COFFS COAST
March 2018. issue 90
1 coffs coast focus.
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EDUCATION AND TEACHING Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching) Bachelor of Education (In-service Conversion) Bachelor of Education (K-6 Teaching) Bachelor of Education (K-12 Teaching) Bachelor of Education (Secondary in Arts; Mathematics; Music^^ or Science) Bachelor of Educational Studies Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education (Primary) Bachelor of Training and Development Graduate Certificate in Education Studies Graduate Certificate in eLearning Master of Education Master of Teaching (Primary) Master of Teaching (Secondary)
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team
Welcome to the March issue of Coffs Coast FOCUS.
I
t’s quite a thrill to be exposed to so many great people month in month out … learning people’s stories and penning their lives in print. This month the FOCUS team showcase the many adventures of fabulous locals as they surface, along with pure pleasures in life: restaurants, cafés, bars, fashion, education, where to holiday, tourism goss, horoscopes, amazing photography, surfing and the arts - all of our favourite things. Women in Business - The Year of the Women This month is all about empowering women. Our goal is to see that all women experience self-love, self-worth, self-esteem, and a powerful place in society. In continuation of the celebration of women this month, we are proud to present to you our annual Women in Business feature. This year we have profiled so many amazing women - business leaders, entrepreneurs, newcomers and more. We hope you enjoy reading all about them and our
five who are featured on the cover: Amanda Langlands (Langlands Property), Renae Donovan (3 Bears Cottage), Kate Drum (Sawtell RSL), Lee Smidt (Honey & Huntsman) and Denise Archer (First Ave Boutique). We would like to thank all of those involved in organising the incredible cover this month. Carole Beros, our front cover stylists - we wouldn’t be able to pull off amazing front covers without your expertise. Daisy Moroney and Ella Spillane, who were our fabulous hair and makeup an artists, Shanette Farrell from Lotus and Lace Millinery in Casino. How incredible are those headpieces? Shanette hand made these especially for FOCUS. We are so honoured to share her talents with you. Inside this edition This month Bonville Golf Resort will be hosting the Australian Ladies Classic, an event that is not only expected to bring a huge wave of visitors to our region, but to shine a light on what the Coffs Coast has to offer. We spoke to Graeme
Phillipson of Golf NSW about what to expect from the event and the impact it is bound to have on the area. Sunken Chip is Sandy Beach’s trading post; they are a little of this and a lot of that, a general store with papers, a grocery shop with locally grown produce, house-made goodies and handmade gifts, frozen meals, a takeaway with delicious burgers, local coffee and a community hub where locals regularly hold workshops and meetings. FOCUS grabbed a coffee with owner Karina Smith to find out more. Seniors Living and Retirement We have put together a great feature this month for the seniors within our community there are plenty of social groups, entertainment, support, and living services on offer - check it out on page 63. Final Say: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness” Oprah Winfrey.
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Coffs Coast focus 3
issue inside this
Ladies Classic Australian.
Issue 90 - March 2018
38
Regulars
This month Bonville Golf Resort will be hosting the Australian Ladies Classic, an event that is not only expected to bring a huge wave of visitors to our region, but to shine a light on what the Coffs Coast has to offer. We spoke to Graeme Phillipson of Golf NSW about what to expect from the event and the impact it is bound to have on the area ...
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58
Shibora. Creating beautiful skincare products, fragrances and candles sourced almost wholly from her family farm, Claire from Shibora shares with FOCUS her love of the Coffs Coast and her brand …
16. WHAT’S ON MARCH 26. EAT FEATURING LOCAL RESTAURANTS 36. SOCIAL SCENE CAROLE BEROS 70. STAR GUIDE WITH TERRI
John Purnell.
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John Purnell, a Valla local, is a news cameraman/editor who shapes timber surfboards in his spare time and has also worked on a number of independent films. His most recent film, a full feature called “The Backpacker”, was selected for the London and Cannes Independent Film Festivals. We spoke to him about his passion for creating unique surfboards, and how that balances out with his work in the film and television industry.
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focusinterview.
Coffs Harbour
BOARDRIDERS The Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club has recently opened their very own clubhouse and training facility - an exciting new addition that will really help support their members to train to their full potential. We spoke to Bryn Goode about the new facility and what it means to the club and its members.
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i Bryn. Can you tell us about CHBRC and how long it's been operating on the Coffs Coast? The Hoey Moey Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club is one of the longest running clubs in Australia, having been an integral part of the Coffs Coast surfing community since 1965. After a successful 50th reunion celebration, presented by Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, the club was further recognised on the national stage with the prestigious honour of being named Boardriders Club of the Year for 2016. The club has a simple but strong ethos: “We are a strong, proud family club with a focus on building great friendships and future champions”. How many members do you have at the moment? We run at about 200 to 220 members throughout the year. What kind of age groups and ability levels are there amongst your members? This year we have introduced a six and under division; this is really aimed at giving these tiny grommies a go and involving them and Mum and Dad to be a part of the club. This then goes through to Junior and Open Girls through to the old fossils, the over 45s which is a very competitive division after the "deep heat" kicks in! 2018 has been quite exciting for you! You have recently opened a club house for CHBRC members. Tell us a little about the 6 Coffs Coast focus
new building. This year we purchased our very own club house, an achievement very few clubs throughout Australia can boast and a facility that will ensure the club’s future growth. The club house will serve as our very own training and development centre, fully equipped with state of the art training and video analysis equipment. What can the members expect from the new club house? We are starting the training in the next couple of months, when our trainers are fully qualified. There will be different sessions a week for juniors and seniors. We will be possibly running alternate groups at least twice a week to get maximum benefit. How does a training facility help surfers out of the water, and what do the training programs involve? Basically, flexibility and core strength are major parts of performance surfing for both in the water and maintaining good, strong posture through general life. What sort of equipment do you provide at the club house, and how do you use it to train with members? So far to date we do surf coaching twice a week that is broken up into two divisions in age groups (micro groms and groms). With the new training facility we have, this will be a base for strength and core development to help the up and coming surfers with power and flexibility. This is kicking off in the next couple of months and will be a fully supervised and set
WE ARE A STRONG, PROUD FAMILY CLUB WITH A FOCUS ON BUILDING GREAT FRIENDSHIPS AND FUTURE CHAMPIONS.
program kind of training schedule, so each person can really focus on the parts they need to improve on. Even for the older club members we will be running sessions to stay in shape and work on core fitness. What are some of the success stories that have come from members of the CHBRC? We have got some great past world stage surfers who are still involved with the club, from Lee Winkler, Shaun Cansdell, Jayke Sharp, Billy Kean, Mark Williams, Maddison Williams, Heath Joske and so on. Some of our more recent achievements include: CHBC Team Results • Australian Boardriders Club of the Year in 2016 • 1st Place Sailor Jerry Global SurfTag - Seniors • Winner - Kirra Junior Challenge "Club Spirit Award” • 2nd Kirra Teams Challenge - Seniors • 3rd Kirra Teams Challenge - Juniors • 3rd Australian Boardriders Battle North Coast CHBC Individual Results • Carly Shanahan - winner of Billabong Pro Junior, Bali • 4 X Junior CHBC members qualifed for Australian Junior Titles (club record) • Ethan Stocks - winner Billabong Occy Grom Comp • 6 x CHBC junior surfers selected for Hurley High Performance Camp, Jan 2018
Can you tell us a bit about the volunteers who help run the club and what it is they do? We have a great committee that put in a massive effort to run the club. Also over the years there have been some
great efforts to help shape the club it has become today. We acknowledge these efforts by inducting Life Members from time to time and also have a Club Person of the Year. Like every club, our committee has everyone from Presidents through to the Cooking Committee and everyone in between, from Secretaries to Treasurers. Every role is important, and our committee is 110% committed. With the addition of the new club house, what are some of the plans for CHBRC heading into the future? Just to continue to build a great, strong family club that’s main focus is to take future talent to its highest level and offer support for all the surfers trying to make it to the big league. Where can we find out more about CHBRC? Jump on our website - http://www. coffsharbourboardriders.com.au/ Or find us on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks Bryn.
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focusinterview.
Alpha
Alana, Jesse & Matt Castor
WOLVES
Kickboxing
Alpha Wolves Kickboxing offers group fitness classes that are designed around a training system using the best methods for body fat loss, strength and athletic development, cardiovascular health and overall wellbeing. FOCUS had a chat to owner Matt Castor to find out more.
S
o you decided to move to the Coffs Coast three years ago; why the move? Well, my wife and I are originally from Sydney and after getting married, we came to Coffs to visit some of my family who had also moved here a few years before. We had planned to stop in and possibly move further north, but we instantly fell in love with the area. That was it - we went back to Sydney, packed our bags, and moved. We found the Coffs Coast was the perfect area to start a family, and a year and a half ago we had our first little boy, Jesse. What is Alpha Wolves Kickboxing, and how did it all come about? Back in Sydney, I was working in a big name commercial gym as a personal trainer for six years - specialising in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Strength and Conditioning and Athletic Development. When the AWK concept came about, we wanted to create a unique training experience, taking a little bit from what was already available and putting it all under the same roof - elements from a commercial gym, group training, CrossFit box and martial arts studio and combining them to create consistently fresh and different classes. This way our members never find the training to be boring or stale. As a young married couple, how do you manage to juggle a one year old AND starting a new business? Coffee. Lots of coffee. We also participate in our own training, which is a great stress 8 Coffs Coast focus
relief! After having Jesse, I wanted to offer personal training and one-on-one create something I could be proud of and kickboxing, Alpha Pups and Junior Wolves somewhere I enjoyed going every day ... A (kids' classes) as well as corporate and sports team training packages. place where he could grow up with a cool What makes you different to other types positive community of people around him. of group training and gyms who offer He makes regular appearances at the gym and is a big hit with the ladies. class based fitness? What types of classes do you offer? When we developed AWK, we wanted to Currently we offer three types of classes: incorporate an online booking system so that "Alpha Muay Thai, we would know who "Alpha Strength", and would be attending "Alpha Spartan"."Alpha each class. That way Strength" is a strength we have the ability to and conditioning tailor our training and THESE TWO TRAINING class with a focus on cater to the individual's STYLES HAVE SEEN OUR functional training health and fitness goals MEMBERS ACHIEVE SOME methods for body fat and current fitness INCREDIBLE RESULTS loss, strength and fitness level. We also make BOTH IN A PHYSICAL gains. sure that every single AND FITNESS CAPACITY Our "Alpha Muay class is different. - SOMETHING WE ARE Thai” kickboxing class Those who have a REALLY PROUD OF. is for those wanting to good understanding learn the art of eight of fitness and how limbs, a new discipline the body responds to in self-defence and an physical exercise will all-out complete body workout. know that doing the same workout routine These two training styles have seen our over and over can lead to disheartening members achieve some incredible results plateaus. That’s why we have developed our both in a physical and fitness capacity training to forever evolve and keep the body something we are really proud of. guessing and to move forward to getting the Our last class, "Alpha Spartan", has just best results, whether it be fat loss, strength been added to our timetable - another gains, increased muscle mass or athletic strength and conditioning class, but at a development and peak physical performance. much higher intensity, for those who want to Can you be a beginner to start? Absolutely! And we encourage it. These be pushed hard, challenge themselves, get classes are for all different levels of fitness in, get it done, and crawl out. and physical ability, from beginner to Outside of the class environment we also
advanced. Although you may be in a class environment, every workout is yours. We encourage our members to train/learn at their own pace, have fun, all while being supported by us and our other amazing members. What plans do you have for 2018/2019? Since we have only been open since September last year, this year is all about putting back into the business by expanding our equipment range to keep up with the ever evolving fitness industry. We want to make sure our members get the best fitness product available. We’ve also already made changes to our timetable to better suit our members by introducing new classes both now and in the future. We are currently registering to be a provider for the “Active Kids” NSW government rebate program, which begins in March this year. This is a great incentive for kids to get active and learn something new in a fun and safe environment. How can we find out more about the classes and how to join? All information on our classes and timetable, pricing and contact information is available on our website: www.alphawolves.com.au There is also a link to a FREE WEEK PASS for those who want to give it a go and see what we are all about. Thanks Matt. Alpha Wolves Kickboxing 3/27 Craft Close, Toormina 0407 557 080.
HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER TRAINING
KSB is Kel and Sue Browne. We are passionate about the transport industry and delivering quality training to people who want to work in the industry ...
W
e have been in the training industry for nearly eight years, but Kel has 48 years’ experience working in the transport industry, including 21 years on interstate. We originated in Casino and then opened up our Grafton branch in May 2016, and now we are opening in Woolgoolga to service the demand from Coffs Harbour and further south. We train and assess for all licence upgrades, LR (Light Rigid) to MC (Multi Combination). Currently at Woolgoolga we are only offering MR (Medium Rigid and Heavy Rigid HR) though all other licence upgrades are available in Grafton. We have a large team of accredited trainers and assessors with the RMS (Roads and Maritime Services) and we are dedicated to providing quality training. Our industry is not an industry where the cheapest is best. Getting the right training from industry experienced trainers is the only way to go if you are going to work in the transport industry. There has been a lot of hype about truck accidents in recent months, and KSB are working to ensure that all new drivers coming through our business are properly taught. It
is competency based learning, so it is up to the individual on how they adapt and absorb the new skills. No licence upgrade can be guaranteed, but at KSB we have a 97% pass mark. KSB also offer the High Risk Forklift Course TLILIC2001 as a complement to the Heavy Our industry is not Vehicle Licence Upgrades. It is an industry where the essential that as a professional cheapest is best. Getting driver you are equipped for the the right training industry, and having a forklift from industry licence makes you a more valuexperienced trainers able member of your place of way to go if is the only business, or it could secure a poyou are going to work in the sition with a company because transport industry. you have a forklift licence. Safety and knowledge is what KSB stands for ... Excellent customer service and patient, friendly staff, all members of the ADTA (Australian Driver Trainers Association), who can guide and instruct with their years of experience. Call 6654 7826 now to book in for the licence upgrade that could change your life!
Coffs Coast focus 9
Living in the Slow Lane with The Happy Frog and Harbourside Markets One of the offshoots of the slow living movement is keeping life simple … Minimalist living. De-cluttering. I don’t quite know why, but having less stuff creates more time and less stress. My rational side can’t explain it, but I know from personal experience that it’s true. Four years ago, I did a huge purge. I gave away or threw out at least 75% of my stuff. Clothes, accessories, shoes, books, ornaments, music and kitchen gear. I remember how easy it was to keep organised. There was certainly less time spent looking for lost things, but it was more than that. Honestly for me, some of it was tough going. I have at times slipped back into a messy state, but it takes only a little time to put things away. And what do you get after that? CALM … I have a theory that along with the physical obesity epidemic, we have a “physical stuff obesity problem”. Our cupboards, garages, living spaces and even handbags are overfilled. Our culture of gratification from having and accumulating things is not healthy for us. Ultimately, it doesn’t make us any happier. Studies have shown that the joy we get from giving lasts longer than the
10 Coffs Coast focus
joy we get from having. And then there is the time taken to look after everything or the guilt and pressure felt when we don’t look after things. So try The Happy Frog’s handy hints for de-cluttering: • Start with clothes - if you don’t love it, lose it. You only wear 20% of what you own anyway. • Books - if you haven’t read it yet, you likely won’t. Use the library. • Music - iPods are really small - unless you get joy from your CDs or vinyls. • Filing/Stationery - how much of that crap do you actually need to keep? If in doubt, chuck it out. • Kitchen/Tools etc. - Keep only what you enjoy using (or at least actually use). • Ornaments/Memorabilia - just keep the real joyful ones. Gifts gratefully received have done
their job. If you don’t love it, re-gift and move on. Once de-cluttered, all you need to do is have a place for each of your things and put it away correctly. Start small and try a few things - see how you go. Find the joy in an empty shelf. WARNING: de-cluttering can be addictive!
ONCE DE-CLUTTERED, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS HAVE A PLACE FOR EACH OF YOUR THINGS AND PUT IT AWAY CORRECTLY. START SMALL AND TRY A FEW THINGS - SEE HOW YOU GO.
At The Happy Frog Café Grocer and Harbourside Markets we work hard to create spaces for people to live slow, unwind, catch up with friends and connect with com-
munity. Space to enjoy experiences, listen to live music or take the time to shop and cook a healthy meal from scratch. Space to go with the flow and live more slowly! Kim Towner. Visit us: The Happy Frog Café Grocer, 16 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour. www. thehappyfrog.com.au
Harbourside Makers & Growers Markets every Sunday 8am to 2pm at Jetty Foreshores, Coffs Harbour: www.harboursidemarkets.com.au
focusinterview.
Barney Miller recently returned home to the Coffs Coast a champion and a hero after winning gold at the 2017 ISA World Adaptive Surf Championships. FOCUS had a chat with him about the competition, what the win meant to him, and what he plans on conquering next.
H
i Barney. Tell us a little about your recent success in the 2017 ISA World Adaptive Surf Championships and how you came home a
champion? I was fortunate to be part of Team Australia for the past two years in the ISA World Adaptive Surf Championships in La Jolla, California. The event is divided into different divisions, depending on your impairment. My division was AS5-Assist, which means that I am pushed on to the wave by a support team member and paddled back out by another. My team was Dana, and Benny Hiddo, local Sawtell boy and long time mate, who now lives in California. After watching the waves for a few hours before each heat, we chose to stick to the medium peaks, which allowed me to get longer rides for my manoeuvres and a finish on the end section. Thankfully the judges agreed with our selections, and I was rewarded with the scores that kept me on top all the way to the big win. How intense was the training leading up to the competition? In 2016 I only just missed claiming the title and came home with a silver medal, but it turned out to be the best outcome that could have happened. It forced me to ramp up my training and focus on something other than just my usual therapy. I started working on every aspect of my health and wellbeing, from nutrition to mindfulness to 12 Coffs Coast focus
visualisation. I spent four months in California Coming home to Coffs Airport was where leading up to the contest, training with my it all sunk in. As we were taxiing in on the main trainer and mentor, Josh at Strides, a tarmac, the flight attendant started doing functional rehabilitation the usual "Welcome to centre for people with Coffs Harbour” spiel, spinal injuries. So when but then at the end she the competition came said, “also welcome around I was in the best home to Barney Miller, EVEN THOUGH IT WASN’T shape I had been in, who just won gold at THE WAY OF SURFING I maybe ever. the World Adaptive HAD ONCE IMAGINED, A What was the feeling Surf Championships WORLD TITLE IS STILL A like representing and if you look out WORLD TITLE, AND TO your country and the window, you’ll see WIN IT I HAD TO WORK coming home with the the fire brigade giving WAY HARDER THAN I HAD championship? our plane a water EVER EXPECTED. It is such an honour salute in honour of him to represent my country bringing home Gold for in the sport I love, but Australia”. The plane to then be able to share then erupted in cheers that victory with my country is the most and clapping. I got a bit emotional at that rewarding feeling. point. We then walked into the terminal to a As a kid and competing as a grom, your big welcome home from Sawtell Boardriders, dream and the reason you train so hard is friends, family and news crew. I am so grateful to represent your country and be a World to be part of such a supportive community. Champ. Even though it wasn’t the way of Will you be defending the title in 2018? surfing I had once imagined, a World Title is I’ll be doing my best to give it another still a World Title, and to win it I had to work crack! way harder than I had ever expected. This win You have also been a huge part of the for me was a nice reminder to never give up Disabled Surf Association here on the on my goals. This one took me two decades Coffs Coast. How have you seen this grow to achieve, but I still did it, so as long as I in the past few years? keep pushing I now know I have the power to The DSA are such an amazing organisation! achieve anything. Back in 2007 I donated all the proceeds from What was the reception like coming back my annual charity surf event The Barney to the Coffs Coast after the win? Miller Classic to help get the Coffs chapter
up and running. To see how much it has grown not just here, but around Australia, is amazing. The ocean is so healing, and I know how much it has helped me, so it’s great to know that others are able to be given the opportunity to benefit from its power too. You inspire so many people. What inspires you? I am inspired by people who follow their dreams - the risk takers, the ones who bet on themselves. I am blessed to be surrounded by so many empowering people who push me every day to get up and try. My wife is also a huge source of my inspiration. She is a thought leader; she isn’t afraid to create her own path or ask the questions that no one usually dares ask, which has opened our world to so many new possibilities. What’s next for Barney Miller? My wife and I recently finished writing our book, The Essence of You and Me, which will be out in April through Hachette Publishing. We will also be continuing to take our film, You and Me to high schools around Australia and sharing our story with the students and teachers. Our hope is to empower them to dream big, work hard and never give up. My goal of walking is still always a priority. I am stoked to say I am now very close to achieving it. I can now stand by myself, only needing assistance to get up, and I have started initiating my own steps. It’s a daily struggle, but I love it. If I could train all day every day, I would. Thanks Barney.
Coffs Coast focus 13
focusinterview.
Australian
LADIES Classic
This month Bonville Golf Resort will be hosting the Australian Ladies Classic, an event that is not only expected to bring a huge wave of visitors to our region, but to shine a light on what the Coffs Coast has to offer. We spoke to Graeme Phillipson of Golf NSW about what to expect from the event and the impact it is bound to have on the area. BONVILLE GOLF RESORT – GRAEME PHILLIPSON – GM GOLF NSW
H
i Graeme. Bonville Golf Resort will be hosting the Australian Ladies Classic this month; why have you selected Bonville at the Coffs Coast to host this brand new ALPG tour event? Over the years, Golf NSW has run many major State Championships at Bonville Golf Resort. The team at the resort not only coordinate a great event, but also provide a level of service and overall experience to the players that is second to none. The Coffs Coast region is developing into one of New South Wales’ most important regional hubs and shows time and time again what a wonderful destination it is for major sporting events. We are aware also how the Coffs Coast community and local businesses embrace events of this scale, and we are thrilled to be at Bonville with The Australian Ladies Classic. The players from the ALPG ( Australian Ladies Professional Golf ) and LET (Ladies European Tour) who are competing at Bonville will get to experience what is, in our opinion, the most beautiful golf course in Australia. Bonville is an asset not only to the Coffs 14 Coffs Coast focus
What sort of an investment has been made Coast, but to New South Wales as well, and in the Coffs Coast region? those competing in the Classic are going to be The Australian Ladies Classic Bonville amazed at the course when they step through has been made possible due to hard work the gates. All the ingredients are here to make of several key parties, including the NSW this tournament a great success. Government and What sort of Destination NSW, who preparations have have backed the event been made to get in. It’s tipped to bring in ready for the event? over 16,000 domestic and Preparations have IT WILL CAPTURE international visitors over been underway for some the next five years and time now. The greens NOT ONLY SOME introduce over $8 million staff have bolstered in AMAZING GOLF BUT to the local economy numbers and have been during that time. We working hard to ensure THE BEAUTIFUL hope to also showcase the golf course will be SURROUNDS OF the best parts of the at its best. In addition BONVILLE. Coffs Coast, including to the golf course its amazing coastline, preparation, we’ve also hinterland and unique been working with visitor experiences. the staff at the resort, Sharing these types of the ALPG and the LET images across the globe encourages visitation to finalise the field, arranging sponsors and by not only golfers, but anyone intending on preparing a number of off course activities in travelling to Australia. the lead up to the tournament. Again, we are The event will be broadcast live to very confident that the team at Bonville will 68 countries around the world. What deliver an amazing event. potential does this hold for golf tourism in The event has been secured for five years.
NSW? It holds huge potential for golf tourism here in NSW! Golf is easily one of the world’s most popular sports, with over 60 million people around the world who play. The Australian Ladies Classic broadcast will be over 10 hours, including rounds on both Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February. It will capture not only some amazing golf, but the beautiful surrounds of Bonville. Golf tourism is worth around $1.1bn to the Australian economy, so we have a really switched on captive audience here. We’re lucky to have so many great golf courses throughout NSW, and we know that golfers will travel to tick the best courses off their list. That’s Bonville, a bucket list golfing destination! Can you tell us about some of the big names who will start in the 2018 event? The field consists of some amazing talent, including eight players who are European Tour event winners. Confirmed to start in the 2018 Australian Ladies Classic Bonville is four-time major winner Dame Laura Davies. She boasts 84 wins worldwide and is the only player to win tournaments on every continent in a single year. Arguably the finest women’s golfer ever, she has won the US Women’s Open, the Australian Ladies Masters and the Women’s
focusinterview.
Australian
LADIES Classic
Australian Open and was recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Western Australia’s Hannah Green claimed three Symetra Tour titles last year in the USA and secured her LPGA Tour card. She will tee off at Bonville in peak form, and she seems so hungry at the moment. Rebecca Artis from the Gold Coast is a seasoned professional and will draw a crowd at Bonville, as well as Sarah Kemp, who could very likely make the leaders group come Sunday’s final round. Which Aussies do you think will make a run at the tournament trophy? It would be hard to go past Hannah Green. Hannah has all the tenacity of a rookie mixed with a maturity beyond her years. Bonville is a resort style golf course, so it will be interesting to see what happens over the first couple of rounds, but Hannah really has nothing to lose. Hole 10, for instance, is a real risk or reward. You can play it as a three shot hole, but there is every opportunity to go for the green in two. Setting up eagle and birdie chances like that might just see her at the top of the leader board at Bonville. There are quite a few holes with very approachable greens, so there will be some really exciting golf in store and with a $350,000 prize purse on offer, there’s a lot of incentive for many of the players to make the
THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON FOX SPORTS ON BOTH SATURDAY AND THE FINAL ROUND SUNDAY ...
cut and make a run at the trophy on the Sunday. Tell us about the celebrity Pro-Am and the shootout you have planned as part of the event. We have planned for a celebrity Pro-Am to kick off proceedings. Bonville has a long association with many of Australia’s finest Olympians and other celebrities, who will join many of the players on course in the lead up to the main event. While players will be given the chance for some warm up rounds earlier in the week, you can be sure that they will be taking this opportunity to acquaint themselves with the unique features of Bonville. The Shootout will be played on the eighteenth hole, where players will hit from approx. 150 m to a pin set well back on the top tier of the green. There is $75,000 on offer as cash prize money. It will add a great little element of fun to the week’s festivities. How would you like to see the event grow over the next five years? We know that Coffs Harbour will get behind this event. The local business community has already done so, many of whom have come on board as sponsors. The idea is to make it
not only one of the premier events on the tour from a tournament perspective, but make it a really attractive one for touring professionals. We hope that they walk away from Bonville and The Coffs Coast as raving fans, given the welcome and hospitality they receive. We would love to see the people of Coffs Harbour embrace the event and the people who come to visit; this is bound to attract more sponsorship, plenty of high profile players to future events and the attention of the golfing
world. Where can we watch all the action of the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville? There are spectator tickets available for the event. Tickets are FREE, but you must register at www.ausladiesclassic.com.au The tournament will be broadcast live on Fox Sports on both Saturday and the final round Sunday, or you can stream all the action at www.epicentre.tv Thanks Graeme. Coffs Coast focus 15
focus_What’s On Coffs Coast
M A R C H
4
MADE WITH LOVE MARKETS
Currently held four times per year, the Made with Love Market is now in its sixth year. Be amazed at the local talent, chat to the stallholders, place a custom order and buy something unique for yourself or someone special. Most importantly, support local and support handmade! When 4th March. Where Level 1 Carpark, Park Beach Plaza. Time 9am until 2pm. More Info www.madewithlovemarkets.com
8
WOMAN OF THE YEAR BREAKFAST
IWD Coffs Coast present the International Women’s Day Coffs Coast Woman of the Year Award. This award was established to acknowledge the positive contribution of women in the Coffs Coast region. It aims to recognise outstanding women working for the betterment of women and girls in business, education or community. When 8th March. Where C.ex Coffs. Tickets www.stickytickets.com.au
BCU COFFS TRI With its beautiful location and world-class course, the bcu Coffs Tri Standard Distance Race is one of the must do events on the national triathlon calendar. Competitors will enjoy a 1.5 km ocean swim in the protected harbour; a 40 km cycle on a CLOSED course, finishing with a 10 km run around the picturesque Coffs Jetty Foreshore. It offers both individual and team options. When 3rd and 4th March. Where Coffs Harbour. Applications and information visit www.villagesports.com.au
16 Coffs Coast focus
10
PEARL AT VALLA OPEN DAY
With only 26 lots remaining and land sizes varying from 1.3 acres up to some 22 acres, this is one of the few acreages sites located on the eastern side of the highway. Join us on Saturday 10th March from 10am to 1pm to help us celebrate the opening of our brand-new Sales & Display Centre, proudly built by Stroud Homes. When 10th March. Where: Pearl at Valla Estate. Time 10am until 1pm. For more information please contact Michelle Klement on 0407 999 991.
10 10
FIRE AND RAIN
The James Taylor Songbook with Darren Coggan.
Heartache, despair and confusion are common themes for artists to mix into their creative palette; however, few musicians have experienced those feelings more intensely than James Taylor, a modern-day troubadour, who channelled his self-destructive impulses into some of the most memorable songs of our time. When 10th March. Where Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour. Tickets www.jettytheatre.com
THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS
BIG SCREEN ON THE GREEN MOVIE NIGHT
Gold coin entry fundraiser for Sawtell Primary School, The Secret Life of Pets on the outdoor big screen from sundown, food trucks and outdoor bar, games and giveaways with the Hit 105.5 Coffs Coast crew from 5:30pm, live entertainment before the film. Bring your picnic blankets and sleeping bags and enjoy a fantastic night out! Where Sawtell Golf Club. When 10th March.
aving dropped out of art school to focus Billboard and more. 2017’s release, Speeding, full-time on music, he successfully lived is another incredible piece of work, taking off stolen sachets of microwave rice for darker themes and weaving melody against months on end. Oh, melancholy. Speeding and managed to drop also launched Allday’s multiple mixtapes, runaway international slide into triple j’s hit In Motion, which world famous Hottest was recently a deafening Whether it’s debut full100 Poll with So Good, singalong at Falls Festival length Startup Cult or his debut an EP at #1 on the across New Year, and earlier mixtapes and EPs, AIR chart (and #18 in the Splendour in the Grass Allday has always ARIA Charts), and play before that. had an introspective a whole bunch of sold Having sold out giant and charming out shows and festivals iconic venues like approach. around Australia. Festival Hall and Luna
day The hip hop artist is set to kick the run off in late February in Canberra, followed by stops in Terrigal, Gosford, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns, Coffs Harbour, Brunswick Heads, Wollongong, Newcastle and Darwin.
