Feature Story Craig Mason
November 2014 // issue 93
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Welcome to the November edition of Manning-Great Lakes FOCUS.
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ovember … the last month of spring, each month – and we thought it was about time the wind down to the holiday season, we profiled his unique business enterprise. and Melbourne Cup month! I don’t In this Issue know what you all have planned, but Carole Isaacs introduces us to what’s set to be I’m really going to enjoy being out and about this a new annual event in the Manning area – the month - there are so many spectacular events Manning Valley Horse Health and Management happening in our region. Expo. Many ofthought us are starting make to catch busy Bruce Wiseman fills us in onbut Taree Artchanged my mind. March! I never thistowas anplans especially month in the past, I’ve up with friends and relatives, start our Christmas Council’s new production, Secret Bridesmaids’ shopping if you’reDay, really disciplined Business, which you’ll beGreat able to catchViking at theChallenge, which hrove rove Tuesday (or(or, Pancake families. - unlike Lakes meto - ficall nishityour Christmas shopping!) book MEC, and country musicisicon Troy Cassar-Daley as we like in Australia), ON THEand COVER set to take place on March 8 and 9. venues our end of year workLiving parties. set the to wow audiencesFor at Club Oldsoccer Bar. fans out there – don’t St Patrick’s Day,for Seniors Week life to the fullisare vibrant, all you know about I usually and plan talented Silver Add this to the Forster Dragonboat … and thisI don’t is in addition to you, but colourful Ukulele miss this six a Regatta, side, fast paced action! to start my Christmas in June each the on Saltwater Real Conciliation Women’s Camp to all the plays, sual monthly events that takeshopping Strummers, who feature our cover And this is in addition have the hamLakes ordered bythis October andThis friendly andbunch local award-winning Blues musician Darren ound theyear, Manning-Great month. of movies, and performances happening in accommodation booked for all of the Jack’s upcoming at Pacifi c Palms locals is out justofone of the groups from performance our neck of the woods this month. Told town relos three months BEFORE they arriveValley … Recreation Club, and you have a diary jaming of Seniors Week, which the Manning U3A (University you it was busy! but alas, I’m usually that wild-eyed woman you packed with events. year from 15 - 23 March, of the Third Age). We couldn’t fit the EDITOR’S PHOTO see inathe with anon our cover, Weas also haveare a great Shane early childhood/ evoted quite fewsupermarket pages in in a standoff entire group there Chalker is well known for equally crazy looking woman, playing tug o’ war education feature this month, whichamzing highlights e - and our cover - to celebrate some 40 of them, so you’ll have to go producing images - and this with the last ham on the shelf on Christmas Eve! the quality of our local childcare centres. ry important members of our to their interview page to meet the rest month’s Editor’s letter photo is no No matter how organised I usually am, I always Final Say nity. of them. exception. seem to come unglued at this time of year. I always think there’s a positive to be found ife!’ is the catchcry for Seniors Many thanks to Linda Bryant from Don’t forget to send your images to Whatever your plans are this month … take in every situation, so I believe this quote is very nd we certainly have an Photography by Linda for this month’s jo@focusmag.com.au the time out to relax with this issue of FOCUS. appropriate! group of locals doing just that! stunning cover image. FINAL SAY You may just find some fabulous ideas in these “One of the advantages of being disorganised troduce you to members of the INSIDE THIS ISSUE “You can’t help getting older, but pages that will help you with your end of year is that one is always having surprising g Valley Quota Club, Wendy We haven’t forgotten the younger you don’t have to get old” - George planning, discoveries.” – A.A. Milne. om the Forster Private Hospital members of our community either! Burns. On the Cover about some of the fantastic new We interviewed Emma Polson from Thanks to Linda from Photography by Linda for s available in the hospital’s new Manning Dairy Youth - a very proactive our cover shot, which features Neville Donovan erapy pool, and Phil Webster and enthusiastic group of young people Jo Atkins – Editor from innovative local business Greenpatch Rodham from the Great Lakes who are determined to see the dairy jo@focusmag.com.au Organic Seeds. Neville is a regular columnist with Jo Atkins – Editor Support Group share the impact industry continue to thrive in the Valley, FOCUS, contributing his “What’s in Season” tips jo@focusmag.com.au ase has on men and their and Jerrad Allen fills us in about the
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PHOTOGRAPHER: Craig Mason, East Coast Photography 02 6554 9703 / 0411 846 084 www.eastcoastphotography.com.au
RO HE ES UU NN I TIYT YE VEEVNETNS TAS NA DNPDR O F O FCOUCSU ISS I SP RPO UU D DT TOO SSUUPPPPOORRTT TT H S EE G GRREEAATT CCOOMMMM PG RR OAGM R SA. M S . Essential Energy
opinions of our contributors notopinions necessarily reflcontributors ect the opinion of the Publishers Editor. or Allview reasonable efforts have to trace copyright holders. appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at Commentsdo and of our do or notview necessarily reflect theoropinion of the Publishers orbeen Editor.made All reasonable efforts have beenInformation made to trace copyright g to press howeverholders. no liability will be held for inaccurate information or supplied by advertisers contributors. all care taken is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, Information appearing in Focus is believed approved to be correct at the time of going toorpress however While no liability willisbe helditfor inaccurate information approved or supplied by prices and any other material with individual businesses and professionals. Focus is produced and published by Creative Houseand Publications LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5 Material Focus is Copyright © Creative House advertisers orindustry contributors. While allManning-Great care is taken it isLakes recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices any otherPTY material including advice with individualinbusinesses LTD and may not and be reproduced whole or in Manning-Great part, in any form, without of and the Publisher. reserved. industry professionals. Lakes Focuspermission is produced publishedAll byrights Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5 Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.
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Craig Mason
East Coast Photography
AWARD-WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IS ONE OF CRAIG’S SPECIALTIES, AND IT’S SAFE TO SAY HE’S PHOTOGRAPHED ALL TYPES OF WEDDINGS, IN EXTREMELY VARIED LOCATIONS! CRAIG’S SKILL BEHIND THE LENS ALSO EXTENDS TO STUNNING LANDSCAPE SHOTS, AND HIS 2015 CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS THE BEAUTY OF OUR LOCAL AREA …
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i Craig. It’s been a while since we caught up – what’s been keeping you busy since we last spoke? Hi Jo - great to be in touch again. It's been a busy year! Can't believe it’s November already - time to start planning for Christmas! Commercial shoots and wedding photography have been typically flat out. I've also been very busy canvas printing for other photographers in the area. What are some of the changes East Coast Photography’s experienced over the last 12 months or so ... I believe you’ve formed a new partnership that offers photo restorations, framing and various other services? Yes, I recently moved the business into the Memory Lane Picture Framing premises at 89 Boundary Street, Forster (next to Marx Tyres) - a perfect business merger, with both businesses working very well in the one location.
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Sometimes I feel ter like I should en or e ur at N Science and hotly something not as ing in contested, but ga ction se an award in this a ith w e provides m t.” en em ev hi ac greater
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Memory Lane is the premier framing business in the area, providing clients with high quality framing of all art works and memorbilia. We now offer clients a one stop shop for professional photographic printing and framing, along with photo and art restoration, canvas printing and large format photographic printing. Your business is renowned for wedding photography, and you’ve received awards for this too ... Yes, wedding photography is an important part of the business and we have now been dedicated to professional wedding photography for over 17 years. I started entering industry awards 10 years ago and in that first year took out a silver award at the Australia Professional Photography Awards. Striving to gain recognition in this field of
photography is the most difficult, as it always has the most entries. Sometimes I feel like I should enter Science and Nature or something not as hotly contested, but gaining an award in this section provides me with a greater achievement. What do you feel it is about your business/personal skillset that ensures this continued success? Dedication to achieving the best results from each and every wedding. A lot of my clients actually are excited about creating something very special and unique during their wedding shoot. Shortly after this issue of FOCUS is delivered, I am photographing a wedding where we plan on getting a shot that will be HOT; fingers crossed everything goes to plan for this one. What’s a wedding that particularly
sticks in your mind as being unique, or fantastic to shoot? Over the past 17 years of professionally photographing weddings, I have come across many and varied styles of weddings but also some interesting and unique themes and ideas. I've cried at many a wedding with heartfelt emotion and laughed along with some very funny events and speeches. One particular wedding that comes to mind was photographed at a cemetery. Bride and groom met at a “Cem's and Crems” seminar (Cemetery and Crematorium seminar); their wedding was themed around ghosts, goblins and ghouls, with all guests coming dressed in this theme. There were Draculas and Frankensteins, Freddy Kruegers, witches etc. Our photography during the afternoon was all performed tastefully and respectfully. The groom had organised a horse and cart for the bride to arrive in and to transport them around the cemetery. I had a chance to speak with the owner and run him through our shoot. He had no idea about the themed
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craig East Coast Photography
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Craig Mason of East Coast Photography has been an active professional wedding photographer for over 15 years. Craig photographs weddings in a relaxed, yet professional manner, capturing not only the important aspects of the day, but also the fun and spontaneous events that occur. An eye for detail and making the most of the light sets Craig's images apart from other photographers'. A unique blend of combining wedding photography with the landscape, creating the wow factor in his wedding photography, with brides and grooms photographed in a beautiful location as part of a stunning panoramic scene. Craig's stunning wedding images have won him many awards over the years; actually, each year since 2004, Craig has taken an award for wedding photography. In 2008 he received a Silver Award and 3rd in the world for wedding photography in the International Aperture Awards.
facilities.
If you're looking for a photographer to capture your day as it unfolds in an unobtusive and relaxed manner, then East Coast Photography is the right choice.
E A S T
wedding and started to laugh during our discussion: “Out of the 14 horses we have, I have brought along “Spook” and “Casper” today,” he said, “what a co-incidence!” The reception was a blast, with decorations again in theme - even the cake was a coffin. During the night the groom had secretly arranged for the power to go off and a few select persons dressed as the scary character from the movie Scream, raise their heads in about 10 windows around the reception – the ensuing screaming from unaware guests was almost deafening. The final icing on the cake was the bride and groom leaving in the famous Sydney hearse ”Elvira”. What a wedding it was ... What are some of the latest advances in technology you’ve utilised to improve your business services? How have these helped you? Technology is certainly advancing at a great rate, and this has altered the way leading photographers think and produce their images. Thinking outside the square to capture images that would normally be unachievable is now part of each and every wedding I shoot. Wireless flash technology and sports action
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cameras have come to be part of my typical strong. I have 1000 produced annually now gear I carry at weddings these days. (double from early years) and the last two years Your landscape photography is stunning. have been sell outs. This year’s is a beautiful Where are some of your favourite blend of scenic and aerial images from places to shoot in the ManningForster and Tuncurry to Pacific Great Lakes - and what’s so Palms regions. special about them? Having a large stock of The calendar is Thank you Jo. these types of images l al available from Photographing landscapes certainly helps, but r te rs Fo newsagencies in ry is where my passion for usually a good ur nc Tuncurry, Tu photography developed. number of the images ys ue Bl , Post Office c ifi The Manning-Great ac in each year have (P e or St G eneral er Shop rb Lakes region has some been photographed Ba s n’ Ia , s) Palm and at 89 spectacular scenery during the preceding Forster Arcade .” et re St indeed. Favourite locations 12 months. Boundary are Seal Rocks, without a This year’s features a doubt “the last frontier” and couple of unique images: Burgess Beach, Forster, where January's photograph is a blend of amazing rock formations, a spectacular aerial image of tidal pools and beach combine with a Australia Day Forster style, with a large background of Cape Hawke. number of locals congregating on Miles You’ve produced a beautiful calendar Island and the sand spit that runs beneath for 2015 ... tell us more about this project. the bridge; as well as one of my best selling How long did it take to complete, and images of iconic Seal Rocks, featuring two describe some of the images you’ve used classic wooden fishing boats on Boat Beach. ... Where can people get a copy of the The calendar is now in its 8th year and going calendar?
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The calendar is available from all newsagencies in Forster Tuncurry, Tuncurry Post Office, Blueys General Store (Pacific Palms), Ian's Barber Shop Forster Arcade and at 89 Boundary Street. What’s in the pipeline for you over the next 12 months ... anything exciting planned? Over the next twelve months I have a couple of personal projects in mind: one being to photograph some more remote locations from within our regions. We have some less accessible but sensationally scenic areas that deserve to be in print. I'm also hoping to do some travelling within Australia to add some images to my landscape portfolio. Where can readers contact you? Web: eastcoastphotography.com.au Thanks Craig. Win 1 of 20 copies of the 2015 Forster Tuncurry & Pacific Palms Area Calendar by East Coast Photography. To enter, just visit our Facebook page and click on the competitions tab. www.facebook.com/mgl.focus manning-great lakes focus.
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MANNING VALLEY
Health
AND MANAGEMENT EXPO CAROLE ISAACS
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN HORSES, THERE’S ONLY ONE PLACE TO BE ON NOVEMBER 8 AND 9 – AND THAT’S THE WINGHAM SHOWGROUNDS. THE INAUGURAL MANNING VALLEY HORSE HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT EXPO HOSTED BY THE MANNING VALLEY PERFORMANCE HORSE CLUB INC. WILL PROVIDE TWO DAYS OF INTERACTIVE SEMINARS, DEMONSTRATIONS, TRADE STALLS, RAFFLES, ENTERTAINMENT AND MUCH MORE …
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i Carole. Tell us a little about the Manning Valley Performance Horse Club Inc... The Manning Valley Performance Horse Club Inc. was formed back in 1993 by people of the Mid North Coast who were interested in showing their horses within the Western Horse competition industry. Today the club has evolved and now caters for people aged from 5 - 80 years old who are interested in all types of equine disciplines, whether it’s showing or hacking at shows, dressage, show jumping, or western pleasure and performance competition. We also believe it’s important to organise practical clinics for riders and their horses to gain skills and confidence in their chosen discipline. I’m the current President of the club, and it’s wonderful to be celebrating our 21st birthday this year, coincidently in the Chinese Year of the Horse. What led to the idea of hosting a Horse Health and Management Expo? I have been treating horses with Bowen Therapy across the Manning Valley for the past couple of years. Through this work with local horse owners, I realised there was a growing need for better information about the most up to date ways of working with and caring for horses. It seems that the Manning Valley is going through some demographic changes. So many people move here onto smaller acreage, and they are either bringing their horses here or buying horses for the first time now they have some land. Understanding about good horse care and land care is critical for all owners. Horse owners are really eager to know how to care for their animals. Complementary equine therapies are taking off in this country; many horse owners want to know about these. This led me to the idea of developing a horse expo where different/new approaches to keeping horses healthy could be demonstrated. Each year, Melbourne or Sydney hosts Equitana – a week
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of everything imaginable to do with horses. Not everyone can get to Equitana, so I could see the value of having our own horse expo here and providing workshops and demonstrations at a realistic price. The MVPHC members discussed the idea of the Expo and decided to support it. The club also recognises the great work that Horse Rescue organisations do in our area, and we wanted to show our support. Money raised from the silent auction and for parking at the showgrounds will go to Horse Welfare Inc and Heaven’s Paradise Horse Rehabilitation and Sanctuary. The inaugural Manning Valley Horse Health and Management Expo will be held on November 8 and 9. Where will it be held and what are some of the activities that will take place during the expo? The Manning Valley Performance Horse Club Inc is hosting the Expo at the Wingham Showgrounds. We have planned two days of interactive workshops and demonstrations starting at 9am each day. The program boasts two full day and two half day workshops on Saturday and 18 different demonstrations on Sunday. There will also be a variety of trade and information stalls, a stallion showcase, a silent auction (with fantastic donations from sponsors) to raise money for local horse rescue groups and an art exhibition/competition (with prize money) to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse. People viewing the different pieces of art can vote for their favourite piece in the Senior and Youth categories, or purchase a piece of original equine art. We have planned some children’s activities where they can paint and decorate their own mini wooden horse ready to be hung on the Christmas tree. Who are some of the speakers/presenters/ exhibitors that will be present throughout the expo? The workshops and demonstrations will be presented by local, national and international horse experts. Workshops on Saturday include Happy Horses, Healthy Land: Managing Horses on Small Properties, presented by international speaker
sausages, burgers, cappuccino and a range of Stuart Myers of Equiculture. The Large Animal/ Equine Emergency Rescue workshop developed by healthy meals from the Kiosk. What costs are involved for those wishing to Horse Welfare Inc is another full day and is aimed attend? at educating emergency rescue people and horse The Saturday workshops range from $10 - $65 owners on the safest way to deal with an emerfor the full day. People who want to attend on gency involving your horse until the vet arrives. Saturday are required to purchase their tickets onPractical one on one equine hoof care consulline prior to the workshop. If you buy a Saturday tations and demonstration will be run by Hunter workshop ticket, you will get free entry Horse Care, where participants can bring to the Sunday demonstrations etc. their horse in and learn how to The Sunday demonstramaintain hooves. tions, trade stalls, silent Our local Equine Reiki e th at th s em auction and art exhibiMaster, Julie Abrahams, se It Manning Valley tion are free once you will be running an some have paid your entry Introduction to Reiki is going through ges. So an demographic ch e here at the gate - $15 for for Horses as well. ov many people m adults, children 10 On Sunday there reage, and onto smaller ac years and over $10 will be demoninging they are either br each, children under strations, including or their horses here st fir e 10 years are free to Equine Bowen Therath r buying horses fo e m so ve attend. Family tickets py, Saddle Fitting, How ha time now they are also available for to Transition to Bitless land .” two adults and two Riding, Equine Dentistry, children 10 years and over Buying a Brumby, Getting into $40. We are encouraging people Endurance Riding, Nutrition for who want to park in the Showgrounds Horses, Equine Reproduction, Dealing with Lacerations and Colic, and Tapping Technique to donate a gold coin to the Horse Rescue organisations we are supporting. to Conquer your Fears. We have so many local Where can readers find out more info? and national experts attending – Mel Fleming, The Expo has its own Facebook page and Gill Shepherd, Wingham and Taree Vets, Tiffanie website. People wanting to attend can buy their Littlejohn and Simone Preston. tickets through www.manningvalleyhorseexpo. There will be over 20 different trade stalls, and com and follow the prompts. Programs are also we even have local equine artists attending. Sue available at Double C Saddlery, Wingham and Brook will be our artist in residence – Sue will Mistie’s Saddlery, Moorland. begin and finish a painting inspired by a poem Final words … “Nobody’s Pony”. The painting will be the major We are really grateful to our major sponsors prize in our raffle. – GTCC, LJ Hooker Old Bar Beach and Stance What refreshments/other facilities will be Equine. Sponsors are still being sought for the available over the course of the event? expo, donations are needed for the silent auction Parking, camping (with amenities) and stabling and money raised will be donated to local horse is available at the Showgrounds – book online rescue organisations Horse Welfare Inc (Hunter through the Expo website. On Saturday the Valley) and Heavens Paradise Horse Rehabilitation Wingham Show Society will be serving delicious and Sanctuary (Gloucester). food from the Showground Kiosk. On Sunday we Thanks Carole. will have wood fired pizza, Sno Cones, German
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inside this
Issue 93 - November 2014
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Greg Blaze. Greg Blaze is a local engineer, and it’s this very occupation that’s led him to experience some dangerous, unique, yet rewarding experiences in Africa. Working for the United Nations in Somalia has opened Greg’s eyes to sights most of will never get to see, but we can read about them in his new book, No Waves in Mogadishu …
Secret Bridesmaids’ Business.
