when it comes to relying on motivation to help you achieve your goals …

The personal development industry is worth over $11 billion a year. Being better than we were last year is a need that drives individuals, spurs innovation and pushes the human race to greater achievements every day. We all want to grow - to provide more for ourselves and those we care about. We consume books, seminars and training courses, and we scour the internet for kernels of truth, hoping to unlock the “secrets” to achieving more, having more and being more. We hope!

I've devoured my fair share of this stuff, and some of it has helped me along the way, but over the last 20 years a startling and inescapable truth has emerged for me. Most of it won't do you any good (and neither will following the latest Instagram Fitness Expert). The simple reason is, all the “secrets” in the world won't force you to do what you need to do.

One of my favourite thinkers, Seth Godin, says that no how-to book needs to be more than ten pages long. The only reason it's longer is the placebo effect when it's 200 pages long. You believe it's more valuable, because it's longer than 10. It's the same with motivation. We think we need lots of it to achieve great things. Plus, it wears off, so we need to keep topping up. In my view, relying on these beliefs is a recipe for failure. If you have to keep prodding yourself, or you need to feel inspired before you act; forget it. You're never going to make it. To succeed at anything difficult - building a business, investing for wealth, losing weight or forging great relationships these things take effort, and they require time.

There are countless lessons on the road to your goals, but I believe three of them will reappear again and again to test you.

1. Show up when you don't want to 2. Work hard - even when you don't feel like it

68 Coffs Coast focus

3. Learn and adjust until you succeed I'll give you a real-world example …

A certain member of our Toormina club decided a year ago she was going to do two things. She was going to lose some weight and pursue a dream. That dream was to become a makeup expert and share what she learned via YouTube - as she was learning. Watching her do this was amazing. Whether she felt like it or not, she stuck to a healthy eating plan, and she recorded one video every week. In between, she devoured anything she could on her newfound passion. She was hungry to learn and wouldn't sway from her path.

On many occasions, she was with her family and friends while they gorged themselves at wineries, cafés and restaurants. She would take her plastic containers of food and eat them quietly, without any fanfare. Her family would settle in to watch a video while she recorded or edited one of her own. Her dedication was unbreakable. She was all-in.

So what happened? She lost a tonne of weight, she got her confidence back, and she built an audience of 10,000 subscribers in one year. Astonishing. But not surprising. You see, something most people never seem to learn is this. Successful people and unsuccessful people hate to do the same things. The difference is, successful people make themselves do what they need to do while unsuccessful people use excuses or wait for someone to do it for them.

So if you're looking for a hack or a trick to doing the things you need to do, the ONLY one I know that works is this. Simply START doing the thing you've been avoiding and pretty soon, the motivation will follow. Don't wait for the feeling. Don't wait for inspiration. Create it by starting, put the time aside, make it a priority in your life and Simply START! If you need professional support, please feel free to contact me directly via Facebook, Instagram, my mobile 0411 103 867 or drop in to see our terrific team at either Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina or Moonee, but please … Simply START #strongertogether #exerciseismedicine

focus_contributor

focusinterview.

The Unhealthy Health Professional

Time for Change!

Like most things in life, it’s easy to give advice, but actually walking the walk takes more effort, courage and commitment. For local Coffs Coast physio Aaron Hardaker, this has rung true in recent times.

T

he demands of a growing healthcare business and a growing family have provided plenty of excuses for neglecting his health. However, he has taken a very public stand to make a change. Coffs Coast FOCUS caught up with Aaron, director of Mid North Coast Physiotherapy, to find out more about his story and why he wants to encourage others to follow his lead and make a change.

Why do you need to make a change?

Over the last 18 months I have become busier with work and family commitments and have used this as an excuse to not exercise as regularly as I should. I’ve also been making poor choices with food and lifestyle while I’m busy, which has led to me putting on weight, lacking energy, and losing fitness.

I need to practice what I preach and prioritise my health and wellbeing above work and other commitments. I also need to be a better example to my kids, as well as my colleagues and clients. I have a pretty poor family history of heart disease and diabetes, which puts me at a higher risk. Also, my wife and I are expecting our third child early next year, so life is only going to get busier, so I need to be fitter, healthier and more energetic to be the dad I want to be.

What are your goals, and how are you going to reach them?

There are a few key goals to achieve over the next 12 weeks leading into Christmas.

The first is to lose at least 6 kg - that’s half a kilo per week, which is considered healthy and sustainable weight loss. The second is to reduce my body measurements for chest, waist and gut and reduce my overall body fat percentage.

I am also aiming to improve my personal best time at parkrun - this a free timed 5 km run for the community on a Saturday morning that’s a great social environment to exercise.

I’ve also committed to doing a Body Attack group exercise class at Coffs Coast Health Club as a fun challenge too.

To achieve these goals, I’ve enlisted the expert help of my team to teach me what I need to know and support me. I’ve started seeing Katie Drury, our dietitian, on a regular basis to learn more about nutrition and making better food choices. I’m also working out a couple of times per week with Tom Connor, a very knowledgeable and supportive PT at Coffs Coast Health Club. No doubt I’ll also need some physio and massage support to keep my body moving well to continue the progress.

Why have you decided to share your story?

Firstly, it’s about the accountability. By sharing my goals with others it makes me commit to them and ensures I have plenty of people keeping me on track. The other key reason is to hopefully motivate others to make a change as well. I’m sure my story is very similar to others who use all the same excuses I have.

I want to show people that getting the right advice and committing to a change will bring about the results you want. You don’t need to try every unsustainable fad diet or workout you just need to make the right choices.

To follow Aaron’s progress, simply connect with Mid North Coast Physiotherapy and Coffs Coast Health Club on Facebook and Instagram. Good luck, Aaron, from all the team at Coffs Coast FOCUS.

Georgia

Gerdes When a close friend of Sawtell firefighter Georgia Gerdes was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) earlier this year, she decided to join hundreds of other firefighters to help raise awareness and vital funds to support research at the Macquarie University MND Research Centre.

F

OCUS went along to one of her local training spots to check out the 20 kg of firefighting gear she will be carrying up the 1,504 stairs of the Sydney Tower Eye and to learn more about MND and how it affects people.

What is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I moved here from Armidale in 2010 with my family. I currently live in Sawtell, am a firefighter at Sawtell Fire Station and work during the day at a preschool in Boambee.

Can you tell us a little about your work as a firefighter?

I joined Fire and Rescue NSW in September 2015 as a Retained Firefighter, and in the last two years I have seen some pretty incredible things, from bushfires to house fires, car accidents and hazardous material incidents.

The job is extremely rewarding, and I have made some incredible friendships.

What is the Firefighters Climb for Motor Neurone Disease?

Teams of firefighters race to climb all 1,504 stairs (98 floors) of the Sydney Tower Eye, each carrying an additional 20 kg of gear that makes up our structural firefighting uniform.

Each floor has dedications to patients from Motor Neurone Disease (MND), both past and present.

What does a structural firefighting uniform consist of?

Our structural firefighting gear consists of over trousers, a tunic (jacket), helmet, breathing apparatus and boots, although for the climb we will be wearing joggers.

What inspired you to participate in the fundraiser?

I was aware of the climb from previous years, but when a close friend of mine and his family were affected by Motor Neurone Disease earlier this year, it inspired me to participate and do my bit to raise awareness and funds to support Macquarie University and their research.

How many other firefighters are involved, and how much money do you hope to raise?

There will be over 500 firefighters involved in the climb, and overall we are hoping to raise $1,000,000 towards MND research. Personally I am aiming to raise $1,504 - one dollar for each step!

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

MND or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) strikes indiscriminately at any time with no proven explanation. It is a progressive, terminal neurological disease that affects the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, breathe, speak and swallow, causing them to degenerate and die.

Meanwhile, a person’s senses and intellect are not affected.

Why is it important to raise money for MND, and where does the money raised go?

It is important to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease research, as there is currently no cure. The more money raised, the more research can be done, and every dollar raised will directly support vital research at the Macquarie University MND Research Centre.

How did you train for the event, and what challenges do you anticipate?

I have been training in my structural gear, climbing stairs and maintaining general fitness. I am anticipating that it will be very tiring, especially the heat and strain on my leg muscles and shoulders from carrying the breathing apparatus. Overall, I hope to make it to the top, whether it be in 30 minutes or three hours!

How can people find out more?

You can follow the Facebook page @firiesclimbformnd or go to website firiesclimbformnd.org.au to read more and donate at firiesclimb.gofundraise.com.au/page/ Georgiajean19 Thanks Georgia.

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Judy Alcock Lilyrose Pregnancy Support

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

After giving birth to our first child while we travelled around Australia in 1976, we came to Coffs Harbour with the gift of a position for my husband in Pathology at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

What led you to help start Lilyrose Pregnancy Support?

In 2010, Lilyrose was started by Carolyn Etheridge, who saw the gap in support and information for pregnant women and girls anxious and uncertain about the future of their pregnancy.

Two of my daughters-in-law asked me to join this group after I retired from nursing in 2011, and my first role was to teach the Mentoring Course. Then in 2014, the President, Carolyn, who had worked extremely hard developing a Strategic and Operational Plan which would ensure clients received professional and appropriate care, handed the reins to me.

I had discussed our plans for an Antenatal Clinic with my Doctor, Dr. Deirdre Little, a well known Bellingen GP Obstetrician with over 25 years’ experience in Obstetrics, and she enthusiastically volunteered to offer her services one afternoon a week! As a Registered Nurse, it became my job to oversee the preparations, writing the Policies and Procedures, while my wonderful husband did the fitout, and we painted the LifeHouse CareHouse.

