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177 DECEMBER 2020
LIVE AT THE
SMOKEHOUSE
z SUV range. From the dynamic, s the Mercedes-Benz SUV range is e of models to choose from, there’ ery style. Whether you’re inspired telligence or the strength of confi
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sporty GLA to stronger than ’s one for every d by the strength fidence, your
100 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie 6583 8855 DL8071 www.mbportmacquarie.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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It’s been a crazy year, but at HEM, we have loved helping hundreds of people buy, sell and lease their Happy Ever More’s in 2020. We wish you all a happy Christmas in your new home and all the best for 2021! We also give thanks to our hero frontline workers that got us through the bushfires and Covid-19 disasters. We wouldn’t be here without you.
HERE ARE THE FAST FACTS FOR PORT MACQUARIE 2020:
1329 SOLD IN 2020
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$645K
$550K
MEDIAN 4 BED HOUSE
MEDIAN 3 BED HOUSE
$415K
206
236
MEDIAN UNIT
SOLD BY HEM
CURRENTLY FOR SALE
COULD 2021 BE PORT MACQUARIE’S BEST YEAR IN HISTORY? At HEM, we are preparing ourselves for what could be a record-breaking year ahead for the Port Macquarie property market. We all know it has been an incredibly tough year, but since the major lock-down restrictions were lifted, our resilient town has made a strong recovery, with local businesses and our property market booming right now. At HEM, we are selling homes faster and for record prices every month. As one of Australia’s most talked about towns, HEM are forecasting 2021 to be Port Macquarie’s best year in history!
HERE ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT WILL PUSH OUR MARKET IN 2021:
HIGHER BUYER DEMAND We are officially Australia’s most searched town on real estate websites
LOW SUPPLY With homes for sale down 56%, buyer competition will lead to faster sales & higher prices
LOW INTEREST RATES At 1.1%, it increases affordability & pushes investors to real estate for bank beating returns
CHANGING WORKING Working from home is the new norm and many are placing a higher emphasis on the home & moving accordingly
POPULATION MIGRATION The shift out of the metropolitan areas has seen many flocking to Port Macquarie
In this rapidly changing environment, at HEM, we are adapting to the conditions to make sure that you will get the best result in unpredictable times. So, if you are looking at buying, selling or renting in 2021, there is no place like HEM!
3/90 Horton Street, Port Macquarie 02 6583 2324 | hemproperty.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Your new Your new local branch in Your new local branchinin Portbranch Macquarie local Port Macquarie is now open Port Macquarie is now open When it comes to your health,
Our local services Our local care services • Personal Our local services • Personal care
Domestic care assistance ••Personal • Domestic assistance In-home nursing
• Domestic assistance
• Health services Health services • Gardening • Health services • Gardening Transport
• Gardening
In-home • Meals andnursing grocery shopping
Transport • Respite Care
• Meals grocery shopping Social and support
• Respite Care
• In-home nursing
• Transport
is wellbeing now open and independence, getting
• Meals and grocery shopping
At Australian Unity, we offer a broad help you get the most out of life. range of home care services that can help you get the most out of life.
2/28 Gore Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444 customercare@australianunity.com.au
When it comes to your health, the right support is everything. wellbeing and When it comes to independence, your health, getting the right support is everything. At Australian Unity, we offergetting a broad wellbeing and independence, range of home care services that can the right support is everything. At Australian Unity, we offer a broad help you get the most out of life. range of home care services that can
• Social support
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Compare your care. Contact us today. 1300 753 your 494 care. Contact us today. Compare customercare@australianunity.com.au Compare 1300 753 your 494 care. Contact us today. customercare@australianunity.com.au 1300 753 494 2/28 Gore Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444
2/28 Gore Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444
focus_team note
r t Welcome to the December issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.
H
uman Connection. If there was one thing 2020 has really brought into limelight it is Human Connection. From no hugs, and no handshakes, to full isolation with your own
household, or worse, alone – the basic human
COVID-19 is low and life has pretty much
on the Saturday is ‘Live at the Smokehouse’,
returned to normal.
being brought to you by the same great team
With Christmas now just around the corner,
that attracted BBQ brethren from around the
FaceTime, with friends and family. It is really
country to Town Green over the last 6 years.
a time to celebrate and take stock of the year that was and usher in 2021 as fast as we can.
need of being with other people, seeing
In this December 2020 edition we hope you
friends and loved ones was thrown into chaos
will enjoy what we have inside our pages –
earlier this year. Yet it came at a time when
there are plenty of festive ideas and great local
technology allowed us to stay ‘connected’
reading – enjoy!
virtually. But for some, it just doesn’t fill the
On the cover this month we feature
emotional and physical bucket the same way
legendary Australian Artist Ash Grunwald. Ash,
seeing someone in person does.
along with Brad Cox, will be performing on
There are stories of ZOOM-fatigue! It’s a lot more work on a conference call to try and pick
stage at one of the first of many new summer events that are coming to our town.
We are fortunate enough to live in a regional town where the risk of contracting
And if you don’t then have your fix of outdoor events after that then you should put 28th and 29th of December in your diary and head on out to Cassegrain Winery for the 15th annual ‘Oysters in the Vines’. All of these events are being conducted under strict COVID safety plans and prepurchased tickets are mandatory. Check out their websites for more information. From all of us at FOCUS Magazine, we
Kicking off on Friday 11th December, Sand
would like to sincerely thank all our advertisers,
Events bring us ‘Back in the Sun’. Featuring on
contributors, staff and friends for their support
the music line up are HOCKEY DAD, JAGUAR
in getting us back in circulation this year.
up body language and emotion and then there is endless screen staring!
that presented the Blues and BBQ Festival
we hope there will be a lot more face time, not
JONZE, WHARVES and SCUFFS. Following
focus GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. ADDRESS 4/74 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie POSTAL PO Box 690, Port Macquarie PHONE 02 6584 7433 WEB www.focusmag.com.au IG focus.mag E info@focusmag.com.au
contacts. MANAGING EDITOR Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au SALES MANAGER Louise Beaumont louise@focusmag.com.au ADVERTISING SALES Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR Claire Dunkley claire@focusmag.com.au SENIOR DESIGNER Dylan Gaul
Stay Safe and see you in 2021!
dylan@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Joseph Dable joey@focusmag.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au PHOTOGRAPHY Gavin Moroney gavin@focusmag.com.au CIRCULATIONS COORDINATOR Steve Foye steve@focusmag.com.au
Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Articles marked as ‘Interview or Contributor’ are non-sponsored content. Focus is published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2020 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved. FOCUS is printed by Australian Community Media Print & Logistics North Richmond. Our paper is FFC and PEFC certified and meets with ISO14001 accreditation.
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contents Issue 177 - December 2020 INTERVIEWS
74
JESS CLUCAS
Textile designer Jess Clucas’ unique handmade decor started as a humble side project, now exponential growth has her trying to keep up with demand!
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90
LOLA STYLES
This bright, bubbly, down to earth shredder has been hard at work becoming a better surfer. Now, she is competing all over NSW, and has big dreams on the horizon.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS 43. Nathan Tomkins - Cocktail of the Month
SELF SEEN
Inspired by their individual and collective desires to create change around mental health, these men and women are forging a new path forward for our community.
S P E C IA L F E AT U R E
47. Lou Perri - Palate Pleasures 86. Vanessa Lawrence - The Style Vibe Savvy 94. Shannon Lawrence - Healthful Wisdom 100. Kate Wood-Foye - Business Illuminate 103. Michael Mowle - Business Voice CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH
KATE WOOD-FOYE
104. Meet our Members - HBWN 110. Peta Pinson, Mayor - A Moment with the Mayor 124. Jess and Ash - Refresh with Sess and Sass
Every month you'll find the latest news, reviews and interviews from these locals.
tri ti t Follow us on
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www.facebook.com/PortMacquarieFocus
focusmag.com.au
PERCIVAL PROPERT Y INVITES YOU TO ENTER THE 3RD ANNUAL
Christmas LIGHTS COMPETITION
Celebrate the most magical time of year with Percival Property’s annual Christmas lights competition. As Port Macquarie shines bright, we want to find the bestdressed home! Do you think you or someone you know has the best Christmas lights in Port Macquarie? Here’s your chance to win $500 just in time for Christmas! To get all the details head to Percival Property on Facebook!
Win a
$500 P R E PA I D V I S A C A R D
C ATEGOR IE S
COMPETITION OPENS 1ST DECEMBER
each winner receives a $500 prepaid visa card
CLOSES 5PM 19TH DECEMBER
BEST DRESSED HOME
WINNER ANNOUNCED 20TH DECEMBER Competition judged by 2018 & 2019 winner Lance Dunn. Picture above, Dunn family home with their "Frozen" inspired light theme.
BEST DRESSED BUSINESS BEST DRESSED CHRISTMAS TREE
SALES 106 William Street, Port Macquarie Phone 02 6583 8606 I www.percival.com.au
DECEMBER 2020
5
What's
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La Vive studios HINDSIGHT 2020
Our final end of year concert is well underway and we can not wait to take this year out with the biggest BANG imaginable - with not just one show but two! Our junior show at 11AM and senior show at 3PM are the best of the best and we can’t wait to show you!
The CHRISTMAS Bell
It's that time of year again! Whilst Christmas may look a little different this year, it is still happening, but with a slight twist. With help from some of the region’s best performing artists and a big group of passionate locals, we look forward to bringing you a COVID-safe online virtual showcase event: The Christmas Bell - a Moment for Us All. Log online, visit this page and settle in with your loved ones at home for a virtual Christmas extravaganza.
Tickets @glasshousepmq 9am 30th of November. Mark your calendars, tell your family and friends! You won’t want to miss out When Saturday 19th December
When Saturday 5 December from 7pm - 8pm
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More info www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/ Community-Culture/Events/The-ChristmasBell-a-Moment-for-Us-All
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Foreshore MARKETS Back and ready for Christmas. A vibrant marketplace for local artists and artisans to showcase and market their talents in the Port Macquarie area. Unique handmade arts and crafts highlight the event with an eclectic mix of other stalls, from gourmet foods, locally grown produce, flowers, vintage clothing and handmade jewelry and clothing. When Saturday 12th December 2020 Where 18 Park Street, Port Macquarie
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LIVE at the SMOKEHOUSE Live at the Smokehouse goes over 4 hours and features Ash Grunwald and Brad Cox, with some of Australia's best pitmasters cooking 'low and slow' style barbecue, which is included in your ticket price. When 12th December Where Westport Park, Port Macquarie Ticketsliveatthesmokehouse.com.au
Laurieton RIVERWALK MARKETS One of the most popular markets on the coast is back in time for Christmas. The markets feature a mixture of stalls selling locally designed clothing, jewellery, homewares, art, fresh produce and plants. Our local stall holders have everything to make your Christmas shopping complete. So come and join us to shop and support local. When 20th December, 8am - 1pm Where Bruce Porter Reserve, Tunis Street, Laurieton, NSW
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Soulful blues singer Ash Grunwald is A NATURAL STORYTELLER AND THROUGH BOTH HIS MUSIC AND AND LYRICS, TAKES US ON A JOURNEY. His new Album 'Push The Blues Away' pays homage to where it all began.
H
ey Ash. You're back on road and stopping by Port Macquarie, giving the crowds an epic performance. How is the prep going for your tour?
The preparation is going really well, I’ve begun playing a couple Now I’m not of shows the past few suggesting we months and I feel like it’s all go and live like one of my best live shows the Amish however I yet. I’m performing solo do have exceptional but during lockdown I was faith in human’s My music has able to strip things back always had a blues and focus on my singing ability for resilience basis and been about and my guitar playing and our capacity for songwriting. It started trying to learn some new learning. out really bluesy and tricks and better some old then transitioned to ones. roots and I got caught Your music is soulful, up in the blues and roots scene of the early bluesy and bold. How has your sound noughties which was such an incredible time developed over time and who has for music, especially in Australia. Then I got influenced or inspired you over the years?
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into combining it with some electronic sounds, having some beat driven tracks and working on collaborations over the year. Then I moved into a much heavier rockier sound pairing up Scotty and Andy from The Living End, and then working with Nick D'Addaia on a psych rock record. Then into a very classic blues record for “Mojo“, and now the latest record “Push The Blues Away” with Josh Teskey is almost paying homage to my very first album
I got to know Josh from getting The
listening to each other's music. It made a lot of sense and I’m glad he found the time so Teskey Brothers to play on ‘AIN’T MY we could record the album over a week with Sam Teskey and it feels like such a special PROBLEM’ a single from my last album. record to both of us. Like many others, during restrictions, we had to get creative and come up with ways to keep ourselves entertained. You certainly did that with your Live From Lockdown performances. Reflecting on this time now, what did you achieve? Having to innovate with the Live From Lockdown gigs was one of the silver linings – you get forced into a situation and it was really cool to find a community to bring together during the lockdowns. There were a lot of other silver linings from the lockdowns such as learning to work more efficiently remotely, collaborating remotely. I’ve been able to begin recording and working on my next record during this lockdown period which I never thought would be Now I’m not possible. suggesting we You have your own podcast Soulful all go and live like Conversations, which sees you speaking with inspiring characters, getting honest the Amish however I and candid with them – can you tell us do have exceptional about some of your favourites? faith in human’s I think one of my favorites of all time was ability for resilience the first one I did – it was with John Butler. and our capacity for Like you say it was very candid and honest learning. and it really set the tone for Soulful Conversations. John is just such a master Now I’m not of so many things and suggesting we I think having him up all go and live like first allowed for me to the Amish however I orientate my approach do have exceptional for the entire podcast faith in human’s taking a more relaxed ability for resilience choose Josh for this – straight up blues. I’m always trying to do approach which allows and our capacity for collab? something that’s soulful. Some of my biggest for some deep soulful learning. I got to know Josh influences have been Son House, Muddy conversations. Another from getting The Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and highlight for me was Teskey Brothers to Buddy Guy. More recently I’ve been really being able to chat with play on “Ain’t My Problem“ a single from my getting into Chris Stapelton, hugely inspired Tom Carroll – we caught up with him during last album. Whilst we were filming the music by his songwriting and vocal prowess. a surf competition in Manly and he took the video for this track back in 2019 we started You’ve recently collaborated with Josh time to sit down and really open up about his jamming in the off takes. We instantly hit Teskey and just released your new album years of abuse and impart a lot of wisdom. it off and found we had a mutual love for “Push The Blues Away”. What made you >>> blues music, which makes a lot of sense from GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I know it changed my life talking to all of these people, interviewing them and really getting to know what makes them tick and their approach to life.
We aimed to tour coastal towns and work with local councils and initiatives to clear nearby beaches and riverways during the day.
As a natural storyteller, you released a book Surf by Day, Jam by Night last year, which combines your two passions – surfing and music. The book is quite inspiring, encouraging us to follow and chase what makes us happy. How did you find the process of book writing versus songwriting and how has the book been received? The book has been received so well, I’m loving hearing from people who say it has been helpful to them in their lives. There is no higher compliment than that to me! It was a really amazing thing and I know it changed my life talking to all of these people, interviewing them and really getting to know what makes them tick and their approach to life. I got the chance to go over to America and interview Steph Gilmore and Kelly Slater and it was a really amazing experience. It’s a LOT different to songwriting and can take a lot longer. Initially 20 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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the main subject was surfing and music, but as the book began to evolve and I had more and more conversations with these inspiring individuals at the top of their games, there was another subject which was life change. I feel like I’m now in the life that I was working on creating when I was working on that book. It’s so great to look back and see the life I was talking about aiming to create during that period. The environment is something you and your wife Danni are passionate about with your Clean up the Coast initiatives which take place while on tour – and now you have developed a side project, Earth Bottles. Tell us about the project and its aims. Earth Bottles was a project we started up to stop single use plastics that started seven years ago, when a lot more plastic bottles were used. In 2019 we started the Clean The Coast tours which paired with my shows. We aimed to tour
coastal towns and work with local councils and initiatives to clear nearby beaches and riverways during the day. In the 2019 “Clean The Coast Tour“ we removed a whopping 1700kg of rubbish, and 1170 volunteers and 18 partner groups participated. In 2019 we hosted our first Clean The Coast Tour, a collaboration between Earth Bottles, Ash Grunwald, Fair Food Forager and the Peloton Against Plastic. You are featured on the lineup for Bluesfest 2021. It’s such a huge festival with so many artists – who will you look forward to seeing? There’s so many amazing acts on this year of Australian Artists – obviously The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Tash Sultana, and there’s so many more!! Thanks Ash. T H E
P L U G
Live at the Smokehouse Westport Park, Port Macquarie 12 December 2020 Tickets at www.moshtix.com.au or tickets.oztix.com.au/
O sm ke p o r t m a c q ua r i e / W e s t p o r t pa r k
12th december 2020
houSe featuring
ASH GRUNWALD BRAD COX + more to come
udes ticket incl ! e u c e b bar
pitmasters
ANDREW donn PATTERSON ADAM ROBERTS ROBERT THRAVES
+BF
first release $105 second release $115 FINAL release
ported by proudly sup
bers limited num covid safe
d tickets very limite event covid safe
tickets at www.liveatthesmokehouse.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Hockey Dad have been living the dream the last few years, TOURING AND TRAVELLING THE WORLD OVER. NOW, WITH THEIR THIRD STUDIO ALBUM BRAIN CANDY, the boys are back, fully inspired and ready to play live for their fans once again.
H
ey Guys. You’re heading up the coast this month, stopping by Port for our Back In The Sun event which has everyone super excited. What’s been happening lately and how’s prep going? We’ve just been keeping busy at home rehearsing and writing new tunes! Super excited to come up and play in Port Mac again. We are so stoked with any opportunity to play live. You’re no strangers to a studio album with Brain Candy being your third. How did you find the writing and creative process this time around and did you focus on changing things up a little? This record we had a little more time in the writing and recording process. We hunkered down in a little house in Bathurst for a few weeks to go through all the songs we had written. Then spent three weeks in the studio in Seattle recording the album. It gave us a chance to experiment with different sounds and types of songs for Brain Candy! You can’t seem to put a foot wrong when 22 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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it comes to music. How’s the past couple of years been for you guys professionally? It’s been kind of a dream ride. We got to play music and travel the world with awesome people for a job. Doesn’t get much better really. Who’s been your main influence and inspiration over your music career? It’s hard to single out anyone in particular. When we were young we started playing with bands like Bad//Dreems and DZ Deathrays. Those fellas really took us under their wing and inspired us to really tackle the touring and band life! Unfortunately 2020 saw you cancelling overseas tours and changing dates for the Australian tour. You had to get creative both with your album release and to keep entertained. What’s your experience been like during this time and what positives will you take away? It’s been a very weird experience trying to release an album during this year. We definitely had to get creative when it came to ways we could promote the album and play the songs live. We hosted a live stream of a set on release
night where we played the whole album from start to finish. It felt great to at least be able to celebrate the release with some kind of gig for our fans. We also hosted some drive-in gigs at the end of October which gave us the chance to play to fans in person again. It was also such a crazy new experience for everybody involved. Those gigs were probably our highlight of 2020. You’ve now released tour dates for the 2021 Brain Candy Tour, which has already sold out in Sydney and Melbourne. It must feel good getting back into it and knowing the fans are out supporting you. Yeah we’re so thankful for everybody who has been patient and stuck with us throughout this year. So keen to get back around Oz next year and play to everybody again! Thanks guys. T H E
P L U G
FOTSUN presents BACK IN THE SUN Westport Park, Port Macquarie Friday, 11 December 2020 Tickets at www.moshtix.com.au or tickets.oztix.com.au/
2888 FOCUS AD PORT to print.pdf 1 24/11/2020 4:37:47 PM
Merry Christmas
Pat Conaghan Federal Member for Cowper This year has been tough, arguably one of the toughest since the last time our nation experienced a major health pandemic in 1919. And for our region, it has been even harder because of the preceding bushfires and drought. While there remains a monumental task ahead to recover, we are making progress with state borders reopening and signs this holiday season will be great for our tourism industry.
It's been a tough year and you have helped us through. Let’s raise a glass this Christmas to all of our frontline workers, first responders, amazing volunteers and businesses.
Indeed we are in a fortunate position compared to many other countries around the world. Our health experts are suggesting a COVID-19 vaccine, if safe and effective, should be available for roll out early next year. This year the true Australian spirit has shone through. We have been there for each other and made sacrifices for the greater good of the nation and I thank you all. On behalf of my wife Ilona and our boys, I wish you a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas.
patconaghan.com.au
pat.conaghan.mp@aph.gov.au
02 5507 9555
@PatConaghanCowper
Authorised by P. Conaghan MP, National Party of Australia, 39 Little Street, (PO Box 2056) Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450.
@PatConaghanNats
Safe events return this month and one of the region's favourites is scheduled for between Christmas and New Year – Phillippe Cassegrain fills us in with all the details about the 15th annual Oysters in the Vines.
