NEW ENGLAND
December 2014 / // Issue 91
Feature Story Stephen Dobson
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focusteam. team. focus
Welcome to the December edition of New England FOCUS.
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t’s that time of year again, Have you been past Drummond Dobsons explain how their new gin Christmas time! How the year Memorial Public School recently? No? has been taking off, being judged Welcome to the November edition of New England FOCUS. raced by ... So that means it’s our Well, Christine Durham tells us about Australia’s best gin and tonic, and how last issue for 2014. Time does fly the several artworks appearing on the the whiskeys they are creating have n this month’s front studies at Screenwise Acting School St Brasserie. when you’re having fun. This month’s grounds for Project iD. been voted into the Eau De Vie top 40 cover is Barbara Albury, - Australia’s leading film and TV school And finally, read how a local golfing cover is Jane Hannon, who shares her Have you ever wondered what whiskeys of the world! who stars in A Streetcar for actors. community has come together to save passion for Armidale and her story of the Armidale Lions Club do for the And all that is just the beginning! Named Desire, showing at We also speak to the wonderful Adethe Uralla Golf Club. being born and bred here, as well as community? We catch up with Jack We have so much in our latest issue, so TAS Hoskins centre from the 21st of laide author Sue Panagaris, who has WELCOME TO JAMES BROOKS her journey throughout the time that Rapley and find about the recent train sit back, relax and enjoy. November to December 6th. This event just released her third book for Mills New England FOCUS is very proud to she has spent in the area. trip to Werris Creek, plus some of their MERRY CHRISTMAS has a “stella” cast and will be sure to & Boon titled Falling for Dr December, welcome James “Jimmy” Brooks to INSIDE THIS ISSUE other fundraising efforts. A Merry Christmas and a happy New impress. with the story set in the New England our team. James has joined the team We talk to Archie and Jo Campbell, We chat with PLC Armidale’s new Year from all the team at New England INSIDE THIS ISSUE (taking place in both Armidale and as an advertising consultant as well as who won a competition to go to Principal, Mrs Nicola Taylor, who looks FOCUS. Practicing local accountant for 40 Uralla). We at FOCUS were very excited helping us out with photography, so London and meet with Jamie Oliver for forward to increasing enrolments as FINAL SAY years, Bob Locke tells us how advancto have a chat with Sue and also happy please give James a call if you have any a lesson at “Recipease”, along with well as maintaining an elite level of “All of us every single year, we’re a es in technology have had a very big that she’s showcased the New England enquiries. meals at Oliver’s restaurants and much educational excellence and opportunity different person. I don’t think we’re impact on the way business is done area to the world. FINAL SAY more, which proved to be a lifetime for girls and young women. She the same person all our lives.” - Steven these days. We also travelled to the Uralla Bowling “You can’t depend on your eyes, Spielberg. experience. They tell us about their explains how and why she felt the We talk to Lachie Sewell about why he club, where Lyn Ferguson has recently when your imagination is out of foexperiences throughout London. regional move was good for her and chose to stay in Armidale; he tells us taken over the dining room as head cus”- Mark Twain. We spent time with Carissa her family. there are many job opportunities here chef, producing satisfying and moreish Hutchinson, who’s lived in India and Tony Elder from Black Dot Music for the younger generation. meals for the whole family to enjoy. Africa - and it’s her dream come true. explains what The Red Rug sessions are We catch up with born and bred ArmiLyn has come back to the New England She explains how lucky we are in and how they came about. dale lady Monique Howe, who shares region because she loves the mounAustralia compared to the places in her We talk to Lyn and Stephen Dobson; her ambitions to become an actress tains and fresh air. Another big change extensive travels, and what an amazing they tell us about their distillery, and tells us about the exciting mois the name of the restaurant in the story it is. brewery, winery and restaurant. The ments from her career so far. Monique Uralla Bowling Club, now titled the Hill
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inside this
Issue 91 - December Armidale Outdoors Christmas and the time for summer camping have swung around again. Every year seems to be going a bit faster than the last; the kids are bigger and faster as well. More adventures and more time spent exploring some of the amazing places we have in our local region, with more friends and family, more parties, BBQs and backyard waterslides ... yep, it sure is a busy time of year. We have renamed the upcoming season BBQ season. As we walk around, you can smell BBQs all over town, firing up and concocting a medley of burnt chops, sausages and my very own gourmet chef’s specials (that we have to wait until its dark if we want the kids to eat it!) Please be aware of fire bans and extreme weather warnings, keep hydrated, keep safe and keep enjoying the outdoors this season.
We have spent the last year refining our product range, so that we can provide better quality options that we believe offer great value to our customers. The shop is stocked up with eskys, coolers, torches, frying pans and insect repellent. There are plenty of practical Christmas gift ideas, including some amazingly tough new schoolbags for next year. We have stocked a range of great new tents and options for camping. We back all of our products with solid reliable experience, good advice and lots of local knowledge, One of my favourite things about running a small business in Armidale is sharing the experiences that our customers have. We love hearing about your adventures; they inspire us to make our own! ‘til next time, Andrew and the team from Armidale Outdoors.
Meeting Jamie Oliver.
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The Jamie Oliver Cooking Experiences were promoted by Woolworths through the Everyday Rewards. Local Residents Archie and Jo Campbell lived the experience and tell FOCUS what they got up to in London.
Stephen Dobson.
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About 10 years ago, Lyn and Stephen Dobson formulated a plan - a vision splendid, it was too, with the aim to build a new and very different business here at Eastview Estate, Kentucky. It required a decade of determination and hard work to get to where they are now: a distillery, brewery, winery and restaurant.
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The Chick Phenomenon. Interviews with ubercelebrity C.C. Chickpea, Little Wings director Kevin Robinson and Chickpea publicist Amber Leitner. Little Wings provides a free flight service for seriously ill children and their families to and from Westmead Children’s Hospital.
usual suspects.
the
10. what’s on for December 24. eat featuring local restaurants 43. star guide with Terri
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celebrate switching on the Christmas lights Thursday 4 December from 5-9pm in the Armidale Mall Free performance from 7pm by Armidale’s dynamic 10-piece R&B band the
Al Heeney Rhythm and Blues Experience MARKETS
MUSIC
FOOD
Just bring the family!
Celebrate Christmas in the Mall Saturday 13 December - 10am to 2pm Activities include: Armidale Talent Showcase Locals4Locals Christmas “Shop & Win” Draw Santa & his elves giving away over 200 presents! Activities for the kids from 10am Food stalls
Save the date – Put it in your diary! An action packed day of FREE activities for the kids and of course Santa will have a present for everyone small. Come & celebrate Christmas in the Mall 2014!
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BORN AND BRED LOCAL JANE HANNON SHARES HER PASSION FOR ARMIDALE WITH FOCUS READERS .
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ow long have you lived in Armidale? Tell us about your family ... I was lucky to be born and bred in Armidale, attending Ben Venue and then Armidale High School. I left for many years and returned after living mainly in Canberra, where both Michael and Josee were born. My mum and brother still live in Armidale, whilst my two younger sisters have moved away. Unfortunately, we lost Dad (Charlie), a well respected member of the community in 1993. After returning to Armidale, I met this wonderful man named Greg Hannon. We are privileged to have a blended family, with five children scattered around from Brisbane to USA. What is your history in the local retail industry? My retail history began with Freedom Furniture in Canberra. Having worked for a short period at Evan J Lewis, I also worked for Dooners. We then bought Armidale Kids, and unfortunately had to close after a few years. I then joined Greg at the pharmacy, which he sold last year after 33 years of trading. Our current business, "Things with a
Greg has bought himself a tinny e and we would lik h fis a ng to try catchi ; we (and I mean try) .� em th ed fe usually
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Difference" began as a pop-up shop in 2012. Last year we moved to our current location and after much encouragement and support, we decided to stay. I wanted to stay in the mall, as I see it as the gateway between the East and West Malls and shopping complexes. Your have a strong passion for the Armidale Mall. Tell us more? It is a beautiful mall with the planter boxes and trees. Retailers are returning, and it is getting a better vibe. We have fabulous shops, and hopefully it will become the hub of the retail in Armidale. Armidale Dumaresq Council has been very supportive with lighting in the East, Middle and West Malls. The large tree at the old Courthouse will be decorated for Christmas. There will be a "Turning on of the Lights" event on Thursday, December 4 commencing at 5pm with markets and music. On Saturday, December 13 commencing at 10am,"Christmas in the mall" will happen again. Last year was a
fantastic event. We retailers are lucky to have such a support from the Armidale Dumaresq Council and Locals 4 Locals in making these events happen, which is all about helping the retailers, whilst families can have a
fun day with lots of free entertainment. Plans for the future? I want to be able to leave the shop in Tania and the team's capable hands, while I join Greg in his retirement. We want to travel and visit the children. I want to be able to spend more time with the family (especially my mum) and Greg's family and enjoy my garden, which has been very neglected due to the lack of time and water. We enjoy entertaining and would like to see more of our friends. Greg has bought himself a tinny and we would like to try fishing (and I mean try); we usually feed them. We are lucky enough to have a tin shed on the Clarence River. We would like to explore the river in our tinny. My younger sister lives four doors up, so we have made friends there as well. My life is amazing ... new england focus. 9
AROUND THE REGION //DECEMBER 2014
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6 jazz & Shakespeare on the Green - Nowendoc This year performing “Much Ado about Nothing” along with Melbourne JAZZ musicians Tin Men Trio. CAMPING: The Nowendoc Recreation Reserve, sites available at $5/ night - hot showers and toilets. TICKET PRICE: Adults $25; students $18 (proof of student ID required). Under 12 years FREE. TICKETS: CASHONLY, PURCHASE ON THE DAY. Wind, rain, hail: venue will move to the Memorial Hall at Nowendoc Village. ENQUIRIES: Nena 0409 925 015.
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Armidale ART GALLERY
A figurative exhibition of printmaking, life drawing and sustained works by the Black Gully Primtmakers, and the Packsaddle and NEAS life drawing groups. Beardy Street Mall Opens 6pm
Kentucky Progress Association’s Christmas Craft & Produce Market When: Sunday 14 December 2014. Where: Kentucky Memorial Hall. Time: 9am to 1pm. So let all your friends know and make it another big day! This is a market run by the Kentucky Progress Association and Kids of Kentucky Group.
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First Saturday chats
Salvos Christmas Concert
Our next First Saturday chats will be hosted by Solicitor Jane Pfister from 10am to 1pm at our offices on Saturday 6 December 2014. As this is a popular program, bookings are essential on (02) 6788 1100.
Where: 100 Beardy Street, Armidale. When: Pot Luck dinner; 5pm start. Contact: Family store 6772 8319; Church office 6772 1184.
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Meeting
Jamie Oliver
THE JAMIE OLIVER COOKING EXPERIENCES WERE PROMOTED BY WOOLWORTHS THROUGH THE EVERYDAY REWARDS. LOCAL RESIDENTS ARCHIE AND JO CAMPBELL LIVED THE EXPERIENCE AND TELL FOCUS WHAT THEY GOT UP TO IN LONDON.
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o, explain the process of entering the competition. What was your reaction when they called you? The Jamie Oliver Cooking Experiences was promoted by Woolworths through the Everyday Rewards scheme and funded by Viva Foods Ltd. As an entrant, I purchased Jamie Oliver’s products and entered the docket code online. I bought Jamie Oliver’s pasta and sauce, and three weeks later I received a phone call from Woolworths advising I had won first prize. Initially I thought the call was a hoax, and it took a few days to sink in that my wife and I were going to London. I believe 38,000 Australians entered, and we were one of three couples to win. Up to then I had not even won a chook raffle, so it was a huge surprise. What was the prize of the competition? The prize included two return air tickets to London, accommodation for 5 nights, a cooking lesson at “Recipease” with Jamie Oliver, lunch at Jamie’s restaurant “Fifteen” and dinner at one of his Italian restaurants. Also, spending money and recipe books were handed to us on arrival in London. We took our two teenage children with us to London then to Paris and Amsterdam, which proved to be a “lifetime experience” for the whole family. What was the cooking lesson like with Jamie Oliver, and how long were you with him? The cooking lesson was from 5.30pm 8.30pm at “Recipease”, Notting Hill and Jamie
to explore the Blue zones brought along his ery Jamie is a v to n w of the world, where the Italian friend and cook easy, do o h w y it al n citizens live to 100 years Genarro Contaldo. earth perso put his to of age. He is researching Between them, they was happy you for d arms aroun s and their diets and lifestyle, demonstrated how n photo sessio graphed his which on the whole is an to make home-made to willingly au ” ... inconvenient one. pasta and ricotta, s k cook boo Lunch at “Fifteen” which melted in our was a special experience. mouths. Located near Old Bar Tube in Jamie’s key message an old part of the city, we enjoyed was you can make the most a sumptuous meal prepared by staff who, delicious meal with what you have in the originally disadvantaged, have been trained in pantry and the fridge. So with 100 grams of hospitality through Jamie’s Fifteen Foundation. double milled flour and one egg, we practised The food and service were excellent. working the ingredients into a dough that This one man is a force in educating many could be fed through a pasta making machine. generations across the world the ease of The finished result was a delicious home-made preparing simple, fresh, wholesome meals pasta dish with a variety of exotic mushrooms, that are cheaper and quicker than buying garlic, butter and herbs, garnished with fried takeaway. His focus on reducing the incidence sage that we were able to enjoy with other of obesity, disease and poor health by showing prize winners. We felt very indulged. What sort of a bloke is Jamie Oliver? What how to prepare healthy meals from scratch is commendable. He has inspired younger was the highlight of the cooking lesson? generations into the kitchen to explore the Meeting Jamie and Genarro was the world of cooking, and his YouTube clips make highlight. Jamie is a very easy, down to earth this so accessible for those who do not like to personality who was happy to put his arms read recipes. around you for photo sessions and willingly What else did you get up to in London? autographed his cookbooks that had been We covered many of the tourist generously donated by Viva Foods. What you experiences in London, such as The London see on television is what he is - down to earth Eye, Buckingham Palace tour, Changing of and humble. Running a very large business has the Guard, Changing of the Horse Guard, St not taken the personable nature of the guy Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar away. Square, Regent and Oxford Streets, Harrods, He genuinely enjoys sharing his passion shopping, where the girls had a ball; the boys for fresh, unprocessed food to nourish and found Hyde Park and the traditional English sustain everyone. He told us about his plans
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pub more to their liking. We all enjoyed a West End show of our choice - Les Miserables, 39 Steps, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. We visited the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Modern Art Gallery, the latter being particularly inspirational for teenagers considering Visual Arts as one of the subject choices. Visiting family members who live in London was a special experience, as one cousin has refurbished a warehouse in Fulham/Parsons Green, to accommodate his family of six with the most exotic interior design. The main bedroom featured two walls of patchwork leather, another feature wall was built with timber blocks of various depths and heights and the bathrooms were dominated by polished platinum steel. Original contemporary Australian artworks by Patricia Piccinini, Danie Mellor, Shaun Gladwell, Louise Weaver were placed throughout the open plan sitting/dining room. London is very much a multicultural busy global city that is clean, welcoming and easy to navigate. We were reminded that London traffic is hectic and astounded to see all cyclists without helmets sharing the road with buses, taxis, lorries. In one recent week London lost seven cyclists to road accidents, the average being one per week. We felt very privileged to win such a wonderful prize. Now I am inspired to enter any competition that is going, as the old adage holds true: “You have to be in it to win it!” Thanks Archie and Jo. new england focus.
