New England Focus i76

Feature Story

NEW ENGLAND

September 2013 // Issue 76

c e l e b r at I N G 4 0 y e a r s

University of the Third Age

2 new england focus.

focus team.

Welcome to the September edition of New England FOCUS. lowly but surely we are beginning to the see the end of another New England winter, with signs of spring starting to show. As we brave through the last part of winter, don’t let that stop you from getting out and about, enjoying all the fantastic things happening in September. We also send a big happy Father’s Day wish out to all the fathers in the New England.

S

INSIDE THIS ISSUE As always, we have our normal vast array of interviews with locals. So sit back, relax, grab a coffee and enjoy the latest issue of FOCUS. Our front cover is dedicated to Local Area Commander Bruce (Bluey) Lyons, who celebrates 40 years in the NSW Police Force this year. He lets us know of his amazing experiences.

Alex Kiriczenko shares his passion for aviation, having now been awarded a scholarship that will allow him to teach people to fly and to work as a flying school instructor right here in Armidale.

Estelle Boshoff is a National Disability

contacts.

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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

Coordination officer; she works on a strategic level to target barriers that people with a disability face in successfully accessing and completing post-school education and training and subsequent employment. We catch up with Estelle about her career and the upcoming My Future, My Choice disability expo.

Jan Pearson tells FOCUS about her passion for collecting mice – a story you have to read to believe.

Be sure to read our interview with local businessman Rob Taber, who is running as an Independent in the upcoming election.

Rob tells FOCUS why readers should consider him at the polls.

Leanda Cochrane has recently been accepted into Birth Photographers Australia and also the International Association of Birth Photographers, which means she can now offer this specialty service to our area.

organisation.

Three Year 10 girls from Uralla are at the end of a Rotary exchange program in New Zealand. Jess Lashlie, Shania Hourigan and Tiarne Smith are due home at the end of September. They share this special experience with FOCUS. A big congratulations to Kellys Plains Public School on their 150th birthday and to Armidale and District Family Day Care on their 30th birthday.

EDITOR’S PHOTO Thanks to Samantha Wheeler, for her photo taken just south of Armidale on the Gara Rd, on a very frosty morning.

FINAL SAY “Someone else is happy with less than what you have” – unknown.

Shirley from the University of the Third Age Armidale Incorporated gives us an insight into the history of the

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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 2012 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

new england focus 3

inside this

Issue 76 - September 2013

11.

Collectors Corner.

Jan Pearson tells FOCUS about her passion for collecting …

Mice!

Leanda Cochrane .

14.

Leanda Cochrane has recently been accepted into Birth Photographers Australia and also the International Association of Birth Photographers, which means she can now offer this specialty service to our area.

26.

The Old Fella.

Since his appearance on Australia’s Got Talent, The Old Fella has performed in excess of 200 shows, in 14 months by demand!

See him live at the SerVies on Saturday 28 September at 7.30pm.

usual suspects.

the

10. what’s on for September 24. eat featuring local restaurants 44. star guide with Terri

No matter where you are in the world, d, read Focus for free online every month nth @

www.focusmag.com.au follow us on www.facebook.com/ne.focus w www.twitter.com/focusmag www.focusmag.com.au/eat

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focusinterview.

University of the Third Age Armidale

Univerofsthite y

Incorporated in Armidale, NSW, Australia is part of the worldwide organisation University of the Third Age. President Shirley gives us the

Age

history on the local organisation.

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hat is the University of the Third Age? The University of the Third Age Armidale (U3AA) is a community organisation providing stimulating learning, recreational and social opportunities for just under 600 older members.

The ‘Third Age’ is defined as that period of life after the First Age, childhood and schooling, and the Second Age, working and caring for families. The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a world-wide movement that began in France.

‘L’Université du troisiémme âge’ was started

by Prof. Pierre Vellas of the Toulouse University of Social Sciences in 1973. It quickly spread throughout Europe following the French model, being associated with academic universities but when it reached Cambridge in 1981, a model was adopted that was independent of universities and that relied on a system of no distinction between the teachers and the taught. This is the model that was followed when the movement reached Melbourne in 1984.

When did U3A begin in Armidale?

U3AA began with the meeting of a group of eight people in early June 1992. Three of that group, Des Latham, Hilda Newley and Dick Franklin, are still active members of U3AA. The first public meeting was held in July, attended by 74 people. The first courses to be offered were: Australian History with Jo Woolmington, Historical Studies with Brother Ailred, and Music Appreciation with Geoff and Gretel Kempster. Of particular interest is that the Music Appreciation course flourishes to this day, with the Kempsters' living room crammed with avid Classical music lovers.

tions In 1993 U3AA moved its HQ into the RSL to may join U3AA. The only real limitations hough room over the Armidale Memorial Library, and are practical ones such as mobility, although rames in March 2007 moved again to rooms rented we have members who use walking frames her from Armidale Senior Citizens Association and other members who attend together d in (ASCA) in ASCA House (the Pink House!) on with a carer. Anyone who is interested 72 the corner of Barney and Markham Streets. joining may contact U3AA; phone 6772 rship The idea of purchasing premises was 2752 to enquire. In 2014 the membership raised several times over the years, but was fee will be $40, and anyone who joinss after always rejected on the grounds that 30 September 2013 will benefit with repayment of a loan, paying for membership from that datee rates, power, insurances, through to December 2014, maintenance, etc. would a ‘bonus’ of three months' be a prohibitive burden membership.

There is always on members.

What are the most a demand for It seemed that the popular courses esday places in the Tu plan to buy property running, and what Talk s group that ts was an impossible other courses are on ac consistently attr dream. However, late offer? d an an interesting in 2008 the prospect If by ‘popular’ it is varied range of emerged of a possible meant the number of .” rs speake amalgamation of U3AA people enrolled, then and ASCA. ASCA's Bushwalking is the most membership had dwindled popular. If, however, popularity alarmingly and their ‘activities’ is measured by the number of had also reduced to one meeting on people who are on waiting lists for each Friday. The amalgamation was already over-enrolled courses, then the four completed in 2009, and U3AA became much smaller book groups will be in that the new owners of ASCA House and all other equation. There is always a demand for places ASCA assets. in the Tuesday Talks group that consistently Since then, there has been a program of attracts an interesting and varied range of gradually upgrading the premises, the most speakers. Aquarobics is offered five mornings obvious being the transformation of the ‘back each week and has a large number enrolled, verandah’ into an enclosed room that is much but this activity is limited by the available space more user-friendly in all seasons. at the shallow end of the TAS swimming pool.

Membership has grown steadily over the Other popular courses are Photography, years, from that modest 74 in 1992 to current Mah-jong and Yoga (three groups). Other membership of just under 600. groups include Play 500, Cards for Fun, Who and how can people join U3AA? Scrabble and Chess. To get older bodies and Most are retired people, but because we do minds working, we have Table Tennis, Bones not ask prospective members to provide their and Balance, Birdwatching, Tai Chi (two date of birth, it means that anyone who wishes groups), Feldenkrais, Cryptic Crosswords,

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Meditation, and not to forget the gentle art of Croquet. For those leaning towards arts and crafts, there are Armchair Theatre, U3AA Sketch Club, Cross Stitch and Needlecraft, Candlewick Embroidery, Bracelets, Pendants and Ear-rings, and Calligraphy. Italian, German and French language groups meet to hone their foreign language skills. U3AA has a computer room and a group of very skilled computer technology instructors, for those who want to improve their knowledge in the ever-growing, ever-changing world in cyberspace.

Is there anything else that U3AA is planning?

From 7 - 9 May 2014, U3AA will host the Conference, AGM and Members’ Forum of the U3A Network NSW. There are 68 members of the Network NSW and delegates will be coming from most of them, as well as some from interstate. The Hon. John Watkins, Chancellor of UNE and CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW has agreed to deliver the Keynote Address, and we are eagerly anticipating a very interesting program of speakers and workshops during the Conference.

Details about this Conference will be published through U3AA and on the U3A Network NSW website later in the year.

Thanks Shirley. new england focus 5

focusinterview.

Local Area Commander Bruce (Bluey) Lyons celebrates 40 years in the NSW Police Force. He shares his amazing journey with FOCUS.

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luey, 40 years in Policing is a wonderful achievement. What inspired you to become a Police Officer?

I joined the NSW Police Force not long after leaving high school in Canterbury, Sydney. I turned 19 when I was sworn in as a Police Officer. Why, I guess even at that age I saw a career in Policing as exciting and a career that helps community. Some 40 years on, I still have the same view; it really has been exciting, and we underestimate ourselves as Police Officers about how important we are to community.

You would have seen many changes in the Police Force during your career. What do you consider to be the major changes?

Without doubt, the most prolific change in Policing in my time has been the advancement of technology in investigations. I think that has been the most important legacy left behind by former Commissioner Peter Ryan. He really did propel NSW Police ahead of other jurisdictions.

The world of DNA and its prolific use within Policing has had a tremendous impact in solving crimes – crimes that would never have been solved are being solved today through DNA. I think the other standout change is one of the risk of terrorism and how we now deal with that as a Police organisation and how we work closely with other Police Forces around the world.

Where have you performed your duty throughout your career?

I started my career in Sydney, September, 1973 and was first posted to Regent Street Police Station. I spent about 2 years in uniform and then was selected to go into plain clothes to train to become a Detective. It was not long and I found myself in 21 Special Squad, investigating street level drug dealers, prostitutes, gaming offences and the like. It was a real training ground for young Detectives in the making.

I finished my Detectives course and was transferred not long after to the Fraud Squad of the CIB. I then remained at the CIB for the next

18 years, working in the Drug Squad, Organised Crime and murder taskforces. I travelled all over Australia and through Europe during the course of major investigations. I think back and realise how privileged I have been to work in that Policing area for such a long time. It was indeed a wonderful time; I worked with so many good Police Officers, and we achieved some memorable results.

Of course, there were some hard and sad times during that journey. My dear old mate and workmate at the time, Michael Drury, was shot twice through his chest and stomach as he stood in his kitchen at his home – all because he would not compromise his values as an ethical Policeman and as a good human being. The underworld thought they could take out a cop, but they failed. Michael was at death’s door for several weeks, and his will to survive and continued strength to be a Police Officer was legendary stuff.

In 1998 I left the CIB and became the Crime Manager on the Mid North Coast, based at Port Macquarie. In late 1999 I was promoted to Superintendent and became the Commander of the New England Command based at Armidale.

What a lovely area to work. I remained in the New England until mid 2004 and was then transferred to the Richmond Police Command based at Lismore. Some six years later, I found myself back in the New England and simply enjoy the wonderful people who live in this area.

You would have done many good things in the Police Force. Are you able to tell us anything you may have done that stands out?

As the Commander on the coast, I had an officer there named Gary Hill. He worked at Ballina Police Station. He had been battling cancer for a couple of years. He was special; he kept on coming to work, despite what was confronting him with this awful illness.

I asked him one day what lay ahead for him.

He told me that when he retired, he wanted to have enough money to go to St Peter’s Square in Rome and be there for when the Pope would come out on the balcony and give his mass. As it turned out, the Pope was visiting Australia

for World Youth Day celebrations. I then went hung onto life for this moment and blessing. about organising for Gary to work in Sydney in Whilst the Pope was talking to Gary, I noticed and around to where the Pope was going to be. him looking at Gary's Police hat, and all of a I remember I had it organised for Gary to be in sudden he picked it up and placed it on his the second row in St Mary’s Cathedral when the head, thinking this was the hat we were giving Pope was saying mass. Gary was over the moon. him.

Seems as though it wasn't meant to be. A Gary never saw that hat again; I would like fortnight before the Pope arrived, Gary became to think it hangs somewhere in the Vatican ill at work. He was rushed to Lismore Hospital, alongside the Akubra that we smuggled to him. taken out of his Police uniform and put straight In closing, Gary met the Pope and the Lord, all into Palliative Care. The doctors told me Gary in two days. It was a sad but beautiful moment was dying and there was little chance he would in my Police career. make it to Sydney. One thing Policing has Being the Commander of New England is a taught me, is that you never give up when very demanding job. Could you there is a bit of hope. I soon got the tell us what you enjoy the message through to all those most about it? who counted about this dying My day to day duties “ I remember Policeman who wanted to vary.

I guess too many ’s pe asking the Po see the Pope. times I am in Sydney as w security if it e Somehow, word filtered dealing with corpoth ve ok if we ga ra back through the layers of ub rate issues; however, Ak Pope an ed rm fo in the Vatican security that whilst in the comey hat. Th t be no d ul o w Pope Benedict would see mand I do my best it me do protocol to our wonderful dying Policeto make our Police that. ” man and bless him. We manOfficers relevant to aged to get Gary transferred to our communities. Whilst the St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney fighting crime and arrestvia air ambulance. The plan was for Gary ing criminals is our core business, to meet with the Pope in the loungeroom of the forging positive relationships with community is residence he was staying in at Kenthurst. When just as important. I see every day the work my we arrived, Gary was too ill to sit in a wheel officers do in assisting families who are experichair, so it was decided to have the Pope meet encing tough times; our Police mainly do this in with him on the front lawn whilst Gary lay on a silent way, and not many within community his stretcher. are aware of the compassion Police show – exI remember asking the Pope’s security if it was cept of course the family who are experiencing OK if we gave the Pope an Akubra hat. They intrauma and sad times. formed me it would not be protocol to do that.

I think it is fair to say, most of my enjoyment I told Gary it would be all right and we would is simply experiencing the good work our Police hide the Akubra under the blanket and give it do, day in and day out. to the Pope when he arrived. I had Gary dressed What advice would you give to any person in his Police uniform, and he had his Police hat considering joining the Police Force? laying on his tummy. One of the Pope's staff My advice to someone wanting to join the must have told the Pope about Gary wanting to Police is strap yourself in and enjoy the journey. give him a hat.

You will have life’s education unfold before you.

The Pope arrived, and he was simply beautiDo not underestimate the importance of Policful. He stayed and talked to Gary for several ing and your standing in the community. minutes, and I told the Pope how Gary had Thanks Bluey. new england focus 7

p r o g r a m

Three Year 10 girls from Uralla are at the end of a Rotary exchange program in New Zealand. Jess Lashlie, Shania Hourigan and Tiarne Smith are due home at the end of September. They share their special experience with Focus ...

H

ow did the exchange come about?

The Rotary Club of Uralla has been very involved in youth exchange over the years. We have hosted some wonderful students over the past few years on the long term 12 month exchange, so when the school asked for expressions of interest in this exchange, there was great interest. This exchange is a little different, however, as it is only for 6 months. The New Zealand student comes here for 3 months, living with their match, and then the two students go back to New Zealand for 3 months.

Why New Zealand?

This particular exchange programme is called RANZE (Rotary Australia New Zealand Exchange) and is for younger students aged between 14 and 16 years. The students are only away from home for 3 months. The long term 12 month Rotary youth exchange is for students 16 years and above, and they come from all over the world. For the younger kids, it is going to a country similar to Australia with no huge change of culture or language barrier.

What was involved in making this become a reality for the students?

After their initial application, there were extensive interviews. After they were accepted, next came a weekend in Walcha, where they met the other successful applicants from the Rotary district 9650. There were more interviews both with the student and the family to try to get the students matched as closely as possible.

The interview panel tries to get an in depth knowledge of the applicant: likes, dislikes, hobbies, sports, family life etc. so that they can find as close a match as possible

8 new england focus.

name a few. While in Auckland, they went to the top of from the applicants in New Zealand. The most important the sky tower and had dinner in the revolving restaurant thing is to get a close match, as they will become siblings at the top, which was amazing. for 6 months.

While in New Zealand, Shania lived in two places.

Jess was matched with Shontal Norton from Trentham, Weekends were spent at Kaitoke, a little rural place Shania was matched with Natalie Hislop from Kaitoke outside of Upper Hutt, which is where some of the Lord and Tiarne was matched with Jess Holland from Churton of the Rings was filmed. During the week, Shania was a Park. By chance, these three places are all close to Welboarder at Solway College in Masterton. She has loved lington. her time there. “My time in New Zealand has been amazHow did the New Zealand students enjoy their time ing. I have done so many fun things, like going to the in Uralla, and what did they get up to? top of the North Island and also to the very south of the The New Zealand girls all had a wonderful time North Island. I have been shopping in Wellingin Uralla and all saw quite a lot. They spent ton and visited a thermal park at Oraki.” a week on the safari, which included The three Uralla girls head off on visits to Sydney, The Blue Mountheir safari at the start of September. tains and Canberra. This safari ar ul ic rt This pa They will fly from Wellington to also gave the girls a chance to exchange Christchurch, then head out to d meet the other students who lle programme is ca ia al tr us Queenstown via Geraldine and were being hosted in Rotary A RANZE (Rotary ange) ch the McKenzie country inland district 9650.

Ex New Zealand r ge un route. They will ski/snowboard, “I had the most amazyo and is for n 14 ee tw be ed jet boat ride, abseil, attend a Kiwi ag ing time ever in Uralla,” said ts studen s.” ar ye Haka show, movies, shopping and Natalie. “My host family were 16 and other fun activities. The list goes always taking me around the on and on. They’ll even do a bungee local area and on other trips like to jump, if they have the nerve!

Brisbane and down to Melbourne. It What are the benefits of being involved was such a great experience.” in a student exchange programme?

Shontal and Jess Holland both spent time The benefits are endless. These girls have had life during the school holidays up at the Gold Coast changing experiences. They have had to speak publicly in visiting the theme parks. front of strangers at both the school they attended and The Uralla girls arrive back home soon; how the hosting Rotary club. They have lived in a different have they enjoyed New Zealand? country, made lifelong friends and have a whole new “My stay in New Zealand has been a trip to remember. family across the ditch, who I’m sure will remain a part I stayed in Wellington with the Holland family and have of their lives forever. Their confidence and independence done a wide range of activities famous in New Zealand, have been given a real boost, and I’m sure they will be such as skiing, tramping, sailing and camping. I’d like to much better citizens thanks to this experience. thank all the people for organising it and would highly A huge thank you must go to the Rotary Club of Urarecommend it to anybody,” Tiarne said. lla, who sponsored these girls and also to Uralla Central Jess Lashlie lived in Trentham, in Upper Hutt. During School for hosting the three New Zealand girls for 3 the holidays, her host family took her travelling around months. the North Island visiting Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Thanks everyone.

Waihi, Lake Taupo, Hawkes Bay and Auckland, just to

“

On 31 July 2013 over 100 offices across Australia and New Zealand changed their name from WHK to Crowe Horwath to consolidate the accounting and financial advisory firm’s dual brands.

Tony Gilbey, Principal, Crowe Horwath

WHK becomes Crowe Horwath.

T

ony Gilbey, Principal, ncipal says becoming Crowe Horwath has many advantages.

“The change equips us with the right resources so we can better help our clients achieve the best outcomes for their businesses.

As we operate in an increasingly global marketplace, the Crowe Horwath international network delivers opportunities for our clients, and also our people will benefit from secondments and support from overseas’ experts.”

Tony emphasises that nothing else has changed. “We have the same people and the same relationships with our clients and our communities. We’re the largest employer of accountants and financial advisors in regional Australia and at a time when some businesses are exiting country areas around Australia, we’re reversing the trend. We’re investing in regional areas and retaining locally trained professionals for the benefit of clients,” said Tony.

Tony says the firm is committed to the local community.

“We put a lot back into the community. We believe it is important to support initiatives that keep our community strong and vital. From a client perspective we are still proudly local and firmly believe that the personal touch and commercial and pragmatic solutions are what matter.”

About Crowe Horwath Crowe Horwath Australasia is the largest provider of practical accounting, audit, tax, business and financial advice to individuals and small and medium businesses from a comprehensive network of over 100 offices.

Crowe Horwath is part of a global accounting network that delivers high quality audit, tax and advisory services in over 100 countries. We are the relationship that you can count on - large enough to offer a range of expertise and skills - and small enough to provide the personal touch.

“We have the same people and the same relationships with our clients and our communities.”

A R O U N D

T H E

R E G I O N

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S E P T E M B E R

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NEGS OGU Framed Art Show & Sale Opening night, Friday 6 September from 6pm - 9pm. pm.

Art exhibition is open until 11am, Sunday 8 September. ember.

• Saturday 7 September, NEGS/St John's Spring Fair air – from 10am to 3pm.

• Omega Feeds NEGS CNC* ODE – 28 & 29 September. ember.

Sept

WANDERRIBY Open Garden A magnificent garden for all seasons, Wanderriby, near Wollomombi, is opening this month to showcase its hundreds of daffodils, camellias, prunus, and magnolias, all flowering under a canopy of magnificent deciduous trees.

Teas & lunches, plant sales, music and giant raffle. A great day out for the whole family.

14&15

When 10am - 4.30pm. Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September 2013.

Tickets at the garden gate. $8 for adults; children under 18 free.

More info including directions see www.neram.com.au/wanderriby

The Blonde Session New England Brewing Co New England Brewing Co is launching a new beer and to celebrate is holding an afternoon of beer and local food at the brewery. Tickets are $35 p/p and include all New England Brewing Co beers matched to local treats and a pint of New Englander Blonde Ale matched to a main dish. Whyworry Wines (Uralla) will also be available. Contact the brewery on 0433 875 209 or info@newenglandbrewing. com.au for more information.

Springg Ma Market arket Kentucky Seasonal Craft and Produce ‘Spring’ Market.

This market will also incorporate a ‘Spring Clean Car Boot Sale’.

When Sunday 8 September 2013.

Where Kentucky Memorial Hall.

Time 9am to 1pm.

Contact details Rod McGrath - KPA President Ph: 6778 7320.

First Saturday chats Our next First Saturday chats will be hosted by Gurmeet Kaur (Solicitor). As this is a popular program, bookings are essential on (02) 6788 1100.

When 28 September at 1pm.

Tickets New England Brewing Co, 19 Bridge St Uralla.

When Saturday 7 September.

Where Legal Minds Office, 157 Beardy St Mall.

Contact 1300 642 166.

The home of great entertainment Every Friday and Saturday in our Main Lounge we have great FREE ENTERTAINMENT NTERTAINMENT FROM 6PM

Vince M Vi Melouney l from Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs and the Bee Geess Diamond D amond B Ball alll

The Old Fella Rod Gregory brings his unique and hilarious bush humour to the SerVies. Tickets $22 available from reception. Doorss open pt. at 7.30pm on Saturday 28th Sept.

