Manning-Great Lakes Focus i132

Feature Story

Taree & District Vintage & Classic Motorcycle Club

February 2018. issue 132

2 Manning-Great Lakes focus

Photo credit Anthony Murphy Photography.

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From the

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

SENIOR EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Jo Robinson jo@focusmag.com.au

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

F

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT / EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR: Chrissy Jones JP chrissy@focusmag.com.au

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ebruary… the month of long summer days, just right for proposals and romantic dinner dates by the sea!

Valentine’s Day will no doubt see many of our locals get down on bended knee to “pop the question”; while for others, it could well involve a “date night” away from the kids!

Whatever your plans are for Feb, we’ve aimed to help newly (and not so newly) engaged couples take the stress out of planning their weddings with this, our annual wedding issue. We’ve identified some top wedding suppliers, from makeup experts, to formalwear… wedding and reception venues, to catering!

This is one of our favourite editions to put together each year - and our cover this month is also one of our best-loved.

On the Cover The beautiful Jackie Parfrey, who recently got married at Mobys Beachside Retreat, is our stunning cover model this month. A huge thank you for giving up your morning! Our dear friend Jenna from Vanity Skin and Beauty kindly donated her time to be our makeup artist for the shoot; thanks Jen, you did an amazing job! You will see some more of Jen’s work, as well as her makeup tips, in our wedding feature.

In this Edition If you’re not planning to get married (or even attend a wedding!) this year, we have plenty of other content to keep you reading, don’t worry!

John McNeil tells us a bit about the hard yakka a group of local volunteers perform at Darawank Memorial Park, and Eve Albury, a local lass who simply loves Tuncurry Beach, shares her stunning

landscape photos with us.

Miss LuLu Divine, a gorgeous pin-up model and organiser behind the Rockin’ by the Beach pin-up pageant, explains what’s in store for event-goers. And, in keeping with this theme of entertaining local events, we also chat to the busy people behind the Taree and District Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club’s annual rally and the Wallamba District Agricultural and Horticultural Association’s upcoming show.

Final Say For all of those ladies who would love to get married, but still haven’t found Mr Right there’s hope! Maybe your man is one of these guys: “My prince is not coming on a white horse… He’s obviously riding a turtle, and definitely lost.”

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Manning-Great Lakes focus 3

focusinterview.

Vintage

Motorcycle AND

Classic

Club

The TDVCMC will host its 29th annual rally from March 1 - 4. The event promises some amazing bikes - all of them no newer than 1988 models, and riders will visit from all over NSW and QLD. There’s plenty of opportunity to see these amazing machines as they travel around the Manning-Great Lakes - and all funds raised by the event will go to benefit local charities. Ken Hoad and Gordon Scutts fill in the finer details …

H

i Ken and Gordon. How long have you been a member of the TDVCMC? Ken: I have been a member since 1985, about three months after the club was formed. In that time I have been on several committees, including the events committee, the rally committee and at present I am the Club President, which is a role I take on with much pride and also very seriously.

Gordon: I have been a member of the TDVCMC for approximately six years now, after moving to Taree from North Richmond in 2011.

My current roles in the club are Vice President and Rally Committee member and being appointed as Secretary for the upcoming 2018 Taree Rally in early March. On long rallies such as the “Walcha Challenge”, I usually tow the backup trailer.

Ken, the club's been around for a long time now - over 30 years. What can you tell us about its history?

The TDVCMC was formed after a group of enthusiasts put a small ad in the local paper asking for like-minded people to attend a meeting. My understanding is approximately 25 people turned up, some male and some female riders, and quite a few of them are still active members. It is these people we have to thank for getting our club off to a good start - the Dennes, Mandel and Part families, along with all the club members along the way.

Gordon, as a relatively new member of the club, what have you most enjoyed about being a member so far?

First and foremost is the friendship and help

4 Manning-Great Lakes focus

from the members and the wealth of knowledge they are willing to share.

When you join the club you are not just joining the Taree club, but it seems like you are joining all other motorcycle clubs, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Inverell, just to name a few. It is like a big family of like-minded people from all walks of life retired detectives, retired policemen, helicopter pilots, Army Majors etc.

Ken and Gordon - what motorcycles do you personally own?

Ken: At the moment I own a 1927 Indian Scout, aka Monty. I have owned Monty since 1983 and have had many pleasant rides and will also into the future. Motorcycling opens so many doors to meeting new people and making new friends and can also be a very nice way to share a hobby with your own family.

Gordon: I do not ride now, as I have had my fair share of enjoyment, thrills and spills. I have an old small Suzuki GSX250 which needs some repairs, but do not intend to ride it. I have had mostly BSAs and Triumphs in my riding days.

Gordon, what's the definition of both a classic and a vintage motorcycle?

I don’t know if there is a definitive answer as to what is a classic or vintage motorcycle, but to me the definition of a classic motorcycle is one that was the best in its class for the period that particular model was produced.

A vintage motorcycle, in our club, is a machine older than 30 years, although heritage and veteran bikes are included in our vintage bikes.

You can also have a classic/vintage motorcycle, as many of our members’ bikes are.

The rally proper is for vintage bikes

manufactured before $25. Entries close February 1988.

22nd.

When you join the club you Ken, the club will be For more details or an are not just joining the Taree hosting its 29th annual entry form, please direct club, but it seems like you rally over March 1 - 4. enquiries to the Rally are joining all other There are plenty of Secretary - email: tdvcmc@ motorcycle clubs, Port events crammed into gmail.com or gscutts@tpg.

Macquarie, Kempsey, these few days - can com.au Gordon Scutts on Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, you tell us a bit about 0419 278 518.

Inverell, just to name a few. this?

Ken, the TDVCMC On March 1, 2, 3 always donates 100 per and 4, TDVCMC will cent of funds raised be hosting riders at from its rallies back to the Happy Halliday's Caravan Park from QLD local community groups. Who are some of and all over NSW to ride their bikes all around the groups the club has assisted in the past the Manning Valley. They can be viewed on and how will it be decided where funds will Thursday at 2pm at the Airport Tavern, on Friday go this year? at Tinonee School, where we will be having a All the proceeds from this event are donated fundraising BBQ for the school P&C - everyone to local charities. In the past we have donated to welcome from 12 ‘til 2pm. the Riding for the Disabled, the Westpac Rescue On Saturday we will be holding a static display Helicopter, the Blackhead Surf Lifesaving Club at John Wright Park, Tuncurry from 10am and and the Great Lakes Women’s Shelter. the judging of motorcycles will take place here, The decision as to where our money goes is with the public invited to judge their most made by all club members after the event. desirable motorcycle. From there we head to I also think it is important to acknowledge all Coomba Park for lunch and then back to Black the local businesses that support us every year; Head for a presentation dinner. without them, this event would not be possible, Gordon: Times are approximate, as this is not and we would not be able to help our local a race or time trial; it is a gathering of riders from hardworking groups that make a difference in various clubs to meet old friends, have an outing people's lives. and enjoy the ride.

Thanks guys.

Gordon, how much will it cost for people Photo (left): Gordon Scutts. to enter their bikes in the rally - and where Photo (right): TDVCMC President Ken Hoad would be the best vantage points for the presents Great Lakes Women's Shelter President public to view the bikes?

Julie Brady with a cheque for $500.

Only bikes up to and including 1988 models Many thanks to Kevin Worth for providing the are eligible to enter the rally, and the entry fee is location and motorcycles for the photo.

25 Yhan Leal.

Singer/Songwriter Yhan Leal’s self expression and admiration of life, its lessons and spirtuality can be heard and felt through his music. FOCUS chatted with Yhan about his life with music ...

24 47

Spooky Men’s Chorale.

After chasing Stephen Taberner through England and Europe for an interview, we found out he’s a New Zealand born, world travelled, highly talented choir master. Stephen heads up the Spooky Men’s Chorale - a group of men who can simultaneously make you laugh, cry and appreciate amazing harmonies, while singing a repertoire that will knock your socks off.

16 28 Rick Rowan.

Rick Rowan is the International CEO and Co-Founder of PainPod BioTechnology. He runs the global health-tech business locally, often from the comfort of Forster/Taree based cafés.

issue inside this

Issue 132 - February 2018

Regulars

32

15. WHAT’S ON FOR FEBRUARY 24. TOURISM SHARON BULTITUDE 50. BUSINESS MINDS JEREMY THORNTON 49. STAR GUIDE WITH TERRI HALL

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Manning-Great Lakes focus 5

focusinterview

War Memorial

DARAWANK

Park

John McNeil - Publicity Officer, Great Lakes Sub Branch, The National Servicemen’s Association & Affiliates is just one member of a volunteer crew who give up their time to preserve and maintain the Darawank War Memorial Park. The park has much historical significance, and it’s also the first pit stop for many tourists visiting the area. John explains the ongoing maintenance required, and how the community can help …

H

i John. How did you become aware of Darawank War Memorial Park? Why did you decide to become a volunteer there in 2015?

I was made aware of the park by members of the Great Lakes Sub Branch of The National Servicemen’s Association & Affiliates and also members of the Forster/Tuncurry Sub Branch of the RSL. I decided to become a volunteer in 2015 due to one of the crew becoming ill. I knew the park due to walking my dog there each morning and felt I could contribute and assist the Council with the maintenance along with the existing crew, most who had been working since 2006.

What types of jobs do you and the other volunteers undertake regularly at the park?

After an induction by Steve Howard, Community Liaison Officer Parks and Recreation for MidCoast Council as to safety regulations and a comprehensive introduction to the equipment supplied by the MidCoast Council, volunteers do the mowing and edge cutting, pick up debris and rubbish, clean the picnic tables and toilet. We also, on occasion, paint the shelters and fencing.

I must acknowledge Steve - he has a very big area to cover these days, and we thank him for his support.

What can you tell us about the history and significance of the park?

Darawank, a derivation from Darawahk, an Aboriginal word meaning Dark Waters, has grown over 28 years from a neglected patch of land beside the Wallamba River, to the park known and enjoyed by community families and visitors for picnicking and fishing.

The park was created as a Bi-Centennial project 6 Manning-Great Lakes focus

in 1989 by a group of ex-servicemen, one being Snowy Dodd, who approached the Forster/Tuncurry RSL Sub-Branch with the idea for a legacy to remember 128 local servicemen killed during war. Snowy, with the help of a group of 30 members, commenced removing the Casuarina trees and Lantana scrub; trees were also planted in their honour.

Recognised as Darawank War Memorial Park since the conception, it was dedicated to those who served on the 10th November 1995 by Mark Vaille M.P. and witnessed by RSL members and invited guests.

The ongoing maintenance of the park has been completed by volunteers assisting the Great Lakes Council. At the beginning, Snowy Dodd was assisted by Bill Le Maître and Mac Austin, whose dedication is remembered by the shelters carrying their names. Other servicemen to be recognised for their hours of volunteer work in those early days are Dr Sanders, Keith Fox, B.E.M., Andy McMaster, Wal Humphries, Ron Davey, Arthur Skinner Mal Bevan, Jim Axam, Bill Chandler, Jim Moore and Jeff Hardy.

Why did you decide to register the park with the War Memorials Registry in April 2017?

I had been looking into available grants, and a member of the MidCoast Council mentioned there were grants for War Memorials available; however, I noticed when I went to make the application that it was for Registered War Memorials - not recreational parks. I made contact with the State Registry and asked if Darawank was, in fact, registered.

The answer was no … I asked why, since it was operating as a park with a dedicated memorial plaque and a sign stating it was a war memorial. I was advised that as a volunteer I could

make the registration electric barbecue and I believe the community enjoy happen. A brief dialogue three Memorial benchthe park for picnicking and es. We understand the was supplied, along with fishing. Some associations in MidCoast Council has a several photos I took, the area also use the grounds very large area to cover and now the park can be for various functions. It is the these days and improvelocated on their web page first pit stop for most ments can take a long and is recognised by The tourists to the area, and time to happen, whether Department of Veteran first impressions are most due to lack of capital or Affairs, which allows for important. resources - which can be any future applications for very frustrating for the War Memorial Grants to community. We hope be made. our fundraising efforts in I have also made myself 2018 will help. known to MidCoast Council members, asking How can the public help? them for their help with the work required at the The public can help by respecting what is park, and have asked the Great Lakes Sub Branch before them. Some don’t put their rubbish in of the RSL for approval to work with the National the bins provided; we asked for the fish cleaning Servicemen’s Sub Branch to raise funds in 2018.

I’m making applications for Government grants table and hand basin to try to stop picnic tables being used for that purpose. for infrastructure improvements at the park. The At the moment we have a full complement of main cause for concern is that the park still uses a volunteers; however, Rob Tawyer and I are the pit toilet in the flood plain.

Why is it important to you to upgrade the youngest of the team and we are in our early park’s facilities - what feedback have you 70s. It would be good if we had younger men received from park visitors? and women on the books to step up sometime in I believe the community enjoy the park for the future. picnicking and fishing. Some associations in the We are assisting MidCoast Council by raising area also use the grounds for various functions. money to help with the maintenance of any It is the first pit stop for most tourists to the area, future infrastructure and ongoing maintenance. and first impressions are most important.

We would appreciate any donations; we will also I also do it for the veterans who started the be approaching local businesses throughout the park back in 1988. year to see if they can help in some way. Any Visitors’ comments to the volunteers working donations should be directed to our Darawank at the park are mostly positive; the negatives are War Memorial Park Fund Raising Sub-Committee, taken on board, and the Council is made aware PO Box 4191, Forster Shopping Village Forster of the areas requiring improvement. Projects were NSW 2428. Receipts for those donations will be first requested from 2006 - the toilet upgrade, a forwarded by our Treasurer. fish cleaning table with a hand basin and water, Thanks John.

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Manning-Great Lakes focus 7

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s John Shipp, Aboriginal Partnerships Leader, and Justin Black, Strategic Projects Leader, are working together with Aboriginal communities to bring traditional Aboriginal fire practices to NSW State Forests. Tony Dodson, a Garby Elder, was involved in a project last year, and here all three discuss the outcomes and future plans for this unique yet longestablished approach to managing our forests.

Bringing traditional Aboriginal fire practices back to NSW State Forests

J

ustin, can you tell us a little about why Forestry Corporation is interested in traditional Aboriginal burning practices?

Our forests were fashioned by how Aboriginal people managed the land, and frequent, low intensity fire was an important part of this management. It’s only natural that we look at traditional Aboriginal burning practices to guide how we can better manage our NSW State Forests today. Hazard reduction through proactive/managed fires or burns is an important tool for reducing the risk of wildfire and more importantly, is critical in maintaining the health of the forest when used in the right way.

John, why is it important for Aboriginal people to be involved in fire management in State Forests?

Our team works closely with Aboriginal communities across the state, particularly with cultural heritage. More and more we are focused on helping communities return to the bush and returning the bush to communities.

For Aboriginal people, there is an intrinsic connection between people and country; it’s part of who we are. Using traditional fire knowledge and techniques to care for country is an important part of maintaining this connection. Not only that, having our 8 Manning-Great Lakes focus

people sharing and caring for country creates wellbeing within our community - this is really important for community pride, health and success.

Justin, tell us what’s been achieved to date.

We have carried out a few burns with local Aboriginal Communities, where we have all gained insights into future possibilities of this approach.

Last year we carried out a burn at Arrawarra, just north of Woolgoolga, with the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council and local community members, in an area that hadn’t experienced fire for some time.

Every managed burn in State Forest requires a plan, which Forestry Corporation completed before bringing all parties together. It really was wonderful to see local Elders, Aunties and Uncles getting involved with some younger members of the community and Forestry staff.

Our staff continued the burn with Land Council staff for a few weeks, working on over 1,000 hectares. For me personally, one of the most fantastic aspects of this project was watching the Aunties getting involved with and embrace modern techniques for measuring fuel moisture, while also sharing their knowledge on when to burn. It was the old and the new ways coming together and a pleasure to watch.

Tony, you were involved with the burn

IT REALLY WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE LOCAL ELDERS, AUNTIES AND UNCLES GETTING INVOLVED WITH SOME YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND FORESTRY STAFF.

at Arrawarra; how important was it?

This burn was extremely important, as it taught the different methods of looking after country between today and yesterday’s societies. It will hopefully bring a better outcome to managing the bush using traditional and European ways. It’s important that we all work together to ensure that the bush is maintained as it was in the past, using fire to look after country and the animals. When wildfire comes through, you can see firsthand the impact that it has on our animals.

John, you talked about healthy forests.

How does fire improve the health of forests?

Regular cool burns were a normal part of managing country by Aboriginal people, so forests traditionally had a more open understory and denser canopy - the reverse of what we see today. Victor Steffensen, a leading Indigenous fire practitioner, talks about how our forests have become upside down forests, where the canopy becomes sparse as the forest understory thickens up due to a lack of fire.

