Issuu

Feature Story Victoria Lee

November 2016 // issue 117

NNE I C M

S FA M I L Y

GENERAL STORE

SANTA ON THE BEACH FORSTER

WIN . . .

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ADDRESS: Suite 2 / 42 Wharf St, Forster 2428 PHONE: (02) 6555 3381 FAX: (02) 6555 7338 EMAIL: jo@focusmag.com.au WEB: www.focusmag.com.au TV: www.focustv.com.au

contacts. EDITION COORDINATOR / ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au

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ART DIRECTOR: Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable joey@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jeff Cowan jeff@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kyle Rathbone kyle@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Michael Marchment michael@focusmag.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHER East Coast Photography

ph: 0411 846 084

http://www.eastcoastphotography.com.au/

COPY EDITING: Rite ‘n’ Rong Media Services rnrmedia@bigpond.com Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Manning-Great Lakes Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 8600 5. Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2016 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Welcome to the November issue of Manning-Great Lakes FOCUS.

ovember … probably one of the most exciting months of the year for horse racing enthusiasts, with the Melbourne Cup set to bring about celebrations and festivities all over the nation. There are plenty of fabulous spots locally to get out and enjoy the day - it’s a chance to don your “glad rags”, indulge in some fine food and wine, and maybe even have a little flutter on the ponies. Whatever November brings your way, there is, as usual, no shortage of things to see and do locally. ON THE COVER Meet the lovely McInnes family - Carla, Peter, Bec and Connor. This enterprising foursome

have taken over the Hannam Vale General Store - a unique little business that dates back to 1914 and provides a hub for the community in “the Vale”. Massive thank yous must be extended to the family and to photographer Michael Marchment, who braved a very wet and windy Saturday to organise the photos for our cover and the story inside this issue. IN THIS ISSUE This month we interviewed nine year old Madison Yarroll - who races speed boats. Not your usual pastime for someone Maddy’s age, but she’s very, very good at it! We also spoke to the new Taree Showgirl for 2016, Victoria Lee, and Lifeline Mid Coast’s

Retail Coordinator, Jemma McDonald. Last edition we introduced a new page in FOCUS - our “Locals” page. Here we get to meet one of FOCUS’ contributors each month, and also a local identity or business person. We’re keen to showcase local talent on this page, so if you live in the area and you’ve written a book, released an album, or taken a fantastic local photo, drop Jo a line: jo@focusmag.com.au FINAL SAY “Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation. The Cup astonishes me.” - Mark Twain, on attending the 1895 running of the Melbourne Cup.

The striking sight of an icon. The SL-Class. The euphoria of classic roadster performance lives on in the new generation SL. At Taree Motorama, more than 60 years of timeless design and innovation seamlessly meld together in the latest iteration of an enduring classic. Prepare to lose yourself in the panoramic view through the optional Vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL and feast your eyes on its unique silhouette and sophisticated interior. The new generation SL is a car so captivating it’ll become the style icon of a new age.

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focusinterview.

Victoria Lee VICTORIA LEE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE, LOVES TAREE, AND IS A KEEN SUPPORTER AND ADVOCATE OF THE TAREE SHOW. CURRENTLY STUDYING A BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS, VICTORIA HOPES TO ONE DAY OWN HER OWN PROPERTY, BREED STUD CATTLE AND TRAIN EVENTING HORSES AND POLO PONIES. IN THE MEANTIME, VICTORIA IS EVEN BUSIER, WITH HER NEW TITLE OF TAREE SHOWGIRL 2016 KEEPING HER ON HER TOES …

i Victoria. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family ... where did you grow up, and how many siblings do you have? Hi all. I grew up in Taree, with family scattered across the Mid North Coast. I have two younger brothers, aged 13 and 15, both full of energy. Mum is an early childhood educator, and has always been my biggest supporter. My dad is a metal fabricator and has taught me many a life skill across time. I am currently working at Broombie Stud while studying a Bachelor Degree of Agriculture and Business at UNE to help in the achievement of my future endeavours. What’s your earliest connection with farming/agriculture? My earliest connection to agriculture and farming would be before I could walk. My great uncle has a farm in Comboyne that we would visit. I have many photos sitting on calves and giant pumpkins that his wife would take for us. What’s your history with horses ... and what particular types of equestrian events do you most enjoy? Horses … gosh, my grandmother was a showjumper in her youth, and I guess you could say I inherited the passion. I was 11 when I was given my first horse of my own, a Quarter Pony called Bella. Let’s just say she taught me to stick on and use my legs. Anything high speed is my thing, so jumping and sporting are definitely favourites of mine. When you attended school, what did you

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always dream you’d do/be when you graduated? I always wanted to have my own rural property and breed stud cattle while training a team of eventing horses and polo ponies. At this stage that is still my goal, and the degree that I’m currently studying will aid me achieving in that goal. What are some of your other hobbies/interests outside of agriculture, and why do you enjoy them? Well, I believe agriculture is the basis for every activity we have today, especially everything I do. My sewing and reading are all by products of the agricultural industry. My riding is so I can produce horses to work on and compete on. So all in all, no matter what you do, sport or hobbies of any kind, what you use to do them or how it came to be about is all from the backbone of agriculture. What led you to enter the 2016 Taree Showgirl competition? I have always been involved with shows, and so have most of my family. Other people in my life had mentioned it to me for some time, and as my Aunt Katrina Roohan was a former Nabiac Showgirl, I felt that I would make the kind of showgirl our community needed - that with the title I would be able to make a difference. What did you learn from this competition process? The process of applying and sitting for an interview would definitely have had the most impact for me. Knowing the line of confidence and walking it without wavering is hard for even

the most experienced of public speakers. I am sure we were all glad that there were The show is a only three judges t community even to talk to, not a e that, if successful I will be us s or tit that us compe crowd of hunl ca lo t attending Sydney Royal ou ith W and need . dreds! l ca lo no is for the state competie er th shows, Now you’ve le who op pe r fo tion held throughout ng ni trai been crowned e Royal th r fo g in m the Easter Show. ai e ar end the 2016 I hopefully will also Shows. People sp worth ars’ Taree Showmonths’ and ye provide assistance to the g their girl - where do of effort perfectin .” show committee with next on you hope this chosen professi year’s showgirl entrants, achievement will while adding a personal touch take you in future? to help highlight Taree Show I have no idea, actually. once again. I would love the opportunity to Final say… compete for state at Sydney Royal, but The show is a community event that us every girl that will have made it to zone competitors use and need. Without local shows, I am sure are all worthy of the title. there is no local training for people who are But even having achieved the crown of Taree aiming for the Royal Shows. People spend Showgirl, I hope I will be able to influence months’ and years’ worth of effort perfecting the show in the new age of social media, to their chosen profession. encourage more support for the growing event So to the local members of our community, and educate the public about the many sections I ask you to keep attending, bring your friends of Taree Show - along with the foundation of and family from the wider area, tell everyone the Showgirl competition that it is for all young about this amazing event that gives meaning women of the area, not just those from a rural to everyone involved and join in the festivities, background. because without you what we do fades away. What are your upcoming official engageI hope I will do you all proud as you 2016 ments/comps as Showgirl? Taree Showgirl. I have chosen to attend the Dubbo Showgirl Thanks Victoria. Development weekend in November. Then I Pics courtesy of Manning River Times. will have the Zone finals in February. Following

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KEITH DAVIES. This month our FOCUS photgrapher is Keith Davies, a 77 year old gentleman who received his first camera at 12, won his first junior competition at 13 and senior competition at 17 ...

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DYANNA BROWN. A Culinary Journey - My Life Through Food is a book written by local Dyana Brown, which contains recipes and information about her life-long love for fine food and cooking. Dyana has made many changes to her diet over the years as health needs have required, and her culinary journey is explored in beautiful detail in this work ...

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One of Australia’s favourite songbirds, Kasey Chambers, is back on the road, with a new story to tell …

R EGU L A R S 15. 26. 36. 44.

KASEY CHAMBERS.

WHAT’S ON FOR NOVEMBER BUSINESS MINDS JEREMY THORNTON STAR GUIDE WITH TERRI HALL TOURISM INSIGHT SHARON BULTITUDE

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As Retail Coordinator for Lifeline Mid Coast, Jemma McDonald has an exciting role with Lifeline’s retail operations locally overseeing Lifeline stores, and assisting store managers with training and merchandising. Jemma’s excited about Lifeline’s new store in Taree, which has a vintage/industrial feel … and may just be a place for early Christmas shopping that you haven’t considered!

i Jemma. Please describe your role with Lifeline, and what's involved ... My role as Retail Coordinator for Lifeline Mid Coast is to oversee our six shops, located in Kempsey, Wauchope, Taree, Forster and the two Port Macquarie stores located on Gordon St and Central Rd. I help by assisting the store managers with training and merchandising. I also assist Helen, our shop manager from Gordon St Port Macquarie, in sourcing and purchasing new goods to sell in our stores. One of our main objectives is to bring the charity shopping experience forward with the times and to have shops in which our volunteers can be proud of and our customers can enjoy. Lifeline has had some exciting changes in the Manning area. Tell us a bit about the new industrial/vintage store in Taree, and where it's located? I had a great time establishing the new Taree store. I worked closely with interior designer Lisa Christie from Individual Visual, who worked with us on the Forster Lifeline Store. We advised Lisa of our conceptual creative for the Taree Shop, and she helped us put together a plan for the new store. I personally love the vintage industrial look we were able to achieve in the new store. The theme fits in well with the Lifeline Shop ethos, as some of the fixtures and fittings have been purchased from second hand businesses in our local area and refurbished and given a new life. The store has an impressive counter area. The counter top is made from antique church pew seats and complemented by old fence palings. 6

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We used recycled wooden doors for the fitting rooms and a large unique pendant light fitting made from retro lamp shades. It was great to be able to be so creative and hands on in the new store. We are trying to change the way people view “op shops”, and the Lifeline Shop is certainly one volunteers and the people of Taree can be proud of. The new store is located at Shop 11 Taree Plaza, 40 - 50 Albert Street, Taree, right next door to Bass ‘n’ Blues. What types of items does the store stock? Lifeline Taree stocks a wide variety of items. We sell good quality donated items, including men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, homewares, manchester, furniture and electrical. Our shops offer unique items, antiques and collectables. We also stock a range of new goods in the store. What are the chances, do you feel, of finding a unique, one of a kind Christmas gift in store for that special someone? The great thing about our stores is that we have items that you cannot just find in your general department store. If you have a lover of music, we often have classic records, and vintage books for the book lovers. I am always amazed what is donated to our shops. I am a lover of vintage items. One of the most unique items that I have come across was a collection of post cards that had been written between a lady and a gentleman. They had started out as family friends and wrote to each other throughout their lives, and he had written her some touching letters from the time he spent in the War. These are the items that are so unique, and that’s why I love shopping in op shops. How does this store differ from other

Lifeline stores that operate throughout the Mid North Coast? All our stores are really moving forward with the times. Lifeline Mid Coast no longer has smelly, musty over-crowded op shops. I always ask people, “Why do you shop here?”, and the answer is mostly, “I need the items” and secondly, “It makes me feel good”. In previous times, shopping in an op shop was considered something for people to be embarrassed about. These days we work hard to merchandise our shops and have them look and feel like a department stores, but still with a “treasure hunt” semblance. We want to offer our customers a shopping experience that feels good, so they can feel proud to say, “I bought this from Lifeline”. We have people from all walks of life come through our stores, from every background, from every demographic. There is no distinct customer type anymore. Does the store accept donation of goods from the public ... and if so, what type of goods, and how can they be donated/ collected? Our stores are always happy to accept good quality items. You can bring your donations in to the store, and we also offer a free pick up service. If you are wondering what is classed as good quality items … I always say if it’s something that you would not purchase yourself, please do not donate. Where do funds raised from stores such as these go? While we keep our prices at a reasonable low, Lifeline Mid Coast is not a welfare based charity shop. Our aim is to raise as much money as we can to support the Telephone Crisis Line and local suicide prevention and awareness

services. It costs $5,000 to train a volunteer Telephone Crisis Supporter, and we recruit about 70 per year to take calls Australia wide 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are out and about in the community raising awareness about suicide and provide bereavement groups in Port Macquarie and Taree. We have recently started a “survivors of suicide” attempters group, which we are really proud of being the first in Australia. We receive no government funding and rely on small grants and the retail arm to keep all our local services operating. How is the store staffed ... are volunteers needed (and how do people apply?) Volunteers are the life-force of our business, and we are always looking for people to work in our shops. Each store has a Manager, and the rest of the team is made up by our amazing volunteers. Our volunteers are making important social connectedness. New friendships are formed, as we recruit both young and old people who work together in a fun environment. Our volunteers gain valuable experience and skills in a retail environment, while making a positive contribution to our community. If you are interested in volunteering in any of our Lifeline shops, please see the manager of your local store. Where can readers find out more info/contact the store? Lifeline Taree is opened Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm; Saturday 9am - 12pm. Alternatively, call (02) 6552 6544. Thanks Jemma.

We’re expanding! We’re We’re We’re expanding! expanding! expanding! W …and doubling the size of our village! …and …and …and doubling doubling doubling the size the the size of size our of of village! our our village! village! We’ve listened to your suggestions and These brand new units will be available early

our new 2listened bedroom will be larger, in 2017. We’ve already had many enquiries, We’ve listened We’ve We’ve tolistened your suggestions to your tounits your suggestions and suggestions andand These brand These These newbrand units brand new will new be units available units willwill be early be available available early early more storage separate so please don’t delay inhad contacting us to our new 2 with our bedroom our new new 2 units bedroom 2 bedroom willand be units larger, units willwill belaundries, be larger, larger, in 2017. We’ve in 2017. inalready 2017. We’ve We’ve had already many already enquiries, had many many enquiries, enquiries, by aand new community lounge. register your interest. with morecomplemented with storage with more more and storage separate storage and laundries, separate separate laundries, laundries, so please don’t so please so delay please don’t indon’t contacting delay delay in contacting inuscontacting to us to us to complemented complemented complemented by a new community by by a new a new community lounge. community lounge. register lounge. your register register interest. your your interest. interest.

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focusinterview.

THE MCINNES FAMILY The McInnes family have made Hannam Vale their home - they love the beautiful valley, its unique inhabitants and its charm.

The family have recently purchased the Hannam Vale General Store, which has a history dating back to 1914, and serves as a hub for the close-knit community. But, this gor-

geous little store, located in one of the most picturesque areas in the Manning, is more than just your average business …

ntroduce us to your family ... tell us a bit about yourselves and your children? We are a family of four, with two teenage children - Peter, Carla, Bec and Connor McInnes. We moved to the beautiful Hannam Vale Valley eight years ago and have fallen in love with the area! We love the outdoors and travelling. What brought you to the Manning area to live? After many years of living in remote Northern Territory, it was the cooler climate, stunning coastline and the beautiful forests that drew us to the Hannam Vale area. The drive into Hannam Vale is gorgeous, and with the discovery of our bush block, combined with the opportunity for our children to attend the small primary school - and of course the convenience of the local general store and café - our decision was made easy! What are your normal day/jobs careers? Pete works as an Aircraft Engineer for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Tamworth four days per week, which involves him travelling back and forth. I (Carla) work at the local high school in administration three days per week. What led you to buy the Hannam Vale General Store (which had been closed for a few weeks when you bought it)? This must have been a big decision, considering you both have jobs already? We have always had a desire to run our own café, as we are all passionate about food. We saw the Hannam Vale General Store as a perfect opportunity to indulge our passion and learn hands on about running a small business. We love our community and really wanted to create a warm, welcoming venue for locals to meet

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We saw the Hannam Vale a er G en al Store as ity un rt perfect oppo ssion pa r ou to indulge on s nd ha n and lear small about running a business .”

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and relax. We would also like to promote Hannam Vale General Store as a destination for day trippers in the Manning area, as we believe it’s well worth the trip! It was a huge decision to take over the store, because we realised that it was going to mean working seven days a week. But we are passionate about our little shop and wanted to bring our ideas to life! It was also an opportunity to give our children a chance to learn new skills, ones that they will use throughout their lives. It is hard work, but we are learning every day and loving the challenge! What are some of the services/products the store provides? The store stocks all the basics, such as milk, bread, general groceries, ice-creams, giftware, local honey, gas and ice. We also have a bottle shop that is fully stocked with beer, wine, cider and spirits. We serve breakfast, lunch, cakes and coffee seven days a week, and we open our café every Friday evening for a more formal dining experience. Our café has the added charm of doubling as an art gallery, where our talented local artists display their work for sale. Holy Goat is our coffee of choice, and customers are always happy when they find out this is our coffee supplier. Not only is it perfect coffee, but it is also local! Describe the atmosphere of the store - why do you love it? Entering our store is like stepping back in time! The store was established in 1914, and we have respected the history of the store and its connection with the local community. We didn’t

want to change too much of its character, and we’ve tried to build on its historic charm. Inside, we have many antique items on display, and the interior is decorated with beautiful, local wooden slab benchtops and rustic corrugated iron feature walls. We have cosy nooks with comfy lounges, as well as café seating. We have multiple verandah/deck dining areas, and a beautiful country garden seating area out the back. Our café can cater for private groups and functions, in our air-conditioned dining room. The store has a very warm and friendly vibe, and we are always happy to see new faces! What type of community support have you received since you reopened the store? Since we re-opened the store, we have had amazing support from the local community! Everyone has been very encouraging, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start. Our Friday night dining is booked out most weeks, and we love that our wonderful locals are taking advantage of not having to travel too far for a night out. We have a group of ladies who come every second Wednesday to enjoy a morning of shared craft activities. They could meet at someone’s home, but we love that they choose to come down to the shop, enjoy a coffee and maybe some cake, and make the most of our venue. We get the general feeling that everyone wants us to do well, to keep the local shop open, which is a big asset to the community. I hear you also have special visitors at the store! What are some of the gigs/ entertainment you have coming up?