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President of the Taree Arts Council, Bruce Wiseman is a prolific actor and director, with more than 43 Arts Council shows under his belt. Now Bruce is co-directing Secret Bridesmaids’ Business, a humorous yet thoughtprovoking production starring some phenomenal local talent, which you’ll be able to see at the Manning Entertainment Centre this month …
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Darren Jack. Darren Jack is going from strength to strength as a Blues artist, winning multiple awards and international recognition. You can witness this talented performer in action at the Pacific Palms Recreation Club on November 22nd – and this will be one special show, that coincides with the release of his new album …
usual suspects.
the
11. What’s On for November 24. eat featuring local restaurants 48. Star Guide with Terri 53. Tourism Update with Sharon Bultitude
No matter where you are in the world, read Focus for free online every month @
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No Waves IN
GREG BLAZE
GREG BLAZE IS A LOCAL ENGINEER, AND IT’S THIS VERY OCCUPATION THAT’S LED HIM TO EXPERIENCE SOME DANGEROUS, UNIQUE, YET REWARDING EXPERIENCES IN AFRICA.
WORKING FOR THE UNITED NATIONS IN SOMALIA HAS OPENED GREG’S EYES TO SIGHTS MOST OF WILL NEVER GET TO SEE, BUT WE CAN READ ABOUT THEM IN HIS NEW BOOK, NO WAVES IN MOGADISHU …
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i Greg. Share your career and family background with us ... when did you originally move to the Manning area, and what were some of the jobs you had while you were here? I moved with my family to the area about 20 years ago, with a view of staying for a couple of years - but we loved it so much we decided to stay. I have worked as an engineer at Taree Council for about 15 years, including six years in the role of Director of Engineering, before heading overseas to work for the United Nations in Somalia in East Africa. Where do you call home these days ... and what’s your current job/role? I am currently managing the reconstruction of Maitland’s Main Street Levee Project during my work week, and enjoying spending my weekends in the local paradise of Old Bar. It’s great to spend some solid time at home in Oz, but I am sure there are plenty of other adventures on the horizon. It’s just about timing and opportunity; watching the news, there is obviously plenty of need in the world.
How (and when) did you first become country we built a food warehouse and office involved with the United Nations World building complex, and a marine tower in the Food Program in Somalia? What was the Port of Mogadishu. impetus behind your involvement? We also dredged the port and salvaged I started working for RedR four vessels that were (Aussie version of engineers sunk in the harbor during without borders) in Somalia the “Blackhawk Down” I also managed in 2009 during my holidays debacle in the early ‘90s. contracts for road and long service leave from Our work effectively building and bridge the Council and loved the doubled the capacity of the rehabilitation in some of the more remote parts of idea of being able to use port to take humanitarian Somalia, leading to some my engineering skills in an aid supplies for a desperate interesting and dangerous environment where help was community of refugees. trips into the dark heart of desperately needed. The UN I also managed contracts the country, a place ruled then asked me back as a for road building and by local warlords and the Al consulting engineer on their bridge rehabilitation in Qaeda aligned local terrorist projects in East Africa. group called Al Shabaab.” some of the more remote Great support and parts of Somalia, leading encouragement from my to some interesting and family was a catalyst for dangerous trips into the a change in career direction from local dark heart of the country, a place ruled by government to humanitarian work. local warlords and the Al Qaeda aligned local What were some of the projects/tasks you terrorist group called Al Shabaab. worked on while in Somalia? Somalia has been ravaged by civil war, has I was part of a small team called Special a large refugee population, and suffers Operations, with the World Food Program similar issues to other parts of Africa in in Somalia and during the time I was in the terms of food and water crises. It sounds
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like your work with the United Nations has provided me with plenty of interesting and the potential to be not only challenging, amusing material. I love telling humorous and but quite dangerous ... What are some of odd stories, and while they are all true, some the most difficult experiences you’ve had of them seem so bizarre that they just have to to face while on the ground there? be told. Somalia is nothing if not interesting. And in The book is basically a third person the early days of my work there, Mogadishu autobiography with a great photo section, and was considered the most took a full 12 months to dangerous city on the planet get to print. Avoiding mortar fire by the UN. We had exposure Many people set out to and stray machine to jihadist fighters, local write a book, and find gun bullets on the warlords, suicide bombers the process is nothing warehouse construction and Somali pirates. It was a like they’d imagined. site in the Port of Mogadishu case of extreme occupational Was this the case for was also a bit tricky, but health and safety issues. It’s you? What are some working for the UN meant funny how risky situations just the provision of serious of the most important become part of the working things you’ve learned security, and it was always day, and a little bit scary just not only about the welcome.” how you get used to it. writing process – but One memorable experience about yourself – through included being chaperoned across the desert writing No Waves in Mogadishu? by sixty AK47 wielding gunmen on my way to I had so many interesting adventures and do an inspection on a failing bridge, and then people to draw on, that writing it all down was being offered goats, camels and a large grant a most enjoyable experience. I still love reading of land by the local elders of the town to be the book, and get a great laugh out of some of their engineer. My family were not keen to the unique and tricky situations that we have move from Old Bar. been able to survive. There was a lot to learn Avoiding mortar fire and stray machine gun about getting it to print, and I am pretty happy bullets on the warehouse construction site in with finally getting it out there. the Port of Mogadishu was also a bit tricky, There is no doubt that working in a war but working for the UN meant the provision of zone, in a Third World country, opens your eyes serious security, and it was always welcome. to some atrocious living conditions for a lot of You’ve recently written a book, No Waves people in our world, and just how blessed we in Mogadishu, about your time in Africa. I are to live in the free and beautiful place that understand this book was also inspired, in we do. part, by your experiences surfing in some Your book has recently been printed. of the more remote locations of the world. Where can readers get their hands on a Tell us more ... why did you decide to share copy – and how much do they cost? your story, what form does your book The book is available on the web, just type take, and how long did it take for you to nowavesinmogadishu into a search engine, and complete? the site gives a rundown on the story and the Surfing exploits in remote Indonesia and author. The cost is $26.95; it’s a great read. South Africa make for great adventure stories, Thanks for the opportunity to tell the story and my time working in the Horn of Africa, much appreciated. with the range of unusual characters that I met, Thanks Greg.
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Matters.
legallight. Cit uhr A t la h si ck nke le [w wi iotth lwaeni g T ckle leed s] when considering will disputes
[ with Alan T ickle ] Dear Alan, My wife and I receive close to a full aged pension. We both have account based pensions and $100,000 in bank accounts and fixed deposits. Are there other options to consider with Dear Alan, respect age under pension? RW tests with We to arethe caught the assets total of $350,000 in assessed assets. At DearaRW, age 70 and good health, wereceiving still have You have told meinthat you are not a some years ahead of us but as you full pension, which means that you eitherhave have pointed out an earlier column, the single assessed assets inin excess $279,000 or have pension will be tough, when one of us excess assessed income. dies. It is suggested that you request Centrelink to Should we spend more on our house to provide a statement of your income and asset get the assets down? assessment and you should then review the We never miss reading your column and accuracy of the amounts recorded. always find it interesting, thank you. PS. A common Dear PS,mistake is overstating the value of homeIf contents and nancialpension assets a couple on theother agednon-fi or disability such have as motor vehicles, caravans and boats. assessed assets more than $286,500 then their pension reduced by $1.50 forvalue, every Furniture is valuedis at the second hand $1,000 in excess thatvehicles amount.at the not replacement cost,ofand However, as or youwholesale have rightly pointed out, this realistic trade-in value. hurts even more on the single pension, Because the pension is reduced by $1.50 where there is a reduction assets per thousand of excess when assets,assessed if the asset exceed $202,000. test determines how much pension is paid, Should reducing there be the a review? legitimately assessed assets by I don’t believe it is the national interest when $10,000 for example, in saves $15 in pension. interest rates are the lowest in living memory, That extra pension is like earning 3.9% per that either spending the money, or needlessly annum interest on $10,000 carrying out improvements on the home, Thereactually are other means of reducing assets results in more net income. legitimately, but the message is that thereduces asset If a person affected by the asset test test certainly impacts. assessed assets by spending money, this What if theproduces income the testequivalent determines the actually of 3.9%pa pension amount paid? by virtue of the extra pension paid, which is than what is being earnedinvested on most fixed If themore $100,000 is the only money deposits or savings accounts. apart from the account based pensions, and What are some to reduce if assessed assets are measures less than $279,000, assessed assets? it is likely that the income received from Funeral bonds where youwell invest a lump the allocated pension is set above thesum, means deductible that you earn compounding interest on Centrelink amount. the deposit but the capital is not assessed as an Under current rules, Centrelink (or Veterans asset. (I can arrange such products.) Affairs, if you're a veteran) takes your Placing $7,000 each to a funeral bond results pension's purchase price and divides it by the in an additional $21 per fortnight pension for
actuarial life expectancy when the account based pension commenced. Based on the 2005-07 Australian Life Tables, males aged 65 currently have a further life expectancy of 18.54 years. Females of the same age have a 21.62-year life expectancy. a couple.
The result of this calculation is called your Gifting of money pension's deductible amount or DA.
There is no gift duty or tax on gifting money
If and the commencing balance for a you newlike. account you can give away whatever based or allocated the However, amountspension in excessisof$200,000, $10,000 per DA is $10,787 if you're male and $9,250 financial year up to a maximum of $30,000ifin female. five years, will count as an asset. If Revalue more than those amounts personal assets are drawn, the extra is counted as assessed income. It is amount worth keeping Centrelink up to date with theolder realistic marketisvalue of the youraccount vehicles based and The a person when personal assets, because decline value pension commenced, thethey higher the in DA, as every Your home contents need only be the life year. expectancy is less. value a second hand dealer would give you, Bythe transferring the existing account based not theto insured pension a newvalue. one, the current age of the Superannuation pensioner is used, which results in a more A person not yet ageunder pension can hold favourable outcome theage income test. money in superannuation, and this is not
New Rules
counted as an asset.
After December 2014 new account based Estate Planning pensions will not have the benefit of a DA Having money held in single names or as to reduce assessed income and they will be tenants in common, will enable transferring assessed in similar way to bank accounts.
some of the money to the next generation in a
Commencing account based pensions will. This reduces assessed assets, and itbefore is not then should considered even if retirement is counted as be a gift. some off. This time can be useful in cases where the survivor might otherwiseoflose all Centrelink Reviewing the structure existing account based pensions is also worth considering, if entitlements. the income testaisdiversifi impacting or likely to impact Finally, having ed investment portfolio ontakes future Centrelink payments. away the reliance on interest rates. are only about three occasions It There must also be remembered that theover dropan year there periodisthat cash and xed in average pension20 when a death andfithe interest is the leading asset performer. survivor is left to manage on a single pension, is Diminishing significant. assets to increase the pension is a recipe that for trouble if taken of to account the extreme, Ensuring the structure based and having a portfolio that actually pensions is reviewed to account forgrows that isin value and increases income over time puts the important. Centrelink pension where it should be; that is,
The opportunity won’t be there from 2015, as a safety net to support people who need so there is six months from now available to it while still retaining enough incentives for consider those options.
people to fund themselves as much as possible.
This information and advice is of a general nature only and no reliance should be placed on the information before seeking individual advice information andand advice is of aAdviser general to nature onlythe and no reliance should be placed circumstances. on the information individual advice from aThis Financial Planner Taxation ensure appropriateness to individual Alanbefore Tickleseeking and Your Heritage fromPlanning a Financial and Taxation Adviser to ensure the appropriateness to individual circumstances. Alan Tickle and Your Heritage Financial arePlanner both authorised representatives of Securitor Financial Group AFSL 240687 ABN 48009189495. Financial Planning are both authorised representatives of Securitor Financial Group AFSL 240687 ABN 48009189495.
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W h aAlan t t o d Tickle o after ] [ w ith a motor vehicle accident
Justin Stack. Justin Stack.
Wills are now being challenged at record rates partly due to the growing complexity of what constitutes a family in today’s world, with Brady families and more live-in arrangements. NSW Bunch Policetype haveblended announced that from October 15 officers will
no longer attend minor vehicle collisions or accidents where dded to that are burgeoning to make things objectively fair; rather, cars need to bea will towed.
A U
estate values that make it it has the power to provide provision for worthwhile to aggrieved relatives, in circumstances that the ntil now police have had to ersan at eligible fault to person get off the hook. If a driver partners and dependents of the attend all crashes where towing suspects the for other driver has been drinking, provision them is inadequate given the required. In future, police deceased tois challenge a will if they feelwill hard taken drugs or is aggressive, should call to moral obligation that the they deceased owed done by. attend only if someone involved police to the scene. the claimant,” says Crowther.
is injured, drunk, on drugs or fails to it begs the question; how would you The Sydney Morning Herald recently reported But“There are a host of matters the court exchange details. know whether the other driver is affected the number of disputed wills has shot up making a decision, but very Traffic and highway commander Assisby considers alcohol orin drugs? Surely they’d want to by 59Commissioner per cent sinceJohn 2005. Evensaid though tant Hartley the 95 getimportant is the size of the estate and also away as quickly as possible, and you’d per cent to of reporting disputes over wills are settled changes requirements would financial of athe claimant. The be the stressed and position nervous of confrontation. in mediation, almost thousand ended up mean police save timeaand resources by not If you are inthe a collision, suggest the greater financial legal needexperts for a claimant being heard in theminor Supreme Courta last attending 20,000 accidents year.year. He that: better the prospects of success.” said many were because air bags People arecallouts living longer and a major growth • You should always alert your insurer For example, if the estate is $200,000 and had gone off in a minor bump. area in challenging wills has been with following a collision, as vehicles may be seHe said people involved in a minor accithe will says it is to be divided between 3 of riously damaged no matter how light it may grandchildren and stepchildren. Older folk dent should move to the side of the road, 4 children then a claim by the one left out are marrying or partnering up for the second, look. The insurer will ask questions to see if exchange details and drive off, freeing up lessis likely todrive. be successful. If the estate is theiscar safe to thirdtraffi andc even time leaving a swag the flow. fourth From October 15, only if theof $800,000 then the claimant is much more injuries, particularly spinal injuries, childrenhad andtostepchildren grandkids from • Some vehicle be towed doand people need, as might seem minor at the time but can turn likely to be successful because there is more the various relationships theyto are soon as possible, to reportwho the feel incident into serious long term disabilities that affect money to go around. This is subject to the entitled a slice of the the PolicetoAssistance Linepie. on 131 444. Poearning capacity. Ifofyou an injury, circumstances thesuffer particular claim and lice event Joshua numbers will no longer issued However Crowther, a willsbespecialist particularly a back or neck injury, call the for accidents that don’t need to be towed. specialist legal advice is necessary. at Stacks/The Law Firm, says the net for police, even if it seems minor at the time. That’s all very well, but what if it’s your It isshould important organise your affairs and potential challengers spreads even wider. • You take to photos of the accident accident? What if somebody side-swipes Apart from certain relatives, any person willfrom so that any such claims are mitigated. scene different angles, including any your car while parking? What if you are who can prove they were a member of the A person has 12 months from the date of skid marks on the road, as these may be rear-ended at traffic lights by somebody on deceased’s household and were “dependent” helpful the event of a will, claim. Butthe don’t deathinto challenge but court can their phone? What if the kids in the back upon the deceased can ed bring a claim. putallow your an lifeapplication at risk taking pictures. got is a are screaming and terrifi by an aggressive out of timeYou if there through the accident; don’t cause another driver? “The court is not in the game of changing sufficient cause. Hartley insists the change won’t allow drivone.
AROUND THE REGION //NOVEMBER 2014
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ISABELLA FOGLLS and Great Lakes Historical Society Museum have arranged for Wingham Town Hall Players to perform ISABELLA at Tuncurry Memorial Hall. When Sat 8th November at 2pm. Cost $15. Tickets available at Forster library, or book through Helen 6554 7781 or Anne on 0434 085 790.
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Christmas Gift Fair
The fabulous beatle boys The boys are currently on a very special tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ famous visit to Australia in 1964, and the first half of their show reproduces this original 1964 concert to the letter! Where Club Forster. When 21st November - 8pm. Tickets $35; call 6591 6591.
When Saturday, November 29th 9am - 1pm.
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Raffle prize draws; 12pm Devonshire Teas in popup café. Where Lake Street Gallery/GLAS34 Lake Street, Forster. Cost Free. Inquiries constanz@bigpond.com
PICK YOUR PRIZE AT MANNING MALL
Three lucky winners will get to pick one of these great prizes each! Simply spend $30 in any specialty store at Manning Mall and place your entry in the box located outside Target for your chance to win.* *Terms and conditions apply. Promotion runs from Monday 3rd November until Sunday 30th November 2014. Authorised under NSW Permit LTPS/14/08374.
A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Be entertained by the Annie Rose Dancing Academy dancers from Hallidays Point, Kate’s Tappers from Taree and other local guest artists as they present their annual Charity Concert. Come and see the song and dance routines from Anything Goes, Little Lovin’, Girls, Girls, Girls and many more. When Sunday, November 30th at 2pm. Where Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Auditorium - 21 Parkes Street. Tickets Will be on sale at the door for $15. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Proceeds go to the local branch of Riding for the Disabled. Enquiries Valerie Smoker on 0404 871 134.
FREEBIE ENTRY ! Manning Mall is giving you an exclusive free entry for our loyal Focus Magazine readers without having to shop in centre first. Fill in your details below and place this entry form in the box located outside Target for your chance to win one of these great prizes. NAME^:
EMAIL^: CONTACT NUMBER^:
SHOPPING SPREE 0 valued at $150
TRAVEL VOUCHER 0 valued at $150
HOME CK TECHNOLOGY PA 0 50 $1 valued at
Tick if you do not wish to receive future promotional offers from Manning Mall. Please note this is an exclusive offer and all other entry forms require a minimum spend of $30 in any specialty store at Manning Mall. *Terms & Conditions apply. ^Required fields.
81 Manning Street, Taree | manningmall.com.au |
manning-great lakes focus.
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focusinterview. Cast in rehearsal: Kerrie Davey, Donna Brett, Alycia Ferguson, Zoe Erbacher, Neva Trinajstic. Photo courtesy of Cleavers Images.
SECRET BRIDESMAIDS’ Business
B R U C E
W I S E M A N
President of the Taree Arts Council, Bruce Wiseman is a prolific actor and director, with more than 43 Arts Council shows under his belt. Now Bruce is co-directing Secret Bridesmaids’ Business, a humorous yet thought-provoking production starring some phenomenal local talent, which you’ll be able to see at the Manning Entertainment Centre this month …
H
i Bruce. Please fill us in about how you first became involved with theatrical productions ... what was the first production you were involved with, and what theatrical training have you had? Back in the early 1970s, suffering from chronic shyness and a speech problem, I went along to an Arts Council production of South Pacific in the Taree High School Hall and wondered if being in one might help with my confidence. I saw they were auditioning for a new show Pajama Game, and that was the start. I have gone on to appear in 43 Arts Council shows in either leading, supporting or chorus roles. I have worked backstage for many other productions and have directed two previous plays. I have also performed for and stage managed with other local companies and organisations such as Mirage Theatre, Clockwork Theatre, Manning Valley Young Performers & MEC Player. I was the co-ordinator of the Taree Armchair Theatre Playreading group for many years and performed in their productions. I currently sing with the chamber choir Kantibile. I was a board member of Arts Mid North Coast for a period and co-ordinated the Taree City Festival for several years. I have always attended as many acting workshops as possible, trying to hone my skills and have attended Directors’ Workshops in Sydney. One of the joys of theatre is that you never stop learning. This year I had the honour of being given the Visual & Performing Arts Award at the Manning Winter Festival for
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n In true Australia et style, Secr siness Bridesmaids’ Bu out ab ay pl is a funny truth, e lik es su is s seriou love x, se loyalty, denial , ...” ip and friendsh
“ Outstanding Contributor to the Performing Arts. How have your experiences with theatre/ stage productions evolved since the early days? Up until the building of the Manning Entertainment Centre, the majority of the Arts Council’s productions were staged in the Taree High school hall, with its small stage, small wings, flat floor, cramped cast facilities, cold showers and having to bring in all lighting and sound equipment. Moving into a fully equipped theatre was amazing! The technical advances over the years have also been a huge advantage. We are now able to stage productions such Cats, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, to name a few. What do you feel has been your biggest achievement in the performing arts world to date – the moment you’re most proud of? I suppose providing entertainment to the people and finding something you were told you were good at. Some of my favourite roles have been playing Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, the first musical to be staged at the new Manning Entertainment Centre, playing multiple chorus roles in Les Miserables, my all-time favourite musical, playing Scrooge in A Xmas Carol for Mirage Theatre and playing Gus, the Theatre Cat, in Cats. Tell us a bit about the Taree Arts Council – what are the aims of this organisation, and what’s your role there? I am now a Life Member of Taree Arts Council, currently in my second year as President, having also served as Vice President and Publicity Officer. The Taree Arts Council aims to provide an
opportunity for local talent to be trained in all aspects of theatre and provide affordable live entertainment to the residents of the Manning Valley. You’re currently directing the Taree Arts Council’s production of Secret Bridesmaids’ Business. In a nutshell ... give us a synopsis of the play. When/where is it set, what’s the storyline (without giving too much away!) and what are some of the main themes/moral of the story? Secret Bridesmaids’ Business is set in Melbourne, now. It’s the night before Meg Bacon’s wedding. She’s waited 33 years for this, and now she is going to love every moment. Meg’s bridesmaids, Lucy and Angela, stumble upon some information that has the potential to shatter Meg’s dreams. Should they tell her or not? Never far from reality, Secret Bridesmaids’ Business exposes the insanity that can be created as the wedding juggernaut threatens to swerve out of control. Marriage may be a wonderful thing, but after a night like this … well, could it really be worth it ? Who will be playing the lead roles in the production? Meg Bacon, the bride, played by Alycia Ferguson; Colleen Bacon, mother of the bride, played by Donna Brett; Angela Dixon, matron of honour, played by Neva Trinajstic; Lucy Dean, bridesmaid, played by Kerrie Davy; Naomi Bartlett, Meg’s friend, played by Amy Crozier; James Davis, the groom, played by Corey Smith; Hotel Staff played by Zoe Erbacher.