OYSTERS in the
H
Vines
i Phillippe. It is great to see the event planning underway – can you tell us a little about the event’s history? Yes, it is great to be able to bring this great event back into the mix after a very difficult year for many! This will be the 15th annual Oysters in the Vines and it is great that we have the opportunity to continue to highlight the region as the premier location for growing Sydney Rock oysters. Over the years of holding this event we’ve been able to showcase our region in other ways too; with local food producers, artists, musicians, and local beer and cider being on show. As you can expect, we have also teamed up with some great partners to bring a large range of Masterclasses across the whole event, with options available for the whole family. With the Port Macquarie Hastings area being such a popular area for visitors this year in particular we couldn’t think of a better way
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The safety of
our guests and to show them why it is and tokens you can use the community is so great in this part of at any of the stalls you the world. wish. paramount, and with The event will be What can we expect this in mind we have held over 2 days, and to enjoy out at the changed the format 2 sessions. When is vineyard on these of the event to ensure it and how do the days? all can enjoy a great sessions work? You can expect a great time here. The safety of time out and about our guests and enjoying local musicians the community is playing on the stage, paramount, and with this in mind we have local food, local wine, local beer and of changed the format of the event to ensure course local oysters. We will also be running all can enjoy a great time here. The event fun, educational Masterclasses which include will be run over 2 days, and have 2 sessions but are not limited to wine pairings with per day. You simply buy a ticket for the oysters, seasonal produce, cheese and more. session you wish to attend and this will For more details jump onto our website and allow you to enjoy all the market stalls, food join our mailing list. and beverages whilst listening to great local Where can we buy tickets and find out musicians. Once the first session ends those more? guests will exit, and we will run a cleaning This is a limited ticket event and all tickets team through to set up for the next session. must be bought in advance. People can It is a ticketed event now. How much is it visit www.cassegrainwines.com.au for more and what does that include? information and links to secure their tickets. Tickets are $25 per person, and with this Tickets will be available online only. you’ll receive a premium picnic wine glass Thanks Phillippe.
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GA VIN MORONEY
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After reevaluating what was important & desired from life, Gavin Moroney along with his family moved to the scenic Mid North Coast to start anew. Little did he know that this move would lead down an artistic and creative path that was bursting to come forth.
A
fter picking up a camera seven years ago, Gavin is now one of the most innovative photographers that we are proud to call our own. Hey Gav. As our resident photographer here at FOCUS Mag can you please introduce yourself for those who don’t know you. I’m Gavin, I'm usually seen running around A lot of the work I town like a mad man was doing was taking photos of Port based around images, locals. and graphic design soon I'm also the led me into retouching. photographer over at That’s when I decided Coffs Coast FOCUS, to take the plunge and which is where my see if I could take journey with the mag photos myself. started. I live up that way career? with my family, where we I wish there was relocated from Sydney a great story about about 7 years ago. We love living on the Mid spending my life behind the lens, but to North Coast, and working with FOCUS has be honest I had no interest in photography been a great way to discover a lot more about whatsoever until a little over 7 years ago. I what’s on offer here. had grown up in Sydney all my life and spent You started out your working life as a 10 years of that on a shovel as a landscape landscaper in Sydney and wanted an gardener. The time comes when you have outlet to express more of your creative grand plans of having children and Sydney side. How did you transition from one didn’t feel like the place for doing that so my who enjoys taking photos in his spare wife and I with our first baby in tow packed time, to a fully fledged professional our bags and moved to Bellingen, a place
where we had spent a lot of time holidaying. I have always been a little arty and loved drawing since I was young, which led me into doing a little graphic design at nights during the time I was working as a landscaper. A lot of the work I was doing was based around images, and graphic design soon led me into retouching. That’s when I decided to take the plunge and see if I could take photos myself. I think the second I had a camera in hand, I was hooked. I spent the next years and many, many late nights living and breathing photography and studying at the college of Youtube. >>> GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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As a self taught photographer, how did you go about developing your skills over time and what would you say has been your biggest learning curve/challenge? In the beginning I developed my skills by ingesting a bunch of online lessons and putting them into practice. It was a great way to get the basic skills down and with so much online these days was a really easy way to get an understanding of photography. The biggest challenge for me was understanding colour and colour grading my images. I had never been very good at understanding colour theory and working out what colours worked within an image. I was able to overcome this by throwing myself in the deep end and found out you could 28 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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an image, or just to compliment the person or subject I'm photographing. Really as a photographer what I’m doing is capturing light and how it’s hitting a scene or subject… it’s everything. Your wife Daisy plays an important role in some of your work as a professional hair and makeup artist. There must be some advantages of working closely together in the creative space to come I can throw an up with new ideas and idea at her and concepts? know she’ll understand The cool thing about my vision, or I just get working with Daisy is that obviously we know each her to do her thing and other so well that we I know I'm going to get know what the other is quality work, so I can colour your lighting with capable of, even if they’re relax and just focus on photography gels. This doubting themselves, and shooting. led me down a rabbit so we can push each other hole of possibilities in a really positive way to with my work and by push the boundaries and constantly using bright vibrant colour I was able try something really creative or new. I can throw to get a good grasp on how colours work and an idea at her and know she’ll understand my harmonise with each other. vision, or I just get her to do her thing and I Tell us about how you use lighting to know I'm going to get quality work, so I can create the perfect shot. relax and just focus on shooting. Plus having I think of using lighting as being like a her around on shoots often means I've got an painter; with light being the paintbrush and extra set of hands I can call on to hold light the subject being the canvas. Depending on stands and props! the subject and brief (whether I’m using studio You've been commissioned to do portraits lighting or natural light), I can use lighting to of high profile celebrities and worked on create a mood, to highlight certain areas of
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Over the past few
some amazing projects. and TV personality years I have been What would be some Sabina Kelley, she is dividing my time of your favourites and one of those people between artistic beauty why? who is kind through work and commercial I have been very lucky to and through, and she’s photography, and I have spent time with and always open to creative always love being in the have worked with so many ideas. We once did a studio or at a location amazing people so far in fashion shoot in an where I can get really my career. One of the more abandoned train station into perfecting my memorable shoots was and she was such a lighting. with fellow photographer good sport about it! Big Tim Page. His stories about dresses and old broken shooting in times of war down buildings are not were really inspiring and showed me just how an easy mix! powerful great photography can be. Another As a professional photographer looking to would have to have been a beauty shoot I did expand your client base what sort of work with Sophie Monk; she was incredibly nice interests you most? and had a killer sense of humour. She had me I love working with people so portraits, in stitches the whole time, so it just ended commercial and beauty work are some of up being a really fun and relaxed shoot. I also my favourite things to work on. Over the always love shooting with American model past few years I have been dividing my time
between artistic beauty work and commercial photography, and I always love being in the studio or at a location where I can get really into perfecting my lighting. I have been really enjoying doing some headshots and promotional work for local businesses lately. It’s nice to get people who haven’t always been in front of the camera much and get them feeling relaxed and confident and happy with the final result. What advice would you share to anyone considering a career in photography? Get out and shoot! I think you learn the most by doing and experimenting with different styles. You don’t necessarily need the best gear to take amazing photos; that comes with a good eye and time. Remember it’s OK to make mistakes, because you learn so much from the mistakes, rather than the successes. Thanks Gav. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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What's on A T T H E GLASSHOUSE
The Glasshouse is open for business and we are delighted to be back delivering services to our community. So What’s On in December?
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Lot like Christmas Join us for a Morning Melodies show with two of Australia’s favourite musical theatre stars, Danielle Barnes and Scott Irwin will share many Christmas favourites, mixed with some of the greatest hits from classic musicals. Weapons for the Soldier A national tour of a ground-breaking exhibition of some of Australia’s most important indigenous and nonindigenous artists responding to themes of protecting country. Snowline to Sandune This exhibition is the culmination of an artistic process which began when a retired high school art teacher decided to give art lessons to adults in her home studio. Over the years students came
and many stayed on, eventually evolving into a group of friends painting together. Encounters Encounters is a wonderful celebration of nature and our incredible Australian landscape. With a shared passion for photography, the artists, Encounter nature differently. The Glasshouse is open every day except Christmas Day and the shop is overflowing with new stock arrivals. There is a huge selection of gifts, many of the products are designed and made in Australia including some unique pieces created by talented local artists. If you are expecting visitors over the Christmas holidays, call into the Visitor Information Centre and pick up some information about things to do and see in our beautiful region.
WHAT’S ON @GLASSHOUSE
Tickets from just $
A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING MELODIES
22.50!
Friday 11 December, 11am Get into the Christmas spirit with two of Australia’s favourite musical theatre stars Danielle Barnes and Scott Irwin.
take something special home today!
GLASSHOUSE 2020 MEMBERSHIPS have been extended until the end of 2021! Enjoy the many benefits of being a Member: discounted ticket prices, 20% Glasshouse Shop discount, 10% Encore Theatre Bar discount, no transaction fees and so much more!
LOCALS ONLY: SNOWLINES TO SANDUNES On View: 12 December 2020 - 21 February 2021
02 6581 8888
I glasshouse.org.au
Cnr Clarence & Hay Sts, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
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Rob Smith
Eve Baumgart
GLASSHOUSE REGIONAL GALLERY
On View: 5 December 2020- 28 February 2021
ENCOUNTERS: ROB SMITH & ROBYN MUSSETT On View: 12 December 2020 - 21 February 2021 Glasshouse Opening Hours Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm Sat, Sun & Public Hol’s 9am - 2pm Closed Christmas Day
Tony Albert and Vincent Namatjira, Australia’s Most Wanted Armed with a Paintbrush, 2018. A partnership project between the APY Art Centre Collective and Hazelhurst Arts Centre. Tour assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.
Regional Gallery Opening Hours Tue - Fri 10am - 4pm Sat, Sun 10am - 2pm Closed Mondays
Follow Glasshouse:
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Mercdes Benz PORT MACQUARIE
Jade Westbrook's experience and professionalism, and exciting new offerings from Mercedes Benz, combine to make customers' dreams come true.
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020 has certainly been a year that no one saw coming. If you had to describe the year so far, what would you say? I think everyone would comment this year has been crazy and unpredictable. For Mercedes-Benz, the market has been very strong all year which has been great for us getting a lot of new Mercedes on the road. The journey through this for our businesses has been a rollercoaster, what have you learned from 2020? This has been my first full year as sales manager after taking over in early 2019, and I would say I’ve learned the Mercedes way of doing things. Also, lots of planning and organisation skills with the difficulties we’ve experienced from COVID. Tell me a little more about your career – how long you've been with Miedecke
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Motors and what it is you enjoy the most is always around. They trust me to run about your daily role? Mercedes how I like and I think that has I’ve been with Miedecke Motor Group for helped achieved our great results in 2020. It’s around three years now. actually been a lot of fun. I moved from interstate Miedecke Motors had in February 2017 and a milestone this year, We have landed at another celebrating 40 years in ended up dealership to begin with. business. What are some having a Being from the city and standout trends you have massive year having been at a highseen over the years? and achieved performing dealership As mentioned I’ve only some all-time before, I found that been with the company records for the dealership to be run too for around three years. business in ‘relaxed’ for my liking and The business has definitely not up to how I perceived grown in the short period sales results. customer service should I’ve seen. George has now be. I decided to make a taken a Dealer Principal change not long after role, and I’m excited for the landed with George and Andrew. I love future and helping him grow the business working for the Miedeckes, being a family even further. business it has a good vibe and George With overseas holidays on hold, people
For a lot of
are out buying other A-Class Hatch, A-Class people it's luxuries. How have Sedan, B-Class, CLA, attaining a goal they you found the car GLA, GLB, GLE and have had their whole sales industry this GLS are all the start of lives. Being a part of year? their life cycles with that experience gives I don’t think anyone Mercedes’ all new me a real kick and could have predicted technology. makes me proud to what would have Previously, generally do what I do. happened when COVID the pinnacle of hit – whether we would Mercedes Benz – the sell cars, when we S-Class – got a lot would be able to work. We have ended up of the newest tech and then it would filter having a massive year and achieved some alldown the range. Mercedes in 2020 is about time records for the business in sales results. technology for the people, and as a result I’ve had a few people that normally travel the A-Class (our entry model) was the first overseas and have world cruises booked, to to get the new MBUX screens and operating be cancelled and treating themselves with a system. It has been a huge hit in our market, new Mercedes! I don’t think the brand has and people are a bit surprised when they find ever had a product line-up so strong, and out they start at only $50,000 drive away that helps too. Almost every vehicle in the with what feels like a car that should cost range is an award-winner. much more. Are there any exciting things coming on Why should people invest in a luxury the market that we should keep an eye brand car? out for? Mercedes Benz’s slogan is ‘The Best or We are in a very good spot with our brand Nothing’ and while you will pay a little more at the moment as we have had a lot of new for a luxury brand over a mainstream brand, release vehicles arrive in the last couple years, you definitely get all the engineering and
quality behind that investment. The value you can’t see is what makes a big difference. I’ve sold a few brands in my 13 year career and it’s a bit cheeky, but I always tell people that you don’t realise how nice it is to drive until you jump back into another brand and then start feeling all the things you miss from your Mercedes! There’s an indefinable feeling of quality and restraint in these cars, and for a lot of people it’s attaining a goal they have had their whole lives. Being a part of that experience gives me a real kick and makes me proud to do what I do. What advice do you have for those who are currently looking at purchasing a new car and considering a Mercedes? My advice with purchasing a new Mercedes is to try and plan ahead a little. To start with, these cars are built to such an exacting standard, and when we began to experience the sales boom recently vehicle stock became tighter across the whole network. At this point in time for example we have already sold a substantial amount of our 2021 stock, so we definitely recommend starting your purchase journey nice and early! Thanks Jade. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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eat DINING GUIDE
COVER DISH URBAN GRAIN BAKERY. HOUSE MADE DANISHES, AND SWEET TREATS
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le lab vai A ers uch Vo t Gif
Order your Christmas Gelato desserts today.
i tast s it smti s t
Available in Takeaway tubs.
rocky road • marshmellow fluff Pavalova • White Christmas • Black Forest new flavours coming each week
0491 060 099 www.bluecowgelato.com.au 1/72 Clarence St, Port Macquarie
1 Bay Street, Port Macquaire (02) 6580 2300 portmacquarie.panthers.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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URBAN GRAIN BAKERY We can’t believe Christmas is here already! This year we have a selection of Christmas products available including Christmas Cakes, Puddings (large and individual) and of course our delicious fruit mince tarts.
details please contact the bakery.
We will have some Christmas hampers available full of our own goodies as well as some great local products from The Other Chef - for
We don’t want you to miss out!
If you would like to wake up to our buttery croissants or a loaf of sourdough on Christmas Day, don’t forget to place your orders for Christmas Eve. Order forms are available in the bakery or we can email a copy out to you. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support.
H O L I DAY O P E N I N G H O U R S Christmas Eve 7am-1pm | Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day 8am-12pm | 28th-31st 7am-1.30pm Jan 1st closed | Jan 2 8am - 12pm | Jan 4 7am-1.30pm
Shop 17 Peachtree Walk Arcade Port Macquarie
0423545258
urbangrainbakery.com.au
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JAMES JACKSON WHALEBONE WHARF
JOINING THE TEAM at Whalebone Wharf is the newly appointed Restaurant Manager James Jackson.
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ames is a welcome addition to the professional front of house team with the famous restaurant, bringing with him enthusiasm for the hospitality industry which he has served in the for the last 30 years. James is a familiar face in the up market restaurant scene in Port Macquarie, having spent the last 7 years The Stunned Mullet. “I am excited about joining the Whalebone Team; it is a nice career transition for me and I look forward to working with owner Nathan Tomkins and the kitchen team headed by Executive Chef Peter Ridland,” said James. James’ passion for customer service and providing an exceptional dining experience for diners are at the forefront of his plans for the Restaurant. “The Whalebone Wharf has gone from strength to strength over the past few years; first with the extensive renovations which brought in a luxe Hamptons feel and the new menus that have been curated by Pete - I am really focused on my role to help mentor the front of house teams to bring the whole experience of dining to a whole new level,” James added. Bookings are essential through the summer, please book online your dining experience at whalebonewharf.com.au
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Social
GROUNDS BEAU MONTGOMERY
A passion for seasonal, fresh, local produce and great coffee inspires the Social Grounds crew to create exciting menus for their happy customers.
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ocial Grounds has definitely made a name for itself as one of Port’s favourite Cafes, why do you think this is? A lot of our success has to do with the culture our staff create. They are an amazing team who go above and beyond to make the customer’s experience the best it can be. They strive to consistently serve up the finest coffee in all the lands, plating up delicious meals and keeping the “vibe” on point. Can you tell us a bit about your chef? Head Chef Blayney Pilbeam grew up a local of Port Macquarie. His passion for food took him on a journey where he worked as a fine dining Chef in Canada for 3 years prior to returning to his hometown and joining the SG’s family. When Blayney isn’t ripping in the kitchen you will usually find him on the golf course. 38 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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When it comes to planning the menu, what is the inspiration behind the dishes? Our menu is always based around seasonal, fresh and local. Blayney and Kaz draw inspiration from years of experience and are always pushing the boundaries on your typical flavour profiles. Keep and eye on the specials board, this is where our chefs really showcase some amazing plates. Can you tell us a bit about the coffee? We use Gabriel coffee, a specialty coffee roaster located in Chatswood Sydney. Our house blend “Monte Carlo” is served on milk based coffees. Whilst we have a monthly rotating Single Origin bean for our espresso and long black drinkers. Each single origin bean brings with it a different flavour profile sure to excite all coffee lovers. What has been the best thing about running and owning Social Grounds? Three things; 1. Getting to know the awesome customers that come through our
doors every day 2. The amazing team we have at SG’s 3. Being able to offer something I truly believe in. Do you have a Facebook and Instagram page? You can keep up to date with us by searching for “Social Grounds” on both FB and Insta. With the busy holiday and Christmas period fast approaching what is the best way to make sure our readers can secure a spot for breakfast or lunch? We currently accept bookings for 4 or more people which can be made via contacting the café, Social Media or by dropping in to see us. We also accept walk-ins of any amount. Our entire menu is also available as takeaway and for those in a hurry you can contact us to preorder for pick up. Thanks Beau.
VEGAN HALOUMI Ingredients. 1 block of firm tofu 2 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 lime – zested 2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh mint Pinch of salt Vegetable oil Method. Slice tofu in approx. 10 slices. Cover with nutritional yeast, lime zest and salt. Cover with oil and add mint – marinate for 24hrs.
HALOUMI BY SOCIAL GROUNDS
VEGAN BEAN MIX Ingredients. 3kg tomatoes 1kg brown onions 6 cloves garlic 1 bunch thyme Cannellini beans ½ cup white wine vinegar 2 cups brown sugar Method. Roast tomatoes, onions, garlic and thyme until caramelised. Combine with remainder of ingredients in a large pot and simmer to reduce – approximately 1hour. Season with salt and pepper.
PICKLED RADISH Ingredients. 250ml white wine vinegar 1 tbsp coriander seeds 1 eschallot – sliced finely 1 bay leaf 2 tbsp caster sugar 1 bunch radish – sliced into very thin rounds Method. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, coriander seeds, eschalot, bay leaf and caster sugar, and bring to the boil. Remove from heat pour over sliced radish. Allow 24hrs to pickle.
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r m s
WITH JENELLE NOSWORTHY FROM MISS NELLIES
INGREDIENTS 250g natural Greek yoghurt** 100g packet mini marshmallows 310g tin mandarin slices Fresh summer fruit to serve Serves 6
METHOD Drain mandarin slices and cut each slice in half. In a bowl, fold together yoghurt, mandarin and mini marshmallows. Spoon evenly into serving glasses. Chill until ready to serve. Top with fresh strawberries, mango slices or your favourite summer fruit. ** Substitute with coconut yoghurt for a dairy free option. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Shaker r t
FESTIVE FEVER ( POMEGRANATE AND PINK GRAPEFRUIT )
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
60ml pomegranate juice 45ml fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice Sprig rosemary Pomegranate arils 30ml Four Pillars Gin 30ml Absolut grapefruit Aromatic Fever Tree tonic water Red sanding sugar Ice
Rim large glass with sanding sugar In shaker pour spirits, juice a few arils with ice and give a quick shake. Pour into rimmed glass and top with Aromatic Fever Tree tonic water Give a good stir with cocktail spoon Garnish with pomegranate arils and sprig of rosemary Merry Christmas From all the crew at The Whalebone Wharf Stay Safe
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Covid CONQUERERS
INTERVIEW SERIES
BREW
BOX
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i Kym. You are the proud owner of the gorgeous hidden gem, The Brew Box. Can you introduce yourself to our readers and the other businesses that come
under The Brew Box banner? I have been a part of the Port Macquarie
hospitality landscape for over 15 years and prior to that, I worked in the Hunter Valley, major Sydney hot spots and even internationally. It is great to be working in this new little project of love and to be building something special. We aren’t just running a group of cafés, we are building a community. We’re making new friends and bringing people together. All around one of Australia’s premier coffee brands, Pablo and 44 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Rusty, great food made from local produce and supporting local families, giving them a platform to sell their crafts and products and a supportive network of experienced businesspeople. The Brew Box is the centre of our businesses. It is a general store where you can buy a range of things, including locally produced gifts, handmade crafts and an indoor plant pantry. You can also grab a coffee or an amazing meal. The Coffee Lab @ Clifton is our newest project and is a great spot to grab a coffee, catering and a gift. The Brew Hub is our portable coffee machine, which we can take anywhere. We’ve used the Hub for community groups, sporting events and private functions. The Hub can be booked and set up at any event, complete with barista and
catering and all arranged through a chat with the friendly staff at the Brew Box. It’s a great way to bring the Brew Box experience to you. There are a few more venues and announcements coming soon, so pop in for a chat and follow us on social media. So far 2020 has been a year we will never forget. If you have to put it into a sentence for a story what would it say? In every challenge, lies opportunity, well that’s what Einstein would say. Although sometimes you don’t need an inspirational quote – you just need coffee, and that’s more our style at the Brew Box. We just get on with it. 2020 has been a year of challenges, which have required businesses to be inventive, to have confidence, courage, flexibility and to take risks. The Brew Crew are pretty brave and we care about what we do. We are committed to our community and wanted to make sure that we were available. We are definitely looking forward to the end of COVID chapter of the story, because we have lots of exciting new things to come in the future. What changes did you have to make in your business and what were the lasting effects for your customers – positive or negative?