We love live music, and we are so happy that we have had such a great response to our band nights! These have sold out months in advance, so we have decided to move the next event out into the back garden, so more people can enjoy the experience. We hold these live music nights once a month on a Friday night, with the next band, BdoubleC, playing on the 4th November. This fresh trio play soulful acoustic blues with an up-tempo twist! Tickets are $20, which include a spit roast and salads, or $5 will get you entry to see the band. Pre-purchase of tickets is recommended, as we can only cater for a limited number of people. Future band nights are on: December 2nd - Reckless NRG; December 30th - Connecting Souls; January 27th - Goody 2 Shoes. Open Mic afternoons are proving popular; we are hoping to hold these monthly. All performers and audience members are welcome! It is a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon, enjoying local talent whilst enjoying a beer or wine and one of our massive burgers! Please keep an eye on our website for the next Open Mic date. Our lovely local craft girls meet every second Wednesday at 10am in the shop, with the next one scheduled for 2nd November. If you are new to the area and are looking for an informal way to meet new people, or if you are looking for a morning out doing something that you love, then this is for you! Where can we find more info? Check out our website: www.hannamvalegeneralstore.com.au Facebook page - Hannam Vale General Store Email: hvgeneralstore@hotmail.com Ph. (02) 6556 7600. Thanks guys.

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focusinterview.

MADISON YARROLL

AFTER JUST 12 MONTHS OF COMPETING, NINE YEAR OLD LOCAL MADISON YARROLL WAS CROWNED AUSTRALIAN FORMULA POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX JUNIOR CHAMPION. BUT MADISON NOT ONLY

HAS A NEED FOR SPEED … MEET A WONDERFUL YOUNG LADY WITH A BIG HEART AND A BRAVE SOUL.

i Madison. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family ... Hello Jo. I live in Old Bar, NSW, and go to Old Bar Public School. I have a four year old sister named Lola and a big sister who is 11 years old, and her name is Jaimie. I live with my mum and dad and sisters. You received a very special gift for your eighth birthday last year. Tell us what it was? It was a junior speed boat named GIRL POWER. It has a 6 hp mercury motor; that is all my age group is allowed to race. It does 45 km/h, and I am looking forward to when I am 10 years old, so I can have a larger motor. It is white, purple and pink in colour. I believe you were given the choice between a boat and a motorbike as a present. Why did you choose the boat? When asked what I would like for my birthday, I said I would like a motorbike or a boat. I did have a quad bike when I was four, but I broke my arm being crazy on it. Dad had taken my sister and me in to watch the boat racing at Taree when I was six; when I saw that kids could race, I just had to have one. It was Mum’s idea for the boat, thinking if I crash at least it will be in water and not on hard ground. What are some the races you’ve com-

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peted in ... and which ones are your favourites? I really like the AFPGP (Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix) series; it consists of four races held in four different locations, from Yarrawonga on the NSW/VIC border to Grafton, NSW. I love the way these races are started, as you have to line up beside a start boat and all go at the same time. These are the types of boats that I would like to race when I am older - an F1 tunnel hull. Another race I really liked was the Hawkesbury Double Dash. In this race I had to race the other competitors a few kilometres up a river, then we turned around and raced back to where we started. I was coming first out of all the juniors around the very last turn, but I did not know where to go; I had to slow down and wait for one of the bigger boats so I could follow them. I still came first in my class and second overall. Most junior racing is all started by handicap clock starts, and I am usually last to leave, as my boat is so fast compared to others. After only 12 months of racing, you were crowned the Australian formula powerboat grand prix junior champion. That is amazing! How did you feel when you received this title? I felt very excited and I could not stop blushing when I went up to receive my big trophy. I congratulated my friends, especially

my good racing buddy Montana Atkinson. then OK, so my dad helped by taking me Mum helped me write a speech, where around to the Old Bar shops, where people I thanked everybody at the presentation gave me donations. I also had a lot of dodinner. nations from friends’ parents and the boat What do you think it takes to be a good racing community, and ended up raising a Formula 1 Powerboat Racer? total of $1,078. Well, it takes being brave, as What do you want to be /do the boats go very fast; you when you grow up? need to concentrate and Sometimes I want to be need to be a little bit a forensic scientist, and I was coming e th “cuckoo”! They are so other times I wish to l first out of al e fast - it is awesome be a professional boat th juniors around I t bu , to watch them, esperacer. I think boat rn very last tu to re he w ow cially when they go racing will win, as I kn did not wn do ow sl to d around the corners. already know how to ha go; I of e on r fo t ai w I hear you also do it and I would get d an so I took part in a the bigger bo ats . ” to travel around the could follow them “Shave for a Cure” world competing against event, raising money the best drivers. for Leukaemia. When Where can we follow your and where did this happen race progress/achievements? ... and why did you want to take My dad started a Facebook page part? that we both post about my racing It happened at the Old Bar chemist in adventures on; it’s called “GIRL POWER March this year. I wanted to do it because I Racing”. We put up photos of my racing felt sorry for all the people in the world who and any events that I am attending. Dad has have to suffer from Leukaemia or any cancer also started making a website, but it is not or disease. I wish I could help everyone in finished yet. the world; I get sad when I think of all the If anyone is interested in getting started homeless and sick people, and one day I will in junior racing, you can go to the Facebook try to help them all. page and Dad or I will point you in the right I saw the ad on TV and asked Mum if I direction. could do it. She said if I could raise $500, Thanks Madison.

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focusinterview.

KEITH P H O T O G R A P H E R

THIS MONTH OUR FOCUS PHOTGRAPHER IS KEITH DAVIES, A 77 YEAR OLD GENTLEMAN WHO RECEIVED HIS FIRST CAMERA AT 12, WON HIS FIRST JUNIOR COMPETITION AT 13 AND SENIOR COMPETITION AT 17 ...

i Keith. You have a strong and interesting history in the world of photography; how did you first start out? I first became interested in photography when I was 12, with the family Box Brownie. I was extremely fortunate that my father always helped me in any of my hobbies, especially photography. He gave me half of the money to get my first camera, an Ensign Selfix 12/20 roll film camera; focusing, setting aperture and speed were all manual, which is where I learned the basics. I belonged to a Boys Club, and through them won first place in the Junior Photography Competition of South Wales at 13; I won the senior competition at 17. In between I earned money taking photographs of Rugby matches and portraiture and moved up to Pentax S1a. By the time I was 18 I had bought myself an old Leica and Rolliflex and was doing weddings, which earned me more than my job did. I was often called out to car crashes and had the photographs published in the local paper. What are some of the most memorable shoots you have done? I came to Australia with my family in 1967 and in the early ‘70s, I had moved up to

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owning two Nikon Fs with a 50 mm 1.8 lens have the photograph”. When negotiating and a 200 mm Nikon lens. a deal, the Editor said he could only put It was with these cameras I became a down one photographer. Since I had many freelance photographer, concentrating photographs published, we put down my mainly on sport. I had a lot of my brother in law’s name, so the image photographs published in two is accredited to him. magazines - neither of the The first time we went magazines survived. back to the UK, we went By the time I I was once awarded on a charter flight. On was 18 , I had Photographer of the the way back we were old bought myself an Year with a series of sitting on the plane at x Leica and Rollifle photographs of I took Luton airport, when and was doing of Leo Geoghegan, there were a number ch hi wedding s, w at th e or a well known driver of officials and pilots m e earned m ” d. who blew a tyre and coming through the di b my jo crashed spectacularly. cabin and asked us all The most memorable was to get off and identify our taken on Sunday, February baggage. I nearly always have 22nd. my camera with me and took a My brother in law and I were out at number of photographs, including the airport trying out a new lens, passing one of a mysterious bag with wires the camera between us, when a young hanging out of it. I eventually sold them to boy jumped out of a Japan Airways plane at a magazine for enough for one of our fares about 200 ft up. to the UK. By luck, we had captured the photograph, There have been quite a few more and we made a lot of money out of the instances where I have had the luck to be at tragedy. the right place at the right time, even a few The image was on TV, then we went to weeks ago on a cruise to New Guinea. the Telegraph to see if they were interested. The Forster Digital Photography Club was The receptionist rang the Editor to say started just over 10 years ago, and I believe he had the photograph, and I heard the we were the first all-digital camera club in immortal words: “Hold the Presses, we Australia.

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I was overseas when it started, but joined soon after and soon became Vice President - a position I held for about four years. It was an exciting time, as digital was only in its infancy, and we all learned a lot in a short period of time. There were a lot of eminent photographers who started the club: Shane Chalker, Craig Mason, Paul Bennie (President), Margaret and David Price ... sorry if I missed anyone. FDPC is still alive and kicking, with a membership around 75. You have received quite a few accolades. What are they, and how did you come to receive them? The ones I am most proud of are Fellowship in the Australian Photographic Society, FAPS, Excellence in the Federation Internationale del’ Art Photographique, EFIAP - an Inernational award, and Exceptional Merit Federation of Camera Clubs. I have won the A grade championship of the FDPC three years running, 2009, 2010, 2011. Most successful exhibitor in the Northern Zone. Two international gold, one national; two national firsts, one silver and three bronze medals, along with about 25 HCs; and over 150 international acceptances. I am also an International and Australian

focusinterview.

judge, now mainly retired. I have also run a number of workshops in FDPC and other clubs, ranging from Beginners to Advanced. Where are the many different places around the world you have travelled? What would you say is your favourite place to photograph and why? I have been very fortunate to have travelled to many countries and to have an understanding wife who puts up with me when I am shooting. By far my most favourite place to photograph is India; I have been three times, spending up to a month at a time. One of the most funny experiences I had was when I was on a camel in the Thar desert in the middle of nowhere, when a man appeared over a sand hill and wanted to sell me a carpet - A for effort. There is colour everywhere, even the women road workers wear a sari and a hard hat. Travelling in the countryside is a challenge. It once took us eight hours to travel 150 km; the roads were so bad, we could have hidden the minibus in the holes. But we saw some great sights and were even invited to

a wedding of several hundred people. My they have eaten them all” - which made me wife’s light coloured hair was the attraction, feel a little easier. and she was required to bless the bride and Can you tell the readers about your groom with a mix of water and milk, which recent trip to PNG via cruise ship? I cannot be separated easily. The guide had to believe it was an interesting trip? find us and drag us away. Two weeks before the Sun Wood fires are still used Princess was to leave for extensively, and the pollution a 20 day cruise to PNG, gives sunsets the most we booked a balcony A problem he magnificent colours. cabin aboard. e th had was that Vietnam would be The trip was as w ip sh wash from the my next pick. I had a , ay wonderful, and aw at bo pushing the y month with a group of el at we saw so many lic de to d so he ha photographers several the interesting sights. move the ship so d an e years ago. I was lucky le a On Monday, in as w at bo e.” to be there then when September 26th we the rescue mad things were simple and sat down to dinner unspoilt and the locals in about 8pm, when the the outer villages still wore captain, Diego Perra, made colourful traditional dress. I loved an announcement to say that the countryside and people of the North. he had been advised by Sea and I was walking in the rice paddies on the Rescue in Vanuatu that a 4 m boat had elevated bank with the guide in front of been missing for two days with five people me, when I suddenly thought there may be aboard, and we were required by Maritime snakes there; I am terrified of snakes. I asked Law to give assistance, since we were the the guide if there were snakes, and he said, closest ship and we would be travelling at “Yes, and very poisonous”. I asked if we absolute top speed. We would be going were likely to see any, and he replied, “No, about 115 miles and expected to be in the

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area about 12:30am. We were on our balcony about 12, when all the lights on the ship were extinguished and a strobe light dropped in the water; the only light was a search light. About 1am we saw a pin prick of light that kept disappearing. I started shooting. For those interested, it was f4, 1/50th sec ISO 12800. Eventually the boat was near enough to get a few rough shots off, and the rescue was made. The next day I was talking to the Customer Relations Manager and mentioned

the photographs; about an hour later he rang to see if I was available to meet the Captain at 3:30pm. I met the Captain in his day cabin; he was pleased with the photographs and spent the next half hour telling me how he went about the rescue. The strobe light was to give him a datum point in case he had to search in a grid pattern. A problem he had was that the wash from the ship was pushing the boat away, so he had to delicately move the ship so the boat was in a lee and the rescue made. Of the five people aboard, an 89 year old lady was the mother of the Minister for Interior Vanuatu. I asked if I could take his photograph, and he said, “Let’s go on the bridge, as there is more light there”. I didn’t complain! What would be your advice to those starting out in the photography business? These days everyone who has a mobile phone can be a photographer; it depends what you want out of photography as to which type of camera you will need. There are lot of very good middle of the range cameras with big zooms which are ideal for general photography, and you can print at A4 without too much grain. If you are more ambitious and want to be able to print or even project an image larger, you will need a camera like an SLR Nikon or Canon or one of the newer mirrorless cameras, but it comes at a cost. Most cameras have a good Auto system which covers a lot of ground but if you want to specialise, it’s best to read up, join a club or experiment with other settings. Keith Davies FAPS EFIAP EMFCC. Thanks Keith. manning-great lakes focus.

Matters. [ w ith Alan Tickle ]

The The Legal Legal Light Light W I T H

Financial Coaching and Facilitating My son Jonathon, who is my fellow director of Your Heritage Financial Planning, has been busy of late assisting young families and couples in the Mid Coast and Newcastle - Hunter area secure and protect their financial and family wellbeing.

They had no Wills in place and while it is often a subject put to the back of one’s mind, it really is a responsible act to make sure that there is some estate planning strategy, which can even include provisioning for future children.

The role of financial planner extends to being a facilitator and with couples who both work, finding the time to organise financial matters and even home loans can be a stressful experience.

The clients felt secure in the knowledge that their new house and family were protected against potential financial catastrophe such as sickness, disability or death or permanent disability.

The following are activities Jonathon has been involved with of late. The names have been changed obviously, but circumstances are real, which young families can relate to: Sandy and John both work and have great difficulty getting time during work hours to seek financial advice. They wanted to purchase a house, but needed help in obtaining a loan and a total review of their financial situation. They had saved enough for a deposit but had not sought pre-qualification for a loan, nor had any idea on how much they could spend on a home. Jonathon saw them after hours in their home and completed details needed to refer to a mortgage broker, who informed them just how much they could borrow, as well as costs associated. The loan was arranged to purchase their first home at an interest rate way lower than what the clients had researched. As part of Jonathon’s role, he also reviewed their financial situation and personal risks. He found their insurance cover very basic, which would have left them vulnerable due to underinsurance that reduced further as they got older. He found that their superannuation was in a default fund that really did not address their longer term goals.

Jonathon co-ordinated this aspect with a solicitor.

Because John was very active in sport, there was cover included to provide extra benefits in the event of specific accidental injury. They had a clear budget, so that home maintenance, rates and insurance were all covered each pay day and their Wills and Powers of Attorney all neatly held in a safe packet with their solicitor. This assistance all took place with no interruption to their work hours. They happened to mention that their parents were concerned about retirement and of concern was that their grandparents were facing aged care. Jonathon was able to assist the whole family in a diverse range of needs across four generations, including the future children of John and Sandy. Centrelink It has been bemusing to hear media comments and shock just this week regarding changes to asset test limits for Centrelink. This information has been out now for well over 12 months. It is certainly not new information and this column has addressed the issue a number of times. Last month’s column in particular dealt with this.

This information and advice is of a general nature only and no reliance should be placed on the information before seeking individual advice from a Financial Planner and Taxation Adviser to ensure the appropriateness to individual circumstances. Alan Tickle and Your Heritage Financial Planning are both authorised representatives of Securitor Financial Group AFSL 240687 ABN 48009189495.

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J U S T I N

S T A C K

Justin Stack GREEN SLIPS ON COLLISION COURSE WITH VEHICLE ACCIDENT VICTIMS

eople injured in vehicle accidents are heading for a far worse predicament under changes to the compulsory third party insurance outlined in a new government reform position paper. Justin Stack, Managing Director of Stacks Law Firm, said the NSW government revealed in the paper released in early September that it intends to implement a scheme that drastically cuts existing benefits to people injured in vehicular accidents, and cuts them out entirely for the vast majority of injured people. “Stacks Law Firm has extensive experience in this field of law and we are concerned thousands of people who face daily difficulties and pain because of a vehicle accident will be abandoned while insurance giants pocket the profits,” Mr Stack said. Under the proposed scheme those assessed as having “low severity injuries” that fall below what is considered ten per cent impairment won’t have medical expenses paid after five years or care costs after two years. “This is about 90 per cent of the injured. Many of them can’t work to earn income, or are confined to desk jobs. Their lives have been shattered by the accident and these changes will just throw them to the wolves,” Mr Stack said.

