Feature Story
NEW ENGLAND
April 2012 // Issue 59
I N S I D E 59
inside this issue.
TIM BARNSLEY Meet Tim Barnsley, Armidale’s longest standing press media photographer.
TOPPER’S MOUNTAIN Mark Kirby invites you to Topper’s Mountain for a long lazy degustation lunch with chef Seamus O’Brien.
Linda Agnew
2 new england focus.
editor's note.
editor. W from the
suedee.
Welcome to the April edition of New England FOCUS. elcome to our readers. This month we have dedicated a large portion of the publication to some of our fabulous ‘men in business’ ... and don’t you just love our front cover photo, featuring Paul Schmude, Greg Jackson, David Barnier, Ben Page, Steve Sewell and Andrew Kirk! For those who know these great local businessmen, I’m sure you will join me in a giggle, as I brand them our local ‘brat pack’. I’m assuming they won’t mind at all being compared to the likes of Brad Pitt, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Junior. It’s all in good humor. DON’T FORGET TO NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE BUSINESS FOCUS is very proud to be sponsoring the 2012 Armidale Business Awards. It is time for you to have your say. Do you know of a standout business that deserves recognition? If so, turn to the nominations form on page 32, or visit www.armidalechamber.
contacts. Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information. ADDRESS: 5/164 Beardy Street, Armidale PHONE: 02 6771 5551 FAX: 02 6772 5551 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/focus.ne TV: www.focustv.com.au
com.au to vote online. Be quick, because nominations close very soon. INSIDE THIS ISSUE We interview a brand new resident to town named Ben Mitchell. He shares his excitement about relocating both his architecture business and family to Armidale. We also chat with Graham East from ZooWhiz, who explains how he is contributing to the education system worldwide. Regular advertiser and finance agent, Joel Ruig, reveals his avocation to us, and local photographer Tim Barnsley invites us to his upcoming photography exhibition at NERAM. Enjoy!
And if you haven’t already (over 1,000 have), don’t forget to download our eat dining guide iPhone application, featuring a great selection of local restaurants to tempt your tastebuds. Can’t decide where to eat? Let the app decide for you. Visit www.focusmag.com.au/eat EDITOR’S PHOTO Thanks to Suresh for the fantastic photo featured above in our editor’s letter, named Chasing the Winter. Hope it wasn’t too cold while you were waiting for the shot! FINAL WORD “Business has only two functions – marketing and innovation.” — Peter Drucker.
IPAD APP Another exciting addition we’ve made to our portfolio is our brand spanking new iPad app, featuring all the latest editions of FOCUS. Never miss an issue, no matter where you are in the world. To download the new iPad app, visit www.focusmag.com.au/ipad
Sue Dee. sue@focusmag.com.au
EDITOR: Sue Dee
GRAPHIC/WEB DESIGNER: Michael Marchment
sue@focusmag.com.au
michael@focusmag.com.au
ADVERTISING MANAGER: Tracy Le Messurier
JUNIOR DESIGNER: Kyle Rathbone
tracy@focusmag.com.au
kyle@focusmag.com.au
ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Sheridan Hicks
JUNIOR DESIGNER: Zac Wright
sheridan@focusmag.com.au
zac@focusmag.com.au
ART DIRECTOR: Jay Beaumont
ACCOUNT MANAGER: Louise Beaumont
jay@focusmag.com.au
louise@focusmag.com.au
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Dylan Gaul
PHOTOGRAPHER: Simon Scott
dylan@focusmag.com.au
scscott@bigpond.net.au
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable
SUB EDITORS: Jo Atkins / Reg Brookhouse
joey@focusmag.com.au
jo@focusmag.com.au / reg@focusmag.com.au
FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS.
Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders.Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. New England Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications Pty Ltd ABN: 62128786005. Material in New England Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications Pty Ltd 2008 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.
new england focus 3
focusinterview.
Linda
Linda Agnew is Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at UNE. Although she is legally blind, Linda a h dedicates her spare time to helping the less fortunate. She shares how she and her local church group are assisting to improve Vanuatu’s education and healthcare systems. s. hat do you love most about your career? I love the variety of being both a scientist and an academic. I am passionate about science, so as a researcher I enjoy the challenge of investigating the complexity of the immune system and as an educator, I hope to inspire my students to have an inquiring mind set for lifelong learning. Which church are you involved with? I am a practicing Christian, and I'm a member of the Armidale Church of Christ. What prompted you to become a humanitarian? There were a number of significant life events that led me to being involved in humanitarian work. The first of these occurred at the end of 2005, when I was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy (a degenerative condition that causes blindness). In dealing with the way losing my sight has altered my life (I am now legally blind), I resolved that I would not let it define who I am. So, I decided to get on with life and live it to the full, continuing to do the things I want to do. Then about 4 years ago, I became convinced that my faith needed to be more than just a personal belief or something that was only exercised within the community of believers, but that it needed to be practical as well. My husband Warren and I had just visited my missionary brother, who at the time was working with refugees and displaced people in Europe. We had the opportunity to work in a refugee centre and saw firsthand what a difference simple practical support can make in people’s lives. It was also the first time in my life that I had truly encountered abject poverty, and initially I felt completely helpless. Many of us think that one person can’t do much to change such a huge problem or that we are not ‘qualified’ enough, but I have come to understand that one person can make a difference – and often it’s the simple things that have the biggest impact. The things we take for granted, such as healthcare,
W
4 new england focus.
lothiing are are education, clean water, food, shelter and clothing rence in the some of the things that make a huge difference lives of those who are suffering. I decided that even if I could only change one person’s life for the better, then that would be something. How did you start assisting students in Vanuatu? On returning home from Europe, I contacted Global Mission Partners, the mission arm of Churches of Christ, and asked if there were any opportunities to provide practical assistance in our region. As a result of those discussions, we identified a great need at Ranwadi Christian College on Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. As an educator, it was the perfect fit for me. In 2010 I led a work team of twenty-three from Armidale Church of Christ, and we spent 10 days at Ranwadi. With the support of the Armidale community we raised $20,000, which built a classroom and transported donated resources to the school. While there, we helped out around the school and at a neighbouring primary school. It was an amazing experience, and I couldn’t wait to get back there again. Warren and I returned last year, and we will be taking another team in July this year. What would you like to achieve in Vanuatu? Many Australians envisage Vanuatu as a lovely tropical holiday destination – which it is. However, that is not the complete picture. Vanuatu was accorded ‘UN Least Developed Country’ status in 1995. It is the third poorest country in the Pacific. Vanuatu’s economy is based on small-scale subsistence farming, fishing and tourism. There is a great need to improve Vanuatu’s education and healthcare systems. Other pressing issues include a lack of employment, the growing impact of HIV/AIDS, a general vulnerability to mismanagement, and the impact of climate change. Education is widely acknowledged as a passport to a better future and while primary education in Vanuatu is almost universal, it has been estimated that less than 25% of children continue to secondary school, and only 5% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education.
Secondary school education is not compulsory, and d school enrolments and attendance are among the lowest in the Pacific. Many young people leave school without a complete education or useful skills, and the adult literacy rate is estimated to be as low as 33.5%. The main problems are that schooling is expensive, and it is often difficult for children in remote rural areas to travel to school. Improvements in secondary education are limited by shortages of trained teachers and facilities. In these schools, resources are extremely limited. At Ranwadi, most classes are taught with only one textbook (the teacher’s copy). The library shelves are almost empty, and the science room has very little equipment – and that which is there is broken or inadequate. Most secondary schools in Vanuatu rely on funds given by AusAID (Australian government Agency for International Development), other agencies, NGOs and churches to enable the upgrading of facilities. There is an ongoing need for maintenance to keep these facilities usable. By supporting Ranwadi College and other schools in Vanuatu, our aim is to make secondary education accessible to more children and in turn to encourage more students to pursue tertiary education or vocational training. We also want to equip these schools and provide professional development training for the teachers, so that the students receive a quality education – something that we in Australia consider a right, not a privilege. How can readers help? We are currently raising funds for our next project, which will involve replacing some very rusty roofs on classrooms and dormitories. Donations towards this maintenance project are tax deductible. We are also hoping to send additional, much needed resources to the school. Items include laptop computers, library books, textbooks, science laboratory equipment and classroom aids. Donations of suitable items would also be appreciated. For more information, Linda can be contacted on 0423 505 735 lagnew2@une.edu.au
focusinterview.
GRAHAM & BARB
EAST
Graham East is the CEO of EdAlive and ZooWhiz. This is a story about a teacher who is making a huge difference, by supplying educational software across the country.
W
hat is your teaching history? I guess teaching is in my blood. My parents were both high school science teachers. I started my 12 years as a primary school teacher in Toowoomba in 1976, then moved to Mornington Island, back to Toowoomba and finally to St Andrew’s School in Adelaide. My time in the classroom helped me to understand the incredible diversity in children and how they learn best when the material they are being presented with is appropriate for their needs. During the mid '80s, the personal computer arrived in the classroom. I was immediately transfixed by the educational opportunities it presented and set about using it in the classroom. I soon found that I, in partnership with my wife Barb, were sourcing and supplying educational software to schools across South Australia. What prompted your move to Armidale? I’d had the good fortune to spend time in Armidale during my childhood and knew what a wonderful place it was. Barb is a 5th generation Armidalian, so we knew that Armidale had a lot to offer our growing family and would be a good place to base our business. So I said goodbye to the classroom at the end of 1988, and we moved to Armidale with our three little boys: Ben, Andrew and Chris. Laura came along the following year. We launched New Horizons nationally at the beginning of 1989. You have another business called EdAlive? We started EdAlive as our publishing arm in 2003. By 2000, sales of software to schools had begun to decline, but we felt that there was a substantial opportunity to supply
curriculum based software The internet hals na to parents for their kids eliminated natio d an s, rie da through schools. We un bo e we fully anticipatill adopted a club model, w z hi oW Zo that called it the Community ns be used by millionts Software Plan (CSP) and re pa , How have you rs he of teac the nd ou created our own titles to ar ds responded to this ki d an sell through it. Our first title world. change? was Aussie Maths Invaders. We realised some years It was an overnight hit! We back that we would have ended up with a whole range of to move online or downsize and multi-award-winning titles that have sold fade away. Sensing that the internet would 1,000,000 CDs all around the world. ultimately be a greater friend than foe, we You must have an exceptional team? made our existing software available for The intellectual property we have created is internet download from www.edalive.com the culmination of many years of exceptional We then embarked on an ambitious project work by many dedicated, talented people. We to convert our key educational IP to a format can’t thank them enough for the contribution that could be used as the basis for an online they have made. Some have stayed for over learning system. Our team did exceptional 20 years; others have come, made their work, and by January 2010 we had a bank of contribution and moved on. Our products over 17,000 activities covering maths, reading, today are an amalgam of their many and spelling and word skills for kids aged 5 – 15 in varied contributions. an online format. How has the internet revolution changed Where does ZooWhiz fit in? the way you do business? Once we had the educational content ready We were all still buying vinyl records back for online delivery, we set about creating a in 1995, but by 2000 the CD had taken over. kid-and school-friendly management system By 2006, sales of CDs had peaked, with the through which to deliver it and to give parents, internet gaining popularity year by year. Now teachers and kids the 24/7 access they have in 2012, demand for CDs is weak, with the come to expect. www.ZooWhiz.com – our internet being the source of choice for schools most challenging and comprehensive project to and homes. date – is the end result. Not only has the mode of delivery changed, It’s packed full of tools for teachers, is fun but the proliferation of free services on the for kids and gives parents the opportunity to internet has raised people’s expectation of connect with their child’s education. It lets value for money, with many resources being parents, teachers and kids choose educational available for free. The internet also allows users content that is appropriate for each child’s to be dynamically connected to their data 24/7. educational needs. Teachers and kids are no different. They expect In this world of free online offerings like continuous, integrated access to learning and Skype and Google, we felt that a freemium the results of that learning. model (a mix of free and paid premium
subscriptions) would be the best way to market our new creation. By October 2011, we were ready to start testing ZooWhiz with family and friends and in some of the schools around Armidale. The feedback was emphatically positive, and we knew that we had a real winner. Kids and teachers just love it. Growth was immediate. We were fortunate to have Senator Conroy, Tony Windsor and Richard Torbay in attendance for its official launch at PLC Armidale on 17 Feb. Since then, ZooWhiz has continued to grow and now has over 40,000 free users in more than 30 countries. We’re currently working on the premium offering and hope to be generating revenues by June. Will the NBN help you? The NBN will be a real boon to us. The transference of data and remote working is critical to what we do and with the increased speed of the NBN, all this will be so much faster and cost effective. It can’t come soon enough! What next? www.ZooWhiz.com has incredible potential. The internet has eliminated national boundaries, and we fully anticipate that ZooWhiz will be used by millions of kids, parents and teachers around the world in the years to come! ZooWhiz is free for all, easy to use and highly motivational, so if you’re a teacher, parent or grandparent, get started with your kids today and tell others about this great Armidale/Aussie based online learning system! Thanks Graham. new england focus 5
inside this
Issue 59 - April 2012
Ben Mitchell
12.
Armidale has recently inherited a young architect from Sydney named Ben Mitchell. Ben shares his excitement about his tree change and tells us why he has chosen to raise his family in the country.
Mountain Toppers
15.
Mark Kirkby invites you to Topper’s Mountain for a long, lazy degustation lunch, with Seamus O’Brien, Chef from the American Club in Sydney, serving up a feast.
29.
Jim Ridley Meet Jim Ridley: here is a young ‘man in business’, who has literally used his muscle to raise thousands of dollars for charity.
usual suspects.
the
16. what’s on for April 22. eat featuring local restaurants 34. icing on the cake with Susie
55. star guide with Terri 56. abode home and building
Dunn
No matter where you are in the world,, read Focus for free online every month th @
www.focusmag.com.au follow us on www.facebook.com/ne.focus w www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat
6 new england focus.
focusinterview.
Fisher YOUNG leaders from across Australia and India will converge on Armidale next month for the 2012 Junior Round Square Conference being organised by The Armidale School and New England Girls’ School. Heather Fisher, NEGS Round Square coordinator, talks about the exciting program.
F
irst of all Heather, what is the Round Square organisation? Round Square is a global organisation of around 100 schools, including TAS and NEGS, that share a philosophy summed up with the acronym IDEALS – Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Education and Service. The organisation’s founder, Kurt Hahn, who also started Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, believed in an education regime based on personal responsibility, kindness and justice, particularly through community service and outdoor adventure. Member schools are involved in service projects in developing countries, such as Thailand, where NEGS and TAS students have been helping build a community centre on Phi Phi Island, where the local sea gypsy community is being dispossessed of their land and livelihoods by neighbouring luxury resorts. Tell us how TAS and NEGS got the chance to host this year’s Australasian Junior Round Square Conference ... We belong to the Australian and East Asia Region, and each year a member school hosts the regional conferences. One school hosts the senior regional conference for Years 9-11 and another hosts the junior regional conference for Years 6-8. We took responsibility for the junior conference for 2012. What’s the theme of this year’s conference, and why was that chosen? Overall, the theme is environmental concern, with a special emphasis on the importance of clean water – the title of the conference is ‘Out of the Blue’. As the program states, water is not only a resource, but a life source as well. We all share the responsibility to ensure a healthy, secure and sustainable water supply for our communities, environment and economy. Our quality of life depends on it. It won’t be long before a barrel of clean water is worth more than a barrel of oil. Yet,
we use it extravagantly, with little thought to the economical and ecological costs of this behaviour. Collaboratively, a team of teachers from TAS and NEGS have developed an exciting and energetic program, but it should be emphasised that digital presentations, videoing activities, leading discussion groups, conducting We all share the the opening and closing to responsibilityth ceremonies will all be student y, al he a re ensu ainable st conducted. Both schools are su d secure an r fo involved in leadership training water supply ities, our commun and for the Year 9-12 leaders. never be afraid to environment We understand you have ‘dream big’. He will y. econom two outstanding speakers as be interacting with special guests? students as they ‘Clean We are very pleased to be hosting Up Armidale’ along the Sharon Crean and Dr Ian Kiernan. Creeklands. Sharon is the energy behind the not-forBoth these guests are so interested in the profit organisation Beyond Water, which was program that they are not only guest speakers, established to alleviate poverty through the but are staying for several days to participate in provision of clean and safe drinking water. Her the activities. work is mostly based in Africa, where she sees Ian Kiernan has a strong connection to clean water as merely the beginning of the Armidale, doesn’t he? process, and education, vocational training, Ian Kiernan is a TAS Old Boy who values that sanitation and health as Beyond Water’s relationship and regularly participates in TAS ongoing commitment to the cause. events. Current BeyondWater fundraising projects How many students do you expect to be are Mwangu Ivuti Primary School, Mutomo attending and where will they come from? District East Kenya; Kobujoi Hospital, Western There will be 90 students plus teachers Kenya; Busabla Nursing Home, Uganda; The attending. The maximum number from any School of St Jude, Tanzania; First Fruit Primary Round Square school is six, so this indicates the School and Village for Hope, Rwanda. range of schools involved. The students for this Ian Kiernan is well known for founding conference are from Australian Round Square Clean Up Australia, which grew into Clean schools in every state and from India. Up the World – a campaign that now involves What activities will they be involved in, more than 35 million people from 120 and how are they organised? countries every year. The program involves an exploration Ian has demonstrated that a simple idea of water, calculating its related personal has universal appeal and the health of the energy usage in Third World countries (with environment is of concern to people and activities such as walking to fresh water, communities worldwide. It also shows what carrying, fire-making for boiling etc), making can be achieved and that individuals should mudbricks, hand-grinding grain, riverbank
replanting, Snowgum regeneration, creekland cleanup, gaining an understanding of water treatment for safe usage and bush hiking with observation activities. Students will be organised into 12 groups called Barazzas. Every Barazza will have students of mixed ages as well as teachers, but are managed by the senior student leaders. These leaders will organise the sessions and activities, such as treeplanting and cleanup. Socially, the students will get lots of opportunities to get to know each other, will experience a ‘Third World meal’ to better understand disadvantage in society and have fun at a bush dance social. What do you hope they will get out of it? Apart from the hands-on activities, the students will have presentations from Sharon Crean, Ian Kiernan and representatives from the organisation ‘Jump’. The latter is an international organisation based in Beijing, which runs innovative, engaging and motivational programs to foster youth leadership and involvement in community development projects. The students at this conference will be challenged to make the world a better place in even small ways: one person can make a difference! Thanks Heather. new england focus 7
”
focusinterview.
T I M
B A R N S L E Y .
“
Tim Barnsley is Armidale’s longest standing press media photographer. Tim has recently returned from Vietnam and is about to exhibit at NERAM. His insightful collection of photos from Vietnam clearly reflect how much he loved the country and its people ...
hen did you first
Natchway, Philip Jones Griffiths, Horst
motorbike licence test.
get behind the
Faas, Greg Marinovich and Eddie Adams.