So, in August 2015, we started the Antenatal Clinic and ran the arm of Pregnancy Support from the Earl St. CareHouse. Our service aims to give “life-affirming” care to every mother and baby.

Who does this organisation help?

Any pregnant woman can access this amazing service, and every woman is Bulk Billed, including all Pathology and Radiology tests. At each 70 Coffs Coast focus

After caring for many wonderful Coffs Coast kids since the 1990s and putting seven of them through the HSC, Judy Alcock and her husband recently resigned as foster carers to devote more time to helping others through Lilyrose Pregnancy Support. FOCUS met with them and their dedicated team of volunteers to find out more about the service. doctor’s consultation, patients can view their from engagement with various Departments of baby on our ultrasound monitor, with Dr. Little WARRINA and Family and Community Services. explaining the foetus’ development to reassure We are here to serve our growing community. mums.

A/Prof Harvey Ward, an Obstetrician and We provide compassionate support regardless Department Head, endorses and supports our of whether the mum continues her pregnancy, work, and he also donated our magnificent with information provided so she knows all her Ultrasound. options. We do not refer for abortions, but we Can you tell us more about the team at run a Post Abortion Support Group, providing Lilyrose? gentle and affirming care to alleviate the grief This is the best part, for without the amazing and other emotions some women experience dedication of this team we would not be able after a termination. to function as we do.

What services do you Currently we are all provide, and how is volunteers who aim Lilyrose run? to make pregnancy an We do not refer for We are an antenatal enjoyable and satisfying abortions, but we run a Post clinic, where women nine months.

Abortion Support Group, are given all the time Dr. Little has been providing gentle and they need to have their seeing our patients for affirming care to questions answered over two years now, alleviate the grief and and receive the clinical providing the sort of “old other emotions some care appropriate to their fashioned” listening ear women experience needs. Meanwhile, the there’s rarely time for after a termination. support arm provides today. Deirdre’s experience services according to an and knowledge is highly assessment of a woman’s regarded amongst the situation. This may mean medical profession - her they receive a bundle of baby goods, assistance medical interventions providing great outcomes with food, transport, emotional support and for mothers and babies. information for their pregnancy.

Ulrieke Kethel looks after women to help Each woman receives an obstetric information them find resolution and peace when grief and pack, which is a thorough treatise on what loss from a termination are present. Ulrieke and to expect. Refugees are also provided her husband, Ian, also open their beautiful rose with an approved interpreter, ensuring all garden as a fundraiser for Lilyrose. communications are clear.

Ruth Dooley is our receptionist. She is a Patients book into the Pregnancy Care service calm, efficient volunteer, an expert in fixing the at Coffs Harbour Health Campus prior to 20 “whatevers” and a great resource for those weeks, and first time mums are encouraged to seeking adoption services. Recently, Ruth spoke attend the Uniting Care Burnside’s “CHARMED” passionately at our Adoption Forum about the Course. adoption of their son.

Many GPs also refer patients to us, and we Many will know Margaret Fox, as she and her invite other agencies and services to come and husband, Reuben, have maintained and sold meet our team. We have greatly benefitted pianos for over 40 years. Margaret provides

much practical help, for both the team and the patients, even running errands of shopping and driving some women home when it’s late for the bus.

My role, as Co-ordinator, Practice Manager and Registered Nurse is to keep the vision and mission alive, to, as our slogan says, “Find a Way for Lives to Blossom”.

Cate McGovern, a Pastor in Bellingen, has recently joined our team, and Kylie Rees searches out the best deals in baby clothes and puts together our practical “Baby Bundles”.

LifeHouse Church have partnered with us to run this great service; even though our team are from many churches, they have generously provided the space and paid our rent!

You recently ran an Adoption Forum to help raise awareness of recent changes to adoption laws. What were these changes, and how have they made adoption a better option for new parents unable to care for a child?

The Adoption Forum provided our audience with an understanding of the new laws relating to adoption. These changes are geared to provide stability and a sense of “who I am” for a child placed for adoption. Now, the birth parents are given the opportunity to stay in contact either through pre-arranged visits, phone calls or emails, including the exchange of photos.

These days an adoption plan is a written agreement about what things will look like after the adoption is formulated, with all stakeholders contributing their desires for the child. Birth parents may, if they wish, have a “say” in the choice of adopting parents.

How can people find out more?

Patients wishing to access our service can book by phoning Judy 0423 227 917, or walk-in on Tuesday afternoons.

You can find out more via www.lilyrose.org.au or Facebook @lilyrosepregnancysupport Thanks Judy.

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Coffs Coast focus 71

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CHARLIE PADE Local Tennis Champ

12 year old Charlie Pade has a passion for tennis. Working hard to be the best he can be, he trains regularly and plays in tournaments up and down the East Coast of Australia. FOCUS caught up with him on the tennis court to hear more about his amazing achievements this year, how he has got this far and where he is headed next.

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I was born here, and both my mum and dad were born and grew up here. My dad’s side of the family were pioneers in the Orara Valley and have been here since the 1880s.

How long have you been playing tennis, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I have been playing tennis since I was four years old. I first started playing at the Westside Tennis Club in a Red Ball Hot Shots group with mini tennis nets.

I love that you're out there in the battle by yourself, and there is no one else out there to help you. I played lots of other sports, like cricket, touch football and soccer, but tennis is definitely my favourite.

How do you juggle school and tennis?

I train four days a week, in the mornings before school and afternoons after school.

Most Tennis Australia Ranking Tournaments have been moved to weekends and school holidays, which makes it a lot easier for me to attend school.

Who is your favourite tennis player and why?

Lleyton Hewitt is my favourite tennis player, because of his love for the game, fight and never give up attitude.

Congratulations on winning the QLD State Age Gold Tennis Tournament up in Northern Queensland recently! Can you 72 Coffs Coast focus

Lleyton Hewitt is my favourite use tennis player, beca of his love for the ver game, fight and ne give up attitude.”

“

tell us more about this experience?

Apart from the thought of being eaten by crocodiles, it was my first big tournament away without my parents.

Being a gold level tournament and one of the major tournaments in Australia, I had to be on the ball from my first match. I was seeded number four and took out the number one seed from Victoria in the semi finals, so I was stoked. I won the final 7/6 6/2 against my doubles partner, who is the number one player in Queensland for my age group. This was definitely the best result of my career so far.

You also qualified for the Australian National Clay Court tennis Championships held in Canberra. What is different about playing on clay?

Playing on clay is a lot slower; you need to be able to grind it out and be patient. I can’t wait to get on the court and play.

Have there been any other highlights

this year?

I have had a really great year!

Definitely one of the highlights was winning the New South Wales Country Championships in singles and doubles. I was also awarded North Coast Academy of Sport overall athlete of the year, which is the first time a tennis player has ever received this award.

I took out the Northern New South Wales Champion of Champions, and I was the number one player for the North East Breakers, who won the New South Wales State teams event. This is the first time that North East have ever won a 12 and under teams event.

This year I have also won Gympie Junior Championships and the Coffs Harbour Easter Open Australian Ranking Tournaments, and earlier in the year I received a wildcard into the Australian Grass Court Championships held in Berry, South Australia. This was a

wonderful experience, because I had never played on real grass before.

It sounds like this year has been pretty amazing for you. How do you think you have become so successful in tennis?

Hard work, dedication and the support of my parents. My dad is my coach, and he is awesome. I also owe my success this year to Joel Scalzi, who hits with me and teaches me lots about the game, and also Chris Cherry, who's my strength and conditioning coach.

What are your future plans for playing tennis?

I just love tennis and want to train hard and improve. My goal for this year is to make the National December Showdown in Melbourne and one day hopefully get a world ranking. At the moment I'm number five in Australia and two in NSW for my birth year, and I definitely want to improve on that.

What are the best ways for kids on the Coffs Coast to get involved in tennis?

Contact your local Tennis Australia qualified tennis coach and get into some lessons.

Thanks Charlie.

focusinterview.

LOCAL TEENAGER KYE REID HAS BEEN BMX RACING SINCE HE WAS A KID AND IS NOW MAKING HIS WAY TO THE TOP WITH DEDICATION, HARD WORK AND COACHING FROM HIS DAD. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH KYE ON THE SAWTELL BMX TRACK, WHERE HE TOLD US HOW HE GOT HIS CURRENT #1 RANKINGS, HOW IT FELT TO RACE IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE USA AND THE IMPORTANCE THE BMX TRACK HAS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

K Y E

R E I D

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I was born and have lived here for the last 17 years and am currently completing my HSC at Toormina High School.

How long have you been BMX racing, and what is the best thing about it?

I have been racing for almost 11 years. The best thing about it is the travelling; getting to go and visit other towns and even other states to ride my bike and see all of my mates that I don't get to see very often is my absolute favourite thing about BMX racing.

Who are your role models in BMX racing and why?

Billy Jollife is a role model for sure. I have looked up to him ever since I was a kid. He is super, super good with kids, and growing up he would always take time out of his day to have a conversation with you and give you pointers here and there about what I need to do on a certain track to better my riding.

Another would have to be Izaac Kennedy; he is such a good rider to watch and has the best style and is also good to be around. Even though he is younger, he has always been someone who has made me stop everything and watch him ride.

One of my good mates, Nathaniel Rodway, is also definitely one of my biggest role models in the sport, as he is a local New South Wales rider and at each event we get together and do track work.

BMX Racer

How often do you train, and are there other ways you prepare for competitions?

I basically train every day, whether it is bettering my skills at the track, working on track speed or in the gym building strength. I also prepare for competitions by watching videos on YouTube or Instagram from other riders on the track that I’ll be racing on.