Allday has been busy preparing meals for his 24 Hr Allday Buffet cooking show, writing new music in LA with a range of superproducers, and getting ready to head to some of Australia’s best regional areas to entertain his ever-growing legion of fans. Whether it’s debut full-length Startup Cult or his earlier mixtapes and EPs, Allday has always had an introspective and charming approach - and has amassed over 50 million streams, and his quick-witted lyrics and youthful narratives have caught the attention of major international outlets like Rolling Stone, Sway in the Morning, NYLON, AV Club, Indie Shuffle, Paper Mag, Mass Appeal,
Park Big Top on the Speeding Tour last year, this February and March Allday is bringing a killer show to regional centres to share the standout sounds from Speeding, like In Motion, Sides and Raceway, hits from Startup Cult, and favourite jams from his much loved mixtapes and EPs.
When Thursday 15th March; 7:30pm - 11:30pm. Tickets $32 Pre-Sold | $37 Door 18+ Event Where C.ex Coffs.
Coffs Coast focus 17
focusinterview.
KARINA SMITH
Sunken Chip is Sandy Beach’s trading post; they are a little of this and a lot of that, a general store with papers, a grocery shop with locally grown produce, house-made goodies and handmade gifts, frozen meals, a takeaway with delicious burgers, local coffee and a community hub where locals regularly hold workshops and meetings. FOCUS grabbed a coffee with owner Karina Smith to find out more ...
18 Coffs Coast focus
focusinterview.
W
hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast/Sandy Beach? Some time ago now my husband and I had the opportunity to house sit in Repton to live off the grid and self-sustain for a year, it was a challenge, but we loved it and pushed on for two years. One weekend we were heading north and saw a garage sale sign on the old highway which made us turn off into Sandy Beach, we knew nothing about the place but everyone we passed smiled and waved. We took a stroll on the deserted beach and on the way home poked our heads into an open house - we knew we had found home. A couple of years later the shop came up on the market and the rest is history. When did you first realise you had a passion for food? Growing up on a farm, one of my jobs was to milk our cow, Melly, before and after school. As it happens, Melly was quite the producer of milk, which left me no choice but to get creative. In the evenings I would scrape the cream off the milk to make butter, then I would heat the milk, add lemon juice and sift out the curd. We’d eat some like that, and the rest I would mix in herbs and salt and strain overnight; delicious and fresh, we called it "Melly Cheese". Looking back on it now, it really was my first taste of honest and fresh food, teaching me to stay true to the ingredient,
which absolutely shaped my approach to preparing food. How has the journey evolved through the years? In addition to my family farm experiences, I was really keen to get out into the hospitality industry. I cut my teeth waiting on tables in five star resorts, which shaped my understanding of atmosphere and the customer experience. At the age of 19 I moved to Lismore from Sydney and opened my first restaurant with my girlfriend, Katarina; she would cook, and I would run front of house. After a while Katarina moved on, so I hired a chef and kept the business running, then, one booked-out Friday night, he didn’t show for work, so with my two apprentices we had to take the reins. I did 90 covers and loved every minute of it loved the buzz, loved cooking; it’s that vibe that still drives me today. Sunken Chip is an unusual name. How did it come about? My family love a pun; it’s rare that a conversation ends without trying to "out pun" one another. Sunken Chip arrived after an epic family pun marathon that went on for weeks. From memory, some of the other suggestions included Chip Wrecked, Chip Hooray, Oh my Cod, Loose Lips Sink Chips … Where do you source your products and produce? I get lemons and limes from Rita’s tree, Tomatoes from Deb, Ross and Ray, Honey from Mark the Honey man, Flowers by Bonnie, happy
SUNKEN CHIP ARRIVED
eggs from Jack and Lily, I’d be lying if I said AFTER AN EPIC FAMILY Chillies from Hayley, Curry it wasn’t a challenge PUN MARATHON THAT leaves, lettuce and rocket to run a small business WENT ON FOR WEEKS. from Lauren, Baked whilst raising a young FROM MEMORY, SOME OF goods from Rosie, Brett family and picking up THE OTHER SUGGESTIONS bakes our bread, Krissy photographic work INCLUDED CHIP WRECKED, makes our Booch, Jules & around the country. My CHIP HOORAY, OH MY COD, Laura supply our skin care awesome husband, Dave, LOOSE LIPS SINK CHIPS … products, Mitch mows keeps the machines our lawns and Luke roasts running and looks after our coffee especially for our administration. At us; the list goes on. I buy the Sunken Chip - Lauren everything we possibly can from locals and local and Chenoa, my amazing full-time staffers, businesses. help to keep me organised, and great coffee How important is it to support local certainly keeps me motivated. businesses? What new projects are you working on at We all know that locals supporting locals the moment? allows a community to prosper together. I always have a few projects under my belt at Buying a burger at our local shop not only any given time, both in the ‘Chip and around supports the nine local staff we employ; it helps the community. For example, we regularly run all our local suppliers. Additionally for us, it different food themed afternoons and nights, doesn’t stop at supporting local businesses - we we've got a new range of snap frozen prepared wanted to take it a step further and operate meals, we’ve got a community project about an environmentally sustainable business model to kick off painting our local toilet block, and and align with other locals who share our vision we are trying to save Hearne’s Lake. I’m always - we go to the trouble of sorting all our waste finding new ideas to try, and lately I’ve been (including soft plastics), thanks to Solar Powered pondering that we’d be silly not to have a Homes 70% of our energy consumption comes restaurant on the upper deck with a view of the from the sun, our waste oil is 100% reused by ocean … locals, and our green waste helps feed worms; How can we get in touch? even with our bottle recycling the local kids are Jump on to our Facebook page, or give us a pitching in too. call on 6656 1011. http://facebook.com/SunkenChip/ How do you keep yourself organised and Thanks Karina. motivated? Coffs Coast focus 19
A Free Education Series for 3 to 5 yr olds
language PROGRAM RUGBY PROGRAM BOOK BUG PROGRAM To register for Little Movers email littlemovers@bdc.nsw.edu.au
Schools as Community Hubs.
T W I T H
9 1 0 2 r o f s p i h s r a l o n h o c o S s g n openi 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 2019 Kindy to Year 12 LIMITED places available in some year groups
Bishop Druitt College | 111 North Boambee Rd. Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 02 6651 5644 | secretary@bdc.nsw.edu.au | www.bdc.nsw.edu.au
20 Coffs Coast focus
B D C
P R I N C I P A L
N I C K
J O H N S T O N E
dynamic and connected community. he modern world is a complex one. It is Recently, I had the opportunity to attend technologically connected the Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce but also often physically breakfast meeting. At this meeting a city disjointed. Many of us planner, Mr Gary White, spoke about the live in regions we didn’t importance of having natural hubs and grow up in or don’t have family support connection points within communities. He nearby, like yesteryear. We generally travel highlighted the critical nature of community further for services we desire. We travel engagement to grow and improve the to our favourite restaurants, our favourite physical, social and health outcomes for its beaches, our favourite citizens. As I see it, entertainment venues schools need to be and to our chosen a crucial part of this centres for education plan. They should be or work opportunities. There are numerous lively hubs for a variety There are numerous advantages for behaving of purposes. They advantages for behaving this way. You receive shouldn’t just be busy the services you expect; 9am to 3pm schools. this way. You receive however, there are also They need to remove the services you expect; pitfalls in this behaviour. the blinkers of past however, there are also You may become disconnected structures and think pitfalls in this behaviour. with your local area, with your innovatively. You may become neighbours, with your local disconnected with your I am currently reading services. This is where schools local area, with your a book entitled Simple need to play a great part in neighbours, with your Thinking by Richard providing opportunities for local services. This is Gerver. In this he gatherings and provide a great where schools need states: “Success is sense of community. to play a great part in not complicated; it providing opportunities doesn’t have a secret formula; it is about for gatherings and people, behaviours provide a great sense of and attitudes”. My community. This is not philosophy of education and my vision for a criticism of schools, but an opportunity for schools as community engagement hubs schools to turn their thinking around. We is not a complex one. However, it may be must open our doors to the community. We a busy and dynamic one. The tenets for must create greater links with businesses, improvement have their basis in three simple with industry, with universities, with childcare touch points: connections, relationships and centres, with aged care facilities, with service opportunities. I will flesh this philosophy out clubs, with city councils and government departments, with sporting clubs and cultural more in my next Coffs Coast FOCUS article. groups. We must create greater opportunities for our families to feel part of a strong,
Source: Gerver, R. (2016). Simple thinking. Chichester: Capstone.
Get Digital Savvy in 2018 Now is the time to get your business sorted - digitally, I mean. With the ever-changing media landscape, it’s important for your online presence to stand out from the crowd. And the first step to this is having a website that is mobile-friendly. Why? Because Google de-ranks you in searches. Did you know that over 70% of websites are viewed on mobiles? And that if your site loading speed is more than five seconds, you’ll lose most users? So, this means that your site needs to be not only mobile-friendly, but designed for mobile first. This means a web designer will design your site in mobile size first, before refining in desktop size, resulting in a better user experience. Second to this is the speed. Most users expect a site to load in 2-3 seconds these days, or you have lost them. The attention span is less than a goldfish! So make sure the site is fast, adding brownie points with not only the user, but Google too. Thinking you need help now? Lucky for you, our team at CornerPost can help you to shine online! Plus, we’ve got a bonus on with new websites … check out below!
Make Healthy Happen A lot of people don’t know what a Health Coach does, so I’m here to break it down for you! A Health Coach, essentially, is a wellness mentor - someone who works with you and empowers you to make positive health changes in a supportive environment. So rather than prescribing a particular diet or exercise regime, Health Coaches create individual wellness programs to meet your needs. The session is ALL about you (bonus!) and together we set achievable goals, explore ideas for change and begin designing an action plan. We set actions around diet, nutrition, physical exercise, stress, sleep and more! We also discuss potential barriers and strategies to overcome them. If you feel like you need help with your health, in whatever capacity that is, a Health Coach can assist! If you want to know more about me and how I can help, then check out my website: makehealthyhappen.com.au
Bonus: MailChimp Email Template Design for any new Website Project for February and March. Valued at $250 02 9188 5013 cornerpostcreative.com.au
COR NER POST
CREATIVE
Coffs Coast focus 21
focus_tech
WITH
GAVIN MORONEY
Mavic
AIR
Tech Head
BY DJI
We got our hands on the newest in the lineup of DJI drones, the Mavic Air - one of the most compact 4K drones on the market. Is this the best consumer drone on the market?
A
fter opening the box, you are greeted with an almost glasses styled case housing the compact drone, along with remote, removable joysticks, battery and the necessary cables. Portability is high priority with this stealth like drone; at only 430 grams, it fits perfectly into a jacket pocket or a pair of cargo shorts. Unlike the DJI Spark, the arms fold, making this by far the smallest form factor of any of the DJI’s arsenal of drones. The Air’s camera packs a big punch, capturing 4K video or 12-megapixel photos. Its three-axis gimbal delivers consistently smooth footage. I found slowing down your flight speed will give you smoother, more fluent
22 Coffs Coast focus
shots. For the speed demons, switch over to sport mode, and the Mavic Air can get up to 68 km/h. Just make sure you have a good few hours under the belt and very open spaces when hitting faster speeds. The Smart Capture mode will release your inner Jedi, using hand gestures to control flight. The Mavic Air can shoot 120 frames-persecond, slow-motion, full high-definition video. ActiveTrack can be used to have the drone follow you independently as you run, ride or hike. The flying experience was really enjoyable and I became really comfortable with the controls, leaving me to concentrate on filming. Using the camera quickly became second nature, and getting those buttery smooth shots couldn't
have been easier. Forgot the remote? No problems, the Air can be controlled with a mobile phone. Honestly, I found this very hard to use and would recommend sticking with the remote for the best flying experience. A big concern over consumer drones lately has been safety in where and when you can fly a drone. DJI drones are programmed not to take off in the dangerous locations and when coupled with the “Can I fly there” app, make flying a breeze. Included in the Mavic Air is Advanced Pilot Assistance System, which has made flying even easier and crashing near impossible. That all sounds great on paper, so I decided to put it to the test - and to my surprise, it did amazingly well. With cameras
on the front, back and bottom, you will be spending your time in the air and not in the repair shop. After a few days with the Mavic Air, I have to say I am really impressed. Whether you're a first time flyer or seasoned pro, flying this drone will be incredibly simple, and the footage was smooth and sharp. The downsides to the Mavic Air would have to be trying to use the phone as a remote and the battery. By the time you have calibrated and got the Mavic Air flying, the boasted “21 minute” battery life is more realistically 15 minutes, so be sure to carry a few spares. Price $1,299. Rating 8 out of 10 tech heads www.dji.com/mavic-air
RealofHumans the coffs coast focus around town.
Judy Sheehan
Amanda Schenk
I like the close proximity of everything. The beaches are close and the mountains
I guess just to have my business be successful enough to employ fulltime staff mem-
are close. When I am not working in my store, I enjoy spending time with my
bers and to actually pay myself a wage, because I have never done that before. A
family around the dinner table. We also like to picnic, but generally it’s a family
personal goal would be to take a holiday. I haven’t had an overseas holiday in years,
dinner at home. Lamb roast is a favourite amongst my wonderful family.
so a trip to America would be nice. I guess Bali is the realistic goal though (laughs)!
Pablo Blitzer
Kristen & Kailey Pallas
I don’t believe it to be secret, but Muttonbird Island is always a beautiful spot
We just moved here. We love the beach, so I will have to say Diggers Beach,
to go whenever I get a break during the day. I enjoy sitting around and watch-
because it’s just around the corner from where we live.
What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?
Where is your favourite secret spot on the Coffs Coast?
What are some of your goals for 2018?
What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast?
ing the beautiful landscape and the sea; it just really calms me and it makes me feel good and connected.
Coffs Coast focus 23
Local Firms Unite to Help Local Businesses Grow!
Three local companies with expertise in business development have joined together to help other Coffs Coast businesses to achieve growth.
R
eady Set Grow! Is a 3-hour workshop for local business owners that will be offered at no charge, thanks to the sponsorship of The Innovation Hub, MJA Business Solutions and Leadership Management Australia – Marilyn Brien (LMA). Mel Zander, owner of MJA Business Solutions, conceived the idea. “We all benefit from a strong business community on the Coffs Coast,” said Mel. “It’s in everyone’s interest to help each other achieve success.” When she approached Tony Rothacker, manager of the Innovation Hub, and Marilyn Brien from LMA to join her, both immediately jumped on board. “The aim of the Innovation Hub is to foster entrepreneurship and bring new businesses into our community,” said Tony. “Providing people with skills for growth is part of our DNA. So naturally we wanted to be a part of the workshop.” Marilyn was enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate. “We have been
developing leadership skills in the Coffs Coast business community for almost 20 years, and we are always eager to help businesses and people to expand and grow. Collaborating with Mel and Tony allows us to provide new insights and techniques to our many business clients.” How will this workshop help businesses grow? The workshop is designed to develop three skills that are critical to business growth. Tony, who has considerable experience mentoring start-ups, will provide tools to help participants to identify winning business ideas. “Too often I see start ups investing time and money without first understanding the potential of their idea,” says Tony. He points out that choosing the rights ideas is also important for existing businesses who are looking to new markets, products or services for growth. Business planning is central to successful growth, yet accountant and business coach Mel Zander observes that many business
owners either fail to plan or write their plans for the bank manager rather than the business. “We’ve developed templates to help business owners create a concise plan on a single page, which we will be sharing at the workshop. It’s just so important for businesses to plan effectively and I’m looking forward to making that a bit easier.” The final skill essential to growth is effective communication, and this is an area where LMA have been developing skills for years. “Everyone has their own communication style,” says Marilyn. “Sometimes you need to be able to adapt that style to communicate more effectively with others. We’re going to have some fun helping participants to understand how to hone their communication, whether it’s with investors, employees or customers. Why Offer a Workshop for Free? Focus was interested to understand why the workshop was being offered for free. Why not charge business people to participate? Mel, Marilyn and Tony were unanimous in
Identify business ideas, products and services with market potential. Create an actionable 1-page plan for your business. Effectively communicate your plans to customers and employees.
the decision to run the workshop at no charge, in an effort to make it accessible even to early stage start-ups. Marilyn points out that it’s not really correct to say the workshop is free. “3-hours is a lot of time for a busy business owner, so there is a real investment required,” she says. Who Should Attend? “It’s perfect for any business that wants to grow’” says Mel. “And lets face it, if a business isn’t growing, it’s effectively moving backwards. So the workshop is right for just about every business owner.” Tony is particularly eager to see newer business owners at the workshop. “You can’t start a business in a vacuum,” he says. “This workshop is such a great opportunity for start ups to
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH 9AM-12PM Norm Jordan Pavilion, Coffs Harbour Showground Limited free tickets available. Book early.
network and get some critical skills on board.” We tend to think of the business world as dog-eat-dog and every man for himself. It’s heartening to see these local businesses banding together to help other business owners develop and grow. The Ready Set Grow! Workshop will be held from 9am-12pm on Wednesday 14 March at the Norm Jordan Pavilion. The workshop is no charge, but limited tickets must be booked online at ready-set-grow.eventbrite.com.
Register online at ready-set-grow.eventbrite.com.au
400 g Ribeye served with chips and salad from The Plantation Hotel. 26 Coffs Coast focus
Caesar salad with prawns.
Oven baked field mushroom stuffed with feta, sundried tomato, basil and spinach served on sweet potato mash, grilled asparagus and drizzled with balsamic glaze.
fHerb & pinenut crusted Barramundi fillet with steamed brocolini and roast capsicum sauce.
Plantation Hotel
Spinifex Restaurant
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.
Hungry? Come visit us at the Spinifex Restaurant for a meal and a drink. We have a variety of great week day lunch specials for $10, and it comes with a middy of any of our soft drinks.
Pop in and try something off our brand new à la carte menu, with a tasty selection of burgers, pastas, salads premium gradeto steaks, plus the all opening of the new At the Pier and Hotel we’re excited announce HEAD CHEF your pub favourites, cooked using fresh local produce and plated with the “Cellar Lounge”. DAVID NEWICK. personal touches of headWe chef Dave Newick. welcome you to come down and feast your eyes on Coffs
Live music Saturday nights in the dining area to add extra ambience to your dining experience. Turmeric latte - cold pressed juice of turmeric root with ginger and a dash of
Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
the pier hotel
Harbour’sFood, most Friendly historic hotel. With our winter menu about to finish The Plantation Hotel … Delicious Service, Incredible Value! up and summer approaching quickly, we will be kicking off our new menu shortly. Our chef, Blake Wittenberg, is very excited with all the greatHARBOUR. produce he gets to use over the summer period. Be sure to make 88 GRAFTON STREET, COFFS 6652 3855 your way down and have a look at the new and upcoming changes to WWW.PLANTATIONHOTEL.COM.AU the Pier Hotel. 7 DAYS. MON - THURS & SUN: 12PM - 2:30PM; We are open seven 5:30 days- a8:30PM. week for lunch and dinner; to make a FRI - SAT: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5.30 - 9PM. reservation, please call the Pier Hotel on 6652 2110. We look forward
café o.p 81
HEAD CHEF
honey Chaiand spices. The ideal caffeine to tantalise your Our suppliers provide us with theirand bestsome produce products for us to passfree on drink KANELLA ORMSBY taste buds andbest alsotomake feeltoonsupport top of our the local world. to our customers, and we always try our keepyou it local businesses. Turmeric is widely known for its healing and has a compound called Curcumin, hasand demonstrated relief foron people Our Sunday roasts will leave you with that a smile a full belly, so come downwith all sorts of disease including and join us for our Sundaystates Funday. See youIrritable there. Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and cancer. Also, Curcumin is protective for the heart, the liver, the skin and the brain by Head Chef Blake COAST HOTEL, 2 MOONEEquenching ST, COFFS free HARBOUR Wiittenberg. radicals and reducing inflammation. Ginger is also known for 6652 3007 WWW.COASTHOTEL.COM.AU its powers in settling the stomach and for its anti inflammatory qualities, and FRIDAY AND SATURDAY LUNCH 12:00 - in 2:30PM, DINNER 5:30a- warm 9PM. cuddle from a smiling bear. Chai spices milk are just like
SUNDAY TO THURSDAY LUNCH 12:00 - 2:30PM, DINNER 5:30 - 8:30PM.
So if you want to feel on top of the world, give one of our turmeric lattes a go at O.P 81 café.
to seeing you.
Pan seared snapper with mushroom risotto andDrbroccolini Cnr Harbour and Camperdown St, Coffs Harbour dressed with tomato butter sauce hotel: 6652 2110 bistro: 6651 8222 lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm; dinner 5:30pm - 8:30pm; 7 days a week.
Owne Matt a
81 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour 6652 9011 7am - 2pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Crafty
the hoey moey
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,
The Hoey Moey Sometimes it’s the little things that make an experience special. Well, our specials board is not little, but our featured dishes are special and must be experienced! Join us at the Hoey Moey for fantastic specials such as our featured pan seared snapper with mushroom risotto and broccolini dressed with tomato butter sauce. Sign up for a Members Card today for exclusive bistro, bar and bottle shop specials. Great Food, Live Music, Good Times!
84 OCEAN PARADE, COFFS HARBOUR 6652 3833 WWW.HOEYMOEY.COM.AU 7 DAYS. MON - THURS & SUN: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5:30 - 8:30PM. FRI - SAT: 12PM - 2:30PM; 5.30 - 9PM.
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 $7.50 FEEDS are always available daily.
mr. good beans HEAD CHEF GUS PREZIOSO.
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 walktaps through the café door. Fresh and cold who on the at Element Bar on the Coffs Jetty Strip is Try the mouth-watering Mediterranean grilled chicken this spring, this absolute beauty from award winning New Zealand craftsalad brewery, fresh fromHippy. locally sourced vegetables, withweisse feta, kalamata olives 8 Wired ... theirmade Cucumber A lightly hoppedmixed berliner and of semi dried tomatoes, topped withthis grilled chicken breast and sweet with the addition cooling fresh cucumber, is one of the best potato wafer thin chips and drizzled with Chef’sfull secret summer seasonal beers going around. It’s tart, tangy, of zesty freshcitrus dressing. Mediterranean flavours expertly blended to match the Australian spring fruity flavours and super thirst quenching! Head Chef light, yet very satisfying.
8 Wired Cucumber Hippy
David Ricketts.
84 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour 6652 3833 www.hoeymoey.com.au 7 days. Mon - Thurs & Sun:12pm
Follow us on Instagram and find our Facebook page @MrGoodBeans Coffs Coast focus 27
Shop 1 Moonee Marketplace, Moonee Beach 6656 4511 www.mrgoodbeans.com.au
Head Kristy
focus_contributor
W I T H S H E R E E J E F F R E Y F R O M L E O N E L L A PA S TA
Sue Doyle C A N O P Y C A F E
Creamy
Garlic
prawn Linguine Pasta Ingredients Serves 4-5 500 g linguine fresh pasta 3 tsp olive oil 24 green prawns (fresh or frozen, peeled) 6 cloves garlic, minced ½ medium brown onion, finely diced ½ cup dry white wine 600 ml thickened cream 12 Roma mini tomatoes Handful fresh rocket ¼ cup grated parmesan Salt and pepper Parmesan cheese to serve
Method Heat oil in fry pan. Add onion, cook until softened, then add garlic - do not let burn. After 1 - 2 minutes, add white wine and simmer for 5 minutes until liquid has reduced. Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the cream to the reduced wine and simmer for a further 2 minutes, stirring regularly. Once the cream starts to thicken, reduce heat slightly and add the prawns and tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste. Add fresh pasta linguine to the boiling water, stirring occasionally. Cook for approx. 5 minutes; drain. When the prawns are cooked through, add the fresh rocket and parmesan. Turn off heat. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and use tongs to toss and serve. Top with grated parmesan and fresh rocket on the side. 28 Coffs Coast focus
Dorrigo local Sue Doyle, owner and operator of the picturesque Canopy Café set amongst the tree-tops at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, shares her story.
H
ow would you describe your style of cooking? My style of cooking is very much old school, as in hearty meals - corn meat with white sauce - chuck in some contemporary cooking as well - twice cooked pork salad - and you have a broad range of what we do. In winter you will find hearty stews on the menu, as well as soups, and in the summer fresh salads and open burgers. What local produce features on the menu at Canopy Café? My main supplier is a local business, Booma Family Farm; they supply meats and vegetables all from local Dorrigo producers, so a lot of my specials depend on what he has available for me to use. He might ring up and say he has some pork roasts and cabbage left for the week, so I will come up with a special item that incorporates these ingredients. This means our specials menu can change very frequently. It also means we are utilising the freshest of ingredients. Booma Family Farm supplies me with all my beef, lamb, pork and goat, as well as free range eggs. We have total accountability of all my meat products from PADDOCK TO PLATE. Booma also supplies me with a selection of local vegetables, from tomatoes to cabbage to garlic. There is nothing better than knowing I’m supporting a local farmer, who then employs a local worker who buys locally, thus enhancing the local economy. When it comes to special events and functions, what range of food and services can you offer?
With the café being located in such a special place with amazing views, we host a wide variety of events, from weddings and special occasions to bus tour groups. We can provide a range of hors d’oeuvres to sit down main meals, and now a licensed bar! We cater for all dietary requirements, including vegetarians, lactose and gluten intolerant. We aim to cater for everyone who visits our café. What plans do you have for the future of the café? Slowly all our plans for the café are starting to take shape. Just before Christmas I got my liquor licence, which has added to my business. We now have live entertainment at the café for evening events. These changes have been well received and supported, providing the locals and tourists another great place to dine for the evening. What would you say is the biggest influence in your cooking? As I’m a cook, not a chef, I would say that my biggest cooking influences have been my two grandmothers and my mum. Between the three of them I learnt about making stews and soups, sauces and pickles, keeping meals hearty and wholesome and using fresh seasonal ingredients. I then lived with a chef for a number of years, and he taught me more contemporary menus and plating - still not my strong point! The main advantage I have is that I’m working with my two loves, food and people, in a beautiful place. How can people book? People can book or make event enquiries by calling the café on (02) 6657 1541 or by emailing suedoyle293@gmail.com Thanks Sue.
The Coramba Hotel Do you ever dream of escaping the hustle and bustle, but don’t want to drive for hours to do so? Then I have the answer for you! Enjoy the short but scenic drive to one of the Coffs Coast’s best kept secrets, Coramba Hotel. Brett and Sandy have recently taken over the hotel and with plenty of experience under their belt, they’re ready to get this historic gem back to what it once was. With live music to entertain you, trivia night to keep you on your toes, amazing food and the best rural outlook in Coffs Harbour, the Coramba pub is guaranteed to keep you coming back for more ... and don’t forget the kids! They’ll love the park and wide open spaces. The Broadaxe Bistro is open seven days a week, with lunch from noon to 2pm daily; dinner from 5:30pm to 8:30pm daily. - $12 lunch specials Monday through to Friday. - $15 lunch AND dinner specials on weekends. With friendly, helpful staff to assist your needs - everyone is welcome at the Coramba Hotel and if you’re brave, challenge the publican in the pool comp ... but beware! I hear he’s pretty good.
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SINGER/ SONGWRITER YHAN LEAL'S SELF EXPRESSION AND ADMIRATION OF LIFE, ITS LESSONS AND SPIRTUALITY CAN BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGH HIS MUSIC.FOCUS CHATTED WITH YHAN ABOUT HIS LIFE WITH MUSIC ...
T
ell us about your musical background. When did your love for the art begin? I was about eight years old. My brother brought home a nylon string guitar, but wasn’t keen on practicing. I walked in one day and saw him play Sunshine of your love and instantly knew in my mind that I was born to play guitar and sing. He gave me his guitar, and away I went! First I went to a local Yamaha school, learning to read music and play classical pieces, while learning popular songs at home on my own. I really loved Elvis and would mimic his tone, moves and style. In my teens I started on the electric guitar; the local music shop was called "Blakes Music Centre". I really loved that place; all the teachers there were my heroes. They taught me Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Clapton. I eventually taught there myself. Also, at this time the brother who gave me his guitar began writing poetry and asked me to turn his poems into songs. This is how I started writing my own songs. It made so much sense to me, to be a songwriter. I 30 Coffs Coast focus
I LOVE TO BE INSPIRED
BY LIFE, NATURE, could put my thoughts, to do was to lie on the RELATIONSHIPS, feelings, visions and lounge and sing along AND HUGELY BY THE dreams into songs. I’ve with the record sleeves. ARTISTIC AND SPIRITUAL been obsessed by the I love to be inspired SIDE OF LIFE. I’M ALSO process ever since. by life, nature, INFLUENCED BY ARTISTS How would you relationships, and LIKE SUFJAN STEVENS ... describe your vibe? hugely by the artistic My vibe is definitely and spiritual side of chill. I love all music, but life. I’m also influenced I’ve always written in by artists like Sufjan a chilled, ethereal and Stevens, Joni Mitchell, meditative style. I feel there was a split in my Angelo De Augustine, Molly Burch, Justin personality when I was about 19; I started Vernon, Patrick Watson, Ryx and Daniel to see all the suffering in the world and was Johnston. deeply disturbed by it. I went on a big spiritual You’re playing a couple of shows around search, and my music developed in that the Coffs Coast over the next few weeks. direction. I started using my songwriting as a What do you like about playing music to way to bring peace to my mind, and I found the people of our region? a new appreciation for chilled songwriters like I love that we have the ocean; it’s such a Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley. boon for us, a source of endless inspiration, What or who are your influences? and it feeds into the arts culture. I feel people Growing up with three older brothers have more time to listen here compared to with a broad taste in music, I was constantly big cities; I always love to play at home on the immersed in their ever growing collection of east coast. People are super supportive of my vinyl, tapes, and later, CDs. I was into every efforts to be a musician. style of music, from jazz to metal to pop and What are your future goals and folk; I just loved music. My favourite thing aspirations?