Describe your favourite shots?
lens? My passion for photography
Most of my work is about people. While
and I find their work fascinating, because
I can appreciate the beauty of landscape
they document the best and worst of
photography, it's not really my thing. I love
began as a 10-year-old, when I started
humanity.
being around and interacting with people
documenting school excursions and family
Tell us about your up and coming
from all walks of life and hearing their
life with a basic Kodak ‘film’ camera in
photography exhibition at NERAM?
stories. That forms the basis of my work,
primary school. I learned how to process
My exhibition at NERAM will open from
which ranges from portraits of a triple
black and white film and paper in a
March 30 - May 6. It is a selling exhibition
amputee, landmine victim who sold books
high school photography class and was
called Chup Anh, which translates
at the War Remnants Museum, to being
instantly drawn to the magic of watching
as "to take a photograph" or "to be
lucky enough to be the only foreign press
an image appear on photographic paper in
photographed". The exhibition is a part
photographer covering the New Zealand
a developing tray under the glow of a red
of a broader collection of work that came
Prime Minister, John Keys' visit to Ho Chi
safe lamp.
about from my time living in Vietnam with
Minh City. Some of my favourite images
my family and reflects how much I loved
from Vietnam will be in my exhibition,
and fine art, and this brought me a
Vietnam and its people. We spent almost
but to pick favourites is like picking your
step closer to becoming a professional
two years living in Ho Chi Minh City
favourite songs – sometimes you love
photographer in the late 1980s and a
(Saigon) and travelled around Vietnam and
different images depending on the mood
photojournalist in 1993, when I began
Cambodia.
or the memories they bring back.
After high school, I studied photography
working for Rural Press (now Fairfax
My wife was working at an international
Have you won awards? I have won several Country Press
Media). I spent 19 years working at
school and while my children were at
newspapers, before moving to Vietnam
school during the day, I was able to
awards, a Save the Children Fund national
in 2009. Since then, I have been
travel around southern Vietnam on
competition, a Sudden Infant Death
shooting images for various newspapers
my motorbike documenting everyday
Syndrome (SIDS) award and a United
and magazines, as well as commercial
life. The traffic is a good metaphor for
Nations' Human Rights Print Media award,
photography for local, national and
life in Vietnam, because while it looks
which raised awareness of the difficulties
international clients.
chaotic, disorganised and dangerous (and
faced by people with disabilities.
What areas of photography do you
sometimes is), there is a pattern and order
Are you available to take photos?
enjoy the most?
that only emerges when you become part
I am currently working as a full-time
of it. I got my motorbike licence, which
freelance photographer, working with
photojournalism, because still images
gave me the ability to slip into the stream
clients that include The Australian, The
capture and preserve moments in time
of 8 million other riders and the freedom
Daily Telegraph, The Age, The Sydney
in ways that moving images cannot.
to see life at street level.
Morning Herald as well as rural businesses,
I have always been drawn to
I find the realism of photojournalism
8 new england focus.
Most of them were war photographers
Despite being a six-foot, slightly
media, schools and government agencies. I love the variety that working as a
captivating, because it captures the beauty
overweight Westerner, I was able to ‘blend
of the mundane and everyday, as well as
in’. A Vietnamese friend, Mr Anh, joked
photographer brings and people can
extreme and unusual events that many
that you could only be a ‘Saigonist’ if
contact me by phone on 0408 674 093 or
people never experience. My favourite
you'd lived in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
via my website: http://timbarnsley.zenfolio.
photographers are Larry Burrows, James
for 12 months and had passed your
com/
AUTUMN/WINTER 2012 UNPACKED ADORNE ANDIAMO BANANA BLUE BLACKSTONE BOO RADLEY B.Y.U CAROLINE SILLS CROCHETTA DU SUD GORDON SMITH HAMMOCK & VINE JIMMY JEANS JUMP LOUNGE MARALYN SEYB MOUSE J MORRISEY NOUVELLE NU OLGA BERG ONE WORLD PIGEONHOLE PING PONG VIGORELLA VILLA MAISON YAYA ZACKET & PLOVER ZAVARUCHI
TURNERS PH: 02 6771 1888
armidale
SHOP 56-59 ARMIDALE PLAZA ON BEARDY ST
ARMIDALE
focusupdate.
Video
1:35
OF THE
MONTH
L k for th
You’ll find it on local businesses’ windows, doors and advertising materials. What does it mean for our community? It means that you are supporting businesses that are actively helping the local community. They are supporting local charities, local schools, local sporting groups and an array of local special interest groups. Did you know? Many local community organisations would not exist if it wasn’t for the generosity of local businesses. Give the businesses with this logo a go. Show your support for the local community by supporting local business. Locals for Locals, keeping the community strong.
VIDEO BY: Neram. ABOUT: Roselli’s designer red Ray Bans have been awaiting a red vintage car. However with that sunny day not coming along, she was willing to bring them out of the case and into the streets of Armidale. Just to catch a bus. This is part of a series called The Occasion Project by Natalija Brunovs. natalija.com.au WATCH AT: www.vimeo.com/33768421
LOCAL
READ
Local Author. Terry Cooke. Title. In & Around Armidale - Contrast and Colour The production of this coffee table book was prompted by Terry Cooke, with several people commenting to him that they would like to have something with a local flavour to give as a gift to friends or colleagues leaving Armidale to live elsewhere. The images in this book have been collected over many years and chosen for both their artistic appeal and their ability to reflect something of the character of Armidale and its surrounds. This is a limited edition, produced to gauge interest in such a publication. AVAILABLE AT: Armidale Art Gallery or by phoning 0417 675 613 or email tcooke@northnet.com.au
Let us help promote your local book or music album. Info to editor@focusmag.com.au
Image of the month. This shot was taken at the start of the New England Wilderness Walk, from Point Lookout to Thora. Three days of fantastic trekking ahead! Photo by: Alex Pawlow. Camera: Canon 5D MkII and an L Series 24-105 lens.
season.
W H AT ’S I N
PERSIMMON
Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email editor@focusmag.com.au
focusreview.
The T he persimmon persim mmo mon n tr ttree ee is is native nati tive to Japan, China, Burma and the hills and mountains of northern India. It has always been grown widely throughout Asia. The oldest known persimmon tree is located in Okayama, Japan. It is thought to be at least six hundred years old.
by Marie Wall of Bistro On Cinders
local dr p.
The tree is highly decorative, with a semi-weeping T he tre habit, and the foliage is often used by florists in flower h abit, a arrangements. In autumn it’s a blaze of colour – reds, a rrange oranges orange g and yellows – as the foliage changes. The fruit ge grows grow ws to t about the size of an apple, starting out yellow, a orange as it starts to ripen from April. tthen th en n turning tu
Topper’s 2009 Tempranillo
There Th her ere e are a two types of persimmon grown in Australia – astringent and non astringent (or sweet). These days, the as astr str trin in nge g industry is focused mainly on the sweet type, ccommercial comm omme e whereas w wh her erea ea it is very common for astringent persimmon to be grown gro g row w in backyards.
Plenty of gold (& trophies) in this wine’s saddlebags! Tempranillo is a grape from the Basque region of Spain which thrives in the cool climate & deep red basalt soils of Topper’s Mountain, near Tingha.
Astringent persimmons need to be eaten when very soft, As Astr trin ing g whereas w her erea sweet persimmons can be eaten while still crispy, as soon as the skin turns orange.
With its Mediterranean heritage, Tempranillo is also a wonderful food wine – plenty of character with blackcurrants, cloves & spices & nice balance but not so big that it overpowers your food.
A persimmon contains twice the dietary fibre of an apple p rs pe r high levels of many important minerals and antiand an dh oxidants. With the astringent variety, try putting the oxid ripe rip fruit in the freezer. The frozen texture is exactly like sorbet, and it’s delicious. l
Have this Tempranillo with chorizo, spicy duck or a good old barbecued steak – wonderful!
AVAILABLE: Royal Hotel & Red Grapevine in Armidale, on-line at www.toppers.com.au COST: $25 MORE INFO: www.toppers.com.au or Mark on 0411 880 580
10 new england focus.
with Robert Gasparre from Armidale Farmers’ Market
WHERE
The Armidale Farmer’s Market is on the first and third Sunday of every month in Curtis Park. For more information visit www.armidalemarket.com
focusinterview.
AUSTRALIAN
We catch up with local accountant Grahame Sharpe, to find out why his firm is sponsoring AUSTRALIAN YEAR OF THE FARMER
W
hat is your position, and how long have you been with Smith Sharpe & Abbott? I am one of three partners, and I have been with the firm since it commenced in 2002. Who is organising the Australian Year of the Farmer, and what is its purpose? The AYOF is an incorporated charitable body which is run by a board of directors, consultants to the board, of which Smith Sharpe & Abbott are one, and an international public relations firm, PPR international. The original idea was conceived by two of my fellow Councillors of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Mr Geoff Bell and Mr Phil Bruem AM. Over lunch one day, the fellows suggested that it would be a great thing to recognise the amazing work done by our Australian Farmers. I was eager right from that lunch to support the idea one hundred percent. That was two and a half years ago, and since then we have all worked tirelessly to bring that idea into reality. We recognised the need to educate people, particularly our young people, of some really significant facts and the vital role our farmers play in our future. For instance, in 2010 Australian farmers used 7.3% less land then they used in 1950, but they produced 220% more. In fact, Australian wheat and barley production grew by 300% between 1950 and 2010, all from the same or less amount of land. In 1950, one Australian farmer produced enough food for 19 people and now in 2010, one farmer produces enough food for 155 people. The
world’s population is currently approximately 7 billion, and it is estimated by 2050 there will be some 9.3 billion people. Therefore, farmers around the world will need to increase their production by a massive 70% over the next 38 years, all from the same or less agricultural land. Therefore the big question and the message to our people, particularly the young people is, how do our farmers balance feeding the world and achieving sustainable farming practices? Our future is in their hands, and their future is in our hands! Why did Smith Sharpe & Abbott become a sponsor of the Year of the Farmer? I came back from that lunch meeting, spoke with my partners and thankfully, they saw my passion for the project; they equally embraced it and the need to spread the word. Exactly how will your company be involved? Smith Sharpe & Abbott have provided over the last two and a half years, as a part of our sponsorship, all of the financial, taxation and accountancy advice and services. This includes budgets, monthly accounting and preparation of financial statements, preparation of and lodging of Business Activity Statements, and attendance at Board of Directors meeting and any other matters which our expertise is call upon. Our extensive networks also allowed us to engage a Sydney based law firm, on the same basis as us, but to provide legal advice. That firm is Judd Commercial Lawyers. We communicate regularly with that firm when multi-disciplinary matters arise. What percentage of your clientele live
and work on the land? Whatever that number is, it’s not enough! We love working with our farmers; we understand their passion and commitment with the land and its produce! My partners are committed to agriculture as well, and they demonstrate this as they allow me to donate in excess of seven weeks a year on Royal Agricultural Society business. That business is to promote excellence in all forms of agriculture. How is Glenn McGrath involved? As many people may know, Glenn is a country boy, having been born and raised on a 1,200 acre sheep and wheat property near Narromine, NSW. He currently runs sheep and cattle on a 13,000 hectare property north west of Bourke that he acquired some 14 years ago. When we approached Glenn to become an ambassador for the Australian Year of the Farmer, he had no hesitation in accepting the position. It is an honorary position, and we are so proud to have him working with us in getting our message across. He, in many respects, symbolises the skills, the courage and the passion that our Australian farmers have in their commitment to their industry. I must also say that Her Excellency the Governor General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, was equally enthusiastic and supportive when we approached her to be our Patron. Her Excellency and Glenn spoke at our official launch with great passion about our cause and the great work our farmers have done and of the massive challenges they face in the future.
Her Excellency planted a lemon tree at the site of Australia’s first farm, which is now a prominent place at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney. Can you tell us about the ONE COUNTRY Card? Sure; this is one of our fundraising areas. It is a shopping card that when presented at various shopping outlets, the bearer will receive everyday discounts on food, beer, wine, entertainment, travel and lots more. It also doubles as an entry in the Australian Year of the Farmer Sweep. This sweep will run throughout the year, offering cardholders the chance to win a range of exciting prizes from a prize pool valued at over $250,000. The money we raise from this card plus the sale of other merchandise items will provide us with the funds to spread the story of the amazing contribution of Australian farmers to our way of life. The card will cost $25, and funds raised will help us to spread the word. Remember, we must educate people about the growing demand for food and fibre as the world’s population grows and our available agricultural lands remain constant or diminish due to conversion to other uses, or being rendered worthless due to unsustainable agricultural practices and also mining activity. How can people get involved? Visiting our website at www.yearofthefarmer.com.au and following the prompts is the best way, or ring me at Smith Sharpe & Abbott on 6772 0033 and I can help with other contacts. Thanks Grahame. new england focus
11
Ben Mitchell. Architect
12
new england focus focus.
focusinterview.
Armidale has recently inherited a young Architect from Sydney named Ben Mitchell. Ben shares his excitement about his tree change and tells us why he has chosen to raise his family in the country.
T
ell us about your family ... My wife Melissa and I have three kids: Georgia, aged 10; Bayley, aged 8; and Belle, aged 5. Melissa is studying the biomedical science degree at UNE, and I run my own Architecture practice with studios in Sydney and in Armidale. The kids all attend Armidale City Primary School and love the country lifestyle immensely. Our extended families are scattered around the country also and love nothing better than a trip to Armidale to visit the kids and enjoy the relaxed Armidale lifestyle. Where have you moved to Armidale from? We made the move from Mosman in Sydney, which is quite a hectic environment in which to raise a young family – particularly whilst studying a demanding degree and running an Architecture practice. Outside of the annual holiday, very rarely did we get time as a family to take stock. We were also renovating an old cobblers workshop, turning it into a family home and having completed this, we were looking for a
new challenge – one that would be beneficial for us as a family. In Sydney we were both taking on many demanding roles outside of the family unit and in such a fast paced environment, it didn’t leave much room for down time. Here in Armidale, we still live busy lives and take on many professional and personal responsibilities, but are I am often asked able to do so in a much by prospectiveyle of more measured way. I have no staff, which clients what stI practice. What do you like really enables my clients e ur Architect day, to ct te hi rc about living here? to benefit from knowing A an As at any Well, primarily we that when they engage I don’t believe th opriate one ‘style’ is apprer like the people here. me as their Architect, I to use as a rubb The pace of life is also will personally be with . stamp per se more sustainable I think, them every step of the way. compared to where we The process of designing for have come from. It seems to a client requires a high level of me that communication with the personal interaction, so the structure people around you, particularly your own family of my practice works well in this regard. My members, is just that much easier here. practice works across all sectors of the built Melissa and I can have breakfast with the environment, from retail to commercial, though kids, walk to school with them and then grab it specialises in residential projects. a coffee together before we go about our daily I am often asked by prospective clients what business. Oh ... and boy do the lads at the style of Architecture I practice. As an Architect Goldfish Bowl make an amazing coffee! It has today, I don’t believe that any one ‘style’ is become somewhat of a daily ritual. Armidale appropriate to use as a rubber stamp per se. really has been a great catalyst for our quality of Rather, I practice with solid and proven design life as a family. principles that result in excellent buildings, both How does our town compare to Sydney? in appearance and in performance. Armidale obviously has a much smaller Every project is unique and deserves a population than Sydney; however, the carefully considered architectural response, richness of spirit in the people here makes this whether it be an addition to a heritage listed community special. People have the time, or dwelling on a town block, or a new homestead should I say give you their time graciously, and on a large estate. that is so important. The practice takes on projects of all sizes and It’s not easy relocating a young family from budgets, with projects currently on the drawing the comforts of a familiar environment to a board ranging from 20 thousand to 2 million new town, but the community here has made dollars. Fee structures are obviously tailored to the transition a really humbling and rewarding suit the project budget, and each and every experience. I think what really sets Armidale project is given equal consideration. apart from Sydney is that when you do business What are your personal interests? with people here, you inevitably make a friend. I’m quite fortunate in that my personal I love that. interests sleeve nicely with my professional Tell us about Studio Mitchell Architecture? ones. I love to design furniture, and often my By choice, my Architecture practice is small. professional clients will end up with pieces I
have designed in their homes or retail spaces. I studied a design degree at Sydney University before going onto the Architecture degree, and the two disciplines are actually quite closely related. Outside of design and Architecture, I am very interested in music; although I cannot play an instrument, I am fascinated by the process of its arrangement. I also love to ski and to surf. Where do you gain your inspiration from? Since moving here, I have met many extremely talented people applying themselves to endeavours they are truly passionate about. Endeavours that are socially, culturally and environmentally responsible ... that is inspiring. I also draw inspiration from my family, my wife Melissa in particular, who is an amazing mother, wife and above all, woman in her own right. Our kids just make me smile, as they are all about the fun – and that is such an important reminder. As responsible adults, we forget how to just have fun and enjoy what we have sometimes. Immediate plans for the future? As a family, we have decided to permanently base ourselves here in Armidale, and we are really looking forward to schooling our kids here and making lots of new friends along the way. As an Architect, my immediate focus is to introduce myself to the community in a professional capacity. I am focused on building lasting client relationships in the New England region by engaging in open dialogue and offering a highly informed and competitive professional service across all sectors of the built environment. Thanks Ben. new england focus 13
14 new england focus focus.
focusinterview.
Topper’s
Mountain Mark Kirkby invites you to Topper’s Mountain for a long, lazy degustation lunch, with Seamus O’Brien, chef from the American Club in Sydney, serving up a feast.