focus_interview have a great chef, Ray Swift, join the team. Ray is an incredible local chef who has worked internationally and is back in Port, to satisfy tastebuds. Ray’s menu is a game changer for the local café scene and his dishes need to be seen and tasted to be believed. It’s incredible how much flavour Ray can pack into each dish. You did some pretty amazing things for other local business who were struggling, can you tell us about this? A big mission of the Brew Box is to showcase local craftspeople and to support local businesses. We have products hand crafted by high school kids, some senior members of our community and a few in between. We sell a range of gifts from earrings, greeting cards, chopping boards, serving There is always platters, pallet furniture something and indoor pot plants. All going on and there hand crafted and with a are always people story. keen to participate. We also look out We were still a new It’s a great feeling to for other cafés and business when COVID be able to host and businesses. I have a hit, as we only opened background in consulting in January of this year, bring people together and helping businesses to but we still made some over great food and grow, so it was a natural major changes. Mostly it experiences. It’s what fit to look out for others was about making sure community should in this tough time. This we could meet the needs look like. included long phone calls of our customers and be or coffee chats to talk compliant. It was tricky, through ideas or even but we innovated. The Brew Crew were amazing and I can’t thank them practical help like sharing supplies until stock enough. We opened for extended hours to make arrived. We do what we can because at the end of the day, the community is better off for it. sure locals had access to essentials, products, How did you manage the mental load food or even just a chat. We changed our menu and what kept you sane throughout the and our approach to packaging food, so people challenging few months? could grab and go and still get delicious treats. My Brew Crew family are the main reason I do We actually increased our trade through COVID, everything. So providing for my daughters is my which is something that we are really proud main motivation and they bring me so much joy. of. We were able to see what our customers Tamazyn is an incredible young businesswoman wanted and to find creative ways to deliver. who is learning all aspects of the business We even started home delivery and made sure and her little sister Namali is basically running we checked up on our local neighbourhood, a zoo, including our collection of big dogs especially the elderly in our area, to make sure who eat almost as much as her. Making sure everyone was ok. We have continued to grow all the extended Brew Crew family had ongoing year and to expand on the positive things were employment was critical. have been doing. We were also lucky enough to
We have an amazing Brew Crew who bring energy, passion and laughter to every day. They make coming to work and sharing the journey so much fun. We also have a great community that has come together around the Brew Box brand. The guys who live next door who are always popping over and keeping an eye on the place, our regular customers who support all our events, such as our live art shows or music sessions. There is always something going on and there are always people keen to participate. It’s a great feeling to be able to host and bring people together over great food and experiences. It’s what community should look like. The journey through this for our businesses has been a rollercoaster, but what about your personal lives? Any changes you’ll be sticking to over the rest of the year? Valuing the impact that we can all have on those around us is a big lesson we all appreciate at the Brew Box. We have been so inspired by the power of our local community and humbled by our role in bringing people together. We have also appreciated our health more than ever. We have a really strong connection with a range of local businesses who support health and fitness and we are also looking at ways to bring our products to their customers, so watch this space as we take those partnerships further. What does the future hold for your businesses? We are constantly trying new things and looking for the future. We have already expanded and set up a new café, and there are a few more opportunities on the horizon. We are keen to get the Brew Hub out and about in the community, so willing to partner with sporting organisations or community groups to make that happen. We are working with some great local businesses to expand our café options into their premises. We are also looking into some different opportunities to bring some fantastic dining experiences and to raise the bar of service in the Port Macquarie hospitality scene, so stay tuned for those announcements. How can locals support you and your business? Come on in, have a look at our gift range, enjoy a coffee and try something off the menu. There is so much more to discover than you would expect at the Brew Box. Thanks Kym. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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E L F F A R OY R E B M E C E D 2 1 Y A D R U T SA TH
0 0 0 , 3 $ S E Z I R P F O H T WO R
N O W E B TO OM 4PM R F N W A DR M 9AM | O R F E L IN L E TO W ON SA B E E L IG IB TICKETS D R AW TO N T AT T BE PRESE T S U M U * YO
H E T IM E
OF THE
4 OWEN ST PORT MACQUARIE | P 6583 1133 P O R T C I T Y. C O M . A U GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Palate PLEASURES it
LOU PERRI
FROM THE STUNNED MULLET
L E T ' S C E L E B R AT E
T
he silly season is once again upon us. Restrictions or no restrictions we once again feel the need to ramp up the ‘social gatherings’ (this phrase never to be thought of so innocently again as prior to 2020!) Now in any given ‘ordinary’ year, December gives us free rein to shirk our mundane responsibilities with careless abandon. Healthy eating regimes are tossed by the wayside and questionable practises such as day-drinking become not just acceptable, but possibly even a part of the average ‘working’ day. Calendars become filled with end of year events, barbeques and drinks with friends. It’s usually perceived as a frantic and frenetic time and often one that invites some kind of burnout... However... this year I predict is going to be different! It is more than a mere happy coincidence of timing that the easing of restrictions and the party season have somehow coincided. Now, I’m by no means advocating for careless abandon and recklessness... sure
there’s still a pandemic simmering away To enjoy the company of our friends and somewhere. family and to truly relish the time we have But, really the craziness, anxiety and with them, to just be able to enjoy being built up tension that has been 2020 in a with others – isolation be gone, you were nutshell must be released somehow. a novelty for a mere minute, but really Like the proverbial pressure cooker, we we’d much rather raise our glasses and really need to let off some steam. And toast in person than via a Zoom link. then some! We’re going to party If there’s any time hard, we’re going to be truly blissed We’re going to to celebrate not just out by the magic of party hard, Christmas, holidays and Christmas and shed we’re going to summer – but life itself. a tear over Auld Lang celebrate not just Good health, good Syne, it is over the Christmas, holidays times, being so very course of this month. and summer – but fortunate to be right Even the most life itself. Good here right now... diehard of Scrooges health, good times, So just sit back and and Grinches this being so very enjoy the ride, the party year may find fortunate to be right season has been injected themselves getting here right now. with an extra energy this all misty eyed over year. Silent Night, and It’s going to be a good boycotting their one, but take care to stay decade long traditions of refusing to see in safe and follow current guidelines. the New Year... Wishing you all a relaxing, yet For to be sure if there is one thing we have all learned over the course of this strange and difficult year, it is to enjoy the moment and to celebrate when we are able.
invigorating end to 2020. May you enjoy good company, food and wine, whilst avoiding a sore head tomorrow... In the meantime, Roll on 2021! GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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1/4 Chicken & 1/4 1/4 1/4 Chicken Chicken Chicken &&& Small Deli Salad Small Small Small Deli Deli Deli Salad Salad Salad
& lad rtown
8.95 8.95 8.95
$$$
Now available at Wauchope, Timbertown Now Now Now available available available atat Wauchope, at Wauchope, Wauchope, Timbertown Timbertown Timbertown and Sovereign Place IGA’s and and and Sovereign Sovereign Sovereign Place Place Place IGA’s IGA’s IGA’s
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Alistair FLOWER
FLOWER HOTELS
Flower Hotels recently added the Beechwood Hotel to its portfolio. We caught up with Alistair Flower to hear whats in store.
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ou recently bought the Additionally, as a family, we love heading Beechwood Hotel, talk out to Beechwood. We love taking the kids us through the purchase for a swim in the rapids at Koree Island then It was the worst kept popping up to the pub for a feed. It’s a great secret of 2020! We are outing and we want to see this grow. super excited about The locals would be keen to know, getting our hands on the Beechwood Pub. It’s what are you plans for the future at the the true definition of a country pub – which Beechwood Pub? we love about it and something we want to As I said, the previous owners did an maintain and grow as part of its brand. awesome job – I want to keep building what We were looking to purchase Beechwood they started. We have an amazing couple, back at the start of the year but when COVID Chris and Nicky, as the Publicans. Wholesome hit we put the acquisition on ice. We are down to earth good people who will entrench excited to finally get in themselves in the local and glad now we are community. able to run it. Kristy and Immediately, I’ll look They are very Richard the previous to put a few new toys loyal, proud owners did a wonderful in the kitchen and work and supportive of job bringing the pub on a new menu using each other and this back to life and we the great local produce resonates with how want to grow what they of the region. I see real we like to run pubs. started. The handover opportunity for a Sunday was seamless. It has Session venue and I will It’s the true meeting been a great start. look to use some of the place for locals. What attracted you back grassy area for to Beechwood? additional beer garden We like to think of and picnic tables. We ourselves as a “community” hotel group and want to add a huge playground there. We since purchasing the Hastings Hotel, which see it as a great tourist destination for people isn’t too far away in Wauchope, I’ve watched wanting a day trip for an amazing lunch the Beechwood community thrive with lots of experience. I also see some opportunity for great development out there. They are very the main public bar; I will add a TAB and a few loyal, proud and supportive of each other and more beers on tap and extend the wine menu. this resonates with how we like to run pubs. We will also get a courtesy bus and make It’s the true meeting place for locals. This is it more accessible for the locals. I love the something I’m very passionate about. Beechwood event strategy and look forward
to assisting with the annual Billy Cart race for next year. I want to run a Pub to Pub fun run from our Wauchope Pub to Beechwood and show off our amazing scenery out here. This will be a good start! We have one other idea which we are excited to unveil but for now we will simply say – watch this space. You must be busy with now six local venues in your Group. Talk us through your plans for 2021. Yes busy is an understatement add in four daughters at home, life’s a little crazy! We have a lot of exciting projects happening at the moment. We are in the final stages of a DA approval for the Lake Cathie Tavern which will see a nice little makeover which will include a new alfresco dining space and playground and a huge drive-through bottleshop. We hope to commence in Jan/Feb when everyone is back. The Hastings Hotel will be a complete start again job makeover with a new centralised bar and new toilet location so there can be a great connectivity in the internal space. It’s a tired pub so we are excited to give it a complete facelift. We hope to commence this by mid year. Our Little Shack café on the Town Green is now licensed and we will be building a brand new bar before Christmas. Finally, what is the secret ingredient in running good sustainable pubs? A genuine care for the local community, good old fashion hospitality with a smile, cold beer with clean lines and a quality hand crumbed schnitty on the menu. Checkmate! Thanks Alistair. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Brendan WOOLLAM
L A K E C AT H I E CO M M U N I T Y H U B Lake Cathie’s thriving and expanding township cannot be surpassed by its community spirit. Brendan Woollam coordinates the town’s Community Hub with an aim to connect members with programs that benefit the health and wellbeing of each individual and create social connectedness.
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i Brendan. Tell us about your association with Lake Cathie, your background, and how you've come to be the coordinator of the Lake Cathie Community Hub. I have always loved this part of the Mid North Coast of NSW and as a kid we would always holiday in the region. About 15 years ago I had family move to Lake Cathie, and after every time my wife and I would spend time in the area we would always say to each other “we should move here one day!” For us it simply ticked all the boxes for what we were looking for in a place to put our roots down and raise our kids. Great beaches and waterways for surfing and fishing, endless mountain bike trails up at Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park, great schools and university nearby, I could keep going on and on. What surprised us was the number of young families with the same idea! So about two years ago we began the process of relocating and exploring work opportunities in the area. My background is in Horticulture and Learning Support along with experience in community development. I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a range of volunteer humanitarian work in Indonesia, Serbia and Ghana working on various projects and developing microbusinesses.
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However my passion is community development has to offer will aid in the community’s recovery at a local level. When I saw the position in a number of ways. advertised with Hastings Neighbourhood Services There’s a number of new programs thanks for a Community Hub and Garden Coordinator I to the Healthy Towns initiative. What’s nearly jumped out of my skin! currently on the agenda and are there any Overall, what is the aim of the hub for the programs you’re looking to implement in Lake Cathie community? the future? The aim of The Lake Cathie Community Hub is Currently on a Tuesday morning we run the to activate the Community Hall so that members “Cathie Hub Gardeners” where our passionate of the Community gardens team have could come and access been busy designing a range of health and and constructing our The volunteers bring a wellbeing services and Community Garden. wealth of knowledge programs. My role is to On Wednesday and life experiences and coordinate programs, mornings we have a their willingness to be a activities, workshops “Seniors Stretch and part of something bigger as and events that serve Move” class where a team means we have an the key objectives we take a minibus to opportunity to create outlined in the North a range of different something quite unique. Coast Primary Health locations in the region Networks “Healthy and conduct an exercise Towns” initiative and session with an Exercise to refer members of the community to relevant Physiologist. community services in the region. Hastings On Thursdays we have “Cathie Hub Neighbourhood Services were successful Kids” playtime, for mums, dads, bubs and securing the Healthy Towns funding and I was preschoolers, where we run some games and employed into this role in October 2019. Since activities and play in the outdoor playground. then it has been a wild ride of fires, floods and We are also fortunate to have Port Macquarie COVID and I believe that the Hub and what it Hastings Council’s new Library Van visit
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The Community Garden will be an intergenerational space available to everyone. There’ll be a communal gathering/yarning circle area which will be used to host school groups, garden clubs and various educational/health and wellbeing workshops.
The Hub on a fortnightly basis providing the opportunity for parents, kids and the community to borrow books and hear a story or two. Fridays we run our “Food Connect” program from Laurieton United Services Club where we offer a food redistribution service in partnership with OzHarvest, Lakewood Woolworths and New Horizons. This is a great service that provides a win-win for the area. We are able to rescue good quality fruit, vegetables and meat, provide assistance to the community who appreciated a helping hand, plus provide volunteers an opportunity to serve the local community whilst building social connections and having fun along the way. All of these programs would not be possible if it wasn’t for the amazing teams of volunteers who are so generous with their time and talents. The volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge and life experience and their willingness to be a part of something bigger as a team, meaning we have an opportunity to create something quite unique at The Lake Cathie Community Hub and Garden. Looking to the future we are exploring ways to engage with the youth, and to continue to
address issues around physical and mental health and wellbeing, social connectedness and identifying and serving the needs of the Lake Cathie community. One of the most anticipated programs, the Community Garden, was launched in November with construction to begin in the coming months. Tell us about this. Based on the outcomes of the Healthy Towns consultations, it was evident that the community of Lake Cathie wished to have their very own Community Garden. The vision behind The Cathie Hub Garden, besides producing fresh organic produce, is to create an attractive, vibrant community garden that develops social connections through gardening groups, workshops and other social activities. The Community Garden will be an intergenerational space available to everyone providing disability access throughout. The masterplan consists of raised beds with automated, waterwise rainwater irrigation, composting and worm farm, sensory and bush tucker garden, native bees and a communal gathering/yarning circle area which will be used to host school groups, garden clubs and various educational/health
and wellbeing workshops. It will be a great facility for young and old to share and pass on skills and knowledge to the next generation. It is an honour and a privilege to be a part of its development and it is a joy to work with such an amazing group of volunteers to see it come to fruition. What do you love most about the community spirit of the town? I love that Lake Cathie is home to such a passionate, proud and protective community. During the bushfires of 2019, the community’s true colours were clearly on display. It was mind blowing to see how the community rallied together to support each other and our amazing local Rural Fire Service. The way that the community groups, local businesses and individuals supported our local RFS and the village as a whole, showed what is truly at the heart of the community. I also love that the area is home to such a range of people from retirees to young families, young professionals, small business owners, trades and services. Each contributing something unique to the area. Combine all of these attributes with the fact that we live nestled between pristine beaches and lush hinterland, it is simply a magic place to live. Thanks Brendan. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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n a h t Na PA D D I S O N
Nathan Paddison has found his way and was reborn through paint. Looking through the eyes of who he has become, he paints his present experiences while using the experiences of his troubled past, using colour and gestures to represent emotions. Words also play a big part in his journey, forming an abstraction but definitely with meaning beyond the way they are read.
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i Nathan. Tell us about yourself, and your background. I have been around a bit, I grew up in Sydney then moved to the Central Coast before
recently settling in Port Macquarie. You could
mate had paints laying around and painted a Viking with dots and it just spiralled from there. My art is all about my life, coming from a life of addiction
My art is all about my life, coming from a life of addiction and crime to finding myself through art and finally a way to express myself. Who am I? Who was I? Who will I become?
story and build their own connection to my work, before accepting mine. You utilise a unique process through your art. How would you best describe your
say I started painting by accident about three
and crime to finding
years ago, and haven’t put down a paintbrush
myself through art
since. Before becoming an artist I used to
and finally a way to
fight, boxing, Muay Thai and MMA, I was also
express myself. Who am I? Who was I?
– more towards urban/street art I guess and,
a personal trainer.
Who will I become?
of course, it’s contemporary. My biggest
What made you become an artist? I became an artist after becoming addicted to paint. I first started painting when my 56 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I paint subconsciously searching for these answers. I paint first, then I find the story of why. I ask my viewers to discover their own
artistic style? The artistic style I guess is hard to describe
influences would be Basquiat and Adam Cullen. I use many different media such as acrylics,
enamel, fabric, newspaper, marker and pastels. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own I have a strong individual style. I don’t belief in art, and know the result until it people and animals not just painting, so I shows me and comes to I’ve been around and express whatever life! the way I see them myself or the canvas I work fast and with a without their masks. asks of me, everything lot of energy, sometimes You were recently aggressively, sometimes is part of the story and involved in Artwalk playfully. Each work may my journey. I paint day 2020. Tell us about take a few attempts as and night religiously. your experience and it’s a build up of layers what you chose to that take a journey to tell exhibit. their own story and build After having the opportunity to exhibit my their own personality. Although the end result works at Sunset Gallery with Cherie Morton, shows barely any of the journeys, it gives the she sent me the link to get involved. painting its soul. I put together a few pieces including I have a strong belief in art, and not just painted sculptures and some paintings of a painting, so I express whatever myself or the koala and some Australian birds to display. I canvas asks of me, everything is part of the feel they would connect more with the area, story and my journey. I paint day and night especially the local koala trail. religiously. My works were on display at The Do you have a particular favourite subject Department Store on Short Street during that you enjoy painting? ArtWalk 2020. My favourite subject to paint would be Explain the idea behind your work people, doing portraits with upside down or "HughManEyesMe" sideways heads. I am very much influenced “HughManEyesMe” (meaning humanise by the life I’ve led, more so the souls of the me) aims to get the viewer to see a more
human side to the dog as I do with a lot of my animals. I try to show them with character and in human clothes to show they also have thoughts, feelings and emotions just like we do. Have you exhibited your works before? Yes, I have exhibited works several times with art prizes, group exhibitions and a solo exhibition. All this in my first year selling art. I am really lucky. Also, I have won one competition and been a finalist in Naked & Nude, Flourish, currently the Gosford Art Prize, the Valley Art Prize and Brick Lane Gallery Art Prize in London. Thanks Nathan. Check out Nathan’s works at nathanpaddison.com GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Christmas Gift Packs from L’occitane Shop now for your loved ones this Christmas Season.
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Dri @ North Haven We are the couple behind Drift @ North Haven, Kristina and Peter. Living locally we felt the area needed a shop with a point of difference. We wanted to create a space with a relaxed coastal feel where people can come and browse for that unique, special gift for themselves or others.
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range, large array of natural soy candles, linen clothing, homewares, gourmet confectionery, gifts for babies, living plants, pots, baskets, fresh flowers and custom hampers made to order. Find us on Facebook and Instagram where we welcome any enquiries.
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means more...
Christmas gifts, groceries and get togethers Brooklyn's Burger Bar Espresso All day dining from our internationally inspired menu. Specialty coffee. Craft beers. Wine. Spirits. Shakes and frappes.Â
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in Kristmas KENDALL T’was the night before Christmas and all round the shop Was decorated with tinsel from bottom to top Miss Nellies at Kendall’s transformed overnight A gingerbread house now stands tall and bright
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his year more than ever, we need amazing Christmas spirit and that's exactly what's coming from your beautiful little store here in Kendall. Tell us about your epic Santafication plans. Everyone has been affected by the events of 2020 in one way or another and Christmas spirit is understandably lacking – so Miss Nellie’s is bringing the fun and excitement back to 2020! It’s our way of saying thank you to both our loyal regulars and visitors who have showered us with so much love and support throughout COVID – our business is thriving because of them. When my sister and I sat down to plan our Christmas Cookie sets back in October, we had an idea... which became a “what if”... which became a plan... and in a few short weeks has been made into reality by key friends and family! Add some imagination, not to mention some late nights surrounded by spray paint, craft glue, stormwater pipe, electrical tape and sparkles! Now, our beloved cafe cottage is a life size gingerbread house! Whether you’re an adult, child or just a big kid at heart, the Christmas spirit is contagious! 62 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Add some imagination, not to mention some late nights surrounded by spray paint, craft glue, stormwater pipe, electrical tape and sparkles!
Your store will be stocked full of goodies that include delicious home baked Christmas treats, your 12 days of cookies, locally acquired condiments, gifts and more. What's on offer for those who desire a taste of a homemade Christmas? This year is a little different with social distancing in our small premises restricting our ability to offer large festive group celebrations – so we have adapted and are offering our exclusive Christmas High Tea service available on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays until 11th December. Bookings are essential and dates are booking out quickly so contact us on 6559 0085 for more information or to reserve your spot. Limit 8 people. For the fifth year we will be featuring our
12 Days of Christmas Cookies on our social media pages – this year we have decided to reveal the complete set of cookies from 1st December in store and online so no-one misses the opportunity to order before our cut-off date of 15th December. In addition, we will have a limited edition custom-decorated Christmas mudcake and home baked treats available for order. So if you would like a true taste of home baking, call in for a cake and a Holy Goat coffee and browse our gourmet gifts and goodies available for order. We stock The Other Chef Foods, Amber Drop Honey, Barbushco Bush Foods, Baba Lila Handmade Chocolates, World Par Tea, plus more and have loads of gingerbread goodies from Ali of Dough in Bows Gingerbread.