I want to travel the world with my family playing music, meeting people and seeing as much as I can. I want to keep writing songs and making records and become a better human being, also mastering the art of performing and connecting with people from all walks of life. I want to make my music career to be a sustainable and humble endeavour. The goal is to bring myself and those listening into harmony and joy. Where can people go to follow you and support your journey? You can stay on touch with me and hear my music via my website: www.yhanleal.com Thanks Yhan.
Catch Yhan Leal at the following locations: February 16, Twilight Food Market, Coffs Harbour; February 17, 63 First Ave, Sawtell; February 28, Element Bar, Coffs Harbour; March 15, Rezinate Retreat, Bellingen; March 24, Growers, Bellingen.
UPCOMING SHOWS
at the jetty memorial theatre
So here we are, 2018 ... Suck it up people! Yes, these days it’s all about the straw - the link to the drink. • Long or short; • Plain or coloured; • Jumbo or standard; • Wrapped or unwrapped; • Straight or flexi; • Bubble or spoon; • Plastic, paper, PLA • Biodegradable, compostable, oxo-degradable … It used to be so simple, right? Not any more … now there are decisions to be made. Choice overload! It’s the scourge of the 21st Century. Problem solved - at Direct Wholesale Services we have an extensive range of straws AND the expertise to advise you on the most appropriate and cost-effective product for your business. In response to customer feedback, our focus is increasingly eco-friendly, and we can supply the popular Eco Straw and Vegware PLA products, in addition to standard straws. Sipping cider, slurping smoothies or bubble tea - add a touch of class to your drinks. Do your customers a favour ... Visit or contact us today.
Gift vouchers now available jettytheatre.com/venue/gift-vouchers *Check venue details before purchasing tickets
jettymemorialtheatre @jettytheatre Box office hours Tues to Fri 12 noon – 4pm jettytheatre.com | phone 6648 4930 337 Harbour Drive Coffs Harbour
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Coffs Coast focus 31
Coffs
Mar. 1ST MARCH
Live Jazz - Element Bar Wanderers - No.5 Church Street Meneshe - Jetty Theatre
2ND MARCH
Richie Williams Duo + DJ Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey Money Shot Band - Seaview Tavern Club Retro Coffs With DJs Bisho & Flak3y - Coast Hotel Top Shelf - The Pier Hotel Tommy Memphis - C.ex Coffs Craig Freeman - Element Bar
3RD MARCH
Tooheys Activated Summer Session - Hoey Moey Richie Williams Duo - Seaview Tavern The Aftershock Of Aus Rock & DJ Rjay Coast Hotel Aqwa - The Pier Hotel Atmosphere - C.ex Coffs Owen Shannon - Element Bar Brendan Gallagher - No.5 Church Street True Flowers From This Painted World Jetty Theatre
4TH MARCH
Mason Rack Band - Hoey Moey Who’s Charlie - Coramba Hotel Aqwa - Element Bar All About Women Satellite - Jetty Theatre
7TH MARCH
Vena Klymo - Element Bar
8TH MARCH
Live Jazz - Element Bar James Bennett & Nick Saxon - No.5 Church Street 32 Coffs Coast focus
GIG GUIDE
9TH MARCH
Katie Brooke + DJ Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey Soda Groove - Seaview Tavern Club Retro Coffs With Djs Bisho & Flak3y Coast Hotel Nirvana Unplugged - Dark Arts Bar & Brew Magic Mojo - The Pier Hotel Rockin Eddie - C.ex Coffs Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar Alana Conway - Woolgoolga Community Hall
Angry Anderson - Blood, Sweat And Tears - Sawtell RSL Pink Zinc - The Pier Hotel Hat Fitz & Cara - C.ex Coffs Tommy Castles - Element Bar Flickerfest - Jetty Theatre
24TH MARCH
DJ Ob1- Hoey Moey Phillip Skinner - Seaview Tavern Magneto With DJ Rjay - Coast Hotel Matty Devitt Duo - The Pier Hotel Magic Mojo - C.Ex Coffs Thor Phillips - Element Bar The Vampires - Jetty Theatre
Feb.
17TH MARCH
DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Secret Squirrel - Seaview Tavern Red Light Special & DJ Blakey - Coast Hotel The Bar Flys - The Pier Hotel Rockin Bodgies - C.ex Coffs Dean Sharkey - Element Bar Mapstone - No.5 Church Street Darren Cogan Fires & Rain - Jetty Theatre Alana Conway - Coramba Community Hall
St Pat’s Day Celebrations With The Highlander Celtic Rock Band - Moonee Beach Tavern DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Whos Charlie - Seaview Tavern Pink Zinc & DJ Brandon - Coast Hotel Blitzer, Mcgill & Schriever Jazz Trio - Dark Arts Bar & Brew Tangled Duo - The Pier Hotel Tallowood & Natalie Sax - Coffs Hotel Renegades Of Funk - C.ex Coffs Georgia State Line - Element Bar Celine Dion Tribute Dinner Show - C.ex Coffs
11TH MARCH
18TH MARCH
Mick Bateman - The Pier Hotel Rock N Rollas - C.Ex Coffs Chris Wiggins - Element Bar
21ST MARCH
DJ Little J - Hoey Moey Then Jolene - Seaview Tavern Tangle - Coramba Hotel Money Shot With DJ Flak3y - Coast Hotel Who’s Charlie Duo - The Pier Hotel Thunderok - C.ex Coffs Owen Shannon - Element Bar
10TH MARCH
The Return Of The Groove Robbers - Hoey Moey
14TH MARCH
Jess Swilks - Element Bar
15TH MARCH
Allday - C.ex Coffs
16TH MARCH
Matty Devitt Duo + DJ Freddy Lee - Hoey Moey The Funk Thieves - Seaview Tavern Secret Squirrel - Coramba Hotel Club Retro Coffs With DJs Bisho & Brandon - Coast Hotel
The Stripes & Gunshy - Hoey Moey Superstraight - Coramba Hotel Peter Barry - Element Bar
Jesse Morris - Element Bar Breahbach - No.5 Church Street
23RD MARCH
Phill Skinner + DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey Matty Devitt Band - Seaview Tavern Club Retro Coffs With DJs Bisho & Flak3y Coast Hotel Rowland And Shekinah - The Pier Hotel Benny Black - Element Bar
25TH MARCH
Lisa Hunt & Forever Soul + DJ Ob1 - Hoey Moey Lazy Sundays - Coramba Hotel Josh Matheson - Element Bar
28TH MARCH
Aqwa - Element Bar
29TH MARCH
D’boyzos - Hoey Moey Pink Zinc - Seaview Tavern
30TH MARCH
31ST MARCH
Coffs Coast focus 33
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WITH STEPHEN SAUNDERS OF TOURISM COFFS COAST
tourism UPDATE
Coffs Coast’s Hidden Gems Autumn is the perfect time to discover some of our stunning national parks, lush forests, picturesque estuaries and uncrowded beaches for hidden experiences, both on land and in the water. The Coffs Coast has a diverse range of walking tracks and an impressive variety of vegetation and wildlife, including many species that are rare or endangered. Coastal Walks The Solitary Islands Coastal Walk is a string of golden beaches, rocky headlands and lush rainforest tracks along the Coffs Coast. This 60 km walking trail starts from Sawtell, next to Bongil Bongil National Park in the south, and continues through to the northern beaches and the Yuraygir National Park near Red Rock.
Ten minutes north of Coffs Harbour, The
A must-see section of the walk, from Sapphire Beach to Emerald Beach, passes through the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve and the famous “Look At Me Now Headland”. This headland is an important local Aboriginal site, affording amazing views of the Solitary Islands. You’ll often encounter a large mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos lazing in the sun. Make sure you pack bird-watching binoculars to spot Little Terns and White Bellied Eagles, which are often seen along the shores. There are also plenty of great vantage points to spot whales during their winter migration or watch dolphins surfing the waves.
is truly unique in that it offers a culturally rich
Bush Walking For lovers of bushwalking, the Dorrigo National Park world heritage area should be on the top of your list. The national park offers several walking trails, including the two hour loop walk to Crystal Shower Falls. You can venture behind the waterfall, and then follow the track along the Wonga Walk to the Skywalk, with amazing panoramic views across the tree canopy. Travel ten minutes south of Coffs Harbour, and a gentle hike meanders along the coastal border of Bongil Bongil National Park, home to a large population of koalas. With dramatic rainforest on one side of the dunes, vegetation includes Red Olive Berry, Coastal Banksia and plenty of enormous Staghorns. 34 Coffs Coast focus
Gumgali Track offers a culturally rich 400 m walking track which leads to the stunning Korora Lookout in Orara East State Forest. As you wander along this scenic trail, you can follow a Gumbayggirr Dreaming story through sculpture, murals, and signage. It is the story of Gumgali, the black goanna, and this walk experience surrounded by sparkling ocean and coastal landscape views. Adventure Activities If you’re keen for some nature-based adrenaline, make sure you experience our popular mountain biking trails, such as the famous “Cows with Guns” and “The Sawmill” located in Pine Creek State Forest, a short drive south of Coffs Harbour near Bonville. The Sawmill is a very challenging trail, whereas Cows with Guns is suitable for most riders. If you’re into off-road driving, the hinterland also offers many touring options, including the Orara Escarpment route - an easy 80 km round trip from Coffs Harbour which takes you through eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforests. To find other hidden gems, check the “Play” section on Coffs Coast website for more nature trail information. Much of the nature content published on our website has been developed in conjunction with various local experts and industry representatives from National Parks, Forestry Corporation and Solitary Islands Marine Park. www.coffscoast.com.au #createyourparadise
focusinterview.
Thor!
Wind Tunnel
Steve, owner of Coffs Skydivers, has brought a whole new experience to the Coffs Coast - the Wind Tunnel “Thor”. It gives those wanting to experience the freedom of flight without jumping out of a plane a fun and exciting option! We spoke to Steve and got the run-down on Thor and how it all came to be.
H
i Steve. Tell us about yourself and the wind tunnel. I am a professional skydiver of 23 years; I started jumping in 1995. I have always been entrepreneurial since I was very young, selling watermelons and zucchinis from the age of 12 to make some pocket money, on to market stalls in my early teens selling jewellery and the likes. I once had a 9 - 5 job in Sydney with Westpac; I lasted six months, then I decided my freedom was truly at risk - so it was back to fending for myself. I tried many things, including developing concrete companies with my father, personal growth and coaching, which I still do today as an internationally accredited, registered coach with the Australian Coaching Institute and an internationally accredited facilitator with the ManKind Project running workshops globally and so on, and then I found freefall - and I fell in love forever. Through freefall I built on the courage I had always had as a kid to take risks, live excitingly and see the world. I purchased Coffs Skydivers in 2005 and took a failing business to the success it has become today, all the while ever seeking new and exciting ideas and ventures. Then the wind tunnel came along, and I was off again. I had to have one; I had to provide the amazing experience of body flight to all those who were either too young to skydive or a little too afraid to jump from a plane! How did the concept come about? The wind tunnel came about in February 2013. It was a metal frame surrounded by concrete in Port Macquarie, initially built by a very clever mate of mine who is an aircraft engineer. But I wanted to take the concept one step further and make a mobile tunnel, so we could visit other
locations to satisfy my need for exploration Thor has been in operation since 2015, and travel. And, the two plus year project going off to festivals, subdivision launches, began! We then built the tunnel into what promotions including operating in Martin you see today. Place in the middle of Sydney, and other How close is the feeling of the wind events, as well as being on the road tunnel to skydiving? travelling NSW. Thor has now found a It’s quite close, in that you feel the rush permanent home in Coffs Harbour. of air passing by your body as you fly. Is this ever used as a training tool for However, because you are in an enclosure, skydiving? outside things are relative, which changes Absolutely; in fact, we trained three new the experience skydivers in Thor last slightly. It is a week, who have all wonderful way for gone on to learning those who might to skydive and are want to experience doing brilliantly! IT IS A WONDERFUL WAY skydiving to get You also have a FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT the feeling and training program WANT TO EXPERIENCE the confidence, coming up. Tell us SKYDIVING TO GET especially those about it ... THE FEELING AND THE thinking of learning Yes, we are CONFIDENCE ... to skydive. The best putting together a part of it is, the wind tunnel flying tunnel helps people club. The idea is who have made up to create a club really scary stories of what skydiving would where members learn to fly like a pro with be like and offers them a chance to feel the opportunities to become an instructor, reality of it before jumping. to have another sporting community to Where did the nickname “Thor” come connect with like minded people, and from? to simply do regularly what almost every “Thor” came from the idea that this human has ever wanted to do - and that’s huge superhero-like machine could protect FLY like a bird! and serve the people, while safely giving Do you think it is a good starting point them the freedom of flight at the turn for anyone considering skydiving? of his mighty hand ... The big brash high Absolutely! This new sport, tunnel flying, body and the toughness with which Thor is being used worldwide now to introduce sends wind and people hurtling into the air people to the art of body flight and to train and then gently returning them back onto them before launching themselves towards Earth from a plane. terrafirma. Where is Thor based? Who can can fly in the wind tunnel? Thor is based behind the Link Indoor There is absolutely no experience needed Leisure Centre or Spring Loaded on Hogbin and if you are willing to have a crack, Thor Drive between the Toormina Rugby and is willing to fly you! We just have an age Sawtell Panthers League fields. restriction of five years old and above. Thanks Steve. How long has Thor been operating?
Carobana Confectionery Carobana Confectionery is a family owned business, operating since 1982. A REAL WORKING FACTORY. We make a large range of tasty treats, such as honeycomb, nut brittles, fudges, creams and rocky road. The business originally focused on carob confectionery, which is made from the crushed and roasted sweet seed pod of the carob tree. It is suitable for adults and children who are allergic to cocoa chocolate and is a safe treat for dogs. We have three types of carob confectionery: milk carob with sugar added or no added sugar and also soy (dairy free) carob, which is suitable for lactose intolerant and vegans. We also have a cocoa chocolate range for the chocoholics. We welcome visitors to our factory and shop, and our friendly staff are happy to explain the various confectionery making processes. Visitors can also taste test from the samples to find a favourite. Our spacious grounds are pet friendly and ideal for picnics. Easter is happening at the end of March, and we are busy making our Easter egg range for the Easter Bilby to distribute.
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WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DÃIN DESIGNS
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony
Belinda Hill, Indiana Hill, Carole Finucane
Cheese Making Workshop 9th Birthday Party Celebrations
Emma johnson and Tullia Conner
B
Social /Scene
earing in mind, it was hot enough to fry an egg on the bonnet of a car ... The young sportsmen and women competing in the Australian Oztag Sports Association Junior State Cup tournament braved the heat and drew in the crowds just recently. This is NSW’s largest comp, with approximately 300 junior teams competing to become the NSW champions. Associations across the state compete against each other over a major three day tournament. The junior tournament caters for players aged nine to 17 year old. This is amazing for the Coffs Coast! Not only does it bring business into the town, it also lures potential new holiday makers to the area or even people choosing a place to relocate! Who wouldn’t want to live up here on the Coffs Coast! Staying with sport, there is a return of the Women’s NSW Open to the ALPG calendar after a two year break. The Open will be contested at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club. The club is thrilled to be the venue, and this is a fine time to showcase their beautifully manicured fairways and greens. The field will include some of the finest amateurs and professionals from Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA. One of the past winners of the competition was Dame Laura Davies, who will once again contest the
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Mother Nature has definitely turned the heat up too high! I jumped into my car after work and jumped out real quick; the temperature was set on ... cook!
title this year. Also competing will be Lydia Ko, who won the 2012 Women’s NSW Open as a 14 year old amateur. This will be a golfing battle for the title at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club that all golfing fanatics won’t want to miss!
soon as the school holidays are over, there is always a new wave of holiday makers who love to visit us in the less busy months. It doesn’t matter what season it is, as there is always something for everyone to enjoy!
The Sawtell Golf Club was the venue for the BPW Coffs Harbour Candle Lighting Ceremony. BPW was also celebrating the fact that the club is part of a bigger organisation that works for women all over the world. This is one of the most popular events on their calendar. It is such a beautiful ceremony. The feeling of solidarity with women around the globe, along with the ritual of lighting candles to represent significant tenets of BPW International made for an uplifting and inspiring evening.
The festival showcases the local products that Woolgoolga and the Coffs Coast has to offer. As well as entertainment for all the family, there was also unusual competitions such as the “Prawn Peeling Comp”… I would be AMAZING at this! I’m a champion at prawn peeling … it all comes down to the passion of wolfing down fresh seafood. YUM! There were delicious tasting plates, as well as wine, beer and cider sample drinks. Great fun for everyone!
We have a wide selection of festivals staged throughout the year here on the Coffs Coast. Beautiful Woolgoolga once again had the popular “Taste the Plate” Festival 2018 for everyone to enjoy.
The Front Cover FOCUS team have decided that coming up with a cover concept, the styling and the actual shoot is definitely worth being included in the Social Pages events list. I am so proud to be one of the FOCUS Front Cover stylists. Sometimes it is a fairly quick process but other times, like this one, it can be a long but fruitful process. It takes one idea, this one being Nicci’s from FOCUS, to a lot of brain storming and planning. There are the people selected to feature on the cover, the venue, the hairdressers, makeup artists, the clothes, accessories, the styling and the photography.
I noticed that we are never short of tourists. As
It was a hot day, and we timed the ladies to
This year Dr Rosemary Hepworth, who was a doctor in Zimbabwe for the duration of her working life, was the guest speaker for the event. She has been named as a Community Champion and is president of Rotary Coffs Harbour South.
come in stages. The hair was styled by Ella Wilson-Spillane and makeup was by Daisy from Daisy Llewellyn Hair and Makeup, who is our photographer, Gavin’s, lovely wife. We set up at House of Le Dãin Designs and had the lovely Leanne to assist. With the easy access to a few bubbles, the clothes, jewells and the AMAZING headwear designed and created by our new Casino Milliner Shanette Farrell from Lotus and Lace Millinery, we slowly but surely … got the “Look”. I won’t say I was nervous of this shoot, because nervous is not my thing, but I was definitely apprehensive! When Nicci suggested “Jungle Theme”- and I have participated in many shoots - a lot of things went through my head! It is also sometimes difficult to get the models to relax and trust us. Jungle Book and Tarzan came to mind ... They all imagined something different. But I think this cover has come out looking nothing short of amazing, and we definitely all had fun. Here is to … Never saying never … And always expect … The unexpected … Carole Beros, Le Dãin Designs.
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WITH CAROLE BEROS FROM LE DĂƒIN DESIGNS
Sarah Jones and Kate Jones
Dr Christopher and Mayor Denise Knight
Yvonne and Leanne Zietsch
Larissa, Kyleigh, Sean, Lily and Emily
Ashlee Smith and Debbie Gerdes
Prue Glover, Peter Metcalfe, Harry Glover, Chris Metcalfe, Taylor Shone
Carla Jones and Hudson Dolan
Social /Scene
Trent Long, Max Hardie, Jake Glover
Jimmy Ellis and Matt Tolland
Lindy Stitt, Zaiah Segavcic
Hannh Barron and Syam Lee
Hiroto Yaginuma, Maiko Muscroft and Adelaide Zietsch
Lynere and Michael Williams
Coffs Coast focus 37
wib
wib cover page
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focusinterview.
NOURISHED
EARTH LEAH & KIRSTEN
In partnership, Leah and Kirsten have built Nourished Earth from the ground up, to cover all things health and wellbeing. The store will be celebrating its first birthday shortly, so FOCUS had a chat to the girls to find out more about the year that has been and the future plans for the business.
D
escribe how you got started in your business ...
Having been lucky enough to work together in the health industry for a number of years, there was a natural progression into a business partnership. Our passion for natural health was mutual, and we had our own ideas for a health food store that was close to home. We wanted consistent access to fresh organic produce, bulk foods, a herbal dispensary, non toxic living products and private consultation rooms.
smoothies and organic cold pressed juices and have adjusted our space to accommodate this growing demand. There is a unique opportunity in our store to buy regular, organic fresh produce that is consistently available on a seasonal basis, and with this in mind we will be introducing more options in the near future. We are excited about 2018 and look forward to bringing our ideas to life! What is your greatest achievement?
Once we found the right location and space that could facilitate our design, it was a step by step process at a very involved and fast pace. Although we had not done a start up before, our experience in the industry gave us the foundation to build on our ideas and create an independent health food store that would service an area north of Coffs Harbour.
It is difficult to narrow this down when the last twelve months has been such a whirlwind of hard work, long hours, and overwhelming pride in what we have put into place. What we do acknowledge so far, is that we nurtured the original concept with integrity and drive, and created a fabulous space that was in line with what we had originally visualised.
How has your business evolved since it began? It has almost been 12 months since opening Nourished Earth, with our first birthday approaching on May 1st. In the last few months the store has been expanding in many ways, including the introduction of more product lines and services. We have had an overwhelming response to our in-store workshops, with an exciting timetable for 2018 still to come.
Starting a new business can be very demanding when you have a young family, and finding that work/ life balance can be challenging and has been a huge achievement for us both. It has helped us to have wonderful support from family and friends, and this has been invaluable in our journey so far.
We saw the need for good quality, clean protein
What is your business’ greatest asset? Our collaborative team! We all have different roles and bring different skills to the business, and collectively this
has created a dynamic, diverse and experienced team. Although the concept for Nourished Earth was our original vision, Kirsten and I are so grateful for the encouragement and input that we receive from our husbands and staff. It is vital for any business to continue to evolve, and we are confident that our determination will see Nourished Earth reach its full potential. How do you measure success in business? Success for us is measured in job satisfaction, and we realise how lucky we are in being able to incorporate what we love to do into a business. Being able to provide a unique experience that enables our customers to lead healthier and happier lives is our focus and achieving this on a day to day basis is a good foundation for growth. The “bigger picture� for us would have to be the ability to immediately associate the brand of Nourished Earth with quality, professionalism, service and of course, optimal health! What business leaders do you look up to? We have respect and admiration for anyone who has taken that leap of faith to start up their own business. There is a lot of great business support available in the Coffs Coast area, and we have enjoyed regular networking with like-minded people. Coffs Coast focus 39
N A D I R A Perera
LYNNE PARNELL & LORRAINE CHOWDHURY
LA BEAUTÉ DU MONDE
Describe how you got started in your business? I lived in Paris for twenty years. There, I studied, qualified and worked as a beauty therapist. The French system is very disciplined and achieves high standards. I migrated to Australia in 2010, Paris to Bellingen. I worked casually for two beauty businesses in town. A lovely lady advised me to register my French Diploma in Australia. With my husband and daughters’ help, I started a home based business, then I moved to the Old Council Chambers, O 1A Oak St, Bellingen, in 2013. How has your business evolved since it began? I am very happy where I am now! In 2017 I expanded the salon, adding more services and launched LUZERN Pure Cosmeceuticals skincare range, Organic ECOTAN spray tan, YOUNGBLOOD mineral makeup, BIOSCULPTURE and EVO2 oxygenating gel nails system. What is your greatest achievement? In business, it's having a functioning business that has a happy clientele, that grows by word of mouth. Receiving great feedback from locals and visitors is a great achievement in my life. What business leader do you look up to? Dr. Nadia PAYOT, beauty pioneer and philosopher, is my inspiration. She has developed effective products and designed unique salon facials for pure pleasure since 1920.
H
i Lynne. Tell us about your relationship with the Coffs Coast ... I moved to the Coffs Coast with my husband and four children almost 17 years ago after visiting friends here on a holiday. We fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle, friendly people and lack of peak hour traffic! Since moving here I’ve had the privilege of working for some wonderful community and not for profit organisations, including ETC and Camp Quality, where I worked for more than eight years. We have two of our five children still living here and three of our five beautiful grandchildren born in Coffs Harbour. Lorraine would be classified as a local, having lived here for more than 30 years, and she has been involved in many community events, including Lifeline, Chilli Festival, Sawtell Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Information volunteer, to name a few. Lorraine has all but one of her children living and working on the Coffs Coast and is lucky to have all her grandchildren here involved in sport, music, dancing and community events. What is the Rate Us app, and how is it used? Rate Us is a mobile app that enables customers to rate the quality of services they receive from a range of industries, including aged care, disability services, hospitality, venue and accommodation, tourist attractions, fitness centres, staff surveys and any industry where the company values customer feedback and wants to improve the services they provide. Companies can also survey customers directly to the app and gauge their feedback on questions that relate to services they receive. How did you come up with the
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R AT E U S A P P
idea of the Rate Us app, and what motivated you to make it a reality? Initially it was my idea and I approached Lorraine, because we share a passion for empowering people to have a voice. We had worked in community services for many years, and customers often vented their frustrations to us about poor services they experienced and their inability to find the right person to listen to their feedback and improve those services. We wanted to find a way to use technology to give customers a voice directly to businesses on the quality of services they receive and give organisations access to immediate feedback, so that they could rectify poor service and strive towards service excellence. What was the process from idea to finished product? Our initial focus was on aged care and disability services, because this was the sector we were working in. We investigated the range of services provided in this sector and devised icons that represented those services, and then reviewed the national customer service standards, so that ratings aligned with these standards. These ratings are excellent, satisfactory and poor. We then decided to also include a survey function within the app to support the service ratings, so that companies can further survey customers with specific survey questions; again, we wanted it to be easy to use and applied a simple “Yes” or “No” function to encourage customers to complete surveys. We found a local app developer, Ben Burton from We Build Apps, and with our concept drawings and many meetings created Rate Us Applications. Since our initial launch we have expanded to cover a range of industries and services, including hospitality, tourism, retail, education, staff surveys (any industry); we can use Rate
Us for any business or industry that wants to better engage with their customers, improve training for staff and deliver customer service excellence. What has the response been like with users? Users love the app, because they can provide feedback at point of service and businesses can respond to that feedback with immediacy. Businesses can also engage with existing customers, and it shows the customer how valued they are! Staff surveys have been particularly popular, because staff can complete a survey and rating with anonymity and be honest - the business doesn’t always get the highest ratings, but it’s important that employees can give honest feedback without recrimination. The Rate Us app has grown a lot since it has started. How many industries have taken on the application? So far, Rate Us is being used by disability services, education services, retail, hospitality and most recently we have been engaged by Southern Cross University in Lismore and the Gold Coast. How do businesses/services go about implementing the use of the Rate Us app? Simply email us at Lorraine@rateusapp. com.au or roland@rateusapp.com.au or visit our website and click on the enquiry link and we will design rating icons and survey questions specific to your business and customer needs. Is the app just being used locally? Locally and interstate at the moment, but we currently have a Business Development Manager in the UK who is working with a range of industries there who are customer service focused. It’s exciting to see that we can turn our passion for people and our dream of giving the customer a voice into reality. Thanks Lynne.
S H E R E E Jeffrey L E O N E L L A PA S TA O W N E R
My husband and I decided to make the move back to the Coffs Coast to be closer to family and to raise our young children. Coffs Harbour being my home town, I wanted to give the locals a taste of our Italian heritage with some amazing fresh pasta. We had the opportunity to buy equipment from Silvano and Yvonne Zecchinati, who owned Zac’s Pasta, and over many months we have set up a commercial kitchen to manufacture our products. Leonella Pasta is named after our children; we are a family run business and enjoy the personal relationships we have with our customers, and we pride ourselves on being able to provide a quality product and service. We are currently producing pasta, gnocchi, ravioli and Italian sweets, with more exciting products in the future. My Italian heritage and background is something my husband and I want to pass on to our children, and we hope one day they take over the business. We are currently supplying a number of restaurants, cafÊs, retail outlets and attending weekly food markets and festivals in the Coffs Harbour local area. My vision for Leonella Pasta is to supply our products to many businesses along the Mid North Coast and have a team of employees who are just as passionate about our products as we are.
Contact details: 0434022969 leonellapasta@gmail.com www.facebook.com/leonellapasta
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Having great people on your team will always be the core of any successful business. Honey & Huntsman is still growing, as my team and I are still constantly learning and improving.
T A M Z I N Shotbolt M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R AT H I B B A R D H O M E S
Describe how you got started in your business? I was initially doing contract work for Hibbards for graphic projects. I had two young children (five and two) so I would fit it in where I could - even if it meant staying up until 3am each night to complete it. Eventually I was asked to become full-time and began a lot of personal assistant work for Bruce Hibbard. This meant I was involved in many business meetings and got a thorough understanding of how the business operated, and developed a true to the core belief that was inline with the Hibbard values, and my passion for communicating that core belief to clients and potential clients - that is how I’ve created my position here in Promotion, Marketing, PR and New
L E E Smidt HONEY & HUNTSMAN OWNER
Although buying the business and changing careers was certainly a huge leap of faith – the vision came to me vividly!
I’m a glass half full kind of woman.
The epiphany I had was that if ever I had the opportunity to buy a small local business I would stock linen pieces and name it Limoncelo. Now here I am and I am loving it!
What qualities do you think business women need to succeed? The first step is to take action. If you want to be in business for yourself, it’s never going to be a 9 - 5 job. You have to be prepared to commit 110% to your business idea, while being patient and resilient enough to follow through.
Business Generation. How has your business evolved since it began? When I
What is your business’ greatest asset? Having great people on your team will always be the core of any successful business. Honey & Huntsman is still growing, as my team and I are still constantly learning and improving.
was building in five locations. We are now fully operational in 11 regions, with research into other future regions happening as we speak. The running of the business has changed with the expansion of the amount of employees and the structure, creating confidence and empowerment of people in their roles.
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LIMONCELO OWNER
How do you measure success in business ? Firstly, I believe “success” is by definition such a relative term and should only be measured through achieving your personal goals and dreams. If I am waking up feeling positive and motivated to take on the day, while taking action to move another step closer to my goals ... For me, that is success.