All ages welcome. Free entry in our Main Lounge from 6pm on Friday riday 13th September.

C Celebrating our Jubilee 60th anniversary year.

6 SSaturday 12th October.

TTickets $59 includes a 2 course meal and beer, wine and soft drinks and entertainment. ent

Donate4Kate’s Shade Ball D Fri Friday 6th September 6.30pm. All money raised will go to Melanoma mo Institute Australia. Special guest Ins Stephanie Rice. Tickets $50 Ste

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new england focus.

Chad Morgan & The Muirs Entry is Free. Tickets available from reception. 18+ event. Doors open 7pm. Saturday 31st August.

focusinterview.

R NE COR

Ja n Pearson Jan Pearson ttells ll FOCUS about b t her passion for collecting … MICE!

H

ow long have you lived in then nine grandchildren, five natural great grandsons, Armidale, and tell us about and we welcomed four great grandchildren, three your family ... boys and one girl, through grandchildren’s marriages.

How about 81 years – I was Quite a gathering when we are all together; born in Armidale, and I’m still these days we sit in the comfy chair and enjoy the here. I am the second child and company. only girl of four born to Jim and Mona Roach. I was When and why did you first become interested possibly the biggest boy of the lot! I could in collecting mice? swear and fight with the best of I purchased the first two in Sydney as them, as most of the kids in East a present for one of my daughters – Armidale were boys. My father beautifully dressed pipe cleaners. I it of st id m e was a plumber. liked them better than she did. th In ts all I have two ca I went to Armidale Describe you collection? that ap tr se ou m a d Demonstration School an The collection grew from might add family thought when it was segregated – that to more than a thousand . rd oa pb humour to the cu but boys down Brown Street – some very expensive, it, The family love e ar side and girls Faulkner and some are home made. Some ey th I have noticed n he w en se Mann Street corner, then to are made from straw, soap, be nowhere to ” g! in st du Armidale High School, where plasticine, others are Swarovski ed they ne sport was my thing rather than crystals, gold plated ... large ones the books. I’m proud of my name and very tiny ones. on the House Captain Honour Board.

What do you love about collecting, I left school before the end of 5th form and what does your family think about (Year 12 now) to work at Woodward & Purkiss it? with intentions of going nursing when I turned The family think it is an easy present; if they 18, but the death of my mother changed my see a mouse, they buy it. I have mice from all over plans. the world ... city mice, country mice and even I married local grazier Len Pearson in 1953 and church mice! Friends buy them on overseas trips, went to live at Abermala after marriage and yes, we and sometimes I receive them in the mail from still live there. acquaintances who know I have a mouse collection.

Four children followed: Liz, Rob, Stu and Carly, In the midst of it all I have two cats and a mouse

“

trap that family thought might add humour to the cupboard. The family love it, but I have noticed they are nowhere to be seen when they need dusting!

Where have you found your collection, and are you still collecting?

Oh yes, still collecting. I have them from St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Germany, New Zealand and stone out of the creek that a great grandson made.

Amongst the collection are a few specials – Liz bought a beautifully dressed one made by Joyce Dare in the early years of the collection, Rob a crystal one, Stu a granny knitting in a rocking chair, Carly a knitted bride and groom, a minute mouse in a bottle from my grand daughter Becc, to one with a hula skirt from Hawaii that grandson Michael brought back from his trip. Just too many to mention.

Have you ever exhibited your collection?

Would be a nightmare to move and display. I would hate to break one.

Plans for the future?

I’m always ecstatic to receive another addition, so plans are to keep dusting and buy another cabinet!

Thanks Jan.

are you a collector?

We want to know about you! Let us know what you collect, and you might just be our next Collectors Corner guest! e. tracy@focusmag.com.au ph. (02) 6771 5551.

new england focus

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focusinterview.

NEW ENGLAND GIRLS’ SCHOOL WILL ONCE AGAIN BE FLYING THE EQUESTRIAN FLAG WITH THEIR THIRD OMEGA FEEDS ONE DAY EVENT (ODE) SCHEDULED FOR 28 & 29 SEPTEMBER.

OMEGA FEEDS O N E DAY E V E N T

igh profile International Eventer Sharmayne Spencer has signed on as the Ambassador for the 2 day event to be held at the School’s state of the art Equestrian Centre. The weekend is designed to attract competitors from all over Australia and incorporates the disciplines of dressage, show-jumping and cross country. Entry is free both days, starting with the dressage at 8.30am Saturday and cross-country from 9.30 Sunday. There will be a jumping castle for the kids, show jumping under lights from 4.30pm, catering available, or simply bring a picnic and enjoy a great day out with the family.

Megan Bourke, Equestrian Prefect at NEGS for 2013 and Hilary Blackman, NEGS boarder and member of the current NSW Eventing team, will both be participating in the ODE. The girls give us an insight of how NEGS and the ODEs have helped give them a competitive edge.

MEGAN BOURKE NEGS runs a number of coaching clinics throughout the year led by some of Australia’s leading eventing athletes. How has this enhanced your riding experience?

It is a huge advantage as a rider to have access to professionals such as Sam Lyle and Brett Parbery, who are at the elite level and the top of their field. They have helped me push past my comfort zone and reach a whole new level of trust and experience with my horse, and 12 new england focus.

they have also helped me realise that the more persistent I am at something, the more pleasing the result will be.

As the 2013 Equestrian Prefect, what does the One Day Event mean for you?

As Equestrian Prefect, I feel that the ODE is a really unique opportunity for NEGS to showcase the amazing talent of our own equestrian team. From a personal perspective, to be able to show the community the great team of girls I have led over the past 12 months is a great privilege.

Do you have plans for your riding career in the future? If so, will your experience at NEGS help you reach these goals?

My aim at the moment is to continue educating my dressage horse, as well as continue to climb the ladder in eventing with my other horse. With the encouragement and teaching from the instructors at NEGS, I have gone from being scared to try new things to now being able to compete at advanced level dressage.

What would you say to young girls with an interest in riding who are considering NEGS as an option for an education and riding experience?

I would say go for it! I started riding at NEGS at the age of 5 and from my first lesson as a NEGS girl to my last, 12 years later, the school taught me things that I would never have thought possible. They encourage everyone to follow their dreams, and I think that a young girl looking at NEGS would benefit significantly,

not just from an equestrian perspective, but academically and socially too.

What does being a NEGS Equestrian prefect involve?

Being Equestrian Prefect means being the voice of the girls in the younger years, so that the Equestrian Centre staff and I can make the centre an enjoyable and fun atmosphere for themselves and their horse. I also have the privilege of leading the team at events such as NW Equestrian Expo and NSW Interschool Championships in Sydney (SIEC), which is a huge honour. It gives me the chance to create many close friendships with girls who share the same passion.

HILARY BLACKMAN What does hosting an event such as the ODE mean for NEGS? An event of this scope is fantastic PR for the school. Not only do the NEGS girls get the chance to ride in a competitive space and broaden their horizons, but it also allows people from everywhere the opportunity to use the facilities and see for themselves what NEGS has to offer. It is a great way to get the NEGS name out there and for people to see what NEGS is all about.

You have recently competed in the prestigious 3 Day Event in Melbourne and placed 9th. How do the NEGS ODEs compare?

NEGS has so many great qualities. Whether it is the great Cross Country course or the

wonderful arenas, our events have the ability to be as prestigious as Melbourne. With the right direction we will eventually attract more of the top eventers and make the NEGS ODEs a must on the eventing calendar.

How have the equestrian team/instructors helped you in your training for the ODE? Without the instructors and team, I would not be where I am today. At NEGS we have such great instructors and having access to them is a wonderful opportunity. I have had numerous lessons training for dressage, show jumping and cross country, in order to prepare myself and my horse for the event.

What do you wish to achieve in the equestrian/dressage world?

I want to go as far as I can. I am currently competing in 1 star and would like to move up to 2 star by the end of the year, and hopefully next year or the year after go down to Adelaide and compete in the 2 star down there. I would like the chance to eventually compete in 3 star events and go as far as I can.

the plug!

Sponsorship packages and Trade Fair sites are still available or for tickets to the VIP tent please contact Megan Scrivener on ode.sponsorship@negs.nsw.edu.au or on 0458 330 947.

Imagine your home in New England.

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Why not drop in for a chat.

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Contact 02 6771 3855, email newengland@gjgardner.com.au or visit online at gjgardner.com.au Photographs may depict fixtures, finishes and features not supplied Images may depict fixtures, finishes and features not supplied by G.J. Gardner Homes. These items includ fireplaces. G.J. Gardner Homes. C & K Thornton Pty Ltd. BL:201124C.

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focusinterview.

Leanda COCHRANE.

Leanda Cochrane has recently been accepted into Birth Photographers Australia and also the International Association of Birth Photographers, which means she can now offer this specialty service to our area.

Studio 22

hat brought you to Uralla?

My husband and I moved to Uralla with our two boys six years ago. We were in need of a change and fell in love with the amazing countryside and the beautiful seasons. We felt at home instantly and can’t see ourselves leaving anytime soon!

When and why did you first become interested in photography?

I’ve always had a strong interest in the Visual Arts. My dad has a history in the photography industry and passed on his passion for beautiful images to me. Four years ago I was looking for a flexible way to re-enter the workforce, after having our two boys.

There were already so many fantastic wedding photographers in our area, but there was a real lack of photographers who catered specifically for young families. So, with the encouragement of my husband and a good friend, I started Studio 22 Photography. It’s one of the best decisions we’ve made, and I haven’t looked back since!

What type of photography do you specialise in?

I specialise in photographing families with newborns and young children. If I could photograph them every single day, I would be one very happy girl! When my boys were born, people kept telling me to “enjoy every mo14 new england focus.

ment, because they grow up so fast!”

As a new, sleep-deprived mum, I didn’t believe them at all. Now I’m amazed by how right they were! The 2am feeds finish, and their ‘newness’ fades. All you have left are memories. I love being there to capture all that ‘newness’ for my clients. Although, cuddling gorgeous newborns every week does mean that ‘cluckiness’ is an occupational hazard!

Tell us about your recent move into birth photography.

It was such an honour to be accepted into Birth Photographers Australia and also the International Association of Birth Photographers recently. As my clients know, I’ve always loved sharing birth stories, and birth photography is an area I’ve been very interested in for some time now.

It’s taken me 2 years to get to a point where I’m able to offer this service to my clients. I have to say, since becoming involved with the birth photography community, I’ve become a bit of a birth addict!

How have women and their families responded to this type of photography?

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to my decision to branch out into birth photography. In Australia, it’s a relatively new area of photography.

It’s been wonderful to talk to expectant parents in person about what it involves and why it’s such an amazing chapter in your life to

have captured by a professional photographer.

It’s not uncommon for expectant dads to be a little hesitant about having a ‘stranger’ witness such an intensely personal moment. I realise that it’s not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. But, with the increasing popularity of programs like Call the Midwife and One Born Every Minute, more and more couples are considering having their own child’s birth documented by a professional birth photographer.

It’s a fantastic way to support parents and help them achieve the birth they want. I think birth photography is a great addition to all the wonderful services already available to expectant parents in our area.

What is involved with making this happen, and why is this so special?

Birth photography is totally different to other types of photography. The aim of a birth photographer is to be ‘invisible’ ... to be ‘a fly on the wall’. It’s not like a family portrait session.

There’s no photographer making silly faces to get the kids to laugh; there’s no direction to ‘look this way’ or ‘that way’.

Birth photography is pure documentary. The goal is to unobtrusively capture the emotion and beauty of who was there supporting you and what it was like during those first few moments when meeting your baby. Most parents don’t want photos that are explicit (neither do the photographers!)

What they want is to record this incredible

event in their life in a tasteful and beautiful way. Inviting a professional birth photographer to attend the birth of your baby means that your support people can be just that – support for you. Dad can hold Mum’s hand and be totally focused on her. He doesn’t have to worry about grabbing his phone to snap a grainy photo once your baby is born.

The biggest compliment I’ve received as a birth photographer was when my clients turned to me only moments after their baby was born and said, “We are so glad you’re here!” It can be very empowering and sometimes almost therapeutic for women to look back over images of their birth experience. In life we take pride in documenting important events. Becoming parents is one of the most epic, life-changing events you’ll ever experience. Why wouldn’t you want to document it?

How far throughout the New England do you provide your services?

I travel all over the New England area for maternity, newborn and family sessions. For birth sessions, I am able to take bookings for clients who are planning to deliver their baby at home or hospital within a 1.5 hour distance from Uralla.

Plans for the future?

I have the most amazing clients and I really love what I do – what more could I want? I’m excited to see what the next 12 months brings!

Thanks Leanda.

focusinterview.

Dolf and Margaret Donk.

It started with a kiss in 1944 in Hilversum, between a nurse and her patient, and today Dolf & Margaret are happily living in Armidale. Margaret reminisces about their life together ...

here are you originally from?

We are from the Netherlands and arrived in Australia on the first of January 1961. We came by plane, and on arrival were met by Dutch friends who came earlier.

How did you first meet?

Dolf was in hospital in Hilversum in 1944, where he was cared for by a nurse called Margaret [me]. He was in hospital for three months and when Dolf left, he kissed me, and the courtship continued. We got married on 15 July 1948 in Amsterdam.

Three days after the wedding day, Dolf was posted to the Merchant Navy for six months.

We lived in Amsterdam until we migrated to Australia in 1961. We spent 22 months in Skeyville, a migration camp for people coming from overseas, particularly if they had children with them and had to look for a job.

Tell us about your family ...

Dolf and I have three children born in the Netherlands. There is Giovanni, now living in Orange as a retired teacher. Then there is Gabrielle, a nurse; she lives in Albury, and last is Mario, who is an artist and lives in Wyong.

There are 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Why did you come to Australia?

Because the Merchant Navy did not fare very well after the war – also, ships were larger and needed less people.

A friend he knew through the Merchant

Navy came to Australia 5 years before, and we had a lot of contact with him. He was very enthusiastic about Australia, so we started thinking about this. Dolf did a carpentry course for 1 and a half years, which gave him a chance at getting a job in Australia.

Also, while he was in the Merchant Navy he often was away for long, long times, and the children did not recognise him when he came home. He did not like that! He liked the Merchant Navy very much though and did not find it easy to change. He had studied during the war to become a navigator, but in 1944 he had to go into hiding, because young men were picked up by the Germans.

First he stayed with another friend who was also in hiding, but after a month he contacted his uncle, who had a flower shop. The uncle picked him up on his bike with a large basket in the front, and Dolf sat in there until they were at the uncle’s place, where he stayed until the end of the war.

Although he worked and loved being a navigator, all these things have influence on your life, so finally we made the decision to go to Australia. We arrived with 3 children and stayed at the migrant camp for 22 months.

How did you like staying at the migrant camp?

To be quite honest, it was wonderful. We lived with people from of all kinds of countries, but a lot of Dutch people were there as well. We made friends with out next door Dutch neighbours and have been friends with

n them now for more liked Dutch people.

We were giveth e y b s than 50 years.

Then a Mr Jo Hanna 9 pound y er ev t en We were given m wanted to meet Dolf, rn ve go 6 9 pounds by the as he also liked Dutch week , of which be paid pounds was to government every people. we had to the camp, soy week week, of which 6 After that, he 3 pounds ever pounds was to be helped to find a house ...” paid to the camp, for rent, in Butler Street, so we had 3 pounds where we lived for 5 years. every week. The children We had then saved some went to school there also, money, but not enough to buy and within three months they spoke a house. So Mr Hanna talked to a bank English fluently. We had three meals a day, manager and had it arranged that we could and free milk for the children, as much as we pay off a loan. He even took $1,000 off the wanted. sale price of the house.

Dolf’s hobby was photography, and he He helped us, until we had paid for the developed lots of photos of the people in the house, after 7 years. We wanted to pay him camp, to send to their relatives in an old shed the interest, but he would not accept it. We he had built as a darkroom. He also was away have lived in O’Dell Street for the rest of our for some months, on a ship to Weipa, where lives so far! a harbour had to be built, and then they When we were at Butler Street, after three sailed bauxite to Japan. As I had many people months I passed the technical college. A around me while he was away, I was never refriend, Dien ter Hedde, called me and asked ally lonely. All meals were provided for us, and if I would be interested in a job. Mr Brennan a washing machine was available as well. liked Dutch people also, and I straightaway How did you happen to come to Armigot a job as a cleaner. I did this for 23 years dale? until I retired.

On the papers we had to fill in on arrival, Final say?

Dolf had mentioned he liked photography We are still very happy here. Dolf likes and that this was his hobby. Mr Anderson gardening and has been growing a lot of got hold of this information and came to the vegetables. I looked after the children until camp to meet us, and he offered Dolf a job they left home, but I wasn’t busy enough in Armidale. Mr Anderson personally came with house keeping. We are still ‘lovebirds’, to collect our family and organised also to because we love being nice to each other and get our belongings to Armidale. He said he staying together.

“

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focusupdate

Video OF THE

4:17

MONTH

Watch on your smartphone

VIDEO BY: Juliet & Juliet.

ABOUT: This is an original song from the debut EP Mistaken Love: A Trilogy by local duo Juliet & Juliet. Ed’s Note: Bonus points for the framed FOCUS page in the background of the clip.

WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8lfx9Yziws&

Image of the month.

LOCAL

‘This image was taken on June 1 on a property just east of Ebor. Some of the water in this stream is sourced from the many natural springs that seep out of the ground for most of the year in the very wet Ebor/Dorrigo area.’

Photo by: Samantha Wheeler. Camera: Canon EOS 500D (ISO 100, 18mm, f22, 2.5 sec).

READ

Title. Mr Agasvari Goes to School Author. Jennifer Part

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

with Robert Gasparre from Armidale Farmers’ Market

WH

AT ’ S I N Available from major bookstores and online at www.booktopia.com.au

SPRING ONIONS Spring onions grow alll year ear round in the New New England. They belong to the Allium family, which includess chives and garlic. g They add an extra element of freshness and d flavour to any salad and are full of vitamin C, which is often useful eful in the depths of winter.

It is a very versatile herb that is used in many ny cultures throughout the world. It is one of the signature ature ingredients for the Greek dish Spanakopita.

Generally spring onions are harvested afterr about eight weeks, at 15 cm or so tall. They are a great follow on crop from heavy feeding vegetables, bles, as they need few nutrients. There are both red d and green varieties available.

A good alternative to spring onions is the Welsh onion. This plant is a perennial that spreads and is very hardy. The inner core is very similar to a spring onion and can have ea sweetness that is quite delicious.

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

16 new england focus.

From the very first page to the last, the mysterious events in Mr Agasvari Goes to School will keep children of all ages enchanted and entertained. About the author: J. J. Part moved from Queensland to beautiful Armidale in the New England Tablelands in 2008. She has always loved animals, especially dogs and horses, country life, art and writing stories and poems for children. The nearby bush, haven to kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, hares, rabbits, sugar gliders and many birds provided the inspiration for this book whilst she explored it with her Hungarian Vizsla dog, Oggy.

Promote your local book or EP. Send us the details to editor@focusmag.com.au

focusreview.

with Jeff Cowan

local dr p.

Petersons Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Summer is around the corner, and this bright and fresh white is sure to please on those late afternoons.

An understated Sauvignon Blanc showcasing fresh lime with subtle grassy, herbaceous notes typical of the grape. With a pure finish, a tangy layer remains, with deliciously ripe and lively acids coating the mouth. Perfect wine for entertaining.

GOES WITH: Light salads and fresh seafood.

COST: $28.

AVAILABLE: Select wine shops and restaurants, cellar door or online at www.petersonswines.com.au.

new england focus 17

focusinterview.

Image Photography.

Award winning photographer Karissa Tuckwell shares her passion for her work ...

H

ow long have you lived in the area? We’ve lived in Armidale and Uralla for the last 4 years. My husband and I moved up from Tamworth.

What prompted your interest in photography? I’ve been in the photographic industry for over 8 years.

I always had a love for photography but when a friend needed someone to go with to a course, I jumped at the chance. I loved it so much and thought, “I could do this for a living”.

My husband bought me my first camera for an anniversary gift. So, I started photographing friends’ children and friends’ weddings, all for no charge.

It was over a year of practicing and going to Sydney for other courses that I started charging. I then registered my business.

I just love people and photographing the special moments in people’s lives.

I get to share a human’s most closest and precious memories, and for that I am truly honoured! I get to capture and get goosebumps when a groom sees his

18 new england focus.

bride for the first time, or when a father sheds a little tear when he gives his daughter away. The way new parents delicately hold their first-born or smell their newborn baby’s head … when a two year old giggles with delight. I’m there to capture all that.

Yep ... I have a pretty great job!

My style is natural, not posey … I’m all about the moments and capturing them in perfect light.

Tell us about the types of photography you specialise in?

Weddings, newborns and family photography. I also do a lot of commercial photography. I love photographing weddings and families ... capturing a family’s real personality, non-posey. I currently shoot over 40 weddings a year and love shooting closer to home. But by the time Armidale people call, I’m usually booked. I’m well known in Tamworth and the Hunter, so people try to book me over a year in advance. But I love the New England area.

Plans for the future? To shoot a lot

more in the Armidale area. There are so many amazing photographic spots here and such gorgeous, friendly families.

I’ve been doing a lot of study into photographing women and women’s glamour ... photographing women of all types of body shapes, but also providing it as an experience with their hair and makeup done. Most women hate having their photograph taken, or say they’ll get a family portrait done when they’ve lost a bit more weight.

But as we know, families grow up and we can’t get that time back. We need to be happy with who we are and celebrate the woman and role as the mothers we are. So, photographing a woman, making them look and feel glamorous and photographing them in a way that they look like themselves – a total photography experience. I’m in the process of organising this to provide to the New England.