Readers can go to see Secret Bridesmaids’ Business at the Manning Entertainment Centre in Taree. What dates/ times will it be staged? Six performances: 7th, 14th, 15th November @ 8pm. Matinees 8th, 9th, 15th Nov @ 2pm. How much are tickets to the performance, and where can they be purchased? Tickets are: adults $36.50, concession $31.50 , groups of 10 or more $31.50. Available from Movies Games & More, 208212 Victoria St, Taree or book online @ www. gtcc.nsw.gov.au/mec No booking fee applies if you book online. Why do you feel people will enjoy the performance? In true Australian style, Secret Bridesmaids’ Business is a funny play about serious issues like truth, loyalty, denial, sex, love and friendship. Final words … We advise that due to some use of colourful language and adult themes, this production is not really suitable for young people under the age of 16. My Co-director for this show is Paul Eade. Paul is currently Vice-President of the Arts Council and a Life Member. He has previously directed Nunsense and The Full Monty. Paul’s input, commitment and talent, along with a wonderful ensemble cast has made this an extremely enjoyable experience. Thanks Bruce.
10m Smoke Free Zone
Stockland Forster is introducing a 10m Smoke Free Zone at all centre and tenancy entrances, to help make everyone’s shopping trip more enjoyable. A custom-made shelter will be available for those choosing to smoke. From 1/12/14 this will be enforced and a new custom-built shelter will be made available for those customers who choose to smoke. Help us keep our community and environment enjoyable for all.
For more information or enquiries about the Smoke Free Environment Act 2000, contact our Customer Care Desk in-centre or call us on (02) 6554 5044.
FORSTER manning-great lakes focus. 13 416977_340x275
focusinterview.
O R G A N I C
S E E D S
GREENPATCH ORGANIC SEEDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1993. FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN PRODUCING QUALITY, ORGANICALLY GROWN SEEDS AND CREATING OUR OWN RESOURCE BASE OF NON-HYBRID, OPEN POLLINATED, HERITAGE VARIETIES ON OUR 12 ACRE PROPERTY.
ur products are available to home gardeners, commercial farmers and retail outlets. Greenpatch Organic Seeds is certified with the Organic Growers Australia (OGA) No 760a. The majority of our seeds and plants listed are rare and unusual varieties of herbs, flowers, fruiting and vegetables. The love for plants has seen us collect many garden gems over the years. What is the process for cultivating your seeds? Around 11 years ago we were fortunate to find our new home and property with minimal gardens and very poor soil fertility. First priority was to improve the soil, and this was achieved by growing green manure crops. This involved
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growing a heavy crop of grasses and legumes then cultivating the green crop into the soil. It increased and improved the biological activity and increased the nitrogen levels. The combination of growing green crops with rock phosphate and dolomite helped to raise the pH level from an acidic 4.5 to ideal 6. Each year we monitor pH levels and grow at least one green crop to maintain the fertility we worked hard to achieve. We make our own potting mix, which is used to raise seedlings and pot the nursery plants with the assistance of a hot house, which gives us a head start to the growing season. We form up our growing beds and mulch them around 10 cm thick to prevent weeds pushing through during the season. Planting strong hardened off seedlings gives them the best chance to grow vigorous and strong. The
We make our own potting mix raise which is used to the t seedlings and po ith w ts nursery plan a hot of ce the assistan s ve gi ch hi w house, e th to t ar st ad he us a .” on growing seas
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hand harvesting of all our seeds ensures they are at perfect maturity stage and of best quality. Vegetables, flowers and herbs are allowed to flower to produce pods and fruits for seed. I hear you run organic workshops? What do these entail, and how can our readers get involved? We have one day workshops on Organic Gardening, Growing and Using Herbs and Seed Saving, which include a small theory section and largely hands on practical segments. Organic Gardening workshops include: Sowing and Raising Seeds and How to Care for Seedlings, Create Soil with Local Resources,
Watering and Mulching, Worm Farming, Growing Vegies and Herbs, What Fruiting Trees to Grow, Pest and Disease Management. The Seed Saving workshop is coming up on Saturday 22nd November and is a load of exciting garden discoveries: Why we should Save Seeds? Keeping Seeds Pure, Plant Families, Pollination, When to Harvest? Seed Cleaning and Storage. To get involved, simply call us and express your interest, as they are run upon demand. Your recent Open Day must’ve been a great success; tell me about the event. We had an excellent turnout and weather, which kept us busy helping out home
Maybe our name should be anic Greenpatch Org because ts an Pl Seeds and oduce we currently pr rbs, he 450 varieties of uiting, fr , cottage garden ts and en ul cc aquatic, su gs on vegetable seedlin c gani our certified or farm.”
“ gardeners with small tricks that can make all the difference in getting a good harvest. The Open Day is a perfect opportunity for local folk and people all around NSW to visit a certified organic seed farm and nursery. People learn some essential skills to help them out with their home gardens, and they get to meet us and see how the plants are grown, where the seeds and plants are coming from (other than the postie). We shared our know-how on the basics of seed sowing, which is often an overlooked skill, the process of seed saving, making your own potting mix, a tour of the gardens and successful organic pest and disease management. For us, it’s a great opportunity to interact with our customers and learn from their experiences. What are the most popular seeds you sell? Kale is definitely the craze in gardening at the moment, but other popular varieties are heritage corn. We stock 35 varieties of tomatoes, which cater to anyone’s tomato needs; beans, lettuce, pumpkin, herbs, watermelon are also very popular. What else can our readers find at Greenpatch Organic Seeds? Friendly faces! A unique three acre combination of gardens, seed crops, orchard and nursery. We were chuffed when a lady said to us recently, “It’s like something you would see in Holland”. Maybe our name should be Greenpatch Organic Seeds and Plants, because we currently produce 450 varieties of herbs, cottage garden, fruiting, aquatic, succulents and vegetable seedlings on our certified organic farm. We also stock garden products, including the very popular vege net, bird netting and books, and now in stock is the popular 2015 Moon Planting Calendar. You also offer a “Greenpatch Membership”. What do members receive, and how much is it to join? By becoming a supporting member you are helping us at Greenpatch to maintain and increase our range of rare and unusual varieties. A choice
of two memberships are available. For a $25 yearly subscription you receive six seed packets of your choice. For a $45 two year subscription, you receive 12 seed packets of your choice. All members receive one Greenpatch Catalogue, 10% discount off all books and plants for the period chosen, spring, summer, autumn and winter newsletter via email, one Free pH Test of your soil, plus one Fruit Fly exclusion bag. What are some of the future plans for Greenpatch Organic Seeds? Traditional non-hybrid heritage and heirloom varieties are an integral part of our food web, and at Greenpatch the priority is to preserve and maintain these varieties as much as possible. We would like to continue spreading the passion, develop awareness and continue sharing the knowledge of “how to save seeds”. Heritage seeds have superior flavour compared to the shop varieties, which are developed for transport and keeping qualities. During the next 12 months, the plan is to extend our seed and plant range, maintain the varieties we have and keep enthusing people of all ages towards growing food for themselves! We initially started the “Corn-Maize Project” because the non-hybrid varieties were becoming difficult to find and of late, the hybrid corn has been the main type commercially available. Our aim was to make a difference with the call out for the old corn and maize varieties. The response we had from gardeners has been fantastic, and we are keen to redistribute the 17 non-hybrid varieties collected and seed banked to enthusiastic gardeners. Keeping this biodiversity of highly nutritious varieties can only be a positive step for future generations and our overall health. Drinking a cup of organically grown and roasted coffee in our peaceful gardens I’m sure would be a lovely experience, so perhaps a café could be a quaint addition in the future. Thanks Neville.
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focusinterview.
G r e a t
L a k e s
Pearl Dragons
There’ll be action aplenty at Elizabeth Reserve, Forster Keys on the 22nd and 23rd November, as the annual Forster Dragon Boat Regatta takes place. Brian Bruton from the Great Lakes Pearl Dragons club suggests locals young and old bring a picnic and come down to watch the colourful spectacle beside our beautiful lake …
W
hat’s your role with the Great Lakes Pearl Dragons? When and why did you first become involved with the club? I joined the club in December 2013 after attending a “come and try day”. I retired from work in August 2013 and was looking for an activity to get involved in. A colleague at work before I retired kept on telling me how good it was … and she was right. I am a member of the regatta committee. My primary role on the regatta committee is to organise the promotion and sponsorship for this regatta. We have some great sponsors who support the club and this regatta. They include The Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club, Beach Bums Café, First National Real Estate, Great Lakes Tourism, Medco Service Station Forster, Lakes and Ocean Hotel and Mid Coast Water. Yarads Menswear in Forster, Lakes and Ocean Hotel and Jungle Surf in Tuncurry have helped us out with raffle prizes. I was recently elected to the club executive as a committee member. It is a great club to be involved with. Tell us a bit about the club ... The club has just recently celebrated its 5th birthday. The club is affiliated with Dragon Boats NSW. We have around 60 members, ranging from 14 to 81 years of age. Paddling training sessions are held three mornings a week on the lake at 5:45am and Saturday at 6:45am. In addition to this, there are two afternoon paddling sessions on a Tuesday and a Sunday. We have members who paddle for exercise, and we have others who paddle in Iocal, state, national and international regattas. Also, there are opportunities to train as a sweep, coach and for other administrative roles within the club and Dragon Boating NSW organisation. When and where will the annual dragon boat regatta take place this year?
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The Forster Dragon Boat Regatta will held on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd November. The regatta is held at Elizabeth Reserve, Forster Keys. This is our third regatta, and we are expecting upwards of 2,000 people to attend. On the Saturday we will be holding 500 metre and 2 kilometre races commencing at 12pm. Presentations will be held at the Lakes and Oceans Hotel between 4pm and 5pm. Sprint races will be held on Sunday from 8am, and the presentations will take place between 3pm and 4pm. Who is eligible to enter the event? This is an official Dragon Boat NSW regatta, and officials from Dragon Boat NSW will be present to ensure the racing is in accordance with the rules. Dragon Boat Clubs who are registered with Dragon Boats NSW are eligible to enter. This year we are expecting clubs from the Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Taree, Newcastle, Armidale, the Central Coast and Sydney areas. Also, we invite community teams to attend. This year we are expecting community teams from Regional Financial Services, Gathang Warriors, Wesley Employment, Riding for the Disabled, Forster Tennis Club, Great Lakes College, Great Lakes Seniors and four Naval Cadet teams. Describe the action that will take place during the course of the regatta ... Sunday 23rd November is the main day of the regatta and most spectacular for spectators. Prior to commencement of the races, the regatta will be officially opened by the Mayor Jan McWilliams from Great Lakes Council and Steven Bromhead MP for Paterson. This will be followed by a traditional Smoking Ceremony by decedents of the Worimi people, who were the original owners of this land. This ceremony is a spiritual cleansing, expelling bad and negative energy, just leaving good, positive energy. The Sunday races will be held over 200 metres in length. Competing Dragon Boat Clubs
The Sunday races will be er 200 metres ov ld he ting in length . Compe and s ub Cl at Bo Dragon will s am te ity un m com r be m nu compete in a e er th en th d of heats, an will be finals. ”
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and community teams will compete in a number of heats, and then there will be finals. Competing Dragon Boat Clubs will compete amongst themselves, and similarly community teams. The Dragon Boat Clubs will have female only, mixed (male ad female) and men’s races, whereas the community teams can be mixed. At the conclusion of the racing, teams will gather to announce the winners and the presentation of trophies by our sponsors. Spectators are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, or food and drinks will be available for sale on the Sunday. There will be plenty of free off-street parking. For more information, contact Brian Bruton on 0408 180 866. What trophies are on offer? We have a number of category of races, namely: a 500 metre mixed sponsored by Lakes and Ocean Hotel; 2 kilometre mixed sponsored by Lakes and Ocean Hotel; 200 metre female sponsored by First National Real Estate; 200 metre mixed sponsored by Beach Bums Café; 200 metre men’s sponsored by Medco Service Station; 200 metre community team senior sponsored by Great Lakes Tourism; 200 metre community junior sponsored by Mid Coast Water. There will be a trophy awarded to each team that comes first. The winning community team members will also receive a pendant. What costs are involved for people who’d like to take part? People already have been invited to form a community team of 16 to 20 paddlers. We will provide a sweep and drummer on the day and some practice prior to the event. This year, our quota of community teams has been filled. The cost for a senior community team is
$550 per boat and for juniors $10 per paddler. However, if you would like to compete next year, ring 0408 180 866 to register your interest. What’s the best way to contact the Great Lakes Pearl Dragons? Newcomers are welcome to try out on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30pm and Saturday morning at 8am. All you need to wear is shorts/board shorts; rash vest/T shirt/ singlet; aqua shoes/old runners (no bare feet); hat and sun glasses. It is a good idea to bring with you a water bottle (no glass), sunscreen, insect repellent and a towel. A “come and try day” is planned for the 30th November. We welcome both male and female members over the age of 12 years. Our coaches will structure paddling sessions to build your fitness and endurance. For more information, go to our website, www. pearldragons.com.au or telephone Leonie Dowell on 0430 623 332 or Darren Dargan on 6553 2444. Final words ... In July of this year, 17 paddlers from the Pearl Dragons competed in a regatta in Hawaii. The club executive intends to try and arrange a trip overseas every two years at an international competition for those club members who wish to participate. A huge regatta is held each year in Darling Harbour, Sydney, to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Pearl Dragons will be attending again next year. One of our members, Wendy Orman, recently went to Italy to compete in the Club World Championships and earlier this year in Wellington NZ with other club members Anni Yaringa, Anne Ditton, Wendy Orman, Carol Richards, Sally Edwards and Kim Evans. The club offers something for everyone: fitness, friendship, competition and the social experience. Thanks Brian.
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Editorial
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER SHANE CHALKER HAS RECENTLY WON A SILVER AWARD AT THE PRESTIGIOUS APPA'S (AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS).
Award Winner
SHANE CHALKER
rofessional photographers from Australia and New Zealand compete for a number of industry awards by submitting four images, which are judged by a panel of their peers. The Canon AIPP APPA attracts hundreds of entries and the premier award is the title of “The Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year”. Each year award winning images are published in an Awards Book. Shane's award winning image is of a Mahi Mahi or also known as a Dolphin Fish, which Shane captured underwater approximately five miles out off Cape Hawke. Shane said, "The most amazing part about the whole process was that my wife Rhonda and I were down in Sydney for the event and were sitting
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Taree Motorama manning-great lakes focus.
46 Victoria Street, Taree
Phone 6539 3300
in on some of the judging, when my image came up to be judged. It was both exciting and nerve racking, as the panel of highly recognised photographers discussed the image”. Shane is over the moon, as these awards come on top of him winning three Bronze Awards at The International Pano Awards in August for his wave photography. Entries were submitted from 54 countries, and the competition attracted some of the world’s best international photographers. In total, 3,971 images were entered by 870 photographers. To view Shane’s awards, go to www.shanechalkerphotography or like him on Facebook www.facebook.com/ shanechalkerphotography
Gloucester Garden Centre Gloucester’s Farmers market Gloucester Gallery “Photography is about telling the truth” - Max Dupain. More than 60 years ago, Max Dupain, the renowned Australian Modernist photographer, took pictures of the landscape in and around Gloucester. On loan from the Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree, these landscapes pictures will form the core of an exhibition to be held at the Gloucester Gallery from November 6 to 30, 2014. Twenty local artists have been invited to re-interpret Mr. Dupain’s vision of the region alongside his black-and-white originals. Paintings, prints, sculptures, installations, colour photographs as well as poems/creative writing and musical pieces intend to demonstrate the inspiration today’s artists derive from a master who established photography as a recognised art form. The Gallery is located at Denison Street; Opening hours are Mon - Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 10am - 1pmv. Entry to the exhibition is free, and members of the public are invited and encouraged to express their preference of the works by casting a vote for “People’s Choice”. The result will be announced at a morning tea on Sunday, Nov 30 at 10am at the Gloucester Gallery. Mr. Dupain’s long-time friend, assistant and award-winning photographer in her own right, Ms. Jill White, will be giving out prizes for “People’s Choice” and runner-up.
Gloucester’s vibrant local food tradition Over the past five years Gloucester Farmers Market has established itself as a local food tradition that draws fresh food lovers from across the region to this beautiful gateway to the Barrington Tops wilderness. Less than an hour from the coast, and just an hour and a half from Newcastle, Gloucester's vibrant, authentic farmers market is held on the second Saturday of each month. There's always an abundance of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit to buy, including avocados, bananas, pumpkins, potatoes, all manner of fresh herbs and of course, garlic! Tables at the thriving community stall groan with fresh local produce from the renowned Tucker Patch community garden, plus the bounty of numerous local backyard growers. Honey is always on offer, there's almost always fresh hen eggs for sale; usually some hens as well! Gardeners are spoilt for choice with an array of healthy veggie seedlings, native plants, flowers and landscaping plants in abundance. Gourmet artisan foods includes biodynamic farmhouse cheeses, local olives and oil, award winning jams, pickles, chutneys, organic macadamias and oil, handmade sourdough bread. There's all manner of delicious home made biscuits, cakes and pastries - including a gluten free range. Plus home made pies, steak sandwiches, bacon and egg rolls and of course, the freshest coffee. The market also hosts an enviable lineup of boutique wineries. Local musicians provide the music, the beautiful Billabong Park provides the lush leafy setting, stallholders provide the passion and high quality products that has made this monthly market a local food tradition for so many loyal customers.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW? Gloucester Garden Centre is 20 years old, and has a new arm to their business, marrying supply with demand! Something borrowed? Gloucester Garden Centre has “borrowed” the paddock next door for a massive pot and ornament display! Something blue? Apart from fashionable blue pots in many different styles, Gloucester Garden Centre has a wide range of other colours: Ferrari red, black, “antique”, aqua, white, cream, forest green, delightful two-tone, and terracotta, and a huge range of matching ornaments. John and Tammy purchased the historic site at Church and Philip Streets, Gloucester at the turn of the century, transferring stock from their wholesale nursery and aviaries. “Gloucester’s been great,” says John. “We take our kayaks on local rivers, or go bushwalking. It’s beautiful. Gloucester’s been wonderful over the past decade. We have a wide clientele for our native and exotic birds, fish, small animals, puppies and kittens, plus our massive range of plants, pots, statues, and a great selection of organic fertilisers and specialist potting mixes at very competitive prices. We pride ourselves on expert service and advice. But it’s time to offer more. We’re offering a new range of beautiful glazed pots plus a huge selection of concrete goods. The glory is that we import over 3,000 pots direct, and our concrete goods are Aussie made, so customers can expect real wholesale prices!” Open every day except Tuesday.