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SPIRIT OF THE NEW ENGLAND
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STEPHEN Dobson
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO LYN AND STEPHEN DOBSON FORMULATED A PLAN - A VISION SPLENDID, IT WAS TOO, WITH THE AIM TO BUILD A NEW AND VERY DIFFERENT BUSINESS HERE AT EASTVIEW ESTATE, KENTUCKY. IT REQUIRED A DECADE OF DETERMINATION AND HARD WORK TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW: A DISTILLERY, BREWERY, WINERY AND RESTAURANT.
H
ow did you manage to grow to where you are now? You see, we knew from the very start that we would never survive if we relied on local sales … So, we started looking for distribution in Sydney and Melbourne and concentrated our efforts there. We now are supplying the very best venues of Sydney and Melbourne, with venues such as Aria, Nth Bondi Fish, Chiswick, the Marble Bar etc … featuring our products. We are currently pushing overseas and are supplying venues as diverse as the French Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, to a specialist Gin Bar in Berlin. Knowing that a gin from New England is being appreciated around the world is a source of great pride for us, and hopefully for those who share our love of all things New England. How have the spirits you make been received? We have had a number of highlights over the past few months, including being judged Australia’s best gin and tonic by Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine. As this was unanimous and from a field of 23 Aussie gins, is noteworthy. Also, our Belle Epoch single malt whiskey was just voted into the Eau De Vie top 40 whiskeys of the world. So all in all, a big first year for
our spirits. We will be taking our gin and whiskeys to the San Francisco spirits show next year. Gin is just so hot right now, with the re-emergence of cocktails and the growth of artisanal spirits. I knew that to create a space for our gin in the already crowded market, it simply had to be better. So as you do, I studied the great gins of the world, realising that a few stood out, the likes of Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks etc … They had one thing in common, these gins; they had all been created by a rare method of distillation called vapour infusion, where the botanicals are extracted by passing the vapour of pure alcohol through the botanicals, instead of soaking them. This is done in a Carter Head specialist gin still, and I am proud to say that we have one of 4 Carter Heads in the world and the only Carter Head gin specialist still being used commercially in Australia. We are very selective about who we stock our spirits with; we seek partners who’re passionate. We recently partnered with the Whitebull Hotel in Armidale as our local representative, and love the enthusiasm they have brought to the table. What plans do you have for the future? We now have 26 products in the
marketplace and have finished the initial have people travelling from as far afield growth spurt … Now we are concentratas Brisbane and Sydney to experience our ing on consolidation, building our unique spirits, or partake in distilling schools and brand and promoting the amazing New workshops. We also host whiskey clubs England to the rest of the world. We have regularly both here in Kentucky and via partnered pop up shops and restaurants in Skype around the world. Sydney, which is a lot of fun. But, the New technologies have opened many greatest emphasis is now to get the doors for selling the New England …We rest of the world to know our gin now sell as much product through and whiskey. Those who try our our online shop front as we do spirits seem to love them, in physical stores. Having a so getting them great website is pivotal in front of new to achieving online audiences is an da We have ha hlights sales, also having a ig imperative. number of h onths, product that is easily I recently st few m over the pa d freighted and high ge d eing ju was asked to including b st gin and enough value to e co-host the Australia’s b ralian st warrant the freight opening of tonic by Au eller v ra T t e … with our spirits rm u o G the Sydney zine .” ga a we have achieved a M Spring cocktail “sweet spot” in terms season, which of costs versus returns, was amazing
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… a seven course degustation menu by Matt Moran and 7 cocktails featuring Dobson’s spirits at the very chichi Chiswick restaurant in Woollahra; this was a unique chance to put New England produce front and centre with an affluent and influential audience. The tourism potential has not eluded us, as we now
which has opened up the whole world to us, as a market. It is amazing to me that you can go to bed at night and know that when you wake, there will be orders from the most amazing places around the world. I must say that I am a proud New Englander when I see our product behind the shelves of the world’s hottest bars. new england focus.
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JIMMY CRAZ B A N D
I T ’ S H A P P E N I N G AT T H E S E RV I E S O N N E W Y E A R’ S EVE ... COME ALONG TO SEE T H E J I M M Y C R A Z B A N D, TA M WO R T H B A S E D T R I O P L AY I N G T O P 4 0 W I T H A M I X OF ALL THE ROCKIN’ CLASSICS.
T
he Jimmy Craz Band will be pleted at the UNE in 2010. Jimmy is now unleashing a night of Rock, teaching full-time at the Conservatorium Pop and Dance Covers this of Music in Tamworth as a guitar teacher New Year’s Eve at The SerVies and playing in his spare time. in Armidale. While at university, Jimmy had two Jimmy Craz is the creator and centre of original bands: this band. But there is no band without “SumAssault” - they recorded a CD, a bass player Paul Owen, who has played in compilation of original songs and music some local bands that gave them in Tamworth. some success on To complete the Triple J. IN OCTOBER 2014 ensemble we have Also formed JIMMY SHARED THE Steve Whitby on was the very STAGE WITH “DRAGON” AT drums, a well popular “The O THE CROOKED MOUNTAIN known and reTrio”, who still FESTIVAL HELD IN THE spected musician work together at WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL who has worked festivals throughPARK, WHICH IS A FANTASTIC CONCERT HELD ANNUALLY. out the region. in some very JIMMY LOVED THE The band has impressive bands EXPERIENCE..” supported “The throughout the Angels” at the region. SerVies in August Other bands 2013 last year and as a long time fan, Jimmy has worked with are: “The Merchants of Venice”, featuring Roshani Jimmy was very appreciative for the gig Priddis (Idol Fame); “The Stray Dogs”; and free ticket into the show! “Champagne Charlie's”; “Strictly NashIn October 2014 Jimmy shared the stage ville”; and “Jim Jam”. with “Dragon” at The Crooked Mountain Jimmy has been working on his musical Festival held in the Warrumbungle National Park, which is a fantastic concert held career since the age of 14; his diverse annually. Jimmy loved the experience. taste, impeccable talent and work ethic In November 2014 “The Jimmy Craz make him one of the North West’s finest Band” shared the stage with “The Adam talents. Eckersley Band” and “Mental As AnyJimmy has been gigging since the thing” at the Party In The Paddock held in age of 14, and his passion comes with a Tamworth, another annual fundraiser for Bachelor of Music (BMUS) which he com-
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Ronald MacDonald House. Other artists that the band has supported and shared the stage with so far in their careers are Joe Camilleri, Shannon Noll, Josh Pyke, Children Collide and Sparkadia. The Jimmy Craz Band continue to prove that they are here to stay, touring every weekend to Glen Innes, Tamworth, Mudgee, Narrabri, Newcastle and The Hunter working three and four nights a week. They are continually rebooked into every venue they play because of their professional outlook, sound quality and great music. The Jimmy Craz Band has a diverse song selection of songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s ‘90s ‘til now! Songs from Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Tayo Cruz, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Barnes, Guns and Roses, Keith Urban, The Eagles and more! Expect to be entertained at the SerVies this New Year’s Eve; wear your dancing shoes! Jimmy Craz invites you all along to see out 2014 with him and the boys!
the plug! New Year’s Eve: Jimmy Craz Band, Wednesday 31st December 2014. 8:30 ‘til just after midnight. Free entry. Playing in the main lounge, SERVIES 137 Dumaresq Street, Armidale Phone 6776 0800. www.armidaleservies.com.au
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CARISSA HUTCHINSON IS LIVING THIS LIFE IN INDIA, AND IT’S HER DREAM COME TRUE. IT’S ALSO TAUGHT HER TO DREAM BIGGER AND EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE TO HAPPEN!
CARISSA HUTCHINSON L I V I N G
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hen and why did you move to Armidale? I’m a born and bred Armidale girl, and I’m so thankful to have grown up in such a beautiful town with so many opportunities and privileges at my disposal. I have a wonderful family whom I love very much. My parents, Peter and Inge Hutchinson, have always gone above and beyond for us, and I’m very proud to be a Hutchinson. I attended Ben Venue Primary School, and then went on to PLC for my secondary schooling. I moved to Bathurst to study a Bachelor Arts Communication (Advertising)/Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at Charles Sturt University. Whilst I loved studying, I had no desire to work in the corporate advertising or business world; I wanted to use my skills to bring hope and life to the poor. Tell us about what you have been doing in your travels around India and Africa? My first time out of Australia was in 2010, when I went on the “World Garbage Dump Tour”. We visited five countries, going to their garbage dumps, leper colonies and slums. These garbage dumps aren’t like our local tip; they are mountains of self-combusting trash. People live there, picking through the rubbish, finding anything to sell (plastic, metal, wood), to make a small living. I have also seen people excited to collect rotting food so they can eat that day. My favourite people in the world are the poorest of the poor. I believe these people are
the best kept hidden treasures in the world. They have also been some of my greatest teachers in life. People in the western world are rich in materials and resources; however, the poor are rich in love, mercy and joy! Since 2010, I have been doing short trips to various third world nations, to learn more about loving and helping the poor. I completed a 3 month training school with “Iris Ministries” in Mozambique, which included a practical trip to South Sudan and India. India is a polarising country that you either love or hate; for me, it’s love. India is going to be a nation I have the privilege of loving for the rest of my life. In 2013, I moved to India for one year, helping a local friend with his ministry to the poor and the rural, remote and unreached tribes of India. This year was incredibly stretching, but also very rewarding. My life is very humbling. I’m completely dependent on local people within the culture; it’s like I’m a child again. I’ve had to learn how to speak, eat, dress, use the bathroom (oh India), let alone all the unspoken cultural norms you discover mostly by blundering through them. Currently I’m in transition, as my work finished in Hyderabad, India. I’ve spent the last 5 months in Mozambique, the other nation that has my heart! I’ve been volunteering at the “Iris Ministries Children’s Centre” in Zimpeto, and I’m learning many things that will be integral in the next stage of my life adventure! Tell us about your faith ... People often ask me why I do what I do, or they just give me the “you’re crazy” look
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(and they may be correct). And the answer massive mounds of trash, separating the plastic is so simple. I’m compelled by love. My faith so she can sell it. Other times it’s hugging isn’t religion, it’s a relationship and when I and kissing a leper, someone who is deemed experienced the difference, my whole life “untouchable”. I believe Jesus is far more changed. I’ve been transformed and filled contagious than any leprosy could ever be! to overflowing with the love, joy, peace and Whatever the “action”, my goal is always the compassion of Jesus, which is so pure same. To love the unlovely, and bestow and life changing, I can’t help but upon their heads a crown of share it and want everyone to beauty instead of ashes. To experience it. replace hopelessness with What has been an hope, mourning for joy In 2013, I moved unforgettable moment to India for one and indignity for dignity. local for you? year, helping a And it all comes back inistry I have many friend with hi s m rural, to love. the unforgettable moments, to the poor and What’s on the agenda ached but they have the same remote and unre for 2015? ” a. di tribes of In theme; that is, to see At this stage, it’s still love, honour and integrity a bit of a mystery. I’m a returned to people where pioneer, so sometimes it’s it has been stolen. Love is difficult to know what it will look not hard; it’s actually offensively like, until I’m putting one foot in front simple. To tell people of an extravagant of another and it’s happening. In the New love they can receive, but not demonstrate it Year I’m hoping to find a place to settle long does not sit well with me. term in India. Love looks like something, and often it is How can we contact you? practical and found in the “insignificant” acts. My blog is carissahutchinson.wordpress. So many times I’ve shared a meal with kids in com, and unfortunately I’ve neglected it this shredded rags on the streets, stopping to spend last year, but in the New Year it will get a retime and let them know they are loved and vamp! Because of the sensitive nature of what valued. Other times it is praying for the sick; I do, I don’t post many detailed updates there; I’ve seen many miracles of the lame walking however, if you are interested in knowing more, for the first time, deaf ears opening, and blind you can connect with me there. eyes seeing. Or sometimes love is to sit with a Thanks Carissa. Mama, getting dirty as you help her pick through
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REDRUG SESSSIONS
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hat are the best things about working at Black Dot Music? One of the best parts of my job is to meet a young person who is just starting out. Sure, many of them are talented, and the more a person rehearses and practices and understands about music, the more accomplished they feel. Some of the best up and coming musicians I have met have been playing for a long time, and we all know that there is no such thing as an overnight success! Tell us your view about the music culture in our town? Music does not just exist in its own separate culture; music is culture. Music has been described as a universal language, as the sixth sense and as the most easily transmitted way we connect as humans across the planet. Our town, and in fact our whole region, is privileged to have a plethora of excellent musicians, songwriters, performers and characters, and along with some of the finest institutions, our community has generated some wonderful talent. When people come into Black Dot Music, they aren’t just coming in to buy a simple product; they buy into a history and an industry of music that transcends any other type of purchasing experience. We 16 new england focus.
