Manning-Great Lakes Focus i138

Feature Story Steve Williams

August 2018. issue 138

a special focus feature

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Photo credit Rod Trenchard - Crowdy

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team From the

A

Welcome to the August issue of Manning-Great Lakes FOCUS. ugust heralds our annual Men in Business edition, highlighting the wonderful array of enterprising and entrepreneurial men in our area, who work across all

industry sectors. At FOCUS we’re always proud to showcase our local men in business for all the hard work they do, and you’ll meet quite a few of them in this edition!

August, of course, also marks the last month of winter … so if you’re suffering those cold and blue doldrums, relief isn’t far away! Next month we’ll be celebrating spring - and the men will get to take centre stage in yet another edition, with

Father’s Day on the agenda!

On the Cover Recognise this place and these well known local faces? The venue is none other than Colleen’s Bakery in Tuncurry, which is well-known for their delicious pies and cakes. The bakery is set to celebrate their 40th year in business soon!

Thanks to the team for allowing us to use their space for this month’s cover shoot.

Our cover stars are Todd Saunders, owner of Colleen’s Bakery, Michael Kucinskis from Coast Building Company, Jonathan Tickle from Your Heritage Financial Planning, and Mitch Baker, also from Colleen’s Bakery. You look great, guys!

In this Issue We chatted with Dollys Flat based craftsman Steve Williams about his unique pottery - Steve not only creates one of a kind pieces, but offers workshops and has some very interesting collaborations in the pipeline. Joel Wakely also drops by to share the details of his latest book, The Passion for Muscle Cars, which will be a must-read for all motor car enthusiasts. Joel’s offical book launch will take place in September.

Final Say “Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” - Oprah Winfrey.

Risk the attention.

Introducing the all new CLS Coupé. If you command attention, the all new Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupé is sure to get heads turning and cameras flashing every time you hit the road. The original 4-door coupé is newly perfected, showcasing the clear contours of the new Mercedes-Benz design language and the next generation Intelligent Drive technology. Be reminded why the CLS Coupé is the trendsetting vehicle destined to conquer the road.

Risk the attention in the all new Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupé. Coming soon to Taree Motorama. www.mbtaree.com.au

Overseas model shown

Taree Motorama 54 Victoria Street, Taree (02) 6539 3300 50223 www.mbtaree.com.au

Manning-Great Lakes focus 3

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Steve Williams

Steve Williams’ pottery is natural and earthy, with a tactile quality that almost begs you to pick it up … THE POTTERY IS PRODUCED THROUGH A PROCESS KNOWN AS WOODFIRING - and helping to add to the unique finished quality of these pieces is the fact that the clay and wood used in their creation is sourced locally. Steve’s work is currently leading him on the path of some interesting collaborations …

H

i Steve. What led you to settle in Dollys Flat?

In 2014 we began the search for a block of land that offered a bush setting, natural materials for clay making/woodfiring, proximity to a village and of course, not too far from the beach. Dollys Flat Studio is 7 km from Wingham, a lively town with a lovely mix of talented people, history, natural beauty, food and music.

In Feb 2017, after two years of owner building, Deb and I moved from Tuncurry. Our Dollys Flat build provided opportunity to pull together ideas for a modest place of making and living, powered by the sun and nurtured by rain.

What are your origins as a potter?

In the late seventies I trained as a high school art teacher, majoring in ceramics. I fell for this material that was playful, plastic and responsive … A material, that when heated to high temperature, is transformed into a “synthetic rock”. That allure continues to captivate and inspire.

I use a 90 year old kick wheel for a lot of my work. This “off-the-grid tool” encourages quietness and efficiency. Objects thrown on the wheel are completed in one sitting; that is,

4 Manning-Great Lakes focus

the base of the forms are pushed, rolled and compressed in the soft state to form a foot or base.

Postgraduate studies in design in the late eighties solidified a pathway into woodfiring and the use of native and local materials.

You use wood to fire your kiln. What’s unique about this process and the way in which it helps to develop the qualities of your finished work?

High temperature woodfiring (1,320 degrees Celcius, white heat) is an atmospheric process where the drafted ash and vapours from wood combustion are deposited on the forms inside the kiln to create a “natural” glaze. It is amazing that wood ash, the grey powdered residue from combustion of wood, contains glass forming oxides … silica, calcium, potassium, iron and others. The oxide composition of the ash varies greatly, depending on the locality and growing conditions of the tree.

The surface of each fired piece tells a story of flame path, heat work and kiln atmosphere over two days of firing.

What types of materials do you use to create your work - and where do you source them?

The raw materials used to make the clays are

sourced from a number of locations nearby. I’m always on the hunt for new “native” materials to extend the local palette, and conversations with local earthmovers and brickmakers has been fruitful. Sourcing and using local materials translates into an “Australian character” in the fired work, and the fired colours mirror the palette of colours in the surrounding bush.

I have recently bought into service a jaw crushing machine to refine coarse materials.

This is a 1960s machine once used to process fluoride for Sydney’s drinking water. Whilst it may be labour intensive to make clays, the satisfaction of translating effort and native materials into a truly local product makes it all worthwhile. Tests of new found material for application as clay, pigment or glaze find their way into every firing.

White Mahogony, Spotted Gum, Casuarina and Iron Bark sourced from our 130 acre property are used to fire the kiln. Each of these timbers generates different heat value and ash glaze quality. Clearing for the build generated a good supply of kiln fuel.

Your career background includes working as Head Teacher at Great Lakes TAFE Art and Design School. What was your focus as a teacher then - and what’s your focus

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Whilst it may be labour intensive to make clays, the satisfaction of translating effort and native materials into a truly local product makes it all worthwhile. Tests of new found material for application as clay, pigment or glaze find their way into every firing.

now, when you offer workshops/teaching sessions at your studio?

The introduction of Aboriginal design training in 2010 was certainly a focus in my time at Great Lakes TAFE, Art and Design School.

Learners prototyped a range of objects within the fabric, print, furniture, digital and ceramic disciplines. I have a passion for empowering learners to design from personal triggers, to build direction and to refine through testing and making.

Introducing learners to the magic of clay through classes is an exciting direction for Dollys Flat Studio. We are running one day taster sessions that introduce first timers to a range of handbuilding, wheelthrowing and surface treatment techniques. A number of workshops and classes for those with some experience are in the pipeline.

You’re working on some interesting collaborations currently too. Tell us a bit about Nick Gardner, the Hampden Deli, and how you’re working together.

Nick is a brilliant young chef with a serious commitment to quality, local produce and the handmade. Originally from Forster, Nick won the Sydney Morning Herald Young Chef of the Year Award in 2013 and has worked at Quay, Tetsuya’s, French Laundry and a number of Michelin starred restaurants around Europe.

Nick and his wife, Stevie opened the Hampden Deli Dining and School in Kangaroo Valley early this year. Nick has always preferred the use of handmade, artisan objects for food presentation and the dining experience. Nick and Stevie, together with Dollys Flat Studio, have designed a dining event entitled “Fired Earth and Canapes”, to be held in early August.

At a more local level, I would love to engage with foodies and producers for a unique handmade object and dining collaboration … local produce, local clays, local makers.

Some of your work was recently on display at the Makers Gallery Australia (in Queensland). What upcoming exhibitions and/or workshops do you have planned?

Complementing their online gallery/shop,

Makers Gallery Australia in Brisbane are pushing beyond the traditional gallery set up and creating smaller pop up displays in collaboration with architects and designers. These popups provide opportunity for new audiences to view and enjoy handmade objects in relaxed, inspiring settings, alongside furniture and paintings. I am working on an installation piece for Manifest, a juried exhibition of 20 Australian ceramists for The National Ceramic Conference in Hobart 2019.

In October I will be conducting workshops with local Aboriginal artists to explore and develop ceramic forms. This is a Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance project to coincide with a touring exhibition of ceramics.

I am really enjoying sharing Dollys Flat Studio with interested learners through one day tasters and one day monthly clay sessions. We recently hosted a family birthday celebration … a day of clay making, food, music and laughs.

How are readers able to visit your studio space?

We open the studio for tours and sales on two weekends each year, mid-June and early December. These weekends provide opportunity for people to tour the studio and kiln and to learn a little about clay preparation, making and firing. Enjoy a cuppa using a handmade cup made from local clay. www.dollysflatstudio.com is a good way to connect and stay in touch with the happenings at Dollys. Phone: 0437 869 037.

Thanks Steve.

Photos of Steve courtesy of D. Bardi.

Photos of pottery courtesy of Anthony Webdale of Makers Gallery, Brisbane.

In October I will be conducting workshops with local

Aboriginal artists to explore and develop ceramic forms. This is a Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance project to

coincide with a touring exhibition of ceramics.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 5

contents Issue 138 - August 2018

focusinterviews

08

Daisy and the Duke.

feature a special

MEN IN BUSINESS

46

Sid Coombes (27) and Callena Brenchley (25) are Daisy and the Duke - two Brisbane-based intrepid photographer/travellers about to embark on an epic adventure around Australia! Be sure to give them a wave if you see them pass by locally ...

16

Joshua Sgarano.

Portraiture requires a special skill, a far-seeing eye, and an ability to see the beauty in everyone at a given moment - and these are talents Joshua Sgarano has in abundance. Joshua provided our cover photo last month, so we just had to find out more about him ...

23

Chris Rose.

the Usual

14. WHAT’S ON for August 18. EAT local restaurants 20. WINE TIME with Robyn Piper 20. WHAT’S IN SEASON with Neville Donovan 28. MARKETS PAGE with Sarah Gale 33. SOCIAL SCENE with Donna Carrier 43. TOURISM with Sharon Bultitude 45. STARGUIDE with Terri Hall 53. BUSINESS VOICE with John Stevens 55. BUSINESS MINDS with Jeremy Thornton

This month FOCUS chatted to musician Chris Rose. it’s been a busy six years since we last spoke to the young artist, so we had loads to catch up on ...

30

Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs.

From May to September, you may see a group of swimmers at the “Bullring” on Forster’s Main Beach, braving the cold water temperatures (and the even chillier exit from the water!) The Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs has members aged from 10 - 83; they all love swimming, and they also love the social atmosphere of their very friendly club!

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Suspects

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No matter where you are in the world, read FOCUS for free online every month @ www.focusmag.com.au

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Manning-Great Lakes focus 7

focusinterview.

Daisy

DUKE and the

that was romantic, consisted of masculine and feminine aspects and was memorable. Daisy and the Duke was the name that we liked best, so we went with it!

So, in August you're setting off around Australia, and you hope to travel 40,000km (at least!) in 365 days. And ... that's not all!

You'll be towing a 13 foot vintage caravan behind you! What brought about this grand plan?

It didn’t take long for the travel blues to kick in after we returned from seven months overseas, so naturally we started planning our next big adventure right then, about four years ago!

Our motivation is to seamlessly combine our love for travel and photography. We want to show the diversity of Australia through different landscapes, romance and love. We plan on photographing people from all around, telling This, combined with harnessing their unique story and the power of the sun with solar showcasing their towns panels, means we are able to

Sid Coombes (27) and Callena Brenchley (25) are Daisy and the Duke - two Brisbane-based intrepid photographer/ travellers about to embark on an epic adventure around Australia, photographing weddings and capturing love stories as they go! If you happen to see this pair (they’ll be hard to miss, towing their 1950s Australian Sunliner caravan named “Lilah”) be sure to give them a grin and a wave!

H

i Sid and Callena.

Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you met ...

I (Callena) have lived in Brisbane for the majority of my life, while Sid grew up in northern NSW on the coast. Sid moved to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Photography at Griffith University, and we met at the beginning of 2010 at the start of our course. We only started dating in the last six months of the degree, after three and half years of being strictly uni friends.

After finishing university, we realised how free we were, quit our jobs and headed overseas for the adventure of a lifetime. We travelled together all through Asia, Europe and North America for seven months, and then returned to Brisbane with open plans as to what we should do next.

What's the history behind your Brisbanebased photography business - Daisy and the Duke?

Returning to Brisbane in 2014 after months

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overseas, we came to the decision to start our own business together!

Ultimately it was the photographer that I was working for who convinced us that we had live and work off the grid the strengths and skills to indefinitely. This is a huge be successful within the thing for us, as it means we wedding industry. don’t have to rely on caravan parks We have met so many for power and can travel to remote incredible people and places around Australia. have travelled all over Australia and overseas photographing weddings.

We have been very lucky to make a living doing what we love, and to do it together makes it even more special.

Great name, by the way - where did the moniker Daisy and the Duke come from?

I wish the story behind our name was interesting, but it isn’t. It consisted of a white board, a marker and a list of potential business names! We decided that we wanted a name

and cities.

Tell us a bit about the caravan. How old is it, and what modifications have you made so it's ready to travel?

Our caravan is an iconic Australian Sunliner that we have named Lilah. We are unsure of the exact year it was built, but know that it was probably in the late 1950s. We spent a fair bit of time making cosmetic changes with the help of Retro Caravans Gold Coast back in 2015, after the initial purchase. By adding a fresh coat of paint and swapping out the retro checkered floors and interiors, the caravan has a more modern style - which we prefer!

There are also added functional features that will help us work and live on the road. We have installed two deep cycle AGM batteries, giving us 270 amp hours of power. This, combined with harnessing the power of the sun with solar panels, means we are able to live and work off the grid indefinitely. This is a huge thing for us, as it means we don’t have to rely on caravan parks for power and can travel to remote places around Australia.

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Daisy

DUKE

When you're heading out the door, ready for your epic adventure ... what are the five must-have, can't leave behind items that will need to travel with you?

The first and most important item ‌ snacks!

We are both usually very relaxed people; however, when that hunger kicks in, we both get snappy. The easiest way for us to avoid any sort of conflict is to always be able to fill our bellies. The other four We expect to create lots of photos essential items, in no and stories that can help depict particular order are: modern Australia. We also - Head torches. During hope that we can spend sunrise and sunset a year living a bit more territory in shoots, we need to be freely - not being tied to Australia? able to see where we technology and being able to We are leaving are in the dark. No one slow down will be a really refreshing Brisbane in August 2018, wants a broken ankle on and enjoyable thing for us. heading in a clockwise the top of a mountain! direction around - The incredible app Australia. We have the Wiki Camps. This tells us intention of travelling to everything we need to every state and territory, including Tasmania, know about places to stay, and where we can and to spend a good chunk of time in each fill up our water supply etc. This is the most place and visit all of the sites on our bucket list. helpful tool in planning our trip and saves us so We are also hoping to photograph a wedding much money. and/or couples and families in every state and - Camera gear. For us, this is obviously very territory, so that we can capture unique love important! We need to make sure we always stories along the way. have a camera on us, so that we can capture all of the little moments.

What are your expectations ahead of the - A good pair of boots goes a long way! trip? What concerns do you have about We need a pair that you can climb mountains sharing such a cramped space and living with but also just stroll around a city in, without quite frugally for a full year? them falling apart.

We expect to create lots of photos and Roughly where will your route take stories that can help depict modern Australia. you - will you get to see every state and This will be in many forms - landscapes, love

stories, and documenting our time on the road.

We also hope that we can spend a year living a bit more freely - not being tied to technology and being able to slow down will be a really refreshing and enjoyable thing for us.

We don’t have any real concerns about living together in such a small space, as we are used to spending so much time together already. As long as we are able to have regular showers and can keep the caravan in order, it should be a smooth journey!

Of course, you'll be taking photos wherever you go. No doubt you'll take thousands of shots ... but what do you plan to do with them all when your trip's finished?

We would love to put together a book, or maybe even have an exhibition, but how we display the end results will really be determined by what the photographs look like and what angle we have taken on different stories.

A few years down the line, we may even look

and the

at opening a gallery to have our landscapes available for purchase in.

We'll be keeping an eye out for you both in Port Macquarie and the Manning-Great Lakes areas. How can we follow where you're up to enroute and see where you're planning to visit next?

Our Facebook and Instagram pages for Daisy and the Duke will mainly show the images of weddings and couples that we photograph along the way, and of the work we will be producing about romance around Australia.

Our Instagram account @life.with.lilah is dedicated to adventure and travel photos we produce. We will make sure that we regularly update our locations on these accounts, so that people can see where we are heading to next!

Thanks guys.

Interview: Jo Robinson.

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JOEL WAKELY M A N Y O F U S C A N R E M E M B E R T H E G LO R Y D AY S O F M U S C L E C A R S . . . T H E I C O N I C FA LC O N GTS, HOLDEN MONAROS AND TORANAS, AND THE CHRYSLER VALIANT CHARGERS. L O C A L A U T O E N T H U S I A S T J O E L W A K E LY W I L L B E R E L E A S I N G H I S L AT E S T B O O K , “ T H E PA S S I O N F O R M U S C L E C A R S ” I N E A R LY S E P T E M B E R , A N D T H E L A U N C H W I L L INCLUDE A SPECIAL MOTOR-FEST CAR LOVERS WON’T WANT TO MISS...

H

i Joel. Many of us are familiar with your last two books, showcasing your love for Holden. Why have you chosen to focus on muscle cars from 1950 - 1980 in your latest book?

As mentioned, my last two books were a showcase for Holden, so following it seemed appropriate that the big three Australian car manufacturers should feature in The Passion for Muscle Cars, being the pursuit for power 1950 - 1980 - a distinct period of motor racing history for Australia. It’s a time I well remember for the development of muscle cars for motor racing by the big three Australian car manufacturers.

Like my previous books, I create a positive record of events for readers to become involved in through my personal experiences and hopefully leave a legacy for others in a rapidly changing world.

What makes/models of cars in particular have you focused your research around this time?

I mentioned the big three Australian car manufacturers, and it was their special performance cars I focused on.

For General Motors Holden, the early model Holden - S4 and X2 followed by the Monaro 327/350, leading up to special Torana and Commodore models.

For Ford Australia, Falcon, including their complete range of Falcon GTs. Followed by Chrysler Valiant and Charger models by Chrysler Australia.

To add additional interest for my account of past events and experiences, I take into account the American Mustang, for 10 Manning-Great Lakes focus

the words “muscle car” are synonymous with Mustang. For a comparison to the three Australian born muscle cars, I briefly review several American made models and support the book with over 400 exclusive photographs.

Where have you sourced the bulk of the research/photographs?

Facts and statistics used for reference come from a number of publications and from the databank that holds a large store of data information. I find because of my personal life-long experience in the automobile industry, I understand the subject matter, and that greatly assists me in my work.

As for photographs, sourcing 400/500 useable colour photographs was the real challenge. Most are copyrighted; it is a task to gather authorised useable illustrations that can be used for commercial publication.

As an example, for the Passion for Holden book GM-H supplied 170 copyright photos out of their archives, after much negotiation at a cost.

My muscle car book has over 400 photos; 200 out of several hundred supplied by the Gosford Classic Car Museum from their archives were selected for display.

From Mustang Australia, Shelby and Saleen Mustang companies in America, additional illustrations were sourced.

Ford Australia also supplied (copyright) photos from their archive department, allowing me one-time use only.

Photos from my own collection collectively provided an eclectic mix of exclusive photographs for my book.

What muscle car models have you owned in the past ... and what one/s would you actually like to own NOW?

I have owned many great so called muscle cars over the years, but the stand out models would have to be starting in 1969 with a Falcon XT-GT, followed by a Monaro 350.

They were recognised at the time as being the best or most extreme example in the early ‘60s.

Many others followed, but later my stand out three: a SLE-VH Brock Commodore, my Walkinshaw-Group A-Commodore, and a 2003 Monaro CV-8.