The staff at Miss Nellies are getting on board to help celebrate the will not be available during festive season. What Then the countdown this time. have they been up to? Miss Nellie and her elves to Christmas Eve and Our team are very will be devoting this time to excited and have already that excited feeling baking and bringing you their planned their Christmas of anticipation range of home baked festive aprons and outfits for putting out our pillow goodies, as well as gourmet the lead up to Christmas! slips/sacks ready for gifts and produce from other Rumour has it, Buddy the Christmas morning! local businesses. Elf has also been spotted Please STOP, SHOP and on the roof putting his remember, by SUPPORTING final touches on the LOCAL this Christmas, you are supporting decorations... keep an eye out for him! local families. My sister has also designed a colouring in There’s more Christmas shopping to be sheet for the kids – a beautiful drawing of our done and goodies to be found while Gingerbread House! This can be downloaded we're out this way. What more can we from our website and we’d love to see the find at the Kendall Craft Store? finished results! There are prizes to be won for The members of the Kendall Craft Co-op Best Colouring and Best Name for our giant have been very busy at work handcrafting 2.4m Gingerbread Man! beautiful gifts and ornaments – they are open My team have worked harder than ever this every day and are just around the corner from year and faced many challenges managing the Miss Nellie’s, so take the opportunity to visit COVID regulations and public reaction. We and support local families. want them to enjoy the Christmas season too. There's nothing better than Christmas This includes temporarily converting the Miss filled with loving memories and Nellie’s kitchen into a Christmas Bakeshop traditions. What do you personally love from Mon 14th to Thu 24th December. most about this time of year and what Coffee and cake will be available all day, are you most looking forward to this time however our Breakfast and Light Lunch menu
around? Christmas has always been my favourite time of year and filled with loving memories of time with my grandparents and family. The Summer evenings filled with the sound of cicadas, scent of fresh mango while putting up the tree, hanging lights, and listening to carols. Then the countdown to Christmas Eve and that excited feeling of anticipation putting out our pillow slips/sacks ready for Christmas morning! Even now, at 49, we still put our pillow slips out for Santa! I can’t wait to see the reaction on children’s (and adults’) faces and see all their photos, as we help create new memories for them that hopefully become an annual tradition – something positive to think of when reflecting on 2020. From our family to yours, we wish you a safe, happy and prosperous festive season and 2021. FIND US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS OF OUR 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES, CAKES AND OTHER GOODIES. COLOURING IN COMPETITION DETAILS CAN ALSO BE FOUND IN STORE OR ON OUR WEBSITE. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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LITTLE PAPER CO
After closing her photography business earlier in the year, Jo Jones started designing and making beautiful handmade earrings as a creative outlet. The support from friends and the local community was so overwhelming that she quickly found herself trying to keep up with demand.
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i Jo. You create bright and colourful polymer clay and resin earrings right here in town, but first, please introduce yourself and share your connection to
Port Macquarie. I have called Port Macquarie my home town since I was 14. I moved to Newcastle in my 20s, then my husband Luke and I moved back to Port to start a family in 2011. We now have two beautiful kids, Liam (nine) and Zoe (three). For the last eight years I was a successful wedding and family photographer, but with the pandemic putting a halt on events and with two small children I decided to close my photography business to have weekends back with my family. After taking a break from your professional career, you let your inner creative take over and journeyed into a new business. Why polymer clay earrings? I started making polymer clay earrings in March this year when we were in lockdown. I wasn't able to photograph clients, so I needed a new creative outlet. I wanted to make my friends and family some bright and beautiful earrings as gifts. Something to brighten their day during such a challenging time. There is something about wearing bright coloured earrings, they make you feel good and lift your mood. I added my earrings to my website and they
I wanted to started selling immediately. and Port Douglas. Over the last eight I am also incredibly make my friends months, my following blessed to be surrounded and family some along with the Little paper by such a beautiful bright and beautiful co community has grown. bunch of friends and earrings to gift them. Tell about your current family. From the start Something to brighten designs and the process they have supported my their day during such of creating them. small business whether a challenging time. I draw inspiration for by shopping on my my designs from current website, or helping me fashion trends and colour pack orders when the palettes. My designs are contemporary, bright orders are coming in thick and fast. and feminine. I love creating new designs with polymer I hand make all of my polymer clay earrings. I clay and resin. I have so many ideas and new mix clays to create my own colours to add to the collections releasing soon. I also love the uniqueness of my earrings. Sometimes I’ll add connections I have made since starting Little textures and other mediums like paints to my paper co. I have a few collaborations with other designs. The clay earrings are cured in the oven small businesses coming up. This year, more than and then they are ready to be sanded and the ever, people are really making an effort to shop earring backings glued on. small and shop local as much as they can and it's How has the business grown since those really heart warming. early days and what do you enjoy most How can locals get in touch and purchase about your tactile job? some of your goodies or even grab a I am overwhelmed and incredibly gratefulful voucher for Christmas? for the local support I have received in such a You can head to my website to purchase Little short amount of time. I have a strong, regular paper co handmade earrings. I also offer free customer base locally and Australia wide. delivery in Port Macquarie. I also now have a number of businesses that www.littlepaperco.com.au I wholesale to including Sea Acres Rainforest Instagram @littlepaper.co Centre, Botanic Merchant, a number of online facebook @little paper co stores, and bricks and mortar stores in Forster Thanks Jo. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Christmas 2020 at
SETTLEMENT CITY Christmas 2020 at Se lement City: A BIT DIFFERENT BUT THE SAME MAGIC and joy
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ith Christmas less than three weeks away, Settlement City recently announced their festive experiences for 2020 to help locals plan their shopping and visit to see Santa and his helpers. The Centre is reimagining Christmas this year and offering a range of exciting and innovative COVID-safe experiences including: • Socially distanced photos with Santa, Sensitive Santa and Pet Photography. • Online live video chat with Santa that will be recorded for posterity, with all profits going to the local Salvation Army. • Immerse your senses in Christmas – listen to carols play in the background, feast your eyes on our Christmas decorations, taste the dishes on offer at our food court and cafes. “It’s been a strange year and we know people are really looking forward to Christmas. We’re excited to be bringing back all the magic and joy of the season and spending time with Santa and the elves, but in a COVID-safe way,” said Centre Manager, Brett Varcoe. A COVID-safe Christmas We are delighted to welcome Santa back to Settlement City this Christmas. We’ve been busy planning with Santa and his elves to 70 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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bring you a safe and magical experience with Santa. With the health and wellbeing of customers and centre staff the Centre’s top priority, Santa photos will be a little different this Christmas. Photos with Santa will be by online bookings only and we’ll have strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place. Santa’s Winter Wonderland is located in front of The Reject Shop at the canal entrance. To help keep everyone COVID-safe this Christmas, Settlement City will be: • Making sure we comply with our COVIDsafe risk management plan and government regulations. • Increasing the frequency of cleaning customer touch points with hospital grade disinfectant. • Employing additional security and cleaning staff as needed to support customers and stores. • Actively monitoring social distancing. • Managing and limiting queues outside of popular stores. • Displaying health and hygiene reminders throughout the centre. • Providing hand sanitiser stations through the centre. • Working closely with our stores to help keep them COVID-safe.
Christmas 2020 shopping tips “We’re expecting to see customers adapt their shopping behaviours this Christmas and we’re encouraging people to start their shopping early and plan their visit to the Centre. This way, we can ensure everyone has a joyous and safe Christmas.” Our Christmas shopping tips for customers: • Get your shopping in early and make the most of the sales season. • Have a shopping list ready and plan your trip ahead. Visit our website for updated opening hours. • Make the most our extended opening hours and shop outside of peak periods such as early in the morning, late afternoon or evening. • We ask that if you do have to queue, please be kind and patient to retail staff and your fellow customers. • You can phone your favourite stores ahead to check they have the item you want in stock. • You might be able to pre-order the items you want and many stores now offer click and collect. • Please follow our COVID-safe guidelines at all times when you’re in the Centre. For more information on the Centre’s Christmas festivities, check the Centre website www.settlementcity.com and Facebook page.
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This package brings an instant sense of calm! Your loved one will relax in our private room with a soothing foot soak to begin. Skin will be left glowing with a customised relaxation facial and the ultimate pamper for the feet with a beautifying Pedicure.
Revitalised and relaxed is how your loved one will feel after this beautiful package. Tension will be relieved with a Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, skin replenished with a Hydration Facial and stress relieved with a spine-tingling scalp massage.
A treat for the body this package is sure to have your loved one feeling relaxed. Beginning with a warm foot soak followed by hydration body massage and to complete a spine-tingling scalp massage.
We have a large range of value-added spa packages available to view on our website or select from our exclusive Christmas Packages.
Phone (02) 6584 2255 Web portdayspa.com.au Hay Street, Port Macquarie (Rydges Complex) GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Jess Clucas LITTLE PEACH + PIP
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Port Macquarie is home to textile designer Jess Clucas, who creates beautiful unique handmade cushions and decor. What started as a humble side project steadily grew over the years, but nothing could have prepared her for the last six months. Exponential growth and expansion now has her trying to keep up with demand. We caught u with ess to find out about her journey.
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i Jess. You're a long time off in the world of textiles as a side hustle, local of our beautiful slowly growing your business in between region, having grown up children. Take us back to when this all in Wauchope and lived in started. Port now for many years. I taught myself how to sew after having my Please introduce yourself first child. I used my Mum’s 40-year-old sewing and your family to our machine and whipped readers. up a little lavender pillow My creations Hello! I’m Jess, Port for my babe. I would started simple Macquarie local, owner spend hours upon hours and evolved over time and creator of Little teaching myself, and into intricate cloth dolls Peach + Pip and a mum slowly I became better to three incredible kids, and more confident as and delicate embroidered Archy 10, Frankie 9 and the years went by. My cushions. Everything was Audrey 3. My husband creations started simple handmade from scratch, Tim and I feel incredibly and evolved over time I came up with all of my blessed to raise our kids into intricate cloth dolls own designs and used in such an amazing town and delicate embroidered my own patterns. and we are so lucky to cushions. Everything was have such a wonderful handmade from scratch, support network with I came up with all of my most of our family also residing in the area! own designs and used my own patterns. >>> As a young mother of three, you started GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Tim was
At the time I was selling supposed to fly third baby into the mix. at markets and also had out to a new job in Mt It was a wonderful a Facebook page and Isa after just finishing break and with Tim only eventually a website, another contract and two taking a short period of then came Instagram. My days before fly out day, time off before having creations were so popular the borders were closed, to go back to the FIFO and at times I couldn’t the mine site was shut role it was a really good keep up with the demand! down and there was no decision. It was nice I had two little ones by this job to go to. to stop and look back stage and with my husband at how much growth away with FIFO work, the there had been in the juggle was real. I had to business which is hard to see when you’re in get creative about the best way forward with my the thick of it. After 12 months, I slowly started small business and decided to get into the world to design again and dusted off the sewing of digital design. Instead of hand embroidering machine. I then hired a nanny for a few days a my cushions I would draw the design in an week to look after Audrey who would also help app on my phone, using my finger and have it me cut fabrics and sew when she was sleeping. printed onto beautiful fabrics instead! It was Once again things picked up and so did the less physically demanding and time consuming workload and not having enough hours in the doing it this way but as my products got more day, so we made the decision to put Audrey into and more popular it was again truly hard to family daycare. I also hired a wonderful local keep up! seamstress to help with all the sewing. Things With other responsibilities holding your were going really well, we were in a good attention, you put the business on the back routine with Tim’s roster, and I was starting to burner to focus on motherhood, but earlier really kick some goals with Little Peach with the this year things changed. Tell us what help of outsourcing some of my work. happened? Then COVID hit. Tim was supposed to fly Yes, fast forward a few more years to where out to a new job in Mt Isa after just finishing I took some time off when we welcomed our 76 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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another contract and two days before fly out day, the borders were closed, the mine site was shut down and there was no job to go to. The first few weeks were hard. We were stressed and I spent many days curled up in bed with this weird sense of overwhelm and confusion. There was such a sense of panic and uncertainty, not just for our family but the world. There were many unknowns but what I did know was I had a great little online business with a heap of potential and that I now had fulltime help at home! With your husband now at home, you had time to focus energy on your own passions. This led to your online business exploding and new opportunities coming your way! Tell us about this. Throughout the years of trying to keep this business afloat the one key thing that was missing was time! With Tim now being at home more to help with the kids that meant I could work longer hours and put in the energy that this little business deserved. I worked really hard, put in huge hours, updated my website, introduced new cushions, products and art prints and, while doing all of that, I outgrew the space I was working in.
I would never have imagined having my own work space but during the COVID wave so many things changed, people were shopping online more than ever and I was the busiest I’d ever been! I was parked in the industrial area one day and saw a commercial lease sign so I thought I’d have a scroll on my phone and see what was out there. I came across this empty space that had so much potential and rang the agent straight away. We looked at the property that day and I knew this is where Little Peach + Pip HQ would be – a few weeks later I was handed the keys! Can you take us through your current process of textile design? All of my designs are still done digitally, but I have upgraded from my finger and iPhone to an iPad and Apple Pencil! I draw my artworks, they then get sent to my textile team in Sydney and they print it onto beautiful linen fabrics, it then comes back to me for the final design touches before getting sent over to my amazing, hard working seamstress. What designs and collections are you currently inspired by and focusing on and
I am humbled
what's on offer at the great businesses from by the beautiful new shop? wallpaper, textile feedback I receive, I I have been creating design, clothing and take pride in my work a lot of mermaid/ocean more. and it really means so inspired pieces lately, I am humbled by the lots of beautiful colour beautiful feedback I much to me to have my combinations, palm receive, I take pride in creations far and wide trees, surfboard and shell my work and it really all over the world! artwork and cushions! means so much to me They have been super to have my creations popular. far and wide all over My new shop is home to all of my artworks, the world! I still pinch myself! a selection of cushions, baby swaddles, wall Where can we find your products and decals, oil blends and more! what's next for Little Peach + Pip? You have 50,000 followers on Instagram I have so much that I want to do with Little and there's some pretty big name Peach + Pip. Next year I will be increasing designers and stylists amongst them my wholesale range, offering new products who are supporting your small business. and hopefully expanding into bedding, What's the feedback been like and are homewares and more! you looking at collaborating with others? You can find everything I have to offer on I am so grateful to be surrounded by my online store, a limited selection in my such an incredibly, supportive Instagram shop and I have some wonderful stockists community – there are so many amazing, throughout Australia and New Zealand. You hard working and truly inspiring people on can also shop via Instagram and Facebook. that platform. Facebook @Littlepeachandpip I have had the absolute pleasure of Instagram littlepeachandpip working and collaborating with so many Thanks Jess. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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www.hellokoalas.com
sCulPtUre tRaiL
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www.hellokoalas.com/festival
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PORT MACQUARIE PORT MACQUARIE AUSTRALIAN FOROVER OVER6060 YEARS. AUSTRALIANFAMILY FAMILY OWNED OWNED FOR YEARS.
AUSTRALI PORT MACQUARIE | 158 Lake Road 9781 3141
PORT MACQUARIE | 158 Lake Road 9781 3141
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Lola STYLES
This bright, bubbly and down to earth shredder has been hard at work over the past 12 months, dedicating her time to becoming a better surfer. Now, Lola Styles is competing in comps all over NSW, has big dreams on the horizon, and is looking to become a powerful female surfer which will see her surfing the world, one wave at a time.
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i Lola. That salty blonde hair of yours is familiar on the beaches of Port Macquarie, but for those that don't know you, please introduce
yourself. Hi, I'm Lola Styles. I am 10 years old and I go to Hastings Public School. I was born here in Port Macquarie and I think we live in paradise! After starting out at the age of seven, 80 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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you've steadily been developing your skills and gaining confidence over the past couple of years. When did it go from a fun after school activity, to a sport you put all your time and energy into? My dad pushed me onto my first wave when I was seven while we were camping at Crescent Head. I rode the wave all the way to the shore and that wave pretty much changed my whole life! I couldn't get enough! The next month I joined the Mid North Coast Girls Surfriders
Club and started taking lessons after school with Wayne Hudson (Huddo) and Port Macquarie Surf School. I knew I wanted to take surfing a bit more seriously when I started to do well in my club competitions and started catching my own waves. You're certainly dedicated and committed to your sport. What type of training is involved? I try to surf as often as I can! I am coached by Huddo and get one-on-one sessions with
My dad pushed me onto my first wave when I was seven. I rode the wave all the way to the shore and that wave pretty much changed my whole life!
him every fortnight. It's so good for my surfing because he is so encouraging and sometimes he videos me and then we can break down different parts of my waves. I've just attended two different surf camps – one was run by the amazing Martin Dunn! Martin has coached many CT (Championship Tour) surfers like Layne Beachley, Sally Fitzgibbons and Julian Wilson! Martin told me I reminded him a little bit of Layne Beachley when he was coaching her when she was 12 years old! Pretty stoked with that!
Last year I attended the Surfing NSW HPC (High Performance Centre) in Cabarita, NSW. The facilities there were amazing and I learned so much! I hope to go back there in 2021. Besides surfing, I swim laps once a week to help my paddle strength and fitness and if the surf is bad I train on my Smoothstar skateboard. Recently you've upped the ante and signed up for comps around NSW. How's that experience been and what are you most proud of about yourself and your achievements? My dream is to surf professionally and travel the world doing it, so competing around NSW has given me a taste of that! In the past 12 months I've competed in Kiama, Lennox Head, Forster, Newcastle and Coffs Harbour and in 2021 I'll even be travelling to a big event on the Gold Coast! The experience has been awesome! I'm surfing different beaches, breaks and waves which helps improve my surfing and my confidence. I'll be working hard to make the finals in my 2021 competitions, but I'm so
proud of myself for setting goals for each comp and achieving them. Part of surf competition besides catching waves is learning how to use priority, wave selection and learning how to surf in a timed heat – all things that were new to me this year, but the more I compete, the more I learn, which I love! I'm always learning! Locally I'm most proud of being the current Mid North Coast Girls Surfriders Club 'Rookie of the Year' and their 2019 Beginner Girls Champion. I think one of my favourite competitions was when I placed in the finals of the U16 short board division at the Mid North Coast Girls Classic in 2019. I was nine years old at the time and I didn't think I had a chance, but I placed first in my heat and progressed to the finals against some amazing girls! Who is your inspiration in the surfing world? My surfing idols are Tyler Wright (love how powerful her surfing is), Stephanie Gilmore (the queen of barrels!) and Bethany Hamilton (she never gives up!). Locally I'm inspired by the Enfield sisters, Chelsea Green and Evie Conway. These are all girls who shred and I love surfing with them and getting tips! Ollie Hudson is an amazing local surfer and he always has my back out in the line up and at competitions we travel to. What are your dreams for the future? Ultimately I want to become a professional surfer, but on my way there I'd love to become a state champion for NSW! I'm also dreaming about getting my first tube, my first air and powerful turns that spray everyone! I'll be working hard and having fun achieving those dreams for sure! I also hope one day in the future I can be a local ambassador for my favourite surf shop Saltwater Wine! If you'd like to see my progress, you can follow me on Instagram at @swellola Thanks Lola. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I had my own unanswered questions that were causing extreme stress and anxiety. How will this be treated? Will I need chemotherapy or radiation therapy? Am I going to die?
Jeff M A RT I N
At just 50 years old, Jeff Martin has lived through an experience he will never forget. In 2020, he was diagnosed with a Squamous Cell Carcinoma which saw his life turn upside down. Throughout the journey, Jeff was cared for by some of the best medical teams in Australia and, as we move in 2021, Jeff looks forward to bringing in the New Year surrounded by family and friends.
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i Jeff. You're a long time local of the beautiful Coffs Coast region. Please introduce and share a little bit about yourself to our readers. I moved to Coffs when I was 14 after my Dad retired from the Royal Australian Navy. I went to high school here at Orara High before going to University in Lismore to become a Registered Nurse. I have nursed at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst and worked in the Cardiothoracic Ward looking after post-operative heart surgery patients, heart and lung transplants, as well as in their Intensive Care Unit. I’ve also worked in
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Coffs Base Hospital in Intensive Care and left in 2005 to work for the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. I turned 50 last year, have two daughters, Jera (25) and Hunter (22). I live with my partner Cindi and my Staffy called Cooper. I surf almost every day for around 2-3 hours before work and sometimes longer on my days off. I love to travel and surf in Indonesia, where I usually stay for 1-2 months escaping winter here. 2020 has certainly been a huge year for you – you were diagnosed and treated for a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Take us back to those early days, your diagnosis and your referral to the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse,
specifically, A/Prof Carsten Palme who specialises in head and neck cancers. 2020 has been a huge year for me and my family. It started earlier last year when an ulcer developed under my tongue that just would not heal. I saw my GP who tried antibiotics before sending me to see a local Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. He did a biopsy which came back as an Autoimmune Disease called Oral Lichen Planus. This disease can affect 1% of the population, and 1% of cases can turn into cancer. The ulcer was removed by the surgeon in Coffs, and I thought that was the end of it but, three months later, it returned. The specialist tried a number of medications, but nothing worked. Eventually, I was given another referral to see an Oral Medicine Specialist in Sydney (Dr Sue-Ching Yeoh) at the start of this year. By now the lesion was almost 2cm round and very painful. This specialist took a biopsy in her surgery and told me that the ulcer looked extremely sinister. The following day she advised me that the lesion was in fact a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I had readied myself for bad news but, once it comes, you realise you can never be ready. Dr Yeoh told me she was well connected with the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a world class cancer treatment centre and fully operational cancer hospital in Sydney. Dr Yeoh passed my details onto Associate Professor Carsten Palme, and I received a call from Carsten’s secretary (Shandelle) within a few hours and they had organised organised for me to see A/Prof Palme in Sydney the next Monday. Before the appointment I had CT scans, X-rays and blood work taken to make sure the
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CHRIS O'BRIEN
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cancer hadn’t spread. Really stressful days and nights followed; I had to tell my 2 daughters the bad news (this was probably harder than receiving the cancer diagnosis), let my parents, brother, sister and work know. Every question I was asked I didn’t know the answer to. I had my own unanswered questions that were causing extreme stress and anxiety. How will this be treated? Will I need chemotherapy or radiation therapy? Am I going to die? We travelled down to Sydney the day before the appointment. To say the least, it was a sleepless night. Walking into the hospital the next morning, it didn't really look like a hospital at all with its modern architecture and design. I knew this was the right place to be for my treatment. Associate Professor Carsten Palme is a highly specialised Otolaryngology Head and Neck (ENT) Surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in his field. A/Prof Palme showed me into his office, had a general get-to-know-you chat which put me at ease, and he looked me in the eye and said “I’m going to fix you.” They were the exact five words I needed to hear. The cancer
I had a lot of pain in the first few days, but it slowly eased. As the days progressed, the nurses started to remove some of the drains and tubes, telling me with each one they removed I was getting better.
seemed to be localised to my tongue, and there didn’t seem to be any lymph node involvement. The procedure I was to have is called a Partial Glossectomy (the removal of part of my tongue) with a reconstruction using a piece of muscle and skin from my hip, plus all the lymph nodes removed from the left side of my neck. Hard news to take, but the best news at the same time. Dr Palme immediately put me at ease. He was my type of guy with his mannerisms, the way he spoke and his professionalism. It was like talking with an old friend. I was booked in to have my surgery and the next seven days of waiting were pretty tough, but I kept reminding myself I was going to the best cancer hospital in the country, and I was going to be treated by the best doctor for this type of surgery in Australia, possibly the world. Tongue cancer is quite rare, however it is something that surgeons and doctors are
seeing more of, even in younger people. What was involved in your surgery and recovery? The surgery took seven hours. I woke up post op with tubes and drains in my neck and hip. I had intravenous fluids and a tube in my nose. A sight to behold! A/Prof Palme told me the surgery went well and I would be spending the next five days in Intensive Care. I had a lot of pain in the first few days, but it slowly eased. As the days progressed, the nurses started to remove some of the drains and tubes, telling me with each one they removed I was getting better. By day four I could feel myself getting better by the hour, and on day five I was transferred to the ward with the only thing really stressing me being the pathology report. It would let us know if the cancer had been completely removed, and whether it had spread to my lymph nodes. >>> GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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It was hard for an amphibian like myself to be out of the water for so long, and being back in the ocean with Brad hustling for waves and getting barrelled was the perfect therapy I needed to finalise my recovery.