These so-called minor injuries include muscular back injuries, whiplash, shoulder tendon tear and shinbone fracture causing loss of ankle mobility that leaves the person unable to work. “What’s worse is that the new CTP system essentially hands decisions to the insurance companies to rule on how severely injured a person is. The insurers have a vested interest in not paying out to help an injured person.” “CTP insurance companies made a $2.9 billion profit over the past 15 years and have annual profit margins of 19 per cent.” “Yet an injured person will have to deal with the insurance giants by themselves, denied skilled legal representation to assist them in their fight with the insurers.” The government wants to cut the cost of the CTP scheme after it found $400 million a year was lost to fraudulent and exaggerated claims, adding $75 a year to the average green slip. “Surely it would be better to crack down on the fraudulent claims and the huge profits made by the insurers than punish those who are injured in vehicle accidents through no fault of their own,” Mr Stack said. “The end effect will be to force them on to unemployment payments and Medicare, forcing the taxpayer to pick up the bill for the insurance giants.”

focus_What’s On Manning Great Lakes

November

CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR Featuring Locally Made Art, Fashion Accessories, Holiday Crafts & Home Décor. Devonshire Teas, Raffle Prizes, Live Music When Saturday 19th November Time 9am – 1pm Where Lake Street Gallery - GLAS 34 Lake Street, Forster Free Admission

DEVIL ARK TOUR There’s no other experience like this on the Australian mainland! You’ve all heard about the Devil Ark conservation project in Barrington Tops; now you can join a tour to see these iconic Tasmanian animals in a wild environment and meet some joeys up close! Space is limited to 12 persons per departure; adults $150; child 8 - 15 years $100. Tours fill fast! Book now on the Devil Ark website to secure your place. When Sat 5 Nov 2016, 9am. Website: www.devilark.org.au Phone: (02) 4340 8610 Email: info@devilark.com.au

LAKESIDE FESTIVAL

SANDI LEAR ARTIST WORKSHOP

Where John Wright Park, Tuncurry. When Saturday 5 November, 10:30am - 6pm.

Music Art Market Food Wine When Friday 4 November. Gates open 5:30pm. Lakeside Moonlight Movie - Daddy’s Home. Contact Katerina Dobbie, Event Coordinator. Mobile 0409 320 620. Email info@lakesidefestival.com.au Website www.lakesidefestival.com.au Find us on Facebook.

Passionate Watercolour Artist Sandi Lear returns from her successful exhibition in the USA to deliver another fun-filled yet serious three-day workshop, “Wild About Watercolour”. All the tips for accurate drawing, composition and understanding pigments, using various techniques to help loosen up and set free creativity using this glorious medium, no secrets ... all revealed! No experience necessary. Bookings essential. Where Hallidays Point Library, Hallidays Point. When Friday 11th to 13th November. Cost $250 for the three days BYO materials, OR $330 materials included. Deposit of $100 to secure your place; maximum 10 artists. Contact Sandi Lear: email: artistsandilear@gmail.com or via contact page www.sandilear.com

CRAFTATHON 2016

This popular annual Craft Show features quality exhibitors selling and demonstrating the latest in craft supplies, and finished craft. Children’s craft workshops will feature on both days and one lucky visitor will win the sewing machine package valued at over $1,000. Craft hamper give-aways each day. Where Club Taree Auditorium, 121 Wingham Road, Taree. When Saturday 19th November - 10am to 4pm. Sunday 20th November - 10am to 3pm. Cost Adults $5, children under 12 years free (with adult). Contact Gail Robinson 0416 078 429.

TAREE NIGHT BAZAAR CHRISTMAS BARGAINS Come and enjoy the opportunity to grab some last minute Christmas bargains in store with $10 off SUNNYLIFE (adult inflatables only). Free gift wrapping and further discounts store wide. Spend over $40 in store on the night and go into the draw to win a gorgeous gift pack worth over $80! Champagne & nibbles will also be provided :) When Thursday, November 17, 4pm - 7pm. Where This & That Unique Homewares. 1/51 Old Bar Road, Old Bar.

Introduced in 2014 to showcase the work achieved by the Tidy Up Taree volunteers and the creation of Taree’s first Civic Heart, this great family friendly celebration is now a major yearly event in Taree. The Taree Night Bazaar has it all - great live entertainment, art displays and artwork available for purchase, over 40 stalls selling an array of goods, many shops open during the event offering significant discounts, and a huge range of food is available for purchase during the event. When Saturday 26 November 2016. Info For more information: www.tidyuptaree.com.au

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MATT & JANELLE NEISLER

Local couple Matt and Janelle Neisler recently spent three weeks in the USA. It’s a trip they’ll never forget, taking in scenery from ten states, journeys via train, plane and automobile, and providing the chance to see famous sites from some of their favourite TV shows/ movies. Matt and Janelle also have some great tips for anyone planning a trip to the USA in the near future …

ell us a bit about yourselves. What's your family history in the Manning, and what's your day job? I have lived in the Cundletown/Taree area my whole life. I am an early childhood teacher and have been in the industry for 20 years. My husband, Matt, grew up in the Hastings and in Christchurch, NZ and has been a mechanic for nearly 20 years, with the last 10 years in the bus industry. When you decided on a holiday destination recently, what was it that encouraged you to visit the USA? We were married in Las Vegas five years ago and wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary there. We loved our trip last time, but we wanted to see more, so we decided to spend some extra time travelling across the USA - starting with a visit to my pen pal, whom I have been writing to for almost 30 years and who lives in Louisiana. We also wanted to visit

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film and television locations along the way. family. They took us on a road trip to New ho organised your travel itinerary, and W Orleans, we explored the city, went on an which carrier did you fly with? airboat swamp tour amongst alligators and We spent over a year planning and saw a traditional southern sugarcane researching the itinerary, using a plantation. travel agent to book flights We took three days to drive and some accommodation. ourselves from Dallas to We booked our own Las Vegas. We stayed in activities online and Amarillo, Texas, the first We were married left some of the night; we stopped in e in Las Vegas fiv to accommodation while d at Albuquerque to visit ante years ago and w ng di we were road tripping the filming locations ed celebrate our w ” e. er to chance. from Breaking Bad, th anniversary We flew with Qantas before spending the internationally and second night in Flagstaff, American Airlines within Arizona. the US. We spent four days in Las Describe your trip ... how Vegas; having the car meant long were you away, and what we could explore during the day. destinations did you visit? We visited the TV locations of Rick’s We were in the USA for three weeks Restorations and Counts Kustoms (Discovery in July. We flew into Dallas, then on to Channel) and saw the teams at work. Even Monroe, Louisiana, to stay with my friend’s during the day, Fremont St is an eye-opener,

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and we learnt a lot about the early days of Las Vegas at The Mob Museum. We also took in a Cirque Du Soleil performance. We flew to Seattle, where we visited the Boeing factory and Museum of Flight, the Seattle Space Needle, the EMP museum, which has memorabilia from music, TV and movies, and took a harbour cruise. We then took the overnight Amtrak Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles; it was great to sit back, relax, and watch a variety of scenery go by. In LA we visited Warners Bros and Universal Studios, exploring the back lots and sets from some of our favourite shows. We took a tour of the Hollywood Hills and movie stars’ homes. We also saw where Route 66 ends on Santa Monica Pier. We finished off our trip with two days in Anaheim, visiting Disneyland and California Adventure Park. In all, we travelled through 10 states by plane, train and automobile.

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Being a VIP at Universal Studios entitles guests to breakfast and a gourmet lunch with foods from around the world. We also had to try Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. made famous by Forrest Gump.”

What were some of your favourite highlights from your trip? There are so many to choose from! We drove from Dallas to Las Vegas along some of Route 66. We loved having the freedom to stop and explore towns on the way, and the scenery through the desert and Grand Canyon was amazing. We watched the sunset over the corn fields surrounding Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, before experiencing 4th July fireworks. The night life in Las Vegas is like nowhere else. We took a helicopter flight over the Las Vegas strip at night and watched the Bellagio water fountains from the top of the Eiffel Tower replica. The Chihuly Glass Gallery and Greenhouse in Seattle was so beautiful, with spectacular glass artworks. In LA I tested my bravery by sliding down the Skyslide, which is a glass slide protruding

from the outside of the 70th floor of the OUE building. What were your favourite foodie experiences while away? Some of the best food we had was actually on the train. They promote communal dining, so at each meal you got to sit and chat with people from all over the world. Being a VIP at Universal Studios entitles guests to breakfast and a gourmet lunch with foods from In LA we visited around the world. Warners Bros udios, We also had to try and Universal St lots ck ba e th Bubba Gump Shrimp g explorin me of so om fr Co. made famous by ts and se s. ow Forrest Gump. our favourite sh e th of ur We just couldn’t We took a to d an s ill H d Hollywoo get used to the idea of es . ” movie stars’ hom biscuits (scones to us) and white gravy (cheese

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sauce) for breakfast; these biscuits took the place of toast or muffins, even at McDonald’s! Most people experience a few hiccups while travelling. What are some of your funny stories? Our travel philosophy is “it’s all part of the experience, so just roll with it”! Our flight from Sydney to Dallas was delayed by six hours, meaning we missed our connecting flight; however, Qantas provided us with a night’s accommodation at The Hilton in Dallas as well as meal vouchers, giving us the unexpected opportunity to explore a little of Dallas. Driving on the wrong side of the road was an interesting experience, but it didn’t take long to get used to. We probably had a few people thinking we were crazy tourists outside of Albuquerque on the Musical Road. It’s a section of road that if you drive along the rumble strip at a certain speed, it plays America The Beautiful. It took us several passes before we got it to sing for

us. We also found it was true that no matter how far you travel from home, it’s never that far away. While we waited to board our flight from LA to Seattle, we discovered the person lined up in front of us was from Kempsey, and we had mutual acquaintances! What advice would you give to others planning to travel to the USA? For the long haul flight, we recommend premium economy; that little extra space makes a big difference in how comfortable your trip is. To keep in contact and help with navigation, pre-purchase an American sim card for your phone and data to save expensive roaming charges, and make use of the free wi-fi provided by most accommodation. For theme parks, invest in the VIP or front of line passes to save standing in line for hours. What's next on the agenda for you guys ... where will you be travelling next? We will be spending a week in Queenstown, New Zealand at the end of October for Matt’s birthday. Next year we are open to some adventures closer to home, and in early 2018 we are planning a Hawaiian cruise. Thanks guys. manning-great lakes focus.

WHEN the overseas stars of the FIA World Rally Championship arrive for Kennards Hire Rally Australia with their million-dollar cars and mega-teams, they’ll find a few locals waiting to show who’s boss of the Coffs Coast roads.

he 23 competition stages are the backyards for home-town aces Nathan Quinn, Mark Beard and Mal Keough, who have contested countless local events over the years. Their mounts for Rally Australia will be modest compared to the high-tech gravel monsters of the WRC regulars, and give them no chance of winning. But, that’s not the point for these enthusiasts, who will revel in the opportunity to be part of a genuine world championship event and enjoy the support of local followers. Each has past experience with Rally Australia and will be hoping to finish higher this year. Quinn’s ambitions will be highest. Even now he’s motivated by the memory of an outstanding run in 2013, when he finished eighth outright in an Italian team’s Mini World Rally Car.

Now he’s motivated by an the memory of in n ru g in nd ta outs ished fin 2013, when he an in ht ig tr eighth ou i in M ’s am te Italian r.” Ca lly Ra ld Wor

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Quinn has had plenty of international experience, and this result showed he had learnt self-control, as well as speed. He impressed the rally world with not only his performance, but also his larrikin comments quite unlike those of the more serious European contenders - to the TV cameras from the wheel of what became known as Quinny’s Mini. After a break in 2014, Quinn returned in 2015 with his own Coffs Coast Rally Team Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, finishing 14th and first Australian - an impressive drive against a field of countrymen that included two national champions. Plans this year to step back up to a proper

WRC car failed to come off, so Quinn will be back in the faithful Lancer, hoping for another giant-slaying result. Woolgoolga’s Mark Beard has the least potent machine in his Subaru Impreza RS, but it’s tough and reliable and if the driver’s enthusiasm counts for anything, he’ll be celebrating at the end. A businessman, Mark is a staunch supporter of Rally Australia and will be a proud ambassador for the region. But when Mal Keough goes out to play in his Audi Quattro S1 replica, even the WRC

regulars will stop to watch. His car, remarkably built at home with the help of friends, is a close copy of one of the fastest, most powerful and infamous rally cars of the 1980s. Recently described as the most popular rally car in Australia, Keough estimates it’s valued at around $150,000 - although it’s definitely not for sale. This spectacular entry will be a highlight of the Classic section of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship. Be sure to cheer the locals at 2016 Kennards Hire Rally Australia!

NSW COFFS COAST, 17-20 NOV 2016

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

LIA.CO RALLYAUSTRA

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M.AU

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM

focuseditorial.

Dragon Boat Regatta IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK, AS MEMBERS OF GREAT LAKES PEARL DRAGONS, DRAGON BOAT CLUB PREPARE FOR THEIR ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT REGATTA, TO BE HELD ON THE WEEKEND OF 19 AND 20 NOVEMBER AT ELIZABETH RESERVE, FORSTER KEYS.

N THE FIRST ANNUAL “SUBIES BY THE SEA” WILL BE HELD AT JOHN WRIGHT PARK IN TUNCURRY ON THE 27TH NOVEMBER 2016. THE EVENT IS A STATIC VEHICLE DISPLAY OF SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S BEST SUBARU VEHICLES, ORGANISED AND FUNDED BY THE LOCAL MID NORTH COAST SUBARU ENTHUSIAST GROUP.

here will be a gold coin donation by all entrants, with all monies raised going to Cars for Hope, a non-profit Australian charity raising awareness for mental health issues. The event has been shared across Subaru communities Australia wide, and promises to display some of the best Subaru vehicles in Australia.

Forster-Tuncurry Lions Club and local coffee vans will be onsite to provide BBQ food and drinks. The event brings enthusiasts from Australia wide to our local region, showcasing the beauty that Forster-Tuncurry has to offer come along and see some of the best Subaru vehicles in Australia on the banks of the beautiful Wallis Lake.

Now in its fifth year, the regatta while competing against each other. is a must do on the calendars of Saturday afternoon will be the start of the dragon boat clubs sport teams programme, with the 500 from the Illawarra metre and 2 kilometre turn race, in the south to Grafton in which this year has a surprise the north. twist. e Come along; ther This year due in part On Sunday the sports ls , will be food stal to a grant from the teams will again compete and or bring a picnic e state government, against one another in cl enjoy the specta ing under the local sport the fast and furious 200 ow of the fastest gr tralia – us A grant programme, metre sprints. in water sport ” the regatta has Come along; there will dragon bo ating. expanded to two full be food stalls, or bring a days of competition. picnic and enjoy the specThe competition will tacle of the fastest growing commence on Saturday mornwater sport in Australia - dragon ing, when local community teams, boating. consisting of sporting groups, schools, Denise Marr, community organisations, businesses and President/ Publicity Officer three teams of Army and Navy cadets will GLPD. enjoy the experience of dragon boat racing 0407 724 089.

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Taree world FOOD FAIR 2BOB RADIO IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE INAUGURAL TAREE WORLD FOOD FAIR! THIS MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION WILL EMBRACE THE DIVERSE CULTURES WE NOW HAVE IN THE MANNING VALLEY AND WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ETHNIC GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE REGION TO PRESENT DELICIOUS AUTHENTIC NATIONAL FOODS, MULTICULTURAL MUSIC, DANCE AND ARTISAN STALLS.

ctivities will include hat making, children’s Russian games and Russian dances and sand painting. A parade will be held at the conclusion of the day at 4pm. This will be not only be a visual treat, but also a wonderful family day out! You can also contact the organisers if you wish to host a stall. *Please note if raining, the event will be

moved to 12 November 2016. When Saturday, Nov 5th 9:30am - 4pm. Where Taree Park, Corner of Wynter and Macquarie Streets, Taree. Cost Gold coin donation. Information Contact: Andy Colvin Website:http://www.2bobradio.org.au Email: office@2bobradio.org.au Phone: (02) 6552 6200. manning-great lakes focus.

bruschetta from channels family restaurant.

download our eat. dining guide for iPhone & Android www.focusmag.com.au/eat

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Crispy Angel Prawns

entertainment AT CLUB FORSTER KASEY CHAMBERS IN CONCERT Friday 4th November at 8pm Today, after years in the industry, Kasey is naïve no more. She’s felt music as both aggressor and healer - grinding and cleansing like some pure, vicious coast. It demands a lot from its maker.

kEnny’s thai kitchen Enjoy a taste of Thailand! $11 Lunch Specials. Entrée and your choice of one main meal; entrée includes a spring roll and curry puff. Choose from a range of delicious mains, including the popular crispy fried Angel Prawns with Thai herbs and coconut cream (pictured above), stir fried crispy Pork Belly with Phi King sauce and peanuts, deep fried sweet chilli Barramundi fillets, traditional Green Curry (chicken or prawn or beef), Mango chicken, Pad Thai or Pad Mee Mao Drunken Noodles.

Head Chef Kenny.

But whenever she feels lost, Kasey takes it back to basics. This raw approach helped knit together the loose threads that became the Lost Dogs, a band that healed Kasey, and allowed her to rediscover her love of song. See Kasey perform her new album as well as her hits live on stage at Club Forster! JOHN WILLIAMSON IN CONCERT Saturday 19th November at 8pm There is no question; John Williamson is a musical icon of Australia. His name is firmly cemented in the culture and fabric of the country he loves. To his credit are unofficial anthems, tributes to legends and unsung heroes and tender ballads

Club Forster, 19 Strand St, Forster 6591 6591 Open Wed - Sun, lunch and dinner. Lunch: noon until 2pm. Dinner: 5:30pm until 8pm.

that have captured the spirit of the nation in song unlike any other. You can call him what you want, Mallee Boy, True Blue or just plain Fair Dinkum; but there is no denying that after more than forty years in the music industry, John Williamson is truly an Australian icon. THE BEATNIX 50th ANNIVERSARY Thursday 8th December at 8pm It was February 1980, 10 months before the untimely death of John Lennon, that Australia’s, and possibly the world’s, first tribute show THE BEATNIX was conceived and produced by Tony Dean - founding member and now owner/manager. Coming from a Show Band background, popular in the 1970s and touring Australia wide, Tony was used to playing covers including Beatles, Doobie Brothers, Beach Boys, Hollies, Bee Gees, and Eagles. The Beatnix Show includes fully authentic musical instruments identical to those used by The Beatles.