Check out the latest work: www.imagephotography.com.au/blog

c

I’v e be en to so m e pr et ty m an ce s, am az in g pe rf or ch su bu t w at ch in g ia ns ic us m pa ss io na te t co un ts gh ni st la m pe rf or t os m as on e of m y en ce s ri pe ex le m em or ab bu nc h a t of th e ar ts . W ha l ar e! ” al u yo of le ge nd s

“

Ao

2

VISITS

ARMIDALE in SEPTEMBER The New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) has scored a musical coup for Armidale when it presents the acclaimed chamber orchestra ACO2 at the Armidale Town Hall on Wednesday 18 September at 7pm, following a string workshop with Armidale’s talented young students at NECOM earlier in the day.

C

O2 was formed in 2007 to fulfil audience demand to hear the unique sound of the ACO throughout the country, particularly in regional Australia. Comprised of 17 musicians fro the Australian Chamber Orchestra and a handful from of ACO’s Emerging Artists, the ACO2 is renowned for its ext extraordinary youthful passion, technical virtuosity and un unique artistic style inspired by ACO director Richard Tog Tognetti and ACO2 Director Helena Rathbone.

A

The ACO’s Emerging Young Artists are the next Th ge generation of Australia’s most highly talented young mu musicians seriously committed to a professional career. It is tthe ultimate achievement for aspiring young musicians to be offered a chance to perform with the ACO2 pro program.

In this concert, ACO2 journey from the evocative, cinematic sounds of Arvo PÄRT, through Mozart’s enchanting, theatrical violin concert No 2 starring Helena Rathbone, to an Argentine Tango, and finish with a piece that launched the international career of much-loved British composer Benjamin Britten.

The centrepiece of the program will be Mozart’s much loved Violin Concerto No 2 featuring ACO2 Director Helena Rathbone (ACO Principal Violin) who will perform on a rare 1759 Guadagnini violin, praised for its sweetness of tone and responsiveness.

Don’t miss this chance to hear musicians from Australia’s most dynamic and critically acclaimed chamber orchestra performing with the stars of the future in this once-only concert.

NECOM Director Susanne James says: NE “These Emerging Young Artists are the equivalent of gold “T me medallists. They have played for at least 20 years, have alr already completed a music performance degree, and have wo won places with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Na National Academy of Music. It’s easier to get a spot in the Oly Olympic swimming team than a place with the ACO.”

The program ‘a breath of fresh air’ SMALLEY Birthday Tango MOZART Violin Concerto No.2 PÄRT Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten BRITTEN Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

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19

k i cks o f f i n o c t o b e r Saturday 19 Oct & Saturday 26 Oct

Thunderbolt Festival Thun Pack your bags and head to Port Macquarie in October, where you can whet your appetite with the diverse range of local produce, wines and beers on offer at the SBS Feast Tastings Food and Wine Festival. da v i d tsi reka s he month long festival has an impressive calendar of events that will take food lovers on a gastronomic journey starting with a Vintage Car Vineyard Tour and French inspired lunch at Oasis by the River on October 6 and culminating with the main event, SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings overlooking the picturesque Hastings River on October 27. See page 21 or visit tastingsonhastings.com.au for the full calendar of events.

The recipe for the main event will satisfy the most serious foodies. Add over 100 exhibitors who grow, bake and make the specialties of this fertile food bowl, cooking demonstrations by leading local and SBS Chefs, an impressive lineup of leading local bands, children's entertainment under the sprawling Town Green fig tree and the Focus Spaghetti Eating Competition. Mix it with a dash of ambience and a splash of a brilliant riverside location, and you’ve got an award winning event!

FOCUS caught up with David Tsirekas from Xanthi Restaurant in Sydney, who will be a special guest at the festival’s main event on October 27.

David, where did your love of and passion for food and cooking begin?

I actually was a swim and water polo coach before taking up cooking when I was 28. I found the love and passion in cooking from reading books on Ancient Greece, and I wanted to find out what more there was to the Greek cuisine than the stereotypes of lamb moussaka and souvlaki.

What influences you most for your dishes at present?

My cooking is inspired by the flavours that make Greek food so unique and loved by millions of people around the globe.

You'll be visiting Port Macquarie in October; have you travelled here before? What are you looking forward to?

Yes. Tasting some of the local produce is at the top of my list. I love the beach and ocean 20

new england focus.

swimming, so I hope to take a dip while I’m there.

Favourite ingredient to cook with?

It’s hard to pin down an absolute favourite, but I’d have to say that cinnamon is an ingredient that I use in a lot of sweet and savoury dishes.

Best local product you would like to use?

Line caught local Jew Fish or new moon hand caught prawn and Blue Swimmer Crabs.

Advice for producers looking to get noticed by metropolitan restaurants?

We could learn a lot from countries like Greece, where they stick to the seasonality of ingredients. This ensures that the produce is the cream of the crop, appropriate for the season and the price is always better than higher, inflated out of season prices.

Thanks David.

David will join other well known SBS Chefs in the cooking demonstration pavilion, including: Patrick Freisen from Ms G’s in Potts Point (Contemporary Asian), Mitchell Orr, who was in the 2010 Good Food Guide and was the Josephine Pignolet ‘Young Chef of the Year’ (Italian cuisine), and local champions Eric Robinson from The Other Chef Fine Foods and Craig Freudenstein from XS Food.

SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings is focused on supporting and promoting the farmers, food producers, wineries and brewers from throughout the Greater Port Macquarie region.

This fertile food bowl produces avocados, strawberries, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, garden vegetables, free range eggs, chicken, duck, pork and a range of dairy.

The region has a long history of producing wines and boasts six vineyards and more recently has become a hotspot for brewing boutique beer.

Join the colour, spectacle and excitement of the SBS Feast Tastings on Hastings and celebrate the bounty from the Greater Port Macquarie region. For more information on the festival or to grab yourself a great accommodation deal, visit tastingsonhastings.com.au

Two fantastic fanta weekends in Uralla: Rodeo at the h Top Pub Sat 19 and the following weekend with Street Parade featuring Oxley Riders, markets in Alma Park, Rock Climb Wall with bungee trampolines, Mechanical Bull, Giant Slide, huge jumping castle for big kids and merry-go-round. Vintage caravan display, White Rose Diner pizza and lego comp.

Thunderbolt Rough Stock Rodeo is the second rodeo for the small, though energetic Uralla rodeo committee. This year the committee decided to expand last year’s event to include bareback and saddle broncs.

The local community really got behind the event last year, raising $2,100 for Friends of McMaughs. The committee is looking to go bigger and better this year, when the cowboys

yell ‘outside’ on 19 October. Matt Campbell from the Uralla’s Top Pub was blown away by the bullride last year. Matt said it was totally out of the box entertainment and is excited about hosting the Thunderbolt Rough Stock Rodeo.

The Oxley Riders are a not for profit social club based in Walcha, with members in Uralla, Armidale, the Hunter valley and Southern QLD. In conjunction with Thunderbolt's Festival, they will be holding the Bail Up poker run, bike and custom car show. The poker run will start at 11am and end back in Uralla at 3.30 or 4pm.

The bike and car show will then be held in Hill St, with trade stalls and Rotary BBQ on site.

Trophy and prize presentation at Uralla Bowling Club after the fireworks at 8pm. There will be raffles, prizes, and surprises throughout the day.

new england focus 21

focuseditorial.

meet a

My new works are more spontaneous and are a direct reaction to the local landscapes which I love.

local.

My new works are more spontaneous and are a direct reaction to the local landscapes which I love.

Led by Light Exhibition.

Hi Linda, what is your Led by Light Exhibition? Led by Light is a culmination of my work, which has been inspired by light – both physical light on the New England landscape and also the ‘light’ of people who have inspired me through their knowledge of art and of life in general.

My teacher, Ross Laurie, has challenged me to not paint from photographs, which he believes give a flat image of the landscape. I have therefore tried to focus on a specific scene each week on my way from Walcha to art class in Armidale. In doing so, I have taken in the light, the colours and the atmosphere and have painted them from memory and through emotion, trying to capture the essence of what I have seen. An exception is Stockyard Sunlight, painted ‘en plein air’ at home.

Tell us about some of your artworks? My new works are more spontaneous and are a direct reaction to the local landscapes which I love. Two of my earlier works are included for comparison, Rowley’s Creek Gorge and Shirley. An Aboriginal Elder from Walcha, Shirley, inspired me to paint Dunghutti Country. I was standing with Shirley overlooking Rowley’s Creek Gorge as she recalled the history of the Anaiwan people who travelled to ‘Dunghutti Country’ each winter to escape the cold. Dunghutti Country has been painted as a feature painting for this exhibition and was painted in my home studio. I have tried to capture the mystique and timelessness of this beautiful landscape.

Meet Anthony Bamford, born and bred in Armidale

A

new member to the he professional Armidale Bicycle Centre team established for 40 years, Anthony has come from being in a grounds maintenance business for 4 years then progressed to being employed by O’Connor Catholic College for 17 years.

Whilst his passion has always been cycling, when employed at O’Connor he toured throughout Europe and around Tasmania as well as extensively doing various tours throughout Australia, seeing a lot of the local and interstate areas as well as touring in numerous countries.

He first started mountain biking in 1991 and in the mid ‘90s, when members from the local road cycling club and

Mark from Armidale Bicycle Centre decided with Anthony’s guidance and experience that they would run MTB racing through the Pine Forest on a Monday afternoon. This proved to be well received and was probably the start of mountain biking at the pine forest.

As his passion for cycling has always been there, his dream has always been to work in the cycling industry and when approached by Mark Bullen with the opportunity to work at Armidale Bicycle Centre on Saturday mornings, he jumped at the chance. As a result of his enthusiasm and great customer service and attention to hard work, he was recently offered a permanent position to work in the local Bullen’s family business.

Anthony’s vision for the future has already started, with him undertaking the mountain bike coaching accreditation and mountain bike racing at various events with the guidance of Jock and Mark (level 2 cycling coach).

They both have a wealth of knowledge of the bicycle industry, as well as competing, coaching and serving as mechanics for various state, national and international teams, which they are keen to pass on. Anthony will be the go to man for all your cycling needs.

Call in with any of your cycling needs for professional sales, service, repairs and extensive product knowledge. For expert advice, talk to Anthony Bamford at Armidale Bicycle Centre, 244 Beardy Street, Armidale. Ph 6772 3718.

focuseditorial.

L I LY ‘ N ’ L O T U S B E G I N S I T S N E X T C H A P T E R . . .

D

eb Elliott and Cheryl Porter opened the beautiful Lily 'n' Lotus gift store six years ago and it has become a favourite destination store for shoppers throughout the region.

Deb would like to take this opportunity to thank Cheryl for her dedication, loyalty and wonderful friendship during this time as business partners. Deb would also like to wish Cheryl good health, much happiness and new adventures in her retirement.

Lily 'n' Lotus has just relocated to their new store (only three doors down from their old premises).

The new store is cosy and warm and still has that Lily 'n' Lotus ambience that we have become accustomed to.

They are stocking new body products, homewares and stationery, as well as baby products from Bubba Blue and Britt. Salt City candles have returned, as well as stocking the old favourites Crabtree & Evelyn, Abode aroma candles and reed diffuses, Gingerlilly sleepwear, and Glasshouse candles. Deb Elliott, now the sole owner of Lily 'n' Lotus, welcomes you all to enjoy the offerings of her new store.

22 new england focus.

focuseditorial.

Armidale Tree Group How did The Armidale Tree Group come about? The Armidale Tree Group Inc was founded in 1983 by local residents in the Armidale area who were concerned about the loss of native trees that was occurring across the southern New England in a process called “Dieback”. The early members needed to grow native plants that could then be planted by farmers and residents to help revegetate the region, address dieback but also help increase biodiversity. The group moved and evolved over the years finally settling in and building a nursery and Woodland Centre at 80 Mann St where we are today. The Tree Group has grown and planted well over a million native plants since those early days.

Your Heading Here!

Science meets art at New England Regional Art Museum as the gallery is overtaken by a giant interactive ‘smart tree’ that appears to grow up through the floor and extend out through the ceiling.

T

he installation is the work of local artists Benjamin Thorn and Jonathon Larsen, who built the tree using recycled cardboard, tape, computer monitors and sound equipment. Gallery visitors can step inside the trunk of the tree, where concealed pressure points trigger a soundscape of nature. Visitors are also invited to design paper leaves and attach these to the tree branches as adornment.

The tree has been built to draw attention to the work of local scientists and school students, who are working together to monitor environmental effects on real trees. Together, students and scientists have been monitoring sap flow meters at various locations around Armidale, with students sharing the data via the internet to learn more about this basic part of our ecosystem. The results will help scientists and government make better decisions about addressing climate change, water resource management and urban planning.

For Thorn the project presented an

opportunity to explore representations of science. “We were asked to link science and art by creating an artistic creation that inspires people into science.”

The irony is that much of the installation has been made out of cardboard boxes, which began their lifecycle as the trees used for wood pulp in making cardboard.

Hidden among the branches of the tree are representations of the scientific equipment used in the monitoring project. With a little bit of imagination it is possible to identify electrical wires, wind speed detectors, sap flow gauges and moisture measuring equipment, along with depictions of native and introduced wildlife.

Adding to the environmental experience at NERAM is the group exhibition Print Circle: The Sheltering Tree, on display in the gallery alongside the smart tree. This exhibition brings together a diverse group of Sydney printmakers, who have chosen to interpret the theme ‘The sheltering tree’. Their exhibition

examines the tree in the landscape, from being part of a beautiful and fragile ecosystem that invites our support as it supports us, to seeing the tree as a sacred object as part of the wider support systems in our lives and personal relationships.

Together these exhibitions invite us to share our experience of being engaged by nature, and seeing the imagination of others at work in expressing issues and concerns that are universal.

Exhibition Dates: Talking With Trees: Exploring SMART Trees from the Inside Out and Print Circle: The Sheltering Tree will be on display at NERAM until 20 October 2013.

the plug!

NERAM Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday (10am-5pm), Saturday - Sunday (10am- 4pm)

What services do you offer? The Tree Group is a communityowned business that runs a successful Nursery as well as providing a range of Environmental Services to both the public and government.

Our Retail Nursery has a range of locally grown & adapted native plants for the home garden as well as vegetable and herb seedlings.

The shop also has potting mixes, fertilisers & mulch. We also grow & sell bulk orders of native plants from our Wholesale Nursery for farm plantings & landscaping jobs. Our team provide a wide range of services to residents & property owners including landscaping, fencing, weed control, environmental consulting as well as large scale farm tree & revegetation jobs.The Tree Group focuses on education also & to this end we help with local educational projects with schools in the region.

Any plans for the future? This year we celebrate 30 years of community success and are looking forward to another 30 years at least.

Apart from continuing to grow and plant native plants in the region and helping look after our region’s biodiversity we are also aiming to expand our activities online. The Armidale Tree Group community has a wealth of collective knowledge on native plants and ecology and we look forward to building web-based educational resources to offer practical help to people in the southern New England who want to learn more about their local plants and landscapes.

For more information: www.neram.com.au

focuseditorial.

Give Golf A Go - Membership Drive he Armidale Golf Club is about to launch a campaign to facilitate an entry path into the game for people who have either not played the game before, or have previously played but need enticement to resume playing. The club offers a magnificent golf facility and provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy in the company of friends.

T

The programme will start in late September and the programme will run over 4 weeks with the ability to attend one or many of the multiple weekly sessions including a clinic run by the Golf Professional covering a new topic each day, then a 2 person Ambrose with new players paired with the more experienced. The emphasis will be on

having an enjoyable time with review sessions as well as having lunch and drinks available.

The Secretary Manager, Tim Allerton is very excited about the promotion and says that golf is a great way to create friends, allows you to look good and feel great and is a great way to do business. Tim points out that a standard golf membership at the club is only $41.25 per month, less for younger intermediate age groups.

Those joining through the promotion will also be able to take up special offers. the plug!

For more information please call the club on 6772 5837. new england focus 23

New England

Chicken, roasted cauliflower, pine nut and basil pie with crispy crumbed topping & mixed leaves from Prue & Olive.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android mobiles. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 24 new england focus.

eat.

Prue & Olive

Whitebull Hotel STEAKHOUSE Restaurant

Prue & Olive has always had a great reputation. I wanted to maintain Prue & Olive’s reputation for great food but add more of a ‘can do’ customer service approach and bring a friendly, community spirit into play. I had no experience running a café – just a dream to make every customer’s experience a warm, welcoming one and treat them to a wonderful, fresh, simple menu with plenty of choice and great coffee to match. Finally, I believe I’ve struck the right mix:

The award winning Whitebull Steakhouse Restaurant has a cosy double fire and lounge, creating a romantic atmosphere for a ‘special’ dinner with that ‘special’ person in your life.

Renowned for its full flavoured meals, using quality local products where available. Serving mouthwatering steaks that are second to none, including the ‘BULL’ Hereford Prime Scotch Fillet Steak on the Bone (min size 500 grams). Reasonable prices, served by happy and helpful staff, and boasting a great selection of local wines, Premium Penfold wines and a selection of bubbles so that your life is ‘NEVER’ flat.

• A great new chef, who understands food and flavours and has a passion for natural foods ... local, wholesome and wherever possible, house made. Included on our menu and for sale: house made butter, yogurt, pesto, aioli, tomato chutney, chilli jam, paté, and pork and fennel sausages.

• Great staff who believe that ‘near enough is not good enough’ and customers are our business.

• A fantastic new coffee, and many hours spent practicing to achieve consistently good results.

And for any celebration, to watch a sporting event or a conference where you require a private space, then our upstairs private function room can cater for your needs, having a private bar, comfy leather lounges and access to the outside verandah.

Prue & Olive’s commitment is to create a special experience and offer a delicious menu and specials.

Shop 2/ 14 Moore St, Armidale t 6772 6262

117 Marsh Street, Armidale t 6772 3833

open Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm. Sat: 8am-2pm.

Every second Sun of the month for high tea: 10am-2pm

open Monday to Saturday from 10am, until late.

Sunday opening times are from 11am until 10pm.

New England Hotel

Wonder Chinese Restaurant

Head Chef Mike Dean and his team have introduced a menu reflecting simple fresh flavours and favourites.

At Wonder Chinese 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 by our experienced chefs. Guests can dine in (licensed), or choose from our takeaway menu.

Utilising familiar core ingredients, fresh, classic and traditional flavours; the focus is on taste and consistency.

A selection of Napoli style pizza, premium meats for the grill. Small to large share plates inc: 12 hour slow roast salt bush lamb shoulder, or as a starter, braised ox-tail pithivier with parsnip purée, Dutch carrots, broad beans, kale and bull’s blood to share. Also, try NZ King Salmon carpaccio with avocado mousse, cucumber, snow pea tendrils, radish, pomegranate and lime dressing.

We aim to provide the ability to identify with our food and hope that all our dishes are both satisfying and moreish.

196 Beardy Street, Armidale t 6772 1004 w www.thenewenglandhotel.com.au open 6 days. Lunch and dinner.

Be sure to check out our Super Saving Takeaway Value Packs!

Come in and meet us.

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 open Lunch: Mon - Fri, noon - 2pm.

Dinner: Sun - Thurs 5pm - 9pm, and Fri - Sat 5pm - 10pm. new england focus

25

S TA R T I N G F R O M S C R AT C H , T O M A N D J U L I E WA L S H H AV E T R A N S F O R M E D A N D B RO U G H T T O L I F E T H E B R A S S E R I E AT S Q U I R E S . . .

W

hat made you take on The Brasserie at Squires? Our journey to The Brasserie at Squires has been a long time coming.

Julie and I have been in business as Past the Post Catering for approximately eight years, starting at The Armidale Jockey Club and for the last 5 years at the Armidale Golf Club. Through our catering business we developed a good reputation, but people kept asking us, “When are you going to open a restaurant?�

After a lot of thought, Julie and I decided to take on the old Squires Cottage and give it a breath of new life. The owners of The Country Comfort Motel that the restaurant is attached to were very happy for us to lease the place, as I had worked there for previous owners a decade ago. Back then we won quite a few awards and were listed in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.

26 new england focus.

30 years since the last renovation.

First, we began stripping off all the old wallpaper to prepare the walls for painting. Paul Matherson and his team from Dreamcoat did a fantastic job. We went from a brown and yellow colour scheme to sharp and clean black and white.

We removed all the old carpets and replaced them with a simple black carpet supplied by the very helpful team at Carpet Court. It suits the place perfectly.

We then began to think about furniture and again, local companies came to the fore. Our brasserie style tables were manufactured by Aspen Commercial interiors and their design input was invaluable.

The chairs, crockery and cutlery were all supplied by Expresso Services, a local company again.

Our next step was to begin to plan the renovation of the restaurant to bring it up to a modern standard, whilst still retaining the older features of the building and give it a comfortable dining atmosphere.

Plans also began for the type of cuisine that we hope the people of Armidale would enjoy.

Now came Graham Spooner Electrical, who helped give the place a modern feel by dramatically changing the lighting. Wall lights and ceiling lights were replaced by modern energy efficient down lights and spots that add a warmth to the rooms. Graham and his offsider Nigel gave us a great deal of advice and help throughout the process, and we thank them for their contribution.

What has it taken to get the place to look the way it does today? We basically had to start from scratch, as it had been around

We had to upgrade parts of the kitchen, we needed new stainless steel bench tops and hot lights. Four Seasons Air supplied and

ur outside days a week. We will also continue with our catering when we are available.

Tell us about some of your meals ...

installed this for us. This has helped the kitchen be more efficient during service times.

n Australian mixed The Brasserie's cuisine is modern with a few classics; we like to use local suppliers and produce where possible. Our house en be ve ha made pate and breads, anti pasti and the e W me blessed with so popular garlic prawns on leek béchamel ho have tart are some examples of our entrées. fabulous staff, w

“

during been invaluable and set the renovation couldn’t e up process; w this of y be doing an dication de r ei th t withou and ability.”

Last of all, the rooms need some art work on the walls, and we needed a way of displaying our supplementary menu. The latter was accomplished with the help of the Armidale Men’s Shed. We had an idea of displaying our changing supplementary menu on a large roll of brown paper attached to the wall in the main part of the restaurant. Paper Ware distributors managed to source a roll of paper big enough, and the Men's Shed built us a roller to hang it on.

The Armidale Art Gallery have been most kind and are letting us display some works by local artists in the restaurant. All these works are for sale and have completed the Brasserie style feel.