W
here is your Estate, and how long have you owned it? Topper’s Mountain is a rare piece of land about 5 km north of Tingha. We’ve only been here twelve years, so haven’t got a sign yet – but all things in good time! I first became involved with Topper’s via a family partnership and some friends, Peter and Jenni Birch, in late 1998. There have been a couple of changes among the partners since, until my family and I became the sole owners in 2010. What is your history in the wine industry? The partnership bought Topper’s initially because it is such spectacularly good horticultural land, without a specific plan to plant a vineyard. In late 2000, the partners approached me to see if I would accept the task to plant and develop a vineyard – which I did with excitement and some trepidation. The trepidation arose from the fact that I’d had another hat on for thirteen years – that of a mechanical engineer in a family engineering business in Sydney. I have always been closely involved with the land, but this background was in broadacre dryland and irrigated farming at Moree, not viticulture. So I packed myself off to a viticulture certificate course at Kurri Kurri TAFE in 2001. Since then, I’ve continued to attend viticultural field days and courses to try to learn from those with much more experience and wisdom than me. However, viticulture and winemaking are a very subtle blend of black art and hard science – the science bit comes pretty easily to me with my agricultural and engineering background, but the black art bit is much more difficult. Tell us about Topper’s Mountain and its climate ... As I said earlier, Topper’s is a piece of fantastically good viticultural land and very picturesque to boot – a basalt cap of about 150 ha in a sea of granite. At an altitude of 900 m, Topper’s is one of the few high altitude, cool-climate vineyards in Australia planted on beautiful, free-draining, deep, red basalt soils. Vines love this soil, because they never get water-logged and they have a massive soil volume to feed from and spread their roots
through. Surprisingly, while the soil is very deep, it doesn’t store much water – which keeps vine vigour at reasonable levels, helping to maximise grape quality. We are on the western edge of the New England Plateau, which drops off quickly towards Inverell and beyond. While only about 18 km away as the crow flies, Topper’s is more that 300 m (1,000 ft) higher than Inverell. This location on the western edge of the plateau lends Topper’s a climate with significantly more sun and less mist and drizzle than is experienced closer to the top of the plateau along the New England Highway, where there is much more coastal influence from easterly winds. This climate, with long, clear days and shorter (but often intense) rain events leads to less fungal diseases in the vines – which At an altitude of is makes my life a bit easier and 0 90 m, Topper’s gh hi w fe e one of th increases wine quality. ate altitude, cool-clim Who makes Topper’s lia ra st Au in s rd vineya , ul tif au Mountain Wines, and what planted on be ep, de , ng ni ai is his philosophy? free-dr deal of cold soaking in red basalt soils. Our vision is to make special red winemaking delivers wines that talk of where they wonderful natural fruit came from: their terroir at Topper’s tannins, and thus no addition Mountain. Our wines are all Single of tannin is necessary with most Estate wines, which means that only grapes wines. We winemakers merely guide the grown at Topper’s are used to make the wine fermentation, and we do well to remember that which eventually fills the bottles of our brands. the yeasts are the real winemakers. Our wines are made by Mike Hayes, Tell us about the Topper’s Mountain Long, the winemaker at Symphony Hill Wines in High Lunch ... the Granite Belt. I know just enough to be On Sunday 15 April starting at noon, we’re dangerous, so when we plan wines and styles, holding a celebration of the 2012 vintage in the luckily Mike’s vast experience from all over garden at Topper’s. The fare will be a long, lazy Australia’s wine regions and his feel for the degustation lunch at the Long Table at altitude subtle dance of nature that coaxes the soil, the with Seamus O’Brien, Chef from the American climate, the fruit and the yeasts to co-operate Club in Sydney looking after us. Guests will be towards the wine in the bottle, keeps our vision the first to taste our new release 2010 reds and on track. In Mike’s words: 2011 whites matched with Seamus’ small and My philosophy is to express the terroir of the delicious plates of local produce. vineyard and not the barrel maker from the The guest speaker will be the renowned south of France. I feel that great wine comes Master of Wines, Rob Geddes. Before lunch, from great vineyards, not great winemakers. we’ll have a ramble though the vineyard with Also, I feel that to capture the flavour of the Rob, winemaker Mike Hayes and me leading the earth and express it in the bottle is a far greater debate about terroir, climate and whether or not challenge than manufacturing wine in the lab. it is important in modern wines. The catch is that I believe in wild yeast ferments that build there are only 62 seats at the Long Table! funky nuances within the flavour profile and in Do you network with other New England little interference during fermentation. A great wineries?
Yes, constantly. New England is a young region and the wine industry is very open; we talk a lot among ourselves and often help each other out. A good example is the Three Amigos Partnership, including Shaun Cassidy of Merilba Estate, Peter Zappa of Zappa Wines and myself. We bought a grape harvester to share, because it is more cost effective for us all. Plans for the future? The current wine grape glut has been making things difficult for the last 4 - 5 years and will probably continue to do so for another 3 - 5 years. The amounts of previously export wines that are now being dumped in the domestic market because the sky high $A is making them uncompetitive in the UK, Europe and the US is mind boggling. This is pushing down prices across the board, made worse by the market dominance of ‘Colesworth’. In this climate, my focus is on marketing: to build our Top 100 Wine Club, to get our wines listed in a few of the best local restaurants and a few bottle shops and the best top end restaurants in both Sydney and Brisbane. Oh, and to have some fun along the way – hence the Topper’s Mountain Long, High Lunch – come along and join us! Thanks Mark. new england focus 15
W H AT ’ S O N A R O U N D T H E R E G I O N / / A P R I L 2 0 1 2
what’s Fighting poverty through education
Armidale miida dale le B Bow Bowling ow owl wli ling ling ng Club C Cllu lub Bowling lub Bowlin Bowl ingg undraiser Afternoon Fundraiser Afternoon All money raised goes towards Amy Barnden’s program fee to volunteer at an orphanage in Kenya for 4 months, commencing June 2012. $20 per person includes, bowling. BBQ lunch & prizes When Sunday April 1 @ 12.30pm. Where Armidale Bowling Club. Contact 0439 060 011.
14
Armidale Youth Orchestras’ Garden Party Celebrate with music and lunch at the Armidale Youth Orchestras' Garden Party. The orchestras bring dedicated primary school, secondary school and university students together with professional conductors and tutors. When Sunday 1 April at 10.30 for 11am. Where: Garden of Rosemary Leitch (South Hill, Armidale). Contact: 6772 7203.
16 new england focus.
4
Kim Saville is Deputy Director. With local Gemma Sisia (nee Rice), she has made a difference to thousands of lives in Africa throughout their establishment of the school. Come along and hear their story and be inspired, whether y ou ar e y oung or ol d. Drinks and nibbles afterwards. When Wednesday, April 4. Where NECOM Auditorium. Contact Lynda on 0413 084 567.
21 Uralla Food and Wine W Festival
The next First Saturday chats will be between 10am and 1pm on Saturday 14 April 2012 and will be hosted by Sara Abboud (Solicitor).
One of the festival's highlights is The Trail, which is being held as a fundraiser for NERAM. It will provide rare access to some of the area's earliest gardens, including those at Palmerston, Mihi Station and Gostwyck Station.
When 10am to 1pm; Saturday 14 April. Where Legal Minds, Beardy St Mall. Contact 1300 642 166.
When Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22, 2012. Where Across the township of Uralla. Contact 6778 4496.
First Saturday chats
focusinterview.
The Armidale Drama & Musical Society
the hatpin.
present
“When you’re left with nothing, you try and hold on to everything.” ith a tale that will linger with to ADMS musicals include Mollie Galvin, Jodie you for a lifetime, the ArmiPerry and Anita Brown as young mothers who dale Drama & Musical Society share Amber’s plight. The tight cast of twenty presents The Hatpin, a comsix includes a number of ADMS newcomers, pelling new Australian musical of great friendsuch as Ziggy Harris and Andrew Trestrail, ship borne out of tragedy. It is a dramatic combined with well-known performers such thriller that deals with notions of motherhood as Stuart Pavel as the Judge, Waine Grafton as and companionship under extraordinary presWilliamson the cold hearted attorney and Will sure and self-liberty. Schmidt as Constable Joyce. The male and The Hatpin premiered in Sydney in 2008 female ensemble play a number of supporting and later New York and is based on the true roles and form a haunting and mocking Greek story of Amber Murray, an 18 year old singlechorus throughout the show. The evocative mother who lived in Redfern in 1892. In an musical score captures the flavour of the time, era where employment and health with the moment and the tale and as support for single mothers was ever is under the expert direction scarce and financial support of Bruce Menzies and Assistant The Hatpin non-existent, Murray, like Musical Director and pianist, dney premiered in Sy many young mothers Robyn Bradley. Costume r in 2008 and ladteis in the same position, design under the craft of an New York ue tr e th on was faced with the Deborah Hunter reflects the d base story of Amber old unthinkable choice of darkness and harshness of ar Murray, an 18 ye advertising the care of the period and matches the ho single-mother w in her baby to save his life. breathtaking set comprised n lived in Redfer ... Professional child-minders of twisted catwalks, stairs and 1892 answered the advertisement cold, dirty drab housing that and would take a payment each comes to life under the expert set week from the desperate mothers of design and construction led by Pat Bradley, these children in return for their service of Gordon Cope and Colin Barry. care. Using moral support she gains from her Opening night is Friday 11 May. You won’t friendship with the free spirited Harriet Piper, want to miss the story of The Hatpin and Amber fights the injustices of circumstance its multi-layered characters who take centre and tragedy to find hope and strength. stage – and what a story it is! It will give you The case of Amber Murray and her son led chills that stay long after the performers have to great reforms for the plight of the single taken their final bow. Poignant and stunning, mother and was considered influential in this acclaimed musical drama will leave you ... bringing about awareness in Australian society breathless. of the need for welfare support and the deThe Hatpin opens from 11 May to 26 May mand for an Australian Child Protection Act. at the Michael Hoskins Centre TAS. The Armidale production is directed by Evenings at 8pm: 11,12,17,18,19, 24, 25 George Torbay with musical direction by Bruce and 26. Matinees at 2pm: 13,19, 20 and 26. Menzies, the team responsible for the previous Story by Warren Bartik sell-out productions of Titanic and Urinetown. Photos by Terry Cooke. With producer Neil Horton, they have brought together a stellar cast that features young the plug! soprano Caroline King as Amber and Carol Elder as Harriet Piper, who befriends Amber Tickets at Dymocks (6771 4558) in her journey for justice. As the evil Makin or online from www.trybooking. family, Greg Balcombe and Emily Stocker with com/ZVX – adults $30, concession her first ADMS role create a wonderfully dark $25, children under 12 $20. Gallery dynamic that introduces Emily Roberts as their seating (restricted view) $15. sharp-eyed daughter Clara. Other newcomers
W
Music by PETER RUTHERFORD GEORGE TORBAY Director
Book & Lyrics by JAMES MILLAR BRUCE MENZIES Music Director
11 - 26 May 2012 Michael Hoskins Centre TAS Evenings at 8pm: 11,12,17,18,19,24,25,26 Matinees at 2pm: 13,19,20,26
Tickets: Dymocks 67714558 OR www.trybooking.com/ZVX new england focus 17
focusinterview.
Optus launched their new range of NBN consumer and small business plans on the weekend with a special preview event held for Armidale Business Chamber members on Friday evening.
Optus.
I
n a true mix of ‘business and pleasure’, more than thirty Chamber members were given ’first look’ at the NBN packages on offer, with experts on hand to show how the packages will meet personal and business requirements. Members were invited to partake in the local Mihi wines and sumptuous Bottega cheese platters by host and Armidale Business Chamber Platinum sponsor, John Welch from Optus. Mr Welch outlined the new services, products and packages available in Armidale in its position as an NBN first release site. Designed to offer great flexibility and value, the new NBN packages make it easier for small businesses to take the leap into the digital world: from establishing an online
18 new england focus.
presence that reaches new customers, to running their applications in the cloud for 24/7 access to business data. Optus has also combined OfficeApps with their NBN offerings for the first time, to give small businesses a competitive edge and help lower their operating costs. The perfect Armidale autumn evening also provided a pleasant stopping point for Andrew Baietta, National Product Marketing Manager for NBN services for Small and Medium Business (SMB) from Optus, who saw the event as the perfect opportunity to meet regional business customers and help them better understand the new network. The NBN packages are supported by Optus’ dedicated SMB customer care, local retail
und NB N N in iinstallation nsttal alla llati lation network and on-the-ground NBN ustomers to their teams to help connect customers service. Optus’ in-store small business specialists are also available to assist customers in choosing a plan that best suits their business needs. Plans include an NBN Wi-Fi modem, providing the convenience of a wireless hotspot in their office to connect a variety of tablet or mobile devices. This is the first of many NBN packages Optus will offer to help small businesses make the most of the NBN to enhance and grow their business. According to Rohan Ganeson, Managing Director for Optus SMB, “The NBN opens the door for small businesses to take advantage of
high speed broadband to do business in n new ew ways and make use of the latest digital tools to be more efficient and competitive. When you consider that 48 per cent of Australian SMBs don’t have a website and only four per cent are using cloud solutions such as web-hosted email, there is a huge opportunity for small businesses to embrace digital technologies.” Elizabeth Egan, CEO of the Armidale Chamber said: “This was a great opportunity for our members to ask the telecommunications questions they needed answered for their own situation and with Optus as our Platinum sponsor, it was an ideal example of how the Chamber tries to link its members with sponsors in a really practical way.”
focusinterview.
T
he ongoing revitalisation of Coffs Harbour’s CBD will receive a significant boost with a multimillion dollar upgrade to Palms
Shopping. Following the upgrade, Palms Shopping will be relaunched under the new name of ‘Coffs Central’. ‘The upgrade works are quite extensive and will transform not just the Centre itself, but the CBD as a whole, to form an exciting hub for food and fashion’ said Julie Smith, the Centre’s Retail Manager. A 450 seat food court with contemporary furnishings will feature an increased array of food offerings with added convenience. The food court will be relocated to the upper level and will overlook Harbour Drive, the City Centre and have distant mountain views through frameless glass. This will provide a central and comfortable space for people to enjoy the growing and vibrant CBD. The improvements to the upper level will also include modern bathrooms and an over sized parent’s room with the latest fittings and fixtures.
our decision to invest in the property. The The former Coles supermarket is being upgrade works will enhance the existing opened along Harbour Drive to create a attributes of the Centre including the number of new prime street-front shops adjacent under cover car park with over and an additional entrance for customers. 1,000 spaces, the prime CBD location and a These new shops will ideally suit al fresco safe and secure environment. café and restaurant operators as well We anticipate that the as boutique fashion retailers who majority of new want to be a part of the CBD e th , ly al rn tenancies and streetscape. Inte g in be is e tr en C upgrade works will Internally, the Centre reconfigured be delivered in is being reconfigured to an e to introduc of ix time for retailers introduce an increased mix m d se increa with a to capture the of specialty stores with a specialty stores,s that fresh retail focuand Christmas trading fresh retail focus that will will add depthCentre’s period and just in add depth and quality to quality to the g. in er time for the Centre’s the Centre’s strong current off current 26th birthday’. offering. With a passion for Palms Shopping joins Port retail, an eye for detail and Central, Kempsey Central and a strong commitment to the midMoonee Beach Shopping Centres as part north coast, Pacific Coast Shopping Centres of Pacific Coast Shopping Centres which is is looking for innovative and like-minded owned by Gowing Bros. Limited. retailers to be part of Coffs Central to create The Managing Director of Pacific Coast a contemporary hub for fashion, food and Shopping Centres, John Gowing says lifestyle conveniently located in the heart of ‘knowing that Coles would be moving Coffs Harbour. into its new premises was a key factor in
There are still opportunities in a number of categories for new and established businesses to be a part of this exciting development.
COFFS CENTRAL COMING SOON BE PART OF IT Stephen Byers m. 0418 603 461 e. sbuyers@gowings.com Danae Leeson m. 0428 468 008 e. dleeson@gowings.com
new england focus 19
focuseditorial.
... the sixth New England Bach Festival. eep 3 - 6 May ’12 free for the New England Bach Festival. Four days of the best of Baroque music and more. This year’s festival features the incredibly popular Australian Baroque Brass (pictured) who have wowed audiences in the previous three festivals; a reprise of the Armidale Organ Crawl with Jan-Piet Knijff, Warwick Dunham, Terrence Hays and friends; Austral Harmony, which includes UK based Baroque oboist Jane Downer; Brisbane Baroque specialists Alchemy; brilliant cellist Louise King; harpsichordist Peter Hagen; and young Brisbane trio Terzina, which includes former Armidalian Camilla Tafra; Lucid Dance Theatre will bring their acclaimed Dancing with Bach; and we will also have late night Bach Jazz and Minimalist Meditations, which will include new works specially written for the event by Steve Thorneycroft and Benjamin Thorn; as well as our traditional free performance of the Coffee Cantata in Hanna’s Arcade and the festival evensong.
the plug!
Tickets are available from all New England Mutual branches and the Armidale Visitor Information Centre (who accept credit cards). Great value season tickets are available. Further information available on www.nebachfestival.com or 6772 5889.
focuseditorial.
outside the
You’re invited to the ‘Arthouse One’ open day.
ost FOCUS readers will remember the feature published on the completion of Kylie Mitchell’s Arthouse One. It’s the white house with the red and black polka dots (situated in Butler Street, Armidale). Kylie is about to have an OPEN HOUSE month. From March 30 to April 28, she will open the doors to the public for a couple of hours each Saturday and Tuesday. A lot of people are intrigued with the creation of Arthouse 1, as it is something never seen before. If you have been dying to see inside, just call around on any Saturday during April from 10am - 4pm or any Tuesday between 2pm to 5pm.
M
20 new england focus.
For more information, please call Kylie on 0407 126 659.
focus on neram
focuseditorial.