Only then do you get to reap the rewards.
first started here (as a full-time employee) in 2012, Hibbards
A L L Y Turner
Getting a business up and running successfully is a huge task, and does require me to take on multiple roles on a daily basis. This can range from performing treatments, advising clients, cleaning, IT, social media, marketing, sales, finance, logistics, and and much more.
I was travelling Italy and sipping Limoncelo by the water in Positano after I had gone mad in the many linen boutiques. It was a trip not unlike Shirley Valentine’s, it changed my philosophy towards life and myself.
The local business people have been very welcoming and helpful, similarly my customers have all been encouraging and lovely. I am looking forward to growing the business with the additions of some new labels including Adrift, KIIK, Blanc De Luxe, Naudic and Weekend. We will still stock the fabulous Donna Donna, Orientique, Hammock and Vine and Gordon Smith. We stock pieces made from natural fibres such as linen and cotton which is perfect for our climate. Woman often say they can always find something to buy in my boutique. We cater for all sizes, shapes, ages and occasions. Pop into Limoncelo and experience the Amalfi coast vibe here in the heart of Coffs Harbour. Bellissimo Bella Donna! xx
Mass produced we are not! And our emphasis on hand made, sustainable, renewable and recycled materials in 90% of our furniture really sets us apart from our competitors.
H E I D I Brett
MICHELLE KLEMENT
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VAST INTERIOR OWNER
P E A R L AT VA L L A S A L E S & P R OJ E C T M A N A G E R
escribe how you got started in your business? In my previous life I travelled the world extensively as a Senior Account Manager in the Conference and Incentive world. I then fulfilled a lifelong dream to live and work on a cruise ship, which took me to London to secure a management role and spent almost six years at sea. I came home to Australia in late 2005 and located myself on the Sunshine Coast. In the early part of 2006, a friend advised me to look at real estate - I was hesitant at first, as unfortunately the industry had a negative rap due to a few cowboys making it hard for the rest, who have a really tough gig!
How has your business evolved since you arrived? When I arrived in Pearl at Valla in May 2016, it was very overgrown and simply unloved - you could not see the front billboard or entry fence - let’s face it, why would anyone wish to live here! It has taken some 18 months to see how Pearl looks today! Our community is growing all the time, and we now have only 26 lots remaining.
Understanding our clients is the most important part, as most are not first home buyers, which means some will have existing homes to sell, or they just need the rollercoaster of ‘life’ to fall into place before they can proceed.
Due to the GFC, I moved to Melbourne in 2011 and started working for a large project management company, where I gained even more experience in the development world.
How has your business evolved since it began? As many of you will remember, VAST INTERIOR started as a very small shop in Toormina in 1998 before moving into its current location on Orlando Street. The store has had many transformations from that small store, where stock was predominately from Indonesia and it was packed to the rafters in a very haphazard way. When I took over in 2011, the store still had a distinctly Indonesian flavour, with lots of dark timber furniture and very little in the way of homewares, although with a more traditional store layout, including internal walls and seagrass flooring.
the essence of the original VAST philosophy
Move forward to 2018, and the store has had a makeover into a fresh, contemporary store layout with an open plan that creates a bright and relaxed shopping experience that still incorporates
many styles, from Coastal, Hamptons, Industrial,
- an emphasis on affordable, handcrafted, quality, solid timber furniture. Mass produced we are not! And our emphasis on hand made, sustainable, renewable and recycled materials in 90% of our furniture really sets us apart from our competitors. Transforming the store into a shopping experience that delights the senses at every turn as well as keeping ahead of the ever-evolving interior design trends is always a delightful challenge that will never grow old. The new look for the store incorporates design elements from Shabby Chic, Rustic, Boho, Tribal, Scandinavian, Indian, Contemporary and Vintage Chic, which truly makes it a store for everyone.
How do you measure success in business? Success should not be gauged by Sales Targets; running a development like Pearl requires honesty, integrity and patience. Understanding and listening to the individual needs of each client is the most important part, as most are not first home buyers, which means some will have existing homes to sell, or they just need the rollercoaster of “life” to fall into place before they can proceed.
In early 2016, I was approached by one of the owners of Pearl, whom I worked for in Melbourne, to run Pearl. I need to be honest; I said NO to the role four times and after visiting the estate and the Coffs Coast, I decided to move here for some 18 months to two years.
My role allows me to assist our customers to envisage and create their new home. Being able to provide support and information throughout the whole process will ensure they realise their dream - let’s face it, they are not buying a sofa! This is one of the biggest investments in their life, and I never consider that it’s just “another sale”; it’s exciting going through the process with them.
After six months of living in Coffs, I knew I was not ever going to live anywhere else in Australia again - and yes, you hear it all the time, but it’s the people on the Coffs Coast that make it such a special place.
What business leaders do you look up to? Definitely Sir Richard Branson; he is successful and yet very ethical, followed closely by my mentor in Melbourne, who introduced me to Pearl.
Coffs
Coffs Coast focus 43
Back in 1995 when 3 Bears opened, I myself was able to wear the hats of several roles within the business, from office admin, early childhood teacher, nursery room leader, supervisor and licensee.
KATE DRUM
R E N A E Donovan 3 B E A R S C O T TA G E O W N E R / D I R E C T O R
How has your business evolved since it began? Business today is characterised by relentless change. To stay competitive, businesses must continually grow and evolve.
to things, so even stuff that has nominal
Back in 1995 when 3 Bears opened, I myself was able to wear the hats of several roles within the business, from office admin, early childhood teacher, nursery room leader, supervisor and licensee.
capitalise on this opportunity, as a result of those
Today sees each of the above roles allocated to individual members, with many positions requiring multiple staff to complete the roles. At first it wasn’t easy for me to accept that I could no longer have complete control over my business and that it was time to let go of the reins. As a Pisces woman, I’m very much a sentimental creature who tends to tie memories and emotions
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SAWTELL RSL MARKETING MANAGER
value can be precious to me. However, I have discovered that change doesn’t have to mean the end. You just need to ask yourself,“How can I changes?” By diversifying what 3 Bears was doing, we were able to do a lot more for our families, children and educators. What business leaders do you look up to? Richard Branson is somebody I admire, and I quite often look to his principles for inspiration. Branson looks at hiring his weaknesses, searching for talent in areas where he himself does not thrive. My staff will get a giggle when they read this, but mine is definitely technology!
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SAWTELL RSL CLUB MARKETING MANAGER
What is your business’ greatest asset? escribe how you got started in your The staff, our members and the beautiful business? I have surrounds we have. It’s really important for been in and out of any business to consider those that support pubs and clubs since I you all year round. We have 61 staff and left school, except for over 7,000 members. Our growth this a few years where I worked in banking and last year is a true indication that we are finance for BCU. The change was good meeting their expectations. The club has but after a while, I was drawn back to also transformed to be far more of a family hospitality. It’s where my passion is. In 2011 destination. We have always had a very I started working at large community Sawtell RSL doing focus, but we find everything from bar that families spend and functions to more time out reception, banking together and are and supervisor. Last looking for a place My General Manager saw year management where they can my strengths and entrusted could see that with relax in comfortable, me with this position. Last the growth of the modern surrounds. year the club took a new club, there was a direction. We re-branded How do you need for a Marketing and completed massive measure success renovations throughout. Manager … Someone in business? who knew the local Repeat business market, what people and local referrals. wanted, and was We invite feedback, passionate about remembering that getting Sawtell RSL constructive criticism out there. How could is just as important to professional growth you not be? We cater to every individual. as the five star ratings on Facebook Whether it be to share a coffee and cake and TripAdvisor! Sawtell RSL strives to in our Waves Café, sharing an antipasto provide consistently great food and platter out on our terrace, milkshakes entertainment at affordable prices. There with the kids, dinner in our Oasis Bistro or is always something going on and with enjoying Coffs Coast’s ONLY Seafood and our Smorgasbord and Carvery on Friday Carvery Smorgasbord in the Dining Room, and Saturday nights frequently booked out we really do have something for everyone. weeks in advance, I think that is testament What is your greatest achievement? to our success! Being in the position I am today. My How will you embrace change in 2018? General Manager saw my strengths With open arms! Striving to absorb as and entrusted me with this position. much knowledge as I can and developing Last year the club took a new direction. the tools I need to help take Sawtell We re-branded and completed massive RSL to the next level! The goal posts are renovations throughout. It was very full on, forever changing in hospitality, with new but with the support of management and regulations and changing customer focus. staff, it has been a really exciting transition. We need to stay in front and lead the way It is very rewarding being a part of such big in 2018! changes!
I feel the greatest asset in my business is definitely my team. Our morals and support for each other is the key to everyone wanting to turn up each day. We take on the responsibility of people's greatest assets and we take that responsibility very seriously.
D
A M A N D A Langlands
escribe how you got started in your business? I have been in the real estate industry for 17 years, entering as a receptionist, working my way through different roles, learning and developing. I had outgrown my current position, so it was the natural progression for me, as I like to learn and challenge myself. How has your business evolved since it began? I started my business four years ago, with the view of running a small company. However, due to the overwhelming positive support from the community and the continuing impetus, I now have a team of five sales agents, a property management division and an administration team. What is your greatest achievement?
L A N G L A N D S P R O P E R T Y P R I N C I PA L / L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T
Designing a life that now enables me the opportunity to give back to the community Wesley Mission, Coffs Harbour Touch Football, Coffs Harbour Boardriders, Safety Beach Golf Club and in particular, the Warrina Women's Refuge, which has a special place in my heart, as I spent time in a women's refuge as a child. What is your business' greatest asset? I feel the greatest asset in my business is definitely my team. Our morals and support for each other is the key to everyone wanting to turn up each day. We take on the responsibility of people's greatest assets, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We work hard as a team to get the best result possible for our clients. How do you measure success in business? I measure a business as successful if you have
a team with clear systems that provide the
Liveability - as there is a push towards an
same service to your clients whether you are
instant society, there is also a push towards
there or not. The customer service model
reducing running costs of a property and
needs to be designed right from the initial
increasing comfort; there are 17 liveability
phone call to the close of the transaction. As a
features in a home. We are the only company
business owner, you should know every client
in our region that are accredited Liveability
is having the same experience.
specialists educating owners on how to
How will you embrace change in 2018?
improve the value of their home and make it
The two main changes I will be embracing in
more attractive to prospective purchasers.
2018 are at completely different ends of the
What business leaders do you look up
radar. Technology and Liveability.
to? I am fortunate to have worked with some
Technology - we now live in a instant society
amazing business leaders. Lunch with Andrew
where people expect information to be at
Winter from Selling Houses Australia, personal
their finger tips. We currently offer personal
real estate business coaching with Peter
property websites, robot marketing and online
Gilchrist and Josh Phegan, along with being
registrations for buyers. We are continuing to
part of the real estate learning frameworks of
learn more in this space.
Tom Panos and Lee Woodward.
Coffs Coast focus 45
JAX THE BARBER
Jax offers all the classic barbershop services, but comes with a twist; it is located in a clothing store, which makes for a fun and relaxed experience and a great atmosphere. Jax tells us about how her business came about and what sets it apart.
i Jax. Have you always lived here on the Coffs Coast? No, I grew up in Rotorua and Auckland, in New Zealand. I left New Zealand in 2011 bound for Canberra, where I began working as an apprentice mechanic, because I couldn’t find work barbering. In 2013 I moved to Coffs Harbour to be with my family. I couldn’t find work to continue my apprenticeship, so I fell back on my barber training instead, and this is where I began my full-time career as a barber. How does being a barber differ from working as a hairdresser in a salon? It really comes down to the work you’re doing. Barbers are trained to cut men’s hair, do fades, shaves, cut-throat razors and other general men’s services; whereas, hairdressers are trained to cut women’s hair. These two industries require completely different training. What made you decide to become a barber? Well, I’ve actually been cutting for fun since I was about 15. I would say it really took hold while on ship for the RNZN, Royal New Zealand Navy, on the HMNZS Pukaki, to be exact. In my spare time I would set up in the tiller flat, which is in the aft or rear section of a ship, and I would cut my shipmates’ hair. I guess you could say I soon became their go-to barber. The more cuts I did, the more I knew this was something I really wanted to pursue. I eventually lost interest in my Naval career and knew it was time to follow my passion for barbering. Did you do your training here in the area? No, I began my training at Mr. Barber School in 46 Coffs Coast focus
Auckland, New Zealand. I was extremely motivated and passed the 12 week course with flying colours. I finished at the top of my class; I was the only one out of a class of 20 who actually passed the course at all! As a barber you learn on your feet; every day there is the potential to improve your skills. I take my job very seriously, and I always strive for the best quality cuts. What does an average work day hold for you? I average around 14 cuts a day. I allocate enough time to each customer, so I am not rushing through a cut or a shave. What is it you enjoy most about being a barber? Well, probably the fact that it doesn’t feel like work to me. I love my job! The transformation process, making guys look good and feel good about themselves. It’s very rewarding! So your workspace is part of a clothing store; it must create an interesting atmosphere. How do you find running a business alongside another when the two are quite different? Yes, I am located in eDegrees, and we complement each other quite well. It makes for interesting conversation with customers. Sometimes you hear people come in who are wowed by the idea of a barber in a clothing store. We share a lot of customers. When I began considering the option of running my own business, the idea was welcomed by Graeme and Amy, the owners of eDegrees, and they offered unwavering support helping me set up my barbershop. I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my passion for barbering under my own name. We work well together, and the atmosphere is uplifting. Do you have a lot of regular clients, or do you get mostly walk-in customers in that setting?
I have a great customer base of regular clients from all over the Coffs Coast, but I welcome new customers. I have a web based booking system, where people can jump on and book their appointments. I generally book out days in advance … so get in quick! Ha ha! How do you think the industry has changed in the past few years? There hasn’t been significant change in the industry itself; however, men are embracing the experience more and more, enjoying the time out while getting a cut and maybe a beard trim or a shave. If you talk to any woman, they’ll tell you how much they enjoy the experience of going to a salon. Why shouldn’t guys be able to enjoy a similar experience? Your business concept is a bit outside the box; do you think people’s perception of a typical barber has changed as well? Yes, I do think people’s perception has changed with the times. It’s not uncommon to see multi- faceted businesses nowadays. Culture Kings began doing this years ago, and many have followed suit. Together, Jax Barber Shop and eDegrees offer a chilled environment in a prime location. What do you think sets you apart? Running by appointment only allows me to give the customer the full barbershop experience. I’m fussy, and attention to detail is important to me. I finish each client’s appointment with a hot towel. My hope is they should leave feeling fresh and looking forward to their next visit! Thanks Jax. www.jaxbarbershop.com.au
CAROLE BEROS LE DĀIN DESIGNS DESIGNER/OWNER
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escribe how you got started in your business? I have always been involved in designing, photography, promotions and styling in one way or another. We have three businesses in total, but Le Dãin Designs started as one of the achievements I wanted to accomplish. Le Dãin is pronounced Le da and is my family name and is Jersey French. Jersey is one of the Channel Islands situated off the coast of France. I never completed designer school in London as planned, as living the dream is not always the easy way to go.
with the latest fashions. We have healthy business relationships with other businesses, including Barbara Wenman, who owns La Fleur D’Alyse, who provides an exclusive service where we can arrange for our clients to have their makeup done. We have definitely grown, and dress ladies from 18 to over 90. Our sizes range from size 6 to size 20. We are constantly evolving in a store that can cover all bases in the styling of women, whether it be casual or formal.
How do you measure success in business? I think that if you have a business, especially if you have built it from scratch like Le Dãin Designs and you make it to the We have a store which is two year mark, you are both old school, providing the definitely on track! But if customer with experienced you are heading towards stylists, with out of hours the five year mark, as services available, but is also we are at the store, this trans seasonal and moves is definitely something with the latest fashions. to be proud of. Pride in what you do is everything, on all levels.
When I moved to Australia, I started a career in the catering industry. Running along that I also launched my own designer label, which was originally just jewellery and now extends to a clothing label, which is an ongoing venture. I was designing jewellery successfully and had designed pieces for the Waterhouse ladies and for prominent clients both in Australia and overseas. So when I was offered the opportunity to set up a store, I felt the time was right.
How has your business evolved since it started? As I mentioned, Le Dãin Designs started out as a designer jewellery business, with a styling service adjoined to it. We transformed an old dark store into a unique space where you can sit and relax, have a chat and then peruse the stock at your leisure. We have a store which is both old school, providing the customer with experienced stylists, with out of hours services available, but is also trans seasonal and moves
To be successful, you have to be tough; you always have to strive to become better, but not necessarily bigger. The main thing is to recognise your weaknesses and just pick up on that and make it better than before. I have learnt that the latest is not always the greatest and having passion for what you believe in drives you forward. Lastly, always remember patience is a virtue.
MADONNA BANNERMAN
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T W O TA I L S W I N E S & V E LV E T S R E S TA U R A N T O W N E R
escribe how you got started in your business? I’d had no experience in wine (apart from enjoying it!) I was looking for a new challenge and had seen the business for sale on the internet. After watching it for about 12 months, I convinced my husband, Barry, that we should come down from Ballina and have a look. After seeing the property and realising its potential, we made an offer and haven’t looked back. How has your business evolved since it began? When we first purchased the business, it was a simple cellar door with a range of home grown wine. Twenty-four months later, and we have completely renovated and extended the cellar door and opened Velvets, our Spanish tapas inspired restaurant. I’ve also changed most of the wines, and introduced some new ones.
What has been your most enjoyable achievement? Without a doubt being part of the FOCUS team. I have been with the Coffs Coast FOCUS since the very first day and loved every minute of it. My most enjoyable achievement is being the FOCUS Front Cover Fashion Stylist.
What is your greatest achievement? The success of Velvets has undoubtedly been our greatest achievement since we came to the business. I couldn’t have dreamed that it would be so warmly embraced by the local community or that we would have seen booked out weekends so regularly. And our Music in the Vineyard event last January was a sellout and received great feedback from everyone who came. I hope to build on that this year.
Such a blast!
What is your business' greatest asset?
Undoubtedly my team. I’m fortunate enough to have a depth of talent among them that makes my job so much easier. Everyone from Jodie, my head chef, to the cellar door staff and kitchen hands work together to make our service and quality the exceptional standard that they are. How do you measure success in business? I love seeing and hearing the fabulous reviews that we get about the quality of our food and service and also the personal feedback that I get from happy customers. I work in the business most days and love chatting with our customers about how they enjoyed their experience. How will you embrace change in 2018? This year I hope to continue the success of our Music in the Vineyard event from last year. I’ve recently employed a new Functions and Events Manager, and I’m looking forward to working with her to develop a range of new and unique experiences for our guests. We’ll shortly also be revising our menu to bring some fresh and exciting dishes, while still maintaining the favourites that people love. What business leaders do you look up to? I think anyone who can successfully manage and operate a small business is exceptional. I’d never done it before and didn’t really appreciate the scale of what needed to be done. Having done it now for two and a half years, I can really appreciate people who are prepared to have a go and make a success of their passion. Coffs Coast focus 47
focusinterview.
THE WOMEN OF
Locally owned and operated Coopers Surf was first established in 1969, opening the doors for the very first time along the Jetty Strip, and it wasn't long before “Coopers” became a household name in Coffs Harbour. Almost 50 years on we now have five Coopers Surf stores and two Urban Life by Coopers Surf stores to choose from. Women have always played a major part in Coopers Surf and at the height of summer, Coopers had over 60 staff members, 46 of whom were women. FOCUS sat down with Andrew and a few of the lovely ladies from Coopers Surf and Urban Life Coffs Harbour to find out what it’s like to work at Coffs Harbour’s most iconic and long standing surf store, and how it’s helped shape the path for their future.
H
ow have all these amazing woman contributed to such extreme growth and customer
satisfaction? By being happy, positive and upbeat and creating a great atmosphere to work and shop in. The girls all call it the Coopers family which I love that they feel that way. A massive part of shopping is the customer experience and I believe our team help create a great vibe and customer experience in our stores. We always have had a great team that enjoy each other’s company and end up regularly getting together for social events throughout the year. Anytime it’s someone’s birthday it’s a great excuse for everyone to get together and have fun. Who is your longest standing female staff member and how long have they been employed? Our longest standing female staff member is Shannon Elsmore who is a well-recognised member at Coopers Surf that has been on and off with us since 2002. We are lucky to have a lot of long standing employees in our team. 48 Coffs Coast focus
JACI NEWLAND COOPERS PA R K B E AC H P L A Z A M A N AG E R
H A Y L E E W A LT E R S LADIES BUYER
What year did you first start working at Coopers Surf? 2011 was my first year at Coopers Surf as a Christmas casual, and since then I have been working on and off for the past seven years! What do you enjoy the most about working at Coopers Surf? The thing I enjoy most about working at Coopers Surf is the family vibe that comes from within our team. I enjoy coming to work each day, knowing that I’m working for a locally run family business that in turn supports our community. What have the leaders of your company done to help you succeed in not only your role at Coopers Surf, but your future? The leaders at Coopers Surf have always had faith and believed in my ability to succeed as a leader myself, which in turn has led me to manage two stores and continually be welcomed back at Coopers surf after every adventure I endeavour. Do you have a favourite store? I do. It’s our Woolgoolga store. That is where my Coopers journey began and is the store that as a grom I spent every weekend in, buying new clothes, wishing one to day to work there. Also growing up in Woolgoolga, it’s the store that’s always been closest to me.
What year did you first start working at Coopers Surf? 2006 was my first year at Coopers Surf as a Christmas casual and then full-time Feb 2007, and I and have been with Coopers since! Eleven years this year. What do you enjoy the most about working at Coopers Surf? The family vibe has always drawn me to Coopers and with independent retailers being few and far between along the coast, it’s really special to continue to be a part of a locally owned business where everyone supports each other and the community. What have the leaders of your company done to help you succeed in not only your role at Coopers Surf, but your future? I am fortunate to be the ladies buyer of the company and after being in store for many years prior, loved the reward and feedback from customers to make the company a better place. With this knowledge I am always thinking about the best ways we can develop and keep evolving, which I would as if it was my own. I am grateful to work with and for people who love and respect me and allow me to express creativity in ways fulfilling to me. Do you have a favourite store? My fave is the new Urban Life store in town. I love the space we have created and I’m really excited to see where it leads Coopers over the next few years.
ELLIE MULLEN URBAN LIFE COFFS CENTRAL 2IC
What year did you first start working at Coopers? I joined the Coopers family in 2015. What do you enjoy most about working at Coopers Surf? I love helping people find that perfect gift or outfit; there’s always so much great stuff to choose from, which makes my job easy. Coopers is a great working environment; I’ve made some great friends along the way. What have the leaders of your company done to help you succeed in not only your role at Coopers Surf, but your future? In my role I’ve received training, promotion to store manager, and support when wanting to further my education at university. It’s great working for a local business that supports my aspirations. Do you have a favourite store? I really enjoy working at Toormina Coopers Surf. I grew up in Sawtell; I love serving people from my local community.
TA S H M C L E O D MARKETING MANAGER
What year did you first start working at Coopers? In 2006 at 14 years old. From there I finished school, managed our Woolgoolga store and am now in our HQ. What do you enjoy most about working at Coopers Surf? The girls, of course! Not to mention getting a sneak peek of next season’s clothing range! What have the leaders of your company done to help you succeed in not only your role at Coopers Surf, but your future? I’m pretty lucky that my role is forever changing; I look after rosters, returns and marketing, to name a few. I’ve had so many wonderful role models! We are continually training and always striving to be the best. Being a locally owned company, we have such a close knit group here. Do you have a favourite store? Where it all started for me, out at Coopers Woolgoolga! Woopi is my hometown and the store has that real original surf shop feel, being able to see the beach from the shop floor - how can you go past that!
My hard-working employees are loyal, honest and reliable, making positive contributions to the business.
T R A C I E Oliver BITCHEN BOYS OFFICE MANAGER
Describe how you got started in your business? My husband, Steve Oliver, had previously owned the Bitchen Boys business for approximately 25 years until he sold it. In 2011 we started Oliver’s Bobcat & Tipper Hire; I was working in a supermarket, having time off from childcare. Then I decided to go back into childcare for a few years while he recovered from having cancer and re-established Oliver’s. Soon after that, business picked up and he needed me to be at home in the office full-time, so now I work five days preparing jobs, quotes, invoicing, phone calls and employees etc. Last year Steve and I got the opportunity to buy Bitchen Boys (his previous business) back, which is how we came to combine the two businesses into one. What is your greatest achievement? Moving
from childcare into an office environment and making this business work; Steve and I doing it together as a team. Also, combining the two business together, Bitchen Boys and Oliver’s, building it up in to one successful business. What is your businesss’ greatest asset? My hard-working employees are loyal, honest and reliable, making positive contributions to the business. My relationships and support with suppliers and other local business within the Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas, which has helped when we needed connections to run efficiently. How will you embrace change in 2018? By buying more equipment, hiring more people, expanding our work range in areas and reducing waiting time!
T H E G I R L S at Barry Hockey Accountants BARRY HOCKEY ACCOUNTING
How has your business evolved since it began? Barry Hockey Accountants was established in 2002 by Barry, with a desk, a computer, and a small set of clients. Sixteen years later, we have a team of six staff and large loyal client base in a fantastic jetty location. We’ve evolved with the ever changing world of accounting and technology and continue to embrace the constant changes, so that we can keep our clients well informed of the latest changes that will affect their businesses. What is your business’ greatest asset? The wonderful team of women that you see pictured above, who greet every client with a friendly smile. How do you measure success in business?
We measure our success by the satisfaction of our clients. Nothing makes us happier than to see the relief on our client’s face when we can help them with their business’ financial matters and let them focus on their own area of strength. The fact that 95% of our new business comes from word of mouth means we must be doing something successfully. How will you embrace change in 2018? The accounting and financial world is constantly changing, and the technology grows at a rapid pace. We spend a lot of time on training to keep up with ever changing policies, legislation and software. Regardless of which software you choose to use for your business (e.g. MYOB, Xero or Quickbooks) we can assist with input and advice.
Coffs Coast focus 49
As my business is complex and the connections with clients invaluable, I would see this model as desirable. I would love to support a new owner to flourish and for me to have the ‘guardian angel’ role.
L E E A N E Terp H A N S O N C O N S T R U C T I O N M AT E R I A L S C O N C R E T E P L A N T M A N A G E R
Describe how you got started in your
and has been involved in numerous road projects,
business? As a single parent, I started working
including the Wrights Road intersection. The Oxley
for CTK Constructions Sancrox Quarry in 1997.
Highway Upgrade, Blackmans Point Roundabout
Pioneer purchased the company in 1998. And
and the Sancrox Interchange Bridge. The plant,
shortly afterwards, I became the weighbridge
which has grown from three to 10 staff, also
operator, followed by logistics allocator, quarry
plays a huge role in the domestic home building
sales and quality and administration supervisor.
industry, through our Imagecrete display range for
After 17 years at Sancrox Quarry, I was offered
home owners wanting beautiful, quality driveways.
the role of Concrete Plant Manager and charged
What is your greatest achievement? Without
with the responsibility of reopening the Taree
doubt, my daughter, who has grown into an
plant, while continuing to explore opportunities to
intelligent, ethical, community-minded young
expand the Port Macquarie plant.
woman. I always tried to be the best role model
How has your business evolved since it
possible, so she could learn that through hard
began? The once closed Taree Concrete Plant
work, honesty and a strong sense of ethics that
reopened and now has three employees servicing
in this country women can achieve whatever they
the needs of the Manning Valley. The Port
want, even if they are working in an industry
Macquarie Concrete Plant has continued to grow,
regarded as being male-dominated.
50 Coffs Coast focus
A N N Rosewood EMPORIUM BELLINGEN OWNER
Arriving at sixty two years of age with a journey in business of thirty years, I now enter a time of transition.
employee. As my business is complex and the
Emporium Bellingen is stable and has many opportunities for growth.
a new owner to flourish and for me to have the
It is a resilient business, and the values that have underpinned my commitment remain in place.
There is no hurry. Secure leases are in place.
I would welcome someone to buy Emporium Bellingen. I would welcome someone to join me in the Hammond and Wheatley Emporium by purchasing a department of the business. Menswear alone would make a viable business. An employee of a Coffs business purchased the business, and the owner now works for the ex
connections with clients invaluable, I would see this model as desirable. I would love to support “guardian angel” role. The value is in my staff, the location, the embedded story of survival, and the possibilities for evolution. Opening the conversation of my succession as a Mid North Coast business woman is the purpose of this article. I have a history of working cooperatively, and I envision a respectful and invigorating transition with the next owners.
CHESS Workplace Wellbeing Manager Emily Dever develops and delivers wellness seminars and workshops for local businesses along the NSW East Coast. She is passionate about creating shifts in workplace culture to support resilience, reduce stress and give staff the skills they need to look after each other and establish greater wellbeing at work.
SUPPORTING MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES
O
E M I L Y Dever
CHESS WELLNESS@WORK
ne in six working age people live with mental illness at any point in time - that’s more than 800,000 workers across NSW (NSW Mental Health Commission.) And with 90% of Mental Health related Workers Compensation claims attributable to stress; it’s become increasingly important for employers to understand how to support a mentally healthy workplace. Businesses that actively promote good mental health attract and retain top talent, save money and are great places to work. By supporting the mental wellness of staff and encouraging openness, employers create diverse and productive workplaces. Here are just a few ways organisations of all sizes can support mental wellness at work:
Reduce Stigma - negative stigma surrounding mental health is often the main reason people don’t seek help when they need it. Increasing awareness of mental health and creating a supportive workplace environment will help staff feel more comfortable talking about these issues. Build Knowledge & Confidence - providing education about mental ill health and making tools and resources available for staff to assess and manage their own wellbeing is a proactive way of ensuring a healthy workplace. Make a Commitment - developing a collaborative mental health action plan with staff will help provide a framework for continued improvement in the workplace. It is crucial that employees have access to the support they need to stay at or return to work after mental ill health.