Black Dot Music has been servicing the needs of musicians of all levels, from novice to professional, for over 30 years. Owner Tony Elder tells FOCUS readers about their Red Rug Sessions with local musicians.
understand more than just which instrument will suit their skill and hip-pocket! We support, we encourage, and we include our customers into a whole culture of music enjoyment and very relaxed and also Red Rug appreciation. give an opportunity sessions are What are Red Rug to the audience to y it n u rt o p p o an sessions? engage, comment, for performers Black Dot Music ask questions, to share theiriet has been proud laugh, applaud songs in a qu l to host Red Rug and really enjoy a and respectfu ” sessions (on the unique situation. We environment. red rug) for the are very lucky to have last few years. The a large talent pool in idea came from local Armidale. Artists who have musicians Ephen Stephen, played include Tar-lin, Greg who were performing some house Windred, Fabio Tolli, Georgia Smith, concerts to air their vast back catalogue Josh St Ledger, Ephen Stephen, Nick of repertoire. I was encouraged to Negerevich and Judy Hinch, The Thursdays, start having similar events at the shop Caution Horses, Must be Lucy, and Kinch and liked the idea. It wasn’t long before Kinski. All artists have donated their time and an opportunity came up to kick things talent to be a part of the Red Rug sessions. off. Armidale’s great celtic trio WirryCow Fostering and encouraging live were booked to play at the Celtic festival performance is a natural thing for in Glen Innes and needed to get in some performers. A lot of players don’t get to performance time to hone some tunes. see other musos performing, because that’s Needless to say, the first Red Rug session was what they’re busy doing themselves. These a wonderful success! sessions happen mid week and usually go Red Rug sessions are an opportunity for for about an hour. Everyone is welcome performers to share their songs in a quiet and to attend, and all shows are free. The best respectful environment. They are generally place to find out about Red Rug sessions is
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via Facebook, by liking the Black Dot Music Facebook page, but not all of us are tech savvy, so I encourage all interested people to come into the shop and say g’day. If you happen to have an old instrument sitting around at home in need of some TLC, bring it along! We have a dedicated repair service, and we are able to clean, restring, repair and reinvigorate just about any piece. If it is well and truly a relic of the glory days, I am sure I can find something in store that might bring you back to the music you love to play. The future for these sessions is looking bright, with artists queuing up for their moment on the rug. It’s very exciting to be connected to the NBN, with plans in place to live stream performances, so if you can’t make it down, you can still see the show as it happens. Most performances are acoustic. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in all forms of musical expression. We love original compositions and would encourage anyone with something to share to come in and have a chat about setting a date. In the pipeline we have, Purcell and Stapleton, The Firebirds and Sam Kreusler.
G e e k New England Wine Show
The 10th Annual New England Wine Show brought out all that this region has got to offer on the wine front … and boy-o-boy, it sure did deliver!
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he New England Wine Show is held Chardonnay. A great effort by a long-standing each year in Glen Innes and is a producer of the region from the Tenterfield area. regional show opening entries up to Plenty of other medals and high scores were surrounding wine regions, including awarded to some of the premium wineries of the North Coast and Granite Belt. the New England, including Merilba Estate, This year’s show brought in plenty of entries, Splitter’s Swamp, Reedy Creek Estate, Wright with 44% of entrants picking up a medal. For Robertson, Peterson’s Wines, Thunder Ridge those who aren’t familiar with the wine show Wines, as well as the award winners in Toppers format, three judges tasted all wines (broken Mountain and Kurrajong Downs. up into classes) and rated them So you may still be trying to out of 20. Medals were then pronounce some of the varieties awarded based on the I’ve mentioned or just aren’t scores, and trophies The New England too sure what they’re all given to the top wines. took out their fair about - Gewurztraminer, We were lucky enough d Nebbiolo, Malbec … They share of awards an to again have some of e Chief are a little different to the medals, though. Th Australia’s best judges Golds standard Sauvignon Blanc Steward’s Pick of ppers rate this region’s went to the 2013 To or Shiraz, but that’s what is wines, including Chair erment Mountain Barrel-F great about these varieties. of Judges and Wine ” c. an Sauvignon Bl We are really starting to see Aficionado, Huon Hooke. a shift in the region to some The Wine of Show, the of these lesser known varieties, top gong, went to a wine from which is exciting, to say the least. the Granite Belt, the 2012 Ballandean My wrap-up from the wine show… Get Estate “Messing About” Malbec. This stuck into some New England Wine! was a big powerful red that had seriously About the Vino Geek: Sam Watson, the cool jammy plum flavours. The Champion Vino Geek, focuses on making good wine Winery of Show also went to a Granite Belt more accessible and fun! Check out his producer, Symphony Hill. website (www.thevinogeek.com.au), like him The New England took out their fair share of on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheVinoGeek), awards and medals though. The Chief Steward’s and follow him on twitter & instagram (@ Pick of Golds went to the 2013 Toppers TheVinoGeek) to keep up to date with reviews, Mountain Barrel-Ferment Sauvignon Blanc. news and special offers! Toppers is a great producer of the region located in between Tingha and Guyra, and is certainly producing some wines that slip onto the Vino Bucket List. They also picked up Best Other Red Variety of Show with their 2012 wild-ferment Nebbiolo, and their fruit was used in the NSW Trade and Investment Best New England Wine, the 2014 Symphony Hill Gewurztraminer.
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The Best Non-Aromatic White Wine of Show was awarded to another New England producer, Kurrajong Downs, for their 2012 Timbarra Gold new england focus.
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If you haven’t driven past Drummond Memorial Public School in Niagara Street lately, go and take a look, as there are several artworks appearing in the grounds. Christine Durham shares what’s been happening at the school recently.
ince April, the students in Year 4/5 have been part of a project to learn about, and to make their own, public artwork for the school community. NERAM received funding from Arts NSW to develop Project iD, a visual exploration of identity through Public Art. Its aim is to encourage, inspire and educate Indigenous and non-indigenous students about how art can be a tool to express and understand the complexities of cultural identity. Drummond Memorial Public School, with its large Indigenous and multicultural school population, was chosen to be part of Project iD. “There are fourteen different cultural groups at Drummond School, so working with the students provided a rich source of cultural identities to explore,” said Chris Durham NERAM Project Manager. How did the project evolve? We took the students to various locations in Armidale, Uralla and Walcha to view many examples of Public Art and meet several artists. This allowed the students to build up their knowledge about what Public Art is, to consider the various materials that artists use when making this type of artwork which has to weather the elements, and to look at the importance of a site when placing an artwork in a specific location. All the artists the students met were very experienced, and the children gained a lot from not only hearing about the art, but also meeting artists first hand. Under the direction of visiting Sydney writer and Illustrator, Tina Matthews, the students were very proud to make a visual art “mini zine” of all their excursions, to recount the past weeks’ experiences. It was a good grounding for the 18 new england focus.
students to start thinking about what, and how, they would make their own Public Art for the school. After the excursions looking at Public Art, what are the students now working on? The creative process has been the most recent focus for the students. Working with local artist Jeremy Rudge, the students helped to construct and install seven wire sculptures near the new Sensory Garden at Drummond School. They learnt to use a range of tools and manipulate wire to make both large and small abstract figures, which they could then attach artwork to. Next, each student was given a country, one for each of the fourteen nationalities in the school. They had the opportunity to learn more about their country and to develop a class presentation. This allowed every student in the class to gain an insight into the diversity of the backgrounds of other students in the school. Experienced artists Daphne Wallace and Dominique Hopf then took the information the students provided and developed several themes and ideas for working with the children over several weeks to make their own artwork their own artwork, inspired by their country of study. Dominque and Daphne have many years of combined experience in art making and public art and they were able to incorporate clay modelling into masks, animals and beads, with the students taking a bus trip to the Waldorf School. The students were able to see their clay works being fired in a kiln, and in the art room they added coloured glazes to decorate their masks like the masks from their country of study. It was a great day at the Waldorf School, with the Waldorf students warmly welcoming the Drummond students and taking part in some games together. It was also a wonderful opportunity for the
Drummond students to experience a different and about the various art forms that can be used unique school environment. I would like to say a in public art. The students were always totally big thank you to everyone at the Waldorf School engaged in all aspects of this project, from the for making the day so enjoyable. research, project work, presentations to the hands In addition to the students working in clay, on art activities. the artists have been instructing the students in “I feel this project has provided the students weaving and assemblage, and the work with a better understanding about the different that is emerging is a very creative aspects of art from around the world. addition to their school I would like to thank Christine environment. The process from NERAM and especially e has been recorded by the artists involved, Jeremy In addition to th Community Digital Rudge, Daphne Wallace students working ts have artist Laszlo Zsabo, and Dominque Hopf in clay, the artis g the been instructin with a DVD being for working with the ving and students in wea produced that the students to produce d the work assemblage, an school can share these wonderful art is a ve ry that is emerging r with the entire school sculptures for everyone ei th n to creative additio community. in our school community t.” en school environm How has the school to enjoy. embraced this project? “We would also like to Principal of Drummond thank NERAM and Newcastle Memorial Public School, Julianne artist Trevor Weekes for the Crompton, was very excited to be part donation of his large tree sculpture, a of Project iD. beautiful addition to our sensory garden. “This art project developed by NERAM “This project has brought all of our cultures and sponsored by Arts NSW has been a together”. “We felt this phrase best represents great opportunity for our school. what this project and the school is all about - a “Being part of this project has allowed the coming together of people from all different students to experiment and experience many cultural backgrounds in a learning environment”. different styles of art from around the world. “To celebrate this, we have translated this “The work they have created is outstanding phrase into the fourteen languages of the and they are so proud of their efforts, which are students in our school and created a plaque that now displayed in our school grounds for the rest will form part of the public art work.” of the school to visit and enjoy. The students The official launch of Project iD will take place had the opportunity to work with so many at the school on 8th December as part of the creative people who were prepared to share their school’s end of year activities, when the students knowledge and expertise. from Year 4/5 will be able to celebrate, and share “The students really valued the artists, who with their families, friends and other students, the would visit the school each week to teach them results of all their hard work and creativity.
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CHICK THE
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ACE AQUILINA CHIEF CORRESPONDENT THE PIRATICAL PRESS
I’M INTERVIEWING UBERCELEBRITY C.C. CHICKPEA, LITTLE WINGS DIRECTOR KEVIN ROBINSON AND CHICKPEA PUBLICIST AMBER LEITNER. AMBER HAS DEVELOPED CHARACTERS AND IS RELEASING A BOOK TO HELP RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS OF LITTLE WINGS - A CHARITY PROVIDING FREE FLIGHT SERVICES FOR SICK KIDS.
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mber, you’re a local student and publicist. What’s it like working for the ‘Pea? Is she a tyrant, a control beak? Of course not! (Giggles.) Miss Chickpea comes up to my knee; she’d be a comical despot at best. It’s difficult juggling homework and my Chickpea responsibilities. My employer loves to correspond… I receive scratchy airmail twice daily when she’s touring. Occasionally her letters are scorched at the edges - dispensing advice whilst hot air ballooning is not for the faint-hearted. Being aqua, small and fuzzy, Miss Chickpea has a distinctive appearance and … an eclectic assortment of friends. She maintains a global fan base and advocates on behalf of Little Wings to enhance its media profile. Mr Robinson has just become an Australia’s Local Hero nominee. Miss Chickpea is looping loops! She is of course, a fully qualified pilot. What makes the Chick tick? A big heart, Mr Aquilina. Miss Chickpea is an obsessive philanthropist. She demands the very best from her staff, but applies the same rigorous discipline to herself. She’s punctual, polite and exercises regularly … To refine her oratory skills, she attends workshops held by High Country Theatre and never misses a performance at TAS Hoskins Centre. For deportment and balance she participates in classes at Armidale City Gymnastics and fences 20 new england focus.
at the PCYC. Miss Chickpea has an insane work schedule, but still manages to jump and vault at NEGS, sometimes simultaneously, though this is not recommended! You are firm friends, and the ‘Pea confides in you. Has she any vices? Care to share? I’m not a stool pigeon, Mr Aquilina, but Miss Chickpea is rather fond of toffee apples ... I don’t think she’s missed a school fete or an Autumn Festival since she was an egg! Two questions. Have you contemplated moving to a capital city? Does the thought of representing other stars appeal? Never and no ... With NERAM, the NBN, UNE, ATC and AGC, I have all the services and initials I require. I love crisp air, autumn colour and accessible National Parks - initiatives and venues that encourage citizens to thrive and become environmentally aware. We have Fit Families, Festival of the Brave, The Tree Group, Thalgarrah… and a bird watching society the Captain frequents, why would I live anywhere else? You are still at school, despite paid employment ... chicken feed, no doubt! Ahem. There are many ways to excel as a student in the North West. Principals within the Armidale Community of Schools regularly meet to discuss strategies for achieving excellence. Independent schools share their state-of-theart sporting and cultural facilities and actively participate within the wider community. You are not of avian persuasion … How did you meet Miss Chickpea?
The family lives in a semidetached coop not enrichment students. far from me. With a pirate ship parked on the Some characters seem suspiciously pond and colourful chicks bobbing about in human... the garden, I knew of them long before they Conjecture on your part, Mr Aquilina ... any scratched at my door offering employment... likeness to a member of our species is purely Every day a procession of excitable chicks coincidental. would file past my fence. At night peals of I have to ask, Miss Chickpea, with your laughter, strains of classical guitar - the odd globe-trotting lifestyle and natural charms detonation ... who wouldn’t want a piece of … have you many admirers? that? Oh Mr ... stop chortling Kevin, it’s most Miss Chickpea, you’re unbecoming in a bird … not only an author of I have no designs on that some distinction, but EVERY DAY A front at present; I’m a freean experienced sailor. Is PROCESSION OF range chick, but I will always there anything you can’t EXCITABLE CHICKS grant you exclusive rights of WOULD FILE PAST MY do? FENCE. AT NIGHT PEALS interview. I can’t type. My little OF LAUGHTER, STRAINS Mr Robinson, what’s it like talons keep slipping off living in the shadow of OF CLASSICAL GUITAR the keys. And I can’t swan THE ODD DETONATION. the ‘Pea? around when there’s work WHO WOULDN’T WANT (Chuckles). I won’t get to be done. Presently I’m A PIECE OF THAT? ” sunburnt! I’ve met some collaborating with Kevin. fabulous chicks in my time, My priority is keeping Little 50 billion hatch every year, Wings’ planes in the air and but she’s one in a zillion. his fleet on the ground, transporting children With over 600 passengers and 250 flight per to and from Westmead in comfort. year, Little Wings appreciates Miss Chickpea’s I believe you’ve published another book? input. Yes, with the help of Martin’s Gully Public My aim is to build a scalable model for a School and núcleo. Both have an open door truly national service - with Chickpea ingenuity policy when it comes to our kind. We’re I know that’s possible. intensely proud of the results. MGPS has been I’d like to thank the New England for very accommodating ... Captain Bluebeak supporting my venture, which ultimately has been strutting about the staffroom helps all regional and geographically isolated autographing examination papers, and Egbert has been dissecting donuts with the science children.