Citrus & Ouzo Steamed Pudding with strawberry soup, hibiscus flower, praline & coconut ice cream.

restaurant synergy Where food and service work in harmony. Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at the Mercure Centro Hotel in the heart of town. For an intimate dining experience, offering modern Australian cuisine at its best. Intimate private dining rooms available on request, for bookings of 10 or more guests. Don’t forget to join us at “Happy Hour” every evening from 5pm - a refreshing 40% off all beverages - restaurant SYNERGY’S cocktail lounge. SPECIAL OFFER: ‘Tis Time (almost) to get your Jingle Bells on at Mercure Centro. Enjoy complimentary canapes, and private room hire with festive decos - Rooftop, Portside and Waterline rooms.

right: Executive Chef Jay Snelgar left: Sous Chef Shivaneel Nath.

Enjoy our $10 festive cocktail list all season!

Cnr Hay & William Streets, Port Macquarie 6583 0830 www.centrohotel.com.au or book online www.resdiary.com 7 days, 6:30am - 10am for breakfast; 5pm - late for dinner. Bookings essential.

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A CULINARY JOURNEY - MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD IS A BOOK WRITTEN BY LOCAL DYANA BROWN, WHICH CONTAINS RECIPES AND INFORMATION ABOUT HER LIFE-LONG LOVE FOR FINE FOOD AND COOKING. DYANA HAS MADE MANY CHANGES TO HER DIET OVER THE YEARS AS HEALTH NEEDS HAVE REQUIRED, AND HER CULINARY JOURNEY IS EXPLORED IN BEAUTIFUL DETAIL IN THIS WORK. RENOWNED ACTRESS SIGRID THORNTON WILL LAUNCH DYANA’S BOOK ON NOVEMBER 12 AT CLUB TAREE - AND PROCEEDS FROM THE LAUNCH AND BOOK SALES WILL GO TOWARDS ASSISTING LOCAL CHARITY CAN ASSIST MANNING VALLEY. i Dyana. What has been your lifetime culinary journey? I began at the age of five learning the basic principles of food technology and preparation from my mother, a wonderful cook. I combine my love of food combinations, flavours and textures with interior design, clothing design and my career as a ballet dancer. I believe your table and food should work well together, and preparing the table to complement the meal and occasion can be very rewarding. I believe with food, as with life in general, balance and organisation is important. For over 50 years I have been privileged to prepare and present food for many wonderful people. Peter and I have had the opportunity to enjoy food from many well accomplished chefs. How has your overall health affected your food choices over the years? I believe we are what we eat! Food choices can certainly help manage many health issues. As a new problem raises its ugly head, the diet is revised, deleting foods which could feed the problem and adding those which may help, always keeping the food interesting. We have dealt with a long list of health issues over time; changes in eating habits has always had a positive outcome - deleting sugar, yeast, gluten and some grains are just examples. How/where did you conduct research to determine what your best culinary options were at each stage of your life?

A CULINARY JOURNEY

As another problem arises, more reading and experimenting. I am able to adapt, alter and substitute, having the knowledge of how food and preparation works. I was raised in the country; my father grew fruit and vegetables as well as raising poultry, hunting rabbits and fishing. We ground the corn he grew for cornmeal (polenta). We made pâté and terrines, collected mushrooms after the rains, picked blackberries, enjoyed pomegranates, persimmons, quinces, artichokes and many other fruits and vegetables which are in the exotic category today. I am in my 70th year, and to this day I follow the principles I was brought up with. We have a very small cupboard to store essentials; we have no pantry foods such as pre-packaged, tinned or frozen. Seventeen years ago I was diagnosed with a chronic spinal condition; I was already gluten intolerant and suffered ulcerative colitis. I was told I would be in a wheel chair permanently within two years. Changing my eating habits, combined with exercise, my life improved considerably. My husband and I have been unfortunate to be dealt with more major medical issues. This results in more determination to be vigilant about what goes into our bodies. We love our food and it is never boring; we break out on many occasions, cooking for regular visitors. You’re about to release your book, A Culinary Journey - My Life Through Food. What promoted you to embark on this project?

s Seventeen year sed no ag ago I was di al in sp with a chronic already condition; I was and gluten intolerant colitis . e suffered ulcerativ be in a ld I was told I wou anently wheel chair perm s.” within two year

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Our entire life has revolved around food; where it came from, writing recipes, cooking beautiful dishes and enjoying with friends. The dinner table brings us together, enjoying food, wine and conversation. Cooking food for pleasure and health has been my journey. I am a committee member of Can Assist Manning Valley. It has been a plan for some time to share my food journey and raise money for this wonderful cause. What are some of your favourite recipes from the book? Every recipe is a favourite! Just to name a few: cauliflower and truffle soup, leek and goat cheese soufflé, rubi quinces, goat curd cake and festive paleo slice. Where/when will the book be launched? Can Assist Manning Valley will be hosting a special-styled high tea at Club Taree Auditorium on Saturday 12th November 2016, at 2:30pm. Club Taree are major supporters of Can Assist Manning Valley. What will happen at the launch - will there be special guests and/or other entertainment? We are very fortunate to have well-known actress, Sigrid Thornton, donating her valuable time as guest speaker to launch my book, A Culinary Journey - My Life Through Food. Entertainment will be provided by Star

Central Dance Academy, a raffle will take place, as well as a host of lucky door prizes. What costs will there be to attend the launch? Tickets to be purchased from Club Taree (02) 6539 4000 prior to the 5th November at $30ea. $5 from each ticket will support Can Assist Manning Valley. My recipe book, A Culinary Journey - My Life Through Food will be on sale at the launch for $25. Where will funds raise from the sale of your book and launch go? Proceeds from the sale of this book support Can Assist Manning Valley, which is a grassroots organisation offering practical support and financial assistance to local cancer

patients and their families in the Manning Valley, through to Moorland in the north, Gloucester in the west, Bulahdelah in the south, which also includes the Great Lakes. Money raised from our charity events stays in the area. For those who can’t make it to the launch, where can copies of your book be purchased, and how much do they cost? After the launch, books will be available at $25. They can be purchased at Tropical Coffee Company and Car Park Deli in Pultney Arcade and Wingham Newsagency. Thanks Dyana. manning-great lakes focus.

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AIN’T NO LITTLE GIRL

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S FAVOURITE SONGBIRDS, KASEY CHAMBERS, IS BACK ON THE ROAD, WITH A NEW STORY TO TELL …

t hasn’t been too long between catch ups, but you’ve had a colourful 12 months or so, with vocal surgery and now the release of a new EP. How did you overcome your little road block and come out the other side to produce your new EP? There was really no choice but to “just plough through” and be patient. I had got to the point after having nodules on my vocal chords for 20 years that I could barely get through a gig anymore. So, surgery was the only option. (I have no other skills - ha!) But, it was one of the best things I've ever done in my life, and I felt like I had a new beginning from then on ... A new strength - not only within my voice, but also within myself! What’s the back story to this body of work, Aint No Little Girl? I wrote Ain't No Little Girl a few years ago, but I left it on the shelf for a while because I felt like I wasn't strong enough within my voice and also myself personally to really “feel” it and convince the listener that it was who I was. It was almost as though the song was

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writing me, instead of me writing the song this is trying to do the same ... time. It took some time of self discovery, but I try not to judge other mums for doing it I started to become the strength in the song, differently than me - each to their own. We and then it became my anthem. I feel all need to help each other out like now this song is as “me” as too. I'm lucky that I have a I've ever been. lot of help with family and You’re an amazing mothfriends too. e er; how do you juggle Do you get to bring m so ok to It work/life? the kids along for time of self I don't always get it the ride? discovery, but I e right. Some days I'm like The kids come on started to becom any normal mother, and the road with me a the strength in en I'm tearing my hair out lot, and they LOVE the song and th y it became m and running late! But I IT! I'm often out on anthem .” think motherhood is a lot stage and one of my about just being realistic. kids will wander out to There is no perfect mum. play some harmonica or just We're gonna make mistakes, get a cuddle or something to but we have the choice to learn from eat. Ha! Always Mum first. them. I try to balance and find a middle We can’t wait to have you back ground as much as I can - just do what I on our shores; what are you looking can, but know that if that school note is not forward to most about this tour? returned on time every time, I'm maybe not I'm excited about getting to play a few new scarring them for life! Ha ha! We just gotta do songs from Dragonfly, but I mostly love still our best as mums and know that everyone else playing all the old ones. My favourite song to

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play every night it still The Captain. We always play songs from that album and Barricades and Rattlin’ Bones etc. I love sharing my life story through songs. I have the best job in the world! What are your musical goals for the next 12 months? We will be out touring as much as we can, doing some dates with Bernard Fanning, James Taylor, Thelma Plum, and I always have my dad, Bill Chambers, in my band and young alternative Blues/Roots band Grizzlee Train. There will be a few tours to the USA and of course, school lunches, swimming lessons and skate school thrown in ... Thanks Kasey.

the plug! Don’t miss Kasey Chambers at Club Forster. Friday, 4 November 2016, 7:30pm. www.clubforster.com.au

focus_winetime

with Steve Attkins from Great Lakes Paddocks

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with Horticulturalist Neville Donovan - Greenpatch Organic Seeds

AT ’ S I N

THE ORIGINS OF WINE IN AUSTRALIA. SO WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN FOR THE WINE INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA? WHERE DID WINE GRAPES COME FROM, AND WHY ARE SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND THE HUNTER VALLEY THE PREDOMINANT WINE REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY?

he first vines brought to the botanical gardens in Sydney with a duplicate country came with the First Fleet, of the collection also planted on property in as were a variety of horticultural the Hunter Valley. Over time, cuttings of these species. These vines are thought original vines were sent to regions in New South to have origins in Brazil and the Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Many of Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) and were the old vines still producing today can trace planted at Farm Cove. The original plantings their origins back to the Busby collection. While were not successful at Farm Cove and were James Busby was an early arrival to the Hunter transplanted to Parramatta, where they were Valley, he wasn’t the first. In 1823 found to flourish. In 1791 Governor approx 20 acres of vineyards Phillip declared he had an had been planted along the established three acre Hunter River at what is vineyard along the shores For this period now known as Dalwood/ of the Parramatta River, until the mid Gresford. These early ey and from this time on 1880s, the Sydn tly an pioneers in the Hunter in many planted vineyards basin, predom d an n ea were William Kelman, ep N in various locations in along the was , rs ve Ri y ur sb George Wyndham and Hawke the Sydney basin. John grape e in w or aj m e James King. th Macarthur was another South producer in New The Barossa Valley early pioneer, planting Wales .” was populated by vines on his property Silesians in the early known as “Camden Park”. This venture saw him 1800s, who were settled importing and distributing vine there in 1842. They found the cuttings throughout New South Wales climate similar to the Mediterranean, and the Barossa. Another contributor to being most suitable for grape growing. the industry at this time was the explorer By the 1890s, dozens of wineries had been Gregory Blaxland, who had a great interest in established, including those of Oscar Seppelts agricultural pursuits and established plantings (Seppeltsfield), Johann Henschke (Henschke along the Parramatta River in 1806. In 1822 Wines), Johann Gramp (Orlando), Samuel Smith he shipped a small amount of wine to the (Yalumba) and William Salter (Saltram Wines). United Kingdom, which is believed to be the There is a little bit of wine history closer to first export of Australian wine and went on to home that came as a surprise. The township of win silver and gold medals through the Royal Nabiac, which was settled in the early 1800s, Society of the Arts. attracted a German couple, Henry and Annie For this period until the mid 1880s, the Beisler, who saw the potential in the soil for Sydney basin, predominantly along the Nepean wine growing. They planted over 200 vines in and Hawkesbury Rivers, was the major wine 1879 and gained a wine licence and later a grape producer in New South Wales. hotel licence in Nabiac in 1882, where they sold It was 1831 when Scottish born James Busby, their wine. a teacher in viticulture, travelled to Europe Back Paddock Music and returned to Australia with around 570 Christmas Party in the Paddock with “Circus wine grape varieties from Montpellier Botanic Mule”. Gardens and Luxembourg Gardens, of which only 362 survived. These were planted in the Sunday, December 11 from 1pm.

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ASPARAGUS ASPARAGUS IS AN EDIBLE PERENNIAL PLANT, NATIVE TO CENTRAL EUROPE AND WESTERN ASIA. IT IS A MEMBER THE LILY FAMILY. THE ANCIENT GREEKS ENJOYED EATING THE WILD ASPARAGUS, WHICH THEN WAS CULTIVATED BY THE ANCIENT ROMANS. PLANTS WILL TOLERATE COLD WINTERS WHEN DORMANT; THEY’RE LONG LIVED AND HARDY.

he plant begins producing several Crowns, seedlings, or seed are all suitable to spears from the ground level. use. Two - three year old crowns will produce Once they emerge, the spears spears that can be harvested. Space seedlings are a soft green colour and or crowns to 40 cm apart. Spring-summer is change to a darker green as they the ideal time to sow seed directly into the grow. If not harvested, the spears garden or in pots. develop into a thin stem to Asparagus spears will start approximately 1m to emerge early spring. high with many soft, Harvesting of spears can small, green ferny en Prepare the gard begin when they are the leaves. Once plants bed well before d thickness of a pencil. an , are established, they us planting Asparag ell w , st Cut the spears with are highly productive, it prefers a moi plenty beginning in spring a knife just below the drained soil, with r.” through until autumn. of organic matte surface when 15 - 20 cm

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Prepare the garden bed well before planting Asparagus, and it prefers a moist, well drained soil, with plenty of organic matter. Compost and animal manures can be dug in prior to planting. To help conserve soil moisture, add mulch to the soil’s surface. Older plants can be lifted with their crown and moved every five - six years, then replanted into freshly prepared soil.

long. Cut as required and refrigerate. Asparagus is low in calories, contains no fat or cholesterol, and is very low in sodium. It is a good source of folic acid, potassium, fibre and rutin. Asparagus is delicious eaten fresh, steamed, added to quiche or baked in the oven topped with cheese. Happy Growing. manning-great lakes focus.

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Business Minds with Jeremy Thornton of Insurance Advisernet

MENTGES MASTER MEATS BUSINESS minds

I ’ V E H E A R D S O M E G R E AT S T O R I E S OV E R T H E Y E A R S, B U T T H I S M O N T H ’ S I S S O M E T H I N G V E RY S P E C I A L .

ne of our great local business people is also one of our most loved characters. Mentges Master Meats is renowned in The Manning-Great Lakes for quality smoked smallgoods and traditional European Produce. Walking into Mentges on Kanangra Drive is like stepping into a classical German “Metzger Shop”. Rudi Mentges is a name all locals know and respect, with his attention to a fine tradition and offering locals produce not commonly found in our area. This month I found out there is more to Rudi than smallgoods. It’s a story I’m proud to share. Rudi, paint a picture of the background of Mentges Meats. It’s an amazing story, dating back some 700 years I believe. Well, the first Mentges Butcher business ever recorded starts back in 1260AD at Speyer in Germany, a city south on the River Rhine. Known to me are the last three generations of Mentges. Their records are archived as fearless and self sacrificing in matters of righteousness and honesty, without prejudice against members of other nationalities and religions. For these reasons, some past governments in Germany honoured them with special considerations like free one way tickets to Siberia. In fact, both my grandfathers had been “invited” to prison for standing up against a newly invented tax on grapes for the year to come that had not been grown yet! My parents have six children, of which five learned smallgoods production. When aged 21, I married my dear wife, Jutta. At age 22 I made Master, then by 26 was self-employed with a

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son and a daughter. In 1985 at age 35 we had our very first holiday, which was to the Manning Valley. The peace and absence of fighter jets in the sky was overwhelming. Jutta and I then made an unexpected firm decision which changed our lives and saw the arrival of four of us in the Manning in July 1989, four months before the collapse of the Berlin Wall. We often say a holiday here results in life changing decisions. What was it that led you to establish Mentges Meats in the Manning Valley? Coming from a culture of 1,500 different breads, beers, wines and smallgoods that we were used to, we had a new awakening in Taree. We awakened to a culture of Devon, Bangers and Wonder Whites! Also, learning a new language, driving on the wrong side of the road, the climate and “G’day mate!” It took a while. While working at Skinners Butchery in Wingham, I also attended a business course to get ready to give birth to an old trade of quality produce. In 1998 we opened in the old Northam Butcher Shop. After a few years, the shop became much too small, thanks to our many appreciative customers. Today we are in the very building in which we attended that first business course! Amazing! Do you focus on sourcing produce locally for your meats? Fact: 70% of the hams and bacons sold in Australia are grown overseas! 84 cents from every dollar spent in our three supermarkets leave our towns in the same direction. It’s crazy! We try to buck that trend. Our motto: we are local; we buy local as much as possible.