As for race day, the only way I prepare for racing is to listen to a whole different range of bands, such as Audioslave, System of a Down, Rammstein and Hed P.E. I also like to watch other riders and see what lines they take throughout the track and in and out of corners, which helps me out by visualising and then going out and doing the same thing.

You are currently ranked highly for the Cruiser class and 20”. Can you tell us more about this?

After the 2017 NSW State Championships over the October long weekend, I am now ranked #1 in NSW for both 17 - 24 Men's Cruisers and 20". I was double State Champion in the one weekend, also backing up last year’s title, which is a great feeling.

I am also currently ranked #1 in the ACT for 17 - 24 Men’s 20” and #6 in Australia for 17 - 24 Men's Cruiser.

I got to be number one by training super hard, then when I got to the track on race day, I raced super hard. I felt really comfortable and fast on the track and just had it over the other boys that day from start to finish; I found every little bit of spare track to get through in a few quick pedals and get further ahead of the other riders.

I BASICALLY TRAIN EVERY IT DAY, WHETHER Y M IS BETTERING TRACK, SKILLS AT THE ACK WORKING ON TR E GYM SPEED, OR IN TH GTH.” BUILDING STREN

“

You just competed at the World Championships in the USA. How did you get this far, and how did it feel to be riding at that level?

I got that far because my dad, who is also my coach, pushed me and pushed me all throughout training, and that's made me as quick and as skilled a rider as I am today. My dad has just as much knowledge as the majority of the pros these days, as he has raced since he was about 14.

To be riding at such a high level felt amazing, and to be representing Australia was really something else. Although I didn't race as well as I wanted to, considering the circumstances of a broken collarbone 10 weeks before flying out to Rock Hill, South Carolina USA, I believe I did my country and certainly myself proud.

I’d also like to give a huge thank you to Allister from Ventoux cycles Coffs Harbour, David Graham who was my previous sponsor, and Brett Scruse from Onfire Training.

How can people get involved in the Sawtell BMX Club, and what does it involve?

Come and experience the track, and it will take you as it did with me. There is a four month membership for $40 or a yearly membership for around $140 dollars. We do gate practice on Tuesday nights from 5:30pm

onwards, and we race Fridays from around 7pm onwards. If you're under the age of 16, you will need a parent to accompany you for racing and gate practice. Volunteers are always needed to allow racing or gates to go ahead. It’s also a really good night out.

Do you need a certain kind of gear to race?

Yes, you will need a full face helmet, gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants, enclosed shoes and also a number plate. All bikes need to have their reflectors removed; also, back pedal brakes and front lever brakes and chain guards must be removed prior to racing.

I hear you spend a lot of time at the BMX track with other kids from the area. Why is this kind of facility important for the community?

Yes, I do; it’s my second home. I have grown very close with a lot of kids that ride there either every day or on practice/race nights. I think that this facility is very important to the community, because it keeps young kids off the streets and encourages a lot of kids and even parents to come and ride a bike on our track. We have even had numerous birthday parties at the track on weekends, and during school holidays it’s packed.

Thanks Kye.

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retireaustralia.com.au/boambeegardens 74 Coffs Coast focus

17 Walco Drive , Sawtell, Coffs Harbour 2452

• A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE •

A Free Education Series for 3 to 5 yr olds

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Casuarina Steiner School has been operating for over twenty years in Coffs Harbour and provides students with an inspiring education in a nurturing environment.

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Children are inherently creative and inquisitive.

Steiner Education allows children to embrace these aspects of their childhood. Creativity and imagination are ways of learning, both academically and socially.

Our holistic curriculum is based on child development. It addresses all faculties of a developing child, fostering healthy socialemotional development and instilling a lifelong

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language Program GROOVER PROGRAM RUGBY PROGRAM BOOK BUG PROGRAM To register for Little Movers email littlemovers@bdc.nsw.edu.au

You are warmly invited to join one of our school tours to see our unique learning environment and find out more about Steiner Education.

You can find the date for the next school tour and further information on our website: www. casuarina.nsw.edu.au “Creators are curious people, who keep wondering and imagining (...) Creators cannot be planned, predetermined, or standardised.

They must be allowed the freedom and encouraged to wonder and wander, to explore and to experiment.”

Yong Zhao, 2012. World Class Learners

To find out more about a BDC education, register for a tour or receive an information pack please email enrolments@bdc.nsw.edu.au or phone 02 6651 5644

Enrolling Now 2018 Kindy to Year 12 LIMITED places available

Bishop Druitt College | 111 North Boambee Rd. Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 02 6651 5644 | secretary@bdc.nsw.edu.au | www.bdc.nsw.edu.au

Coffs Coast focus 75

• A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE •

Cow & Koala.

At Cow & Koala we educate and nurture the children in our care aged from six weeks to five years, to assist them in reaching their potential and to be respectful of themselves, others and their environment.

We work closely with your family with open, honest relationships to meet the needs of your child in a small, friendly local family run service. Invariably, at C&K, the Edu-carer you dropped your child to will be whom you collect from, providing consistent care with intimate knowledge of your child’s day.

At C&K we have been providing experienced childcare to Coffs families for over eleven years, with Edu-carers who have been with us on average five years. They are passionate and enthusiastic about the learning experiences they share with your child.

We engage in play-based learning using the Early Years Leaning Framework to support and enhance your child’s learning and as an Approved Service, we are able to apply government fee relief to your placement.

We provide NSW Health approved Munch & Move menu, nappies, wipes and sunscreen, as well as lots of fun and learning adventures!

76 Coffs Coast focus

Early Childhood.

E D U C A T I O N

&

C A R E

C O U R S E S

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the nationally-regulated entry-level qualification for working in early childhood education and care. It qualifies you to work as an early childhood educator in a centre-based service or family day care.

W

hy take this course?

Do you love working with children?

The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is the nationally regulated entry-level qualification for working in early childhood education and care. The qualification will put you on the path to a career working as an early childhood educator in a centre-based service or family day care, designing and implementing the curriculum that will shape young minds. You will learn how to use a national learning framework, regulations and quality standards to support the education and care of children from birth to school age.

You will be able to facilitate play and ensure children's health and safety while supporting their learning and wellbeing.

Information correct at time of publishing, December 2015.

How will it help my career?

The Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum qualification you’ll need to have to work in early childhood centres, including preschools. Half of the educators at an early childhood service need to have a diploma level qualification or above (or be actively working towards) in order for the service to meet regulations. Possible job roles include: • centre manager (children's services) • children's advisor • children's services coordinator • child development educator • director/ manager • early childhood educator •

family day care co-ordinator • group/ team coordinator/leader early childhood • program leader (children's services) • special needs/inclusive educator What are the entry requirements for this course?

Anyone in child-related work (including student placements and volunteers) must have a current Working with Children Check (students/volunteers free) in line with the Office of Children's Guardian phase-in schedule and processes. You can find more information at Working with Children check. You’ll also need to have the First Aid Certificate (HLTAID004). Because this unit cannot be completed online, it’s not included as part of this course. However, you must complete this First Aid Certificate before you can receive the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. In order to complete the First Aid Certificate, you’ll need to perform basic life support skills, such as control bleeding and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If you have a disability that would prevent you from performing these kinds

of basic life support skills, you won’t be able to achieve the unit.

Can I continue my studies after this course?

When you successfully complete this course you can apply for the TAFE NSW Higher Education course Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth - 5).

Can I apply for a government subsidised place?

Yes. This means you may be eligible for a government subsidised fee, concession or exemption. Select “Enrol now” to go to the TAFE NSW course fee calculator. Answer the questions, and you’ll be given an estimated course fee.

Can I apply for VET FEE-HELP? Yes. This means you can apply for a VET FEE-HELP student loan to help pay for your course.

The Commonwealth Government VET FEE-HELP student loan scheme provides you with the option of: • deferring all of your course fees or • paying some of your course fees upfront and deferring the balance. More details are available on the TAFENSW website.

Where can we find out more? www.tafensw.edu.au

You will learn how to use a national learning framework, regulations and quality standards to support the education and care of children from birth to school age.

• A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE •

Coffs Family

Janet Coleman

Families looking for child care in the Coffs Harbour region are in an enviable position.

For the first time in many years, early childhood services have vacancies.

T

here are a large number of options for families, with many quality preschools, long day care centres, occasional care and family day care services. FOCUS had a chat to the lovely Janet Coleman, to find out more about the services Coffs Family Day Care offer ...

The right child care option is the one that suits you and your child best, so invest some time considering the options available. Statistics from the past two years indicate that families are choosing a blend of different child care types, often combining family day care and long day care, to provide a variety of learning opportunities and environments.

What is the history behind Coffs Family Day Care?

Our service has been supporting the Coffs Harbour community for 30+ years, providing an early education and care service. We are a not-for-profit community based organisation that provides a network of qualified early childhood educators working in residential homes. We are an approved service working with the National Regulations and Law. Tell us about your team and their area of expertise ...

Our team have extensive experience in the early childhood sector, and between our five staff we have 45 years specifically with Coffs Harbour Family Day Care.

We also have a network of dedicated educators who are providing children with opportunities for creative, explorative play in stress free environments. Our focus in recent years has been to provide longer times to play outside in natural environments. Natural environments increase creative play, social cohesion and problem solving, and children are happier and less anxious.

What services do Coffs Family Day Care provide?

Our service offers a variety of family day care environments. Parents interview educators and decide on the environment

for their child. The child care happens in a small, familiar and secure group: a place where it is OK to make mistakes, try something new or take a small risk outside their comfort zone.

We also have a small In-Home Care Service-providing care for children in their own home. Families, at this stage, need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for this type of care.

What makes family day care different to day care centres?