Emily Dever Bio CHESS Workplace Wellbeing Manager Emily Dever develops and delivers wellness seminars and workshops for local businesses along the NSW East Coast. She is passionate about creating shifts in workplace culture to support resilience, reduce stress and give staff the skills they need to look after each other and establish greater wellbeing at work. Emily has lived and worked in the Coffs Harbour area for most of her life and is now raising her family in Sawtell. Since completing her Bachelor of Psychology with First Class Honours, she brings over a decade of experience working in mental health, disability and employment services to the creation of more supportive, healthy and respectful workplaces.
wellness@work workplace workshops Tailored workshops designed to support the wellbeing of employers and staff in modern day workplaces.
Ment al Healt ly hy wo
rkplace
s
• Mentally Healthy Workplaces • Emotionally Intelligent Workplaces • Respectful Workplaces
Contact us:
T 1800 899 017
W www.chessemployment.com.au Coffs Coast focus 51
Success in business is bringing that happiness and spreading it through to your customers and bringing joy into their lives. If I make someone feel beautiful and they leave the shop looking fabulous, then my job is done.
D E N I S E Archer FIRST AVENUE BOUTIQUE SAWTELL OWNER
Describe how you got started in your business? After selling my business in Airlie Beach, I moved back to my hometown on the Coffs Coast. I was working at First Avenue Boutique when the opportunity arose to buy the business - I jumped at the chance, being my favourite shop and seeing the potential for growth. How do you measure success in business? Happiness is everything to me, and I feel like if you can spread it everywhere you go, then you are successful. Success in business is bringing that happiness and spreading it through to your customers and bringing joy into their lives. If I make someone feel beautiful and they leave the shop looking fabulous, then my
52 Coffs Coast focus
job is done. I find when you are authentically yourself and doing something you are passionate about and love, then money always seems to follow. How will you embrace change in 2018? I will embrace change with open arms and head on; I am so excited for all the changes I am bringing to First Avenue Boutique and the Coffs Coast community. I have so many exciting things on the cards; I have a business plan set out for six months, 12 months as far as a five year plan for the business, so expect a lot of exciting things to come as the business progresses and grows. I won’t give away too much at this point, but I can tell you, expect to see things that you haven’t seen here on the Coffs Coast - you are all in for a treat!
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D A I S Y Moroney D A I S Y L L E W E L LY N H A I R A N D M A K E U P O W N E R
escribe how you What is your business’ greatest asset? I got started in your am my business, so I put a lot of effort in to business? I was working communication with my clients and making at a salon in Sydney as sure I am giving them the best service a Senior Hairdresser, but I can offer. I am creative and I’m also a I had always intended perfectionist; I think it’s incredibly important on adding makeup artistry to my skill-set, so to be reliable and professional as well. When I decided it was time to go out on my own I’m doing hair and/or makeup for someone’s working as a freelance hairdresser while I wedding, I end up being with them for a big did my makeup training. This allowed me portion of their day, so as well as providing to book my clients around my classes and an excellent service I know some brides need once I had finished my a calming presence, Makeup Certificate, I or someone confident was able to add that and fun, some need service to my business. someone who will I continued doing just quietly get the general hairdressing job done, and I like to I really enjoy the but also started think I am pretty good relationship you form booking a lot of at providing whatever with a bride in the lead weddings and some they need for their up to her wedding and photoshoots as well, day! on the day; it’s a very which I really enjoyed. exciting time and an How do you measure honour to be part of it. I moved to the Coffs success in business? Coast a few years ago I think for me happy with my young family, clients equals success. and I am really loving If I can live up to getting to know the or exceed people’s community here. I now expectations, then I’m offer mobile hairstyling and makeup services doing my job well, and that will hopefully here on the Coffs Coast, and I am loving it! create a good reputation for my business as How has your business evolved since well. it began? Since starting up my business How will you embrace change in 2018? again after moving to this area, I have really In 2018 I look forward to really getting stuck focused on hair styling and makeup services, back in to work and building my business up mostly for weddings and events, but also again after having my youngest daughter. I doing a bit of work for commercial/fashion have loved being in an industry where I can photography as well. I really enjoy the be flexible and take the time to be at home relationship you form with a bride in the lead with my family when I need to and then up to her wedding and on the day; it’s a very work hard and book myself up when I can. exciting time and an honour to be part of it. Where can people find you? You can It’s a great feeling making someone look and check out my website: daisyllewellyn.com feel wonderful for such a special moment in my instagram page @daisyllewellyn.hmua or their life. It’s also just a lot of fun pampering email me daisyllewellyn@hotmail.com my clients on their wedding day or getting them ready for an exciting event! Thanks Daisy.
L A C E Browning COFFS COAST FOCUS A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E S C O N S U LTA N T
P I P P A Tabone
N I C C I Seccombe COFFS COAST FOCUS E D I T I O N C O - O R D I N AT O R / A D V E R T I S I N G C O N S U LTA N T
COFFS COAST FOCUS A D V E R T I S I N G S A L E S C O N S U LTA N T
Describe how you got started in your business? Having worked in various different industries, with hospitality as my main skillset, I was lucky enough to work my way up the hospitality ladder from resort cleaner to manager by 20 years of age. This opened up the door to the corporate world for me; I gained a position with one of Australia’s number one brands, LJ Hooker, where I was able to utilise the real estate qualifications I’d been studying for many years. After a few years in real estate, I had my youngest son, who is now three and a half years old and decided to put my real estate career on hold - and that’s when I found my true calling here at FOCUS.
Describe how you got started in your business? I have done everything from waitressing to camel walking to corporate to community development and now I sell advertising! Life is a mixed bag for me but I enjoy adventure, a good challenge and meeting new people.
What is your greatest achievement? My two beautiful children will always be my greatest achievement; they’re my main motivation to be successful. Being a fulltime working mum isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
What is your greatest achievement? Turning a failing, unproductive organisation into a once again thriving business at the top of its game. It is amazing what the power of positive energy can do to transform people and places, to align people to work cohesively to achieve a common goal.
How do you measure success in business? Firstly, I think happy clients are a big sign of a successful business, along with continuous growth and a good work/life balance.
What is your greatest asset? Definitely a combo of my personality and my brain! I enjoy working with people to support their aspirations; I believe I have the smarts/ vision/creativity to get them where they want to be and the personality that makes the experience enjoyable for them.
to get to where I am without the emotional and financial
How do you measure success in business? By your level of happiness and that of your staff, stakeholders or clients. Having the support and loyalty of good people around you, plus a good reputation in the marketplace creates resilience. Your business will outlast any bumps in the road or periods of transition that each business experiences at some point.
be creative and a work crew that absolutely kicks butt, even
How will you embrace change in 2018? With all guns blazing, a clear goal and a realistic plan to get there. There are lots of things happening in 2018 for Coffs Harbour, and I look forward to getting involved where I can and letting all of our valued readers, contributors and advertisers know what’s happening here on the amazing Coffs Coast. What business leaders do you look up to? I’ve always looked up to Amanda Langlands and Joanne Vines, as I believe their success is truly self-made and an inspiration to all mothers and women trying to make it in the business world. I’m also lucky enough to work alongside an amazing bunch of women whom I look up to every day. My Edition Coordinator Nicci Seccombe and Sales Manager Louise Beaumont inspire me every day with their willingness to help and determination to succeed.
How has your business evolved since it began? I have had to evolve in each position and location that I have worked in. In particular, working cross-culturally in a largely non-english speaking environment that challenges your world-view has given me great skills in business leadership; to lead by example, to not assume but ask and to always be open to learning, understanding and respectful of others.
How will you embrace change in 2018? With open arms!! What business leaders do you look up too? With the ever changing face of business in the modern world, the people I look up to are the small timers out there giving it a go. Everyday I read about young female entrepreneurs that have an idea and turn it into an online million dollar success, from face cremes to active wear. There are so many new opportunities available to people and as they say, “fortune favours the brave”!!
Describe how you got started in your business? I came from a 10 year background in retail management and decided that in 2010, I wanted a career change, so I applied for a sales role at FOCUS. Ninety editions later, you could certainly call me the “FOCUS Girl”. How has your business evolved since it began? It’s been an incredible journey watching the magazine go from strength to strength. I have been with FOCUS since the beginning, and there’s no better feeling than when I am walking down the street and complete strangers stop me to tell me how much they love the magazine. I’m proud as punch to wear the FOCUS badge, and to see us rolling out 100 pages consistently is a goal we have achieved as a team over the past few years. What is your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement would be how I have managed support from my parents. I grew up with my nanna (God bless her) and I feel like I have turned out all right. I have amazing friends who have had my back and supported my decisions from the get go. I have incredible bosses who allow me to if they have a few screws loose (laughs). When you turn 30, you start to realise who you want in your life, although I have always had the attitude that you can never have too many friends … What business leaders do you look up to? I have met so many amazing business leaders on the Coffs Coast, but I would have to say that Madonna and Barry Bannerman from Two Tails Wines have really inspired me. They took something that was next to nothing and have made it incredible. Maddy and Baz have given me the best advice (when we are on the wines) and have really inspired me to “Do” and not just “Say”. For me, they are the power couple of Coffs Harbour.
When you advertise with Focus you’re not just advertising once, but in 21,000 FREE copies. Our huge circulation is the single biggest reason that Focus continues to achieve the results that our clients demand.
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Coffs Coast focus 53
I decided to create a new vitality business, and Galleria was born combining retail with a wellness spa and a café serving delicious and nutritious food!
A U R O R A Parkhill
N A N E T T E Backhouse
G A L L E R I A S H O P E AT R E L A X O W N E R
S A S O C R E AT I V E O W N E R
How has your business evolved since it began? We recently opened Galleria in Nambucca after outgrowing our smaller boutique nearby, with an ever-expanding range of women’s and children’s clothing, accessories and homewares. Also having my own health concerns, I was sad I couldn’t find quick and healthy eating options locally. I decided to create a new vitality business, and Galleria was born - combining retail with a wellness spa and a café serving delicious and nutritious food! We are now almost totally gluten-free and grain-free and support local and organic suppliers. What is your business’ greatest asset? Staff! I know most employers say this, but your people truly are the heart of your business. We have a team of fifteen people who are like-minded and love what they do. They add a special energy to
the store experience for our customers, and we’ve had a great response from the community.
saso.creative / we think / create / think
How do you measure success in business? Success to me is ticking these five boxes (in no particular order): 1. Is our value system nurtured? 2. Is our family happy? 3. Are our staff happy? 4. Are our customers happy? and 5. Is our accountant happy?
visualise & strategise / doodle digitally /
How will you embrace change in 2018? Galleria is only five months old, so my goal is to listen, and keep listening, to our customers and our team and grow with their needs. Our plans for 2018 are quite exciting, as we will be opening our new alfresco area with a live music space. Sundays will become our busiest day, as we offer exclusive high teas, themed events and workshops. Plenty of reasons to visit us soon!
/ award-winning graphic designer / fifty
creatively & create thoughtfully / design, write with wit and wisdom / and deliver results for our clients and their audiences across print, the web, and beyond. me / passionate / involved / design obsessive / questioning & curious & critical per cent of a creative powerhouse / proud supporter of local arts / a little geeky / but not scary-geeky / more than a 9–5’er / a mum / a skater / ex big corporate / now approachably small / nimble and proactive rather than ponderous and reactive / cando’er / great listener / perpetual learner
/ creator, maker, booty shaker / modern traditionalist and traditional modernist / embracing a new space / knowledgeable, experienced & technically savvy I / believe in what we do / believe we make a difference / am committed to the idea that we will make a difference to your business if you’re willing to take the ride. saso.creative is in the business of helping other businesses do better business through better marketing, branding, design and promotion across print and digital. We’ve been doing it for 20 years; as a team we have more than 45 years’ experience. Come see us to discuss how we can help you do better business.
H AR D HITTING CREATIVE MARKETING ANBDUDSEINSEIGSNS TO GIVE YOUR
CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR DESIGN, WEB AND MARKETING NEEDS
OOMPH! 02 6658 7666 SASOCREATIVE.COM.AU
WINNER 2015
WINNER 2016
WINNER 2016
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focusinterview
Business Minds with Sam Wardman of CornerPost Creative
YVETTE PREWETT SY HAIR OWNER
W
hat is your connection with the Coffs Coast? Originally, I grew up in the small country town of Gunnedah. I then spent a few years fine tuning my trade in Newcastle, before my husband introduced me to the beautiful Coffs Coast. He bought me here for a weekend to show me what a beautiful place it was! Before too long, I had my bags packed for the next chapter of my life … here in Coffs Harbour. You have recently opened a new hair salon, SY Hair. What services do you specialise in? I love all aspects of hairdressing, from colour and personalised cutting, to treatments and glamorous blow dries, but would have to say “colour correction” is a particular interest of mine. As professional hairdressers, we carry multiple products and corrective tools to ensure our results meet the needs of the client. My aim is to ensure the health and integrity of the hair throughout the colouring process, especially in the correction process, as the hair may have already been damaged. Partnering with a professional colour company such as “Keune” allows us to ensure we achieve the desired results. As well as providing superior products and support in their colours range, in my opinion, Keune exceed all expectations in standards of styling products, treatments and home hair care. It's important to use professional home care products so you maintain your colour and avoid the colour fading between visits to the salon. It can be daunting opening a new business; what have you found to be most challenging? I think my excitement for a new adventure took over the fear when opening SY. Having previously opened a salon (Aura Hair) I felt like I was well equipped to deal with those sneaky surprises that pop up along the way when
starting a business. Luckily, I had the help of my What marketing tools have you found beneficial in launching your business and handy husband (carpenter by trade) to take on why? all the renovating duties. Perhaps the timing of It's no secret social media is the fastest us opening the salon so close to the New Year growing platform for reaching your target posed the greatest challenge and something market! I’ve found this approach to have the that we will definitely consider if there ever is a greatest impact so far. I’ve gained new clients “next time” for starting a salon. As it turns out, and had previous clients return from the power there were some aspects of social media. I love of the renovation creating a page that to the salon that represents my style and required professional the SY brand. It allows tradespeople to attend me to showcase my to, but funnily enough, I truly believe that no image as a stylist to an like most of us, a lot matter how good you are audience of potential were taking a very (or think you are), ongoing clients. FOCUS has well-deserved break. training and professional also been a great tool development is essential to Thank goodness we for reaching previous ensure you’re providing the have some very kind clients that I commonly best for your clients … and understanding don't run into down the local “tradies” who street. Clients will often helped us get through mention where they this renovation phase found out about the on time, without any salon (and my return to hiccups - a big shout the industry), with a recent FOCUS editorial and out to Emerald Beach Plumbing and JD Pro Instagram proving to be the most successful Electrical. Nothing was an issue for these guys. avenues of marketing by far. What do you think will set you apart from Looking to the future, what are you most your competitors? excited about for your business? I hope that the rich two decades of I love seeing all the time, effort and energy experience, knowledge and training I've had in put into setting up a business venture pay off. the hair industry will be a contributing factor to There's nothing more rewarding than knowing the success of SY Hair. I’ve been lucky enough you've made the right choice in creating a to work with Adam Noble from “Next Hair” in small business and watching it come to life and Canberra (Australian Hairdresser of the Year) hopefully on to become a success before your and styled for runway shows as “Mercedes eyes - accompanied by a lot of continuous hard Fashion Week” held in Sydney. I’ve also work of course. competed and placed in many competitions in I'm very excited to be attending some Sydney, Newcastle and Port Macquarie. specialised training this year too, enabling me I have also developed the salon to be an to grow as a stylist and broaden my skills in this exclusive and intimate space, so clients feel a ever-changing industry. I truly believe that no sense of privacy and relaxation when they visit. matter how good you are (or think you are), I believe this makes all the difference to the ongoing training and professional development complete experience.
is essential to ensure you’re providing the best for your clients - no resting on laurels here at SY Hair! Once I have settled into SY Hair, and the time is right, I intend to introduce another stylist to the salon. My focus for SY Hair is to keep it intimate and boutique, limiting the noisy hustle and bustle of larger salons. I can’t wait to test the deliberate intention of maintaining the small intimate salon feel; let’s face it, we all like a little peace and quiet now and again. So, “time out” at SY Hair is what we hope for all clients’ experiences. I suppose what I’m ultimately aiming for is to run a successful boutique salon, challenging the notion of “bigger is better”. You are a young mum; how are you juggling the work/life balance thus far? Mornings can be a little testing at times, having to drop off four children to three different schools and daycares; it just means we have to be super organised! To tell you the truth, we had planned to start this business venture this time next year, when our youngest was just that little bit older, but all the cards just fell into place. We live at the Jetty, so it seemed an obvious, time management choice to open the salon so close to home (SY Hair is located on Orlando Street near Excel Property). Flexibility with balance is key. We’ve attempted (successfully so far) to schedule the “salon time” to meld with our “family time”; therefore, no one misses out on time with me. My husband is a great help and is extremely supportive of my decision to open SY. The kids are thrilled I'm back at work and love popping into the salon for a visit - and to sweep the floor … What is your favourite inspirational quote? From the flamboyant and successful entrepreneur Richard Branson - “If you aren't making a difference in other people’s lives, you shouldn't be in business!” Thanks Yvette. Coffs Coast focus 55
Health Wellbeing focushealth
and
WITH LAUREN VESTEY FROM LIVING DOLL
H E A LT H A D V I C E W I T H N O U R I S H E D E A R T H
living doll A good haircut is really empowering.
autumn Tips to transition into
It can not only turn any bad hair day into the best one ever, but your new added layers or bangs can completely sky rocket your
self-confidence, leaving you feeling like you can take on the world for weeks to come.
T
he big chop seems all the rage during the warmer months, but whether you’re thinking about a pixie or you’re just trying to take a few inches off your locks, there’s a thing or two you should know about cutting your hair. Below are six little known facts about cutting your hair, and some tips to help you get the best out of your hair. 1. Cutting your hair more often doesn’t make it grow faster: getting rid of the ends of your hair doesn’t directly affect hair growth. Trimming simply keeps hair healthier as it grows, by cutting off the split ends so that they stay intact, instead of fraying and breaking off quicker than your hair actually grows. Lauren explains, “Millimeter trims - I like to call micro trims - make a huge difference when trying to grow your hair.” 2. Layer accordingly: when cutting your hair, you should layer it according to your hair texture. Tighter curls work best with layers that aren’t perfectly even, while straighter hair works best with more even layers. However, don’t look past the very fashionable solid cut, at that LOB (long bob) length. 3. Love an (on-the-go) wash and wear hairstyle: it’s important to let your stylists know how you style at home, so that they can
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address this and cut accordingly. In most cases, wash and wear styles are best cut dry. 4. All bangs aren’t cut equally: if you’re thinking about getting bangs (fringe), know what works best for your face and for your hair texture. Long, wispy bangs usually work best for a long face or high forehead, while softer, shorter bangs work best to frame a round face. However, if you have a dreaded cowlick, remember - is it worth all that work! 5. Short hair takes work: cutting off your hair doesn’t mean less trips to the salon. To keep it maintained, shorter cuts usually require more frequent trips to the salon to keep the shape and style fresh. But don’t despair - you’ll find it’s outweighed by the ease of styling it at home. 6. Bring options: sure, we’ve all got our Pinterest boards full of haircut inspiration, but make sure you bring multiple options. When you get to the salon, your stylist may explain that a certain cut won’t work with your texture, or that it will actually require much more work. So keep an open mind and trust the stylists, because that is what they are trained to do. Be brave, embrace a new you, and come and speak to one of the Premier Stylists at Living Doll today. XO Dolls.
As the seasons change, we too need to adapt in terms of the food choices that we make, our daily habits and our lifestyle choices. When
the weather begins to cool down, we start to crave more nourishing and nurturing foods and feel more inspired to start to make broths, soups and slow cooked meals.
J
Autumn Warming Salad Recipe
ust like Yoga practices change with the seasons, so do the (Serves two people) fresh fruit and vegetables that Ingredients are available to us. Intuitively we 500 g of butternut pumpkin, cut into cubes crave these winter vegetables; 1 bunch of asparagus however, coming out of the hot 1½ cloves of garlic summer months we are still transitioning from 120 g of fresh rocket light summer salads. 2 tablespoons of organic butter It is a great time to start making and storing 1 red onion, finely diced fermented foods, Pinch Celtic sea salt using vegetables high Juice of a lemon in vitamins that will Macadamia feta not only support your Method gut health during the Downloading a seasonal Roast pumpkin cubes winter months, but your food guide for your area in oven with butter and immune system as well. and surrounds will give salt for roughly 15 - 20 Eating seasonally you a more extensive minutes, or until brown. and Australian has idea of what foods are Add asparagus towards many benefits. The available in your area for the end for another 10 produce will be fresher, that specific time of year. minutes. tastier and retain more Put garlic and onion nutrients, and you will be in pan with coconut oil supporting your local and and fry until cooked through. Mix through the Australian farmers who farm sustainably. It pumpkin. Cut asparagus into small pieces and may also be a cheaper option, as there should add that to the mix. Allow mixture to cool. be an abundance available to you. Put rocket in a bowl, diced macadamia feta Downloading a seasonal food guide for and add the vegetable combination and stir your area and surrounds will give you a more through. Squeeze lemon over salad and toss extensive idea of what foods are available in ready to serve. your area for that specific time of year.
Lily & Fox. Lily & 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 days are getting shorter, we are getting ready for autumn and winter fashions. There are heaps of stunning pieces and something for everyone. Lily & 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 keep up with our new summer stock arriving weekly, follow our Instagram and Facebook page 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. IG - lilyandfoxboutique FB - Lily & Fox Boutique SHOP 25/9 HARBOUR DRIVE, CINEMA WALK ARCADE (HWY END OF MALL).
Living Doll Loves Grey Hair How to care for silver hair every day ... The beauty of silver hair lies in its shimmering texture, which requires a tailored haircare routine. As with any coloured hair, especially after being lightened and when hair goes naturally grey, the cuticles change texture, and hydration is essential. When the cuticles of hair fibres are dry, they stick up from the surface of the strand. But when they’re hydrated and healthy, they lie flat, which reflects the light and gives the hair an overall glossy look. Therefore tired, dry hair can often look dull. Prevent this by using a Loreal Shine Blonde or Silver Shampoo and Condition formulated for silver hair, and applying a hair mask once a week or whenever your hair feels like it needs some extra care. Hair oils can also be a great way of adding shine to your silver hair, whether after washing or on-the-go. Just rub a few drops between your palms (with clean hands) and smooth over the lengths and ends, avoiding the roots. To get the most out of shimmering silver hair, trust the Premier Stylists at Living Doll and feel completely confident with your new look! XO Dolls
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Shibora C R E AT I N G B E AU T I F U L S K I N CA R E P RO D U C T S, F R AG R A N C E S A N D CA N D LE S S O U R C E D A LM O ST W H O LLY F RO M H E R FA M I LY FA R M , C L A I R E F RO M S H I B O R A S H A R E S W I T H F O C U S H E R L OV E O F T H E C O F F S C OA ST A N D H E R B R A N D …
H
i Claire. What’s your connection to the Coffs Coast? My whole family lives and runs a business in Coffs Harbour. I come from a business orientated family; some are organic farmers, some own shops or an earth moving business, produce organic compost and keep native bees. The Coffs Coast means the world to me and my family; it’s the most beautiful place to live, with stunning coastlines and bush. The climate here is perfect, not too hot or cold. The perfect place to live and work. Introduce us to Shibora; what is its meaning and what’s the mission behind the brand? I love to produce pure organic products that are beneficial for you. I think every woman is entitled to pure luxuries for their skin. Shibora is a boutique brand with all the products hand made in small batches on our farm. I use high quality locally grown and sourced organic ingredients; every ingredient I use is organic, apart from some of the scents I use, which are phthalate and paraben free. Where/how do you source ingredients? Most of the ingredients I use are grown on our farm or sourced from local farms in the area. Some of the ingredients I source from as far as Western Australia and right up to the cane fields in Far North Queensland. Where are Shibora products processed? All the Shibora products are made right here in beautiful Coffs Harbour on our organic blueberry farm. Each and every product is lovingly handcrafted
58 Coffs Coast focus
All the Shibora products are made right here in beautiful Coffs Harbour on our organic blueberry farm. Each and
access to all the organic herbs, on our farm in small batches, flowers and plants and be able made weekly to ensure they every product is lovingly to produce natural products that are fresh. handcrafted on our farm all women deserve. Even right down to the in small batches, made Aspirations or goals for the candle lids are made on our weekly to ensure they are fresh. future? farm. All the labels and some I have a few big plans which I of the packaging is made on the farm too. I really believe in will reveal soon, so keep an eye making a quality product that on my FB page. is produced locally and keeps How can our readers get their the local economy growing. hands on Shibora? Tell us about your signature product … You can purchase my products straight from my website, which is shibora.com.au The organic bee cream "fountain of youth" is particularly special to me. I use propolis from our You can also find me at Bellingen Markets on the own hives and honey and beeswax to make this third Saturday of the every month. Thanks Claire. amazing face cream. Its pure and natural and works so well, especially around the delicate eye area. The propolis and honey and beeswax come from the native Australian stingless bees, which have been foraging on our blueberry plants. Being natural skincare, what are some of the healing/medicinal qualities? Natural skincare is a great way to get your skin feeling and looking radiant. A lot of the organic ingredients I use have healing/ medicinal qualities, like aloe vera, which has natural healing qualities that soothe irritated skin. The honey I use in my products has amazing antibacterial qualities; it’s moisturising and soothing. What does it mean to you personally to be able to offer these beautiful products? It means the world to me; it’s my passion. I grew up on an organic farm, and it’s a privilege to have
FOCUS distributes 21,000 copies every month across the Coffs Coast - via our home delivery and direct to businesses. If you happen to miss out on one at home, or are visiting from out of town, then please visit one of our outlets by the 10th of the month to grab your free copy.
Total Literacy Psychological Services Jane, what’s your background, and how did you come to open Lighthouse Health and Education? We’re a husband and wife team with over 50 years’ experience working with children, young people and their families. I’m a Registered Psychologist with a Masters in Child and Adolescent Welfare, and Wayne is a qualified primary and secondary school teacher with a Masters of Education. Our skills complement each other, and we’d always spoken about working together. When we saw the opportunity to create a purpose-built centre that caters to the needs of the community, Lighthouse Health and Education at Moonee Marketplace was born. Wayne, what educational services do you offer? For individuals with reading difficulties, the I CAN READ system focuses on addressing total literacy skills and has proven results for children four
years old to adults and is especially beneficial for those living with dyslexia. We offer small group classes or private 1:1 lessons. That’s fantastic! Can you tell me a bit more about the psychological services at Lighthouse Health and Education? We offer complete assessment and intervention services: IQ and specific learning disorder assessments, Autism Spectrum Disorder and behaviour assessments and individual therapeutic intervention. Do I need a referral to see a psychologist? You don’t need a referral to see a psychologist; however, if you’re supported by your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses. We also offer private health fund claims. Is Lighthouse Health and Education NDIS approved? We are approved NDIS Providers for Early Intervention and Therapeutic Supports. (NDIS ID: 4050028165)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Regional Conservatorium Edegrees at Park Beach Plaza Coffs Central Muffin Break at Toormina Gardens Le Dain Designs Hyde Cafe in Bellingen Bellingen VIC Element Bar The Promenade Mother Natures OP81 Hoey Moey Jetty Memorial Theatre Karangi Shop Coramba Store Two Tails Wines Mullaway General Store
FOCUS can also be found at selected hotels, resorts and motels on the Coffs Coast.
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GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
Coffs Coast focus 59
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
This month’s inspirational fitness story comes to us courtesy of Julia Dryburgh. Julia is our 39 year old, teacher, wife and mother of two, who is motivating other women to lift weights and become stronger together.
W
hen did you start and what type of exercises did you do when you began at Coffs Coast Health Club? I joined the club almost nine years ago. I used to participate in the circuit and boxing classes. Now I focus my time on balance classes and weight training.
a couple of times per week. “Lifting heavy has transformed my body, not into that of a bulky man, but into that of a leaner, stronger woman.” What benefits have you experienced since starting to exercise? There are lots of benefits of exercise. Personally, it’s my ultimate outlet. It’s not thinking about anything else, just the mechanics of the exercise. I can switch off and clear my head.
What motivated you to join the club when What motivates you to exercise these days? you first started? My friend - not letting her down and the goals I’ve always been an active person. Even when that we work towards. my children were young, I used to run with the What type of exercises do you do these double pram on the beach. Once they were days? old enough, I returned to the gym. I needed to Weights are my primary get back to the routine source of fitness training. of exercise and restore What goals did you my body inside and out have in 2017? Did you after pregnancy and achieve them? childbirth. Motherhood It has allowed us to be In 2017 we trained can be really isolating. The more confident in our and dieted for a body gym environment gives abilities, and we have sculpting competition. you social contact that become even happier and Both Tanja and I walked potentially may develop determined in our roles as home with medals and into lifelong friendships. mothers. of course, they were It gives you a sense of dangling around our belonging. proud daughters’ necks. What have you learnt What goals do you have for 2018? since starting to exercise in the club? We will do another competition together in May It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do, as long as you enjoy it! It helps to have somebody to and see if we can better ourselves. do it with as well. It’s great to laugh, sweat and push each other to your physical limit. What tips do you have for anyone wanting to start exercising? It’s always the New Year’s Resolution! Don’t wait that long! No one will look after you but yourself! Start today; start with something gentle, then work your way up. Ask a friend to join you. For both women and men, if you have someone to do it with you will have better results, not just physically but also mentally. I’m a strong believer that all women should do heavy weight training 60 Coffs Coast focus
What is your philosophy when it comes to exercise? If you can still talk during your exercise, you are not pushing yourself hard enough! LOL. Thanks for sharing, Julia, and if you are looking to kickstart your own inspirational fitness story, call us directly on 1300 040 479 or drop in to see the team at either Coffs Coast Health Club Toormina or Moonee, to get started today. More inspirational fitness stories can be found at www.myfitnessstory.com.au
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Superfoods What’s so “Super”? We’ve all heard the big news story or earth-shattering breakthrough about the latest “superfood”. So what’s in a “superfood” that makes it so super? Will it give you the ability to fly? X-ray vision? Superhero strength? The short answer is … NO! Leading local health expert Aaron Hardaker caught up with Katie Drury, an Accredited Practising Dietitian from Mid North Coast Physio, to find out more.
