Issuu

JUNE 2017

G R E A T E R

P O R T

M A C Q U A R I E

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ANNE GRAHAM. A Bathurst Regional Art Gallery touring exhibition curated by Sarah Gurich, Whispering and Rustling, the Susurrus of People, Places and Things comprises thirty years of work by artist and academic Anne Graham. Anne’s work exhibits a strong study of identity and place and includes sculpture, installations and portraiture, and is on show at the Glasshouse until July 2nd.

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CARMEL DEBREUIL. Creative local Carmel Debreuil invites you to let your imagination run free. Her whimsical artworks take us inside the minds of children - their imaginary worlds interrupted. FOCUS went to Carmel’s studio to find out more about her art practice and the children who feature in her work.

MARK SPENCE. Mark’s days as a music teacher are a melodic mix of tutoring drums, instructing percussion, writing music and directing bands across the Hastings.

C O F F S

AMY & GRAEME WRIGHT.

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CHERYL COOPER.

Amy and Graeme Wright are the owners of local streetwear store, Edegrees. They have the best range of footwear and streetwear on the North Coast. Focus had a chat to the successful couple to find out more ...

Woolgoolga local James Mifsud has been a Tattoo artist for twelve years and specialises in body suits, full colour and Japanese and Neo Traditional styles. Focus went to his studio to check out his work and find out how it’s done.

TATTOOIST JAMES MIFSUD.

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C O A S T

ARTIST KRYS MERRETT.

M A N N I N G - G R E A T

L A K E S

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NIGHT MOVES. Terry Little, drummer and percussionist from local band Nightmoves, describes the four band members as “23-agin” musicians “living the dream” … And if living the dream means providing awesome Rock ‘n’ Roll music to packed out venues around the Mid North Coast and putting a tap in the toes and a smile on the face of listeners, they’re certainly doing just that! The band is excited to be heading to the Cooly Rocks On Festival this month - a festival touted to be one of the largest Rock ‘n’ Roll and nostalgia festivals in Australia …

PHOTOGRAPHER ANTHONY MURPHY. A landscape photographer first and foremost, Anthony’s passion for the environment and its natural wonders is obvious in his work. Having been interested in photography since he was a teenager, Anthony’s honed his eye for composition and photographic skills over the years, and you may also see him out and about shooting commercial photography …

JEREMY MILLER. As Manager of the Manning Entertainment Centre, Jeremy Miller has a very intensive role, but he is also busy behind the scenes, helping to shape the theatre/entertainment industry at a wider level. His involvement with some important industry bodies helps ensure the future of entertainment in the Manning area ... And there’s no denying we’re privileged to experience lots of top notch shows locally.

JANE HOSKING. As Assistant Gallery Director of the Manning Regional Art Gallery, Jane Hosking is privileged to work amongst great artworks every day. Jane enjoys helping artists further their careers, and she’s also an artist herself - constantly inspired by the natural world around her.

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RESPLENDENT.

Resplendent highlights female artists within the NERAM collections, from inter-war modernists to contemporary practitioners, who demonstrate an affinity for and experimentation with colour. Focus chats to NERAM Curator, Rachael Parsons ...

GALLERY 126.

Gallery 126 will present an exhibition of new works by artists whose work is regularly on display in the front gallery. It opens on Friday 16th June at 5pm and will run through to 16th July.

E N G L A N D

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BOOBOOKS.

John Rooney and sally rowe, owners of Armidale’s amazing secondhand bookshop, boobooks, explain what makes their store so unique.

NEW ENGLAND WRITERS CENTRE. A creative haven for local authors and illustrators, the team from the New England Writers Centre chat to Focus about the many facets available to artists ...

Nyiirun Gathay Yayn.Giliyn â€˜Walking Togetherâ€™ Birrbay Artist, Angela Marr-Grogan www.marrangart.com.au 4 focus 42 greater Special port Edition macquarie focus.

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E Below: Anne Graham Julie and Cloud (detail) 2014, pigment print on unbleached cotton rag paper, dog hair felt and dog hair felt, dimensions variable: coat; 120 x 75 cm, photograph; 110 x 75 cm. Collection Art Gallery of NSW, Contemporary Collection Benefactors Fund 2014. 609.2014.a-c. Courtesy of the artist. Left: Anne Graham Shinohara’s house, 2009, 2012, 2015. Dimensions Variable. A selection from the multi-media installation first exhibited in The Niigata Land and Water Festival, Gokohama, Japan. Then at Articulate Project Space, Sydney 2014. Courtesy artist and Kronenberg Wright Artists Projects.

ANNE

graham

A Bathurst Regional Art Gallery touring exhibition curated by Sarah Gurich, Whispering and Rustling, the Susurrus of People, Places and Things comprises thirty years of work by artist and academic Anne Graham. Anne’s work exhibits a strong study of identity and place and includes sculpture, installations and portraiture, and is on show at the Glasshouse until July 2nd …

hat's your earliest memory of artistic desire - the urge to create? I would sit on the floor while my mother worked at her sewing; she was a tailor. Maybe the rhythm of the machine had some kind of influence! I was amazed to see flat paper patterns turn into three-dimensional garments. Also from an early age I made habitations, maybe under the bed or table, in the garden shed, places to hide, places to draw and imagine. Your academic history is extensive, with a Master of Art from the Royal College of Art and a PhD from the Melbourne Institute of Technology (among other achievements). How has your academic background assisted your artistic aspirations? I was awarded a travel scholarship to India from the RCA, and you can still see the influence on my work of the time spent in the Himalayas. I so enjoyed having all my worldly possessions in one backpack, and this interest in packaging has continued. I remember making small installations on the window ledges of the various places that I stayed in, using found objects, utensils and plants. Having very little money also provided a constraint that was useful; making do became a strategy. Many of the materials in this show were found; for example, the cedar in the wooden works was discarded from a CSIRO out of date cooling tower; the dog hair used in the coats would have been thrown away. During my years of teaching I have travelled with students and colleagues to Japan and many locations around the world, and again you can see the influence of these travels on

my work. More recently I was awarded a studio at the Cite des Arts in Paris, where I spent time at The Musee des Arts et Metiers. Here, I researched the development of computer technology, initially looking at primitive early looms then on to Jacquard’s punched cards, which transformed the weaving industry. This led me to Ada Lovelace, who was instrumental in the invention of the first calculating machine using punched cards, and then onto Alan Turing and the use of punched cards in cracking the enigma code in WWII. Also, Turing developed the first music to be played by a computer. Much of your research appears to have centred around the issues of "identity" and "space". Why are you interested in these topics and their relationship to each other? I think I have partially answered these interests in the response to the above question. But I would like to focus on my interest in people and how they describe themselves through the creation of their habitations. I carried out a research project in a retirement village, where I worked with a PhD student on issues relating to the importance of valued objects in reviving memory. When you move from your home to a smaller space, you are very careful to take only the most meaningful objects; these objects are a part of your life they describe you. Their new location becomes a portrait by attribute. The portraits in this exhibition are by attribute; my portrait of Daniel Kojta, Dangerous Games describes his interest in challenging situations, the sharpened billiard cues and fragile glass balls indicate his ability to take risks, and also his sharp and acute intellect. The portrait of Alan Turing reflects his interest in the later part of his life in

plant morphology and the structure and mathematics Many of the of such things as sunflower Glasshouse materials in this seeds and ammonites. d; for un on May 20. fo e er w ow sh I echoed this structure What are some ple, the cedar in am ex in Ada’s crinoline, and ks was of the topics/ the wooden wor I paired these two a CSIRO points you'll be discarded from ing great but undervalued out of date cool covering in your ir used inventors, the feminist tower; the dog ha have presentation? ld and the scientist, in this in the co ats wou .” I will tell some of ay aw n w ro th installation. been the stories relating The exhibition we'll to the works in the be able to view at the exhibition and also talk Glasshouse: Whispering and about the process of arriving Rustling, the Susurrus of People, at decisions, and answer any Places and Things, encapsulates much questions people may have. of your work from the past 30 years. What's next for Anne Graham and her Firstly, "susurrus" - what a great word! artistic journey? Where did you stumble across this word's I will continue with my portraits, particularly meaning, and how does it relate to your developing the research with Ada and Alan, exhibition? which has led me to an interest in Hedy Lamar I read voraciously and I cannot quite the actress, who was also an undervalued remember where I came upon the word inventor. She used punched cards to develop a susurrus … Maybe it was in a work by player piano that led to the “spread spectrum” W.G.Sebald. He writes about memory and technology used in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. She space, and his works have a kind of mystery worked with George Antheil, who composed they are not literally descriptive, but evocative the Ballet Mécanique, amongst other things. - rather like partly hearing a conversation Maybe I will go on to explore more recent through a hotel wall, wanting to understand issues such as computer hacking, but who and in the end making your own meaning. So knows! my work gives many clues, but does not try to Thanks Anne. Interview by Jo Robinson. be dogmatic. What are some of the most unusual objects/materials you've used to create plug! works for this exhibition? See Whispering and Rustling, the SusurDog hair, horse hair, lace making tools, rus of People, Places and Things at the a transparent three piece suit, inserts from Glasshouse Regional Gallery - 19th May Chinese thermos flasks, steel tools from a - 2nd July. Korean market, ammonites, a piano roll, Anne will present a talk on May 20 at 11am. buttons and so on! Call the Glasshouse on 6581 8888 or visit You'll be presenting a talk at the glasshouse.org.au for more details.

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ROSS IRWIN+ DENIS DIBLASIO

G L A S S H O U S E R E G I O N A L G A L L E RY

T H E A RT I S T M A R K E T The original Artist Market started at the Maritime Museum seven years ago. From the first market, it became a much loved fixture on everyone’s monthly calendar. It created an alternative platform for local artists and artisans to promote their works, and it has been wonderful to see artists use the platform successfully and establish their names within the region.

JUNE 2-4 2017 FR I DAY

5PM

10 P M

BLAST OFF

GLASSHOUSE FORECOURT / FREE ED WILSON’S BIG BAND JAM SATU R DAY

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6PM

PANTHERS BANDEMONIUM 30 BIG BANDS 4 STAGES PANTHERS CLUB, BAY STREET PORT MACQUARIE / FREE

SATU R DAY

NIGHT

7. 3 0 P M

BACK TO BASIE CONCERT

We now call The Maritime Museum home, and each market day it is overflowing with stalls showcasing the creative talents of our region. We offer free workshops with Rhi Rebellion, where the community can get involved and learn new skills. It is part of creating the beautiful sense of community that this market represents. Each month we showcase local musicians, hold drumming workshops, and create a meeting place for locals to come and be part of. The Artist Market is so much more than a market day; the flow on effects with community engagement, the showcasing of local artists and artisans, and the creation of a meeting place makes it incredibly special. We look forward to seeing you on the fourth Sunday of every month.

This winter the Glasshouse is hosting Experimental Printmaking with Wendy Stokes. These workshops will build on the success of the Gallery’s first foray into artistic workshop series in 2016. Last year the Glasshouse Regional Gallery launched its first visual arts workshop series, with Drawing 101 with Pavel Lankas. The gallery then followed up with Painting 101 in autumn and will soon commence Life Drawing. All of these workshop series sold out. “The workshop series have been overwhelmingly popular, and I see these activities are a very important way to grow our creative community, with skills and also social connections,” said Gallery Curator, Niomi Sands. “Experimental Printmaking will provide a valuable learning opportunity for our local artists, whether they are learning new skills or consolidating existing ones. Wendy is widely respected in the local arts community, and we expect Experimental Printmaking to very popular - book early!” The gallery’s creative activities enable people to connect in a range of ways with the gallery’s exhibitions. From talks/workshops with visiting artists, exhibition openings, children’s art activities and informal fun craft workshops for adults, there is something for all interests and skill levels available. To find out more about what’s coming up at the Glasshouse Regional Gallery, visit glasshouse.org.au

GET CREATIVE Creative and artistic workshops with local and visiting artists

PANTHERS AUDITORIUM GUEST STARRING ROSS IRWIN (CAT EMPIRE) + DENIS DIBLASIO (USA) WITH THE 3B HORNS TICKETS $20 FROM PANTHERS SU N DAY

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Next Workshop series:

Commencing early August

EXPERIMENTAL PRINTMAKING with Wendy Stokes Extremely popular

BOOK NOW!

glasshouse.org.au/gallery 02 6581 8111

GLASSHOUSE REGIONAL GALLERY

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focus_interview

with Michelle Newman from Newman Communications

MARK

FREELANCE MUSICIAN AND MUSIC TEACHER

MARK’S DAYS AS A MUSIC TEACHER ARE A MELODIC MIX OF TUTORING DRUMS, INSTRUCTING PERCUSSION, WRITING MUSIC AND DIRECTING BANDS ACROSS THE HASTINGS.

ight now he’s also busy preparing young musicians for the Big Band Blast, which kicks off on Friday 2nd June, showcasing local talent and visiting high profile entertainers. “I teach and play drums. A lot of drums. I teach privately at both St. Joseph’s Regional and MacKillop College, as well as run my own private studio, Coastal Drum Academy,” said Mark. His days are kept busy at the Catholic High Schools with senior and junior percussion ensembles, and he writes and directs the crosscampus drum line, the Port Macquarie Vanguard. “I am the percussion instructor for the Year 5 music program at St. Columba Anglican School, and teach the side drummers for the Hastings District Pipe Band.” The music keeps playing after hours, as Mark spends many weekends on the road playing guitar and singing with his own indie-garagepop outfit, Royal Chant. Mark believes if you do everything with passion, curiosity, and humility, you can’t go wrong. He describes himself as a massive drum geek. From the age of 11, he studied music and took to the stage with advanced performing organisations. This study took him to Georgia State

University, studying English Literature and Jazz that our job is to give them an achievable goal Percussion. to reach and then help them find the ways and On arrival in Port Macquarie, Mark credits two means to do it.” people for recognising his training as a freeline The best part of his day is when he sees a jazz drummer and offering him a stepping stone student improving right before his eyes. to where he is now. Sharon Green, “I love Wednesday afternoons, director of bands for St. Agnes’ when we have our drum line Parish Secondary Schools, rehearsal and the sound is and Geoff Kearns from massive and everything ay I love Wednesd Coastal Music. is clicking at a highn afternoons , whe “It’s very important calibre. It is really quite we have our drum the to remember that d impressive. line rehearsal an playing music and and ve si “There’s something as m is d soun teaching music are about Port Macquarie ything is clicking er ev entirely different . that has made me at a high-calibre things,” said Mark. ite qu ly al It is re never want to leave “You’ve got to impressive .” - the beaches, the size know your instrument of the town, the pace of inside and out, and make a things. You can stay really concerted effort to stay up to busy and involved if you want, and date with new aspects of playing there’s always something exciting to and teaching.” do.” For Mark, teaching drums often involves The weekend of the 2nd June will have moments of pure joy. He also has some something for everyone, with 30 big bands, fun by making kids do push-ups at drum line four stages and free entertainment, so Mark rehearsal when they make a mistake. recommends getting out to feel the beats of the “Most important of all, we have to listen: to Big Band Blast. More info at what the students are telling us, either verbally or non-verbally, and always keeping in mind bigbandblast.com.au

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MY DAY 5:45am - Walk Daisy along the breakwall, go skating at the skatepark - if there’s not too many young whipper-snappers around to make me feel my age. 7:30am - Percussion Ensemble Rehearsal at St. Joseph’s Regional College or MacKillop College, or Concert Band Rehearsal at St. Joseph’s Regional. 9:00am - Private lessons at St. Joseph’s Regional or MacKillop. 10:00am - On Thursdays I have adults ballet class at Coastal Dance, then teach Year 5 Music at St. Columba. 3:30pm - Private Lessons at my personal studio space, Coastal Drum Academy. Wednesday is Drum Line rehearsal. 6:00pm - Monday nights I teach young drummers from Hasting District Pipe Band. 6:30pm - Wednesday is social tennis comp at T’s Tennis. 7:00pm - Rehearsals with Royal Chant some nights. 9:00pm - Cook dinner and read until falling asleep. focus Specialfocus. Edition 45 7 greater port macquarie

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CAPTURING

THE ESSENCE

VICAR OF DIBLEY 2

B O R N AGA I N

Players Theatre Port Macquarie is excited to bring you The Vicar Of Dibley 2 - Born Again from July 28 to August 12. Directed by Simone Sherrin, this brand new production brings you all your favourite characters from the hit TV show and much more. Claudia Giblin recreates the magic as the Vicar - Geraldine Granger after her outstanding success in Players’ smash hit 2015 production. The remainder of the original Players’ Dibley cast is back- as well as a few new characters, who all add to the hilarity of this small village. In this stage production, we kick things off with the wedding of Alice and Hugo, complete with Teletubbies and a dress inspired by Thomas the Tank Engine. Then Geraldine is wooed by a tall, handsome visitor to Dibley, and romance is in the air. However, Cupid’s arrow seems to take a few twists and turns, as the Vicar finds herself the love interest of the Chairman of the Village Council - David Horton. Luckily for the Vicar, all the village is keen to celebrate the arrival Hugo and Alice’s baby with a christening to remember. The show ends with a rather spectacular performance by the Vicar, which you won’t want to miss. So book now at Players Theatre or the Glasshouse box office for Vicar Of Dibley 2 from July 28 to August 12. There will be additional matinee performances on Saturdays at 2pm, as well as Shows on Friday and Saturday night at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

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Helga: Both of us find natural subjects a great inspiration, and both of us try to capture their essence. In this exhibition you’ll see some familiar subjects with different interpretations, as well as personal statements. There are paintings, drawings, as well as sculptures. How would you describe your work? Helga: Mostly representational, with a few excursions into contemporary. Landscapes of this area include the beautifully restored Cattai Wetlands. Trips to Central Australia gave me an understanding of the indigenous people’s attachment to “country”, so I’ve included some outback landscapes. Christine: I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of nature and enjoy painting landscapes, birds, still life and florals. I often approach my still life subjects with the use of bold colours and a strong sense of design; whereas, when I paint birds, I enjoy bringing out the detail and use watercolour and pencil. I use a more impressionistic approach when painting landscapes. What particularly inspires your sculptural work? Helga: Oddly enough, I find most of my sculptures are comments on today’s society and mores. Sometimes something strikes me as funny or absurd, and I want to make a comment on that. Sometimes it’s just quirky or frivolous, and sometimes it’s political - the equivalent of a comedian telling the truth.