You can see it happening across the country, as our fire regimes have changed, and the

forests are becoming filled with sick trees. Regular cool burns are the key to fixing this problem.

Reinstating traditional burning practices will open up country for cultural purposes and restore that traditional forest structure.

Justin, how will Forestry Corporation continue this program?

We are slowly building our program across the state and are planning a number of joint burns this year. It is important that we build on recent success, so we are planning to introduce a research element to the program, to demonstrate how the health of the forest is improving with regular cool burns.

Getting the community involved with the program takes time, and our Aboriginal Partnerships team is doing great work with the community, building capacity and getting them involved. I reckon in a couple of years we will be in a place where burning with local Aboriginal communities becomes routine practice. What a great place for us to be.

Thanks to Justin Black and John Shipp (Forestry Corporation of NSW) and Tony Dodson, Garby Elder, for this interview.

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focusinterview.

Manning Valley Amateur

If the thought of keeping your own bees and producing honey has ever crossed your mind, there’s a local association that can provide advice and support. Vicki Grace is the Secretary of the Manning Valley Amateur Beekeepers Association - a 30-strong group that can help get you started on your own apiculture journey …

W

hat is your role with MVABA, and how long have you been a member?

I am currently the secretary of MVABA. I went to the first meeting in January 2012 and have been at every meeting since. For the first couple of years we actually were part of the Mid North Coast Club, which is further north.

In September 2014 we sent a request to the NSW ABA executive, when they met in Taree, requesting to become a club in our own right, and the Manning Valley ABA was born.

What’s the role/aim of the club?

The motto of the ABA is “better apiculture through knowledge”. The association was founded in 1954 to promote beekeeping as a hobby.

These days the association has 20 branches throughout NSW and helps support over 1,600 members. That support includes dissemination of information, especially about the new biosecurity code of practice, along with practical help and encouragement from experienced beekeepers and bi-monthly newsletters. The association also offers personal beekeeping insurance at a reasonable rate and holds field days in various locations.

Roughly how many members does the club currently have - and do you need to own your own hives to be a member, or just have an interest in bees?

We currently have about 30 members, but get a lot of people wanting to learn about beekeeping. We cover the area from Port Macquarie to down towards Bulahdelah. You don’t need to own bees to become a member.

10 Manning-Great Lakes focus

My advice to people thinking about beekeeping is to come along to a few meetings, talk to some of our members, organise with someone to look at their hives, and then see if they want to continue.

When/where do club members regularly meet and what’s a typical agenda covered at meetings?

We meet the first Wednesday of most months at 7pm at the Taree Showground Tearooms.

Our meetings are not very formal. Our President, Robert Dibben, opens the meeting and says a few words, and then we get on to any coming events and anything else that needs to be highlighted. We generally have a short training session, sometimes a PowerPoint presentation or practical hands on training (minus bees of course). Most times we end with a question time. Sometimes Leif Andersen, a local commercial beekeeper, comes and speaks to us. He’s a great resource to the club, and we are fortunate to have him.

In September we ran our first weekend course on Beginning in Bees with 10 participants. We see this becoming an annual event.

When/how did you personally become interested in bees?

In late 2009 Leif caught a swarm of bees and, after housing them in a hive, left them in our backyard. That was my introduction to beekeeping.

At first I didn’t have much to do with their care, as I was busy with other things. I later started going through the hives with Scott. By the time we started going to the meetings I knew a bit about bees, but not a lot. One night

I went to the meeting you and other club only to find that the members collect?

I think there is nothing more president was unable When you get your rewarding than helping to come due to illness. first extraction, you are so someone new to beekeeping Scott was working that excited. You bottle your learn how to look after their night too, so it was up to harvest and you can’t hive. For some people it me to run the meeting. help but give it away to is just a hobby, and then I can’t remember much family and friends. Before for others it becomes a more about that meeting, you know it, you have passion - and dare I say to but I somehow made it very little left. some it becomes an addiction. through. I decided after Some of our members that to learn all I could sell honey at various about keeping bees. markets, while others Late last year I finished have their regular Certificate III in Beekeeping through Tocal customers who will buy direct from them. Other College. members use honey in various things they What types of bees/how many hives do make, like liqueurs, soaps and creams, while you have? others use it in cooking.

We keep European honey bees (Apis Where can we find out more information mellifera). As to the number hives we have, about the club? let’s just say we have more than the average The NSW ABA has a website which has amateur beekeeper! information about each club in NSW. What’s the most challenging thing you’ve www.beekeepers.asn.au found about keeping bees and at the other Anyone interested in the club can contact me spectrum, what’s the most rewarding? on 0413 264 124.

It is being at the mercy of the season. We Final say … have had a lot of good seasons, but this is a In May last year six of our members poor season where there is not much honey. represented the club at the AGM and Colonel The pests and diseases can also be a challenge, Pulling Competition in Ballina. We competed but you can learn to deal with them. against the state’s clubs in several sections For me, I think there is nothing more including apiary products, photographic, quiz rewarding than helping someone new to and club reports. The Manning Valley Club won beekeeping learn how to look after their hive. the inaugural Bruce White Shield as Champion For some people it is just a hobby, and then for Small Club. others it becomes a passion - and dare I say to Thanks Vicki. some it becomes an addiction. There is nothing Photo (left): President Robert Dibben with else like keeping your own bees.

Scott Fletcher. Photo (right): Trainers and new What generally happens to the honey that beekeepers at a training weekend.

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focusinterview.

When someone loves their home as much as Eve Albury does, it shows through the gorgeous landscape shots she captures with her camera. Eve often has her “eye on the sky” when she takes photos, and her images truly reflect the beauty of land, lake and sea we’re lucky enough to enjoy here in the Great Lakes …

H

i Eve. What brought you to the Forster area originally - and how long have you been a local?

I originally come from Wingham. My grandma, Dolly McCullagh, had a holiday house in Tuncurry which I often came out to stay in.

I have fallen in love with this place, so I made a choice about 30 years ago to put my roots down here and raise my family with my husband and three children. I have not regretted that decision once.

Your photos show how much you appreciate where you call home. What do you love most about the Great Lakes?

Water. Water. Water. I am absolutely attracted to it. I am a water baby by nature, 12 Manning-Great Lakes focus

DOLPHIN DRIVE IS A you've taken locally and Tuncurry Beach feels and why do you like like home to me.

GREAT PLACE TO SIT AND them?

I love how it takes me WATCH THE PACE OF THE I have thousands of 10 minutes to get around CURRENT. AND IN THE photos and too many town. In two minutes I LATE AFTERNOONS, YOU favourites, so I will tell can be sitting on top of WILL SEE FAMILIES OF you where I like to go to One Mile Beach. In 10 DOLPHINS COMING BACK get the best. minutes I can be walking UP THE LAKE. Tuncurry Breakwall on Tuncurry Breakwall. is one of the most In 20 minutes I can be at interesting places I like Pacific Palms. In under to go. I look at the an hour I can be at Seal boats coming and going or surfers on waves Rocks. or dolphins in the water. I check to see what Then depending on the wind, I can be the clouds are doing in the sky and what mood floating under the bridge or swimming over it’s creating over the water. I love super low to the island. Basically, if it’s offshore, I go to tides and what reflections it’s doing against the the beach. If it’s onshore, I go to the lake. If it’s Forster backdrop. cross shore, I get behind a headland.

The top of One Mile Sand Dune is my next What are some of the favourite shots

best favourite place to go. It is a great place to just sit and reflect. I’ve caught some interesting storms coming from the south there.

I like to look around our harbour at the boats. I like to see what is happening on the slipway. The old wooden boats are fewer these days, so catching them is gold to me.

Dolphin Drive is a great place to sit and watch the pace of the current. And in the late afternoons, you will see families of dolphins coming back up the lake.

My favourite place to view the area from is Whoota Lookout. The drive out is beautiful, with its long tall trees lining the dirt road, and the view from the top is fantastic.

I should mention an afternoon sunset from the Great Lakes Sailing Club - but don’t forget the mosquito repellent.

Basically, I just go for a walk or a drive

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and take note of what’s around me. I was walking south on Tuncurry Beach one day and someone walked past me going north and they exclaimed how terrible the day was, and I thought, “Not from where I’m looking!”

Sometimes you just have to turn around and see from a different perspective.

And if you have a camera, great, but if you don’t at least we now have good phones to capture some of these moments.

What's your favourite camera and lens combo to use (and why)?

I use the Canon 5DmkIII with 17 to 40 F4 lens for landscape and real estate photography. And I use a 7D body for sport with 18 to 270 Tamron lens. This is my easy “go to” combo that I don’t have to worry about using around the ocean. I also love the 50 mm and 70 to 200 for people shots.

How did you initially develop an interest in photography?

I think it was during my family holidays, and especially the trips to Byron Bay. Up there

your mind opens up, and you can relax and really dream. A simple shot of weddings and beach grass captured I LOVE GETTING IN THE portraiture on a very

by Sean Scott got me CHANNEL AND LOOKING casual basis - beach and intrigued at how easy it AT THINGS UNDERWATER. garden. I find when it can be to get something PRESENTLY I HAVE BEEN is very low key and no that represents beach ENJOYING FOUR WHEEL pressure, I can relax and life.

DRIVING AND DISCOVERING walk around and catch What's one of the OUR NATIONAL PARKS. IT’S interesting moments. most valuable lessons AMAZING WHAT WE HAVE At present I am you've learned AROUND HERE. enjoying real estate "behind the lens"? photography. I have shot With landscape, it’s all over 80 houses so far. I about the mood in the love meeting the people sky. and seeing their homes and finding out about It’s all about light and perspective. Trust your them and the reasons why they are moving. first instinct. Don’t try to take 20 photos of the When you're not out and about with a same thing just to “get that right angle”. camera, how else do you enjoy spending Apart from shooting beautiful scenery, your time? what else do you like to capture with I love bodyboarding. And I love getting in your camera? the channel and looking at things underwater.

I have done a few family and friends’

Presently I have been enjoying four wheel driving and discovering our National Parks. It’s amazing what we have around here.

Recently I’ve been doing weekend camping trips with my husband around the North Haven area.

What are your dreams/goals for the future - photographic or otherwise?

I would love to get into more real estate photography; I’m enjoying that at the moment. Apart from that, I would just love to hang out with family more. And my next travel goal would be to go to an island and snorkel around all day ‘til I drop.

Where can we see more samples of your work, or contact you?

You can go to my Facebook page “Eve Albury Photography”. That has my number on it.

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Elvis An American Trilogy The legendary Elvis Presley has been celebrated worldwide he was one of the biggest and most important stars of 20th Century pop culture, and an icon who was often referred to as “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Now, direct from the U.S comes the return of “ELVIS - AN AMERICAN TRILOGY” - the complete story that takes three of the world’s leading Elvis tribute artists starring in one of the most spectacular live concert productions, taking you on a journey throughout the music of the “The King.” The three stages in the success of “ELVIS - The King,” stars VIC TREVINO JNR., who embodies the Rockabilly sound and raw dance moves of the young Elvis; GINO MONOPOLI, who recreates the sophistication, feel and sound of the Elvis movie years with tracks from the iconic films GI Blues, Kid Galahad, Speedway and many more, as well as recreating Elvis’ 1968 comeback TV special; and GREG MILLER, who channels Elvis in the famous White Eagle Jumpsuit, passionately re-creating the seventies era of “An American Trilogy” with the moves, songs and nuances that made Elvis the most recognisable figure in the history of entertainment. Proudly presented by ABSTRACT ENTERTAINMENT and back by popular demand, “ELVIS - AN AMERICAN TRILOGY” is returning to Australia this February and March.

Just Relax and let’s have fun!

Our specialty is senior groups, providing personal and caring service for holidays that are either organised by us, or as a charter organised by the groups.

We also travel to the live shows in Sydney and Newcastle, as well as local shows in Taree and Port Macquarie.

We can offer a coach booking and itinerary planning service to help you organise your own tour or day trip.

We tour extensively over areas from Tasmania in the south to Cape Tribulation in Far North Queensland, west to Cameron’s Corner, Broken Hill and down to Adelaide and the Great Ocean Road.

Our luxury comfortable forty eight seat Volvo coach is fully air conditioned, seat belt and rest room equipped, and features wide panoramic tinted windows with curtains.

Special features include a vehicle lowering device for ease on entry and exit; a built in hot water urn.

We pick up our passengers at five stops in Forster Tuncurry and on the highway at Nabiac and Bulahdelah.

We can provide safe off street parking for your car when you are on our tours.

2 Shows One Amazing Concert Come out and enjoy two shows for the one ticket.

This amazing touring event is coming to Manning Entertainment Centre on Friday, March 9th.

“Willie & Roy The Legends” - On the Road Again, To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before, Always on my Mind, Seven Spanish Angels, Pretty Woman, Crying, Running Scared, Only the Lonely...

John Robertson as Willie Nelson and Mark Shelley as Roy Orbison are so effective in their characterisation, vocals, musicianship and story telling that audiences see not Mark and John, but Willie and Roy. You will sing, laugh, shed a tear, clap … and most of all ... believe!

As Ray Hadley put it - “It’s the must see show of the season” ...

And then ... “Simon & Garfunkel The Concert” … Mrs Robinson, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Feelin Groovy, Me & Julio, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, Sounds of Silence ... This wonderful concert is a celebration of the times, the stories, the music, the harmony and the songs that reflected the mood of the ‘60s and defined the term “folk rock”.

Both shows are backed by a live band.

“Great! Such a walk down memory lane, I wanted to be wearing cheesecloth with wild hair, leather plaits and JC sandals.

Thanks for stirring the memories” - Jennifer - Tamworth.

Focal Point Australia Presents

ROY ORTUSO PRESENTS // Direct from the USA

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED

TWO SHOWS, ONE AMAZING CONCERT THE STORIES, THE LIVES, THE MAGIC, THE SONGS ”W ithout a doubt, John Robertson and Mark Shelley perform the world’s best characterisations of Willie & Roy. Their appearance, voices, manner and ‘spirit’ are uncanny!“

STARRING MARK SHELLEY & JOHN ROBERTSON

LEGENDS Willie & Roy

_

A celebration of the timeless songs, stories, characters & legendary voices of Willie Nelson & Roy Orbison.

SIMON & _ GARFUNKEL THE CONCERT

Focal Point Australia 0412 355 161 focalpointaustralia@bigpond.com

Starring Vic Trevino Jnr, Gino Monopoli, Steve Michaels

FRIDAY 9 FEBRUARY

MANNING ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE THEMEC.COM.AU, PH 6592 5466 OR STOCKLAND FORSTER abstractentertainment.net

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Manning Entertainment Centre Friday March 9 7.30pm Bookings www.theMEC.com.au Ph 6592 5466 & Stockland Forster Glasshouse Port Macquarie Sat March 10

8pm

To book call 6581 8888 or online @ glasshouse.org.au

focus_What’s On Manning-Great Lakes

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F E B R U A R Y

QUEEN’S BATON RELAY Join us in celebrating the Queen’s Baton Relay in Forster Tuncurry. Arriving in region on Friday 2 February, sixteen locals will share the dream and carry the baton with pride on behalf of the MidCoast community. All of them have been selected by the GC2018 Corporation based on their exceptional achievements, their contribution to the MidCoast region, and their ability to inspire others.

When Fri 2 Feb; 5:30pm.

Location Forster Main Beach.

Website www.gc2018.com/qbr

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BATTLE OF THE BOATS The Battle of the Boats commenced in 1999 as a carnival for boaties and with their needs in mind. That first year 63 crews competed. In 2017 we hosted 180 crews. Pacific Palms offers an ideal location for a boat carnival, that has deservedly gained a reputation as a well run event in a beautiful part of the world.

When Sat 24 & Sun 25 Feb. Where Elizabeth Beach, Pacific Palms. Web www.pacificpalmsslsc.org.au/ Phone 6554 0468.

Email administration@pacificpalmsslsc.org.au

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VISSLA NSW PRO SURF SERIES GREAT LAKES PRO

The third stop of the VISSLA NSW Pro Surf Series, The Great Lakes Pro will be held at Boomerang Beach, Pacific Palms in February. With everyone’s favourite Mid North Coast beach, Boomerang Beach, being the prime location for the event, the Great Lakes Pro will no doubt be a popular and exciting event for all surfers and spectators.

When Wed 7- Sun 11 Feb. Where Boomerang Beach, Pacific Palms.

Website www.surfingaustralia.com/states/nsw/news/ vissla-nsw-pro-surf-series-to-hit-the-nsw-coastlineagain-in-2018 Phone (02) 9349 7055 Email info@surfingnsw.com.au

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LEARN TO MAKE MOKUHANGA - JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTING Australian Mokuhanga School presents a two day workshop where you learn to make beautiful multi-colour woodblock prints from Australia’s only certified teacher, Terry McKenna.