Mentges Master Meats is famous locally for It’s not only the famous meats you get quality handmade produce. Tell us about from Mentges Master Meats. Tell us about some of the best sellers you have on the some of the other offerings available to the boards ... public? Our best sellers always have been: a Bless others, and you will be - Cheese Kransky; b - Chili Cheese blessed. Our farmers at their Kransky and c - Frankfurter, markets share with all of with 30 others on offer. us their best and freshest , On our web page Quite often German born products every Thursday. r, Karl, the bake customers coming back The flow on effect this t ha w explains briefly d from a holiday there will has for our families, te en correctly ferm It tell me that the Taree community, the land u. yo r wheat does fo to te Kransky are better than and ecosystems plus bu ri nt does not co of ue what they had in Old the local economy is ag pl t the curren ” e. nc ra Germany. It’s hard to even more worth than le to in gluten believe! But I do know we the very dollar spent are spoilt here with quality in exchange for a fresh, produce and products grown clean, living product. So too is and made in the Manning. the sourdough bread Karl bakes. As a long-time local businessman, You must try it! what is one thing you would like to see You still make all your produce by the Manning-Great Lakes locals embrace? hand? Please appreciate the blessings of local Yes, indeed! businesses and local markets. Build local green Is the process as important as the produce? patches in every back yard. Locals sharing This answer will fill some books. In short; the without prejudice with other locals. And, most important process is how the raw materials importantly, listen to the good news from God. become the product. Picture this: it’s like He gives all of us more and takes less ... than Mummy and Daddy having some fun, and nine China. months later ... Life begets life. Life needs life to For you, what is the best part about being thrive. Eat an apple; it is alive. But, anything out in business in the Manning-Great Lakes? of the microwave is dead. The honour and joy to provide for our All natural ingredients are all designed to appreciative customers, whilst living with fresh, work for you and with you to sustain life. On our clean, local products. And the privilege of web page, Karl, the baker, explains briefly what working with honest, friendly locals in our little correctly fermented wheat does for you. It does shop. not contribute to the current plague of gluten Thank you so much, Rudi. intolerance.

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DONNA CARRIER

from Bent on Food

Akoostik and The Travelling Teardrops at Bent on Food

Circartus

Pete Mullaney’s 60th

Stacey’s Baby Shower

Wingham Family Health Clinic Lunch

love October in our region. On the October long weekend, Old Bar Beach Festival brings thousands of people to the region, along with some pretty sexy looking Kombis. It is a major event on the festival calendar for visitors that travel huge distances to spend the weekend in this cool beachside town. I have probably told you before that I feel a bit of a connection to the Kombi, as I have held a lifetime dream to own one. Not many would believe that I was vegetarian hippy in my early days, with the dream of living in the bush, growing my own food and never having to go to work. There is still a little bit of that bohemian lifestyle in my dreams, but there is no time for that these days. Nowadays, I also love my meat, and Akoostik Festival weekend allowed me that indulgence. The festival is always a great time to be in Wingham, with three days of fabulous music, markets and workshops. This year “Smokin the Valley” saw 30 plus teams of smokers hit the showground for a barbecue competition. I was fortunate to be one of the 40 judges and enjoyed many different meats that had been smoked long and slow to create a variety of flavours and textures. I parked Millie amongst them, served coffee and enjoyed some great company with a friendly bunch of people who share my love of food. Thanks to Grace, who made them coffee at 4am in the morning, and to Mikaela and Codie for your smiling service. Thursday 13th October was the pre Akoostik night, with one of my favourite local bands,

IT’S BEEN FESTIVAL TIME AROUND HERE, NOT TO MENTION THE WEDDING SEASON, WHICH HAS BEEN KEEPING US VERY BUSY.

“The Travelling Teardrops”, playing to a packed celebrating her seventh great grandchild. Best house. This was a great lead up to the festival friend Lucy Macdonald organised a gorgeous that kicked off on Friday night and continued naked cake made by All Things Yum in Forster. through to Sunday with great music, perfect Stacey is the manager at Sanity in Forster, and weather and a fabulous vibe. she is expecting her first baby with her partner, There was something for everybody, with Fletcher Garr. Best of luck to you both. Ross Wilson rocking the place on Saturday Wingham Family Health Clinic recently night, playing tunes that took me back to farewelled Dr San and held a luncheon in the a Mondo Rock concert in the Hyde garden for 20 people. They enjoyed Park Barracks many years ago. a beautiful sunny Sunday, Ash Grumwald and Shannon with the garden all to Noll headlined on Sunday, themselves. Thursday 13th and there were so Circartus is a ober was ct O many fabulous artists fabulous initiative the pre Akoostik in between. Other that was developed y m of e night, with on s, nd favourites included Bill by local lady Jill ba l ca favourite lo g Chambers, Jodi Martin, Watkins, who was the lin el av ‘The Tr g to in ay pl s’, Hunter and Smoke, Director, trainer and op dr Tear ” e. us ho ed ck The Backsliders, Brendan manager of Gunnedah pa a Gallagher and Dave Mason, Circus School before and so many more. Thanks moving to the Manning again to all the volunteers Valley. Circartus is based on who make this happen; it is a great the premise that communities weekend, and this was one of the best. Good thrive on the opportunity to express luck this month at the NSW Tourism Awards; through the arts. You will often see Jill see you there! and her circus community walking tall around Stacey Bunyan enjoyed a lovely high tea baby Wingham, practising on their stilts. Circartus shower at Bent on Food on Saturday, October has been very busy lately, with a number of 8th with around 25 ladies who dined on lemon performances, including Wingham Akoostik meringue tartlets, mini quiches, scones, salted Festival, where they opened their new shows caramel tartlets, brownies and quaint little Valor and Confianza to a captivated audience. sandwiches. Guests travelled from Forster, Port A successful launch was held in their premises Stephens, Central Coast, The Hunter Valley, behind Wingham Wellbeing on September Newcastle and surrounding areas of Old Bar 30th to celebrate their new costumes, which and Wingham. One of the special guests were purchased through a recent crowdfunding was Stacey’s grandmother, Dawn Bunyan, venture. A colony of grey headed flying foxes

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and a hive of blue banded bees now perform their routines in fabulous costume, with a number of harlequin outfits currently being made for an appearance at Taree Night Bazaar in November. Circartus runs circus classes for all ages in Wingham, and more information can be found on their Facebook page. Up in Elands they know how to throw a party; it is a lovely community and everyone comes together to share food, music and amazing cake! Our chef Peter Mullaney celebrated his 60th birthday on 9th October at the Elands Hall. People arrived with oodles of gorgeous food and an amazing cake was made by Georgia, who, according to locals, makes many a cake. I think it was one of the tastiest cakes I have ever eaten, and I am pretty much a cake expert, as I can’t stay away from it. Pete

SOCIAL/SCENE

enjoyed playing some tunes with most of the band from “Up in Annies Room” up on stage, with many of their musically inclined friends joining them for a fabulous night. I miss the band and always enjoyed listening to them; let’s hope they play again soon! Happy 60th, Pete. On a final note, don’t forget to pop down to the Manning Valley Night Bazaar in Taree on November 26th from 5:30pm. It’s Carnivale, so why not dress up in costume? It’s going to be loads of fun. I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties anything! Send pics and info to: donna@bentonfood.com.au Cheers, Donna. manning-great lakes focus.

JASHAN LOUNGE The traditional menu at Jashan Lounge is influenced by experience, knowledge, skill, passion, love and the art of cooking. Owner/Head Chef Harinder tells us more. How do you incorporate traditional Indian favourites with a modern twist? Jashan Lounge takes prides in presenting delicious flavour to suit most palates. We use traditional cooking methods with modern presentation, and our chefs have added some innovative dishes to be enjoyed by people who are having Indian for the first time. We also have a carefully selected wine list that complements and suits Indian cuisine, as well as an extensive cocktail menu with traditional and seasonal favourites. What is your background in the hospitality industry? As a family we have combined experience of 17 years in the hospitality industry. Our Head Chef has been invited to help start up and train chefs in new businesses and has worked with chefs from five star restaurants in India.

greenpatch Give Away Spend $20 or more at Greenpatch and receive a FREE Coleus Plant during November. Greenpatchâ€™s Nursery is uniquely different, producing all of our plants onsite and being one of the only organic nurseries in Australia. Our shop is located on Old Bar Road, just 1 km from Taree Service Centre. Greenpatch members save 10% off all our nursery plants and books year round. We have the largest range of organic heirloom seeds in NSW and a huge range of herbs, cottage garden, fruiting plants, vegetable seedlings, bamboo and succulents in our nursery.

We would love to see you come and have a browse amongst the gardens, hopefully learning as you go. As a part of our New What do you offer when it comes to parties and funcSelf Guided Tour, you can take part in the Garden Quiz for the tions? As JASHAN means "celebration", we welcome all individchance to win a FREE Seed Packet. uals to celebrate their every small and big moments with us. We Greenpatch has been developing the gardens on the property can seat up to 90 people in the whole restaurant comfortably. since 2002 and thought it was time to share the diversity with Banquet and Tailored Banquet menus are on offer, and we have you! Different areas have been selected and named to suit gara full bar with cocktail menu. The main dining area is perfect for den types such as seed production, fruit orchards, cottage perenindividual parties and corporate functions, and we work with the nials, herbs and other ornamental gardens. We have discovered organiser to try and come close to their requirements as much as by creating a garden with similar plant requirements results in possible. We are renowned for our Christmas parties, as we prohaving healthier plants thriving in their own micro climate. vide personalised party supplies to add to the celebration. Offwww.greenpatchseeds.com.au site catering is also available.

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Manning-Great Lakes locals

tracey ehlefeldt Endota Spa f o r s t e r

SHARON BULTITUDE

here in the Everything - the people, the pristine Manning-Great natural environment, the relaxed life-style Lakes do you call we’re unbelievably blessed! home? Favourite food/drink? I moved from Tapas, antipasto (basically anything I can London to Forster 13 years ago with my pick at) plus a glass or two of red. husband, who actually grew up in Tuncurry. Favourite music? “Home” now includes two kids, two dogs It’s a bit of a mixed bag really - Cold Play, and two cats. Artic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran ... How long have you been a Most humorous memory? FOCUS contributor? Hmmmmm, thankfully I think it would be there are many such about three years. memories. But like What do you like ng hi yt er most funny moments, Ev most about being – the people , they’re actually ral a contributor? the pristine natu much funnier at the e I have the best environment, th time than on paper, e yl relaxed life-st job ever, and I y bl va and some are simply lie be we’re un love sharing all the ” d! not shareable here! se bles amazing experiences Who/what is you and stories we biggest inspiration? have across this I’m a huge sports wonderful region. I also nut, so growing up all my enjoy examining the massive idols were sportswomen. Sport disruption that today’s tourism remains a passion, but as I get older industry faces and the things it needs what inspires me now is not so much the to understand and embrace in order sporting performance itself, but the “back to remain relevant and successful going stories” behind the achievements. The forward. The way we market, communicate Anna Mears, Dylan Alcotts and Bethany and “manage” the destination is

How long have you lived in the ManningGreat Lakes? My dad’s family have been here since the late 1800s. Mum, Dad my sister and I moved back to Forster from Yamba in the late ‘60s, in Dad’s old Holden ute. I moved away for a while, living on the Gold Coast, where I studied massage and beauty therapy, moved up to Kuranda to live amongst the rainforest and then over to Busselton WA, where I watched the sun set over the sea, whist enjoying a Margaret River wine. Home is where the heart is, and we all find our way back home. Favourite hobby/pastime outside work? I love the beach for an early morning walk and swim with doggies, either Tuncurry or One Mile, supping on the lake, play dates with

a n d

d i a m o n d

b e a c h

nieces. Best thing that’s happened to you so far this year? Well, I am very excited to have tickets for the Rodrigues concert in the Hunter Valley. What’s a skill or talent you have that you’d like to develop more? One day I would like to learn sailing and sail off into the sunrise, with our local dolphins riding the waves at the bow. If you were to win a multi-million dollar lottery tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d buy with the money? Wow, wouldn’t financial freedom be amazing! I would share the winnings with my family and friends and for myself, book a holiday to see Paris, Rome, Greece.

“

completely unrecognisable to the way we did business even a couple of years ago. I guess too I feel a responsibility to make sure we don’t forget the significant economic and social contribution tourism makes to our community. Favourite thing about our area?

Hamiltons of this world ... Basically the persistence, the passion and the unswerving pursuit of a dream. Where are you answering these questions? Where I do my best work - in a coffee

Image of the month. The annual Old Bar Beach Festival attracted over 170 Kombis on the Saturday this year, with an estimated increase by Sunday. It was another great weekend for drooling over beautiful vintage Kombis and is always a photographer’s delight. With the largest markets held locally, carnival rides, displays, activities, music and food stalls from near and far there were smiles everywhere. Title: The Annual Old Bar Beach Festival. Photographer: Merryl Kemp. Camera: Olympus OMD em5 M 11, with the 12 – 40mm Olympus Pro lens. Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email jo@focusmag.com.au

shop with a long black! manning-great lakes focus.

WELLBEING W I T H S A X BY S P H A R M AC Y

MedsCHECK

Get your

BODY in shape for

Do you need help managing your medicines? Do you have Type 2 Diabetes? Are you taking five or more medications? Have you had a recent significant medical event?

axbys Pharmacy are offering a MedsCheck to eligible patients, which involves a pharmacist sitting down with you one on one to review

If you’ve been hibernating over winter and are finding it hard to get moving again, then it’s really important to pick activities that you enjoy!

ecide whether you want to do indoors or outdoors, or a combination of both. Sit down and schedule in the time to exercise and stick to it, so plan the week before if you have a changing work schedule. Don’t leave it until the last minute, as it won’t happen. Try and start with at least 30 minute sessions. The biggest drop out rate is the first 8 - 12 weeks of a training programme. So acknowledge it’s going to be hard, and you will succeed!

To make sure your training programme is a balanced one, you will need to be doing cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching. Often incorporated into these will be elements of balance, power, speed and agility. Two to three sessions of each per week is ideal. Finally, if you are trying to lose body fat, you will need to look at what you are eating first, so no matter how many hours you are exercising, things won’t change if you have not reviewed your eating habits. It’s 80% diet and 20% exercise to reduce body fat levels.

and discuss your medications and/or the management of your health conditions. Every year, up to 210,000 Australians are admitted to hospital due to medication problems; however, 50% of these admissions could be avoided by better medicine management. A MedsCheck will give you a better understanding of your medicines, as

this is FREE OF CHARGE! A MedsCheck takes about 30 minutes to complete and after this service, you will be provided with a MedsCheck report that contains a medication list as well as an action plan developed just for you during the consultation. This can be discussed with your doctor at a later date, or the doctor can contact one of our pharmacists to resolve any problems. To see if you are eligible and to book an

well as making you feel more confident that

appointment, please call Saxbys Pharmacy

you are taking the right medicines at the right

on (02) 65521662 or come in and see our

time. The pharmacist will also ensure that

friendly staff.

your medicines are working for you to avoid

Your pharmacists,

a hospital admission in the future. And all of

Ian, Shari and Erinn.

Prostate

CANCER What is your number? Is it rising? Do you know why? Your health is your responsibility; see your doctor.

he Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia reports that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. There are 120,000 men and their families living with prostate cancer, 20,000 men will be diagnosed this year, and 3,000 men will die from prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is an age-dependent disease, which means the chance of developing it increases with age. The risk of getting prostate cancer by the age of 75 is 30

manning-great lakes focus.

one in seven. By the age of 85, this increases to one in five. A prostate cancer diagnosis is least common in men under 50 years old (less than 3%). However, compared with other cancers, prostate cancer has one of the highest five-year survival rates after diagnosis (92%). Men over age 50, or 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their doctor about testing for prostate cancer as part of their annual health check-up.

Latest Technology. Old fashioned service.

A SMILE DENTAL ALSO OFFERS: • HICAPS payment option (you only pay the gap) • Payment through the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (if applicable)

A Smile Dental in Taree strives to bring you the latest in dental technology as well as a level of service that ensures your visit to the dentist is a pleasurable experience.

A SMILE DENTAL ALSO OFFERS: • HICAPS payment option (you only pay the gap) # • Payment through the NEW PATIENT $ hild Dental SPECIAL Benefit Schedule With this in mind, we are offering new clients a special introductory rate of $199 for a full consultation (see our coupon below for details). So now you can benefit from our latest advances: • Crowns can be milled and placed in one appointment, without impressions. They are so good we offer a 7 year warranty!# • New German laser technology allows for the early detection of tooth decay, eliminating the need for needles or drilling (unique to the region). • 3D X-rays can be carried out in-house, providing a more accurate assessment and treatment plan. (unique to the region). Call the office today to make an appointment and discover the re-assurance of a friendly, experienced and modern practice offering you the best possible assessment and treatment to cover all your dental needs.

ogy.

Dr Ralf Freier DENTIST

# CONDITIONS APPLY

199

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 8.30am to 5pm

INCLUDES: full consultation check up & clean • fluoride treatment • Laserscreening, decay detector • any necessary full mouth xray

THIS IS A ONCE-ONLY OFFER TO NEW PATIENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME. PLEASE MENTION THIS OFFER WHEN BOOKING AND BRING THE COUPON TO YOUR APPPOINTMENT.

(if applicable) * Health fund rebates may also apply.

Ph: 6551 0427 | 31 YORK ST, TAREE | Email: info@asmiledental.com.au | Web: asmiledental.com.au manning-great lakes focus.