Network Employment & Training Solutions. ost Armidalians have probably heard of Mosman’s Bay, the famous 1894 painting by Tom Roberts that’s often talked about as the crowning glory of the New England Regional Art Museum’s permanent collections. What’s not as widely known is that NERAM is also home to many other important works of Australian art that are often on display in various exhibitions throughout the year. In fact, with over 4,500 works, the sheer size and quality of the permanent collections, which include the Howard Hinton, Chandler Coventry and NERAM collections, make this art museum unique and enviable among regional galleries in New South Wales. In the Howard Hinton Collection, for instance, where the above-mentioned Roberts’ painting belongs, there are also an impressive number of notable artworks by the likes of Elioth Gruner, Margaret Preston, Lloyd Rees and Arthur Streeton, to name a few of the better known artists. “Hinton collected modest scale works dating from 1880 to 1948, and many of them are of the same high quality as the larger works by these artists found in the major metropolitan galleries,” says local artist and NERAM Board member Ross Laurie, who almost every week can be spied in NERAM’s galleries with students from his popular art classes, held downstairs in the Packsaddle Studio, in tow. “Another important feature of this collection is that Hinton acquired paintings across the genres of landscape, portrait and still life. So works by most of the best
Australian painters of the time are in the collection,” he says. Elioth Gruner’s Winter’s Afternoon in Bellingen (1937), Margaret Coen’s September Flowers (1940) and Adrian Feint’s From a Country Garden (1943) are among the standout works from the Hinton Collection currently on display in the Museum’s Lalor Harris gallery. They’re hanging in a colourful exhibition called Seasonal Fare From the Permanent Collection, which runs util 6 May 2012. The Gruner work, Laurie says is one he particularly likes to bring his students to see, because it so perfectly illustrates techniques he teaches. All year round, NERAM offers visitors a behind-the scenes Storeroom Tour (bookings essential). The great thing about this tour is that in the company of a knowledgeable guide, you get to explore all the gems of the permanent collections that are not currently hanging on the walls. Swing by NERAM this month to view all the latest exhibitions and to catch the marvellous Hinton works in the Seasonal Fare show before it closes on 6 May. NERAM Storeroom Tours: bookings essential, phone 6772 5255. Cost $11 per person.
more info. NERAM hours: Tues – Fri, 10am to 5pm; Sat and Sun,10am to 4pm. Phone: 6772 5255 For more info www.neram.com.au Harvest Café is open Wed to Sun from 10am to 3pm. Phone: 6771 2907
Supporting people with barriers to employment to secure sustainable employment. etwork Employment & Training the hardware industry. Solutions (NETS), a division of The Sara – has learning difficulties, but is Ascent Group, supports people determined to overcome those barriers and with disability, injury or other find employment. In the past year, NETS has barriers to employment, as well as employers supported Sara to complete a Certificate III in the region: helping people find meaningful, in Aged Care, and more recently, a First Aid sustainable employment in our communities. course, with ongoing support on a fortnightly NETS actively builds relationships with basis. NETS assisted Sara to find casual employers to ensure successful employment with SOS Home Nursing. job matching. The following A family member who worked in stories are from people aged care inspired Sara to seek d an Both Robert one who are keen to find employment supporting aged at th ed at st Sara gains employment and people and those with disability. of the biggest go ing from their onwith become productive and She has become an inspiration p hi ns relatio ed independent members of to her family and friends and NETS was regae.in self confidenc our community: hopes to find full-time work in Robert – is a keen, the near future. energetic job seeker who has Both Robert and Sara stated that experienced work related injuries one of the biggest gains from their and knows how hard it is to get back ongoing relationship with NETS was regained into the workplace. He has been accessing self confidence. Both Sara and Robert have NETS for more than 6 years and is thrilled positive outlooks and continue to look forward by the ongoing support. In the past 2 years, to a brighter future, knowing the support will Robert became eligible for funding via the be available from NETS when needed. Employment Assistance Scheme (having an NETS can help you too, either as a job ABN and working a minimum of 20hrs/wk), seeker or as an employer requiring skilled staff which can provide equipment enabling people whom NETS will support in the workplace. to return to work. NETS arranged a trailer to contact info. be purchased with hydraulic lift and ramps, as well as a pneumatic bucket seat to absorb Contact your local New shock to his back. Result: Robert is keen to England NETS Office: drive loads for prospective employers and has Armidale on 6772 5904 no difficulty unloading the trailer now! He has Glen Innes on 6732 4020 worked loading livestock, mowers and green Inverell on 6722 5900 waste and has good product knowledge of
N
focuseditorial.
Home for sale by Dave Perryman. Looking for Blocks of Land For Sale or a Land and House Package? Situated in a quiet Cul De Sac in Bill Walson Court on North Hill Armidale, developed only 3 years ago. The blocks can be brought separately. They do come with council approved plans. The plans are for 3 bedroom homes, so can be built on immedialely. Geoff Perryman helped design the plans with his father Dave to suit the blocks and only too willing to build these houses. Both these plans include large main bedroom
also with ensuite and another bathroom also with large kitchen, dining and lounge rooms and double garage. Both house plans have been designed to take in the northern sun almost all the day in the winter. It is one of the choice spots in Armidale. Interested people can contact Dave Perryman on 0402154560 or Armidale Realty or Armidale Professional. new england focus 21
New England
Beef Stirfry Hofun from Wonder Chinese Restaurant.
eat. Dining Guide is now available on the App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 22 new england focus.
eat.
Red Grapevine
Wonder Chinese Restaurant
Red Grapevine – a warm and welcoming environment with well informed and friendly staff, which caters for those who want to experience a three-course meal, to others who prefer to just share a pizza.
At Wonder Chinese Restaurant, you can enjoy sizzling meats, steamed and braised vegetables and all the favourites: spring rolls, special fried rice, dim sims, delicious noodles and rice dishes and much more, prepared with traditional Chinese-style cooking from experienced chefs. Guests can dine in (licensed), or choose from our takeaway menu.
The menu is simple, fresh and produce driven, with a range of modern entrees and mains. Or choose from the wide range of pasta, risotto or homemade potato gnocchi, or the chef’s speciality – traditional hand stretched thin crust pizza, made with fresh top quality ingredients. The homemade desserts are also excellent.
Owners Brian & Natalie Powles.
Fully licensed, with fantastic cocktails and boutique wines.
Be sure to check out our Super Saving Takeaway Value Packs! Wonder Chinese Restaurant serves delicious Chinese food. We can also provide gluten free dishes. Phone orders welcome. There are plenty of specials available for delivery, Chinese takeaway or dine in.
Owners Kwan and Ching Sue.
Shop 3/111 Dangar Street, Armidale t 6772 8388 w www.thewonder.com.au
113 Jessie St Armidale t 6772 2822 w www.redgrapevine.com.au U HG
open Lunch: Mon - Fri 12-2. Dinner: Sun - Thurs 5-9 and Fri - Sat 5-10
open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm
Drew’s Seafood The freshest seafood in town. Your only locally owned and operated seafood business in New England. Established over 35 years ago. Easter Deliveries Dates 2012. Guyra: Wednesday 4 April 3.30pm - 6pm Armidale: Thursday 5 April 9am - 6pm Walcha: Good Friday 6 April 8am - 11am Uralla: Good Friday 6 April 11.30am - 1.30pm
Owner Wayne Sauer.
Deliveries throughout New England t 6775 2273 m 0428 427 305
new england focus 23
Sleek has monthly specials.
Sleek Hairdressing What is your position at Sleek, and how long have you been hairdressing? I am the manager and senior Stylist at Sleek Hair Studio, and have been hairdressing for 13 years now. Tell us about your team? Currently I have Danielle Campbell as full-time staff; she is fully qualified and has been hairdressing for 7 years. Danielle spent 2 of those years hairdressing at the Gold Coast. Both Danielle and I keep up We have top of ge with all the latest courses e th range massa lly fu e ar at chairs th and trends. We have at th r fo le ab st ju ad just come back from an ampoo pleasurable shsa ge. intensive NAK colour as and scalp m course in Brisbane, where balayage technique was a hot new look. How have things improved in your salon since your revamp one year ago? The salon is more ergonomic, modern, brighter, and overall, stress free. We have made it our top priority that the client’s comforts and needs are met. We have top of the range massage chairs that are fully adjustable for that pleasurable shampoo and scalp massage. Business is busy, with a new influx of students
to UNE this year, as well as international students, regular staff and town clients.
Sleek Hair Studio is situated in The Arcade at the University of New England, adjacent to Campus Essentials.
Sleek not only caters for UNE students, but for anyone and everyone, so all are welcome. Sleek has monthly specials, so friend us on Facebook or watch the front specials board for awesome discounts! Final word? This month’s special is eyebrow wax and eyelash tint: $20.
‘the arcade’ @ UNE P: 6773 2461 www.sleekhair.com.au
24 new england focus.
Newling Gardens provides elegant, spacious and low maintenance homes with well appointed kitchens including Miele cookware appliances and stone bench tops. A highlight feature is the northerly sunroom overlooking beau fully maintained gardens which oer a lot of light and a good ven la on flow.
Care has been taken to ensure privacy is maintained across all homes. Newling Gardens residents have the choice to be as private or as social as they would like. If you are in the mood for a get together, we have a number of recrea onal ac vi es planned or simply enjoy the serenity of the professionally
landscaped gardens. We have a func on room, indoor heated swimming pool and gym also for your enjoyment. Situated only minutes walk away from the CBD allowing residents to stroll into town to take pleasure and par cipate in everything beau ful Armidale has to oer.
Stage 1 - Sold Out, Stage 2 - Only 2 Homes left Stage 3 - now available
new england focus
25
focusonweddings.
Destiny brought Adam and Trisha together, and they recently celebrated their special day.
feature
Adam Taggart and Trisha Heagney tie the knot
26 new england focus.
ell us about your upbringing in and started working. So once we moved to Emerald Uralla. 6 months ago, the planning began. Being somewhat Adam and I both grew up in Uralla; remote, I did quite a bit of planning online and also however, our paths did not cross until liaised with people over the phone. We also had a lot about 7 years ago. Adam grew up in town, the of help from both our families. middle of three boys. He went to Uralla Central Tell us about the local businesses that helped for several years, before completing high school in make your wedding day perfect. Armidale. I am the second eldest of four girls and McCrossins Mill and their staff were the main grew up on a property just outside Uralla. My sisters people who made the day what it was. McCrossins and I all attended St Joseph’s School, Uralla, before Mill is the perfect place for a function, and Annie attending high school in Armidale. Our son Brodie Mayo and Annie Edwards were so relaxed about also spent the first 4 and a half years of his everything. We wanted a very casual, nonlife growing up in Urallla. formal event, and they helped create Adam worked locally for many this. The bridesmaids and I all had our years, while I studied at university, hair beautifully done by Nicole and “Adam and I first met through a mutual friend graduating last year. Not long Pheobe at Solo Hair Design. Julie and then discovered we after graduating from university, from Angelic Beauty was wonderful, had quite a few friends I was fortunate enough to giving us a very natural look for our in common. Things just gain a traineeship with NAB makeup. Kate Hedges provided the grew from there.” Agribusiness in Toowoomba. bouquets for the ladies and button However, this meant living away holes for the men. Her roses were from home for four months. I then perfect and fitted in with the ‘yellow’ gained full-time employment in Emerald, theme perfectly. Central Queensland. We have been living in What was the highlight of the day? Emerald for 6 months now, with Adam working in a The reception was the best part of the day, from local mine, Brodie attending prep and myself working start to finish. We wanted a very casual reception, for NAB. where all the guests were free to talk, dance and eat How did you and Adam first meet? all night, so we provided canapés and finger food Adam and I first met through a mutual friend all night, with no sit down meal. Guests were able and then discovered we had quite a few friends in to move from the verandah out the front, to the common. Things just grew from there. The last 7 years beautifully lit function room and out to the superb have had their challenges, particularly with Brodie garden out the back. It was just a nice change from being born 16 weeks early. However, Brodie has the formality of some weddings. now overcome all his health issues and is now a very Plans for the future ... strong, healthy and active boy. Short-term, Adam and I plan to become established How did you plan your special day? in our respective careers. From there, we will see We had a very long engagement, with Adam where opportunity may take us. As for Brodie, he will proposing almost 4 years ago; however, I wanted to continue to attend his new school, make many friends wait and get married once I had finished university and play all the sports you could possibly imagine.
The marriage of Dean Fleming and Kylie Mitchell ow long have you and your groom Dean been a couple? Dean and I have been together for 5 years now. Describe Dean’s proposal and your engagement ring ... Dean’s proposal was the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me. We were heading to Sydney early last year so Dean could attend residential school for university and about two weeks beforehand, I received a hand addressed envelope in the mail. Inside was an invitation to accompany Dean on a day of adventure, dining and theatre in Sydney. The invitation had an itinerary for a full day’s activities – including a Harley Davidson Motorcycle Tour, ferry rides (I love ferries) and lunch at Doyles. On top of that, he had managed to get bookings in three of Sydney’s top
restaurants and had included links on the invitation to each restaurant’s menus so that I could pick the one I liked best, and then he cancelled the other two. After an amazing day that started at breakfast and finished with dinner at Neil Perry’s Rockpool and a comedy act at the Opera House, Dean took me outside the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background and proposed ... at which point, he produced the most amazing ring! He had gotten together with one of my sisters and had it custom made for me. It contains 55 diamonds set in white and yellow gold, the yellow gold having been mined at Uralla. Why did you choose to marry at Booloominbah, and why a breakfast wedding? We both wanted an outdoor casual wedding. I wanted a beautiful old building and Dean has a lot of ties with the UNE, so Booloomimbah was the first place we investigated. They offered everything we needed, so we booked it and didn’t even bother looking at other places, as it just felt like the right place. We opted for a morning wedding for a coupe of reasons. Firstly, neither of us wanted to wait around all day, getting more and more nervous, for it to happen. So we thought: get it done early and enjoy the rest of the day. Secondly, we both dislike how you never get to spend time with your guests at weddings. So a morning wedding gave us the opportunity to have an afternoon tea the same day and spend some more
relaxed time with our friends and family. Naturally, we still didn’t get to spend as much time with everyone as we would have liked, but it was much better then it would have been otherwise. Did Dean contribute any special touches to your ceremony? Dean was particularly involved with the breakfast organisation; he found the two readings for the ceremony, shopped for the food and drinks for the afternoon tea and organised the music and for his sister and brother-in-law to Skype into the wedding from Scotland. What did you like most about your wedding? I like that everyone seemed to feel relaxed and enjoyed the way we chose to do things, despite the odd humorous remark that 8.30am is a ridiculous time for a wedding! I liked that the ceremony was done early, so that we could enjoy the rest of the day and spend more time with the people we love. Where did you honeymoon? Our honeymoon was fabulous! We spent 3½ weeks in south-east Asia. Most of that time was spent in Vietnam and Cambodia, with brief stints in Singapore, Bangkok and Bintan Island. Three nights in Sydney were thrown in for good measure. We were away for 4 weeks in total. We had the most wonderful adventure! We joined tour groups for most of it, so that we could just show up and enjoy ourselves without the hassle that can be involved in travelling on your own in countries you’ve never been to. We would recommend to anyone who hasn’t been there to put it on the wish list!
feature
focusonweddings. focusonopera.
Yaraandoo Weddings How does the idea of the getting married in front of a backdrop of spectacular gorge and escarpment behind you sound? How about Ebor Falls cascading in the background as you take your vows, or the enchantment of being in a tunnel of Artic Beech forest at New England National Park? The backdrops and stunning locations adjoining Yaraandoo are endless, as are the reception options. When you get married at Yaraandoo, you don’t have to leave your reception after 4 hours; you actually have use of the establishment for at least 48 hours. Your guests can enjoy the facility, including its guided walks, wonderful swimming hole, fantastic trout streams and outside campfire area, as well as adjoining National Parks. Your guests can relax, have a few drinks at the reception and not worry about having to drive to their accommodation; everything is provided for them on site. We have the complete accommodation range to suit every budget and individual needs. Our wedding gift to you includes a night at the quaint Moffat Falls Cottage, with its wood fire and spectacular mountain scenery and waterfalls. Moffat Falls Cottage is only 5 km away, so you can drive back the next morning to open presents or have a relaxing brunch with your family and friends.
new england focus 27
focusYouthWeek.
This year Armidale and Guyra and Uralla are linking together to provide a full list of activities for the youth of our region in celebration of Youth Week!
Y
outh Week will run from 13 to the 22 April and is aimed at providing young people with a place and opportunity to experience their community and showcase the positives young people bring. Armidale will commence Youth Week Celebrations with a free BBQ day hosted by Pathfinders at the Armidale Skate Park on Saturday 14 April from 11am until 2pm. There will be giveaways and information on services working with and for young people in our community. As with the last two years, the Armidale Youth Council will run a local Armidale LOGO Competition, the Photography Competition and the Youth Awards. The Youth Awards are aimed at celebrating the individual accomplishments of youth in our community. There are no categories – you tell us why the young person deserves to be recognised by our community! The presentation of the Youth Awards will be held at the Armidale Town Hall on Wednesday 18 April from 5.30pm. There will also be on show services working with and for young people, the photographic competition entries and the winning entries to the logo design competition. It is really the highlight of the Armidale Youth Week calendar. Armidale Youth Services will also be looking to open their doors to highlight to young
28 new england focus.
people and their families the types of services available to youth in our community. In addition, we are embracing the Youth Week Scavenger hunt idea from Uralla that ran an extremely successful scavenger hunt last year. Uralla coordinator, Jo Fletcher, said: “The scavenger hunt was a great way for young people to get involved, in their own way in their own time. There will be It also meant some giveaways and information onng people had to research services worki ung things about their local with and for yo community.” people in our In addition to the community. Friday 20 April with a Blue scavenger hunt, Uralla Light disco at the PCYC. The will be offering a number junior disco will run from 5.30 of activities for young people. - 7.30pm and the senior disco for Youth will be able to find out all high school aged children will run from 8.30 the information about what is happening in e - 10.30pm. The Blue Light is a police initiative Uralla from the Uralla Neighbourhood Centre. and is strictly drug and alcohol free. Tickets Guyra is looking to kick off Youth week for the Blue Light can be purchased from the with a celebration on Friday the 13th with Armidale Police Station. a scary movie themed movie night, but the For a full list of activities being run, go highlight of the Youth Week calendar in to www.armidale.nsw.gov.au which has a Guyra is an activity, fun day and fair at the timetable and links to other websites where skate park to be held on Saturday 21 April. activities are being hosted. You can also get For a full list of activities happening in Guyra, information by visiting the NSW Youth Week people should contact the Hub. web site at www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au Armidale Youth Week will conclude on
Ridley. Meet Jim Ridley: here is a young ‘man in business’ who has literally used his muscle to raise thousands of dollars for charity.