By day seven, I finally had some real food to eat. It was around this time that Carsten came and told me I could take my feeding tube out as I was eating well enough. When Carsten left, I went into the bathroom and started taking out my own feeding tube. Nurses will be nurses! It was halfway out when I could hear Carsten call out to me. I went back out into my room and he looked at me and said “What are you doing?” I said “Getting rid of this tube.” He’d meant for his nursing staff to do it! I just couldn’t wait. Then those magic words: “The pathology just came back, we got all the cancer and the lymph nodes are clear.” That was it – Associate Professor Carsten Palme was now at Super Hero status. I was laughing, crying and cheering with a bloody tube hanging halfway out of my nose! I’ll remember that moment forever. Three days later and I was back home eating pureed food and soup while the graft on my tongue healed. I spent a fair bit of time on the couch, went for slow walks but I just had to be patient and recover. As a registered nurse, you understand that patient care is integral to one’s journey. Tell us how the expertise, and support of the whole medical team at Chris O’Brien helped you through this difficult time. 84 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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I am a Registered Nurse, and believe me, it is rare to come across a surgeon with a personality like Carsten. As I said before, I have been an Intensive Care Nurse, but I'd never been an Intensive Care patient. The care I received was second to none. Every nurse, physio, speech pathologist, dietician and doctor were absolutely marvellous. So caring, professional, and helpful. All of these professionals looking after me were reassuring and empathetic. Once a month, A/Prof Palme offers our community members access to high quality medical care and consultations right here at the Focus Medical Centre in Port Macquarie, meaning people can be seen and treated locally. From your personal experience, what positive benefits does this offer? The fact that a world class ENT Specialist and Surgeon can be seen so close to home is a game changer. This provides the most outstanding opportunity for people in this region to be examined, assessed and attend follow-ups locally. As far as my follow-up appointments go, I can see A/Prof Palme in Port Macquarie with the trip to Port from Coffs only taking two hours, so I can attend my appointment and get back home within five hours.
Travelling to Sydney was a three-day mission and very expensive as we had to arrange accommodation as well. Putting a really horrific year behind you, what are you most grateful for and what are you looking forward to? Around two months after my surgery I began surfing with my brother again and what a feeling that was. It was hard for an amphibian like myself to be out of the water for so long, and being back in the ocean with Brad hustling for waves and getting barrelled was the perfect therapy I needed to finalise my recovery. Knowing my kids have a healthy dad is really important for me. My mum always says “Family is everything” and she is 100% right. I’m so lucky that I didn’t leave an empty seat at the table and I plan on staying around for a long time yet. The five-year survival rate for my type and stage of cancer is 70-80%. I intend to beat these odds. I believe when you are challenged, your chances of winning are directly related to how fast and hard you turn around and fight back. I love winning and will win this game of life. I have great backup and support from my family and friends, and I have my Super Hero A/Prof Carsten Palme in my corner too. How can my team and I not be victorious?
A coastal lifestyle. Closer than you think.
Beautifully designed homes. First-class facilities. Stunning coastal locations. It’s all closer than you may realise. Now’s the time to discover the best in over-50’s living with our newest lifestyle community, Forster Lakes. As the culmination of over 40 years’ expertise, the resort features a range of facilities that will help you make every day a pleasure—including two luxurious country clubs, a private marina precinct and nine stunning home designs.
Get in touch to learn more. Freecall 1800 577 542 Email salesforster@palmlake.com.au | Visit forsterlakes.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Vibe S AV V Y VANESSA LAWRENCE
FROM THE STYLE VIBE
Hey December, I am so glad you are here!
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or many of us I think December has a few different feels this year – the tail end of a bad nightmare, the last leg – with an extreme focus to get to the end of 2020, a time to reflect on what and who is truly important in our lives and the fact that we are pretty bloody amazing human beings who have pivoted our way through one of the most challenging years yet! For my last column for 2020 I’d like to share how to get through the five most popular (and sometimes most stressful days) along with tips on what to wear to look and feel your best! Christmas shopping: Get in early! Due to COVID, stock levels are lower than normal and deliveries are taking longer. Shop now – shop local! Make a gift list and write down the retailer’s name next to the item along with your budget for each pressie. Group retailers into three sections – town, Settlement City or online. Choose a day (Sundays are my favourite) and stick to your budget. My hot tip for the perfect Chrissy shopping outfit? ACTIVEWEAR! You just cannot beat it. Comfy shoes, hair up and go! Christmas Day: Who doesn’t love a great Chrissy day outfit! This may sound silly but start thinking about it now. Have a play in your wardrobe trying on a few different looks checking to see if they are clean, fit well and
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you feel comfortable and pretty in it. If not, use your style to reflect that. use this time to purchase yourself something Are you hippy at heart? Well grab your fav nice! lacy bell bottoms and top and rock it! I love a good white outfit on Christmas Never wear colour? Why not purchase a Day, although I have to confess in recent years dress in a colour you love! Don’t forget to add my cousin Becky, daughter Jazi and I have earrings, shoes and lipstick to match! been coordinating Perhaps you are our outfits with each going for a super chilled other! Why? Well why vibe? Wear comfortable It doesn’t matter not! It's Christmas day, natural fabrics, try where you are we all love fashion, all unique handmade going or what your like to look nice and jewellery, leather sandals age is, dress to be we always feel extra and top it off with a your most authentic special too! stylish felt hat. self, dig deep into Boxing Day: There Or if you want to feel who you are and is only one word to sexy, throw on a simple describe the perfect black bodycon dress, use your style to boxing day outfit – slick or tousled hair, reflect that. comfortable!!! Your fav glitzy statement earrings, denim shorts, oversized bold red lip and killer tees, linen jumpsuits, heels! dresses, cozzies, anything that will help you If anything in this column has caused you hide the fact you just ate and drank for 12 severe heart palpitations, please feel free hours straight hitting every item on the food to reach out. Being time poor can cause pyramid! you to blow the budget, get stressed, feel NYE: This year more than ever, go all out! unorganised and a long way from looking Be unapologetically you! After the year we stylish but you don’t have to go it alone – I have had, this is your time to shine! Nothing can help you! is too much. Whatever you are doing this Christmas, my It doesn’t matter where you are going wish for you is to be happy and safe. or what your age is, dress to be your most Sending love and positive vibes for truly authentic self, dig deep into who you are and wonderful 2021!
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and training. You may be eligible for the program if you’re: • 17 years or older • living in public, community or Aboriginal housing • receiving a Rent Choice Subsidy • or if you’re an approved social housing applicant on the NSW Housing Register. Our teams on the Mid North Coast in Coffs Harbour, Bowraville, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree are excited to meet you! Call us on 1800 931 108 or email opportunitypathways@ wesleymission.org.au to get in touch.
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NEWPORT PORT MACQUARIE
Newport Port Macquarie – A warm and welcoming community awaits
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et more from life. Spread across 20 lush acres in Port Macquarie, Newport is the ultimate in over 55’s lifestyle living. With a welcoming community, first-rate facilities, a range of activities and nature on
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your doorstep, life at Newport gives you more. This friendly community offers you an opportunity to balance relaxation and adventure. Start the day catching up with friends in the gym, or perfecting your stroke in the pool. If a slower
pace is what you need, the makes it easy to explore the local community library and games Sea Acres National Park, or access room are fully stocked for your shops, clubs, cafes and medical enjoyment. If you’re looking for facilities. more adventure, take an outing Discover a dynamic new on the community bus, or grab lifestyle for over 55s in Newport, a friend and head to the pristine Port Macquarie beaches and national parks Ideally located close by. • Port After dinner, Macquarie Base The midunwind with Hospital north coast a movie in the • Westside also makes it easy community Medical Centre to explore the local centre. • Port Central Sea Acres National Newport is the Shopping Centre Park, or access perfect place Natural surrounds to call home. • Hastings shops, clubs, cafes With 17 River and medical beaches and • Sea Acres facilities. the Hastings National Park River in Connectivity Port Macquarie, you’ll enjoy • Port Macquarie Airport adventures and fresh air by the • Oxley Highway water. The mid-north coast also • Pacific Highway / A1
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Inspired by their individual and collective desires to create change around the stigma of mental health, these men and women are forging a new path forward for our community. Self Seen is helping people take down walls brick by brick, uncovering self worth and authenticity. Cofounder and President Eli Ihaia shares more…
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i Eli. Self Seen is a community-based group aiming to change the way the community and individuals show up for mental health. Tell me more about Self Seen and the drive behind starting? SELF SEEN actually is an acronym. It stands for Self Empowered Love Framework Secures Every Essential Need. I have to give credit where it's due, and a good friend of mine James Marshall and I came up with the acronym one morning at work. I was speaking into creating a space for men who were struggling with mental health and life in general. I told him the name, and we brainstormed for a bit and came up with the acronym. It means exactly that; you have the power to learn and empower yourself to change anything you want. You are whole and complete. When we really understand this, it empowers us to know that we have greatness inside us. You have the keys, Self Seen provides the door in which to walk through. It was from this lived life experience with my long battle with addiction, depression and 90 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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reliving the same patterns that I had to find my and the community. Our collective experience way back to self. It has been the hardest journey is extensive and ranges from psychology, to travel and still I don’t get it right. I knew how mental health and wellbeing promotion, social much disconnect and stigma there is around work, social science and welfare, business, mental health, especially in men, and how we entrepreneurship, strategy and growth, working have grown up thinking with youth, DV work, we can’t share, and we breathwork, to president We know we need to just “suck it of the Aboriginal up”. I thought if I had Education Consultative have each someone who actually group. We have lived life other’s back and can knew the struggles that experience in trauma, rely on each other. I was going through, addiction and depression, It’s a culture I’ve and had them as a guide loss of loved ones to always dreamed and encouragement, my suicide and bipolar type about being a part of. struggles would have 2. What makes this It’s a culture that we been a lot easier to bear. team effective is our want to share. Through connection understanding and ability we can walk together, to connect to those who empowering each are experiencing mental other… this is essentially how Self Seen was health and living through hard times. Kristie thought up and started. Daley, Dimity Chippendale, Aloka Canziani Tell us about the individuals behind the and Julie Jamieson head our amazing team of team, what experience they each bring and women who lead and empower through the how this creates the culture of the group. women’s power and release workshops, and We have a team of 10, a collective of men community connection walks. Ben Cudmore, and women with lived life experience, having Greg Smith, Luke Anderson, Ryan Shields the passion to create change for mental health and Ollie Brooks head up the men’s space.
This collective’s extensive Creating new experience creates a culture friends who where we feel safe to show our authentic selves. lean upon each other We know we have each in their hard times is other’s back and can rely comforting and on each other. It’s a culture rewarding. It has I’ve always dreamed about changed my life. being a part of. It's a culture that we want to share. Each time we choose to work on ourselves, and open up to being connected communities throughout the whole vulnerable, we are taking ownership of country. Then the whole world. how we choose to show up in our own life Next year sees a few workshops and events and that takes courage. Why is this work so on the calendar for you already. Tell us important? more about the Power & Release workshop It takes brutal honesty to look at how we in January and the other events that you are showing up in our own lives. We all try to have happening around town? portray a life that society deems acceptable. The Power & Release workshop is the catalyst This work is about building self-worth, to accept for change in your personal life. Understanding ourselves wholly and completely. We only need that your past doesn’t define who you are. We to look at the statistics about mental health and release stories and meanings in your life that suicide to realise we need change. How do we no longer serve the best version of who you change the way a community, a generation, a could be. We take you through vulnerability, and country, a society shows up for mental health? connection circles. We start the healing process We have to start with ourselves first, then of emotional trauma in your life. This is at the through connection we can show up to make very base of who you are and why you are stuck lasting change for future generations. Building in addiction and destructive cycles. We write
forgiveness letters not only forgiving others that have wronged us but also and more importantly ourselves. The whole workshop is centred around breath. We share definitions of mindset and understanding from lived experience. We walk every Sunday. To catch the sunrise, but more importantly to connect with the community. The men and women walk separately. Women meet at Coast café at Lighthouse Beach. The men meet at the southern end of Shelly Beach car park. It’s a casual walk for anyone to show up to. It's about creating connections, creating new friendships. Empowering ourselves through others. Giving back and serving others while sharing some pretty real and meaningful experiences must feel great. What do you GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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We are extremely excited to be bringing our first annual community mental health awareness fundraiser to be able to keep giving back to our community. enjoy the most about your role? It’s a privilege to hold space for others. For me to see individuals show up to workshops unsure and feeling down and broken, to then see them leave stronger within themselves, feeling empowered to create lasting change in their own lives, seeing them release trauma and transform is something that gives me so much empowerment, joy and gratitude. Creating new friends who lean upon each other, in their hard times is comforting and rewarding. It has changed my life. Self Seen has had some great successes so far and has done some really amazing things for our community. What's next for Self Seen? We are excited for the new year. We have a personal accountability program 92 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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kicking off on 1st January. Called E.A.S.I (Extreme Accountability Self Integrity) helping you step into your most empowered self through self-discipline and integrity. We are currently building out an advanced workshop that will be held over three days, helping individuals step outside of their comfort zones and build resilience. We have the women’s Power & Release workshops kicking off in February. Led by our amazing team of women who want to create change and empower the women of this community. We are extremely excited to be bringing our first annual community mental health awareness fundraiser to be able to keep giving back to our community. The event will be a walk throughout
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the whole community, Leaving from Port centre to Laurieton, out to Wauchope and all our little communities in between and back to Port. This will be completed over 2-3 days and we are currently working out logistics. The community can either register as individuals or a team and have options to complete different legs of the walk or go the whole distance. This is open for local business and sports teams to enter teams as well. All money raised will be going back into our community to continue the important work we are doing. Our focus is building a connected community, and we will develop and implement more as we move forward in this space. For any that would like to reach out and find out more, how can they do so? Currently the website is under construction. But it has the links to all social media platforms. www.selfseen.com.au Also my email is Eli@selfseen.com.au Thanks Eli.
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Healthful it
WISDOM
SHANNON LAWRENCE
SUMMER IS HERE. AVOID SUNBURN. If you have fair skin like mine you know that sunburn can occur in less than 15 minutes – or in the time it takes to hang out the washing! Let’s look at what sunburn is and what to do if sunburn occurs.
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hat is sunburn? Sunburn is a radiation burn to our skin. It can occur on cloudy days and even if we aren't directly exposed to the sun such as when we are near reflective surfaces like snow, concrete or sand. UVA and UVB radiation both reach the Earth, but our skin responds differently. Our skin doesn't have to burn to have sun damage. Tanning is also a sign of UV damage. A tan does not prevent against getting sunburned! UVA radiation penetrates deeper into our skin layers and damages new skin cells that are forming. This can lead to dry and wrinkled skin, also sunburn and skin cancer. UVB radiation affects the skin's surface layer, causing skin cancers and sunburn. It also causes tanning, burning and aging. Sunburn usually appears within minutes to hours of the burn occurring, and can continue to change colour for up to three days. Redness, heat, itching, swelling and blistering can occur. Other ways to avoid sunburn The old slip, slop, slap now adds seek and slide. That’s slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a 94 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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hat, seek shade and slide on some sunglasses. Staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day is best. These times vary depending on where you are in the world. Sunburn treatment Drink water as sun exposure can dehydrate. Cool compresses and cool showers/baths can help (no soap as this may irritate). Spray-on pure aloe vera is great for soothing sunburned skin (especially if you keep it in the fridge to make it cold) and it helps with healing. If there are blisters avoid popping them. Hydrocolloid dressings available from the pharmacy are great for healing burns. Keep sunburned skin out of the sun until it has healed and then for a time after. Nothing will stop skin from peeling if it is going to peel. Apply moisturiser to the skin if this happens to help with itching. Don’t rip peeling skin off, but let it come off on its own. If severe sunburn has occurred, or if a baby or child is involved, seek medical advice. Exposure to UV radiation causes permanent skin damage and may cause skin cancer which can be deadly.
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Fortem str i
Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families in our community. We chat with Megan Blandford to find out how they help these most worthy volunteers and emergency service workers.
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i Megan, Tell us more about what Fortem Australia do… Every day, more than 300,000 first responders around Australia keep our communities safe. They are backed up by their families: partners, children and parents. All of them hold vital and challenging roles, and they need support. That’s what we’re here for. We help emergency services families to be well, and stay well, through what we call mental fitness. Just like physical fitness takes some commitment and practise, being mentally fit requires regular workouts too. Our activities help with these ‘workouts’, through exercise, learning new skills, giving back, mindfulness and connecting with other people. Our programs are a great way for first responders to look after themselves, and for families to feel included and supported. How is Fortem helping local first responders? We run a number of wellbeing activities that help families connect with each other and meet other first responder families, as well as try out new hobbies and learn new skills. A lot of our Port Macquarie activities are in person, and we also hold regular virtual activities and forums. It’s been a really challenging year, starting with the bushfires that a lot of emergency
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together, and are a way to meet others who services families are still recovering from. Then, of course, the pandemic hit, which threw life have been going through similar challenges. into even more chaos. We want first responders One local first responder described the activities to know that they haven’t been forgotten amid as “A chance to relax, completely get my mind all of this. We’re here in Port Macquarie, ready off anything and everything, and recharge my to help first responder families through the batteries” after a hectic summer. challenges they’ve faced through it all. We keep things as easy as possible: all first The first responders and family members who responder families have to do is register online, attend our activities come along for different and then show up – the rest is done by us! reasons. Some want to share a new experience Can readers help in any with their family, some way? are finding life pretty Spread the word to any We’ve run surfing challenging, others are fi rst responder families programs, craft well and want to stay you know! Let them know classes, family days on that way. Some are just that they’re welcome to the beach and at the zoo, curious and want to register on our website for workout sessions and know who we are and any of our local activities. group walks, whale what we’re doing. All of (There are more details watching – and we’re them are welcome. on the website about Tell us about some of planning more great who we support, so they the local activities. things around the region, can double check they’re Our local activities particularly as COVID eligible before registering.) coordinator organises restrictions ease. How do people find out a whole lot of fun more information? activities for first Check out our website responder families in Port Macquarie. We’ve at www.fortemaustralia.org.au for details on all run surfing programs, craft classes, family days our activities, events and support services. on the beach and at the zoo, workout sessions And don’t forget to find us as Fortem and group walks, whale watching – and we’re Australia on social media, and follow us for planning more great things around the region, information about the work we’re doing. particularly as COVID restrictions ease. These activities have given families time Thank you Megan.
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Erika G L E E S O N A U T I S M
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Erika Gleeson dreams to create a world where there are no barriers to participation for those with ASD. Erika’s team of behaviour specialists and occupational therapists at Autism Swim educate others and provide support for wandering and drowning prevention and certify organisations to become Autism Swim Approved Providers. Focus caught up with Erika to find out more.
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i Erika. Autism Swim is a multi-disciplinary organisation founded by yourself back in 2016. Tell us a little bit about the organisation and why you began. Autism Swim is an international team of experts, who specialise in wandering and drowning prevention for those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other abilities. Back in 2015, I stumbled across the drowning statistics for those with ASD. At the time, I was consulting around Australia as a Senior Behaviour Specialist for those with ASD and/ or Intellectual Disability. It immediately became apparent to me that all of my clients needed to engage in aquatic services. Unfortunately, none of the local services were prepared to take my clients on, due to their needs. So I began providing support to aquatic services pro bono, simply out of desperation. I had no idea at the time how big the issue was, that I was the only Specialist offering these services, and I certainly had no intention of starting a business on the side. Accidentally (as most good things are) Autism Swim was born. I started as a one-man-show and four years later, Autism Swim is now operating in 15 countries. Can you share some of those statistics around children with ASD and drowning?