I am sure that all early childhood services are child focused and pursuing quality. In Family Day Care, educators work with a small group - four children under school age. The small group provides opportunities for learning that cannot always be delivered in a larger setting. The outdoor play spaces are safe for all ages, and the smaller number of children allows for closer interactions and communication with children and families.

Families personally choose the educator for their child, and children have the same educator each day. It is the consistency of the care environment in family day care that provides a unique learning environment for children. The same educator and same children provides a sense of security and creates a very comfortable environment for children to move from “the known” to the “unknown”.

The mixed age group setting in family day care can also encourage children to explore and try something new. Community participation, the encouragement of selfhelp skills and socialisation opportunities within family day care do set it apart from other service types.

Tell us about the offsite activities different educators provide for children.

The small group setting in family day care provides educators with the opportunity to participate in community activities and a multitude of socialisation experiences. Many of the educators take children on excursions to explore the

community and the natural environments - the Coffs Harbour Library, TAFE Playgroup, Fire Station, Recycling Centre, Coffs Harbour airport, cheese making at the Big Banana and a multitude of natural environments for exploring are just a sample of some of the excursions offered.

Families choose if they want their children to attend venues outside the home.

Risk assessments are conducted on the excursion locations.

What are the top three things that people should consider when looking for child care?

The first thing I believe that parents need to do is to consider the needs of their child and what their own expectations are for child care.

Visit as many child care environments as necessary, until you find a service that you think will best meet your child’s needs and your expectations.

Is the communication and interaction between the educator and children inviting and encouraging?

Is the environment engaging and provide opportunities for my child to explore and grow?

Will my child’s individual needs be met?

Does this service provide for flexibility and individuality? ( I know. I cannot count - this is more than three things!)

Where can we find out more?

Check out our website www.coffsfdc. org.au Find us on Facebook: www.facebook. com/CoffsHarbourFamilyDayCare/ Call us on 6652 7819.

Visit us at “The Cottage”, 2 Peterson Road, Coffs Harbour.

If you are interested in family day care for your child or combining family day care with long day care as an option for your child, Coffs Harbour Family Day Care has vacancies for 2018, and we would be happy to discuss your child care needs with you.

Thanks Janet.

Coffs Coast focus 77

• A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE •

Congratulations 3 Bears Cottage We are pleased to announce that 3 Bears Cottage EES has been selected as a finalist in the Early Childhood Education Week Awards. The Team at 3 Bears Cottage EES has shown an inspiring dedication, a great sense of energy, creativity and a sense of community by taking part in this year’s Early Childhood Education Week.

A

s a finalist in a whopping 19 categories, our service has been identified as a potential winner for the 2017 program.

The winners of the Early Childhood Education Week Awards will be announced at the Celebration Dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney on Saturday 28th October 2017.

The award categories covered a wide spectrum of honours, with awards designed for all kinds of activities and all levels of involvement from individuals, teams, programs and activities.

3 Bears have been recognised as finalists in the following categories: • The power of families • Children are effective communicators • Children are confident and involved learners • Children have a strong sense of wellbeing • Children have a strong sense of identity • Keeping our world alive • Best program highlighting inclusivity practises • Best Sustainability program or activity • Best promotional activity or program • Best program or activity involving families • Best community involvement activity or program

78 Coffs Coast focus

• Best program highlighting National Quality Standards • Best program highlighting EYLF elements • Best Early Childhood Education Week Activity • Best Overall Australian Child Care Week Program • Inclusive practice; everyone is welcome • Learning, development and interaction • Good nutrition and clever kids • Best photo illustrating theme ”Every Child is Exceptional” How do I enrol?

Whilst Enrolments at 3 Bears Cottage are accepted at any time of the year, as places become available, Term 1 is the best time to start.

During Term 1 our preschool children transition to school, creating the most vacancies for the year within all three rooms of the service.

Minimal enrolments in subsequent terms can only be offered, due to demand.

3 Bears is open to all children aged six weeks to six years, and we strongly recommend scheduling an orientation with us prior to enrolling to see if our program is right for you and your child.

If you are interested in enquiring into our programs for 2018, please do not hesitate to contact us on (02) 6652 5656 or email us at 3bearscottage@live.com.au

Nick Johnstone E D U C A T I O N A L

I

W I T H

CONTRIBUTOR

What are schools for.

B D C

P R I N C I P A L

n Australia, our first school was established by members of the first fleet. In 1793, Rev Richard Johnson, Australia’s first chaplain and a former school teacher, outlined that schooling in Australia would be for all children. It included the expected reading and writing and basic mathematics, but it also included the teaching of Christian morals and ethics.

From the very beginning in Australia’s education system there was value placed on the importance of transmitting the social and cultural norms of the day. To build a new educated society here in the colonies focused on law and order using the cultural norms of the British Empire.

N I C K

J O H N S T O N E

our future from social disintegration, to preserve our existing social order. I believe this view does not give children credit for their inherit views on fairness and social justice.

I argue that schools can be and should be much more than just a replication of society and while economic considerations are important, they should not drive or limit schooling opportunities. Our schools have the opportunity to be innovative, to embrace change within our world and to take the lead to help improve human society.

While I firmly believe that values, behaviour and character development are essential, I also believe that Australia’s strength moving forward will be in its diversity and our ability to embrace it. At the last census, the ABS noted that over one-third of Australian residents were not born in Australia and over one-half of Australian residents have at least one parent born overseas. We need to ask what values, behaviours and characteristics should we be teaching? Schools are more than a delivery agency and should not be driven by solely targets and league tables. Schools need to keep the competing interests in balance.

Schools need to be courageous. Schools need to be balanced and broad and have Principals with principles to lead them. Schools need to be concerned with promoting human dignity, to teaching the skills of tolerance and understanding. Schools need to teach students the skills to be adaptable and effective learners and to be engaged in their local community.

Schools need to help build a nation and a world without fear, judgement and persecution.

Many would also argue that school is a motor for the economy and our productivity as a nation is built upon improving our current educational standards.

Australia has changed significantly from this time, but there are still notable similarities to many of today’s classrooms. Teachers today are required to teach the mandated curriculum (e.g.

Australian Curriculum) and in many cases use the mandated testing instruments (e.g.

NAPLAN). The “hidden” curriculum of schools also promotes the social norms of today’s society. Our behaviour management and pastoral care programs are designed to teach the social norms and how to behave. Many would also argue that school is a motor for the economy and our productivity as a nation is built upon improving our current educational standards. This industrialised view of schooling was popular throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries and ironically is still popular with freemarket economists today. Others would argue that schools of today are all about transmitting values and instilling good behaviours to protect

focusinterview

Business Minds with Sam Wardman of CornerPost Creative

BUSINESS MINDS

Paul Spinoglio

P

aul, tell us a little about how you came to call the Coffs Coast home?

I’m a Gold Coast boy, born and bred. I was working as the Food and Beverage Manager at Jupiter’s Casino, and doing very long hours. My son (Michael) was born in 2003, and because of my role which involved working long days and nights, I didn’t get to see much of him in the initial stages of his life. It was at that point that I knew I needed to change up what I was doing.

So having worked for 15 years managing other hospitality businesses, I decided to take the plunge and look for my own business that involved being able to be at home at night.

I looked from the Sunshine Coast down to the Coffs Coast, where I had family. During this search, I was made aware that a business called JBN Café was on the market, so as it met my requirements of allowing me time to spend with my son as he grew up, and was a business that could be grown and developed, I made the initial contact to do due diligence. With the support of family, the rest is history.

You have a successful business with JBN Café at Park Beach Plaza, and you have just launched Silvio’s Italiano, which is an Italian bar, café and deli. Tell us about this new venture ...

Silvio’s Italiano is located in Park Beach Plaza, on the northern end opposite the Westpac Bank.

For those that haven’t visited Park Beach Plaza lately, you will be amazed at the transformation of this end of the plaza. It has been reinvigorated with undercover parking, covered walkways, easy access, and is fast becoming the entry of preference for many visting the shopping centre.

Silvio’s Italiano is a long-time dream for me.

The venue is a tribute to my father, who has sadly now passed, but also to all those things that we both loved to enjoy together, like food, wine

The venue is a tribute to my

and good conversation. know to achieve this is father, who has sadly now Silvio’s is a unique venue, to create a culture of passed, but also to all that offers an Italian style consistency through those things that we both deli that is attached to constant communication loved to enjoy together, like a 160-seat casual style and awareness. In saying food, wine and good conversation. café and bar. The café is that though, I often will open for breakfast, lunch be heard mentioning and dinner, and includes to my JBN team that a fantastic Vesuvio “humans are humans, and wood-fired pizza oven that will offer traditional not robots - and thank goodness for that”.

Italian style pizzas made from 100% Italian stone I love what individuals bring to an experience. ground flour. There will be Italian beer on tap, Whether that’s a team member who can fresh hand made pasta dishes, and a cosy bar to speak multiple languages and interacts with enjoy cocktails and wines. the customer in one of those languages, or a Where did the name “Silvio’s Italiano” come team member who has travelled to parts of the from? country or world that customers may have come My father’s name was Silvio. He was an Italian from, and can share experiences. These are all immigrant who came out to Australia on the experiences that can’t necessarily be copied, but boats looking for opportunity after the Second remain in customers’ minds long after they’ve World War. He started life cutting cane, before paid the bill and gone home. becoming a restauranteur, and a publican.

When this type of service is paired together My father taught me the fundamentals of with consistent service processes, then a really everything I know about hospitality. I worked enjoyable experience is had. This is what I strive side by side with him for many years in the for.