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atie, what is a “superfood”? The term “superfood” is actually marketing genius used by food companies to describe common foods and their supposed health benefits. A quick Google of the word “superfood”, and you’re overwhelmed with headings such as, “The top 10 superfoods”, “The new superfoods for 2018” and “The best superfoods for weight loss”. While the foods touted as superfoods do generally have health benefits and contain various vitamins and minerals (like most foods), the anti-ageing, anti-cancer and slimming properties etc. are usually the work of smart marketing and media influence and don’t actually hold much weight. This is not to say that you should cut them out altogether. By all means, if you enjoy a kale smoothie for breakfast and don’t mind the expense, continue enjoying it, but just be aware that variety is important. So what do I need to be aware of when choosing what to eat? It is true that not all foods were created equal - each food has a different profile of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, all of which play an important role in maintaining body functions (even fat). Therefore, it is important to have variety in your diet. Aim to have a colourful plate each time you eat. As a general rule, each different colour fruit or veg has different vitamins, minerals and a host of antioxidants e.g. green leafy vegetables contain iron, some calcium, folate and the list goes on; whereas,
red and orange vegetables are high in vitamin A and vitamin C. Put simply, the more colour on your plate, the better the nutrient profile of your meal. While an individual food isn’t going to give you super powers or make you lose weight, each individual food should be considered super. It is playing at least one very important role in providing your body with the fuel it needs to function every day, whether it is labelled as a “superfood” or not. How do I know what is the right balance for me? If you would like more information on vitamins and minerals in food or feel that you struggle getting variety from your diet, the easiest way is to see an Accredited Dietitian. There is so much poorly researched information being spread by self-touted “nutrition experts” through social media these days, that it is hard to know where to turn. The safest option is to see someone with a four year university degree, strong scientific evidence and accreditation through the Dietitians Association of Australia. I’m available across our four clinics in Woolgoolga, Moonee, Toormina and Urunga to make it easy for you to access the help you need. Thanks Katie. Mid North Coast Physio are offering five FREE dietitian assessments with Katie to help you reach your health goals and discover a happier, healthier version of you. Call 1300 273 747 NOW to secure your FREE assessment before they are gone. Isn’t it time you started feeling great again?
Community Initiatives
McDonald’s Coffs Harbour and Nambucca are proud to support local children and groups through their Junior Grants Program.
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offs Harbour and Nambucca local Leah Bell has been studying classical voice for five years and attended many vocal eisteddfods, in which she placed first and received prizes. Her goal is to study classical voice performance at university. Leah has enjoyed opportunities to sing and play guitar and piano at various community events, including where she performed as a soloist at the Beats by the Beach in Woolgoolga last year and then again in January and February. She also performed at the Urunga community event, Celebrate the Seaboard in January.
“As an incentive, we are hoping to use the grant to purchase headgear and mouth guards to give to all girls who register this year,” said Tennielle O’Rourke-Cox. Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Brunyee, from Coffs Harbour and Nambucca, is a sporting and academic all rounder. In addition to being selected to represent the Bellinger Braves Basketball Division 1 for the third year in a row, she has represented her school at regional and state level in touch league, touch football, netball, cross country, athletics and is a women’s NRL state finalist.
Charlotte also volunteers her time, including as a basketball referee, and is a selfless charity fundraiser. She has been recongised for her academic excellence at The McDonald’s school, as well as her Junior Grant Program involvement with the believes that building school debating team and a successful generation has received a number of comes from supporting public speaking awards. our great locals.
“This grant will contribute towards the cost of my increase in vocal lessons this year, as I am completing an extra vocal grade. It will also contribute towards the other lessons I am undertaking this year in acting, piano, guitar and music theory to help achieve my long term goal,” Leah said.
The McDonald’s Junior Grant is helping the Coffs Harbour Junior Rugby Union Club get more young kids active and stay healthy in the North Coast region. The club aims to encourage boys and girls to play rugby, make friends and adopt important personal values such as respect, pride and teamwork, as well as support development of happy and healthy kids. In 2018, the club is focusing on ways to encourage more young girls to participate.
In nominating her daughter to receive the McDonald’s Junior Grant, her mother, Leisa Gregory, spoke of her enormous potential and that the grant would help her to continue to strive towards her dreams. The McDonald’s Junior Grant Program believes that building a successful generation comes from supporting our great locals, so, if you are a local child or group who needs assistance with your sporting, academic, cultural or community project, we want to hear from you. Jump on the Grants website and apply today. www.maccasjuniorgrant.com.au Coffs Coast focus 61
Mermaids swim
JOIN THE
Coffs Harbour’s annual Ocean Swims are just around the corner. The event, held at Coffs Jetty Beach on Sunday 8th April is for locals and visitors alike. The different distances on offer take into account all ages and swimming abilities - from those new to ocean swimming to those of you who are part fish.
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peaking of those very much at home in the water, the Coffs Harbour Mermaids are just one group of locals who have been training regularly in preparation for the event. Rain, hail, wind and shine, the Mermaids meet every Saturday to swim across the harbour. The Mermaids first came together a few years ago, when two individuals were training for an Ironman event. Their motivation was two-fold: to overcome their fears of open water swimming and to keep one another company. Initially, they chose not to venture beyond the Jetty but as the group grew, so did their confidence, and soon they were covering the 1,500 metres to the boat ramp and back. The Mermaids range in ability from those accustomed to following the black line in a pool to experienced ocean swimmers. The group now includes up to 40 regular members, with ages ranging from 10 years to over 60.
Anne Grundy, one of the original Mermaids turns 70 this year, and the group will celebrate her birthday by jumping off the jetty. Although swimming is the primary motivator for meeting each week, the company and sweet treats afterwards are also part of the appeal. The Mermaids often enjoy coffee and baked goodies after their swim. Conversation always flows, even if the topics may include rough seas, sting rays, dolphins and jelly fish encounters. To challenge themselves, the Mermaids visit a different beach once a month. The group are known to mark milestones in style; summer solstice was celebrated with champagne at the end of the jetty while treading water and giggling, and to mark 2017’s winter solstice, they swam around Little Muttonbird Island before tucking into warm fudge and mulled wine in the Surf Club car park. The Mermaids are very brand conscious too, with their own Facebook page and chat
group, not to mention prerequisites being a Although swimming is the their customised swim swimming costume, pair primary motivator for meeting suits. of goggles and a smile. each week, the company As the name suggests, and sweet treats The 2018 Beachside the Mermaids are afterwards are also part Radiology Coffs Ocean female, but Mermen are of the appeal. Swims cater for all ages welcome, admittedly by and abilities with the invitation only, so long as they are happy to provide 2 km Harbour swim, tasty post swim treats. 600 m Jetty swim and In addition to the Mermaids and Mermen, the 150 m and 300 m junior swims. All events other groups swim regularly in the ocean will be held at the protected Coffs Jetty Beach here, such as the Walruses and Coffs Jetty on Sunday 8th April. Swimmers, a group from Council who swim For more information and to enter, go to around the Jetty during their lunch breaks. All groups welcome newcomers, with the www.villagesports.com.au
Mike Blewitt s Co Coa astappy! ast Coffs Coast Drive away h
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mikeblewitt.com.au
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Seniors Living and Retirement
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GO Girls Coffs Harbour GO Girls is a social group formed by Yvonne Richards that offers friendship, support and fun regular outings to mature women in need of some companionship. They also raise money for charity and do what they can for the Coffs Coast community along the way.
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Seniors Living and Retirement
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i Yvonne. Tell us about your connection with Coffs Harbour. My husband was an engineer and I was a travel journalist/travel manager, so we have travelled and lived in many places (overseas and Australia) over the years. About Eleven years ago, when we retired and were looking for somewhere special to live, we decided Coffs Harbour ticked all the boxes. How did GO Girls come about? When we moved to Coffs Harbour we didn’t have any friends or family in the area, so I decided I would advertise in the local paper for “any women new to Coffs Harbour who would like to have coffee and innovative outings”. Within ten days I had thirty women contact me! I spent some time talking on the phone to each of them, and there was a common thread - moving here and finding they were missing friends and family. I decided to call them all in to a meeting, so as to form a friendship group. The name GO Girls suited, because I like to innovate and inspire and encourage mature women to do more with their lives. I started the group in 2008, so we will be celebrating our 10th birthday this year. How many members do you have in the group? Our membership varies between 85 and 100 women from all nationalities and all walks of life. Women often join the group to make friends, and then move on in their smaller more individual friendships, or they move out of the area. Women are always calling and wanting to join the group, but we do not go above 100 members. What are some of the activities you do with the group?
Our activities are numerous. Apart from monthly coffee and chats and birthday lunches we have special occasion get-togethers - ie. St Pat’s Day, Xmas in July, the group’s birthday, Melbourne Cup, Xmas breakup etc. Movies, shows, taking in a night out at a club, and optional partners six weekly dinner, tennis, nine pin bowls, small dog group, line dancing are all options for women to participate in. Every year we have one or two trips away sometimes a rail day trip, a river cruise, sometimes a two or three night trip to an area like the Gold Coast to take in a show or do some shopping. We have even taken a cruise, and there are requests for another. I BELIEVE EVERY WOMAN You have recently NEEDS GIRLFRIENDS, created a Reflection AND WE ESPECIALLY Seat as part of the NEED FRIENDS AS Reflection Garden here as Corambirra Point, WE AGE. MATURE in Coffs. Can you tell near the foot of the old WOMEN CAN BECOME us a bit more about the quarry on South Coffs VERY ALIENATED AND concept and how it all Island, traditionally ISOLATED FOR MANY came together? named Bunyun Miirlari REASONS. Over the years GO by the local Aboriginal Girls has raised money community. South Coffs for cancer, Relay for Life, Island and the area has the RSPCA, Happy Paws, an historic association with women, and is recAnimal Welfare, and a number of families in ognised as being of high cultural significance need, but last year we decided we wanted to the Gumbaynggir people, being a “healing to do something for the wider community of place, a keeping place, and a place where Coffs Harbour, and visitors, and a Reflection important journeys would begin”. Seat was our choice. We are very proud of our accomplishment, We established a Reflection Seat and garden and have a GO Girls plaque set in to the condown near the South Wall. The seat provides crete in front of the seat. a special place for the general public to sit and We also heard there was a special unveilreflect whilst overlooking our beautiful Jetty ing. Can you tell us how it was received by Harbour, the hills beyond, our marina, Muttonthe group and wider community? bird Island, and the harbour entrance. On 21 December 2017, the Reflection Seat The location we have chosen is very special. was officially opened by Mayor Denise Knight. It is situated within the landform known locally Aunty Bea Ballangarry honoured us with the
traditional Welcome to Country and by blessing the seat. All the positive feedback we have received about our Reflection Seat has been wonderful. What do you hope participants get out of being part of the group? I believe every woman needs girlfriends, and we especially need friends as we age. Mature women can become very alienated and isolated for many reasons - losing a partner, living away from family, due to an illness or a breakdown, or maybe because they feel they are no longer useful. GO Girls throws out a life-line - offering friendship, support, activities, and lots of social companionship and enjoyment with like-minded women. We are about being happy, and having plenty of fun and laughter. How do people contact you? Email: ykayrichards@bigpond.com Thanks Yvonne. Coffs Coast focus 65
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Seniors Living and Retirement
FREEDOM Aged Care
Freedom Aged Care is a network of groundbreaking Home Care Communities that are transforming the very way we think about - and deliver - aged care in this country. FOCUS had a chat to Helen Martin to find out more ...
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ith their focus firmly palliative is available to you through every stage of on freedom of your ageing journey. choice, togetherness, Behind the everyday functioning of each Freedom independence and community is a seamless support team comprising care, Freedom Aged Registered Nurse, Village Manager, Carers, Care communities are Diversional Therapists or Lifestyle Coordinators, vibrant social hubs where residents own their own Cooks, Gardeners, Maintenance and Admin staff. self-contained units, couples can continue to live For those who call Freedom “home” of course, together regardless of their changing care needs these dedicated individuals are simply “family”, just and are allowed to bring their pets. like you. Unlike nursing homes, Jane choose Freedom for her Mum Mavis: family and friends are actively encouraged to stay “Freedom suited my Mum’s needs, and we can over and share the Freedom continue to live near each amenities and activities, other and I can visit whenever which include happy hour, I like,” Jane said. “I checked all movies, hair and beauty of the other facilities, and this services and even veggie one suited our needs most.” EVERYTHING ABOUT gardens. At the heart of “What I enjoy most is I FREEDOM AGED the Freedom experience is a know have companionship, CARE IS DESIGNED powerful promise that sets my own unit with my furniture EXCLUSIVELY this inspirational aged care and belongings and having AROUND MEETING network apart - “What’s life my freedom,” said Mavis. “I YOUR PHYSICAL, without freedom?” What really like going out to lunch EMOTIONAL AND indeed? Those who live here and having a cuppa with my SPIRITUAL NEEDS. speak passionately about Freedom friends.” celebrating, sharing and living Freedom Aged Care now every moment to the full. Built offers Respite Care, also on three key pillars - Care, known as “short term care”, Lifestyle and Community - and four sacred values a form of support which allows you to take a break - Love, Decency, Kindness and Respect - Freedom from your caring duties, while ensuring peace of Aged Care is as different from traditional nursing mind that your loved ones’ care needs continue to homes as you can possibly imagine. be met by health care professionals. Everything about Freedom Aged Care is designed Respite Care at Freedom includes: exclusively around meeting your physical, emotional • a private, fully furnished, self-contained home and spiritual needs. Every level of personal and • personal care and support nursing care, from low to high, dementia and • meals with morning and afternoon tea provided 66 Coffs Coast focus
• activities and outings your loved one would like to be part of • a secure and vibrant community Whether it’s two weeks or more, respite care can give you the time to do activities, while you know your loved one is being well looked after, all from $49 - $99 a day. Our commitment to every older Australian who deserves not just good aged care or even better aged care, but the very best aged care this country can provide. Freedom Aged Care has a community right here in Coffs Harbour and more communities across Australia. Feel free to call Freedom on 1800 984 840 or visit www.FreedomAgedCare.com.au
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Doughertys G R E Y
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Seniors Living and Retirement
Peter Dougherty and his wife, Lyn, are living the “grey nomad” lifestyle and living out their dream of travelling Australia in a caravan. Here they tell us about some of their adventures, what they love about caravanning, and why they always return home to the beautiful Coffs Coast.
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i there, Peter. Tell us about your relationship with the Coffs Coast? I am born and bred in the Clarence and Coffs region; the area becomes part of your blood. No matter where you travel, it's a great part of the world, and having family and friends around is always a bonus. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have at hand. What has drawn you to the “grey nomad” lifestyle? We have travelled extensively throughout Australia, all states and some remote areas; I guess that led us to this lifestyle as such. We love our caravaning, even when we were young. We started out with a camper van, travelling with our daughter and son. I am so pleased we included our children, because they still talk of some of our experiences, like climbing Ayres Rock, the Outback in general, and too many more to mention. Where are some of the places you’ve travelled to recently? Our latest big trip was in 2016. We left Grafton, headed to Katherine, Broome, Perth and across the Nullabor to Ceduna, and then through the Murray Valley home, some 15,000 km. Early last year we took our vans to Tasmania - a great experience, but too short. Later that year we travelled to Mackay in Queensland; there are some great places to see along that part of the coast. I am a very keen fisherman, so the coast is a great attraction. We are currently on a trip to Ceduna, we are in Broken right this very moment,
chasing the King George Whiting and will be away for about five to six weeks. Have you also travelled overseas? Lyn and I have travelled to Europe, the UK and various other Asian countries. We are very pleased we have been overseas and have done what we have, particularly for the history and geography, but our priorities are travelling within Australia and I guess being a grey nomad! What has been your favourite experience so far? Very hard to pick a favourite spot or place, but I would have to say the Horizontal Falls in WA was an unforgettable experience.The sheer beauty and remoteness, we will never forget. We have also been through Arnhem Land to Cobourg, been to the Cape, and places like the Barossa are all great. But the Horizontal Falls, on the coast of the Kimberleys, did it for us. Other places like the Great Ocean Road, and the lower part of WA, are all great too. How long was your longest stint away? I think our longest stint was 17 weeks. We have had a 14 week and a 12 week trip - lots of four to six week trips too. So I guess we have been lucky to get the time and make the effort. Have you met many others travelling in a similar style to yourself? One of the wonderful things about being a Grey Nomad is the great people you meet, and believe me there are some characters and interesting, talented people out there! People of all walks of life and trades. I am a Draftsperson and have ended up doing several jobs throughout Australia after people have found out what I do.
Some people are great entertainers/singers, good at making things or just looking for a drink and a yarn. Every afternoon can be a party! Was there anything in particular that surprised you about your trips? I guess one of the sad things I noticed that surprised me is the amount of rubbish left behind in some areas. It's a lovely country and it disturbs me to see this happening. Councils and the RMS are very good with bins along the way, or it should be no trouble to take your rubbish with you. The other surprise is the number of people travelling, which is great to see, spending the inheritance or enjoying the Great Aussie Dream to travel Australia. What is some advice you’d like to pass on to others thinking of touring Australia? One of the things we like to do to keep us motivated is to set a date and stick to it. It’s easy to say we will go there in two months’ time, then two months comes around and nine times out of ten we are too busy. Like this trip, 12 months ago we said we are leaving on the 31st January 2018; it gives you something to plan to, budget for and make the necessary plans for the trip. I like to have the vehicle serviced and van checked over as well. When it comes to eating, we tend to eat at the van all the time; usually we have a counter lunch once a week, depending on where we are and what is happening. Also, check the weather; local conditions should be observed before venturing off, particularly in the Outback. How does it feel returning home to the Coffs Coast? As mentioned above, it is always great to head back to the Coffs Coast, as wetend to take it for granted how pretty our part of the world is. We love ourpart of the world especially scenery and climate wise. Thanks Peter. Coffs Coast focus 67
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Lifeball is a team game similar to netball that can be played by anyone at any stage of life. It is a non-contact, walking game suitable for any age or fitness level. We spoke to Jim Phillips, who plays with Coffs Harbour Silver Shadow, all about the game, the people who play and the benefits of getting active at all stages of life.
Seniors Living and Retirement
LifeBall Jim Phillips
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i Jim. Can you tell us what Lifeball is and where it all started? Lifeball is a six a side fun team game which incorporates activities such as walking, thinking, and passing and throwing a ball with the aim of scoring a goal through a hoop quite similar to netball. It encourages physical movement, teamwork and a lot of fun. Because Lifeball is a walking game, it allows all team members to be equally involved, and can be adapted for all fitness and mobility levels. It is a non-contact game for people who like to think on their feet, and to score more goals than the opposition. There are special rules to keep the game safe. Lifeball was invented by Colleen Wilson Lord and her husband, Brian, from Jindera over 12 years ago and has taken off across Australia. What is the age range of players? The age range of Coffs Harbour Lifeball players is 50 years to 90 years young, and includes both sexes. It can be played by anyone from any age though. Is it quite a structured competition or a more casual one? There is no real competition; just a casual
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morning game with lots of chats and laughs. We play at Sportz Central, Bray St, Coffs Harbour every Thursday from 9am - 11am, and after the games we all like to finish up with morning tea and a good chat. What sort of benefits do you see players get out of participating in Lifeball? Lifeball has many benefits; it is a low impact sport to play at a walking pace, so it’s a good way to stay active and to improve heart and lung health, circulation, mobility and mental stimulation, among other things. It is also suitable for people with diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular problems, and other chronic illnesses. One of the best benefits from Lifeball is friendship; it’s a great opportunity to get out and socialise on a regular basis. How many Coffs Coast players are taking part in the sport? Coffs Harbour Silver Shadow has about 30 - 40 players. Across Australia there are about 1,200 people who take part in this low impact sport. What is some of the feedback you’ve had from players and community members? A lot of people did not know about Lifeball sports in the Coffs Harbour community, but hopefully we can get a few more people
BECAUSE LIFEBALL IS A WALKING GAME, IT ALLOWS ALL TEAM MEMBERS TO BE EQUALLY INVOLVED, AND CAN BE ADAPTED FOR ALL FITNESS AND MOBILITY LEVELS.
on board as we spread the word. The main feedback we get is how much fun the players have had when playing Lifeball. Many players say it has had a positive impact on their overall health and wellbeing, and that it leaves them feeling confident, alert and energised. Do you find many players have played netball before, or do you get a lot of people who are new to the sport? Some people have played netball before and others have not played sport at all, and all are welcome, so we encourage you to come along. It is a very easy game to pick up, so players can learn very quickly, and it is suitable for any ability and fitness level. What do you think attracts people to the sport? People seem to like to do something one day a week in sports. It comes around quickly but is not too huge of a commitment, and because it is low impact and indoors as well, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like we can still play, so that is another thing they
like about it. It's also a great way to meet people, and especially great if you are new to the area as well. Do you think people here on the Coffs Coast and Australians in general are becoming more aware of the importance of staying active? Yes, definitely. People are more aware of the importance of staying active as we grow more senior in our years, for mobility, balance and strength, as well as for your heart, lungs and organs. Staying active is one of the most important things you can do through life, and through Lifeball you also have the benefit of working out your mind as well. We can socialise and have a good laugh while keeping active too. Are you seeking new members? And where can people contact you? Yes, we are seeking new members for our Coffs Harbour group. Please visit http://sportzcentral.com.au for more details. Thanks Jim.
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East Coast Accessibility Experts
Subee Home Nursing & Respite Care Subee has a long running (and well earned!) reputation for quality, reliability, flexibility and individual care. In an industry that changes fast, we are an industry leader. We can provide staff 24 hours a day from Kempsey to Grafton and up to Dorrigo. Services can be long-term, short-term or one offs, depending on your needs. We also provide services for NDIA recipients. As a local family run business, we know how important it is for people to stay living and active in their own communities. We love being in Coffs, and we know you do too. Subee provides care that is delivered within a person centred framework and underpinned by a continuous quality improvement business model which ensures continuity of care, ongoing feedback and review, up to date clinical training and full transparency. What does this actually mean? It means that our number one priority is you. Always. Our staff work closely with clients, carers and families to ensure that what you need is what you get! We have recently passed audit for our management system, as well as services offered under the Disability Service Standards and the Attendant Care
Industry Association. As part of our strategy to never rest on our laurels, we work with you, not just for you. For direct referrals, new clients and/or their legal nominee work closely with an RN to develop and implement a comprehensive care plan which encompasses all care needs, including low and high level clinical care, personal care, respite care, domestic assistance, meal prep, transportation to appointments (wheelchair accessible vehicle available) or just out for a cup of coffee.
We are a community based organisation embracing our core business of “Easy Affordable Solutions for living at home and in your community the way you choose”.
very responsive to your needs.
We are a not for profit organisation, with all contributions paid for your purchase in quality, experience and expertise going back into the service to provide ongoing and continuous, excellent, non-fail construction work.
Client testimonials provide evidence based best practice and the difference we make: • “Quality of life, health, wellbeing, inclusion and choices.” • “It is wonderful, so much bigger and safer; life is so much easier now bathroom modifications have been done.” • “I use a wheelchair, and I have not been outside in my favourite spot for five years. Now I can, and it makes me feel so good.”
We can project manage and construct, install and guarantee all environmental changes to your home and/or workplace. We pride ourselves on effective, consultative, cooperative relationships, ensuring the best outcome for our elders and people with disabilities. What environmental outcomes do you need to make life safer at home, at work and provide access to your community? We are the provider of choice, making this happen for you, and are
We can organise an Occupational Therapist with experience in complex modification to assess how you mobilise around and in your home.
• “The fellows are wonderful; they let us know what is going on all the way.” Check out our videos available on East Coast Accessibility Experts - YouTube. EAST COAST ACCESSIBILITY EXPERTS (FORMERLY Coffs Home Mods).
We do other things too. Subee PL is an agent for Air Liquide Healthcare, providing oxygen, CPAP and ventilator equipment to clients in the community from Coffs to Yamba, including deliveries to your front door and an after hours emergency service. We provide nursing staff to local nursing facilities and coordinate community access for families. We are locally owned and operated aged care providers and can meet the needs of aged residents of the Coffs Coast with aged care packages. Call us on 6651 3153 to have a chat about what you need and how we can help you to get it.
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with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343
March 2018
East Coast Cabinets. Whilst January is often a time of holidays, visitors and connecting with family, it can also be a chance to sit back and reflect on what you did and did not achieve in 2017 and what you want to make happen in 2018. If your plans at the start of the New Year included a new kitchen or kitchen renovation, a vanity, laundry cabinets or a wardrobe fitout, wall units or study storage, we will be very happy to assist you with your design, including a free measure and quotation. Maybe you are looking at changing or updating your business premises. As experienced commercial cabinetmakers, we are able to assist you there as well. bcu at the Plaza is a longstanding example of our work, as is the new Lotto fit-out at Bray Street. Our showroom allows you to see what the various products available look like in reality, thus assisting with your choices. If you wish to look at hardware options, the Lincoln Sentry website is a great source of information. After a well-earned break at the start of the year, we’re now back on deck and very happy to assist you with your requirements.
AQUARIUS.
GEMINI.
LIBRA.
JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19
MAY 22 - JUNE 22
SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23
There is much comfort for you to be found in relationships at present. Be especially kind to yourself. Your support is vital to your success. Keep bouncing ideas off others, as you will see the benefits of this. New friendships can be anticipated. Citrine attracts abundance.
Your faith has been tested, as has your patience. Don’t give up so close to receiving your success. The wait will be well worth it. An opportunity to further educate yourself and gather new friends will soon present itself. Turquoise gives self confidence a boost.
PISCES.
CANCER.
SCORPIO.
FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20
JUNE 23 - JULY 23
OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22
Your personal strength is inspiring to those close. Avoid heavy discussions or bullying energies at the moment, as your reserves are affected by other people’s needs. Place yourself in the company of light, happy people, where you will shine. Citrine shatters negative energy and attracts an abundance of positive energy.
It’s a perfect time to release yourself from your fears and take a plunge. Re-connect with that adventurous self and do something spontaneous. Push your boundaries and step outside your comfort zone, then see how powerful you feel. Rose Quartz is wonderful for self-confidence.
Even though you may have been feeling rejected lately, just look at the new attitudes and self-confidence you have gained. New friends are coming into the picture. Work opportunities are likely to offer a nice distraction to your sadness. Citrine keeps us positively focused and lifts our spirit.
ARIES.
LEO.
SAGITTARIUS.
MARCH 21 - APRIL 20
JULY 24 - AUGUST 23
NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21
This month will benefit you by prioritising that special person in your life. Plan some impromptu adventure and rediscover how and why you fell in love. Conflict will clash with your vibration, so be disciplined and remain positive. Azeztulite helps us to explore alternate realities with comfort.
Now is a perfect time to stop, sit back and re-evaluate your situation at work. Your leadership skills are yearning to be used and your creativity has suffered from “mundane burn-out”. Listen to your own inner voice, as you know your answer clearer than anyone. Turquoise is great for self-validation.
Good news is on its way, more than likely bringing cause to celebrate. Kick up your heels and party; celebration is good for the soul. Your writing skills are suffering from boredom lately, so pick up that pen and put your creative self to good use. Citrine attracts an abundance of positive energy and shatters negativity.
TAURUS.
VIRGO.
CAPRICORN.
APRIL 21 - MAY 21
AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23
DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20
If you are feeling unsupported, identify the emotion you are craving then visualise it in the pit of your stomach, close your eyes and breathe into it to activate it in your body. You will discover how strong and independent you already are. Kunzite and Hiddenite both aid in bringing a balance of joy and gratitude.
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You are vulnerable at taking things too personally at present. Disconnect from this morbid practice, as it dwindles your self esteem. Smile at your reflection to raise your self worth and observe the positive changes. Don’t be afraid of change. Danburite will give you confidence in your decisions.
A clear conscience is a soft pillow. There are words you need to express to ease a loved one’s anxiety. Be objective, not judgemental, if you wish to be heard. You can claim your future by being the person you want to be. Play in nature, take a bushwalk, or stroll along the beach and “de-stress”. Moonstone will help with your mood swings. Hold it and think of three things you are grateful for.
An exciting adventure is on the horizon. If this opportunity has never been available to you before, shouldn’t that mean something? Don’t allow other people’s worries to spoil your exciting adventure. Listen to your intuition, and you can’t go wrong. Citrine will enable you to maintain high energy levels.
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
Tips for Travellers
Visit Vietnam ...
Discover Ireland. Have you ever wondered if the legend of the Blarney Stone is true? Would you really be bestowed with the gift of eloquence if you climbed the steps of Blarney Castle and kissed the mythical Blarney Stone? On a recent trip to Ireland, I felt compelled to see if the legend was true.
I
reland is breathtakingly beautiful, with rolling green hills and picturesque farming land, so it’s no surprise that on my Quadrant Australia Tour of Ireland and the UK that we didn’t head straight to Blarney in County Cork. We meandered along dramatic coastlines and through quaint villages; we sampled Guinness Beer at the storehouse in Dublin and we stood in awe of the amazing Book of Kels at Trinity College.
and secretly cursed myself for not wearing more appropriate shoes, the staircase got narrower and steeper; before long the dark, damp stairwell spilt out onto the open roof of the castle, and there it was - the Blarney Stone. I lined up with the hundreds of other tourists who also wanted to benefit from the gift of the gab, but I fooled myself into thinking that I’d be the only one who had a childhood dream to kiss it.
On arrival, I was surprised at just how spectacular the castle and gardens were; for a moment I had forgotten that somewhere within reach was the infamous Blarney Stone. I followed the crowds and the glaringly obvious signs and arrived at the foot of Blarney Castle. For over 200 years, world statesmen, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined the millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence and here I was, ready to do the same. As I climbed the steps
There at the top of Blarney Castle overlooking the fields of lavender dotted with ancient ruins whilst I stood with a melting pot of cultures, it struck me. The legend of the Blarney Stone had evolved from the days of medieval knights and witches. The modern legend was unfolding right before my eyes. The Blarney Stone, if only for a moment, allowed people from all over the world to stand beside their neighbours and share stories of their lives, creating new memories for the next generation to create their own legend.