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Gavin Little Photography
Children with Autism who are under 14 years of age, are 160 times more likely to drown than their peers*. Over 50% of those with ASD wander*. What that means is that they leave the safety of the caregiver that they're with. It’s a behaviour which is also really common in those with dementia. Over the last six months in particular, people seem to be a little more aware of what wandering is, because there's been some instances that have actually hit the headlines in Australia. The reality is this happens every single day in our world. * You can visit our annual report here to find out more and cite references: https://autismswim.com.au/wp-content/ uploads/2019/02/AS-Annual-report-Final-digitalreduced.pdf How did you manage to implement the organisation's huge growth and expansion, and what new concepts have your team been working towards? We've really been able to leverage technology as a vehicle for growth and expansion, which is why we’re operating in 15 countries. So that means that we have Autism Swim Approved Providers in all of those countries. We offer a range of other services as well, and there are some really exciting things in the pipeline. Next year, we'll be launching a surfing
certification. This means that surfing teachers all over the world can become Autism Swim Approved. Our Dippers program, which is a modified Nippers and surf awareness program, is expanding at a rapid rate. This year it will be in Port Macquarie for the first time ever, which I'm absolutely thrilled about. We also have a free water safety app, which is the first and only one of its kind in the world, for those with ASD and other abilities. This was launched last year as a pilot. And at the moment, it’s going through some large-scale enhancements. What organisations and individuals are you specifically aiming to educate regarding wandering and drowning prevention, and what process do they go through to become certified? Predominantly parents, educators and service providers, however it’s important to note that wandering can happen anywhere and, as a result, the community has a significant role to play. Essentially, everyone needs to switch on to the notion of wandering, understanding what it is, why it happens and what they can do. More recently, I have begun consulting with the NSW Police Search and Rescue Team on revamping their whole wandering prevention and response processes, one component of
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Gavin Little Photography
which involves training first responders. That’s something that I'm incredibly passionate about. We work with swimming teachers, aquatic therapists and, as I mentioned, soon to be surfing teachers. One of the main ways in which our lessons differ from mainstream lessons, is that we have a threetiered approach; water therapy, water safety and learn to swim. To become Autism Swim Approved, you need to engage in online training, monthly resources and three monthly quizzes. The certification process is renewed to new content every 12 months. What's the feedback been like from those clients that have completed the Autism Swim program? In terms of the feedback, we are constantly overwhelmed with pride. It’s common to have parents in tears due to the fact that their child is doing something that they never, ever thought that they would be able to do. This might be riding a board, building bonds with others, or even putting their face under the water. Simply put, that has happened on account of the participant finally receiving adequate support, and being taught in a way that is conducive to their needs. The feedback, the progress we see, and
The beach and the water are such an important part of my identity, and the fact that some people are denied the opportunity to participate safely and happily in these environments, is something that I can’t just sit by and let happen.
the joy we get to experience really is our driving force. This is truly your passion and service that you're living out day to day. What are your dreams for Autism Swim? I'm obviously very passionate about inclusion and ultimately, we want to create a world where there are no barriers to participation. The beach and the water are such an important part of my identity, and the fact that some people are denied the opportunity to participate safely and happily in these environments, is something that I can’t just sit by and let happen. The dream is that: - Every Surf Life Saving Club in Australia runs an inclusive program. - There’s an Autism Swim Approved Provider available to any participant around the world who chooses to engage in aquatic services. - Inclusion is no longer seen as a ‘charitable’
thing to offer; rather that it's non-negotiable for every service to be doing something in the inclusion world. Obviously, we're on quite the trajectory of growth. It’s imperative that this continues, and that soon we branch into more non-English speaking countries, to ensure that everybody around the world, regardless of age or ability, is given the same opportunities to thrive and survive in and around the water. For those interested in finding their local Autism Swim Approved provider, visit: https:// autismswim.com.au/swimming-providerlocations/ For those wanting to learn more or offer services on Port Macquarie Dippers, visit: https://autismswim.com.au/dippers/ More information on Erika’s behavioural services can be found at erikagleeson.com.au Thanks Erika. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Illuminate THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL E N T R E P R E N E U R S , I N N O V AT O R S , LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.
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Jason STONE
KATE WOOD-FOYE
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ason Stone and sister Anissa Manton took a gigantic leap of faith to bring to life the first water sport themed holiday park on coast. Jason gives us a look into the Stoney Aqua Park journey where hard work, calculated risk, passion and a tight family unit have combined to transform an idyllic dairy farm into a unique adventure enterprise. Can you share the transformation of this idyllic patch of Telegraph Point paradise into the highly successful Stoney Aqua and Holiday Park we know today? My family purchased the property from a local dairy farmer in 1999 and proceeded to build two man-made competition water-ski lakes. I was inspired from my travels, after coming home from spending seven years overseas competing on the professional world stage and representing my country at numerous world titles and world games. My sister and business partner Anissa and I have spent the last 20 years running a water-ski and wakeboard school and hosting international, national professional events here at the park. We built a holiday park at the same time to accommodate and house our customers and utilise our unique location adjacent to the Wilson River also for recreational skiers and campers. You and Anissa have always had an affinity with the water, both being water ski champs from an early age. Jason you spent seven years skiing the world as part of American and European Pro tour. What was the highlight and what drew you back to Oz to share your skill and passion at home. One of my highlights is representing Australia as a member of the Australian National Water Ski team at numerous international events and world titles. Getting to do what I love full time
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as a profession was and is still key for me today. My sister and I have been water-skiers since we were toddlers. This type of complex was only new to Australia but already very popular already in America. We consider ourselves a holiday park with a water sports theme and we get to do what we love every day. Transforming the park from a seasonal ski facility and tuition centre into the NSW’s largest water inflatable theme park was a massive investment and significant leap of faith. Was there ever moment that you doubted your vision and the risks taken to achieve the dream? There was definitely nerves and sleepless nights to step out into a completely new business, but I never doubted myself – it was more a calculated risk. It was certainly a big investment to make, but after putting out on social media "coming soon" promotions and seeing it go completely viral with excitement, I was confident we were going to get the local support. Drawing people from far and wide, what do you believe is the secret ingredient to the Stoney Aqua Park success? I would say our secret ingredient is bringing a unique experience to the coast. Being the first water-based inflatable tourist park on the Mid North Coast we wanted to bring a family activity that is fun, exciting and one of a kind. I feel it’s also a really affordably priced activity to come and do at $20 per session, compared to the tourist parks on the Gold Coast where you pay hundreds of dollars. Who is your business hero/inspiration? I would have to say my father who has helped guide me and mentor me through the business world from a young age.
Are you all about rock solid business plans and spreadsheets or gut instinct and flow? I would have to say I’m more gut instinct and flow but moving into the Aqua Park business and the scale of it with 45+ staff we really had to have solid business plans and spreadsheets to confirm my instincts. I am the director of three companies we run on the property, the holiday park accommodation, water-ski and wake board school, and the Aqua Park. How important is family to the success of Stoney Aqua Park? Family has been incredibly important to the success of our businesses. My parents retired and moved onto the property on the other side of one of the lakes. My two children and my niece would visit Nan and Pop every day until my mum passed away in April. My daughter Riley and my niece Jessie work most weekends in the ticket booth and my son Tiger splits his time between helping out in the kiosk, cleaning down tables, playing football near the bbqs and in general being the master of social activities around the park. My wife Sinead (my number one supporter and sounding board) has a very busy job in town, but on weekends when the family is all at the park, she is there to help us. We remain very tight as a family unit. Family was also one of the defining factors to build, live and work on the property together. If you could share one lesson you learned in your business journey about yourself and business what would it be? Don’t be afraid to have a crack. Trust your own instinct, believe in yourself and don’t listen to naysayers or negative people. Thanks Jason.
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Dr David Gil espie MP
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floods and drought, ourlivelihoods country was hitbeen by COVID-19. Tragically, Tragically, and lives have and lost. livelihoods been firmly on lives the national agenda this have year firmly with on the lost. national the agenda Government’s this year with the Government’s We recently celebrated National Recycling Week, recycling is Tragically, lives and livelihoods have been lost. Australians Australians are resilient andare as weresilient work together side and by side, as we work together side bywith side, export ban on waste plastic, paper, glass export ban and on national waste tyres. plastic, paper, and tyres. firmly on the agenda this glass year the Government’s we are we rebuilding. are rebuilding. Australians are resilient and asa we $1 work together side by side, Australia’s export on waste waste paper, glass and tyres. We are investing billion into We are ban investing a $1 plastic, billion and into Australia’s recycling waste and recycling we are rebuilding. TheThe year seems year like itseems has flown, but like as we approach it than hasChristmas, flown, but as we approach Christmas, industries, creating more 10,000 industries, jobs creating and more diverting than 10,000 jobs over and diverting 10 We are investing a $1 billion into Australia’s waste 10 andover recycling should we should takelike time to of reflect take onbut those time Australians to reflect who are doing onlandfill. those Australians who are doing million tonnes waste away from million tonnes of waste away from landfill. Thewe year seems it has flown, as we approach Christmas, industries, creating more than 10,000 jobs and diverting over 10 very it tough, very through tough, no faultonban of through their own. nowho fault of their own. we itshould take time to reflect those Australians are doing The waste export is the first of itsThe kind waste export inof the ban is the world firstfrom of itslandfill. kind and in the world and million tonnes waste away Christmas Christmas is time wonderful the own. year, a time to give time thanks of the year, ablueprint timeforto give thanks it very tough, is through no fault ofaoftheir provides aa wonderful new blueprint for how countries provides a new around how the countries globe around the globe can The waste export ban is the first of its kind in thecan world and for our for family, our friends, family, and look forward friends, to the year and ahead. look forward to the year ahead. deal with their waste. deal with their waste. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, a time to give thanks provides a new blueprint for how countries around the globe can We should all should take only the allchange take this to festive the season opportunity toway get out Australia this festive season toown get out This will the This not manages onlywaste. change the way its Australia manages its own for We our family,not friends, andopportunity look forward the year ahead. deal will with their andand about and about spend quality and timespend enjoyingthe the quality veryway best our we timethink enjoying thewaste, very best ourwaste, seeing waste but also change waste but about also change the way we think seeing about We should all take the opportunity this festive season to get out This will not only change the way Australia manages its own region has to offer, has our surfing to offer, beaches,continually scenic ourcoastal surfing walks andbeaches, scenic coastal walks and it as aregion resource it as a resource to be continually intoremanufactured new into new and about and spend quality to time be enjoying the very best our remanufactured waste but also change the way we think about waste, seeing magnificent magnificent hinterland. hinterland. products, rather problem to be products, just rather sent than to a problem landfill. to be just sent to landfill. region has to offer, our surfingthan beaches,a scenic coastal walks and it as a resource to be continually remanufactured into new For For some, Christmas some, canChristmas be aTaree lonely time of the can year. be If you one know a lonely time of theareyear. If are you know Valley Industries, are just local Valley Industries, business just who one local business are magnificent hinterland. products, rather Taree than a problem totime be just sent towho landfill. someone someone who might be who on their might own, please be take the on time their to own, please take the to actively involved in waste recycling and actively manufacturing involved in waste recycling andinitiatives manufacturing initiatives For some, Christmas can beaahappy lonelyChristmas. time ofthem the year. Ifayouhappy know Valley Industries, just one local business who are out and wish out them and Christmas. and reach I reach am excited towish work with CEO Trent and I am Jennison excited toTaree work are with to CEOexplore Trent Jennison to explore someone who might be on their own, please take the time to actively involved in waste recycling and manufacturing funding like the $190 million Recycling initiatives the $190 Modernisation million Recycling Modernisation Finally, Finally, oninitiatives behalf ofon Charlotte behalf and I, from of our Charlotte family to yours, may and I, funding from our like family to yours, mayinitiatives reach out and wish them a happy Christmas. and I am excited to work with CEO Trent Jennison to explore Fund that leverage over $600 million Fund thatfor will leverage new overrecycling $600and million for recycling we wish we you wish awill very happy, you holy a and very safe Christmas, happy, and holy all the and safe Christmas, allnew the funding initiatives $190 million Recycling Modernisation Finally, on behalf of Charlotte I, fromthe our family to yours, may infrastructure across country. infrastructure acrosslike thethe country. veryvery best for best 2021. forand 2021. Fund that will leverage over $600 million for new recycling we wish you a very happy, holy and safe Christmas, and all the infrastructure across the country. very best for 2021. Wauchope Office Wauchope Office Taree Office Taree Office
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david.gillespie.mp@aph.gov.au david.gil espie.mp@aph.DavidGillespieMP gov.au DavidGil espieMP HeHeListeListens. ns. He Cares. HeHeDeliverCares. s. He Delivers.
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Dr Dr David David Gillespie MP 02 6586 4462 Gillespie 02MP 6586 4462 02 6557 8910 02 6557 8910 Corner of Hastings Corner of High and Hastings 144 Streets, Victoria 144 Street, Victoria Street, Office Taree Office FEDERAL FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MEMBER LYNEHigh and FOR LYNE Streets, Wauchope davegillespiemp davegi lNSWespie2430 mp Wauchope, NSWMP 2446 Wauchope, NSW 2446 Taree, NSW Taree, 2430 Dr David Gillespie 02 6586 4462 02 6557 8910 He He Listens. Listens. Cares. 2020 has been a He yearCares. that noneHeofHe usDelivers. wil forget. After fires, He Delivers. NATIONAL RECYCLING WEEK Hefloods Listens. He Cares. He Delivers. AutAuthorised horisand ed by Drdrought, David Gibyl espiourDre MP,country David Corner of HiwasGillespie gh andhiHastt byingsCOVI StMP, reetDs,-19. Wauchope, CornerNSWof2446.High and Hastings Streets, Wauchope, NSW 2446. We recently celebrated National Recycling Week, recycling is Tragically, lives and livelihoods have been lost. david.gillespie.mp@aph.gov.au
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYNE
david.gillespie.mp@aph.gov.au DavidGillespieMP DavidGillespieMP Corner of High and Hastings Streets, 144 Victoria Street, david_gillespie_mp david_gillespie_mp Wauchope, NSW 2446 Taree, NSW 2430 davegillespiemp davegillespiemp david.gillespie.mp@aph.gov.au DavidGillespieMP
GREATER PORT MACQUARIE focus 94 david_gillespie_mp Authorised Authorised by Dr David Gillespie by Dr MP,David Corner of High Gillespie and Hastings Streets, MP, Wauchope, Corner NSW of2446. High and Hastings Streets, Wauchope, NSW 2446.
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Adam BUTTON
Watershed Insurance Brokers
Having worked in the insurance industry since 1992, the most profound and resonating thought for me revolves around people having difficulty understanding insurance and dealing with insurance companies.
Broking career to the next level by starting my own business.
My goal has always been to simplify this process by assisting people to make informed decisions around their insurance and their claims.
Understanding your client, their business, and their specific requirements, is just the first step to providing the right solution!
The appreciation and referrals I have received from clients over the years for doing just this has encouraged me to strengthen this goal even further and take my
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The name ‘Watershed’ reflects the definition of a Watershed Moment ‘a moment that changes the course of the future’. The right insurance can do just this…
For 28 years I have been able to help thousands of businesses and individuals make informed insurance decisions and I look forward to continuing this service at Watershed Insurance Brokers.
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BUSINESS
VOICE with MICHAEL MOWLE
PRESIDENT PORT MACQUARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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s Christmas and the holiday and real estate sector is also continuing season fast approaches to record very strong growth with record we can reflect on what sales and building activity levels. The local has been one of the construction and building trades are at or near most tumultuous and peak output with many of these businesses challenging years for now not able to take orders until well into our community and local businesses. Early 2021. Some commentators believe this is 2020 was dominated by the aftermath of due to a combination of a mass exodus from the devastating bushfires followed almost the metropolitan areas and the government immediately by drought housing stimulus breaking rains and measures now in place. hopes of a better year The Federal From this time to come. However, by Governments stated onwards the the middle of March aim of a full economic community and business the Coronavirus recovery depends operators grappled with pandemic was well heavily on maximising underway with the output through COVID restrictions in initial restrictions and achieving as near to full one form or another for lockdowns. employment as possible. several months. The From this time In regional areas such hospitality and tourism onwards the as Port Macquarie industries were hardest community and youth unemployment hit by the restrictions business operators is unacceptably high during that period. grappled with COVID and this remains an restrictions in one form unfulfilled goal for or another for several governments right months. The hospitality and tourism industries across Australia. were hardest hit by the restrictions during that Businesses in growth sectors and those that period. A gradual re-opening began around are recovering strongly such as housing and May and the local economy been on a steady construction, agriculture, technical services path to recovery since then. and health are continuing to report unfilled In recent months the hospitality and vacancies. This seems contradictory to the tourism sectors have seen strong visitation statistics showing high unemployment or to the area along with high activity levels under employment amongst younger workers. and solid bookings reported from October The ongoing challenge is to match up through to the New Year. The local housing those looking for jobs with employers seeking
extra staff. In many instances job vacancies in regional areas are not advertised by small business owners for a variety of reasons. Often a small business does not want to take on a recruitment process but will hire the right candidate if they make themselves known. There is a message in this for those young job seekers looking for work with any local business. That is to have a properly formatted CV, seek an interview, make the effort to personally go to the business premises, dress appropriately and if possible meet the owner. There is every possibility that a job exists and an employment opportunity may arise from a job applicant simply presenting well and demonstrating a commitment to join the workforce. As part of the COVID-19 recovery process the Federal and NSW governments have now both put in place budgets focussed on stimulus for businesses to drive growth and achieve lower unemployment. Measures include a range of business incentives to reduce costs and overheads, minimise taxes as well as encourage increased output. Both have outlined big infrastructure spending programs, particularly in regional areas. All of which should bolster confidence and foster continued investment in our area. Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce wishes all our members, local business operators, families and their staff a safe, successful and happy Christmas & New Year. Remember to buy local when you shop for Christmas and support your local business community. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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ME MBE R PROFILE
KYLIE K I N G Business Operations and Property Management, Harcourts Greater Port Macquarie
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ith a real estate career spanning 26 years, tell us more about your current role Kylie. I’ve been working with my partner Ross Lindsay at Harcourts Greater Port Macquarie since 2011. My career has mainly been in property management, but with 4 office locations in Port Macquarie, Wauchope, South West Rocks and Kempsey, my role focuses on operations management and leading our team. In a challenging year for most industries, what shifts have you experienced in real estate? I doubt anyone could have predicted the events of 2020. We saw some forced changes in our business operations, but due to people still needing to rent or buy a home, our service and results essentially remained the same. Government imposed restrictions meant in person auctions were not permitted, but we adapted by utilising technology to achieve the desired outcome for our clients. Heading towards the end of 2020, the demand from buyers and tenants is strong. Port Macquarie consistently ranks as one of the most searched regional destinations in NSW and results from domain. com.au show that since September 2020,
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Port Macquarie has been the No.1 destination HBWN members have a variety of achievements searched in Australia. & stories of success, and I look forward to Describe your plans in business for 2021. connecting these women at future events. In 2021 we aim to help more people buy You’re also an active member of Rotary and sell homes, give landlords peace of mind and the Wauchope Chamber of Commerce. about their property investment, and reduce What motivates you to give back to the the stress for tenants community? trying to secure a Having moved to the What appealed to home. Through area in 2004, my 2 children me in becoming increasing our team have grown up enjoying the a member again is the and implementing benefits of a small school opportunity to learn from, further efficiencies, we at Beechwood and are now meet and connect with a plan on delivering an both finishing their first wide range of people who even better customer year at university. The desire are interested in business experience across all for our area to continue four offices. being a great place to live success and contributing to You recently and work prompts my the local community. renewed your involvement with local HBWN membership. organisations. Each day I Can you share why being a member is make sure I find something to be grateful and be important to you? open to new learning opportunities. I let my HBWN membership lapse quite a And finally, is there any advice you can offer few years ago when I was at a different point to women in business? in my life. What appealed to me in becoming I’d like to encourage women in business to not a member again is the opportunity to learn be so hard on yourself. If you want to achieve from, meet and connect with a wide range of something - believe in yourself, do the work people who are interested in business success necessary and anything is possible. and contributing to the local community. Thanks Kylie.
The effect of
ON YOUR WILL It is important to understand the effect a relationship change has on your Will. Whether you are married or in a de-facto relationship, divorced or separated, your Will should reflect your current circumstances.
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he effect of Marriage and Divorce on your Will It is important to understand the effect a relationship change has on your Will. Whether you are married or in a de-facto relationship, divorced or separated, your Will should reflect your current circumstances. If your relationship status changes and you do not update your Will (or have a Will in place) then there is a chance that your assets will not pass in accordance with your wishes. This could be costly and cause unnecessary stress for your loved ones. Marriage Many Australians are unaware that their Will becomes invalid when they marry. If you fail to update your Will after your marriage, the law states that the Rules of Intestacy will apply to your estate. In NSW, this means that the entirety of your estate could go to your surviving spouse. This may not be a problem for many first-time marriages, but if you have children from a previous relationship or other people you wish to provide for, your Will needs to be updated. Divorce Generally, divorce treats a reference to your former spouse in your Will as if he or she died
before you. This means that any clauses in your Will that refer to your former spouse, such as their appointment as your executor or gifts of assets to them, will be invalid. However, there are some exceptions to this, which differ throughout Australia. Separation Unlike divorce, marriage separation does not have an effect on your Will. The period of separation that occurs prior to divorce is therefore one of the most important times to ensure that your Will reflects your changed circumstances. If you fail to update your Will when you separate and you later pass away, your former spouse may inherit any property that you left to them in your outdated Will. Similarly, if you do not have a Will in place and you have separated, then your assets will be distributed as per the Rules of Intestacy which in NSW means that the entirety of your estate could go to your former spouse. Family Provision Applications In NSW former spouses are eligible to go to Court and seek provision from your estate after you pass away, regardless of the terms of your Will, even if you have already finished a family law property settlement and your former spouse was not dependant on you when you died. Thankfully, there are strategies you can
adopt to minimise the chance of a successful family provision application being brought against your estate including preparing a s100 statutory declaration and/or obtaining a court approved s95 release of rights. It is critical though that these options are carefully canvassed with an experienced lawyer before implementing as they may not be appropriate for your personal circumstances. How Rayners Lawyers can help An outdated Will (or simply not having a Will) can have unintended consequences and will often be costly, time consuming and unnecessarily stressful for your loved ones. For peace of mind, certainty and control, contact Rayners Lawyers today.