Whitsunday Islands, and we travelled together What do you see as the biggest trends in as well. He had the most amazing effect on me, hospitality at the moment? although I didn’t know or appreciate it until I was In my particular industry, trends are varying many years into my working life. depending on the location and type of product What will customers expect to enjoy from a offered. Regarding delis in the cities, the trend is visit to Silvio’s Italiano? for grab n go type venues. People are becoming Quite simply, an experience that allows all more and more time poor due to travel times to patrons to understand the relationship between and from work, and having to work second jobs. food, wine and the excitement of Iife. It sounds This then impacts on the style of service provided. a bit out there, but that’s what Dad and I did.

Customers are spending less time chatting to We ate, we drank, we talked (argued) about the their local delicatessen about products. things that excited us. That’s what I hope I can I’ve taken a gamble with Silvio’s deli for a pass on to customers who patronise my venue. couple of reasons. One is that I believe the Coffs And you never know; someone might just pass Coast lifestyle allows for the conversations to that on to their next generation. still take place, as opposed to the cities, but Hospitality is a highly service driven secondly, anything that enhances flavour is still industry. How do you approach training staff very important for me to offer. Silvio’s will offer to deliver a consistent customer experience? both that traditional delicatessen with friendly Consistency is “king”. The best way that I knowledge based service, as well as the option

for grab n go.

The other trend that is gaining momentum is locally sourced produce. At Silvio’s you will see a motto on the wall that says “Local is the new black”. This is crucial to us. We try to source as much local product as possible.

Where do you draw your menu inspiration from?

My menu inspiration comes from the food that Dad loved to eat, and the food that I love to eat.

I’m a foodie; I love to travel and try all different types of food and styles. When I’m away from home, I go through stages where I will look for the same type of dish in different venues, just so I can taste the different methods and styles of cooking.

Other times, I will search for something I haven’t tried before, just to broaden my horizons.

Food is a constantly evolving journey, and one that I hope continues forever.

Finally, what motivates you to run the businesses you do?

I really had to ask myself that question before I jumped into this project. I had to do some soul searching and ask myself why I wanted to do it at my age. After all, there’s no use just being busier for no reason. I have a wonderful partner, whom I love, children who need a constant taxi service, and I have other interests and hobbies.

The answer is passion! I love what I do. It has its challenges, its grinds, its frustrations, but it also provides so much enjoyment. I love food, I love wine, and I love my team. The younger ones keep me young (and I like to think a step ahead of my son lol), whilst the older ones are a great source of company, stories and friendship.

I hope the Coffs Coast can support me in this journey, and I hope that I can provide a great Italian experience for them to enjoy with their friends and family.

Thanks Paul.

Coffs Coast focus 79

BUY • SELL • BUILD - A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE

The FOCUS team was lucky enough to be invited to this year’s HIA awards, that took place at the beautiful Opal Cove Resort in September. We caught up with Richard Stoker and Megan Chase from the HIA team, to find out who were this year’s winners ...

h i a

a w a r d s

The judges are also looking at materials used, the difficulty

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

Richard: I have been living in Coffs Harbour since I was about seven years old and now reside in Boambee East with my beautiful partner, Jo, and our eight year old twin girls, Jasmine and Grace, which go to Boambee public School.

Megan: I grew up here in Coffs Harbour. I moved down to Sydney for four years after I finished school to study, but I made my way back two years ago. We live in a beautiful area, so I am happy I came back.

Tell us about your role at HIA. Richard: My role at the HIA is Branch Manager, and the role is quite varied from running short courses to trade nights throughout our region and helping our members with compliance issues, legal requirements, safety issues and keeping members up to date with the changes within the Building Industry. HIA also delivers the Certificate IV in Building, which carpenters and bricklayers require to obtain their builders licence.

Megan: My role at the HIA is Training & Events Coordinator. I organise all of HIA’s events in our area,from trade nights, golf days and our Northern NSW Housing Awards. I also support the students who study their Certificate IV in Building through HIA. Richard and I are very passionate about helping our students finish, so we can see them obtain their builders licence.

How long had HIA been around, and what is the history behind it?

The HIA has been the voice of the residential 80 Coffs Coast focus

of the build, with any hurdles the entrants may have to overcome; for example, steep blocks. One example this year, with Jason from JDG constructions, was a

housing industry in Australia for over 60 years. Every day HIA large tree which the client didn’t directly helps thousands want damaged and the build of members in their went on around it. businesses and works hard to ensure our industry has the best possible operating environment.

Tell us about the recent 2017 HIA awards. awards judged?

Who were the nominees, and who were The judges are made up of builders or the winners? tradesmen and manufacturers and suppliers We have just held our 2017 Northern NSW throughout the region: Rick Hall from Advanced Housing Awards, which were held at Opal Metal Industries Australia, Dan Duffy from DJ Cove Resort on September 1st. The quality of Duffy Builders, Anthony Shipway from Shipway workmanship was absolutely outstanding, and Constructions in Port Macquarie, Deb Farqhuar full credit to all of the winners and finalists in from East Coast Cabinets, Toby Smith, a young the awards this year. Our region covers from and upcoming builder from Uralla, Greg Hall Taree to Yamba/Maclean and out to Moree from Better Homes in Port Macquarie and finally and down to Coonabarabran, and we had Maurice Tate, a local well known face - he also entries from all over the region. Some of the teaches our Certificate IV students. winners included East Coast Cabinets, with an The awards are judged on the overall quality absolutely stunning kitchen which took out the of work, design usability, sustainability, and Kitchen of the Year; Eric Horspool from EJ & practicality and yes, they have to have the wow PG Horspool Builders took home the big win of factor as well. The judges are also looking at Northern NSW Home of the Year, with a house materials used, the difficulty of the build, with to die for. any hurdles the entrants may have to overcome; Some of the renovations awards winners for example, steep blocks. One example this were Jason Degroot from JDG Constructions year, with Jason from JDG constructions, was a - Jason’s quality of work is extremely high; large tree which the client didn’t want damaged Solitary Designer Homes took out the Bathroom and the build went on around it. of the Year and was also a finalist in other Who are the sponsors of the event? categories; Rick Fisher from G.J. Gardner Homes Our Major Sponsor was Laminex Australia, took out the Greensmart Awards, which is for and we thank them for being a part of our energy efficient builds or “off the grid” builds, awards this year. Other sponsors include Safe which are getting more popular now.

Work, James Hardie and the Department of Who were the judges, and how are the Industry.

How has the building industry changed over the years?

Over the years there have been a lot of changes with designs and how houses are being built, energy efficiency is now playing a major part, and Basix regulations, with more efficient heating and cooling. Another important part which Safework NSW has been doing is safety on jobsites, which has had a massive reduction in injuries and deaths on jobsites over the years, which is fantastic to see. There are a lot more regulations and legislation involved with building, and the HIA plays a major part in reducing red tape for the trades.

How can we get involved in the HIA Awards 2018?

I would recommend any builders or tradesmen to enter into the awards if they have had a job which they feel has the wow factor, or is something different. We are also always looking for new sponsors to get involved and enjoy the day with us!

Where can we find out more?

You can visit our website hia.com. au or you can email Megan directly on: m.chase@hia.com.au Thanks Richard and Megan.

BUY • SELL • BUILD - A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE

Dave Brighton

//

DAV E BRIGH TON F LOOR SA NDING

What background experience do you bring

Jason and Maree McClung Jason and Maree McClung from Jason McClung Solicitor have been our wonderful neighbours for the past seven years. We have formed a really great bond with the couple and thought we would say thanks by sharing their story with our readers …

W

hat is your connection to the projects you are working on now and in Coffs Coast? the future.

I moved to Coffs in 1995 It’s all confidential, but it’s safe to say with my wife, Maree. At that Coffs Harbour has some inspirational, that time I had only just been admitted as a talented and hard-working businessmen and businesswomen who contribute substantially solicitor and took up a position with Coffs to the Coffs Harbour economy. legal firm FWO Solicitors. Our son, Callam, What makes you stand out above you was born in 1997 and we have called Coffs competitors?

Harbour home ever since.

My services are specialised - I only practice What is the history behind Jason McClung in the areas that I do best. The law is like any Solicitor? other profession; when you are experienced in I started my own legal firm in 2002 and, a particular aspect, it makes it easier to explain after working in commercial and property issues to clients and uncover and provide law for my working life, I wanted to establish options that clients can understand. a firm that focused on How important is expert commercial and it to support local property law advice. businesses?

I was accredited as a It is critical to support specialist in Property Law I only practice in the areas that I local businesses. We are by the NSW Law Society do best. The law is like any lucky enough to enjoy a in 1997. I developed other profession; when broad variety of goods and key relationships with you are experienced services in Coffs Harbour, local referral sources in a particular aspect, because the providers of (including property agents it makes it easier to those goods and services and business brokers) explain issues to clients and had the guts and vision and then progressively uncover and provide options to start or run a business. developed relationships that clients can understand.

We must support local with referral sources businesses so we continue throughout NSW, to have that variety. particularly in respect What do you enjoy most of business sales and about living on the Coffs Coast? purchases, predominantly motels.

I am a homebody, and I spend a lot of my What services does Jason McClung recreational time with Maree at home on our Solicitor provide? farm and with our friends.

Coffs is probably I focus on the sale and purchase of one of the best places for dirt bike riding in commercial land and businesses and hand in Australia, and I love hitting the trails on a hand with that is advice on commercial leases, weekend. commercial agreements and structuring of Also, I’ve scuba dived several places here companies, partnerships and trusts. I also and outside of Australia, and the scuba diving handle more complex property matters, in Coffs is probably the most special - pristine including property acquisition by self-managed aquatic life.