ARTHRITIS What are the issues to consider when someone presents with arthritis of the hip and knee?

What are the simple measures that people can take to reduce

We need to get a clear idea of what affect the arthritis is having on the patient and how debilitating it is. This, in the main is about the pain it is causing. The pain needs to be graded in severity, we also need to work out how the pain is affecting the patients walking, general activities and sleeping. We need to be clear what other symptoms are present such as stiffness and deformity. We next need to grade the severity of arthritis for each affected joint. Plain x-rays are helpful with this but the most definitive investigation is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan (MRI) which gives a clearer idea of how much of the joint surface has worn away. We have an MRI Unit next to our rooms at the Mayo Hospital.

Measures that need to be considered initially are weight control

the effect of arthritis? and the use of health supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin. There is also good evidence that a physiotherapy program directed at strengthening the muscles around the affected joint can improve many of the symptoms associated with arthritis of the hip or knee. Anti-inflammatory medications have been used for many years to reduce the symptoms of arthritis and people should discuss the use of these with their General Practitioner.

PLATELET RICH PLASMA Are there any new treatments for arthritis that don’t involve surgery?

How is the Platelet Rich Plasma injection performed?

A recent development in the treatment of Osteoarthritis is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). The basic science of PRP is the platelets contain growth factors that aid in healing cartilage and stimulate stem cells for tissue repair.

The patient’s own blood is taken and placed in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the platelets. The Platelet Rich Plasma is then injected into the affected joint. No other cells or chemicals are added.

DR BRUCE WHITE

KNEE ARTHROSCOPY

Dr White how long have you been living in this area?

What role does a knee arthroscopy have in managing arthritis?

My family and I have been living in Halliday’s Point for 18-years and I have been working as an orthopaedic surgeon in Forster/Taree during that time.

A knee arthroscopy is useful in patients who have arthritis in their knee where there is a meniscal tear or loose fragments of bone or cartilage within their knee. An MRI scan is important to assess whether there is a problem within the knee which could be improved with a knee arthroscopy. It’s important to remember that knee arthroscopy can not cure arthritis.

What is your area of speciality? I am an Orthopaedic Surgeon, sub-specialising in the treatment of injuries and conditions affecting the knee and hip. Along with sport related injuries a large proportion of my work involves treatment of arthritis.

Cape Hawke Specialist Centre

Mayo Healthcare Centre

Address: 10-12 South St, Forster NSW 2428 Phone: 02 6550 0705 Fax: 02 6550 0706

Address: 2 Potoroo Dr, Taree NSW 2430 Phone: 02 6550 0705 Fax: 02 6550 0706 www.brucewhite.com.au

BEFORE

AFTER

ADVANCES IN HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

ADVANCES IN KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Are there any new advances in the treatment of arthritis of the hip?

What are the new advances in knee replacement surgery?

An advancement that is really a re-development of an old technique is the use of the Direct Anterior Approach for hip replacement surgery. This technique uses a 10cm incision over the front of the hip and avoids cutting any of the tendons, ligaments or muscles surrounding the hip. The main advantage is minimal trauma to all structures around the hip, allowing more rapid mobilisation and a quicker recovery. Patients are usually walking within a few hours of surgery.

A recent development with knee replacement surgery is the use of custom patient instrumentation. This involves MRI scanning of the legs and the digital images are then used to create instruments specific to that patientâ€™s knee. These are then used to perform the knee replacement surgery.

REHABILITATION How has the rehabilitation of patients after knee and hip replacement surgery changed? The main change with rehabilitation after surgery is the use of spinal anaesthesia, local anaesthetic, ice and a number of different pain medications to allow patients to mobilise as quickly as possible after their surgery. Patients are able to walk the day of their surgery and are strongly encouraged to perform their normal activities as soon as they are able. It allows an earlier discharge from hospital and quicker return to their normal life.

We also encourage our joint replacement patients to enter the Rehabilitation Day Program at both Mayo and Forster Private Hospitals. The program involves attending once or twice weekly for eight-weeks. You will have hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, exercise physiology, education and group exercise. Morning tea and lunch is also provided on the day.

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focuseditorial.

KINETIC JOHN STEVENS

I’M SURE IT’S SAFE TO SAY MOST OF US BELIEVE THAT NOTHING SPECTACULAR COULD HAPPEN QUICKLY. MOST OF US THINK THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE BIG CHANGES, IT’S GOING TO TAKE EITHER A LOT OF EFFORT OR A LONG TIME, OR WORSE STILL - BOTH!

hat if I told you, though, certainly not safe nor suitable for everyone. that in as little as seven The real deal HIIT training can be delivered to minutes a week you anyone who needs it, because intensity is relative could do something that to the individual. In order to achieve this there could potentially help must be a personalised assessment, selection you transform your health? You probably think of appropriate exercise modalities that this is a script for some Danoz Direct consider the needs of the individual, sales pitch, but you’d be wrong. scrupulous supervision and These are actually the findings regular progression. A typical of multiple scientific trials HIIT session might last on a concept called between seven and 15 IIT The real deal H “High Intensity Interval minutes, depending on training can be Training” or HIIT. the individual and their ne delivered to anyo use Now, HIIT has taken needs and involves a ca be it, s who need the fitness world by to e warm up, followed tiv la re is intensity storm for obvious .” by bouts of rapidly al du vi di the in reasons. Reductions changing high and low in body fat, abdominal intensity aerobic exercise, circumference and blood like using an exercise bike or pressure, improvements in treadmill. cardiovascular functioning and This framework has been found, reductions in C-reactive protein - the key under appropriate supervision, to make indicator for inflammatory conditions such as incredible changes to individuals with severe rheumatoid arthritis, have all been indicated heart and lung disease in decreasing their as being achievable with a personally tailored shortness of breath. In populations of those HIIT protocol. Unfortunately though, HIIT has also with rheumatoid arthritis, there are significant been hijacked and transformed into exercise that reductions in pain. For those struggling with bears little resemblance to the original concept. normalising their body mass, there is an In gyms all over the place there are exercise enormous potential of shedding the kilos that classes running under the name of HIIT, involving just wont move. everything from tyre flipping and rope jiggling So, if you’ve been told you need to exercise, with red-faced tank-top clad instructors standing you don’t have to crawl through mud to do it, with stopwatch in-hand. Let me assure you that unless you like that sort of thing. Movement in the original sense, this is not the high intensity is medicine, so come and see an exercise interval training pioneered by the researchers at physiologist and find out what dose you need to Queensland University of Technology but rather, an evolution of boot camp that whilst fun, is change your health and live the life you want.

“

manning-great lakes focus.

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

NOVEMBER 2016

with Terri

AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19

Avoid entertaining thoughts of what you believe others are thinking about you. Your judgement has attracted these thoughts. Be a little more self nurturing and avoid worrying about how people conceive you. Other people’s thoughts are none of your business. Amethyst keeps our thoughts clear.

PISCES.

February 20 - March 20 New beginnings, adventure and exploring the unknown are likely to be strong influences, so embrace change fearlessly and connect to your love of the unknown. Life, after all, is a great adventure in itself. Bring out your silly self and lighten up that seriousness. Jade connects us to our heart energy.

ARIES.

March 21 - April 20 Try not to entertain thoughts about what you believe others think of you, as these thought processes are self destructive and disempowering. Instead, be aware of your thoughts and be disciplined to terminate negative ones, replacing them with self praise. Rose Quartz initiates self love.

manning-great lakes focus.

TA U R U S .

April 21 - May 21 If you were to acknowledge how clever you are at manifesting, your ability will open up to new heights. Set some goals and when they materialise, thank yourself for creating them. Acknowledgement always amplifies our gifts and talents. Clear Quartz is great for amplifying

GEMINI. May 22 - June 22

If you have been feeling unsupported lately, you may be hoping to feel an emotion from someone to make you feel complete. Depending on an external influence to fulfil an internal need is unhealthy. Identify the emotion you wish to experience, and wake it up internally by breathing it through your entire body. Amethyst connects us to our soul’s strength.

CANCER. June 23 - July 23

Relationships will be a major focus for you. Filter everything through love to achieve new heights. Reflecting yourself through those closest to you will show you your strengths and weaknesses that need your attention. Rose Quartz is the crystal of love.

LEO.

July 24 - August 23 Listen to the wise words you speak when helping others, as this is how you are presently being guided. Your example can inspire people, and your charisma can be captivating. If you are feeling challenged emotionally, focus on your loving qualities to fill your energy with self approval. Turquoise is great for confidence.

VIRGO.

August 24 - September 23 The need to fulfil your destiny will be a strong influence, so set some fresh goals to gain the most out of this next six months. If you doubt yourself, you will be probably sabotaging your success. Give yourself permission to fearlessly step forward and enjoy your journey. Ruby shatters fear.

LIBRA.

September 24 - October 23 You are much stronger than you believe. Set your sights on your desired outcome and give yourself permission to fearlessly embrace the outcome. Disconnect from what others think, as these thoughts are really no concern of yours and are inhibiting. Citrine shatters negative thoughts and energy.

SCORPIO.

October 24 - November 22 You have been challenged lately by old beliefs you have outgrown, so instead of feeling comforted by your beliefs, you are likely to be feeling trapped. Try debating with these old beliefs; it isn’t easy, but initiates very powerful change. Kyanite opens our mind.

S A G I T TA R I U S . November 23 - December 21

You are in a purging cycle, as it is time to release anything from your reality that stops you achieving your highest potential. Give intention to everything you take into your body and release from it. See it as a flushing out of negativity, replenishing your cells with positivity. Selenite shatters negative energy.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

Surprises are likely to be on your agenda. Embrace change, as you have attracted these things into your reality. Now is a wonderful time to discover new gifts and talents with passionate learning opportunities. Moldavite is great for fulfilling destiny.

manning-great lakes focus.

focusfeature.

BLOSSOMS

education with care

hat does philosophy have means that when I walk around Blossoms, to do with children? I look to see that children are really at play. Sometimes hearing the For me, I look for children making decisions; word philosophy conjures up I look for lively discussions; I look for children visions of deep and meaningful discussions assisting other children sometimes beyond and large words that perhaps produce a their normal age and peer group; and I glazed expression. look for children fully engaged Early childhood services all in what they have chosen need to have philosophies. to do. I want to see We have these as that play providing a e We are fortunat part of our licensing challenge; sometimes to be situated requirements and also that challenge means area , in this beautiful an important part children need to our where each day r of our accreditation develop greater e ou children can us gs to in nd accountability system. physical skills, ou rr su l ra natu ay.” Over the years I sometimes language, enhance their pl have read many early sometimes social and childhood philosophies, always thinking. and most of these include Although there are times a statement that the service at Blossoms where the teacher follows a belief that children learn best leads the play where a project needs through play. to be extended and also when we just We too have this belief, but sometimes can’t stop ourselves from wanting to share I like to add when speaking about this an interest or our skills, most of the time we statement that we REALLY believe in play. It work at just being there when needed and

“

manning-great lakes focus.

making sure that we are providing the right

As part of this we recycle with the children;

environment for letting things just happen in

we have our worm farm and our compost

the right way.

bins. These in turn get used in our gardens,

Our environment is looked upon as another teacher. We are fortunate to be situated in this beautiful area, where each day our children

where the children help grow vegetables and flowers. All these things become part of our

can use our natural surroundings to enhance

philosophy: a set of beliefs that we feel are

their play. We try to use natural materials

important. Beliefs that guide our teaching

whenever possible; for us, children need to

each day and also form an early childhood

feel real objects. Eventually we will try and get

service that we think our children deserve.

to plastic free, as we are joining with many

We always welcome visitors to come and

families who also think about the effects that

see our beliefs in practice. Appointments can

our “things” are having on our environment.

be made by ringing Lyn on (02) 6557 2463.

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great lakes

CHILDREN'S CENTRE

orster Tuncurry Preschool opened Forster Tuncurry Preschool became the in February 1976 after a number Great Lakes Children’s Centre. of years of community fundraising, During 1995, 2000, 2003 and 2005, the consultation and planning. Prior to building and playgrounds were modified this, families had to travel to Taree to meet the changing needs of to access preschool education. the community. In 2000 the The rapid growth of preschool licence was enrolments and waiting extended to 45 places. In the future we lists reflected the In coming years the d look forwar growth of the local service would include r he ot to starting an nd community. long day care places ou gr ay round of pl s cu fo ill w In 1980 the and out of school at th planning the of s tie au committee extended hours care. be e on th d an ld or w l ra the building and Today, the tu na sustainability.” opened a second service is known playroom, increasing for its beautiful, numbers to 40 places per leafy playground day. By 1984 the committee and involvement in the had opened a second preschool community. Children regularly at Tuncurry. The two centres were run visit Pebbly Beach to “Take 3 for successfully by one committee. the sea”, take community and public During the 1990s, the Tuncurry transport for excursions, participate in local Preschool became a separate entity and community events like child protection, and

“

engage with the community as part of our

quality early childhood education to

programme.

children in the Great Lakes; past and

In the future we look forward to starting

present educators for their loyalty and

another round of playground planning that

love of learning; and the children, families

will focus on the beauties of the natural

and communities of the Great Lakes for

world and sustainability. We will also

supporting the preschool for 40 years.

celebrate the long awaited opening of our babies' room in early 2017. We would like to take this opportunity to

If you have attended, been involved with, on the committee of, or employed by Great Lakes Children’s Centre, please join

thank past and present parent committees

us for our birthday celebrations on the 12th

for their commitment to providing high

November between 9:30 - 12:30.

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focusfeature.

megan cooke

GARDEN TO TABLE

H Megan Cooke, director of Garden to Table Permaculture, has a combined 24 years’ experience in horticulture, permaculture and outdoor education. She has

developed a special program to educate early childhood educators and parents called Preschool Gardening and Sustainability …

40 manning-great lakes focus.

i Megan. Tell us about your first memories of being in the garden … I was about five. My dad used to take me out gardening in our home garden in Melbourne… and ask me to choose my favourite rose in the garden, he would pick it and place it in a vase in my room. You have quoted … “Growing up, I thought beetroot just came out of a tin; until I grew my first beetroot and discovered the joys of gardening, and since then I’ve never looked back!” Being one of seven children, my mum was always very busy; I guess we did eat a fair bit of tinned beetroot! I never really thought about where it came from, until I got involved in growing my own food through my dad’s love of gardening. At my 40th birthday party, my mum told me about how she gave me a little garden patch behind our swimming pool, where no one could see, and that’s where I learnt to garden through both experimenting with cuttings from the garden and planting seeds. Being a mother, how important is it for your children to know where their food comes from? It’s really important. There are a lot of food allergies and things around today; in our family, there’s gluten intolerance. It’s important for children to have a connection with their food and where it comes from; it’s a little bit sad if they’re going to the supermarket but not actually knowing where it has come from and the process from it starting as a seed to developing into a nutritious food. In order for young children to learn these principles, you’ve developed a preschool permaculture program. Tell us about that … It’s called Preschool Gardening and Sustainability Program for Early Childhood Teachers and parents, and it’s all about connecting children with nature and their environment. In today’s society, we’ve become a little sterile - we want everything clean and sanitised - but children actually need to get in contact with dirt and get that connection with nature; it’s really good for their gut health,

as well as their happiness. Some of the activities involved are seasonal planting, aimed at teaching childhood teachers simple activities which are low-cost using up cycled materials - things like egg cartons and yogurt containers can be used for planting seeds and seedlings or building worm hotels - recycling scraps through composting, chickens or worm farming, and saving water and energy. Educating people about keeping chickens, and that it’s OK to have chickens in a preschool centre - of which there are some great examples of this around the Great Lakes. Teachers and students will learn about planting, when and how to plant, friends and foes in the garden, what plants grow well with each other, and attracting good bugs into the garden, as well as things like templates and free gardening resources. Teachers will walk away with a whole lot of resources to teach the children with. You’re also running a Permaculture Design Course throughout November; this is a great way for members of the community to come along and learn the fundamentals of permaculture and spread this knowledge around … We are running a two week full-time Permaculture Design Course, which teaches home/property owners, renters, educators, gardeners and farmers everything about sustainability, from the home garden, looking at things inside the home, it could be energy/water, and also looking at the bigger picture - how we can do things at home or in the community that actually help with reducing our impact on the planet and helping to transition towards a more sustainable future. By acting locally, we can help to reduce climate change. Where can our readers find out more about both of these great programs? Through my website: www.gardentotable.com.au otherwise I am offering a free 15 minute Skype session for those interested in the programs. Also, to keep the price down for educators I am offering a program in March next year for preschool teachers and parents in the region to get together and learn the fundamentals of gardening and sustainability. Thanks Megan.

focusfeature.

TAREE & DISTRICT Community Preschool Taree and District Preschool is a community based centre which has been serving families in the Manning Valley for more than 60 years. We believe children learn best through play, positive guidance and modelling, and our unique, play-based curriculum reflects this philosophy, allowing children to be children. Because all children are unique and develop in different ways and at different times, we focus on close relationships between our educators, children, and families/care providers. Through collaborative partnerships with families, we provide a balance between child-led, childinitiated and intentional teaching. In a safe, intentionally-constructed and play-focused environment, children are given every opportunity to build self-help skills, independence, resilience and self-esteem â€“ all within a framework of assistance, praise and encouragement. Our lovely outdoor area encourages

exploration and imaginative play. Our commitment to our local community and environment means children are encouraged to be aware of their global responsibility, as well as the history of their local area and its original inhabitants, and the large blocks of uninterrupted time we allow for play promote sustained conversations and deeper learning. As children reach the end of their time at preschool, we prepare them for the school environment through encouraging role play and imaginative play, in a variety of school themed play areas. Independence is fostered through greater responsibility for day to day tasks, and children are guided into working autonomously on tasks such as puzzles, language games and numeracy games. We welcome children from age two, and operate five days a week. We love our local community and our preschool families and welcome enquiries and visitors at any time.