ADDRESS Suite 1, 68 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 PHONE 02 6583 4312 MOBILE 0422 33 88 10 EMAIL kr@raynerslawyers.com.au WEBSITE raynerslawyers.com.au GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Summer I N T H E F O R E S T S
FOREST FUN Want to know a secret?
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SW State Forests cover 2 million hectares of forest across NSW, offering a range of experiences that few others can match. There are roomy campsites, shaded picnic areas, tree-lined walking tracks and spectacular lookouts. The natural environment is centre stage, showcasing an abundance of unique Australian flora and fauna within spectacular landscapes. You can An extensive wander by a creek, hike network of up a mountain, chat roads and trails around the campfire provide easy entry to or simply listen to the State Forests, whilst sounds of nature. You walking tracks allow can bring your car, access carparks, NSW visitors to experience caravan or campervan, State Forests are a special places and you can pitch a tent “must-see“ destination nature at its best. anywhere you like, in your travels. explore forest tracks on Your local State Forest trail bike or mountain is an unmissable stop bike, ride a horse cross-country, 4WD and on your self-drive outing, whether it’s for a bring your dog too – yes, that’s right, dogs are few hours, a picnic or an overnight stay. An welcome in NSW State forests. extensive network of roads and trails provide Best of all, visiting NSW State Forests is absolutely free, representing one of the most cost-effective holiday escapes you can find. With over 125 forest-based dedicated visitor areas state-wide, with a mix of visitor facilities such as picnic tables, BBQs, fireplaces, shelters, rainwater tanks, toilets and easy-
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easy entry to State Forests, whilst walking tracks allow visitors to experience special places and nature at its best. NSW State Forests provide beautiful forest environments for you and your family to “switch-off” and connect with nature. Visit
our website to purchase your copy of Forest Map. We also encourage visitors to share their experience via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – we love to hear from you and are happy to share your ideas on special places to visit, and your holiday snaps! With great places to explore, rest, learn, play or just get away from it all, come and experience a forest playground! Visit us on the web www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit And share your experience: Facebook Visit NSW Forests Twitter @visitnswforests Instagram #visitnswforests
Old Bottlebutt is a special place, somewhere to linger and enjoy the sounds of nature.
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OLD BOTTLEBUTT
Big and Beautiful - Old Bottlebutt
ust a short drive from Wauchope or Port Macquarie is a wonderful visitor attraction known as Old Bottlebutt, a grand and ancient Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) tree located in Burrawan State
Forest. Old Bottlebutt is unique in shape, its large flared “butt� having a massive girth of over 16 metres. This giant of the forest is the largest recorded Red Bloodwood in the world. Old Bottlebutt is the main feature on a beautiful 600m loop walking track, beginning and
ending at the Burrawan picnic area (shelter, tables, carpark, toilets). The walk features remnant rainforest, an oasis under a canopy of overhanging Bangalay Palms, and winds its way over footbridges along an easy-grade track. Old Bottlebutt is a special place, somewhere to linger and enjoy the sounds of nature. A viewing deck enables visitors to rest and gently experience the forest environment. Getting there: From Wauchope travel 10km south on the Bago Rd and turn left onto Internal Break Road then follow the signs. From the Pacific Highway, take the Bago Rd exit (south of the Port Macquarie turn off) and drive until you see the Old Bottlebutt sign. Open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week including public holidays and is free.
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TA H LI A R A N C E
CAMPUS CONVERSATIONS
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KATE WOOD-FOYE
FROM CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
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ahlia Rance has much to celebrate after successfully completing three years of study in the Bachelor of Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie. This dedicated and generous, first-in-family university graduate is one of over 65 fully qualified Paramedics embarking on the next step out into the field. Tahlia shares her journey to graduation and how her Charles Sturt family helped her achieve her very best. Congrats on completing your Bachelor in Paramedicine! After three years of study, hands-on pracs in the paramedic simulation suites you are now heading out into the world as a fully qualified Paramedic. Can you share with us how you came to choose this challenging and rewarding career? In some ways becoming a paramedic was actually a beautiful accident. I’ve always wanted to pursue a career that helped people in my community and impact their lives in a positive way in the hope that I could help make a potentially ‘bad day’ better. After accepting my early entry offer for a Bachelor of Paramedicine and attending the first few weeks, I immediately became inspired by stories shared by the academics regarding their own rewarding experiences in the field and the positive impact this career path could have on a community. Can you share some of the highlights of your time as a student paramedic at Charles Sturt Port Macquarie? The hands-on degree with practical simulation experiences and the peer-to-peer learning was amazing. Something that truly stood out was 108 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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the culture – I came out of my degree with lifelong friends. There is this unexplainable, overwhelming feeling of support from fellow peers and academics. The academics at Charles Sturt are extremely involved and committed to our learning. You immersed yourself in university and the community, giving your time and talents to many different initiatives. Can you share some of these experiences and why it was important to give back? During my time at university I made a point to immerse myself into the culture. I was lucky enough to be nominated into the Student Representative Council as the Indigenous Student Representative, and employed as a Student Ambassador and a CSUSPA member volunteering to do first aid at local events. I am a Share the Dignity ambassador and helped organise the Jacob Berry Memorial Beach Ball annually. I was also fortunate to be the recipient of seven scholarships over three years which really helped with my financial welfare and allowed me to present the vote of thanks in the 2018 Scholarship and Dean’s award ceremony. I chose to be heavily involved in the community because of the amount of support I’ve received these last few years. I want to help support those like me who may be first in the family at university to achieve their goals. What was the most challenging experience during your study? During my second year I failed my trauma clinical scenario. This challenge hit home on a personal level as I’d had some early self-doubt. I felt that I didn’t belong and wouldn’t do well
due to being first in my family to finish my HSC and attend university. Having failed my first ever assessment, my biggest fear was coming true. I reached out to my academic who talked it through with me. I understood that I’d much rather fail and become a better paramedic because I’ve learnt from my mistakes, than scrape a pass and potentially cause harm to a patient on road. Although this was a challenging time, the support around me from my academics helped me change my perspective and become a better person and paramedic. I will never forget how to use a soft tip nasal suction! What are you most looking forward to on the next chapter of your adventure? I’m looking forward to everything! We are all currently in this COVID limbo period so although I’m on the E-list for NSW Ambulance, I’ve also managed to secure an interview with the UK East Midlands Ambulance Service. I cannot wait to use my career in Paramedicine as a platform to positively impact people’s lives and have genuine conversations with people. The Charles Sturt University ethos is “yindyamarra winhanganha”, meaning the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in and I hope to implement this in my life and lives around me. Thanks Tahlia. study.csu.edu.au/courses/allied-healthpharmacy/bachelor-paramedicine
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John GERMOV
CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY
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ood morning John, thank you for speaking with us about this accolade. Can you please firstly introduce yourself to us? Hi, thank you for speaking to me. Prior to my time as Acting Vice-Chancellor I was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Charles Sturt, and before that I was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Newcastle. I am a Professor of Sociology and have done research into the social determinants of health, notably the social origins of food and alcohol habits. I spend a lot of time traveling to and working from our campuses, including Port Macquarie, and I live with my family in Wagga Wagga. We offer a massive congratulations on the University being named #1 in Australia for Graduate outcomes for the fifth year in a row. What does this mean and how is it measured? The graduate employment rankings are judged on the percentage of graduates who secure full-time work within four months of completing their degree. Charles Sturt has the highest graduate employment rates in Australia – 87.4 per cent and 91 per cent for undergraduates and post-graduate students respectively. We also lead the nation for full-time graduate employment rates in agriculture, environmental sciences, business
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov speaks with FOCUS about Charles Sturt University being named #1 in the country for Graduate Employment Outcomes for the fifth year in a row. and management and psychology. Coupled with receiving a five-star rating for our undergraduates’ starting salaries – $65,000 – these results demonstrate we are equipping students with the skills to ensure they are sought after upon graduation. What do you attribute this success to? Our focus is to ensure our graduates are equipped to make an impact in their workplace from day one, and we achieve this by delivering a learning environment that is hands-on and connected to industry from the start. At our Port Macquarie campus our students train in real-world settings including hospitals, allied health facilities, accounting firms and the energy sector. Our partnerships with businesses, community groups and government departments provide both learning opportunities for our students and expertise for fields and services which are vital to the Mid North Coast region. Can you share with us the additional accolades the University recently received? In addition to the recognition we received in the Graduate Outcomes Survey, the Good Universities Guide also awarded Charles Sturt a five-star rating for first-generation attendance and learner engagement. This year we also received a strong ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings – 61st overall in a
group of 600 universities from around the world, ranking sixth in the world for gender equality. Speaking locally, the Charles Sturt Campus Port Macquarie campus now delivers 20 face-to-face courses/degrees and is growing at an impressive pace. With the recent completion of Stage 2a, and 2b due for completion later this year, can you give us an overview of its future capacity and potential for our region? With Stages 2a and 2b complete the campus will have capacity up to 2,800 students. Our state-of-the-art facilities will provide the perfect learning environment for our allied health students, and the new network engineering lab will be utilised by business and IT students. We are excited to be offering IT at Port Macquarie from 2021 – we’ve had great interest from prospective students and an overwhelming response from industry partners welcoming the Bachelor of IT to the region. A large part of our success in Port Macquarie is driven by the broad and continued support we receive from our community partners, government stakeholders, schools and local businesses, who have all warmly welcomed us to the Mid North Coast. Thank you for your time John and again congratulations. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Mayor WITH THE
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PETA PINSON
M AYO R O F P O R T M A C Q U A R I E HASTINGS COUNCIL
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We’ve made it! WHAT A YEAR THIS HAS BEEN and as a community we should be so proud of how we’ve got through it together.
’m humbled to have been Mayor during one of our most challenging years, and I’d really like to thank everyone for your continued community spirit and resilience. I called 2020… “twenty plenty”, and nothing could have been closer to the truth. I’ve met so many remarkable people this year, who’ve shared extraordinary stories of resilience, creativity and persistence. Three words that pretty much sum up the year for me. For those of you who’ve used your ingenuity to shelter your properties, animals and livelihoods from fire, it’s been a privilege to meet you all, and I want you all to know that we are here to continue supporting you. Did you know that we were the first region in the country to use recycled water, to manage and mitigate the effects of the Lindfield Park Road fire that burnt for over nine months? The clever people
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who solved this problem and worked to feel safe and secure in our beautiful together on solutions are all proud and region. committed members of our community. We’ve all had to adapt and do things Thank you to all the families and differently, and while we continue to households, recover it is more industries and important than ever Thank you to all the businesses who to support our local families and together made community. It’s the households, industries and efforts big and whole reason we businesses who together small to minimise live here, and love their water living here. made efforts big and small consumption As this to minimise their water and adjust to extraordinary and consumption and adjust to the highest level unforgettable year the highest level water water restrictions comes to a close I restrictions we have ever we have ever am sure that you, experienced, brought on by experienced, like me, are filled our driest year on record. brought on by with hope for our our driest year on shared future. record. Stay safe I am so proud of the ways we everyone, be thankful for everything we responded and adapted to the impact have and enjoy your Christmas festive of the fires, the drought and then the season with family and friends. pandemic. We should be so grateful Peta.
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NAME: MATT ATTARD JOB TITLE: DISABILITY SUPPORT WORKER
Chrissy Jones spent 5 minutes with Matt Attard to see what a typical day on the job looks like.
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i Matt. Give us a brief rundown of a typical working day for you. Typically I will support my clients in the community, ensuring as much independence as possible, while still supporting them in their particular areas of need. Whether that is simply venturing out to a few shops and mingling with the community, or up-skilling to enter the workforce, every day is different. More complex disabilities require a higher level of personal care and attention but regardless of the situation I believe it's very important to be caring and empathetic. How long have you been a disability support worker? A little over a year. I've had many years of experience with complex disabilities due to a close family member living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. But as I was comfortable in my previous career I never made the leap until about two years ago, when I began undertaking volunteer work while studying to become a disability worker. What made you want to become a disability support worker? As I mentioned before, I have a family member who lives with a disability. She inspired me to want to get into the industry. I have always considered myself
to be caring and helpful, so the idea of companionship, in-home care, help to helping people with disabilities live their manage appointments and provide access best lives was enough to warrant a career to health professionals, family and friends. change. Also, I supervise and arrange activities to I love to help people and support enhance physical, social and emotional individuals to reach their goals – whatever connection for my clients. they may be. What’s your favourite part of the job? Tell us about your business, Emerald Most definitely how rewarding it is. Disability Support. At the end of the day you can return I am the sole home knowing you made a service provider for difference to someone, no Emerald Disability matter how little. There's no I love to Support, servicing better feeling than seeing a help people the Mid North Coast client happy. and support including the Port What have been some of individuals to Macquarie and your career highlights? reach their goals Wauchope area, up Aside from meeting so many – whatever they to Kempsey. amazing new people who I'm may be. I am registered very fortunate to be helping, and fully insured it would be starting my own to support anyone business – Emerald Disability from age 7 who has an NDIS package. Support. I hold a Certificate III in Individual What do you think you’d be doing if Support Disabilities, have a current police you weren’t in this job? check, working with children check, first I would likely still be in media, writing aid certificate and the empathy and care sport and trying to make it as an NRL you need in a great support person. writer. I am also adept in mental health support. Thanks Matt. What services do you provide? Contact details: Person-centred care driven by choice, www.emeralddisabilitysupport.com.au delivered in a caring and empowering E: matt@emeralddisabilitysupport.com.au way is my intention at all times. I offer P: 0402 521 696
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Nola T U R N BU LL Nola Turnbull has lived a colourful life, exploring the many wonders and avenues on offer. Nola has honed in her creative expression and wri en a book touching on her life.
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i Nola. Last time FOCUS spoke to some exciting adventures travelling all over the with you, we found about your outback as a hawker. journey with Home Instead and Yes, Mum had started a fashion boutique called your new role as an Aged Care ”The Roslyn Ann”. Initially it was a very good business, Advisor. You have certainly and she had an extensive range of high-quality ladies been busy since and have even fashion. She had carefully chosen a range of ball gowns managed to write a book. Before we get into this, for upcoming events, they were popular and were soon let's go back to where it all sold out; trouble was out of the began...You grew up with your goodness of her heart, Mum would family in Warrell Creek and in let them have the gowns before She phoned me your late teen years started they were paid off. and I tried to your career in Nursing, later The long and the short of it was, moving on to Sydney where she wound up in a bit of financial convince her to ask you met your first husband, trouble needing help. She phoned dad for help, he Tell us about that time. me and I tried to convince her to wouldn’t have I believe I have been very ask Dad for help, he wouldn’t have minded at all, but fortunate to have grown up on a minded at all, but she was very she was very dairy farm in Warrell Creek. Our independent and reluctant to do independent and family may not have had a lot so. Our conversation finished with reluctant to do so. of money, but we had plenty of me saying ”Ok then, go and get everything that mattered; good a Hawkers licence and we will sell parents, plenty of home-grown your stock door to door.” I don’t food, love and discipline. I left to go Nursing in Sydney think I really meant it, to this day I don’t know where where I met Cec, my husband to be. I was actually the the idea came from, it was just one of those light bulb bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding and Cec was the moments. best man. My brother was actually marrying Cec’s sister, About 2 weeks later I received a call from Mum saying but up until then I had never heard of or had met him. ”I picked up my Hawkers licence today, when are you Your mother, who was running a ladies boutique coming home?” I gave notice and travelled home, so in Macksville, needed your support. That saw you began ‘Hawking Tales’. moving your life back to your hometown, leading Continued over...
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About 2 weeks later I received a call from Mum saying ‘I picked up my Hawkers licence today, when are you coming home?’ I gave notice and travelled home, so began ‘Hawking Tales’.
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Mum and I travelled for about 18 months or more. When we returned from one of our trips, I was to discover Cec had been in hospital for several weeks, very unwell. I went back to nursing in Newcastle in 1963. As for my Mum, my father then joined her as we had built up a very lucrative travelling business. Cec and I married, and built a house, we My late partner worked every available hour together. He had Maurice spurred a plan, his only building me on with energy the success of this experience was a coffee and encouraged me to was your passion table made in woodwork write my story. I love to make people at school. We got it to being busy, so I feel good and ‘lockup’ and moved in. managed to squeeze cared for. What are We had floors in the some of your most this in when I wasn’t rooms that we needed memorable stories working. and a wall between the from this time? lounge and bedroom, all We bought others a work in progress. ourselves a job by way After that we started an earthmoving of the general store in Frederickton while company and business was good, life was thinking about the guest house venture. I cruisy, we had the world at our feet. Then the thought I would try my hand at making a few wheels fell off. Aged 36 Cec died suddenly, pies to fill in time between customers. I love our son Tom was 2, I was 26. I had an people and fell in love with the business. It earthmoving business that I knew nothing was like having a gifted child, with every new about, not to be deterred I muddled through pie filling I cooked and every new product I for 18 months and then sold it. developed it responded and the customers Some years on, after my father passed, my appreciated the effort. I had never intended son Tom and I moved back to be nearer to the business to be just somewhere people Mum. We moved in with her and bought a went to get something to eat, I wanted them farm with the vague idea of a guest house, to leave with a story, to feel uplifted and to but I fell in love with the idea of running a feel that they were important. During school shop instead. holidays when travellers from the city would Little did you know your next move call in, I would ask if the children could come would be the start of something with me to collect the eggs from our chook amazing. In 1993 you bought the corner house. The children would get so excited, store and started making pies. This was we would wrap the eggs for them to take more than just a job to you; a big part of and have for breakfast. I have had some 114 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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customers’ children take a bath in my bathtub when they had arrived, and the little ones had been car sick. So many stories I could go on forever. After finishing up with the shop and as we already know, retirement wasn’t something for you. Not only did you forge a career change as an Aged Care Advisor, you also managed to write a book in between! Tell us about the book ‘Hawking Tales’ and the inspiration behind it. Yes Claire, that is correct. My late partner Maurice spurred me on with energy and encouraged me to write my story. I love being busy, so I managed to squeeze this in when I wasn’t working. My late partner Maurice had written a book about his high-flying days, he inspired me to do the same. I hope people enjoy reading my story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It is available for purchase at Home Instead offices and all the proceeds from the book I am donating to the Koala Hospital on the Mid North Coast. People can call Home Instead to purchase a copy of the book on 02 6583 9944.
Helping you yourhome home Helping youstay stay in in your andand Independent forlonger. longer. Independent for Helping you stay in your home and Independent for longer.
Our Services Include • Companionship
• Medication Reminders
• Light Cleaning & Gardening
• Meal Preparation
• Personal Care
• Transport & Outings
Our Services Centres Include Our Services Include Our Ageing Informations are located at
Cleaning & Gardening • • Companionship • Bellingen Co • Medication Reminders •Light Light Cleaning & Gardening Companionship Medication Reminders - 82 Hyde Street P: 02• 6655 6959 • • Meal Preparation
Meal Preparation
• Personal Care
• Transport & Outings M
• Transport & Outings - 18Care Kemp Street P: 02 6599 2342 •Kempsey Personal
OurMacquarie Ageing Informations Centres at Port - 2/143 Horton Street are P: 02located 6583 9944 Our Ageing Informations Centres are located Bellingen - 82Manning Hyde Street 0202 6655 Tuncurry - 1-9 StreetP: P: 65956959 8188
at
Bellingen 6655 6959 Kempsey- 82 -HomeInstead.com.au 18Hyde Kemp Street Street P:P:0202 6599 2342 Each Home Instead® Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated
Kempsey - 18 Kemp Street P: 02 6599 2342 Port Macquarie - 2/143 Horton Street P: 02 6583 9944 Tuncurry - -1-9 Manning StreetStreet P: 02 6595 Port Macquarie 2/143 Horton P: 028188 6583 9944 HomeInstead.com.au
Tuncurry 1-9 Manning Street P:and02 6595 8188 Each Home-Instead Franchise is Independently Owned Operated ®
HomeInstead.com.au Each Home Instead® Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated
OPEN HOUSE – Saturday 5th December Drop by for a chance to win $1,000 Cash!
FULLY-FUNDED GOVERNMENT APPROVED HOME CARE PROVIDER
PET FRIENDLY
Join us for a chat
Saturday 5th December, 1pm-3pm, 11A Chapmans Road, Tuncurry Construction on Stage 3B, the final stage of our Village, has just begun, so the widest choice of quality villa units at Sunrise Village is available right now! With so much to offer there has never been a more perfect time to come meet us for a cuppa and a chat about your future at Sunrise. Advantages of Sunrise Village include: n FREE Emergency Nurse response alarms 24/7. n Ageing in place — never move again! n Home Care accredited providers. n Couples staytogether regardless ofeach individual’s health care needs. n Bring your current Home Care package with you OR we will facilitate a fully funded package for you.
n You choose and change the type and level of
domestic and care services as you need. n On-site Nursing staff available to provide care services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. n You have your own home with a fully equipped kitchenOR haveyour mealsinourcommunity dining room. The choice is always yours. n The village can cater for dementia and palliative care. n Our onsite Nursing staff bring all the Care you need into your own villa unit, even if your Care needs change. n Our Village is pet-friendly.