What services are you offering? Currently we are offering Dinner Monday to Saturday, from 6pm 'til late. As the weather warms up, we are planning to open for breakfast/brunch a few

I like to use fusion in dishes, and our master stock roasted pork belly with Asian risotto is a good example. I was classically trained at the Royal Sydney Golf Club, where I acquired a talent as a saucier; this shows in the sauces that accompany our steaks, poultry and seafood dishes. Desserts are Julie's field of excellence, and this is shown in dishes such as the strawberry baklava basket with honey and rosewater ice cream. We change our supplementary menu regularly; this gives variety for our guests and keeps it interesting in the kitchen as well.

We have been blessed with some fabulous staff, who have been invaluable during the renovation and set up process; we couldn’t be doing any of this without their dedication and ability.

Our plans for the future? Work hard and hope it all pays off!

Bookings call: 6772 8511 or 0438 632 881.

New England Mutual

are proud to support the new

Brasserie At Squires

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132 067 communitymutual.com.au

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New England gland Mutu Mutual utual al is is a trading name of Community Mutual Ltd. ABN 21 087 650 360 : AFSL 241167

new england focus 27

focusinterview.

at the THE OLD FELLA at the Servies

D C O M E IN A N MEET US!

hat’s coming up for the

W

In late 2013, the hotel will commence renova-

Newie for the end of

tions to the public bar, relocating the gaming

2013? The New England Ho-

machines and redefining the area for all ages.

tel is one of Armidale’s most

There will be a very heavy focus on stage

iconic hotels.

two, with the delivery of a new vibrant, fresh

The history, including lots of great drinks and

specialty eat and drinks menu that will be avail-

eats and great times, seems a thing of the

able all day every day, into the mall and open

past. The hotel over the last 10 years has been

to everyone.

left in disrepair and a line of operators running

LEVEL ONE (previously the night club) will

off the good will that was laid with firm foun-

be undergoing a major transformation.

dations by the late John Cregan.

There will be an all new fitout and amenities,

In late 2012, Dan Rice took the opportunity to

with a very heavy focus on functions and utilis-

bring the hotel back to life in a staged revival.

ing the most spacious of the balconies, open-

Renovations commenced in late 2012/early

ing the venue for lounge dining and cocktails

2013 saw the Brasserie brought back to life.

on the verandah, removing the cage fighters

The food and drinks and the boutique fitout

look and establishing a relaxed, spacious space

has seen a rapid growth in revenue for the ho-

to host any occasion or event. The key will be

tel, and step by step there has been a building

getting this completed to enjoy the Christmas

of new goodwill, relationships and great expe-

holidays and warm weather.

riences. However bumpy the road ahead may be, the passion and commitment to rejuvenate the hotel is clearly being demonstrated by the new operators. ‘A new beginning’ for the New England hotel is the focus.

The heart of any good hotel is great food, drinks and attentive staff, whom Dan Rice refers to as ‘sparklers’.

Attention to detail and working with the local community and suppliers is critical for the business to stand alone again. Good things come

The New England Hotel welcomes you to try some of the best value quality eats in town at the Newie Brasserie. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are becoming the biggest days for the new look Brasserie, with special high quality food deals being offered on a weekly basis and with ‘no conditions’.

For any enquiries about the function spaces available, the Brasserie, or Level One, contact Sarah or Dan directly:

over time and with the past 12 months of

info@thenewenglandhotel.com.au or browse

delivering constant changes, the Newie is again

the fantastic website:

becoming the most iconic hotel in town.

www.thenewenglandhotel.com.au

28 new england focus.

S

ince coming to the attention of comedians. the Australian public in 2010, Since his appearance on Australia’s Got Talent, some 10 million people The Old Fella has performed in excess collectively adored of 200 shows, in 14 months by his unique ‘bush humour’ demand! He averages four in the 5 appearances a is shows each week in theatres ry go Rod Gre he made on om fr er and clubs, wherever they rm fa ed retir Australia’s Got tralia , us A h ut love good old humour So , nd M aitla d prized Talent, including an er rm and a fair dinkum Aussie fa p ee a sh was forced the Grand Final in bloke. wine grower. He after three 2011. into retirement After each show, Rod surgery and The Old Fella draws rounds of back is surrounded by large ’s ia al tr us is now one of A big audiences in t groups, all wishing es si bu d an most loved places as far and to have a chat, photos .” ns comedia wide as Toowoomba, and autographs; such is Kalgoorlie W.A., The his wonderful appeal, and just Enmore Theatre in Sydney how well he relates to people. They and all points in between. love The Old Fella, and so will you!

Many venues double up with two performances on same day; audiences the plug! just cannot get enough of his unique country zest for life and humour.

See him live at the Servies on Saturday

“

Rod Gregory is a retired farmer from Maitland, South Australia, a sheep farmer and prized wine grower. He was forced into retirement after three rounds of back surgery and is now one of Australia's most loved and busiest

28 September at 7.30pm.

Tickets are $22 from reception, and it’s an adults only show.

focusinterview.

We are talking with Dave Schmude, CEO at SportUNE and Director of the Sports Business Development Unit at UNE, about their upcoming celebrations.

W

1960s

2013

e understand 2013 is a very important year at the university?

Yes, in September we will be celebrating 75 years of sport on campus as part of UNE’s 75 Years of Education celebrations. This is quite an achievement. The university has a wonderful and interesting sporting history. Fortunately, from the very beginning in 1938, there existed a dedication, energy and enthusiasm from staff and students to establish a strong sporting body at the university, and as a result, today we enjoy our current first class facilities.

How does SportUNE plan to celebrate this milestone?

On September 21, SportUNE is hosting the University’s Annual Sports Awards Presentation Evening in conjunction with our 75th Anniversary Celebrations. We are looking forward to a great night with a contingent of UNE Alumni returning, as well as former UNE international sporting representatives, notably Kathy Partridge (Hockey), Shaun Creighton (Athletics) and Emma Gillogly (Rugby Union), who will be part of a Q & A panel. Also attending will be a number of special guests, including Ricky Stuart of the Parramatta Eels, who is a strong supporter of UNE. Other plans include a commemorative photo exhibition and the official opening of the ongoing facility development work at SportUNE. What can you tell us about the recent facility developments?

In recent years, the university, with the help of the Federal Government, has undertaken capital works at SportUNE to the value of almost $11 million dollars, culminating in a facility that is distinctive within the Australian university sector. Our students and staff, along with the wider community, are very fortunate to enjoy the legacy of our predecessors.

What role has sport played in campus life?

Sport has always played a vital role in campus life at UNE. We boast the highest participation rate of any Australian university, and we are considered one of the nation’s leading university sporting precincts.

However, we had very humble beginnings. The first piece of equipment purchased was a pair of boxing gloves, which was particularly appropriate considering the battle students fought to get the association up and running in the early days. The money to establish buildings, buy equipment and run events came from the students. Historically, the sporting facilities at the university were built for students, by students.

Students still play a large role in maintaining a strong sporting tradition on campus, through club, intercollegiate and intervarsity participation. The upcoming festivities will be a well-deserved celebration for students and staff, both past and present.

What about the people who have been involved with university sport?

We have had some wonderful characters involved with university sport over the years, including all of our Honorary Life Members and Past Presidents.

Ian Dunn was the first Executive Officer, appointed in 1964.

Since Ian, there have been only three other Executive Officers: Gerry Worsell, Stephen Griffith, and now myself. My predecessors, along with past students and staff, have all played an integral role in establishing the wonderful legacy that we all enjoy today.

I see my role as a custodian of this facility and would like to think that in another 25 years at our 100th anniversary, we will look back fondly at not only our past achievements, but also our more recent developments.

2013 UNE sporting Awards Night C e l e br at i n g 75 years of

sport S at ur d ay 21 Sep 2013

1939 Sports Union committee comprising staff and students

Student Sport in the early years at Booloominbah the present site of SportUNE

www.sportune.com.au

Frank Rickwood, Athletics Champion, 1941

booloominbah tennis courts

new england focus 29

focusinterview.

Framed Art Show.

This year’s Annual Framed Art Show and Sale will take place on Friday 6 September to Sunday 8 September 2013 at the NEGS Multi-Purpose Centre, in conjunction with the NEGS Spring Fair and Old Girls Weekend.

Visitors will be treated to a kaleidoscope of water colours, acrylics, oils, pastels, sketches, prints and sculptures by over 40 professional artists from the New England area and beyond.

There is something to satisfy every taste and budget.

by

Robin de Crespigny y

Robin de Crespigny

Local artists include James White, the McCanns, Francois Jaggi and Rowena Post, plus Walcha artists Julia Griffin, Paula Jenkins, Gemma King and Alec Gill. There will also be unframed etchings by well known artists Joseph Austin, Minky Grant, Anne Smith and Greg Hyde.

New this year! The Inaugural Framed SerVies Primary Student Visual Art Prizes and the New England Mutual Secondary Student Visual Art Prizes. Prizes will be awarded under two categories – Portraiture and Nature/Nurture and has been judged separately by renowned local artists Ross Laurie and Myfanwy Gullifer.

Finalists of the student art prizes are currently on display in the foyer of New England Community Mutual and upstairs in the Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club for public viewing.

Also new is the Oracle Insurance Solutions People’s Choice Award voted by the public and awarded to the most popular exhibit.

This prestigious event with be launched at an Opening Night Cocktail Function on Friday 6 September 2013 from 6pm - 9pm, where the winners of the student art prizes will be awarded.

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Opening Night Cockta When: Friday 6th Sep Where: NEGS Multi-Pu Time: 6 00pm 9 00

Opening Night Cocktail Function When: Friday 6th September 2013 Where: NEGS Multi-Purpose Centre Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm Cost: $30.00/head prepaid; $35.00/head on the night

(includes champagne supper, live entertainment and drinks) RSVP: With payment advice, 2nd September 2013 Direct Deposit: NEGS OGU Inc. BSB: 932 000 Acc No.: 726755 Ref: your full name Cheque: NEGS OGU, C/ NEGS, Uralla Road, Armidale NSW 2350 Or: NEGS Administration Office for tickets Confirmation of attendees for catering purposes to: Mrs Jo Campbell E: archiec@bigpond.net.au P: 02 6772 2048

Exhibition will run until 11am Sunday 8th September 2013 Proudly Sponsored by:

30 new england focus.

AT O N C E A N O N - F I C I T I O N T H R I L L E R A N D A M O R A L M A Z E , T H E P E O P L E S M U G G L E R I S O N E M A N ’ S E P I C S T O RY O F T RY I N G T O F I N D A S A F E P L AC E I N T H E W O R L D. F O C U S C A U G H T U P W I T H A U T H O R R O B I N D E C R E S P I G N Y, W H O WA S I N A R M I D A L E T O L E T P E O P L E K N O W A B O U T T H E T R I U M P H O F A L I A L JENABI ...

W

hat is The People Smuggler about?

It is the true story of Ali Al Jenabi, an Iraqi refugee who survived Abu Ghraib, joined the resistance and became a people smuggler to save his family, and ultimately came to be seen not as the heinous criminal the Australian government believed him to be, but as the ‘Oskar Schindler’ of Asia.

When did it all begin for The People Smuggler?

I began the three years it took to write this book when refugee advocate Ngareta Rossell came to me in 2008 with the idea of writing a film script based on the life of Ali Al Jenabi. The epic breadth of his story is so great, that I somewhat gratefully took the suggestion of John Collee to tell the story in book form first.

From there, we met every few weeks, often over lunch at Ngareta’s home.

I recorded all our conversations, then spent long hours meticulously transcribing them. By the time I had mapped out the complex sequence of events – in his story we had grown to know each other better – so returning to the start I asked more personal questions, and bit by bit

we traversed the emotional depths of his love and heartbreak, and separation from odyssey. For me, the meat of the story is his child since her birth. But I believed the life-changing moral choices he faced by putting a human face to his story, the while carrying so much responsibility book might change the direction of the for others, and the internal process by debate about refugees, by touching peowhich he made his decisions. As ple who had previously never asked we went deeper, I found themselves what they would the emotions involved do if they were in the were ones we can all same situation – thus identify and emgaining respect and h pathise with. In The epic breadt compassion for of his story is so this way, I believe asylum seekers ewhat great, that I som it is a universal as fellow human the gratefully took story about one beings. e lle Co hn suggestion of Jo individual in the ok How has the bo in y or to tell the st storm of life and book been re.” form first that by travelling ceived since being with him, we can released? understand the bigger The People Smugpicture of why people make gler was the highest selling the choices they do to get on leaky Australian book in the Sydney boats and how none of it is black Writer’s Festival last year. It won the and white. This is a story not so Best Non-Fiction at the Queensland Litermuch about people smuggling, as about ary Awards, 25th Human Rights Award a man who happened to become one. for Literature, the Alex Buzo Prize for ReDid you face any challenges along search and Literature, it was one of three the way? finalists for The Walkley Book Award, Building trust, and the guilt I felt shortlisted for both General Non-Fiction asking Ali to revisit a life he didn’t want Book for the Year and Newcomer of the to have to relive. He had endured the Year in the 2013 and longlisted for the brutality of Saddam Hussein, incarceraInaugral Stella Prize. tion, torture, death of family and friends, Thanks Robin.

“

focusinterview.

Gallery 126.

Gallery 126 will feature works from Anna Henderson called 22 Journeys, opening on Friday 30 August until Saturday 21 September.

H

ow long have you lived in the area?

I come from a rural background, raised on a sheep and cattle property near Guyra. I was educated in Armidale and spent several years there after finishing school.

I married and then moved to Sydney for a while, then Tamworth and later spent several years in Townsville, where I studied Ceramics at the Townsville TAFE. I have continued my passion for making pots to this day. We moved back to this area in the late 1990s. I now live on the eastern side of Guyra in a fairly isolated spot, where I work.

I started painting several years ago and now work in a very messy shed creating abstract works and low fired pots.

What is involved with your work, and how long does it take to perfect a piece?

I work with mixed media creating abstract

work on wood and linen. My exhibition at Gallery 126 is all on wood. The exhibition is called 22 Journeys, and that is what my work is for me – a journey. It is sometimes a happy, peaceful one, while others seem determined to cause difficulties.

I work on one piece at a time, and sometimes it may take a couple of days to a couple of weeks to complete, and then I am not always sure it is finished. I have to be fairly firm with myself and decide that this is done. I do not start another until I am happy with the first. I work with a combination of different mediums: acrylics, charcoal, pastels and oil sticks and some building products, creating many layers and textures.

I rarely use brushes; my favourite tool – a metal pottery rib. I enjoy working on wood; it is hard and unforgiving, similar to the landscapes I create.

I am reminded of Ben Quilty’s quote, after his trip to Afghanistan; he said that if you start looking for rules, you’re done before

you even start.

I always like to support an exhibition with some pots. Not many this time; winter in my shed is always a challenge when it comes to clay work. I make large coiled pots, and this time the decoration is a little different from the traditional ceramic decoration! I have included a small selection of wheel thrown work, and these are saggar fired using a selection of oxides, salt and sawdust, wrapped in foil and fired in a raku kiln.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

A question I have a problem with, because I really do not know. Each work begins with a vague idea and develops from there. The landscapes emerge from the many layers of paint. I like creating lots of places in my work; I want to feel that I can walk into the painting and follow all those roads and tracks, all leading to somewhere. I live in an area where beyond my front fence is a landscape of beauty and many changing

moods, so perhaps that is my inspiration.

Other than your art work, what are your other interests?

I enjoy my garden, not so much in winter, but spring is always exciting.

I like to listen to music and appreciate all kinds, but I usually find myself listening to Classical FM while working. I enjoy travelling to different places, exploring art galleries and appreciating other artists’ work. I like to live in the present moment, sometimes very difficult to do at times; I seek the quietness and peace of the landscape in which I live.

When is your exhibition at Gallery 126 and what can people expect to see?

22 Journeys will open at Gallery 126, Jessie Street, Armidale on Friday 30 August at 5pm to 7pm and remain in place until Saturday 21 September.

I hope that the viewers will enjoy the 22 journeys with me and also appreciate the quietness of the pots.

Thanks Anna.

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32 new england focus.

Mental & Physical Wellness Our business decided to make a contribution to change. We are not different, smarter or cleverer than you or anybody else. We decided that we are not willing to pretend that everything is OK, when, really, honestly, it is not. We are not frightened to admit that there is something wrong and that to explore it is OK.

e chose to look beyond years of o social and cultural conditioning. By this this, I mean mean, we conditioning w decided to question the rules and adages that we had grown up with, the things we have learned and been taught, about how to treat people, how to conduct a business and how to conduct a life, in business and personally.

W

We are not trying to be clever. We just explored ways of interacting with other people based on openhearted communication and acceptance, less resistance, more conscious compassion. Not anything for a quiet life, ‘idiot compassion’. Just really caring about others and treating them with respect, without any expectation that the same will be returned.

My generation, I’m 67, was taught not to show our emotions, not to open up and tell other people how we feel. Consequently, we don’t share personal stuff very well, so we don’t easily relate to or listen to other’s problems and concerns.

The system we grew up in does not encourage people to share and interact. It’s been more about seeking solutions through professional counselling and legal avenues, rather than simply communicating by opening up and sharing.

Business was, and sadly still extent, about is to a large extent secrecy, competitiveness, fear, suspicion and revenge. Our response to a competitor tends to be a bit aggressive, rather than collaborative.

We can try and treat people the e to be way we would lik are, , sh treated, open up are OK ey th if rs ask othe more and bring some r lives ou happiness into . Then see es ss ne si bu d an ” s. what happen

“

Consider an old business model versus a new business model. We know the old model doesn’t work. People’s coping strategies are tested to the limit, and they are becoming mentally and physically sick as a result.

Business has not been about being happy and having fun. It is about getting a financial and psychological edge over somebody else, it is tainted by greed and in many cases, totally ignores the needs and feelings of the people involved. Care and safety programs abound, but are they aimed at avoiding litigation, rather than demonstrating concern for other people’s wellness? The high

David Henderson & Mike Creagan

un-wellness, obesity and suicide incidence of mental un-wellness in our community is not evidence of happiness and contentment.

There is a stack of evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, of people who are not happy with their life, or their job, or their business. They are struggling to cope and the ‘old’ business model perceives this as ‘weak’.

We don’t naturally reach out and ask, “Are you OK?” Sometimes we do, but not enough. We turn away and think, “Poor bugger can’t handle the pace”. There is no quick fix, no course you can do, no pill you can swallow, no exercise program you can join, that will fix this.

This is not rocket science; it’s not new. It’s simple. We can try and treat people the way we would like to be treated, open up, share, ask others if they are OK and bring some more happiness into our lives and businesses. Then see what happens.

Just imagine! David Henderson.

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Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss and the ‘Mummy Makeover’ Gradual weight gain is an insidious process, which over time leads to a massive increase in weight and girth and clothes size. When this is the result of a pregnancy, the change occurs over a relatively short period of time in a young woman, and hence a reversal is often seen.

M

assive weight

abdomen and the trunk.

gain, unrelated to

A radical abdominoplasty (‘tummy tuck’) is necessary to improve the front of the abdomen, sometimes in combination with a circumferential belt lipectomy, which takes care of the flanks and waist/ upper gluteal areas.

pregnancy, in an older individual, does

not have a reversal point, such as the delivery of a baby in a pregnancy. The weight gain goes on for a lot longer until something makes the individual take stock of the situation, and then attempt to reverse it. By now it is a major and diffuse problem, affecting all parts of the body, the face and neck, the trunk and especially the abdomen and both upper and lower limbs, with fat accumulation accompanied by significant drooping of tissues. A careful assessment and treatment plan is now required.

Prioritisation and a Plan of Management The correction usually starts with the

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A Mons Pubis (the hair-bearing upper part of the vulva) reduction with liposuction and lipectomy is done at the same time.

In addition, liposuction is done to reduce fat accumulation in the upper anterior abdominal wall, the flanks and in the trochanteric (upper side of thigh/ ‘saddlebags’) areas.

If liposuction is not required, a radical abdominoplasty can be combined with breast augmentation, using implants for correction of breast ptosis (droop), as well as a brachioplasty (correction of

droopy lower arms or ‘bat wings’) or a medial thigh lift.

If the breast tissue droops and stretch is excessive, breast-reduction surgery would be required as a first stage, and to be followed up by breast augmentation as a secondary procedure.

Sometimes, due to the number of areas needing correction, surgery may have to be staggered, with two sessions about 3 months apart, with each operation limited to 6 to 8 hours and with postoperative care in a hospital setting.

Postoperative management and care is critical, as also is the use of postoperative compression garments and the restriction of activities.

These major procedures need a patient to be in good general health and the acceptance that there will always be the need for some revision surgery.

Are hearing loss and dementia connected?

Deteriorating hearing makes it increasingly difficult for us to converse with others.

We often mishear things and have to keep asking people to repeat themselves. t can be quite embarrassing and can make some people withdraw from social events. All this eats away at our self-confidence and can have a negative impact on our general wellbeing and our quality of life as a whole. But can hearing loss increase your chances of developing dementia?

I

Research by the John Hopkins School of Medicine showed a strong association between hearing loss and both the earlier onset and more serious degrees of dementia. They tested ng Heari s es 639 participants’ hearing at en ar Aw to ed nd the start of the study (1990 te in is k Wee ess en ar aw e - 94) and monitored their ot om pr ce of cognitive abilities until 2008 of the importan and found 58 of them had hearing health .” developed dementia. They also found that the greater their degree of hearing loss at the start of the study, the higher their likelihood of developing dementia. In their publication released on 14 February 2011 on the John Hopkins Medicine website, it was stated: “Although the reason for the link

“

between the two conditions is unknown, the investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both, or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. They also speculate hearing loss could lead to dementia by making individuals more socially isolated, a known risk factor for dementia and other cognitive disorders.”

Further research is needed to see if interventions which improve an individual’s hearing (such as hearing aid fitting) could delay or prevent dementia.

Dementia is normally associated with old age, but it is not only senior people who suffer from hearing loss. Hearing loss can occur across all age groups. Excessively loud music listened to via headphones, at concerts or a nightclub is having a major impact on young people’s hearing.

Construction workers, ambulance drivers, DJs and factory workers are all examples of professions where loud noise can have a lasting and damaging impact.