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focusinterview.

focuseditorial

H O M E S T E A D

C U R R A C A B U N D I N A T I O N A L

an you tell us about the Karamea Homestead? Karamea Homestead is located in Curracabundi National Park, approximately one hour northwest of Gloucester in the upper Giro valley. The homestead was part of a larger grazing property known as “Karamea”, acquired by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 2006. Karamea is a late Federation-period timber homestead originally constructed in 1914. The NPWS recently completed renovations to the property, modernising the interior whilst retaining the characteristic charm of the Federation style exterior. With the completion of these renovations, the public can now enjoy a unique and exclusive homestead-style visitation experience while staying in a national park. The homestead is located at the eastern edge of Curracabundi National Park and has an overlook featuring panoramic views of the Bretti Range, the Barnard River valley, and the rolling hills of Giro. The property has a long and rich cultural history. The Barnard River valley was an important pathway for Aboriginal people, providing access from the coast up into the tablelands of New England. Recorded within the park are numerous campsites, artefact scatters, and scar 42

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P A R K

SPEND SOME MUCH NEEDED TIME AWAY ON THE BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS AT KARAMEA HOMESTEAD NEAR GLOUCESTER. WE CATCH UP WITH SEAN FROM THE NATIONAL PARKS AREA OFFICE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY.

trees. More contemporarily, Karamea was established as an built. The graffiti is now on display behind a glass screen. outstation of the Australian Agricultural Company in the The name Karamea is understood to have been derived 1880s. from a New Zealand property where Louise Hogno stayed One interesting aspect of this recent history has been previously. the leading role of women at Karamea. What can one do whilst staying at the homestead? Women were owners and managers Unplug from the internet. Unwind from the of the property for sixty five years unrelenting pace of our modern lifestyle. of the one hundred years Recharge the batteries of the soul. With The homestead Karamea has been settled. no mobile phone coverage this far from is located at Louise Hogno was the town, Karamea provides an opportunity of the eastern edge ional original settler in 1909, to get away from it all and relax. at Curracabundi N and remained there after The Barnard River flows right in front Park , and has an ing her marriage until 1933. of the homestead, thereby providing overlook featur s of the Sheila Mayne, who lived in an inviting place to relax on the bank panoramic view e Barnard Maitland, held all the leases of the river and swim in the cool clear Bretti Range, th d the River valley, an .” for 16 years after 1941. waters during summer. Visitors can walk iro G of rolling hills Valma Spencer-Sun acquired downstream to the picnic spot which has Karamea in 1981 and held the been used for generations by Karamea’s property until selling it to NPWS in guests. Along with swimming, the river also 2006. invites the keen angler to test their skill against the During Karamea’s restoration, removal of freshwater bass found here. the termite damaged wall lining revealed a Located well out of town, the Karamea’s night sky is number of writings and signatures penned by generally clean and clear. In the evening, your overhead is the homestead’s original builders. Their “graffiti” dated filled by stars. Sitting around the outside fireplace, guests the construction to August 1914, which therefore provides can gaze into the cosmos, count falling stars, or toast important information as to when the homestead was mashmallows over the fire.

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H O M E S T E A D

For the avid gardener, the homestead grounds are an excellent example of subsistence gardening in a remote

for long weekends such as Easter.

Simply put: serenity. Guests have exclusive access to

The fully furnished four-bedroom homestead sleeps

that part of Curracabundi National Park, with a relaxing

rural setting. Fruit tree plantings include a variety of citrus,

up to 10 people. Two bedrooms have three king single

riverside setting beside the Barnard River. The location and

mango, banana, and avocado. Nut and berry trees also

beds each, and two bedrooms have queen sized beds.

setting provide a unique sense of remoteness, allowing

feature, along with a uniquely exotic African sausage tree.

The homestead features a fully equipped

Guests can explore the garden, sampling the in-season

kitchen with modern appliances, two

fruits as they go.

bathrooms, covered verandahs

Karamea is also well placed and structured as a venue

and an outdoor BBQ area. The

for artistic, health/wellbeing retreats, corporate training,

large open plan living and

and as a base for educational and research activities.

dining room area is perfect

For the more energetic, a number of fire trails that lead

for entertaining. Temperature

further into the national park provide opportunities for

control is provided by reverse

extended day hikes and mountain biking. Karamea is also

cycle air-conditioning, and a

identified for horse riding opportunities along designated

wood heater provides a real

trails within the national park. Horse riding is currently

home charm warmth on those

available exclusively to guests staying at Karamea. Contact

chilly winter nights.

the NSW Gloucester office for more information on horse

What vehicle access does the

riding.

homestead have?

Is there a certain number of people who can stay

the visitor to unplug, unwind, and recharge from the frenetic pace of modern life. As did Karamea’s previous residents, guests should also expect to be self

d The location an e id setting prov of iq a un ue sense ing w lo al remoteness, ug , pl un to r the visito ge ar unwind, and rech ce pa ic from the frenet of modern life.”

“

Karamea is approximately 62 km from

at the one time, and what facilities does the home

Gloucester, of which 40 km is along the sealed

have?

Thunderbolts Way, then 22 km along Giro Road

sufficient for the duration of their stay, as the nearest corner store is about an hour’s drive away! How can our readers make a booking or find out more information? The NSW NPWS visitor website provides a good source of information on Karamea. Alternatively, visitors can contact NPWS Barrington Tops Area Office in

Gloucester on 6538 5300. Bookings and accommodation information

(an all weather gravel road) to the homestead. The

can be obtained from Accommodation

holiday destination, providing overnight self-contained

drive is approximately one hour from Gloucester. Whilst

Management Services Gloucester’s website www.

accommodation to families and small groups. Bookings

accessible to 2WD vehicles, the NPWS recommends all

accommodationmanagementgloucester.com.au, or by

are generally accepted for a minimum two night stay

wheel drive.

calling the property manager on 0427 589 075.

weekdays or weekends, with a minimum three night stay

What can guests expect when staying at Karamea?

Thanks Sean.

The homestead is perfectly suited as a short-term

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Sharon Bultitude - Tourism and Marketing Coordinator, Great Lakes Tourism

Tourism sharon bultitude

ADAPT OR DIE IGNORE AGILE AT YOUR PERIL. SO WHAT IS AN AGILE ORGANISATION, AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

ell, first things first, and I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say it’s undeniable, we now live and work in the age of the customer.

manning-great lakes focus.

We are all customers in our daily lives, and just like our business customers, we want more, cheaper … we want it NOW … and what we want changes all the time! We are in a more connected, disruptive and increasingly competitive marketplace

than ever before. So get it right for the customer, and you will be rewarded for it. With happier customers - and staff for that matter - positive reviews, more business referrals and a successful company. Get it wrong, and you’re likely to push your customer out the door, after they’ve bashed you on Twitter. And that is why the only way you can run your business is in an agile way - cross-functionally, not departmentally, on unified projects for the good of the customer. No longer can you set out business plans - or annual plans for that matter - and have a hope of sticking rigidly to them. Why? Because things change, and you need to change with them … quickly. “In its simplest form, agile is about being able to adapt and make the most of your resources.” With business (and destinations) today, it is not the strongest or biggest who will ultimately be successful, as strength or size may not be what gives them a competitive advantage in the future. The businesses and destinations with the real competitive advantage will be those who are most adaptable. It is only in the last year or so that our tourism team has really started to embrace an agile approach - and whilst working within a local government framework is by its very nature perhaps more prone to a red-tape and “silo” mentality than private enterprise - the results and change in our team culture are very obvious.

Agile has allowed us to combine our team’s skills and efforts by collaborating across disciplines, with everyone’s entire efforts focused on the same goal. Instead of traditional methods which, let’s face it, can involve a lot of talking and not a lot of doing, an agile approach can tackle big projects in a fraction of the usual time. By dedicating a team to focus on one specific project, putting everything else they have to do to one side, the project magically takes less time and has a better outcome. This is about breaking departmental silos and working together effectively for a common goal. But an agile approach will not work by simply arranging a cross-department meeting. It’s about having the right people on your team. To make this approach truly effective, our team members need to be people who like change, but - crucially - have a specialism while also knowing a little bit about a lot of things. For example, our visitor service staff, who historically just needed to answer customer enquiries, are now involved in every stage of the customer contact and market development process. There is no perfect way of doing agile. The best thing you can do is just begin tomorrow, make some mistakes, learn quickly from them and get busy maximising your organisation’s potential.

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I N 2016, T R A DI T IONA L OW N E R S OF T H E L A N D NOW K NOW N A S OR A R A E A ST STAT E FOR E ST, T H E GU M BAY NG G I R R NAT ION E L DE R S, G R A N T E D FOR E ST RY COR P OR AT ION PE R M I S S ION TO T E L L T H E STORY OF GU MGA L I T H E B L AC K G OA N NA.

umbaynggirr people are the as “postcards” due to its perfectly positioned garlugun-gi girrwaa, or “first viewing frames in the timber; a great opportunity mob” of the Coffs Harbour for Instagram users to instantly frame and share area. The partnership has their experience with the world. Further along resulted in a 400 metre the 400 metre walking track, a Tallowwood seat walking track that tells the provides a picturesque rest stop on the way to story of Gumgali through sculpture, mural art, the lookout, whilst a life-like goanna sculpture signage and sound - in Gumbaynggirr rests in the bush along the track. language, a language still strong Local artists Snarly and Yowa today. Gumgali Track was have been collaborating on developed in collaboration walls and cross pollinating NSW forests with Gumbaynggirr graffiti culture with contain a rich Elders, local artists and Gumbaynggirr culture, ginal history of Abori designers. a mix of the old and the cultural heritage s of At the Korora new, for some time. ie following centur t Lookout carpark, Their stunning murals en skilful managem visitors are greeted along the track tell the by traditional with interpretive .” Gumgali story, combining rs landowne signage telling the Story contemporary patterns with of Gumgali, and the forest graffiti-style in sharing the environment provides the Gumbaynggirr culture. context for the visitor experience Upon arrival at Korora Lookout, along the walk. visitors can take in the breathtaking A series of public art sculptures lead north coast ocean views from tree-shaded visitors along the track to the lookout. seating or a sunny viewing deck. The ocean, The sculptures have been crafted from locally or gaagal, is very important to the Gumbaynggirr grown Brushbox, Tallowwood and Ironbark people. It is here at the lookout that the story of timbers, both tactile and beautiful. The first Gumgali can be listened to at the “sound bar” sculpture reflects the landscape in a 3 metre in Gumbaynggirr language, sharing a local story high timber monolith with carved relief. Visitors that has been passed down through generations are encouraged to interact with the second of people using these forests, in a language that sculpture along the track, known colloquially is still strong today.

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NSW forests contain a rich history of Aboriginal cultural heritage following centuries of skilful management by traditional landowners. Today, Forestry Corporation works closely with local Aboriginal land councils and traditional owners to protect and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage and significant sites and create sustainable partnerships with the Aboriginal community. GETTING THERE Korora Lookout featuring The Story of Gumgali can be found in Orara East State Forest, on the Scenic Drive up to Sealy Lookout, just north of Coffs Harbour. Travel north on the Pacific Highway and take the “Sealy Lookout” turn off just past the Big Banana. Follow the winding road up through banana plantations and scenic views until you reach the Orara East State Forest. Turn left at The Gap and follow the road up to Korora Lookout carpark. When you’ve finished enjoying Korora Lookout, don’t forget to drive 500 metres up the road to Sealy Lookout and the famous Forest Sky Pier. Cost: Your visit to NSW State Forests is absolutely free. Share your experience on social media - search #VisitNSWForests Download our free VisitForests app www.forestrycorproation.com.au/visit

THE STORY OF

Jalumbaw yarrang Gumgaliyu nyaawang niigarrin biguurr-garri waruungga juluumba. Long ago that Gumgali saw men with spears high in the mountains. “Galang, Yaam ngaya wambi. Ngaya yaarri yarraang giili,” yirraang Gumgaliyu. “Oh gosh, I’m scared. I’m outta here now,” said Gumgali. “Ngaaja yaanggu jaliija wajaada gaagalgu waalgaw yarrang muniim barrway manggarla.” “I’ll go underground to the ocean and push that big rock ahead of me.” Yaarrigay yarrang Gumgali burraabading gaagala. Wanaawang niigarrin wajaada. And then Gumgali arrived at the ocean, leaving the men behind on the land.

manning-great lakes focus.

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Beryl

M O R I A R T Y

PR E S E N T I NG A VA R I ET Y OF WOR KS, F ROM S E A S CA PE S A N D L A N DS CA PE S TO B I R DS A N D F LOW E R S, LO CA L A RT I ST B E RY L MOR I A RT Y I S HOL DI NG A N E X H I B I T ION OF H E R PA ST E L S A N D AC RY L IC S AT T H E B E A N BA R I N TA R E E ...

i Beryl. We've mentioned your art in the past in FOCUS, and you're well known for your local exhibitions. What's been keeping you busy in

recent times? I have not had a great deal of time for painting lately, as I have been full-time carer for my husband for nearly a year. How do you feel your artwork has changed and evolved over the years? Over the years I have learnt a lot from workshops with local and city based artists, reading about different methods and viewing exhibitions etc. and I hope this is reflected in my painting. I believe joining Taree Artists Inc. has been one of the best and most influential things I have done, and I would recommend it. I believe What are your favourite joining Taree mediums to work with been Artists Inc. has these days - and why d an st be e th of one do you prefer to use l tia most influen these in particular? things I have Mostly I work with pasld done , and I wou tels and acrylics. I love the ” it. d en m m reco immediacy of pastels - just pick up a stick and go, but then other times I enjoy acrylics, with a brush in hand. What are some of the techniques you use to create your artwork? The subject material dictates the technique I use in each painting, and also whether I use pastels or acrylic. What subject matter draws your attention and inspires you most recently? Lately most of my subjects have been landscapes (featuring water). However, at the moment I am working on a cat - my own from 50 years ago - thanks to a photo. I am thinking next … probably spring flowers. You'll be holding an exhibition of your work at the Bean Bar in Taree from Friday 28th October until early in January, 2017. Describe some of the works you'll be pre-

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manning-great lakes focus.

senting ... Mainly my paintings will be different from those presented before at the Bean Bar, with possibly a couple of exceptions. There will be seascapes, landscapes, birds and flowers - and my cat, if I get it finished. If you could say one thing to inspire others to pick up charcoal or a paintbrush, what would you tell them? Sometimes it is hard to get started, but it is so rewarding - just go for it. You never know what you can do until you try. I never did anything until my late thirties. Where can we see more samples of your work, or find out more about you? Some of my works can be seen on the website http://artists.myartscape.net/beryl-moriarty/ or at my home by appointment: details on Taree Artists Inc. website. Thanks Beryl.

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with Gary Gersbach from Forster Tuncurry Business Chamber

FIRST IMPRESSIONS IT’S A WELL-WORN ADAGE THAT YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION ...

ith that in mind and the annual influx of summer tourists almost upon us, it’s a good time for all businesses to think about

scenario. Tenants can certainly present sparkling clean and exciting window displays but if they’re within a tired and rundown façade, then their effect will be limited. If shop owners want to maintain their rental returns, they need to do their their “front doors”. bit by ensuring their premises are well maintained The importance of an attractive and and up to date. inviting shop front cannot be Last year the Chamber ran a underestimated. Shop window competition to find the best dressing is the single, most Christmas themed shop n effective way to promote display, and it is our intention It ca and advertise your store to do so again this year. make the n ee tw be e nc re and your products. Many people from the diffe ing a customer com Window dressing is community commented ey in to spend mon nothing new, having been on last year’s great displays to or walking past around since the 18th and how much they enjoyed the next retailer.” Century, when introduced them. So why not take this by Francis Place in London. opportunity to look critically It can make the difference at your business’ “front door” between a customer coming in to and freshen it up with a great yuletide look? The more businesses that spend money or walking past to the next participate, the greater the impact and the retailer. And it’s not just the next shopfront more passing trade it will attract. The Chamber’s retailer you’re competing with - the threat of “Shop Local” initiative was a great example of the online retailing means that more than ever the effectiveness of high participation in a common traditional shopfront retailer has to improve the theme. customer experience. That means good customer If you are unsure of how to best dress your service and an exciting and dynamic shopfront that shop window, there are many online articles not only catches the customer’s eye, but entices offering handy tips and advice. You could also use them in to the shop with the promise of more the services of a professional window dressing “treasures”. consultant. Landlords also have a part to play in this

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BUSINESS

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manning-great lakes

property guide

manning-great lakes focus.