The short answer to what I would like to own now is a difficult question, because they were all exceptional motor cars in their time.

To pick one - the 2004 model CV-8 Monaro.

It ticked all the boxes with its modern day technology, design and style; it was one of Holden’s best models.

With Chrysler, Ford and Holden no longer manufacturing cars in Australia ... in your opinion, what does the future of muscle cars look like?

We appear to have left the word description “muscle car” behind in another time. Muscle car racing is now referred to as (V8) Supercars. However, at selected race meetings there are still muscle car races (The Muscle Car Masters) being revival meetings with cars from the ‘60/’70s.

For the future, as all of the big three are no longer manufacturing cars in Australia for Supercar racing, we will soon have to rely on fully imported models. The good news is Ford will race the American made Mustang and GM-H the American Camaro in the 2019 Supercar series of races, among others.

My book is a revival of a long and distinct period of motor racing history in Australia.

The official launch of your book will take place at Harrington Waters Function

Centre on September 7. What are the plans for the day?

The official launch and signing of A Passion for Muscle Cars, supported by Midcoast Libraries and Mid Coast Ford, will be held at Harrington Waters Function Centre/Library on Friday 7th September 2018.

Starting at 12pm outside/opposite the venue, all are invited to join in a Motor-Fest car display (including non muscle cars); the event is being supported by local car clubs and many members.

Lunch will be available from Harrington Lions Club, who will be onsite; bookings please, to assist catering.

Contact: avant-garde@bigpond.com or call 0416 224 223.

Following the Motor-Fest display, the book release event is scheduled for 2:30pm in the Harrington Waters Function/Library Centre for an audio-visual presentation, book talk and signing.

Bookings again are essential to assist with catering: www.midcoastlibraries.com.au You'll be holding a second talk and book signing session at Taree Library on September 14. How can we register for this event?

Yes, a book talk and signing is also scheduled at Taree Library on September 14th, commencing at 12:30pm for 1 - 2pm.

Again, bookings for catering arrangements will assist: www.midcoastlibraries.com.au Where can we find out further info?

The Passion for Muscle Cars costs $49.99.

Books will be available at both library events, or online from www.pitstop.net.au You can also email me for further info at: avant-garde@bigpond.com Thanks Joel.

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focusinterview.

The Nabiac Op Shop is one of the thriving businesses in the Nabiac Memorial Neighbourhood Centre, a beautiful turn of the century dwelling which also includes a preschool, Karuah Great Lakes Landcare, the CTC and Petra’s Pantry …

Nabiac

OpShop T he Neighbourhood Centre building has an interesting history, originally serving as a hospital for the community of Nabiac and surrounds - thanks largely to the hard work and dedication of nurse Sarah Jane Nixon. Nabiac Op Shop Treasurer Ross Dearing tells us more about the relationship the shop has with the Neighbourhood Centre, and explains how it raises money for many worthwhile local projects …

What led to the formation of the Nabiac Op Shop, and when did it take up residence in the Neighbourhood Centre?

When Nabiac and District Preschool opened in 1984 (in the old Maternity Wing of the Nabiac Hospital) some of the mums set up a clothing pool. By 1986, this had morphed into an Op Shop, with the money raised going to the fund to build a swimming pool in Nabiac.

In 1994, the Pool Committee took over the running of the Op Shop and relocated it to the Neighbourhood Centre, where it continues to trade today as one of the subcommittees of the Nabiac Memorial Neighbourhood Centre.

How is the Op Shop staffed - and who are some of the smiling faces we’re most likely to meet behind the counter?

The Op Shop is staffed by 30 odd volunteers, mostly ladies, but with a few men - too many to name them all here. Special mention to Eleanor Carrier, who has been

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volunteering since 1994.

You won’t find our volunteers behind the counter though. They are all out and about in the shop and in the shed - sorting goods, setting up displays, and helping customers etc. You will spot them by their Op Shop uniforms with their names embroidered on the front.

What types of goods is it most likely shoppers will find in-store?

The main lines are clothes, linen, kitchen equipment, bric a brac, books, DVDs and toys. We also have furniture and sporting equipment.

Where are these goods sourced ... is the general public able to donate goods to the shop?

Everything we sell is donated by the public.

Just about anything in good condition that someone else would want to buy is welcomed (mattresses are one thing we can’t sell). Condition is important though; it costs us about $4,000 a year to dispose of items that are left at the shop but are not fit to sell.

The Op Shop has helped provide funds for some fabulous projects, including the local pool. What are some other projects the shop has helped to support?

Since the pool opened in 2015, the money raised by the Op Shop has been directed into general projects that benefit the community. In the last year, these projects include a long arm quilting machine for the MidCoast Community Quilters, the fabulous new playground equipment behind the

The money raised by the Op Shop has been directed into general projects that benefit the community.

tennis courts, and the the annual Show and the extension of the Op Farmers’ Markets. Whilst These projects include a long Shop shed to allow for these are important arm quilting machine for greater storage and events, there are lots of the MidCoast Community ability to rotate stock. other things happening.

Quilters, and the fabulous new The Op Shop was The new website is playground equipment behind the also major sponsor to cover “everything tennis courts ... of the spectacular you need to know fireworks at the 2018 about Nabiac” - all Nabiac Show. the businesses, clubs, Projects currently organisations etc. are underway include new signage in the to be included. There is a lot of content yet Memorial Park (showing the history of the to be added, but this will happen over the park), essential repairs to the tennis courts, next few months. The Op Shop has funded a BBQ hut and picnic hut to complete the rebuild and will cover the basic costs the new playground, and we also have a ongoing. We believe it will be good for both proposal before MidCoast Council for the locals and visitors - Nabiac is increasingly a solar heating of the pool, to make the pool stopover point for travellers. more usable early and late in the swimming What are the shop’s opening hours/ season. where can we find out more info?

We also have begun discussions with The shop is open Monday to Saturday from Karuah Great Lakes Landcare about the 9am to noon (and often opens earlier; our establishment of a Community Garden at the volunteers just love their job).

Neighbourhood Centre. We are looking for For more information, check out the a new major project for the coming year and Op Shop section on the website (nabiac. are happy to receive suggestions from the com), our Facebook page, Nabiac Second community.

Chance Op-Shop, or the regular column in What was the Op Shop’s role in the local monthly magazine “Across the Fence” redesign of the website, nabiac.com (available in hard copy from shops in Nabiac and why is this site so beneficial for the around the beginning of the month or on the community? website under “Publications”).

The redesign of the website is a project of Thanks Ross. the Nabiac Memorial Neighbourhood Centre.

For more info about the Nabiac The website was dated in both the content Neighbourhood Centre, please visit: and the technology. Its major focus was on nabiac.com/the-neighbourhood-centre

Build your Dream Home in a Premium Location from just $239,000! – 1 NG GE LLI A E ST S W NO

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MY ART, YOUR HEART Exhibition Celebrating 18 years of fostering “Art for All” in the local community, the Gloucester Art Gallery this month will feature the My Art, Your Heart exhibition by Fred Bullen. A free colour catalogue is available and a competition to receive $100 off your first painting is open to all!

Where Gloucester Art Gallery, 25 Denison St, Gloucester. Phone 0425 203 877.

When 1 August - 12 August.

Time Tue - Sat 10am - 4pm; Sun to 1pm.

Cost Free entry.

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DIRTY DOG TAIL RUN

Join us for a trail run/walk for all humans and their hounds.

Come and support local animal rescue organisation Sweet Pea Animal Rescue.

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When Sunday 19th August, 9:30am - 1:30pm.

Where Coopernook State Forest, Moorland.

Tickets nwww.eventbrite.com.au Find us on Facebook Dirty Dog Tail Run.

RAT PACK Reloaded

What do you get when Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin meet Robbie Williams, Harry Connick Jnr and Michael Bublé? ... Rat Pack Reloaded!

When Sun 12th Aug, 2pm. Where Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree.

Website mec.midcoast.nsw.gov.au

BOOK LAUNCH and Signing Author G.J. (Geof) Maher will present a talk and book signing of his novel, Moon Over the Mediterranean.

Where Forster Library. When Monday, August 20 at 10:30am.

11 UNIVERSITY of Newcastle OPEN DAYS Get advice from staff and students on your study options.

When Central Coast - 4 August, Port Macquarie - 16 August.

More info www.newcastle.edu.au/openday

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The PBM Hard Rock Six Hour MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE The Manning-Great Lakes Tip Riders MTB Club, in association with Pacific Blue Metal, present the 2018 PBM HARDROCK 6HR MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE! Riders from as far as Brisbane, Canberra and Tamworth will once again converge on the iconic trails of the Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Park just outside of Taree, to participate in what’s quickly becoming one of the most fun races on the Australian mountain biking calendar.

When August 19, 9am - 4pm. Where Kiwarrak Mountain Bike Trails. Info Facebook: /www.facebook.com/ events/574697716248588/?ti=cl Web https://www.tipriders.com/copy-of-pbm-hardrock-6hr

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Tomatoes GARDEN TO TABLE A day dedicated to the tomato! 10am - workshop on tomato care, including soil preparations, pinching out, staking, growing, harvest plus pest and disease management.

When Sunday 26th August, 9:30am - 12 pm.

Tomato Plants: advanced $3.50 or punnets $4.50 Where Greenpatch Organic Seeds, 109 Old Bar Rd, Glenthorne. Info enquiries@greenpatchseeds.com.au Phone 6551 4240.

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Skye Petho CREATIVE REGISTRY AUSTRALIA

“TINDER” FOR CREATIVES AND RETAILERS IS LIVE!

Skye Petho is one of the region’s most well-known creatives. SKYE’S SHOP, ARTHOUSE INDUSTRIES ON SUNSET PARADE, PORT MACQUARIE IS A FAVOURITE WITH VISITORS AND LOCALS ALIKE looking for unique fashion and giftware pieces from creative designers from our area and further afield. s well as being a retailer, Skye creates eye-catching glass bead jewellery and also works as an arts mentor and business trainer. Skye tells us all about her latest passion project, Creative Registry Australia ...

What is Creative Registry Australia, and how did you come up with the idea?

It’s a bit like Tinder - it helps creatives and retailers hook up!

Creative Registry Australia is an online platform that connects small business creatives with retailers who are looking to buy and stock Australian handmade items.

I’ve always been passionate about supporting Australian creatives and dedicated to sourcing unique, handmade, limited edition items.

Working as both a creative and a retailer, I understand the challenges both face. For creatives, it’s difficult to be found. Creatives are great at creating, but often don’t want to spend their time or money securing retailers to stock and sell their items. For retailers, it’s time consuming and difficult to find those special, handmade, high quality items to make their stores stand out.

And so, the idea for CRA was created!

What type of creative artists are signing up?

We’re looking to fill the site with unique offerings from a broad range of artists, creatives, makers and designers.

CRA is for Australian, unique, quality handmade goods. We’re not interested in the cheap, junky, imported stuff you sometimes see at markets. That’s what sets us apart from other creative platforms like Etsy.

The creatives who are signing up live and breathe their creative projects - whether it be painting, jewellery making, ceramics, photography, textiles, design and more.

For these creatives it can be really expensive to break into the bigger wholesale markets and extremely time consuming to approach and pitch to retailers directly.

Through Creative Registry Australia, it’s easy for creatives to be found by and connect with ready-to-purchase retailers. Creatives are able to reach new audiences, expand their brand, build their business and sell their products.

The best bit is CRA provides the search power through the platform - the rest is up to you; we won’t charge commissions or a fee for sales.

And how does Creative Registry Australia help retailers?

By using Creative Registry Australia, retailers can stay one step ahead of their competitors by discovering unique stock for their shelves.

It’s free to search and connect directly with top quality, independent creatives.

Searching on Creative Registry Australia is as simple as typing in a keyword and browsing the results. It’s quick and easy, available anywhere - anytime. Retailers can choose to link up with creatives in their local area, or discover creative

I also want to use products from right around the country.

Creative Registry Searching on Creative Registry I know how hard it can be Australia is as simple as typing Australia to build a in a keyword and browsing to source unique, handmade community, where the results. It’s quick Australian items that you we can all learn from and easy, available can’t find in every other store and support each anywhere - anytime. in town. other. I’m exploring Retailers can choose to link up Retail shop owners often the idea of CRA with creatives in their local area, spend hours of their time catch-ups to get or discover creative products outside of the business creatives together in from right around the country. searching for suppliers. the future.

They also rely on crowded, What are your overwhelming trade fairs and plans for Creative wholesale markets, but this Registry Australia beyond Port Macquarie? obviously takes them away from their business We’re currently focusing on filling the site and doesn’t always uncover that special high with creatives from Newcastle to Coffs Harbour. quality piece they’re looking to stock.

Creative Registry Australia is a businessWe have so many talented people in our to-business tool that smooths, simplifies and region, and countless boutique stores. We want speeds up the wholesale process. to help them find each other and support local What other benefits will Creative Registry businesses.

Australia provide?

From there, we’ll be launching the site I genuinely want to support individual Australia-wide next year! businesses and the industry as a whole. I’m Tell us about the special launch offer? putting together a whole host of valuable Creatives can sign up now to secure a listing resources to help creatives turn their passion for the first six months FREE! This is a limited into a profession. time offer, so get in fast.

Those who join Creative Registry Australia It’s quick and easy to sign up - just tell us will have access to valuable tips and techniques a little bit about you, your business and your to grow and improve their businesses. items, then you’re ready to be discovered. Sign We’ll produce a range of business howtos on a range of topics, including pricing, marketing, merchandising, packaging, legals, accounting and sales conversion.

up for FREE now at www.creativeregistryaustralia.com.au Thanks Skye.

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Joshua AR

T

HO

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Sgarano

Portraiture requires a special skill, A FAR-SEEING EYE, AND AN ABILITY TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN EVERYONE AT A GIVEN MOMENT - AND THESE ARE TALENTS Joshua Sgarano has in abundance. Remember FOCUS’ magic cover shot last month, promoting the NAIDOC Indigenous Fashion Show in Taree?

16 Manning-Great Lakes focus

e knew we had to see more of Joshua’s work after he provided us with this image!

Read on to get an insight into his creative mind …

Hi Joshua. What’s your connection to the Manning-Great Lakes area​... and why do you choose to call it home?

Hi Jo. I’m Joshua Sgarano - age 26. I was born in Sydney and raised in Taree.

Having discharged from The Royal Australian Air Force, I have worked on some incredible systems and lived in some amazing locations abroad. I currently work for North Coast TAFE Taree, manage my business Art House Media and get involved in community events, festivals etc.

The people are why I call it home. My family embarked on the move from Sydney to Taree when I was two years old; as you can imagine, I have made lifelong friendships with the people here.

What/who initially sparked your interest in photography?

I first became interested in photography while walking the heritage-listed streets of North Adelaide, SA. Popular for their many well-known restaurants, it’s a truly unforgettable precinct that any photographer would fall in love with.

My grandfather, Kevin Hunt was also a big reason. Back when we used film, he would take me into his dark room and show me the process. He must also have the most elaborate camera collection the world has seen, and there’s something beautiful about those old cameras.

Portraiture was where I lost myself though - the uniqueness, individuality and for the most, the story telling.

I became obsessed with the German filmmaker and photographer Peter Lindbergh’s works - recognised as one of the most influential contemporary

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photographers, his works are showcased who doesn’t like those vintage polaroid regularly in Vogue. shots!

What’s something you know about Share some details about your business, photography now, that you wish you’d Art House Media. What does it specialise known when you first started working in? behind the lens?

Art House Media was birthed from a need Perfection TAKES TIME! Ha ha! People for art to be recognised and valued in society. overestimate what they can do in a year and As a man of practicality, I believe the best underestimate what they can do in three way to prove the value of something is to years. show people how much value it can add to What’s a photo you’ve taken recently their lives. that you’re especially happy with - and Art House Media is the vehicle to bring a why do you like it? positive change to the community at large, The image on this page from a recent through inspiring our youth to be something wedding at the Gold Coast, QLD. It embodies more and empowering them to lead the next both my love for fashion photography and generation. wedding photography in the one image.

Last year we ran the campaign IDENTITY, What direction would you like to see which involved finding members of the your photography and your business community from different walks of life and head in over the next year or so? telling their story with videography and I’d like to see Art House Media recognised portraiture. nationally for its editorial, wedding and large This year, our campaign is BE scale festival work.

UNFORGETTABLE, and that translates across Where can we see more of your work, or to all our services. contact you?

We specialise in wedding photography You can find more of my work at: and videography, fine art portraiture, Web: arthousemedia.net fashion photography, Facebook: facebook.com/ large scale festival arthousemedia.net/ photography Instagram: Instagram. and videography, com/art_house_media/ advertisement I love telling other people’s stories Contact me via: videography, artist through portraiture. I’ve found Phone: 0413 205 507 branding and content we all embody alternate Email: sales@ creation, and the visual personas; we all have arthousemedi.net story telling needed masks we hide behind. To Thanks Joshua. to create artist music me, portraiture is about breaking videos. down these constructs and For more, check out capturing someone as they are in the links to our other the rawness of their beauty. platforms below.

What is your ethos or mission when it comes to photography?

Photography, to me, is more than a memory; it extends beyond the outward appearance.

It is the art of life and simplicity of observing the happening.

There is no beauty without truth.

Our mission is to create a bubble where people can experience real love, acceptance and joy … Even if it is only for a moment. A moment can change everything.

What subjects do you most like to photograph ... and why?​ I’m a people person. I love telling other people’s stories through portraiture.

I’ve found we all embody alternate personas; we all have masks we hide behind. To me, portraiture is about breaking down these constructs and capturing someone as they are in the rawness of their beauty.

Honestly, that’s why I enjoy it so much!

There’s nowhere to hide - only truth.

What are the most used items in your full camera kit?​ My Sony A7Rii, Sony G Master 2.8/24-70 Lens, Phantom 4 Pro Plus Drone, Godox TT685 Strobes, Zoom H6 Field Recorder and my Polaroid 600 Business Edition - because

This image is from a recent wedding at the Gold Coast, QLD. It embodies both

my love for fashion photography and wedding photography in

the one image.

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Stir Fry from Kenny’s Thai at Club Forster 18 Manning-Great Lakes focus

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Club Old Bar’s Famous Seafood Chowder

Club Old Bar

The award winning Club Old Bar Bistro is the go-to dining destination in Old Bar, with something for all tastes and budgets.

One of their Chef’s Specialties is the famous Seafood Chowder (pictured). A mix of prawns, scallops, mussels, squid and fish, served in a house baked cob loaf. It’s so popular that when it was taken off of the menu for summer, it was quickly returned due to customer demand!

Open seven days for lunch and dinner, the family friendly club has a delicious range of meals, including seafood, steak, pasta, traditional pub fare and more.

Hosts to the best meal deals in town; with weekly dinner specials, a fantastic seniors’ lunch on Thursdays plus $10 lunch options from Monday to Friday.

With a bistro, playground, café and more, the entire family will enjoy the dining experience Club Old Bar has to offer. Head to cluboldbar.com.au for all the details, or pop into Club Old Bar any day of the week.

1 BELFORD ST, OLD BAR. 6553 7224 WWW.CLUBOLDBAR.COM.AU OPEN 7 DAYS

The Tanks Café We’re proud to announce the opening of “THE TANKS” Café, Lounge & Bar at Club Forster!

Relax and enjoy our brand new space, featuring state-of-the-art facilities.

CLUB FORSTER, 19 STRAND ST, FORSTER 6591 6591 OPEN 7 DAYS 10AM TO LATE.