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Manning Valley Books Manning Valley Books is your local specialist book shop and ABC Centre. Since moving to Wingham from Taree in August, Nicky and the team of dedicated book sellers have been overwhelmed by the support from both existing and new customers to their new premises on Isabella Street. New stock arrives daily, with the coming months seeing huge new releases from the major publishers as they crowd the shelves for the Christmas market. Being an independent bookshop, Manning Valley Books has the freedom to choose exactly the right balance of stock for their customers, and they have an impressive track record of special orders for discerning buyers. With the addition of the hugely popular ABC Centre, this little bookshop has turned around the myths about online and big city discount stores and is proving that great service is still key to achieving success and sustainability in a challenging marketplace. Manning Valley Books and ABC Centre are now open 7 days a week: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm; Saturdays, 9am - 3pm; Sundays, 10am - 2pm. Call them on 6557 0879.
Large Range of Herbs The long history of using herbs dates back thousands of years, and even in these modern times herbs are as popular as ever. Culinary edibles such as watercress, salad rocket, nasturtium leaves and flowers add a little bight and attractive colour to a salad. French tarragon has an interesting anise flavour and is a good match infused in vinegar or added to cooked dishes. Raw grated horseradish root makes a great sauce to accompany a mixed food platter. Chamomile can be grown easily; it flowers profusely, with small white and yellow daisy flowers. Pick young flowers in the morning and dry them for future use as a herbal tea. The herb stevia is grown for its sweet leaf and harvested fresh or dried. It’s used as a sugar substitute and is thirty times sweeter than sucrose, without the calories. Herbs also offer medicinal uses and can be highly ornamental and fragrant. Greenpatch carries over 200 varieties of herbs available as seeds and plants. Visit us at 109 Old Bar Road, Glenthorne. Open Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm.
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SteveAttkins.
from Great Lakes Winery
watch. steve attkins GRANGE ... a great story! We all love to hear a story ... and we all have a story. Despite what you might think - you too have a story, and there are people who want to hear it. You’ve lived your story, so to you it doesn’t seem anything special ... give yourself a little credit, because it is a story to value and to share with others.
A
nother such humble person is a man called Max Schubert. He was a man who didn’t think his story was anything special either and for some it may not be that interesting, but for those of us who have an interest in wine ... it is a fantastic story. Max Schubert was the winemaker who created Australia’s world famous Grange and set the course for Australian wine to become some of the best wines in the world. Like many stories of great success, it took vision, patience and perseverance; plus, in Max Schubert’s case great attention to detail to produce a truly great wine that continues nearly 63 years on since his first experimental Grange in 1951. Australia was producing and exporting a lot of very ordinary wine in the first half of the 20th Century, and Penfolds was leading the way as a dominant player - as it still remains today. However, had Max Schubert not had the fortune to venture to Europe and uncover some of the closely held secrets of the some of the world’s great winemakers - who at that time did not have any reason to feel threatened by a winemaker from Australia - some of Penfolds star performers, including Hyland, Bin 707 etc. may not exist as the quality wines they are today. The risk was great, as Max made wine that was specifically designed to be drunk 20 years down the track, and Penfolds’ management weren’t convinced all this wine sitting around in
storage for years on end was good for business. The fruit was rich and complex, the tannins heavy, and the oak flavours were quite dominant - it was wine that simply was not palatable at a young age. He was instructed by management not to continue with Grange in the early years, but he continued to make it - unbeknownst to Penfolds’ management. His team in the winery knew what he was doing but unless you were part of that team, you wouldn’t know what was going on in. He stored the precious nectar behind a fake wall in the cellars and continued to experiment each vintage with his beloved Grange. But his skills extended way beyond producing this world famous wine. When a challenge presented itself in the winemaking process, he was determined to find a way around it, without compromising the quality of the wine. He had a curious mind and while others just continued with techniques that had been used in the past, Max wanted to improve, innovate and excel at his art. What has struck me most about Max Schubert is his unassuming, gentle, humble manner ... just a bloke going about his business striving to be the best that he could and not chasing the accolades that he truly deserves in this industry. There is much more to his story, but I only have so much space! Somehow knowing the story behind the wine makes it a little more appealing.
20,000 Days on Earth Tickets are $16 including coffee, cakes and chatting
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aree Film Society presents the blazing 20,00 Days On Earth at 7pm Monday 10th November at Fay’s Twin Cinema. Drama and reality combine in a fictitious day in the life of musician and icon, Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, the film examines what makes us who we are, and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit. 20,000 Days On Earth takes us deep into the heart of how myth, memory, love and loss shape our lives, every single day. It is an inventive, lyrical ode to creativity. A line in Cave’s songwriting notebook calculating how many days he’d been alive inspired the film’s title. The film delves into Nick’s artistic processes, unpicking the stuff that makes him tick, fusing drama and documentary to weave a cinematic day-in-the-life with unique verité observations of his full creative cycle. It is the debut directorial feature film by innovative visual artists Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard and is set to an original score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Cave invited them to film some promotional footage for the new record, Push The Sky Away. As it turned out, in the end, the footage was so compelling they decided to expand the idea. Forsyth and Pollard
recognised this invitation from the resolutely camera-shy Cave was an unmissable, unique opportunity. “Instinctively we knew what we were shooting had to form the starting point for a film, so we began to dream up ideas of what that might be,” Forsyth adds. Pollard explains, “We began to work with the idea of what makes us who we are and what we do with our time on earth.” We meet those who have affected his life, including regular musical-collaborator Warren Ellis; actor and friend Ray Winstone; former Bad Seed Blixa Bargeld; and Kylie Minogue, with whom Cave duetted on Where The Wild Roses Grow. “This day is both more real and less real, more true and less true, more interesting and less interesting than my actual day, depending on how you look at it” – Nick Cave. 20,000 Days on Earth premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Documentary awards for directing and editing. Tickets are $16, including coffee, cakes and chatting. For further information, visit www.tareefilmsociety.org.au or phone 6552 3476. Like us on Facebook!
with Horticulturalist Neville Donovan - Greenpatch Organic Seeds
WH
AT ’ S I N
Basil.
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It’s easy to grow, can be used fresh or dry, comes in a variety of tastes, colour and leaf shapes, which makes Basil a popular herb in the kitchen today.
an attractive plant with deep purple leaves and contrasting lilac flowers. The leaves can be used as a garnish, add colour to salads or made into purple pesto.
There is still time to plant Basil right up until February. Seeds can be sown direct where they are to grow, either in a pot or in the garden. Cover seed very finely with soil; when seedlings reach up to 5 cm, space plants 40 cm apart.
Harvest fresh Basil leaves as required. To get the most from your plants, pinch out flower buds regularly to encourage new leafy growth. Nourish Basil with compost; use organic based fertilizers during the growing season as required.
Sweet Basil with its luscious broad shiny green leaves is used fresh in Italian dishes, including bruchetta, pizza and pasta. Lemon Basil can be used to replace lemons in cooked dishes. Thai Basil has a mild liquorice flavour and is added to stir-fry dishes towards the end. Dark Opal Basil is
Perennial Greek Basil a compact plant, non flowering, a little more winter hardy. By planting in a warm position, one has a much better chance of a good harvest through the cooler months, when Basil is in short supply.
Editorial
Editorial
MARINE RESCUE
Winter •Wonderland•
A M U LT I M E D I A A RT E X H I B I T I O N O F WO R K S
COMPETITION
by Green Point residents to raise funds of the Green Point Fire Brigade.
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his successful exhibition will be repeated over the weekend of 28-30 November 2014 at the Green Point Community
Funds raised from this community project will be donated again to the Green Point Rural Fire Service to buy equipment. There will be a gold coin entry fee, light
Centre.
refreshments available and a raffle of a
As in 2013, it will showcase the artistic
Christmas hamper.
talents of Green Point residents who are
The exhibition will open on Friday evening
artists, photographers, woodworkers, metal
at an informal gathering and from 10am
workers, sculptors, potters, textile and
to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday 29 and 30
mosaic craftspeople.
November 2014.
Last year's organisers, Denise Dunsterville
This is an event by the community for the
and Helen Cooper, said that most works
Green Point and wider community. All
of art will be for sale at reasonable prices,
are most welcome to visit and view the
making excellent Christmas gifts.
artworks.
Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry Winter Wonderland Competition Easter 3rd - 4th April 2015. 3x$100 in prizes for best in each category.
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e are letting you know early, so that you can get creative and work your magic for next year’s Easter competition. Articles can be sewn, knitted, hand dyed, crocheted, painted - you are only limited by your imagination. Entry into the competition is $5 per item, or you can donate an item to Marine Rescue to sell. The 3 categories are: 1. Home Decorator: e.g. knitted blankets, throws, cushions, toys, quilts
Kularoo Centre Affordable, Locally Respected Care • 24/7 Registered Nurse • Friendly, modern community • Chef prepared meals • Care that works around you
2. Fashion: e.g. scarves, beanies, socks, jumpers 3. People’s choice: (voted by the public) The competition/exhibition will be held at the Marine Rescue Base, Southern Breakwall, Forster on 3rd - 4th April 2015, sponsored by Gloria Jean’s, Wharf St Forster. For more information, visit our website: www. marine-rescue.com.au or visit us on Facebook or call Sue on 6555 7291. For further information: Denise 6557 6400 or Helen 6555 6307.
Discover the BaptistCare difference today 6555 1600 baptistcare.org.au/ KularooCentre
“I am very happy and content to spend my life amongst friends at Kularoo”
Cnr Kularoo Drive & Boundary St, Forster
Maria
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p o r k b e l ly from flow cafÉ. restaurant. bar.
download our eat. dining guide for iPhone & Android www.focusmag.com.au/eat
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beach Bums
Big Breaky
Beach Bums Café is the hub for many active folk making the most of our beautiful, coastal area. Don’t wait for the new year to start the new active morning routine; join us early for a good dose of fresh air and salt water, and get your beach bum summer ready! Stuck for present ideas? No stress! Why not grab a bunch of vouchers and treat your pals to coffee and cake or lunch on Main Beach; we can personalise vouchers on your request. We have added new liquorice tisane to our organic Chamellia tea range; it’s gentle on your stomach, so perfect if you’re worried about over indulgence this festive season.
roadies cafÉ Premium fuel for foodies! Drop into Roadies Café for a bite to eat on the go, or stop and relax for a while with us. With a great range or meals to suit everyone’s tastes, from sandwiches to panko crumbed chicken schnitzel, Szechwan prawn pasta and our famous Roadies’ beef burger, you will be sure to find something that will delight you. Owners Kate and Darrin.
North & Beach St, Forster Main Beach. 6555 2840 beachbumscafe.com.au 7 days 6:30am-4pm.
flow cafÉ. restaurant. bar. End of year functions: Organising your Christmas Party can be a lot of work. Make life a little easier by booking your Christmas party or end of year function at Flow - a fun, vibrant, fully licensed restaurant with an inviting new deck and an excellent everchanging menu of mouth-watering cuisine. Function packages: Function packages start at $45pp for either a 2 course set menu with breads or a tapas menu. November live music lineup: Sun, Nov 2, Matthew West Fri, Nov 7, Akova Sun, Nov 9, Darren Jack Fri, Nov 14, Bill Chambers Sat, Nov 15, Special Sat Session @ 12:30pm, Benjalu Sun, Nov 16, Jack Carty Fri, Nov 21, Jake Davey Sun, Nov
Why not try our mouth watering wood fired pizzas - available Thursday, Friday, Saturday night.
Owners Will and Erin Lute.
77 Church St, Gloucester 6558 2772 yum@roadiescafe.com.au Sunday - Wednesday 7:30am - 3:30pm. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30am - late.
The Sicilian revives the 1940s inspired Italian dining experience. We are very demanding when it comes to the food. We don’t settle for second best. We believe good food is good business. We are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner. The bar and cafeteria open all day for great coffee and cakes. We offer an exquisite selection of fine southern Italian cuisine. Takeaway available. For your next function, wedding, canapés, birthday or family gathering, come see us or call our function coordinator. Pay us a visit, and we’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse. We are The Sicilian.
23, Phil & Trudy Edgeley Fri, Nov 28, Candice McLeod Sun, Nov 30, Swamp Stompers.
31 David St, Old Bar, Beach 6557 4224 8am-11am Tues to Wed; 8am-3pm Thurs to Sun; dinner 6pm Thurs to Sat nights. Please see facebook.com/flowcafe for happy hour, weekly live music & menus
Taree: 139 Victoria Street 6557 8689 Forster: The Dorsal Hotel, 1 West Street 6555 0116 www.thesicilianrestaurant.com.au Open 7 Days. Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
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focusinterview.
SCOTT HYDE CHANNELS: at the manning river hotel Please introduce yourself to our readers... a facelift and a name change. Tell us more My name is Scott Hyde, and I am the Head ... Chef at the new Channels restaurant, located Yes, it certainly has. The new restaurant inside the Manning River Hotel. is now known as Channels and has brought What was it about hospitality that got a whole new feel to what we offer in our you on to this career path? dining area. With the brand new kitchen, I’d have to say it was the joy it opens up many more options for our of cooking a really good diners, as well as a very exciting meal and having people new menu. appreciate it. It’s What is the main direction I would have to always a great feeling the restaurant has taken e say the chocolat watching people with its dining options? ite fondue , a favour rs , enjoy something Channels will offer ve for all dessert lo er that you have good quality meals m or the Blue Swim r created from utilising good quality fo Crab rissotto r ou or h es fr scratch. produce, as always. We something ty et pr is e ng ra Tell us about your want our food to appeal pizza ” e. om es background in to everyone’s eye, including aw hospitality; where the kids. Family is important did you gain your to us; we want families to make experience? us their first choice when dining out. Most of my work in the hospitality Favourite dish from the menu? field has been around the pub scene. I have I would have to say the chocolate fondue, worked in Wingham, Taree and Harrington, a favourite for all dessert lovers, or the Blue so I’m a local and know a lot about the local Swimmer Crab rissotto for something fresh, area. or our pizza range is pretty awesome. Manning River Hotel’s restaurant has had Thanks Scott.
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focusinterview.
The World’s No.1 Elvis impersonator Ben Portsmouth will be bringing his uncanny Elvis-like voice and appearance to the Mid North Coast. FOCUS catches up with Ben to find out more ...
H
ow did your history with Elvis all begin? My dad listened to Elvis and what have you in the car when I was a kid, so that’s how I became aware of him (Elvis). Dad had a guitar lying around at home too, and I would pick the guitar up and put the tape of Elvis on and play along, trying to learn the chords of the songs. This is the first time you've toured in Australia. What are you looking forward to the most? Wrestling the crocs, mate! (Laughs). I’ve never been to Australia before, so the weather - I’ve heard it’s a really nice place. Sight seeing? I hope so, yeah - hopefully in between shows I get a chance to see some of the well known places. You have a naturally uncanny resemblance to “The King” himself, you must get a lot of double takes from people, even when you're not performing? To me, there’s no one who looks like Elvis; he was a very unique looking chap. But, obviously, I have my hair dyed black and sideburns, so when I’m walking around the supermarket, sometimes I do get the odd funny look. Being crowned with the highest accolade in the Elvis world, “Worldwide Ultimate Elvis
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S TO M E, TH ER E’ O H W E N O NO V IS ... BU T LO O K S LI K E EL E M Y AV H I O BV IO U SLY CK A N D A BL H A IR DY ED W H EN SI D EB U R N S, SO UND RO I’M WA LK IN G A ET, K R A TH E SU PE R M O G ET TH E SO M ET IM ES I D K !” O O D D FU N N Y LO
“
Tribute Artist”, must have been such an honour. Tell me about that experience ... That was great; it’s something that people compete for from all around the world. The year I was in it, there were a couple of Australians too. Me being European, I was the first non American to win it. It was really great; I never thought I’d win it, because I wasn’t American - I just has a feeling that they’d want to keep it as an American thing but, the best man won on the day. Thank God it was me! How do you psych yourself up to get into character? Vodka and cranberry juice (laughs). When I’m off the stage, I’m just myself and I don’t like to dress up in the glasses and all the rings and carry on, but when I’m about to go on, it’s like a form of acting in way, and I have to channel Elvis. When I’m singing the songs in my mind, I can see Elvis singing it; it’s a strange thing to do, but I really enjoy it. How did you know this was what you wanted to do with your life? Like I said, I started out just at home learning the songs and playing the guitar, and then I just had such a passion for doing it and I enjoyed doing it, and I thought, “I want to do this with a
band and play it out to people, and hopefully they enjoy it too”. I got a band together; my brother plays the drums in my band and he met his wife, who’s one of my backing singers ... so I got the band together and started playing, and I just had a real passion for doing it. How do you like to spend your time when you're not channelling The King; I hear you're a talented songwriter too. Do you get to perform any of your own material in your Elvis downtime as Ben Portsmouth? Yeah, I do write my own songs. The only problem is 10 years ago I started doing my Elvis thing and it does take over my life; it’s a 24/7 thing. But when I do get time, I just like simple things, I like eating, and I like going to my local pub and yeah, just relaxing really - going down the gym when I can and sleeping. I like sleeping! What are your future plans? Get rich! (Laughs). I’m very lucky; I’ve got a job that I enjoy and I have a passion for, and I
get to make people happy, so hopefully I can carry on doing that. Probably when I get to 42, the age that Elvis died, I’ll have to look in the mirror and say, “Can I still get away with this?” I think to be fair, you get to a certain age and it’s time to give up, isn’t it? So yeah, I want to continue writing my songs and hopefully I can do something with them, otherwise I’ll have to get a hair cut and get a real job. What kind of music do you write for yourself? I have written a few Elvis style songs in the vein of Elvis, but generally my music is just like pop music. Thanks Ben.
the plug! Club Forster - Thursday 6th November at 8pm Members $37 / Non Members $40
BEATLES 50th anniversary relived
Mayo Private Hospital
Beatle's 50th Anniversary Re-lived - starring THE BEATLE BOYS - Friday 21st November at 8pm. Direct from a sensational sell-out tour of Australia and New Zealand, the world’s premier “Beatles” band, the Fabulous Beatle Boys, are bringing their highly acclaimed recreation of the Beatles one and only tour of Australia to a select few Australian cities and towns that missed out the first time round. We are headed your way, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience an unforgettable piece of Australian music history - twice if you were there in ‘64. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the greatest music tour this country has ever seen or is ever likely to see again. KATCHAFIRE - World Renowned Reggae band). Saturday 22nd November - 8pm Hailing from the mighty H-Town (Hamilton), Aoteoroa (New Zealand), KATCHAFIRE have become a global roots reggae phenomenon. The all Maori reggae band bring their pure
classic sound to music lovers worldwide, delivering one of the most authentic reggae shows around today. Four highly successful studio albums, multiple awards, platinum sales, highest selling singles, and the list goes on ... Their sound is built on the foundations of classic roots reggae with an R’n’B and funk rub, mashing modern dance hall and slinky reggae pop. SUN RECORDS ALL-STARS. Tribute to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins & Jerry Lee Lewis Thursday 4th December - 8pm THE SUN RECORDS ALL-STARS is a concert based on the famed Memphis-based record company that launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. The music is timeless, without a doubt, and the musicians at the centre of it were originals who were true to themselves. They had authenticity and they weren't contrived - they were real artists.