Local tour company Quadrant Australia are offering readers a chance to visit Vietnam, with their Vietnam Farm Tour departing in November. Travellers will get the chance to visit Vietnam to experience the country’s vibrant culture, its food, history and its people. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the contrast of tranquil villages with the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) whilst visiting small scale farms growing tropical fruits, sugar cane, rice, sweet potatoes, corn and vegetables and learning about the cooperatives that are the basis of agriculture in Vietnam. Travellers will get to observe rural life in picturesque villages and be inspired by breathtaking scenery on a cruise through Halong Bay. If you like the sound of visiting colourful local markets and participating in a Vietnamese cooking school, all in a country with fascinating
history and architecture, then be sure to drop in to see the team at Quadrant in Vernon St, Coffs Harbour to find out more about this tour. Quadrant Australia has been operating international tours for more than 30 years. Some of their tours, like the Vietnam Farm Tour, are specially designed for people from the land who enjoy meeting with local farmers and learning about farming methods in Vietnam. The Quadrant Australia office located in Vernon St, Coffs Harbour has a fully qualified team to help you with all your travel needs. In 2018, Quadrant will be offering more than 30 specialised tour to countries such as Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, Japan, UK and South Africa. If you would like to be placed on the exclusive list to be one of the first people to find out about these tours, give the team a call on (02) 6651 1555.
In the line-up, conversation flowed freely and We explored Ireland, stories were shared. There north and south. We met was the old Scottish man some wonderful locals, who despite living so near including Eamonn, our had never been to Ireland black cab taxi driver in and wanted to visit the On arrival, I was Belfast, who bravely places he learnt about at surprised at just how shared his stories of the school. Tom from the USA spectacular the castle conflicts in years gone by had been brought there and gardens were; for a and Brendan, a local bus by his wife; he had no moment I had forgotten driver who’d grown up on interest in the fantasy of that somewhere within farming land in County the Blarney Stone, but felt reach was the infamous Kerry. Despite these compelled to do it now Blarney Stone. characters and the fresh that he’d come this far. clean air, I couldn’t help Catherine was there with but feel impatient at the her daughter, teaching her chance of ticking another the family history dating item off my bucket list, so it was off to Blarney back hundreds of years, and I was there living we went. out a childhood memory.
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OUR AWARD WINNING COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL AIRPORT IS...
Today, Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is one of the nation’s busiest Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) airports outside of the major capitals. 72 Coffs Coast focus
Since 1928, when the airport was first established by the then Dorrigo Shire Council, Coffs Coast has enjoyed regular passenger air services connecting residents to cities and towns around Australia and the world. The only exception was for a time during WWII when the airport was requisitioned by the RAAF and used as an air base for antisubmarine patrols. At its beginning, Coffs Harbour Airport was a grass landing strip with a small ‘terminal building’ perhaps best described as a shed. However over time the strip became paved then sealed, the terminal and support services expanded and the number of carriers and scheduled services increased, helping to develop the City of Coffs Harbour and Coffs Coast. Today, Coffs Harbour Regional Airport is one of the nation’s busiest Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) airports outside of the major capitals. Each week, Virgin Australia, QantasLink and Tigerair combined, offer over 120 direct services to and from Sydney and Melbourne and Fly Corporate provide 12 turbo prop services direct to and from Brisbane six days per week. Since 2009, passenger numbers at Coffs Harbour Airport have increased by over 100,000 to around 413,000 as of June 2017. In the past 12 months to 30 December 2017, the increase was a significant 35,519 passengers over the previous calendar year. And with this growth trend forecast to continue, it was imperative that infrastructure improvements were carried out to future – proof the business for the next ten years.
LEFT TO RIGHT The Hon. John Barilaro MP Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW; Cr Denise Knight, Mayor, City of Coffs Harbour; Mr Andrew Fraser MP, Member for Coffs Harbour; Mr Dennis Martin OAM, Manager, Coffs Harbour Airport
Throughout 2017, airport staff, airline partners, tenants and contractors collaborated to minimise interruptions to customer convenience and service while getting on with the job of upgrading the infrastructure and operating systems. Now complete, here is what has been achieved…
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COFFS HARBOUR REGIONAL AIRPORT
TERMINAL BUILDING •
The total floor area has increased by 25 percent in the Arrival and Departure Halls.
•
The Check-in counter extended providing all airlines with dedicated service desks.
•
The Arrivals Hall expanded with an additional undercover airside entrance and a new and larger second baggage carousel installed.
•
Departure Hall and Lounge toilets refurbished and additional toilets installed in the Arrivals Hall.
•
The Qantas Regional Lounge refurbished and up-graded for members’ convenience and comfort.
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Two new meeting rooms built, furnished and available for hire.
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The Hangar Espresso Café and Bar (in the Arrivals Hall) rebuilt and upgraded serving refreshments and snacks.
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Charter Lounge in the airport administration building has been expanded and upgraded.
•
Wi-Fi has been upgraded to cater for increased numbers of passengers and airport visitors utilising this service.
•
New landscaping and gardens in and around the terminal precinct.
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C A R PA R K I N G Car parking space in the General Car Park has been expanded and additional security cameras installed. New ‘Tap & Go’ credit card payment installed making for quicker and more convenient access and departure from the general and security car parking areas.
AIRSIDE The aircraft parking apron expanded and resurfaced with connecting taxiways upgraded to improve aircraft handling during peak periods and reduce delays. The aircraft parking bays expanded with capacity to park five jet aircraft at the same time – critical at busy peak hour travel times and to cater for future growth.
AIRPORT ACCOL ADES Mr Dennis Martin OAM Manager, Coffs Harbour Airport
O P E R AT I O N S A new switchboard, control systems and generator has been installed to ensure the airport can function 24/7 especially critical during times of interruptions to regular energy supply. Airport Manager, Dennis Martin said, “The professionalism and willingness of project contractors like FM Glenn, Boral Asphalt, and Kamen Engineering working closely with airport staff and tenants was the key to successfully completing the redevelopment works on time and on budget without interrupting airline schedules and with very little inconvenience to travellers”. Last December, peers of the Australian Airports Association at their annual conference recognised the outstanding growth and revitalisation project undertaken at Coffs Harbour Airport. A very proud Dennis Martin, AOM was called on stage and presented the Airport Industry Award for the most outstanding ‘Large Regional Airport of the Year’. The next time you are travelling for business or pleasure, meeting or fare-welling visitors, or intrigued to see these new developments, be assured every effort is being made by the combined team of airport staff, tenants and airline partners to make your Coffs Harbour Airport experience…simply the best.
New ‘Tap & Go’ credit card payment installed making for quicker and more convenient access and departure from the general and security car parking areas.
O U R A I R L I N E PA R T N E R S
(02) 6648 4767
Airport Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 www.coffsharbourairport.com.au
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Discover Valla Focus Feature
RealHumans of valla beach focus around town.
Valla Real Estate. Valla Real Estate is an independent agency with a highly professional real estate team who live in and are part of our local community, Valla Beach. We strive to be the BEST, not the BIGGEST in property services in the Valla Beach and Nambucca Valley Real Estate markets. We have set new standards for results and marketing for our clients. We actually offer more advertising than any other local agents as part of our exclusive marketing program ... Because it works!
Our unique systems include an effective database of purchasers searching for their perfect property. We constantly utilise this database, to the delight of both vendors and buyers. Our Property Management is continuing to provide a style of service that mixes professionalism with a high degree of care, which is evident in the high percentage of repeat and referral business we enjoy. We are extremely proud of our knowledge of the local market, our highly personalised, skilled services and our true ability to deliver outstanding results for all our clients.
Terri-Anne
What do you enjoy most about living in Valla?
“I am here visiting my son and his family. I love getting up to the Mid North Coast and escaping the hustle and bustle of Sydney. As well as getting to spend quality time with my granddaughters, we always get out and enjoy the area and its environment.”
Jude
What do you enjoy most about living in Valla?
“I love working in Valla. One of the most enjoyable things about being a gardener is getting outside and working in nature. Valla is a beautiful bushy area with a bit of a sea breeze, which is lovely.”
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focusinterview.
John Purnell
JOHN PURNELL John Purnell, a Valla local, is a news cameraman/editor who shapes timber surfboards in his spare time and has also worked on a number of independent films. His most recent film, a full feature called “The Backpacker”, was selected for the London and Cannes Independent Film Festivals. We spoke to him about his passion for creating unique surfboards, and how that balances out with his work in the film and television industry.
H
i there, John. Can you tell us what it is about the Coffs Coast that makes it such a special place to live and work for you? We moved here from Newcastle in 1995, looking for a “sea change”. I’ve found it very refreshing - a cleaner environment with a good diversity of people and minimal hustle and bustle. It’s also a great place to raise a child. How long have you been shaping surfboards? I started making timber boards in 2009; I’ve only ever made surfboards for myself, with the exception of close friends. It’s my hobby, as I have always had an interest in design and what makes a board tick ever since I discovered surfing as a kid. Drawing surfboard shapes and imagining how different shapes and designs could work took up a lot of my thought at school. I did make the odd fibreglass board and worked for a time as a sander, but I found it smarter to get experienced shapers to shape what I liked; that gave me time to play around 78 Coffs Coast focus
with fin design. What inspires and influences your work? People in general who make and repair things - the creative people of the world. I find them all fascinating. Growing up in a time that was so diverse in regards to surfboard design, as a young grom watching the likes of surfing great Mark Richards and the late Colin Smith, two totally different characters in and out of the water, who both “ripped the bags” on completely different craft. Also, working as a rigger and industrial fibreglass fabricator within the steel/ mine/power industry when I was younger and seeing first hand the damage caused by some methods we use in manufacturing. Can you tell us a bit about the process of making a board? It all starts with felling plantation Paulownia, which grows in abundance throughout the Nambucca Valley, getting them milled, stacking and drying and then machining to the required dimensions for either a chambered or a wood wrap surfboard. A chambered is shaped from a solid timber blank, dismantled and hollowed out then reassembled. A wood wrap is a shaped foam core with 6 mm timber
strips steamed and wrapped around the core. totally different beast than it was in the late With both techniques I prefer to finish with a ‘70s early ‘80s; gone are the judgement days wax/oil mix and avoid fibreglassing them. of being “a long haired dole bludging no More details at:https://plus.google. hoper”... Today's surf industry is huge and com/+DeepCreekTV/ employs many people. videos Yes, I have “surfer” Many would say friends, but also enjoy surfing is a lifestyle, the company of non as well as a sport. Do surfers too; humans and you find you surround conversation are way too I JUST LOVED GOING yourself with other diverse to just hang out SURFING, CHASING keen surfers? with one mob. WAVES, EXPLORING, For me, surfing is a How does surfing WATCHING THE TIDE, lifestyle. As grommets in Valla or on the LEARNING TO READ we all wanted to be Coffs Coast compare THE WEATHER AND pro surfers. I had to other surfing SUBTLE COASTAL some minor contest destinations you have CHANGES, THE results and sponsors been to? WHOLE FREE RANGE at that time, but the I really enjoy surfing NATURE OF IT. whole competitive here with its warm, thing just didn’t sit clean water (unless it’s right. I just loved going flooding). Generally I find surfing, chasing waves, the area relies on the exploring, watching north movement of sand, the tide, learning to read the weather and which comes and goes with the changing subtle coastal changes, the whole free range seasons and currents, so that makes for lots nature of it. In saying that, surfing today is a of nooks and crannies to keep your eyes
focusinterview.
on, although it is shadowed by South West Rocks and misses a lot of the deep raw swells generated further south - unlike the beaches I grew up on south of Newcastle, with its open coastline, where chunky waves can be found on the many flat rock platforms. When you're not in the water or shaping boards, you also work in the film and television industry. How long have you been working behind a camera? I’ve been in the industry for nearly 30 years and am currently employed at a local TV station as a news camera/editor. I learnt my camera skills in outside broadcast working on live sporting and television events. After moving to Valla, I did many midnight train trips to Newcastle/Sydney for gigs, and I soon realised I had to diversify, so transitioned into news and commercial production. I enjoy working in TV, as you get to meet many interesting people from all walks of life. What are some of the personal projects you have worked on? The Backpacker, Director of Photography (DOP), Embassy Films - selected for the London and Cannes Indpendent Film Festivals - 2011. Gemseek, DOP/Editor/Producer, documentary on fossicking for semi presious stones - 2010. Back to Bawaka, DOP, Documentary Yolngu people of NE Arnhem Land - 2006. The Last Resort, award winning short film judged by the late Bill Hunter - 2003. How do you find balancing the film/TV industry and shaping boards? It’s a nice blend of two creative processes. The news world can get intense at times with deadlines etc. and in film you’re dealing with the crew and shoot scripted scenes that need to be kept on schedule ... Building a timber surfboard is a nice slow process that helps me
relax - a great balance. Could you tell us how you first broke into the film industry? I had dabbled a little with short films with some success, when a friend of mine in the film industry sent me a link for a position as Director of Photography. I applied, had a chat with the director, Dion Bolland, and it all went from there ... It was an Indie film called The I HAD A GOOD Backpacker, shot within UNDERSTANDING OF the Liverpool Range, WHAT THE DIRECTOR between Nundle and WANTED AND HE Murrurundi. From my experience, TRUSTED ME ON MANY Do you have any feature film has a advice you could pass OF THE SCENES, AND I shoot script and you on to any aspiring BELIEVE THAT SHOWS generally don’t record filmmakers here on the IN THE FINISHED in sequence; you may Coffs Coast? PRODUCT; ALL THE shoot the last scenes Sadly, here on the REVIEWS CREDIT THE first, the middle scenes Coffs Coast it’s pretty CINEMATOGRAPHY. last, first scenes second much a desert as far as etc. ... it all depends on film opportunity goes. how the Producer has It all happens in the big arranged it due to other smoke, so be proactive, circumstances i.e. availability of locations, make short films and docos, develop shoot actors, extras, night scenes, weather ... scripts, learn three point editing, play with Whereas in documentary, you can use a script camera technique and lighting, direct your but also have that freedom and flexibility to family and friends as actors ... but most see what develops and unfolds when you’re importantly, capture clear sound. You can have there on location. the best looking pictures ever, but if the audio What was it like being on the set of The is rubbish, forget it. Backpacker movie? What were some of The experience will give you a feel for the highlights and some of the challenges what’s involved and what you may like to do you faced? within the industry. So if an opportunity does Shooting a 90 minute movie is fun, but hard arise, you’ll have some knowledge and most work. The Backpacker (starring Vincent Stone, importantly, “a showreel”. Superman Returns 2006) was shot over five Is there a difference in the way you weeks with a crew of 13 on a low budget. My approach a documentary to a full feature role as DOP was with a single camera and two film?
lenses; we had a jib and dolly, but we didn’t have time to set them up, so I needed to be creative with just a tripod and my shoulder. I had a good understanding of what the Director wanted and he trusted me on many of the scenes, and I believe that shows in the finished product; all the reviews credit the cinematography. I remember filming very late one night deep in the forest near Hanging Rock, the script required Nina (Lauren Anderson) to bellow a blood curdling scream - she nailed it! It freaked the whole crew out! Check it out at: http://www.embassypictures.com/ thebackpacker.html How did it feel being selected for the London and Cannes Independent Film Festivals? Very happy; pleased I did my job as well as I could in the circumstances. Sadly I wasn’t in the audience at those festivals, although the feedback I received via the Director was very positive. I would love the opportunity to have another crack at a feature. Thanks John. Coffs Coast focus 79
Discover Valla Focus Feature
Valla Pharmacy. Valla Pharmacy is locally owned and operated and is now into its fourth year of operation. Valla Pharmacy opened its doors in February 2015 after a huge amount of community support got it to opening day.
Headland Café. Headland Café is a general store, café and fully licensed restaurant on Valla Beach Road, 500 metres off the old highway. It’s a popular breakfast spot with plenty of healthy options, plus all that you would expect at a coastal café with gourmet burgers and fish and chips. Make sure you leave room for a home made treat, and take home something readily prepared for dinner. The space is perfect for large groups and functions. Coffee is a single origin Columbian bean from Merlo made with love by the talented baristas, and there are lots of smoothies, milkshakes and specialty drinks on offer too. Gluten and dairy free options are available, and chefs are happy to make alterations to suit your requirements. There’s a good range of gourmet products, including Hearth Fire Sourdough, K’pane breads, vegan cheese, bone broth, local fresh produce, Rainbow Chai, TeaLeaves loose leaf teas, and much more. Friday and Saturday nights see a different menu and live entertainment monthly. And they do a mean lime margarita and interesting frosé. Follow on Facebook or Instagram to see what’s coming up.
Breakfast // Lunch // Dinner // Fully Licensed 7 Days from 7am Dinner Friday & Saturday Nights Live Music Monthly facebook.com/Headland.Cafe insta @headlandcafe_vallabeach
@ Val Bea la ch Sho ps
SHOP 2, 35 valla beach road 6569 5140 80 Coffs Coast focus
The pharmacy caters to the needs of the Valla community, along with visitors to our beautiful area. The pharmacy is a health care destination - a place to come for medication advice and information. Jess, the pharmacist, has a passion for medication reviews and is always ready to answer any question you have about your medication, prescription or over the counter. The team at Valla Pharmacy are recognised for their exceptional customer service with one of the team being a finalist in last year’s Pharmacy Assistant of the Year Award. Open from 9am until 6pm Monday to Friday, there’s time to call in on your way home; you can even leave your prescriptions on file and phone ahead so they’re ready to collect, no waiting.
Valla Beach Butchery. Brian and Sam Guest are the proud owners of the Valla Butchery and also the newly renovated Nambucca Butchery at the Nambucca Plaza. Brian comes from a family of generations of butchers; his grandfathers were butchers. His nephew has recently just finished his apprenticeship and has won multiple awards throughout.
Open from 9am until 12:30pm on Saturdays drop in on the weekend. Bring the kids as there’s a children’s activity table to keep them entertained while you speak with the pharmacist.
We now have our fourth child, Jack, in his second year of his apprenticeship. We hope Jack will be able to pass on our shop to his children one day.
Services include:
As a family owned and operated butcher shop, we pride ourselves on our friendly service and premium quality cuts of meat.
Health screening including blood pressure monitoring and blood glucose monitoring. In pharmacy medication reviews. Dose administration aid packing.
Our range of products are all meticulously made in store, including our own hand made smoked ham, bacon and jerky.
Comprehensive range of medicines, supplements and pharmacy items stocked.
Both stores are conveniently located off Giinagay Way, the beautiful old scenic road at Valla and Nambucca.
Discover Valla Focus Feature
Tutty’s Tanks. Our family business was established in 2009, with the simple vision of providing the best quality rainwater storage to conserve as much water as possible.
- or “liquid gold”, as Mitch likes to call it. They believe it is important to recognise and respect water as the world’s most valuable asset, particularly here in Australia’s hot, dry climate.
Our highly skilled team also offers all other types of concreting options for your home, farm or workplace. Mitch Tutt began his career in concreting in 2001. After acquiring qualifications as a formwork carpenter and concreter, Mitch spent six years gaining experience with Coffs Coast Formwork, doing both domestic and commercial jobs. Tutty’s Tanks and Concreting was started in 2009 on his return from three years in Western Australia, building concrete gas tanks in the Pilbara. A steady clientele was built as a result of Mitch’s honest, hard work.
Surviving in areas without a mains water supply means it is essential to invest in the best rainwater collection system available. Even if you are connected to a mains supply, water restrictions highlight the importance of having an alternate and renewable source of water with the benefit that it doesn’t have anything added to it, just pure, fresh rainwater.
Mitch and his wife, Shannon, are well aware of the necessity for good quality, safe storage of our most precious natural resource, fresh water
As proud locals, Mitch and Shannon value the Valla community and endeavour to help create a beautiful area for their three children to grow up in. They proudly support fellow local businesses and regularly help out at the Valla Community Preschool, local schools and sporting clubs in the area.
Dave Brighton Floor Sanding. The original Valla flooring family - proudly supporting the Valla community.
We provide a full range of services, including
As a fourth generation family business, at Dave Brighton Floor Sanding we know timber floors.
sanding and finishing. Our friendly team
We supply and install a wide range of hardwood flooring that will go over any surface. Our timbers are sourced locally from reputable timber yards. High gloss or matt, Dave can provide you with the latest looks or classic finishes for your timber floors.
reliable service - we’ll do the job right the first
Are your floors looking tired, scratched or worn? We also refurbish and repair existing timber floors. Dave will provide a range of solutions, to ensure your floors perform for years to come.
the uptake of your old flooring, installation, has extensive experience and knowledge, to ensure we provide you with high quality and time! Operating for over 25 years, Dave Brighton Floor Sanding proudly services the Coffs Coast, Nambucca, Bellingen and Macleay Valleys. We are fully licensed and a member of the Australian Timber Flooring Association. If you are looking to install new, replace or repair your flooring, then contact Dave for a free appraisal and quote on 0447 683 388.
• Solid & Floating • Supply & Lay • Refurbish & Repair • Sanding & Finishing • Commercial • Residential • Insurance • Sports Floors
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@jimmyjr3
@jimmyjr3
@headlandcafe_vallabeach
@Beachhouseprovidore
@Beachhouseprovidore
@ Vallbeachweddings
Discover Valla Focus Feature
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The Beach House.
Valla Beach Tavern.
The Beach House Providore is the longest standing business in Valla Beach - 100 plus years of history - this once home and general store is now a prominent focal point of the community, bringing a warm, welcoming environment for you to enjoy your daily coffee and a hearty breakfast or lunch.
Delicious meals at a great price, friendly staff, icy cold beer in a relaxed and beachy environment - we have it all!
The cabinet is filled with both the naughty and nice elements, from gluten free cheesecakes and chocolate brownies to stunning healthy salads and chia pudding for those on the go - all home made on site, and you can taste the difference. The all day breakfast and lunch menu have something for everyone, from corn and black bean fritters all the way through to local fresh fish and chips in a kombucha batter. Jessica, the owner, has worked as a chef all around the world and has brought a bit of that home to Valla. The Friday and Saturday night dinner menus change weekly and run with a theme; this week is Mexican, but next week your taste buds might be travelling to Thailand. With an ideal location, a stone’s throw from the beach and right next door to a park, The Beach House Providore offers the perfect little detour off the freeway.
The Valla Beach Tavern is a great place for a fun and relaxed meal out - bring your mates or bring your family! We are renowned for delicious pub food at great prices. Our servings are generous, ensuring value for money - come experience it for yourself! $7 lunch & dinner meals, including schnitzels, fish & pasta, $10 steaks and $12 pizzas! But don’t take it from us; here’s what other people have said: “Great place to walk in - from the beach or from your hotel ... Casual and friendly with a broad menu; excellent seafood and FRIENDLY folks at the helm. They couldn’t do enough - we were there two nights in a row for different fish dishes.” “Woweeeee! The meals here are not only ‘cheap’ but they are sooooo tasty! Have eaten here a few times, and we have never had a bad meal. The kids even love their food! There is a little playground for them, which is a massive bonus. Staff are friendly too. If you are in the area, don’t miss it!”
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Pearl at Valla Focus Feature
Pearl at Valla is nestled along the coastline of the stunning Mid North Coast of NSW ... here you will find our secluded enclave. Carefully designed to suit this eco-sensitive area, it’s the perfect place to create your own sanctuary.
Imagine enjoying a cold glass of wine at the end of a long day with a north easterly sea breeze rustling through the trees, thus making the need for air conditioning to be used only on the very rare occasion. With only a total of 44 lots, all of which are titled, this type of coastal acreage land is hard to find any more. Your new home will be a short three minute drive to the beautiful beachside community of Valla Beach. Pearl is surrounded from the north and the east by a conservation area; therefore, you will enjoy your new home with our Australian wildlife and birdlife. With only 26 lots remaining and land sizes varying from 1.3 acres up to some 22 acres, this is one of the few acreages sites located on the
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eastern side of the highway. Design guidelines have been produced to ensure there is a minimum standard of home built within Pearl at Valla, to assist your home retaining and growing in value.
With only 26 lots remaining and land acres sizes varying from 1.3 is is th up to some 22 acres, sites e ag re ac few e one of th side of located on the eastern the highway.”
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Living on acreage should not mean missing out on many of the amenities and services of “town living”, and we are pleased that our residents have services such as underground power, sewer connection to Nambucca Council via the Enviro One system (included in your purchase price), regular mail
Pearl at Valla. and garbage delivery and NBN with the Sky Muster Service. Our price ranges from $245K - $455K, and it’s all about location!
Ask us TODAY about our “Time to Sell” campaign, which offers a six month settlement and a 5% deposit to the first three purchasers. Here at Pearl we understand our residents will often have an existing home to sell or simply need to be in that right space to proceed - this extended settlement timeline will give you time to sell an existing home, select your new home and complete necessary paperwork with the builder and local authorities.
Provided at the Open Day will be a giant water slide for the kids (bring along swimmers and towels) and gourmet catering by Molly & Me. Our builder partners will also be on location to provide information of their products that can be built on acreage. We would love to invite FOCUS readers to visit Pearl - if you have visited us in the past, you need to visit us again! Lots of work has been done over the past two years, making Pearl a much safer environment, with cleared building envelopes and a blank canvas for your new home. For more information, please contact Michelle on 0407 999 991, email sales@pearlatvalla.com.au or visit the website: www.pearlatvalla.com.au
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Pearl at Valla Focus Feature
G.J. Gardner. G.J. Gardner Homes lead the way with virtual home tours. G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Coast has taken the stress out of home design, introducing virtual display home tours, which allow new home buyers to explore and discover dozens of home designs and floor plans in 3D. G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Coast owners Rick and Susan Fischer said the virtual tours were a real game changer for new home builders, speeding up the planning process and giving them certainty about their design choices. “By using the latest in 3D technology, you can ‘walk through’ our display homes in comfort and get an understanding of how the home flows from room to room to create a functional living space,” Rick said. “The great thing is that you can also customise floor plans live on screen.” Rick said planning was often the longest part of the building process, so this new technology helps quicken the process for all involved. “Changes to the home design is also the number one culprit of budget variations, so being able to customise floor plans live on screen before you commit will really help minimise this frustration,” he said.
The virtual tours are available for clients to view at Rick’s and Susan’s display home at 3 Cherry Street, North Sapphire Beach, open seven days a week from 10am - 5pm. The tours are taken on 65 inch smart boards and once the tour is finished, you can use a marker on the screen to modify the 3D floor plan. “People can use the interactive smart board to plan their dream home on their selected Pearl at Valla block of land,” Rick said. “We currently have seven house and land packages available at Pearl at Valla, and clients can personalise their package to further suit their needs using the smart boards.” Rick, Susan and their team offer a full onsite service at Pearl at Valla, helping clients to choose their home design, the location of their house on the block and they can also assist with block selection. “We have been building homes on the Coffs Coast for over a decade, so we understand
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what new home buyers in the area are looking for and we can help them to customise their new home to suit the coastal lifestyle and their particular needs.”
ing We have been build ffs Co homes on the de, so we Coast for over a decaw home understand what ne e looking buyers in the area arthem to for and we can help home to customise their newtyle and suit the coastal lifes s.” their particular need
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roofing, verandah and decking options, bathroom fittings and paint colour samples.
“It means that our clients can come in and view a range of selections for everything from the exterior cladding of their new home, right down to the tapware for their bathroom,” Rick said. “With the virtual tours and our new Design Studio, we’ve got all the bases covered, which is helping to streamline the design and building process for our clients.”
Rick and Susan believe in constantly moving forward with their business and last year completed a new Design Studio in the office at Orlando Street. The Design Studio includes a full kitchen with three different cooktop and oven choices, multiple flooring, cladding,
The Fernbank Estate ALFRESCO
Call 0415 338 338 or email mathew.hale@gjgardner.com.au
DINE
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ROBE FOYER
BED 4
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+ All Site Costs 23 900
G.J. Gardner Homes Coffs Harbour. Call 02 6691 3509 or visit 171 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour
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LAUNDRY
DOUBLE GARAGE
+ 25 mins to Coffs + All Floor Coverings
ROBE
FR VERANDAH
+ Quality Inclusions
ENSUITE
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2.5
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4
Pearl at Valla Focus Feature
The Stroud Homes Story With more than 20 years of design and building experience, Stroud Homes has a proven track record of success and a strong reputation for exceptional service and superior quality ...
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his brings with it a strong referral network and connections to the best tradespeople to deliver top quality, long-lasting workmanship. As well as ensuring our customers are pleased by their end result, we pride ourselves on our guarantees to make sure your build goes as smoothly as possible. Stroud Homes is a group of licensed and local builders, each with years of personal design and building experience. We’re experts in the local area and are accustomed to the demands of the local councils and land developers. It’s quick and easy for us to provide you with a package that fits your land, your budget and your family.
Meet your local builder, Yarren Henwood! Yarren has been in the construction industry for over 20 years as a carpentry/building contractor and has worked on everything from residential construction, renovations, restorations and extensions through to commercial projects and film set construction.
individual block and features one of our many popular home designs. They include everything a family needs to live a great lifestyle in a stunning acreage estate.
After seeing an opportunity to join the Stroud Homes family in 2017, he now strives to deliver quality homes within the Coffs Harbour region for families to enjoy and be proud of for many years.
What do you think is essential for building a home? The right home ultimately needs to meet a family’s lifestyle and budget. We work closely with our clients from the initial site inspection all the way through to the finished product.
Tell us about the house and land packages you offer at Pearl at Valla Estate. Every house and land package we offer has been designed to best suit each
If there is a particular design that potential purchasers like that isn’t a current house and land package - we can create one!
We provide the opportunity for each family to individualise their home with the choice of their fittings, colours and finishes.