Great team equals Great Food There is an amazing array of talent in the Club Old Bar kitchen, with qualified chefs from all different backgrounds working together to create an innovative and exciting menu.

O

ne of the success stories to come out of the club is that of 22 year old Head Chef Nicole Luckhurst. Nicole commenced her career at Club Old Bar at just 16 years of age as a school based trainee, and has worked extremely hard over the last six years to progress through the ranks to the position of Head Chef.

in 1993 and has had a long career, including Italian restaurants, clubs, pubs and Asian restaurants. Greg loves to catch, cook and eat seafood and says that the Club Old Bar crew are some of the best he’s ever worked with.

Sue James has been a qualified chef for over 28 years, with a career including fine dining, Italian and French restaurants in the Hunter

region. Sue has recently relocated to Old Nicole gives credit to Bar, quickly becoming a the Managers, Tony valuable member of the Jones and Kim White, team, and is extremely for the opportunity skilled in creating to grow and progress There are continual mouthwatering cakes within the Club. changes to the menu “Management have and desserts. to ensure it remains been so supportive Emily Holman is the exciting, different of my career from newest apprentice and modern (while the get-go. They making her way through keeping the customer have encouraged favourites like the seafood the kitchen; she’s just me to learn and take chowder all year round). five months into her courses, and have apprenticeship and says had the confidence she is loving the job. “I in me to give me was looking for a new the opportunity to career opportunity, and the staff seemed become the Head Chef,” she said. Apart from her outstanding ability to create so friendly that I jumped at the chance to delicious food, Nicole is an excellent take on the apprenticeship.” Emily says the communicator who really knows how to Cowboy Quesadillas are her favourite menu develop a great team. item to create. “I love the hands on cooking,

Oven Baked Chicken Pieces

The perfect place to unwind and meet with friends, sample our exciting new menu, try our range of craft beer, and listen to great music presented by some of the coast’s leading musicians - FREE every Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

L-R Emily Holman, Sue James, Nicole Luckhurst, Greg Vandenbergh and Tawny Sawyer.

EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF STEVE CURLEW

Taking a similar career route as Nicole, Tawny Sawyer has just completed her apprenticeship at the top of her class. Tawny also started out with the club as a school based trainee, and she is the third chef to complete an apprenticeship through Club Old Bar. Tawny loves cooking Mexican and Spanish style food and enjoys the atmosphere in the kitchen.

“We work with an awesome crew; I’ve learnt so much from them,” Tawny said.

and I’ve learnt so much so far.”

Greg Vandenbergh is the longest serving chef in the team, having spent nine and a half years creating delicious food for Club Old Bar. Greg finished his apprenticeship in Newcastle

and visitors. Club Old Bar serves chef’s

There are continual changes to the menu to ensure it remains exciting, different and modern (while keeping the customer favourites like the seafood chowder all year round). Loyal customers dine at Club Old Bar multiple times a week, so the menu is constantly evolving to ensure an exciting and diverse dining experience for both regulars specials every night, so head into the club to experience for yourself the creations of their talented chefs.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 19

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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

watch.

Loveless (MA) 6:30pm, Monday 27th August at Fay’s Twin Cinema.

Taree Film Society screens the critically feted Loveless (MA) at 6:30pm, Monday 27th August at Fay’s Twin Cinema. The searing, multi awardwinning new drama from Andrey Zvyagintsev (Leviathan, Elena, The Return), arguably the most fearless and vital filmmaker in modern European cinema, Loveless is a razor-sharp and gripping portrayal of a family - and society - on the precipice of collapse.

Boris (Alexey Rozin) and Zhenya (Maryana Spivak) live together in the same Moscow apartment, but their relationship is all but over.

Caught in a spiral of slanging matches and eager to be freed into the company of new lovers, the only thing keeping them together is the still-to-

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WH

be-finalised sale of their apartment. What this means for their 12-year-old son, Alyosha (Matvey Novikov), doesn’t seem to be of primary concern.

But when he doesn’t return home one night, the couple are confronted by ambivalent and resource-strained authorities, and must mount their own independent search …

Earning rave reviews at Cannes, where it topped the Screen International jury poll as best of the festival, Loveless is one of the most powerful and essential cinematic experiences of 2018.

Tickets are $16, including coffee, cakes and chatting. Membership is $120 for 2018-19. For more details, please call 6552 3476 or visit www.tareefilmsociety.org.au

HORTICULTURALIST NEVILLE DONOVAN - GREENPATCH ORGANIC SEEDS

AT’S IN

season Begin with seeds or seedlings early in the season, as it’s essential plants have a long growing period, ensuring a long harvest period from January to June. Select a warm, sunny position for best result and good fertile soil, well drained.

45 cm x 45 cm, producing a heavy crop over a long period. Take care with the branches, as they can be brittle and prone to snapping with the weight of the fruit.

These tips will help minimise any fungal disease on the leaves; space plants well, water underneath the leaves, reduce crowding, allow good air flow.

Capsicum is prone to caterpillars, which bore holes into the fruit and can be controlled with organic sprays. Fruit fly also attacks the fruit and can be trapped or easily excluded with a fine netting.

To help the large fruiting varieties mature well during the growing season, they may require added nutrients from compost, fertilizer, or decomposed manure to the root zone. It’s also beneficial to provide regular soil moisture in a dry season.

Fully formed fruit can be picked a little earlier and will also help reduce the weight of the branch. Simply cut the stalk with the fruit attached. Store excess capsicums in the refrigerator, turn into relish, pickles or sauce.

It can also be frozen for up to six months.

The plants generally grow as a compact bush

Happy Gardening!

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One of my favourite wine books is all about Italian wines. It covers over 200 wineries/grapegrowers/winemakers in Italy. Every time I pick this book up, I can easily lose hours absorbed in the stories behind the hundreds of wines showcased from a country that produces more types of wine from more grape varieties than any other country.

I

’m from South Australia and say that contours, soils and microclimates together with wine is in my blood, but for Italians, generally sunny weather favours grape ripening. wine truly does run through their veins.

This explains the nonchalant attitude towards Wine is deeply rooted in the Italian grape growing; it is pretty easy to grow decent culture, and making wine with friends quality fruit, so you find many small producers and family is second nature to Italians in the tending small parcels of vineyards, making same way as is making pasta, tomato sauces unique wine. and salami.

But with an increasingly competitive global The thing that draws me to Italy is the wine industry, Italian winemakers have had to authenticity of their keep up with the times wine culture. I have to successfully compete only been there once, on the world wine stage. quite a few years And they have stepped up If you like a wine, you like ago, and remember magnificently, producing a wine. If you enjoy exploring the generosity, good outstanding wines applying wine, then it doesn’t get humour and joyous traditional techniques much better than exploring nature of many people that winemakers around the seemingly endless we spent time with. the world embrace and varieties of Italian wine.

This relaxed, open, attempt to replicate.

Over 1,000 vine varieties are welcoming attitude While the size of many grown in Italy.” was reflected in much vineyards are small in area of their wine - easy compared to what we and uncomplicated, are used to in Australia, allowing nature to the density of planting do most of the work. Wine critics didn’t really is typically between 4,000 - 10,000 vines per rate Italian wine when compared to the likes of hectare. The motivation behind this is a reduced refined French wine. “Rustic” is how the Italian yield from each vine, for better quality fruit. wines were described.

Wine varieties you have never heard of before More recently critics have changed their are to be found, such as Trebbiano, Barbera, opinion, but who cares what the critics say Dolcetto, Amarone, Fiana, Vermentino and many anyway! If you like a wine, you like a wine. more. We are planting more Italian varieties in If you enjoy exploring wine, then it doesn’t Australia and as a result, are becoming more get much better than exploring the seemingly familiar with Italian varieties such as Sangiovese, endless varieties of Italian wine. Over 1,000 vine Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio. varieties are grown in Italy.

If you are into exploring wine, Italy offers an The geography of Italy moves from the Alps abundance of options for all types of palates. in the north to the shores of the Mediterranean Prosecco, sweet and dry white wines, light reds in the south, with an abundance of hills and and deep full bodied wines - Italy provides an mountains in between. Infinite variations in endless buffet of wine.

“

Capsicum

It’s a perfect time to think about growing a few capsicum plants as the weather starts to warm up. Capsicum varieties come in a multitude of shapes and colours of green, red, yellow, purple, white through to dark chocolate. The delicious fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked.

Italian Wines.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 21

The INXS Tribute Show

Mark Vincent Young at Heart Tour Australian Global Entertainment presents Mark Vincent in concert, “Young At Heart” tour 2018. The #1 tenor in Australia and the #1 highest selling tenor in the history of Australian music. What an achievement! Mark Vincent, Australia’s most loved 24 year old, is bringing his stunning new show “Young At Heart” to venues around Australia in 2018. Be mesmerised by the astonishing power and beauty of what is hailed as the best Tenor voice in Australia. Mark’s career is going from strength to strength. He has released six studio albums and a Greatest Hits collection by the time he was 20 and sold half a million albums. Mark’s eighth album was released in 2017, A Tribute to Mario Lanza, with

a duet with Mario as its main feature. In 2017 legendary star Julie Andrews chose Mark to play the role of Freddy, Eliza Doolittle’s love interest, in her production of My Fair Lady throughout Australia, to which Mark received rave reviews.

In December, Mark completed a sold out tour of the United Kingdom with world famous soprano Katherine Jenkins OBE, performing at iconic venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Repertoire in his “Young At Heart Tour” will include Granada, Young At Heart, On The Street Where You Live, Music Of The Night, Nessun Dorma and marvellous duets such as All I Ask of You and many more beautiful songs.

A UA STR UA LSI ATN R G LA O BLA LI A E N TN E R T AG INM L EO NT B P RA E S ELN T SE N T E R T A I N M E N T

Returning by popular demand, Live Baby Live! The INXS Tribute Show is Australia’s premier rendition of one of the most iconic bands in Australian history.

Live Baby Live! brings together a group of musicians that have a combined 40+ years experience playing music and performing live.

Live Baby Live! deliver a stunning replication of all the classic INXS tracks, performing songs from their first album all the way through to their latest hits.

Frontman Guy Collings is a natural born performer and brings the late great Michael Hutchence to life on stage, bearing a striking resemblance to Hutchence in sound.

described as an amazingly accurate tribute to the mighty INXS. With meticulous attention paid to the unforgettable ‘INXS Live at Wembley’ performance and swagger to match, let Live Baby Live! take you back to a time when rock and roll ruled. Plus for the first time at Club Forster, the boys have combined their talents and present you with a DOUBLE HEADER NIGHT - adding their brand new offering - ‘TAKE ME BACK - THE NOISEWORKS TRIBUTE SHOW’.

Two great tribute shows for the price of one!

P R E S E N T S

One One of the of best Tenor the voices best not Tenor voices not onl onl y in Australia y in Australia - but the world - but the world

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Bringing all these elements together, Live Baby Live! produce what can only be

Mark Vincent Mark Vincent has emerged has emerged as one of the as one of the with mostthe remarkable most remarkable voices of his voices of his generation.generation.

Mark Vincent has emerged as one of the most remarkable voices of his generation.

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NG MANNING MANNING T CENTRE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE CENTRE

18 - 2pm Show Sun 9th September Sun 2018 9th - 2pmSeptember Show 2018 - 2pm Show

WWW.THEMEC.COM.AU BOOKINGS: 02 6592 BOOKINGS: 5466 | ONLINE: WWW.THEMEC.COM.AU 02 6592 5466 | ONLINE: WWW.THEMEC.COM.AU 1 | GROUPS 10+: TICKETS $76 - ADULTS: $85 TICKETS | CONC: $81 | GROUPS - ADULTS: 10+: $76 $85 | CONC: $81 | GROUPS 10+: $76

Mark

Vincent www.austentertainment.com.au www.austentertainment.com.au PH +61 www.markvincent.com.au 2 99707737 Mark M Vincent www.markvincent.com.au 0414 PH +61 2 99707737 580 M 498 0414 580 498

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Mark Vincent

PH +61 2 99707737

M 0414 580 498

focusinterview.

Chris Rose This month FOCUS chatted to musician CHRIS ROSE. IT’S BEEN A BUSY SIX YEARS since we last spoke to the young artist, so we had loads to catch up on ...

I

t’s been six years since we last spoke to you at FOCUS - we can only imagine it’s been an amazing journey to where you are now!

Give us a little insight into what you’ve been up to …

Wow, it's been a super long journey! I feel like I'm still only just getting things started now though. I've gained so much experience since then, chasing my music career and I’ve battled many highs and lows trying to get the exposure and my music heard.

I have moved to Sydney and back again (I LOVE living in Port Macquarie). I graduated from the Talent Development Project in Sydney at the Sydney Entertainment centre in 2011.

I've had three different recording contracts with Sony Music and many amazing experiences with that. I released a single with Sony called We Are, which I performed as the finale song at the 30 years of the School Spectacular and was broadcast on Channel 9. I have previously travelled to Menindee in remote Western NSW to work with the school there, where I wrote a song called “The Menindee Train” which was performed with the school kids at the School Spectacular.

I have booked and performed my own tours on the East Coast of Aus, performed a weekly residency in Darlinghurst, Sydney for 12 months building my live performance skills, supported some big artists and performed at festivals. I've also toured the country with The Voice winner 2013, Harrison Craig.

Earlier in this year I performed at Circular Quay for the Australia Day Spectacular to a massive audience. I did my first sold out ticketed show at Flavours Lighthouse Beach down the road from where I grew up, for my single Godzilla, which I recorded at Sing Sing studios Melbourne.

I've just performed a massive full band show at The Loungeroom in Port Macquarie to support my new EP, Electric Air. I've basically played gigs and have been working every week relentlessly planning my music career since we

last spoke. I love it so a few years later. It's a I’m really enjoying putting on much. quirky pop song about a my own headline shows and fine How would you cool, surfy girl who leads tuning my show as an artist say your music has you on and only wants with my band in my own progressed over the you when they're lonely right. I’ve definitely come past six years? and would leave you if a long way live and really I have tried out anything better came up. appreciate all the support I get many different styles Electric Air was a song from venues on the Mid North of music, from pop to where I wrote the whole Coast. indie to country and melody all at once whilst more electronic singer/ driving my car. I pulled songwriter coastal vibes. over and recorded it all I've honed my skills in many different studios, on my phone. However, I changed the concept from home studios in Bondi and Rozelle to Sony three times and ended up perfecting the lyrics Studios and most recently Analog Heart Studios whilst in the studio with Stuart Stuart. in Brisbane, where I recorded my new EP. I've Finally, Anything Better is a simple song about also co-written with many different songwriters rekindling with an old flame and realising that and producers over the years, which has been there is nothing better than being with that amazing and so much fun learning from some person. of the best in the business. I think I've finally How did you enjoy the recording process? found my sound and my vibe with my new EP I love being in the studio, imagining sounds Electric Air, which is my most polished sound to and the style of music and seeing that come to date. life, as well as perfecting lyrics and vocal takes, Tell us about your new EP. What was the and adding harmonies on top. It's always quite inspiration behind the tracks? stressful getting lyrics right and recordings right.

The EP is titled Electric Air after the title track But for me, there is nothing more exciting and and funnily enough, it's probably a bit of a satisfying then having a finished product you are mix of most of those musical styles mentioned stoked with.

You’ve worked alongside some amazing above. It's definitely a commercial radio sound, artists - such as Icehouse and Thirsty Merc, but with an organic singer songwriter twist that to name a couple. What was it like working I think is quite original but suits current musical alongside these iconic musicians? trends.

It has been really amazing! Always such a I recorded the tracks with producer Stuart buzz meeting them and hanging out and does Stuart at his Brisbane Studio, who is behind all wonders to build your profile. I actually have the hits for Aussie band Sheppard. All of the hung out and written songs with Rai from Thristy songs were written by me except Anything Merc; he's a genius and super fun to hang with Better, which was co -written in Sydney with ha ha. I haven't had so many major supports Carl Dimataga. recently, because I'm currently independent of all Inspiration from the tracks comes from agents and managers, though I hope in the near many different places; Back To You was written future to have some more opportunities. when my girlfriend went overseas on a longish I'm really enjoying putting on my own headline holiday ha ha. It is about missing someone and shows and fine tuning my show as an artist with hoping they feel the same way too. Cannonball my band in my own right. I've definitely come a Heart (Single #1) was a long process; I had this long way live and really appreciate all the support really cool chorus for a long time, and I ended I get from venues on the Mid North Coast. up writing the verses and bridge to go with it

What is your biggest dream and goal?

My goal is to build myself up enough to have some of my songs catch on with commercial radio and land some TV syncs etc. I hope to gain the attention of record labels and put the right team around me and my music.

I would love to be an overnight success that has taken many years to build up to, such as Amy Shark, Vance Joy, Conrad Sewell or Sheppard.

We have some amazing artists in Aus cracking it around the world, and I hope I can do that too!

Tell us about your plans for the next twelve months …

I've got so many plans. I have recently shot a music video in Sydney for my next single, Electric Air, that I'm about to release. I plan on making videos for each of the songs on my current record, as I've found it's hardly worth having a great song and no video in the age of social media.

I plan to do a tour after my home town launch, and I'm back in the studio in early August to record two more tracks. I'm always songwriting and making plans and have gigs booked for the rest of the year. I'm also keeping my options open, in case big opportunities come along. I regularly update my supporters in the music and radio industry, and I hope the right people come along and join my journey.

And lastly, where can our readers go to follow your journey?

Thank you so much for the interview and support! Please check me out on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/chrisrosemusician and I'm on Spotify, iTunes and all the rest! Hope to see you at a show sometime soon.

Thanks Chris.

Catch Chris Rose at Hamiltons Oysters on Sunday 26th Aug, 3pm - 6pm.

1 Palm St, Tuncurry. visit hamiltonsoysters.com.au Phone (02) 6554 8245.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 23

focusinterview.

coach Tuncurry

tours.

Tuncurry Coaches has a brand new team. We catch up with Adam to find out what’s in store for the business. And don’t worry ... Mal and Debbie aren’t going anywhere!

H

i Adam. You are one of the proud new owners of Tuncurry Coaches. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and introduce us to your partners?

My name is Adam McMahon, and I grew up in the Forster Tuncurry area.

My business partners are my wife, Lisa McMahon, and Graham Steber and his wife Kim Steber, who are all proud locals also. Our children all go to school in the MidCoast area between Great Lakes College Tuncurry Campus and Hallidays Point Primary School. We are all active community members with a pride in our local area.

How did purchasing the business all come about?

I have known Mal personally for over 25 years, and I have watched Tuncurry Coach Tours grow from a small mini bus to a very busy local business. Over the last 12 - 18 months, Mal and I have been discussing his transition to retirement and how we can make this work for him, his business and for us. Mal and Debbie have put a huge amount of their personal time into training Graham and I over that time, and they are staying around for us for as long as we need them, to make that transition smooth and seamless for their many loyal clients.

The business is well known for its great trips, customer service and amazing tours. What are you looking forward to the most about being involved with Tuncurry Coaches?

There are many exciting things about being part of the new team at Tuncurry Coach Tours.

24 Manning-Great Lakes focus

Everyone loves travel and being the way we do things, to make it easy around people who are on holidays. We for our people to relax when they are have the opportunity to create great on tour. It’s not easy for us to make this experiences for people every day, and happen, but that’s what we do best. that is exciting. Mal has done a great job We have great people by our side with this, and he is excited also to see helping us along the way who have the team continue the legacy that has many years of experience. We offer a been created over the past 28 years. seamless process, from the moment Will there be any changes either now you make contact to the time you are or in the future? returned after your trip. We offer free At the moment our key focus is to long term off maintain a strong street parking, relationship with many pick up our loyal travellers. locations in the We will, over time, Great lakes and offer new trips, Manning regions.