Make traditional or contemporary woodblock prints using the amazing Japanese water-based woodblock print technique ...”Mokuhanga”.

More Info Manning Regional Art Gallery. Phone 6592 5455.

Email art.gallery@midcoast.nsw.gov.au When Saturday, 24 Feb, 10am - 4pm; and Sunday 25 Feb, 10am - 4pm.

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THE SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE SINGING WORKSHOP The Spooky Men’s Chorale will conduct a choral workshop from 10:30am - 12:30pm on the morning of their matinee performance on Sunday 25th February. THERE IS A DISCOUNT TICKET PRICE OF $60 FOR PATRONS ATTENDING BOTH THE WORKSHOP AND THE PERFORMANCE. More info http://mec.midcoast.nsw.gov.au

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ROCKIN’ BY THE BEACH ‘18

Three days of “gut-bucket” down-home, dance-beat ‘50s and ‘60s Rock ’n’ Roll, dance, cars, fashion and much, much more ... Club Forster extends a big warm welcome to everyone.

When Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, Sunday 4th March.

More Info www.clubforster.com.au/

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C R A I G

M A S O N

FOCUS’ photographer Craig Mason took a trip to southern Tasmania recently, and we couldn’t resist putting him on the spot and interviewing him for a change.

Needless too say, we knew he’d have some great photos to share from his travels ... Take a look! If you fancy a holiday to somewhere that’s beautiful, majestic and rugged, but where you can still experience fine dining and culture, Tassie is just the ticket ...

H

i Craig. You've recently arrived back home from a trip to Tasmania. What led you to visit the Apple Isle - and how long were you away?

Hi Jo, and thanks for the email!

A mate and I decided on the trip to Tassie, as our wives/partners were going to Sydney for the weekend, and, well … we thought, why not take the opportunity to check out his brother’s newly acquired property!

We had planned to take a friend with us, but unfortunately he was too sick to travel. A quick call to a fellow photographer in Tamworth, and we had four seats booked.

Had you ever visited Tassie before ... and what were your first impressions this trip?

I've never been before - will definitely be going back. It’s very much a cross between Australia and New Zealand - and if anyone was

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travelling to both, I'd do Tassie first. It’s very rugged terrain down on the south west corner wilderness territory.

How did you travel south to your destination - plane/car?

We travelled to Hobart by plane, thanks to Jetstar and Virgin for some really cheap flights - gotta love specials - and grabbed a hire car to take us from there.

Where did you stay; what was the accommodation like?

Our accommodation was at Cockle Creek. A mate’s brother had just purchased this property and it turned out to be one very unique location, literally only a stone’s throw from the water of the Rocky Bay part of Recherche Bay. Cockle Creek itself reminded me of Seal Rocks as it would have been 40 plus years ago - a quiet little fishing village. The house was very comfortable for our stay, the owner having just installed an off the grid, solar battery system

THE HOUSE HAS A RESIDENT TASMANIAN DEVIL LIVING UNDERNEATH. THE FIRST NIGHT WE LEFT OUT TWO LAMB CHOPS (STEVE HAD A VEGETARIAN MEAL THAT NIGHT), AND WITHIN ABOUT 30 MINUTES WE HAD OUR FIRST SIGHTING OF HIM.

with diesel generator backup, so there was no roughing it.

You were able to visit a very southern point of Australia on this trip. What was it like there - as cold as we'd expect (even though it's summer)?

Yes, pretty well as far south as you can easily get. Cockle Creek is the southern-most locality in Tasmania, and we did a day walk (17 km) to Lion Rock during our stay.

As far as temperature, we felt the extremes!

34°C the day we arrived, even hotter than Sydney that day, with the very next day topping out at 14°C - so we had a 20°C difference within 12 hours!

The changes in weather are more extreme than we are used to here on the Mid North

Coast, that's for sure.

We were prepared for it, so it really wasn't that uncomfortable.

There was an interesting little resident camping out under your accommodation, I believe. Tell us a bit about that ...

The house has a resident Tasmanian Devil living underneath. The first night we left out two lamb chops (Steve had a vegetarian meal that night), and within about 30 minutes we had our first sighting of him.

He was a little cautious at first, but by the third night he was literally taking meat and bones from our hands. Such a great sight to see indeed! Tough little character … broke through a chop bone like it was a piece of dried spaghetti.

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Given this was a "boys' trip", it would be easy to assume you lived off baked beans and bacon. I'm sure this wasn't the case though! What was your favourite meal while you were away?

LOL, we lived like kings for the six days; without a doubt, Tasmania has some wonderful eateries.

The meal that comes to mind as a fav would have to be our first in Tassie, at Willy Smith's Apple Shed in the WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH Huon Valley. Three out of the TO BE IN HOBART AND SEE four of us had a fresh salmon A FRIEND’S PHOTOGRAPHIC lunch platter, 41° South EXHIBITION AT THE hot-smoked rillettes, apple HOBART MARITIME blanco cured salmon tartare, MUSEUM - RICHARD Huon aqua cold smoked BENNETT HAS BEEN salmon, salmon pearls, fresh PHOTOGRAPHING THE The occasional beer apple, Willie Smith’s cider SYDNEY TO HOBART (cough) didn't get in the way vinegar pickles, toasted YACHT RACE FOR OVER of trekking / photography Summer Kitchen rye … A 40 YEARS NOW AND and generally checking out lunch to die for.

HAS AN INCREDIBLE the sights.

What were some of the PHOTOGRAPHIC STORY TO What's the most notable sites/locations you visited SHOW. impression you took away throughout your trip? from the entire trip?

Huon Valley and Dover There is much to see areas are beautiful and if outside our lovely area. If you that's as far south as you have the inkling, do it. So cheap to travel to Tassie, wish to travel, then so be it … It is only 25 to 40 grab a hire car and check out the sights. It is a minutes south of Hobart and worth the trip. vastly different landscape to NSW. Just an hour west of Hobart is Mount Field I have a new appreciation for travel and National Park, a location that had been on my bucket list for decades - Russell and Horseshoe Falls. experiencing our great country (and others). To say I have the travel bug is an understatement, as I keep We were lucky enough to be in Hobart and adding locations to my bucket list. see a friend's photographic exhibition at the What advice would you give to anyone Hobart Maritime Museum - Richard Bennett has traveling to southern Tasmania, based on your been photographing the Sydney to Hobart Yacht own experience?

Race for over 40 years now and has an incredible Spend some time in Hobart; it may be a capital photographic story to show. city, but very unlike Sydney and others. It’s easy to What activities were you and the boys able to get around and full of interesting locations to visit. take part in - were hiking/fishing part of the Within an hour’s drive from Hobart, the countryside equation? changes so much - making sight-seeing an easy day We had intended on some fishing, but simply trip. Pack a varied range of clothes - the weather didn't find the time for it. We did the day walk to changes down there - quickly!

Lion Rock along the South West Track. A 17 km And lastly - DO IT! return trip over a mixture of terrain, this is the final Thanks Craig. part of the 85 km South Coast Track.

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J O N AT H O N T I C K L E F R O M Y O U R H E R I TA G E

m ney matters. with Jonathon Tickle

The Structure of Super and Insurance.

In last month’s column I announced I was going to write a few columns to give my dad, Alan, a break from the task.

This month’s column will further discuss getting the structure of super and insurance right.

What insurance cover can’t you obtain within super?

The short answer is anything that involves a lump sum payout, other than total and permanent disability.

Insurance within superannuation involves the trustees and fund rules determining if a member is totally and permanently disabled. If not, then a lump sum payment generally can’t be made due to rules governing superannuation.

This means that there are serious inadequacies in the basic cover offered within most superannuation funds.

What is the solution?

Having insurance linked but separate to superannuation enables lump sums to be paid for specified injury, accidents or critical illnesses, even though there is no permanent disablement.

Several clients over the past couple of years have benefitted from income protection cover within superannuation, that had linked cover for specified injury that sat outside of the superannuation policy.

This enabled a lump sum to be paid in addition to income protection insurance while off work due to specified injury.

In one case, there was a new baby in the household and in fact, his wife wouldn’t let him play football that year unless he sorted insurance!

Another client had an accident while gardening, and another was injured on the way to work (this no longer is covered under workers compensation) and all received lump sum payments, with the cost of rehabilitation also covered.

Own Occupation Cover The standard disability cover within superannuation is “any occupation”.

This means that a lump sum payment will only be made if the insurance company and trustees are satisfied that the insured can’t be employed in any occupation due to total and permanent disability.

Having an attached policy that sits outside of super, for “own occupation” means that a lump sum payment may be payable outside of super, when the insured, even though they are not totally disabled, is unable to carry out employment in their current occupation due to the extent of the disability.

Serious illnesses Trauma cover or critical illness cover enables a lump sum for serious illnesses.

This can be literally a life saver, as it enables quality medical treatment being affordable and therefore immediately obtainable.

Think of all the cancers that we hear of, and how a lump sum can make a massive difference in outcomes.

This payment does not require a person to be off work and once again, that cover can’t be provided within superannuation.

Children can also be included in the cover on the parent’s policy.

Set priorities and make it affordable Determining cover generally comes down to agreeing on what is the greatest risk (which is usually loss of income) then packaging the cover for other areas so that it is affordable.

I’ve often found that comprehensive cover can be obtained more cost effectively compared to existing premiums within the default employer superannuation fund.

Getting insurance advice when young and locking in level premiums can save a truck load of money.

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, Jonathon Tickle and Your Heritage Financial Planning are both authorised representatives of Securitor Financial Group AFSL 240687 ABN 48009189495.

Our Client’s Best Interest is Central to all our Endeavours • Income Protection & Life Insurance • Superannuation • Retirement Planning • Investment Portfolio Management • Centrelink and Aged Care Strategy

6551 2333

www.yhfp.com.au

Alan Tickle & Jonathon Tickle (Directors)

Your Heritage Financial Planning Pty Limited Authorised Representatives Securitor Financial Group Ltd ABN 48009189495 AFSL 240687

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Perfect coffee and cake treat from our friends at the Fox Den in Gloucester.

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R O B Y N P I P E R F R O M G R E AT L A K E S PA D D O C K S

Fresh watermelon salad with local Burraduc farm feta mint celery olive oil and balsamic dressing.

Mobys on Red Gum Has it been a while since you last visited the beautiful beaches at Pacific Palms?

Why not take a drive to Boomerang Beach today and visit the friendly team at Mobys on Red Gum! With extended trading over the school holidays, Mobys is the perfect spot for breakfast with friends or a bacon and egg roll and coffee on the go.

Planning a day at the beach? Stroll across the street to Mobys and feast on a burger for lunch, or enjoy a beer on tap at the poolside bar.

CHEFS EVAN AND JESSE

Mobys on Red Gum are open for dinner almost every night, and Head Chef Evan McMahon invites you to come and experience something special.

4 RED GUM ROAD, BOOMERANG BEACH 6591 0095 WWW.MOBYS.COM.AU

Honey Wine.

Buying honey from your local beekeeper at the local market or direct will nearly always guarantee a better quality product than what you will buy at a supermarket. Consuming unpasteurized honey is better for you and is believed to reduce allergies. Ingesting traces of local pollen retained in unpasteurized honey may help build immunity.

M

MONDAY & THURSDAY 5:30PM - 8:30PM, FRIDAY 3PM - 8:30PM, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 7:30AM - 8:30PM.

$11 Lunch Specials

ead is wine made from This delicate, yet potent drink was not honey, and is thought to only considered the best way to start a new be the oldest form of marriage, it was also believed to enhance fermentation. Consumed by such valued qualities as fertility and virility. On all from kings to peasants, numerous occasions the groom, laced with Mead has gained a reputation as a giver of life, generous amounts of Mead, was carried by wisdom, courage and strength down through his friends to the bedside of his bride. If nine the ages. References to Mead have been found months later a bouncing baby appeared, credit as early as the 5th Century, and it was widely was given to the Mead. used during the Middle In addition to the Ages. health giving properties The of honey, Mead was term “honeymoon” has thought by Romans Throughout Medieval been associated with to lengthen life and to Europe, it was believed drinking Mead during possess unique healing the month long qualities. The ancient that Mead was essential for celebration following Nordic people considered sending off the bride and a wedding in pagan the drinking of Mead as groom after the wedding. It times. The phrase a most important aspect was used both as a final toast “Honeymoon” refers of daily life. and as a proper beginning of specifically to what the Making Mead is the marriage.” bride and groom did for relatively simple, one full moon after their requiring a blend wedding. of honey and water Throughout Medieval with the addition of yeast cultures for Europe, it was believed fermentation. Spices or berry flavours can be that Mead was essential for sending off the added for additional complexity. Fermentation bride and groom after the wedding. It was and a long ageing process in oak barrels, for used both as a final toast and as a proper about three to five years, makes a delicious beginning of the marriage. Following the natural Mead. As with all wine, the quality of wedding, the bride and groom were provided the Mead is dependent upon the quality of the with enough Mead to toast each other for one honey used to make it. month after their wedding, hence the term Just like bees themselves, the history and “honeymoon”- “honey” referring to the honey health giving properties of this delicious honey wine, and “moon” referring to one cycle of the wine is fascinating. moon, i.e. one month.

“

Kenny’s Thai Kitchen Enjoy a taste of Thailand! $11 Lunch Specials.

Entree of two spring rolls, plus your choice of one main meal.

Choose from a range of delicious mains, including Chicken or Beef Cashew Nut, Chicken or Prawn Laksa, Kenny Chicken, Pla Sam Rod, Chicken or Beef Hot Chilli Basil, Mango Chicken, Angel Prawns, Pad See Ew, Green Curry and the very popular Pad Thai.

CLUB FORSTER, 19 STRAND ST, FORSTER 6591 6591 OPEN WED - SUN, LUNCH AND DINNER. LUNCH: NOON UNTIL 2PM. DINNER: 5:30PM UNTIL 8PM.

HEAD CHEF KENNY

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Club Blackhead lots to love!

The tenors

The hugely successful Sunday Sessions held over the holiday period will continue on the second Sunday of each month, starting with The 3 Piece Feed on Sunday 11th February from 4pm - 7pm.

Local artists Jimmy Moore, Reuben Carr and Ross Ruprecht have come together to perform an all covers act called The 3 Piece Feed. An all covers set, eclectic and catering to all ages, some artists they cover include Ricky Nelson, Smoky Robinson, Neil Young, Bright Eyes, Gotye, Lana Del Ray, Van Morrison, The Reubens, Hank Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Rodriguez, Bob Dylan, Dave Mathews Band and Chris Isaak.

A U S T R A L I A N

T E N O R

MAYDAY

H

i Murray. Can you Tell career? us your connection with The Australian Tenors have performed Taree? nationally and internationally for presidents, I was born in Sydney, heads of state and Australian prime ministers. arriving in Taree as a two year Soloists in their own right, The Australian old, with my surgeon father Tenors have performed extensively with Opera moving to the area to Australia, Australian and commence a Urological International Symphonies Practice. The family and Philharmonic moved to Wingham on Orchestras. a small property during Singing as a full-time We travel a lot with The my high school years and job must be very Australian Tenors and my then to Port Macquarie demanding. How do own career, so I try to get during the last 10 years you look after your back as often as possible of my father working, voice, to ensure you - because I love the before he retired. I are in top form? lifestyle of the area. attended Taree West Vocalising every day is Public, and Taree High demanding, no matter School, but headed off how you feel. The voice is to boarding school in an instrument and needs Sydney in Year 9. to be warmed up daily. Honey and lemon is also Do you get a chance to come back to the good for this. area much?

What is one thing that most people don’t Yes, we travel a lot with The Australian Tenors know about professional singers? and my own career, so I try to get back as often Contrary to belief, we go to bed as early as as possible - because I love the lifestyle of the possible. The body needs constant maintenance area. So beautiful and peaceful. in sleep, good eating and exercise.

What is your favourite song and venue in Thanks Murray. which to sing it?

There’s really no favourite venue, they are all excellent, but Sydney's Opera House has a great reputation worldwide - and there’s nothing like See The Australian Tenors - Friends for Life performing there. on Sunday 18th February at 2pm.

We are spoilt for the choice of songs, arias; Where Manning Entertainment Centre, 33 that are a pleasure to perform. So, no favourite.

Manning River Drive.

What has been the highlight of your Bookings theMEC.com.au - ph 6592 5466.

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The club also welcomes back a local favourite to entertain you. Gerry Anderson will be playing live on Saturday 17th February from 7pm.

Creation 2 is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week serving up delicious Asian and Western style dishes with daily blackboard specials. Come in and try one of our $10 lunch specials served weekdays Monday to Friday.

The Wednesday, Members “Our Club Superdraw” jackpot is growing fast and is now up to a massive $19,000 (at the time of print). You could also win one of 15 meat trays

in our Wednesday Meat Raffle. Tickets are on sale from 5:30pm, with the draw commencing at 7pm. Bring the family along for a great night out!