All Stroud Homes are pre-priced with our standard inclusions, which means your family can move straight into their brand new home! What is the number one question people should ask themselves before deciding to build? “Am I happy and comfortable with the builder?” We ultimately want to deliver an outstanding product and provide our clients with a stress free and fun building process! How do we get in contact? If you’re considering building a new home in the Coffs Coast region, give the team a call on 02 5606 2676 or drop in and see them at their Display Centre located at 4a Moonee Street, Coffs Harbour.
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Throw open the Doors Homes have evolved over the years ... no more are they simply a series of walls and a roof to come home to at the end of the day. Today, homes are a reflection of our personality and aspirations.
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ver the past 30 years McDonald Jones has embraced the need to evolve and offer architectural designs full of bright ideas and clever spaces that offer families an assortment of inspired functional floor space, embracing the occupants’ desired lifestyle and celebrating the location where they live. Responding to the invigorating lifestyle that the Mid North Coast offers, McDonald Jones have crafted a portfolio of architectural homes which capture the very essence of our striking area. McDonald Jones’ lead architect, Stuart Everitt, has thoughtfully created floor plans that maximise the potential of living in areas such as Pearl at Valla, even design names such as the Seaside Retreat, Beach House, Beachside Executive and Esperance reflect an appreciation of living by the coast. Responding to the remarkable location and
lot sizes within Pearl at Valla, McDonald Jones offers a range of stunning designs perfectly aligned to the surrounding Hinterland and Valla Beach. Distinctive and timeless designs are complemented by an array of eye catching facades, so no matter your preferred style, be it Contemporary or Hamptons, you have the opportunity to create the environment you’ve always desired. McDonald Jones’ designs show a true appreciation of the needs for every member of the family, and not just for now, but long into the future, providing the flexibility to adapt to the needs of families as they evolve. From separate children’s activity rooms and home theatres to butler’s pantries and luxurious master suites, we provide the ability to customise designs to capture your individual needs, allowing you to live the way you want. There is something uniquely different about
Live big by the beach.
True appreciation of the needs for ever y , and member of the family lo t ng not just for now, bu iding into the future, prov t to the flexibility to adapas they the needs of families evolve.”
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living in a McDonald Jones home; this is the harmony in which it effortlessly allows the outside in, complementing the natural flow that the residents enjoy as they move from area to area. Throwing the doors open and stepping out to the alfresco cabana opens a new world of possibilities, from afternoons entertaining and laughing with friends, to lazy mornings just unwinding over a cup of coffee. Our assortment of designs available will ensure you make the most of lifestyle options Pearl at Valla offers. If you are looking for a design that delivers
unrivalled comfort following an afternoon of beachcombing with the kids, or a home full of vibrant and energised spaces ideal for entertaining, or simply an environment to kick back and enjoy a barbecue as the cooling sea breeze moves in, then you will find that a McDonald Jones home will help transform the way you live. To discover all of McDonald Jones’ designs and available house and land packages, drop in for chat with your local Building and Design Consultant, Michael Jung, at the Sapphire Beach Display Home, or call 5525 2582.
Enjoy a modern and inspired lifestyle thanks to innovative home designs that adapt to your every need. Discover our range of stunning acreage designs perfect for Pearl at Valla. From a seaside retreat to a beachside entertainer or country escape, let us transform the way you live.
Visit our Coffs Harbour display home today. SAPPHIRE BEACH – CHERRY ST mcdonaldjoneshomes.com.au 02 5525 2582
MJHD0034156X255FM NSW BLN: 41628
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Pearl at Valla Focus Feature
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Brian Hopwood
B
rian Hopwood Homes has been building on the Coffs Coast for close to 30 years. What do you believe is the success behind your longevity? I think I am one of those rare people who are lucky enough to love what they do. As an apprentice carpenter I had a tough boss; that’s just how it was in those days, but he was honest and true to his word. I think being around that moulded my approach. I am a firm believer in treating people the way you want to be treated and surrounding yourself with others who think the same. Plus, I have always been lucky enough to have a solid team of industry professionals around me at Hopwood Homes.
to get an understanding of what it is they are looking to achieve. Sometimes they may have their own plans; otherwise, it is a matter of finding out about their lifestyle and incorporating those elements into the design. This is the part I love - getting a “feel” for how their home will look and work for them. We may go backwards and forwards a hundred times, but this is the part we must get right.
Before clients decide to build with you, what happens first? I will meet with clients
I have a lot of faith in my staff, our contractors and the local suppliers we work with on the
What do you believe keeps people walking through your door? Put simply we do the right thing by people. Look, I am not saying it is always smooth sailing, but it is about being open and transparent and available for the client and making sure we are understanding each other.
Coffs Coast. We are all collaborating a lot of the time behind the scenes to get it right for the client, and I believe these partnerships reflect in the final product - a client’s home! Who is a typical client of Brian Hopwood Homes? I don’t think there is a typical Hopwood Homes “client”. We have been lucky enough to build for those from all backgrounds with varying needs. What I do think they share is being able to see through the common tactics that some other builders may pull. We work hard to ensure our clients enjoy their experience. That they always know financially where they stand, that we will meet with them each week on site and that we don’t just disappear once the key is handed over. Locally the building industry is changing.
What are the goals and direction for Brian Hopwood Homes in the coming years? To keep enjoying what we do, to constantly listen to our clients, current and past, and always seek to maintain our quality and integrity. We have spent a lot of time the past 12 months really listening to previous clients; it has helped reaffirm our strengths and given us a glimpse of areas to give a little more attention to. This is important as a business and even as an individual. My son, David, has started working with the company, so with him I am looking forward to another 30 years of business and continuing to do what I love! We are also about to start on our new display home - and let me just say this is going to be exciting! Thanks Brian.
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Dixon Homes Dixon Homes chats to FOCUS about their house and land packages available in the Pearl at Valla estate ...
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hat is the history behind Dixon Homes? Dixon Homes has been operating since 1959, winning over 100 industry awards and is home to 80,000 Australians. Dixon is part of the Tamawood group trading on the ASX and is a debt free Australian company. We produce over 800 homes a year including our franchise network. Dixon is Quality Assured with International Certification ISO9001 another factor giving our clients peace of mind. What services do Dixon Homes provide? We are the only builder to offer clients site investigation, including a soil test and survey, for only $100. With this we can offer a contract on your new home, with all information obtained early in the process. We offer flexibility, with 2,500 customisable designs that can be modified and costed in house, so you have a clear understanding of the cost to construct your new home. With superior buying power, we are able to pass savings directly to our customers,
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providing quality workmanship for exceptional value. More 4 Less. Briefly tell us about the house and land packages you offer at Pearl at Valla Estate. Dixon Homes is privileged to be involved with the Pearl at Valla estate. The uniqueness of the estate allows us to tailor packages to our clients’ individual needs, on a home site where you are free to create your dream. Our homes have steel frames and trusses and Colorbond roof as standard inclusions, as well as 1.5 kW solar PV system, solar hot water and premium appliances. Upfront pricing and transparent costs gives our customers confidence in building their new home. We are committed to creating home designs which are sophisticated and practical, without large price tags. Our Quality Assurance and management systems allows for a quality product, up to an additional 14 building inspections and 20 third party certificates throughout the building process, resulting in less
We are committed to s creating home design ed at ic ist ph so e which ar t ou ith w , al tic and prac large price tags. ”
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maintenance. What is the process when a new client walks through the door? Andrew Dykes, your local Dixon Homes representative, was a previous Pearl at Valla resident, so has first hand knowledge of the entire estate. At Dixon you are treated as an individual, not a number - your requirements are listened to. Andrew and the Coffs Harbour team will go the extra mile to ensure your needs are matched to a design for a price that will suit. All our homes are a six star energy rating; we provide solar hot water and 1.5 kW solar PV system as a standard inclusion. What are the top three things that people
should consider when looking to build a new house at Pearl at Valla Estate? 1. Design. The design of your home needs to meet the guidelines for this exclusive estate. You can then be assured your home will be amongst 44 other quality homes, preserving the future value of your home. 2. Site positioning. Your home should be sited on the block to take advantage and capture the natural beauty of the estate. Dixon has over 2,500 designs, so you can find the home best suited to your land. 3. Value. At Dixon Homes we are very approachable; we work with you to obtain the best value for your dollar, More 4 Less.
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Nadine Rahman is a local artist and mum of six who moved from London to the Coffs Coast and was inspired by the area’s natural beauty and thriving art scene to create some beautiful botanical works.
Nadine
Rahman
H
i Nadine. How did you come to live on the Coffs Coast? I’m from Kingsbury in North-west London and back-packed around Australia when I was 23. I met an Aussie guy in Darwin, and he followed me back to London when I fell pregnant. We decided to immigrate to Australia after having my second child and drove through Bellingen on the day of the community markets. I loved the craft and creativity I saw, so we settled in Kalang, had another kid, and tried to build a house on a bush block! The relationship ended and after a year or so, I met my husband, Dom, walking down the street in Urunga! We moved to Repton, which is my favourite place in the world, and had three more kids! Can you tell us a bit about your works and the kinds of mediums you like to use? At the moment I’m into detailed studies of botanicals. I love realism and just using a really sharp pencil, but I also find using some colour helps with the beautiful flowers I find. I enjoy drawing or painting on recycled rustic pieces of wood or metal I’ve found before throw out day! I think a pretty plant looks great on a contrasting background. Before that, I enjoyed oils and acrylics on canvas. I actually love doing anything creative, really; I’ve made and sold cards since I can remember and enjoy printing, embroidery, book-binding, craft … the list goes on! Can you describe the creative process? My husband will take the kids twice a week so I can crank out some artwork for an upcoming exhibition. I might have already found a plant or flower in the garden or out walking, so I get out my art materials, set up, put some music on and focus. I’ll stop when I’m done or if I
IT WAS SUCH AN EXTREME CHANGE MOVING FROM LONDON TO KALANG. BEING SO CLOSE TO NATURE HAS HAD A HUGE INFLUENCE ON ME.
hear the kids come home. What is your artistic background? Have you always had a love of art? I managed to get a place at Central St. Martin’s in London for an Art Foundation course after school, which was pretty amazing. I then did a degree in Print Media at the London College of Printing, where I specialised in book arts, which included book-binding, paper engineering and printing. I have always loved drawing for as long as I can remember. Is there anyone you would say you are particularly influenced or inspired by? Growing up, my mum influenced me with her talent in making clothes for us and mini ones for our dolls! I used to stand and watch her at the sewing machine for hours! London and all of its creative influences also inspired me. I used to wonder around art galleries after uni. I’d say Quentin Blake was my biggest inspiration and since having kids, the children’s illustrator Axel Scheffler has impressed me! How much of an influence has the Coffs landscape been to your artwork? It was such an extreme change moving from London to Kalang. Being so close to nature has had a huge influence on me. The river, rainforests and beach still amaze me and every chance I get, I will pick something up to study it and decide if I want to draw it. I never did that in London! I would love to do some landscape paintings of this area but need to brush up on my landscaping skills first! Are there any of your own pieces that you feel really connected to? I did a few tree paintings when I was pregnant. One
of them has my family walking amongst huge Boab trees and the other is a pregnant woman about to give birth under a Boab tree. I am connected to them, because mothering and family are so important to me. I also feel connected to anything I draw from my garden. I think it’s because I feel so lucky to feed my children food from my garden and to be able to document that somehow. I sold a study of a banana flower at the Dead Flowers Exhibition in November last year and was very proud of that. Do you feel there is much of an art community here on the Coffs Coast? Yes! I love the art scene here. The art class I mentioned before, Dead Flowers Society at the Bellingen Brewery every Wednesday evening, is such a good idea, and Big Fig Arts have just started a new drawing class fortnightly on Tuesday mornings too. There are so many talented artists and musicians in this area; I think there is so much going on. I’ve enjoyed seeing local artists exhibit their work, and I try to go to galleries as often as I can. Where can people see your work? I recently put some of my work up on Instagram and I have a few pieces for sale on the wall at the Mylestom Store, which is my other local hangout. I’m also very excited to have an exhibition at The Bellingen Brewery with my dear friend Fiona Minto in May this year! Thanks Nadine.
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Alan Johnson
AJ Civil Projects specialise in all types of large and small civil construction projects, including: pipe laying, pump stations, earthworks, machine hire and road works. FOCUS had a chat to business owner Alan Johnson, to ďŹ nd out more about the projects he has worked on and his business plans for the future.
W
hat is the history behind AJ Civil Projects, and how has the business
changed over the past decade? I was born in the Nambucca Valley
and lived in Nambucca Heads for
I could see a niche in the market and an increase in demand for this aspect of plumbing, so we decided to branch out and launch AJ Pipelines & Construction Pty Ltd in 1998.
over 30 years. My father, Garry, had a successful plumbing business there, so as soon as I was allowed to leave
mains. So, I gathered experience early in my career. Along with my Uncle Ken, who helped to teach me this side of plumbing, we started taking on larger projects around the Nambucca area. I could see a niche in the market and an increase for this aspect of plumbing and decided to branch out and launch AJ Pipelines & Construction Pty Ltd in July 1998. My first contract was to construct the stormwater mains and associated works for the
school at the age 15, I started as a plumbing apprentice with
upgrade of the Pacific Highway and the Arthur Street overpass
him. Over the years, we started moving towards the civil side of
in front of the Park Beach Plaza. I purchased my first 20-tonne
plumbing, which is constructing sewer, stormwater and water
excavator for the project, which was a huge step at the time, but
CELEBRATING
20 YEARS IN BUSINESS AJ Civil Projects are celebrating this milestone in business with a renewed focus on civil projects; including changing our name to AJ Civil Projects. We are committed to providing exceptional delivery, service and outcomes for all of our clients.
The team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients and suppliers for their support over the past two decades ajcivil.com.au tel: 02 6651 3276 email: mail@ajcivil.com.au PO Box 6639 Coffs Harbour Plaza NSW 2450 ABN 40 083 081 645
CIVIL PROJECTS Coffs Coast focus 93
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We have decided to change the name of the business to AJ Civil Projects, which covers all aspect of civil works. Only the name has changed; the company structure remains the same.
proved to be a good one. We were then awarded a contract with Coffs Harbour City Council to construct the re-use mains from Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga stage 1 and have continued to successfully complete contracts with them to this day. In 2002, I decided to move the family to
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Coffs Harbour, as all of our work was around the area, and I have enjoyed living in this great place ever since. Over the past decade or two we have completed many projects that are civil construction rather than pipe laying projects, so we have decided to change the name of
the business to AJ Civil Projects, which covers all aspect of civil works. Only the name has changed; the company structure remains the same. We are looking forward to another successful few decades in business to add to our 20-year milestone we’re celebrating this year. What services do AJ Civil Projects offer? AJ Civil Projects specialise in all types of large and small civil construction projects, including: pipe laying, pump stations, earthworks,
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machine hire and road works. We service the private sector, as well as local, state and federal government contracts. We have the experience and resources to undertake small or large projects, as either the principal contractor or sub-contractor. Our key personnel all have over 20 years’ experience in the industry and are very adaptive to complete all the various tasks involved with civil works. Plus, we have all types and sizes of plant and equipment, that enables us to be remain very competitive in the market. Tell us about some big projects you have worked on in the past decade. Some of the larger projects we have completed over the past decade include: • Coffs Harbour Waste Water Reclamation Plant - this contract was a joint venture project with Coffs Harbour City Council as the client. We were appointed as the sub-contractor to construct the pipe. The contract period was approximately 18 months. • Junction Hill to Grafton Sewer Transfer System - we were awarded the contract through the NSW Public Works Department for the Clarence Valley Council. The works included decommissioning three small treatment
plants and installing large pumping stations to transfer the sewage via 5 km of pipeline to the Grafton Treatment Plant. The works were part of the Clarence Valley’s sewage system upgrade, in which we were also involved in two other large projects as a sub-contractor. • Nambucca Heads Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade - our contract was to construct all of the earthworks, road construction and pipe work. The project was managed by the public works with the principal contractor Haslin and the client, Nambucca Shire Council; the contract period was 12 months. • Park Beach Plaza and Park Beach Home Base - we have completed many large projects for the Bachrach Naumburger group at the Park Beach Plaza and Home Base over the past decade, including the new fire main at the Home Base site, flood mitigation works at both sites, earthworks and drainage for the new multi-storey car park, new fire mains for the plaza buildings and recently the earthworks and road works for the IGA entrance. • The Frederickton to Eungai Pacific Highway upgrade - this was one of largest projects we have undertaken
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over the past decade. contract period was Our contract was approximately two and a To me, the proof of the to construct the half years. success is in the number • The Jetty4Shores stormwater drainage of people who are now using or visiting the area Upgrade - this was and associated works day in day out, since its our most recently for Thiess, who where completion. completed project contracted to the and one of the most RMS (Roads Maritime pleasing contracts that Services). The works we have undertaken. include construction I have to congratulate of 26 km of pipe the staff at Coffs Harbour City Council who work and installation of over 800 pits; the
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were involved in implementing this project and coming up with a great design. To me, the proof of the success is in the number of people who are now using or visiting the area day in day out, since its completion. The project was completed with the help of some great local contractors and suppliers, whose contribution made sure the project was completed successfully on time and within the budget, which we are very proud of. Tell us some more details about the Jetty4Shore upgrade project.
As I mention before, this project was the one of the most enjoyable projects that we have had the opportunity to complete. The Jetty project was a combined effort between us and the Council. We were an integral part to organising all the aspects of the construction and working with so many local businesses in achieving the end product, which we thoroughly enjoyed. As a company, we’re so proud of this project, and I think it’s mainly due to the fact that it has a really visible end result. With most
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The concrete amphitheatre structure in front of the Yacht Club was designed and constructed to protect from further erosion of the beach due to high tides and large swells.
of our contracts being underground, we don’t get the opportunity to see the end result, so this project is great for everyone involved in this regard. I also believe that a good design ends with a good final product, and this is definitely the case for the project. We congratulate the Council on this. The project was completed on time and within the budget. We also planned for it to be constructed in the winter months to minimise the impact
on the stakeholders and the public, as the Jetty really is the jewel in our crown of Coffs Harbour. What actually went into the Jetty4Shore project? • The existing trees were removed and mulched on site, with over 400 cubic metres of the mulch being reused on the new garden beds. • 14,000 tonnes of imported fill was transported to the site and compacted to
raise the existing ground level to ensure runoff during rain events and eliminate flooding of the area, resulting in a more user-friendly space. 9,000 tonnes of the imported fill was supplied by Council, and was recycled from other projects. • The concrete amphitheatre structure in front of the Yacht Club was designed and constructed to protect from further erosion of the beach due to high tides and large swells, as well as creating a more user-
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friendly place to access the Jetty Beach or to just relax and enjoy one of Coffs’ best natural assets. Sheet piles, screw piles and large footings have been installed under the structure, to ensure its longevity. • The Boardwalk is very user-friendly and was designed and positioned to minimise the impact on the existing dunes and vegetation area, as well as give easy access for the public from the Jetty Pier to the Jetty Beach. • Over 4,000 square metres of wide coloured concrete paths were installed to ensure ease
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of access for the public, as well as cater for different public events. The new stage, shelters and the outdoor gym are all great assets for the area and have been well utilised since the opening.
Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed a lot of local businesses grow from their humble beginnings to the successful entities they are today.
• During the construction period for the project we had an average of 47 workers on site, with the peak number being 83 workers on site in one day; most importantly, the project remained incident free. Over
96% of the employees and subcontractors on site were local Coffs Coast residents. To have been in business for 20 years, you must have some very loyal suppliers and customers. Share with us a little about this. We have formed some great relationships with many local suppliers, subcontractors and clients. Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed a lot of local businesses grow from their humble beginnings to the successful entities they are today.
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Our local suppliers and hire companies ensure that the products we use day in and day out are readily available in stock or obtainable in a short time. Some of our local suppliers that come to mind are: T.G Jung Quarries, HQ Concrete and HQ Sands, BISCO, Fine Form Pre-cast, North Coast Power & Water, Advanced Metal Industries, Reece Plumbing & Civil, Holcim Quarries & Holcim Concrete, Coffs Reo Supplies,
Conplant, Men at Work, CDA Eastland, Coates Hire, North Coast Plant & Marine, Cable & Pipe Search, Tutt Bryant Hire, Boral Asphalt, Brycker Hire and Resource Design Management. There are many others who also ensure local contractors are catered for. On our larger projects, we often need to engage specialist subcontractors for the areas of the contract we can’t complete ourselves. Coffs Harbour has some great
We also have some great clients from the private sector, including the Bachrach Naumburger Group (Park Beach Plaza) who deserve a special mention for their continued contribution to the local economy.
companies that we can call on for these works, including: Coffs Coast Formwork, FM Glenn, Farlow Concreting, B & S Landscaping, EB & DE Bunt, Reg Latter Electrical, Coffs Harbour Kwik Kerb, Michael Flick Horticulture, Arbpro Tree Services, Stocks & Hogan Core
& Saw, Gosling Electrical, Ray Ellicott Concreting, Arc Attack Fabrication, Advanced Pumping & Irrigation, Hydrodigga, as well as many others. We have many long-term and loyal clients whom we have completed projects for over the years, including: Coffs Harbour City Council, Nambucca Shire Council, Clarence
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Valley Council, RMS and the Department of Public Works. We also have some great clients from the private sector, including the Bachrach Naumburger Group (Park Beach Plaza) who deserve a special mention for their continued contribution to the local economy. The General Manager, Steve Gooley, ensures that local contractors and suppliers are utilised on all of their projects. We have also completed projects
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locally through companies such as: de Grout Benson, Haslin, Lendlease, Kerr Earthworks, Geoff Slattery, Coffs Coast Formwork and FM Glenn. We are
We are tremendously proud to have these strong relationships and networks of reliable, professional and trusted suppliers, clients and subcontractors.
tremendously proud to have these strong relationships and networks of reliable, professional and trusted suppliers, clients and
subcontractors. How important is it to support local businesses? It is very important to us. We are supported through our network, so it’s only fitting to go full circle and support local businesses wherever we can. If we don’t support the local businesses, then they won’t survive, which costs your business time and money in the long run.
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Coffs Harbour is blessed (and so are we) What are some challenges that the to have some very good local businesses industry has faced, and how have you that specialise in supplying the civil and overcome these? construction industry. The same goes for the Work Place Safety has been a huge local subcontractors; we have some of the challenge for the industry, and to me it is best in the state, and it is very seldom that one of the most important factors in the civil we need to look beyond the locals to service construction sector. We have invested heavily our needs. in safety procedures The recently and training and have completed Jetty4Shore a dedicated employee Project is a classic to ensure these are example; over 95% implemented into The recently completed of the contract sum the daily work tasks, Jetty4Shore Project is a remained in the local ensuring a safe work classic example; over 95% of economy, with just 5% environment for all the contract sum remained being spent on materials involved. in the local economy, with from out of town Weather is also a just 5% being spent on suppliers that could not definite challenge to materials from out of town be obtained locally. It’s our industry, as nearly suppliers that could not be not just a credit to our all of our projects are obtained locally. company for achieving outdoors. Coffs Harbour this, but also to Coffs has a great climate, Harbour City Council but it is also known for for its policy to use local contractors on their its incremental wet weather and not always tendered projects wherever possible. when predicted, so we have to put a lot We also use this policy when buying of plans in place to be prepared for these vehicles, plant, equipment etc. for the events. Having a contingency for weather business, and the same applies for our delays is always crucial, so we make sure we everyday living. put a bit away for a rainy day!
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Keeping the business up-to-date with technology is a challenge. Both with administration and construction sides, you need to have good advice, research and services to call on, to ensure you have the best systems. We are lucky to have the Civil Construction Federation, which we are a member off. It keeps us updated and provides expert advice when needed. Aside from these three, there are the usual challenges all businesses face, like: financial capacity, stable clients, good staff
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and so on. Tell us how AJ Civil Projects is involved in the community? It’s great to be able to get involved with many local community organisations through our business. Over the past 20 years, AJ Pipelines now AJ Civil Projects, have sponsored local sporting groups, including: the Coffs Harbour Comets (under sufferance), Coffs, Woolgoolga, Bellingen and Nambucca senior and junior Rugby League Clubs, Coffs Harbour Boardriders,
Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club and Coffs Rotary Club, just to name a few. The charity most close to my heart is Pink Silks Trust. I believe in the work and impact they do for local women’s health. At a recent Ladies and Tradies fundraising night, AJ Civil Projects donated the patient pod for the All-Terrain Medical Rescue Vehicle. This essential equipment the Coffs Harbour Hospital has access to is solely due to the Trust’s tireless work. My wife, Tanya, is the co-founder and chair of the Pink Silks Trust,
At a recent Ladies and Tradies fundraising night, AJ Civil Projects donated the patient pod for the All-Terrain Medical Rescue Vehicle.
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and so I see first-hand the hours she and her committee spend in making a difference in our community. A very well done to the committee for their efforts. I am also a Director and the Chairman of the Board of the Coffs Harbour Racing Club. I have held the position Chairman for the past 13 years, and throughout that time our team at AJ Civil Projects have donated labour and machinery to help the club for particular projects they may need completed. How does the future look, and what new trends are you seeing in the civil construction industry? The Civil Construction industry seems to be travelling well
at the present moment, both around the state and on the Coffs Coast. The government is implementing some large infrastructure projects, probably headed by the current upgrade of the Pacific Highway along the North Coast. Some local contractors have benefited from the highway works, and others haven’t got involved. We spent three years on the Frederickton to Eungai upgrade, and have since decided to stay on the Coffs Coast to service the local government and private sector projects. I think the future looks good for Coffs Harbour, with some exciting projects in the pipeline! Some of the industry trends we are seeing include the
The Civil Construction industry seems to be travelling well at the present moment, both around the state and on the Coffs Coast. The government is implementing some large infrastructure projects, probably headed by the current upgrade of the Pacific Highway along the North Coast.
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There are many important factors to running a successful business. I think the first few years are critical. You need to set goals and targets, have a good budget, look after your clients and have experienced people around you to help and guide you.
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advance in technology through the likes of GPS guidance systems. Such a system features the project design pre-loaded into an excavator or hand-held device, then the GPS can guide the operator through a monitor and sensors to achieve the levels etc. for the project, which results in better efficiency, accuracy and quality of the project. Machines are being constantly updated with new technology to help with further efficiencies and safety in the industry. There are also new products to help with the administration side. We have recently implemented a product called Assigner, which is an industry-specialised programme that allows communication from the employees to the employers via their smart phone. The technology allows the employees to submit their time sheets, complete safety forms, pre-starts, holiday request forms and many other functions as they need, cutting down paperwork and administration time. It also allows the
employer to keep employees updated with the company’s progress or essential communications. What’s the secret to success in reaching your 20-year milestone in business? That’s a very good question! I can tell you there are plenty of highs and lows in running a business, especially over a 20-year period and through a few different (and at times difficult) economic climates. There are many important factors to running a successful business. I think the first few years are critical. You need to set goals and targets, have a good budget, look after your clients and have experienced people around you to help and guide you. And usually balance plays an important role (or should). If you are like me, then at the time of building a business you are also trying to support a young family, so finding a balance is a great asset and lesson to learn early on. Employees are a huge part of the success of your business.
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I am lucky to have a great crew, most of whom have been have always found to be the best approach. Repeat, loyal with me for many years. I believe you need to have a good customers are key to a successful business and when relationship with them, keep open you are able to build a professional communication, listen to their ideas relationship on trust, this goes a long and work needs and encourage way to delivering successful projects. them to be involved in the day to To be able to maintain a successful day operations of the business. If business you also need to have a good Repeat, loyal customers your team are engaged, everyone financial and administration team around are key to a successful benefits. Trust is another great asset you. I have a great relationship with my business and when you are able to build a professional and needs to work both ways with financial accountant, Shaun Marshall relationship on trust, this your employees; look after them, from the Strategic Business Group. goes a long way to delivering and they will look after you! Shaun has a wealth of knowledge successful projects. Clients are obviously a crucial part and experience in driving a successful of the business. You need to be business. I regularly meet with him about able to satisfy their needs and work the forward direction of the business, as to their budget. Communicating he is a great business mentor. regularly with them and keeping Bookkeeping and keeping up with them involved with the different stages of the project I industry and government legislative changes is also
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important, so I have recently engaged the team at Admintechniqs in Coffs Harbour to take care of all aspects with that side of the business. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my wife, Tanya, who has taught me the importance of a balanced life. It’s not hard to be successful when your life partner is as motivated and hard working as her. Tanya always encourages and supports me in whatever I need to do, including having a bit of down time at the pub! Plus my parents, Norma and Garry, have been a constant support for me over the years, whom I will always be forever grateful to. My last word on success, would be to always be prepared for the tough times and
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Coffs Harbour is also very accessible to anywhere, with a great airport and the highway upgrades making road transport easier, safer and better.
make the most of the good times. What do you enjoy most about living on the Coffs Coast? How could you not love living here? Having grown up at Nambucca, we used to love visiting the big smoke for special occasions. I can remember Mum and Dad would bring us up on the occasional Friday nights to the Star Motel for their famous smorgasbord, then there was Henny Penny and KFC etc. And when I was older, with my friends and the night clubs! In the following years, it was more about the local Rugby League competition; there
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a great rivalry between Nambucca and Coffs. I remember playing at Brelsford Park on many occasions, and it wasn’t very often that you left without a few bruises, but also just as many great memories. It was from these experiences that I was able to form many relationships with the Coffs Harbour locals. So, when the decision was made to move to Coffs, it made the transition a lot easier. I found Coffs to be a great place for my children, Sarah and Scott, to grow up. The schools are very good; there was plenty for them to do. Coffs was a great platform for them, and they are now pursuing successful careers away from Coffs. Coffs Harbour is also very accessible to anywhere, with a great airport and the highway upgrades making road transport easier, safer and better. I have now lived in Coffs for 16 years - and apparently that still doesn’t make me a local yet - but it is definitely home for me. Thanks Alan.
I remember playing at Brelsford Park on many occasions, and it wasn’t very often that you left without a few bruises, but also just as many great memories. It was from these experiences that I was able to form many relationships with the Coffs Harbour locals. So, when the decision was made to move to Coffs, it made the transition a lot easier.
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