We will, over time, offer shows and tours.

Our clients can new trips, shows and An important part tours. An important expect great of any business is to

part of any business service, great trips innovate and stay is to innovate and and a holiday like current. In saying stay current. that, we have a great no other. We love business model and what we do and rather than change people love to what we do, we will travel with us. build and add on to it slowly over time, Can you tell us a few details about to make sure our current clients remain the day and overnight tours that you happy and we attract new clients. have coming up?

I would love to see us bring groups to There are probably too many to name, the local area to enjoy our beautiful area; but I will try with the ones I am most I am excited to see what opportunities excited about. For overnight trips I am can be created in this space over the looking forward to these ones the most: coming years, but we are in no hurry to South Coast NSW make any changes.

27th November to 2nd December 2018.

For those who haven’t been on one Tasmania of Tuncurry Coaches’ trips, what can 2nd February to16th February 2019. they expect - and exactly how easy 15 days and 14 nights. and relaxing is it?

The main reason that people continue to come back to Tuncurry Coach Tours is because we have been doing this for so long. For 28 years we have fine tuned

The Ghan August 2019 - Date TBA. 14 days and 13 nights.

Thanks Adam.

Greenpatch Tomato Day Spring into your garden!

When Sunday 26th August - 9:30am - 12pm.

Where Greenpatch Organic Seeds, 109 Old Bar Rd, Glenthorne.

10am - Workshop on Tomato Care, including soil preparations, pinching out, staking, growing, harvest plus pest and disease management.

Receive a FREE How-To-Guide for growing tomatoes - a take home step by step information sheet suitable for home gardeners. There will be a huge range of tomato plants available on the day, totalling 25 varieties. Plants are $3.50 each or punnet $4.50. Also available will be tomato stakes, fertiliser, tomato dust and vege net for fruit fly protection.

Seed: The Untold Story film screening will be

happening on 16th August at 6pm.

Where: The Theatrette adjacent to Manning Valley Visitor information centre. Cost is FREE. For more information, contact Greenpatch Organic Seeds or visit the Facebook event page at https:// www.facebook.com/events/1001036620056286/ Become a Greenpatch member and save. For a $29 one year subscription, you will receive six seed packets of your choice with a Greenpatch Catalogue, 10% discount off all bulk seed, seed packets and nursery plants for one year.

For a $54 two year subscription, you receive 12 seed packets of your choice with a Greenpatch Catalogue, 10% discount off all bulk seed, seed packets and nursery plants for two years.

The Secret Weekly Farmers Market.

The Secret Weekly Farmers Market continues to be a mecca of activity, with locals and visitors flocking to Taree Park, 27 Macquarie Street, Taree, each Thursday between 8am and 1pm.

Come down and pick up the tastiest honey and beeswax, a coffee and breakfast, fresh fruit and vegetables, sourdough bread, cheeses, organic pasta, free range eggs, fermented items, fresh flowers, plus many more seasonal and artisan products that happily showcase our local farmers and small businesses.

The "Taste The Difference; Festival of Giveaways" continues, with the opportunity to win $25 worth of produce from alternating stalls each week. Buy from any market stall, leave your details, and you could be the lucky winner.

For further information regarding The Secret Weekly Farmers Market, please contact Rosie Smith on 0400 637 150.

"One of the best farmers' markets on the Mid North Coast, with plenty of variety and always fresh." Richard.

"One of my favourite markets! Lovely people with lots of fresh, tasty and organic produce. So happy we have this one on our doorstep!" Imogen.

"Amazing variety of produce. I love the new ginger shot from Off the Rayles. Great market - I will be shopping here regularly."

Sara.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 25

focus_editorial.

ar Ye 30

image of the month.

Title: Sunrise at Diamond Beach.

Photo by: David George.

Camera: iPhone 6s.

ANNIVERSARY

Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see?

Just email annette@focusmag.com.au

focus_editorial.

John Ellison

John Ellison in his Katoomba studio. Photo credit Peter Adams.

Blue Mountains based artist John Ellison will teach people to work straight from the imagination in the way that Daumier and Picasso did as part of a one-day masterclass on 11th August, 9am - 3pm, at Creek Cottage Farm in Bobin.

T

he workshop will guide participants through easy methods to put people into paintings, without the need for models or photographic reference.

providing more arts opportunities for people

John said the course will open up a new realm of subject matter for participants and will suit intermediate through to more experienced artists.

professional artist over the last twenty years.

Amongst John’s notable achievements is being the founder of the Katoomba Winter Magic Festival, which has now become an event of national significance, and frequent contributor for Australian Artist Magazine.

in the Manning Valley.

“It’s wonderful to have an artist like John coming to our region to pass on some of the skills and knowledge he has built up as a “We would love to put on more events like this, so we will see how this course goes and what interest we get.”

As part of the course, participants will get to sample some of Creek Cottage Farm’s delicious fresh produce.

The masterclass will cost $130, including a

The masterclass will be held at Creek Cottage Farm in Bobin and put on by local market gardeners Meaghan and Paul Lewers.

morning tea and lunch. To reserve a space,

Meaghan said she was interested in

www.harrisonandellison.com

26 Manning-Great Lakes focus

call (02) 6550 5088 or email meaghanlewers@gmail.com - bookings essential. To view John’s work, visit

Since the 1950s, Taree has had a proactive arts community, promoting the talents of our visual and performing artists. The Taree Municipal Art Collection was established at the Council’s "Annual Art Show" in 1955, initiated by the late Mary Hunter OAM, with strong support from the then Town Clerk, the late Clyde Powditch MBE.

I

nary, with the Friends carrying out much of the n 1976, a public meeting was called to physical work demolishing and renovating. The consider a proposal for the development of a civic cultural centre, to include an Friends committee also confirmed that Mrs Mary auditorium and an art gallery. Strong Hunter and Mrs Dusty Walkom be appointed as community support for this endeavour Gallery Patrons. was maintained and by the mid 1980s, plans In 2007, the combined financial and in-kind for an Entertainment Centre were completed. A contributions of the Greater Taree City Council Bi-centennial grant of $500,000 was gained by Arts NSW and Friends saw the addition of a new the Greater Taree City Council and with Council gallery wing and improved facilities. The first and community contributions, the $1.5m centre exhibition to launch this new space was the 2007 was completed in 1988.

Archibald Prize, with 400 people attending the A volunteer gallery committee worked with opening night and Tim Flannery officially opening Council to establish the the exhibition. Again in "Pioneer Gallery" in 2011, Friends raised funds two small rooms in the of $80,000 and with Manning Entertainment matched funding from the A Bi-centennial grant of $500,000 Centre. The first exhibition State Government comwas gained by the Greater Taree pleted the Undercover Art was opened in June 1988 City Council and with Council Space in the back garden

by Member for Manning, and community contributions, of the gallery.

Wendy Machin. the $1.5m centre was In March 2015 we sadly In August 1988, the completed in 1988. farewelled our Director, Friends of the Gallery Sue Mitchell, to retirement (FOGS) committee was and a well-deserved rest! established. This dynamic The gallery is now run by group continues to support Director Rachel Piercy and the gallery with major Assistant Director Jane Hosking, with Ali Haigh fundraising events, and has provided an extensive as Public Programs and Education Engagement volunteer workforce, contributing a staggering Officer. The gallery team is dedicated to fostering 4,500 volunteer hours per year. increased community participation in the visual A continued community push for a "real" arts, providing a range of cultural and artistic Regional Art Gallery resulted in Greater Taree experiences for residents and visitors to the area.

Council voting in 1997 to purchase the original To celebrate the milestone, the Friends are 1907 Taree Public School Headmaster’s residence holding a Gala Party with great food, frivolity in Macquarie Street in Taree. Plans, working bees and music on 25th August. Tickets are $35 and and fundraising took up most of 1998, with the available at the Manning Regional Art Gallery, newly appointed Director, Sue Mitchell at the Bass ‘n Blues Music and Margaret’s Underfashhelm, while the Friends contributed over $90,000 ions. Everyone is welcome, as we look forward to - including Alfred Evan’s bequest of $50,000. The the next 30 years! volunteer hours during this time were extraordi-

race club.

Manning Valley

H

i Helen. You have just become the new executive officer at the Manning Valley Race Club; can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I moved to Harrington 18 months ago, although my parents lived there permanently from 1972. I have twin daughters (Selina lives in Singapore, Elizabeth in Melbourne and my son, Adrian lives in Sydney).

How did you get started in the industry?

When Scone Race Club was built in 1996, I was asked to go there to open the new office. I had never worked in the industry before, and it was at the time that the TAB was being privatised, so I was able to learn the new system, along with other administrators who had worked in the industry for some time.

Was there anything in particular that helped in the decision of taking this

role? I think the track is one of the best in the state, and Scott Olson (curator) is held in very high regard. The chef, Kevin Williams is wonderful and has brought a wealth of knowledge and creative ability to Manning Valley Race Club. Greg Hile is our Functions/Bar Manager and has been with the club for 15 years. Karen Macklin is our Office Assistant and is ready at any time to take enquiries for events or race day.

I hope to bring my 20

years of experience in the industry to the club and ensure

New South Wales and the corporate that the local community administration of know what a jewel they the industry. The have on their doorstep. implementation of all of the safety regulations for race What are some of clubs and horse welfare the major changes matters have been very you have seen the industry undergo welcome. The industry is very professional in your time? The formation of Racing and employs thousands of prople. It is a

2018 TAREE GOLD CUP CARNIVAL at Taree’s Racecourse Drive Racecourse

very high employer of young females and provides a career path for horse handlers, administrative staff and outdoor staff.

What are you looking forward to the most about being involved with the race club? I hope to bring my 20 years of experience in the industry to the club and ensure that the local community know what a jewel they have on their doorstep.

Thanks Helen.

3 Great Days of Racing

$619,000

in prize money

Plus Bonuses and trophies

Thursday 9th August Taree Cup Prelude Day

Friday 17th August Day One Taree Cup Weekend Hopkins/Livermore Cup Meeting

Saturday 18th August

Taree Cup Calcutta Dinner

Winning Post Function Centre Book your tickets now!

s n o i h s a F the Field

on

Reserved seating Corey Brown Function Room

Includes 2 course Luncheon Entry & Racebook $55 per person

BOOK NOW AS BOOKINGS CLOSE QUICKLY

Blue Process = C:100 M:53 Y:21 K:14 RGB = R:0 G:97 B:140 Hex = #00618c

p u C d Golncheon Lu

Sunday 19th August Stacks Law Firm Mid Coast Automotive Taree Gold Cup Meeting Bookings and Enquiries for all events over the Cup Carnival Phone 02 6552 1183 Email Office@ManningValleyRaceClub.com.au

ManningValleyRaceClub.com.au

TAREE Leagues Sports Club

LTD

Gold Process = C:8 M:43 Y:100 K:10 RGB = R:231 G:156 B:36 Hex = #e79c24

Typeface:

Manning-Great Lakes focus 27

manning-great lakes markets. August 2018.

manninggreat lakes

markets. in August

SECRET FARMERS' MARKET

When Thurs 2nd August, 8am - 1pm.

Where Corner Wynter and Macquarie St, Taree Website www.facebook.com/weeklysecretmarket Contact Email: weeklysecretmarket@gmail.com Held every Thursday with locally grown and created products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, local honey, pastured eggs, fermented food and drinks, jams and chilli sauces, fresh pork and beef, raw cakes, organic pasta, seeds and seedlings, olives and olive oil and lastly, flowers. Stall holders include Hidden Valley Free Range, Bottled Culture, Organics MattR, Totally Freerange, Granny Mels, Parched Earth, Refugium Flora, Gilchrist Honey and more. Find the markets at Taree Park - on the corner of Macquarie and Wynter Streets.

WINGHAM FARMERS' MARKET

When Sat 4th August, 8am - 12pm.

Where Gloucester Road, Wingham.

Wingham Farmers’ Market is held on the first Saturday of each month at the Wingham Showground.

Since 2003, the Wingham Farmers’ Market has been a great source of fresh food and products that are locally grown, baked or made sustainably. Enjoy fresh produce, cakes, local olives, pickles and jams, flowers, goat milk soaps and more. Come along and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, supporting the local community.

If it’s grown, baked or made sustainably in the region, it’s welcome at Wingham Farmers’ Market.

BENT ON TUESDAY FARMERS' MARKET

When Tue 14th August, 8am - 1pm.

Where 95 Isabella St, Wingham Email annette@theedibleforest.com.au Come on down to the Bent on Tuesday Farmers’ Market, every Tuesday from 8am to 1pm. This is a real farmers’ market where all items are locally sourced, seasonal and homemade. Everything sold is grown free of chemicals, and all livestock is raised ethically. Items include avocados, homemade jams, pickles and chutneys, real free range eggs, seasonal fruit and vegatables, as well as old breed pasture raised pork. If you haven’t tried old breed pigs, pasture raised, you’re in for a treat. Find the market on the footpath outside Bent on Food and the Country Women’s Association at 91-95 Isabella St, Wingham.

28 Manning-Great Lakes focus

NABIAC FARMERS’ MARKET

When Sat 25th Aug, 8am - 12pm.

Where 15 Showground Lane, Nabiac Website www.nabiac.com/events/nfm.php Email hello@hollyholster.com Local producers supplying quality fresh food to the community on the last Saturday of each month.

Come along to buy really fresh local produce at the Nabiac Farmers’ Market.

Locally grown organic vegies, free range eggs, local fruits, cakes, chocolates, gingerbread, olive products, honey, natural skin care, gourmet goodies, wines, sourdough bread, a variety of plants, locally made crafts, gifts for friends and family, seedlings, chooks and lots more!

A bit of yesteryear with today’s produce. So bring a friend and come along for a bite to eat, a chat and enjoy an old-fashioned shopping experience.

Don’t forget your baskets and reusable bags!

PACIFIC PALMS FARMERS' MARKET

When Sun 26th Aug, 9am - 1pm.

Where The Lakes Way, Pacific Palms.

Website www.palmsmarket.com.au Email info@palmsmarket.com.au On the last Sunday of the month, with extra markets in the holidays, the Community Centre comes alive with vibrant colours, textures and a really great vibe ... Come and experience it for yourself!

The Palms Markets showcase quality handmade, home grown and home baked products from around the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Sample some of our fabulous food from around the globe, including organic vegetarian curries, Asian noodles and Aussie style barbecues! See the colourful stalls, including eco and Fair Trade products, jewellery, art, craft, clothes, plants, fruit, veg and beautiful body products.

A jumping castle and pony rides will keep the children entertained, whilst you can enjoy an organic coffee and cake on the alfresco deck.

focusinterview.

Forster Junior

Academy of Bowls

H

Lawn bowls is a sport for all ages, and in recognition of this, the Forster Bowling Club has introduced a Junior Bowling Academy, aimed at teaching our local 10 - 17 year olds the sport. Publicity Officer for the academy, Fay Hannah, tells us that some of our junior players have already gone on to compete at state level …

i Fay. What’s your association with bowling in the Great Lakes area?

I am the Publicity Officer for the Academy and also a bowler at the Forster

Bowling Club.

The Forster Bowling Club has introduced a Junior Bowling Academy in recent times ... Why/how was the need for this service identified locally?

At the beginning of 2018, Coach Warren Flanagan, one of our coaches, had the inspiration to start a Junior Academy of Bowls.

With the assistance of coaches Laraine Mazurak and Ken Simpson, this has become a reality.

We believe it is bringing youth back into the club, while nurturing their sportsmanship and skill set.

What ages does the junior academy target?

The academy provides a skills program to help with juniors’ development in lawn bowls, which is on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30pm.

The academy is open for all players from 10 - 17 years. Any junior in the Manning District who is interested in learning lawn bowls can contact Forster Bowls Club on 6554 6155.

Lawn bowls can often be seen as a sport for more senior players. What benefits can you see for younger players?

Yes, lawn bowls is often seen as a sport for seniors. Our initiation of the Junior Academy is to bring juniors to the sport and bridge the gap between seniors and juniors. It also creates discipline and directive for our juniors. There are also a significant amount of championships available.

Who are the sponsors you’d like to mention for helping to promote junior bowls in the area?

Taylor Bowls were approached to supply bowls for the squad, which they did, and this was very

much appreciated. We thank Alan Hately for his assistance with this new initiative. Companies in the Forster area were approached for sponsorship, and in return their logo would appear on a set of bowls. To date we have Reeman Construction Building, Koala T Care, Forster-Tuncurry Blinds and Awnings, and Forster Entertainment Centre. Forster Bowling Club also paid for the uniforms and the membership fee of each member of the squad.

Two spectators who were watching on coaching day were so impressed, they donated a set of bowls each. One set will have dolphins, with the wording Respect, Commitment, Discipline as our motto. The other set has an eagle with the wording Integrity, Trust, Courage as our academy motto.

East Coast Photography is donating a trophy to the academy to be presented on Presentation Day for the Junior Bowler of the Year. This young bowler will be nominated by the rest of the team players.

Please introduce us to some of your junior players.

MIA WILLIAMS (17) - I never thought I’d find myself picking up lawn bowls as a sport! I started watching my brother and Dad play lawn bowls and decided to give it a go. The first day I started bowls, it was nothing like I expected, and I instantly loved it. The coaches were so welcoming and encouraging and helped me develop my skills … Being part of the Junior Lawn Bowls Academy here at Forster Bowling Club has been incredibly fun and enjoyable, and I have made so many new friends and loved every moment …

TOM WILLIAMS (13) - I first heard about lawn bowls through my dad. He told me I should get into playing bowls, because it is a great sport that we could learn and play together. I decided to give bowls a go, and instantly loved it. Bowls very soon became number one on my favourite sports list. This sport and

the academy are so encouraging, and I love I would also like to thank the coaches, the other being on the green with friends and family. junior bowlers and Forster Bowling Club for their EVA WILLIAMS (11) - I started to watch my ongoing support ... dad and brother play bowls, so my brother conAt the time of going to print, there are some vinced me to have a go. When I had a go, I fell in junior bowlers going on to compete at state love with the sport. The things I like about bowls level. Who are they? are that you can also play with friends, and it is Two members of our academy, Eva Williams such a fun sport … Anyone can play the game. and Tom Williams (no relation) will be competing EMMA MORSE (15) - I have recently joined in the Junior Fours with two players from Pacific the Forster Bowling Club Junior Academy. My Palms juniors, Malachy McTaggart and Jake dad has played bowls since I was a little girl, but Green. They are competing in the NSW State I had never thought of trying it … I had always Championships - Juniors, at Warilla on the South thought of it as “an old Coast. person’s sport”. Dad In a short space of was very persistent, so I time the academy has agreed, but I had no plan had three of its juniors for keeping it as a sport. It selected to represent the OUR INITIATION OF THE came to my first day, and I Manning District Zone JUNIOR ACADEMY IS TO was very anxious and shy. side, and Eva Williams has BRING JUNIORS TO THE However, once I met the also been selected in the SPORT AND BRIDGE THE kind coaches and other NSW Silver Tier under 18 GAP BETWEEN SENIORS junior bowlers, I found it squad.

AND JUNIORS. IT ALSO more enjoyable, and my Where can juniors CREATES DISCIPLINE confidence has grown register to play?