Our popular Friday night meat and seafood Raffles feature 31 prizes in total to be won, as well as our Members Badge Draw Jackpot, making Friday nights at Club Blackhead a must!

Don’t forget, Social Barefoot Bowls is also available daily. Contact the club for information and bookings. For more information, please visit our website at: www.clubblackhead.com.au

New Year New Designs 2018 is already proving to be an exciting year for Vast Taree, with gorgeous new designs already arriving in the showroom.

With hardwood being Vast's specialty, designs in this area have been at the forefront, but we don't ignore trends, so rich leathers and plush velvet soft furnishings will also be making an appearance in our new collections, as well as some amazing rattan products for those customers looking to create a coastal vibe in their homes.

Bring industrial styling and vintage eclecticism together by combining our BRACE shelving with our CARGO range leather + canvas armchairs and ottomans (pictured). It's a functional, unfussy aesthetic that looks so cool!

The Live Edge dining suite and coffee table are perfect for lovers of Rustic design. A solid acacia table top married with black steel legs make this range a standout (pictured).

If coastal design is more your style, then the FLORENCE range consisting of a TV unit, sideboard and shelving may suit your space. This design combines the beauty of mangowood with a feature of rattan panelling on all the doors.Â

02 6555 2840

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S H A R O N B U LT I T U D E - G R E AT L A K E S T O U R I S M & M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N AT O R

tourism UPDATE

2018 Travel Trends.

With 2018 well under way, what better time to find out what’s up and coming in travel and tourism this year! Based on a review of the latest industry news and insights, here are my top five predictions of what awaits us in 2018.

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HORTICULTURALIST NEVILLE DONOVAN - GREENPATCH ORGANIC SEEDS

WH

AT’S IN

season Autumn Tomatoes Most gardeners plant tomatoes in early spring to enjoy the tasty and flavoursome fruits over summer. Have you tried to grow a follow up crop and have tomatoes late

TREND 1: ADVENTURE TRAVEL WILL CATER TO EXPERIENCES The definition of adventure continues to evolve.

According to a recent study by the Adventure Travel Association, risky adrenaline activities are favoured 45% less than “experiencing a new culture” in the definition of adventure travel.

Reflecting this trend, adventure tour company Intrepid Travel is seeing a 20% increase in bookings this year for its Real Food Adventure Tours, which offer cooking classes, wine tastings and local market visits. Day tour company Urban Adventures has also just launched a range of locally-focused (“Made-In”) shopping tours for 2018.

Experiences and experiential travel isn’t a new idea. However, the seeking of unique travel and adventure experiences is definitely now not just a generational preference; everyone, regardless of age, wants “the real deal” and that “immersive” adventure.

TREND 2: WELLNESS TRIPS WILL BECOME MORE ACTIVE The trend for wellness getaways or “Health Conscious” travel isn’t slowing down in 2018, with almost double the amount of people planning to take health and wellbeing trips this year compared to 2017.

Wellness activities set to enjoy particular prominence this year will be those that involve travelling on two feet. Walking will be the ultimate way to explore, with 56% of travellers saying they want to do walking or hiking trips in 2018. A new generation of walkers look set to lace up their boots.

As we design programs and campaigns with the more active health-conscious traveller in mind, we need to be mindful that many actually want wellness to be only one aspect of their stay, rather than the main attraction. In fact, the Global Wellness Institute found that a massive 89% of global wellness-related trips last year were for “secondary” wellness experiences and not the prime reason for the trip itself.

TREND 3: SOLO TRAVEL WILL BE AT AN ALLTIME HIGH Solo travel was a major theme in 2017, especially solo female travel. There will continue to be more options and inspiration for solo travellers this 24 Manning-Great Lakes focus

year. Travel companies will increasingly build catered products to not only accommodate, but celebrate the solo traveller - from solo-only tours and waiving of single supplements to creating communal tables for shared meal experiences.

Saga Cruises in the UK is even building 109 solo cabins on its new ship launching in 2019. It’s certainly a new era for solo travel.

into autumn? The climate of the Mid North

TREND 4: WINTER WILL BECOME THE NEW PEAK SEASON Perhaps not surprisingly, this one really caught my attention! Travellers often take a holiday to escape winter, but there has been a significant increase in holidaymakers flocking to winter destinations to make the most of off-season prices and avoid crowds. From a white Christmas in Canada to Northern Lights tours, Australians are becoming increasingly keen to give up a warm summer for chillier sightseeing.

growing period allows enough time for

Coast allows for a second planting and a great opportunity to continue the abundant supply.

February and March is a great time to plant a late crop of tomatoes. Catching the last few months of the warmer weather, this fruit to form and ripen before winter.

Sow seeds in a small container with

Starting off with established plants will give you a head start compared to sowing seed.

Tomatoes like good, well drained soil but not too rich, a sunny position against a wall or in front of shrubs protected from cooler winds will help create a micro climate.

Water from underneath the plant and be sure to space plants well, allowing air flow and reducing leaf borne diseases.

Remove most laterals or side shoots of staking varieties during the growing period.

They will also need staking and tying, or choosing bush varieties will minimise the amount of work involved.

them to establish a good root system, and

Tomatoes are self pollinating and don’t require bees for pollination, so this enables plants to be covered with exclusion net.

Netting will exclude most pests, ensuring a successful harvest of luscious ripe fruit eaten either fresh or bottled.

then plant in the garden or a large pot.

Happy gardening.

drainage holes, cover with only 3 - 5mm of fine soil; keep moist but not wet. Place container in a warm, sunny, sheltered position. When seedlings are 6 cm tall, plant into individual containers and allow

Re-adjusting our mindsets to embrace year-round travel as a genuine prospect allows travellers to fully enjoy every moment and not have to worry about battling crowds at each turn.

I believe we will see more travellers shifting to embrace year-round travel - the plus points make it all a rather obvious alternative.

TREND 5: TECHNOLOGY, ENRICHING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Finally, we can’t possibly talk about travel trends without talking tech!

From AR, AI and VR to IoT (Internet of Things) they are all becoming integrated into daily life.

In 2018, I envision them further assimilating into the traveller experience, making them an integral part of the journey to the ultimate destination.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that holidaymakers in 2018 will want to ensure that technology works for them to leverage their travels - before they go, whilst travelling, and after, especially when sharing reviews.

Already almost a third of travellers say they are comfortable letting a computer plan an upcoming trip based on their previous travel history, and half don’t mind if they deal with a real person or computer, as long as any questions are answered.

By taking the hard work out of decision making, in 2018 technology will continue to guide us seamlessly to find the best stays and experiences for us.

image of the month.

Title: Bluey’s Fury.

Photo by: Raw Edge Photography.

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

focusinterview.

After chasing Stephen Taberner through England and Europe for an interview, we found out he’s a New Zealand born, world travelled, highly talented choir master.

Stephen heads up the Spooky Men’s Chorale - a group of men who can simultaneously make you laugh, cry and appreciate amazing harmonies, while singing a repertoire that will knock your socks off.

Y

ou can see the amazing “spooky” men at the Manning Entertainment Centre this month … Oh, and the breaking news is, they’re running a choral workshop as well!

Hi Stephen. How did a guy from New Zealand end up forming a very unique choir in the Blue Mountains?

It was a series of improbable events, really.

It involved my brother leaving a double bass behind when he moved from the South Island to the North Island and me picking up the bass and deciding I should play it - because I didn’t have anything better to do with my life.

Then, I decided I was passionate about jazz.

Eventually, after going to London, then auditioning and getting into the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney and deciding that jazz was not for me - but world music was for me - I joined a world music choir.

I decided I wanted to lead my own choir and became a choir leader … and I just happened to live with a couple of blokes and was enjoying a lot of male company, and started to listen to some Georgian choirs - which were just unbelievable and extraordinary. They were so dark and ethereal, but robust at the same time.

So, I thought I’d like to do just one gig and call it the Spooky Men’s Chorale. It was supposed to be a support act for me, for my singing-songwriting career (laughs) … but of course, it’s turned out completely the other way

around!

Why “spooky” men?

The word came to me when I was sitting around listening to amazing Georgian music, being quite moved by it and imagining it sung, listening to it with a glass of red wine and a candle … Wow! I wanted to create something like this atmosphere.

The choir appears to be made up of chaps from all walks of life … but what they appear to have in common is a love of quirky hats, beards and mos. What actually holds you guys together - is it the interest in hats and facial hair?

I think that’s too superficial … But in some ways it’s emblematic. The hats are kind of emblematic of what kind of fellow the wearer is - a celebration of personality and a different variation of this thing we call “spooky”.

We began as a musical kind of thing, but we’ve ultimately become these kind of archetypes - quiet, hearty and unapologetic, but at the same time humorous, very masculine and warm-hearted … It’s not about someone who takes themselves seriously or is grotesque in any kind of way …

When you’re looking for someone to join the choir, what qualities are important?

The main thing is they can cope with being in continuous company for several weeks at a time - that’s an art!

So, how many of you are touring around together at the moment?

In Taree, there will probably be about 12 of us. We vary from between 10 - 18 on stage.

It has its moments, which is a shocking We began as a musical travelling around oversight! We did a tour kind of thing, but we’ve together! through Port Macquarie, ultimately become these I can imagine! As Newcastle and inland kind of archetypes the musical director, through Armidale, - quiet, hearty and how do you go about Tamworth, Glen Innes , unapologetic, but at the choosing which Tingha, Narrabri, Grafton same time humorous, very particular songs the …We’re Taree virgins! masculine and warm-hearted... choir will perform?

So, considering Taree What are you looking audiences haven’t seen for with the music? you before, what can Excellent question! The we look forward to? funny thing is, some of We’re aiming to be the these decisions are made not by what is right, choir that could take over a pub with a boardie but what is wrong! In other words, you listen song, who could stop in at the Comedy Club to a whole lot of songs, and go, “No, not that and make everyone fall about laughing, and one. No, not that one”. They’re chosen pretty also go into a church and sing something really much by a process of attrition … We say no to beautiful and quiet. If we can do those three some things, and then you accidentally end up things once for everybody … it would be good! with something you think is quite good!

Thanks so much, Stephen. I know it’s late We always enjoy doing Ba’hari Ghibb, which (it’s 11pm in Denmark!) is a Sufi version of a Bee Gees song - which All the best for the rest of your tour. is quite ridiculous and so improbable, it’s very satisfying.

We also look forward to doing Crossing the Bar, which is our version of the great Alfred, See Spooky Men’s Chorale on Sunday Lord Tennyson’s anthem. Kind of from the 25th February at 2pm. sublime to the ridiculous there!

There will also be a Spooky choral singing I’ve managed to track you down in workshop from 10:30am - 12:30pm.

Denmark for this interview … but how Show price adult $40; concession familiar are you with our area? Have you $35; student/U21$30. Workshop Price visited the Manning Valley before? $25 (there is a $5 discount for patrons who We’ve visited the Mid North Coast before. book both workshop and show). Bookings I believe this is our first gig in Taree … we’ve theMEC.com.au - ph 6592 5466 or Stockland performed to the north and south of Taree, Forster.

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focusinterview.

Early March will see Rockin' By the Beach's first ever pin-up pageant. FOCUS chatted with the gorgeous Miss LuLu Divine, pin-up model and pageant organiser ....

H

i Miss LuLu. Please introduce yourself, and describe your involvement in the pinup industry …

My pin-up persona is known by the name of Miss LuLu Divine.

I grew up attending car shows and swap meets in Southeast Queensland. Until I hit age 21, I was very much a tomboy. My parents encouraged me to enter a pin-up pageant to develop my self confidence, and it all took off from there.

Over a period of three years I was very fortunate to win QLD titles and an Australian title and then was chosen as the Australian representative for the Miss Viva Las Vegas Pin-up Contest in Las Vegas, USA. During the lead up to the Miss VLV Pin-up Contest, QLD pin-up host Miss Bettie Butcher mentored me with public speaking skills in preparation for the overseas event, which ignited a passion for public speaking. On my return to Australia, I was offered opportunities within the (pin-up) scene to be a guest judge at pinup events and as a host.

I have loved hosting and coordinating pinup pageants, tattoo pageants, community events and mentoring aspiring pin-ups for the last three years now.

You’re running "Rockin' by the Beach" here in Forster on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th March. Tell us about the event ...

Rockin' by the Beach is back again in 2018, bigger and better than ever, with three days of family friendly fun, three of Australia’s top bands, Voodoo Rhythm Shakers, Matchbox

MLiusLus

Photo credit Jill Kerswill Photography

It really is a sisterhood,

and as aspiring pin-ups and Lonesome Train The Rockin' by the grow, they offer the same will have you dancing Beach event has so support to newcomers. up a storm, vintage many elements to cater As a community we are forever cars, fashion and dance for everyone. growing and being positive role demonstrations, food, What are the models, in particular for younger DJ Jimmy Dee, the Miss contestants judged generations!

Rockin' by the Beach Pinon? up Pageant and much, Finalists will be much more. judged on the following It's very exciting to be criteria: bringing the pin-up pageant element to the Outfit (meets the category style, no Rockin' by the Beach event this year. Pageants undergarments showing etc.); props / not only give women the opportunity to meet accessories (hair flowers, hand bag, gloves to other like-minded women and create new tie the outfit together); presentation (makeup friendships, but to grow their self confidence. and hair); stage presence.

The categories for the Miss Rockin' by the What do you love most about pin-up and Beach Pin-up Pageant are: the pin-up culture in Australia?

Beach wear - an outfit and accessories our The pin-up culture in Australia is very finalists would love to wear to the beach, welcoming. As aspiring pin-ups join the anything from bathers to capris and top community, the experienced pin-ups offer (there is no requirement for our finalists support, guidance and friendship - it really is to wear swimwear; we want them to feel a sisterhood, and as aspiring pin-ups grow, confident and really shine). they offer the same support to newcomers.

Evening wear - this category is best As a community we are forever growing described as after five cocktail wear; think and being positive role models, in particular wiggle dresses, full circle dresses with all the for younger generations! I believe my glitz and glam a 1950s bombshell would involvement in the scene has heavily wear on a night out listening to her favourite contributed to my success in my corporate band or even on a date with the love of her career and my personal growth into a strong life. woman with self confidence.

Your style - is our third and final category, Do you feel pin-up contests are body which really gives our finalists the opportunity positive? to showcase their personality through I believe with all my heart that pin-up fashion. After each finalist has showcased her pageants are 100% body positive; they are outfit, I will be asking the following question: not a beauty contest. "Pin-up" is not about "What do you love most about your style and who is the skinniest, prettiest or who has the pin-up community?" the most expensive outfit; it's about women

feeling empowered and having fun while showcasing their personalities.

I myself am a fuller figure pin-up, and I encourage all women of all sizes and walks of life to give it a go and most importantly - to have some fun.

What's your favourite outfit - and why?

Gosh, to pick one favourite outfit is a hard task! I am a collector of vintage frocks, so anything that is vintage and black teamed with vintage jewellery and a pair of cute T-bar heels! In particular I love full circle dresses, as I am a rockabilly and jive dancer, and they are so much fun to watch when spinning on the dance floor.

What do you do with yourself when you’re not dressing up or running competitions?

When I'm not running pin-up contests, you'll find me at work (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services). I am currently working on the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games project; I've been working on this project for over two years now, and I am beyond proud to be a part of such a wonderful team and exciting project.

In addition to work, I also coordinate a not for profit community event that caters to pinup, rockabilly and alternative fashion sellers, including a live band for the dancers.

As a judge, what tips can you give to our readers looking to enter the competition?

The best advice I can give is to just be yourself, smile big and have fun, because there is nothing more beautiful then women being unapologetically themselves.

Thanks Miss LuLu. Manning-Great Lakes focus 27

focusinterview.

SINGER/ SONGWRITER YHAN LEAL'S SELF EXPRESSION AND ADMIRATION OF LIFE, ITS LESSONS AND SPIRTUALITY CAN BE HEARD AND FELT THROUGH HIS MUSIC. FOCUS CHATTED WITH YHAN ABOUT HIS LIFE WITH MUSIC ...

ell us about your musical background. When did your love for the art begin?

I was about eight years old. My brother brought home a nylon string guitar, but wasn’t keen on practicing. I walked in one day and saw him play Sunshine of your love and instantly knew in my mind that I was born to play guitar and sing. He gave me his guitar, and away I went!

First I went to a local Yamaha school, learning to read music and play classical pieces, while learning popular songs at home on my own. I really loved Elvis and would mimic his tone, moves and style.

In my teens I started on the electric guitar; the local music shop was called "Blakes Music Centre".

I really loved that place; all the teachers there were my heroes. They taught me Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd, Clapton. I eventually taught there myself.