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PENNY WHITE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN Define art and culture and what it means to you? Art and culture plays a big part of my visual inspiration; there is nothing better than listening to talented musicians in a cosy bar setting, or witnessing an artist in action street side. Simple people watching of different cultures and backgrounds can be hugely inspiring, with different dress styles, food and cooking traditions.

T H E AT R E O Z

P O RT M AC Q UA R I E

All the world’s a stage for Theatre Oz Port Macquarie’s Mark and Sarah Morabito, who are passionate about sharing their vast knowledge and experiences in performing arts with Port Macquarie. This husband and wife team met at Ballarat university, acquired a B.A. in Music Theatre, have experience and knowledge in screen acting from TAFTA Melbourne, and have worked in stage and screen throughout Australia and America. Mark, a born and bred Melbournian and Sarah, from Maitland NSW worked and trained extensively in Melbourne as performers and teachers for five years. It was whilst on a short break, visiting family in Port Macquarie, that they decided to make a sea change and are now settled, having recently bought land here. Both performers attended after-school drama growing up and believe this was fundamental to

their successes personally and professionally. Performing arts classes at Theatre Oz Port Macquarie sees students gain skills in self confidence, social connection, creative problem solving, reading and music, whilst also fostering community connection, self-development, physical and mental wellbeing. Theatre Oz welcomes collaboration and performance opportunities with other performers, schools and theatre companies and believes in supporting the strong community connection here. When they aren’t mentoring and performing, Mark and Sarah love spending time with family and friends, enjoying the beautiful coastal beaches. Theatre Oz Port Macquarie Mid-Year Showcase will be held at Players Theatre on 25th June 2017. Please contact us on the number below.

What is your creative “outlet” or hobby? My creative outlet is that I get to set a scene and create home styling through my store window displays with merchandising @ elements of design. What inspires creativity for you? My absolute go to for creative inspiration is on my travels - whether it be to major cities or heading north to my favourite happy place, Byron Bay. Shop fit outs - funky cafés - shop fronts - florists and outdoor dining spaces continue to make me thrive for the next best thing! All of which is in our own beautiful country of Australia; I am not an overseas traveller and a believer that we do live in the best country in the world, that showcases art and culture at its best!

ROY RO S E MUSICIAN Define art and culture and what it means to you? Expressing of creativity ... It’s essential to humans; without it, we would be pretty boring. What is your creative “outlet” or hobby? Playing music. What inspires creativity for you? I like to build things, and I also like sounds and music, so those two things go together, I suppose. When I hear somebody else play, that’s really good too. When writing music, I draw inspiration from the sound of my guitar.

A N G E L A M A R R- G R O G A N M A R R A N G A RT Define art and culture and what it means to you? As an Aboriginal artist and designer, art and culture for me is a creative fusion - they go together. Art and design are ways to showcase and celebrate my culture. What is your creative “outlet” or hobby? I have many creative interests, and one of my favourite “creative downtime” activities is traditional weaving. What inspires creativity for you? Creative inspiration is everywhere, but what really inspires me creatively are actually challenges. I really enjoy the design and artistic processes involved in creating custom imagery that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also has special meaning for programs, events and organisations. focus Specialfocus. Edition 47 9 greater port macquarie

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Creative local Carmel Debreuil invites you to let your imagination run free. Her whimsical artworks take us inside the minds of children their imaginary worlds interrupted. FOCUS went to Carmel’s studio to find out more about her art practice and the children who feature in her work.

hat is your connection to the Mid North Coast? My husband and I moved to Red Rock about fifteen years ago. We had been living in Byron Bay, which was really busy and getting very expensive. We were on a road trip and came upon the town and fell in love. It’s timeless perfection. You have worked and exhibited all over the world. What is special to you about this particular part of it? I love being surrounded by so much nature national and state parks, the ocean, the river. It’s all very pristine. I feel like I’m on holiday all the time. It’s a great place for me to focus, without too many distractions.

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When did you start out as an artist? I have drawings that I did when I was three years old, so I would say I’ve been doing it all my life. I worked as a portrait artist in Paris for a couple of years in the big square in front of Le Centre Pompidou with my sister and my dad, which was a really neat experience. I feel really lucky that I had such a great art teacher in my dad. He taught everything from the skeleton to perspective to the colour wheel and portraiture. When you have the fundamental basics, the classic skills, then you can do whatever you want. How do you describe your work? I always think of it as mash potatoes for the eyes. It’s bright and colourful and easy to digest. There are always stories behind the pieces that

are deeper and sometimes photos of him, but then I darker, but I love that realised if I put the same little kids can look at glasses on my youngest I remember my work and enjoy it son, I had the perfect doing my first beas much as anyone. model. painting of a little ridI have studied I love the idea of kids spectacled boy el … ing a giant squirr enough that I know deep in thought in their It just felt right.” I’m painting what I imagination, that we have want to paint. I want my just interrupted them in work to make people feel their playing and they are good, to show the strength still in that other world playing and possibility of children and to with a giant chicken or facing off to let your imagination run free. a lion. Children are the feature of your current All my models are kids that I know, and work; what do they mean to you? each has their own personality. I have the tiny My dad passed away about five years ago, fiery red head, the typical boy, the ballerina girl, and it was really devastating. He came to me in a the transgender girl, the stubborn brat girl - I dream just after he died and talked to me about love them all! being an artist and what I should do. It was really Can you tell us a bit about your creative full on and very, very real. process? When I returned to Australia from Canada I paint on wood, so the first part of the story (where my parents live), I really thought a lot involves me going to Bunnings and pulling down about that dream. So I started painting. I was a stack of ply and going through the sheets one reflecting on my childhood and my loss and by one to try to find ones that have great knots painting lots of really beautiful sad portraits of and patterns in the wood. Then I go home, cut kids. them, sand them, and put the back frame on. I I was looking at a lot of family photos too. I seal them, and then they are primed and ready came across one of my brother when he was a to go. kid wearing a striped shirt, horn rimmed glasses I find inspiration for the stories through the and cowboy boots. It made me laugh, because kids’ personalities, stories, animals, and colours. I he was such a character. I wished I had more love pulling from cultures around the world too.

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Kids don’t tend to have all these hang ups that we pick up as we get older. They love a kimono, a Viking helmet and cowboy boots, because they are open to the beauty of all these lands and cultures. They can be anything they want to be. Life is like a fairy tale. How have you developed such an individual style? That is a really important thing for me. It’s important for me to have my own point of view. I am definitely inspired by other artists and photographers, but I interpret my imagination my own way. I used to have a much different style that really suited my age and where I was at in my head at the time. It was really swirly and fun - lots of dancing women with big feet, big hands and boobies. That was a really clear style for me, but I kinda grew out of it. Or maybe I just didn’t feel that way after having two kids and my dad’s death. I remember doing my first painting of a little bespectacled boy riding a giant squirrel, and I felt like I had come home. It just felt right. I love that people can look at a piece of my art and know who created it. I’m the only person in the world doing this type of thing, and that feels really good. I have my little signatures in the cowboy boots, the glasses and the fact that I can name each kid in my paintings. How do you stay inspired; what keeps you creating? I don’t really find it that hard to be inspired. I used to be a bit more cautious I think, but now I just barrel on ahead. I just do whatever comes into my head and think, well, if it sucks, I can

just burn it. Some paintings just really work, and I can feel it. I think another thing that works for me is being very prolific. The more I create, the more ideas I get. It’s when you only do one or two paintings a month that you get stuck. I like doing about five Everyone has a a week, although I’ve story, and I love slowed that down a bit. ting the idea of crea What does the future will at th heirlooms hold for your art for n w do ed be pass and ADHD. The art time practice? .” ns tio ra gene puts me into this really I am doing several calm, meditative zone, commissions at the which balances great with moment, which is always great fun. I get a lot of people my social side, which is a bit who get portraits of themselves loud and wild. as kids or paintings of their own How are you involved in the local children. community? Everyone has a story, and I love the idea of I’ve been involved in fundraising for a creating heirlooms that will be passed down for charity called Red Goes Faster that works with generations. It’s really special to think that the Wheelchairs for Kids, providing wheelchairs for painting you do of someone will be loved and disabled children in third world countries. cherished by their grandkids and further. It’s so I enjoy doing talks at schools and inspiring much more significant to get personalised art other artistic people to see their talents as than just buying a print from Ikea or something. something that can be incorporated into their I can’t imagine not painting. adult working life. I am going to speak to some What do you like to do in your spare time? artistic kids for Careers Day at Woolgoolga High I’m super social, so mostly I like to hang out School. There is so much talent in the area. with my friends. I have been getting into female I have also painted a mural with chalkboard drag lately, which is probably an extension of the paint at the Red Rock Bowling Club that’s creative side. I like to dress up and do karaoke. interactive. I’d like to do more community art. Painting is really solitary, and I usually listen to Where can we see your artwork? the same song list over and over. I’m a bit OCD At the moment I have my work at the

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Manyung Galleries in Victoria. I love doing shows. It makes me feel like a kid in a candy store to see sixty pieces of all these bright colours all displayed on white walls. It’s a tough time for galleries, I think, because the internet is giving artists access to clients all around the world. When people can access artists via the net, they get a very personal experience. I think part of the joy of having an art piece is knowing who painted it and having some sort of connection to them as well. Where can people find out more about your art? The best way to find out more about my art is via my website www.carmeldebreuil.com or on my Facebook page: Carmel Debreuil Artist. People can also make appointments to come to my studio to see completed work or to discuss commissions. I’m also on Instagram, and from time to time I do live streaming of me working. Thanks Carmel. greater port macquarie focus Special focus. Edition 49 11

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These brands have created a le , and lifestyle for peop e w this is something ffs Co to want to bring t our Harbour. We wan as be to s er custom t their passionate abou we as ns shoe collectio .” are of ours

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AMY GRAEME

wright

AMY AND GRAEME WRIGHT ARE THE OWNERS OF LOCAL STREETWEAR STORE, EDEGREES. THEY HAVE THE BEST RANGE OF FOOTWEAR AND STREETWEAR ON THE NORTH COAST. FOCUS HAD A CHAT TO THE SUCCESSFUL COUPLE TO FIND OUT MORE ... hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? We’ve both grown up in the area and are proud to call the Coffs Coast our home. We enjoy travelling, but it’s nice to come home to such a beautiful place. Tell us about your business and what you specialise in. We are a streetwear store specialising in footwear, clothing and records and other fun stuff. Over the years, we have worked very hard to build a collection of labels that reflect our passion for street culture. We like to be individual; why copy the store around the corner that’s unoriginal and boring! Our most specialised area would be footwear. Our labels are some of the biggest and most popular in the world: Nike, Adidas, Converse, Dr Martens and Vans. We focus on the street fashion side of these labels and offer styles that no one else in Coffs Harbour can. Most people will have also noticed we share our space with some of the Coffs Coast’s most talented barbers. Tim from Turnstyles Barbers shares our passion for street culture; this collaboration sets us apart from the rest and has created an amazing atmosphere in our store. You have recently closed the doors to your Coffs Central store. Why? It’s a lot of work having your own business, but add 14 focus 30 coffs Special coast focus. Edition

in a second location, and your workload doubles. It’s been 10 years of having two stores, and we just felt like it was time. At some point you need to put your family first! Amy has lost both her parents to cancer in recent years, and it makes you realise that life’s short! Our Park Beach Plaza store has always been the stronger store, and we decided it was time to simplify our lives and downsize. We now have more time to focus on our business and time to spend with our kids, making memories and enjoying some quality family time. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but now we look back and are so glad we did it! Have you got any new plans happening in 2017? We might have a few things up our sleeves, but for now we are focusing on our footwear section. Having recently taken a trip to the US, we spent a bit of time watching people’s feet! The sneaker industry is fascinating. Sneakers can be highly collectable, and people will pay big money for rare Nikes and Adidas from years gone by. These brands have created a lifestyle for people, and this is something we want to bring to Coffs Harbour. We want our customers to be as passionate about their shoe collections as we are of ours. What are the fashion trends for winter? Well, you’ve probably already noticed pink is in! Pastel colours are very prominent this winter in clothing and footwear. Lighter, washed out, torn denim is also in

the mix. Many footwear labels are seeing a resurrection of historic profiles, Vans with The Old Skool or Adidas with The Gazelle or Superstar. Converse One Stars are also making a comeback. What makes your business different to other businesses in the same industry? Hmm ... Well, I guess the fact that we strive for individuality and uniqueness to give our store its own identity. Being different to other stores is important to us; it makes us work harder! Because we are an independent store, we can, more or less, stock whatever we want, so this gives us the freedom to keep an eclectic mix, hopefully making your visit to eDegrees an interesting one! Whether it’s Calvin Klein underwear you’re after or your favourite NBA player as a figurine, a quirky book or a pair of bright and crazy socks, hopefully you’ll find something cool in our store! We don’t want to be just another clothing store. Retail has changed, so in order to compete with online shopping you have to make your customers’ shopping experience a unique one. Great products, great service and a welcoming smile! Where else can we find more information? We are trying to focus some time on building our online presence. Most of our time is spent posting on Instagram, so follow us; you won’t regret it! Thanks Amy and Graeme.

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J E T T Y T H E AT R E

I started photographing professionally in 2008, mainly specialising in family, children and wedding portraiture. I love natural light and the textures of the outdoors. We now have a full service studio, which means we can create amazing wall art, prints and albums for clients to enjoy in their homes. We also have loads of props for capturing those bumps, babes and little people. I am accredited with the AIPP - Australian Institute of Professional Photographers. My promise to you is this: wonderful memories captured, professional service, and quality products. We welcome any out of town clients to book a photography session with me. I would love to capture your family, your newborn baby, or be there to share in your special wedding day.

Are you a writer? Do you dabble with wordplay? The Sydney Writer’s Festival will be livestreamed direct to the Jetty Theatre (May 26 - 28) with panels, keynotes, and discussions live from the Sydney Opera House! On May 30, the Griffin Theatre Company comes to Coffs Harbour for a quirky one-man show of Roald Dahl’s The Witches. Cinematinee takes on a regional French flavour with drama The Country Doctor (June 1) and romantic comedy Un Plus Une (June 8) for French film lovers. Tickets are also now on sale for the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow (July 1) and the Melbourne Ballet presenting their new touring program Empyrean (July 9). For bookings and information, call the Jetty Memorial Theatre Box Office on (02) 6648 4930 or visit www.jettytheatre.com

Upcoming Shows ONE SHOW ONLY!

The Witches by Roald Dahl Griffin Theatre Company presents the incredible stage show! Show: Tue 30 May

The Country Doctor (French with English subs)

Thu 1 Jun Screening: 10.30am, 1.30 & 6pm jettymemorialtheatre

OPEN DAY

Open Day & Fundraiser

A day of celebration and fundraising for our community’s beautiful theatre. Show: Sun 25 Jun

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow The biggest, best, and funniest stand-up comedy tour! Show: Sat 1 Jul jettymemorialtheatre

@jettytheatre

TOURING SHOW

I specialise in maternity and newborn photography, family portraiture and child portraiture. There is something about new life growing inside a mother that is miraculous and should be celebrated. Those first few weeks when a baby is born are so precious. “… Because they are only this little once” - Ali Russell

artREACH’s first performance is Tenori, three powerful tenors who met while touring internationally with The Ten Tenors. Tenori will perform at Woolgoolga Community Hall (May 26) and Coramba Hall (May 27).