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welcome to pudding lane
welcome to
pudding lane
PUDDING LANE® BEGAN AS A HOME-BASED FAMILY BUSINESS AND OVER THE YEARS HAS PROUDLY AND WITH A CONSTANT DEDICATION AND DEVOTION TO QUALITY BECOME AUSTRALIA’S FINEST PRODUCER OF THE TRADITIONAL “BOILED-IN-THE-CLOTH” CHRISTMAS PUDDING.
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rom an inherited prize-winning that we individually handmake, just as you family recipe, our internationalwould at home, and just in time for Christmas. award winning puddings are Pudding Lane has been voted Australia’s proudly hand-made in Newcastle, No.1 finest Christmas puddings, along with Australia, with receiving numerous local the finest of 100% and international awards. Australian Vine Australian Food Challenge Each and every fruits and select Awards pudding we make ingredients: fresh is individually mixed, Great Taste Awards local free range eggs, weighed out and shaped, England fresh butter, locally tied up in natural Calico The RSPCA of Australia baked fresh bread with string, boiled in the (Supreme Award for all cloth, in the traditional (that we crumb), method for many hours kind to animal and using flour, spices and in old style gas fired all free range eggs) the finest matured
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in Oak Australian brandy from the Barossa Valley.
“coppers”, then hung individually on a line to naturally dry, age and mature to perfection.”
Each and every pudding we make is individually mixed, weighed out and shaped, tied up in natural Calico with string, boiled in the cloth, in the traditional method for many hours in old style gas fired "coppers", then hung individually on a line to naturally dry, age and mature to perfection. We use 100% Australian vine fruits [Sulphite free] in 100% of all our puddings. We don't expect you to pay more to enjoy Australia's best. This is the quality, without compromise, that we put into each and every pudding
Did you Know?
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That John Laws puddings were proudly personally made for the man with the golden tonsils by Pudding Lane.
Also, Jamie Oliver has put his signature to the puddings, using Pudding Lane as an addition to his range of Christmas treats.
the plug! Sold exclusively in Armidale at Daily Ritual. Shop 7/100 Dangar St 6772 7545 www.dailyritual.com.au
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Christmas at NERAM Opera in the Paddock Innovative regional opera company, Opera North West, is delighted to announce that international superstar Teddy Tahu Rhodes will perform at Opera in the Paddock in March 2015. Teddy Tahu Rhodes will appear on the back of sell-out performances of Opera Australia’s productions of Don Giovanni, South Pacific and The King and I, in which he appeared with Lisa McCune throughout 2014. Breaking all box office records, The King and I was the highest selling show ever staged at the Sydney Opera House. The national tour was seen by over a quarter of a million people. Audiences are invited to relax in the tranquil surrounds of the paddock with their own picnics or hampers and enjoy the exquisite sounds of the greatest performers in the country. The opportunity to experience a star of this calibre in a world-class performance in rural Australia is a rare event. Teddy Tahu Rhodes is currently the most sought-after singer to grace the world’s biggest stages. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this magical and unforgettable evening under the stars, when he joins the country’s leading singers, accompanied by the Mimosa Orchestra, in this magical setting. Tickets and further information: www.operainthepaddock.com.au Tel:1800 240 301
If you want that gift that’s just a little bit different, you can’t beat the NERAM shop.
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he Museum shop has an enticing range of gifts including beautiful books, quality children’s items, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, objets d’art, cards and of course, art. Sarita Dutoit, NERAM Shop Manager, has enjoyed sourcing different gifts. “I am always on the lookout for something a bit unusual - something distinctive,” she said. Children’s books range from picture books with engaging illustrations to books that introduce art such as the award winning Surrealism for Kids. For adults there is a good range of art books with a focus on Australian artists. Hot off the press in time for Christmas, is the new catalogue on the Hinton Collection: Munificence: The Story of the Howard Hinton Collection. This book includes essays by Caroline Downer, NERAM Director and Barry
Pearce, Emeritus Curator of Australian Art, AGNSW, colour images of over 100 key works in the collection and a full catalogue listing. A local production, it was designed by David Waugh for nucleo with artwork photography by David Doyle. A perfect gift for the artlover - or a perfect addition to your own library! A large selection of our shop products are made by individual artists from far and wide within Australia, including local artists. Visit our museum shop before Christmas and be surprised by the selection we offer our community. And we also offer free gift wrapping for that wonderful purchase. What a great way to find a gift for that special person, whilst supporting your local art museum. All profits from shop sales go towards NERAM’s exhibitions, education and public programs.
If you find it all too hard to make decision, why not give the gift of creativity, with a gift voucher for one of our art classes? And while shopping, come and explore the exhibitions - including sculpture, print-making, drawing, painting, textiles and even video art. From our own wonderful collection to regional artists, there is something for everyone.
the plug! Christmas Hours (closed Mondays). Open until noon 24 December. Closed 25/26 December, 1 January. Usual hours from 2 January; OPEN Tues to Sun, 10am to 4pm. More information on our exhibitions at www.neram.com.au
OPERA NORTH WEST LTD presents
Armidale Wholesale
starring
Teddy Tahu Rhodes
21 MARCH, 2015
‘MIMOSA’ INVERELL NSW
Ph. 1800 240 301
www.operainthepaddock.com.au 22 new england focus.
Armidale’s best kept secret takes out state honours!
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rmidale Wholesale Fruit Market is the Sydney Markets Greengrocer of the Month for October, qualifying as one of only ten state-wide finalists in the 2014 Greengrocer of the Year Awards. Throughout the year, participating greengrocers are visited by professional mystery shoppers who critique each store from a customer’s perspective on: produce range; quality; store cleanliness; customer service; in store display; staff product knowledge; merchandising; and brand skills. The unique local business is operated by energetic husband and wife team, Phil and Maria Hewitt. Together with their close knit staff, they have built a business that successfully caters to Armidale’s diverse fresh produce needs. “A measure of a good business is their customer service. The Armidale Wholesale Fruit Market scores well by any standard; the staff and management are welcoming, friendly, with sound fresh produce knowledge,” says Sue Dodd, Sydney Markets.
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COLOURING COMP
a postcard from
Armidale Town & Country recently held a colouring in competition with two age groups from 4-8 and 9-12 years.
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he staff at Armidale Town gift voucher to Armidale Toys for & Country are personally the winning entry and $500 to involved in the majority the School’s P & C. The winner of of primary schools in the 9 - 12 years competition was Armidale, and we have noticed Niki Ardalie from Ben Venue Public how hard the P & C work to raise School, with a very creative entry. funds for ongoing equipment and The winner of the 4 - 8 age division other projects to help in the day to was Ella Tremayne from Armidale day running of their schools. We City Public School. wanted to give something back to Armidale Town & Country would these schools and also wanted to like to thank all the schools, the am still drawing Ichildren make the competition exciting for and parents who helped looks of wonder the kids too. “There were hundreds with enteringem the competition and from locals, who se hter to both P & Cs of entries, so choosing the winner ug da y m at th hopes that the $500 amazed ts or sh aring very diffi cult," said Jeremy. wewinning arethe This month marks our 4th monthwas in Hanoi, and I am and Iof schools ter helps with oo sc r ou shirts on pleased to say we are experiencing firston seasonal Theour prizes offer were a $100 and Ttheir latest projects needs. , jumpersand/or while they are in change heading into a Hanoian Winter ! ” . ffer vests
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his month marks our 4th month in Hanoi, and I am pleased to say we are experiencing our first seasonal change heading into a Hanoian Winter! The skies are very grey and the days can sometimes be described as cool, although I am still drawing looks of wonder from locals, who seem amazed that my daughter and I are wearing shorts and t-shirts on our scooter while they are in jumpers,
scarves and pu
scarves and puffer vests. The season change has also seen the end of some varieties of fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers. On Ho Tay (West Lake) near where we live, the Lotus flowers have come to an end and large areas where they once flourished have been drained of water and are being planted with varieties of flowers that when in bloom, draw local families and young lovers to pay $1 to walk amongst
PS ACCOUNTING
Claiming Tax Deductions
PS ACCOUNTING Business Matters. “You will get it back in your tax return.”
“I made a this profi t? Where it go?” I find common phrasedid misleads a lot of people. The problem is the expression suggests a full refund of money It is probably the most common question posed by business spent, which unfortunately is not the case. owners to their accountant, and it can sometimes be said with In Australia, Income tax is paid on “taxable income”. Claiming much bewilderment. It can be hard to understand just where a tax deduction reduces our taxable income, which saves us those profi ts have gone when there is no suntan or holiday from paying tax on the amount of the deduction claimed. photos to show for it. The tax rate applicable is your marginal tax rate, which varies
from 0% depending on You your might taxable have income. The answer lies- 45% in the numbers. reduced some debt orForbought new machinery. Perhaps you improved your example, if you spent $1,000 and your marginal tax rate is the colours to be 32.5%, accounts the tax saving is $325or [$1,000 outstanding payable, you’rex 32.5%]. waiting to get paid photographed - it’s Unfortunately, “You get it back in yourbut tax do return” for a big job or sale. Thewill answer is there, you creates know very Vietnamese! We the expectation of a full refund of $1,000, which is a long where to look? also just celebrated my
way short of the actual outcome. birthday and decided to stay Regardless of the size of your business, good internal systems Remember: you only save the tax on your work or business in the city near the Opera house and processes can save you time and actually make you expenditure, and not the full amount paid. at the Hotel de l’Opera. The Hotel money. They not only keep the tax man on side, good records If you are unsure of your particular situation, please contact where I stayed with guests on the last analysis past results us to discuss how taxofapplies to you. and can facilitate Quadrant tour drew me back again, allow accurate
decision making for the future (that’s the moneyand my family had an amazing stay informed Marginal tax rates and other tax information can be seen at bit). and meal before we headed back to making www.psaonline.com.au under “Resources -> Tax Facts -> our house in Tay Ho. Tax”. to lodge a Business Activity Statement at Many Income of us have
least quarterly, so why should the Tax Office be the only one to benefit. Make the most from the compliance burden. Use the opportunity to understand your business performance, with the help of your accountant, of course! Andrew Toomey, Director.
MUNIFICENCE
ward Hinton donated Adrian e Lock Gates to the fledgling Teachers’ College in 1929, he alise what hermidale was Can starting. Assist held
A
and provided by Bob Willis and Rick
year and indeed, our oncology social
0 years and over a a Marquee Streeton, Lionel Hans Hungerford and concerns Luncheon in and Norman HardmanLindsay, driving his father’s video 1909 artists. Michelle worker says that financial Uralla on Melbourne Cup Talbot. There were fashion on the are the biggest problem facing cancer d works of art later, and Nora Heysen, Elioth Gruner, Adrian Gabrielle Collins delve into the possibilities Day. It was a beautiful field prizes, lucky door prizes, es patients today. We are pleased created a magnificent Feint, and Margaret Preston. ofraffl landscape painting and Lin Quaife and that day, and guests mingled in the garden and an auction. Our auctioneer, our day raises much needed n of Late Nineteenth Armidale is truly fortunate to have this Vicki Taylor explore the concept of lace infunds with a champagne to listen to the Peter Georkas, also doubled up as a and are very grateful to our major Century Australian art, wonderful cultural resource and an Art delicate paper works and large-scale wire music provided by the trio “Crooked model on the day. It was wonderful sponsors, C2C hire and Steve Jamsek, anomalous aberrations Museum that displays it in changing sculptures. Tree”, led by Ian Russell. It is Can to see everyone dressed for the who provide the wonderful marquee, f a portrait of Lord confifor gurations the artworks Adrian STOKES, The Lock Gates, n.d., oil and Assist’s major fundraiser the year that allow occasion and having a great Landscape: time, Gay Sheehan at Armidale laundry on canvas, Gift of Howard Hinton, 1929. ). After the to enter into 255 differentalldialogues andassimilation was well attended, with over the while with knowing that their and Gerard Hanna and Hanna’s Portrait: NormanJenny CARTER, Portrait of Howard Hinton lege by UNE, the each other. Seeing two or more paintings people enjoying a buffet lunch and a support and attendance wasEsq, going Store. There are many OBE, 1936, Department oil on canvas, Gift of the Students of the 1935-36 Session, nal Art Museum was wonderful fashion parade provided juxtaposed canbyprovide different a long way toinsights help a local cancer more1937 who have provided auction a highlight was the financially. items and prizes for the day, and we o house Hanna’s; this collection. and having perspectives, andpatient a good museumWe have had a models arrive in vintage cars driven lot of people needing support this will be thanking them indivicually. ublished a catalogue of like NERAM ensures that there is always the plug! Collection, Munificence, something new to discover. a hundred colour Five other exhibitions open on 14 NERAM Opening Hours: ys by Caroline Downer November. Print and Process II exhibits
new england focus.
23
fresh, made to order pizza from over the top pizza.
download our eat. dining guide for iPhone & Android www.focusmag.com.au/eat
24 new england focus.
prue & olive
over the top pizza
The team at Prue & Olive is committed to providing a unique and specialised café experience for its customers. From the moment you walk into the Moore Street café, customers are made to feel welcome by the friendly staff, including Jules, Prudence and Sarah.