T
ell us about your family and your upbringing? I grew up in a fairly regular Australian household near Barraba with 2 younger siblings. We lived out of town, so got up to the usual stuff kids do in the bush: catching yabbies, mustering stock, riding motorbikes. It was here in Armidale at UNE where I was studying commerce that I met my lovely wife, Jodie. We have been together for 15 years and married for 8. We have a beautiful little girl who turns 4 this year. I am very family oriented and love nothing more than spending time with them. What inspired you to become interested in physical fitness? Having been around the industry for a while, you always seem to hear the answer “Oh, I’ve always been active”. Yes, at school I played footy, golf and cricket, but after school I began to stack on the weight. I did not really play sport for about 7 or 8 years. Over that time, I went from a fairly lightweight teenager to a hefty twenty something. It was in 2003 that I saw a photo of myself that had been taken at New Year’s, and Jodie could not get her arms around me. I had gone from lightweight to quite a bit over the 100 kg mark. Trying different ways to shed the weight and sometimes getting it completely wrong led me to study for my Cert 4 in fitness. In the end, I had dropped almost 30 kilos and I thought, “If I can do this, surely I can help others to do the same!” What qualifications do you have? Not fitness related, I hold a Bachelor of Commerce, and fitness wise I have a Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness, I am registered with Physical Activity Australia and am a CrossFit level 1 certified trainer, and we have also recently gone from that to become a CrossFit affiliate. I am also on my way to becoming accredited in the nationally recognised nutrition program Metabolic Precision, enabling us to actually
help clients with full nutrition programs. You run Gym Ridz Personal Training? Gym Ridz came into existence in October 2009. It started out with me, a ute and some witches hats. But I was involved in a car accident in September 2010 that rendered my mobile business immobile for 6 weeks. It was then that I decided I needed a base. So I began looking for the perfect facility. I was after something that I wished was around when I was trying to lose weight. I’ll admit I was embarrassed to step into a gym; I thought everyone there would stop and look at I saw at me when I walked in It was in 2003 th had at th f when I was at my heaviest. a photo of mysel Year’s, w Ne at n been take So I set about finding an not get her and Jodie could area to set up as a private I had gone e. m nd arms arou quite a to t personal training studio. the nutrition products from lightweigh mark. kg 0 10 e th In February 2011, we bit over and then somewhere else introduced women’s only for the work in between bootcamps to the business, sessions, it can get hard to and I had to hire some more stay motivated. That is why we trainers. In April that year we moved have invested so much into different into our studio; it began rather humbly, and workout styles, nutrition products and nutrition we gradually added more equipment and certifications. resources as the budget allowed, so I have It always bugged me that as a personal almost got it to where I want it. trainer I could not help our clients with their We have also added a great team of people full nutrition programs; it actually requires to the business over the last year. We have more training than just the Cert 3 and 4 to myself and Ali who work full-time in the deliver nutritional services, so I have made sure business, with 3 others on a part-time basis. that we are able to add that into our services We do a lot of one on one private personal and offer the complete package. training, semi private or small group training, Have you won any awards? women’s only bootcamp and CrossFit classes. We are a member of a PT mastermind group We offer a full nutrition service as well. Ali that organises events like Push Ups For Charity. is qualified to deliver meal plans, and I am That is an international event, and we aim to currently undertaking a nutrition course, so raise money for Make a Wish Australia. In its that we can deliver everything that our clients first year we raised $19,750 here in Armidale need. alone, so we were crowned the Australian What’s popular at the moment? Push Ups For Charity champions for 2011. The complete package. People don’t want We were also awarded runner up in the to be running here, there and everywhere to member of the year competition; it is based on get what they are after. When you have to go growth, both business wise and personally and to your PT for training, somewhere else for then is voted on by all members of the group. your nutrition program, somewhere else for We even beat out a Sydney based business
PERSONAL TRAINER
focusinterview.
that has 3 studios and generates around $1.2 mill per year. So I was quite humbled to receive that award. Tell us a client success story ... We have quite a few, but there are 2 that really stand out for me. One is a client who has been through so many ups and downs – even being involved in a serious accident. He still, after 2 years, has kept the weight off he lost and is continually setting himself new goals. The other is one of the women’s bootcampers, who has lost around 20 kg since April last year. The amazing thing about both is how much their outlook has changed and now how positive both of them are about just about everything. What’s next? We have recently introduced CrossFit to our services, so we will be looking to build on its global popularity. It is getting such great results for our clients and in combination with our Metabolic Precision nutrition program, I know it will only get better. So on from this, we will add some more trainers into the mix and keep developing the team we already have ... so really, more big things are what’s next. Thanks Jim. new england focus 29
30 new england focus focus.
focusinterview.
Gallery 126.
artist profile
Five Armidale women have come together to exhibit their work at Gallery 126. New Paintings by Jeanette Berman, Pam Black, Liz Fulloon, Rowena Post and Mary Ann Scott will open on Friday 30 March at 5pm and runs until Saturday 28 April.
M
A RY A N N S C O T T I immigrated to Australia some forty years ago from the heart of the Midwest, Minnesota in the USA. I love living here, and I particularly love our beaches and warm weather. I sometimes miss the lush green vegetation of the Midwest, but I have learned to appreciate the usually harsh, dry landscapes in Australia. In my retirement I have pursued my love of art. I finished my Diploma of Visual Arts/Fine Arts in 2007. I have travelled to the Centre of Australia several times and have spent some time in the MacDonnell Ranges, which I truly love. I can’t seem to get enough of that gorgeous red soil and the clear blue skies. My art is an expression of how I see and interpret things. I, like my art, am constantly changing and hopefully growing more aware of myself and my surroundings. I love using mixed media – some of my favourite inspirations are nature, trees, water, clouds and landscapes. I am also fascinated by patterns, textures and colour. My favourite artist is Fred Williams. I love his simplicity and his use of colour.
PA M B L A C K LIZ FULLOON I have drawn and I completed an Associate My art is an painted for as long as Diploma of Fine Arts in w ho of expression t re rp te I can remember, with 1990, then promptly spent in d an e I se art, am a particular interest in the next 12 years assisting things. I, like my ging and constantly chaning more portraiture. I would in the family’s superfine hopefully grow and my grab any opportunity to merino stud. f el aware of mys . gs draw someone: my sister, It was not until 2005 in nd surrou t friends and my children that I began to seriously paint - Mary Ann Scot over the years. again. Since then, I have been Although I love to do seeking a style and medium with landscapes, my interest in people which I feel comfortable in expressing as they relate to each other, and their my ongoing exploration of the natural environment, continues to be reflected in my environment. figurative work today. The fact that I live close to the gorge I have attended various life drawing groups country has been a strong influence on the and art classes while primarily occupied with images I make, and my current work is very family and my job. I have become more experimental, as I continue to pursue these focused on my art only relatively recently, after goals. doing a course at Armidale TAFE with Kerry JEANETTE BERMAN Wilson and classes with Ross Laurie at Neram. I have been creating art forever. I am I tend to paint in oils but am enjoying principally a calligrapher and watercolourist. exploring mixed media currently. I love In this exhibition I have focused on looking Rembrandt, Matisse and Bonnard and find down into Wollomombi gorge in summer and Australian women artists such as Nora Heysen, contrasted that with looking up from within Grace Cossington-Smith and Margaret Olley the fjords of Norway in winter. inspirational both for their work and their Two very striking and dramatic settings, but determination! with very different colours and atmosphere.
ROW E NA P OST Since moving to Armidale five years ago, I have been able to devote much more time to my artistic endeavours. This is mostly because of the support and enthusiasm of my family and the encouragement of my friends and other artists. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from some great wellknown local artists and to regularly attend workshops in Sydney. For the past two years, my focus has shifted from realism to abstraction – although I still do a few realistic works from time to time, as I find the abstract works tend to develop in response to these. Some of the works are more ‘abstract’ than others. A couple of the works are derived from subconscious feelings and imagery. They are about the ‘busy-ness’, confrontation and frenzy that most of our lives have become, and they are about the disquiet that we feel as a result. At the time of making these, I became interested and impressed by the work of Ian Fairweather. I think that this has influenced these paintings, although I think I have arrived there from a different direction. Thanks ladies.
new england focus 31
32 new england focus focus.
focusinterview.
A word from Vicki Kembery.
Summer is over so why not make the most of winter and
Travel
195
SKI NEW ZEALAND Great deals available now!
The last 22 months have been very exciting for our store with a new name, new location and a whole lot of new stock and brands to sell. s well, there are some great limitless. travel deals to all parts of the We love helping people with all their world and Australia available. holiday needs and although we’ve had quite Our clients have been on some a few follow the adventurous route, we also great 'journeys’ of a lifetime'over the last have some great holiday ideas for the slightly 22 months. They have visited some really less adventurous, with European River cruises interesting parts of the world still proving very popular, as well as in some very unusual and cruising in general. different ways, with some On the retail side, we have Keep your clients doing the Transsome great new stock coming eyes open for Mongolian and Transin from Outdoor Research, our new web Siberian train journeys and our Newcastle store gives ch hi w store, across Russia, Mongolia us access to extra suppliwill be up and. running soon and China. ers such as North Face and Others have enjoyed Arc’teryx. Keep your eyes open walking holidays in Italy and for our new web store, which will Australia and for some of the be up and running soon. more adventurous clients, there have So whether it’s the adventure of a lifetime, been two wheeled expeditions (both pedal the ultimate relaxation holiday, cruising by and engine!) in Spain, Vietnam and South boat or travelling by coach, car or train that America. you want, we can help you find the holiday As well, we had clients travel around the of your dreams. world visiting Nepal, Egypt, Ireland the UK, Pop in and see us at our new store Europe, South America and North America. Travel 195 & Adventure 195 at 118a Dangar The adventures and experiences really are Street, Armidale.
A
new england focus 33
focuseditorial.
Sea the Change One of the most common questions asked of UnitingCare Ageing’s Paula Vaughan is “Can Mum go out?”
icing on
c ke
She’s quick to allay their misconceptions, but perhaps May Cowan, 90, Pacifica agedcare facility’s first resident best provides the answer.
the
- With Susie Dunn
“I can still go down the street, and I set the tables here for meals. Friends and family come and visit and take me out when I want.” Aged care has evolved in the last ten years in response to the needs of this generation. UnitingCare Ageing is leading that change with their fresh approach to care. Says Paula: “The old model was institutionalised. It was a medical model based on impairment and illness.
They say that there are 3 wants that can never be satisfied. That of the rich, who want something more. That of the sick, who want something different. And that of the traveller, who says “anywhere but here”.
B
etween them, people in Armidale have an extraordinary coverage of experience. What strength that gives us – newcomers adding to the history of our area. I know I probably often seem relentlessly positive in this column, but that is how I read it, and I feel that we should capitalise on it. Anyone who says they are bored here really do only have themselves to blame. A while ago I was sitting on the plane next to a student coming to UNE for a Res. School – from Paris. Originally from Melbourne, he told me that he had been second in the world at table tennis and was then employed by the French Government. As well as studying at a university in Paris, he was doing his Masters in Psychology at UNE. And I was talking to a fascinating Argentinian a few days ago at a barbecue – he is here doing his PhD in Animal Genetics. I met a Middle Eastern couple who were house-hunting: she was soon to give birth, and I do hope they found somewhere suitable. They made me think of another Middle Eastern family who ended up in a stable – I’m sure that there was a more comfortable end result in Armidale for this little family. If you talk to people in the street, you can hear stories from so many different directions in this globalised world of ours. We are lucky that the world comes to us. It gives us an advantage that we should appreciate and use. As well as a window to the world, in Armidale we are, of course, well catered for in a variety of ways. On the art scene, the New England Regional Art Museum, with its marvellous collections, is the envy of many big Australian galleries; we have the lovely space of the 126 Gallery, with its regular showings by 34 new england focus.
local artists; as well, of course, the Mallbased Armidale Art Society gives us multiple exhibitions and activities. And there are the Aboriginal Cultural Centre’s exhibitions, the Art Department at TAFE … and a whole range of other art groups. I’ve just been hearing more about one of those other groups – the Northern Inland Art Society Inc. This is a group who paint together and assist each other in developing their skills. Meeting at Kent House, they encourage people with a disability to join them. They have just printed a set of cards showcasing the skills of some of their members and are selling as far away as Victoria. Jumping around again – a tip – the Walcha Gallery is one of the most professional private galleries you could visit anywhere, and its openings are always such fun … Something else that I am admiring as I write is a splendid leather box, velvet lined, containing an enormous medal owned by Peter Morse. It was awarded to his family by the Agricultural Society of NSW in 1877 for Wines from Abington, which they owned at that time. It is one of those reminders that we have had a history of excellent cool climate wine-growing here for a long time. As someone lucky enough to have experienced life in regional and remote Australia, without a doubt one of the most exciting things locally as far as I’m concerned has been the opening of the School of Rural Medicine at the University of New England. The new Head of School, Professor Peter McKeown, and his Deputy, Professor Nicky Hudson, have some exciting plans for the future of the school and its reputation. Having a confident view of the future is how things get done. Susie Dunn.
“(Now) it’s about continuing to enjoy their life – enabling people to still use their gifts. Our care is personalised. Everyone is treated as an individual. “Physically, we bring the outside world in.” Pacifica is made up of a series of households, with residents encouraged to continue to participate in community life. Onsite facilities like a café, hairdressing salon, gym, computers and library are enjoyed by residents, staff and visitors.
The household model is strongly embraced. Wings come with their own kitchen, dining and lounge area, also providing private spaces like a personal dining room for when the family visits for a meal. Paula is facilitator of UnitingCare Ageing’s ‘Inspired Care’ philosophy and sees little things every day that make a big difference to the confidence and dignity of residents. “I watched a carer and a resident working in the garden the other day. The resident was teaching the staff member how to prune the roses. That’s our care in action.“
F O C U S
F E A T U R E
new en engla england gland gla nd d fo focus focu c s cu
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
Life JOEL RUIG Joel Ruig of Countrywide Financial Solutions: number cruncher by day, devoted family man by night and a martial artist in between.
W
hen and why did you study I enjoy the autonomy and freedom that running your ‘finance’? own financial practice offers. I chose to base my business I commenced my Bachelor around a holistic approach and the client’s needs, being of Financial Administration able to provide services, advice and a vast variety of on campus here at UNE in the products to suit their needs. early ‘90s, before entering By working for myself and having such a great the workforce and completing and continuing my studies education from UNE, I am able to avoid the inevitable as an external student. Somehow I have ended up with a ‘product flogging’ that larger organisations enforce. small alphabet after my name BFA, DFP, CFP, MBA and JP. What do you teach at university? Although ... the wife thinks that only the ‘Dr’ in front of My wife is an academic in the School of Business, your name is important. I have had numerous Economics & Public Policy at UNE, and so she senior roles in the financial services has conspired to entrap me into part-time profession, before starting my own teaching. I teach units in the Bachelor business here in Armidale in 2004. and Masters of Financial Services. I Depending on s, It always seemed that I was enjoy the opportunity to impart my as the size of the cl destined for a career in financial practical knowledge of the industry y ud we could st g, tin services, as in my student days I and profession to students who gh fi nd grou e, was always nominated and elected are currently practicing, or are Kata, self-defens breaking, or even the club treasurer. It seemed that interested in embarking on a similar n about how to ruy. people just naturally turned to profession. away effectivel me for help and advice in financial With a massive shortage of matters. My professional development qualified professionals looming in the of a career just grew from there. profession, I felt that it was critical to When did you first open Countrywide ensure that a new generation could be trained Financial Solutions? to be even better than the current generation. While working in Tamworth, I met my wife, who We hear that you are into martial arts? was studying her PhD at UNE at the time (I was actually Yes, I participate in martial arts at the PCYC here in interviewed as part of her PhD research, so that is how Armidale. Zen Bu Kan Kempo was actually established we met). I subsequently chose to move to Armidale here in Armidale 30 years ago with Dr Harnos, and the and establish my own financial planning practice, classes have been running continuously ever since. Many ‘Countrywide Financial Solutions’, in 2004. longtime residents in Armidale have been members over I was keen to branch out on my own and not be the years. I am a current senior student of Gary Taylor. owned by high pressure product flogging organisations. I am hoping to complete my black belt in the coming
36 new england focus.
18+ months. I will note that Gary is 60 years of age, half my size and still ties me up like a pretzel and can throw me through a basketball hoop. Describe a typical martial arts class at PCYC? A typical martial arts class start Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm for only $6pp. The class typically lasts 2 hours. Depending on the size of the class, we could study ground fighting, Kata, self-defense, breaking, or even about how to run away effectively. The MMA classes we run are great for all members of the family, as you can participate at any age over 8. Parents and kids can both participate together at the same time. None of this sitting around watching the kids play – the parents get up and participate as well. It’s always great to stretch and do some fitness work, as well as learn a useful skill, discipline, focus, and it sure helps to take the stress away. How do you juggle a business with your avocation? Balancing my work, sport, teaching and family commitments are always a juggle, but a challenge I enjoy. Running your own business allows a degree of flexibility, which enables me to manage the commitments. I have a supportive and encouraging wife and 2 small daughters (4 and 2 years of age), all of whom keep me on track. Plans for the future? My wife and I have established our home and careers here in Armidale, so we are committed to remain permanently. We both love Armidale and believe it offers many wonderful lifestyle, educational and career opportunities for us and our children. I hope to expand my practice further throughout the New England region in the near future – living up to the name of my business. COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS!
focusfeature.
DAVID HENDERSON_
BEC
MEET THE PRINCIPALS_
Forsyths
MENINBUSINESS M ENINBUSINESS
MALCOLM MACPHERSON_
Oxley Explorer
The BEC kicked off in Armidale in 1993. In June 2012,
Who are the Principals of Forsyths Armidale? The
How many vehicles do you run, and describe your
the Business Advisory Service that has formed the core
Principals at Forsyths Armidale are Andrew Kirk, Brett
services ... Our fleet comprises 15 vehicles; 9 of the buses
of our business for many years will be discontinued. It’s
Constable, Cameron Scott, Paul Cornall, Geoff Allen
carry students to school in Walcha and Niangala. The six
time to move on.
and Arthur Kirk. They have over 135 years of combined
coaches can be seen anywhere from Mackay to Melbourne.
experience; however, most are still within their 40s! We have
From June to August each year, we take American students
6 other Principals located in our Tamworth, Gunnedah and
to tourist attractions along the east coast of Australia for their
Coonabarabran offices.
summer vacation.
NSW Small Business Commissioner, Yasmin King, recently announced a new comprehensive support and advisory service for small business to be called ‘Small Biz Connect’. The BEC is invited (so is everybody else, by the way!) to submit an expression of interest to be followed by an invitation to tender. Or not! Keep your fingers crossed that we are successful.
Are they qualified accountants? Our Principals are all members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and specialists in their chosen fields of Business Services, Audit and Assurance and Financial Services.
We also appreciate the support from local schools, sporting groups and local clubs who charter our coaches to take them on day trips and excursions to all parts of NSW and beyond.
Do they each have a special interest other than work?
Small Biz Connect will be much better than what has gone
All the Principals enjoy active lives outside Forsyths, with a
before, and we are looking forward to stepping up on behalf
strong commitment to family and community. Other interests
of the small businesses that we love and who have trusted us
include swimming, cycling, running, kayaking, golf … some
to assist them in the past.
are even seen heading for the pool at lunch time for a
Can anyone charter your services? Absolutely. We also
This week we ran a new business start up workshop for a
change of pace during the work day!
have two wheelchair equipped coaches, which also allow us
group of twelve people from around the New England North
Future plans for Forsyths? It’s always about the people,
West region ... just amazing, lovely people, with a passion to
the quality of our relationships, what we do and how we do
Our coaches seat between 24 and 57 passengers. Sporting
do something for themselves and the initiative and energy to
it. We have an exciting change coming up in July of this year
groups usually request the larger capacity vehicles which, if
push forward and make it happen. It’s a privilege to be part
and we will be announcing that in the next month, so stay
required, can tow one of our fully enclosed luggage trailers.
of this stuff.
tuned!
Small groups often require transport for evening functions.
RailCorp hire our coaches regularly for boarding school transport, CityRail and Countrylink services.
to transport the elderly and people who are less mobile.
.QRZOHGJH ZLWK ,QWHJULW\ At Forsyths we build relationships and work with you to understand and solve your business and financial needs. Talk to us today!