CINEMATINEE

If you would like more information about our Bridal Fair or to book a last minute site, please phone Heidi on (02) 6569 5555 or email info@vallabeachtouristpark.com.au

RU S S E L L

Thursday fortnights

This year our fashion parade is proudly organised and presented by Melanie Jayne, and it will be fantastic. Melanie creates beautiful wedding gowns for brides all over Australia, and they are exquisite. Valla Beach Bridal Fair will be a day full of colour, inspiration, fun and live entertainment - an event not to be missed. Entry will be by gold coin donation, which will be donated to a local charity.

ALI

Arts and culture comes to the outliers of the Coffs Coast with the new artREACH program, bringing an ongoing program of live entertainment performances to towns and hamlets around the region.

SPECIAL EVENT

The countdown is on for the Valla Beach Bridal Fair. It will again be held at the Valla Beach Tourist Park, on Sunday 16th July 2017. Come be inspired by our local area’s most fabulous wedding providers. Our creative exhibitors will be showcasing their work and showing off their wedding services. This down to earth event is filled with genuine, helpful businesses that will assist with all your wedding questions, big or small. Exhibitors include an array of local wedding services: stunning wedding gowns by Melanie Jayne, bridal hair and makeup, photographers, videographers, celebrants, stylists and decorators, catering services, car hire, gold flaked champagne, and much, much more.

JUNE LINEUP

TOURING SHOW

VA L L A B E A C H B R I D A L F A I R

Proudly supported by

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

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TAFE AWARDS BOTH GRADUATES AND CONTINUING STUDENTS OF TAFE NSW IN COFFS HARBOUR AND BELLINGEN HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED AT A RECENT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE EVENT.

tudents were presented with awards portunity to study only a short drive from Bellof merit and awards of excellence in ingen, Dominic credits much of his expertise each teaching section represented and support in the profession to his teachers. across both campuses. Students “My teachers at the Coffs Harbour Education acknowledged for their determinaCampus have been extremely supportive of me tion and success came from popular areas of throughout my studies. They are always there study like aged care, business and accounting, for anything I need and have really helped construction trades, health, nursing, along me during my studies.” After completing his with the more specialised areas of study studies, Dominic hopes to open his such as furniture design and own establishment in Bellingen. visual arts. Often asked about his age The Leader, Comand the desire to study munity & Business later in life, Dominic Students r their acknowledged fo ess Engagement, Megan offers some words of d succ determination an r areas Hill, says the event wisdom to others la came from popu care , reflected the unsure of whether ed of study like ag outstanding talent to start their study g, tin un co business and ac , th and achievements al later in life. “It’s he , es ad construction tr e of students from never too late in life th ith w g nursing, alon of s ea ar across the Coffs to start something.” ed lis ia more spec re itu rn fu Coast and Bellingen Other award as ch su study al arts .” su vi Shire. “It’s amazing recipients included d an gn si de to see so many of our Willow Driver (2016 students acknowledged by TVET Student of the Year) their teachers for the efforts and Jo-Anne Bertram (2016 each put into their study. These Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander recipients demonstrate a quality approach Student of the Year). Recently featured to their education and reflect attributes in the April edition of FOCUS, Willow was sought after by industry.” Coupled with recognised for his outstanding commitment to the awards of merit and awards of excellence, the photography and videography profession. a select few students were presented with At just 17, he has started his own business major awards. and has worked on campaigns for clients such Apprentice chef and Certificate III Commeras Denise Knight, the World Rally Champicial Cookery student, Dominic Elmaloglou, was onship and TAFE NSW. Jo-Anne Bertram was awarded 2016 Apprentice of The Year and awarded based on the support she provided overall 2016 Student of The Year. After just fellow students throughout her qualification 18 months of study, Dominic was recognised in Education Support. Jo-Anne would often by the minister for Trade, Tourism and Major come into class early to support her peers with Events, Stuart Ayres, as a part of the 2016 technology, assessments and what she had Tourism and Hospitality Student Achiever learned throughout her own study. Her passion Awards at Parliament House. At 37 and after for supporting students was also evident with working for many years as a kitchen hand, the TAFE play session environment, where she Dominic decided it was time to finally become developed strong relationships with students qualified. “I moved to Bellingen with my family and teachers from local primary schools. Jo has from Sydney and wanted to ensure my skills completed work placement and has undertakwere formally recognised.” Lauding the open employment with a local school.

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COMICS ICS

RUN

ON THE

ON SATURDAY 3RD JUNE 2017, CAMP QUALITY WILL HAVE OUR ANNUAL COMICS ON THE RUN FUNDRAISER AT SAWTELL RSL, TO SUPPORT LOCAL KIDS LIVING WITH CANCER.

ommy Dean genuinely missing out. Headlining this year’s Comics Brett Nichols on the Run is the hilarious Brett has become a regular headline act on Tommy Dean! both the Sydney and national comedy circuits, Arizona raised, now resident as well as strutting his stuff on The Footy in Sydney, stand-up star Tommy Dean is well Show, Stand Up Australia, and Last Comic known amongst Australia’s headline comedy Standing. Brett’s versatility and ad-libbing artists. Tommy’s astute, clean, excellence see him transform every observational comedic style show into a night his audience consistently make him a will never forget. stand out winner with Sarah Levett audiences across his Sarah is widely d adopted nation. On Saturday 3r regarded as comedy’s p Tommy Dean June 2017, Cam r ei th love child, having has a unique Quality will have on s performed soldunderstanding Annual Comic

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er at

is out tours from the the Run Fundra of Australia, its pport su to L, RS ll te w Sa USA to the Sydney audiences and l kids living with ca lo and Melbourne above all, what cancer.” makes us laugh. International Comedy With his brilliantly Festivals. Amongst insightful and clean Sarah’s unique traits is her humour, genial manner courage to never just “hide and hilarious routines, Tommy behind the funny” but to bare never fails to connect with and her soul to make a deeper personal impress any audience. connection with her audience. Tommy is in high demand on the live MC Barry McLeod circuit, and is a regular headline act in Tying the show together is one of Australia’s comedy venues around Australia. He has also leading MCs and corporate comedians, Barry performed in many of the leading comedy McLeod, whose knack to fuel the audience clubs in the USA as well as New Zealand, and bring them along for the journey is second North America, Europe and South East Asia. to none. You would no doubt have seen Tommy Tickets are only $40 each and can be on countless TV shows, including: Spick and purchased at the Sawtell RSL or phone Specks, Good News Week, Stand Up Australia, (02) 6653 1577. Joker Poker, Rove Live, The Sideshow, Sunrise, Thank God it's Friday, and The Today Show. He is a true master of observational comedy and if you have never seen Tommy Dean, you are

Please join us in supporting local kids living with cancer! Together, let’s make laughter the best medicine!

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JAMES mifsud

WOOLGOOLGA LOCAL JAMES MIFSUD HAS BEEN A TATTOO ARTIST FOR TWELVE YEARS AND SPECIALISES IN BODY SUITS, FULL COLOUR AND JAPANESE AND NEO TRADITIONAL STYLES. FOCUS WENT TO HIS STUDIO TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK AND FIND OUT HOW IT’S DONE.

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? I’ve lived on the Coffs Coast since I was young, going to Woolgoolga Public School and doing all of high school in Woopi too. It’s an awesome place to grow up and good to be classed as a local by the community. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist, and how long have you been doing it? I have always had a love for art. I drew any chance I had while growing up and did art all through school. I started tattooing at Absolute Tattoo twelve years ago. I was in the shop from day one and am thankful for the opportunity. I now manage the shop, as well as being a fulltime artist, working alongside an awesome crew: Megan, Cameron, Shaun, Nick and assistants Rohey and Ben. What do you love about tattooing people, and are there any challenges? Everybody is different in skin and life experiences. You make a connection with the client in the chair, and they all have story to tell. I have made many close friends over

the years with all my repeat customers. It’s the ink very well. a great experience when they are so happy My advice is look at the artist’s portfolio, with their tattoo. It gives them and myself a do a bit of research on them and then listen feeling of satisfaction. their advice, because a good tattoo artist There are challenges every day will want the tattoo to look even when tattooing depending better than you do. on the client’s skin, the Are tattoos becoming tattoo placement, more popular? You make a design, and the list I think tattoos are connection with goes on. It's part and becoming more chair, the client in the parcel of being a popular, because it is story and they all have tattooist. seen more as a work e ad m to tell. I have er What is Neo of art these days than ov s nd ie fr e many clos y m l Traditional style in just a tattoo. It’s not al ith w s the year s.” er tattooing? just a bikie, sailor or om st cu at repe Neo Traditional bad boy thing; it’s artists tattoos are a modern doing what they love take on old school tattoos, doing, and people from all using more bold and thin walks of life getting ink is much line work and a bit more colour to more widely accepted. make it a little more realistic than the Can you tell us a bit about your traditional tattoo. They are fun to do creative process? How do you come up and look great forever. with new designs? What advice would you give someone People who book in with me sometimes considering their first tattoo? leave the whole process and design up to A lot of people make the mistake of going me, which is challenging but also satisfying too small for their first tattoo or getting it at the same time. I do like to get some sort of in the wrong position. Tattoos change over reference from them, to get what is in their time, and some parts of the body don’t hold head into mine and vice versa.

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We do as much custom work at Absolute as possible. Giving our clients a one off piece is done in many ways, such as drawing or using Photoshop, depending on the style and clients’ needs. You specialise in body suits. Are there special techniques or skills needed for this, and how long can it take to complete a full body suit? Doing big jobs such as sleeves and body suits takes a lot of thought, preparation and commitment from both the artist and the client. Many hours are spent designing and under the needle, depending if it is colour or black and grey and what the theme is made up of. If it is detailed, smaller needles are used. Covering large areas can take years and depends a lot on the client’s availability to get the work done. Where can people see more of your work? People can see more of my work on Instagram: jamesmifsud or on the Absolute Tattoo website: absolutetattoo.com.au I also have a portfolio at the shop in Woolgoolga. Thanks James. coffs coast Edition focus. 33 focus Special 17

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COFFS HARBOUR C R E AT I V E A RT S G RO U P Do you want to paint … to draw … and enjoy other creative arts? Coffs Harbour Creative Arts Group Showground Gallery and Workshop is home to a community of artists with diverse interests, who meet to learn, experience and enjoy a variety of artistic pursuits and social interaction. Classes and workshops are held throughout the year with experienced and visiting tutors in acrylics, pastels, oils, drawing, life drawing, watercolours, fibre arts, spinning and weaving, calligraphy, art classes for kids, photography and more. There are social days too, where artists just meet and work together in a friendly, enjoyable atmosphere. There is something for artists at all levels. You don’t have to be an experienced artist to join in, just willing to have a go - we encourage beginners …it’s where we all started! In our small and intimate gallery, we hold member exhibitions, opening events and social functions as an active part of the local art community. Our exhibitions are always changing, with original artworks for sale. COFFS HARBOUR

ADVANCE SCREENING Wednesday 14 June

Drinks from 6.30pm - Film starts 7pm

IN CINEMAS JUNE 15

TICKETS NOW ON SALE STANDARD TICKETS $26* Buy your tickets at eventcinemas.com.au facebook.com/chicksattheflicks

CHICKS AT THE FLICKS IS ASSOCIATED WITH:

@chicksattheflicks #catfevent

*PLUS ONLINE BOOKING FEE.

COFFS HARBOUR

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Classes run for eight weeks during the school terms. Upcoming workshops: July 3 - 4 - “Flora Fantastica” - a Mixed Media two-day workshop with Sarah Mufford. July 11th - a one-day workshop - Pen & Wash “Old buildings and Sheds” with Ivinnie Brown. August 26 - 27, for something different - Sketch, collage and paint, an Abstraction Workshop with Darryl Gibbs. Learn to crochet on Saturday mornings, and other exciting workshops are being planned throughout the year.

T H E A R T FAC T O RY The Art Factory has been part of the Coffs Harbour community for 25 years. Our business focus is the making of quality custom picture frames. With over 30 years’ industry experience, we are able to offer our customers informed advice on a wide variety of treatments for the presentation of their favoured piece of artwork or memorabilia. We work with our customers to find a solution for their individual needs, taking into account the artwork, as well as considering their personal taste and décor. Whether you require the mounting of an original painting or photograph on canvas, whether your artwork is a collectable piece, family photo or sporting memorabilia, it will be treated with the same care and attention to detail. We offer advice on conservation and restoration, utilising both in house and external services. With two exhibition spaces, we also showcase original work by local artists. We currently have an exhibition of work by well known sculptor John Van der Kolk, printed work on glass by JP Willis, paintings by Sara Bowen and sketches by Geogina Lucock. Please call us if you wish to be added to our mailing list for exhibitions. We are conveniently located in Orlando Street, with parking at our door, so calling in for a quote or collecting finished work is made very easy.

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2017 ORARA valley fair

The fair celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and it began as a picnic day for the locals. The reserve itself, which straddles the Orara River, was originally set aside in the 19th Century as a watering reserve for livestock. Jo Fenwick tells us more about what we can expect at this year’s event ...

ell us about the history of the Orara Valley Fair. The President of the first official Orara Valley Fair, Doug Hoschke, said fundraising began because money was needed to pay back a bank loan taken out to replace the floor of the Historic 1908 Upper Orara Hall. “We had to raise a hundred pounds a year, so we decided to run a sports day and once we paid off the money for the hall, we came up with the idea of smartening up the recreation ground and building new amenities,” Doug said. And that tradition continues to today, where the money is put back into the community. Activities from early fairs which remain on the program today include woodchopping and children’s races and games, both still very popular. Over the 40 years the fair has grown from being a purely local outing to a major Coffs Coast event, attracting thousands of people to the riverside recreation ground, set among fertile farmland. Many years ago, the fair outgrew the recreation ground itself, and today it is able to be run only by the grace and goodwill of kindly neighbouring farmers Troy Blackman and Waterfall Agriculture and Sharon and Steve Blackmore, who give up their paddocks so people can park their cars and tractor-

The wood chopping program will include drawn hay rides, pony rides, helicopter tree-felling, a special event which is rarely held rides and other space-hungry events can be today. Entertainment is by the ever popular included on the program. Tallowood Bush Band, backed up by Sawtell’s Who are the organisers of the event? backyard balladeer Errol Gray and local The fair, which is non-profit, is still run dancers and performers. As well, the Upper by a community committee of Upper Orara Orara Hall will be open, with a quilt display in residents with the help of hundreds of conjunction with the fair. The fair other local volunteers on the day. will also showcase the work of We would still welcome more Landcare and Rivercare, with volunteers if anyone is e displays of local problem interested to help out on This year, for th ir is weeds, information on the day. first time, the fa EAP Food how to improve soils The event will be working with R ed the and biodiversity and Rescue to help fe ise celebrating its 40th im talks on a variety of hungry and min year this year. What ing waste by collect er for topics. can we expect? ov usable food left Can you tell us about The fair will be held meless ho to n tio bu distri the charities you will on Monday 12th June local people .” be raising money for? from 9:30am to 4pm and In four decades the is offering something for fair has raised hundreds every age. There will be the of thousands of dollars, not very popular working vintage farm only by donating the profits from machinery from the Orara Vintage Farm the fair, but also by paying community Machinery Museum, wood chopping groups to provide services and by allowing competitions, tractor-drawn hay rides, schools, preschools, community groups and farm tours with Waterfall Agriculture, horse organisations to raise funds through stalls and rides, whip cracking demonstrations, free activities. circus workshops, reptile and farm animals, Different local charities are selected for bungy bounce, children’s races, a guess-thesupport each year by the committee as weight of the steer competition, a jumping soon as the bills for the fair are paid and the castle, rural fire displays and lots of stalls, a amount available for distribution is known. In wide variety of food will be available.