The team at Over the Top Pizza are providing top quality and delicious pizza to the Armidale public for over a year now. Focusing on competitive pricing, friendly staff, great meal deals and most importantly great tasting pizzas. We accomplish this by using the finest top quality meats, cheeses. Our hand made fresh daily pizza dough and our beautiful tomato sauces compliment our amazing pizzas. We have a large range of pizzas and our garlic bread will keep you coming back for more.
The menu at Prue & Olive is seasonal, with local and fresh produce utilised by chef, Oscar the Magnificent, to create delicious meals. Prue & Olive is dedicated to creating a distinctive café atmosphere through the presentation of food and drinks, staff uniforms and the overall ambience of the café.
Owner Sarah ???.
We cater for special occasions and large groups, why not come in and treat yourself and family to our exciting range.
Mo from Over the Top Pizza.
The café is also happy to provide high tea and catering for special occasions and private functions. Come into Prue & Olive and make your next café experience an enjoyable one!
Shop 2/ 14 Moore St, Armidale 6772 6262 www.fb.com/prueandolive
100 Jessie St, Armidale 5713 0020
Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm. Sat: 8am - 4pm. Prue & Olive are happy to provide high tea and catering for special occasions.
Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 9pm
hill street brasserie
courthouse coffee shop
NOW OPEN. Uralla Bowling Club.
The Courthouse Coffee shop would like to extend a Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our valued customers. We look forward to serving you throughout New Year with all our beautifully made beverages and tastebud tantalising specials.
Lyn and her team have introduced a menu reflecting simple, fresh flavours that are both satisfying and moreish. We serve quality, 300 g steaks with fresh seasonal produce, at affordable prices.
Be on the lookout for our exciting new dishes in the New Year; we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Offering Blackboard Specials each day. Roasts available for lunch and dinner, Saturday and Sunday. Families welcome. Book now for your next special occasion or private functions in a casual, happy atmosphere. EFTPOS available in the dining room.
Head Chef Lyn.
We will be closed during the Christmas break from Wednesday 24th December through ‘til Monday the 5th January.
Chrissy & Peter Rologas.
Super Santa Promotion Commences Monday 25th November. Christmas Hams will begin to appear on Friday 28th November. Join the Uralla Bowling Club on New Year’s Eve with Rough Justice.
52 Hill St, Uralla 6778 4807 Lunch and dinner, Wed to Sunday. 12pm - 2pm. 6pm - 9pm.
160 Beardy Street Mall, Armidale 6772 0099 Mon-Fri: 7.30am to 3.30pm. Sat - 7.30am to 1.30pm. Open Market Sundays 7.30am to 1.00pm. new england focus.
25
focusinterview.
cafe @ wongwibinda Karyn Martin and Richard Cannon are very excited that their café at the old Wongwibinda Public School is finally open for business.
OVER THE TOP PIZZA MO AND HIS TEAM FROM OVER THE TOP PIZZA SHARE THE ORIGIN OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL FOOD
W
here are you from, and use to the tomato base is made by us here why did you choose in our store. Our customers can taste and Armidale for your appreciate the difference. business? And you donated money to Can Teen I was born in Beirut and was raised in And also Drummond Memorial School? Sydney. My first country experience was My ex-wife is an oncologist. A couple of when I moved to Armidale to study Law and years ago, a friend of our children passed Commerce at UNE. During this time I became away after suffering Acute Lymphoblastic accustomed to the relaxed atmosphere and Leukaemia (ALL). He was 7 years old. Prior beautiful environment of country life. I also to his passing, my ex-wife used to tell me liked the warmth and genuine interest with about the support Can Teen gave this child which country people treated each other. and how this made his days happier. We I guess these attributes were influential decided to donate to Can Teen because in my decision to invest in a local we believe that we should support those business. who support those among us who We’ve heard that pizza are in genuine need. As for runs in the family. Drummond, this school Please tell us more ... is a small public school Most of my adult that provides great ng hi yt Ever h ug do e th working life was education to children om fr ato m to e th to spent as a public e from disadvantaged us we us by e ad m is se servant working backgrounds. We ba ore. O ur st r ou in re he in the Legal and supported them this taste customers can Strategic Policy year for the same e th and appreciate Branches. I enjoyed reason we supported difference.” these roles very Can Teen. much, but I missed Do you use any local interacting with ordinary produce? everyday people. My family We always endeavour has owned cafés and restaurants to source our supplies from local in Sydney for almost 30 years. As a result of businesses. For example, our pizza boxes this I was exposed to food preparation at are supplied by PaperWare, our food-safe an early age and worked in the kitchens of cleaning chemicals come from RapidClean those eateries for many years. Mediterranean and our tomatoes come from Guyra. food in general, be it Lebanese, Greek or Plans for the future? Italian is beautiful food. However, it is not We would like to be part of Armidale’s the type of food you can take short cuts in food scene for many years to come. But, making. This is a fact that we are mindful of, our first challenge I guess is to help people and it is reflected in the quality of the pizzas determine what is, and is not, a “quality” we make. Everything from the dough we pizza.
“
26 new england focus.
We have spent the last two years renovating the school buildings and adding to the gardens since we bought the school on a whim! We just fell in love - it’s a beautiful spot and as we have now discovered, a great community with lovely neighbours. The cafe will specialise in “fusion” cuisine with lots of flavour. We both love Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian dishes, as well as some more traditional favourites. We have a regular menu of brunch and lunch dishes and also a specials board with soup, homemade pies, main meals, cakes and desserts. Featured dishes have been sticky (honey, soy and chilli)
pork ribs with steamed greens and rice, Thai style poached chicken, Osso Bucco with creamy polenta and snow peas, NE grass fed Porterhouse, garlic potatoes and vegetable ragout and lemongrass, lime and coconut chicken served with steamed rice. Opening times are Friday 10am to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. We do brunch, lunch, morning and afternoon tea and dinner on Friday. We have applied for a liquor licence and will offer a selection of drinks as well as teas, coffees and milkshakes. The Old School Café is at 3 Old Ebor Rd, Wongwibinda - 52 km east of Guyra. The quickest way from Armidale is via Rockvale Rd to the Guyra-Ebor Rd, turn toward Ebor (east) and travel 18 km before turning right and travelling 300 m on Wongwibinda Rd.
focusinterview.
kmart wishing tree
THE
SALVATION ARMY. IT’S THIS TIME OF YEAR WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING OTHERS. AND WE CATCH UP WITH THE SALVATION ARMY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE FOR CHRISTMAS.
C
an you give us an overall All gifts and donations will be distributed round up of your first year through our Community Welfare Centre in the in Armidale? weeks leading up to Christmas. Our first year in Armidale What are your plans for the Christmas so far has been rewarding concert? and challenging at the same time. It has For our Christmas concert, we are planning been the first time that we have lived in to have it on Saturday 20th December at our a regional town, and it has been quite an church (100 Beardy Street, Armidale). We experience, because we are originally are having a potluck dinner to start off from Sydney. Our children, at around 5pm, then commence however, have loved being our concert at around 6pm. It here, and they have made will be a time of celebration many new friends in where we retell the We ar e havi ng the process. As it has biblical account of the a po tl uc k been our first time birth of Jesus along with f of di nn er to st ar t , as ministers of a congregational singing m at ar ou nd 5p r ou ce en church, we have also m of traditional Christmas th en co m nd ou ar at t learnt and grown a carols, then we will co nc er lot as individuals, as a conclude the night with 6p m .” couple and as a team. a visit from Santa. Anyone Our congregation have wishing to attend are more embraced us and supported us than welcome to; it will be in so many ways, that it has been a great night of fellowship and a real blessing. We are thankful to God connection. for the many blessings and challenges What other services do the Salvation we have encountered in our time here and Army offer to the community? we look forward with hope and anticipation We offer welfare assistance every Monday to what the future holds for us and for The through our Community Welfare Centre at Salvation Army church here in Armidale. our church; appointments will need to be It's Christmas, and the Salvation Army are made on Fridays between 3pm - 4pm on 6772 looking for gifts and donations? 8319. We also offer financial advice through Yes, as we have the Salvation Army our Money care service, which operates Christmas appeal happening at this time of Wednesdays to Fridays at our church. We the year, we are asking the public to donate also offer a free lunch to the community on Christmas gifts for the less fortunate. Gifts can Wednesdays from 12pm - 1pm at our kitchen be dropped off at the Kmart Wishing tree, and called Café De Light; our last lunch for the for donations such as food or clothing etc, year will be served on Wednesday 10th they can be left at the Red Shield Family Store. December 2014.
It’s Christmas time again, and The Salvation Army are gathering much needed donations for the festive season.
who are less fortunate in our community.
For more than 25 years, The Salvation Army has been working with Kmart to help families in need. With hundreds of thousands of Australians in need this Christmas, the Appeal aims to collect more than 500,000 gifts nationally.
food cards that will be distributed into the
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia's largest Christmas gift appeal, having collected more than six million gifts since its inception in 1988. We are proud that the Appeal is now a Christmas tradition - not only for Kmart and The Salvation Army, but for thousands of Australians who donate each year. Toys, personal items, gifts cards and alike are some of the popular items that are given to The Salvation Army through the Kmart wishing tree to provide Christmas to those
As we did last year, The Salvation Army will spend over $6,000 on food items and community over the month of December that will bring much needed relief to those who find themselves in hard times. We are very blessed to live in a community that has such a “giving spirit of generosity”, and it makes our ministry so much easier knowing we can rely on donations at this time of the year and by partnering with us in this way, you are directly helping us help others. To be a part of the wishing tree, just purchase a gift at Kmart and put it under the tree in the store. We thank you in advance for you generosity and for information about Christmas community services, please contact 6772 8319.
“
new england focus.
27
TAFE NEW ENGLAND WORKPLACE ASSESSMENT
Since 2013, the TAFE New England Workplace Business/Information Technology Assessment Service, has been engaging with businesses such as the University of New England, Essential Energy, The Ascent Group, FACS Blacktown, Tenterfield Shire Council, Jobs Australia Guyra, Hutchinson & Harlow and the Catholic Chancery Office in Armidale to assess the skills, knowledge and experience of their staff in the areas of business administration and information technology. So far, the service has successfully assessed 30 employees.
T
he service recognises the fact that many thriving regional businesses have employees who have been working within the business for a long period of time (in some cases more than 20 years), yet the skills and capabilities of these employees have, until now, not been formally recognised. Existing skills are recognised and a Learning Plan is developed to fill in any gaps there may be. University of New England employees, Nicole Killen and Lindy Hodgkinson (along with five other UNE employees) are about to complete their Diplomas of Business Administration by participating in the Workplace Assessment Service. “The best thing about obtaining a Diploma from TAFE New England is the flexibility of the course and being able to study when it suited and the endless support from the teachers,” Nicole said. “The course was not difficult, as I was familiar with the content having worked in business admin for many years so the language was not new, but it did expand on the knowledge that I already have and provided different and new ways of doing things.” Lindy Hodgkison said, “The ability to be workplace assessed for units in your own work space is fabulous, as this allows you to
demonstrate your skills and experience in a Nicole very real way. I found this method of oneon-one assessment to be very personal and a great way to show first hand your knowledge and experience. The support from the TNE Staff, Lisa and Kay, was tremendous.” She told her Assessor, Lisa Faulkner, that she felt like a door, that she didn’t even know was there, had been opened and she is now considering further study. The Smart and Skilled initiative e In addition to th of the state s ill sk ce workpla government icole and Li ndy N at th (commencing they have have acquired, January 2015) ated to also been motiv to develop a will create change ion.” uc her their ed at rt fu customised solution for students, for industry. employers and The service allows training organisations. TAFE New England TAFE New England is assessment staff to enter committed to partnering a workplace and identify the with employers as they face skill gaps of employees, enrol the this new environment, and working employees as students and deliver to meet the needs of business and the training required. This is particularly industry, and acting flexibly to deliver benefi cial to employees who might not have training where it is needed - on campus, otherwise been able to gain qualifications in the workplace, and online. The Workplace due to personal circumstances. In turn, Assessment Service is an example of this in assessment staff are building stronger action, as TAFE New England has innovated
+ Lindy
“
relationships with local employers to ensure that TAFE New England continue to meet their training requirements. In addition to the workplace skills that Nicole and Lindy have acquired, they have also been motivated to further their education. Nicole has decided to enrol for a Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies and Lindy is intending to undertake studies in the area of Training and Assessment. For further information about how your business can benefit from the TAFE New England Workplace Assessment Service, please contact Lisa Faulkner on 6773 7754.
Are you finishing school this year? TNE can help you get a head start on a real career. Already in the workforce and want to take your career further? TNE can help you step up. Are you thinking about a career change? TNE can help you decide where you want to go. Looking to re-enter the workforce? TNE can open doors for you.
Whatever your stage in life TNE has a wide variety of courses for you to choose from.
So don’t wait
Call 1800 448 176 and enrol today
ENROL NOW FOR 2015
TNE. Smart Move
P 1800 448 176 E info@tne.edu.au W www.tne.edu.au
ARMIDALE > BOGGABILLA > COONABARABRAN > GLEN INNES > GUNNEDAH > INVERELL > MOREE > NARRABRI > QUIRINDI > TAMWORTH > TENTERFIELD 28 new england focus.
focusinterview.
PLC Armidale commences 2015 with the appointment of a new Principal and highly experienced educator, Mrs Nicola Taylor. Mrs Taylor and her family will relocate to Armidale from Sydney, where she has served with distinction as Principal of the Sutherland Shire Christian School for the past five years. This is her story ...
Nicola
Taylor JOINS PLC ARMIDALE
Y
ou have an extensive background in the education sector, Nicola.Tell us about your career highlights so far ... Leading a school through a period of significant change and challenge, the highlight of this for me was to see the school grow with increased enrolments and strong finances, as well as be recognised as a school of choice for quality education in the community. Other highlights have included a nomination for Telstra Business Woman of the Year and being selected as the NSW Principal Representative on a Goethe Institute study tour of Berlin. What inspired you to take up the new Principal role at PLC Armidale? PLC Armidale has a strong history of educational excellence and opportunity for girls and young women in the New England region and beyond. The vision of the Council, calibre of staff and commitment of parents at PLC Armidale has been evident in the present context of transitioning to the new leadership structure. It is an exciting time in the life of the College to be positioned well for the future with a clear sense of mission and purpose. I consider it a privilege to be appointed as the Principal of PLC Armidale for such a time as this. What is your vision for PLC Armidale?