Chartered Accountants & Financial Advisers ABN 89 103 898 988 AFSL: 259938
www.forsyths.com.au new england focus 37
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
S H A N E K L I N D I E N ST _ Uphill & Schaefer Tell us about your business? Uphill & Schaefer is a locally owned real estate office located at 127-129 Beardy Street, Armidale, which has been operating for over 40 years. We service Armidale and surrounding areas in real estate sales, auctions and property management. I joined the Uphill & Schaefer team as a Director back in 2000, after doing my apprenticeship in a rural agency. We have a staff of 10, and I believe every role in our office is as important as the next. We are all on the same level, and we all strive to provide the best experience for our clients. What are your personal interests/hobbies? I love to fish! Anything involved with the outdoors like camping and fishing, and I’m happy. My kids love camping, though my
PETER KING_
Walcha Veterinary Supplies
What do you love about rural merchandise? I enjoy the diversity of the industry – from sheep/cattle drench, to fencing, or talking nutrition. I also like helping farmers improve on what they do, which in turn helps them make more money. This kind of variety ensures we’re doing something different all the time! What does a typical day on the job involve? As the rural merchandise industry is traditionally very low margin, managing the business so it remains profitable is a large task in itself. Customer service is a high priority in our business and selling a variety of goods including drench, fencing products, spraying equipment, shearing gear, chemical, fertiliser and stock feeds keeps us busy!
I also like helping farmers improve on what they do, which in turn helps them make more money.
wife is only a 5 star camper. The personal rewards that you gain from your business? What really excites me is getting a result that makes both parties, vendor and purchaser, happy. I get satisfaction from a happy transfer. For me – the cheapest to the dearest – the buzz is the same. This business is all about people; to see people buy their first home or move up into their next family home is a reward in itself.
38 new england focus.
What’s new? I’ve recently opened new premises, which is an investment for the next 50 years for the business. Due to technology changing all the time and the need for more education for farmers, we have included an education room onsite for seminars. This allows the opportunity for 1 on 1 time with farmers to set animal health programs and farming management practices. This enables us to provide a service over and above the general standard of our industry.
PAT R I C K C R I C K _ Armidale Bowling Club Tell us about your role at the Armidale Bowling Club? I’m lucky to hold a dynamic and varied position. I oversee all facets of Club activity, from hospitality services to strategic direction and development. I work very closely with a passionate Board and management team who make business decisions to develop Club services. By focusing on these services and increasing Club engagement, I’m able to grow the Club's mission to support and develop local community projects and sporting organisations. The personal rewards you gain from your role? This Club is my passion and over the years I have seen, through Phil Wheaton’s dedication, the many ways Club development can affect the community, from welfare support to sporting development. I gain real pleasure from seeing the Club have a positive effect on the community and meeting the unsung heroes volunteering their time to make Armidale a better place. I also get great reward from seeing the Club develop and seeing members gain benefit from the improvements and watching our staff develop to become hospitality professionals. Plans for the future? I plan to enjoy my current role and ensure the Club stays at the forefront of the Club industry and continues to achieve beyond its means. I plan to guarantee the Club maintains strong community links by working with community groups in need, while developing locals into future leaders.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS MENINBUS
I believe that is what makes our clients so impressed that they tell their friends and family.
How long have you been flying the Hotondo Homes flag? Veronica and I joined the Hotondo Homes franchise in 2000, so we have spent the last 12 years building up the franchise in Armidale. Despite Hotondo being a national company, we are committed to employing the best of Armidale’s tradespeople. Using the best local subcontractors, along with our team of quality carpenters, is an integral part of our business. They are all local people you can trust and rely on for top quality workmanship.
Our guarantee is to create a new home that you can be proud of. What do you enjoy most about building? Definitely client satisfaction – we strive to provide the best quality homes possible. I am very particular about finishes within the new home and have great attention to detail. I believe that is what makes our clients so impressed that they tell their friends and family. 'Word of mouth' is by far our best marketing strategy. Your personal interests are? I love a good game of golf. What’s next? We are now offering house and land Packages at Netherton Park Ave, as a total package from design concept to handover of keys.
B R I A N B O U LU S _
RO B E C C L E S _ Purkiss Rural Tell us about your business? Purkiss Rural is a retail business selling inputs for farms such as seed, fertilizer, animal health, produce, but also we have a significant role in supplying the home gardener and lifestyle block owner with what they need. Purkiss' strength is our knowledge and advice that we provide to our customers.
Boulus Constructions Construc
Tell us about your business? We are a construction company
that prides itself on working with our clients to achieve common goals and a finished product that both parties are proud of. We have grown over the past 20 years to now to be a WHS, EMS, QMS certified company and to be a preferred contractor for HNSW, RTA and other private bodies.
We are usually the ones who trouble shoot pest, nutrition and disease problems for garden plants, pastures and crops, plus we develop programs in parasite control and nutrition in livestock. Without question, we would be the leaders in agronomy in the region and provide this service in the field to our customers. We focus on optimising results, rather than recommending cheap, lower performing options.
It has been a team effort to receive these accreditations, and we would like to thank everyone that has been involved over the past few years. What are your personal interests/hobbies? I love designing
and completing new projects – the out of the box type project.
The personal rewards you gain from your business? I find the business rewarding, as I simply like working with people! I get a buzz helping people get a better result from what they want to do on their farms and in their gardens. What are your interests and hobbies? I love playing sport and still play tennis and football (soccer) plus refereeing. Helping my boys achieve their aspirations with football has probably consumed any spare time I've had in the last 6 years, but it has been well worth it seeing them develop into the young men that they are. Otherwise, I can say I play with my own 'toy farm', with my wife Sandie doing a spot of gardening, fencing etc.
I enjoy watching and coaching soccer of all grades; it’s a pleasure to see improvement in players that you are involved with. I love skiing and time with loved ones. The personal rewards that you gain from your business?
From as far back as I can remember, all I wanted to do is build. Although my role has progressed through the years as the company has grown, I am still achieving my dream some 35 years on, with the same buzz as that first day at TAFE when I produced my first saw stool.
WHAT’S O ON NT THE CAR CARD CARDS RD DS FOR YOUR PASTURES? URES?
Y can’t You ’t always l b be sure what h tM Mother th N Nature’s t ’ going i tto d deall you. So it makes sense to plan now so you don’t fall short with your feed requirements. Our commitment to Australian Farmers is reflected in the new Wrightson Seeds Pasture Guide. It’s packed with proven varieties, pla p planning advice, field services and productivity tips. No Now all the information you need to make the most ou o out of your land is as close as your back pocket.
C Purkiss Rural on 02 6772 2341 to order Call Base AR37 and your FREE Pasture Guide. B
Note: Base AR37 is only available as part of a blend
wrightsonseeds.com.au
iWRI189-12
D E S B U RTO N _ Hotondo Homes
new england focus 39
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
With another addition on the way to add to the excitement, our kids keep us very grounded.
G R E G W I L D _ Rapid Clean
J O NAT H A N RO B E RT S _ Office Express
C H R I S T H O R N TO N _
How long have you owned Rapid Clean New England?
We have now been operating for 7 years. In that time, we
Tell us about your business? My wife Kate and I
My wife Jenny and I have been in the business coming up to
have seen a steady growth in our customer base and our
operate a medium size residential new home building
14 years.
product range. Four years ago we joined Office Power – a buying
company situated at 152 Rusden Street, Armidale.
group which has made a huge difference to our overall prices and
Our office has grown to the largest geographic area in
Tell us about your new national position? In December I was elected Chairman of the Rapid Group Cooperative Board. I have been a serving member for 7 years. How do you manage to run your business and be on a national board? It is very busy. The people at work are
product range. Our little shop sometimes is overflowing.
Armidale, Uralla, Walcha, Narrabri, Moree and anywhere
binding to make presentations just that bit smarter.
in between.
We are continually looking at ways to help our customers and
The personal rewards you gained from your
improve our product range. We carry a very extensive ink and toner range, and we can usually source these products overnight if
It’s really satisfying to watch the group’s reputation in the
they’re not in stock. We call on businesses in Walcha, Uralla, Guyra
cleaning industry get stronger and stronger, in times when
and Inverell once a month. In Armidale we are happy to call in and
it’s tough for stand alone businesses to be a major player in
discuss your business/office needs at a time that it is convenient.
an ever increasing market place.
Now that we are in the age of the paperless office (not quite sure
While there was a major downturn in the retail sector last
who thinks this, but the experts tell us it’s true) it is very important
franchise, so we still have the freedom to make decisions that suit our local customers, while enjoying the buying power and wealth of knowledge the size of the group provides.
NSW, building in Inverell, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Guyra,
We now offer a full colour photocopying service, as well as wire
good at their jobs, and Jenny supports me in both my roles.
year, the group experienced 27% growth. We are not a
GJ Gardner Homes
to use a good quality paper. We stock only quality paper. Our DCP
business? The personal reward is the satisfaction of being involved from the ground up, working with our clients to meet their individual needs and achieve the best outcome, with a design that suits the whole family and their lifestyle. I have great delight in handing over a home and seeing the joy on the faces of our clients, in which I feel a sense of pride and achievement.
range is very high quality paper ranging from 90 gsm to 300 gsm
Your tip for balancing business with family?
in both A4 and A3 sizes.
Both Kate and I work in the business and find it a
Our high quality A4 Paper is PaperOne Blue wrap then PaperOne
constant challenge, as work can be very consuming and a
Green and our everyday paper, still high quality Office Power A4.
struggle at times to find a balance between work and our
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if there is something you’re
young family.
Being the Chairman means I am at the cutting edge of our
looking for and not quite sure what it is. We will be glad to help
With another addition on the way to add to the
industry. People in Armidale are the winners in all that.
you find it.
excitement, our kids keep us very grounded.
40 new england focus.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS
Steve Sewell. Invest Blue Steve Sewell is a financial adviser for Invest Blue. He is part of a dedicated team of support staff who always strive to help clients reach their potential. Tell us about your business? Invest Blue is
have gained from talking with my clients from
that has given me a lot over the years is
network of financial advisers and a support a netw
all different walks of life over the last 15 years
something that is and always will be a priority
team ffocused on providing tailored financial
– and helping them achieve things they never
for me. Over the last year I have been involved
advice and quality support services to all
thought possible.
with AMP and the Cancer Council in providing
Australians. Austra
Working with a number of charities and in the
on our clients’ goals and what We focus fo
community is incredibly rewarding.
need to do to achieve them. Our advice they n
What are your personal interests/
focuses on achieving a balance, so that our focuse
hobbies? FAMILY: I am fortunate that my
clients can enjoy their lifestyle today and save
business and where we live (no commuting)
achieve their future goals. to ach
enables me to enjoy a happy work/life
Invest Blue holds its licence with AMP Financial
balance, so I spend as much time with my
Planning and employs a team of 35 and has Planni
wife, Jen and my four boys: Tom, Sam, Joe
a network of offices in Armidale, Tamworth, netw
and Jack as possible. Being a positive influence
Coffs Coff Harbour, Grafton, Brisbane, Gold
and being involved in my sons’ lives is really
Coast, Coa Gladstone and Rockhampton.
important to me. Last year I completed the
The Th personal rewards you gain from your business? Seeing the business y
Kokoda Track in PNG with my two eldest sons, and I’m looking forward to doing it again in
grow from five of us here in Armidale in
the future with my two youngest sons. I am
the mid ‘90s to now having a fantastic
also about to head over to South Africa with
team with a family type environment
my two eldest sons, who are playing in the
and a network of offices in NSW and
Country Schools Development Tour.
QLD makes me very proud.
BUSINESS: I am very passionate about Invest
I love talking with people – everyone’s
Blue, which has been a part of my life for over
situation is different and in some ways
15 years.
closely related. I value the experience I
COMMUNITY: Giving back to the community
What is important to YOU?
pro-bono financial services to cancer patients. I am a Life Member and Patron of CanAssist, a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul and am riding in this year’s Tour de Rocks charity bike ride from Armidale to South West Rocks in April. EXERCISE/SPORT: I like to keep fit – mainly cycling these days, and with four sons sport is inevitably a huge part of my life, both as a spectator and participant. Rugby is no doubt the biggest part of my sporting life. I am the President of TAS Rugby Supporters group and the President of New England Schools Rugby. EDUCATION: I am passionate about lifelong learning, aligning myself with exceptional local business people in Armidale and providing the best possible education for my children. Your tips on balancing business with family? Do not live with any regrets. Continue to grow personally and professionally. Marry your partner in life – your best friend – who enjoys watching footy and cricket!
How we work with you Understand what is important to you. Challenge your current financial position/structure to reach your potential. Empower you with complete understanding and confidence to implement your strategy. Support you throughout the implementation of your financial plan and provide ongoing support. Review your strategy to ensure you are on track to achieve what is important to you, both now and in the future.
MYTH
FACT
Financial advice is only valuable if you have significant assets.
Financial advice is beneficial for all people in a wide variety of circumstances.
The view that financial advice is something that only rich people need or deserve stems from a misconception about what financial advice represents.
Financial advice can help people to own their home sooner, create wealth, provide wealth protection / asset protection and maximise retirement benefits.
“Most people know they should work towards their goals but often they need assistance to achieve them.” Steve Sewell, Financial Adviser and Director, Invest Blue
131 Faulkner St, Armidale NSW 2350 | P: 1300 346 837 www.investblue.com.au new england focus 41
MENINBUSINESS
focus focu usfe ffeature. ea attur ure e..
Our headquarters is Armidale, and our employees are members of this community, but our business is global.
RO S S PATC H _
Daily Ritual
Tell us about your business? Daily Ritual is a small family operated business, stocking a fine range of loose leaf teas, specialty coffee and gourmet food lines, as well as a wide range of both tea and coffee making accessories. We strive to provide an inviting and friendly place to come and enjoy a cuppa or two in a quiet and relaxed environment. What’s news at Daily Ritual? Recently we have become involved in ‘Locals 4 Locals’, an organisation that strives to promote local businesses. In saying this, we had a successful afternoon at Day on the Green and want to thank the community for their support. What to look forward to in the future? In our café we are now promoting our Happy Hour from 3 - 5. Receive a large coffee and a Byron Bay Cookie for $5.00. Also, the kids are not forgotten; they can have one of our yummy hot chocolates and cookie for $5.00. We also have our Lite n’ Easy meals available. Choose from a quiche or a selection of gourmet filo pastries served with a small side salad for $7.00.
With the cooler weather well on the way, our famous European Hot Chocolate is now available again!
42 new england focus.
M I C H A E L M A RT I N _ Petals Florist Network
J O H N NA S H _
What is Petals Florist Network? Petals is Australia’s premier flower delivery service, connecting customers with local florists around the world for 20 years. Our network is one of the largest in Australia, with 1,650+ members in Australia, New Zealand and the UK transmitting hundreds of thousands arrangements worldwide.
How long have you been involved with insurance?
Where are you from, and what brought you to Armidale? In April 2011, Teleflora USA, based in Los Angeles, purchased Petals, making us part of the world’s leading flower delivery service. Our family relocated to Armidale from Los Angeles in July. The experience has been quite the adventure! We are very excited to be here and are making the most of everything Armidale has to offer. What makes Petals unique? We are a local business with a substantial international footprint. Our headquarters is Armidale, and our employees are members of this community, but our business is global. Petals connects consumers to 40,000+ florists, delivering orders to 100+ countries. We also operate dozens of floral web sites with one goal in mind – bring more floral orders to Petals members. What is new with Petals? We are very fortunate. Petals was a great operation long before I came here! Over the last few months we have redesigned our primary web site, launched new products for Christmas and Valentine’s Day and introduced our new logo. Mother’s Day is our biggest day of the year, and our current priority is to make sure that it is our best Mother’s Day ever!
Oracle Insurance Solutions
About 25 years. I studied Agricultural Economics at UNE and then specialised in agricultural insurance, consulting to the World Bank, UNFAO and reinsurers, tailoring insurance schemes and travelling to interesting places like North Korea and Argentina, before moving to Armidale to establish my own business. This gave me a clear understanding of the insurance and reinsurance markets and many important contacts. What do you specialise in? I specialise in General and Life Insurance. I deal with businesses which are diverse in their operations, risk profiles and budgets, so I visit their businesses, do surveys and research and provide a risk analysis report with tailored insurance recommendations. As a client of Oracle Insurance, what can I expect? In my experience, insurance is all about relationships: between the client, the insurer and broker and ensuring we all have a clear understanding of the business to be covered and how the insurance meets those needs. At Oracle, you can expect a tailored insurance solution with ongoing service to maintain policies and negotiate claims.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS
The Mail on the Males. Smith Sharpe & Abbott
They are, of course, complemented by an equal number of likeable, hard-working ladies in the firm’s team. One of the partners of Smith Sharpe & Abbott is accountant Grahame Sharpe. Grahame has been in the accounting business for the last 30 years, which has given this accounting firm not only a great foundation, but also a wealth of knowledge. In addition to his day-to-day office work, he is a notable and respected poultry connoisseur, having judged at all capital city Royal Shows and many regional events as well. He continues as a Royal Agricultural Show (RAS) Councillor with the responsibility for the poultry and horse divisions of the RAS. He is also the driver behind Smith Sharpe & Abbott’s sponsorship of the Australian Year of the Farmer. Andrew Toomey is a senior chartered accountant
from Uralla, who is particularly passionate about small businesses and the role they play as economic drivers and employers within their community. Andrew follows his beloved Manly NRL team and in his spare time has been owner-builder of a dream home for his growing family.
’ On ‘the other side pe at Smith Shar & Abbott is nonaccountant and ale long-term Armidr Jack financial plannes been Abbott, who ha for a part of the team 12 years.
Another Andrew with Smith Sharpe & Abbott is senior accountant, Andrew Logan. Andrew's professional interests are small business, primary production, investment and individual tax, with an emphasis on developing client relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. Andrew is interested in environmental issues, Australian Film and Music and a passion for the St Kilda Football Club. Paul Zielinski is the quietly reserved and efficient
Upstairs in Hanna’s Arcade in Armidale is a group of likeable, hard-working blokes who make up part of the professional team known as Smith Sharpe & Abbott Chartered Accountants & Financial Planners.
book-keeper, who has had considerable work experience in nonaccounting areas before joining Smith Sharpe & Abbott in 2006, where he specialises in company secretarial and tax returns. Paul grew up in Armidale, attending St Mary’s and O’Connor Catholic Schools and is a well known member of the Armidale community. Newcomer to the Smith Sharpe & Abbott Accounting team is accountant James Davidson, who has returned to the New England area after several years working in accountancy practices in Newcastle and on the Gold Coast. The mail is still out on this young eligible male, but it has been noticed that a delightful young lady has followed
him down to Uralla. There is also another Davidson bloke (and not related to James above) at Smith Sharpe & Abbott, and that’s Phil Davidson, who is the office manager. Phil’s better half, in wife Regina, is the other accounting partner in Smith Sharpe & Abbott. In his spare time, Phil enjoys a game of golf. On ‘the other side’ at Smith Sharpe & Abbott is non-accountant and long-term Armidale financial planner Jack Abbott, who has been a part of the team for 12 years. Jack has now joined together with the Invest Blue adviser team and is looking forward to a positive relationship between Smith Sharpe & Abbott Accounting and Invest Blue Financial Planning. At the end of a working week and even most mornings before work, Jack is comfortably ‘lost’ in looking after and operating his small rural holding in the Dangarsleigh area.
new england focus 43
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
S C OT T F I T T L E R _ The Meating Place
M A RT Y I N G L I S S _ Dragonfly Plumbing
What is the Meating Place? We are a locally owned butchery that specialises in providing gourmet meal solutions from the best grass-fed meats from local growers. We have been operating in our current location for 10 years. Our strength is our ability to create exciting new meal solutions on a regular basis.