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2016, the fair donated almost $7,000 to eight local organisations, including Men’s Shed, Refugee Resettlement Services and Wildlife Rescue. This year, for the first time, the fair is working with REAP Food Rescue to help feed the hungry and minimise waste by collecting usable food left over for distribution to homeless local people. Where is the festival held? At the Upper Orara Recreation Ground, Dairyville Road, Dairyville. How much is the entry fee? The cost is $5 adults and $2 school age children, with younger children free. Where is the parking? Parking is on the land adjacent to the Rec Ground and is marshalled by volunteers to guide you to your spot. The fair aims to provide an affordable day out for everyone, so Glenreagh Bus Service is providing a free bus service to and from the Fair from Glenreagh, Nana Glen, Coramba and Coffs Harbour. Times and pick up spots will be on our website. Thanks Jo.

the plug! When: Monday 12th June. 9:30am to 4pm For more info visit our Facebook: Orara Valley Fair or at www.oraravalleyfair.com.au coffs coast Edition focus. 35 focus Special 19

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BOURBoN STREET

Coffs

GIG GUIDE

JUNE 1ST

JUNE 11TH

JUNE 22ND

Big T - Seaview Tavern

Lisa Hunt - Hoey Moey Aqwa - Element Bar

Mick Bateman - Seaview Tavern

JUNE 14TH

JUNE 23RD

Chris Grieve - Element Bar

Josh Matheson - Seaview Tavern

Jaz + DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Secret Squirrel - Seaview Tavern Kitty Flanagan - C.ex Milo Green - Element Bar

JUNE 16TH

JUNE 24TH

JUNE 2ND Josh Matheson + DJ Bisho Hoey Moey Car Ram Rod - Seaview Tavern Tullara - Element Bar

JUNE 3RD DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Matty Devitt Duo - Seaview Tavern Jim Bird - Element Bar

JUNE 4TH Mal Eastick Band - Hoey Moey Benny Black - Seaview Tavern Paul Clement - Element Bar

JUNE 7TH

JUNE 15TH

Scott Day-vee + DJ Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey Rowland & Shekinah Seaview Tavern The Bean Project - Element Bar

JUNE 17TH

DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Downhill Bombers the Fingers - Seaview Tavern Mischa Tanashevich - Element Bar

JUNE 25TH Mason Rack - Hoey Moey Josh Matheson - Element Bar

Jake Davey - Seaview Tavern

DJ Brown Sugar - Hoey Moey Scott Day-vee - Seaview Tavern Killer Queen - Moonee Tavern Owen Shannon - Element Bar

JUNE 9TH

JUNE 18TH

JUNE 29TH

The Stripes - Hoey Moey Jaz Salangsang - Seaview Tavern The Wiggles - C.ex Jack Churchwell - Element Bar

Mighty Ocean - Seaview Tavern

Jesse Morris - Element Bar

JUNE 8TH Jake Davey + DJ Bisho - Hoey Moey Charlie Band - Seaview Tavern Hillbilly Goats - Sawtell RSL Bri Green - Element Bar

JUNE 10TH DJ Layne - Hoey Moey Ladies night with DJ Bisho Seaview Tavern Benny Black- Element Bar 36 focus. 20 coffs focuscoast Special Edition

JUNE 21ST Billie-Jo Porter - Element Bar

JUNE 27TH Kevin Bloody Wilson - Sawtell RSL

JUNE 30TH Quick Fix + DJ Brown SugarHoey Moey The Bondi Cigars - Seaview Tavern Celine Dion Tribute - Sawtell RSL Chris Wiggins - Element Bar

AUSTRALIAN FOUR-PIECE ROCK BAND BOURBON STREET (ALL ORIGINAL MEMBERS) FORMED IN BYRON BAY, NSW, IN FEBRUARY 1987. THE BAND ENJOYED IMMEDIATE SUCCESS ON THE LIVE CIRCUIT AS A ‘70S-STYLED HIGH-ENERGY COVER BAND AND SOON BEGAN WRITING THEIR OWN SONGS.

uring the next six years, Bourand Rosie’s Bar & Grill, all receiving extensive bon Street played more live airplay in the Northern Rivers region of NSW. shows than any other band in The group disbanded again shortly after the Australia. They won multiple album’s release, before being lured back to awards and released three the stage by organisers of the Airlie Beach albums, before disbanding in September Music Festival in 2013. of ‘93. Since then, Bourbon Street Their debut LP, Stronger have regrouped on a Than Dirt, released in number of occasions for ’88, featured a cover special appearances in of Neil Young’s Powtheir Northern Rivers Like so many of ic der Finger, which area. Like so many on ic ’s ar yesterye ed became the band’s of yesteryear’s on as se bands, the e rg la aw traditional opener iconic bands, the dr ill st s rocker ith the w ay pl d for live shows. seasoned rockers an ds crow enthusiasm A young Brisstill draw large same child-like the map that put them on bane-based group crowds and play o.” over 29 years ag at the time was with the same childlargely influenced by like enthusiasm that Bourbon Street and put them on the map chose this song’s title over 29 years ago. Their as their band’s namesake repertoire features fan-faves Powderfinger. Meanwhile, Stronger from their albums and a mix of Than Dirt went on to become a cult high-energy covers from The Doors, classic. It was re-pressed four times and Led Zeppelin, Stones and AC/DC. Live on YouTube, When You’re Broke is still in popular demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQAxIn 2003, the band regrouped and toured WVZd2-c sporadically around their native Northern Rivers area for the next few years. Their fourth album, Banned for Life (co-produced the plug! by Powderfinger’s Ian Haug) was released in February, 2007. The album yielded three Don’t miss Bourbon Street, playing at the Hoey minor hits, with Silver Dollar, Natural Blonde Moey on Sunday 28th May.

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T H E

T E S K E Y

B R O T H E R S

THE RUSTIC VINTAGE VIBE OF THE TESKEY BROTHERS WILL BE THE PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT TO THIS YEAR’S BELLO WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH JOSH TESKEY ABOUT THE PROCESS OF NAILING THEIR LATEST ALBUM AND THEIR LOVE OF MUSIC …

ntroduce yourselves to us; when did your We got so into the sound on the album that through love of music first begin? doing bigger shows, we have brought more members in We’ve always kind of done it our whole lives. just to mimic the sound of the recordings we have done. I’ve always been interested in Blues and Soul Tell us about your record, Half Mile Harvest, released music. I first started playing guitar and earlier this year. What was the creative process mucking around with harmonica behind producing this album? when I was about 12 years old, so all It was a lot of fun putting this together. throughout school. We’ve always My brother, Sam, takes a real interest in n ow bl ly al dabbled in it; it’s always been old analogue equipment, and he runs re as w I ly there on the sideline. We got our his own studio; we are lucky like away - especial e vocal first couple of gigs when we that. We decided to do this whole with some of th e, were around 16 in our area, album completely in analogue recordings , for m l ra achieving a natu and before that we were just and tape - we have a big old tape und. breakup in the so ce I busking. machine from the late ‘70s in his , on With my vocals , I felt And it was just your brother studio there. We didn’t use any ck was listening ba and you for quite some computers for this whole album! om fr e m like they had co time before getting together We tried to get it right the first time that era. ” with Liam and Brendan, now and enjoyed mucking around with all branching out and incorporating that old equipment. more members than ever before … Having recorded the album completely Well, I guess we still consider the main non-digitally, it really is reflected on the Teskey Brothers just the four of us, and then to add album with that old Bluesy vibe. Do you feel the horns and a few more members mainly because like you’ve nailed the sound you were going for? we are in a recording process; that’s how we have Totally! All our influences and all the stuff I’m really always recorded. into; all those old records have that sound ... And with this

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analogue recording, we discovered there’s not really any other way to mimic it. I was really blown away - especially with some of the vocal recordings, for me, achieving a natural breakup in the sound. With my vocals, once I was listening back, I felt like they had come from that era. So, I was really happy with the process. What are you looking forward to about playing Bello Music Festival? We really can’t wait to get up there. We’ve heard some fantastic things about the festival, with all the bands that are playing. There are some friends of ours, and we can’t wait to mingle in with the other artists and check out what this thing’s all about. Not to mention, it’s going to be getting pretty cold around that time, so hopefully it’s a little bit warmer up north than down here in Victoria! I’m going to be getting up and singing some songs with a whole bunch of other singers from around the festival, which sounds like an absolute blast. Thanks Josh.

plug! Don’t miss the Teskey Brothers at the Bello Winter Music Festival, July 6 - 9. http://www.bellowintermusic.com/

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

CHERYL Cooper

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? My parents emigrated to Australia from the UK in 1971, and we ended up living in Coffs Harbour later that year. I finished high school here, but went away for uni and work and returned in 2000 to make it my long-term home. I just love it. How long has the Coffs City Choir been going, and who is involved? Established in 1990, the Coffs City Choir is one of the oldest choirs in the area. The choir sings in four parts, soprano, alto, tenor and bass and our members all come from the Coffs Coast, from the northern beaches down to Sawtell. Our members all love to sing, and it’s this love of singing that has seen the choir survive for so many years and through a number of conductors and venue changes. Our oldest member and one of the founding members just retired aged 88, and we have a newcomer who would be in her late 20s or early 30s. There are no age barriers to the joy of singing. Why did you join the choir, and what is your role? I’ve been with the choir for 18 months, but have been singing now for about 10 years. I sing with the alto section, which is great fun as we generally sing the harmony, so it’s a challenge and sounds so lovely once we learn our part. I’m also the secretary and look after

Cheryl Cooper has always loved music, but was surprised at first when people told her she could sing. Nevertheless, she took up the challenge and has been singing in choirs ever since. FOCUS talked to Cheryl about her part in the Coffs City Choir, their need for more male members and bringing joy to residents of aged care centres. the social media and publicity. When did you realise your passion for music, and how do you incorporate this into your life? I’ve always loved music. Growing up, my father inspired me, as he had a large record collection with everything from opera to pop. I came to singing later in life when a friend dragged me to a week-long singing course, and I was amazed that people felt I could do more than sing in the shower! I couldn’t read music, so I have been teaching myself that and recently started piano lessons. I find music so good for my wellbeing too. If I am tired and don’t feel like choir practice, I know I will come out of it feeling great at the end. How important is a conductor in a choir? Personally, I think they can make or break a choir. We have been very lucky to find Linda Cochrane, who has really lifted both our skills and our spirits. Linda is the glue that takes twenty or so different voices and personalities and binds them into one beautiful harmonious sound. Our rehearsals are full of laughter and encouragement, and we can all hear how things are being polished. We do sing without Linda being with us at times, but it’s her skills that enable that to happen. What does an accompanying pianist bring to the choir? I’m not quite sure what we would do without our pianist, Annette. For developing the individual four part harmonies, an accompanist can play the individual pieces to ensure each part of the choir knows

exactly where their notes are. The piano background also provides an extra richness to a performance. Where does the choir perform, and what can people expect to hear? We go where people would like us to sing and love every bit of it. We regularly sing at local aged care centres, and we are also booked to sing at functions for various groups. We recently sang at a Joyland Carers fundraiser and an Anglican Church Palm Sunday concert. We sing Christmas carols for mid-year and Christmas functions, often appearing at the Moonee Beach Tavern, and we also sing for the council and at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus. We are a very versatile choir and sing a wide range of music. At the recent Palm Sunday concert we sang many spiritual pieces; whereas, for the Joyland Carers the theme was love, so we sang many love songs, from a Beatles Medley to The Rose. Can you describe the experience of performing at aged care centres? This is one of my favourite things to do, and I always come out of a performance at an aged care centre feeling great. You see the residents come alive as they sing along or simply relax and enjoy being entertained by us. Depending on the situation, we sometimes all move out of our choir formation and sing amongst the residents. I recall a time when I was singing with a gentleman, and he was moved to tears; he reassured me they were very happy tears. We also saw a dementia

patient enjoying singing along, and the staff told us afterwards that she usually doesn’t say a word and just taps the table all day long. Do you need to have certain training or skills to be a part of the choir? Not at all; we are blessed with a conductor who doesn’t mind whether you can read music or not. I have a friend who says, “If you can talk, you can sing” and I think that’s probably true, so if you love to sing - come and give it a go! How can people join the choir, and what type of singers do you need? The best thing for people to do is to come along to some rehearsals. We meet every Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Hall at the corner of Valley Street and Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour. We are happy for people to attend three rehearsals free of charge, to see if it works for them. If it does, the cost is $30 per year and $7 per rehearsal, and this covers the cost for our conductor and accompanist, as well as music, venue and equipment. We welcome singers for all four parts of the choir, but are very much hoping to find a few more bass and tenor singers, as a number of men have retired lately. Come on fellas, where are you all? Where can people find out more? Our website: www.coffscitychoir.com.au Our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/coffscitychoir Phone Cathy (President) on 6658 1368. Thanks Cheryl. coffs coast Edition focus. 39 focus Special 23

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

KRYS

merretT

hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? I arrived in Bellingen some 16 years ago on my own with three small children. I couldn’t think of a better or more beautiful place to bring them up. It is a place of great beauty and a very strong energy of creativity. Where did your journey as an artist begin? I actually dreamt of paintings from a really young age, before I knew what they were. My creativity was well fostered by my mother, who always ensured that I had many arts and crafts available to me. Drawing was play to me; it still is! It has always given me a sense of opening a door into another world, and to this day it has kept the feeling of excitement, wonder and curiosity in me every time I paint or draw. What does being an artist mean to you? For me it is about taking a different view of life, seeing things not how they appear to be. Art gives a backbone of spirituality to my life, another dimension, which is really important to me. I find the world a very shallow place, with little relevance or support to the human being or our evolution. Somehow art softens the blow of the harsh reality of life and the world around us. How would you describe your work? This is always a hard question. My artwork is symbolic and eternally feminine. I am, for the most part, a painter of women. Rather than a gender predisposition, it is about the symbolic nature of the female - spiritual, nurturing, transcendent, ephemeral and fertile. Other symbols I use include opium poppies, which represent the unconscious and a deep dream state. In one of my paintings I use poppies with blades, which in essence is about cutting through the unconscious or making it

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Bellingen artist Krys Merrett creates art from the subconscious, combining fairy tales, spirituality and symbolism to tell unique visual stories. FOCUS caught up with Krys to find out more about her work, creative process and upcoming exhibition. more easily seen. And I use hummingbirds to symbolise wisdom that is whispered ... Secrets that only they can tell. Can you tell us a bit about your creative process? I tend to get impressions from something I have seen, heard or even smell, and it carries on from there. If it is a strong impression, I literally cannot stop thinking about it. It feels like a temptress beckoning you in. Sometimes one of those impressions can take years to develop into something plausible. I’ll then draw it up, and it will change a thousand times more until I get to the end. I have three paintings on the go at the moment, which is a really new thing for me. In order to fully immerse myself in the one subject, I used to only let myself concentrate on one painting at a time, to the very end. But I have recently discovered that I’m really good at multitasking and the more I open myself up to the creative process, more comes in. What inspires your paintings at the moment? Right at the very moment and with the current painting I am working on it’s fairy tales, folklore and Hinduism. When I say fairy tales, I’m talking about the original ones that were never ever told to children, which are incredibly violent and really twisted. Can you tell us the story behind one or two pieces? Creatrix is about the weaving of the fabric of life, all life and everything that could be conceived of in this existence. She is represented here “knitting” the universal flower of life pattern together. The hummingbirds are telling her secrets to help with her recipe. She sits in lotus inside a cosmic bubble, and the soles of her feet and her forehead have eyes to represent her omnipresence, omniscient nature.

In Harmony of the Spheres, the spirit or Do you have any advice for aspiring artists soul of the Earth (represented by a woman) on the Coffs Coast? plays the Earth like a harp, keeping the Earth Absorb yourself in your artwork, boots and in a type of stasis - a harmony that cannot be all! Always maintain the fascination, wonder disrupted or negatively compounded in any and curiosity not only in your artwork, but the way. whole of your life. The creative process In essence, it is a statement happens much more easily if you to the apparently over do this. powerful human who Doubt is a huge aspect of n Always maintai thinks that they can creating art; understand the fascination, disrupt this stasis or that, but don’t let it osity de won r and cu ri harmony. When the hinder your own belief not only in your hole human race is long in yourself or what you w artwork, but the eative gone, the essence create. This can be easier cr of your life. The h uc and the spirit of the said than done. m s process happen do.” u Earth will live on. No one creates art yo more easily if You also work as a to be seen only by them; tattoo artist. What get it out there, and know influence does your art that some people will just hate practice have on this and vice it, while others will love it and versa? see something that moves them. And Coming from a creative background that is the prize - that is the real worth of has had huge benefits to the art and creating art. design areas of tattooing. The art of tattooing You are having an exhibition this month; itself takes a very long time to “master”; what can people expect to see? though, I wouldn’t say I have mastered it. Like You can expect to see a culmination of my art, you are always learning! paintings of the last 10 years. Tattooing has had huge benefits to my Where can we see more of your art? artwork. It has pushed me and opened up my Facebook: Sundaram creative view. Whereas painting is a loner’s job - Art and Tattoo by Krys Merrett (standing at an easel for six hours at a time Instagram: krysmerrettartandtattoo is not exactly a social event) tattooing is very Skin Wizardry Tattoo Studio, Bellingen, different; it is, in essence, performance art. 2/74 Hyde St, Bellingen You have an audience, the person you are Thanks Krys. tattooing, and communication and rapport are essential to the tattoo being successful. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry plug! that allows you to come into contact with people from all walks of life and many different Exhibition name: The Ephemeral Art of Krys Merrett. Where: Bellingen Art and Framing backgrounds and privileged to be allowed into Gallery, Hyde St, Bellingen. When: 2 - 23 June. these people’s lives and loves and sometimes Opening night, Friday 2nd June. sadness and grief.

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19- 24 JUNE EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

BE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE. Whether you want to be qualified faster, be in a career you love, or be the boss â€“ take charge of your career and explore your options at the TAFE NSW Open Week: Discover incredible courses Join interactive workshops Meet our experienced teachers Get inspiring career advice Tour our state-of-the-art campuses Live stream Open Week demonstrations and workshops online!