I first had occasion to visit PLC Armidale on a beautiful, sunny spring day with the Wisteria in full bloom and the gardens resplendent. My vision for PLC Armidale stems from this first impression - to see it flourish - as a school, as a learning community, as a place where the education of girls is wholistic - an education for all of life and for the whole of life. Education is arguably the foundation for human flourishing within any society. As a Christian educator, I am PLC Armidale family one. My has a strong passionate about husband, Scott, l ationa history of educ the relevance of the and I have often excellence and Christian faith in s rl gi r talked about living opportunity fo the pursuit of truth, en regionally, but it and young wom d an insight and wisdom. in the New Engl hasn’t been the nd ...” Christianity is a region and beyo right time or place knowledge tradition; until now. With this knowledge is extended family on the basis of responsible the land, my childhood action. For the completion experiences of farm life had of the person and the wholeness a signifi cant influence on me. of life, the Christian environment of the My husband, having been educated College is foundational. at a regional boarding school, also had a Nicola, we understand that you strong desire for our family to enjoy the have a husband and five children. How
“
are they feeling about the move north, and in particular a move to a regional centre? The decision to move to Armidale was a
opportunities that regional living provides. As the time draws near to relocate, there
Armidale has been positive and pleasurable - especially the experience the children have had of their respective schools, with three of our sons enrolled at TAS, our daughter at PLC and our eldest son planning to continue his studies at UNE. We are also looking forward to settling into the local church. The children have their “bucket list” at the ready - including mountain bikes, motor bikes, horses, dancing, a dog, chickens and a vegetable garden! Scott and I are looking forward to the busyness of family life without the hustle and bustle of the city. The natural beauty of the New England region is something we have begun to appreciate already.
is the expected uncertainty that any process
Thank you for sharing your story, Nicola,
of change brings. However, each visit to
and welcome to the New England. new england focus.
29
focusinterview. STUART BOGGS
JAMES WHITE
KERRY GULLIVER
TONY SEVIL
Gallery 126.
HILARY POLLOCK
GALLERY 126 EXHIBITIONS
G
THE GROUP SHOW, “CELEBRATION OF ART”, OPENED ON FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE CHRISTMAS BREAK CLOSURE.
allery 126 will open on Monday
is often made very quickly. I usually have many
22nd and Tuesday 23rd December to
projects on the go at the same time and move
allow for final pick ups and purchases
between each project. In that way if
before closing on 24th December
I get stuck on something, I can
and will re-open in the New Year on Tuesday 13th
move onto another project
January 2015.
in the making. I don’t like
In addition to the featured artists in the last
to force things. The way
Focus article, Steph Clark and Elouise Roberts,
I work I am returning
Celebration of Art features new works by Tony
to works in progress
Sevil, Hilary Pollock, Kerry Gulliver, Stuart Boggs,
with a fresh eye - a
Hayley Ward, Robyn Jackson, James White, Ned
bit like the relaxed
McDowell and Isabelle Devos. The exhibition offers
mind when doing
a wonderful opportunity to see works by so many
a crossword over a
amazing and talented local artists.
number of days.
Tony Sevil has again brought his sense of
into the artworks, even if it
found objects.
may not be everyone’s cup of
the Mexican pollie, I got the insulators for Pedro from
“
tea. There is something special to me
make is usually determined by what I find,
about making something with a smile on my
not by any preconceived idea, or intricate
face.
manipulation. Regularly I just suddenly see a potential in elements I have found, and the artwork
30 new england focus.
For the work pictured here, Pedro
like Gallery 126 would ts tis ar r to thank thei psu r ei th r and customers fo d an ar ye e th port throughout to ity un to take this opport and happy wish you all a safe holiday season.”
rich contrast tones to evoke a romantic and rich feeling with lots of flowing movement.
specific project in mind.
the family farm, which my brother manages.
Kerry Gulliver has used floating shape patterns in her monoprints on a background of yellow ochre tones. Following on from her large figurative canvases from her last exhibition, Robyn Jackson has produced some smaller works for this
They are insulators
exhibition. The whimsical ladies have reappeared
off the old party line
on two smaller canvas works to add to the
telephone line. To me
festivities.
they had the feel of
So come along in these last few weeks to
the stereotype images
celebrate art in Armidale and perhaps even take
of Mexicans dozing
a “celebration” home with you or as a gift for
during siesta. I found the “vote for Pedro” label
I like to put my humour
humour to his work, which he assembles from Tony says of is work: "The art I like to
while. I walk past all my junk regularly, without any
thing on the road where I walk. And of course, I then had a dozing pollie who was “as good as any”. As a complete contrast to Tony's work are the
someone. In addition, there are so many beautiful and inspiring gift ideas, even colouring in books for grown ups with a new range in store from Peppin Press with designs from cars, still life, art nouveau, Bali, Turkish designs to fashion of the 1960’s! Finally, Gallery 126 would like to thank their artists and customers for their support throughout
I have had the elements that I have used in
three acrylic on canvas paintings by Hilary Pollock.
the year and to take this opportunity to wish you
this exhibition lying around in my shed for quite a
She has used her trademark palette of blues with
all a safe and happy holiday season.
THE
YARN ROOM
THE URALLA WOOL ROOM IS VERY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF OUR NEW AND EXPANDED “YARN ROOM”.
T
he Uralla Wool Room has a new space dedicated to its amazing range of yarns. Most visitors exclaim,“WOW!” when they walk through the door and become enveloped in colour and ideas. We now stock an extensive range of yarns from Australian Country Spinners, along with unique hand-dyed yarns from the Mollydale Knits range. We offer super fine Merino luxury to broader micron wools ideal for homewares and rug making. We are also building our stock of hooks, needles and accessories.
great idea for hand-made Christmas presents. Sue Singleton, self confessed fibre fanatic and purveyor of all things crochet and Annie Rumble, who has an amazing eye for colour and is master of the knitted stitch, have joined the team at the Uralla Wool Room. Sue and Annie bring their bountiful enthusiasm (read obsession) for all things hand-made and offer classes in crochet and knitting. Everyone is welcome, from the novice Sue and Annie to the experienced in both bring their crochet and knitting. The idea behind iasm bountiful enthus r all the expansion was At the moment, classes fo (read obsession) and e to create a space are held every Saturday things hand-mad he t croc where inspiration afternoon from 1pm to offer classes in and creativity can 3pm. We hold crochet and knitting. ” flow, and where people lessons on the first and can gather to share their third Saturdays, with knitting passion for the handclasses on the second and made. Great chunky throws fourth Saturdays each month. and cushion covers have been popular However, knitters and “hookers” are - using yarns in neutral tones as well as welcome at both sessions, with the aim the bright colours. We have patterns, being to share a couple of hours together yarns, needles and hooks for chunky makes - a in an environment steeped in colour and
“
inspiration. Classes will expand as the group grows and as requests for specific classes are received. As summer approaches, evening groups and classes will also be offered. It is hoped a dedicated group of “Yarnaholics” will form and that the Uralla Wool Room will provide a home for community based projects. Classes are also provided in Pom Pom making, with the aim of total World Pomination. Pom Poms, from very small to very large, are quick and easy to make with the new Pom Pom Maker, now in stock, and a warning - once you get started, you will become Pom Pom obsessed. Ideal for using leftover yarn and even small scraps of yarns, the creative uses for Pom Poms are endless. Check out the shop window for just a couple of ideas and pop in for a quick demonstration on using the Pom Pom maker. More details can be viewed on our Uralla Wool Room Facebook Page and brand new blog urallawoolroom.blogspot.com.au or simply phone the Wool Room on 6778 4226.
new england focus.
31
Hannah’s dreams • Now Coming True • In Hannah Potapczyk’s own words, she is, “one smart cookie”. She’s also a qualified legal secretary and an incredibly bright and confident young woman.
H
owever, Hannah says life hasn’t always been this way. Hannah lives with high functioning Autism and ADHD and until a little over a year ago, was very frustrated with life and the world she was living in. “You communicate differently; it’s like being Australian and the rest of the world is from Japan. As an Australian, you don’t understand why the Japanese do some of the things they do or why they speak differently. Or why something one moment is really right and why the same thing is completely wrong the next moment,” said Hannah. “I wanted to be an adult, but I had no
32 new england focus.
A little over a year ago, r Hannah and he ra fo d ie pl ap um m ng vi Li Supported ith Fund Package w eps, St o N ith w House s ha which she says r ei th transformed lives . ”
“
idea how to. I was so frustrated to the point that I got really depressed, because I thought why bother having dreams if I’m never going to see them come true - what’s the point,” continued Hannah. A little over a year ago Hannah and her mum applied for a Supported Living Fund Package with House with No Steps, which she says has transformed their lives. “I now have a much better relationship with my mum because instead of being my support
person, she is now just my mum, and that has always been what I’ve wanted,” said Hannah. House with No Steps Community Engagement Manager Mel Bowen said, “When I first went to meet with Hannah and her mum, Hannah wouldn’t speak or even come into the same room as me.” “I was so scared when she first came to the house, that I hid in the kitchen,” said Hannah. “I didn’t have a voice back then, and now I’m actually doing public speaking. I’m a world more confident than what I
was!” Over the last year, with support from House with No Steps, Hannah has gotten her L plates, bought her own car and is working towards having her first paid job and one day owning her own home. She volunteers with House with No Steps doing administration work two days a week and is part of the Newcastle self advocacy group. Hannah was also recently one of the first people with a disability to help recruit new House with No Steps staff for the Newcastle area. “I’m a lot more confident now, and I can actually see my dreams coming true. What I wanted was a good life, a good life that everybody else I saw had and I never believed could come true. It’s now coming true!”
International day of people
WITH
DISABILITY
P
THIS YEAR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY IS CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA, MARKING 22 YEARS OF PROMOTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY.
eople with disability have talents, skills and abilities that are an asset in the workplace. Getting involved in International Day of People with Disability is a chance to break down barriers, showcase
abilities and raise awareness of the contributions people make in all areas of life. Today serves as a reminder of what still needs to be done to ensure Australians with disability have access to opportunities to fully participate in social and economic life. Improving participation for people with disability is a key focus of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which is why the Government is fully committed to the implementation of this important reform. The National Disability Insurance Scheme will play a big role in making this a reality
for thousands of Australians with disability. Armidale ACT Now (All Communities Together) Network and Armidale Disability Interagency including service providers from New England and North West Disability Support Services are planning an inclusive community event for people of all ages and all abilities to celebrate International Day of People with Disability in Armidale. Armidale ACT Now is funded through the Aboriginal and Resources Pathways Project and is working in collaboration with local and regional disability support services to provide better access to information and services for Aboriginal people with disablity, their families and carers. The philosophy of the Act Now is to bring together community in a culturally safe and friendly environment. Act Now provides Voice, Choice and Control for people with disability.
The Highlight of the program of events will include the Armidale launch and screening of the ACT Now 2 Digital Stories on the outdoor cinema, presenting personal stories from people with disability and their carers. The ACT Now Earth Art will be created at Curtis Park. The Earth Art will symbolise the gathering of people, respecting the land we meet on, respecting our elders, both past and present, and our future generation. It represents a place where we can come together and tell stories and yarn about the day to what is important to our future. The community is invited to bring along a small portion of soil to contribute to the creation of the Art Work. The program of events will include the screening of the Access All Areas Film Festival. Ability Links NSW is under the auspice of Pathfinders NSW and will be launching their new
Project to link people with disability (9 - 64 years) their carers and families to their local community. The Access All Areas Film Festival makes culture accessible to all by bringing open captioned screenings of the best new Australian feature films across NSW. Bring your friends and family for a great day of food and entertainment! For more information, visit www.aaaff.com.au Bring a fold up chair or a blanket to celebrate the outdoor cinema under the stars and an evening of activities and entertainment. The event will be held in Curtis Park, Wednesday 4pm - 9pm on International Day of People with Disability, 3 December 2014. For further information, please contact Robyn Smith (Regional Coordinator) National Disability Services Mobile: 0448 900 306 or Sue Bannon (Armidale Dumaresq Council) Phone 6770 3804.
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SUGAR A’int so Sweet WE all grew up knowing that sugar is a no-no when it comes to maintaining a healthy waistline and good dental hygiene, but very few of us know that sugar can accelerate the skin’s ageing process and exacerbate acne formation - both as a teen and an adult.
Ella bachÉ Armidale Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to own a beautifully boxed Ella Baché Skin Solution* and save up to 45%.* An introduction to sensational skin at a sensational price - stocks are limited, so don’t miss out on saving up to 45% on Ella Baché’s beautifully boxed Skin Solutions. Filled with products that brighten and hydrate the skin to give it a radiant glow, the contents of this gorgeous gift box will make it the season’s most wanted! $110 (valued at $200). HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS A smart, French navy, linen bag crammed with Ella Baché’s legendary skin and sun-care goodies to cleanse, protect, hydrate and moisturise. $85 (valued at $150).
Perfect for skin trying to minimise the first signs of ageing and fine lines. This Anti-Ageing Skin Solution uses advanced ingredient technology to dramatically improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness that can be seen as the first signs of ageing. $118 (valued at $217). AGE CORRECTION SKIN SOLUTION PACK This Age Correction Skin Solution is rich in active ingredients to firm and lift the skin, whilst softening it. Fine lines and wrinkles are diminished and redness from couperose reduced, leaving skin smooth, plump and revitalised. $124 (valued at $215).
SUGAR & AGEING Researchers have discovered that consumption of high glycemic index (high-GI) foods lead to a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. This triggers a series of biochemical reactions in the cells that cause inflammation and glycation, ultimately leading to accelerated ageing of the body.
as long as you stick to the program. The aim
Glycation in the skin occurs when blood sugar levels rapidly rise and sugar molecules attach to the fundamental architectural structures in the skin: collagen and elastin fibres. Once sugar attacks these fibres, they become less elastic and more brittle. Glycation also causes these protein fibres to mutate, creating harmful new molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGES). The accumulation of AGES causes further inflammation and structural damage to your collagen and elastin. Eventually, the repetitive attack of sugar undermines the skin’s internal scaffolding and weakens its strength and integrity. The result? Fines lines and wrinkles eventually start to manifest, and the skin takes on a more fragile and flaccid appearance.