You can find and swim at a superannuation funds. I still have a strong deserted beach or a deserted fresh water river wills and estate practice and also provide just about any day of the year; I could go on advice on appointing a power of attorney and and on! appointing an enduring guardian.

Thanks Jason.

Tell us about some the new, exciting

74 coffs coast focus.

What is the most satisfying aspect of your role? The finished product. When you have a floor that is tired and run timber floor specialist and D AV E B R I G H T O N Floor Sanding down, then you seen the have been operating here comparison with the finished in theBrighton Mid North Coast area is a fully licensed timber flooring business back in the Dave Floor Sanding product - and the1960s. floor looks since 1996.

I have a vast and and insured fl oor sanding business that can When it comes to getting your Dave Brighton Floor Sanding is expanding. We solidoperate and engineered timber floors, as well as on the Coffs Coast, in that.

Bellingen, amazing!

I love I also wide range of experience supply andhave install timber flooring.

This includes job done withand We now eight staff members.

Weby someone sanding polishing and existing floors.

Nambucca and Macleay Valleys, as well as out lovenew my customers’feedback knowledge awithin range of flooring engineered prefinished flBrighton, ooring, and experience, the timber floor have four specialists, Dave Wethe operate onrequest. the and Coffsreaction Coast, to in the Bellingen, of area on finished you can’t go past Nambucca, a licensed Kempsey, including raw fl ooring that can be installed Mark Hiller, Damian Kearny and Daniel South West Rocks, industry. product.

We can come to your home to give you an and accredited member over any surface - and we can sand and Johnson; two apprentices, Tomalso Revelly and Macleay Valley, out to Dorrigo and anything in obligation free quote anddo ouryou expert advice.

How effectively I am a member of The of fl The Australian Timber coat your new and existing timber oors with Daniel Brighton; and our two office ladies, Suea between.

We can sand and polish youryour existing timber market business to Australian Timber Flooring Association, where Striderange and Javena to amazing wide of top Veale. of the Thanks range flFlooring oorour coatings.

When looking athave your next flooring project, fl oors, or if you a fl oor covering in your new customers?

We use Association. When it comes standards are give high and and the team a call. He will come to team, looking our waitattime kept flto a the minimum.

When youris next ooring project, houseDave we can remove (suchforms as carpet), then various of media to to getting your job done by reliability is everything.

DaveDave Brighton Sanding also expanded yourcan home, tomarket your ideas and give you give a call.Floor He will comehas to your home, ourexisting business.

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We can supply and install, or you can purchase Contact Dave Brighton Floor Sanding forand an we Dave Brighton Floor Sanding has been Flooring Association, where the standards are upload regularly with before and after images of the floorboards and we can install them for obligation free quote and expert advice on operating on the Coffs Coast for over 45 years, For all enquires, please call David on floors we have completed. high and reliability is everything. you.

We are still supplying and installing our 0447 683 388.

0447 683 388. as Dave’s grandfather and farther started a to your current role? I am a fourth generation

Dave Brighton Floorsanding

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Coffs Coast focus 81

BUY • SELL • BUILD - A SPECIAL FOCUS FEATURE

bone geometric

INLAY

cabinet

Only $2,349.00 from Vast Interior Coffs Harbour

Jim’s carpet

153 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour.

cleaning

Phone 6652 1111.

The Jim’s franchises are a familiar brand to most people. FOCUS meet up with our local Jim’s Carpet Cleaning franchise owner, Scott Mounter, to find out more about all things carpet cleaning.

W

eastcoast

cabinets

Winners of the 2017 HIA Northern Region Award for Large Kitchen of the Year.

E

ast Coast Cabinets was set up in mid 1970 by two local lads. In 1984 it was sold to Peter and Deb Farquhar, who moved from Canberra to start a new life with their young family. One employee started the following year as an “out of trade” apprentice and is still here, and two others have put in “a lot of years”. In 2013 Deb took over the company, allowing Peter to concentrate on designing and quoting.

Kitchens, shop and office fittings are still the mainstay of our operation. However, if it is made out of board, we are happy to help -

82 Coffs Coast focus

no job is too big, or too small.

On 1st September we were awarded the HIA Northern Region Award for Large Kitchen (over 20 sqm) and the HIA Northern Region Kitchen of the Year. Late in October our entry will be in HIA NSW State Awards.

We are a locally owned business, employing eight people who are living with families in the local area and, by supporting other locally owned businesses where possible, are keeping a lot of money circulating locally. By only buying Australian materials, money at least remains in Australia. We all have to look after each other.

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

I have been a resident of Coffs Harbour since 2005, and prior to that my family and I have played tourist. We moved to the Coffs Coast for work purposes, and it is now our home.

I'm proud to call myself a local. My family and I have immersed ourselves in the Coffs community as far as being involved in sporting teams, our circle of friends and the business community.

I’m also a member of the NSW Fire & Rescue station 257 (Coffs Harbour).

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and experience in this industry?

I have been involved with Jim’s since 2006 and have had the Jim’s Carpet Cleaning Franchise for six years. I am a fully accredited carpet cleaner through IICRC. With this consumers can be confident that an IICRC certified technician is experienced and qualified to take care of your valuable property.

I have recently upgraded my machinery to the latest technology, which insures the best job possible.

What is the best thing about your job?

“

Each day is different and brings a new challenge. It gives me the chance to travel around this great region of ours, and I get to deal with different people each day. It is most definitely not your everyday 9 - 5 job.

What makes your business stand out above your competitors?

Jim’s is a market leader, and customers can be satisfied that a job will be done in a timely manner and correctly.

We as franchisees are held accountable by the brand and the system that is Jim’s. I am fully insured and police checked.

I take pride in giving the best customer service and being reliable, whilst being competitive on price.

My service is more than just carpet cleaning; I also have the capacity to do both commercial and residential dwellings, high rise and single storey.

I also can take care of any flood problems and have a machine that will clean floor tiles back to new in most circumstances, using my indoor pressure cleaner. And I can clean lounges and mattresses.

Share some expert cleaning advice with our readers?

Don’t always rely on Google and never ever use bicarb soda on carpets. But I would always say if in doubt, call the professionals.

Thanks Scott.

My family and I have immersed ourselves in the Coffs community as far as being involved in sporting teams, our circle of friends and the business community.”

focus real estate

AMANDA LANGLANDS FROM LANGLANDS PROPERTY

real estate update.

R E N O VAT I N G R I G H T

Renovating “right” from the start, by increasing comfort and reducing running costs of your home, will make it more attractive to purchasers when it comes time to sell.

B

uyers are becoming more concerned about the ongoing running costs of a home due to increased cost of gas and power. New trends have emerged, where buyers are requesting electricity and water bills and asking more questions about efficiency features.

As property prices increase, it is not just about can you afford a home anymore - it is

also can you afford to live in it? As property owners invest in liveability real estate features such as solar, insulation, water efficiency features and other cost saving features, buyers are finding the homes more attractive. And it is important that real estate agents keep a current and comprehensive knowledge to meet the expectations of the buyers’ changing needs and understand the products to be able to explain

these features and their value when offering a property for sale, to maximise the sellers’ price.

Traditionally when thinking about reducing running costs of a home, people instantly think of solar panels, hotwater systems and water flow reducing devices; however, there is so much more to think about.

A good building design will consider seven main elements in the design process to create homes that require minimal mechanical heating or cooling. For most of Australia, the orientation of a building to face north to access the free heat from the sun is the starting point. The other six elements are - house “zoning”, thermal mass, ventilation, insulation, shading and glazing. When these features are integrated, they create a beautiful whole house solution.

Orientation is of greatest importance for heating the home. Orientation is simply locating living areas like the lounge room on the north side of the house, with windows having clear access to sunlight - especially in mid-winter.

Effective orientation provides a minimum of about five hours of free sun heating a day.

Ventilation can improve comfort levels and the air quality in your home.

The climate in Coffs Harbour is warm, wet and humid, making it an attractive zone for mould growth. Cross ventilation is not only important in a passive solar design to help cool

a house by allowing air to move and escape; it is also important to get the air moving and disrupt mould growth.

Zoning is used to help regulate temperature in a home. Doors close off rooms and stop both cooling and warming air escaping from living areas into empty corridors.

Insulation is like a barrier, helping to regulate heat flow into and out of your home.

By reducing heat flow, you can maintain a comfortable temperature inside, regardless of the temperature outside.

Thermal mass is a measure of a material’s ability to absorb and release heat. Good passive design uses thermal mass to absorb excess heat from within a house during summer days and dump it to cool night skies. Bricks and concrete are the most commonly available high mass materials.

Windows have a large influence on comfort, as they are both the biggest source of heat loss and heat gain. A great deal of heat can pass through glass, which can compromise an otherwise well-insulated house. To improve the insulating properties of the window, consider installing double glazing.

External shading devices can block up to 90% of the unwanted direct sunlight hitting your windows during summer. Forms of shading devices include eaves, pergolas, seasonal shade sails and awnings.

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84 Coffs Coast focus

E A S T C O A S T Cabinets August/September have been busy, with kitchens galore and fitting out the new McDonald’s at Nambucca Heads Service Centre and various other commercial projects. It is pleasing to see that the area is experiencing a hive of activity, with long delays in getting some trades.

It has also been a time of great excitement and celebration, with one of our builders, Solitary Designer Homes, winning the HIA Housing Award for Custom Built Home ($600,000 to $1,000,000) and us winning the Award for Large Kitchen (over 20 sqm) and Kitchen of the Year, all for 43 Ocean Street, Woolgoolga. Although we have won awards before, it was most pleasing to realise that each of our employees had played their own part in these ones. Thank you to the owners and to Jim and Mark from Solitary Designer Homes for their ongoing trust in us.