When and where did you complete your plumbing trade? I started my plumbing apprenticeship in the mid '90s, for a company based on the northern beaches in Sydney.
What personal rewards do you gain from being in business? I guess the biggest achievement that I feel very proud of is that we have been able to successfully operate alongside a major multi national, who have millions of dollars to promote and market their business. How do you balance your business with family commitments? Honestly ... at times with much difficulty. As much as being your own boss can give you flexibility, it also means that often you are the one that has to be on the job to make sure that the job gets done! I am very fortunate to have married Wonder Woman! My wife Jodie is the master at getting our 3 boys to all their sporting commitments, keeping the house in order, as well as working at the shop. Working what is often a 70 hr week and finding time to work on myself so that I can be the best husband, father and boss that I can be is probably my biggest challenge!
44 new england focus.
We worked on large commercial jobs in the city, through to luxury beach front houses and units. I finished my trade down in Canberra, working on interesting jobs such as the National Museum of Australia and the Australian National University. What do you enjoy most about your career? Unblocking toilets ... just kidding!
As plumbers we get to do a wide range of jobs, so no day is boring. Being out and about would have to be what I enjoy most about my job. What do you specialise in? Teesh and I have specialised in hydronic heating since 2004. It’s a heating system which uses inslab and/or radiators, with gas or wood fired boilers to heat homes and supply alternative hot water solutions. What is important to you? Family holidays.
A DA M H O M E WO O D _ NAB What is your position at NAB? I am responsible for all Personal Lending for our New England catchment, which includes Walcha, Uralla, Guyra and Armidale. I was previously employed by NAB for over 10 years; however, I left and have held senior positions in many different industries, including finance broking. I returned to NAB after relocating to Armidale for lifestyle reasons. Describe a typical day at work? I have a lot of diversity in my role, from working with first home buyers getting them into their first property, through to people doing small developments and others with large property portfolios. I also do a lot with self employed people; for them, I provide understanding and the ability to make the numbers work. This understanding comes from managing businesses for the last 10 years and the fact I do also own a business myself that my wife runs (Healthy Inspirations). What do you enjoy most about your job? The level of job satisfaction is amazing; I actually get to change people’s lives! I get to share the joy of putting people into their first home, knowing they have made sound financial decisions in the process. I also get the immense satisfaction out of reviewing people’s finances and making recommendations that put cash back in their pocket and provide them with a higher standard of living. The best I have done so far is save a couple $5,000 a year!
focusfe feature. eature.
MENINBUSINESS MENINBUSINE
Paul Schmude. mude. Sports Power wer I find it really special pecial to be able to help young ung kids who come into the e store looking for their first first item of sporting equipment. ment.
David Trestrail. Armidale Private Hospital What is your role at the Armidale Private Hospital, and how long have you worked there? I am the Finance Manager at the Hospital, which means that I do all that number crunching, budgeting and administrative stuff that some people think is so boring. I work very closely with the CEO/ DSC, Mary Single and also the Nurse Unit Managers (NUMs) and Ramsay Healthcare Corporate Head Office. I have been here since January 2009, and it is the first time that I have worked in the healthcare industry. When I started here I couldn’t even say Prosthesis, never mind know what that was!
environment, but with the backing of a
Tell us what you love most about your job? I think it is the same as what our patients notice, which is that Armidale Private Hospital is a wonderful small team
A Kick in the Baubles just before Christmas
corporation like Ramsay Healthcare with support in areas like Clinical Governance, IT, Legal advice and Human Resources. But the truth of it is, that enjoying working in any job comes back to the people you work with, and it’s the people who make APH such a wonderful place to work. What are your personal interests/ hobbies? I am actively involved in the Armidale Drama & Musical Society, both behind the scenes (I produced the 2011 production of Blithe Spirit and will produce this year) and occasionally appear on stage – most recently as a thigh slapping Nazi Franz Liebkind in The Producers.
Tell us about your business ... Sportspower d operated Armidale is a locally owned and store, not a franchise, but it is able to access the buying power and marketing profile of Sportspower. This enables us to pass on to our customers the advantages of an Australiawide network – especially quality products and competitive prices – and to put back into the Armidale community, via Sportspower’s sponsorships of various teams, the benefits of local purchasing.
in contrast to internet buying.
We stock a large array of sporting goods, including clothing, footwear and fitness equipment. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent after-sales service, particularly if goods are faulty and need repairing and replacing. This is one major advantage which an on-the-spot store, backed up with personalised attention to the customer, offers
family? Keeping a balance between business
The personal rewards you gain from your business? Running a sports store like Sportspower brings me into contact with many of the most active sportspeople in Armidale. I find it really special to be able to help young kids who come into the store looking for their first item of sporting equipment. Your tip on balancing business with and family is certainly a challenge, but it really helps to have a business that supports leisure activities which all members of the family can enjoy. My wife Veronica and I are blessed in having two young boys who are sport-mad – so that certainly helps in maintaining a worklife balance!
new england focus 45
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
Ray White Armidale now manages approximately 580 properties in the Armidale area and employs a staff of nine highly trained professionals.
G R A E M E ( E rnie ) A S K E W _ Gramarc Tell us about your business? Gramarc is primarily a liquid waste transport and disposal business. We dispose of all type of liquid waste, which include domestic septic tanks, commercial grease traps, porta-loos, water tanks and industrial waste. With new laws brought in by the state government, some of the industrial waste now has to go to Newcastle for treatment, so last year we had to update a vehicle to carry the extra workload. The personal rewards you gain from your business? The biggest reward we get from this business is meeting someone new and interesting nearly every day; some are also new to the area.
Another plus is we get to travel around the New England from Tenterfield to Tamworth, which isn’t a bad way to spend your working day. Plans for the future? Our plans for the future are to keep on giving great service to all our customers, stay in the area and keep supporting local businesses and organisations, because that’s what will help Armidale reach its full potential as a thriving regional centre – and to have more fun!
46 new england focus.
PAU L O ST L E R _ Oz Style Kitchens Tell us about your business? Ozstyle Kitchens is a locally owned, well established business. We have been producing high quality kitchens and interiors for Armidale and the New England region for over 15 years. We are members of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Kitchens and Bathrooms and are partners with international and local suppliers to ensure our kitchens are constructed using contemporary and durable products. At Ozstyle we strive to develop kitchens that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Photographs of finished kitchens can be viewed online at www. ozstylekitchens.com.au and you can join us on facebook. We are looking at adding more photographs in the next couple of weeks, thanks to the help of Simon Scott, photographer. The personal rewards you gain from your business? We get a great sense of satisfaction from seeing our customers really enjoying their new kitchen and sharing this with their family and friends. The kitchen really is the heart of the home. Plans for the future? We have recently added an interior designer to our team, Toni Ribeiro. In the near future we are looking at adding a new member to our carpentry team – applicants welcome. We aim to reduce customer stress by provide a fully managed and streamlined service, including planning, design, manufacture and installation.
ST E P H E N R A M AG E _ Ray White Tell us about your business? Ray White Armidale is recognised as a leading real estate office in the Armidale area, with one of the highest profiles among both buyers and sellers, and our investment property management services are the most comprehensive available. Ray White Armidale has a proven record of success and an impressive portfolio of clients who are totally satisfied by our excellent level of service. The Principal of Ray White Armidale, Stephen Ramage, purchased a small real estate business in 1999 and took on the Ray White name immediately, as the Ray White Group was identified as market leaders in the industry. The business soon grew with the addition of three new staff members and increased the original rent roll by a staggering 150% in the first twelve months of business. The business continues to grow, and Ray White Armidale now manages approximately 580 properties in the Armidale area and employs a staff of nine highly trained professionals. Our high profile in the marketplace means that home buyers, tenants and investors come to us first. The position of our office has high visibility and easy access; our signs, internet and media advertising ensure a constant, widespread visible presence. It’s a profile that means results for our clients. Plans for the future? Ray White Armidale’s plans for the future are quite exciting, with several technological changes which will boost our services across our entire client base.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS
David Barnier. Barnier’s Office Furniture
Ben Page. B
The most rewarding thing is to meet the needs of our customers.
Elders Insurance
How long have you flown the flag for ELDERS Insurance? I’ve been with Elders Insurance for over 11 years. I started my career with CGU, before being convinced to come across and manage the business. I then purchased it approximately 7 years ago. What do you enjoy most about your career? I really enjoy getting to know our clients. I am very fortunate to have many clients who have been with me since day one; many of these have, in turn, become wonderful friends of mine. I am also very lucky to have a brilliant team that works with me. Melissa, Sarah and Emma do a great job looking after our clients, and we all get along famously. What do you enjoy other than work? Away from work, I am a bit of a sporting tragic. I enjoy cricket and all the footy codes;
however, my passion is definitely Aussie Rules. I have a long association with the local team The New England Nomads, and that is something I have always enjoyed. I also like horse racing and own a horse with some mates, which can be good fun at times. I have also been a member of the Armidale Golf club for a number of years and enjoy getting out for a hit on the rare occasion that I have some spare time. What is important to you? I am no different to most people in that the most important thing in my life is my family. I have a beautiful wife of six years in Trudy and two fantastic kids: Isabella, who is four and Thomas, who is 20 months.
How long have you owned Barnier’s? We opened a small used office furniture outlet in 1994 in the premises where the Goldfish Bowl is now. As the business grew, we moved into a larger premises and now operate from our own premises closer to the CBD in Rusden Street, stocking new and used office furniture.
interior designers and of course, the clients.
What do you enjoy most about your career? The most rewarding thing is to meet the needs of our customers – to walk away knowing that they are delighted with the finished home or work office.
– something we have done all our lives. My
Can you design a complete office for people? Invariably the home office is a collaboration of ideas between the client and ourselves, whether it is from our range of stock items or custom made furniture. However, the larger commercial fitouts usually involve architects,
Our job from there is to fine tune the project, to ensure that everything is installed on time and on budget. What do you enjoy other than work? Our family have always been great beach goers parents live at Yamba, so that is our annual holiday destination. My wife Anna and I also enjoy travelling, and I guess we have done our fair share. Our three grown up children are also a big part of our lives. Cycling and the gym is something I have taken up in recent years, and it is something I wish I had discovered ten years ago – they’re both great social and physical activities.
Local insurance that supports your community. Each year, Elders Insurance puts thousands of dollars back into your local community. We do this by using local tradespeople for our customers’ repair work and local retailers for replacement goods when claims are made.
For more information please call 02 6772 7500. Elders Insurance New England Bundarra Road, Armidale NSW 2350 eldersinsurance.com.au
Insurance
EIN249690 03/12
So, we’re not only providing a great service to our customers, we’re also playing a key role in strengthening the local economy.
new england focus 47
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
I started at Jacksons (formally Westend Wholesalers) 2 days after completing my HSC, so I’ve worked here for over 25 years.
B R I A N BA R D E N _
NE Trophies
KEN RILEY_
Westend Sound
G R E G JAC K S O N _
Jacksons Quality Meats
Tell us about your business? New England trophies started
Tell us about your business? Westend Sound is New England’s
How long have you been the proprietor of Jacksons
in Uralla 32 years ago before moving to Armidale in 1992.
premier car audio-shop, owned and operated by Ken for 26 years.
Quality Meats? I started at Jacksons (formally Westend
Here we started our gift lines, including NRL, and we are
We specialise in all car audio, accessories and window tinting. We
Wholesalers) 2 days after completing my HSC, so I’ve worked
now one of the biggest stockists in regional NSW. We carry
provide a full range of car audio and communications products –
here for over 25 years. But I only became the proprietor about
around 30 different lines for all clubs, and we also stock
everything from a basic CD player to a high tech fully intergrated car
4 years ago, when my father retired. So you could say I had a
stereo or radio system.
fair apprenticeship in running a business.
Bundy, Jack Daniels, Holden and Ford. We also stock a huge
We have experience with all types of vehicles, from motorbikes to
How many shops do you have in town? We have 2 shops:
range of gifts for weddings, graduation and birthdays from
motorhomes – even aircraft!
the original shop in Beardy Street, which was started by my
18 - 90 years old. Many of our gift lines are engravable.
Let us handle your project vehicle, personalising your dream car with
grandfather more than 50 years ago and is currently managed
bluetooth, iPod Intergration, reversing sensors and cameras and top
by Leo Morley, who has worked there for more than 38 years;
of the range audio systems. At Westend Sound, we only use the
and our other shop, which is across from the train station in
highest quality products, at very competitive prices.
O’Dell Street.
The personal rewards you gain from your business? I love the
Why did you start the Locals 4 Locals campaign? Just a
challenge of keeping up with the current technology and modifying
growing concern about the effect large multi-nationals are
England area with trophies. We pride ourselves on service
equipment to fit all customer requirements (even when told it can’t
having on small local communities. These companies are
and quality; our motto is: ‘We will not make a trophy that
be done). It is a great satisfaction seeing our customers so happy
great for local employment and they support some very good
we would not be proud to receive ourselves.’
with the services we provide for them, that they refer friends and
charities, but they don’t support the local community groups.
Plans for the future? I would like to see more of Australia
family to us.
Local community groups rely on local support. With Locals 4
and spend more time with my four daughters and their
Plans for the future? To continue to enjoy what I am doing and to
Locals, we are hoping, where possible, people will support
families. You never know, I may even see Parra’ win a couple.
provide the same high quality customer service, which has got us to
local business so in turn, they can continue to support them.
In the meantime, you will find me at NE Trophies, and I look
where we are today.
Look for the sign and if you can support that business, you
forward to your continued support and friendship.
I also plan to keep adapting to the industry as it moves forward.
know you’re supporting your local community.
merchandise for AFL, A League, English Premier League,
The personal rewards you gain from your business? I have always enjoyed sport, and I am lucky that my work allows me to continue giving something back to sport. We now supply about 95% of clubs throughout the New
48 new england focus.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS
Greg has been impressed by the distances that patients are prepared to travel in order to have medications dispensed.
Greg Cotterell. Gre Hannon’s Mount View Pharmacy H
Jeff Ridley. Ridley Mini Skips ps
Greg Cotterell and his wife Liz moved to
opportunity to return to community pharmacy
Armidale in July 2010, so that their three
after 20 years’ experience in Brisbane and
children could enjoy the benefits of a
Sydney. Hannon’s Mountview Pharmacy
country childhood. After 10 years together
offered him the chance to get back on
in Sydney, they decided a move away from
the floor and talk to patients about their
big mortgages, traffic and hassle would be a
healthcare. Greg’s work at UNE with the next
great idea, when academic positions at UNE in both pharmacy and paediatrics came up at the same time. It seemed destined, when schools, housing and jobs all fell into place within weeks. Development of the new pharmacy course
generation of pharmacists has reinforced the importance of counselling skills and patient education. Hannon’s Mountview Pharmacy has a philosophy of service delivery and
at UNE in both the on-campus and off-
comprehensive healthcare with a loyal
campus modes has been challenging, but an
patient base. Greg has been impressed by the
opportunity to contribute to the development
distances that patients are prepared to travel
of the pharmacy profession. Greg has been
in order to have medications dispensed. It is no
teaching in the new pharmacy course for
doubt a testament to what they value in a true
3 days a week and this year looked for an
community pharmacy.
Tell us about your business? Ridley Mini Skips is a service based business offering a waste removal and recycling service which began in 2004. We currently employ ten local people. We offer our service to Armidale and district, with skips available for mixed waste, green waste or builders’ rubble.
What’s new We have had a few new processes added to our Material Recovery Facility in the last year or so. We have invested in a plastic grinder, which enables us to reduce bulky hard plastic items, such as car bumper bars, discarded poly pipe, computer cases, outdoor furniture and plastic toys, just to name a few, into granules, which can be then loaded into bulk bags for easy transport and further recycling.
We can offer skips of any size to anyone who needs a convenient way of waste removal. Our skips range in size starting at 2 cubic Another investment is our Polystyrene metres and go up to a massive 30 cubic recycling machine, which enables us to metres. Ridley Mini Skips are in a unique control all sorts of Styrofoam packaging. We position, where literally every skip can reduce styrene up to 150 times bin emptied is sorted and to 1, which is a phenomenal recycled, allowing us to save reduction. It actually melts valuable landfill space the styrene into a sausage and doing our part for form, which we make to If I was ever our community and e al id rm A h, into bricks. ric become the environment; so best e th ve ha ld ou w We then send these cycling customers can feel technological re e in the bricks off to be recycled bl la assured anything facilities avai into things like CD covers y. countr they dispose of is and lipstick cases. If this dealt with in the right sort of material goes to land manner. We have four fi ll, It can hold its form for up trucks and approximately 150 to 500 years! We are very proud bins serving our area, enabling us of what we are trying to achieve. to provide a fast, efficient, reliable service. Plans for the future I have grand plans Personal rewards I love working for ... as usual, with no resources. This is the myself. I love it when everything goes normal way I do things. I get these ideas and well. That’s not very often though! The become fixated on a project, then get tunnel basic principle of being your own boss vision until I achieve what I set out to do. is great, but there’s a fair bit of baggage that comes with it. I suppose the best personal reward that I find is that everything Annette and I have achieved is from our own hard work – nothing gifted or given. We started with nothing and have grown to have a business that we are proud of – and a business that we can say really benefits our community through our recycling initiatives. Don’t be fooled though! Nothing is ever as easy as it sounds!
If I was ever to become rich, Armidale would have the best technological recycling facilities available in the country. We are in a fantastic geographical position to service half the state, and the opportunities are only limited by the mighty dollar (don’t tell my wife about these plans)! So at this stage, we just plug along and prioritise what we can support. The future is promising, but not always affordable.
new england focus 49
MENINBUSINESS
focusfeature.
Lindsay Snell. Li Lindsay Snell Plumbing
Greg Maschio. Joblink Plus
How long have you worked at Joblink Plus? I started with Joblink Plus eight years ago, and today I am managing the New England region.
in the evenings to spend quality time with my
Describe a typical day at work? I’m on the road a lot. I travel around the region from branch to branch. My area includes Walcha to Tenterfield.
As this issue is full of Men In Business, what’s
My role is very diverse. I am always communicating with employers, employees and training organsiations.
base of both skilled and unskilled people.
I am often working with job seekers to help prepare them for employment and training opportunities.
We offer ongoing support to both employers
We help to re-engage them back into employment and the community.
relevant training and licensing.
How do you juggle work with family life?
personal tools and equipment required by the
We have four kids. One has flown the nest and is attending university, but I am still enjoying my time with our three others.
workplace.