AND DIRECTIVE FOR over time. I recently had If you are interested OUR JUNIORS. my first tournament, and in joining the academy, I had only been playing contact Forster Bowling for three months … Our Club on 6554 6155. fours team made it into There is no cost involved the final; however, we were beaten, but still all in joining. Fees and uniforms are supplied by very proud of our efforts. I also competed in Forster Bowling Group. the singles and exceeded my expectations. I’m Final say ... planning on continuing bowls and look forward We’re very pleased to be a Finalist in the Clubs to competing in more events …

NSW 2018 Awards for our Support of Amateur HANNAH MORSE (12) - I started lawn bowls Sport. in January 2018. I’d watched my dad play and Thanks Fay. thought I would give it a try. The first day I felt Photo (left): Junior Academy team with really welcomed by the coaches and the other ju- sponsors. nior bowlers; they guided me through the basics, Photo (right): Emma Morse, Tom Williams, and I’m much more confident now ... I hope to Eva Williams, Mia Williams and Hannah be able to improve my bowling skills to the stage Morse after receiving their sponsored bowls where I can compete in club championships. with logos of sponsors on each set.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 29

focusinterview.

mudcrabs F ORSTER TUNCURRY

From May to September, you may see a group of swimmers at the “Bullring” on Forster’s Main Beach, braving the cold water temperatures (and the even chillier exit from the water!) The Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs has members aged from 10 - 83; they all love swimming, and they also love the social atmosphere of their very friendly club! The club also welcomes new members, so if you enjoy the water any time of the year, get beachside to meet them!

W

hat can you tell us about the history behind the Forster Tuncurry Mudcrabs?

President Tim Cusack: The Mudcrabs winter swimming group began its existence as “The Cold Tooths” in 1980, with a membership of 25, and had a change of name in the late eighties.

There has been, and still is, diversity in our male and female membership - some of whom include retirees, tradesmen, lawyers, doctors, truck drivers, builders, hospital/health workers, pilots, school age children and young adults.

We have developed a culture where no matter who you are or what you do, how much money you have or don’t have, how fast or how slow you are at swimming, everyone is treated equally.

How many members does your group have ... and what age range does it encompass?

Our winter swimming group has 65 current members, and they presently range in age from 10 years to 83 years. Young members under 18 are not allowed to enter the Northern Districts Championships; however, they do enter the club events.

Where/when do you all regularly meet for a swim?

We meet at the “Bullring” Ocean Pool on Forster Main Beach from the first Sunday morning in May, until the last Sunday in September, where wetsuits are not allowed.

On almost every morning of the year at around 8:15am, various members regularly swim at the “Bullring” and in the surf in noncompetitive mode, and anyone is welcome to 30 Manning-Great Lakes focus

join in, both locals and visitors. Those of us who do not work or attend school usually go up to Beach Bums Café at 9am for a coffee.

I guess the obvious question is “WHY”?

Why do you all brave the winter cold to don cossies and We have a good social over-18 members swim? network, where everyone feels compete at the Northern Bob Lee, Past comfortable and included Districts Championships, President: Well Jo, we - especially if a member a collaboration of ten get a lot of satisfaction needs assistance outside of clubs, which is held once having swum in the cold swimming. Immediately a year at different club water, which sometimes after our weekly swim venues. We will host the gets as low as 14 meet is completed, we championships in 2021. degrees. It seems to go to the Forster Surf What social aspects are keep us healthy, soothes Club for hot soup and involved with being a aches and pains and a quick barbecue, where our Mudcrab? wards off colds. friendship is continued.

Club Secretary Bob We have a good Harkins: Our Sunday social network, morning breakfast soup where everyone feels is made by a different comfortable and included - especially if a member each week, and at the end of year member needs assistance outside of swimming.

Presentation Day, after being judged by an Immediately after our weekly swim meet expert panel, a prize is awarded for the hotly is completed, we go to the Forster Surf Club contested best “Soup of the Year”. for hot soup and a quick barbecue, where our Each year we celebrate Christmas in July, friendship is continued. and have a few barbecues, where families are How competitive are you all? Do you welcome to participate and enjoy in the club regularly compete in swimming events? spirit.

Everyone is competitive, whilst having fun.

When members swim at the Bullring or All racing is handicapped, giving everyone an beach, you generally run into other “Muddies” opportunity to win or better their handicap or their families, and we have a good feeling of times. We have 10 year olds against 80 year belonging to a special group of people. olds, women against men - and the finish is What are the group’s upcoming plans - are generally close, thanks to good handicapping. there any scheduled fundraisers/events?

Apart from competing in our club event We have recently competed in the yearly each Sunday morning, usually around twenty

Northern Districts Championships, and plans are under way for next year.

Plans for our Presentation Day in September are continuing.

Approximately every three weeks throughout the year, we are well supported by our major sponsor, The Lakes and Ocean Hotel, who allow us to conduct the meat raffle, which raises much of the funds required to run the club.

Members can assist when available.

Last year we provided donations to various organisations, including to a small unfunded school in Vanuatu, which had been demolished by the devastating cyclone. These funds were raised at our Presentation Day. For those interested in joining the swimming group, what is the skill/criteria involved, and where can they sign up?

People can come to the Bullring swimming pool at Forster Main Beach on any Sunday morning, from May until September, between 8:30am and 10am and speak to anyone regarding information about our 38 year old club and possible membership.

Alternatively, phone me, Bob Harkins, on 0422 483 720.

The only criteria is you must be able to swim, no matter whether you are fast, slow or in between, as everyone receives a handicap.

Thanks everyone.

T Tour de

NORTH WEST 28th October 2018 marks the fourth annual Tour de North West charity bike ride in the beautiful New England countryside. The event begins from the award-winning Peterson’s Guesthouse and Winery.

here are three course distances on offer. You can do a more leisurely 38 km bike ride, a little more with the 64 km ride or test your mettle on the full 92 km course, which goes all the way out to the landmark Gostwyck Church. All courses have a morning tea break at the scenic Blue Hole Picnic Area, and there will be other light snacks, drinks and bathroom breaks along the way.

If you’re a spectator rather than a rider, you can just register for the lunch and watch your family and friends cross the finish line. The fees to participate, whether riding or not, are really good value. The rider fee includes: a new quality cycling jersey, cycling merchandise, a gourmet BBQ lunch, morning tea, a complimentary drink voucher and a donation to go to melanoma research. The afternoon will include live music in the garden and a great auction!

The event raises funds for the Melanoma Institute of Australia. Australia has one of the highest incidences of melanoma in the world. On average, 30 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma every day, and more than 1,200 will die from the disease each year. Creating awareness in communities about the seriousness of this disease is a crucial preventative measure, and the organisers of this event and our valued supporters hope that the Tour de North West can contribute to raising New England and North West community

awareness.

The major sponsor of the event is Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ).

With over 115,000 Chartered Accountants located throughout Australia and New Zealand, CAANZ has a strong representation of members in regional parts of Australia. CAANZ are passionate about providing a variety of opportunities to their regional members, including supporting them with local community events to bring people together. Roberts & Morrow retired Senior Partner Simon Croft is the State Chairman of the CAANZ Regional Chairs Committee, which represents chartered accounting firms right across NSW. Simon continues to be a key organiser for the event, along with Roberts & Morrow Partner Clint Bourke and Marketing Manager Jocelyn Berry.

There is no way Roberts & Morrow could organise this event without the help of other sponsors and volunteers. We thank CAANZ, MYOB Australia, Peterson’s Guesthouse & Winery, Armidale Cycling Club, Bullen’s Armidale Bicycle Centre, Armidale SES, St John Ambulance, Armidale Regional Council and Armidale Police.

Register by the early bird deadline of 11:59pm Friday 14th September 2018 to go into the draw to win a Navig8r Axis Drone with WIFI camera!

Don’t miss out on this great local event. For more information, phone (02) 6774 8400 or visit www. rm.net.au/tdnw. We look forward to seeing you there!

Manning-Great Lakes focus 31

focusinterview.

XXXX Gold

FORSTER TUNCURRY JOCKEY CLUB

CUP

The 2018 XXXX Gold Cup is on again this year ... we catch up with GARRY, PRESIDENT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, to get an insight into the day and the history behind the event.

H

i Garry. The XXXX Gold Cup is on again this coming September; how long has this race day been running - and what is the history of the Cup? The XXXX Gold Cup - this race has been running now for the nine years from 2009 (the first year we raced). The actual Gold Cup was purchased thirty years ago by the original committee at a cost of $1,200 who expected to be racing, but this never eventuated. The Gold Cup stays at the track and the winners' names are engraved on it every year. The wining owner, trainer and jockey each receive a lovely Gold Goblet for winning the race.

The XXXX Gold Cup is run over 2,100 m.

32 Manning-Great Lakes focus

What makes this race day one of the best on the racing calendar?

Country Cups always attract great crowds, especially at the Tuncurry track, with the FOCUS Fashions on the Fields - where the ladies and gents love to dress up. There's music, champagne, six TAB windows working, ten bookmakers operating and the top class races horses competing for the first prize money, all adding up to a very memorable day at the races.

What is it about a race day that gets everyone so excited?

It gets in your blood - the feeling, excitement, socialising, anticipation, the crowd, the ambience that comes from the track, being there and being involved. It is really special - something everyone

should experience at least once in their life.

This year the cup has some new sponsors, including a new race name. Can you tell us about them?

The Gold Cup still has the same sponsor, Tooheys (hence the name XXXX Gold Cup). We won’t know the co-sponsor of the cup until the drawing of the 1000Club winner on the 20th August.

The new race we are holding is called the Evermore Pearl, run over 1,200 m with a benchmark of 66; this is an exciting sprint race and will attract a cracking field of horses and will grow over the years into a most sought after race for trainers and owners. Brocken Bay Pearls have donated three pearl pendants: one for the

owner, trainer and jockey, all valued at $2,000 each. Evermore Retirement Living has given their name and sponsorship to the race, to be known as the Evermore Pearl, and Brocken Bay Pearls have donated the pendants.

It’s such a family friendly day; what can punters and visitors expect?

Punters, visitors and locals alike will enjoy a great day of racing; whether they book a gazebo, a seat in the pavilion, sit on the hill or under one of the shade tents provided, they will all enjoy Coastal Country Racing at its best. All bookings: please ring Marg - 0429 967 823.

Free buses pick up from Taree, Blackhead and Forster Tuncurry. For bus route, see website: www.tfjc.info

focus_contributor

WITH DONNA CARRIER FROM BENT ON FOOD

High Tea

High Tea

Kerrie at her 50th

Random Acts of Art 2018. Photo Credit Matthew Berry.

Random Acts of Art 2018. Photo Credit Matthew Berry.

Random Acts of Art 2018. Photo Credit Matthew Berry.

Social /Scene

I

I woke up on the farm this morning to 0 degrees; there was frost, and the neighbour posted a photo of their dog bowl where the water had turned to ice! Great for the citrus - but not for me!

just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but I was having a Sunday at home to catch up on work; I needed to complete my BAS, write this column, and write two tourism awards submissions, along with answering emails, messages and ordering my milk and coffee. Being in business is a neverending job, and these days technology allows us to be in contact 24/7. Every time I hear a "ding" on the phone, I check to make sure nobody has called in sick. In my first sales job I was presented with a brick that was my mobile phone; there was no social media. How life has changed!

The positive is that I can sit here looking out at the Ghost Gums with the fire on while I work; and the negative? The phone is still dinging, reminding me that there is work to be done. So here goes. I enjoy this work more than the BAS, so it gets completed first!

Random Acts of Art was held in Wingham on Saturday 23rd June. After a successful lantern walk last year, the committee decided to expand the event to create a day long mini festival that focused on local artists and artisans. The event was an initiative of the Manning Valley Creative Collection and was supported by Wingham Chamber of Commerce. Chief organiser Tess Gardener worked closely with a team of volunteers to deliver a colourful and vibrant event that engaged this diverse community.

The markets were filled with handmade goods, She celebrated her 50th birthday with a party at including pottery, linen apparel, pre-loved home. In keeping with the Winter Solstice, she clothing, essential oils, jewellery and more. The chose a Winter Solstice Magic theme, a perfect log was given a bright and cheerful makeover way to finish a perfect day. with a fabulous installation by Sam Everett. It We are so lucky to live in a pristine looked beautiful and environment where our made a great backdrop nature experiences are to the event. plenty. I was driving The wonderful stilt down Redhead Road walkers from Circartus the other day, and saw were amazing as always a whale breaching in Each year, the students from year 12 raise funds for their chosen in their bee costumes, the distance; I was so charity. In 2018, Wingham wandering around thrilled. Living in this High School chose the to the sounds of the wonderful region means Westpac Rescue Helicopter. drums and managing to I get to see a few whales They have been holding many stay on those stilts for and many dolphins, but events throughout the year and to many hours. every time is like the first. date, have raised a massive $8,000.

Renowned local artist These amazing creatures Jo Ernst was offering get me every time. The portraits, and everyone Humpback Whale annual was just hanging out migration is in full swing and being creative, and thanks to the Marine making lanterns for the lantern parade, a giant Discovery Program, Forster Tuncurry locals were spirit turtle along with mini float turtles. Later on given some insights into this amazing East Coast the Manning River Turtle Group’s lantern walk natural event. Marine naturalist Jeannie Lawson was another success, with many participants visited the region, where she conducted free joining in. It was a beautiful day and shows talks at Bennetts Head on Saturday 21st July. what can be done when a community comes The following day, she took some lucky people together. After the event, we shared some love on a Rock Pool Ramble at Cape Hawke, to with Kerrie Robertson-Guppy, who is one of the discover creatures that are hard to see and to founders of the Manning River Turtle Group. learn about why the rock platform is so unique

and diverse. It was a perfect weekend weatherwise, apart from the early frost, with clear viewings of whales and sea creatures.

Each year, the students from Year 12 raise funds for their chosen charity. In 2018, Wingham High School chose the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. They have been holding many events throughout the year and to date, have raised a massive $8,000. On July 1st, we gave the café over to the students to host a high tea. Local businesses were generous with their donations, and the students, under the watchful eye of their Year Advisor Clair Twaddle, worked hard. They made the food, served it, ran the raffles and made the coffee. It was a fabulous event that made me very proud of our local youth. All the guests commented on the great service and wonderful food. They raised around $2,300 on the day.

On a final note for this month, keep your loved ones close and give them loads of love.

Life can change in a moment. Make sure you enjoy every spare minute. My Nanna used to say, “It's rude to say no when you are asked to dance”, so dance I do.

I would love to hear from you if you have any social events, weddings, parties, anything! Send pics and info to donna@bentonfood.com.au Cheers, Donna.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 33

focushealth

Health Wellbeing and

W I T H S U N D I A L D E N TA L

WITH SHANNON LAWRENCE

- H E A LT H F U L W I S D O M

Nutrient deficiencies caused by blood pressure medications

Celebrate Dental Health Week this August with a take home message to improve your oral health ... a few simple steps to help you achieve better oral health and keep your smile fighting fit for life!

• Don’t keep your toothbrush from more than three months. After three months, studies have shown that the effectiveness of the brush diminishes and germs, bacteria and fungi can grow among the bristles … so don’t be an offender and keep those old and dying tooth brushes … it’s out with the old and in with the new!

• Don’t sell yourself short! Take your time when you are brushing; you should be taking two full minutes and do this TWICE a day! If you need to, set a timer or play your favourite two-minute song to measure your time.

• Be gentle - don’t brush too hard! Pressing too hard may damage your gums and start to erode enamel on your teeth.

• Always use a SOFT BRUSH for best results.

Hard bristle brushes might be tempting, but your gums and teeth are soft and need gentle dental care.

• Make sure you are brushing all the surfaces of your teeth equally and adequately. Don’t neglect any surface, because they all serve a purpose and are equally important.

• Floss like a boss! Flossing is second only to brushing in importance and gets between the teeth and gums and helps keep your teeth, gums and smile healthy for life!

34 Manning-Great Lakes focus

• Store your tooth brush in an upright container and let it dry in the open. Avoid putting your toothbrush in a closed container, where germs have the opportunity to multiply.

• Use a brush that fits your hand with a head that fits in your mouth. Some adults find using a child’s brush easier and others use and electric brush. Whatever your preference is, use your tooth brush twice a day for two minutes.

• Don’t brush right after eating; I know it’s tempting to run out a brush after eating, but wait 60 mins before brushing, especially if you have been eating something acidic.

Instead, drink water and swish it around while you wait.

• Diet, including the beverages you choose, affect dental health, so think about your lifestyle choices and avoid fizzy drinks and sports drink!

For specific care concerns, contact the caring team at Sundial Dental to address your families’ dental concerns, and with four friendly locations and a team of dental professionals to look after you, what are you waiting for?

Taree 6551 1005.

Before delving in to specifics, I will discuss how medications affect nutrients.

are potassium, calcium, vitamin D and possibly Co-Enzyme Q10.

How medications affect nutrients There are a few ways that medications can affect how our bodies absorb vital nutrients. The medication may: • Take hold of a nutrient and pass it out of the body • Change the pH in the gastrointestinal tract, so that the nutrient can’t be absorbed properly • Increase or decrease the body’s ability to move nutrients around the body • Increase or decrease the activation of nutrients, so that they can be properly absorbed

Symptoms that can occur due to deficiencies in these nutrients are fatigue, leg cramps, frequent infections, thirst, muscle weakness, bone loss, confusion, high blood pressure, confusion, heart disease and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

Some medications need particular nutrients in order for them to be able to work also.

ACE inhibitors and nutrients depleted by them Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors) are one of the most commonly used families of blood pressure medicines. Examples include: ramipril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, fosinopril, trandolapril and captopril.

Nutrients that can be depleted by these medicines are zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause hair loss, slow healing of wounds, loss of taste or smell, prostate problems, loss of sex drive, frequent infections, leg cramps, weight gain, bone loss, high blood pressure, higher risk of cancer.

Calcium channel blockers and nutrients depleted by them Another commonly used family of blood pressure medicines. Examples include: amlodipine, nifedipine, felodipine, diltiazem and verapamil.

Nutrients that can be depleted by these medicines

Beta blockers and nutrients depleted by them Examples of beta blockers include: atenolol, metoprolol, sotalol and bisoprolol.

Beta blockers can deplete the body of Co-Enzyme Q10 and melatonin.

Symptoms that can occur due to deficiencies in these nutrients are insomnia, disrupted sleep, increased risk of cancer, autoimmune disorders, muscle cramps, memory loss.

Centrally acting blood pressure medications Clonidine and methyldopa are examples of this.

Co-Enzyme Q10 can be depleted by these.

Depletion of Co-Enzyme Q10 can result in fatigue, weakness, muscle and leg cramps, memory loss, frequent infection, liver damage, higher risk of heart attack, higher risk of cancer.

It is important to know that you may be deficient in these nutrients if you take any of the listed medicines.

Supplementation with nutrients is important to prevent the effects of depletion.

It is not possible for me to suggest particular supplements that would suit everyone and their situation. Please discuss with your pharmacist, naturopath or GP before starting a supplement.

Stay tuned for ways that I can help you individually with your health.

Reference: Drug Muggers, Suzy Cohen.

focushealth

kinetic MEDICINE

Thinking Differently As an exercise physiologist, I almost make a living out of explaining what it is that we do. As a member of the youngest health profession, I make it my duty to get across that our role presents as being one of the most valuable in healthcare.