December is fast approaching, and it is time to start organising the business and home renovation projects that everyone seems to need prior to their family Christmas, the arrival of friends and family for the holidays, and the annual shut down of the building industry. We are most willing to assist in your planning and design.

Coffs Coast focus 85

focusinterview.

Petra and Rob Petra and Rob Clague love their garden so much, they decided to get married in it. They burst on to the garden comp scene in 2016, and this year have won first place again in the Waterwise category of the 2017 Coffs Harbour Garden Club Spring Garden Competition. FOCUS chatted with them about how their garden has evolved, what makes it waterwise and the many benefits of gardening with native plants.

W

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast?

Growing up as a child, my family would take us to Coffs Harbour every Christmas holidays. I met Rob in 2008, and we decided to start looking for a small property on the beautiful Coffs Coast, and that’s when we stumbled across the property in Korora and fell in love with it.

Can you tell us about your achievements in the recent Coffs Harbour Garden Club's Annual Spring Garden Competition?

This year Rob and I won first place in the Waterwise B-Garden over 1000 sqm. We are so proud to have achieved this award. Our garden has a huge variety of plants, especially Australian natives and drought resistant plants.

We also won second place in the Vegetable Garden - over 4 sqm.

Without giving away too many secrets, how do you prepare your garden for the competition?

We don’t really have any secrets. Our garden is always beautiful; we continually keep it maintained and love to be amongst it daily - it’s a routine. Just like keeping your house clean, everything has its place, and that’s how we like to keep our garden.

We also keep our garden mulched year round, which supresses weeds and keeps it warm in the winter and hydrated in the summer. Pruning dead flowers regularly will promote more flowers and encourages the plant to bush up and grow, which really gives your plants a healthy appearance.

We compost and have a worm farm. We feed the worms on all vegetable and garden matter and in return, this produces up to 1 litre of organic fertiliser, which is watered 86 Coffs Coast focus

down and put back into the garden, keeping surrounded us, and we stood there in shock it very organic and healthy. thinking, “What are we going to do?” So we Where have your gardening skills come started with research, and plant by plant it from? started to take shape.

Rob and I both grew up on properties and What makes your garden waterwise, were gifted with the knowledge from our and why is this important for sustainable families, giving us our green thumbs today. gardening in the Australian climate?

Rob’s parents had a large farming propWe have learnt over time that mulching erty in New Zealand, where he grew up in a is the best thing you can do for any garden beautiful homestead surrounded with flower to keep it growing beautifully through hot gardens and trees, which his mother took summers and dry winters. It keeps moisture great pride in. They also in, not only conditiongrew flowers and sold ing the soil as it breaks them locally and for down, giving back lost export. organisms, but also Orange clay surrounded us, My mother was a keeps root systems and we stood there in shock huge inspiration to me. either warm in winter thinking, ‘What are we My father built the famor hydrated and cool in going to do?’ So we started ily home, while she cresummer. with research, and plant by ated garden after garden While the plants plant it started to take shape. of roses, flowers, fishwhere young, we used ponds and just beautiful a fine, native mulch to areas to sit in the garden allow rain to penetrate and watch time go by. more easily and allow We also had a massive vegetable garden, and the plants to breathe and become estabit was amazing having fresh vegetables year lished. Now that they are established, we round for our large family. have put down a native hard chip, as it lasts How did your garden begin, and how has longer - especially when you have a large it evolved? garden. We also use lucerne on our fruit tree In 2011 we purchased a former banana and sugar cane mulch on the veggies. farm. We saved to build the house for several Choosing the correct plants for the location years, and we would go camping at the botand conditions is very important. Drought toltom of the block and look up and dream how erant plants are fantastic, and we fell in love it would be one day. with Australian natives. Our garden has over The years flew by, and in 2014 we had it 300 natives and numerous exotic plants. excavated for a driveway and home pad. That What are the other benefits of gardening was very scary, because once the machines with native plants? had finished their work, we were left with There are huge varieties of native plants to massive banks surrounding the 90 metre choose from, including trees, shrubs, bushes, platform, with a steep drop all the way ground covers, climbers and standards that around at the front and a 50 metre long cut can handle long periods of drought and can and 10 metre drop at the back. Orange clay be scented or unscented.

The flowers are truly amazing and we have a paradise, where flocks of birds and bees come every day to feed from the nectar. It gets very busy in our garden.

What else can be found in your garden?

There are a lot of birds and their families, such as parrots, a variety of honey eaters, finches, Willie Wagtails, Swallows, Black Cockatoos, Galahs, Kookaburras sing for us every morning, and I’ve seen eagles flying above.

We also have bees, lots of bees - native bees, bumblebees, and huge green carpenter bees. There are lizards, spiders, insects, lots of different butterflies, frogs and the occasional Redbelly Black Snake.

Mushrooms and fungus grow on logs I have placed around the garden, which look really pretty, and the soil is abundant with worms. We only use natural products in the garden, keeping it very organic. Pesticides only deter the wildlife in the garden, creating a bigger problem with caterpillars and other pests, so we rather let the birds and other good insects feed on pests, as this is a natural cycle in the garden.

What do you love most about your garden?

Our garden for us makes our house a home; it’s a place to relax and be mindful of how beautiful nature really is. It’s a hobby we both love and share that is soothing and rewarding. It can make you forget the stresses of the day and can take your pain away. We love to watch the garden grow and develop and in return feed all the native wildlife.

We are so proud of what we have created; it was a dream of ours, but with hard work dedication and the love for gardening we have created a paradise and our dream came true.

Thanks Petra and Rob.

Coffs Coast focus 87

G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

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focus _ feature.

G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

A passion for building beautiful homes and providing exceptional customer service has seen local builders Rick and Susan Fischer rise to the top of their industry in the decade that they have been G.J. Gardner Homes’ franchisees.

T

We’ve just built a new

design studio in our office his year they won three “Our dedicated team at Orlando Street, and it’s Master Builders Association believe in constantly moving a game changer for our awards, for Best Exhibition/ forward with the business,” clients. Basically, it allows Project Home in both the Rick said. “We’ve just built people to come in and view $300,001 - $350,000 and $500,000+ a new Design Studio in our a range of selections ... categories and Best Energy Efficient/ office at Orlando Street and Environmental Home over $500,000. it’s a game changer for our A fifth-generation builder, Rick clients. Basically, it allows believes a key factor in his and wife people to come in and view Susan’s success is keeping on top of the a range of selections for latest in design and construction trends and finding everything from the exterior cladding of their new innovative ways to provide a superior service to their home, right down to the tapware for their bathroom.” clients.

Your trusted local.

At home with the best!

Get in touch with an awardwinning local builder.

171 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Contact us on 6691 3509 or visit gjgardner.com.au

G.J. Gardner Homes awarded #1 Major Builder by you!

Fischer Built Pty Ltd trading as G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Coast. Builders Licence 191313C.

Coffs Coast focus 89

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The Design Studio includes a full

kitchen with three different cooktop and oven choices, multiple flooring, cladding, roofing, verandah and decking options, bathroom fittings and paint colour samples.

“It gives new home builders the opportunity to come and touch and feel the products and takes away any concerns they have about how the final product will look,” Rick said. “It’s a unique concept and we’re excited to share it with our clients.”

Rick and Susan are also bringing the

It gives new home

latest in house design explore the homes as builders the opportunity technology to their if they were physically to come and touch and display home at North walking through them feel the products and Sapphire Beach, with and can visualise how takes away any concerns their new Touch Screen they could make the they have about how the 3D Virtual Display Home designs their own,” Rick final product will look.

Tours, which allow clients said. “It also provides to explore and discover a complete 3D view of dozens of home designs the home’s floor plan, and floor plans in 3D. allowing you to select “The 3D Virtual Display Home Tours are spaces that you would like to explore and interactive, which means that clients can actually make changes to the floor plan, like

making a bathroom bigger, for example.

New home builders don’t need to imagine what the home would be like; they can see it there and then and know exactly what it will look like.

The Display Home.

Open seven days a week from 10am - 5pm at 3 Cherry Street, North Sapphire Beach.

indoor + out Proud Supplier to GJ Gardener Homes Coffs Harbour 90 Coffs Coast focus

COFFS HARBOUR

28 Isles Drive, Coffs Harbour (02) 6651 4133 ambertiles.com.au

focus _ feature.

Rick and Susan and their team specialise in building custom style homes for a variety of clients at every different life stage and with a range of budgets in mind ...

Rick and Susan and their team specialise in building custom style homes for a variety of clients at every different life stage and with a range of budgets in mind - from first home buyers and families, through to retirees. They work with both clients who have already purchased land, as well as offering house and land packages across the region - currently they have house and land packages available in both coastal and rural areas, from Woolgoolga in the north down to Scotts Head in the south and west to Nana Glen.

“We have over 150 new home designs available, and of course we also help design houses for our clients from scratch or customise from existing plans,” Rick said. “We are able to help our clients design the type of home that will suit their block and lifestyle best, whether it be by the beach or on acreage or a farm.”

Their recent awards are a testament to their skill at choosing and adapting house designs to suit both coastal and rural living.

G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

Coffs Coast focus 91

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G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

The Award-Winning Bridgewater house at North Sapphire Beach sits on a block that is bordered by a number of battleaxe blocks in a built-up area, so design and positioning of the house was important.

“The house sits on the block really well and has been designed to maximise privacy and capture as much sun as possible during winter,” Rick said. “As the house was not overly big, we installed raked ceilings to give the impression of extra space. The kitchen and living areas face out to the swimming pool and outside entertaining areas, creating a

92 Coffs Coast focus

seamless flow between the inside and out.”