The Mayo Private Hospital’s $2.5m cardiac catheterisation and vascular interventional laboratory was officially opened by local State Member of Parliament, Stephen Bromhead.
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n a speech to the audience of Mayo services. staff and local residents, Mr Bromhead Following the official ceremony visitors praised the hospital and its parent and guests were able to go into the high company, Healthe Care Australia for its technology areas of the hospital to see facilities investment in local health services. like the lab and diagnostic equipment such Since commencing operations as the MRI. The hospital’s staff in May, the hospital has now specialists were on hand to treated over 80 patients show people images of the that would otherwise heart, and to touch and Healthe Care have been sent to feel devices such as e iv ut Chief Exec e re Newcastle or Sydney. aortic stents. New Sleep Ta l ca lo Officer and s in tk By end of the current Laboratory facilities A e ev St , resident ad he om financial year, this were also showcased. Br r M d thanke support g in number will grow to The Taree Can go on s hi r fo d over 250. Assist team put on a of the hospital an cal lo Mr Bromhead fantastic gourmet BBQ, development of .” es ic rv se acknowledged the hard and everyone was able health work of both Healthe to chill out to the music of Care and local cardiologist local band Stronghart into the Dr Narashiman in getting the afternoon. lab up and running. He emphasised All funds from the BBQ and the that one of the great benefits is that the sale of Healthe Care caps went to the facility has attracted the services of other Can Assist organisation. cardiologists, vascular surgeons and pain Mayo CEO Peter Johnson said that having specialists to the area. open days helps everyone to understand the Healthe Care Chief Executive Officer and complex nature of health service delivery and local Taree resident, Steve Atkins thanked he hopes that the day might have inspired Mr Bromhead for his ongoing support of the some young Taree school leavers to pursue a hospital and development of local health career in the health sector.
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focusinterview.
TROY CASSAR-DALEY
HE’S A LEGEND IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC SCENE, A FAMILY MAN, TALENTED SONGWRITER AND ALL ROUND GENUINELY NICE BLOKE! TROY CASSAR-DALEY WILL BE STOPPING OVER AT CLUB OLD BAR ON NOVEMBER 7 – ONE OF JUST FOUR GIGS HE’S PLAYING ACROSS THE MID NORTH COAST.
H
i Troy. Your schedule over the past 12 months has been hectic, as usual … but what’s something you’ve achieved this year that you’re particularly happy
with? I’m really happy the Bunnies won (laughs)! That’s the biggest thing that’s happened in my life in the last 43 years! But, other than that, being able to make a living out of music, Jo, has been a thrill for me like no other … I started at a very young age in Grafton, and I’ve spent a lot of my time on the North and Mid North Coast of NSW learning my craft … The last thing I did down there was the Saltwater Freshwater Festival in Kempsey, and I have to say I was so inspired … just to see the community come out to share some country music and some community spirit. That’s what it’s all about, and every time I see a photo from that particular show at Kempsey, I get a real shiver. I like that – that means it’s affected you. And I think coming back through again and doing some songs that have been written about the North and Mid North Coast – it’s just going to be wonderful. And this time as you pass through our area with your latest tour, you’re visiting some smaller towns, like Sawtell and Old Bar, and not just concentrating on the bigger cities. How much do you enjoy these types of gigs? We’ve just finished a really major theatre run – and they’re huge theatres; they’re great, and it’s fantastic to do a tour full of those (we’ve done this for the past 18 months), but I like to see people’s faces! I want to see people smile up close! I think it’s good as an artist every now and then to try and do some of the places that you may have done when you were back in “cover band land”. It doesn’t mean your career’s going backwards – I think it does a lot for your soul. I feel like it’s time to do this … we’re doing four shows on the Mid North Coast, down as far as
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Old Bar and up north as far as Ballina. I just think people need to see some intimacy when it comes to music – I thrive on it. Although there will be lots of bigger venues again next year, I’m keen to get back to the roots of it all, where it all started. And you’re known to come out after the Our job as a show, give some songwriter is of your time and ith to touch base w t no have a chat to e ar ho w people ers ng si the audience ng ri pi as only how ... rs te too, which is and songwri ur yo er th ga u fantastic. What’s like-minded people. would yo , le op if something parThere are people you can stories about pe up and you didn’t catch ticularly random get involved with in your have a yarn?” that’s happened life and career who aren’t to you when you’ve going in the same direction you done this? want to go … I think if you’ve got I’ve had a girl who had a guilike-minded people who love the music tar in tow, who just proceeded to sing YOU love, it’s a good start. me one of her songs in the signing line! And it And the other bit of advice – a fair bit of was beautiful! And here’s the surprise – she was practice won’t go astray, and don’t give up! actually really good! There are so many people around who are going And that’s why I think on a couple these tours to pooh-pooh your ideas. I call them “dream we’re going to be picking up some local people killers”. You’ve gotta avoid the dream killers! to put on stage for two or three songs, before Have a red hot go, and give it all you’ve got! we come on. Jo, there’s a stack of talent out And this tour is called “My Life in Song” … there! Yes … it’s quite an intimate show, and it’s Our job as a songwriter is to touch base with different to what you’d play outside. This Friday people who are not only aspiring singers and I’m playing outside at an amphitheatre in Darwin songwriters … how would you gather your – it’ll be completely different to that! It won’t stories about people, if you didn’t catch up and be as heavy-hitting … it’ll be a lot more singer/ have a yarn? I think you’d be living in a bubble if songwriter and a lot more stories will come out. you didn’t go out and touch base with the peoThe stories behind the tunes are the ones I like ple who are buying your records and tickets to to share with people, and they seem to like that your shows; they’re the ones who’ve supported format … you all along and have made your living with How on earth can you encapsulate your life and for you. in song? That’s a pretty big ask! Some of the best yarns you hear are the ones Well, I’ve been around for 45 years, so there you want to write songs about. are a lot of songs to choose from! (Laughs). We do have heaps of talent locally – young All I think of are the places I’m going and the and not so young people who aspire to songs that are attributed to where I’ve been, the be where you are with your music career. motel rooms I’ve stayed in and the gigs I’ve done What’s some advice you could give them? … Driving through a town and pulling up at the I’d say first of all, surround yourself with same old servo that I used to in an EH – there
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are memories associated with these tunes … An EH? Now, that’s going back a while! I’ve had four! That was my main means of transport back in those days, because they were affordable to fix. I had lots of friends who were mechanics who could help me out if I was in a spot of bother, and that was my mode of transport – whether I was playing the Golden Dog in Glenreagh or the RSL at Taree … I never could afford a Commodore in those days! So, what’s on the agenda for you next? You haven’t brought an album out for a little while, so is there a new one in the works? Yes, I’m recording in Nashville next week. I’m excited about that – I have a bunch of songs I’m taking over with me to record with one of my favourite bands over there. It’ll take about 10-12 days to get it all sussed out … that’s going to be great, and it should be out in March next year. It’s exciting when you have new stuff – I have songs I’ve written with Paul Kelly, Don Walker and other great musicians, so I’m hanging to get that out there. Thanks Troy – all the best with the tour.
the plug! See Troy at Club Old Bar on November 7, at 8pm. For tickets, contact the club on 6553 7224.
socialscene Below. Hen’s Party Cooking Class
with Donna Carrier from Bent on Food.
Right. Kitty Flanagan and Hamish Ross
Above. Donna Rankin, Linda Dade, David Castle PK June 2014
Below. BANZAI
Below. Akoostik
Social/scene.
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Photo Credit: Merryl Kemp
Above. Akoostik Festival - Photo credit Darren Harrison
October is always an eventful month for me and for the region. I tried as hard as I could to be unsociable ... all I wanted to do was paint with my new chalk paint.
did manage to transform a coffee table and a desk, and I must say I was pretty impressed with my work. I do not often get the opportunity for therapeutic pastimes like painting; the closest I get is watering the garden. Problem is that I am now slightly addicted and there are many other things to do in the lead up to Christmas, so I will have to attempt my Libran balancing act to ensure family, fun and friends are part of the lineup. October is festival month, starting with the massive Old Bar Festival on the October long weekend, where Kombis unite with music, markets and around 15,000 people to enjoy the festivities and local hospitality. I love a Kombi, and I dream of driving a split screen Kombi towing a Sunliner vintage caravan someday. I learnt last week that the Sunliner factory was originally in Forster, so there must be one in storage somewhere around here just waiting for me. Back to Old Bar, a specialty car parade was also a highlight. The Old Bar Classic Cars is a gathering of specialty cars which come to display and participate or register for the Show & Shine for prizes on the Saturday of the Festival. It is not only about cars though; A RAAF Roulette Aerobatic Display was held, along with amusement rides, a fun run, a fashion parade and entertainment all weekend. No wonder the festival is so
popular and wins so many awards! Wingham Akoostik Festival saw its largest crowd yet, with the event extending to 3 days this year. This really is a fabulous boutique festival with something for everyone. The festival was opened on Friday night with the extremely energetic and talented Caravana Sun, along with Galleri, Harry’s Lookout and Mojo Bluesmen. A choir workshop and a songwriting workshop was held during the day, and local community circus “Circartus” opened the festival. I was at the festival on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed the tail end of Floyd Vincent and the Temple Dogs, Harry Hookey and Holly Who. On Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed Circartus. I thought this was a fabulous addition to the festival and I was thrilled that we have the opportunity to be part of a community that supports this type of performing arts initiative. It was really very lovely to watch, and I found myself compelled to become part of it. I missed some of the artists, but enjoyed a chat with Grace Knight and her band at breakfast, and she told me she really enjoyed playing at the festival. We had Up in Annie’s Room playing at the café on Saturday night; it is a bit of a ritual to put on a band and stay open for all the organisers to come back for a drink. The Travelling Teardrops came and jammed; it was a great night that also happened to be my birthday. Thanks again to the organisers of both
festivals, who do a great job. Pecha Kucha Series 3 at Forster was another sellout event in September. These nights bring community together, celebrating artists, activists, creatives, photographers and story tellers. Now happening in over 700 cities around the world, they always leave attendees wanting more. Seven presenters kept everyone enthralled, as they shared their art and stories. From using art and other alternative therapies as a rehabilitation from stroke, to a lifelong passion for photographing the Aurora, back to colourful Indigenous art and local beach photography, stories from Nauru, artistic variety using interesting media and stories of a seachange from corporate to yoga studio. Not for profit, community based organiser Linda Dade tells me the next one will be in the New Year, and she is hoping to feature some of our younger local artists, story tellers and photographers. Want more info - follow Facebook PechaKucha Forster or call Linda on 0402 031 500. There is a new trend happening and we love it; have you ever considered a private cooking class for a hen’s party or a corporate team building event? We had great fun on Saturday 25th October with 12 fun loving ladies who were very humble about their cooking skills but did an awesome job of creating a Vietnamese feast under the guiding hand of myself and apprentice Toria
Morton. The bride to be was Sally Baker, and the hen’s party was organised by her friend, Cristen Challacombe. The lovely ladies enjoyed a few glasses of wine, and the menu included prawn and pawpaw salad, Vietnamese spring rolls, beef pho and my version of an Asian pannacotta. I was fortunate to go and see the fabulously funny Kitty Flanagan at the Manning Entertainment Centre recently. Scarily, I related to her on so many levels, being 40 plus (well, 50 plus for me), never married, no children, and I too once dumped a guy for doing very little wrong except wearing thongs with jeans. But that was long ago; people do change their ways, according to Kitty. She has amazing energy and she totally owned that stage for a full one and a half hours. She had the women in the audience in fits of laughter (even those with children – in joke, you had to be there) and the men were divided between being slightly horrified to laughing so much they were crying. My partner laughs really loudly, and he fell into the latter group, which is just as well; I wouldn’t know how to relate to him if he didn’t find Kitty Flanagan funny! I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties anything! Send pics and info to donna.carrier@ bigpond.com Cheers, Donna. manning-great lakes focus.
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focusinterview.
D A R R E N Darren Jack is going from strength to strength as a Blues artist, winning multiple awards and international recognition. You can witness
this talented performer in action at the Pacific Palms Recreation Club on November 22nd – and this will be one
special show, that coincides with the release of his new album ‌
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work paid off. I then decided to enter the Road to Memphis Challenge in Sydney. There were six bands competing, and my band took it out. What was the whole experience of performing in Memphis like ... was your trip a success/what were your results? This was my first time to the US. We played a live TV show called Ditty TV in Memphis and also played two nights in the famous BB King’s Blues Club, competing, but unfortunateTake These ly, we didn’t bring the trophy home this Blues is the as w it time. It was a fantastic experience! al bum title , and la al lh Va You’ve also recently found out at ed rd co re am , that you’ll be representing AusStudio in Wingh got .I tralia in Memphis again in 2015 by Graham Bird al bum – this time in the solo acoustic to produce this d I am with Graham , an this category. Congratulations! How ith w y really happ did this come about ... and how recording.” does this latest achievement make you feel? Thank you. Yes, this time I entered the solo acoustic category, with seven acts competing. I’m not too proud to have another crack, and I won this one. It was all a little surreal. Going to Memphis this time with a bit more of an idea of how the judging criteria works, could hopefully be an advantage. We’ll see. You’re set to release a new album shortly too. This album was recorded in Wingham ... what’s it called, and tell us a night after night having to turn it on, was amazing! There is no bit about the individual tracks ... better way to learn the traps! Take These Blues is the album title, and it was recorded at You embarked on your solo career around 13 years ago. Valhalla Studio in Wingham, by Graham Bird. I got to produce this What have been some of the highlights for you being a solo album with Graham, and I am really happy with this recording. artist ... have you still been able to collaborate with other It features nine originals, and the subjects are real life experiencmusicians during this time? es. I also wrote one for my 17 month old daughter called I Smile I have really started to find myself as a solo artist, in both elecEvery Day. tric and acoustic guitar. Songwriting is very important, and being There are two renditions of Howlin’ Wolf and one of Jimmy original is really important to expressing myself. Reed. I always like to give the Fathers of the Blues a plug. I have opened for Robert Cray and Jimmie Vaughan, who are You’ll be launching this new album at the Pacific Palms two of my biggest influences. That is definitely a highlight. Recreation Club on November 22nd. What time does your Recently, I got together with a long time guitar playing buddy, performance start – and is there a cost to attend? Ray Beadle. We recorded an album tribute to the Kings of The Yes, I am looking forward to launching the new album and Blues, All The Kings Men. This show is a seven piece band includthere is a good crew at the Palms. 8pm is the kick off and there is ing a brass section. This comes out every six months or whenever no cover charge. This is my local area, so I’m looking forward to a we feel like getting together and having some fun. great night! 2012 was an amazing year for you musically. Share with Where can people download or purchase a copy of your us some of the accolades you received for your fourth solo music, or find out more about you? album, Better Place, and also explain how you ended up They can just go to www.darrenjack.com for all information. representing Australia in the International Blues Challenge The album will be available on iTunes, and I can also post out in Memphis, Tennessee, the following year (2013)? personally from my website! I will also have them for sale at the Better Place did really well, sweeping the pool at the Australive shows. lian Chain Blues Music Awards. It took out five awards, including Cheers, thanks. Thanks Darren. album of the year. I was pretty stoked with that, as all the hard
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i Darren. You live in the Manning-Great Lakes area ... how long have you been a resident? I moved up here from Sydney 7 years ago. Originally, I met my wife to be in the area, in 1999, when I was on tour with my first band,
Third Degree. When were you first exposed to the Blues ... and what was it about this style of music that really captured your interest? I first heard Robert Cray on the radio in 1985 when I was living in Cronulla, Sydney. I was just getting started on the guitar and as soon as I heard that sound, I instantly knew that I wanted to do that. I asked my mum to buy me Robert Cray’s album, Strong Persuader, and discovered the Blues from there. The Blues is a feeling, and I sure felt it. You fronted your first band, Third degree, for six years. What were some of the most valuable things you learned while a part of this group? We toured constantly and were doing national tours with Canned Heat, Long John Baldry, Kevin Borich and Chain, to name a few. Experience was the most valuable lesson I learned. Going out
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focus
Mink Pink Playsuit Ashlea Road Boutique www.ashlearoadboutique.com.au
Arm Chair Bent on Life www.bentonfood.com.au
table lamp In House www.fb.com/InHouseHomewaresForster stool in house www.fb.com/InHouseHomewaresForster
Bent On You - Smoothing Moisturiser Bent on Life www.bentonfood.com.au
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Nixon Watch Iguana www.loveiguana.com
Ceramic Pineapple In House www.Fb.com/InHouseHomewaresForster
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Bent on Life www.bentonfood.com.au
Necklace Ashlea Road Boutique www.ashlearoadboutique.com.au
Hydropeptide cleansing pack Lorellin Day Spa www.lorellindayspa.com.au
Elise cushion Coasting Home www.coastinghome.com.au
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driftwood home interiors At Coasting Home we recently celebrated 5 years in our lovely shop in Wharf Street, Forster. We have developed an eclectic mix of furniture, decor, fashion and scents, creating a style of our own. Along the way we realised that we can offer more options in the way of larger pieces of furniture and decorator services. This has been realised in opening our new store, Driftwood Home Interiors, on Kularoo Drive in Forster. Here you will find larger items of furniture, a bigger selection of prints and original hand painted artwork, Emac & Lawton lighting, soft furnishings and great decorator pieces. On display you also will find a wider selection of our recycled timber furniture that can be made to order.
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We offer services that include colour consulting and home styling; if you are in need of some advice or someone to bounce ideas off, we can help. Our two designers are available by appointment to come to your home and work with you, to help bring your ideas to life. We sell Fab Outdoor Fabrics and will add to our fabric range all the time, giving you more options to work with. Made to order cushions, lamp shades, window coverings and soft upholstery can also be arranged. We look forward to meeting you, and our hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10 - 4pm or by appointment. Like us on Facebook to see what’s new and when we have a Designers Saturday once a month.
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Therese Lloyd – Director of Teaching and Learning
innovative teaching at manning valley Anglican college At Manning Valley Anglican College, our team of dedicated teachers works cooperatively to provide the best possible learning environment for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Exciting new programs in 2015 will empower our staff to assist each child, tailoring programs to meet individual needs.
We are also moving towards ational g usin more educ g the in or apps , and expl nd box sa of es positive us such as building games Minecraft .”
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From next year, students will be working daily in collaborative cross-class groups, assisting each other with reading for enhanced understanding. This project is based on the work of Cynthia McCallister, associate professor at New York University, and is part of a broad focus on reading and writing across the school. Students will also be given the opportunity to take on stimulating challenges which play to their strengths, including a stage production of The Secret Garden in 2015. We are also moving towards using more educational apps, and exploring the positive uses of sandbox building
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games such as Minecraft. Throughout next year our most promising students will be given the chance to take on independent “major-work” projects in their various areas of interest, and showcase the finished product for the entire school. Meanwhile, our teachers will be involved in a professional mentoring program designed to equip them to share their expertise and experience, creating a collaborative teaching and learning environment. At MVAC, we will continue to use cutting edge research to underpin quality teaching so we add value to each child in our college community.
focusinterview.