Also, at this time the brother who gave me his guitar began writing poetry and asked me to turn his poems into songs. This is how I started writing my own songs. It made so much sense to me, to be a songwriter. I could put my thoughts, feelings, visions and dreams into songs. I’ve been obsessed by the process ever since.

How would you describe your vibe?

My vibe is definitely chill. I love all music, but I’ve always written in a chilled, ethereal and meditative style. I feel there was a split in my personality when I 28 Manning-Great Lakes focus

I LOVE TO BE INSPIRED

BY LIFE, NATURE, RELATIONSHIPS, AND HUGELY BY THE ARTISTIC AND SPIRITUAL SIDE OF LIFE. I’M ALSO INFLUENCED BY ARTISTS LIKE SUFJAN STEVENS ...

was about 19; I started to see all the suffering in the world and was deeply disturbed by it. I went on a big spiritual search, and my music developed in that direction. I started using my songwriting as a way to bring peace to my mind, and I found a new appreciation for chilled songwriters like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley.

What or who are your influences?

Growing up with three older brothers with a broad taste in music, I was constantly immersed in their ever growing collection of vinyl, tapes, and later, CDs. I was into every style of music, from jazz to metal to pop and folk; I just loved music. My favourite thing to do was to lie on the lounge and sing along with the record sleeves.

I love to be inspired by life, nature, relationships, and hugely by the artistic and spiritual side of life.

I’m also influenced by artists like Sufjan Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Angelo De Augustine, Molly Burch, Justin Vernon, Patrick Watson, Ryx and Daniel Johnston.

You’re playing a couple of shows around the Manning-Great Lakes over the next few weeks.

What do you like about playing music to the people of our region?

I love that we have the ocean; it’s such a boon for us, a source of endless inspiration, and it feeds into the arts culture. I feel people have more time

to listen here compared to big cities; I always love to play at home on the east coast. People are super supportive of my efforts to be a musician.

What are your future goals and aspirations?

I want to travel the world with my family playing music, meeting people and seeing as much as I can. I want to keep writing songs and making records and become a better human being, also mastering the art of performing and connecting with people from all walks of life. I want to make my music career to be a sustainable and humble endeavour. The goal is to bring myself and those listening into harmony and joy.

Where can people go to follow you and support your journey?

You can stay on touch with me and hear my music via my website: www.yhanleal.com Thanks Yhan.

Catch Yhan Yeal at Hamiltons Oysters.

When Fri 9th Feb, 4pm - 7pm.

Where 1 Palm St, Tuncurry. hamiltonsoysters.com.au Phone 6554 8245.

Brendan Allen and Richie Sambora - Under The Southern Stars

Crowd Shot, Under The Southern Stars photo by Merryl Kemp

Mark Imrie and his catch, Reel Ocean Adventures

Summer Catch aboard Reel Ocean Adventures

Festival Girls, Under The Southern Stars photo by Merryl Kemp

Tanya & Chad Coulcher, Under The Southern Stars photo by Merryl Kemp

Social /Scene

The 3 Piece Feed performing at Club Blackhead

Tessa and Mike’s stunning Green Cathedral wedding

The crowd at Tastefest 2018

Club Taree - Tastefest 2018

Forster Tunucrry Jockey Club Gala Day

Forster Tunucrry Jockey Club Gala Day Manning-Great Lakes focus 29

focusinterview.

Wallamba District

Agricultural HORTICULTURAL SHOW

A N D

W I T H

R O S S

D E A R I N G

On March 3, Nabiac is the place to be, as the Wallamba District Agricultural and Horticultural Association host its 106th annual show! Ross Dearing runs us through some of the activities on offer, which include everything from racing piglets to fireworks!

T

he Wallamba District Agricultural and Horticultural Association will be holding its 106th annual show on March 3. That’s a lot of history! How has the show grown and changed during your time associated with the event?

I first attended the show in 2007. It had all the things you would expect in a small country show and ten years later, nothing has changed.

But if I look at the book for our 50th show, held in 1962, the show has changed. Then it was a two day show, and the schedule of competition classes was much bigger. Things like the Demolition Derby, Championship Dog Show and photography have been added to the programme, reflecting modern times.

What hasn’t changed though, is the show remains true to its heritage of a country show, with a strong agricultural flavour.

Some of the produce from our show goes on to the Royal Easter Show (Wallamba is part of Central District).

The show will be held at the Nabiac Showground. What time will gates open - and how much will it cost to enter?

The gates open at 6am, although the hall doesn’t open until 8am and the animal judging starts at 8am as well.

Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages three to 15) and aged pensioners. A family ticket is $30 (two adults and two or more children). Children under three years old are free.

It’s important to note that this is the Wallamba District Show, not the Nabiac Show. What area is covered by the Wallamba District? And, based on previous years’ events, how many visitors do you expect will flock to Nabiac for this year’s show?

The show is affectionately known as “The Nabiac Show”, as it is held at the Nabiac Showground. The Wallamba District includes Forster, Tuncurry, Nabiac, Dyers Crossing and Krambach - essentially all the land around the Wallamba River. We would love to see everyone from these towns and beyond come along to enjoy and experience their show.

Normally we would have upwards of 3,000 people attending.

Our 2017 show was washed out by heavy rain, so it would be 30 Manning-Great Lakes focus

alongside the show. Tell us about this ... great if this year sees a bumper crowd.

THERE’S ‘SOMETHING FOR what are some of the prizes, and who There are more than a few EVERYONE’ AT THE SHOW. are some of the major sponsors? noteworthy activities to mention The prizes include a quilt (made by ladies associated with this year’s event.

FOR THE YOUNGER FOLK at the Midcoast (NSW) Community Quilters), What (or who!) are Noah’s Racing THERE’S FACE PAINTING, an Akubra hat (from Yarad’s Menswear, Piglets?

MAGIC SHOWS, CLOWNS, Forster), a hoop pine stool (crafted by the The piglets are new to the show this PLUS CARNIVAL RIDES, Manning Great Lakes Woodworkers from a year. Owned and trained by Kevin Kiley, SHOW BAGS, A PET SHOW 100 year old Taree tree), a Bunnings voucher, the Bart Cummings of pig racing, the pigs THE LIST GOES ON. dining vouchers at Tuncurry Beach Bowling have been racing at Eastern Australian Club and some Australian Show Society country shows for a decade. There are cookbooks. Tickets are $1 each and are five races on the day, the first at 11am. available at businesses around Nabiac and at A race steward is picked from the crowd, the show. to determine the winner in case of a tight What entertainment for the little ‘uns will be provided race. The winning pig gets a bowl of milk, and kids can win prizes at the show - and what refreshment facilities will be for coming up with funny names for the pigs (I rather like Chris P available?

Bacon).

There’s “something for everyone” at the show. For the younger Run us through the show’s agenda for 2018 ... all the action folk there’s face painting, magic shows, clowns, plus carnival takes place in just one day, and culminates in a fireworks rides, show bags, a pet show - the list goes on. There are also display at 8pm - so there’s a lot to get through! What children’s categories for some of the hall competitions, including livestock/displays will be featured? art, needlework and photography.

Judging of the hall exhibits/competitions is done on Friday, The Ladies’ Committee does excellent hot and cold lunches, so the winners in the many art, craft, cooking, photography, plus morning and afternoon teas. Other options include carnival flowers and produce sections are all known as soon as the hall food stalls, a BBQ and a bar. opens at 8am. Judging of the beef cattle, dairy goats, poultry, Where can we find out further info - whether we want to championship dog show and horse events happens throughout enter an event/category at the show, or find out what’s on the morning. The official opening and the Grand Parade (led by offer? the Australian Light Horse) is at 2:45pm. Later in the afternoon Try the website - Nabiac.com/Events/The Show. The day’s we have the Dog High Jump, then the Demolition Derby starts program is listed under the “Program” tab and for details of the around 6:30pm and, as you say, the day ends with the fabulous competitions, look at Schedules under the “For Entrants” tab. Or, fireworks display at 8pm. look on Facebook under Nabiac Show.

Throughout the day we have trade stalls, demonstrations by For more specific enquiries, call Secretary Lyn Reid on 6559 the Manning Great Lakes Woodworkers, Great Lakes Knit & Spin, 1811 or for the Pet Show, call Kelley Chapman on 0476 169 167. engine enthusiasts DONK, reptile shows etc.

Thanks Ross.

There’s a raffle with some amazing prizes running

Midcoast

Education

The team at Midcoast Waste Services has been busy putting together some motivating events for 2018. They include MRF open days, tea & talk sessions at your local library, getting out and about at festivals and shows, touring with our CRC trailer and conducting random bin audits - all aimed at improving the wonderful recycling efforts that the community are currently doing.

MRF Open Days The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is located next to the Tuncurry Community Recycling Centre, Midge Orchid Rd. The education room offers a bird’s eye view of the recycling process, and is a valuable part of understanding exactly why certain items are accepted in the yellow recycling bin, and others aren’t. MRF open days are designed for the individual or small groups.

Larger groups and schools are able to arrange a separate tour at an arranged time. (FREE!) Tea & Talk Session You may just have one or two questions and aren’t able to make it to a MRF tour, so we have designed our tea & talk sessions just for

you. Our Education Officer will be available for a two hour session at your local library. You are welcome to pop in during this time, share a cuppa with a friend and have those finicky questions about waste and recycling answered.

Festivals and Shows Midcoast Waste Services offers personalised assistance in waste minimisation, because increasing recycling is good for both the community and the organiser. If you have an event coming up in 2018 and would like to discuss your options for reducing waste going to landfill and educating your participants, contact us now and get ahead of the game.

Touring with the CRC trailer Our Education and Community Recycling Trailer (CRC) Trailer was launched in 2017 at the Taree EnviroFair, and this year we have big plans for it. We will be taking it to a number of locations near you, so that you can easily dispose of those problem items, making them available for recycling, rather than ending up in landfill. Items like e-waste, household and car batteries and paint cans, which take up room in our house and are resources that are currently being wasted will be collected by the trailer. Look out for the CRC schedule - coming soon!

Bin Audits We are all doing an amazing job at recycling

in the MidCoast area, but 15% of recyclables are still being placed in the red bins each week, which adds to a massive loss of resources. Our Education Officer will be randomly selecting 100 houses each month and rewarding those that are doing the right thing and Sorting for our Future.

We will be targeting all coloured bins, and if you are one of our amazing recyclers and keeping your bin free of contamination - you will go into the monthly draw to win $100 gift card.

If you would like to learn more about recycling, head to www.midcoastwaste.com.au and register for one of our events. We also have our A - Z listing of What Goes Where, but if it’s not listed, please contact us at education@jrrichards.com.au

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Greater Port Macquarie WEDDING Guide

KYRIE SHEPPARD Glistening Occasions

Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, christening - any special occasion the creative Kyrie Sheppard can create a magical cake topper that will steal the show at your celebration. From standard designs to one-off custom orders, Kyrie can help. This super-mum has followed her dream to start her own business, which has led to her creations being sold all over the world … i Kyrie. What’s your association with the Great Lakes?

I’ve called Port Macquarie home for just over a year; but I was born and bred in Forster-Tuncurry. I moved away to the Gold Coast to study graphic design at uni and lived there for six years, and then a couple more years were spent in Mildura, Victoria. I fell pregnant with my first baby and my husband (who also grew up in Forster) and I decided to make the move back to the coast to be closer to family.

When did you first become interested in creating cake toppers?

I’ve always enjoyed designing; however, I never fell in love with designing people’s logos, websites etc. as I’ve always been very crafty and found that doing digital designs weren’t fulfilling my crafty needs.

When I first started making cake toppers, there wasn’t much available on the market so when it came to my own wedding, I figured there was no need to buy something off someone when I had the ability to design my own cake toppers. Back then it was all about the bling, so everything I made was encrusted with crystals. And I didn’t just stop at the cake toppers - there was a ring box, signing pen, cake knife and serving set, signage, champagne flutes and whatever else I could get my hands on - ALL IN BLING! Thank goodness the crystal craze eventually fizzled out, as I would spend countless hours hand gluing tiny little crystals to everything.

What are the origins of your business, Glistening Occasions?

After making my first cake topper for my own wedding back in 2011, many of our wedding guests loved what I had made and asked if I could make something for their own events.

We got married in Bali, and as soon as we returned home I decided to set up a Facebook page and start sharing some photos of my work.

It was just a little hobby that I was doing on the side whilst still working full-time designing for a newspaper, but it was enough to fulfil my creative needs.

Before I knew it, the little hobby was steadily growing, and I was pulling constant all-nighters to get orders made. At this stage I was designing my cake toppers and then having another business cut my designs for me, but as Glistening Occasions started transforming into more than just a hobby, I decided to take a leap and purchase my own laser cutter. It was the best business decision I ever made and whilst scary at the time, making such a huge investment sure paid off and took me to where my business is today.

What are some of the more interesting cake toppers you’ve made?

Oh, that’s a hard one! The custom designs are always fun to make; however, I do really enjoy creating 3D cake toppers to get lots of intricate detail with layers and different colours.

I never get to make much for myself, so I actually think making my own baby shower cake topper is still my favourite to date. I always like to push the boundaries and create cake toppers never seen before, so when it finally came time to create something for myself, it had to be something special.

The custom designs are e; always fun to makly al however, I do re cake enjoy creating 3D of toppers to get lots intricate detail with nt layers and differe s.” colour

“

I wanted to create something fun, so I made a large round timber cake topper with wording inside, and it had a tonne of layers to make a deep enough area to fill with florist foam. I then inserted fresh mini roses all around to form a fresh floral wreath and timber mixed topper.

I’m pregnant again and due in June, so I’d best start thinking up some ideas for my next cake topper!

How do you work with clients to design items for their special occasion?

A lot of clients purchase directly from my website; some are standard designs, so they just select the colour option and design they want, and I cut and post it out. Others purchase custom designs, like “Mr & Mrs Smith”, through the website - and I then work on an artwork proof with multiple design options for them to select from and then cut their chosen design.

I do also get a lot of completely custom orders that are not available for purchase through the website, so I have a good chat to the client about their ideas and wishes, cake size and get to work designing something one off for them. A lot of the time clients will send me pictures of the cakes they are having and ask for my professional opinion on what colour I think would match well, and I always feel so humbled that they trust me enough to help them with that decision.

Your cake toppers are shipped all over the world! Who are some of your more wellknown clients?

I’ve been fortunate to work with some

amazing people and businesses. Some of my favourite businesses I have created toppers for were Kmart (this comes first, as I’m a Kmart addict), Pandora and Forever New. I’ve created cake toppers for Kylie and Jackie O, for Larry on The Morning Show and even the Powerpuff Girls - along with some other celebrity toppers that I’m unfortunately not permitted to brag about.

To this day I still get so excited when I get to work with some seriously talented cake makers, but my favourite client of all is honestly just the everyday person ordering for their wedding, their engagement, their child’s birthday, a christening, because it is these people who come back time and time again, refer their family and friends, and it is these people who truly appreciate my work and always send me such lovely emails, thanking me for my efforts.

Where can we contact you?

You can view a whole range of my products on my website: www.glisteningoccasions.com.au On there you will find a contact form that you can fill out, or you can alternatively email me at kyrie@glisteningoccasions.com.au to chat about any of your cake topper/laser cutting needs.

You can also follow my journey on Instagram; however, I must warn you, there are a lot of pictures of delicious cakes with my cake toppers that may find you heading straight to a cake store to end that healthy eating!

Thanks Kyrie.

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Manning Great Lakes WEDDING Guide

SUNDOWNER Tiona.

Mid Coast MARQUEE HIRE A marquee wedding with beautiful, living indoor plants the perfect package.

Our unique wedding venue is situated with absolute lake frontage with a beautiful grassy expanse rolling out from full length windows to the edge of Wallis Lake.

Mid Coast Marquee Hire are a family run business, friendly and reliable and ready to help create your perfect day.

The venue offers total privacy and exclusivity for you and your guests. Simply, the location cannot be beaten!

Our marquees are of the highest quality - safe, strong, modular, with no internal poles or messy and hazardous ropes. Delivered and installed by our professional tradesmen to your venue.

The reception venue has a classic style, architecturally designed with brilliant natural light and unobstructed water frontage, a simple space, yet perfect for you to put your signature touch on the very usable open plan.

Marquees are available in a range of sizes to suit your guest list and budget. PLUS, you can add our beautiful plants to enhance your style and dĂŠcor.

Choose between our tropical package of 10 lush foliage plants or the topiary package. All plants supplied in terracotta colour pots and delivered to you.

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Sundowner Tiona has everything you could wish for, to hold the perfect weekend getaway wedding!

Prefer an outdoor wedding? Why not set up a marquee or tipi for your reception?

We offer complimentary, the stunning lakefront location for your lawn ceremony.

Plants and marquees are available separately. Call or email Katerina for a quote and a chat about your plans. We would love to help make your day perfect.