To learn more visit courses.tafensw.edu.au/open-week or call 131 601

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H O L LY A R T

A N D

H O L S T E R C O N N E C T I O N

HOLLY MARSDEN IS THE FACE AND TALENT BEHIND THE BUSINESS HOLLY HOLSTER - ART AND CONNECTION.

ith an artistic and adventurous spirit, Holly made the lifechanging journey with her husband, two daughters, horses, dogs and a cat across our wide continent from WA to where they are now, happily settled in Krambach. Holly’s passion for art, design and inspiring others to live a life they love enables her to work with many clients on their business branding, creating logos, websites, and stationery. Here is her story … Holly, you have a very interesting tale about how (and why) you settled in Krambach. In a nutshell, where are you from originally, and what brought you here? I grew up in Yerong Creek, a tiny town near Wagga Wagga in Southern NSW, but I have always loved travelling and I’ve lived in almost every state of Australia. One of my favourite places to live was the central western Australian desert, where my husband and I lived and worked, with our young daughters, in an Indigenous community. After four years living in WA, we decided it was time to come home to live closer to our family, so we began to plan the big move back across the country with our horses and dogs and cat. We always loved the Mid North Coast, so that was the region we had our hopes on, then a friend contacted me and asked if we would be interested in renting her family’s huge, five bedroom home on 100 acres in Krambach. We saw it as a big sign and jumped at the chance, and then everything else in the huge endeavour of selling almost everything we owned and

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driving our family and pets across the country, fell into perfect place. A journey of that kind (from the other side of the country) must have been an experience. What did you learn about yourself during your travels? Our journey driving across the country was one of the most incredible adventures I’ve ever experienced and has really set a benchmark for me of “where there is a will there is a way!” We drove for six hours a day for 10 days, with only two days off to give the horses (and me) a break. My husband drove his ute with our dogs, towing our horses in the horse float, and I followed, driving our car with our daughters, towing our vintage caravan. We mapped out every stop along the way, staying at pony clubs, showgrounds and race tracks, where we could let the horses rest and give them water; we had to take enough food for them for the whole two weeks, so it had to be a very well planned trip. I had never in my life driven for more than five hours on my own, especially not with my fiery, spirited kids or my horse, who is even more spirited, across the width of the country! But we did it, and it really did teach me to trust your gut, see all challenges as an adventure and that anything is possible. Where did your interest in art/graphic design begin? I grew up in my father’s art gallery, so my oil painting lessons started before I started school. I’ve always known that my life would be all about art, so I moved to Melbourne after high school to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting. During this degree, I also minored in graphic design, and this began my life love of all

My business ethos is based on ables the quote - 'Art en s ve el rs us to lose ou ves and find oursel e' tim e m sa e at th ” n. Thomas Merto

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things art and design. You own your own business, Holly Holster - Art and Connection. What's your business motto/ ethos? Holly Holster is all about inspiring others to create a life they love. My business ethos is based on the quote - “Art enables us to lose ourselves and find ourselves at the same time” - Thomas Merton. I believe this is especially true for business branding, as it allows the business to really find themselves as a business and to visually represent who they really are to their clients. In my early 20s, I experienced some huge challenges, and the only way I was able to get out of that dark time was to lose myself and then find myself at the same time. It taught me the power of art and design and showed me how to be ferociously determined to create a life I love, and this created the desire to inspire others to do the same. What services does your business offer? I offer art and design services, through - Business branding, logo and website design - Stationery products - Paintings and prints When it comes to art, what do you most like to create? And what materials are you most likely to use? My first love is painting with lush, glossy oil paints on huge canvases, but I really love working with small business owners, translating their ideas into strong visual branding to elevate their business to a new level that makes them proud and pushes them closer to their business

dreams. I believe you're involved with an event on June 3rd - the Sharp Shooter Business Retreat. Tell us more ... what/who is involved with the day? Yes, I feel really strongly about community collaboration and sharing knowledge with small business owners, so this retreat is for small business owners who want to learn sharp and to the point business advice at an affordable price. It is going to be an incredible day, with guest speakers, Q&A time and networking opportunities. Teaming up with Agent Digital, Kirrily Hill Naturopathy, Nyaree Donnelly, Holiday Coast Credit Union, Forster Yoga studio. Covering topics like: Social media, websites, online stores, branding, banking and financial management, community collaboration, as well as how to keep your wellbeing and health intact, when “work” can very often be outside the 9 - 5 hours. Saturday June 3rd, 10am - 4pm, Clarendon Forest Retreat. Tickets available at www.hollyholster.com/ retreats What are your hobbies/passions outside of work? I love hanging with my horses and dogs and all my favourite people, with good music while feasting on great food. Where can we contact you, or find out more about you? You can find me on Facebook and Instagram as Holly Holster, or check out my website: hollyholster.com Thanks Holly.

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Night moves

Terry Little, drummer and percussionist from local band Nightmoves, describes the four band members as “23-agin” musicians “living the dream” … And if living

the dream means providing awesome Rock ‘n’ Roll music to packed out venues around the Mid North Coast and putting a tap in the toes and a smile on the face of listeners, they’re certainly doing just that! The band is excited to be heading to the Cooly Rocks On Festival this month - a festival touted to be one of the largest Rock ‘n’ Roll and nostalgia festivals in Australia …

i Terry. Introduce us to Nightmoves ... when did the band form, and where was its opening performance? Our band consists of four "23-again" musicians, who despite being friends for many years, only came together by chance as a fill-in at a local club as recently as February 2015. The venue was Club Harrington, and on that night, the magic of our performance was so fulfilling, that we decided there and then to form a permanent band. We adopted the Nightmoves name from a previous project. The band has four members. Who are they, and what instrument does each member play? We have the classic Rock ‘n’ Roll band line up consisting of a lead guitar, Bryan Bartlett (B1); a rhythm guitar, David McGilvray (Davo); a whipper-snipper stringed slap double bass, Brian Adair (B2); and on drums and percussion, me, Terry Little (T1). All four of us have had previous successful careers in classic Rock ‘n’ Roll music, in one case first hand, or during many revivals of this wonderful music phenomena. Describe the various vocal styles the band members can produce ... A feature of the band is the fact that three of the four members present distinct individual vocal styles. B1 is blessed with a lyrical tenor voice, Davo is a direct opposite, with chops representing a deep, rich baritone, and B2 has what one would call a stylistic voice box. This combination provides a fine blending of harmonies in many of the band's arrangements. T1 completes the fine harmonic sounds by keeping quiet. What are some of the band's favourite 6

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songs to perform (and why)? Festivals such as Port Retrofest, Beatlefest, It would be impossible to pin down an acand the more recent Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festitual favourite, but a few of our arrangements val (where we were booked for 2018 two days that noticeably raise the adrenaline more after our performance), are certainly worth than others are: Louis Jordan's Caldonia and mentioning as highpoints of the past year. Ch-Boogie; Carl Perkins' Matchbox; Chuck BerTo top off a fabulous year, the band's also ry's Sweet Little 16 and Roll Over Beethoven; been selected to perform at the 2017 "Cooly two obscure Beatles' songs, One After 909 and Rocks On" Rock 'n' Roll and nostalgia festival 8 Days a Week. from 7 - 11 June. Congratulations! How did Even some swing era classics such as Tuxedo this selection process work, considering numerJunction, Minnie the Moocher and ous of bands must have applied? Mr Sheen have raised the We actually saw an adverB.P. of more than one of tisement on the Cooly the band members. Facebook site, which You've had asked the Rock ‘n’ Port Festivals such as st , some amazing Roll fraternity to fe Retrofest, Beatle gigs over the nominate a band ce nt and the more re past twelve of their choice. talgia Kurri Kurri Nos months. What We subsequently e er we w Festival (where ys have been completed an apda o tw booked for 2018 ), ce some of the plication form, and an m or after our perf th highlights, or it was not long or w y are certainl ints po gh hi standout perafterwards that we as ng ni mentio .” ar ye formances? were notified that st pa e of th Yes, it has we were on the short amazed us how we list. Shortly after that, have been accepted we received a contract. in such a relatively short Tell us a little about the time. What has pleased us more festival ... Have you visited it than anything is the fact that the clubs before, what do you expect the that have given us regular bookings are vibe will be like, and how many gigs now enjoying a dramatic increase in the will you be required to play? number of patrons whenever we appear. This festival is now regarded as Australia's We can name, for example: largest Rock ‘n’ Roll and nostalgia festival Club Harrington, where we appear each secand a signature event on the Queensland and ond month; Kempsey Heights Bowling Club, Australian event calendar. Contracts have now where it was "standing room only" last time been signed for the band to appear at separate we played there. venues on three of the four days of the festival. However, the biggest success story of all, is The Nightmoves band in a former life made our monthly Sunday arvo at Kendall Services, an appearance some years ago, but since then which attracts people from all along the Mid the festival has expanded to the status it now North Coast. enjoys. B1 made an informal visit a couple

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of years ago and reported it to be simply mind-boggling, with all the activities organised and presented so well. What do you all have your sights set on next, once you return from Coolangatta? We were actually hoping for a short rest, in particular for the older band members; however, confirmed bookings for the remainder of June and July have certainly put that idea on the back-burner. Those bookings are themselves quite impressive and include appearances at Coff's Harbour Ex Services; Wests Cardiff; Port Panthers, Belmont 16's and a return appearance at the Foster Keys Family Fun Day, where the band made such an impact last year. Of course, on top of all that is our monthly Sunday Arvo at Kendall Services, which has gone gangbusters in the last couple of months. We are constantly being told that we make people happy, and our goal is to sustain that accomplishment. We aim to expand on what we have begun to achieve in bringing people back to club venues, where they can listen to some good, totally live music and watch some spectacular Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing, all mixed with a bit of old fashioned, zany antics from four young chaps who are once again living the dream. Where can readers find out more about the band, or book you for a show? Our Facebook page, nightmoves@nightroc, contains many photos and videos of some of our live performances. We have a limited number of YouTube examples, (Nightmoves Taree). Our email contacts are: oakwood165@ gmail.com or b2bartoner@gmail.com The Nightmoves Band would like to publically thank all entertainment managers/agents who have given us the chance, and all our supporters who have continued to make it all possible. Thanks Terry. focus Special Edition 27

JANE

Hosking As Assistant Gallery Director of the Manning Regional Art Gallery, Jane Hosking is privileged to work amongst great artworks every day. Jane enjoys helping artists further their careers, and she’s also an artist herself - constantly inspired by the natural world around her.

ou have been making things since you were a child … What was one of your earliest creations, and what was the inspiration behind it? When I was a child, I really wanted to be an archaeologist, digging and finding amazing objects with amazing stories. One of my first sculptures was a ceramic Sphinx I made at school. It combined my love of artefact and animals, but didn’t look very archaic. I think it just ended up looking like a big pussy-cat. What formal study have you completed, and how has this affected your career choices? After finishing Year 10 at Wingham High School, I wasn't ready to leave the area for study. Mr Silcock, a teacher from Taree TAFE, had visited us at school to encourage students to take up engineering. He made such an inspiring presentation, that I decided to enrol in pre-apprenticeship fitting/machining and mechanics. I was the only girl in the class an interesting experience, to say the least. I completed the course successfully but didn't continue the career. The course, however, gave me many skills in using tools and materials which have been beneficial in my art career. After running my own florist business for a few years, I enrolled at the University of Newcastle, as a mature age student, gaining a Bachelor of Visual Arts. I worked as a graphic artist for a while and later completed a Master of Letters in Visual Arts. The qualifications also helped me gain a position as a Fine Arts teacher at Tuncurry TAFE. I really enjoyed meeting students and helping them on their path to learning about

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the arts. I still see many of them in the area. Since 1999 you’ve worked at the MRAG. What impact does being surrounded by art every day in your work environment have on your own creativity? I'm privileged to be amongst art every day and get great satisfaction from helping artists exhibit their work and further their careers. Of course, it’s inspiring to experience the great range of art forms that we show, but sometimes I wonder if I am too “saturated”. I don't really know. It is wonderful to be exposed to new ideas in contemporary art, as well as works made during the last century. Sometimes an artwork I admire features a particular technique or medium, so I am able to study it closely as part of my research. You’ve been fortunate to work with many exhibitions over the years. What are a few of your particular favourites, and why did they have such an impact on you? The exhibitions I remember most are the ones I’ve curated. It takes at least a year, sometimes two, to develop an exhibition, and you submerge yourself in the research of the artworks, the artists, and how best to present them. I've been fortunate to be able to curate with my own interests in mind, so my first exhibition was about glass art. Later shows concentrated on animals in sculpture, pop culture and recycling in art. Shows that attract big crowds, such as the Archibald Prize, are memorable in that they create such a buzz about art in the area. I often wish that the people who come to see the Archibald Prize would also come and see all the other great exhibitions we show. We have some wonderful local artists who put their heart and soul into their exhibitions and

Nature is full of s, amazing colour s, rm fo textures and dless which provide en tist. ar inspiration for an ” I never tire of it.

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would love to get as large an audience as possible. Working at the Manning Regional Art Gallery has been a dream job. We are a great team, supported by the best volunteers one could ask for. Our program calls for exhibition changes around every four to six weeks, and each time our team of trained installation volunteers turns up and helps us create a beautiful show. Sometimes installation calls for some tricky engineering or hanging techniques and as my colleague, Rachel Piercy, says, “It’s all smoke and mirrors!” You have recently completed your very own Studio - the Armadillo. How did the concept for this space develop? After discussing with my mother how much I wanted a decent studio, I mentioned it to my partner, Tim. He took on the idea and came up with this amazing design, inspired by the old “Nissen huts” of the early Twentieth Century. We wanted something that was almost an artwork in itself, so we found fantastic local professionals who helped us design and fabricate the main structure. Tim did the rest of the work himself, from the window walls, to the ceiling and decking. An amazing achievement! The studio sits in a beautiful position, overlooking the grove of trees that have been planted for koala feed. The back deck is a lovely spot to sit in the afternoon with a gentle breeze sweeping up the gully. We called it the Armadillo, because of its curved back. Since childhood I have loved armadillos; they are such a quirky animal, so it fits well and gives a sense of fun. The Manning Valley is such a beautiful

area, and I feel the potential for an art and tourism partnership can bring more growth. Many new residents tell me they chose to move to the area as it has a vibrant cultural community, highlighted by a regional art gallery and an entertainment centre. You have a love of nature; how does the natural world influence your art? I find animals a constant source of inspiration and entertainment, so some of my works are humorous, while addressing issues of human effects on the environment. I am extremely concerned about the way society seems to be ignoring its effect on animals and habitats, so I try to use repurposed materials as much as possible. I don't want to add to the waste that is constantly being created; there is a satisfaction in creating something that is thought of as spent or waste. Nature is full of amazing colours, textures and forms, which provide endless inspiration for an artist. I never tire of it. What is your next big art project ? I have so many ideas, I don’t know where to start. I’m working on a series of quirky Australian characters, and I have some designs in mind for sculptures that could be attached to the body, like prosthetics. In 2009 I lost a little finger in a motorbike accident, so I am starting with the hand, moving on to some larger, stranger attachments. Historical artefacts still intrigue me, and a series on future artefacts with a humorous twist is also on the sketchbook. Now I have this amazing studio, and the potential seems endless! Thanks Jane.

focus_What’s On Manning Great Lakes

J U N E

Peli by GIG artist Cheryl Cook.

JACKSON JAMES

Live Music at Hamiltons Oysters. When Sun 4 Jun 2017, 3pm 6pm. Where 1 Palm St, Tuncurry.

BLISS N ESSO

Off the Grid Tour. When Sunday 9 July.

Where Club Forster. Website www.clubforster.com.au

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17 DISCOVER A CRAFT DAY

GALLERIES IN THE GARDENS Why not drop into Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest on the June long weekend to check out a new art exhibition and sale of latest works by the renowned community of artists known as Galleries In The Gardens. The Winter Warmers exhibition kicks off with complimentary drinks and nibbles at 5pm on Friday 9 June at Tea Gardens Hotel opposite the ferry wharf, and runs through to the afternoon of Monday 12 June. It’s just another relaxing and free activity to enjoy while visiting these picturesque tiny twin towns bound by the upper reaches of Port Stephens, the Myall River and pristine ocean beaches. What Galleries In The Gardens Winter Warmer Art Exhibition and Sale. When 5pm Fri 9 June (“opening” drinks and viewing) then 10am to 4pm Sat 10 June - Mon 12 June. Where Tea Gardens Hotel, waterfront, Marine Drive, Tea Gardens NSW. Cost Free. Details www.galleriesinthegardens.com.au or Facebook Galleries In The Gardens.

The aim is to have a large number of members demonstrating their various crafts, including tatting, knitting, crochet, jewellery making, bobbin lace, embroidery, paper crafts (e.g. card making) etc. The idea is to invite the general public in and hopefully kindle some interest in learning crafts. In addition, our café will be offering morning and afternoon teas and light lunches. Where Taree Craft Centre, 77 Pulteney Street, Taree.

When Saturday 17 June. Time 9:30 to 3:30. Cost Free entry.