Hearing loss can, of course, also be caused by medical, genetic or simply unknown factors. It is estimated that five to ten percent of all cases of hearing loss in adults can be treated medically or surgically.

However, one thing is clear: you are not alone in suffering from a hearing loss.

Today, one in six people have some degree of hearing impairment. Could we do something to reduce the effects of hearing loss, cognitive decline and possibly delay the onset of dementia? Absolutely! Get your hearing tested, get it managed, and enjoy a longer cognitively active life. To have your hearing health assessed, contact your local Audiologist Leanne Betterridge at Hearing New England Unit 2, 87a Beardy St ARMIDALE Ph: 6772 8382.

Hearing Awareness Week begins on Sunday 25 August, with Quota International of Armidale Inc tending an information booth at the Armidale markets. Leanne Betterridge was pleased to be invited to answer any questions regarding Hearing Health.

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focusinterview.

Chris Cole has been practising denistry in Armidale for over 15 years. With upcoming overseas trips to learn more about digital dentistry, Chris sees technology as a key to the future ... ow long have you had your dental practice ce here in Armidale?

5 I have been in practice in Armidale for over 15 ation. years. We moved here for the children’s education.

They have grown up, moved on, and we are still here.

What do you specialise in?

I am a general dentist but do enjoy conservative reconstruction of worn dentition. Re-building broken down mouths is a great challenge.

How has dentistry changed over the years?

Things have changed greatly in dentistry, where years ago people would have teeth removed and dentures were constructed.

Nowadays, there is more a tendancy to save teeth, and that is where my new technology comes into its own. This now allows me to construct crowns in the surgery at one sitting. The crowns are extremely accurate and beautifully aesthetic.

Tell us about your trip to Paris in May ... also, you are off to Singapore next month.

I had seen that there was a conference on CAD/cam Dentistry, Conseuro 2013 [which stands for Conservative Dentistry Europe] in May. It was featuring as keynote speaker, Professor Alessandro Devigus of Geneva Dental School. He is a leader in CAD/cam crowns in Europe. The conference had asked for clinical cases of significant interest to be presented in table clinics. This is where a case was presented to the group on a poster format. The case

36 new england focus.

CHRIS C COLE

Dental wass th wa then en d di iscussed iscu d as to procedural criteria, clin discussed clinical expertise and scientific scientific outcome outcome. I had recently completed a case here in Armidale which I thought would be of great interest. It involved the reconstruction of seven worn anterior teeth in order to reestablish the vertical dimension, improve function, strength and improve aesthetics. I was pleased when Prof. Devigus in one of his lectures followed the same protocols as I had done, in the rebuilding of six anterior teeth for one of his patients.

Following on from this, the 2nd CAD/cam and Digital Dentistry International Conference is being held in Singapore in October. I submitted an abstract of my case and was asked to put forward a poster display and a short address on this clinical case. This conference is quite large and is concentrating on the field of digital dentistry, so it will be very interesting and exciting.

Plans for the future?

There is a growing expansion in CAD/cam, digital dentistry. I also have several ideas on how the practical aspects in dentistry could be expanded and hope to speak to some of the software delegates while I am in Singapore. There are some applications where the software could be tweaked, so that a expanded range of services and procedures in dentistry could be performed.

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A word from Vicki Kembery.

Travel

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Recently I was lucky enough to head back to Vietnam for a brief visit – the last time I was there was about 10 years ago. ack then I went on a 12 day tour from north to south and I fell in love with the place – the food, the culture, the sights and the people – although the red wine left a lot to be desired!

So it was with a bit of trepidation that I headed back for a return visit, as I felt that in the ensuing 10 years the place may have lost some of its old world charm and become just another country hell bent on attracting as many tourists as possible with promises of cheap food, cheap shopping and little else.

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How wrong and how pleasantly surprised was I! I have to say that Vietnam is pretty much the same place I visited 10 years ago, with a few more resorts lining the beaches, but nothing too commercial or crowded when compared with Phuket or Bali.

So here I am writing an article urging readers to consider Vietnam when they are looking to visit a country close by (under 10 hours flying between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh) which offers great beaches, fantastic and amazingly cheap food, interesting and cheap shopping, terrific culture and history as well as pretty ordinary red wine ... still!

getting around very interesting, when it seems everything is always ‘near the lake’ – trouble is, they don’t often tell you which one!) It’s also has an ‘old quarter’, great markets, the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum as well as many museums, temples and pagodas.

Getting up early in the morning to partake in a Tai Chi lesson on the banks of West Lake is very invigorating. A visit to the north of the country isn’t complete without heading up to Halong Bay for a cruise around the caves and caverns.

Ho Chi Minh City in the south is a slightly more modern city but still offers great shopping, as well as some of the most famous landmarks featured in photos of the Vietnam War. Again, there is accommodation to meet all budgets.

One of the highlights of my trip was a ‘Street Food by Vespa Tour’ – sitting on the back of a Vespa and whizzing through the streets of Saigon at night was a real experience – not only was the actual riding through the streets exciting, the food served at the various street stalls and local restaurants was fantastic.

While in Ho Chi Minh, you should take the

What I should be saying is stay away, keep going to Phuket and Bali and leave Vietnam to me! But that would be selfish. So, here’s a brief rundown of what Vietnam offers.

time to visit the Mekong and Chu Chi Tunnels,

First up, direct flights between Sydney and Ho Chi Minh are about 10 hours, and Vietnam Airlines offer some really good value airfares pretty much all year round. And speaking of all year round, Vietnam is an all-year-round destination – although there are better times to visit certain parts of the country.

beaches, good value resorts and hotels as well

Secondly, Vietnam has 2 great cities which offer fantastic shopping, great cultural and historical experiences, as well as good hotels of all standards to meet any budget. A good, clean, well located 3-star hotel in the centre of the old town for $40 for the room including breakfast is good value in anyone’s mind.

yourselves away from the hotel or resort dining

Hanoi in the north is a really interesting city, with 3 lakes in the city centre (which makes

offers something a bit different, then consider

if time permits.

Then there are the beach areas of Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, all of which offer lovely as those staples of any memorable holiday – good food, a bit of culture and history and … shopping. If you want clothes tailored made, then Hoi An is the place to go. You can also pick up some lovely paintings and lacquered goods here as well. And if you can drag room, the local restaurants are fantastic – $15 to feed 4 people is a bargain in anyone’s mind, and the food is excellent.

There are many other parts of Vietnam which I haven’t the space to mention here. All I can say is that if you want a holiday close by that Vietnam. I know I’ll be going back soon. new england focus 37

H a n n o n s

M o u n t v i e w

P h a r m a c y

hannon Armidale's favourite pharmacist has decided to retire after 33 years. He shares some memories with FOCUS. ow long have you had Hannons Mountview Pharmacy?

Hannons Mt View Pharmacy opened its doors in 1980 with the help of one staff member, Jean Gibson. We stocked the shop the week before. We had a lot of baby bottles filling up spaces in those days; now we utilise the shop and upstairs as well, and our staff has grown to 19.

What I find fantastic is that many of the customers we had that first week are still valued customers, and the next generation of those families as well.

What changes have you seen in the industry over the years?

When I opened the pharmacy, I went against industry belief – that there was a place in the community for a ‘community pharmacy’, with accessible pharmacists. I still hold this conviction and have proved after 33 years of the pharmacy growing, evolving and forever changing, that the

38 new england focus.

reason we are still growing is to meet that need, which in itself is forever changing.

There are different styles of pharmacy available, which is good. We have chosen the ‘Pharmacists Advice’ model, as it is the benchmark for professional health service provision within the industry.

I am proud that all of our pharmacists view patient health outcomes so important. As for changes, well, the Australian national health system is one of the best systems in the world, and we Australians are incredibly lucky. More and more life changing medications come into our system every year. Also, drug prices on the whole have come down due to the safety net scheme and generic brand substitution being available.

Medscheck, Diabetes Check and Medication Reviews are some of the processes pharmacists can use to help take the pressure off the GPs. I always urge customers to ask questions – that’s what we are here for!

Information is everywhere; reliable information is sometimes hard to find. That’s where we can help.

What have you loved most about your job, and what will you miss the most?

The answer is easy – our customers, our staff, all the network of people within the Armidale Health System and all the people supporting us in our everyday life.

I moved the Armidale in 1980; I was made feel very welcome, and I am here to stay. Jane and I are passionate about our great town and where we live. It’s hard to put into words how much I have valued the support from everyone – our customers are what we are about and giving them the best help when needed. I am often asked why a town of 25,000 people, and it is because it is a great place to live. I’ve lived in Sydney and other bigger and smaller towns, and Armidale fits. We are not leaving town, as I hope to still run into people regularly. I feel I am not saying ‘goodbye’

to anyone, but thank you to everyone.

Your future? Well, I’m taking 6 months off to try and get stronger/fitter. I’m going to start swimming, so that I can actually get onto a wave again. Then there are fences that need attention and plenty of fishing. Jane is excited about the pop up ‘Christmas With A Difference’ shop that she will be doing in the mall again. Together, we will get into the garden, eventually walking on the beach, a bit of travel and by no means least, there'll be time to catch up with the kids.

Might I just add that I am thrilled that Greg Cotterell is taking on our pharmacy. Greg, his wife, Liz, and three beautiful children moved to Armidale three years ago. They love Armidale.

Greg shares our philosophy – looking after customers' needs and health. I feel it is a hand over, rather than a sale. All the team will be there to back him up and I feel with the new start, Greg and the team will take Mountview Pharmacy to its next exciting chapter.

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P h a r m a c y

COTTERELL G Greg Cotterell, the new owner of Mountview Pharmacy and his team prepare to take Mountview Pharmacy through to its exciting next chapter.

hat brought you to Armidale?

A tree change and an opportunity to improve our quality of life. We were living in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and it could sometimes take over an hour to visit family or even go to one of the children’s soccer matches. Jobs, schools and housing all fell so easily into place when we looked into what Armidale could offer us. The opportunities for our family have never been greater, and we are now able to spend more time doing an activity rather than travelling to an activity.

How long have been working at Hannons Mountview Pharmacy?

When we first moved to Armidale, I started lecturing in the new Pharmacy Degree program being offered by the UNE. I was teaching pharmacy practice and whilst I was teaching students how to become a better pharmacist,

my passion for pharmacy practice resurfaced.

I started working at Hannon’s as a locum pharmacist in early 2011, then was offered the opportunity to work more regular shifts and have been 'on board' permanently since 2012.

What do you love most about your job?

The people. Clichéd, I know; however, since graduating as a pharmacist (over 20 years ago) the role has evolved with technology, but in a place like Armidale it is essential for a pharmacist to engage with the community. Patients and their relatives come into the pharmacy often in vulnerable situations. They are either sick or caring for someone who is sick and want to understand the treatments or medications or speak to someone who cares about their health.

As a pharmacist, it is a privilege to be asked to help in these matters. I have always followed a principle taught by one of my mentors: 'Everyone is a Patient', so anyone in the community, current patients, new patients, staff, other health

professionals, can always find the support they need. Working with staff who also value that service and love their job is also important.

You are now the new owner of Mountview Pharmacy. What changes can your loyal customers expect?

Greg Hannon has provided a fantastic service to the community of Armidale for over 33 years. We still have some of his first customers coming to the pharmacy. When I first starting working with Greg, it was obvious that his work ethic, community spirit and patient care were aligned with my own. We share more than just a first name. We share a passion for community pharmacy and see this transition as a handing over the reins of the business, rather than selling to an unknown.

I am staying as a 'Pharmacist Advice Pharmacy', and the principles of service, advice and care are key to the future of this pharmacy.

Technology has evolved, and so has pharmacy

practice. Pharmacists can now offer more time to meet the patients' needs and requests, with access to more resources. We have increased the number of pharmacists available to provide better service to our customers.

Plans for the future?

Another 30 years of service would be a great place to start. The move from Sydney was always for long-term, and we feel very much a part of this community. My wife works as a Paediatrician at the hospital, as well as teaching medical students at the School of Rural Medicine. We have three school-aged children, Laura in Year 8, Lucas in Year 5, and Gabrielle in Year 2, who love living here, and we know we have made the right move for our family.

For the pharmacy, there are some newer services I would like to introduce to the local community that are currently being outsourced, but the focus will always be on meeting their needs.

Farewell and good luck API and Pharmacist Advice would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Greg and Jane Hannon on their retirement.

Greg has been a truly shining example of professional community pharmacy in Armidale. Leading API’s forward pharmacy model by example, providing great advice and service has always been the rule at Hannon Mt View Pharmacist Advice. And for this, we commend him.

We wish Greg and Jane Hannon all the very best in their future experiences.

We would also like to welcome Greg Cotterell to the Pharmacist Advice business model, whom we know will continue to provide Armidale with the same great professional community advice and service.

With the same great team behind him, we look forward to working with Greg and staff in his new venture in the Pharmacist Advice fold.

Farewell and good luck from all at API Pharmacist Advice.

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A r m i d a l e

Armidale District and Family y

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D Day ay Ca Care

hen and why did Armidale and District Family Day Care begin?

This year Armidale and District Family Day Care celebrates 30 years of service to the local community. We were established in 1983, just ten years after the first Family Day Care service in Sydney, growing out of a demand for extra child care and in response to families seeking alternatives to centre based care.

Since that time, we have maintained a proud record of providing flexible child care options for the region’s families – child care in home environments that is unhurried, personal and professional.

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Celebrate 30 fabulous years

How many Educators and children are there in the organisation at the present time?

Today, 32 registered Educators provide care for 262 children across the region on a weekly basis. If we include children who attend casually or infrequently, we have an enrolment of over 500 children.

We estimate that 14,000 children have accessed care since Armidale and District Family Day Care’s inception and that we have assisted over 150 Family Day Care Educators to establish and run successful home based services.

Tell us about some of your long standing Educators ...

The team today includes several ‘veterans’ – highly experienced and valued members such as Karina White (26 years), Pauline Johnson (29 years) and Judy McElroy (30 years on 12 October).

Judy has seen many children and their families come and go over those years. Some families still send her Christmas cards each year.

Some of Judy’s children have gone on to manage companies,

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becoming strong citizens in their community. Judy origin originally chose Family Day Care because she wanted to stay at home with her own children.

Why should families choose Armidale and District Family Day Care?

Over the years, Family Day Care has evolved. Today, our Educators are not only great ‘carers’; they are great teachers. They are trained professionals, who work within the guidelines of the current learning frameworks to encourage young minds to investigate, discover and develop.

In the first round of Assessment and Rating under the new National Quality Standards, Armidale and District Family Day Care and its Educators were rated as ‘Meeting the National Quality Standard’ overall. In two of the seven quality areas, the Service actually rated ‘Exceeding the National Quality Standard’; those areas being Relationships with Children and Collaborative Partnerships with Families and the Community. This Assessment result is a testament to the commitment, dedication and hard work of the entire team.

Families enrolling through Armidale and District Family Day Care can be sure that:

New England Mutual are proud to support the

Armidale and District Family Day Care SO

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132 067 communitymutual.com.au

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New E N England Mutual is a trading name of Community Mutual Ltd. ABN 21 087 650 360 : AFSL 241167

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include: Ensuring that service priorities continue to respond to community needs. Being recognised locally for the service we offer and the contribution we make to the community. Working collaboratively with Why would someone choose to become a Educators to develop their services. Ensuring a d an s or at Educ n Family Day Care Educator? thorough induction process to help prepare tio na di or Co Prospective Educators might like to know Educators for their role. Providing ongoing ve ha f af st Unit , id A t what motivates current Educators. Val says, professional development to ensure the skills rs Fi t en rr cu d “Watching children grow and learn, being of Educators and staff members are updated Anaphylaxis an ent em there when they make new discoveries, seeing and refreshed.

Asthma Manag children play and learn together, building Ensuring our toy library and professional Training .” relationships with families.” reading library are well stocked to supplement Kim says, “Looking back over the year of Educators’ resources and support their practice activities the children have enjoyed. Wrapping up and learning. Improving our sustainability and finished craft books ready to give to parents … when ensuring our viability – we plan to be around for another parents are happy for their child to be here, enjoying their time.”

30 years.

Dawn and Lois say, “Planning playspaces, and seeing planned If you would like more information about our boutique service, as experiences make a positive impact.” a family seeking care or as a prospective Family Day Care Educator, Karina says, “Learning from the children.” please call into our office in Miller St, contact us by phone 6772 Each Educator has the exciting opportunity of developing their own 5300, email afdc@optusnet.com.au or visit the service website unique service doing something they have a passion for. At the same www.armidaleanddistrictfamilydaycare.com time, they can earn a good income and establish a long term career.

We look forward to meeting you to discuss your care or career Armidale and District Family Day Care’s plans for the future needs.

“

Care environments are assessed regularly (every two to three weeks through home visits conducted by Unit Coordinators). Educators are provided with 24 hour emergency support, and relief care is available through other registered Educators if required. All Educators hold or are in the process of obtaining Certificate III in Children’s Services. Educators and Coordination Unit staff have current First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management Training. All Educators, their partners and staff have had Working with Children Checks, to ensure their suitability to work with children. Children have access to a wide range of toys, equipment and books, as Educators borrow from our well stocked toy library, supplementing their own resources.

*Armidale & District Family Day Care is a not-for profit community service run by a Board of Management comprised of Educators, Family Members and Community Members.

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focusinterview.

ArmidaleCommunity CommunityOf OfSchools Schools Armidale placeforforeveryone everyoneininour ourwonderful wonderfulpublic publicschools. schools.

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environments leadership programs encourage respect, tolerance, care environments andand leadership programs encourage respect, tolerance, care andand

citizenship.

These schools, large small, work together to offer children of our These schools, large andand small, work together to offer the the children of our citycity the the citizenship. quality education develops articulate, responsible successful adults. quality education thatthat develops articulate, responsible andand successful adults.

Both of our excellent schools offer an outstanding selection of traditional Both of our excellent highhigh schools offer an outstanding selection of traditional

highly qualiÀ ed and dedicated teachers provide challenging stimulating OurOur highly qualiÀ ed and dedicated teachers provide challenging andand stimulating

vocational extended HSC curriculum choices have a record of excellent vocational andand extended HSC curriculum choices andand have a record of excellent

learning environments to nurture individual talents of our children. learning environments to nurture the the individual talents of our children.

academic achievement. academic achievement.

Weinvite inviteyou youtotocontact contactyour yourlocal localschool schoolprincipal principaltotoarrange arrangea apersonal personaltour tour We anddiscuss discussyour yourchild’s child’seducation education and

42 new england focus.

C e l e b r a t i n g

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150 rthday Bi

Congratulations to Kellys Plains Public School on reaching your Sesquicentenary. Principal Richard Cotter tells Focus why this little school has been so successful.

C

an you give some history on how the school first began and its journey to now? Kelly’s Plains Public School was officially opened in 1863.

The There have been 27 Principals or Teachers in Ch Charge over this period of time. Reginald (Bob) Bu Burling has been the longest serving Principal at Ke Kelly’s Plains, teaching there for almost 28 years (19 (1946 – 1974). In 1927 the school had its first P & CA Association, and was also the Kelly’s Plains Post Office, housing the only telephone in the district.

H How does the school plan to celebrate 150years? On Friday October 25 there will be a Formal Assembly commencing at 10am.

This will include speeches, the launch of the Sesquicentenary book and a play performed by the students that will retell the history of the school. On Saturday October 26 there will be bus tours of the Kelly’s Plains district commencing at 10am. The school will be open with displays and merchandise will be for sale.

Memorable moments at Kellys Plains Public

On Friday October 25 rmal there will be a Fo will h ic h Assembly w , include speeches e th the launch of Sesquicentenary book and a play e performed by th students.”

“

school?

Every day is a memorable one for staff and students.

The smiling faces on the students as they arrive and leave each day, the happy chatter and the enjoyable learning experiences students share in a nurturing family environment, ensures each day at Kelly’s Plains is a special one. Some major achievements include the school becoming a two teacher school in the late 1970s. Demountable buildings and classrooms were added to the grounds to accommodate the growing need for parents and students wanting the small school experience.

Tell us about your staff? The School is fortunate to have very experienced and dedicated teachers.

The Lower Division (Kindergarten to Year 2) class has been taught by Mrs Lauren Piddington for the past nine years. The Upper Division (Year 3 to Year 6) are taught by Mr Richard Cotter (Teaching Principal). Mrs Emma Schaeffer is the Release from Face to Face (RFF) teacher and specialises in delivering Visual Arts lessons to all student across

the school. Mrs Jane Weier is our reliable casual teacher.

In the office our School Administrative Manager is Mrs Deborah Morley. Special recognition should go to Mrs Judy Tombs, who has been our school cleaner for the past 42 years.

Why should parents consider sending their Children to Kellys Plains Public School?

Kelly's Plains Public School is a proud member of the Armidale Community of Schools. It is a small school situated in an ideal rural setting ten kilometres south of Armidale. The small school atmosphere offers an outstanding caring and learning environment with high interactions between the school and parents.

Communication between children, teachers and parents is emphasised. Senior students are encouraged to take responsibility and a leadership role in the school, supported by a caring community of teachers and parents who all work together for the good of the students.

Relationships between all groups are strong, with many parents visiting the school on a daily basis.

new england focus 43

SEPTEMBER 2013 35(6%<7(5,$1 /$',(6¡ &2//(*(

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AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

Justice is coming into your picture, and any past conflict that yet remains to be fixed, can be. The success of this situation depends on how well you earn to let go and move ahead in lightness. Be aware of your fears, so they no longer have power over you.

Citrine is great for cleansing and clearing.

PISCES. February 20 - March 20

Your sense of justice is being tested, as are your arbitration skills. Continue your gift of offering win/win solutions, as this is good preparation for career changes. You would benefit by journalising your dreams at present, as your dreams are increasing in meaning.

Aquamarine is very powerful for dream interpretation.

ARIES. March 21 - April 20

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Total change to your current circumstances can be expected. It is a perfect time to spend time in reflection to help decide what changes you would like. In setting your goals, it would be of benefit to prioritize love and passion for living, to reconnect you with joy and gratitude.

Turquoise and Malachite will bring confidence and new love to your energy.