We are adjacent to the stunning Green Cathedral, and neighbours to Elizabeth Beach and a stone’s throw from the beautiful Pacific Palms area, including Boomerang and Blueys Beach.

Ph: 6559 1573 or Mobile 0409 320 620.

Email info@greatlakesindoorplanthire.com.au

Sundowner Tiona has everything you could wish for to hold the perfect Weekend Getaway Wedding!

focusinterview.

JACKIE & JOSH. November 2017 / Mobys Beachside Retreat

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The Manning Valley is a beautiful place to get married. For many people, the area is a destination - and for our locals, it’s paradise. This month our feature couple are Jackie and Josh Parfrey, who were married in November at the stunning Mobys Beachside Retreat. here and when did you two first meet?

Josh and I first met at school in 2007; I was 14 years old in Year 9 and Josh was 17 in Year 12. I was walking out of the school grounds one afternoon, and he said something rather smart to me. Of course, being a typical 14-year-old girl, I shut him down quite fast. I didn’t think anything of it. I saw him around the school grounds, though it wasn’t until one day my best friend had a cardiac arrest on the school grounds.

Josh’s mother was a senior paramedic at the time; we had a meeting at the school, once my friend had recovered. My first time meeting Josh’s mum, my friend introduced me to her as “your future daughter in law”. From then on, it’s stuck.

Describe your proposal and your engagement ring?

Josh and I had been together for eight years before he proposed. I honestly had no idea it was coming. We had just bought a house and were renovating for quite a few weeks before we could move in. Little did I know, I was driving around with it in the boot of my car for nearly a week. It was our second night in our own home; I had cooked dinner for us and was cleaning up. Josh came over to me and gave me a hug in our dining room area. I was not in the mood for 36 Manning-Great Lakes focus

cuddles at the time. He was complaining how sore his quads were, and I told him to go sit down. He told me to touch his quads, which I refused to do. Little did I know he had the ring box in his pocket.

He pulled out a Whitakers Jewellery box; I thought he was playing a practical joke on me. Josh then got down on one knee. I didn’t cry; I just got so hot. I could feel myself getting so sweaty - I tried to reach for the air-con remote to cool down. After so long together, we aren’t the romantic couple.

We had worked so hard on our house together, that it was definitely perfect for us.

Josh designed the engagement ring and the wedding band himself, with the help of the staff at Whitakers. It is absolutely perfect.

What was the overall theme of your wedding?

Our wedding had a tropical Bohemian theme. At the ceremony we had white bench seats and an arbour that Josh’s dad made. We had a macramé background with bright tropical flowers and lanterns from Laos that we got on our backpacking trip. We finally found the right time to use these, hanging them from the trees with dream catchers. Our flowers were for our bouquets and the boys’ button holes. At the reception; it was styled perfectly by Mel from Greenroom

Botanicals. We had hanging baskets from the roof, pineapples as centrepieces surrounded by a wreath of bright tropical flowers, with fairly lights hanging from the roof.

Describe the timeline of your wedding day.

Our wedding was such a massive day, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. People say it goes quick, but you don’t believe them until after the big day.

My beautiful bridesmaids and I woke up at 6am to do Yoga, instructed by my amazing hairdresser, Jenna Osbourne. It was definitely the relaxation we needed to get us ready for the big day ahead. Hair began, followed by makeup by Holly and Kim from Forever Hair & Beauty.

Meanwhile, Josh and the boys were a bit dusty from the night before. They started around 12pm down at the beach playing games and swimming, while meeting Kirk Owers, our photographer and Dan Kirkman from Something Visual, our videographer.

Our ceremony was at 14:30pm; we were married by the beautiful Sarah Julian. Our ceremony went for half an hour.

It was a very hot day! One of our groomsmen nearly fainted towards the end of the ceremony. Luckily, the boys were able to keep him up until the end.

We were able to share a few drinks and nibbles with our

Jackie & Josh / November 2017 / Mobys Beach Resort guests and get the important family photos before heading off for more photos. We left around 4pm, and went towards Sandbar, along the boardwalk to Cellito Beach, on the beach and further down towards the powered camping sites in the trees. Before we knew it, it was time to get back for the reception at 17:30pm. We had entrees served, then did a few speeches. Josh and I quietly sneaked away before mains were served to get some sunset photos down at the lake. After mains, we had more speeches. We were glad that we did separate our speeches. They definitely weren’t your normal type of speeches.

Our guests, Josh and I were in absolute stitches of laughter.

After other formalities, it was nearly time to get on the dance floor! Though we had one more thing to do - PINATA! It was definitely a hit. We had lollies, glow sticks and funny facial novelties.

Our band, Soul Glo Trio led by Howard Shearman, definitely knew how to impress our guests! Horses by Daryl Braithwaite was definitely a highlight.

Before we knew it, the night was over.

We weren’t ready for the night to end, so a group of us packed our eskies and went across to the beach! For hours we all talked and laughed ‘til about 2am, where we found ourselves laying on the sand looking at the stars. Josh and I didn’t want the cliché wedding; we wanted a fun weekend away with all our friends and family. We definitely achieved this!

We drove up for lunch one day and decided to eat at Mobys Beachside Retreat. We walked around the grass areas and knew this was our place. Our ceremony was within the little grass area out the front of room 15. We put our special little touches in place to make it ours. Dan and the staff at Mobys were fantastic in supporting us. We were able to have our own food for a grazing table, and a bar set up. My aunty and two friends did an amazing job setting this up and keeping everything topped up.

Whilst we were getting photos, everyone was able to stay and mingle, go back to their rooms or go for a swim to cool off.

The reception was also held at Mobys Beachside Retreat, in their function room. This allowed everything to be all in the one place for our guests. The food was absolutely amazing.

He pulled out a Whitakers Jewellery box; I thought he

was playing a practical joke on me. Josh then got down on one knee.

I didn’t cry; I just got so hot.

I could feel myself getting so sweaty - I tried to reach for the air-con remote to cool down.

Tell us about the location of your ceremony and reception - why did you choose this location?

Josh and I wanted to have an overseas wedding, though not all our family and friends could come. We wanted everyone to have a relaxing and fun weekend away with their family and friends.

Josh and I come up to Pacific Palms quite often to stay, camp, or even for a day out. Driving along the Lakes Way never feels like Australia. It reminds us of a tropical Island. We absolutely love the palm trees with the gum trees, the lake right opposite the ocean and the chilled laid back vibes within the area.

What was your favourite part of the wedding day?

Honestly - the WHOLE day! You hear people say, “It was the best day of my life”.

We thought, “How cliché”. The next day we woke up and said, “That was the best day of our life”. We were so sad it was all over. You have this big build up, and then in a matter of 24 hours it’s over. We were on such a high the whole day!

There are a few moments that stand out to us. Probably never again will we ever have all our family and friends who mean the most to us together in the one room! We definitely have the most caring, giving and supportive family and friends we could ever ask for. We were so grateful to everyone who travelled and stayed away with us.

Josh’s best man, Jordan, played his guitar and sung I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness, covered by Branches, as I walked down the aisle; this was definitely very sentimental.

When I first heard Jordan sing 10 years ago, I knew I wanted him to sing at our wedding! Another particular moment of the day was being on the dance floor with all our friends and family.

We were all linked together singing, swinging around and up on shoulders.

Thanks Jackie and Josh.

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Manning Great Lakes WEDDING Guide

Pacific Palms Recreation Club Wedding Destination

Pacific Palms RECREATION CLUB. Manning Valley RACE CLUB. The Winning Post Function Centre at the Manning Valley Race Club continues to be the venue for the “special day” in the lives of marrying couples.

manager Greg Hile, and there have been many very positive comments in recent months about the quality of food and service provided by Greg, Kevin and the staff.

Whether the wedding is for 50 people or up to 300 people, the picturesque setting of the racecourse provides the ideal backdrop for many weddings and when combined with additions such as ceiling draping and lighting along with your own special touches “as broad as your imagination allows”, the function centre room becomes the ideal place for your wedding day.

There is also the opportunity to conduct your wedding ceremony with the picturesque racecourse as the background to the start of your wedding day.

There are very flexible menu options created by our award winning chef Kevin Williams to choose from, to suit all tastes and budget requirements. The Function Centre is led by

The Manning Valley Race Club is very proud of the Winning Post Function Centre and looks forward to meeting with many couples in the future, to assist with making your special day one to remember.

Call Greg Hile on 6552 1183 or 0409 325 070 to arrange a meeting to discuss the planning of your special day.

With a secluded lake setting and the timeless beauty of the Wallingat National Park as your backdrop, Pacific Palms Recreation Club is an enchanting destination for your wedding. Whether you envisage reciting your vows on a sweeping lakefront lawn or in a fully equipped auditorium, our welcoming club offers a variety of customisable wedding packages, along with stunning ceremony and reception sites.

Our wedding specialists will work with you to perfect every detail of your destination wedding, from reception menus and decor to rehearsal dinners and weekend wedding activities for your entire party. Your guest list may be intimate or grand, but either way, your wedding day will shine with the distinct details

Kirk Owers Photography

38 Manning-Great Lakes focus

and personalised services that reflect your unique style.

Pacific Palms Recreation Club has a number of different function spaces within our club which are perfect for wedding receptions.

Choosing your function space depends on your guest list numbers, your menu choice and the style of day you would like.

Choose from cocktail style weddings, buffets or a la carte menus. We can also cater for guests with special dietary requirements, with our Head Chef only too willing to arrange special meals!

Discover the possibilities of hosting your wedding at Pacific Palms. Contact the events team today to discuss your needs on (02) 6554 0207.

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Manning Great Lakes WEDDING Guide

BY JENNA SARGENT VANITY SKIN AND BEAUTY

5 HAIR TIPS

Enhance your unique beauty.

When you’re finding pictures to show your stylist, try to find ones that don’t stray too far from your own look and style. If you are the kind of girl who loves having her hair down and flowing, maybe you don’t want to go for a sleek up-do - and vice versa. I think it’s best to go with the look you normally go for YOUR HAIR TRIAL GIVES when you dress up for YOU THE CHANCE an occasion, and then TO LIVE WITH A glam it up a notch for your wedding day.

LOOK AND DISCOVER

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY ADVICE Before tying the knot.

look, you might want to wear a Swarovski crystal brooch. Jewelled barettes can be great. Some of my favourites at the moment are bird-cage veils, feathers, and unstructured fabric flowers, which go beautifully with more flowing, playful gowns.

Be open. Your hair trial WHETHER YOU FEEL gives you the chance COMFORTABLE WITH IT. to live with a look and discover whether you feel comfortable with it. If your hair artist Extend yourself. Don’t shy away from having suggests looks that you hadn’t considered hair extensions for your wedding day; it’s way before, don’t feel pressured to follow their less of a drama than it may sound. And no one advice - but while you have their expertise at needs to know - it can be our secret! Extensions your fingertips, you may as well give it your consideration. are great if you want a little more length or fullness, or if you or your artist is worried about Accessorise. There are so many great hair your hair holding a particular style all through accessories available now to add a gorgeous your wedding day. Even if your own hair falls, accent to your wedding hair; it will depend on the look you’re going for. For a more classical the extensions won’t.

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Before walking down the aisle, there is a lot of preparation for the bride. We have put together a few dos and don’ts that we professionally advise.

DO - book a professional makeup artist and hairdresser - you have outlayed an expense for a professional photographer and having a trained professional with the tools and knowhow when making you over will show in those photos.

DO - have a trial. Makeup can be put together on the day, BUT your trial/ viewing is very important! Your makeup artist will determine what makeup is best for your skin, the colours and ideas you have can be expressed and you can get an idea if the look you love in a photo suits you. Most importantly, you see how the makeup lasts and wears for the day.

DO - purchase yourself some lippy! This should be the only thing you need to touch up throughout the day; discuss this with your makeup artist.

DO - a beauty timeline - tans, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials prior to the night or day of the wedding! Don’t leave it to the day to have a quick manicure appointment.

DON’T - do beauty masks the night before with your bridal crew. Although a girly night is fun, I recommend not to use a face mask the night before. It may draw out any toxins or congestion in the skin, which can result in a breakout or a pimple! We want to avoid that for the day.

DON’T - STRESS. Avoid stress; this can sometimes lead to a breakout. This day should be stress-free; it’s the start of your new beginning. Enjoy every minute! If things don’t go to plan, assign a bridesmaid to fix it and relax!

Manning Great Lakes WEDDING Guide

bent on food

BENT ON FOOD Catering Bent on Food has many options for your next event: catering for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, wakes, launches and office parties. Menus can be discussed to meet your needs. We also enjoy catering for breakfast parties and corporate meetings at the café or off-site. Our garden seats 100 guests and the café seats 60, so there are many options. With many wonderful deli items and condiments in stock, canapés are our specialty. We are flexible and love to work with you to create a menu for your special function.

Our vintage caravan, Travelling Millie, is perfect as a bar or travelling café for your event, and she loves to be photographed too.

Wedding Testimonials Nic and I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and your wonderful team - not just for the sensational food (everyone raved about it), but all the extra work you did for us. We cannot say how much we appreciated all of your help and kindness and flexibility.

Thanks so much, Donna, and please thank all your staff.

We really appreciate everything you did ... We didn’t have anything to worry about, knowing that you all had it under control - and that’s a great feeling!

AMBIANCE DAY SPA Beauty Therapy “The Ultimate Beauty Experience”. At Ambiance Day Spa you become the focus of attention, with unconditional care, and you receive results driven therapy to empower you with a feeling of balance, wellbeing, rejuvenation and vitality.

Escape the stresses of everyday life with Ambience Day Spa in Taree. We have private treatment rooms and qualified staff to pamper you and help you look and feel your best.

Services available at our Taree beauty salon include manicures, pedicures, spray tanning, eyebrow tinting and waxing, eyelash extensions, couples’ treatments, facials, microdermabrasion, and massage. We also offer a range of cosmetic treatments, including anti-wrinkle treatments, injectables and dermal fillers. Our Vichy shower is the ultimate in relaxation and indulgence.

Being under new ownership and management, we are excited to provide the same high-quality service our clients have come to expect. We are centrally located, with plenty of parking for your convenience. Book an appointment with our Taree beauty therapists today. All our staff are fully qualified beauty therapists. We autoclave all non-disposable equipment.

DIAMOND Healing Centre Hi Pritam. Please introduce yourself to our readers ...

I’ve lived in Diamond Beach since 2004, coming from Sydney.

Ever since I was a young girl, I have always been interested in alternative therapies and anything relating to body, mind, soul and spirituality. I come from an ancestry line in India and was born in Singapore. I have been in Australia for the last 31 years.

I have always been facinated by astrology, numerology and anything New Age. How did you get started in this type of work?

It’s been my passion since I was a young girl; it is what makes me happy. When I talk about body, mind, soul, astrology and numerlogy, I am in my own element. I opened Diamond Healing Centre in 2008.

What services do you offer?

I offer meditation classes Tuesdays at 10am and Thursdays at 7pm - it’s such a healing experience. Meditation has an abundance of benefits. I also offer Reiki Healing, which is a Japanese healing technique reducing stress in a person’s body, and I personally use intuition in all my treatments.

I also do Tarot cards, combining numerology, palmistry and intuition to give guidance.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 41

Manning-Great Lakes focus 42

Health Wellbeing and

B Y S U N D I A L D E N TA L

sun screen CHOOSING YOUR

gum

disease

The Silent Disease that You’re Going to Want to Talk About. You would not live with a chronic eye or ear infection. Yet 45% of the population over 65 years live with a chronic infection known as gum disease or Periodontitis.

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iterally millions of people don’t know they have this serious, treatable infection. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss and spread throughout the body.

Research shows that gum disease is associated with heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and pre-term delivery in pregnancy.

From these studies, it has been shown that men with Gum Disease were 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.

The good news is gum disease can be treated!

For years it was thought that bacteria linked gum disease to other disease in the body. Current research now demonstrates that inflammation may be responsible for the association. Therefore, treating gum disease and the inflammation will not only help manage periodontal diseases, but may also help with the management of other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Gum disease is often silent - meaning symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced to a more severe stage.

Warning signs of gum disease include the following: • Red, swollen or tender gums - or other pain in your mouth • Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food • Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth - causing your teeth to look longer than before

• Loose or separating teeth • Pus between your gums and teeth • Sores in your mouth • Persistent bad breath or bad taste in your mouth • A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite Treatment for Gum Disease depends on the severity of the case. Visiting your dentist and having a full periodontal chart and X-rays, with your dentist, oral health therapist or your hygienist is a great way to assess your current periodontal health.

If you have mild to moderate gum disease, it can be treated with regular brushing, flossing, regular visits to your dentist, frequent dental cleanings by a hygienist as well as adjusting your diet and/or lifestyle choices.