15 HIF NSW SURFMASTERS TITLES

FORSTER TUNCURRY BRIDAL EXPO

When Thu 15 - Sun 18 June. Where Boomerang Beach, Pacific Palms. Website hif-nsw-surfmasters-titles-presented-by-mobysbeachside-retreat-2017 Phone 9349 7055. Email info@surfingnsw.com.au

When Sun 25th June; 11am. Where Club Forster, Strand St, Forster. Website www.weddingsinthegreatlakes.com.au Phone 0437 726 635. Email enquiries@weddingsinthegreatlakes.com

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Pipe Major John Andrews wearing his clan tartan.

THE WINGHAM PIPES AND DRUMS BAND ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT AT LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, PARTICULARLY AT THE BONNIE WINGHAM SCOTTISH FESTIVAL AND ANZAC DAY CEREMONIES EACH YEAR. THE BAND HAS BEEN OFFERING LESSONS TO ASPIRING PIPERS AND DRUMMERS SINCE 1975 … WITH SUCH A LONG AND PROUD LOCAL HISTORY, WE CHATTED WITH PIPE MAJOR JOHN ANDREWS TO FIND OUT MORE.

i John. How long have you been involved with Wingham Pipes and Drums, and what's your current position with the band? I have been active with the band since 1986, firstly as a piper, then Pipe Sergeant, and I am now the current Pipe Major. I started my piping as a learner with the original Manning Valley Pipe band in 1957 as a teenager, but Rock ‘n Roll and Jazz consumed the next 30 years. What can you tell us about the history of the band? The Wingham Pipes and Drums were first formed by the Wingham RSL Club and sub branch, with the need to have a band for ANZAC Day. The first Pipe Major was Barry Ryan, who came to the district from Sydney. He was the Pipe Sergeant for St Mary’s Band Club Band, which was at that time one of the top bands in Australia. Lessons for learners began in 1975, and their first ANZAC parade was in 1976. The band has not missed an ANZAC Day performance for 40 years. Over the years, we have participated in pipe band competitions and many festivals throughout the local area and along our coast, and inland to Armidale and Aberdeen. How many pipers and drummers does the

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Firstly, there is the snare drum, then the tenor band currently have? drum, and finally the bass drum. Pupils begin We currently have eight pipers, and six drummers and a Drum Major. It is very difficult on a practice pad (supplied for learners) with the appropriate sticks. Once again, plenty of to maintain a regular number, and most practice is needed to master the skills. difficult to attract learners. What is the significance of/type of The pipes (in my experience!) are tartan the band wears? not the easiest instrument to The tartan worn is the play. They're a beautiful “Prince Charles Stewart”. instrument, but take a lot Over the ve ha e It does not have any real of practice to master! w years, pe pi in ed significance for the What tuition/ at particip ns io tit pe m band. It was originally equipment can you co band als iv st fe y an m selected by Barry Ryan offer those people d an local throughout the and his family, as it was who'd like to learn our area and along similar to the tartan that how to play? co ast, and inland Barry had at St Mary’s. You are correct. It is to Armidale and When/where does the very difficult from the Aberdeen.” band regularly meet for point of view that, firstly, practice/rehearsal? a lot of time is needed for The band has a regular practice the initial skills to be learned, on Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 9:30 without much result. Secondly, pm. We practice at the Wingham Brush learning and remembering tunes takes Public School Community Hall. We sometimes time. Anyone with musical experience practice at Wingham Park or at the old Taree should be playing within 12 months. swimming pool area. We have a good supply of equipment and What have been some of the events the experienced tutors, for the pipes, and what’s band has been involved with in recent more, it’s FREE. times? What types of drums are used by the Our main focus is for community events. band, and what assistance can you offer In recent times, we have played for the aspiring drummers? Wingham ANZAC Day march and on the Drumming can be very rewarding. There are same day played at Whiddon Aged Care three types of drums you could learn to play.

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BAND Wingham, Wingham RSL and Club Taree. We have supported community events such as Relay for Life, Prostate Cancer events, and cultural days. We played at Wingham Australia Day Events this year, and received the coveted “Pride of Workmanship” award. What part will the band play in the upcoming Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival on June 3rd? Our band has a very important role to play in the Bonnie Wingham festivities. Apart from playing in the parade, massed bands and an individual performance at the fair on Saturday 3rd June, we will also play at the family night (Friday) and the Grand Scottish ball (Saturday). Individual members will also perform at the “brave heart breakfast”, welcome ceremony, the thanksgiving breakfast and the ceilidh, on Sunday. We start the festival on Sunday 28th May, performing at the Scottish concert. A few members of the band are also on the Bonnie Wingham Festival Committee. Where can readers contact the band, or find out more info? Any Tuesday night at the venue mentioned above, or contact myself or our secretary: John Andrew 6557 7240. Email johnandrews@bigpond.com Graeme Clarke 6557 0122. Email adsl70fq@tpg.com.au Thanks John.

CAPTURING

THE ESSENCE

Works by Christine Long and Helga Visser What paintings will be featured in this exhibition? Christine: There’ll be something for everyone - from stunning landscapes of Tasmania and Central Australia to vivid still lifes, as well as paintings of birds, some impressionistic, while others are more beautifully detailed, all in a variety of media. Helga: Both of us find natural subjects a great inspiration, and both of us try to capture their essence. In this exhibition you’ll see some familiar subjects with different interpretations, as well as personal statements. There are paintings, drawings, as well as sculptures. How would you describe your work? Helga: Mostly representational, with a few excursions into contemporary. Landscapes of this area include the beautifully restored Cattai Wetlands. Trips to Central Australia gave me an understanding of the indigenous people’s attachment to “country”, so I’ve included some outback landscapes. Christine: I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of nature and enjoy painting landscapes, birds, still life and florals. I often approach my still life subjects with the use of bold colours and a strong sense of design; whereas, when I paint birds, I enjoy bringing out the detail and use watercolour and pencil. I use a more impressionistic approach when painting landscapes. What particularly inspires your sculptural work? Helga: Oddly enough, I find most of my sculptures are comments on today’s society and mores. Sometimes something strikes me as funny or absurd, and I want to make a comment on that. Sometimes it’s just quirky or frivolous, and sometimes it’s political - the equivalent of a comedian telling the truth.

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A landscape photographer first and foremost, Anthony’s passion for the environment and its natural wonders is obvious in his work. Having been interested in photography since he was a teenager, Anthony’s honed his eye for composition and photographic skills over the years, and you may also see him out and about shooting commercial photography …

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If my photos can help inspire others to get out there and explore our beautiful country, whilst leaving a minimal footprint on the environment, then to me that’s an achievement in itself.”

i Anthony. What brought you to the ManningGreat Lakes, and which particular area do you call home? Hi Jo. I’ve lived in the Forster-Tuncurry region since I was about six, having spent a few years travelling around Australia with my parents when I was younger. After a couple of years spent in Newcastle for study after school, I returned back to ForsterTuncurry in 2005 and have stayed here ever since. How did you first become interested in photography? I’ve had an interest in photography since I was about 14, I think. My parents both had SLR film cameras, and I was always eager to learn how to use them. I began a course in photography at school and basically hi-jacked my mum’s camera from then on. I then undertook a Digital Arts and Media course at the Newcastle Institute of Technology after school, where I further developed my understanding of cameras and the basics of photography. My passion has pretty much snow-balled since then, having a camera in my possession at most times, from surfing trips nearby or overseas, family outings or general wandering around the local beaches and rainforests looking for new places to explore. There's an obvious love and respect for the ocean, beach and waterways that shows in your photography. What is it about these things that inspire you the most? I’ve been a passionate surfer since I was 12, so I’ve always had a strong connection to our beaches and ocean in one way or another. If I’m not photographing something at the beach, I’ll be out there surfing the waves with friends. What I love about the ocean is that it is so unpredictable; it could be your average day at the beach, but then there could be a lightning storm out to sea, or a whale might breach with its calf, or that perfect wave will finally roll through all by itself, and then you’ve got that incredible moment in time captured to share

with others. I’ve drawn different levels of inspiration from fellow photographers such as Ken Duncan for his Australian panoramas, local photographer Shane Chalker for his great local surfing and seascape shots and Steve Parish for his beautiful rainforest photos. What's your favourite time of the day to shoot landscape/seascape shots (and why)? My favourite time would definitely be the pre-sunrise hour. I’ve yet to experience a more peaceful situation than sitting still on a beach I’ve been a or rock shelf waiting er passionate surf for the sun to rise, e I’v so , 12 as lighting conditions and a since I w letting the new day s had a strong ay w al thermos of hot coffee. unfold and watching nnection to our co What factors run the scene around ean in beaches and oc through your mind her.” me erupt into the one way or anot when you're framing a most vibrant display of shot (whether landscape colours. or commercial shoots)? You've been taking Framing for a landscape photos professionally photo, the correct composition has for some time now, and your always been my number one priority. portfolio also includes commercial This is the one thing you can never fix in photography. What services does post-processing. I usually analyse all of the your business actually offer? nearby area before taking the shot, seeing My main passion is landscape photography, but I have been developing my skills in what the particular element of attraction is many types of photographic work over the to focus on, any leading lines to draw the last five years also. I’ve been fortunate to eyes into the shot more, if there are any provide photographic services to local clubs, elements of interest I can incorporate into the restaurants, holiday parks and real estate foreground and, if there will be moving water agencies in the Great Lakes and Manning in the shot, making sure I’ve got the direction Regions. I’ve also had a handful of jobs of flow and correct exposure figured out. photographing products for businesses and Commercial shoots are a little different; music events too. interior areas of a building tend to be quite What are the five essential items we'd cramped, so you need to be shooting as widefind in your photography bag - the things angle as possible to get as much detail of the you'd never be caught without? room into the frame as you can and making Being mainly a landscape photographer, sure exposure is correct for both interior and there are a few things I can’t survive without. exterior light sources. A tripod is essential for almost every situation, What are your photographic goals ... What a few lenses for different scenes/angles, insect would you like to achieve professionally repellent, various filters to help deal with and creatively in the future?

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I would eventually love to be more involved in travel/surf photography, although this part of the industry tends to be a little difficult to get work in. There are so many spectacular natural wonders, both locally and further abroad, that people are unaware they even exist. If my photos can help inspire others to get out there and explore our beautiful country, whilst leaving a minimal footprint on the environment, then to me that’s an achievement in itself. I’ve recently been selected as one of the official photographers for the upcoming Jeff Wilcox Memorial in July also, which is one of the largest Bodyboarding events in Australia. I’m looking forward to that one - it should be a great experience for me. Where can we see samples of your work, or contact you? A collection of my photos can be viewed and purchased on my website at www. amurphyphotography.com.au or my Facebook (www.facebook.com/amurphyphoto) and Instagram (@amurphy_photo) Accounts feature new content all the time too. My contact details can be found on all of these sites for further enquiries. Thanks Anthony. focus Special manning-great lakesEdition focus. 33 15

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Jeremy Miller. MANNING ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

As Manager of the Manning Entertainment Centre, Jeremy Miller has a very intensive role, but he is also busy behind the scenes, helping to shape the theatre/entertainment industry at a wider level. His involvement with some important industry bodies helps ensure the future of entertainment in the Manning area ... And there’s no denying we’re privileged to experience lots of top notch shows locally.

i Jeremy. What's been keeping you busy with your role as Manager of the Manning Entertainment Centre in recent times? We’ve just about locked away our shows for 2018 and we’ve filled about half of the 2019 season. There are also still plenty of great shows coming in the second half of 2017, so stop reading this interview, go to our website, and buy some tickets! The Eisteddfod is currently in the theatre celebrating their 50th anniversary. It is pretty extraordinary what that group of volunteers has done for this area over the past 50 years. At the end of last year, you became Chair of the NSW and ACT Performing Arts Centres Association. What's involved with this position? The Association is an opportunity for all Performing Arts Centres to come together, learn from each other and present our needs to State and Federal Government and to the broader industry. Through the association, I am able to speak to other theatre managers throughout NSW and the ACT, work with producers and funding bodies to ensure the work coming down the pipeline fits with what our audiences are looking for, and benchmark our progress against our peers. When you look at the benchmarks, the Manning Entertainment Centre punches well above its weight. I’m lucky to have such a great team. Many readers may not know that you're also a board member of

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Monkey Baa Theatre Company - a Touring producers are constantly telling group that produces some amazing me how professional our crew are children's theatre tours. Why is it compared to other venues. Please don’t important to you to continue to be tell anyone - they might get poached! involved with organisations of this What motivates you to continue kind? your work in the field of Monkey Baa is the entertainment? best children’s theatre I want to make a company in Australia; difference to the they have written region where I’ve It’s a science, and produced a chosen to raise d an t an ar ’s at th t consistently my family. I really bu , ck bit of lu y an r excellent work believe that what fo e m the sa re in he yw an for young people we do here makes e tr ea th for over 20 years. a difference. We the world .” The production of train young people in Diary of a Wombat is acting, music, dance, currently on a sevenlighting and sound, so month tour to over 50 they might have a career that venues around Australia, and later could take them anywhere in the this year the company returns to the world. USA for a tour of Unknown Soldier. We contribute to the economic These are incredibly inspiring, talented development of the region by giving people. Sitting in the boardroom, I businesses and families another reason can represent the needs of regional to move here. Plenty of studies have audiences. I also learn a lot that I shown that having facilities like theatres can bring back to the running of the and art galleries are a huge decision Manning Entertainment Centre. factor for businesses. A healthy arts and What are some of the biggest entertainment scene plays a substantial challenges you face on a local role in attracting new residents to an level with regards to attracting, area. organising, and promoting We give local audiences an opportunity entertainment? to see performances of the highest It is always a challenge to predict calibre from emerging and world-famous what shows will attract an audience. It’s companies. And yes, we give people a a science, an art and a bit of luck, but good time. If we can present a show that that’s the same for any theatre anywhere takes you away from your troubles for a in the world. It can be tricky to find little while and sends you home with a skilled lighting and sound technicians smile on your face, what could be better in regional areas. I’m grateful that we than that? have a very strong crew at the moment. Thanks Jeremy.

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CLUB Forster in June

RACHEL O’NEILL, STOCKLAND FORSTER CENTRE MANAGER, INTRODUCES US TO T. REX - AN EXCITING 11 METRE LONG DINOSAUR WHO'LL BE VISITING STOCKLAND FORSTER FROM MAY 27 - JUNE 20.

tockland Shopping Centre have formed a unique partnership with the Australian Museum; how did this come about? Stockland has partnered with the Australian Museum to bring an ultra-realistic T. rex model to its customers, offering an intimate dinosaur experience - never before seen in Australia. Stockland is excited to work with the Australian Museum to bring this phenomenal model to customers, providing a chance to get truly up close and personal with a life-size T. rex, without the need for a time machine. So far T. rex has travelled to Stockland Wetherill Park, Stockland Shellharbour and Stockland Balgowlah. After the visit to Stockland Forster, the tour will end at Stockland Glendale. Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO, Australian Museum, said: “Dinosaurs are a perennial favourite of museum audiences, so we’re excited to work with Stockland to give people outside Sydney the chance to see this prehistoric beast dating from 65 to 85 million years ago, as never before.” The centre will be host to T. rex over the next few weeks; what are the reasons for the visit? As part of T. rex on Tour, Stockland Forster will play host to this fantastic T. Rex model from 27 May to 20 June. T. rex has travelled to Australia from the UK and is the world’s first anatomically complete creation of a Tyrannosaurus rex, providing an incredible visualisation of the most infamous predator which ever lived. How big will T. rex be, and what materials is she constructed of? The model, which is valued at more than

$600,000, was built by National Geographic for the documentary T. rex Autopsy. The T. Rex model is 11 metres long and weighs 2 tonnes. More information on the construction and autopsy can be seen here: http://channel. nationalgeographic.com/t-rex-autopsy/articles/ anatomy-of-a-killer/ How will this dinosaur provide educational benefits to children and families visiting Stockland? The innovative model was built in collaboration with a team of palaeontologists and scientists and truly brings to life the size and scale of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, whilst also showcasing what made it tick, with an up close look at its vital organs - including a giant heart. From an educational perspective, it is a great opportunity for young and old to get up close and personal and understand more about dinosaurs, and in particular to dispel many myths. What other dino-related activities are planned for Stockland Forster/ Whilst at the centre, visitors will have the opportunity to enter a national competition to name the life-size model of T. rex, with the winning entry to win an international family trip for four from Adventure World. As part of the centre activation, Stockland Forster will also host a number of dino related activities for families, including a Ferocious Friends Workshop to create dinosaur themed craft, dinosaur face painting and balloon artistry and dinosaur fairy floss. T. rex will remain at Stockland Forster until 20 June and then will end her tour at Stockland Glendale. Thanks Rachel.