Sharon DONOVAN THE SALTWATER REAL CONCILIATION Women’s camp
SHARON DONOVAN FROM THE SALTWATER REAL CONCILIATION WOMEN’S COMMITTEE EXPLAINS HOW FOR THE SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW THE COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A SPECIAL EVENT THAT WILL BRING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, INDIGENOUS AND NONINDIGENOUS, YOUNG AND THE NOT SO YOUNG, TOGETHER TO CONNECT, HAVE FUN, SHARE AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER … ho is the Saltwater Real Conciliation Women’s Camp committee ... and what are its aims? The Saltwater Real Conciliation Women’s Camp Committee is made up of strong and committed Indigenous and non-Indigenous women of this community. These women are from government and non-government agencies, Biripi community members and Elders. This will be our sixth Women’s Camp being held in November at Saltwater National Park, which is a place of great cultural importance to the Biripi people. Describe the Saltwater Real Conciliation Women’s Camp that will take place on November 12 -14, 2014. What are its objectives, who will attend, and what activities are planned? Key objectives of the camp are: • To promote the Manning Valley and Great Lakes area as an area that values cultural diversity, including the culture of its traditional owners, in a safe place • To showcase the significance and diversity of the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal culture and history • To increase community understanding of local Aboriginal culture and history • To strengthen community wellbeing through participation in an event that celebrates the achievements and culture of the local Aboriginal community • To initiate a healing process to promote social and emotional wellbeing and celebrate the strength and resilience of women and children • To provide opportunities for children, adolescents and women to access local and regional services and networks, information and education that is ageappropriate to improve overall health and wellbeing, for Biripi and Worimi Indigenous and non-Indigenous women in the Manning Valley and Great Lakes area
• To build and maintain positive rapports with confidence. Overall, the camp helps build healthier, more mainstream workers, governmental and nonvibrant and more inclusive communities. governmental agencies and the broader community to This camp has been running as an annual event strengthen mutual understanding, respect and trust. since 2009. How has it changed and evolved over Purpose: The Real Conciliation Women’s this time? Camp is aimed at women and children, Since a pilot Saltwater Women’s Camp both Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal in 2009, the camp has developed from people and from other cultures. an overnight camp (that attracted 25 BE TH IS W IL L H The camp has run successfully local women) to a 3-day-2-night XT O U R SI IN G BE P M CA ’S for five years and is a chance fully catered event held each year WO M EN BE R EM OV N IN D for women and children to between November - December. EL H AT SA LT WAT ER , gather on the traditional In 2013, camp attendance had RK NAT IO NA L PA land of the Biripi people and increased to 308 participants, of AC E W H IC H IS A PL L RA experience connection, which 41% were Aboriginal and U O F GR EAT CU LT TH E TO support, have fun, acknowledge 59% were non-Aboriginal. With CE IM PO RTA N ” E. PL O culture and tradition and work the rapid increase in participation, PE BI RI PI at ways towards Real Conciliation funds have been secured to host the and a healthy connected community. sixth camp in 2014. The camp’s underlining foundation sits Where can people find out more info on the principal of providing an environment about the camp ... and if they’re interested that is safe for women and children: tt is a women in attending, how do they register? only, drug and alcohol free event. All women and young girls are invited to attend; Participants will experience the carefully however, registration is an essential, as spaces are developed camp program by a multitude of Service limited. Providers. The program includes a traditional opening ceremony and Welcome to Country, Aboriginal dance, music, basket weaving, singing, storytelling, painting, the plug! health workshops and access to information relating to domestic violence, sexual assault and legal services. For more information, please call A highlight of this year’s camp, is the clinic on wheels, or email Sharon Donovan, Biripi which will be offering free health screenings for women Aboriginal Medical Centre: over the age of 18; this is the first time we have been able to offer this wonderful service. Ph: (02) 6552 2154 Recreational activities include Manning River sdonovan@biripi.or.au OR dragonboats, belly dancing, boomerangs, name badges, Clare Manning National Parks & Wildlife yoga and the ever popular Op-Shop Fashion Parade. Ph: (02) 6539 4105 A youth and children’s program is also offered, Clare.Manning@environment.nsw.gov.au with workshops relating to culture, self-esteem and
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HEALTH By Leaha at Leaha’s Hair
E A RT H
ENZYME
HAIR
COLOUR
H
air colouring expressos, warm violets in e ic can be a and deep mahoganys rv se A seasonal and while you’re in the our salon will u feel yo e ak m s ay thing; salon, why not pamper w al red and pe m pa lly ta to many of our clients yourself and have our t you relaxed; we wan will go lighter for deluxe steam treatment g in to walk out feel summer and warmer to add beautiful shine wonderful .” for winter months. We to your hair! A service in have a beautiful range of our salon will always make blondes without using harsh you feel totally pampered and bleaches on your hair for you relaxed; we want you to walk to achieve a beautiful caramel, beige, out feeling wonderful. So make an hazelnut or a creamy white result, while appointment today at Leaha's Tuncurry or keeping your hair in optimal condition. Old Bar: phone 6555 4194 or 6553 7274; like Our luxurious browns are good enough to eat, us on Facebook for your chance to experience with rich chocolates, deep chestnuts, medium exclusive offers and giveaways.
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EXFOLIANT
T
EXFOLIATING AND TANNING AT HOME HAS NEVER BECOME SO EASY ‘TIL NOW.
here are now products that are enzyme based so when you exfoliate, you are leaving your skin fresh and ready for the perfect tan application, without impacting the skin with stresses from manually over exfoliating - which we can easily be done, making our tans uneven. First step is to use an enzyme exfoliant just like the Ella Baché Earth Enzyme Exfoliant and allow it to be active on the skin for a few minutes whilst it does all the work. You will amazed with how it works and the results you get with scrubbing. Once you have washed it off, you are ready to apply your tanning solution. To have a longer lasting tan or fresh glow, the Ella Baché great tan without sun is a versatile product that can do both. When applying any tanning product,
you have to be aware of any dry patches you get on your skin. Avoid applying over the top of this area, or apply a very small amount of moisturiser to avoid tan absorbing through. Most common areas are heels and elbows. Apply your tanning product where you desire that extra colour, and always check the recommended time of how long it requires to develop (particularly if you want a darker, deeper colour). To maintain that perfect tan, moisturising is the key. By nourishing those skin cells you are avoiding the skin looking dehydrated and naturally shedding, making tans patchy. Avoid soaps and use a nourishing body wash to extend the life of your tan. With all the events festivities this spring and summer, you can give yourself the perfect tan and glow for the occasion.
By Ultrasonic Clinic Forster SUPER HAIR REMOVAL LASER TECHNOLOGY MIXED WITH IPL IS A NEW CONCEPT WITH FAR GREATER RESULTS & MAXIMUM BENEFITS.
SUPER
HAIR r e m o v a l
W
hat makes the new SHR Machine stand out in the industry? It uses high
pulse repetition rates at low energy levels, together with high power. Instead of simply blasting unwanted hair, it heats the hair follicle very gradually. IN-Motion Technology is a rolling technique that eliminates the common problem of missed or skipped spots.The new IN-Motion Technology combines concurrent cooling with a gradual thermal rise to the target temperature, without any risk of injury or
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pain. SHR Module uses photo selective thermolysis and combines with it IN-Motion technology. The light in certain wavelengths with the SHR heat, targets pigment and melanin located in the hair follicles. Flashes of light disable the targeted hair follicle, causing the unwanted hair to fall out, preventing future growth. Since hair growth cycles are not synchronised, several treatment sessions are needed to also treat dormant follicles. SHR leaves beautiful bare skin, without any complications.
CODA
BODY TALK I see so many young and not so young women, and increasingly men, who just have such a horrendous relationship with their own body. The one thing most have in common is a very one dimensional approach to their body. Frankly, they do not like what their body looks like and this dissatisfaction causes them considerable emotional pain. When we start to chat, most have not really considered the ABSOLUTELY AMAZING functions of their body. For example, our hands and arms allow us to hold things, to cuddle people we love, to read, to write, to drive, to cook, to do everything! The fact that a person’s body may be in good working order, and the fact it is an amazing piece of machinery, has often not been considered. Our human body is NOT a piece of artwork hanging in a museum waiting to be judged. It is with us all the way through life, so we may as well make friends with it - otherwise it can be a long and miserable partnership! In therapy we try to help clients enjoy and make friends with their body. Like other friendships, it involves having compassion, kindness, understanding and forgiveness! Just like us, bodies are not perfect.
Have you lost connection with your authentic self? Co-dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a worldwide network of groups of men and women who share the common purpose of learning how to develop and maintain healthy and fulfilling relationships. What is Co-dependency? Co-Dependence could be described as a condition born of losing connection with our authentic self, thereby losing the ability to share our true self with others and be in healthy intimate relationships. Somewhere along the line we may have learned to doubt our perceptions, discount our feelings, and overlook our needs. Subsequently, we may have learned to look to others to tell us what to think, what to feel and how to behave, thus becoming overly dependent on others. We may also have rebelled, trapping ourselves in our reactions to others. Or childhood experience of abuse may have left us with habits of being overly independent, controlling, unable to trust anyone or allow anyone close. How Can CODA help you? The advice from CODA is to come to 6 consecutive meetings to decide whether CODA is right for you. There is no obligation to keep attending,anyone can come as often or as little as they like. The cost is a gold coin donation, and newcomers are asked not to contribute.
Lorellin Day Spa Lorellin means “The fountain of youth”, the purest form of healing water. Our committed team believe in combining the best of nature’s plant based active ingredients with scientific technology ... A company that has strong commitment to achieving outstanding results, using the world’s leading cosmetic brands, in particular Hydropeptides. Hydropeptides is an award winning skincare line specialising in the most powerful anti ageing ingredients available. Although Hydropeptides is comprised of all the latest innovations in anti ageing skincare, peptides are our driving force. Peptides are the building blocks to skin’s collagen. Your skin is a complex network of structures that begin to crumble as you age. Our peptides strengthen the skin’s foundation, and allow your skin to restore its youthful qualities. The standards of excellence requires a team of therapists who are grounded as individuals, qualified professionals and carers of their clients. It is our mission to make your time with us blissfully relaxing, nurturing, energising and above all, memorable. Located only 15 minutes north of Forster/ Tuncurry, you will discover a warm, friendly, peaceful environment to relax and wash your daily stresses away. We cater for both males and females. Ask about our fabulous Gift Certificates and Spa Packages.
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CEO PETER JOHNSON INTRODUCES US TO EDUCATION AND SCHOOL BASED TRAINEE AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Anne Graham with Samantha Sinclair - Quality Manager and Staff Training
CEO - Peter Johnson
H
ospitals are one of the biggest employers in rural and regional Australia. We employ staff at all levels, from doctors to hotel service assistants. Our staff are often placed in complex situations. They look after patients that are often stressed with illness and provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These factors all combine to make the role of the hospital worker a challenging one. Many staff members are university trained, we also take on untrained young and unemployed people and build their skills. This is the story of Anne who has come to us via an ACCESS pre-employment training program for jobseekers, coordinated by VERTO. Anne’s Story Anne was originally registered with Job Find employment and was referred to the VERTO pre-employment recruitment program for the community services sector. After attending an information session and interview, Anne was selected, along with 17 others, to enter into an 8 week training program including 4 weeks work placement in both caring and hotel support roles. After Anne completed her
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Mayo Private Hospital Mayo Hospital work placement, she was ofSchools Based Training Program fered a Certificate III Health Support Services Mayo began participating in the local Schools traineeship. In just six short months Anne Based Traineeship Program over 10 years ago has successfully fast-tracked and completed and has supported 1-2 trainees each year. her traineeship. She loves the work and has VERTO Area Performance Manager Gabrielle found the training both challenging Barlow says that the quality of support and rewarding. Anne’s broad management is critical to the smile gladdens the heart of success of the program. “The everyone she meets at the Hotel Services ManageThis is the hospital. ment at Mayo has been story of Anne In addition to Anne, fantastic. As a team they us who has come to other employees from ehave taken on several pr SS via an ACCE g in in tra t en the Hotel Services people that have been m employ eekers , Department have come challenged by life’s program for jobs coordinated by through the VERTO circumstances and given VERTO.” ACCESS program and them a new purpose, have been offered ongoing direction and opportunity.” employment and the opporHospitals like the Mayo with tunity to continue their training trained educators, quality support and development. Some have even set personnel and Employee Assistance themselves goals of pursuing further study Programs are fertile ground for traineeto become registered nurses and already ships. one has achieved this goal. Whether these The School Based Trainee Program is designed people stay at Mayo or seek employment to integrate on the job training with a formal elsewhere the program has added great value qualification and is targeted at year 11 and to our local services and economy. 12 students who as part of their HSC want
“
to take on vocational studies. The program is designed to fast track these students into an industry career path. Mayo is offering two school based traineeships for Year 11 students in 2015. Work Experience For Aspiring Doctors Attracting medical staff to rural regional Australia is not an easy task. Mayo Hospital and its specialists provide the opportunity for young medical students to experience clinical life first hand. University of New South Wales medical student Anna Phillip spent a few days last month with Dr Peter Braude and his colleagues and their Mayo patients. In a heart warming letter to the hospital Anna wrote “experience as a clinical observer at Mayo was most definitely an informative and valuable experience for me, and will hopefully provide similar benefits for future students considering a career in the medical field.”Thank you Anna. We hope that your experience in a rural regional hospital will tempt you to come back when you finish your degree. Next month features one of our most important clinical specialities for helping the old and young alike.
sleepcare
™
We spend of our lives sleeping, so it’s no wonder that our sleep is essential to our health and physical wellbeing. BOC Sleepcare offers a leading independent sleep diagnostic and therapy service. With our qualified sleep therapists and breadth of independent product offers, we provide dedicated support uniquely designed to meet the challenges of sleep apnoea care. With a hands-on approach, we can help to match the right sleep apnoea therapy device and mask to the patient, and provide dedicated patient support through our sleep therapy program. Our customised Sleepcare program offers: Clinical empowerment: Our continuous collaboration with clinical advisory boards provides us with greater insight on how we can best help physicians and medical professionals to involve and engage their patients. Independent device expertise: With our global portfolio of devices from leading brands, we provide patients with greater individual choice resulting in a better chance of success. Sustained compliance: We monitor patient progress and provide support by working through their concerns and provide ongoing therapy and equipment support.
Home Sleep Study Our home sleep study is 100% bulk-billed, at no cost to you. The test is able to replicate your regular sleep patterns in the comfort of your own bed, in your own environment, as it only requires you to take a device home for testing. The device is small, lightweight and cradles comfortably to your chest, giving you absolute freedom over the night.
In-Lab Sleep Study In-lab and hospital based sleep studies are conducted in controlled environments, providing highest quality results. Data collection is recorded in real-time. Quality of overnight data is ensured to be of a high standard by monitoring technicians and nursing staff. This enables physicians and scorers to easily generate a report with 100% confidence in their reporting. In-lab sleep studies are covered by health insurance, contact BOC Sleepcare for more information. Lingard Private Hospital 23 Merewether St Merewether NSW 2291
Mayo Private Hospital 1 Potoroo Dr Taree NSW 2430
MEDICARE BULK BILLED* IN HOME SLEEP TESTING
* Details accurate as at 28/10/2014
Newcastle Sleepcare Services Suite 11A, 50 Glebe Road The Junction, NSW, 2291
Taree Sleepcare Centre Mayo Healthcare Centre Mayo Private Hospital 1 Potoroo Dr Taree NSW 2430
☎ 1300 732 695 www.bocsleepcare.com.au
BOC: Living healthcare
Terms & Conditions may apply. See web for full details.
BREAST AUGMENTATION WHICH IMPLANT? WHAT SIZE?
W
HICH IMPLANT? Breast augmentation with silicone implants has been done for over 50 years, with silicone implants first used in 1962 & saline implants in 1964.
not a difficult decision for me to use only the best implants, namely the high cohesive biodimensional implants for my patients. I use the Natrelle (previously known as McGhan) 410 for its well established reputation for safety & quality.
Over the years, many improvements have been made by addressing problems of silicone diffusion, silicone & saline leak, rupture, deflation & migration.
These implants cost more than many others - but what price safety & peace of mind for both patient & surgeon?
Saline implants have a major problem - a valve is used to fill an empty silicone shell with sterile saline (salt water) at the time of surgery. Unfortunately, in addition to the previously mentioned problems, the saline implant has the additional risk of a valve leak in about 20% of patients.
This is probably the hardest decision for the patient! The problem is due to the fact that the same sized & shaped implant will look different on different women, due to differences in breast & chest shape & size.
Silicone gel-implants on the other hand have become better & safer, especially with the development of high cohesive gel-implants (the silicone in these implants have more cross linkages, which causes greater cohesion of the molecules of silicone) in which implant leak or migration is almost completely eliminated. Further, the availability of biodimensional (naturally shaped) implants in a range of projections, height & width, permits "customisation" for the patient. With all of the above changes, it was
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WHAT SIZE?
Breast augmentation, while increasing size & volume, will also highlight every existing problem in nipple size & position, breast shape, position & asymmetry & chest shape & asymmetry. There is no template or formula to follow & a photograph of a woman with implants that compliments her are not relevant to any other woman. The only thing that works is individualization & customisation.
depends on a number of factors, & the patient's compliance with the necessary postoperative care is critical. Time is well spent in going into all the details, for the patient to be well informed. The patient is then advised to come back in a week or two, giving time for absorption of all information given. The second consultation, at no additional cost, may be a short one, with the patients seeking some information. If the patient has decided to go ahead with surgery she then has to choose her surgeon. I prefer my patients to have a good think about this & want them to choose me on trust & rapport & not on price or style. The rest is easy! We have a good range of brassieres, fitting tops & breast-implant sizers, to take the patient through a range of implants, to help her choose the right size (or sizes, if asymmetry is significant).
HOW I DO IT
The use of a full-length mirror & a well setup digital photography studio aids in helping the patient to see herself in the mirror & in an immediately available digital image.
At the first consultation, the time is spent discussing breast augmentation, the pros & cons, the timing of surgery & the dos & dont's after surgery. The eventual result
The goal is to make a woman look good with or without clothes, to have a natural look & for her to feel happy & confident with the change in her body contour.
Make this a summer to smile about Focus on Hea lth Focus on Health
Ebola Virus Epidemic
East coast CHILDCARE Can you tell us about your partnership
the children and their families and always
with public schools in Great Lakes and
with fun in mind.
Manning Valley? Josh Emerton and I
We open early before school, offering
started our relationship with the local schools as casual teachers back in 2007. Since then,
Smilecraft Dental
we have provided care and entertainment
somewhere safe and homelike to have breakfast and get ready for the day at
school. After school we collect children on to 1000s of local primary school kids before our buses and offer a healthy afternoon tea Enjoy a Brighter, Whiter school, after school and duringSmile schoolwith Teeth whitening is good if you’re looking for a fast followed by homework sports, Whitening and convenient whiten yourgames, teeth. holidays. We currently services atradiant smile Ask aboutoperate a healthy, todayway tohelp, craft, cooking activities and good; time to relax. Take home bleach is also the only It’s Public, natural Taree that all of usPublic wantand to have Forster West mosta are jammed packed withto excursions, difference is the time you need wait to Special summer offer! over Holidays beautiful, bright smile, but sometimes recently at Pacifi c Palms Public School. achieve your preferred outcome. The most fun and mayhem to keep the kids happy. the years some routine actions such as What’s been the key to the success common technique is the combination of drinking tea, coffee or red wine or smoking, How do the staff impact on your centres' of your programs? Understanding and both, where the take-home component can stain our teeth and leave us with a smile successes? Having enthusiastic, responsible A the $XXX value! respecting kids we lookdull after and is worn after you have in-clinic treatment, which is less attractive, and far less andallowing energetic have been key to the building solid relationships families has youstaff to get rapid and long-lasting bright than it once was with - so teeth whitening XXX success of each centre. While our centres beenisabecoming big part. We offer innovative and positive results. XXX one of the most popular have commonrecommended philosophy, the coordinators diverse programs to cater for the different cosmetic dental treatments nowadays. It isa strongly that you have XXX and staff at each centre are what makes interests and needs of the children. We also a checkup, clean, decay-free mouth prior There are options of either an immediate
$XXX
*In the U.S. Philips is a registered trademark of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. ©2012 Discus Dental, LLC. All rights reserved. 20-2917ENG 082912
design ourwhitening programsinwith lot of uniquely appealing to families. to the commencement of the yourlocal whitening teeth oneahour at input Smile from Craft them Dental or a take home treatment. One-hour treatment.