I like my job, because it enables me to be at home
job seekers network ... This is a free service.
50 new england focus.
family. My partner is a very supportive wife to me and a great mum to our children. your advice to them? Well, if you are looking for an employee, come to us: we have a strong client We will do our best to tailor the perfect person for the perfect job. and job seekers, with services such as mentoring, We also offer assistance to employees needing
We run positions vacant for employers who need staff, and we also have an effective national online
Tell us about your business? LSP is a plumbing business that has been operating since 1994. The business services include general plumbing maintenance, gas installations, gas ducted heating and new house plumbing in domestic and commercial properties.
employees and clients. Integrity – do what
Our team consists of 4 plumbers,1 school based apprentice and 1 office manager. LSP is an organisation with a vision with a common link. LSP's vision is to be the plumber of choice. LSP values are the guiding principles for demonstrated behaviour and actions in the workplace.
apprentices turn into men who know how to
LSP values are: Safety – look after yourself, your team and others around you. Teamwork – work smart, work hard, work together. Prosperity – create value for all stakeholders,
you say you are going to do. Environment – reduce, recycle, rejuvenate. The personal rewards that you gain from your business? To see clients happy with your service; it is nice to feel appreciated. To see work hard and contribute to the community. What challenges do you see for your business in the future? Times are tough for many with the national and global economic environment; confidence is the key for economic growth. We have to be on the ball with service/cashflow. Find operational efficiencies and cut costs to survive in these times. Cash is king in these times.
focusfeature.
MENINBUSINESS
Joel Ruig. Contrywide Financial Solutions
The media sells FEAR!
those dodgy feral fund investments:
Whatever way I turn in the current market, the
1. If it is too good to be true, IT IS. 2. Check out
news is always BAD. One thing that the media
the organisation selling the investment.
keeps selling me is FEAR, and I just seem to keep
3. Do the math. 4. Understand the product. If it is
on buying it! Nightmares, threats, scams, fear, fear and more fear! As a financial planner, I feel that my task has become one of carrying my clients on my back, while I navigate a minefield blindfolded.
complicated, then avoid it. 5. Understand the costs. If it is ‘FREE’, then you cannot afford it. 6. Read all the literature provided. 7. Diversify. 8. If you can’t afford to lose it, then DON’T risk it. 9. Don’t ever be greedy. Forget the fantasies – there are no get rich
But then I realise that this is a critical part of a
schemes. 10. No, you are not smarter than the
financial planner’s job. Staying out of trouble
rest of the world.
or avoiding rip offs is at least as good, or even better, than making money. When you get into trouble, or when you get ripped off, you almost
A good financial planner will assist you in all of the above – NOT just sell you a product. A good financial planner will be doing your financial
always seem to lose everything you put into it. A
math for the rest of your life. This month we are
100% loss is, after all, everything.
offering a $250 discount voucher for any new
So, this month I thought that I would provide
reviews done by COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL
some very basic rules of thumb to help you avoid
SOLUTIONS PTY LTD. Ph 1800 450 446.
new england focus
51
Madeleine
focusinterview.
Madeleine Keaton, proprietor of Curves Armidale, reports on the Campus to City Canter that was run on Saturday, March 17. She explains how the funds raised are donated to our local State Emergency Service. Madee also gears us up for Curves’ 5th birthday celebrations.
52 new england focus.
hen did you become owner of Curves in Armidale, and how’s it going? I became owner of Curves in September 2011, but I have been working here over a year now. It is going great. I am very passionate about Curves and helping women reach their goals, whether it is losing weight, toning and firming, or just staying healthy. All my members are fantastic; they are all full of great ideas to help me grow my business. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. How are you involved in the Campus to City Canter? We had a team of 40 for the Campus to City Canter. Curves is a very social gym, and we are regularly going to events or having our own parties. The Canter was lots of fun, and it supports and raises funds for our local SES! Curves Armidale is also celebrating our 5th birthday on 24 March with a high tea. How did the recent Canter go? It went really well! The rain even held off for us! Of course, it would have been nice to win, but we were just in it for fun. When we finished, we had breakfast with the band. It was so much fun, we are going to organise a quarterly walk with breakfast for our members. There were lots of people, but it has been busy every year I have participated.
What’s next for you and Curves? We are releasing a revolutionary, complete diet program called Curves Complete. Losing weight isn’t easy. It takes real commitment to make the necessary changes to diet, exercise and lifestyle. And, for most people, it takes a plan. That’s why Curves has developed Curves Complete, a simple, easy-to-follow weight-loss plan that combines the three keys to taking off weight and keeping it off: diet, exercise and motivation. Curves is the only place you can get all three. The Curves Complete program incorporates all three key components of a successful weight management plan and is designed to help dieters lose up to 10 kg of body fat and up to 50 cm in just 90 days. Women are seeing real results and sharing their success stories with others at www.facebook.com/curves. Australia. Research shows that up to 95% of dieters regain their lost weight – and then some. It’s not because there’s something wrong with them; it’s because there’s something wrong with conventional weight loss plans. To lose weight and keep it off, you need three secret weapons: Diet: Weekly personalised diet plans and shopping lists created through the Curves Complete website, available exclusively to Curves Complete members.
These tools help dieters enjoy the convenience and portion control of expensive mail-order diet food programs while shopping at their own grocery stores – and for a fraction of the cost! The plan even offers a convenient new Heat & Eat option, so that dieters can include healthy frozen food choices like Lean Cuisine® and Healthy Choice® in their diet plans. Exercise: Curves workouts combine metabolism-boosting cardio with strengthtraining and stretching, while providing a continually more challenging workout experience as fitness improves. Curves is a facility specifically designed for women featuring a complete 30 minute workout that is fun, fast and safe. Curves Armidale also features the most advanced fitness equipment in the world, CurvesSmart. This personalised coaching system designs and manages your workouts to get you the maximum return on your efforts. Motivation: Daily motivational videos produced through a partnership with the renowned Cleveland Clinic that offer advice and strategies from a panel of experts to help you make healthy choices and keep the weight off. Plus, one-on-one time with your personal coach each week to support, encourage and motivate. For more information about Curves Complete, call 1300 Curves (1300 287 837).
new england focus 53
54 new england focus.
APRIL 2012
WITH TERRI
A R I E S.
L E O.
SAG I T TA R I U S.
MAR 21 - APR 20
JUL 24 - AUG 23
NOV 23 - DEC 21
A holiday will soon settle some restlessness within. Visit a travel agent or look at some travel brochures to awaken the adventurous you. A fresh new perspective will be gained, which will reflect positively back on your life. Expect some new friendships too. Carnelian helps us take active steps towards change.
Focus on your most important challenge at this time in order to achieve your hard earned sucess. You are too easily distracted at present, which is causing frustration. Be a little more aware of your thoughts, and eliminate negativity, self doubt and fear. Turquoise and Rose Quartz will enhance your loving charisma.
Bring out your happy self, as you are taking life far too seriously. This has left you drained lately and feeling unenthused. You just do things: you don’t need to talk about it or plan it, so remember this when you are next tempted to procrastinate. Sugilite would be of great benefit at this time, as it helps us face our challenges with a joyful outlook.
TAU RU S.
V I RG O.
C A P R I C O R N.
APR 21 - MAY 21
AUG 24 - SEPT 23
DEC 22 - JAN 20
Even though your challenges may seem overwhelming, look at the new you that you’re expressing to the world. You are a very strong person, so congratulations on owning your own power. Try a little fresh goal setting; this will ease your restlessness. Tourmaline amplifies your inner peace, playful inner child energy and settles restlessness.
GEMINI. MAY 22 - JUN 22
You are in desperate need of some personal time. You make everyone else a priority, but neglect your own personal needs. Set some new goals and try to remain positive. You have such a gift of manifesting; just play with it. Tiger Eye helps to maintain a sense of balance and direction.
Your focus will be clearer after you have set some new goals or direction. Get that clever Virgo mind active and satisfy your intellect. An exciting new opportunity is out there through learning something different, so look for that perfect course or read an imformative book. Azeztulite allows us to explore alternate realities comfortably.
Begin something new. Soon, work opportunities will keep you busy, fill your being with satisfaction and complete you. However, your enthusiasm needs to be strong when the project begins, so now is the time to feed it. Rhodonite helps us to discover new talents in the workplace.
LIBRA.
AQ UA R I U S.
SEPT 24 - OCT 23
JAN 21 - FEB 19
Connect with a passion you have. Your love of life needs satisfying. Change is coming forward, and this is a natural challenge for the Libran. Start a project, or play with your creative energies. You will soon offer your family members some profound healing advice, so don’t be afraid to speak. Topaz strengthens our self-esteem and brings personal power to situations surrounding us.
Y may be You b feeling a little uprooted or unsettled lately. A new move or the discussion of moving is likely to be on the agenda. Avoid rash decisions; wait for what feels right, and you will have no regret. New friends are coming into the picture.
CANCER.
S C O R P I O.
P I S C E S.
JUN 23 - JUL 23 JU
OCT 24 - NOV 22
FEB 20 - MAR 20
You so desperately want a change in direction, but this is challenging your rules and boundaries in life. At present, your personal strength is being tested, which also may make it harder to pursue your desires. Ask yourself how badly do you want change? Let this motivate you. Phenacite helps us to release other people’s worries from our energies.
Remove all self-doubt. You already know what your challenges outcome will be. You even have your answers for getting there quicker. Find out what it is that renders you powerless, so that you can not be played with. Snowflake Obsidian is wonderful for shattering negative thoughts.
An ending of a situation is bringing an exciting new influence into the picture. Your task at the moment is to understand your place in the scheme of things. Don’t compromise your standards to soothe your fears. Keep in touch with what makes your heart sing. Rose Quartz attracts us towards loving experiences.
new england focus 55
focusabode.
NEW ENGLAND
property guide. Joakim H Ho oo off N Natural atural Matters Designs runs a company inspired by the ideals of a sustainable life. His passion for energy efficiency actually led him to build his own straw bale home – a one of a kind property that is now up for sale. do not know how many times people have laughed (in a nice way) at our original idea of building a straw bale house. It was either going to be Mr Wolf (the local fox) that blew it down, or the Aussie termites that would devour it. However, we pushed on and ultimately found support from the New England Credit Union (now the Community Mutual Credit Union), the local hardware stores and Moar Windows and Doors, which at that time shared their good knowledge in building and building materials with us. To them, and many others, we are thankful for their support. We, Mattie, Joakim and family (Ho family), became fascinated by the idea of straw bale construction about 12 years ago. The talk was that it was sustainable, a good insulative material, easy to build with and cost effective (cheap!). All these qualities seemed to stack up with our values, so we decided to commit. For sustainability and cost reasons, we opted to work with as many recycled materials or local materials as possible. This led to some great finds or design features pertaining to the building. These included: • Turpentine timber posts that support the dwelling. They originated from the last Sydney timber wharf that was pulled apart in the year 2000. • Terracotta tiles – from the former Commonwealth Bank building. • Poured earth floor. • Earth rendered walls. • Rock work. It was only when the timber columns (full of barnacles) turned up, that we realised what we had committed ourselves to! And when the crane driver (who placed the columns) and who frequently utilised the 'f' word, had finished for the day, I was convinced that swearing in Australia was not a bad thing! One of the main prerequisites for this home was its thermal performance. It was to be cool in summer and warm in winter. Straw bale construction provides this attribute. It is very well suited for the New England climate, being dry and cool. We have now spent over 10 years in the dwelling and have enjoyed its many qualities, the essence of a handmade home and the atmosphere that a straw bale house exudes. I am still surprised at how the dwelling performs year round and can recommend this building material to anyone searching for something different. As a family comprising 3 children, with 2 being teenagers, the draw of the 'town life' has now won the battle.
56 new england focus.
focusabode.
For and sustainabilits,yw e on as re st co ith w k or w to d opte ed cl cy re y as man l materials or loca materials as possible.
We have moved into town and have put our greatest asset up for sale/rent (Real Estate Agent Richardson & Wrench now lists it). With all the bonuses that country living provide, this move has been one with mixed emotions. The location beside the creek – Commissioners Waters – has provided many happy walks, rides, swims and adventures for the children, who have all spent the majority of their years here. The ideals of a sustainable lifestyle were what first led us on to this path. This ideal has me now running Natural Matters Design – a Building Design consultan-
cy which aims to provide expertise in thermal efficient design, both for new dwellings and renovations. Our w work has naturally been touched by most alternative m materials available; however, the larger portion of our w work today makes use of conventional materials. We also provide thermal performance assessments o new and existing buildings. These tools assists us of to work out whether a building, or a particular design w when still on the drawing board, can be easily heated and cooled. We always strive (with the parameters provided by clients) to achieve as close a design to a carbon neutral foot print as possible.
the plug! For more information on our dwelling for sale/ rent, please contact Richardson & Wrench – (02) 6771 1776. Alternatively, you can reach us at Natural Matters Design – (02) 6772 1989.
new england focus 57
focusinterview.
Darren Schaefer is the Senior Manager of Marketing and Member Engagement for New England Mutual.
H
e has returned to live and work in Armidale, and with him he brings a wealth of knowledge that he has gained from working with global organisations. How long have you lived in Armidale? I spent the first 22 years of my life in Armidale and left after completing a degree at UNE. I have recently returned about nine months ago, and I have come to learn that this is not an uncommon occurrence these days – apparently I am one of many. So what brought you to work for New England Mutual? It was largely the ability to reconnect with and be part of a community again. I had been living in Sydney as well as abroad for a number of years, and admittedly, I’ve had a great time. I didn’t miss out on much in terms of experiences, both work related and social in nature. Working with global organisations in big cities, with big brands and household names can be great, and I wouldn’t trade it. However, for me there comes a time when a backyard beckons, family calls, and the desire to be part of something even bigger, philosophically speaking, just draws you in. As it turns out in this instance, bigger was, in fact, smaller. I think it’s fair to say that I now work with an
organisation with a big philosophy – and that is to stay local – loyal to its members and communities. If I can work for an organisation that wants to make the community in which I live a better place, then that’s great. Perhaps that’s a little selfish, but at least everyone wins – not just me. How do you become an expert in your field? That depends what you consider to be an expert. If you’ve ever worked in marketing, it sometimes seems like everyone else is the expert, because it’s so often perceived as being opinion based. And some of it is – particularly the creative component. However, marketing is a very dynamic and subjective field to be in, insofar as it changes all of the time. This is where experience can count for a lot. A good marketer is one that is thorough and applies some science to their opinions and allows the data to guide and support their activities. That, and having a bucket load of energy and passion for what you’re marketing. If you can’t convince yourself, how are you going to convince others? There is also no substitute for liking what you do, as this helps feed the energy and passion, and enables you to adapt to change (often too quickly these days). Describe the work you do? I am currently a Snr Manager in Marketing and Member Engagement, which can be very
coming soon...
at the heart of our community New England Mutual is a trading name of New England Credit Union Ltd. ABN 21 087 650 360 : AFSL 241167
58 new england focus.
Darren SCHAEFER
rewarding – particularly in terms of receiving member feedback and its community support responsibilities. Basically, it means that I look after brand management, the product offering, member satisfaction reporting, as well as a bunch of sponsorships and community initiatives, which fits me like a glove. Do you work with a team? Yes – a great team! There are five other people in the department who I would have to say are motivated by seeing members satisfied and making a difference in their community. This seems to outweigh the negatives of putting up with me as
What are your plans for the future? I really want to focus on the end benefit of what it means when you bank with New England Mutual – that is relevant benefits for members, and relevant benefits for their communities. We’ve been looking at ways in which we can achieve this, one of which we intend to launch in the coming weeks at heartofourcommunity.com.au Its aim is to give our members and members of the community a voice to promote what they would like to see happen in their community. I am really excited by this prospect and encourage everyone with a community spirit to contribute. Join me and be part of something big – and this
their manager.
time I don’t mean philosophically speaking.
focusinterview. Michael Straub.
Armidale Newline Plumbing. Servicing the region since 1996, Armidale Newline Plumbing currently employs around 12 full-time staff. We catch up with 2 of their plumbers, Adrian Cuttle and Michael Straub.
Adrian Cuttle.
ow long have you lived in Armidale, Adrian? I have lived here for most of my life, and I completed my schooling at Armidale High. I did most of my plumbing apprenticeship in Armidale, and I believe that I have had the very best of training. They really know their stuff here at Newline. How long have you worked at Newline? I have been back for eighteen months now. I left Armidale for a while and went to Brisbane, but I am glad to be home. Describe the plumbing work you enjoy doing? Well, it varies. I enjoy my job a lot, but if I had to pick, I like doing the big commercial jobs, rather than the small residential jobs we do. Do you install solar passive plumbing? Yes, we install a lot of Apricus solar hot water systems, because they are very popular and energy efficient. Do you think Armidale is keeping up with the rest of the country when it comes to using energy efficient products? There are a lot of people who
have converted to solar installations, but it’s important for the planet’s future that more people start to change their ways. Newline can show you plenty of good ideas and reasons to use energy efficient products. What’s popular today? Hydronic and Geothermal heating are very popular now. These heating systems allow you to heat and cool your home plus heat your hot water, with up to a 70% saving on your heating bills. What do you like most about working at Armidale Newline Plumbing? The owners are great to work for. That’s why I came back to them after spending some time in Brisbane. INTERVIEW WITH NEWLINE APPRENTICE MICHAEL STRAUB How long have you lived in Armidale? I’m born and bred. I went to BenVenue Primary and Duval High School. Tell us about your apprenticeship? I’m in to my fourth year of plumbing. Newline Plumbing has taken me on while I complete my studies. Describe the work you do for
Armidale Newline Plumbing? I do everything from major drainage to residential call outs. I have just done some major works on The Armidale Hospital as well. Where have you recently returned from? I’ve been working up at Mission Beach, near Cairns. Heaps of tradies went up there to help clean up after Cyclone Yasi. The region was devastated from the cyclone, and it was great to be able to help residents return to normality. What do you do in your personal life? I am currently playing soccer for North Armidale. I also have a four year old daughter. I’m really glad to be back in Armidale, so I can see her more often. Final word? It has been great returning from Cairns to a good job with Newline. I’d like to thank the owners for having confidence in my plumbing abilities.
new england focus 59
Top performing primary school in the New England North West St John’s is top of the class According to the 2011 NAPLAN, St John’s Co-Educational Junior School, Armidale was ranked 11th in the state for Reading at Year 5 level and was also in the top 100 for Grammar, Spelling and Writing.* Contact us now to find out how your child can share in our academic success. *As ranked in My School tables, SMH February 27, 2012
learning with spirit
Uralla Road, Armidale NSW 2350 Australia T +61 02 6774 8700 F +61 02 6772 7057 E info@negs.nsw.edu.au www.negs.nsw.edu.au
Transition - Year 12, Anglican Day and Boarding School