The Kings of Country - Direct from the USA, Phillip Bauer as Johnny Cash has been recreating the sound and the look since 1985, as he recreates the era of Jackson, Folsom Prison Blues and all the songs that made Johnny Cash the King of Country Music. Michael Moore, as the outlaw Willie Nelson, is the World’s leading Willie tribute artist and as well as working with the Kings of Country, he also does his own show extensively in the United States. Ted Vigil, as John Denver, has just been awarded the Rising Legend award by the American Music Country Music Association. John tours the United States regularly with his own show. Together with their own band, these guys make The Kings of Country a must see show. Kevin Bloody Wilson -

"The Almost Awesome Tour". The Kevin Bloody Wilson Show is not just a concert performance. For most, it’s a full on event and an opportunity to tick from your bucket-list a chance to see Australia’s most unique international comedy legend. Kevin has become a national institution - a must see for any person wanting to see absolute original Australian comedy. Bootleg Beach Boys - perform selections of classic hits, and cult favourites, from California's most famous band. From surf themed anthems such as Surfin' Safari and Surfer Girl to classic muscle car memorables like Shut Down and Fun Fun Fun, the band have gathered an impressive repertoire of West Coast, harmony laden songs, that evoke the spirit and essence of the pursuit of the 1960s American dream.

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Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori - Dibirdibi Country, 2007. Synthetic Polymer Paint on Linen Donated through the Australian Cultural Gifts Program in memory of Joan Kathleen Milne.

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focusinterview. Maud Tindal Atkinson, The Call of the Drum. Oil on wood, Gift of Howard Hinton 1930 New England Regional Art Museum

Charlotte Moorman, Balloon Piece, 1976. Cibachrome print, Gift of Chandler Coventry 1979 New England Regional Art Museum

Mary Edwards,A Fijian Fan Dancer, 1936. Oil on canvas on board, Gift of Howard Hinton 1938 New England Regional Art Museum

Resplendent adjective: 1. having a brilliant or splendid appearance RESPLENDENT HIGHLIGHTS FEMALE ARTISTS WITHIN THE NERAM COLLECTIONS, FROM INTER-WAR MODERNISTS TO CONTEMPORARY PRACTITIONERS, WHO DEMONSTRATE AN AFFINITY FOR AND EXPERIMENTATION WITH COLOUR. FOCUS CHATS TO NERAM CURATOR, RACHAEL PARSONS ...

ERAM is currently featuring a special exhibition which focuses only on artworks by female artists. How was the concept developed? When I was first interviewed last year for the curatorial position at NERAM, I was asked to propose an idea for a collection based show that I might like to curate. I immediately thought of focusing on women artists in the collection. Women have traditionally had a challenging relationship to male dominated art institutions, history and markets, often being made invisible and certainly under-represented in public exhibitions and within museum collections. While this situation is improving, I still feel that it is important to actively address this gendered marginalisation of women. In presenting a show that is comprised solely of female artists, an opportunity to provide clear evidence of the vital and exceptional contributions of women to cultural practice is made possible. I wanted the exhibition to be a celebration of these female artists - a show that allowed for discoveries and appreciation of their work. When looking for a thematic connection, I was drawn to the idea of colour, as there is within art writing a number of references to women artists having a particular mastery of colour. For example, Thea Proctor made a claim for women’s particular sensitivity for colour, expressing that male artists excelled at form, and female artists at colour and writing: “It is well known that the majority of women art students have a good sense of colour”. Colour is also a

broad and inclusive theme that would allow for a varied selection of works that could cut across and make connections between all four of NERAM’s collections. Tell us about some of the history behind the artists featured in Resplendent … The exhibition features artists from the inter-war modernists through to current contemporary practitioners. In Australia, women artists played a key role in the development of modern art, with inspirational artists like Thea Proctor, Margaret Preston and Nora Heysen contributing to experimentation and innovation in the use of colour, subject matter, style and technique. Thea Proctor was born and grew up in Armidale, but then later became one of the leading artists in Australia’s modernist art movement. Margaret Preston was amongst Australia’s most celebrated and renowned flower artists. Preston’s work representing native Australian flora exemplified the formal ideals of modern art, such as a limited colour palette, stark contrasts and stylised design. Nora Heyson was the first woman to win the prestigious Archibald Prize for portraiture and to be made an official war artist during the Second World War. What is your favourite piece in the exhibition, and why? There are so many exceptional works on display. One that I do really like is Elaine Haxton’s Bell Collars c1950. In the work Haxton has used bold colours and strong line to create a highly lively portrait of a woman in profile with a green cat on her lap. I think that you can see the

textiles of various materials and techniques. influence of Haxton’s varied creative interests that extended to graphic art, murals and theatre It has been a real pleasure to work with my design in this piece. There is an absurdity and colleagues at Tamworth Regional Gallery to theatricality to the composition, from the explore and draw from their extensive and matching bell collars on both woman and cat to wonderful collection for presentation at NERAM. the inquisitive and piercing expression How important do you feel art and of the cat’s direct stare out from culture is for our community? the painting that considers Of course I am biased, but and challenges the viewer. I would say that art and I am also My appreciation of this culture are critical to the working on an work increases with hi bition, Plain, ex health and vitality of any each viewing, so the hich Satin & Twill , w community and that ile more I see it, the more will display text we have observed the I like it, and I think at will be

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works th

importance and benefits that this continued lo aned from the al on gi Re of cultural endeavours th or w enjoyment of a painting Tam ion.” ct lle co ’s ry le consistently throughout al G that you see over and history. We have seen art over again is an indication of really good art. used as a powerful tool for What's coming up at NERAM regeneration and development of that our readers can look forward cities and communities through creating to? interesting and meaningful places for people to There are two upcoming shows that engage with and congregate. I am particularly looking forward to. The first The arts play a significant economic role is Elisabeth Cummings: Interior Landscapes, across the country, contributing some $4.2 which is a touring retrospective of Cummings' billion towards Australia’s GDP in 2015, and fifty-year art practice. I especially like Cummings' cultural tourism is also becoming increasingly paintings of abstracted interior views; she has important both in Australia and internationally. a very refined sense of both space and colour Research shows there are significant health within her works, which oscillate between the benefi ts in participating in cultural activities. Art abstract and figurative. is used to create social and political awareness I am also working on an exhibition, Plain, Satin & Twill, which will display textile works that will be loaned from the Tamworth Regional Gallery’s collection. This will be the first show that I have worked on that deals exclusively with

and encourage change … The reasons why the arts are important are numerous and wideranging. Thanks Rachael. new england focus. 37 21 focus Special Edition

Gallery 126 will present an exhibition of new works by artists whose work is regularly on display in the front gallery. It opens on Friday 16th June at 5pm and will run through to 16th July.

he opening function is open to everybody and does not require a special invitation. It is a great opportunity to meet and talk with the artists to gain a better understanding and appreciation of their art practice. We asked the artists to give us a bit of an insight into their processes and inspiration. ANNA HENDERSON "I live on a rather isolated thirteen acres on the Eastern side of Guyra. My work is quite experimental. I create semi abstract landscapes using mixed medium on wooden panels. The image is carved back into a plaster base, and the colours are added using acrylics, oil and oil sticks and charcoal. I have also worked as a potter for many years and have combined both ceramics and painting in past exhibitions.” ROWEN MATTHEWS For Rowen, drawing and painting the land is an urgent action opening a dialogue with the activity of land. In his paintings, large gestural marks move back and forth across the surface.

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He sees painting as an emotional response, at times sidestepping the intellect, being led by the land, and feeling a way through. ANNA CURTIS Inspired by her immediate environment and love of nature, Anna’s linoprints celebrate the essence of tropical and inland Australia. She now lives and works in Port Douglas, North Queensland, and has developed her art of reduction linoprinting over 30 years. This method requires only one linoblock to create a multicolored image. There can be 20 - 30 stages in the carving and printing process. Most of her prints are made by applying pressure with a baren or wooden spoon to transfer ink from block to paper. Once printing of the edition is complete, further prints cannot be made from the linoblock, as the lino is destroyed in the process. Every print in an edition is individually made by hand, thus giving a unique quality. STUART BOGGS “I paint mainly with acrylics, occasionally with oils and usually incorporate other mediums such as charcoal, carbon, and oil sticks. My

style is very loose and is an interpretation and emotional response to the landscape, rather than a snapshot of the environment.

Once printing of the edition her m is co plete, furt be prints cannot made from the e lino linoblock , as th the is destroyed in process..”

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ELOUISE ROBERTS “I wish to communicate a sense of being in the landscape, to capture the atmosphere and light - to distil nature’s beauty and convey a sense of romance, longing and mystery. The themes of landscape, shadow and light are the focus of my work.” ROSALIE RIGBY “I mainly work in oil on canvas. I draw directly in the field, as I find I discover form by drawing line through and around it. This demands a close examination of the landscape that would not occur just by looking or photographing. The time and stillness required for this enables an increase in perception. My painting is done in the studio and is not done from these drawn studies, but rather the details and discoveries made in the drawing process

inform the painting progress. When the painting starts to direct its own progress and resolution, I know that the work is evolving and resolving itself as it should through my hand.”

FRANK HOWARD “I draw and paint those things that stand out to me in the world, things local and sometimes things that are further afield, first as a means of record then subsequently re-interpreting the atmosphere of those things from a personal perspective. The response of those viewing the work is always fascinating.” ROBYN JACKSON Both a figurative and a contemporary landscape painter, neither area interpreted literally. She plays with shape and form and layers acrylic paint with mixed media - charcoal, conte crayons and carbon to produce textural interpretations of the local landscape.

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

I’ve been to

Boobooks Have you?

JOHN ROONEY AND SALLY ROWE, OWNERS OF ARMIDALE’S AMAZING SECONDHAND BOOKSHOP, BOOBOOKS, EXPLAIN WHAT MAKES THEIR STORE SO UNIQUE.

id you know Armidale has something that residents of many country towns, and even major cities, long for? A quality secondhand bookshop. Boobooks! We opened on Melbourne Cup Day 2006 at 107 Faulkner Street. This was a great place for us to start, with its quirky maze of eight rooms over two floors. However four years ago, with a growing business, we moved to the old Commonwealth Bank building in the heart of the Mall, just opposite the bubbling fountain. Moving 60,000 books, 10,000 records and over 200 shelves of various shapes and sizes was challenging, but it made us aware of the depth of support that exists for Boobooks, with loyal customers helping in many ways. The move proved to be an excellent business decision - and dramatically improved the browsing experience for all customers, with easy wheelchair and pram access and room to spread out. Where do your customers come from? The answer is surprising. People assume that our greatest support would come from Armidale, being a university town. Although the university and the Armidale community are very important, the range of people who have “found” Boobooks extends well beyond the local area. A significant number of our repeat customers come from places as distant as Melbourne and far North Queensland, and they tell us they include Armidale in their itinerary simply to shop at Boobooks.

What is it that attracts customers to revitalised Mall, employing local staff, Boobooks? using local services and attracting visitors Both travellers and our greatly valued from outside the region. In fact … Could local customers know that Boobooks Armidale really be considered to be a great university town, if it didn’t have a has been selling fantastic secondhand great secondhand bookshop to sustain it? books and vinyl records for over 10 What is the future for books and years. They appreciate our extraordinary Boobooks? collection (over 60,000 titles on almost The future is bright for both. every conceivable subject) and they love Newspapers might disappear, but books the fact that we are shelving new arrivals won’t. They’re here to stay. And so is every single day. We are touched by Boobooks. We hope that when our time their enthusiasm for the shop, and they is done, there will be others with often say: “This is the best the same passion to keep secondhand bookshop I’ve it going for many more ever been to” and “I g lin years. The potential el wish Boobooks was Our trav s, er for Boobooks in my town”. om cust r fo g in ch ar se to expand is Your customers who go shops, ok bo nd ha nd considerable. We clearly love seco ooks deliberately have the shop; tell us that Boob e of the stands out as on to no Internet listing what excites ant best - and we w of our books and you about on this continue to build ” records at this Boobooks? tion. growing reputa stage, but we are Everything! We aware that we have an love sharing the joy ideal platform from which of books and reading to enter this market. with children; we enjoy the Today Boobooks is a significant hunt for obscure books or the latest part of the Armidale community and Book Club choice; we are delighted economy. Our travelling customers, who when locals bring visiting family and go searching for secondhand bookshops, friends; we welcome overseas students, tell us that Boobooks stands out as one enthusiastic externals and incredible of the best - and we want to continue to home-schooling families; we love seeing build on this growing reputation. local high school students return to the Oh, and the name …. why shop again and again to seek out the Boobooks? Classics; and welcome our friends in The shop is named after the Southern wheelchairs into our roomy aisles. As Boobook owl, sometimes called the well, there are art lovers, poets, local Mopoke. There is a beautiful and much history buffs, crime and fantasy readers, admired Gould print of two Boobook vinyl seekers, train enthusiasts and so owls above our front desk - and no, it’s many more! How could we not love it? not for sale. It also excites us to be a local business Thanks John and Sally. contributing to the beginning of a

“

Old, recent & out of print books + vinyl

Armidale’s extraordinary secondhand bookshop in the heart of the Beardy St Mall SALE 50% off all vinyl in June 2017

Boobooks 176 Beardy St Armidale 02 6771 2994 www.boobooks.net.au Monday to Friday 9 – 5 Saturday & Market Sunday 9 – 1 Like us on Facebook new Special englandEdition focus. 39 23 focus

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

ADFAS

PARTNERSHIP ADFAS Armidale Young Arts Coordinator Graeme Fordham AM tells Focus about the New Partnership of the Rotary Club of Armidale Central and Armidale ADFAS to Support the Arts for Young People.

ell us about the partnership? An innovative partnership, "New England Arts Grants for Young People" has been forged between the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (ADFAS) in Armidale and the Rotary Club of Armidale Central. The Rotary Club of Armidale Central determined that by partnering with ADFAS it can increase its support for young people and the arts in the region. The partnership increases funds available for grants to support the development of young people in the arts in the New England and the North West. The partnership is built on the Young Arts Program established by ADFAS Armidale. How are grants decided? Community announcements in print and social media early each year call for applications. Projects can be any recognised or innovative form of artistic endeavour and include visual and fine arts, music, performance, design. They should offer opportunities and experiences in our local communities, benefit a number of participants, take into account various areas of disadvantage and have the potential to promote a sustained outcome in community arts activities. How do the Rotary Club of Armidale Central and ADFAS Armidale already support young people and the arts? In the past, ADFAS Armidale supported a number of programs, which included the Armidale Youth Orchestra working with primary school students to interact with talented young musicians and their instruments. ADFAS helped fund travel for students from across the New England and

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North West to attend the New England Conservatorium of Music's spectacular "New England Sings". Over 800 students meet to perform music written by Australian composers and authors. A young person from Oxley High was supported to write, produce and direct a short film, set at Saumarez House, and the Youth Council of Armidale Regional Council was supported to "Yarn Bomb" in Armidale. These projects involved a significant number of young people in their preparation and execution. The New England Regional Art Museum has been assisted to provide a children's holiday program and also for young people at risk, collaborating with BackTrack Armidale. The Rotary Club of Armidale Central already supports young people in a wide range of outstanding and life-changing activities locally and internationally. In the arts it provides financial assistance to the New England Conservatorium of Music with the Side by Side Choir, where young people with significant challenges work with others of a similar age to create a most successful choir. The club supports NECOM's "New England Sings" and the Armidale Eisteddfod, which attracts participants from across our region. An innovative program which will be part of the new partnership is the Rotary Club of Armidale Central Tertiary Music Scholarship. The recipient would have been studying a musical instrument, composition or voice for 7 - 12 years and have received recognition for his/her ability. The recipient may have also displayed other ability, such as conducting, and have participated in orchestral, chamber music or vocal music activities at school and the community. The recipient would demonstrate a

commitment to pursuing extended music study at tertiary level and the likelihood of a career in the field. How is the partnership funded? The funding for the New England Grants for Young People partnership comes from the very successful Rotary Club of Armidale Central Book Fair, ADFAS Armidale membership and the monthly book raffle held at each ADFAS lecture. What has the partnership achieved so far? The partnership is supporting a wide range of opportunities for young people in 2017 by providing $2,400 to the New England Conservatorium of Music's “Chamber Music in Schools” program, which reaches out to school students across the region, and $1,300 to the Armidale Youth Orchestra for its “Walk through the Orchestra Program”, where many young people get up close and personal with young musicians and their instruments. $650 goes to “Booked In 2017”, organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia in New England to support an author of children's books to visit in Book Week, and $750 for “Vale and Broken” - a new young theatre company, dedicated to staging Australian plays for Armidale audiences. Grants of $1,100 have been allocated to “Hopes and Dreams Integrated Dance Theatre Workshop/Performance” for young people with a range of challenges supported by Arts North West and $300 for NERAM's “Art - Music - Play with Paper” program utilising leadership from Simon Mellor from Magic Electricity Box. Graeme Fordham AM (ADFAS Armidale Young Arts Coordinator) Ph. 0402 598 107 email: glfordham@gmail.com

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

CREATE

A R T I N A L L F O R M S - WA L C H A Walcha punches above its weight in many aspects; this is certainly obvious when it comes to art. Walcha, a town with the mere population of 1,800 (3,000 in the shire) is home to many well known artists and lays claim to having the most public art per capita in Australia. It all started from humble beginnings, when local farmer and sculptor Stephen King approached Walcha Council to collaborate with him to create a fountain sculpture for McHattan Park in the centre of town. The decision to accept his offer and install Walcha’s first sculpture led to the suggestion by Council to form the Walcha Arts Council, to facilitate an ongoing public art program. A plan was conceived and adopted by Council in 1998. The concept came to be known as the Open Air Gallery. The Open Air Gallery, a world class gallery of public art forming part of Walcha’s streetscape,

presently boasts over 50 sculptures from local, national and international artists. Many of the larger sculptures reside along the levee banks of the Apsley River, which are paved for over two kilometres on either side, offering stunning walking tracks. Enquire at the Walcha Visitor Information Centre about the FREE Loan-A-Bikes. There are two adult bikes, two children’s bikes and a coaster which caters for up to two toddlers available to use. Other artistic assets in town are: Walcha Gallery of Art - exhibiting and selling contemporary art; Antipodean Tynker - a gallery of bespoke motorcycles and steampunk sculptures; Walcha Handmade - modern craft, art and homemade items; and Walcha Creative Arts Centre, with more traditional craft offered. Walcha offers great cafés, pub meals, shopping and accommodation, so make a day or weekend of it.