TOP TIPS TO COMBAT AGEING
SUGAR & ACNE If that wasn’t bad enough news for sweettoothed types, researchers have now also indicated that sugar consumption increases androgen levels. Androgen directly stimulates sebaceous glands and in turn, increases the production of thick, sticky sebum, which clogs the sebaceous follicle and leads to acne development. This is the last thing you want to have happen if you’re a kid suffering acne, but it’s even worse if you suffer from adult acne, as the skin’s ability to heal is also impeded by the presence of AGES.
tailored Detox Aromatique solution to maintain
THE GOOD NEWS
½ cup blueberries and raspberries combined
If you change your ways and start to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, you will notice remarkable improvements in your skin in as little as ten days. Your skin will start to look more radiant and youthful, it will become firmer and more elastic, and it will continue to improve for
5 medium strawberries
ELLA BACHÉ ARMIDALE
1 cup crushed ice
T: (02) 6772 7089 5/111 Dangar St, Armidale NSW 2350 armidale.ellabache.com.au
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should be to ensure the high-GI foods make up less than 10% of your total diet. The results you achieve from the dietary changes will be further accelerated if you use appropriate skincare products to fight the effects of sugar from the outside in.
HYDRATING SKIN SOLUTION This Hydrating Skin Solution specifically addresses the most common skin condition - dehydration, by intensively hydrating, repairing and protecting the skin. $100 (valued at $175).
Our gift vouchers are also a perfect Christmas treat. Below are a few popular choices for your loved one or alternatively, choose a treatment from our extensive services menu. Make sure you get in early for Christmas/New Year’s appointments to avoid disappointment.
Skincare products that are rich in anti-inflammatory and collagen stimulating ingredients are definite must-haves. Look for these anti-ageing products and ingredients throughout the Ella Baché Spirulines and Radiance ranges. RADIANCE C ANTIOXIDANT DEFENCE MIST • Radiance C Ampoules • SpiruLines Intensive Wrinkle Serum with Spirulina • SpiruLines Intensive Wrinkle Plumper with Spirulina TOP TIPS TO COMBAT ACNE Treat breakouts with a targeted and individually healthy, clear skin. The below products can be used independently or layered into your routine for increased effectiveness: • Detox Aromatique Extra-Purifying Concealer and Drying Corrector • Detox Aromatique Extra-purifying Corrector Cream Why not try this Berry Smoothie Recipe for a healthier start to cutting down your sugar intake? BERRY SMOOTHIE
1½ cups of non-fat Greek yoghurt Directions Put all ingredients into blender and whip until smooth. Sip and think youthful thoughts.
LUXURIOUS TREATMENTS Ella Baché wraps up Christmas with luxurious treatment offers to give as precious gift vouchers, or to spoil yourself.
perfect-pickme-up 60 minute Party Time Preparation 30min Triple Expresso Facial and 30min Relaxing Massage $99
divine relaxation 90 minute Festive Season Indulgence 60min Signature Facial and 30min Relaxing Massage $149
ravishing reward 3 hour End-Of-Year Ultimate Unwind 75min Radiance C Brightening Facial, 60min Massage, Sea Salt Body Exfoliation and Foot Treatment Mask $299
Gift vouchers can be purchased in salon or over the phone.
*Offer ends 31st December 2014. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
focusinterview.
JACK RAPLEY • Armidale Lions Club •
Have you ever wondered what the Armidale Lions Club do for the community? We catch up with Jack Rapley and find out about the recent train trip to Werris Creek ... as well as many of the local fundraisers held in recent times ...
H
ow long has the Lions Club been formed in Armidale? Armidale Lions Club was formed in 1955 and chartered in 1956. This means that the club will be celebrating its 60th aniversary next year. Since formation, the club has sponsored the following clubs in the district: Armidale Dumaresq Club, Armidale Duval Club, Guyra Club, Uralla Club, and Walcha Club. What are some of the events that Lions hold around the community? Major projects and events with which we have been involved are as follows: the hydrotherapy pool at the Armidale Hospital completed in 1976 and since then has been maintained financially; the Croquet Green at Autumn Lodge; the painting and fencing at the Traffic Education Centre; the funding of uniforms and instruments together with a quality outdoor tent for the Armidale City Band; the building and maintenance of the crib in Central Park; the purchase of quality nativity statues from Oberamagau in Germany. These are just a few of the projects undertaken over the years. Signature events that have been ongoing for many years include Carols in the Park for almost 50 years, and the Senior Citizens annual Mystery Trip for 45 years. The carols are considered an
acknowledgement to the community for their support, and of course, this is a free event, which every year goes from strength to strength. The Senior Citizens Mystery Trip is a recognition for our Senior Citizens, who have contributed so much over the years to the community. Traditionally these mystery trips have been undertaken by two busloads of citizens, who are picked up from, and delivered back to, aged care homes, retirement villages etc. The trip is always organised so that we can involve other Lions Clubs in the surrounding districts to supply morning tea and lunch. We pay them commercial rates, knowing that funds raised by them go back into the community anyway. Where Lions Clubs are not available, in many instances we have used P and C associations from country schools. This of course, is an excellent fundraiser for them. Tell us about your big BBQ, and what you do with it within the community. There are many community organisations we currently support, and these include Relay for Life, Camp Quality, prostate cancer, MS, SES, and of course, ongoing support to Armidale Hospital, when the occasion arises. We also contribute to Lions International for such things as National Disasters, Sight and Hearing, Diabetes, and the Haemophilia Foundation. However, 95% of our funds raised are distributed locally, based on the ideal that funds raised locally should be distributed locally. Some of our fundraising activities are
buses being used we travelled on the train catering, BBQs etc. We have a fully equiped mobile BBQ trailer, as well as a fully equiped to Werris Creek and returned the same day food van. Other activities are pub raffles each on the train. Morning tea was packed for week, which have been going for each person to have on the train, and many years. We also raise lunch was provided by the Werris funds with the sale Creek Lions Club, and held of Lions Christmas on the railway station. There are many Cakes and Lions The participants were community Mints. Both of rrently cu e w ns entertained by a visit to tio sa organi these items have e es th d an t, or the Railway Museum supp the continued r Life , include Relay fo tate there before returning os support of Camp Quality, pr d of to Armidale. an a number cancer, MS, SES, pport to su How strong is your of business course , ongoing
“
tal, when
membership and are houses in the Armidale Hospi .” arises on si ca oc e th city. We also you looking for new from time to time recruits? do BBQs on a not for Membership of our Club is profit basis, or give help quite stable, and like most Service to any worthwhile charity or Clubs, we always find it difficult to organisation; for example we have attract new members. Occasionally we have been involved every Monday in the special information evenings, where we can Breakfast Club at Drummond School inform prospective members of what Lions is for some time. all about. We meet every second and fourth We found out you did a train trip recently Tuesday, and anyone who is interested in for members of the community. Tell us about this ... The trip that has just been completed took on something really unique, where instead of
learning about our club can contact Jack Rapley 6772 8698, Richard Clair 6772 8613, or any member of the club. new england focus.
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support a local when you shop for your chance to win
Participating businesses Abtrak • Adventure/Travel 195 • Allingham Removals • Altitude Coffee Roastery • AOK Signs • Armidale Bicycle Centre • Armidale City Bowling Club • Armidale City Signs • Armidale Communications • Armidale Ex Services Memorial Club Ltd • Armidale Golf Club • Armidale Laundry Services • Armidale Mower & Chainsaw Centre • Armidale Pet Shop • Armidale Pumps & Irrigation • Armidale Town & Country Real Estate • Armidale Toys • Armidale Wholesale Fruit Market • Armitage & Chadd • Barbeques Galore • Barniers Office Furniture • Black Dot Music • Bones Tyres • Brennan and Smith • C2C Event Hire • Carr’s NewsXpress Armidale • Cedar Nursery • Computer Support Team • Concepts of Armidale • Daily Ritual • Digital Colour • Ducats Earthmoving Pty Ltd • Edwards Coaches • Elders Insurance New England • Face 2 Face Beauty Salon • Fast Track Cleaning & Packaging Supplies • Forty Winks Armidale • Funk Hair.Body • Graham Betts Motors • Grant McCarroll Ford, Kia & Isuzu Ute • Grazag • Gym Ridz PT & CrossFit Armidale • Hannas Department Store • helloworld Armidale • Hubbard Hire • Hunts Carpets & Blinds • Hutchinson and Harlow Real Estate • I.T.Alive • Independent Sports Armidale • Jackson Quality Meats • James McDonald Insurance Agent Pty Lty • Joblink Plus • Johnson and Kennedy • K.Hickey Norco Milk • Killen’s Smash Repairs • KL Robinson & Sons • Legal Minds • Monk’s Health Emporium • Moxon’s Bakery • Mt View Pharmacy • MyCar Sound & Communications • New England Autos • New England Solar Power • Office Express • Professionals Real Estate Armidale • Railway Hotel • Ray White Armidale • Reader’s Companion • Renee Maree • Richardson & Wrench • Richardsons Home Timber & Hardware • Rob Brown’s Denture Clinic • Roberts & Morrow • Roberts Air Conditioning & Refrigeration • Rose Valley Steel Works Pty Ltd • Smith Sharpe & Abbott • Sports Power Armidale • Super Moto - New England • The Ascent Group - Acacia Park Enterprises • The Big Lightbulb • The Cool Spot Armidale • The Electric Company Armidale • Things with a Difference • Uphill & Schaefer • Wards Auto Supplies • Westside Espresso • White Bull Hotel • Whitehack
Just shop with any of the above business displaying the L4L stamp. Check out the L4L display in the mall (Old Dymocks Shop). For information on the prize pool visit www.locals4locals.com.au Terms and conditions: www.locals4locals.com.au/christmas2014 • LTPS/14/09174
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Armidale Fruit
Black Dot
Phil and Maria proudly stock local, in-season produce as well as sourcing quality Australian fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers from the Sydney Markets. “We have everything you need for dinner tonight, with a selection of quality meat, local trout and on Thursday’s fresh fish from the coast. We stock milk, nuts, jams, bread, yoghurts, as well as a huge condiment range. We can even dress your table with fresh flowers available daily”, says Phil and Maria. Armidale Wholesale Fruit Market, the only place to get fresh in Armidale. Phone 6772 5970 Address 168 Rusden St, Armidale NSW
Participating Businesses Abtrak Adventure/Travel 195 Allingham Removals Altitude Coffee Roastery AOK Signs Armidale Bicycle Centre Armidale City Bowling Club Armidale City Signs Armidale Communications Armidale Ex Services Memorial Club Ltd Armidale Golf Club Armidale Laundry Services Armidale Mower & Chainsaw Centre Armidale Pet Shop Armidale Pumps & Irrigation Armidale Town & Country Real Estate Armidale Toys Armidale West Post Office Armidale Wholesale Fruit Market Armitage & Chadd Austbrokers NTIB Barbeques Galore
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Barniers Office Furniture Best Employment Black Dot Music Bones Tyres Brennan and Smith C2C Event Hire Carr’s NewsXpress Armidale Cedar Nursery Chris Cole Dentist Cliff Wright Motors Computer Support Team Concepts of Armidale Daily Fresh Bakery Daily Ritual Digital Colour Ducats Earthmoving Pty Ltd Easy As Coffee Edwards Coaches Elders Insurance New England Face 2 Face Beauty Salon Fast Track Cleaning & Packaging Supplies
Black Dot Music has been servicing the needs of musicians, of all levels from novice to professional, for over 30 years. We bought into a partnership six years ago and have owned the business for the last three. We have been working to give our customers the best advice and support in their musical journey. My wife Carol, and son Alex, are a fantastic family support team. We aim to ensure that the years of great customer service continues, and Black Dot Music can remain the best, local music shop for people from all over the region come to for the best service and product, tailored just for their music enjoyment. Check out our Facebook page for cool offers and fun events. Anyone that spends $20 or more goes into the draw to win a solid top acoustic electric Takamine guitar valued at $799. Keep an eye out for our Christmas catalogue in your mailbox soon! Address 111 Dangar St, Armidale NSW Phone 6772 6325 Email sales@blackdot.com.au
Food For Thought Forty Winks Armidale Funk Hair.Body Graham Betts Motors Grant McCarroll Ford, Kia & Isuzu Ute Grazag Gym Ridz PT & CrossFit Armidale Hannas Department Store Hardman Automotive helloworld Armidale Hubbard Hire Hunts Carpets & Blinds Hutchinson and Harlow Real Estate I.T. Alive Independent Sports Armidale Jackson Quality Meats James McDonald Insurance Agent Pty Lty Joblink Plus Johnson and Kennedy K.Hickey Norco Milk Killen’s Smash Repairs KL Robinson & Sons
Legal Minds Lockman Doors & Glass Monk’s Health Emporium Moxon’s Bakery Mt View Pharmacy MyCar Sound & Communications New England Autos New England Solar Power Northern Inland Chiropractic nucleo Office Express Professionals Real Estate Armidale Railway Hotel Ray White Armidale Reader’s Companion Renee Maree Richardson & Wrench Richardsons Home Timber & Hardware Ridley Mini Skips Rob Brown’s Denture Clinic Roberts & Morrow Roberts Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Rose Valley Steel Works Pty Ltd Smith Sharpe & Abbott Sports Power Armidale Super Moto - New England The Ascent Group - Acacia Park Enterprises The Big Lightbulb The Cool Spot Armidale The Electric Company Armidale Things with a Difference Uphill & Schaefer V.I.P. Lawns and Gardens Wards Auto Supplies Westend Sound Westside Espresso White Bull Hotel Whitehack
Pathfinders Community Groups working collaboratively The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) recently offered their service to help remove dead trees from Tilbuster Station’s driveway. Not only was this an opportunity to work together on a community project, but the NSW RFS volunteers involved in removing the wood were able to complete their recertification for chainsaw operations. Seven volunteers were able to complete their tree falling level one and level two as part of the operation. The removal of the trees was much needed and was a mutually beneficial operation. It is hard to find the right sort of timber to undertake recertification for RFS chainsaw operations, especially so close to town, so members don’t have to travel a day in a vehicle. It was a win-win situation in that the dangerous trees were lopped and the NSW RFS members all succeeded to get the accreditation they needed. The timber will be put to use at a further date for firewood for disadvantaged homes, or even to be cut up in slabs for feature timber. Project Coordinator for Tilbuster Station, Charlie Winter, also took the opportunity to thank others involved in the project. This was an ambitious project to safely fall the dead trees, and it had the sweat and sawdust flying on the warm day. Lunch for all members of the team was supplied by Pathfinders. It was a fantastic help to Pathfinders and the youth of Armidale, and it is wonderful to be working with other community groups in Armidale.
hot yoga
ELDERS INSURANCE
More than 100 locals are now engaged in hot yoga classes and
Why should I take out personal insurance?
the results, according to their teacher Jo Neilson, have been im-
Life throws up all sorts of pitfalls and problems you might
pressive. Jo opened the specially designed studio in Rusden Street
find difficult to overcome, which is why it's so important to
last month to introduce Bikram Yoga to Armidale.
have personal insurance in place. The term personal insurance
A strong focus of this practice is building the correct alignment
can refer to a wide range of products, including home, motor
within the body, especially the spine. “A healthy spine is essential
and even boat - it all depends on the assets you hold.
to good health,” Jo says. “Once we restore correct alignment, we
Home insurance
then try to develop strength around this. The benefits from prac-
Any good personal insurance policy should include protection
ticing yoga are not limited to the hot room. Through this practice
for your property. This usually takes two forms - defined
we develop confidence and self-belief. I had a student tell me
events and accidental damage. Defined events will protect
that after practicing for several months, she is thinking of getting
you when certain incidents occur, such as malicious damage,
her driver's licence, a feat she had not felt comfortable with up
natural events, burglary or the breakage of glass. Accidental
until now. Hot Yoga was devised by Bikram Choudhury, an Indian
damage, on the other hand, will provide protection for the
yoga champion who was lured to the US to give classes in Los
accidental loss or damage of items within your home.