Advice parents We have all been hearing about for the would-be go, they should keep strict hygiene standards, Ebola Virus epidemic in Sierra Leone, avoid contact with Ebola cases or those with Are you thinking about having a baby? of previous vaccinations. All chronic medical Liberia and Guinea. When we come unknown illnesses, avoid food which could Well, let’s talk about how to optimize your problems should be attended to and special care across these stories it is natural to be have been contaminated during preparation chances ofHowever, having a healthy pregnancy might be required. Your current medications alarmed. we should feel and and avoid contact with wild animals. baby, while keeping your sanitysystem ! should be reviewed and changed where necglad we have a great health in I have seen a number of epidemics threaten These general principles relevant essary. We also will need to know about your Australia. While we are don’t needfor toboth fear, us in Australia. Each time there is public panic prospective medical history (including previous surgeries we shouldparents. still act. and fear amongst Health Workers about First first:fipreparation pregnancy Thisthings virus was rst reportedbefore in 1976. It is is and gynecological issues) as well as sexual and their personal risks. I recall with the HIV/ carried by West African flying foxes. then the key. This should be done at least 3-6Itmonths family history in order not to miss anything imAIDS epidemic, feeling fearful giving hospital infects forest wild animals andisthose people prior to conception, though this difficult portant and to establish potential risks to your and community care to infected patients. living there. Most of those people have since a significant number of pregnancies are pregnancy. With the more recent SARS epidemic, antibodies to the virus and so have had Ebola unplanned. In your first early appointments, expect to disdespite education of doctors about avoiding Virus without symptoms. However from time Your mental health. We also can’t underesticuss the following topics: infection, we did not do a good job. I recall to time we have had outbreaks in West Africa mate mental state during and after pregnancy. - Options for antenatal care. when Ebola beomes more virulent or from speaking to the Head of Infectious Diseases Research shows that foetal development de- Menstrual cycle, fertile times and symptoms laboratory accidents in England and Russia. the John Hunter Hospital who told me the pends not only on genetic and physiological fac- ofatpregnancy. The World Health Organisation, as at 14th majority of their front-line eventually tors but also the mother’s stress levels. Maternal - Cervical screening (Pap test) staff including sympAugust, estimated that there have been tested positive for SARS, due to carelessness anxiety exposes the child to higher levels of toms of infection. 1,975 cases in the current outbreak with high workloads. Fortunately fatality cortisol which continues to be present through- during Breast examination. 1,069 deaths. rates had fallen circumstances rapidly. out child’s life. This is aby stress hormone - Whether certain would make Thethe virus is transmitted contact with that So what should wefordo? Simple, commonmay impair foetal development and may result it advisable to screen Down’s syndrome human secretions. The most contagious fluid sense measures are all that are necessary. We in mood disorders later in the life. between 9-12 weeks of pregnancy. is metabolic blood butand even sweat can transmit should cover our mouths when we cough, The second way to infected prepare isthrough to look after - Rubella and varicella immunity status. virus. People get cuts your on use an alcohol hand wash. If neceswe have a their skin or through mucus membranes e.g. general health. It is a well known fact that illicit - then Pre-conception immunisation will be cold, we should not go to work, but wear a the eyes, genitals or mouth. People become drugs and some legal drugs, such as nicotine, sary. mask to protect our families. contagious when they become sick, so health alcohol, some medications and some herbal - Influenza, tetanus and hepatitis B vaccination. As citizens we should supporttests thefor West workers can providing care are at most risk. That - Blood remedies have adverse effects on the health and urine tests including infecis why we see news reports of these brave African public health workers and clinicians of the unborn child. Chronic illness like diabetes tions like STIs, HIV, CMV(cytomegalovirus) and souls wearing space suits. helping stopare theadvisable spread of this disease. has to be well-controlled before a couple start toxoplasmosis in certain circumAbout a week after infection, Ebola presents Unfortunately our Federal Government cut trying to conceive. Unhealthy weight (BMI >30 stances. with sudden onset of high fever, sore from our Foreign Aid or < 19) has to be managed also as a higher - $8 Thebillion need to avoid contact with catbudgets. litter and muscles, headache and sore throat. They then This is despite the fact that, back in 2000, rates of complications. garden soil to prevent exposure to different inhave vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, problem Australia to the Millennium So, fortheir yourkidneys first appointment with bleeding. a doctor to fections like committed toxoplasmosis. (ThisGlobal also means no with and liver and Project goal of 0.7% GDP allocated for discuss extending your family make sure your new feline kittens as pets in early pregnancy!) This bleeding may be from the bowels, the Aiddental by 2020. doctor knows about your vagina past medical history, - Foreign An annual checkOur up. charity can make stomach, eyes, mouth, or ears. great differences to impoverished countries. what vaccinations you have anyto family - What pills to avoid e.g. aspirin or anti-infl amIn Australia we have goodhad, access speedy Consider donating to Save the Children problems and what pills potions you take. matories. diagnostic testing withand blood or bodily fluid other West African some Your doctor may also ask about your sexual immune testing to pick Dengue Fever or If or vaccinations have to be agencies. given, thenInthey global Virtuous Circle if we reduce malaria, which are moreand common. history, past pregnancies, use of drugs and should be done at least one month priorsickness to and suffering inbe thewell world we, Our government recommends against travel alcohol. conception. Moreelsewhere time would advised ourselves, may be better off too. to these countries. However, if people need to Bring all your previous medical records and list for some vaccinations.
manning-great lakeslakes focus. manning-great focus4533
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tips for kids keeping your teeth healthy 0 - 2 years • Wipe gums with a washcloth after feeding. This will help get rid of the sticky coating called plaque that can cause tooth decay. • Brush teeth twice a day with water and a soft bristle toothbrush. • Schedule first dental appointment before first birthday. 3 - 5 years • Start using a fluoride toothpaste at age 3 using only a pea sized amount. Make sure your child spits it out after brushing. • Try to break thumb sucking and pacifier habits by age 4.
• Start visiting your dentist every 6 months. 6 - 9 years • Begin flossing as soon as teeth touch. • Let your child know that it’s normal for baby teeth to fall out. That’s how “grown-up” teeth come in. • Until children are able to practice proper oral health habits alone, parents should help their child brush and floss twice daily. • Always pay special attention to the back teeth, which may have more plaque. 10 - 12 years • Require children who play sport to wear a mouthguard to protect their smile.
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NOVEMBER 2014
with Terri
CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20
Now is a good time to debate your beliefs in life. These rules by which you have lived life have given security and stability, but lately you have been left feeling trapped and contained by these beliefs. The new you will not be held back. Azeztulite shows us alternate realities.
AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19
Be patient just a little longer, as your dream is about to come true. You recently gave yourself permission to have something you may have been without for a long time. But now you need to wait for the timing to be perfect. Dioptase is powerful for forgiveness, especially toward oneself.
PISCES.
February 20 - March 20
As usual, the pisces is following the magical scent of love! A new love is about to step forward and enrich your life. There is also the likeliness of travel. Work changes will also bring some new adventure - ENJOY! Rose Quartz, the crystal of love will enrich and nurture any new relationship.
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ARIES.
March 21 - April 20
You are being beckoned to pay attention to your actions. These speak louder than words. When you are happy, the world is a brighter place. But when you’re unhappy, you affect everyone in your space. If adventure is what you’re craving, make plans for a vacation and bring some of that fun-loving “Aries” energy into the picture. Clear Quartz enhances selfawareness. (Wear it)
TA U R U S .
CANCER. June 23 - July 23
You have recently discovered a level of personal strength that may have surprised you. This is what you have been aspiring to all along. Take some time out of your busy schedule to pamper yourself, and re-connect with your “passion for life”. Turquoise brings a feeling of wholeness. Carry it in a pocket.
LEO.
April 21 - May 21
July 24 - August 23
Don’t be rushed into making a decision or choice that will affect your entire life. New beginnings await you, but patience is required to give you the time needed to get ready. Work dealings will be favourable, as long as you display your leadership skills. Carnelian strengthens our personal power. Carry it in a pocket to work.
A beautiful surprise awaits. Enjoy a blissful period in relationships, as new friends emerge. These people will help you to show your talents and feel accomplished. New career opportunities are entering the picture mid-month. Clear Quartz is wonderful at amplifying positive energy.
GEMINI. May 22 - June 22
The feeling of suspension is soon leaving your reality. In fact, soon you will be too busy “to have a chat”. New opportunities will find you but you need to want change, and you need to have a thirst for knowledge. There will be mixing in new circles too. Enjoy! Rose Quartz is very reassuring when you are venturing into new circumstances.
VIRGO.
August 24 - September 23
You will soon be free to make your own decisions, without the pressure from another person. Work opportunities are opening up to you since you gave yourself permission to achieve, and now you will be rewarded for something you love to do. Aventurine is a wonderful crystal for personal change and growth.
LIBRA.
September 24 - October 23
You are about to embark on a journey of self- discovery. You may have been through a lot of disturbance lately, but you have also brought out your most wonderful gifts and talents. You will like the new you. Herderite is a powerful transformation stone.
SCORPIO.
October 24 - November 22
A new relationship is coming into play; however, your “deservability” is in question. You can have the magic of love in your life if you think you deserve it, or you can sabotage it and go without if you think you can’t have it. Black tourmaline is a powerful purifier and cleanser.
S A G I T TA R I U S . November 23 - December 21
Your focus lately has been inward. Don’t be worried if you have not felt involved lately; life has a funny way of unfolding opportunities. You needed to regather yourself. Make a list of your strengths and watch them fulfil you. Turquoise has a confidence boosting effect.
E A R LY
E D U C AT I O N
F E AT U R E
EARLY EDUCATION
How to prepare your toddler for the first day of school
KIDDIES HUT@DIAMOND BEACH Learning Through Play Learning through play – it’s only natural. From being an early childhood educator for too many years to tell, I love to be able to share my passion for the importance of play in the early learning period before school. This is the time in a child’s life when they can experiment with their thoughts and their actions. Real complex play not only develops physical skills, but communication and problem solving. These real experiences teach them the balance between risk and safety in an environment where educators are there to support, but not control. We are lucky at Blossoms to have the most wonderful environment, where children ride bikes, climb trees, use hammers and nails, as well as the more conventional writing, painting, modelling and being involved in dramatic play. Educators daily use discussion to help the children extend their thinking. If you want your child to experience something special before they start the next stage of their learning, enrol now for 2015. Limited vacancies exist in all age groups from birth to school. For visits, ring Lyn on 0414 662 156.
Childhood experts agree: attending a high-quality program prepares kids for kindergarten and beyond. But finding the best option for your child takes time and research. To get you started, we've answered your biggest questions ... What's the difference between childcare and preschool? The main difference is childcare centres are generally open longer hours and cater for a wider age range. The programs are similar and offer the same types of experiences and stimulating activities for the children. How important is preschool? There's increasing evidence that children gain a lot from going to preschool. At preschool, they become exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more important, they learn how to socialise – get along with other children, share, contribute to circle time, and communicate with other adults outside of their family unit. The community of Hallidays Point is fortunate to have a high quality Early Childhood Care & Education setting situated on acreage in Diamond Beach. Being finalists in the Australian Child Care Week Awards for the past three years is testament to the hard work of the team and acknowledges their commitment to the National Quality Standards and Early Years Learning Framework. Why not drop in and see for yourself – enquiries are welcome at any time.
THE FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL IS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN A TODDLER’S LIFE, BUT GETTING PREPARED FOR THE BIG DAY CAN ALSO BE A STRESSFUL ORDEAL FOR PARENT AND CHILD ALIKE.
E
motions can run wild, ranging from happiness and anticipation to fear and anxiety. Below are a few tried and true strategies for making your child’s first day as smooth and worry-free as possible! Have a Talk: Before the first day of preschool arrives, it is crucial to sit down with your child and have a talk about what to expect. Understand that going to school for the first time can seem frightening and confusing, so be ready to comfort your toddler and answer any questions or concerns they might have. Take the time to truly listen to your child, instead of simply telling them that everything is fine. Go Shopping for Supplies Together: It is best to take care of school supply shopping early in order to avoid any last-minute obstacles or sold-out essentials. Pick up a list and take your toddler with you: children will love being able to pick out their favourite colors and styles of everything they will need. Letting your toddler tag along will also help them feel more independent and more in charge of the situation, which can help alleviate any fears they might have. Do Your Research: Take the time to learn about your child's new school. If possible, visit before school starts and meet the teachers, ask questions, and get a feel for the curriculum. If your child has any special medical needs, be sure to contact the nurse's office ahead of time to ensure that everything goes smoothly. You may even want to bring your toddler with you to get acquainted beforehand. Create a Routine: Your child may be used to staying up at night and waking up later, but as the first day of preschool draws near, it is important to get them on a more suitable schedule. Setting a schedule in the few weeks leading up to school will help your child feel less grumpy about waking up early and ensure that they get enough rest. Wake up Early: For the first week or so of school, make a habit of waking up a little earlier in order to prevent a hectic rush. Make your toddler a hearty breakfast, help them get ready, and give them a warm, loving send-off to banish any last-minute jitters. Some parents find it useful to make a good-bye ritual of some kind, such as a song or dance to help comfort their child. Stay Positive: Though it may be easier said than done, make an effort to stay upbeat. Watching your toddler leave for the first day of school can be nerve-wracking and upsetting, but it's important not to let your child see that. Children are remarkably adept at picking up on emotional cues, so negative feelings and body language can make them feel bad, too. Resist the urge to pick them up early or rush back to the school if your child is having a bit of trouble adapting, and trust the preschool's professional staff to do their jobs. The first day of preschool is one of the biggest events in a toddler's life. Preparing for class and saying goodbyes can be difficult for both parents and children, but the tips and techniques above offer sure-fire ways of making the entire process more exciting and less stressful. manning-great lakes !"#$%.
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E A R LY
E D U C AT I O N
F E AT U R E
EARLY EDUCATION
Manning Valley OOSH Taree west public school
Dolphins childcare “Music is the universal language of mankind” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Music is fun. We all have our favourite music that we like to listen to and when we do, it lifts our spirits. The benefits of music education in early childhood education are numerous and varied. Not only will music benefit language and cognitive skills, but we will see increased self-esteem, better attentiveness and perseverance, and more enjoyment and creativity. Personal growth - through the development of: • language • listening • co-ordination • concentration • self-confidence • memory Multi-sensory stimulation causes the brain to grow connections across sections. More connections means faster thinking. Interpersonal Growth: • Social skills • Respecting others • Sharing. Musicality: • Listening • Moving • Singing •
Playing Learning: Movement, pitch and rhythm can be used to reinforce learning of other important information. FUN: If a child is happy, the brain is open to learning. At Dolphins Child Care Centre, music and movement is an integral part of our daily routine. Apart from our music/movement sessions that include a variety of experiences such as playing percussion instruments, action songs and dances, and dancing with scarves or dancing ribbons, transition times involve traditional nursery rhymes, counting rhymes and a variety of health and safety songs. Jo Mathers, Dolphins Director, who holds a Degree in Early Childhood Education and also a Degree in Music Education, explains that all children can build on confidence and self-esteem through music, as they feel success through participation, without barriers such as language, age or abilities.
So what exactly is an OOSH?
after my child.
It stands for Out Of School Hours Care
Is it just for Taree West Public Students?
So, it’s like childcare?
No. We offer a free bus service before and
Yes and no. We come under the same
after school to all Wingham, Taree and
regulatory body and need to meet the same
Cundletown schools.
quality standards as a childcare centre, but
50% off before school care for TWPS
there are some differences. Our programs are
students? Yes, in 2015 for any students
more child interest based and our prices are
enrolled at Taree West Public School we will
much more affordable. OOSH is for primary school aged children.
cover half of the morning fees. That means busy mums and dads can drop the kids to us
How does Manning Valley OOSH compare to other services in Taree? According to www.mychild.gov.au we are
for breakfast and have time to get a coffee on the way to work!
the only dedicated OOSH service that is
Can children attend on a casual basis?
meeting national standards in all seven
Yes. There is no extra cost for casual
quality areas. That includes Child Health and
bookings. If parents work on a roster or as a
Safety and for me as a parent, that would be
casual, we can accommodate their needs at
a very big factor in deciding who is looking
no extra charge and at the last minute!
oosh
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manning-great lakes focus.
E A R LY
E D U C AT I O N
F E AT U R E
EARLY EDUCATION
JoMATHERS DOLPHINS CHILDCARE
WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IS CHALLENGING, BUT REWARDING, HECTIC, STIMULATING AND NO DOUBT AT TIMES ALTERNATELY HUMOROUS AND EXHAUSTING! HERE WE PAY TRIBUTE TO JO MATHERS, WHO’S JUST CLOCKED UP 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY. JO IS NOT ONLY THE CO-OWNER/DIRECTOR OF DOLPHINS CHILDCARE CENTRE IN TUNCURRY … SHE’S ALSO A BUSY MOTHER OF THREE HERSELF. CONGRATULATIONS, JO!
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ell us a bit about yourself and your family ... how long have you lived in the Great Lakes area? I was fortunate enough to grow up in this beautiful area. Weekends were filled with skiing and surfing with my family and friends. My mum, Ruth, taught with the Education Department for some 35 years and then a further eight years at Dolphins. I moved to Newcastle to attend uni. After completing my Bachelor of Music Education, my husband and I moved back to the area. I have three children. My eldest, Courtney, also an Early Childhood Educator completed her Diploma in Children’s Services earlier this year and worked at Dolphins until just recently. She is now nannying for a young family in Sydney. At one stage there were three generations of my family working as educators at Dolphins uncanny isn’t it! It’s in the genes! My boys, Kale, who is an apprentice Fitter Machinist, and Josh, who is still at school, still live at home with my husband, Tod, and myself. Why did you decide to work in child care initially - and where did you complete your studies? I actually started working with the Education Department in Kindergarten in 1990. Working with the Department for nearly 10 years in mainly Kinder to Year 2 enabled me to work with some amazing teachers, who were both fantastic mentors and super role models. This was very encouraging and formed part of the teacher I am today. When my parents decided to open a childcare centre, I jumped on board. Working with the
younger children had already become a passion, and I could utilise my music in day to day activities. This is when I did an additional Degree into Early Childhood Education, through Queensland University of Technology, giving me a greater insight into what makes kids tick. When did you first commence work at Dolphins Childcare? What’s your role at the centre? I started at Dolphins in July 1999. My role began as an Early Childhood Teacher, and office administrator. As an Early Childhood Teacher you are responsible for the whole curriculum of the day, including programming, routines, mentoring and training staff. We have had many trainees throughout my time at Dolphins. I enjoy passing on my “trade” to the young ones just finding their way, and hope that they love the career as much as I do. When my husband and I bought the business nearly eight years ago, my role took on small business owner as well - a whole new range of roles and responsibilities. My husband, Tod, and I share the managing of the business and the day to day routines of the centre. Tod is the maintenance man, cleaning the backyard each morning and setting up the backyard before the children arrive. Achieving 25 years of service in the childcare industry is a phenomenal achievement – congratulations! How do you keep motivated and inspired when you go to work each day? Well, it certainly doesn’t feel like it, but when you enjoy what you do, work is so much easier. I just love working with this age group of
children and their families for the best outcome for their child. Challenging at times - but all worth it. I have great staff, which really helps. As they learn new methods of teaching and ideas through their studies, they are always bringing new ideas to share with the children and other staff. Tell us about the services that Dolphins Childcare offers ... how do they differ from other childcare centres? With my musical background and enjoyment of music, I like to share my enjoyment and knowledge of music with the children. Needless to say, we do music daily, sometimes twice daily. Music education in Early Childhood Education promotes development of all developmental areas, but mostly confidence and self-esteem, as everyone can feel success at different levels when participating. Our music activities include playing the percussion instruments, music/movement, with scarves, rainbow ribbons, and much more. The children listen to and move to a wide variety of music, from classical and nursery rhymes to Rock ‘n’ Roll and modern day pop music. A new musical activity we have started is Zumba for Kids with Natalie. It started as a trial to see if the children would enjoy this type of activity. They love it … so Zumba will stay. We of course sill offer our comprehensive preschool program, covering all facets of “Getting Ready School”, from talking and listening to building confidence, self-esteem and resilience - so important for a successful transition to school. Other activities such as fine motor, gross
motor and social skills are also a focus in getting ready for school. Documentation of learning and communication with families are just as important as they have ever been but have seen great changes in recent times, and staff training and in-servicing has kept us up to date with these. What age groups does the centre cater for, and what are the opening days/hours? We have a babies room for 0 - 2 years old and then our preschool room caters for 2 - 5 year olds. We also offer a limited number of spaces for Before and After School Care, dropping off and picking up from Tuncurry Public School. We are open from 8am to 6pm. What do you feel is the most rewarding thing about your role at Dolphins Childcare? Smiling, happy children, who are keen enthusiastic learners. The fun we have whilst supporting them in their development and learning of new skills. Are you currently taking enrolments for 2015 and if so, where can people find out more info? Yes, enrolments are now open to the public for 2015. We have limited spaces in both the babies room and the preschool room. New families are most welcome to contact me on 6555 3266, or drop in anytime for a look through the centre. Thanks Jo. manning-great lakes focus.