Avoid negative thoughts about yourself, as this pattern will lead to sabotage and you could miss out on very nice rewards. Your sense of deserving is being tested and the higher your self-worth is, the more good luck you will attract.

Selenite is powerful for shattering negative thoughts and creating abundance.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

June 23 - July 23 Ju

Justice is coming into play for you finally.

You can anticipate all kinds of new influences in your reality. Own your life when you live by choice, not chance, and watch how the universe rewards you. You can expect a confession or words that confirm what you previously suspected.

Ruby releases fear so we can embrace change happily.

LEO. July 24 - August 23

You will be likely to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the connection of another being. This relationship will have a calming effect on your energy, and much fun and laughter can be anticipated. This friendship will be likely to be a life-long one. Enjoy.

Watermelon Tormaline enhances friendship, laughter and playful energy.

44 new england focus.

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TAURUS.

VIRGO.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

Be patient and keep focused on the love of what you are pursuing. Avoid making choices or changes when you are feeling negative, as this could easiy lead to sabotage. Instead try visualising your outcome to reconnect you with your passion, and feel the excitement of what is to come.

Ruby is good for patience and passion.

September 24 - October 23

Until now your focus has predominantly been on pleasing others; now it is time for you to have what you want. The problem is you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where to look or what to look for, because you have never been your priority. Set some goals and be aware of your intention or motive and enjoy your outcome.

Turquoise helps us reach our full potential.

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LIBRA.

You have outgrown your old beliefs in life so instead of being comforted by them, you are feeling trapped. Now is a good time to reestablish some new rules or regulations to live by. Try debating your old beliefs to bring new ones into your reality.

Citrine shatters negativity and attracts an abundance of good luck.

October 24 - November 22

You are embarking on a journey of self-discovery through the influence of another person.

Love yourself enough to heal past hurts, and this will release your fear that love may not last. Soothing energy can be anticipated for weeks. Enjoy.

Moonstone helps wash away our fears and brings change to cycles.

SAGITTARIUS. November 23 - December 21

Your restless energy and itchy feet have been for a very good reason. You are having some major shifts to your foundations in life. You are learning to trust in your ability to support yourself adequately. Remain positive, so negative sabotage cannot be a part of your reality.

Ruby strengthens our self-love and keeps us feeling safe through change.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

You are such great teachers, and your ability to share information is growing. Enjoy the opportunities the universe is placing in your path as success breeds success and the more confident you become, the more you will be rewarded. Hear your wise words, as these are also your answers.

Turquoise will enhance self-esteem and confidence.

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

ESTELLE

NATIONAL DISABILITY CO-ORDINATION OFFICER E S T E L L E B O S H O F F S TA RT E D O U T I N D I S A B I L I T Y E M P L OY M E N T S E RV I C E S I N A R M I D A L E I N 2 0 1 0 A N D WA S A P P O I N T E D T H E N AT I O N A L D I S A B I L I T Y C O O R D I N AT I O N O F F I C E R F O R T H E T H E N R E G I O N 7 I N S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 2 . A S A N D C O, E S T E L L E W O R K S O N A S T R AT E G I C L E V E L T O TA R G E T B A R R I E R S T H AT P E O P L E W I T H A D I S A B I L I T Y FA C E I N S U C C E S S F U L LY A C C E S S I N G A N D C O M P L E T I N G P O S TS C H O O L E D U C AT I O N A N D T R A I N I N G A N D S U B S E Q U E N T E M P L O Y M E N T.

NE hosts the National Disability Coordination Officer program for Region 2 New England North West.

UNE’s involvement with the NDCO program dates back to 2008. The current contract will run from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2016 and is managed by Associate Professor Stephen Winn.

The expo iss free to enter, wit ith h gi veaways e and prizes with giveaways on the day y. All participants will be given a passport day. and encou uraged to visit every stall for their chance to encouraged win a Wii or Xbox DJ Hero Game. Refreshments will be provided with a gold coin donation.

NDCOs perform a range of functions to help people with a disability gain access to and successfully complete post-school education, training, and employment. NDCOs can provide practical assistance and advice to individuals with disability and their families, education and training providers, as well as employment and community support agencies.

Estelle said she is very happy with the response so far from stall holders registering their interest in attending the expo.

This year the NDCO program will be working with the New England Disability Interagency to plan, coordinate and promote the 2013 My Future My Choice Disability Expo.

The expo is an annual event sponsored by Disability Service providers, Local Government, Dept of Education, NDCO and Disability Employment agencies.

The theme 'My Future My Choice' embraces the ideals of a person centred system, the ability and the belief that anything is possible in enabling people to achieve an independent and fulfilled life. The sky is the limit!

The Planning Committee encourages students and people with disabilities, parents, carers, support staff and all interested community members to attend.

Visitors are encouraged from surrounding areas such as Guyra, Uralla, Glen Innes and Walcha. When in town, we suggest some of our 'out of town' visitors take advantage of some of the great shopping experiences and enjoy our beautiful spring weather.

Invitations to exhibit in the Expo have been sent out to organisations that support people with disability, their families and carers in the New England Area.

The Armidale Town Hall has been selected as the preferred choice of venue to hold this event. The Town Hall is close to the CBD and other facilities such

The Expo will showcase a wide w range of exhibitors displaying an extensive var riety of products and variety services that support indep pendence for people with independence disability.

Access the latest products and services to enrich your daily life. Whether you know what you want or just want to see what’s out there, this Expo will expand your idea of accessibility and maintain independence.

Individuals can access services that provide: person centred programs, employment, training, education, lifestyle and leisure, respite, advocacy, equipment and assistive technology.

Suzanne Bannon, Aged and Disability Specialist Worker, said the Armidale 'My Future My Choice'

“

T H E T H E M E ' M Y F U T U R E MY CHOICE' E M B R AC E S T H E I DE A L S OF A PERSON CENTRED SYSTEM – THE ABILITY AND THE BELIEF T H AT A N Y T H I N G I S P O S S I B L E I N E N A B L I N G P E O P L E T O AC H I E V E A N INDEPENDENT AND FULFILLED LIFE. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!”

as the library and Folk Museum.

Armidale Dumaresq Council in consultation with the Access Advisory Committee have ensured there is adequate mobility parking available and the facility is wheelchair accessible.

The Expo will be officially opened by the Mayor, Cr. Jim Maher at 10am. There will be a program of 'Listen Up' sessions in the foyer, with presentations and an opportunity to ask questions. Topics will include: Person Centred Approaches, Centrelink and Post School Options.

'DanceAbility' group will entertain over lunch to provide an opportunity for participants to either get involved or sit and enjoy the talents of our local Recreation Access Dancers.

expo will provide a community event to raise awareness about disability and inclusive communities.

During the past three years, the New England Area has welcomed several new support services and has provided greater choice and flexibility in the delivery of those services to the community.”

The organising committee would like to thank the following organisations for their continued support and assistance with this event: Armidale Dumaresq Council, National Disability Coordination Officer Program, Challenge Community Services, The Ascent Group, House with No Steps, Octec and NSW Government, Education & Communities.

For further information, please contact Estelle Boshoff 6773 2130 or Suzanne Bannon 6770 3804.

new england focus 45

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

H O U S E W I T H NO STEPS DENISE ALDRIDGE EXPLAINS HOW THE A R M I DA L E B R A NC H OF HOUS E W I T H NO STEPS WORKS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTS PEOPLE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR ABILITIES.

hat is House with No Steps? For more than 50 years, House with No Steps (HWNS) has been supporting people with a disability to live a good life as valued members of their community. With our services and businesses across NSW, QLD and the ACT, we’re one of Australia’s largest disability organisations. We provide support for all people with a disability to achieve their goals and fulfil their potential. Whether you’re looking for a job, a place to call home or new ways to make friends, we’ll work with you to plan for and achieve your goals. We’ve been in the New England area for just over two years and now support more than 20 local people with a disability.

of their lives in terms of decision making, control and choice.

What are House with No Steps’ values?

The values of empowerment, respect, inclusion, commitment and achievement are the foundation from which HWNS provides support to people with a disability.

With a self managed model, the person with a disability is in control and can create their own flexible program based on their individual passions and interests. HWNS can assist with planning and designing the program, staffing support, financial management, administration or even coaching and mentoring.

These five values reflect our most deeply held beliefs. They shape the way we approach our work, our interactions with service users, families and carers, the design of new services, the positive relationships that we build with external stakeholders, our advocacy for the rights of people with a disability and our engagement with local communities. HWNS embraces a personcentred approach when offering support.

This means, the person is at the centre

What can HWNS offer the NE region?

In the New England region, HWNS is the provider of choice for a number of individuals and their families.

Our self managed models are particularly popular. These models enable the individual to make their own decisions about how they want to spend their funding, the services and support they receive and who they want to deliver them. It is a collaborative process where the person with a disability, their family, a service provider or a number of providers work together to develop a plan that outlines the type of support the person would like and where they will get this support from.

What does the future hold in relation to the NDIS or DisabilityCare Australia?

At HWNS we are excited about the new opportunities DisabilityCare Australia will create for people with a disability.

From July 2016, DisabilityCare Australia will progressively roll out across NSW over a two year period. This will provide eligible

people with permanent and significant disability, and their family and carers, with the individualised support they deserve.

HWNS is busy preparing for the roll out of the scheme. We will be opening a number of contact centres regionally to better support and guide people in making the transition to the new scheme.

We are also busy hosting information forums about DisabilityCare and Self Managed Models across all our regions.

Can the community support HWNS? HWNS is fortunate to be part of the wonderful New England community. Our community is very supportive and open to genuine friendships and connections with people with a disability.

Volunteers play a vital role in the important work that we do. In recent times, generous local people have volunteered their time to become involved in the lives of people we support, whilst others have donated money.

Much of these funds have been used to purchase a variety of indoor and outdoor games, where staff and volunteers can assist individuals we support to be as active mentally and physically as possible.

We are always on the lookout for new volunteers for projects big and small.

If you would like to become involved with House with No Steps, please contact Denise Aldridge on Ph (02) 5795 1887 or daldridge@hwns.com.au

Take control of your life At House with No Steps, we welcome the introduction of DisabilityCare Australia.

We provide personalised services to support each person to lead their idea of a good life.

Come and have a chat to our experienced and passionate staff.

My Future, My Choice Expo Wed 11th Sept. 2013 10am – 2.30 pm Armidale Town Hall Follow us on facebook.com/housewithnosteps twitter.com/@HWNS www.hwns.com.au

46 new england focus.

Photo taken by Jacob McCue

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

T H E ASCENT GROUP At The Ascent Group we provide a range of person centred services for people living with a disability in our community, including Lifeskills Participation, Transition to Work, Respite, Supported Accommodation, and Supported Employment.

W H AT I S TABLELANDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPTIONS? Tablelands Community Support Options is your local provider of aged and disability support services.

Areas covered include Armidale Dumaresq, Walcha, Uralla and Guyra.

identified achievable goals. Case Managers provide person-centred planning, make referrals out, arrange direct services and provide advocacy to meet the holistic choices of the individual.

An Aboriginal Case Manager is available across all programs.

Rural and Remote Respite Service – a recreational respite service for people with a disability aged 16 to 65 years.

Community Options Program – provides comprehensive assessment and Case Management to assist the aged, people with a disability and their carers to access services to assist them to remain at home and reach their

Flexible Respite Program – provides care for consumers with disabilities. Consumers can be supported in their own homes or in community settings to enable families/carers to take a short break.

Our Lifeskills Participation services offer a variety of opportunities for adults living with a moderate to profound disability to participate and be inclusive in the local community. We support individuals and groups in both central and community-based activities of their choosing, including: Supported Work Experience (including formal placements in local businesses) LifeSkills (including road safety, cooking, shopping, money handling) Therapy options (including clay modelling, music therapy, creative arts, hydrotherapy, gardening) Social and Fitness (including gym sessions, Aqua, swimming, sensory walking programs, horse riding, ten-pin bowling) Community Integration (including community visits to local sites e.g. library, cafés, NERAM etc.)

Our Transition to Work program is aimed at

assisting school leavers to prepare for and transition to employment. Each program runs over a two year period. The program is tailored to meet the individual’s learning needs, with emphasis on building skills for an individual’s chosen career path.

We offer a diverse range of respite services for families and carers of people living with a disability or mental illness. We can provide overnight respite stays in a cottage setting, day activities such as art and craft, music programs, community social activities and in home support to care recipients where the carers may wish some time away.

If you would like more information, please call us on 6776 8977 or email admin@ascentgroup.org.au

new england focus 47

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

S U N N Y F I E L D DISABILITY SERVICES S U N N Y F I E L D I S A L E A D I N G N E W S O U T H WA L E S D I S A B I L I T Y S E RV I C E P ROV I D E R T H AT H A S SUPPORTED PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY FOR 61 YEARS. WITH OVER EIGHT OFFICES AND 50 CENTRES W I T H I N N E W S O U T H WA L E S , S U N N Y F I E L D S U P P O RT N E A R LY 1 , 6 0 0 P E O P L E W I T H A D I S A B I L I T Y.

here did it all begin?

In the 1950s, parents of children with intellectual disabilities were advised that the only place in society for their children was in an institution. Keen to create opportunities for her child who had an intellectual disability, young Balgowlah mother Hazel Whiddon placed an advertisement in her local paper (The Manly Daily) seeking like-minded parents who also had children with a disability.

Today, Sunnyfield provides over 900 services a week for thousands of people with disabilities.

Who does Sunnyfield help in the New England?

Sunnyfield supports in excess of 80 people in the New England region through intensive support,

48 new england focus.

training and skill packages and through a range of independent living programs and community services, including centre, community and self managed options. All these programs are individually tailored to the each person.

What values does Sunnyfield follow?

Our mission at Sunnyfield is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by creating choice, opportunities and skills for life. The core values adopted at Sunnyfield include: respect, trust, honesty, innovation, transparency and creating value for money.

At Sunnyfield, we ensure that the person is at the centre of the planning. We encourage and support people with an intellectual disability to follow their dreams and gain greater independence.

Sunnyfield assist their clients to identify for themselves what their goals and dreams are and then help them match their goals and dreams with their own capabilities for now and into the future. Outcomes are tailored to meet with the support that is available and to then â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;facilitateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; future supports to help meet the eventual goal and aspiration of that person.

to live the life that they want. That makes me strive to continually improve the way in which we provide services and to support staff to think that way too. The disability field is undergoing some huge changes at the moment, and I find it extremely exciting to be a part of an industry which is enriching the lives of the people they support.

Tell us about the staff and any personal reward you gain from your job?

We have a range of staff from a variety of different backgrounds, and this assists us to appropriately match staff to clients. Our staff cover a range of ages and include equal male and female ratios. Sunnyfield looks to create opportunities for people who have had limited opportunities in the past and to support people

Plans for the future?

Our plans for the future are to continue to provide a range of independent living and community programs across all regions in the New England area. We anticipate increasing our self managed and individualised accommodation support packages and continuing to provide quality services to an increasing number of people and their families.

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

CHALLENGE CHOICES ARMIDALE Nineteen year old Samantha Lewis is independent in most areas of her life, thanks to the support she has received from Challenge Choices, Armidale.

Samantha, or Sam, as she prefers to be known, was diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder when she was young, but has never let her disability hold her back.

Sam joined Challenge in January 2012, and staff quickly organised a plan for Sam to help her achieve her dreams and goals.

The main focus was for Sam to enrol in the Certificate IV in Disability Services at Armidale TAFE. Sam also attends Challenge Choices Transition to Work program three times a week and works hard on her TAFE modules in the meantime. Sam is now well on her way to achieving one of her major goals when she completes her studies in December 2015.

L I F E S T Y L E SOLUTIONS

Challenge Choices are uniquely focused on helping people with a disability achieve their dreams and goals in everyday settings.

Challenge Choices offer many options for service delivery, from self-managed packages to community participation to active ageing. Challenge offers programs right across regional New South Wales, including Tamworth, Armidale and the wider New England region.

Lifestyle Solutions was founded on a dream – to support people living with a disability by walking alongside them, embracing their dreams and sharing their vision. Our journey has been shaped and inspired by the incredible people we have the privilege of supporting. They have enriched our vision, challenged our thinking and ignited our passion to pioneer change for good.

We now provide a diverse range of supports to people living with a disability, as well as children and young people who live in Out of Home Care and Foster Care.

At Lifestyle Solutions we partner with people to develop support systems which reflect their individuality, interests, vision and culture.

We deliver person centred and individualised support that provides choice and voice to every

person we have the privilege of supporting.

Our unique range of flexible, responsive and high quality supports are designed to achieve positive outcomes that focus on social inclusion, community participation and creating valued roles for the people we support. This includes: • Vision, planning and sharing • Personal care • Spending plans and money management • Recruitment • Increasing independence and community participation • Specialist support • Accommodation services and supports • Work readiness and employment.

For more information, visit www.lifestylesolutions.org.au

To take control of your individualised support package contact us:

new england focus 49

MY FUTURE MY CHOICE EXPO

T H E N AT I O N A L D I S A B I L I T Y

COORDINATION PROGRAM

OCTEC LIMITED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES M U S I C T H E R A P Y @ NECOM NECOM’s Music Therapy Program is the first of its kind in Armidale and the New England region. Led by outstanding Music Therapist Natalie Nugent, the music therapy program works with children from 18 months to adults in their 60s with a variety of different needs, but mainly for those with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, physical and chromosomal disorders, and acquired brain injury. The various needs addressed in music therapy have included extending communication and social skills, group and physical skills, addressing sensory needs and developing relationships with others.

NECOM is proud that it provides this unique and invaluable service, essential to the wellbeing of not only children and adults with disabilities but for Armidale families caring for them on a daily basis, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. As funding is extremely limited, NECOM seeks sponsors and supporters to ensure that these invaluable programs can continue into 2014.

50 new england focus.

Octec Limited Employment Service opens our doors to invite local employers to be part of changing the life of a person with a disability.

Benefits to business: • Independent studies provided evidence that people with a disability have a positive work attitude and work ethos.

• An employee with a disability can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and increased morale.

• Cost of hiring staff can be reduced, as generally there is less turnover for employees with a disability.

• Ongoing costs are generally lower – the number of WHS incidents for an employee is six times lower than that of an average employee.

Why employ people with a disability: • Approx 1 in 5 Australians are classified as having a disability.

• Two-thirds of people with a disability have a mild or moderate disability, yet less than 10% earn any income through employment.

• National Disability Services estimates that disability employment can fill about 15% of the projected shortfall in the labour force. NDEAG.

The Australian Government’s National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program targets the barriers that people with a disability face in successfully accessing and completing post-school education and training and subsequent employment.

A national network of NDCOs works within 31 specific regions across Australia, to improve the coordination and delivery of support services to help make it easier to enrol or participate in post-school education, training and employment. Estelle Boshoff is the NDCO for region 2 New England North West and is hosted by the University of New England. The NDCO program is managed by Associate Professor Stephen Winn, who has extensive national and international expertise in disability services.

To achieve the NDCO program goals, Estelle performs a range of functions designed to help people with a disability gain access to and successfully complete post-school education and training and subsequent employment.

Amongst others, she: provides information and transition planning assistance to people with disabilities and service providers; assists with referrals, linkages and coordination; develops resources, facilitates professional development workshops and raises awareness of achievements of people with disabilities.

focusTourism.

Wallpaper – a beautiful feature

Tourism

Spring is around the corner, and I think we’re all looking forward to warmer days and brighter gardens.

Often we get the urge to make a little change in our home in the spring as well.

Have you thought of using some wallpaper to brighten up a wall? Wallpaper is a fun and reasonably priced way to add colour and interest to a room.

Katrina George August has been another exciting and busy month for Armidale Tourism, with the refurbishment of the Visitor Information Centre, the Inland Tourism Awards in Moree, and the Country and Regional Living Expo in Sydney. he Visitor Information Centre has undergone a complete transformation, with a contemporary design, custom built furniture, beautiful graphic imagery, and a spectacular curved brochure wall. The local businesses that we would like to thank include Hunts Carpets, Killens Furniture, Dreamcoat Painting and Frost Constructions for overseeing the project. In the newly refurbished centre we have dedicated areas to promote all that Armidale has to offer. If you have not got your flyers at the Visitor Information Centre, then please drop some in; we are particularly short of flyers promoting the restaurants, cafés and boutique shopping in Armidale. Please contact Katrina George on (02) 6770 3906 if you would like further information. Come on down and have a look at our new centre; you will receive an invitation to our opening event very soon!

The primary role of the Visitor Information Centre is to act as an information source for visitors to Armidale. In addition, we are also a common first point of call for people who have moved to town or are looking to relocate. For many, the Visitor Information Centre is their first impression of our city, and we pride ourselves on our professional customer service and knowledge of the region. We also assist coach companies with their group itineraries and conferences with their planning and information packs for their attendees. Apart from all these roles, the Information Centre is often the first contact place for people who have an emergency situation, whether it is mechanical, medical, travel or accommodation. The success of the Visitor Information Centre is a result of the passion and drive of our tourism team and

most importantly, the passionate volunteers who work in the Centre or guide on the Heritage Tour Bus. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering in the Visitor Information Centre, then please contact Katrina George on (02) 6770 3906.

There are hundreds and hundreds of wallpapers available nowadays, as they are once again a fashion trend in decorating.

Patterns can be as simple as a print that looks like silk, hessian or bamboo fabric to patterns that look like trees or wooden walls. All types of florals prints are available – graceful oriental patterns, vines, little floral motifs, patterns with lots of wow factor and subtle ones as well.

There are papers that have dark backgrounds with lighter patterns or lighter backgrounds with colourful patterns. Retro patterns from

such companies as Sanderson are reminiscent of ‘50s wallpapers, and the classic Florence Broadhurst patterns from Signature Prints are glamourous and beautiful. Stripes are also a classic pattern, and come in every imaginable colour and style. Wallpaper is usually sold by the roll, often 10 m long x 52 cm wide, and prices range from $60 - $70/roll up to the hundreds of dollars for Designers Guild and other well known names.

Fabrics Naturally has a large range of wallpaper samples in the shop. Why not come in and have a look? We’re happy to help you find what you’re looking for.