Call us today (02) 5528 5001 or visit us at our Open House onSaturday 5th December
Sunrise Village: 11A Chapmans Road Tuncurry NSW 2428 | T: (02) 5528 5001 | www.sunrisesupportedlivingtuncurry.com.au You may have to pay a Departure Fee when you leave this village. 116 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE focus
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Sunrise Supported Living has opened the first part of their third and final stage of their village in Tuncurry.
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hey will be opening 14 more villa units in May 2021. Most will be the largest two-bedroom design and some of those will have their own attached single-car garage with internal access. Central undercover parking is available for all other residents. We spoke with Sunrise Director, Paul Greenup, who said that Sunrise had struggled to keep up with the demand for their unique Supported Living model. “Sunrise is a totally unique Seniors living model. Our residents can live completely independently if they choose. Our villa units are set up for totally independent living. Having said that, Sunrise offers all the support services that you would normally expect in a residential aged care facility. This is what makes Sunrise so popular.” Stages One and Two consisting of 78 units are already sold out and they are down to their final remaining units in Stage Three. Couples can stay together in their own villa unit even if they have very different levels of
Care and Support requirements. All residents can enjoy meals in the Sunrise dining room for lunch and dinner 7 days a week if they so choose. A free morning tea is served to all residents every day. Sunrise is a fully Government accredited Home Care provider, and this year they have also been awarded government funding to provide DVA Community Nursing within Sunrise Village Tuncurry as well as the greater community. This means that Sunrise can offer Care and Support services to their residents on a 24 hour/7 days a week basis at no additional cost to their current Care Package arrangements. It also means that Sunrise can split a Care Package time allocation to various times of the day to suit their residents’ needs. If a resident does not have an existing Care Package their Care Team leader can handle the application process for them. Sunrise is the only village on the Mid North Coast to offer all the independence of a retirement village and all the support of a residential care facility.
“To keep up with the demand, our care team has doubled its size since the start of the year, with lots of caring additions under our highly experienced Care Manager, Jane Stockham. Sunrise are proud to be able to assist our great community by providing more job opportunities locally, especially during 2020.” Sunrise now has a full-time activities officer and offers a range of activities to all residents, and the two Sunrise Village buses are available for outings and weekly shopping trips. Sunrise is also very ‘pet friendly’ so residents are most welcome to bring their ‘fur babies’ along. Last year Sunrise was proud to win the Best Business Award for the Great Lakes area. This is a clear acknowledgement that Sunrise is providing a much-needed service to the residents of the district. Sunrise will be holding an Open House on Saturday 5th December from 1.00pm through to 3.00pm at the village in Chapmans Rd Tuncurry and everyone is invited to attend and see what all the excitement is about. GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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Say Hello to Freedom
Why wait, when you can live the dream today! Now is the right time to make the move to Coffs Harbour for the ultimate sea change, tree change lifestyle. Free up capital and start the lifestyle you deserve.
Latest release 50% SOLD in first 2 weeks – New Homes from $399,900*
Join us for our
Lifestyle Showcase Saturday 21 November, 10-12pm Come and engage with our community and see how our residents are living their best life. Our luxury clubhouse will host demonstrations on tai chi, aqua aerobics, lawn bowls and much more. Join us for a coffee and sausage sizzle! RSVP are essential. Call Piere on 0448 714 021 or visit liveinwoolgoolga.com.au 11 MCINTOSH CRESCENT, WOOLGOOLGA
*Price is based on owning your home and leasing the land and is correct at time of printing and subject to change without notice.
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JOYCE CO NST RU C T I O N
This edition’s Builder of the Month is none other than Mitch Joyce. Mitch and his team have just won a super exciting award for their amazing renovations at Settlers Inn.
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ongratulations Mitch and team on your recent award win for your renovation at Settlers Inn. Can you tell us a bit about the award? Thank you Annette, the team from Joyce constructions put a lot of hard work and dedication into this project alongside Collins W Collins to make this what it is today. The award is one of the most contested in the commercial section of the MBA awards as there is a huge amount of competition for projects between $500,000 - $1 Million as we are up against larger builders from Newcastle, Hunter Region, Armidale through to Coffs Harbour. The judging criteria for this award comes down to: Overall finish of the project; Technical aspects of design and workmanship; Complexity of the build; and Uniqueness of the overall project. We were confronted with all of the above 120 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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A lot of time and attention to detail went into this project and we felt that for all involved (client, trades and designers) we wanted to put it up for the recognition it deserves.
and more during the construction where the design of the area evolved throughout the build, but this is where the experience and dedication of our team shone through to achieve an awesome outcome. The project definitely came up brilliantly, what was the process/timeline for getting this renovation completed? The project broken up into multiple stages as one of the challenges we had to work around was the fact that we could not interrupt the trading of the business (I think there would have been a few upset locals if we closed their waterhole for 6 months). As we worked in with Alistair (Flower Hotels) to ensure he could keep the doors open, it took around 12 months to complete the total renovation. During this time all of the trades
worked early mornings and some late nights to complete some core components as we broke through to the existing areas to ensure they were all cleaned up and areas safe for patrons to enter when the doors opened for trading the next day. What was it about this particular project that made you enter the awards? To put it simply, this is something we are proud of, a lot of time and attention to detail went into this project and we felt that for all involved (client, trades and designers) we wanted to put it up for the recognition it deserves. Do you have a favourite feature within the whole renovation? There are a lot of custom features in this project but for me it has to be the engineered steel roof trusses and retractable roof system. The roof trusses bring an
It takes a lot of trust from both the builder and the client to make a project work, that is why it is so important that you choose your builder carefully.
industrial feel to the space whilst allowing us to achieve large spans and an open air feel, combined with the retractable roof sections, and we were able to create an all weather area which everyone can enjoy year round. The end result is a space which has proven to be one of the most popular additions to the patrons. What do you think is the key to a good renovation or rebuild? It all comes down quality of construction and planning, combined with a strong relationship between client and builder. We pride ourselves in using premium building products and have a hand picked crew of employees and subcontractors who are all experts in their fields, they know the standard that Joyce Constructions expects on our projects and they always deliver. It takes a lot of trust from both the builder and the client to make a project work, that is why it is so important that you choose your builder carefully. We pride ourselves on customer service and attention to detail and work on building that relationship with all
our clients so that we can give them piece of mind that it is all in hand. For those business owners out there looking to refresh or even rebuild their office or working space what are the do’s and don’ts? It important that you work out and understand your design before you start. Look around for inspiration and consult the experts to ensure what you are planning to do is fit for purpose and compliant. Choose a builder who has proven experience in commercial construction. Remember what looks nice in your home is quite often not the best for a commercial project, wear and tear and compliance are a lot different to a residential project. Now 2020 has been a crazy year, so I must ask the question, how has Joyce Constructions handled 2020? Bring on the Christmas break, the crew have been fantastic. We have had one of the busier years this year, with a lot of the guys having very little time off. There has been the adapting to the new compliance issues of COVID-19 but the big one has been the
sheer volume of work and enquiries coming through the door. What does 2021 hold for Joyce Constructions? Next year is building to be our biggest year yet, we have several large scale and complex projects on the books ranging from multi-storey commercial to architecturally designed homes and renovations. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and Instagram for regular updates on what we are up to. Thanks Mitch and congrats again.
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ow to freshen up the exterior façade of your home Your front façade and street presence is an important element of your home’s first impression and sets the tone of how the home may look and feel inside. Some tips to freshen up your home's exterior are: bag render over the brickwork, incorporate V-groove cladding in either vertical or horizontal profiles to areas of the exterior, or the entire exterior. Re-spraying your roof tiles, gutters and fascia will also create an amazing transformation. If your driveway is old and in need of a freshen up you can select from various re-surfacing colour options in both block colours or speckled. Don’t underestimate the importance of beautiful landscaping – it is the icing on the cake and can soften all the hard surfaces of your home. How to freshen up your kitchen on a budget Kitchens can be one of the most expensive areas of your home to replace completely, sometimes all they need is a freshen up. Consider replacing the
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hardware – updating the door handles in your bedroom. In fact, the colours you can modernise an old kitchen instantly. use to decorate your home in general can Changing your light fittings may seem have a profound effect on the emotional like a small detail, but it's all in the detail. wellbeing of you and your family. Adding some new pendant lights will Shades of green, blue or warm orange also add another element of texture and tones all promote sleep and a feeling of interest. Replacing your comfort in the splashback can add bedroom. new life into the space. Layers also create a Don’t Replacing old or dated cosiness to a space underestimate kitchen stools will also – add a floor rug the importance of impact the way the under your bed, beautiful landscaping kitchen looks and feels – cushions and a – it is the icing on the timber, leather and rattan throw rug, a bench cake and can soften all are all beautiful materials seat at the end of the hard surfaces of for your new stool your bed, and an your home. selection. Last but not artwork that makes least, as we include this in you feel happy and every article, add greenery complements the – herbs or plants which always brighten an rest of the colour palette. Implementing interior. these elements will add depth, interest and How to freshen up your bedroom a bedroom you’ll love to come home to. Let there be light... pull back the curtains, Stepping back and looking at your home or roll up the blinds and let the light shine with fresh eyes every 6-12 months will give in, this is an instant mood lifter. If you find you the motivation to make small changes your bedroom is a dark space, add a mirror here and there to ensure you keep your to reflect any natural light where possible. space refreshed and a nice place to be, Paint colour also plays an important role because at the end of the day – there’s no when it comes to feeling calm and relaxed place like home.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO PERCIVAL PROPERTY IS EASY!
Our local, experienced property managers know the local
Our exceptional communication means we work closely
rental market, and will ensure your rental property achieves
with you, keeping you informed throughout the leasing and
the best returns. A property can represent one of your single
property management journey. We are committed to building
greatest assets, which is why we are committed to securing
long-term, respectful and approachable relationships with our
the best tenants for your property, who will care for and
landlords and tenants. We work hard to ensure your asset is
respect the rental agreement and your investment.
cared for, maintains its value and is protected.
A LOCALLY OWNED FAMILY BUSINESS PROVIDING OUTSTANDING PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES SINCE 1995.
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Contact our Property Management office with the details of your property and sign an authorisation letter.
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We will contact your former agency and arrange the transfer. We will collect keys, paperwork and communicate on your behalf.
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The transfer to our agency has now taken place. Sit back and relax knowing your asset is being well taken care of by the leaders in Property Management in Port Macquarie.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 34 Buller Street, Port Macquarie Phone 02 6583 7499 I percival.com.au
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hem P R O P E R T Y
2020 has been a roller coaster of a year for us all. In the world of real estate in particular, it has been a constantly changing and fast paced environment. We catch up with HEM Property to get a snapshot of the year.
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ow would you summarise 2020? To say it has been a strange year is an understatement. Bushfires and COVID-19 has presented us all with numerous challenges and uncertainty. However, since lockdown finished, real estate has seen booming. Factors such as a population shift out of cities, people working from home and historically low interest rates, has resulted in our market experiencing a huge rise in demand from people looking to invest, buy or rent here. At the same time, the number of homes for sale has dropped to just 236, compared to over 500 a year ago! The result has been sharp price rises, homes selling faster, often with multiple bidders competing and more million dollar sales than ever. It is the fastest changing market we’ve seen in recent history and one we have loved being a part of! And how has the year been for HEM? We didn’t expect it, but it has been our best
year since opening. We have a great team and feel our brand has gained a good reputation for the personalised, client focused approach we take and importantly, the results we are achieving. We have reached some great landmarks with over 200 sales already this year and the growth of our rental department. That said, for us the measure of success is not purely based on how many we sell. The culture we have and the way we go about our business is what makes us most proud. Whatever is going on in the world, we have stuck firm to the core values that define us: work for the client, raise the bar in service and treat people how we you want be treated. What are your predictions for 2021? If the current trends continue, it could be a record-breaking year for our town. With low interest rates and a growing population driving our market, we expect property prices and rents to rise as competition ramps up to secure a home. The
stock levels are a real issue though and we really need more homes to come onto the market. So, if you are considering a move, now really could be a good time. What advice are you giving to sellers in this market? The fact is, with so few homes available for sale and with high numbers of buyers, your home will sell. But in a good market, we feel the agents’ role becomes even more important than ever and can directly influence the result. Whilst the marketing of the home remains important, it is the agents’ advice, strategy and negotiation skills that will ultimately get you the best result. Choosing an agent because they are the cheapest, for example, could cost you a lot if they can’t deliver on their promises. Do your homework and look at the results, reputation and approach of each agent carefully, as it can make the difference of tens of thousands of dollars.
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LISA WANNELL WAU C H O P E R E A L E STAT E
Lisa Wannell from Wauchope Real Estate celebrates 10 years in the Industry this December. Let’s see what the last 10 years has looked like for her and what she predicts for 2021.
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ompare your first 12 months in real estate to what you have experienced in 2020! Polar opposites!! My first 12 months in real estate was slow, I was only 20 or 21 years of age and really didn’t have an understanding of what was required to list a house and negotiate to the best of my ability for the owners. 2020 has been incredible for the market place in our area, it’s fast paced, houses are hard to price because of the numerous buyers looking to purchase, so experience, good marketing strategies and negotiation skills certainly come into play. Why are we seeing such a shortage in properties for sale compared to 5 years ago? Buyer demand and having a much desired place to call home. I would say it’s at its strongest that I have ever seen it. A property will come onto the market place and 9 times out of 10 sell within the first week. Then replacing those fast selling properties with new properties to sell becomes harder and harder because, well who wouldn’t want to live here! Tell us about the Wauchope market and how it’s grown or changed over the last 10 years? Property prices are higher then ever! Due to more and more buyers looking to purchase in this wonderful town. In 10 years I have never seen the market so active, with so little listings available.
When I first started selling real estate we were taking our own photos on our own office cameras... we would not dare do that now! When a property goes to market it has to look and present its absolute best. First impressions are crucial as you want to attract the largest buyer pool to your property. The more buyers that come to your home, the better the offers :) I remember in my first few years of selling real estate I had a few listings in King Creek (a location I have always enjoyed selling). These acreage properties were going on the market for $399,000 to $445,000!!! Never could I imagine that in the future I would be selling properties in this location for over a million dollars! What’s on the horizon for land, for those wanting to buy and build? Unfortunately not as much as we would all like. Glenview Park Estate has been an incredible estate for Wauchope over the past few years and the last stage, Stage 8, recently was released and sold within an hour and a half. But there is the residential estate in Wauchope called The Mill Estate, and beautiful growing Beechwood has acreage blocks in Stage 3 of Beechwood Meadows, and Frazers Creek Estate still have some blocks available as well, that will be a stunning lifestyle estate. Where do you see the industry going to from here after such a record 2020? I believe it will only continue to grow. A lot of people I chat with say “but it’s got to stop sometime” and no, I don’t believe it will ever stop here on the Mid North Coast.
It’s a highly desirable area, perfectly located, beautiful countryside that really offers the best of both worlds. We are so lucky to have the community we have, and while the population will continue to grow I believe it will still keep its friendly and relaxed atmosphere that we all love. For my 10th year in real estate I really look forward to assisting as many people that I can. Wauchope Real Estate is such a wonderful group of people. We all support each other and help each other out, which then carries through to our sellers and purchasers. We are all here to help and achieve the best price that we possibly can get for you and your property. Real estate agents don’t seem to stay at the one agency for a long period of time, yet you’ve been with Wauchope Real Estate for 10 years, your whole career. Can you tell us why? Honestly, I was very lucky to have been given the job when I was 20 years old. I was working for a wholesale car dealer in admin, Mick Day was my boss (and one of the kindest people I have ever met). He knew he was closing down his business and took it upon himself to have a job lined up for me so I wasn’t unemployed!!! Troy McKinnon gave me an opportunity when he knew very little about me and I had next to no experience. I have always been very grateful for what they both did. Luckily the job suited me haha, and I’m happy for the success and happiness it’s given me. 10 years has gone so fast! GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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H O T WAT E R MAINTENANCE
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ell us about your business, how long have you been operating? We specialise in the hot water industry covering all gas electric and solar products. We are trained and supported by the 2 main Australian hot water brands Rheem and Dux. Our main business goal is to offer same day service whether that be getting someone back in hot water or a full replacement of a system, therefore we are always fully stocked with wide ranges of all hot water systems and have fully stocked trucks with spare parts for servicing. Myself and Megan have been running the business since the beginning of 2016 but prior to that my cousin Michelle and her husband Rob were running the Hot Water Maintenance offices in Gosford/Newcastle, Taree and Port Macquarie. I purchased the Port Macquarie franchise from them in 2016. Some history... Rob and Michelle started their franchise in 1998. I (Rhett) commenced working
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as an apprentice with them in 2004 and none of our customers have been overseas continued working for them when I moved or in a hot spot or unwell before we attend to Port Macquarie in 2007. the job. Masks are worn if our job is inside What is your point and obviously lots of of difference? extra handwashing We feel having and use of hand We are very trained and qualified sanitiser. fortunate to get a tradespeople who How many staff lot of work from our specialise in the hot members do local real estates. We water game gives you have? Are strive to always be us our edge. As they specialised available whenever mentioned above, tradesmen? they need our services we offer same day We currently have and sometimes this service. We are very 4 staff members. We can be after hours. fortunate to get a have another head lot of work from our tradesman that has local real estates. We been with us for strive to always be available whenever they the past 4 years, we have a labourer who need our services and sometimes this can has been with us for 3 years and is now be after hours. doing his apprenticeship, and 2 labourers. Has COVID affected your operations in We have a strong and hard working any way? If so, what have you done to team and quite often receive positive adapt? feedback from our customers advising how We have always remained completely knowledgeable, efficient and polite our operational during these times however staff are on the job. we are taking extra precautions in ensuring Thanks Guys.
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EXPERIENCED INTERSTATE AND REGIONAL REMOVALIST 20+ Years Experience Caring & Reliable Service Packing Available Excellent Value
Head to frontlineremovals.com.au for a free quote or phone 1800 625 738
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Nestled in our ABODE Home section Perfect for cleaners, plumbers, sparkys, lawn and garden maintenance, pest experts and more! W E H AV E A F F O R DA B L E A DV E R T I S I N G R AT E S W I T H O U R N E W LO O K F O R M AT, A N D S T I L L D E LI V E R T H E SA M E G R E AT P OS I T I V E N E WS A N D I N T E RV I E WS YO U ’ V E CO M E TO LOV E . Bookings via your local rep or info@focusmag.com.au
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SOLAHART PORT MACQUARIE it DAVID AND TAHNEY LUCK
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This month our tradie feature is with David and Tahney Luck, owners of Solahart PMQ. We caught up with them to find out a little more about their business.
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ive us a brief description of a typical day on the job? A typical day for our installers here at Solahart includes meeting at the workshop around 6.15 having a bit of a pre-start chat about the day’s jobs. Getting all our gear and heading out for the day. Meet and greet with customers and check installation details with them and complete the job. Once completed A nationwide liaising with customers sale we have and either heading to the going at the moment is next job or back to the $1000 discount on any workshop unpacking and Solar Hot Water and packing for the next days power combo for any next year. installs or services. system over 4kw. Still have our 60 There are so many months interest solar power options free going with Zip and products out there, Money. which ones are you A nationwide sale we have going at the finding to be the most popular? moment is $1000 discount on any Solar Hot With our Hot Water systems, definitely our Water and power combo for any system over 302L highline systems are our most popular, 4kw. being our best and quality on the market. What are the steps taken in setting up Our Solar Power systems are the SolarEdge Solar Power, how long does it take from optimised systems with our Solahart time of purchase? Silhouette black panel are our most popular. We like to get our Sales Rep Rod to come Can you tell us about what is on offer at to site to meet the clients, have a bit of a the moment through Solahart? chat about their needs and wants and what Our direct Office only is offering a $500 options they have available. Once decided discount on any Solar Power install to the with deposit paid or Zip Money application first 10 customers for our first few installs for 134 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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approved, Vicki will liaise with the customer to book a suitable date and then we install. This can vary and be anywhere from 3-5 weeks process give or take. Our hot water is a little shorter maybe a week or two process. What are some must do’s or must know when it comes to thinking about getting Solar Power? Ensure you go through a reputable local businesses that you can trust and know, they will be around to support you long term with quality and warranty on your products. Get a few different options and quotes to ensure you are getting what you need and not just what companies want to sell you. Thanks Guys.
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TRADE DIRECTORY
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OPEN AMAZING AT LEXHIBITION *
WITH A 1.9% COMPARISON R ATE AVAILABLE ON SELECTED MODELS MAX FINANCE TERM OF 48 MONTHS
LEXUS OF PORT MACQUARIE | 181 Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie PH 02 6583 9122 | www.lexusofportmacquarie.com.au | DL10691 *1.90% comparison rate is available to approved applicants of Lexus Financial Services for the financing of new CT200h, IS300 (build dates up to September 2020), IS350 (build dates up to September 2020), RC300, RC350, RCF, UX200, NX300, RX300, RX350, RX450h, RX350L, RX450hL, LS500 & LC500 Coupe models. Excludes demo & loan vehicles. Finance applications must be received by 31/12/2020 & vehicles must be ordered and delivered between 01/10/2020 – 31/12/2020. Offer not available to employee, government, Lexus Corporate Programme or rental customers. Maximum finance term of 48 months applies. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Lexus Financial Services reserves the right to change, extend or withdraw an offer at any time. Comparison rate based on a 5 year secured consumer fixed rate loan of $30,000. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Lexus Financial Services, a division of Toyota Finance Australia Limited ABN 48 002 435 181, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 392536.
120 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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