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focusinterview. with Linda Bryant from Photography by Linda
WADE DEATH JACK & CO. Today I interviewed Wade Death, the owner of Jack & Co. He had just driven back to Taree after interviewing staff for their new store in Sydney, due to open in late October.
Business
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ith his wife, Gemma, and their two week old baby, it’s a very busy time for this family. Two years ago the first “Jack Rabbit” store opened in Commerce Street and now with the new name “Jack & Co”, they haven’t looked back. I have a feeling that this store is one we’ll see more of in the coming years … What was your background before opening your first store two years ago? I grew up in the Manning Valley and had worked for Caltex in a corporate role, as well as having a strong background in marketing. I saw a need in the market where both service stations and convenience stores were lacking in what they offered customers, and independents in this industry are now a dying breed, so innovation is necessary. So Jack & Co was born, and we’ve raised the bar. What is your outlook with employing staff? First of all, hiring the right people is important. You need to be careful in getting the right people into your business and if they don’t fit … they don’t fit. We used to have people turning up for interviews in ugg boots, despite our very obvious focus on store presentation! Now we make it clear what we expect of staff and the service levels we expect them to offer at all times. We have great staff who have lots of fun and are full of personality. I believe in looking after your staff, because they are the ones looking after the customers. We invest a lot in our staff too, sending them to courses and undertaking apprenticeships. 52
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use is from Ironwood Taree. We extensively use local trades, and all of our web and marketing is done from here too. There is no excuse not to have a great looking, vibrant business. It’s time for local business to take things up a notch. At the end of each day, staff are coached and I also think that a lot of small business encouraged to recognise what works well and owners find it hard to let go. Giving staff find ways to do things better. I can’t be there authority to make decisions and take every day, so it’s important that staff can work responsibility for themselves is what allows things out for themselves and come up with businesses to grow. their own solutions. I would love for every staff Have you had to make a lot of changes as member to feel ownership over the business. you’ve gone along? Why did you choose to open the I’d like to think we had first stores in Taree? it 80% right when we After the concept was opened the first store formed, I wanted t After the concep ted which is how it should to open the first an was formed , I w t be. You can’t have store out of the the first store ou en op to it perfect, and we metropolitan area. area . the metropolitan ree of adapt all the time, Having grown up in Ta Having grown up my d and will continue in Taree made an l, ea id made it , my 92 t A . re to adapt. We are it ideal, and my he is family his coffee ts ge r he at always looking df family is here. At an gr lf and tells on his way to go of the at more ways to 92, my grandfather ks me what he thin make things better. gets his coffee on ” store! You can’t try to have his way to golf and everything right before tells me what he thinks you start something, but I of the store! think if you can have 8/10 right Plus, I think regional towns and continue to adapt, that’s great. are great testing grounds for new We’ve had to educate suppliers about concepts and are so supportive. coming to Taree. They’d often say it was too Having business both here and far out of the way, but were delivering to Port elsewhere, what advice would you Macquarie. It’s been a process of letting others give to other businesses in the area? know what is available here. There is so much the Manning Valley has By the time this issue goes to print, your to offer, and I want to see Taree excited by third store, in Sydney, is due to open. what is available here. There are some “best Yes, we have a new store, co-branded with in class” businesses here, who primarily do BP, opening in Pymble. We have 25 staff being business out of town. RSF (Rob Shop Fittings) did our fit out, and they have done such trained and we’re ready to open very soon. It a great job. I can’t believe that more local will be passed by 60,000 cars every day… so businesses don’t invest in themselves. Barrier it’s getting serious now! signs made our signs, and all of the timber we What do you think is the main source of
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success for your businesses? Definitely point of difference. If you just have the same thing as everyone else, you’ll never be noticed. You’ve got to stand out and do something no one else is doing. When we put in the wash basin into the Commerce Street store, it was the first wash basin in any service station anywhere. If you know your business and you know your market, then take educated risks; it’s the common thread among every market leading business. Marketing is definitely a strong point for you ... With a background in marketing, it’s important for us to get the message out there. That said, we do buck the trend of some traditional marketing thought. Our industry is full of the big guys and they have me covered in so many areas; marketing is one of the areas that we can be unique and engage well with our customers. You’ve been featured in many articles and spoken for the Monash University… I spoke at an event at Monash University just before we opened the first store and told them about the concept and why it would work. We also recently won Independent Retailer, Store of the Year at the Convenience Store Awards, which was a great honour. After the next Sydney store, what else is planned for Jack & Co? We have a few stores opening in Sydney early in 2015. With each store we will jack it up a notch. It’s important that we can keep every store unique and continue to improve and raise the bar. I’m reluctant to commit to more than that at this stage. You’re only as good as your stores’ performance on that day. If the new stores do well, then we’ll do more. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Wade; we look forward to watching the Jack & Co progress!
focusTourism. Sharon Bultitude - Great Lakes Tourism
Vigilantly protecting our Water Supplies
Tourism
In the Manning and Great Lakes we enjoy one of the best drinking water supplies in the country – and MidCoast Water is constantly working to ensure the water they deliver to their customers is safe and reliable.
Sharon Bultitude I F F E E L S L I K E S U M M E R I S A L R E A DY H E R E . T H E DAYS A R E L ONG E R A N D WA R M E R, T H E WAT E R I S A B E AU T I F U L E M E R A L D G R E E N, A N D T H E OU T D O OR S B E C KONS.
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efore long, the region will be buzzing to the sound of holidaymakers recharging their batteries, reconnecting, resting, relaxing and having fun. A memorable holiday involves all part of the stay – accommodation, food, activities and of course, customer service. Tourism and customer service are inseparable and with the Great Lakes relying so heavily on tourism, it is little surprise that exceptional customer service is paramount. This is what can set us apart. Get it right and we win loyal customers – get it wrong, and we lose customers, their friends and family. So it might sound obvious, but there are very real business benefits to providing great customer service. • 70% of buying experiences are influenced by how the customer feels they’ve been treated. • Last year, 62% of consumers switched service providers due to poor customer service experiences. • It costs six to seven times more trying to get a new customer than you spend to keep an existing customer. • The value of a loyal customer is about 10 times the cost of their original purchase. Research clearly shows that companies in the top five for customer service have higher sales growth year to year. This includes more referrals and customers who are more loyal to the brand and less price-sensitive. This inevitably begs the question – what is good customer service and how to achieve it? Here are some tips from re-nowned customer service expert John DiJulius. • Make a great first impression – people aren’t actual customers until they’ve tried you out. That’s why their first impression of a business is so important. It can take three or four experiences before they become a customer. You have to give them the
opportunity to give you a second chance. • The five non-negotiable “E’s” – Eye contact, Enthusiastic greeting, Ear to ear smile, Engage them and Educate them. • Know your customers – do you know who your customers are? If a regular customer came in to your business, would you recognise them? Get to know your raving fans – say thanks. • Create a “culture” of service – it’s not the staff’s responsibility to create a high level of service aptitude within the business. It’s the owners’, management’s and leaders’ responsibility. High service aptitude starts at the top. • Hire great people – the quality of customer service cannot exceed the quality of the people who provide it. • “The answer is yes, now what’s the question?” – None of us are perfect and we all drop the ball once in a while, but as businesses we need to be able to pick it up and make it right. You have to make sure that no unhappy customer is left behind. You want people to know it’s not in your culture to say “No”. • Don’t avoid complaints – if you’re not getting complaints, then something is wrong. You’re not making it easy enough for customers to complain. When customers don’t have an opportunity to complain to you, they go and tell everyone else. And we all know that a bad experience can be posted online in an instant, with the whole world capable of viewing the comments. In the coming weeks we will all be at both sides of customer service. So go easy on staff who are working hard and make sure your customers leave happy, so they can rave about you to their friends and come back for another visit. Have a great summer.
MidCoast Water’s role in the community is to deliver safe drinking water and safely return treated water to our environment. Water has to meet stringent drinking water quality guidelines and they work closely with the NSW Department of Health on a testing regime to ensure the quality. While MidCoast Water takes an active interest in the health of the catchment and has a number of programs in place to protect and enhance the environment, they do not act as a consent authority for other activities that take place. They are actively and closely monitoring the Gloucester gas project with a focus on making sure controls are put in place to mitigate any impact on water quality in the Manning – which
supplies water for over 36,000 customers between Crowdy Head and Tarbuck Bay. MidCoast Water participates in the project’s community consultative committee and are, amongst other activities, working with Gloucester Shire Council on their water study. They also meet with community action groups to discuss the issues and share information. The drinking water provided to the Manning and Great Lakes community makes its way through an advanced water treatment plant, which is designed to remove pollutants from the source water if necessary, before making its way to households. Do you want to know more about your water? Have a look at www.midcoastwater.com.au and check out the information on water supplies – latest testing results are here, as are details about the water treatment process. To keep up-to-date with our news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Help us out this summer Don’t spray in the middle of the day – limit your outdoor water use to before 9am and after 4pm. For more details of MidCoast Water’s summer water saving program go to www.midcoastwater.com.au or call 1300 133 455
To keep up-to-date with our news, follow us on facebook or twitter manning-great lakes focus.
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focustechnology. with Cameron Illingworth from Harvey Norman. focusrealestate. with Amanda Tate - L.J Hooker
focus business. with Gary Gersbach from Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber focus business. with Gary Gersbach from Great Lakes Business Chamber
TECH
M RKET
The end of the line ...
REVIEW
A Helping Hand for First Home Buyers
Locals will be happy to know that
first purchase we have established Taree First
we are still riding the wave in a good
Home Buyer Community on Facebook. We
property market, with properties
encourage anyone interested in buying their
through the Manning-Great lakes area
first property or even planning to buy their
attracting strong interest from both local
first property in the future to go to search
buyers and out of town investors. New
for us on Facebook and like our page. Once
properties to the market in the lower end
they like the page, they have exclusive access
are hardly getting to advertising print, with
to information on buying their first home,
good agents sourcing buyers through their
including goal setting strategies, budget and
extensive database. There has never been a
financial planning, how to qualify for a home
more important time for buyers to develop
loan and costs associated with purchasing
a good relationship with their agent, with
property. Taree First Home Buyer Community
clear guidelines on what they are looking for
is a comprehensive hub and offers a chance
Welcome to February! Don’t you love it: another year, and we’re into front of mind, so that the agent will consider to build a relationship with our sales team, month two already. Unfortunately, this will be my last edition of Tech alerting them when they list a new property so when the time is right they will be there Talk,matching as I amtheir moving up to beautiful Ballina in a few weeks for new criteria. to assist you every step of the way. You will opportunities. Thanks for reading if you have been; it’s been a joy to do, also receive exclusive invitations to Buyer So where does this leave first home buyers, and I’ll miss all in the FOCUS group and the readership. Most of all, I’m Information Evenings that have already proven new to the market with no experience? At going to miss Forster – what a place to live! OK: on with the show ... popular with our L J Hooker tenants keen to L J Hooker Taree we realise the difficulties
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purchase their first home in the future. first home buyers face, so to assist with their plus the fact that it is waterproof, make this here’s plenty of buzz about
in the Tech world with CES finishing up last month in Vegas. So what’s news from the Megalopolis? Well ...
a real contender in the phone market. We’ll just have to see what sort of splash it makes on release.
Taree First Home Buyer Community
Lenovo Dual Screen TabBook. Lenovo has announced the IdeaPad Yoga 11S with Ivy Bridge processor running Windows 8, and it’s set to arrive in June this year in the US. There’s no release date for Australia yet.
Sony 4K or ‘UHD’ Flat panel TV 4K TV is UHD TV (Ultra High Definition). 4K UHD Video has twice the horizontal and vertical resolution of the 1080p HDTV (High Definition) The IdeaPad format, with four times The IdeaPad has an has an internal , en as many pixels overall. re internal and external and external sc et bl ta a This means amazing, screen, so it is both a th bo is it so in life-like images and tablet and a notebook and a notebook one.” in one. This gives the detail like you’ve never happiness of a full-ish seen before. Sony has size keyboard with the showcased at CES the 56hip-ness (and portability INCH UHD OLED Panel, but too, of course) of a tablet PC. unfortunately it has no confirmed release date as yet. Something which Microsoft Surface Pro will be in production is Samsung's 85-inch I place a smiley at the end of the title for all UHDTV and LG's soon-to-ship 55-inch OLED. the business and tech geeks who want a OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TV’s tablet with full Windows 8 ™ functionality give wider viewing angles and improved and installation capabilities. I’ve wanted one brightness, better power efficiency and of these from the moment the RT version a better response time in refresh rate, to was released, so it can’t come too soon eliminate flicker further. for my liking. See it here at http://www.
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www.facebook.com/tareefirsthomebuyers microsoft.com/Surface/en-au/surface-with-
Sony’s New Smartphone Not to sound like a major Sony fan boy here, but here’s a smartphone with great speed and good looks to match. The Sony Xperia Z has a 5-inch 1080p (HD) display and the new Exmor RS sensor for HDR video capture, lakes focus. 54 manning-great 54 manning-great lakes focus.
windows-8-pro/home There is no official release date for Aus. yet, but I have it from close sources in the game it isn’t far away. Happy February to you, my tech-loving friends. Be well. CI.
garygersbach garygersbach
Business Friendly Councils
The year 2013 has commenced with a bang, which, apart from the New Year’s Eve fifor reworks display,has has resulted in increased numbers he Minister Local Government and could result in major businesses being of tourists, friends, visitors and locals taking advantage of the many recently announced a new initiative, approached for assistance. attributes of our region. called the Small Business Friendly Appointment of Business and Tourism
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Councils (SBFC) Program, which ocal businesses currently aims to increase the numberare of NSW Councils working at their peak capacity working proactively with the small business to cater for all, to ensure these sector.
Development Manager. and For the various local Regional reasons,Council the GLC have been to fillofthis andmembership as such it 4.unable Expansion theposition Chamber could well be under review as to the makeup, A number of breakfast sites have been This initiative was the experiences result of constant participants’ are management level in the hierarchy, and duties considered, and the February breakfast will lobbying bysuch the NSW Business and involved. The Chamber considers it has a role that they will Chamber not only have be an equine event at Tuncurry Race Course, consiststhemselves, of encouraging Councils with the Council in re-establishing the position enjoyed but Local will return – ortoatenter incorporating a tour of the facilities. All with the business communities to ease and and this may well be one of the initiatives of the least act as ambassadors for the promotion members are welcome for any input into improve the development of local businesses. SBFC Program. of the area. theseGreat venues. Apparently, over 40 Councils have already Lakes Council support for the The Business Chamber’s executive and The Chamber hasNorthern sought signifi cant committed to participate in the SBFC Program. development of the Transport members, having been heavily involved at An example of this has been established access to(NTG) the Council Gateway in Taree.and has been the coalface, have had little time to review in the Tweed Shire, where the Council The proposed NTG two in Taree, successful in having confifollowing rmed their actions and results. The time for has reduced or waived Section 94 failure of various bodies meetingsthe with active interested parties introspection planning will come contributionsand for small businesses in to establish funding for to date. atthe theMain end Street of thisofhectic time. Tweed Heads this project, is being The sister Chambers of to encourage the reduction resurrected as a However, the relatively The smaller the e Manning District and th en th , of empty shops. It is not ss main pillar of new committee, with busineFT is age Port Macquarie have The e adBC vant development in ng angenerally excellentknown mix ofthat si greater is th ni ga enrstly active participation currbe hip.or of its mem Section 94 new contributions Taree. This project e experience, blood rg la ingssaes do sine with both local analdlfu bund Sm ne are not compulsory, has the potential yo er ev r and enthusiasm, has rmigalnlyfohave cat m nopa no Council and e at l ci ca but are able to be so of developing lo as nd or his beor already made some cht is ange Frto r ve re the Regional e th he hedrew negotiated. a large number nenisseseswan msipa bu co firm resolutions and e, lly. ” dg ca le lo Development ow op kn sh l , le ra Such initiative as of services ib ne ss gepo planned actions to assist vice are Australia Area with expertise and ad ing.” this would be most associated its members. The Chamber readily forthcom Boards,the and thistrucking encouraging from Councils. large will continue with the Chamber will actively The FTBC has approached industry. These will popular business breakfasts, seek assistance these the GLC on at least one initiative not all befrom in Taree and and in so doing will endeavour and will be requesting their overall provide the Chamberswill to embark on opportunity a similar to introduce a better awareness of other approach to this Stata Government Policy Forster be a format. To this for effect, the Tuncurry ManningtoValley services it can provide to assist the members. Recent meetings between the GLC and dormitory suburb fortothese Chamber has agreed our opportunities. attendance atFor Allthe members aware although and the are Chamberare have beenthat encouraging thisnext reason alone, the GLC should be giving its their meeting. business hasrelationships common goals, it helping community to develop the so essential support for its establishment, and the FTBC is Most members tend to view the Chamber as to good business and proactiveofadministration. encouraging the Council accordingly. also operates under a number diverse a knife and fork opportunity where valuable Somewhich of themakes subjects have Be Vocal Shop Local. areas, it raised difficult for been the the business contacts are made within a social following: The FTBC is currently organising and funding Chamber to appear to be working for all occasion without heavy, formal agendas, and Possibility of Closed TV coverage for a large campaign for everyone to get behind areas. The main areas ofCircuit Stocklands, Forster this indeed is an extremely important part of the main and streets. local businesses and wherever possible shop Waterside Tuncurry Village are typical the Chamber. thelocals Chamber is and The presence of this service would be locally. It doesHowever, not expect to support of this, and even without the consideration can be much more than this, and it is our a benefi t to and support for the businesses just because these are local, but ofconsidered the various industrial areas, it sometimes to demonstrate thisoftogiving new the members. local community. The source of funding for such resolve because they are capable service appears that we are not always pulling in the The smaller the business, then the greater devices would perhaps be the main impediment and product you require. same direction. is theAlladvantage of its membership. Small to the introduction of these. locals, including the local businesses Accordingly, the Chamber has made the businesses doare notencouraged normally have Franchisors Establishment of Wi-Fi hot spots in at least themselves, to examine their following majorofresolutions: orrequirements associate companies where thethe general the main streets Forster Tuncurry. and actively pursue possibility Discussions have taken place, of using local services. If you consider you have expertise and advice are readily 1. Business breakfasts to be heldwith overthe theaim of knowledge, this being and would result in free forthcoming. a valid reason notservices to shopoflocally, then let the The the Chamber whole area implemented where possible Wi-Fi for all present in the open areas. Again, appropriate people know,cases. so something can be can be invaluable in these 2. Chamber to actively promote involvement actual sites and funding discussions are ongoing done about it. All the pieces are in place, and we are with the local Council looking forward to a great year. 3. Seek participation with sister Chambers
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