The Country and Regional Living Expo in Sydney was held on the 3 and 4 August at a new venue in Homebush. We had a team of representatives from Armidale Tourism, NEGS, TAS, UNE, PLC, Community of Schools and Community Mutual. The role of the Country and Regional Living Expo is to provide an avenue for people looking to make a tree, sea, or city change who can discuss their requirements and questions with representatives of each region. At the expo, Armidale ticked a lot of boxes with job opportunities, education, real estate, child care and lifestyle all covered. The Expo was well patronised, and we have received a number of follow up calls and emails from people we met during the weekend and who are now planning to visit the region in the near future to commence planning their relocation. In Glen Innes this month we attended an Inland NSW Destination Marketing Workshop, a part of the process being driven by the government tourism task force to develop a series of regional Destination Management Plans.

Armidale has been identified as the major hub for the region and will be a driving force for the New England Destination Marketing campaign. Participating in the Destination Marketing Workshop were representatives from tourism, education, wineries, restaurants, clubs, retail, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels and national parks. Through the broader region working together, it is hoped to entice visitors to stay in the region for longer.

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focuseditorial

Icing on the cake with Susie Dunn

Icing on ON

cake

Dr GUY

HINGSTON.

THE RADIANCE OF THE ORDINARY It was part of the title of my son’s PhD thesis (names will not be used, to protect the innocent - he doesn’t know I’m writing this and no correspondence with philosophers will be entered into). he phrase immediately resonated with me. Today we often spend so much time in pursuit of a superficial ‘sublime’ – a great driver of the consumer society – that we don’t appreciate what we actually have.

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behind you, get out and do something practical about improving things and make your case with facts. And please don’t make anonymous comments – stand up for what you believe, right or wrong. Doing the do-able moves us all forward.

Here in the New England we have a beautiful environment and, yes, climate, access to good education, sporting facilities, a range of entertainment options (n.b. new technology at the Belgrave Cinema! Great International Film Festival), cultural opportunities, places to congregate and enjoy the company of friends – it goes on and on ... and opportunities to invest and expand for those who seek them.

It’s hard listing some doings in town without mentioning all the others that are equally worthy of attention, with entirely different aims and people. And there are just too many to list!

All the pieces of the jigsaw are there to build a satisfying life. It’s over to us to use the opportunities, big and small, to build our lives and our community. Like Signor Vertelli at Dangars Gorge, we should give it a wellprepared go – although I’m certainly not encouraging any amateur repeat efforts in that very specialised line of business!

To me, ‘The radiance of the ordinary’ doesn’t mean we don’t extend ourselves and reach for excellence – far from it. It means celebrating the things that surround us that can give us strength. Someone on radio was talking about the ‘mall-ification’ of life today ! Surely we can be glad of a sustainable, happy lifestyle?

The faces of children and their activities on our regional television news always give me great pleasure. City channels don’t have the time – or interest – to show such efforts and triumphs. Another reason we must guard our access to our local TV content. And talking of children, the leading cause of farm deaths are quad bikes. Children love them of course, but as their safety is a concern do resist those appeals – at least until safety has been greatly improved.

It is often a problem to choose what to write about in this column, which is defined by the title I chose for it – The Icing on the Cake.

I guess my intent was to establish a beachhead against the nay-sayers and the whingers who are constantly full of complaints about anything and everything. If you have legitimacy 52 new england focus.

But there, you see, my Icing on the Cake hat tells me that is another often taken for granted advantage we have here in this district. So many doings are powered by people who are volunteering their piece to the jigsaw puzzle. An interesting survey mentioned in the Murdoch press says that ‘baby boomers are the least lonely generation (Gen Y are the most).’

Worth pondering.

I‘ve mentioned before how much I like the ADC motto ‘the fortunes of the house stand firm’. One of the symbols on the crest is a rose (often known as the Tudor Rose; it represents the idea of the New England).

Someone who has resolutely followed her own path in life is Miss Catherine MacLean – historian, educator, retailer, unyielding guardian of correct English usage and passionate rosegrower. She has spent literally decades growing the history of the rose and has now donated her extraordinary collection to the National Trust at Saumarez. Volunteers from the Australian Garden History Society have taken responsibility for the establishment of the garden, which will add an important drawcard to the Trust property.

And a personally sad farewell to the irreplaceable one and only Professor Victor Minichiello, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of the Professions, who has accomplished so very much for the University of New England. The Vice Chancellor, Jim Barber, hosted a farewell at the Booloominbah Collection on July 16. Victor’s intelligence, passion and commitment will be much missed.

Take some time to smell the roses, Victor.

Susie Dunn.

Recently, we caught up with Dr Guy in Port Macquarie… ‘Success is to Give’ lease tell us a bit about yourself urself ...

I am a young middle aged surgeon with over 15 years post-Fellowship surgical experience, having served the Mid North Coast population since arriving in Port Macquarie back in 2003. My wife, Helen, and I have enjoyed bringing up our five sons, although we have been saddened to see our older two fly the nest.

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I have particularly enjoyed making a positive contribution to our regional community in many ways, and find that helping others continues to be very important to me (my motto: Success is to Give). I enjoy golf, cycling and snow skiing with friends and family and have lost nearly 20 kg in weight since I first arrived in 2003 – which has been a struggle, given my partiality to a glass of fine NZ Pinot Noir or local Hastings beer (when I am not on call, that is!)

I am currently getting my head around social media and have recently made a beginners entry to Tumblr, Blogger & WordPress, although I prefer speaking to groups face to face, particularly about their own preventive health care needs (www.drguy.com.au).

Dr Guy, as well as being a highly respected surgeon you are also an author and have published two books. What are these about, and why did you decide to write them?

In 1993, Dr Mandel et al published in the New England Journal of Medicine that bowel cancer screening reduces the death rate from bowel cancer in a community by one third. However, it was not until my mother-in-law developed bowel cancer that I realised that I needed to give more attention to prevention and teach the community what I had learned in my own studies to become a cancer surgeon.

More than just cancer screening, there are actually many proven things that we can do to prevent suffering from an early demise, and after thinking about this, I realised that our bodies needed a service manual, just like our cars do. Hence the Gold Book preventive health service manuals came into being. These are now being used successfully to empower people to personally systematise their own preventive health needs (see www.gold-book.com.au). Now that I have operated on over 500 women with breast cancer, the need for catching this and other diseases early in the course of the disease process is tantamount to me – especially as I

weell the problems of presenting know only too well late with cancer.

You specialise in breast reduction and reconstructive surgery. Why is this particular type of surgery growing among young and older women today?

As the finer details of oncoplastic breast surgery becomes more understood and accepted, women are becoming less keen to put up with the back and shoulder discomfort and headaches caused by carrying around a few extra kilos on the front of their chest. Likewise, they are also less likely to bear the long term physical and psychological scars caused by losing a breast to cancer when we now have a number of surgical breast reconstruction options locally available to them in the public and private health sector.

Positive lifelong changes are a result of these types of surgical interventions, and more and more women now see that these benefits vastly outweigh the personal risks and costs of surgery.

Tell us about your clinic here on the Mid North Coast?

My work revolves around helping over 1,000 new cases each year, offering them advice and surgical assistance as required.

Breast reduction, breast reconstruction and breast cancer surgery are my particular subspecialty interests, but I also provide significant assistance with breast and bowel cancer screening and surgery – including colonoscopy. I also enjoy performing laparoscopic hernia repairs (key hole surgery) as well as thyroidectomy to those with thyroid disorders.

Being a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) player is very important to me, particularly while working with the theatre operating teams at Wauchope and Kempsey, Port Macquarie Base and Port Macquarie Private Hospitals, as well as helping train the next generation of medical students and surgical registrars who rotate through our region.

Over the last few years, I have also enjoyed brief stints in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor providing surgical cover for the Australian Defence Force troops temporarily based overseas.

To find out more or to contact Dr Guy, visit him on Facebook, his website www. breastreduction.com.au or www.gold-book.net

INCHES LG Launches Remarkable 100-Inch Laser Display for Truly Immersive Cinematic Experience that offers exceptional Full HD quality with laser light illumination for brilliant, space saving home cinema..

G Electronics Australia has announced the arrival of its much anticipated 100-inch (254 cm) Laser Display to the local market. Boasting the largest outof-the-box consumer TV broadcast experience currently available, LG’s Laser DLP Display beams Full HD images onto the screen from just 56 centimetres away. Designed with sports and movie lovers in mind, LG is offering a big screen experience that needs to be seen to be believed. In addition to providing Australians the opportunity to watch their favourite content on a massive screen at an accessible price, LG’s Laser Display will come in a bundle that includes LG’s innovative Ultra-Short Throw Laser DLP device, the large 100-inch screen, and LG’s 1TB Twin HD Tuner Recorder and 3D

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Blu-ray Player (HR938T). “Following our recent unveiling of the 2013 Home Entertainment lineup, we are pleased to bring to market another innovation that will broaden our product offering and give our customers an extra-large screen viewing experience – an experience we know there is huge demand for,” commented Lambro Skropidis, Marketing General Manager at LG Australia.

It has a variety of features, including remarkable viewing experience, with the 100inch Laser Display delivering great images that really pop – a result of laser technology and the Anti-Reflection Screen. The technology used in LG’s Laser Display is an innovation that provides fantastic picture quality, even in brightly lit surroundings. The Anti-Reflection Screen

rejects light from above and reduces ambient light from being reflected off the screen, for impressive pictures with deep contrast levels.

A versatile home cinema device offers greater simplicity around installation and flexible positioning; it can be placed on a low-lying entertainment unit at a mere 56 centimetres from the screen. This is a huge advance on the considerable distance needed to project large images at Full HD on many traditional projectors. Longer Life by LG uses an advanced laser illumination system consisting of 36 laser diodes embedded in the projection unit to deliver bright picture quality that eliminates the need for mercury-based lamps. The system

can run for up to 25,000 hours in economy mode, which is equivalent to 5 hours a day for 13 years. This is much longer than traditional mercury-based lamps. It is exceptional for small and medium-sized businesses, as the compact installation of LG’s 100-inch Laser Display is also well suited for flexible business applications such as video conferencing and wireless multimedia presentations through the added convenience of Intel’s WiDi function.

To amplify the home cinema experience, LG will bundle every purchase of its Laser Display with LG’s 1TB Twin HD Tuner Recorder and 3D Blu-ray Player (HR938T).

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A R M I D A L E

R E G I O N A L

A I R P O R T

Kiriczenko

Alex Kiriczenko is not only a young local fireman, he has also just been awarded a scholarship that will enable him to complete his Flight Instructor Rating. This will enable him to teach people to fly and work at a flying school as an instructor. He shares his passions with FOCUS ...

ow long have you been in Armidale, and what do you love most about it?

I was born and bred in Armidale Armidale.

Armidale is very cosmopolitan and I believe has an edge over other country towns that I have visited. Armidale has everything I want, plus more. The location of this great city is tremendous. Halfway between two capital cities, two hours to the coast (a lot less if you have a pilot’s licence) and in the heart of the New England. The stunning gorges to the south-east of Armidale are simply breathtaking by air. I suggest that if you haven’t seen this view, book your joy-flight today and don’t forget your camera.

When and why did you first become interested in aviation?

54 new england focus.

ear arlly ly a age ge I h hav ave av e al a lwa ways y h ys ad da an n ob obse bsess ssiion Since an e early have always had obsession aviation. My family will admit that all I wanted to with aviation. do with my life was to be a pilot! Aviation runs in my blood. My grandfather being an ex-RAAF Pilot gave me the inspiration at an early age to pursue a career in aviation. When I was 5 years old, with the help of ‘Poppy’ I made a replica of Bert Hinkler’s ‘Avro Baby’.

Pop told me a lot about Bert, and I understood that his solo flight around the world wasn’t really about luck. He planned. He prepared. He endured. He flew solo around the world with just a compass, a torch and a page of the atlas to guide him. This is why he was dubbed “the most daring man in the world”. These pioneering feats always thrilled me as a kid, and I always knew that one day I would be an aviator myself.

What is involved in becoming a pilot, and can this

be done in Armidale? thin nking of becoming a pilot, For someone that is thinking first n whether they want to fl flyy for they fi rst need to ascertain a hobby or for a career.

For anyone who wants to fly for recreation, the Private Pilots Licence (PPL) is the way to go. This allows the holder to fly in all states and territories of Australia in good weather by daylight. Once you have your PPL, you can add other ratings and endorsements to your licence, such as a Night Rating (to fly by night), Instrument Rating (to fly in most weather conditions), Twin Engine Endorsement (to fly an aircraft with two engines) etc.

The PPL is achieved by completing 40 hours of flight with a qualified flying instructor, a few basic theory exams and a class 2 pilots medical.

A R M I D A L E

R E G I O N A L

A I R P O R T

Kiriczenko

If you want to make a living out of your licence, you need to is an agricultural topdressing company who perform crop-dusting.

Another major part of their business is aircraft maintenance. They hold a Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL). The CPL allows the holder keep the aircraft in remarkable condition. to fly for payment. Once again, you can add the same ratings and endorsements as in the PPL but you can also add other ratings, like Tell us about the scholarship you have just received and what it means for you?

Instructor Rating (to teach people to fly), Agricultural Rating (for Recently through Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of crop-dusting) etc.

Australia (AOPA), I applied for a scholarship which they The CPL consists of completing 150 - 200 hours offer annually to assist recipients to further their of flight (depending wether you complete PPL flying career at minimal cost. To my surprise, I was first or not), 7 theory exams and a class 1 successful. en pilots medical.

Su pe ra ir ha s be This means that in the near future I will be r I completed my PPL and CPL in in A rm id al e fo an is d completing my Flight Instructor Rating. This an s Armidale at New England Flight ne ar ly 50 ye ar re ss in g pd will enable me to teach people to fly and to al ag ri cu lt ur Training, which is a great little flying rf or m pe ho w work at a fl ying school as an instructor. ny pa co m school and owned by Stewart and A no th er You are also a firefighter; tell us about cr op -d us ti ng . th ei r Samantha Hignett. Stewart is an m aj or pa rt of this? ra ft rc ai exceptional pilot with over 10,000 bu si ne ss is ep I am a retained firefighter with Fire & ke ey Th m ai nt en an ce . hours of experience and also a great e bl ka ar m Rescue NSW, so I work ‘on call’ with a re in th e ai rc ra ft bloke. .” fantastic team of people. We respond to on co nd iti Apart from the flying school, what emergencies such as fires, road accidents and other aviation industry is in Armidale? hazardous material spillages.

Edwards Aviation is based here in Armidale What do you do with your spare time, if you and is a five star charter company. They have a have any? hangar full of aircraft to suit your charter needs, from I love catching up with family and friends. I also don’t mind a four seat piston engine aircraft, to ten seat turbo-prop aircraft and cold beer or two, and a punt on the racehorses on a Saturday even several private jets in their fleet. Edwards Aviation’s charter arvo.

What advice would you give anyone thinking of getting service is an alternative way to fly without the restriction of into aviation? scheduled flights. They fly into all major airports and most regional Visit your local flying school and have a chat to an instructor. airports.

Also, do what is called a Trial Instructional Flight (TIF). A TIF is a 30 Fleet Helicopters is also based in Armidale. I work for them minute flight with a flying instructor, and you will get a taste of casually flying one of their fixed-wing aircraft. They have several what it is like to control an aircraft. government contracts, such as aerial fire-fighting for the Rural Fire Plans for the future?

Service and flood relief for the SES. For now, I will concentrate on getting my instructor rating Fleet Helicopters also has a helicopter flying school and completed, so I can pass on my passion of aviation to others who furthermore, do helicopter scenic flights. Another part of Fleet’s share the dream of being an aviator. Being a flight instructor will brand is their warbird flights. A rare opportunity awaits any also assist honing my skills, as I believe that if you can teach a enthusiast wishing to take flight in a World War II T-6 Texan or subject it is necessary to be quite good at it yourself. Instructing Boeing Steerman. will also help me build my flying hours, so I can gain experience.

Another major contributor to the aviation industry in Armidale Eventually I want to be an Air-Ambulance Captain. is Superair. Superair has been in Armidale for nearly 50 years and

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A R M I D A L E

R E G I O N A L

A I R P O R T

Edwards Aviation Australia

Armidale Regional Airport Passenger numbers through Armidale The Airport Manager, ADC’s Director of Public Regional Airport continue to rise, with Infrastructure, David Steller reports that Council 107,000 people using the QantasLink has allocated $1.8 million in this year’s budget Sydney to Armidale service in the past for improvements and renewals of tired year. General aviation use has infrastructure at the airport, the bulk of increased, with charter flights which will be spent on the runway and local air services lighting project. The recently ill w s increasing their use of an pl n sig De formed Airport Users Group the airport, adding be prepared for al has identified parking at the in e term value to Armidale’s expansion of th modate airport as one of the major m building, to acco r regional economy. ge issues to be addressed in en ss pa d increase Armidale Dumaresq ture fu d an the short term. Surveys rs be m nu Council, which owns th of flight anticipated grow have been undertaken to d out of and operates the services into an provide a basis for decision regional airport facility, Armid al e. ” making, and Council will will be undertaking be revealing plans shortly to several major projects this improve the situation. year, with the upgrading of Meanwhile, the Regional Airport the runway and apron lighting and continues to provide very necessary air services terminal apron extension works. Design plans will be prepared for expansion of the terminal into the New England region, supporting building, to accommodate increased passenger business growth in the education sector, access numbers and future anticipated growth of flight for medical practitioner services and a regional services into and out of Armidale. gateway for tourism.

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Gateway for visitors, home to local businesses.

Armidale Airport

www.armidale.nsw.gov.au

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Edwards Aviation Australia is a premium air charter service owned and operated by licensed chief pilot Brad Edwards.

Brad, who has been flying since the age of 12, has over 40 years of aviation experience and has built a solid reputation for delivering decades of safe, reliable air transportation. Brad is also the proprietor and CEO of Edwards Edwards Coaches, with Aviation has w a fleet of over 50 buses ru been nning no s ar and employing over 40 for over 10 ye its staff. By applying the skills with 6 aircraft on acquired from running the AOC.” Edwards Aviation has been coach fleet, Brad established running now for over 10 years with Edwards Aviation Australia 6 aircraft on its AOC. Today, the fleet after recognising the need for consists of one Citation 650, a Citation more effective and efficient private Jet 1, Citation Jet 2, two Conquests, a Piper travel services and provides an alternative to the Chieftain and a Beechcraft Baron. The company challenges and limitations associated with both employs three full-time pilots and several traditional commercial air travel and on-demand contract workers, with the combined experience jet charter services. of the pilots totaling over 52,000 hours. Our With Brad’s committed focus on the needs of his jets are exceptionally fuel efficient and have low clients and exemplary safety record, he has built operating costs. Combined with their power up a loyal clientele of high profile dignitaries, and capacity to deliver you to your destination Federal and State Government officials and high quickly and safely, you know you are chartering profile executives, who personally request his a quality service that represents exceptional value services. for money.

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Superair is the largest Aerial Topdressing company in Australia.

David Boundy, C.E.O., tells us more about this locally owned and operated business.

hen and why did Superair begin?

Superair Australia was established in 1964 by a group of graziers located in the Armidale area for the aerial application of superphosphate throughout the New England area.

Superair operates in some of the most productive areas of Australia for fine wool, fat lambs and cattle grazing. Superair is an important tool in maintaining efficient production for the primary producers who need annual applications of phosphate and

other minerals to be accurately applied to the land.

Can you tell us about all aspects of the business?

Superair’s main office is located at Armidale airport and also has bases in Scone and Glen Innes. Topdressing operations stretch from the Queensland border, south to Newcastle, east to the Coast and Narrabri in the West. This is an area of 70,000 square kilometres.

Over the last 49 + years, Superair has applied over an estimated 1,680,000 tonnes of fertiliser and also carried out seeding, spraying

and other aerial work.

Superair’s fleet consists of 3 x 400 hp Fletcher aircraft, 4 x 750 hp turbine Cresco aircraft and 1 x 600 hp turbine Stallion aircraft.

Superair has carried out aerial surveys for large mining companies in Canada and Hawaii.

We also carry out aerial spreading operations for Forestry South Australia and NSW. Around December each year, one of our aircraft ferries up to Weipa at the top of QLD and carries out mine rehabilitation operations for Rio Tinto.

Superair’s aircraft maintenance division caters for all routine maintenance and repairs and rebuilds of various aircraft for customers and insurance claims. The workshop also designs, builds and can modify aircraft.

Tell us about the staff ...

Superair currently employs 23 staff. These include agricultural pilots, aircraft loader drivers, aircraft maintenance engineers, aircraft sheet metal workers, approved aircraft welders, administration staff and plant

mechanics.

These people are Superair’s most valuable assets, and without them the company would not function. Most are long standing employees, and Superair prides itself keeping these highly skilled personnel on staff for as long as they wish to be with the company.

Plans for the future?

Where to from here? Well, who knows?

We are always looking to diversify into any area we feel will add benefits to the company and staff. We are presently expanding our offices at the Armidale airport. We have just completed a major rebuild of a damaged aircraft purchased from an insurance company that will increase our capacity to service our existing customer base. We have also just completed construction of another hangar of some 630 sq metres. We have been in business since 1964, but we find that we are constantly evolving and changing to make sure we are here in another 49 years’ time!

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Motoring with Lynda Lynch

This week, courtesy of our good friends at Mitsubishi, I had the thrill of driving a new Mitsubishi Lancer. This model has been one of the major flag flyers for the Mitsubishi brand for many, many years and to this day, it’s still amongst one of their best. don’t think there is one person out there who hasn’t grown up knowing someone, family or friend, who has had a Lancer. On taking possession of the Lancer, I was suitably impressed by the modern look. The rear spoiler and alloy wheels added to the sporty appearance.

I love the keyless entry feature on offer with many vehicles manufactured these days, and of course, the Lancer also had this feature. On entering the vehicle, I was quickly drawn to the modern finishes and dashboard within the cabin. With the Mitsubishi Lancer considered to be a medium size car, I was surprised by the amount of leg room afforded to the front and rear passengers.