A

recent report by Deloitte medication on the advice of her specialists, Access Economics, a group despite it having no impact on her pain. She of pretty smart people who developed severe depression and developed do numbers on everything, considerable anxiety around social situations demonstrated that for every and as such, undertook medical management dollar spent on exercise physiology services, of the same. So after more than 20 years of there was a $10.50 return. A 10:1 return back pain and disability, a relocation and a on investment, with a 25% saving on direct new GP saw her head our way. out-of-pocket savings By thoroughly hearing on health expenditure Jane out, reviewing her - let me tell you as a scans and imaging, her businessperson that medical history and Now she’s looking at getting there aren’t many medication, we helped back to work after more than investments like that.

Jane understand what two decades on workers’ So how do we, at pain really means, how compensation.The best that Kinetic Medicine, the things she was healthcare has to offer is do this? I sum it up doing and not doing within your body’s own usually by putting were contributing to resources; you just need it like this: we help her persistent pain, and to know how to make people to move and began showing her them work for you. think differently. I different ways to move don’t usually share and think about her pain. specific stories from Jane has since ceased all the clients we work with, but I think it’s of her opioid pain medication, reduced her about time I did to make my point. medication required to manage her mental So let me tell you about Jane (I’ve change health, and best of all can do things she the name for privacy’s sake). Jane sustained didn’t think she’d ever do again. She can a back injury in a physical job in the early garden, walk as far as she likes and can lift 1990s and as a result, was never able to anything she needs to in her day to day life. return to work. She received injections, Now she’s looking at getting back to work surgical procedures, physiotherapy, massage after more than two decades on workers’ and more, to no avail. She was told that she compensation. shouldn’t ever lift any more than The best that healthcare has to offer is 5 kg and without care, she ran the risk of within your body’s own resources; you just being confined to a wheelchair. In this time need to know how to make them work for she received ongoing opioid-based pain you.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 35

Do you want to be Active in life?

Active in play?

Active in learning?

Active in work?

D

undaloo Active is Dundaloo’s person centred support program now operating from the renovated 316 Wingham Road property.

Participants are driving the Dundaloo Active program by choosing what they want and at the time they want. Participants are also having the opportunity to choose one on one supports or being in small groups of three.

Dundaloo have a Participant Advisory Committee that meet regularly to talk about things that are important to them. Staff at Dundaloo value this opportunity to hear from participants about what they want to do, what is working well for them and what they would like to do differently.

During 2017 participants met with Shelly, Dundaloo’s CEO and told Shelly they get bored in the afternoon and at night. People talked about how they love music and dancing but don’t always want to go to a Club. A gap in fun, social afternoon and evening activities was identified. So in response Music and Movement was developed to fill a void in the 430 – 630 timeslot. People get the party atmosphere happening with lights and music combined

with lots of karaoke and dancing. When the music breaks people share dinner together which has been prepared by participants who enjoy cooking for others.

Over dinner there is a lot of discussion about what is coming up next week.

When I dropped into Music and Movement recently the joy and fun that filled the room was contagious.

Historically people with an intellectual disability have had very limited opportunities to create their own fun and social activities that are meaningful to them. But there is only one word to describe the atmosphere and that is JOYOUS and there are many happy faces prove it. The experience of joy and happiness strengthens a person’s sense of self and at Music and Movement there is no doubt people there are at the centre of the fun and activity. The building was alive with song and dance, laughter, friendship and belonging. Staff say how wonderful it is to see so many laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

“There are many lovely friendships developing ” observed one staff member, “Damien doesn’t leave without ensuring staff know he will be back next week”, they added. Stephen loves to dance and he encourages everyone to join in, quipping “you’ve gotta move it or you’ll lose it!”

Why don’t you visit our website www.dundaloo.org. au to see some live action from Movement and Music.

My Choice My Life

Adam, Adam, Beau Beau and and Chris, Chris, members members of of the the ABC ABC Cooking Cooking

Lorraine Lorraine joins joins her her friends friends at at Music Music and and

Crew Crew are are active active in in learning learning and and active active in in life. life. They They

Movement, Movement, works works in in the the kitchen kitchen to to help help

have have developed developed their their cooking cooking skills skills to to aa level level they they

prepare prepare the the evening evening meal meal and and uses uses one one on on one one

are are now now being being booked booked as as professional professional caterers caterers

supports supports to to cook, cook, complete complete puzzles puzzles and and artwork artwork

for for community community events. events. The The young young men men

as as well well as as getting getting out out and and about about in in her her

were were involved involved in in the the design design of of the the

community. community.

new new commercial commercial kitchen kitchen at at the the

Lorraine’s Lorraine’s animated animated story story telling, telling,

Dundaloo Dundaloo Active Active premises premises and and completed completed the the set set up up when when the the work work was was complete. complete.

Lorraine Lorraine describes describes her her life life until until

“It’s a great place to come and be with my friends.”

recently recently as as aa ‘bit ‘bit boring boring and and stuck stuck

smile smile and and laughter laughter are are contagious contagious and and endearing. endearing. Her Her bright bright personality personality shines shines through through when when she she takes takes the the microphone microphone to to sing sing out out her her favourite favourite songs. songs. Lorraine Lorraine

at at home’ home’.. Lorraine’s Lorraine’s NDIS NDIS Plan Plan has has

feels feels comfortable comfortable at at Dundaloo Dundaloo

provided provided supports supports from from aa number number of of

Active, Active, “it’s “it’s aa great great place place to to come come and and

services services including including one one on on one one supports supports

be be with with my my friends”, friends”, she she said. said.

and and participates participates in in group group activities activities at at Dundaloo Dundaloo Active.

Active. Lorraine Lorraine says says she she loves loves to to meet meet other other people. people.

Football Football games games is is another another Active Active in in Play Play event, event, with with small small groups groups travelling travelling to to Newcastle Newcastle regularly. regularly. Support Support ratios ratios are are normally normally one one to to three three ensuring ensuring participants participants

“It “It makes makes me me happy happy to to have have friends’ friends’ explains explains Lorraine.

Lorraine.

have have focussed focussed supports supports and and their their experiences experiences are are

personalised personalised and and shared. shared. Dundaloo Dundaloo Active Active have have some some keen keen Newcastle Newcastle Knights Knights fans fans who who love love the the opportunity opportunity to to cheer cheer on on their their favourite favourite team. team.

Dundaloo Dundaloo Active Active will will be be operating operating in in Forster Forster in in the the coming coming weeks. weeks. After After meeting meeting with with participants participants in in the the Great Great Lakes Lakes aa number number of of activities activities are are being being planned planned including including Art Art classes classes and and Dancing Dancing groups. groups. The The Friendship Friendship Workshops Workshops are are attracting attracting interest interest as as well, well, where where people people learn learn about about appropriate appropriate and and sage sage ways ways of of social social interaction. interaction.

Thanks Thanks Pam Pam

Dundaloo Active Launch Steve Bromhead will officially launch Dundaloo Active on site at 316 Wingham Road Taree at 3.00pm, Thursday August 2nd. You are welcome to celebrate this occasion with Participants and Staff of Dundaloo.

Taree - Phone 6551 4214

83 Wingham Rd, Taree NSW 2430

Great Lakes - Phone 0428 059 949

Shop 2/26 Little St, Forster NSW 2428

www.dundaloo.org.au

EVERMORE OPEN DAY S A T U R D A Y 1 8 th A U G U S T F R O M 1 0 A M

BILL AND BRENDA

JOHN WITH VAL AND RHODA

DEL (R) WITH FRIEND CAROLE

MARGARET (R) WITH FRIEND LESLEY

S

BILL AND VAL

If you are considering downsizing and moving to a retirement village, then we invite you to attend Evermore’s Open Day, being held on the 18th August.

ince opening in October 2015, Evermore DEL has developed into a vibrant, engaging, I thought it was too early to come to Evermore welcoming and friendly retirement but after my fall, I’m so glad I did, as the attention village boasting over 110 residents and was immediate and assistance ongoing daily! I’m growing! Enough said from the author, a former Registered Nurse who specialised in Aged as we have been fortunate to receive Care and was just amazed that I’ve received so much numerous resident reviews, and more can be found support from the staff and the Evermore resident on our website. community! To listen to Del’s BILL AND VAL experience living at Evermore, The reason we chose go to our website at www.

Evermore is our daughters evermoreliving.com.au/listenThere are a lot of financial surfed the net, had looked to-dels-testimonial-who-is-aadvantages living at everywhere, particularly in current-resident-at-evermore Evermore, as you Newcastle, with nothing coming BILL AND BRENDA don’t pay stamp duty close to what Evermore offers!

All round, Evermore is the on the purchase, day Evermore in ours and my perfect place for us. We made to day costs are less than family’s opinion is superior to the move, as the house was maintaining a house or all other retirement villages, getting too much to maintain. villa, and the restaurant as its design is all under one We checked a lot of retirement meals are very affordable. roof. No need to go out in the villages in the area, but nothing weather to its facilities, as the matched Evermore! club lounge, spa, movie theatre, We are totally happy, as library, gym, restaurant etc. are everything is here; beautiful club accessed by a leisurely short walk under cover from lounge, restaurant, movie theatre, pool, indoor spa the apartment. all under the one roof! The roof top spa and bar has We came to an Open Day and were overwhelmed amazing Wallis Lake views and perfect for BBQs! with the warmth of the residents’ welcome, and it’s We both hold resident committee positions, very heartening to feel the lovely atmosphere within Bill’s the chair and Brenda’s with the social club the village! We love living here! committee, and we’re delighted to be part of keeping

the residents happy and engaged.

Our advice is to come along to an Open Day and have a very close look at it; the staff are wonderful, and we are very happy we made the move to Evermore!

JOHN I’m a money man, and I like to know where my money goes. I’ve discovered that pensioners (including myself) can live off the pension at Evermore. There are a lot of financial advantages living at Evermore, as you don’t pay stamp duty on the purchase, day to day costs are less than maintaining a house or villa, and the restaurant meals are very affordable. I like to do my sums, and the financial aspect of coming to Evermore is great! I love it!

MARGARET I’ve made so many new friends, and the staff have made me feel so welcome! If you’ve been thinking of living at Evermore, just don’t think about it. Make the move today! You won’t be sorry; I’m not, I love living here!

Come along to Evermore Retirement Living’s Open Day on the 18th and meet the residents, go on a tour of the village and gain an understanding of why it’s been so popular.

It’s a beautiful retirement village, centrally located in Bruce St., Forster.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 39

40 Manning-Great Lakes focus

focusinterview.

2

Dying Know

Members of Great Lakes Hospice Committee 2017 - 2018. L to R: Suzanne Roach (Treasurer); Mary Ann Vogt, Chris Smith (Auxiliary Chairman); Deidre Stokes (President); Helen Duggan (Secretary); Roslyn Dreise, Heather Harman, Elizabeth and Rob Fisher. Absent: Nigel Harman.

Great Lakes Hospice is a local charity, formed in 1989, that raises money to enhance the provision of Palliative Care in this area. Through the generosity of our community and the fundraising efforts of our hard-working Auxiliary, our organisation has truly made a difference to palliative patients and to their families at what is a very difficult time.

T

his is our third Care Plan.

Dying2Know Only 45% have made a Will.

Day, which is a What can we do to improve this free community situation? awareness day. We It is important to make plans, hope it will inspire, express our wishes and perhaps most inform and help you to plan your importantly, share these with our loved future. ones: What is the purpose of Steps to take include: Dying2Know Day? 1. Make a Will and an Advanced Care It is a nationPlan. wide day that 2. Share these is held to raise wishes with the awareness of family and ensure the need to that someone THIS IS OUR THIRD make plans for knows where they DYING2KNOW our future and are held.

DAY, WHICH IS A to bring to life When is this a FREE COMMUNITY conversations good idea?

AWARENESS DAY. WE and community End of life HOPE IT WILL INSPIRE, actions around planning occurs INFORM AND HELP YOU TO PLAN YOUR FUTURE. death, dying and at any age and at bereavement. any stage in our Why is it life. By planning necessary? ahead, we have the Nationally, 75% of the population opportunity communicate what we do have not had end-of-life discussions. and do not want to happen at the end 70% die in hospital, though most of life. express the wish to die at home.

Why should I attend the Fewer that 10% have an Advanced Dying2Know Day?

Knowledge helps us to make informed decisions.

The speakers are there to share their knowledge.

There are many changes in the health field, and it is important for us to know what they are and how they may affect us.

Our speakers will be Dr Ted Livshin, Patricia Lowe, Lauire Hagan and Geoff Battle.

Comments after Dying2Know 2017: “I invited my two executors to my house to show them where my important documents were kept. It gave us all peace of mind.”

“My wife and I found it difficult to talk about this issue, but after attending Dying2Know Day we found it much easier and we realised the importance of letting the family know our wishes.”

Get in touch with the Great Lakes Hospice Great Lakes Hospice Inc., PO Box 163, Forster NSW 2428 Ph: 0437 830 818

Manning-Great Lakes focus 41

42 Manning-Great Lakes focus

focus_contributor

SHARON BULTITUDE, DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR, MIDCOAST COUNCIL

on your outlook!) for tourism providers and marketers.

“The modern visitor is always connected and always on”.

tourism UPDATE

The digitally empowered visitor

I

According to a recent study, “76% of marketers said marketing had changed more in the last two years than in the previous fifty”.

would suggest that the travel and tourism industry is right at the forefront of this unprecedented shift in the way we do business. From apps like Uber and Airbnb that re-engineer entire markets to mobile, Omni-channel commerce, virtual reality and a whole plethora of social platforms, the breakneck pace of digital disruption has completely altered the way visitors shop for, book, share and ultimately experience their

holiday.

Planning and booking a holiday used to be so easy! Today however, this predominantly online booking journey is incredibly complex, with an unimaginable number of customer touch points to identify and manage. Technology has empowered consumers like never before to take control of every stage of the visitor travel cycle and in the process, has created an unbelievably exciting opportunity (or headache, depending

Instant access to product information and reviews means visitors can now shop around on their own time - during their commute, in the bedroom, even while in the bathroom!

Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels guarantee that our travel brands are on full display to anyone with an internet connection.

“It’s a multi-device world - and increasingly mobile”.

People now need the ability to complete any task in any location or at the very least, to start a process or journey in one location or on one device and seamlessly complete it on another. For example, if they start shopping for a holiday on their laptop at work during lunch, they want to be able to pick up a tablet at home that evening and then perhaps continue that transaction on their mobile device the next morning. This is the rule, not the exception.

In short, visitors expect the option to read reviews, board a plane, call a car service, order a meal, check into a hotel, see a concert, book a tour and much more on their own terms and all through the technology embedded in their phone, watch or any device they choose. So, what does this mean for the tourism industry?

“Travel is an emotional journey; meeting expectations requires a personalised touch”.

Visitors crave a customised experience, with a large percentage now demanding a booking experience which is tailored to their needs. As visitors use multiple screens to compare, we need to create seamless, one-to-one experiences.

Creating a single view of each customer to understand their cross-device journey is imperative. Data gathered at the various points in the visitor’s journey needs be integrated into one cohesive customer view, so that this seamless experience is delivered, whatever device is being used or action is being performed.

The art and science of merging these disparate data sources in a cost effective way is something that most businesses and tourism organisations will continue to do battle with for many years to come.

However, get it right, and this profile data can be used to deliver real rewards. Visitor profiles get richer with every interaction, allowing tourism providers to provide the most relevant messages in real time and engage in ongoing, crosschannel conversations, to ultimately build brand loyalty.

All this means that we now have a strategic mandate to lead, or at the very least keep pace with this unprecedented pace of change in our visitors’ behaviour. Certainly not an easy task or one for the faint hearted, but essential to survive and thrive!

A quote I read recently probably sums up the feelings of many!

“Navigating digital? It’s like steering an iceberg!”

Manning-Great Lakes focus 43

Dr Peter Feldbusch with (from top-bottom, left-right) Dr Owen Hughes, Dr Nini Li, Belinda Orraock, Leuis Choi, Dr Simran Joshi, Dr Carolyn Myhill.

Share the Dignity C H A R I T Y

Maven Dental Feldbusch The caring team at Maven Dental Feldbusch pride themselves on providing a modern dental surgery outfitted to complement our cheerful, positive and progressive attitude.

training and technology to treat you best.

Our aim is to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable dental experience, providing comprehensive and customised dental care in a relaxed and friendly environment. Your wellbeing is our priority, and we hope to build a lasting relationship with you and your family.

treatment, to ensure your oral health remains

Maven Dental Feldbusch have carefully selected professionals with many years of experience and a diversity of clinical skills.

Our team are honest and thorough, with the

44 Manning-Great Lakes focus

We have recently welcomed the edition of our new hygienist, Belinda Orrock, who is highly skilled in providing high-end hygiene in tip top shape.

Maven Dental Feldbusch are open Monday and Tuesday 8:30am - 7pm, Wednesday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm and now open Saturdays by appointment only. Book your appointment online today at www.mavendental.com.au or contact the friendly reception team on 6552 1766.

Susan Ballard is a passionate advocate for the Share the Dignity charity - an organisation that provides assistance to homeless and at risk women in our community. Susan explains how the charity works, and how you can help …

W

hat are the aims of the Centres.

"Share the Dignity" How can readers help ... what types of items charity? can they donate, and where can they be Share the Dignity aims dropped off? to ensure that everyone Readers can help by either contributing to the is afforded the dignity in life that many of us collections or by becoming a volunteer. In August take for granted. Our mission is to end “Period we are collecting sanitary items such as pads/ Poverty”. We provide homeless and at risk tampons/panty liners/incontinence pads. women with sanitary products, allowing them In November for the “It’s in the Bag” a sense of dignity at a time when they need it campaign, we collect pads/tampons/tooth most. No women should suffer the indignity of brushes/tooth paste/deodorant/soap/ hair choosing between buying food or sanitary items. shampoo and conditioner and any extras you We have recently had want to add e.g. scarves, a win, with the GST to lipsticks, placed in a be removed from sanitary preloved or new bag. items.

Collection Points in Share the Dignity aims to ensure Our charity is only August are: in Wingham that everyone is afforded the three years old and - Dress Up and Back to dignity in life that many of us expanding rapidly all over Bare Laser Clinic; in Taree take for granted. Our mission Australia, as more people - Nicole Wiffen@Wiffen is to end ‘Period Poverty’. We become aware of this Property, Terry White provide homeless and at hidden issue.

Chemist, and Energise for risk women with sanitary How/why did you Life; in Forster - Panther products, allowing them a become involved with Mowing, Homebase Youth sense of dignity at a time this organisation?

Services, and Nabiac Hair when they need it most.

My book club and Beauty.

“Between the Covers We expect more - Wingham” decided collection points to be to support this charity with its “In the Bag” notified closer to August. Thanks to Barbara collection drive, where you donate a preloved Green, all Commonwealth Bank agencies are bag loaded with essentials. collection points.

I volunteered to organise this and found myself Where can we find out more info? becoming a volunteer (shero) for the charity. I Find out more at our website or on our have participated in three campaigns and was on Facebook page: the state committee hosting a High Tea fundraiser Web - sharethedignity.com.au at Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, in May this year.

Facebook – sharethedignity What campaigns is Share the Dignity Final say … currently planning in the Manning-Great Last campaign we were not able to meet Lakes region? our targets for Manning-Great Lakes. We were In the Manning-Great Lakes we run three helped out by a shipment from Port Macquarie. campaigns each year. In April and August, the With your help, we would love to meet our sanitary items collections, and in November targets for August, and we may even be able we have the “It’s in the Bag” campaign. All to help out more disadvantaged areas, like our collections go to local organisations such as farmers out west. the Women’s Refuge and the Neighbourhood Thanks Susan.

with Clairvoyant Terri Hall Phone. 0424 818 343

August 2018

AQUARIUS.

JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 19 It is an exciting time for you and you need to be focused positively, yet you may have taken on someone else’s stressful problem, which could be leaving you drained of energy. Imagine yourself inside a bubble, and fill it up with happy thoughts. An abundance is coming your way. ENJOY! Clear Quartz is a wonderful amplifier.

PISCES.

FEBRUARY 20 - MARCH 20 You may be feeling disgruntled in relationships at present. Relax! You’re not alone. Avoid making any “hasty” decisions. Soon you will notice personal change and higher self-esteem. Good luck in your goal setting. Live in the present moment more and try to have no expectations GOOD or BAD of your relationship.

Citrine shatters negative energy.

ARIES.

MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 Re-connect with passion for what you are doing. You feel like you’re running on “auto-pilot” - achieving goals, but to no satisfaction. Try making the most out of every breath. As you inhale, think happy. Try keeping a gratitude diary (three things daily you’re grateful for) for a month.

Ruby reignites passion.

TAURUS.

APRIL 21 - MAY 21 Now is a great time to wake up an old dream and play with creating change. You have recently experienced personal challenges and have gained enormous strength. Focusing on your newfound qualities will help to keep you safe from your self-doubt.

Turquoise is great for self-validation.

GEMINI.

MAY 22 - JUNE 22 Reconnect with your talent in teaching people. You are able to share the most amazing insights and experiences, yet you’re afraid to speak for fear of how your words may be accepted. Focus on your intention or motive.

Rose Quartz is very nurturing for all situations.

CANCER.

JUNE 23 - JULY 23 You have been experiencing high levels of energy lately, which has led to the discovery of new talents.

Congratulations! These new talents need to be honoured, so enjoy that typical “CANCERIAN” luck.

Go have fun and play.

Citrine will enable you to maintain high energy levels.

LEO.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23 If only you knew your worth! JUDGMENT is your major hurdle at present.

You may be self-doubting, and this is likely to affect relationships. Avoid major decisions until you are feeling a little more positive about yourself.

Orange Calcite washes away self-doubt.

VIRGO.

AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 23 You are the MAGICIAN, remember? All you’re needing is a little clear direction.As soon as you have set some goals, things will shift and change will be yours, effortlessly. Spend some time in nature to release your tension.

Blue Quartz clears the mind, energises the body and connects us to our soul.

LIBRA.

SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 23 Family matters are likely to be an issue at present. Don’t expect the worst, or you will be missing the point.

Instead, take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to heal yourself and all others involved. Besides, did it occur to you that you may just be the only one who can fix things? Rose Quartz and Turquoise together help us to express loving, healing words without judgment.

SCORPIO.

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22 Your judgment is hurting you at the moment. Listen to your inner voice, as you know your own answer. Others’ opinions are serving to confuse you further, and you are still not hearing what you want to hear. Like yourself enough to listen to you.

Turquoise gives self-confidence a boost.

SAGITTARIUS.

NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21 You’re always searching for and chasing “that dream”.

This is not a bad thing, if you are living in the now.

Avoid chasing something that WAS and think about the “you” you need to be to achieve your dream. Living in the moment is the key to happiness.

Clear Quartz helps focus attention on the task at hand.

CAPRICORN.

DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20 You may be confused by choice at the moment, especially since you may have wished for what you have.

Remember: if it isn’t absolutely right, then it’s NOT right.

Allow this challenge to give you a new standard to live by and don’t compromise that standard.

Selenite stimulates our inner brightness.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 45

a special focus feature

46 Manning-Great Lakes focus

Craig Mason E A S T C O A S T

P H O T O G R A P H Y

Greg Hill FORSTER TUNCURRY AWNINGS & BLINDS

Billy Hughes H U N T E R

E A S T

C O A S T

4 X 4

T U N C U R R Y

In terms of technology, how do you see your business changing? Technology and photography go hand in hand.

Cameras are evolving very regularly these days, along with the brand I use, Fuji, firmware updates are regular, keeping the brand updated with latest trends and features. Software and apps I’m using make everyday chores easier and more at hand.

In the past 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments? At the last Luxaflex Showcase Conference we picked up some hard-earned awards, one for the Highest Sales of Roller Blinds and another for the Highest Growth business-wise. This was the second year in a row that we have received these awards, and we are always grateful for our customers who return to us time and time again.

In terms of technology, how do you see your

In the last 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments? The end of the year means our local (Hunter region) Housing Industry Association Awards photography is due. Being only one of three recommended photographers in this large region is comforting, acknowledging my standards within the industry.

We strive to supply quality product with excellent service and after sales service as well.

The internet has a huge impact on small business, with

FTAB has been operating in the region since 1982 as a family owned business, started by my father and then when he retired in 2002, Geoff Jeffries and I took on the business. On the 30th June this year, Geoff retired.

have no point of contact if something goes wrong or if

Being environmentally conscious is more prevalent that ever. How is your business embracing this major shift in mindset? The printing of documents is less and less, and powerful and efficent computers, like my Surface Pro, enable long use between charges and keeping my business at my hand when needed.

I was sad to see him finish, as we have worked together for so long, but I am excited to take the business in a new direction.

We are incorporating curtains into our range of products; this is an area of our business that we have wanted to incorporate for a while, and we are glad to be able to offer a full range of window treatments.

notable accomplishments?

I make use of cloud platforms for current images files, along with maintaining my yearly taxation/accounting information using a paperless system - easy for me and much easier come tax time (gone are the days of shoe box receipts ha ha!)

Over the next few months, we are also doing a bit of a rebrand and renovation to update and refresh the showroom.

The logo might change, the showroom will look different, but you will still receive the same products and the same service that we have always given.

The growth of our Mid Coast area as a whole is exciting

business changing?

Technology is ever changing in the 4x4 market.

We work with our suppliers constantly to offer the best face to face service, as well as stay on top of trends such as Facebook, Instagram and E-Commerce sites. people buying more and more online; the issue is they they have an issue with an item or service.

That’s the reason I keep it local when I can.

In the last 12 months, what have been your most The last 12 months as an entirety has felt like an accomplishment, with the addition of our Tuncurry workshop. Everything is up and running now, and we can work on future growth. and a big interest of mine.

I hope to see the local Council working harder for small local business and facilitate incentives to get our area thriving.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 47

David Bartush E A S T E R N

T O U R

In the last 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments? Having only established our company in August 2017, the past 12 months have been a very busy and productive period for Eastern Tour Services. We have now set up variety of affiliated accommodation providers on Lord Howe Island catering for all budgets, installed a new online booking system, partnered with a variety of travel agents to promote our products and delivered twice weekly scheduled flights to Lord Howe Island.

What excites you most about doing business here? The Mid North Coast is a dynamic area, with a diversity of tourism related business and a very healthy growth pattern. Port Macquarie, in particular, is well situated as the departure point for not only Lord Howe Island, but outback adventure tourism. The most

S E R V I C E S

exciting thing will be to see Port Macquarie as a major destination for both domestic and international visitors.

How is your business planning for the future growth of our region? Our primary focus has been to promote our region as a destination, not just a stopover to elsewhere for both domestic and international visitors. We promote Port Macquarie as The Gateway To… We are expanding our network of affiliated travel agents and inbound agents to promote our accommodation/flight packages on Lord Howe Island, as well as our small bespoke group only one day tours to Lord Howe Island and the opal capital of the world, Lightning Ridge, with more day tours to follow. All our packaged tours will include, as an optional addition, local tours/attractions and accommodation in Port Macquarie as well.

Nathan Johnson K I N E T I C

How is your business planning for the future growth of our region?

Here at Kinetic Medicine, the major project currently is moving into our own premises in Taree on the corner of Wynter and Pulteney Streets. This has been ongoing for several months and will become the major base for our clinics when completed in the next few weeks. With the growth within the region, being in close proximity to the hospital and medical centres within Taree will help bring services to those who need it.

In addition to the Taree clinic, we are already established in Forster, Wingham, Gloucester and Harrington to bring our services to those who need it. We all know how frustrating travelling large distances for appointments can be at times, so this means less travel for appointments and greater opportunity for regular contact with our clinicians.

In terms of technology, how do you see your business changing?

Technology not only helps us behind the scenes with things such as record keeping and practice software, but also the new exercise equipment on the market. There are a lot of new and innovative machines out there to help people get the health outcomes they need and as these come on to the market, don’t be surprised to see a few in the clinic. An example of one such machine is an anti-gravity treadmill, which is a treadmill that allows us to alter gravitational forces. Basically, we can adjust

M E D I C I N E

your body weight, so you can move freely to help your rehabilitation. They are pretty cool.

What excites you most about doing business here? I would definitely have to say it’s the people who make doing business here both exciting and rewarding.

Working across several locations, you get to interact with all sorts of sub sections of the population - people you may never have the chance to ordinarily meet. Being close to the beach isn’t too bad either.

In the last 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments?

In the last 12 months there have been a lot of what some may perceive as little accomplishments, but to the people involved they are notable. Helping someone who couldn’t walk more than 100 m without knee pain go on a holiday with plenty of walking without pain, or helping another lose weight so they could look good at their daughter’s wedding. To me, these are notable accomplishments.

I’ve also started playing Rugby Union, having only played AFL and soccer previously.

Being environmentally conscious is more prevalent than ever. How is your business embracing this major shift in mindset?

Helping the environment in small steps adds up. Here all our records are paperless, with the paper shredded and recycled after its scanned.

It’s not ‘just’ your age Pain is no joke.

Countless lives are cruelled by disabling pain – don’t take it lying down.

At Kinetic Medicine we use exercise as medicine to harness your own body’s power to overcome ill health.

www.kineticmedicine.com.au

02 6557 7479

Get Better | Stay Better| Live Better 48 Manning-Great Lakes focus

Dr. Darin Ballard

H

T A R E E

ow is your business planning for the future growth of our region?

We’ve recently relocated to new practices in both Taree aand nd Port Macquarie, which were designed to cater for population growth and also the number of dentists in the region that are now referring their patients to us for specialist orthodontic treatment. We also continue to build our team, with twenty employees currently operating from our clinics. Right now we’re actually looking for someone to join our team of dental assistants.

In terms of technology, how do you see your business changing?

The rapidly changing environment that comes with advancements in technology remains our greatest challenge and impacts all aspects of our business from business and patient management systems through to highly specialised

O R T H O D O N T I C S

dental and orthodontic techniques.

We pride ourselves on innovation and are always looking to be leaders in the service we provide our patients, so we know we must remain ever vigilant for areas to improve, and inevitably this will involve technology. This presents unique challenges being in a regional area, where our patients are entitled to expect the same quality of care as if they were in a metropolitan centre, and we want to ensure they are not disadvantaged because of where we live.

What excites you most about doing business here? Definitely the people.

Taree Orthodontics is our business name, because the people who deliver our service come from here and we only exist with the support of the patients and their families from our community.

We are a part of the region and are proud to participate and contribute in ways that are consistent with the values

of our business and team members.

Orthodontic treatment is also typically a two year process, so we get to know our patients quite well during this time. We enjoy being a part of their lives that is life changing and a memory that will be discussed and shared for years to come.

In the last 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments?

We’re lucky enough to be in an environment where the team are witness to their accomplishments every day. Our new practice in Port Macquarie was also a big achievement, and we are really proud to have built it using local providers.

Overall, 88% of the project funds were spent within the local economy, with only specialist equipment sourced elsewhere.

Each year the team also run a charity ball and sponsorship campaign for their entry into the City to Surf, and so far have already raised over $22,000 for the Heart Foundation.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 49

Mike Parsons P R O F E S S I O N A L S

Jonathon Tickle

H A R R I N G T O N

Y O U R

H E R I T A G E

F I N A N C I A L

P L A N N I N G

Mike and Joan Parsons are the Directors of Professionals Harrington.

escaping to the tranquillity of the ocean at Crowdy Bay and Saltwater Point.

How is your business planning for the future growth of our region?

People of the more mature generation gain

Mike has had a lifelong career in senior management in sales, has transferred that experience to real estate and is the Licensee and Licensed Auctioneer, adding to the expertise already in the office.

Mike adds …

While meeting the needs of the younger generation with insurance, superannuation and home loan assistance, most of our clients are retirees, and that demographic is where the region’s growth lies.

the younger generation tend to gain a sense

Mike has been involved with the Manning community in sporting administration, community events and organisations and believes in the culture of participating and giving back to the community.

“We are located in a high traffic shopping village, open seven days, with many sea/tree changers visiting our office - giving your home maximum exposure and an even broader market to potential purchasers of your property.

Currently Chairman of Football (soccer) Mid North Coast and recently invited to join the executive of the Harrington Chamber of Commerce, there appears to be no rest for his passion for local involvement.

With four agents plus property management and administration staff at your service, our office continues to set sales records.”

ensures Centrelink and tax effectiveness for long term retirement income goals.

It is exciting and humbling to be

We also consider estate planning and aged care assistance and strategy.

In the last 12 months, what have been your

In terms of technology, how do you see your business changing?

Financial planning and banking has come under

In his spare time, Mike loves spending time with his grandchildren and surfing with friends,

“We sell and manage homes in all surrounding areas of the Manning Valley. We have extensive expertise in social media and digital marketing, as well as traditional methods.“

Mike looks forward to meeting you and having a chat about your needs, offering you good oldfashioned service and a genuine passion to get you the best results.

Harrington

YOUR SALES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS

CONTACT MIKE AND THE TEAM TODAY E mike@professionalsharrington.com.au

P 02 6556 0188

Shop 10 1-7 Caledonia Street, Harrington NSW 2427 Open 7 days professionalsharrington.com.au 50 Manning-Great Lakes focus

confidence from recommendation of others, but of feel, confidence and form opinions more on research via web searches.

The legal requirements for issuing compliant

and quality advice means that having robust In response, we have established a separate systems and ever evolving technology support is part of the business a must. called Mid North Coast What excites you most Pension and Aged about doing business Care Solutions, that The area as a place to here? offers Centrelink and live is second to none; aged care assessment, The area as a place to live that is why retirees, in strategy and claims is second to none; that is particular, flock here service as a support to why retirees, in particular, and families find it a the actual advice piece. flock here. Families find great place to raise Our business premises it a great place to raise children. in Taree offers ground children. level access and easy It is a great endorsement parking and is just a 20 when the children of our minute drive from the coastal growth areas. long standing clients come to see us.

We provide advice leading up to retirement that

The younger generation thrive on search engines and having services delivered around their timetable.

intergenerational advisers. most notable accomplishments? the spotlight of late for poor service and advice.

As a result, there has been an increase in surveillance and audit standards.

For them, dealing remotely or via email and electronic transmission is the norm, so geographic location is not a barrier to us in delivering service.

I am extremely proud of the exceptional results

It really is important that the website is effective and almost intuitive, while being user friendly.

process continues to meet industry standards, in

our office achieved after an intense audit on advice quality and services delivered in July of this year. It’s reassuring to know that our advice the ever changing environment we work in.

FOCUS catches up with the iconic Tuncurry bakehouse, Colleen’s Bakery, which will soon celebrate 40 years in business.

Colleen's

C

olleen’s Bakery is almost 40 years old, having first opened its doors as Colleen’s Cakes in 1979. Tell us a little about the family history of the business? The business was originally opened by Ian, a pastry chef, and Colleen Ridgway. Over the years, many family members have worked within the store and helped the business become what it is today.

As a family, we are very proud of its history and the support we have received by our customers within the community. We must be doing something right!

Colleen’s Bakery has many loyal clients, as well as travelling visitors stopping in.

What do you think customers love about Colleen’s, and what drives them to keep coming back? I think our customers love our friendly service and fresh food. Our Vittoria

popular request, as well as the catering coffee is also very popular. Customers love options available. Yes, Todd’s speciality the opportunity to catch up with us and cakes are very popular. enjoy their favourites We have regular requests for breakfast and lunch for children's and adults' and snacks in-between.

At Colleen’s, we themed birthday cakes, as We’re also conveniently strive to reduce well as wedding cakes. We located in Manning and limit as much also get a lot of requests Street, Tuncurry, allowing environmental for catering for local people to stop in quickly waste as possible. businesses and events. to pick-up their supplies All our leftover These can include cakes or take some time out to bread we donate to and sweets, sandwiches dine inside or out with and wraps. Our burgers, the papers. the horses at local chicken schnitzels and business Riding for Apart from the bain-marie of hot food is the Disabled. beautiful breads, pies always very popular with and cakes made fresh customers. daily, what other services does Colleen’s Bakery offer the community? I know birthday and wedding cakes are a very

Part of Colleen’s Bakery’s business interest lies in reducing environmental waste. What measures

have been put in place to achieve this?

At Colleen’s, we strive to reduce and limit as much environmental waste as possible. All our leftover bread we donate to the horses at local business Riding for the Disabled.

This year we’ve also eliminated all single-use plastic bags, using only paper bags now for customers.

What do you think makes a business successful in this day and age? I think any business model that highlights its customers as its most important commodity is key to longevity and success in business, especially in a small town like Forster/Tuncurry. We’ve had a loyal customer base for decades and therefore have grown to know many local people and their stories and have learned their favourites for breakfast and lunch. We also love bringing a smile to people’s faces with our fresh food and coffee.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 51

Jonathan Tickle YO U R

Caine Loretan C A I N E

L O R E T A N

Hi Caine! You have been working within the jewellery industry for many years; what is it you love most about the trade?

I think what gives me the most satisfaction in the business is having the opportunity to design and create handmade jewellery for my customers that are one of a kind, unique pieces. I really enjoy the creative side of the trade and the art involved in bringing pieces to life.

Congratulations on recently setting up your own store in Forster. What aspects of jewellery creating are you most passionate about? I love the notion of taking something old, maybe in traditional design, and remodelling it into a contemporary piece of fine jewellery. Giving a necklace or diamond ring new life by changing it up with a new design is quite thrilling.

What do you love about living in the Manning-Great Lakes region? The lifestyle!

I was born and raised in the Manning and at times I’m guilty of taking its attributes for granted, whether it be little things like room to spread your towel on the beach, an uncrowded wave or a simple “hi” whilst out in public.

J E W E L L E R S

What excites you most about growing your business in the Mid North Coast? I am excited in my own business to bring the same high levels of traditional family service that my family’s generational Loretan Jewellers business has executed for the past 92 years in the region.

Having lived in Sydney where there is no personal space and where people are glued to their phone and always in a rush, it’s nice to have a work-life balance which allows you to enjoy what this area has to offer. So many city folks crave to holiday or get away to our area for a break, yet we have it every day. It’s a work to live, not live to work lifestyle, which I think so many people in the city miss out on.

In the last 12 months, what have been your most notable accomplishments business-wise? I am very proud of my recently opened studio with a Forster street view! I like being close to the CBD action!

Aside from creating beautiful pieces of jewellery, what are some of the things you like doing in your down-time? I love the relaxation that fishing brings. You’ll often find me out to sea with friends trying to hook the biggest Dew Fish I can find. I also love spending time with my kids and doing the cooking!

H E R I TA G E

Michael Kucinskis COAST BUILDING COMPANY

What do you think is the key to business success and longevity in this day and age? The key to success in this day and age is the ability to provide personal customer service. Today’s technology makes it is all too easy to assume the client gets it, they understand or we think that the client has researched themselves using the web. Personal customer service simply can be forgotten about, but it is the biggest influencer when a potential customer is looking to buy. You can be assured if a client is not satisfied with you the world will know about it overnight on social media, so longevity hinges on doing what you say you will do and delivering a high-quality product. Call us old school if you like, but being local counts, so no matter where we are building we look for local quality trades supporting our community.