Holiday management team

PROFESSIONALS Forster Tuncurry

Property Management

Principals Richard Crowther and Darrell Roche Sales team

i Richard. It’s been a while since FOCUS has caught up with you and the Professionals. How have you found business over the last 12 months? It’s been a very busy 12 months for us. Sales have been exceptionally strong, and at last owners have seen some strong growth results. We have enjoyed many happy buyer and seller moments this year. Our property management business has continued to grow strongly, which is just rewards for a very dedicated and professional team who truly are focused on differentiation of our service levels. We are also really pleased to see continued occupancy growth in the holiday market, which as we all know is an extremely competitive business. It’s exciting times. A growing real estate industry means a growing town, and this has a flow on effect to our entire economy. The market seems to be booming, but what’s your advice for those either looking to buy or wanting to sell? All markets are driven by supply and demand and after many years of an excessive supply, the wheel has turned and available property

MEET THE TEAM AT PROFESSIONALS FORSTER TUNCURRY (particularly in certain price points) has definitely become more scarce. From a seller’s perspective, this is great news. There is certainly an opportunity to achieve an excellent result, and I would encourage anyone considering selling to get an updated appraisal, as you may be very surprised how things have changed. As the busiest summer months approach, there couldn’t be a better time to sell, so if you are at all thinking about it, call us for an informed chat. From a buyer’s perspective, it can be challenging to find the right property, so don’t be afraid to register your requirements with an agent you trust, as it is important to get an early advice of new listings, rather than wait for them to appear on the web. We have a very efficient database that will make sure early alerts are provided, so don’t miss out. You should also be ready to move quickly. Have your finance pre-approved if necessary and if you negotiate a sale, move quickly through the legal process to exchange contracts or you run a genuine risk of missing out. You have a great group of people behind the Professionals name in Forster. Can you introduce them to us?

We certainly do have a great team here. In addition to Darrell and I, we have six staff in our sales team. Janet Knott, Tracey Drayson, Matt Thompson, Charles Degotardi and Jeremy Davey are our Sales executives, with Lee Lawrence coordinating all our sales admin and marketing. Our Property Management Team is headed up by Kylie Elder, with Carolyn Wilson and Marie Doherty our Property Officers. We then have a fabulous Holiday Accommodation team running the Forster Accommodation Centre. This is led by Nicole Sanki, and the team consists of Erin Coulson, Mel Worboys, Cath Manning and Cheryl Nicholas. Karen Crowther is our Financial Controller and joint Director, and we are also lucky to have the tremendous experience of Lyn Minard as our office Manager, overseeing all our team leaders. What do you think is most important when it comes to selecting which agent to list your home with? This is so often underestimated, particularly in a stronger market. Selling a property is not an everyday event, and it is potentially the most valuable asset you will ever trade. Number 1. Pick an agent you can trust implicitly and feel

genuinely comfortable with. Do your homework; check the agency’s success and reputation. After all, you are handing them the keys to your home. Number 2. Pick a genuine marketing agent. The thing that drives price is competition. Any agent can bring you one buyer in a strong market and pretend they are great. You want an agent who will expose you to and bring multiple buyers, then use expert negotiation skills to really get you a result that otherwise may have been missed. You don’t get a second chance, and you are gambling with serious dollars if you don’t engage a genuine professional. These markets always bring out discount operators, who essentially cut corners to achieve quick turnover. It is beyond me why anyone would ever do this with an asset worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Also, in this market, don’t discount an auction. It won’t work for everyone, but in some cases it’s ideal. Don’t accept the throw away line that “auctions never work in Forster”. That is absolute rubbish. If an agent doesn’t at least raise this with you, they are being lazy and not truly exploring all marketing avenues. We would never recommend it if we felt it inappropriate, nor would we push this, but in this market it’s at least worth considering.

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FOCUS CATCH UP WITH GRAEME ROBERTS, THE VILLAGE MANAGER AND REGISTERED NURSE AT EVERMORE LIVING.

i Graeme. Please introduce yourself and your role at Evermore Living to our readers. My name is Graeme Roberts, and I am privileged to be the Village Manager and Registered Nurse at Evermore Retirement Living in Forster. I have a dual role within the village. I am the clinical leader for our nursing team of Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing. I also have a mandate for the overall management of the village with maintenance, services and activities. My dynamic team of nurses together with the hospitality team provide “care” to our residents in the village. How long have you been at Evermore, and how many do you have working with you in your particular department? I came to Evermore in February 2016, just over eight months ago, with a clinical focus. I was the only nurse here at the time, having taking responsibility from my predecessor. After establishing my new role, moving from within the public hospital system, I identified needs based on simple assessments of residents that enabled services for them that were unknown to residents. From a start with one nurse, we now have a team of six nursing staff with varying disciplines, a physio aid, and an activities officer. Our team are multi-skilled and enjoy the varying roles that apply here. One thing that does apply to all nursing staff, no matter what discipline, is we all work within our scope of practice to ensure safe and effective nursing to our residents. What is your background in the industry; where were you before joining the 50

manning-great lakes focus.

Great Lakes/Manning for about a year. In Evermore team? January this year I was invited to Evermore, My background was travel, from leaving completing a dream for coastal living and school at 14. I worked for airlines within working in an environment which is not only Australia, East-West and QANTAS, United stunningly beautiful, but complete with people Airlines and American Airlines in Europe, Asia who as part of their lives have an embedded, and the United States. It was at 50 I had a caring paradigm that is tangible. “Working” at personal major medical event. QANTAS was Evermore is a not only a pleasure, but an a very regimented organisation, well incredibly honoured position, from known for its exactness. I was within. in hospital for three weeks What other facilities and saw that the nursing re We do provide ca and resources are and medical staff had 24 hours every available to residents the same exactness. I a week. day, seven days t for at Evermore? made a comparison ec I have great resp Evermore is a between them and em my peers and th step village where active, found that nursing e. I taking downtim independent retirees was a career choice. t gh ni in and stay over . The come and enjoy their I earned my is here to enable th here remaining time. It is Bachelor of Nursing s rd service standa more a family than a Degree at Southern ” s. are first clas business. The five-star Cross University environment we have created (Lismore Campus) 2006 at Evermore means nothing - 2008. This allowed me is left out. We have a restaurant to progress through my postthat serves delicious, wholesome meals graduate year, assessing as I went what twice a day, every day, a cinema that shows role I wanted within the health system. I movies and DVDs from our collection, a library completed my Master’s Degree and was stocked with books of all genre, a heated pool, awarded my Master of Nursing from UNE a Loungebar renowned for its hospitality every (Armidale Campus) in 2011. This allowed day at 4:30pm, a monthly schedule of local me to progress through the Registered Nurse events. We have a fleet of vehicles to take role at Wellington and Dubbo hospitals to residents out for the day, or to appointments or become Deputy Director of Nursing (aka Nurse functions. Manager) at Wellington for the five remaining When it comes to 24/7 care, what stands years there until February this year. out the most about the care and service My need to assess my retirement led me given at Evermore? to buy land on Wallis Lake in October 2014 What stands out to me is the different with a view to semi-retirement, applying for view on “care” we have, from what exists in positions as I went. I literally handed resumes other facilities in the area. Although I have a to hospitals and aged care facilities in the

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directive that clinical care is primary, we look at “care” as being embedded with two-way trust between staff and residents, at the time when the residents need “care”. Everyone from the cleaning staff to management have a mandated “care” philosophy. They care in their own way, with all the respect and dignity expected by residents, and their guests, continually. Nothing is trouble here. I can only draw on a comparison from working at QANTAS that the process of customer service it utmost on every employee’s mind here. My proudest moment is when we are thanked for what we do. We do provide care 24 hours every day, seven days a week. I have great respect for my peers and them taking downtime. I step in and stay overnight here to enable this. The service standards here are first class. It remains everyone’s responsibility to ensure that residents are safe, secure and comfortable here. What do you say to those who are interested or thinking about making the move to Evermore? Moving to a retirement village is daunting, stressful, and loaded with emotional doubt and loss. Come in; talk to us. Let us show you what Evermore Retirement Living is really like. Explore the facility on a tour; talk to the residents who live here. You can even stay in the village overnight in one of our two apartments set up for that reason, to “try before you buy”. See for yourself what the environment is like; take lunch here. It is not rehearsed; it’s what we do, every day. Talk to me about your personal care needs. Let’s put your mind at ease. You’ll know when it’s time to move. Thanks Graeme.

Come & Experience Evermore for Yourself Affordable 5 Star Supported Retirement Living - Forster • • • • •

Beautifully appointed spacious apartments and facilities 24/7 onsite care managed by our registered nurse Next door to Forster’s private hospital Central location - leisurely stroll to shopping and restaurants Independent and supported living options available

18-30 Bruce Street, Forster Next Door to the Forster Private Hospital

02 6528 0442

www.evermoreliving.com.au 44

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STAGE 2

Selling Fa st! Inspection Appointm by ent

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Sun

sand

J K L

H O M E

O F

T H E

M O N T H

THE SALES TEAM - ALEX JACOBS, CARLIE BASHAM AND KAREN HOSWELL - AT JKL REAL ESTATE ARE PROUD TO OFFER YOU THIS MAGNIFICENT HOME AT ONE MILE BEACH FORSTER.

here the Sun meets the Sand meets The Sea. If you have not visited the Forster Great Lakes area, it is now time to pay us a visit and enjoy our beautiful lake system, wonderful beaches known as Nine Mile Beach, Forster Main Beach, Pebbly Beach, One Mile Beach and the secluded Burgess Beach. There is ample holiday accommodation to stay in when you visit, and JKL can always accommodate you in one of our holiday properties. We also have a number of other properties for sale if you would like to visit our office, or give us a call; I am sure we will be able to assist you with all your requirements. JKL Real Estate are here to meet all of your real estate needs, being Holiday Management, Permanent Management and a very active sales department. JKL has been operating as a family business for 20 years in Forster and pride themselves on their honesty to clients in giving them realistic selling prices for their property. We understand that this may not be what some people want to hear; however, we work to achieve the vendor’s highest price - not drop the price at a later date. Honesty is always the best policy! YOUR DREAM CAN NOW COME TRUE - VIEWS! VIEWS! VIEWS! If you have always dreamed of living in a spacious home with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and a deck where you can watch the whales frolic, JKL Real Estate can now make that a reality. I have to walk you through this home, that is perfectly positioned at One Mile Beach, Forster and

manning-great lakes focus.

captures headland to headland views. is a grassed area where you could place a Gazebo and From the moment you enter the foyer with its high create yet another viewing area of the gorgeous Pacific ceiling and pendant light, you realise you are in for a Ocean. treat. Turning left into the kitchen/ family room, Perfectly positioned at the front of we have a picture window that overlooks the home is a large in-ground the ocean and the in-ground pool. swimming pool and when The kitchen also has new appliances you are seated on the tile t and ample cupboard space. To the This is the perfec deck, your eyes are drawn right we have a separate lounge home if you love to the pool, the greenery, of e m ga room that also leads to a master a the beach or th bo e and then the ocean - it is ar bedroom suite with walk in robe lf, as they

“ go

re wal and en-suite. Further to the right is amazing! Other features only a 200 met lling Se ed st Li e Th ! the guest powder room and a very away are five KVA solar panels erty is large laundry with loads of storage. Price of this prop for electricity and hot $1,480,000.00.” Venturing upstairs, the private water, gas outlets, reverse quarters boasts another master cycle air conditioning, covered bedroom suite with en-suite and walk entertaining area, alarm system, in robe and yes, more fabulous ocean and so much more. views! There is a large tiled utility area that This is the perfect home if you love could be converted into another bedroom, sewing the beach or a game of golf, as they are both only a room or extra lounge room for the kids. There are two 200 metre walk away! The Listed Selling Price of this other bedrooms with built-in robes, a fully equipped office at the front of the home, plus another sunroom property is $1,480,000.00 where you can sit and watch the whales, dolphins, THIS PROPERTY WILL BE OPEN FOR VIEWING ON surfers, or just relax. THE FOLLOWING DATES. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE The master bathroom is very spacious and has a large IN YOUR CALENDAR, SO YOU DO NOT MISS OUT! shower stall and spa bath, where you can soak after a ADDRESS: 35 SEAVIEW STREET, FORSTER. hard day at the beach. For the man of the house we SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER, 11AM ‘TIL NOON. have a remote controlled three car garage with storage SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER,11AM ‘TIL NOON. cupboards along the back wall. There is also space for To arrange your own private viewing for this property, the boat or extra vehicle, plus a large outdoor shed for you can phone JKL Real Estate on 6554 8717 and ask the mowers and bins. Walking up a few more stairs of for Karen, Carlie or Alex. this magnificent 1138 square metre block of land, there

This is your last chance to take advantage of our 20th Birthday super special! List and sell with JKL from now until the end of December 2016 and have the number one team in Forster working for you for a reduced commission! That’s right— We’re sharing our birthday celebrations with you! With a Reduction in Commission, and a shortage of properties on the market, NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL WITH JKL!

HINTERLAND VIEWS

 669m2 block central to One Mile Beach & Stocklands Shopping Centre

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POPULAR ESTATE

 692m2 block located in quiet cul-de-sac & a level walk to Stocklands Shopping Centre

HALLIDAYS POINT

 740m2 block—You can literally walk across the road to Diamond Beach!

DREAM HOME READY

 896m2 block close to Boronia Park & Stocklands Shopping Centre

TALLWOODS VILLAGE

 799m2 elevated block with great hinterland views in area with high quality homes

TUNCURRY FAMILY HOME

ONE MILE BEACH

Carlie Basham 0439 757 378 or email: carlie@jklrealestate.com Alex Jacobs 0400 643 317 or email: alex@jklrealestate.com

Garage converted to 4th bedroom New flooring throughout the home Enclosed sunroom & fire pit at rear Side access & shed

Original parquetry floors upstairs Covered front and rear balconies Headland to headland ocean views Immaculate home!

Contact our friendly Sales Team for your Free Market Appraisal

WORK IN PROGRESS

WALK TO PEBBLY BEACH

 Huge entertaining area at rear  Side access and garden shed  Three way bathroom & gas outlets  Ideal investment!

INVESTMENT ON HAWAII

 Large family home in great location  Corner block with side access  Move on in or make me over first!  Timber deck & pool

 Covered outdoor entertaining area  Single garage plus single carport  Great tenants would love to stay  Close to Forster Keys

2.5

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FAMILY ENTERTAINER

Large split level family home Timber deck with hinterland views Solar heated in-ground swimming pool Multiple living areas

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WALK EVERYWHERE!

Large townhouse in complex of only 3 Level walk to beach, lake & shops Small pet considered!! Great tenants

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BEAUTIFUL BLUEYS

Stone bench tops & butlers pantry Solar panels & bamboo ceiling fans Separate studio off courtyard 200m to beach

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Forster tuncurry Awnings & Blinds Forster Tuncurry Awnings and Blinds have again come away with awards from the annual Luxaflex Alliance Conference recently held in Perth. On the night they were presented with the awards for the Largest Roller Blind Sales and the store with the Largest Growth in Sales for the 2015 - 16 year from 78 Alliance stores nationally. This again was a great result, and the Forster Tuncurry Awnings and Blinds team would like to thank all the loyal builders, real estate agents and customers for their continued support. “We think our emphasis on before and after sales service along with Luxaflex being the market leader of window coverings, is the reason for this success,” said Manager Greg Hill. “Luxaflex Window Fashions continue to evolve the Australian range of stunning window covering solutions for inside and outside your home.”

What FTAB offer … Supply and install of a large range of quality internal and external blinds and awnings and free quotes and competitive pricing. The experienced team can assist in choosing the right products, offer a variety of colours, textures and weaves to choose from to fulfil every function and to suit every decor. THE FUTURE VISION OF FORSTER TUNCURRY AWNINGS & BLINDS … FTAB is actively involved in striving to keep up to date with any new products and technologies which become available in the market place, and will continue to strive to make sure customers are satisfied with their before and after sales service. Call into the showroom at 42 Pine Avenue, Tuncurry, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Check out the website: www.forstertuncurryawningsandblinds.com.au or phone 6554 5300 for more information.

with Amanda Tate form LJ Hooker

SPRING IS IN THE AIR With summer around the corner, spring is not only in the air but very much in the real estate market. With a surge of buyer inquiry, we have officially entered a sellers’ market. So, what does this mean for the sellers? Lots of things, including being very careful on being focused on price. With a surge in sales comes a short supply of homes for sale. This can be frustrating for buyers, as it places an urgency in the market leading to a fear in missing out on the home of their dreams. This urgency is what drives our market and with the shortage of new homes for sale, it also drives our prices upwards. I don’t care how experienced an agent is; we need to be very careful with our opinions on market price. In today’s market, most sale prices are exceeding

both ours and the sellers’ expectations, so auction is without a doubt the best way to market any property. Not all sellers like auctions, so it is important when a home is new to the market, we don’t sell it to the first buyer within a day. At L J Hooker Taree we ensure all our buyers who match the criteria for the home are given the opportunity to inspect the property before offers are taken to the seller. This allows a broad range of buyers to be taken through, a range of feedback given, and the best offer and terms are negotiated for both the seller and the buyer. Then and only then can the seller be assured they have received the best possible price in this current market and the real estate agent has earned their commission in negotiating the best deal for the seller. After all, isn’t that who the real estate agent works for?

Fancy Whodoesn’t! doesn’t! Fancyaamillion million dollars? dollars? Who ThisThis Spring, one lucky person in Australia will be drawn to spin the Spring, one lucky person in Australia will be drawn to spin the LJ Hooker ‘million Sobook bookanan appraisal LJ Hooker ‘milliondollar dollarprize prize wheel’. wheel’. So appraisal withwith LJ Hooker Taree before November 30, 2016 to be entered draw. LJ Hooker Taree before November 30, 2016 to be entered intointo the the draw. P: 6552 1133 P: 6552 1133| | F:F:6552 65524799 4799 taree.ljhooker.com.au taree.ljhooker.com.au

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