With more severe cases, specific treatment is required. The treatment can vary from sub gingival cleaning, to treatment with a specific laser called LANAP that treats the area of infection quickly and gently.

If gum disease is not caught soon enough, it may be necessary to replace natural teeth with implants, restorations, bridges or even dentures.

Gum disease is preventable. If you are concerned, please call our office for more information or for an assessment at one of our four locations.

For further information on periodontal health, visit www.lanap.com.au or ring our caring team at Sundial Dental Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Laurieton or Taree on 6583 3533.

Everyone knows that they should wear sunscreen not only to avoid the pain and unsightliness of burning, but also to avoid potentially deadly skin cancers. Choosing a sunscreen is just as important as remembering to wear it.

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here are two types of active ingredients (the ingredients that protect our skin from the sun) in sunscreens.

• Reflectors (physically block and reflect sun absorption) • Absorbers (chemically absorb the sun’s rays) There are also other inactive ingredients in sunscreens to make it smell nice, preserve it and make it feel nice on the skin.

Physical blockers in sunscreens The most common physical blockers are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients work by placing a physical layer of mineral on our skin that blocks and reflects UVA and UVB away from our skin.

Chemical absorbers in sunscreens Some of the most common chemical absorbers are oxybenzone, octyl methoxycinnamate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and octocrylene.

These work by absorbing UVA, UVB or both.

Choosing a sunscreen Chemical sunscreens may be favoured by those who want to apply sunscreen quickly and easily and not have it visible. These sunscreens even come in sprays now, as well as creams and

lotions. The downside to these sunscreens is that they can irritate the skin and have been linked to hormone disruption and free radical formation.

Using a sunscreen in a spray form has the potential for chemicals to be inhaled and thus cause damage to the lungs.

Physical sunscreens aren’t as popular, due to the whitening effect they have on skin. This is because they provide a physical barrier to the sun.

As such, they are not usually able to be absorbed into skin cells, so don’t have the adverse effects of the chemical sunscreens. Technology has been able to improve physical sunscreens so that they don’t make skin as white, by making the particles of sunscreen smaller. There is concern, however, that particles that are too small (nanoparticles) can cause problems themselves through being absorbed into skin cells and the blood stream.

The best and safest sunscreen to use is one that comes in a lotion or cream form and contains zinc oxide in non-nano particle size.

To read more of this article and others and for product recommendations, please visit www.healthfulwisdom.com Manning-Great Lakes focus 43

focus_contributor

ROWAN THACKER, BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE, MASTERS IN PHARMACY

Rowan

Priceline Pharmacy is excited to announce its partnership with Rowan Thacker, who will lead the Pharmacy team as Head of Dispensary.

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JOHN STEVENS FROM KINETIC MEDICINE

kinetic

THACKER

i Rowan. Congratulations on your new role. Can you tell our readers a little about your career?

I went to school in Forster, then moved to Sydney to study, where I worked in research (Reproductive Biochemistry and Immunology) for a number of years. I worked in sales (scientific consumables) before deciding to move back to Forster to be closer to family.

On returning and seeing the huge need for healthcare services, I decided to go back to university and study Pharmacy. I have also completed my AACP (Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacists) training so am accredited to do home medication reviews. I have worked locally in Pharmacy for over 10 years now and still love my job.

What has excited you about this new venture with Priceline Pharmacy?

It’s a great opportunity to help people live happier, healthier lives. We have up to five pharmacists on at any one time, and with our dispensing robot it means the pharmacists are out the front and talking to our patients, rather than stuck out the back. This gives us better opportunity to engage with people and hopefully improve their quality of life by optimising their health.

Priceline has the sisterhood foundation where they raise money for a number of charities, and we also sponsor many local sporting and

focus_contributor

MEDICINE

fundraising events locally. From bowls, to tennis, netball and golf, it’s great to be able to give something back to the local community.

Can you share some of national retailer Priceline’s vision for the year ahead?

Priceline Pharmacy is Australia’s no.1 beauty retailer nationally. The plan this year is to make us no.1 in health also. This will be achieved through a number of health promotions this year, including women’s health checks, Australia’s biggest blood pressure check, COPD screening via breathing checks in store, medication checks, flu vaccinations, free SMS reminders for medications and more. We have a free health station in store for people to keep track of their height, weight, blood pressure and body fat content and then discuss the results with a pharmacist to find ways to improve the quality of their health.

What do you consider are the key aspects to maintaining one’s health to live a long and healthy life?

Move more, stress less. Everything in moderation! Too much of anything can kill you, even water. We all have different genetics, so will respond differently to the same situation, so it’s important to learn what works well for you.

Prevention is the key, so don’t wait until it’s too late to think about health; it needs to be a life long process. Monitor the important risk factors, change the ones you can, and don’t stress about the things that aren’t important, as stress can kill you too!

The Half-done Body.

Do you know that feeling when you’ve tried everything you possibly can, and it’s all just been a waste?

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e’ve been living in a half-done house now for quite some time, with small fits and starts of activity and lots of time spent keeping up with the rest of life. A few years back we already had two children under three years and were about 12 weeks shy of making it the trifecta, when we decided it was time to tackle our bedroom for a full on makeover - move a wall here, move a door there, plaster and paint the whole thing.

Should be easy enough, right? Well, as the saying goes, the best-laid plans didn’t quite work out the way I’d thought.

Turns out old houses don’t give you the straightest lines to work with, and with my plastering ability at about second year apprentice level, making the warped appear straight was not in my skill set. And, having your eight-month pregnant wife on a ladder painting is no picture of marital bliss! Now I don’t know why I thought I could do as well as someone with years of experience; maybe I thought I could have got it done cheaper or quicker, but I can assure you I got neither, and

This new year get

m o vin g with

moving

Th

Get

would have been better off all along to just call a trustworthy builder.

I’m sure plenty of you reading this are shaking your head with the wisdom of knowing better than to try something like this on your house or your car, but how many of us do this with our bodies? How many of you are getting around with a knee or back brace you picked up from the chemist, all the while still limping, still suffering, still frustrated that your life and your body isn’t what you want it to be? How many of you have given up gardening, bowls or golf waiting for things to settle down on their own, only to find it's getting worse? Now, you may have tried going to your GP, but the reality is their specialty generally is not in your rehabilitation. You could go to the gym, do a yoga class or even (heaven forbid) get on to Google, but this is no better than me and my DIY plastering. There’s going to be a lot of sweat, a lot of agonising effort for possibly very little reward. You might be lucky enough to end up with something that shows a bit of promise, but sooner or later those cracks will appear, and you’ll wish you got the right help from the start.

with

Sports Performance | Injury Management | Physical Healthcare | Athletic Conditioning

Ask uswww.kineticmedicine.com.au how we can help you!

Get Better | Stay Better| Live Better 44 Manning-Great Lakes focus

focusinterview.

TRI

Try A

WITH FRIENDS

Organisers of the bcu Coffs TRI on 3 - 4 March urge anyone who has ever contemplated a triathlon to grab some friends, family members or work mates and put a team together for the event. With a festival atmosphere, spectacular course and Coffs Harbour rolling out its usual welcome mat, you’re guaranteed to have a blast.

E

vent Director Noel Phillips said, “What better way to kick start your new year’s fitness resolutions than by entering a triathlon! Committing to an event with others is a great way to stay healthy and fit, with the added incentive of not wanting to let down your team mates.

“While some individuals take the event very seriously, vying for a podium position or a PB, others join a team to push themselves hard in one discipline or simply for a bit of fun.”

Some of the team names on the entry list such as "Not fit enough to go solo", "Straight off the couch" and "Are we there yet" are clear indicators it’s more about getting out and having fun than taking the event too seriously.

There are plenty of local business teams entered - guaranteeing some friendly rivalry - as well as some teams comprising multiple family members. For those who don’t have a full team, Village Sports can help put individuals in touch with each other to find a swimmer, cyclist or runner.

The bcu Coffs Tri has three team categories: Male, Female and Mixed, with prizes for the first three placegetters in each division. Each team member also receives a goody bag with quality event merchandise and will go in the draw for some fantastic random prizes.

The bcu Coffs Tri Standard (Olympic) Distance teams event comprises a 1.5 km ocean swim in the protected harbour, a 40 km cycle and a two-lap, flat run around the picturesque

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONFIDENT IN ONE OR TWO DISCIPLINES, BUT NOT ALL THREE, SO COMPETING AS PART OF A TEAM CAN BE VERY REWARDING AND LOTS OF FUN.

harbour foreshores. Roads are completely closed for the cycle leg, ensuring a safe and enjoyable course.

“Doing your first triathlon as part of a team is a great introduction to the sport,” said Phillips. “A lot of people are confident in one or two disciplines, but not all three, so competing as part of a team can be very rewarding and lots of fun.”

All bcu Coffs Tri events on the weekend of 3 - 4 March start and finish at the Coffs Harbour Jetty and showcase the recently completed multi million dollar Jetty precinct upgrade.

The event offers something for everyone, with races for children aged 6 - 12, and an

Enticer event on the Saturday afternoon, with the headline Standard Distance race with individual and team options on

the Sunday morning.

All individual and team competitors receive a fantastic goody bag with quality event merchandise, as well as a prize for crossing the finish line. For more information and to enter, go to villagesports.com.au Event organisers urge those planning on taking part in the bcu Coffs Tri not to delay their entry for the event, as numbers are limited and filling fast.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 45

focusinterview

Local Hero

Ashley Duckworth

Why Pensioners Love Manning Audiology Manning Audiology is community driven. Since inception, they have been committed to provide the utmost care and services to the people of the Manning Valley, diligently and professionally.

Their services are widely appreciated by the local community, medical practitioners and other allied health professionals. Being an independent practice, they can cater for more audiological services than any other audiology practice in the area. In this “e-age”, everything is moving too fast. All you need is a person who can listen to your problems, understand them, and help you overcome them. That’s exactly what Manning Audiology does.

Pensioners and veterans receive free audiological services from Manning Audiology through a voucher scheme from the Office of Hearing Services, as they are an accredited service provider. These audiological services include: • A detailed comprehensive hearing evaluation by audiologists

The Great Lakes Relay For Life is being held on the 24th - 25th March at Peter Barclay Fields, Tuncurry. Relay is a fun and moving overnight experience that raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, information and support services.

• Identification of issues • If required, supply of hearing aids or assistive listening devices, • 30 days obligation free hearing aid trial • Professional and tailored fitting of those devices to meet individual needs • Auditory rehabilitation • Ongoing care and maintenance.

Manning Audiology also offers FREE maintenance for all pensioners for their lifetime, which means no ongoing cost is involved. This makes Manning Audiology stand out more as a community driven organisation, rather than a profit-making company.

If you are one of those who have been putting off your visit to an audiologist, this is the time to give Manning Audiology a call to arrange your free evaluation. For convenience, they have multiple locations - Taree, Tuncurry, Bulahdelah, Gloucester and Harrington.

R

elay is a chance for the Great I’ve sort of adopted the motto that “cancer Lakes community to recognise and will have to put up with ME”, because when celebrate local cancer survivors, I'm not having treatment, I try to live a pretty patients and their carers, to normal life. Sure, I’ve had to adjust to some honour and remember loved ones things that I can and cannot do, but I still go lost to cancer and to raise money to help save surfing, stand up paddle boarding, hiking and more lives. fishing every chance I get! I’ve learnt to switch Meet Forster local, Ashley Duckworth - this my mind on during treatment and just try to year’s official Local Hero. Tell me a little bit focus on the treatment, rather than getting too about your story ... carried away with making plans.

I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in What impact has cancer had on you and January 2017. It was those around you? a big shock. I had no My family and I try not symptoms, but had to dwell on the negatives probably had the cancer or speculate. It’s easy to fall for a while without I JUST LOVE THE into that trap. I back my knowing. Unfortunately, COMMUNITY COMING medical team 100%. I ask the cancer has spread TOGETHER TO relevant questions, but I to my lungs and a

SUPPORT PEOPLE try not to fill my head with few lymph nodes. I’ve DEALING WITH things I don’t understand had nine rounds of or can’t control. I like to chemotherapy starting CANCER LIKE THEY DO at Port Macquarie Base save my energy to get AT RELAY FOR LIFE. Hospital, and then more through treatment and recently I was sent to the recovery time after the Lifehouse at Royal treatment. I try to live a Prince Alfred hospital normal lifestyle as much as I can. I have both in Sydney, where I’ve done multiple rounds of good and bad days - way more good days chemotherapy and am currently going through mind you - and on the bad days I try not to get high dose chemo with stem cell transplants. frustrated and just rest.

The treatments are tough going, and so is being Have you accessed a CCNSW service, and away from home, but I’m getting good results how was your experience? so hopefully I’m on the right path to some good I’ve used the extensive pamphlets that the news!

Cancer Council NSW have in hospitals, and the What do you love about Relay? Are there information really helps you with a lot of the any stand out moments? “unknowns” when starting out with a cancer I just love the community coming together diagnosis. Cancer Council NSW also operate to support people dealing with cancer like they a number of programs locally that support do at Relay For Life. I’m sure most people know patients in the Great Lakes area, including somebody that’s had some sort of cancer, so we all need to do what we can to find a cure for this terrible disease.

Do you have a message you would like to share with others in the community?

I’m feeling quite well at the moment and 46 Manning-Great Lakes focus

Transport to Treatment and other support and prevention programs.

To register a team for this year’s event, please visit www.relayforlife.org.au/ greatlakes or call 6659 8400.

focusinterview.

Rick Rowan PA I N P O D B I O T E C H N O L O G Y

Rick Rowan is the International CEO and Co-Founder of PainPod BioTechnology. He runs the global

H

health-tech business locally, often from the comfort of Forster/ Taree based cafés.

i Rick. What's your connection with the Manning area?

We discovered the area whilst I was looking after the sale of some properties in Old Bar in my previous life as a property agent. A few locals mentioned it was great place to bring up a family, and we agreed. That was over five years ago, and we have not once regretted the move!

You previously enjoyed a successful real estate career - what were some of the highlights?

I was very blessed and fortunate to have had a wonderful career in real estate. I started in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and Double Bay, eventually working Australia-wide and sometimes internationally. There were many highlights over the years.

Most notable for me was receiving the award for Sydney City Real Estate Agency of the Year.

I have also had the chance to work with some very high profile properties and colourful owners, which kept things exciting.

What led to your major career change - from being a successful real estate professional, to CEO of PainPod? It was very much a right place, right time scenario! I had been in the property scene for 15 years and was in need of a change of pace and scenery. Looking for a new business opportunity, I came across the generic product and learnt about its technology. I suffered from chronic back pain, so I decided to trial the device. I was so impressed, I bought the company - as they say!

After firsthand experience, I could see the potential for a better developed product, treatment formulations and the positive impact this could have in changing people’s lives. I wanted to show people that natural pain relief is an option and Co-founded PainPod the company and brand to

develop it into the business it is today.

Please explain what a PainPod device is, and how it can assist those suffering from chronic pain ...

PainPod is a personal physical therapy device that delivers gentle bio-electrical pulses through the skin to help moderate and manage pain levels. It accelerates recovery, improves circulation through the nervous system and formulates specific frequencies so it can be applied to different pain ailments. The device has been designed to be easy to use, ultra-wearable and non-invasive to the body.

The new technology in PainPod Mi works at a cellular microcurrent level to help recover and regenerate damaged cells in the body. It mirrors the structure of the healthy microcurrent system and allows those who suffer from long term pain ailments to target these areas.

Most people are going to ask, "So, how does it work, and are there any side effects?"

What would your answer be to these questions?

PainPod uses electrotherapy, which is a bioelectrical medicine that can benefit the nervous and muscular-skeletal system of the body. As a very effective drug free, natural pain relief option, the device allows its user to maintain control of how it impacts the body. They can place the treatment pads onto the targeted area, select one of the 12- frequency specific therapeutic modes and then increase the intensity until it is at a level that can best target their pain. The customisation allows the PainPod device to work as an alternative or as an adjunct to pain relief methods. It is appropriate for children to pregnant women to the elderly and can add to the quality of your life.

The device is an approved medical device on the Register of Therapeutic Goods Australia.

How has your life changed since using the PainPod device?

My life has changed dramatically for the

My life has changed dramatically for the better.

I used to rely on a cocktail of pills and needed anti-inflammatories and painkillers to function.

better. I used to rely on company to some amazing a cocktail of pills and opportunities in Australia needed anti-inflammaand on a global scale. We tories and painkillers to have now launched in the This left me with a function. This left me with UK, USA, Norway, France constant fear of my a constant fear of my and have more internaback or neck flaring back or neck flaring up in tional markets set to open up in pain and would pain and would leave me in 2018. leave me bedridden bedridden for days at a R & D is an important for days at a time. time. It impacted my day part of any company. to day life, simple things What new products has like leaning over to pick PainPod developed in up my children or put my recent times? shoes on were fearful actions - it’s very emotionAt PainPod we are constantly developing and ally draining. growing. It is important for us to adapt and grow Since using PainPod, I haven’t had an incident as the health-tech landscape is constantly develin over three years. Although we are not allowed oping with new scientific research. The effectiveto say PainPod “heals” anything, I consider I’m ness of our unique treatment formulations have healed after 15 plus years of chronic back pain been the key to our success on such a large scale. and suffering.