Special things are happening at the Go Create! New England studio out on the farm near Kentucky. The team of Kath, Jan, Erica and Vicki have been working very hard to provide high quality creative workshops in a pleasant venue.

his year they have hosted workshops in solar plate etching, shibori dyeing, lino block printing, ecodyeing and imprints, embroidery, shoe making and art therapy. As we write, artists from Queensland and the coast are wandering the farm finding inspiration in the magnificent autumn colours, and keeping cosy by the fire at night with wine in hand.

cushions, book covers and more. Judy Wilford is one of Australia's top hand embroiderers, and we are lucky to have her residing in Armidale. She will be teaching her delicate, but complex landscape embroideries with a theme of seascapes to provide a daydream away from the cold on the 8th and 9th July.

Our tutors are always of a high calibre; for There is much more to come, with shoe example the list of credentials from our milliner, making, millinery and leather bag making to Christine Thompson, coming in September, is satisfy the fashion conscious; machine and as follows: hand embroidery, book making, and “I am an award winning milliner lace making for those preferring with over 20 years experience the quieter. Then there are in opera, theatre, film and workshops in basketry, musicals. Credits include photography and There is much ith w e, Aladdin, Carmen, The sculptural installation more to com illinery m g, in Magic Flute, Madame for people loving ak m oe sh mak ing a more outdoors Butterfly, My Fair and leather bag shion activity. to satisfy the fa Lady, Phantom of the d

“

Art in all forms

Walcha Discover Walcha’s art, fine food, natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.

walchansw.com.au • 02 6774 2460

Go Create! offers discounts for early bird bookings, group bookings and for school age students. Vouchers also make a great gift for the creative wannabes in the family.

hine an conscious; mac ry, book hand embroide making ce la d making, an ring the for those prefer quieter.”

Winter in New England is a great time to come and hide away in our warm and bright studio space. We are showcasing our local tutors in late June and early July. Michael Taylor will lead students through taking great photos in various settings, including early morning frosts and late evening sunsets over the paddocks of the farm. Deciduous trees will offer great silhouettes in the fog for atmospheric photos on 24th and 25th June. Jan Clark will teach Colour my Textile World on the weekend of 1st - 2nd July. Jan is an experienced textile artist, who is excited to share her unique fabric painting and printing methods. This workshop is a fun way to explore the possibilities without boundaries, and fabrics made in the workshop can be used in quilts,

Opera, Love Never Dies, Dr Zhivago, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Moulin Rouge, King Kong, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The King and I, which are some of

the shows I have created hats for. “In 1995 I signed on to work as a milliner's assistant to Connie Kerr at the Australian Opera Company, which later became Opera Australia. In the year 2000 I was seconded to Fox Studio's to work on the film Moulin Rouge, where I was responsible for making Nicole Kidman's black velvet top hat.” Next year is shaping up to be a big year, with well known overseas tutors already filling the calendar, and everyone is encouraged to keep an eye on the website (www. gocreatenewengland.com) or sign up for the digital newsletter, to make sure they don't miss out on the privilege of having these amazing tutors visit our area. focus Special Edition 41 new england focus. 25

writers

CENTRE

NEW ENGLAND

A CREATIVE HAVEN FOR LOCAL AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS, THE TEAM FROM THE NEW ENGLAND WRITERS CENTRE CHAT TO FOCUS ABOUT THE MANY FACETS AVAILABLE TO ARTISTS ...

ell us about what the New England Writers Centre does ... The NEWC supports the creative written and illustrative arts for people in the New England region. It does this by offering a range of workshops, events, and competitions. Many of our activities are supported by generous grants from the State Government's arts funding body, Arts NSW, as well as the Federal Government's Regional Arts Fund. We also appreciate the support of Arts North West, Armidale Council, UNE, and other local institutions and busineses. We frequently collaborate with other local arts organisations, such as NERAM, the local sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of NSW, and are partnering with Arts North West and Museums Australia on an exciting project called The Stuff of Tales, featuring local writers and creating stories around local museum collections. This year, our activities include Deadly Secrets festival for crime writers (June), Sorcery to Spaceships festival for those interested in Speculative Fiction (September) and the popular Writing Hub program that develops story telling skills for writers (last Saturday of every month). A seasonal series of innovative poetry workshops by published poet John Charles Ryan is also on this year (next workshop July 22, at NERAM).

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During the year, we are hosting visiting authors such as Tristan Bancks, Pamela Freeman and Ian Irvine, and showcasing local illustrators such as Kate Durack. There'll also be an opportunity to learn songwriting skills with local writer Helena Pastor and local musician Chris Purcell. We connect to local schools via our popular program called Authors and Illustrators Live Link, which features talks and mini-workshops, delivered via live-link video conferencing across the region, including to small, remote schools. We also have a partnership with the Sydney Writersâ€™ Festival to bring this festival, streamed live, into the library in Armidale. In August in Tamworth the Centre is offering a fantastic self-publishing day, featuring a hands-on workshop and informative panel session with author, journalist and self-publishing expert Steven Lewis. He will be joined by local self-published authors Janene Carey and Ian Wynne for the panel session. This is a program aimed at giving participants the skills to navigate the difficult waters of book production, as well as understanding requirements for online publishing, including Kindle, and the best way to create book promotion on social media. In October we will be offering The Elevator Pitch, a program of preparatory workshops, an informative panel session and face to face pitching sessions with two major visiting literary agents, Alex Adsett (Alex Adsett Publishing Service) and Brian Cook

(The Authors Agency). This program, which provides an opportunity for local authors and illustrators to get their work seen by industry experts, has a capacity of 40 places and will book out quickly. On Saturday, June 17, the 2017 Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing will be launched during the Deadly Secrets festival. This competition, which is in its fifth year, has launched many aspiring writers, including Emma Viskic (winner of the inaugural Thunderbolt Prize, and profiled in the May issue of FOCUS) and 2016 Thunderbolt Prize fiction winner Maryanne Ross, who along with local author Bronwyn Parry will be present at the launch. Entrants will have until the end of July to submit their entries. We have a diverse, creative membership, not only in Armidale, where weâ€™re based, but all over New England. We're always looking for new members, and invite anyone interested in writing, illustrating and reading to have a look at www.newc.org.au for details on how to join. We welcome members at all stages of their careers: you certainly don't have to be a published author to belong! We're all about developing creative skills, encouraging reading, and giving opportunities to local people, of whatever background or age. Where is the New England Writers Centre located? The centre is located at 129 Rusden Street, and is open Monday and Thursday between

the hours of 11am and 3pm. Email: admin@ newc.org.au How do people find out what is coming up at the New England Writers Centre? All details of our events, competitions and other opportunities are shown on the website at www.newc.org.au You can also follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ NewEnglandWritersCentre/ where we post regularly. Tell us about the New England Illustration Prize and its theme this year. This was established by the NEWC in 2016, to encourage aspiring and established artists and illustrators in the New England region to showcase their artworks. Building on last year's success, we are hopeful that this year the competition will attract a bigger number of entrants, and that the competition could eventually be opened up to all artists and illustrators living in New South Wales. This year competition entrants are invited to create an illustration inspired by Captain Thunderbolt, the famous bushranger who roamed the New England area in the 19th Century. As with last year, up to 20 finalists in the competition will be invited to take part in an exhibition at Gallery 126, where they will be able to display their original artwork to the public. The competition is now open and entries can be submitted online until via http://www.newc. org.au/new-england-illustration-prize-2017. html up until 26th June 2017. Thanks everyone.

A RT S & C U LT U R E F E AT U R E

A RT S N O RT H W E ST Have you ever thought about exhibiting in a gallery, performing on stage, or writing a book? Ask us! We offer FREE advice, assistance, advocacy and support for all things arts and culture in the New England North West. We are here to help you - with grant applications, budgeting, or auspicing your projects. Or perhaps you would like assistance in finding some funding for your project? We have lots of resources on our website - check it out for information on business, insurance, project planning and marketing. We coordinate the arts calendar for our region, so submit your event now! www.artsnw.com.au We have been working in this region for twenty years, and we look after eleven council areas - Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Moree, Gwydir, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Tamworth, Walcha, Uralla and of course, Armidale. We manage a series of networks, including arts and disability, theatre, visual arts and writing, so we can put you in touch with likeminded people from across the whole region. Call us today and have a chat about Country Arts Support Program, an annual small grants program administered by Regional Arts NSW on behalf of Create NSW providing small grants to local councils, arts and community organisations in regional NSW for short term, locally initiated projects. This could be your chance to get that project off the ground!

G O C R E AT E ! Go Create! New England is a workshop collective consisting of four creatives: Jan Clark, Vicki Taylor, Kath Caddy and Erica Peterson. Established in 2013, Go Create! New England brings like-minded people together in the beautiful setting of The Studio on Vicki’s farm to learn, create and be inspired through mainly weekend workshops. Many talented tutors, local, Australian and from around the world, come to teach their diverse skills year round. The workshops range from photography to shoe making and include many textile skills, such as eco-dyeing, shibori, art quilting, bobbin lace making, felting and weaving. The Go Create! Studio sits in the picturesque surrounding of the New England countryside on Vicki and Jon Taylor’s sheep farm, which has been in the Taylor family for generations. Renowned for their sustainable farming practices, the Taylors have created a tree covered and scenic environment which is bound to inspire the budding or expert artist. For anyone travelling from afar, Go Create! offers comfortable accommodation and delicious meals.

LOOK WHAT ARTS NORTH WEST CAN DO FOR YOU! WE CAN HELP YOU GET YOUR ARTS PROJECT OFF THE GROUND. ARTS ADVICE, ASSISTANCE & ADVOCACY Free advice, assistance and support for artists and arts organisations in the New England North West on: • Funding (application reviews, grant writing, opportunities, auspicing services) • Tips on project management, planning, budgets, insurance, business plans •Promotion and marketing

Check our website www.artsnw.com.au and don’t forget to submit your event to our calendar

rado@artsnw.com.au m: 0428 042 622 www.artsnw.com.au new england focus. 43 27 focus Special Edition

focusinterview.

LUMINOSITY YOUTH SUMMIT Constable Jarryd De Castro from the Surry Hills Local Area Command is a Port Macquarie local who was the captain of his year at St Columba Anglican School. Since then, he has studied a Bachelor of Justice Studies and Policing at Charles Sturt University Bathurst for two years, followed by studying at the NSW Police Force Academy in Goulburn, receiving the Associate Degree in Policing Practise.

ver the four years of being in the Police Force, Jarryd has been involved in many challenging incidents, with the main to date being the Martin Place Siege - as one of the first officers on scene. Jarryd will be sharing his experiences at the Luminosity Youth Summit from 19 - 21 July. What did you most enjoy about growing up in Port Macquarie and attending St Columba? One thing I enjoyed about Port Macquarie was obviously the location. I was born and bred on the coast, being so close to the beach and having good friends around me. We moved up and down the coast a lot, but I was based in Port Macquarie from 2005 and went to St Columba, starting there in Year 8. St Columba was still quite a new school at the time, so there only about 14 of us in my year. I have a musical background, so St Columba gave me a really great opportunity for that, and I did music and drama for my HSC in year 12. I was school captain in 2009 and had a really close connection with my year and a few of the senior teachers. I really enjoyed how close everyone was with each other, being a small and accepting school. I don’t think I would recognise it today! Why did you want to become a police officer? It’s actually a funny story; I always wanted to join the force. Growing up, I was interested in police shows and Mum would get me those police packs. On my 21st birthday, Mum brought a poster out that I had made when I was only six years old, and I had written down that I wanted to be a policeman with a little stick figure drawing underneath. Seeing this and realising that I had those ambitions when I was six, it is something that I’ve grown up with and has been embedded in the back of my mind. As the years went on, that was the main goal I had.

44 focus Special Edition 28 new england focus.

We pulled up directly on the e eastern side of th café e th re he w building illips Ph on ed at tu was si out d St , and we jumpe hicle ve r ou not realising five or was parked only om the fr ten metres away the to or do y tr en t fron Lindt Café .”

“ It’s funny, as St Columba is predominantly a creative arts school. It was an interesting thing when I did quite well in my HSC in music and drama, then told my teachers that I was going to pursue a career as a police officer! Your first posting as a police officer was in Surry Hills LAC. How much of a culture shock was it for a lad from a regional coastal area to move to a busy city district like this one? It was May 2013 that I started in Surry Hills. I'd had a bit of exposure to the city before - Sydney in particular. A lot of my family still reside in Sydney, so coming in and out of the city was a day trip I would do growing up. But to then go to Surry Hills and see that historical side of the city was really interesting. Historically it was considered the slum of the CBD, and there are still aspects of this that you see in Surry Hills today. It was a massive culture shock. I still remember doing my first shift one day, and we actually got escorted around the Local Area Command, the area that our station covers. Words can’t describe it; it was something that was quite surreal and very overwhelming, to see people from many different cultural backgrounds. You’ve got that vast difference between social economic status, so it was a big culture shock. And here I am from a small coastal town - all of sudden my bubble had been popped. How have you adapted to that situation over time? This May will be my fourth year, and over time I’ve really just learnt to throw myself in the deep end. Listening to the local people that run the cafés and other local businesses, elderly people who have lived here for the past 50 years and seen the change, and other officers who have been working here for five or ten years. I really listened and took their views on board, in order to adapt to the area. How did you respond to the Martin Place Siege as one of the first officers on scene?

That day was actually my first day back from annual leave, and I was rostered on with a friend of mine from my same class in the academy. It was one of those things when you get back you go out and grab your morning coffee and come back before work starts for the day, and I remember sitting in the muster room and hearing the call over the police radio. Because it was in the city, it was actually out of our immediate jurisdiction, so we were waiting for the city crews to copy it ... But there was a slight delay, so we ended up taking the call. We were the first vehicle on the scene, and I had never actually been exposed to the CBD a lot, so I was only familiar with Surry Hills. I had no idea that a café would look like a 1950s bank building. We pulled up directly on the Eastern side of the building where the café was situated on Phillips St, and we jumped out - not realising our vehicle was parked only five or ten metres away from the front entry door to the Lindt Café. Due to the situation, we put our Kevlar vests on and made our patrol right down to the front entrance to the café, and the area was put into immediate lockdown. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? One aspect of my job that I find rewarding is being a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer, which is GLLO for short. In the Surry Hills area the majority of the population are part of the LGBITQ community, so to be able to be a Liaison Officer and draw the bridge between the gay community and the police force has been very rewarding, in regards to seeing the different aspects of both groups here and moving forward. I’ve been at GLLO for the past three years and have taken on the coordinator role for the Surry Hills region,

and have been able to engage personally with that community and assist them with whatever they need, making them aware that the police force actually do care, and that we have a program in place to increase understanding and awareness towards different aspects of the ever growing community. What are you looking forward to about speaking at the Luminosity Youth Summit this year? Firstly, it was a massive honour to be asked to this growing event. I’m looking forward to being back in my home town speaking with people whose shoes I’ve been in before. Past experiences, current incidents and my ability to face fear is what will be covered in the session. Courage can be seen as just a word, but if you concentrate on your ability to overcome your fears, then that word will be your all. Don’t listen to people saying that you have to move to a big city to get the full benefit of uni; I went to school in Bathurst ... I want to get across to people that you don’t need to go to a big university to have the same opportunities; my study years in Bathurst were some of the best of my life. I want to show that if you believe in yourself and fight that fear, you can pop that bubble and find so much more out there ... Thanks Jarryd.

plug! Be inspired by Jarryd at Luminosity Youth Summit. 19 - 21 July 2017. www.luminosityyouthsummit.com.au

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