Todd Saunders C O L L E E N ’ S

B A K E R Y

What do you think is the key to business success and longevity in this day and age?

I think working with fresh ingredients, having a team of friendly staff and a passion for the industry continues to make our business successful. We like providing a value-driven product line complete with a high level of customer service.

What do you love about living in the ManningGreat Lakes region? I have grown up in this region and love the waterways that we live on, which make for a great work-life balance.

Away from your business, what do you like doing in your down time? I’m into stand up paddle boarding at the moment and always love taking the dogs to the beach. You’ll also find me working on my house when I’m not at work.

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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

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t that same meeting, we were pleased, as always, to have our Mayor David West showing his enthusiastic support for our business community, for which we are truly grateful, as well as welcoming our new General Manager, Adrian Panuccio.

As someone who moved to Taree from Sydney and is proud to live in Taree, I might add, I think it’s vital that we showcase what’s already great about this town and get to work at improving what needs some attention. I made the statement at our meeting that whilst Victoria St. is a pleasant place to stroll along, our CBD is more than one street.

Vibrant Spaces Initiative.

It’s been a busy couple of months at the Taree Business Chamber.

Just last month we were grateful to have Paul De Szell and Robyn Brennan from MidCoast Council share how the Vibrant Spaces initiative can help businesses market themselves better through their own physical presences and contribute to our CBD’s patrons having a better experience.

In particular, I would love to see Vibrant Spaces really spark to flame in Manning Street, where much traffic heads and perhaps where patrons’ experiences are lacking. Equally, there are a number of great events that happen in our community that could be better situated closer to the river and CBD, providing for a better consumer experience. Just an idea, but I would love to see a regular twilight farmers’ market happen midweek that drove traffic to our “main street”, retailers enabling later trading hours. So often the thing expressed to me about what’s lacking in our area by consumers is a lack of after hours trading, whilst retailers and business owners lament the loss they

would run at to try and meet this demand.

There has to be a way to connect these interests and create exciting new opportunities.

After more than six months together as a new committee, now that we have ourselves oriented, we are really looking to set some solid objectives that bring our community together to seize the opportunities that we have and create the ones we don’t, but sorely need. We’ve seen our membership nearly double in this time, have been working with Council on matters of economic development and destination management (code for tourism marketing) which will soon become apparent, we’re helping to make over our local business awards, and have also been working with our local schools to help support opportunities for local kids to develop skills that will help them become the businesspeople of the future. Not a bad effort, but we’re just getting warmed up. We’d be really keen, though, to hear from you. That’s why a business chamber exists - to bring our business community and all who care about it together, small and large. Opportunity comes to those who take it, so let’s all reach our hands in together. You can reach us through info@tareebusinesschamber.com.au or through our Facebook page.

Vision 2030 Manning Valley and Vision 2030 Great Lakes Shortly you will receive in the mail a survey seeking your input about major projects you might like to see completed or underway in our region over the coming decade.

I want to hear about your vision, so I can work with my colleagues at the Local and State Government level to plan and deliver the things our community would like to see in the Manning-Great Lakes region for the future.

The survey can also be completed by visiting my website at www.davidgillespie.com.au

Dr David GILLESPIE MP He Listens. He Cares. He Delivers.

Authorised by Dr David Gillespie MP, National Party of Australia, 144 Victoria Street, Taree NSW 2430.

Manning-Great Lakes focus 53

FOCUS ON

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BUSINESS

focus_contributor.

Business Minds with Jeremy Thornton of Insurance Advisernet

BUSINESS MINDS

Julie-Ann

BOOTH THE CENTREPOINT CAFÉ

THE CENTREPOINT ARCADE HAS BECOME A TRUE LINK IN THE REVITALISED TAREE CBD LANDSCAPE. HAVING GONE THROUGH SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN RECENT YEARS, IT NOW EMBODIES THE DIRECTION THE MIDCOAST TOWN IS TAKING IN CREATING PLACES TO STOP, SHOP AND ENJOY, ALL WITHIN EASY REACH OF OUR GREATEST ASSET - THE MIGHTY MANNING RIVER.

J

ulie-Ann Booth took the long way around to end up owning Centrepoint Café, but is helping in the revitalisation process. Sipping a Doppio coffee together, I started by asking Julie-Ann where the chef career started.

Actually, my very first time stepping into a commercial kitchen was work experience in Year 10 at the Taree RSL, when it was on the Riverbank! A long time ago!

I was always reading food magazines, cooking books, bouncing ideas off colleagues, talking to producers to create new menu ideas.

I made up my mind at the very beginning of my career that I wanted to work in a 5 Star Hotel in Sydney. I was fortunate enough to be offered an apprenticeship at the Sheraton-Wentworth Hotel, and I loved every single moment of it.

It was then off to the Belfry Dining Club in Knightsbridge, London. I became a Personal Chef to billionaires and corporates. I cooked on super yachts, mansions, castles, in paddocks etc. it was all a bit surreal and something that just happened!

I’ve always wanted to do my best at whatever I do; whether or not I am the best doesn’t matter. I love making the impossible possible, I like diversity in whatever do; I like to think laterally when doing things.

I’m pretty determined and don’t like taking no for an answer, which is how I got some of the above gigs.

So, a career in the food industry was always on your plate - so to speak.

Yes, it was. But I didn’t want to work anywhere; it had to be in the best places, so I could learn from the best of the best. I was an average student at school, quite social sometimes too much!

Whatever I do, it has to be fun! If I don’t have a laugh every day - preferably a belly laugh - no matter what I am doin,g then it isn’t worth doing. I love learning, staying healthy, playing sport, going to bands.

My early years were struck with tragedy, when my father was killed in a motor vehicle accident.

In some ways that’s how I’ve developed a lot of my philosophies and perspectives. Life is too short not to be lived well.

Who inspired you growing up, and do you still take inspiration from certain people?

Marco Pierre-White. Watching his cooking shows when I was young, I saw his passion and drive for excellence with food. I decided I wanted to be like that. It inspired me to go and work in the best restaurants in London. I approached him for a job when I got to London, only to be told: “(Expletive) - go away. I don’t hire women!”

I’m still inspired by my previous boss, Frank Lowy. His generosity and philanthropy is

incredible, both in Australia and overseas.

Anne Sherry - Anne is a quiet achiever, but what she has done for the Indigenous people in Far North Qld and the community in general is truly to be admired.

I guess I’m inspred by both of their natural compulsions to give back to local communities and willingness to mentor the next generations.

Centrepoint Café and the arcade in general has become a real hub for locals. What do you put this down to?

Locals starting to support small businesses more and more in general. Since all of us in the arcade are owner operated, we’re able to put our own stamp on things, which keeps a uniqueness alive. We have had a lot of great feedback since the arcade was revamped, so customers love coming into it more now.

Having worked overseas, what is it you bring to Centrepoint that the locals can enjoy?

Professionalism and attention to detail in everything we do, while still being personable with our wonderful customers. The YES, we can do that attitude, then figuring how we are going to pull something off.

With a vast selection of cafés and coffee shops in the area, what is it you promote that makes you stand out from the crowd?

We use fresh local produce, are big into sustainability with the products we use, food

scraps and coffee grounds go to the local Community Garden. We have listened to our customers and are now serving healthier options that incorporate gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose free milk. All of our staff go through thorough training, and it’s very strict training - anyone is allowed on the coffee machine to make customers’ coffee. Definitely friendly customer service.

Away from the kitchen, where is your favourite local haunt and pastime?

I love the atmosphere and eating at Mansfield on the Manning and chilling out to live music at local venues. As for a pastime, you can’t go past our beaches, of course.

For you, what is the best part about being in business in the Manning-Great Lakes?

That’s easy; it’s being immersed in the relaxed lifestyle that comes with living here. De-stressing at the beach, rainforests and in the lush countryside makes working life so much more worthwhile.

The majority of businesses in the area are owner operated and it’s easy to get to know everyone, so it’s more of a family feel compared to the city. It’s a good support network and when you need advice or help, there is always someone you can call.

Thanks for the coffee, Julie-Ann. Manning-Great Lakes focus 55

focus_tech

WITH

GAVIN MORONEY

Tech Head

TECH

Travel Kit PART 2

Travel gadgets are a huge market that makes the lives of travellers easier every single day. We constantly ask ourselves, what camera do I bring? How am I going to charge all of my devices? What do I do if I lose my bag? Don't worry, because we have you sorted with Part 2 of the Best Tech Travel Kit you can't live without.

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Tile: www.jbhifi.com.au take this camera literally anywhere; whether it’s This little piece of genius has saved not only my snorkelling in Fiji or skydiving in Dubai, or even time, but my sanity as well. This device, through at your next family get together, you will be the use of their app, will locate any lost bag, able to catch every minute of it with this video keys, wallet or even your phone. Tile is affordable and still camera that can fit straight into your and brain-dead easy to use; just attach it to pocket. Through the years I have found GoPro whatever you tend to lose! to be a little shaky when Although the app and Tile filming, but with their must be within Bluetooth new image stabilisation range of each other, it also you are guaranteed to connects to a database so get some really nice, The GoPro should be no that if you have your travel stranger to anyone, and smooth footage. Make bag lost or stolen, you there is a reason for it. sure you check out eBay or anyone else using the With the rise of small and Amazon for GoPro Tile app in close proximity

action cameras on the accessories, as the GoPro to your bag will be able market, the GoPro branded accessories can to update the location still is a favourite be a little pricey. of your lost item on your amongst most due to its map. It comes in a few Belkin Domestic Travel portability and quality. different styles. The Tile Surge Protector with 2 Slim is about three times USB Ports 2.4A: www. the thickness of a credit officeworks.com.au card and slips neatly into your wallet, and the Rounding off our list is something that may Tile Mate can be attached to your keyring. So if you're like me and spend countless hours looking not be the most exciting bit of tech, but it is something you shouldn't leave home without. for your keys or wallet, I’d highly recommend The Belkin Domestic travel surge protector is getting this neat piece of tech. a must have for charging on your travels. The GoPro Hero6: www.gopro.com adaptor has two surge protected AC outlets The GoPro should be no stranger to anyone, for powering devices. It also has two USB ports and there is a reason for it. With the rise with a shared output of 2.4 A. It has easy to fold of small action cameras on the market, the plugs to make it ultra portable, so it's great for GoPro still is a favourite amongst most due to taking when travelling. It also saves space by not its portability and quality. The GoPro Hero6 having to bring 10 different chargers for all your comes with 4K Ultra HD Video, touch screen, 12 megapixel stills and voice control. You can devices.

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

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

m ney matters. with Alan Tickle

“ My super fund and Centrelink said …

I don’t need a Financial Planner”.

real estate

UPDATE

That was the statement made by a new client just before June 30th.

Discussion then centred on retirement date and the timing of the sale of the real estate asset.

They then went on to say ... “ But our accountant suggested that we should talk to you, but we don’t know why”.

That is likely to be early in the 2020 financial year, but after a further tax-deductible contribution is made to superannuation to lower the marginal rate of tax on which the capital gains tax might apply in that year.

Let’s first look at the statement from the client’s super fund’s telephone client service provider.

While the Sydney market continues to slow and auction clearance rates are regularly under 60%, our beautiful little pocket of paradise continues to strengthen, with continual capital growth over the last few months.

O

n reviewing the sales across the ocean for a cool $599,000. It will over the last two months, be interesting to see what creation is built to two strong areas stood take in those expansive views. out from the others. The First home buyers are still flooding the first one was the family market, as pressure from investors has homes in good residential eased - possibly due to investors needing areas, with the average sale sitting between to raise their price expectations, as average $500,000 and $650,000 - a massive increase home prices increase to around $350,000 from two years ago, where the prices sat in Taree for a neat, three bedroom quality around $350,000 to $500,000. This is not all rental home. It only seems like eighteen due to capital growth, but is a good sign that months ago that investors were snapping people are confident up properties in the investing in our area $250,000 to $300,000 and have the finances range in Taree. The to purchase at a higher quality of homes in this The best thing about price. The other area price range is just not this marketplace is that was lifestyle properties available anymore. it brings new people to on the fringes of the You need to search the area, creates loads of towns, but at the deep to uncover some activity, especially boosting lower end of around bargains, but they local businesses, and a $400,000. are still there. The positive vibe all round.

A 400 acre lush rental market remains grazing property in strong, causing upward Bootawa was the pressure on rents. The biggest sale in our area at $2,500,000, one lower end of the market is now pushing of the biggest property sales since Strike A $200 per week, with the high end properties Light, Cooplacurripa for $3,000,000 back in commanding rents unthinkable 12 months September last year. As locals we sometimes ago. Investors are loving our market, because forget that we are the most fertile valley in they can still expect a 6% plus yield for Australia, with rich soils and high rainfalls residential, especially with multiple tenanted ideal for grazing cattle and growing produce. properties. With the strengthening market, On the other end of the scale, residential commercial yields have dropped slightly. blocks are selling well, ranging in price from This could be due to the lack of supply of $75,000 at Coomba Park, and from $99,000 commercial investments available for sale and at Tallwoods. The new sub divisions are hot the lack of places for investors to park their property at Old Bar, with the majority of money. sales around $200,000. A 733 m² block sold The best thing about this marketplace is at Wallabi Point for $291,101 (some great that it brings new people to the area, creates negotiating going on there) with a 689 m² loads of activity, especially boosting local block on the headland at Forster with views businesses, and a positive vibe all round.

Let’s consider the opportunity for the clients in question, who are both over 65 but still employed full-time.

If account-based pensions are commenced at that time with the re-contributed superannuation, the superannuation pension income received will also be tax free, thus further reducing the rate at which capital gains might be charged, compared to simply investing the money outside of superannuation.

Their superannuation funds contained all taxable components which if passed upon death to a non-financial dependent, would attract death benefit tax.

Finally, an assessment was made on Centrelink pension viability and the alternate use of nonincome producing assets such as the passive real estate asset.

They also had a real estate asset that they proposed to sell in the future, which has capital gains attached.

It was demonstrated that a small part-pension was achievable, after some strategy treatment.

They are only able to give general advice related to their product, but can’t consider all other factors affecting a client, nor taxation considerations.

Both were in a substantial tax bracket, but had not reached their superannuation contribution caps for the financial year.

With only days left before the end of the financial year, we still managed to place deductible contributions to superannuation (which is now allowed for employed persons) giving them an anticipated $6,000 tax refund.

Because they were both over age 65, a condition of release from superannuation had been met, so withdrawal requests for $100,000 each was lodged with their fund and recontributed to a separate superannuation account, so that the death benefit tax issue was lessened. That process will be repeated after 1/7/18, to double the taxfree components.

The client’s response was…” Now we know why our accountant sent us to see you!“ The lesson from this is that the biased view and limited knowledge of a superannuation fund telephone client service consultant who hides behind their general advice warning does not consider the total circumstances, nor opportunities to improve the client’s position.

Centrelink staff are also limited in what they can inform and advise on.

The interaction of the client’s accountant and in my case, a financial planner, made a substantial difference to the client’s welfare.

It improved their position and clearly demonstrated the value of timely and professional advice.

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

Manning-Great Lakes focus 57

Forty Winks Forster NSW STORE OF THE YEAR

Annette catches up with Kim from Forty Winks in Forster to discuss WHAT’S NEW IN STORE AND TO FIND OUT ABOUT THEIR RECENT AWARD.

H

i Kim. You’re the manager at Forty Winks in Forster; how long have you worked there, and what do you love about your job? Hi Annette. I have worked at Forty Winks since our family owned business took on the franchise of Forty Winks six years ago.

Our family has been selling beds for 30 years.

I really enjoy my job. I work with great people, and our customers are really lovely. It is so good to know that we are impacting the quality of people’s health by selling them the correct bed for their needs.

You have a great team who work with you; can you introduce them to our readers?

I’d love to. Kerrie has been with us for over 10 years. She is a real character and knows her product inside and out. She is famous for her fun but professional approach.

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Brent has been with us a year and a half but came to us with loads of experience from Forty We showed the most growth, Winks in Newcastle. local area campaigns, He knows what he is commitment to brand were chosen from 30 talking about and gives and customer service. stores across NSW the customer a lot of There were other worthy stores and ACT. We showed confidence in their in the running, but we pipped the most growth, purchase. them at the post this year. local area campaigns, Tamara has been here commitment to brand three years. She is a great and customer service. listener and lovely with There were other customers. She has a worthy stores in the running, but we pipped great eye for design and detail. them at the post this year.

It means so much Your store has recently won the NSW to us all at Forster.

It is a great reward for the Store of the Year. Firstly, congratulations! work we put in.

It is also fantastic that a small How does this award get decided, and regional town could do it. what does it mean to you and your team?

Forty Winks is so much more than just We are super excited to have won the NSW Store of the Year award for Forty Winks. There a bedding store. Can you tell us about some of the other products we can are lots of criteria to win the award, and we

purchase from your store?

We offer our customers a choice of 50 different mattresses. That sounds like it might be confusing, but we have decided on these mattresses after carefully considering the uniqueness of our own customers.

We offer a range of adjustable beds. These have really come into their own in recent years, as people realise they are a lifestyle choice now and not just a health benefit. The adjustable range of bases especially offer any customer with health needs quality sleep in the position that is most beneficial to them.

They are fantastic.

We also have a large range of bedroom furniture to transform any bedroom into

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The Bedmatch uses eighteen

your own private sanctuary. We online without ever trying it in statistical measurements and also sell pillows, sheets, linen person. It is too important a over a thousand scientific of all sorts including doonas purchase to leave it to chance. calculations, along with and covers, homewares and Research is good, but there is the information the bedside lamps to complete the nothing like walking into a store customer gives to us, so we story. Basically, Forty Winks is a and talking face to face with can identify the mattresses that bedtime story. a bedding specialist. We don’t are best suited to the customer.

Now, I believe there is a new mind how many times a person product on the market; can needs to come in and try our you tell us all about this? mattresses - everyone is welcome Super excited about this one, and as much quality time is given Annette. The new Bedmatch system that we have just to each person as we can give. had installed is going to change the way a customer When it comes to your products, what is your buys a bed. Oftentimes a customer is unsure of what best seller - and why do you think that is? type of support they need, and the Bedmatch takes all Gosh Annette, I don’t think I have a “best seller”, as the guess work out of the equation. such. If an item is not selling, we remove it and get a After spending two minutes on the Bedmatch more appropriate product. We research the items best system, a customer is given the choice of the most suited to the Great Lakes area and choose accordingly. supportive mattresses for their individual body. The It is the old story of “different strokes for different Bedmatch uses eighteen statistical measurements and folks”. If a customer is looking for a spare room over a thousand scientific calculations, along with mattress, we have Australian made mattresses under the information the customer gives to us, so we can $800, and the same goes for main bedroom or even identify the mattresses that are best suited to the holiday accommodation - we have the largest choice in customer. the area for the best prices, without a doubt.

It also recommends the correct height of pillow the How can our readers locate your shop, and what customer needs, allowing for their preferred sleep are your opening hours? position; for example, sleeping on their back or side.

Your readers can find us at 89 The Lakes Way; that How clever is that! is opposite Stocklands Forster, at the roundabout. We With so much diversity in today’s world with are open 9 - 5 Monday - Friday, 9 - 4 Saturday and how people shop, what are your thoughts on 10 - 4 Sunday. We look forward to meeting everyone. good old fashioned walking into the store and Cheers! customer service?

Annette, seriously I would never purchase a mattress Thanks Kim.

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