Our goal is to keep our customer base up to date How has the company grown since you've with the latest and greatest in health technology. been on board?

All I can say is watch this space, as there is plenty Creation, direction and reputation have been more to come! the three key ingredients to business growth. A Where can we find out more info about Painmajor goal for the company has been to build Pod, or purchase the company's products? the PainPod brand. We have definitely been PainPod can be purchased at leading pharmasuccessful in doing that too! We get thousands cies and from physiotherapists and chiropractors of positive reviews from our customer base, who and online. PainPod Mi RRP is $99 and PainPod 3 tell us the difference it has made to their lives.

RRP is $479.

The increased brand awareness has allowed us For more info, visit www.thepainpod.com.au to build a strong reputation and has opened the Thanks Rick.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 47

48 Manning-Great Lakes focus

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

February 2018

AQUARIUS.

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19 Life offers a lot of adventure at present, so love every moment. Your wishes will soon be granted; pay attention to your thoughts. You need to remain focused to gain every opportunity. You may not know who you are at times, which is only a reflection of your rapid growth. Good luck on your journeying. Kyanite brings forward personal strengths.

PISCES.

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20 Time to sit down and do nothing physical. Your mind needs attention. Your recent scrambled thoughts are the result of how fast your pace of life is. Pay attention to restlessness in situations that frustrate you (queues, traffic delays etc.) and instead of being inconvenienced, try relaxing, if even for a moment.

Rose Quartz has a calming effect on the body and the mind.

ARIES.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 Now is a great time to recreate the reality you are living in. First of all, there is a need to reinvent your rules or conditions you are living by, and then allow yourself to experience all the joy you deserve. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth; if you don’t state what you want, your desires won’t even be considered. Azeztulite helps us to explore alternate realities with comfort.

TAURUS.

APRIL 21 - MAY 21 Calm energy can be enjoyed on the home front. A peaceful atmosphere can be expected, with a change in the usual busy schedule of your everyday life. Play with your artistic ability, as this will help to awaken new enthusiastic energies. Look for an interesting topic to fill that active mind with. This will improve your memory. Kunzite and Hiddenite both aid in bringing a balance of joy and gratitude into the picture.

GEMINI.

MAY 22 - JUNE 22 A profitable money venture is about to unfold for you and as this has been a long time coming, enjoy it as much as you can. If your scepticism should interfere, you could spoil it. Avoid sharing your plans with too many people, as their fears and doubts may deter you. Danburite will give you confidence in your decisions.

CANCER.

JUNE 23 - JULY 23 Hear the wise words you speak when helping others with their challenges. These words will also benefit you somehow.

Now is a great time to play with a gift or talent or fulfil a dream. Simply give yourself permission to succeed and go have fun.

Citrine attracts an abundance of positive energy.

LEO.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 Soon the feeling of “waiting and watching life pass by”, will end. Try some fresh goals and even explore some new interests. Some direction is needed for things to be different. If you are unable to see things clearly, learn to trust. Some reflection time will expose things needing to change.

Aquamarine helps us release fears and personal blocks.

VIRGO.

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23 Trust in the bigger picture. Life unfolds mysteries every step of the way. By not trying to control everything, you can experience HOW you deal with things. This is when you will be comfortable with the unknown. Sensitive Angelic Virgos need to occasionally stop weighing things up and just let things be. Charoite connects us to our “allknowing” self, helping us to see the bigger picture.

LIBRA.

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23 Time to reassess where life is going. Ask yourself will you be happy in this predicament in five years’ time? If you shudder, there’s your answer. You have enormous strength for other people, so practice some personal strength and honour yourself. New friends are entering the picture soon to enrich your life.

Amazonite helps us speak our personal truth.

SCORPIO.

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22 Your distraction from loved ones has been for a much bigger reason than is obvious. Avoid harsh judgement of yourself and focus on regaining your personal strength. Your leadership skills will soon be required.

Perhaps a little new goal setting for career would benefit you at this time. Seraphinite increases self esteem and connects us to untapped purpose.

SAGITTARIUS.

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21 Now is a good time to throw yourself into some physical exercise, to help clear your thoughts, energise your mind, and rejuvenate your enthusiasm.

Try finding a new interest to stimulate or awaken any unfound talent. Something of intellectual interest would benefit you at this time too.

Clear Quartz is a strong amplifier and aids mind clarity.

CAPRICORN.

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20 All your fears are perhaps playing on your mind at present, and now you may be taking life too seriously.

Bring back you laughter and lighten up your energy, and watch your fears disappear. Reconnect with your curious side, as adventure is trying to come into your life.

Azurite enhances our gift of vision. Try holding some over your third eye and project your thoughts into a “possible scenario”.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 49

focus_contributor.

Business Minds with Jeremy Thornton of Insurance Advisernet

BUSINESS MINDS

Adam Johnson JOHNSON & THOMPSON

A

Being heavily involved in the local business community, I’ve been really excited by the wave of young business leaders coming through. All right, at 45 I’m far from part of the senior class, but the under 40s are really stepping up and taking us in a challenging and positive direction.

dam Johnson of Johnson & Thompson is one such leader who has taken ownership of a progressive firm and is playing important roles in our community.

And unlike some I’ve interviewed in recent times who’ve travelled from afar to be here, Adam’s a bona fide local!

Is that right, mate? Tell us about life growing up in the Manning ...

That’s right. I was born right here in Taree Hospital, attended Chatham Primary and Chatham High School and only left the area to attend university at UNE in 2010 before returning. I really enjoyed growing up in our area, spending time on the river skiing or camping at one of the many great spots around here. The lifestyle is certainly one that is hard to beat. My wife, Melinda, and I are now enjoying raising our three children in the area and showing them why it’s such a great place to grow up.

So, what was it that drew you to accounting?

In school I was always better at math than English, but in the end it was probably my mother who convinced me I should give it a go. So, I did a six month TAFE course after finishing school to make sure it was for me, before signing up for university. Another major drawcard was the very limited weekend work that is involved.

You’re a relatively young business owner.

50 Manning-Great Lakes focus

How did you become a partner in such a In fact, we have one staff member who has short period of time? been with the firm for over 40 years; she has I guess luck and timing had a lot to do seen many name changes over that time. As for with it, but also hard work and dedication. mentors, I always admired my father’s - Richard I was fortunate enough to be offered a job Johnson (Solicitor) - work ethic and approach opportunity while still studying at university to getting things done, and I certainly learned

by Shane Crellin, a former partner of the firm. a lot working with Shane. But I don’t have to Shane was great to learn from and was always look far for answers and inspiration, as I am pushing for me to learn very lucky to have great more and to complete my staff and working partners studies.

Jan Thompson and Jay After completing my Mongan to bounce things Chartered Accountants off.

During the summer months I course, Shane provided On current matters, it enjoy twilight cricket and me with the opportunity seems like legislation swimming club. I am to take over his side of changes more also currently serving as the accounting practice, regularly than in the President of the Manning and of course, you don’t past. How do you Valley Businessman’s pass up these types of keep up to date with Association, where we meet opportunities. government changes once a month as a social catch up.

Johnson & Thompson and communicate is a young company those with your in its current guise, clients? but the bones of it If one thing is have been in the area for a long time. guaranteed each year, it is that come May Tell us about the history and those that when the budget is handed down in parliament you’ve looked to as mentors over the there will be some sort of tax change to deal years? with. This is on top of the regular changes the The Johnson & Thompson firm is relatively government and the ATO make throughout new, being only three years old; however, the the year. Our professional bodies hold regular practice itself is one of the longest established seminars and conferences we need to attend. accounting practices in The Manning-Great In order to keep our clients informed, we have Lakes area; many of our clients have been with a monthly newsletter which provides them with the firm for over 20 years. details of the latest changes and important

information to be aware of.

From an accountants’ perspective, what do you see as one of the biggest impediments to business at the moment?

Not keeping up with the changing world and technology. If a business cannot implement the right systems and technology to help them, then they will be left behind. Of course, it also helps to regularly meet and talk with your accountant to see how your business is performing - had to throw that little plug in there.

Naturally! Away from the office, where do we see you and the family?

I currently act as Treasurer for the Chatham Hockey Club, so I am usually around the hockey fields on the weekends, with my wife, eldest daughter and I playing. During the summer months I enjoy twilight cricket and swimming club. I am also currently serving as President of the Manning Valley Businessman’s Association, where we meet once a month as a social catch up. Those are my official roles in the community, but I also like to spend time at the beach or on the river when I can.

What is the best part about being in business in the Manning-Great Lakes?

It has to be the people. I love working with local business people to help them succeed and reach their goals. It is a rewarding feeling when you see someone set up or take over a business and watch that business grow and be successful, knowing you played a helping hand in achieving that.

Thanks Adam. All the best for 2018.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 51

52 Manning-Great Lakes focus

focus_contributor

J O H N S T E V E N S F R O M TA R E E B U S I N E S S C H A M B E R

Photo credit: instagram.com/dropzone.photography

The Great Economic Challenge.

In NSW, quarter after quarter our state’s economy has had growth unmatched by our peers. Whilst this might not always be apparent locally, as a regional community we are always going to have our challenges economically.

2017 best

land lease living community

T

them confidence - you’re selling happiness. In hat’s part of the trade off, I guess, for many of our advantages healthcare, in my own business, I see our goal (namely, living in paradise). The as selling hope. We give people an opportunity thing about challenge though, is to have a different, better life. The sooner we that it’s usually the chief ingredient business owners see ourselves in the bigger in greatness. Read the stories of some of the picture of what each of us do, the more fulfilled most successful people, especially in business, we will become and we will be able to see our and you’ll find a story worthy of Hollywood. challenges as opportunities.

Richard Branson with Virgin, Jeff Bezos with Content creation is one way a creative business Amazon, or closer to person can generate home the lesser known cheap, powerful story of Australian marketing. Instead of “sell, Manny Stul, creator of sell, sell” and lamenting the “Shopkins” toy line Content creation is one way why no one buys, start outselling Lego and a creative business person creating content that Barbie, all prove that can generate cheap, powerful is useful, valuable and it’s determined and marketing. Instead of ‘sell, meaningful to your sell, sell’ and lamenting disciplined adherence potential clients. Develop why no one buys, start to their goals that a relationship of trust, so creating content that delivers. And whilst these you can have a client for is useful, valuable and three businesses all sell life, rather than a sale for a meaningful to your different products and day. When you love what potential clients. services, delivering value you do and do it well, to their customers is what this is the sort of scalable makes them successful. opportunity a business So when we’re thinking owner can create. small to medium enterprises, I struggle to So in 2018, the thing I hope most for the Taree understand why we don’t see our mission in and MidCoast business community is that we business to be exactly the same. If you‘re a would start lifting our gaze to see the real plumber, you’re not just fixing leaky pipes; you’re opportunities that we all have. If we can all do helping to keep someone’s “castle” in top shape, this together - and by the way, joining your local delivering the chance for pride and satisfaction. If business chamber is the best way of ensuring you’re a hairdresser, you’re not just keeping the fringe out of people’s eyes or running the purple this happens, then we can harness our collective rinse through Aunt Betty’s perm; you’re helping advantages for one another to make this region someone feel good about how they look, giving as economically prosperous as it deserves to be.

2015 most outstanding over 50’s estate in australia

25 minutes to Port Macquarie Kew Country Club

A1

Queens Lake

2015

mhia awards of excellence, best estate in nsw

Bonny Hills North Haven

Dooragan National Park

Manning-Great Lakes focus 53

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A M A N D A TAT E F R O M L J H O O K E R TA R E E

focusinterview.

John Stevens.

Meet

TAREE BUSINESS CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Although the number of sales has slowed in our area over the last couple of months, don’t be fooled that our market is cooling - there are simply a lot less properties for sale. Whilst we did have a quiet few weeks over the Christmas break, we have had thousands of tourists enjoying all the beautiful assets that our vibrant community offers and that we possibly take for granted.

F

orster was particularly busy, with locals avoiding the bridge due to the traffic jams created, and there were days when Taree’s main street was at a stand still.

Only one sale over the magic million registered, being a 133 acre property with a home site in Comboyne for $1,215,000.

There are still some spectacular properties over the million dollars for sale, and for vendors it has been a long time since market conditions were perfect to cash in on good locations, so a few really exclusive, unique properties are currently on offer. As real estate agents, we know that we are experiencing amazing offers on properties that offer coastal views, riverfront and/ or something unique for the buyer. We are, however, bound by strict laws as to pricing on properties, and that is the reason a lot of the properties new to market are going on with no price range. We can only use historical data when advising vendors on market value and with our market moving so quickly, this data is already out of date. Our role is to achieve the highest possible market price for our vendor, and the best way to achieve this is marketing without a price, either by auction or offers invited. We find genuine buyers are very savvy, with so much information at their fingertips, and they know the value and make their offer accordingly.

New laws have made agents reluctant to

express their opinion and give professional advice to buyers, especially around price.

With fewer properties for sale and still plenty of buyers around, this is only putting upward pressure on our prices. Investors and out of area buyers are creating strain for our normal sales, such as farmers retiring into town, retirees downsizing to a nice villa or unit and of course, first home buyers trying to get into the market, while watching their goal post change every time they make an

Investors and out of area buyers are creating strain for our normal sales, such as farmers retiring into town, retirees downsizing to a nice villa or unit and of course, first home buyers trying to get into the market, while watching their goal post change every time they make an offer.

54 Manning-Great Lakes focus

offer.

Land sales have taken off, as it has once again become cheaper to build than buy existing and of course, this will assist with replenishing the supply of properties in the future. It is interesting to note that even with the increase in sales, especially with investors, our

vacancy rates remain very low right throughout our region, so rents have increased significantly over the past two years. From where I am sitting, it is obvious that we need more land development and more properties dedicated to retirees, but this is not going to happen unless our local government allows and encourages development opportunities in our area, so that commercially, new businesses will be attracted to the area - creating jobs for the people who would like to move here.

Meet John Stevens, the newly elected President of the Taree Business Chamber.

Many of you would know John already, as he’s a regular contributor to FOCUS and owns the popular local business Kinetic Medicine. John firmly believes in the potential of this area, and hopes to contribute to the betterment of life for all of us lucky enough to live here …

H

i John. How long have you been associated with the Taree Business Chamber, and what led you to join initially?

I’ve been involved with the Taree Chamber for nearly two years now and first got involved because the past President is a good friend of mine. I was fairly new into my own business journey and looking for a network of like-minded people.

The role of Chamber President is busy, and would certainly offer both rewards and challenges. Why did you decide to take on this position?

Being in business in our region at this current time is as exciting an opportunity as ever there could be, and as someone who’s come from outside the area to now having been a part of this community for nearly a decade, I see so much potential. I live by the idea that opportunity comes to those who take hold of it, so I wanted to take on this position in the hope that I might be able to be a small part of making this community a better place than it was before.

What are some of the more prominent issues you and the Taree Business Chamber plan to work with in 2018?

We’re hoping to deliver opportunities for better skills and connections through some of our upcoming events. We’ve also been working closely with MidCoast Council on a number of projects, including those related to the roll out of the Regional Economic Development Strategy.

We’re hoping to be able to represent the

issues that matter most to local business to all three levels of government, but we’re looking for growth in our chamber membership so we can deliver the sort of opportunities that will really matter.

How will the Taree Chamber work/network with other local chambers?

The existing local chambers form the Mid Coast Business Chamber as our formal means of collaboration, but it goes much deeper than that. We know that those who live, for example, in Forster will often do business or work in Taree and vice versa, and as such we have reciprocal arrangements with the other chambers, so that we can share our events, connections and advantages for the betterment of our whole region.

Why would you encourage people to join their local business chamber and how can they do so?

One really is the loneliest number - the most dangerous number in business. If you’re on your own, it’s not likely you’re going to have a voice on a bigger stage, have inside knowledge about grants or other opportunities or know what’s really going on in the business community.

Plus, I’ve seen the magic that happens when a bunch of entrepreneurial people get together in a room - you can’t quantify the value of that opportunity.

For anyone wanting to get involved or for more information, simply get in touch with us via email: info@tareebusinesschamber.com.au Thanks John.

We’re hoping to deliver opportunities for better skills and connections through some of our upcoming events.

We’ve also been working closely with MidCoast Council ...

Manning-Great Lakes focus 55

56 Manning-Great Lakes focus