As my usual practice, I used the Lancer for work and family purposes. I was very impressed with the Multi Communications System which had many features, including voice activated bluetooth, satellite

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navigation, audio control and iPod connectivity, accompanied by a 7 inch colour in dash touch screen. Also throw in the 9 speaker surround sound The Mitsubishi ry speaker system, Lancer is also ve es us ly on and you have appealing, as it ol tr pe of s the ultimate about 7 litre ch is package. I don’t per 100 km, whi ering the id ns co tic fantas know what else petrol ng constantly risi you could add.

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prices.”

I drove the Lancer within the CBD and also on the country roads. It was very easy and comfortable to drive. The ride and handling was very smooth, and I did notice that I had plenty of power at all times when I needed it. The Mitsubishi Lancer is also very appealing, as is only uses about 7 litres of petrol per 100 km, which is fantastic

considering the constantly rising petrol prices.

Mitsubishi prides itself on being a front runner in vehicle safety, and with the manufacturing of the Lancer, they have not disappointed. The vehicle comes with 7 airbags protecting occupants from front and side collisions; this includes a driver’s knee airbag. The chassis is of super strength, with collision absorbing joints.

The Mitsubishi Lancer also comes with three driving control features: Active Stability

Control, Active Traction Control and an Anti Locking Braking System, all to enhance safety whilst driving. Not ending there, the windscreen wipers automatically detect moisture on the windscreen and activate the wipers to the speed required.

Overall, the Mitsubishi Lancer was a pleasure to drive. I could not think of anything else that could have been added to the internal or safety features. It is a great looking vehicle, and I recommend that anyone considering buying a new car take it for a test drive.

Thinking Online Gambling – with Navneet Mullee (Solicitor)

Your goals Our know-how

THINKING

ONLINE GAMBLING

O

But as convenient as online gambling may be, how safe do we feel gambling on the world wide web? When you take a moment to think about it, the numerous risks far outweigh the benefits when chancing large sums of money online.

Obvious pitfalls associated with online gambling can, to some extent, be avoided.

Determine which country the site is operating from When accessing an online casino in Australia, you are comforted with the fact that you can rely on the Casino Control Act of 2006, which stipulates how Australian casinos must operate and provides guidelines for various gambling regulatory bodies in each state.

However, when gambling on offshore sites, you are highly exposed to falling victim to scams and fraud. It is necessary to understand that offshore online casinos are not governed and regulated by the same laws as Australian gambling sites, and thus as an online gambler you are not able to seek remedies that you may otherwise be entitled to in Australia.

Make sure you know which country the gambling site is located and its legality, so that you are able to be gamble securely and are assured of the site’s validity.

Research past experiences with certain sites It can be of assistance to read comments from users of various gambling websites, regardless of whether their experiences were positive or

negative.

By conducting research, it allows you to deduce whether the website is safe to use and may assist you to avoid being subject to fraud and cheating.

It is now common to find stories posted online of gamblers winning, but not being able to collect.

Ensure you are able to cash out Some websites exploit gamblers by allowing users to pay real money in exchange for virtual currency, which once converted can be used for gambling but cannot be cashed out.

All the experience, skill and tenacity needed to get you there.

Prior to gambling online, it is best to clarify whether a cash-out option is available and in which currency you will receive your winnings.

Explore the various deposit options available online There is a range of deposit methods used in online casinos today, including bank transfers, cheques, e-checks, e-wallets and credit cards. It is entirely up to the gambler which method is more suitable, as some methods involve the use of a middleman, whereas others are purely quick and efficient.

By offering a variety of methods, gambling sites are attempting to provide secure banking with the safeguards each method has in place.

However, as comforting as this may sound, the security of each online banking method is questionable due to the presence of several fraudulent and unlicensed websites.

Notary Public

From commercial, insurance and business transactions to family, employment and estate matters.

Witnessing and certifying the validity of documents, affidavits and depositions.

Conveyancers

Migration Agent

Fast, accurate detailing of all property transactions.

Negotiating with government on your behalf for family, lifestyle or career reasons.

Sensitive dispute negotiation to help you avoid going to court.

If you are interested in knowing more about online gambling, information can be found at the Australia Government Department of Broadband Communications & Digital Economy website at: www.dbcde.gov.au/broadband/ online_gambling/interactive_gambling_industry_ code/frequently_asked_questions.

Alternatively, you can contact your solicitor for professional advice.

Talk to us. You’ll be inspired.

Navneet K. Mullee, Solicitor – Legal Minds.

Solicitors

Mediation

www.legalminds.com.au LMJ769

nline gambling has never been more popular. With a steady 10 - 20 per cent increase within Australia each year, a major contributor to the rising numbers of online gamblers is the rapid development and improvement of our internet speed and reliability, including the recent introduction of the NBN. These developments provide Australians with the convenience of accessing gambling sites 24 hours a day from our homes and mobile devices.

T 1300 642 166 E talk to us@legalminds.com.au 157 Beardy Street Mall, Armidale

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focusinterview.

Rotary began over 100 years ago. Today, it has 1.2 million members in 200 countries engaged in projects all over the world. The Coffs Coast has six Rotary Clubs working ULUS CONSTRUCTIONS toB Oimprove and strengthen our community and beyond.

Fran Stephenson talks with members of the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour City about their past and present BRIAN AND TERRI projects.

BOULUS ARE CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS. TERRI SHARES THEIR JOURNEY WITH FOCUS.

here are you from, and when did you and Brian first meet?

I am originally from Ashford, and Brian is from Inverell. We met via his cousin, Colleen Boulus (Saba). I was working for Colleen in her Beauty Therapy Clinic in the school holidays, and Brian would come for lunch a lot ... I didn't pay any attention, as I loved working for Colleen and didn’t want to jeopardise my job. I was having a birthday party and Colleen wanted to invite Brian and of course I said, “Why would he want to come? I don't understand ... “ So he came, and that was that; we have been together ever since.

Tell us about your family ...

Brian and I have three gorgeous boys: Nicholas, Joshua, and Alexander. We are very

60 new england focus.

involved with all aspects of their life.

Nick is currently in Canberra doing Architecture at Canberra University; he comes home and works in our office in the holidays.

Joshua is in his final year at TAS; he has been doing TAS Trades for Years 11 and 12, working for Boulus Constructions and Steve Frost Constructions and going to TAFE – a very busy boy.

Alex is in Year 9 at TAS and involves himself in as many actives as possible. He is going to France on a school excursion. He'll be able to tell us all about it; he is a very lucky boy.

When did Boulus Constructions first begin? Describe the journey to now ...

Brian and I started Boulus Constructions in 1993. This year we have been operating for 20 years in regional NSW. When we first got married nearly 25 years ago, we were two

people with passion and determination and a burning desire to achieve. I look back and sometimes think, “WOW! we had rocks in our head”. We are still here over 20 years later; however, it has been very challenging at times.

You relocated to Armidale three years ago.

How are you finding it here?

I still find it hard to believe that after living in the Inverell district all our lives and being heavily involved in the community, to literally deciding overnight to walk out the door to be with our boys in Armidale, has without a doubt been the best decision Brian and I have ever made. Without the support from the Armidale community and especially Bill and Tonia Wheeler and Paul and Kath Marquardt, the transition would have been a lot different.

Tell us about your team.

Brian Boulus, Managing Director: founding

Boulus Constructions in 1989 after becoming accredited in Clerk of Works, Brian went on to develop the company to become a highly successful Selective Tender Construction Organisation, recognised in the New England region for its prestigious and modern construction and attention to client and employee satisfaction. Brian has a Diploma in Management and a Diploma in Business.

Terri Boulus, Director and Compliance Manager: is the second founding member of the company together with Brian and is an experienced administrator and Compliance Manager, compiling over 15 years’ experience in the retail and construction industries. She is a certified professional in WH&S, qualified to implement procedures and policies within the company to ensure growth and effective review and reform. Terri has a Diploma in

We are proud to e be a part of thes al on gi landmarks in re and es al W h ut New So being a look forward to ore.” part of many m

“ Management and a Diploma in Business.

Sai Giridhar Abbaraju, a member of CPA Australia, Finance Administrator / HR Manager: made a city change, worked in various industries, including construction in Dubai in the fields of management accounting, finance and management consultancy, with over 20 years’ experience (of which over 10 years is in the construction industry in management accounting, finance and HR). He has excellent knowledge of risk assessment and internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, apart from financial and general administration.

Nicholas Boulus, Tendering Officer: has been working in the construction industry for the past 4 years in various capacities. He is currently involved in tendering activities

for the company, organising the quotes from subcontractors and material suppliers and compiling competitive tenders.

Sheridan Hicks, Contracts Administrator: worked in various capacities previously and has rich experience in the real estate industry and is looking after the company's contracts administration, coordinating with various stakeholders for the smooth execution of projects.

Tell us about the projects you have been working on and what's coming up?

We are proud to build and hand over the first of the 9 Aboriginal Child and Family Centres (Winanga-Li in Gunnedah), which was officially opened on July 24, 2013 to improve services and lives for Aboriginal children and families. The next Aboriginal Child and Family

Centre at Lightning Ridge being built by us is progressing rapidly, with an estimated handover by November this year. Both these projects have aesthetic appeal, with beautiful landscaping, large living spaces with all modern facilities and are going to be the hub for the community. We have signed a contract for the construction of a National Transport Museum at Rifle Range Road, Inverell, which would house a range of veteran, vintage and classic motor vehicles and be a major tourist attraction in the North West and New England region. We are proud to be a part of these landmarks in regional New South Wales and look forward to being a part of many more.

What do you love most about what you do, and what are your plans for the future?

Brian and I have always had hyperactive tendencies and love to keep busy. The construction industry is very diverse and is constantly changing; there is always something new to learn about. We have just relocated our office to ‘The Hub’, Suite 5/146 Marsh Street, Armidale; we are all very happy with our new location and are very grateful for the opportunity.

Next on the immediate agenda is to build our home in Armidale, which will complete our becoming a part of this community.

Thanks Terri.

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www.locals4locals.com.au

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Locals 4 Locals is raising public awareness of the benefits of shopping locally. Show support for your local community, by supporting your local businesses, Locals 4 Locals! So far, Locals 4 Locals have almost 50 members.

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COMPUTER SUPPORT TEAM.

JACKSONS QUALITY MEATS.

Computer Support Team is for home

allows CST to provide integrated

JQM is a third generation family

based Quality Assurance program

and business solutions. They cater for

solutions in all these areas, which

owned Butchery that has been

since 1997 that see us complying

the home for users who may need to fix

increase Technology Effectiveness and

supplying both the retail and

with a set of standards that are over

their computer or buy a new one. For

create efficiencies in the workplace.

wholesale trade around the New

and above those currently required by

Shop 3, 106 Jessie Street, Armidale

England with prime top quality

ANZFA.

products for over 70 years.

127 O’dell Street, Armidale

Currently trading out of two sites, we

Phone: 6772 9400

carry quite a diverse range of products

Email: greg@jqm.com.au

including your traditional Beef, Lamb,

Web: www.jqm.com.au

businesses they offer onsite assistance, print and photocopy solutions - no matter how big or small!

Phone: 6771 4072

Computer Support Team has recently

armidale@csteam.com.au

taken on the Sharp Dealership. This

www.csteam.com.au

Pork, Poultry and Smallgoods products and a wide range of Game, Frozen Goods, Frozen Seafood, Dairy Range and Fruit & Vegies. We even have your basic Milk & Bread.

The large modern facilities with large Coolroom and Freezer space allow us to keep plenty of stock on hand.

JQM has been running an HACCP

WARDS AUTO SUPPLIES. Window tinting - automotive, house and office all with a lifetime warranty. Spring special for automotive tinting from $200

THE BIG LIGHT BULB. The Big Light Bulb is the only

Fluro and the latest in LED. Every

independently owned lighting store

shape and design you could want from

in Armidale. It has been in business

functional to decoractive.

for over 30 years now. We are proud

Your one stop shop for all your painting

We are located at 186 Rusden Street

members of the L4L group in which we

needs, industrial, automotive and

opposite the TAFE campus. You can

joined in January.

contact The Big Light Bulb on 6772 5205.

architectural.

The Big Light Bulb sells a large range

We are an authorised O’Brien dealer

of lights of every kind. From Pendant

with nationwide warranty.

lights, Close to ceiling lights, DIY Lights,

Windscreens, side and rear glass and

Downlights, Wall lights and Outside

chip repairs - Repair or replacement for

lights.

all insurance and fleet companies.

Also a great range of Table lamps, Floor lamps, Desk lamps and unusual lamps.

Call in and see our friendly staff with

There is also a range of children’s lamps,

over 30 years of expertise.

novelty lamps, night lights and Leadlight

118 Taylor Street, Armidale

lamps

Ph: 6772 7244

Don’t forget there is also a large display

www.wardsauto.com.au 62 new england focus.

of light globes from Halogen, Compact

The more businesses involved, the better we can support and educate each other and the community.

In many cases, people don’t even know that a local supplier exists or that their prices are competitive. Many people have asked which businesses are involved, and here they are.

Keep an eye on the website to see an up-to-date list of businesses involved, as it’s increasing all the time. If you’re a local business interested in joining Locals 4 Locals, more information and a form for membership can be found on the website: www.locals4locals.com.au

DAILY RITUAL. Daily Ritual would like to thank our loyal and new customers that have supported our move onto Dangar Street!

Whilst creating a modern space, we have still managed to maintain a quiet and relaxing, yet inviting environment for our customers to sit and enjoy their coffee.

Here at Daily Ritual we still have our huge selection of over 160 different loose leaf teas and our award winning range of coffee blends to choose from. We cater for all of your coffee and tea necessities - from plungers to novelty tea infusers, Nespresso machines and pods, high quality handmade Japanese teapots, tea caddies and any other accessory you may need.

LOCKMAN DOORS & GLASS. to indulge in some chocolaty, yummy and decadent treats. Our new shop is open 5 ½ days, with extended hours in the afternoons, closing at 5pm Monday to Wednesday, 6pm on Thursday & Fridays.

The Lockman Doors & Glass team provide

We sponsor local sporting associations

a professional friendly service, backing up

and many local fundraising events and

our top quality products, with the likes

we are firm believers in strengthening

of the Crimsafe range, Velux sky lights,

the local economy. Shop locally and help

Phone: 6772 7545.

Bradnam windows, doors and all your

give back to the Armidale community.

other glass requirements. We undertake

Phone: 6772 1397

OUR GIFT TO YOU FOR SUPPORTING A “LOCAL” Present this voucher for a $2 cuppa

major commercial jobs As well as tackle the smaller jobs around the house. We are happy to come out to your home and give an obligation free quote as no jobs

215 Mann St, Armidale www.lockmandoorsandglass.com sales@lockman.net.au

are too big or too small.

We have excitingly added a new line of gorgeous hand-made Ninas chocolates, which are tantalisingly tempting to treat yourself alongside a coffee, or treat a loved one with a beautiful and unique gift.

Soon we will be introducing a huge chocolate menu allowing our customers

LOCALS 4 LOCALS BUSINESSES. Adventure Travel 195 Armidale Bicycle Centre Armidale Chainsaw & Mower Centre Armidale City Signs Armidale Electric Company Armidale Ex-Services Club Armidale Pet Shop Armidale Toys Armidale Wholesale Fruit Market Ascent Group Black Dot Music Carrs Newsxpress Cliff Wright Motors Computer Support Team Concepts Cuttle Plumbing

Digital Colour Easy as Coffee Face 2 Face Grant McCarroll Armidale Grazag Gym Ridz Hannons Pharmacy Hardmans of Armidale Hunts Carpets Hutchinson & Harlow Daily Ritual JQM Pty Ltd K Hickey (Norco) Killens Smash Repairs Legal Minds Pty Ltd Lockman Doors and Glass Moxons Bakery

My Car Sound & Communications New England Solar Power NTIB Armidale Office Express Railway Hotel Richardsons Hardware Ridley Mini Skips Smith Sharpe & Abbott Sportspower Talk M Landscapes The Armidale Club The Big Lightbulb Wards Auto Paints Westend Sound Webcessity Westside Espresso

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

THAT SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY.

www.locals4locals.com.au new england focus 63

focusinterview.

I N D E P E N D E N T Local businessman Rob Taber is running as an Independent in the upcoming election. Rob tells FOCUS why readers should consider him at the polls.

Y

ou were born in Inverell and moved to Armidale; tell us about this ...

I was born in Inverell and from there moved to Gundiwindi in 1960. I left there in 1963 and moved to Armidale, because my father was a farmer and he won a Soldiers Settlers Block.

What are some of your favourite memories of growing up in the New England?

Well, my most favourite memory would be my times at Rockvale. I spent many years on a property. Then we moved on to developing our own farm – that’s always something I’ve been quite proud of.

Tell us about your first business and your present business, New England Solar Power?

I left school in 1965, and my father was a share farmer in Inverell while having the property in Armidale. I went out there farming with him for 8 years. I continued to live here, but travelled to do farming.

During this period I decided to get a trade, so I went to what is known as the TAFE now.

I received a Diploma in Automotive Engineering. After this period I started a business with Alan Lockman called Armidale Auto Electrics.

Eventually we split, and I took the business over in my own right. From that point I ran the business for quite a period, and about 15 to 16 years ago I became involved in the solar

64 new england focus.

industry. I ran these in conjunction with each I put my hat in the ring, and I’ll see how we go. other. I became busier and busier with solar What can you offer the people of the New and gave away the auto electrics. To this day, it England if elected? is purely solar.

What I can give is pure representation; I Why have you decided to run as an Indebelieve this is something the party system has pendent in the upcoming election? fallen down on. When you support a party, you The reason why I have decided to stand get what they want you to get, so if elected I is I have been involved in politics for would be a true representative of the most of my life. I have never electorate. I believe we need to belonged to a party, but I get what people want. I don’t have been supporting the have policies; however, I e th at as w I Independent cause for will let people know my point where I a long time, because point of view. I want to go couldn’t let this I believe that is the know what the comne without someo true way to have real munity wants me to ue tr a standing as t pu I so representation. I had take on. I believe this is t, en Independ , ng ri e th been supporting Tony the only way to make in t my ha we w ho e se l I’l Windsor the whole way things happen. d an go.” through.

We have actually Going back, prior to started this by running Tony being elected, we a survey asking the people started a forum for people to of the New England what their join the Independent cause. Anne concerns are. We ask for the survey Crosson was the main driver in this cause, to be numbered – that gives us an idea but unfortunately she passed away and I what the priorities are for the New England. have been supporting Independents ever since.

We have a webpage that the community can Unfortunately, Tony had to pull out, so we felt go to: www.robtaber.com.au as though we had to do something to find Any plans for the future? another candidate. We had a few that were It depends on if I am elected or not. Regardpossible, but who decided not to run. less of the result, it is to keep on fighting to get This all happened very quickly. I was at the true representation for the New England – fair point where I couldn’t let this go without dinkum representation. someone standing as a true Independent, so Thanks Rob.

“

new england focus 65

focuseditorial.

“Wouldn’t it if... ”

ea.

What a great id le op Connecting pe ory. st hi l ca in real time to lo e walls es th Almost like ‘if ine what it could talk’. Imag the little all would be like if villages ng di fa d an towns ssersby. I pa to could ‘speak’ oject grows sure hope this pr legs!”

“ ... Uralla had a historical ‘sound walk’! dea Description Imagine you are walking around the centre of town with your mobile phone and suddenly you hear music, then a voice starts telling you stories from the past. The Uralla Story Project is an idea to bring Uralla stories alive in the street by creating a sound walk that you can listen to on your smartphone.

The stories are told by Uralla locals, interwoven with music, myths, poetry and sounds from local artists and writers. It will be a first in regional Australia. To get an idea of what it will be like, check out this project in the UK on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/20463315.

Com Community Benefits There are many benefits to this project. The Uralla Story Project would bring more tourists into the town, which would be great for local businesses! The project connects people through the sharing of stories and celebrates this great community that we live in. It would encourage people to talk about our local heritage and acts as a means of passing stories from the older generation to younger people through their preferred technology.

This would be a new kind of cultural tourism in the New England, with a strong potential to spread to other communities. It also provides a forum for local artists to show off their work.

How can you help? If you like our idea, vote for it on heartofourcommunity.com. au There you can also share it on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ which is great! The comments we have received have also been very encouraging – thanks a lot and keep them coming.

What others have said … “This project is innovative in the way it allows a new audience to explore significant local culture: which is something we feel is an under utilised strength in our community. Our cultural innovation is critical. A huge round of applause from Arts North West.”

be inspired...

66 new england focus.

vote / share Visit heartofourcommunity.com.au to vote for this idea and share it with your friends!

Votes for a sound walk in Uralla!

117.

New England Mutual would like to thank FOCUS for their support of these inspiring community ideas.

new england focus 67

Omega Feeds NEGS CNC* ODE 28 & 29 September 2013 embracing life with confidence, compassion and creativity

CNC*, EVA 105, EVA 95, EVA 80, EVA 60 and EVA 45 Prize money CNC* $2,500 & EVA 105 $1,500 Event program and online entries at www.nominate.com.au For enquiries please email ode@negs.nsw.edu.au or call 02 6774 8717

NEGS EQUESTRIAN New England Girls’ School, Uralla Road, Armidale NSW 2350. www.negs.nsw.edu.au

Everyone is invited to join us for the

ST JOHN’S / NEGS

Spring Fair Saturday 7th September - 10am to 3pm Market Stalls Plants Jumping Castle Emporium Stalls

Pony Rides Kids Art Show Cafe / BBQ Ice-Creams

Beautiful Baskets Laser Tag Framed! Art Show Kids Activities

Farm Yard Music Performances Paint the Pony + heaps more

5% of profits will be donated to the local (Armidale) Oncology Unit.

tion

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Stud

In

Opening Night Cocktail Function When: Where: Time: Cost:

Friday 6th September 2013 NEGS Multi-Purpose Centre 6.00pm - 9.00pm $30.00/head prepaid; $35.00/head on the night (includes champagne supper, live entertainment and drinks)

RSVP:

Or:

2nd September 2013 for catering purposes to Mrs Jo Campbell archiec@bigpond.net.au P: 02 6772 2048 NEGS Administration Office for tickets Exhibition will run until 11am Sunday 8th September 2013

Proudly Sponsored by:

Uralla Road, Armidale NSW 2350 T +61 02 6774 8700 E enrolments@negs.nsw.edu.au www.negs.nsw.edu.au