Rick and Susan’s award-winning house at

Buckra Bendinni

As the house was not overly big, we installed raked ceilings to give the impression of extra space. The kitchen and living areas face out to the swimming pool and outside entertaining areas, creating a seamless flow between the inside and out.

posed a completely different set of challenges.

The house was to be set up as a B&B, and therefore required energy efficient design to keep running costs down.

“We’re really proud that this home won us the Best Energy Efficient/Environmental

Home award,” Rick said. “In this case it was cheaper to include energy efficient features like solar panels, water tanks and gas appliances rather than bringing power in from the

street.”

The house features a 5,000 litre gravity-fed

water tank, backed up by two 100,000 litre water tanks. Solar panels face east, north and west to maximise heat capture, and the solar hot water system is gas boosted to ensure there is plenty of hot water available on overcast days. Solar powered extractor fans have been installed above the wood-burning fireplace, and these capture excess heat from the fireplace and distribute it to each end of the house.

focus _ feature.

The Team.

Rick and Susan are quick to point out that their success could not have been achieved without the hard work, passion and dedication to superior customer service that their local team deliver.

Treating every request and detail with this ethos in mind is how a project should be handled by a builder, and this is what builds trust with the owner.

“Our staff have a great deal of experience in the building industry and in every home we build, no matter if the detail is small or significant, we understand that every element is important to the client,” Rick said. “Treating every request and detail with this ethos in mind is how a project should be handled by a

builder, and this is what builds trust with the owner.”

Rick said the upturn in the housing market on the Coffs Coast since late last year has meant that business has been thriving.

“As a business this has given us the opportunity to employ more local

people, and we now have six staff on the team,” Rick said. “We’ve also had the opportunity to hire more building contractors.

We have an amazing array of talented local tradespeople we work with. Coffs truly has some of the best tradies in the country, and we’re proud to work with them; we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

Coffs Coast focus 93

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G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

RICK and SUSAN FISCHER. MANAGING DIRECTOR/ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Rick is a fifth-generation builder who started his apprenticeship in his father’s building company 25 years ago. Having seen his father and grandfather both have very successful building companies, he decided that a career in the building industry would be a good move.

Rick and Susan ran the G.J. Gardner Clarence Valley franchise for six years and when the opportunity came up to buy the G. J. Gardner Coffs Harbour franchise four years ago, they jumped at it.

They had previously lived on the Coffs Coast about 15 years ago and absolutely loved the lifestyle, so decided to come back. With three children, they juggle a busy business and a hectic household.

SCOTT BROWN.

MATTHEW HALE.

N E W H O M E S A L E S C O N S U LTA N T

N E W H O M E S A L E S C O N S U LTA N T

Scott has been a new home consultant for almost a decade and has a trade background, having worked as a roofing installer. Scott works with clients to help them design their new homes and fit their design to their budget. He enjoys the fact that he can work with a variety of clients, including first home buyers, investors, retirees and families.

He says it’s especially rewarding to help a young family through the building process and see them excited to move into their first home. Living in Nambucca Heads gives Scott the opportunity to work closely with clients in that area, as well as throughout the Coffs Coast region.

Proudly supplying Lighting and Electrical to

G.J. Gardner Homes Cetnaj Coffs Harbour 151 Orlando Street Ph: 6691 6100

94 Coffs Coast focus

Matthew and his family made the sea change from Sydney to Coffs last year to enjoy a slower pace of life and to be part of a close community.

With a passion for house design, Matthew helps clients to custom design their new homes to suit their needs and lifestyles within their budget.

He says that clients often feel daunted by the idea of designing a new home, and his role is to simplify the planning process and turn their ideas into reality.

He loves incorporating the latest design ideas into his clients’ homes and says it is possible to create a beautiful home within a tight budget, just by incorporating clever design ideas like high ceilings, which create a sense of grandeur.

focus _ feature.

G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

KYLIE HAMPSHIRE. A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

MARC ZAVECZKY.

BILL CLARKE.

E S T I M AT O R

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Kylie was born in Wagga Wagga and moved to Coffs

Marc’s role involves balancing client budgets to include custom designs and specific fixture and fitting selections.

He prepares work orders prior to the commencement of construction, to ensure that work is carried out within a specific budget. Marc has a good understanding of the building industry, having worked as a carpenter prior to becoming an estimator.

Bill has over 40 years’ experience in the building industry, having run his own building business prior to becoming a construction supervisor.

in 2011 with her husband and three children. A selfconfessed “people person”, Kylie’s role involves liaising with clients, tradespeople and her colleagues to manage the building process.

Kylie says the best part of her job is seeing the smiles on the faces of her clients when they receive the keys to their new homes. She enjoys being part of a committed work team and says it’s always a “happy environment” in the G.J. Gardner office.

When she’s not at the office, Kylie enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and three boys.

He says the best part of his job is working through design plans and doing the calculations to ensure clients receive their dream home within their budget.

Marc says the building industry is constantly evolving and coming up with new products, which he is able to incorporate into his clients’ new homes.

His role involves coordinating tradespeople, the delivery of building products, managing quality control during the construction of new homes, ensuring health and safety requirements are being met and liaising with clients during the building process.

Having worked in the building industry for such a long time, Bill has a good understanding of all aspects of the build and what is expected of each tradesperson. Bill says the best part of his job is seeing a design concept turn into an actual home and guiding clients through that process.

Reece proudly supports GJ Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour

Working together to create bathrooms you’ll love.

177a Orlando Street 02 6652 4277 | 12 Isles Drive 02 6651 9444 reece.com.au/bathrooms Follow us on social media:@reecebathrooms

Coffs Coast focus 95

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The Brand.

Rick and Susan are backed by the strong reputation and experience of the G.J. Gardner brand.

“G.J. Gardner has been around for over by consumers.

33 years, and it is great to be part of a “Consumers ranked their experiences with network that has been builders across a number building quality homes for of criteria, with a good Australians for such a long local reputation being time,” Rick said. “As a local top of their list,” Rick business, I am able to offer said. “They were also As a local business, I that sense of certainty to my judged across criteria, am able to offer that customers that comes with such as trustworthiness, sense of certainty to the backing of a large and affordability, best house my customers that well respected company.” design packages and comes with the backing G.J. Gardner consistently quickest build time.” of a large and well rates in the top 10 Rick said the review respected company. residential home builders comments highlight in Australia by the Housing what G.J. Gardner does Industry Association and last differently to other year was named the best national home builder builders, going the extra mile for their clients. in the ProductReview.com.au Awards, as voted “Clients commented on our excellent

96 Coffs Coast focus

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customer service from start attest to the outstanding Clients commented on to finish, including the customer service our excellent customer efficient management of provided by Rick and service from start to tradespeople throughout Susan and their team. finish, including the the build and the The couple and their two efficient management of important extras like children recently moved tradespeople throughout providing them with in to their new home at the build ... weekly updates,” Rick Sapphire Beach, built on said. “Clients appreciated a block they had owned the flexibility we provided for a couple of years. to help them customise “The service from their new home and commented on the high the G.J. Gardner team was A1 from start to standard of finishes and attention to detail finish,” Paul said. “We worked with Rick and that was achieved within a reasonable budget. the team to custom design the home and These results confirm that reputation counts in everything we wanted we got; there were no the building game.” dramas, and it was a very smooth process.”

Local couple Paul and Verena Singh can

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We had a fixed-priced contract and the house came in on budget, the construction manager from G.J. Gardner, Bill Clarke, was in contact with us regularly giving us updates, and we were able to go onsite when we wanted to.

G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast

98 Coffs Coast focus

Paul and Verena had the house customised to suit their lifestyle, with special features including five-metre raked ceilings and full glass panels in the living room to take advantage of the view to the pool outside, a “Hollywood” walk-in-robe in the master bedroom that has a window looking out to the pool and a one-of-a-kind façade on the front of the house.

The couple also swapped the position of their pool

from the back to the side of the house and swapped the position of the garage to suit the land gradient at the front of the house.

“We had a fixed-priced contract and the house came in on budget, the construction manager from G.J. Gardner, Bill Clarke, was in contact with us regularly giving us updates and we were able to go onsite when we wanted to,” Paul said. “The team at G.J. Gardner Coffs Coast was absolutely fantastic; there were no dramas, and I would highly recommend them to people looking to build a new house in the area.”

focus _ feature.

The Community.

Rick, Susan and their team are a close-knit bunch, and their next shared goal is to raise as much money as possible for Movember.

Last year they were part of the biggest that awareness among our contractors corporate team ever to support the that it’s okay to talk about issues that fundraising event and along with their G.J. might be affecting them, and it also Gardner colleagues around the country, makes us stop and take the time to have raised $100,000 to support the Movember a conversation with them, delve a little Foundation’s funding deeper and check if of world-class they are really okay.” innovative men’s Rick said they had health programs, amazing support from The Movember research and services the local community Foundation creates that focused on prostate during Movember awareness among our cancer, testicular last year, with locals contractors that it’s okay cancer and suicide generously donating to talk about issues that prevention. to help with their might be affecting them, “The construction fundraising effort. and it also makes us stop industry is male“The guys are and take the time to have a dominated and has excited and ready to conversation with them. traditionally had a grow a mo during macho culture, where Movember, and workers weren’t we hope the local encouraged to talk community will get about issues that behind us once again were impacting them,” Rick said. to support this terrific cause.”

“The Movember Foundation creates

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.

CE EN F NT TE AM RE RTA IL NO IN Y W ME OP NT EN !

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WWW.BIGBANANA.COM | PH: 02 6652 4355 351 PACIFIC HWY, COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450