Angeles, which quickly attracted many of that city’s celebrities. It
Motor vehicle insurance
includes 26 postures and two breathing exercises from the Hatha
Another type of personal cover that's well worth a look
Yoga tradition linked together to provide a complete system of
is motor cover, which will pay out for various incidents in
health management for the mind, body and spirit.”
relation to your vehicle.
At the Rusden Street studio, Jo continues to offer acupuncture
These range from theft and damage to legal liability,
services using a highly effective shallow needling technique
therefore taking out some of the strain when you suffer an
and has close to two decades of experience. Bikram Yoga New
incident, especially if it's likely to be costly to put right again.
England is located at 82 Rusden Street, near the corner of Taylor
Remember that not all motor vehicle insurance policies are
Street, where she offers the 90 minute Bikram Yoga sessions nine
created equal, so it's essential to look at the finer details
times a week. For further information and details, check out the
before deciding whether it's right for you.
website www.bikramyoganewengland.com.au or email her
For advice on any general insurance products, give us a call
jo@bikramyoganewengland.com.au or phone 0425 222 317.
on (02) 6775 4577 or call into our office on Bundarra Road.
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LOOK AFTER YOUR HEARING -AS A GIFT TO YOURSELF - BY LEANNE BETTERRIDGE, AUDIOLOGIST FOR HEARING NEW ENGLAND PTY LTD. Coming into the festive season, we are all looking forward to time with family and friends. It can become quite frustrating and isolating when we can’t hear or understand what is being said. Some hearing loss is avoidable. Exposure to loud sounds damages our ears and our hearing. This damage does not go away. The level of the noise and the duration of the exposure affect the degree of hearing loss. So if there is any way of reducing the time of exposure and reducing the volume of the noise, this is the best chance of protecting our ears. People with Noise Induced Hearing Loss often tell me things like; “I wish we’d had any hearing protection when I was working … we used to pull apart tissues ... or even bits of wool to stuff in our ears to try and cut the noise down … Now I have trouble understanding voices … music doesn’t sound right … my ears ring constantly. I can’t even hear the indicator in my car.” Fortunately, for workplace noise at least, we should now have access to good quality earmuffs or earplugs.
40 new england focus.
Pubs, nightclubs, cinemas, car radios, personal music devices like “MP3 players” or “iPods” are all contributing to the amount of loud noise exposure to our ears. All loud noise exposure throughout the day adds up and can damage our ears, whether we think it’s our type of music or not. My tips would be: • If you want to keep enjoying music for years to come, don’t overdo the volume now. • If you need to raise your voice to be heard by someone within an arm’s length of you, due to the background music in your home or car, turn the music down. • Never use personal music players on more than 60% of the maximum volume. Consider setting the volume lock so you don’t forget and put it up higher. • Reduce the length of time listening to loud music each day. The louder the music, the fewer songs you should listen to. • Avoid earbuds if you know you are likely to have the music higher than necessary, as earbuds sit closer to the eardrum and hence can often be louder and more dangerous.
• Your ears should not ring or buzz after a night out. Take it as a warning that the noise was too loud. These extra noises do not always stop!
their music down … chances are there are
• If you already have a hearing loss, don’t make it worse with more loud noise.
the noise! Some people choose to wear earplugs
People find they avoid going out because the background music is painful to them. If you develop a Noise Induced Hearing loss, it is usual, even ironic, that you become extra sensitive to loud sounds.
ears from noise damage. They can’t hear what
It seems logical to me that if the background music was turned down in some places, we wouldn’t need to shout to be heard above the music and there would be a larger group of people still happy to go out more often and enjoy themselves. Ask these places to turn
bombarded with noise wherever we go, and we
several others wishing they would, but may end up going home instead because they can’t stand when they go out to concerts to protect their their friends are shouting anyway. We as a society and as individuals need to think about how to reduce risks to our hearing. It is getting to a point that we expect to be are putting up with it. Tell them if the movie in the cinema was too loud and you couldn’t watch without your fingers in your ears! You pay good money to go to these places. Let your voices be heard, so you can hear others later.
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Blepharoptosis “
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M
‘DROOPY UPPER EYELIDS’
y eyes feel tired after I read for a while and I cannot keep them open by the end of the day” is a common complaint in some patients. Patients tend to consult their doctor, wondering if they need cataract surgery. However the problem is often due to Blepharoptosis or drooping of the upper eyelids. The eyelids have two major groups of muscles, those that close the eye and those that open the eye. While closing the eye is usually a voluntary act, opening of the eye is almost automatic, ie. one does
not consciously open the eyes as the upper eyelids stay elevated to permit one to see out of both eyes. Blepharoptosis can be congenital (a birth defect), but more commonly, is due to ageing. In some patients, the problem is seen in their thirties and forties, but more commonly is seen in patients who are older. The main cause of the problem is a stretching of the muscle which draws up the upper eyelids like a curtain. In addition, the attachment of the muscle to the eyelid is also frayed. Corrective surgery, ie. Ptosis Surgery, involves shortening and reattaching
the muscle. In addition, excess upper eyelid skin, muscle and fat is removed (upper blepharoplasty surgery), all of which makes the eyelid lighter and hence easier for the eyelid to be maintained in a good position. The furrows in the forehead will decrease as the forehead muscle no longer needs to work overtime doing the work of the eyelid lifting muscle. Commonly, the problem involves both sides and surgery is done on both sides simultaneously or one after the other, with the worse side done first.
It's your time to shine
DECEMBER 2014
with Terri
ScholarShipS for 2016 AcAdemic (Year 5-11) music (Years 7-11) VisuAl Arts (Years 7 - 11) Applications open 1 December 2014 and close 13 February 2015 Examination Date 23 February 2015
AQUARIUS. January 21 - February 19
Looking at past cycles may be a strong influence this month. Pay attention to how you feel now compared to when it happened; you will see how you have grown. By being grateful for this growth, your personal power will increase and you won’t need to face that challenge again. Moonstone is great for cycles ending and beginning.
PISCES.
February 20 - March 20 You may have been feeling a little unsupported lately. The reason for this is you are being given opportunity to see how strong and independent you already are and how little you need from external sources. Visualise what you need as a little golden flame and each breath into it ignites it. Ruby amplifies our personal strength.
ARIES.
March 21 - April 20
all gIrls pre-kInDer to Year 12. boarDIng From Year 5.
educating successful women of tomorrow in a Christian environment join us on facebook
02 6770 1700 www.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au
Avoid biting your tongue in the belief that you need to be silent to keep peace. This will make you unwell and block your energy. Pay attention to when you cramp, as this is an indicator there is something to be released. Try writing a letter and burning it. This should be a good release. Turquoise aids in communication; hold some whilst writing.
TA U R U S . April 21 - May 21
If there is a person in your life suffering from depression, think yourself inside a bubble and play with your silly self. Bring your prankster and joker out to play. You will shatter their negative mood efficiently, without it having a negative effect on your energy. Clear Quartz is wonderful for amplifying our happy energy.
GEMINI. May 22 - June 22
Don’t allow your fear of not enough money stop you from having good things in life. You are very resourceful, especially when it comes to robbing Peter to pay Paul. If you make commitment to yourself, the universe helps things happen, so trust and strengthen your faith. Then enjoy your reward. Ruby shatters fear. Wear some for a few weeks.
CANCER. June 23 - July 23
A journey or holiday should present an opportunity that will benefit you on your return home. This may be a total surprise, as it is likely to be a bonus of the journey, not the motive. There is likely to be some intellectual stimulation as a result. Record keepers are great for learning new information, as they help us to recall it.
LEO.
July 24 - August 23 Journeying is likely to be a big influence this month. Always listen to your gut and don’t ignore your intuition, as this will keep you safe from anything negative. You will be likely to do further travelling as a result of this journey, so get prepared for adventurous fun. Herkimer diamonds help us keep clear memories of a adventures. Take it with you.
VIRGO.
August 24 - September 23 Don’t be hassled if you have been remembering past hurts that no longer hold any relevance to your life; all that is happening here is the universe providing you with an opportunity to heal and release the negative memories, as well as the bad cost of those experiences. Be grateful for the new person those influences created. Rose Quartz aids in self esteem and self-love.
LIBRA.
September 24 - October 23 You are entering a very fertile cycle in life, where anything you put your effort to will only produce fast growing success. Release any self-doubt to avoid sabotage and give yourself permission to succeed before you begin any new venture. It’s also going to be a good time to reconnect with a dream from the past. Moonstone is great for new cycles, helping us to reach our fullest potential.
SCORPIO.
October 24 - November 22 You will notice an increase in personal finances this month. As long as you keep your money beliefs in a positive compartment in your belief system, the increase will flow but if you slip into negativity, you will see how its flow will diminish. Pretend you’re camping with no kiosk when your finances are limited; nothing fearful. Ruby shatters fear, whilst citrine increases the flow of money.
S A G I T TA R I U S . November 23 - December 21
Movement and change are likely to be big influences this month for career and home life. Set some fresh goals, so that you can have comfort with the changes. You will be feeling in control of things, seeing the larger picture in life, and this will bring a comfort within. Citrine will attract an abundance of positive energy that’s great for change.
CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20
It’s time to think about what you want in life, but more importantly, WHY you are wanting, WHAT you want. The universe would like your motive for what you are wanting strong on the agenda of your goal setting; as it is your motive that will bring your fullest potential into the picture. Citrine attracts abundance; hold it while you set some goals.
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MERRY FEATURE
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CHRISTMAS
FEATURE
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DRummond park
COOK BOOK
DRUMMOND PARK PRESCHOOL IS CELEBRATING THIS MONTH AS A UNIQUE AND VERY SPECIAL FUNDRAISING PROJECT COMES TO FRUITION. LITTLE TREASURES, A BEAUTIFUL COOKBOOK FILLED WITH RECIPES FROM DRUMMOND PARK’S FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, GOES ON SALE IN EARLY DECEMBER.
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t was made possible by extraordinary support from Armidale’s business community. We talked to Jodie Riggall, secretary of the Drummond Park Preschool Association, who is the organising super-power behind this philanthropic project. Why did you come up with the idea for a cookbook? When the NSW government released its new preschool funding model in October 2013, Drummond Park’s budget was cut by $10,000. This devastating news spurred one of our dedicated fundraising mums, Sophie Wright, to “think big”. We needed a major fundraiser that would provide a massive helping hand for our little preschool. Little Treasures is a beautifully designed premium style cookbook. How did you fund the production? We needed a fundraiser where 100% of sales would return to the preschool. The cost of producing the cookbook had to be covered before we could start. Thank goodness for Drummond Park dad and Locals for Locals guru, Paul Schmude. I dropped into Sportspower to discuss the concept with Paul, and he was so enthusiastic that he literally walked out of the shop midconversation and started canvassing businesses in Dangar St for support! He wanted to show me that even in these tough economic times, the local community would get behind a valuable project like this. We were good to go! And so how were the businesses involved in the process? In return for their sponsorship dollars, businesses received an ad in the cookbook, although “ad” doesn’t do justice to the beautiful photographs featured among the recipes. Many supporters embraced the idea that a preschool was producing the cookbook, so many ads have gorgeous shots of kids in very unusual situations! It sounds like you have some great creative
talent amongst your Drummond Park parent base. We are so lucky. The advertising and the sumptuous food photography in the book are the work of another talented Drummond Park mum, Lexi Glover. Her professional photography skills, combined with Sophie’s eye for food styling, make the cookbook a visual feast. Recipe-wise, it seems there is something for every taste in Little Treasures. How did you gather the recipes? Jodie: Our families contributed their favourite recipes, from the everyday family specials, to the gourmet. Add to that some healthy eating info, a local planting guide, suggestions for things to do around Armidale, natural remedies, and additional photography by Hannah Geary and Rob Birks, and we think you have the perfect Christmas gift. And your pick of the recipes in Little Treasures? My favourite recipe would be the Strawberry Tart featured on the cover. My daughter is a keen cook and I know that she will love trying all the recipes in the Kids in the Kitchen chapter. There is loads of variety, gluten free, healthy or a little indulgent. I think the Mars Bar Mousse is my husband’s weakness. This must have been a huge job for your team. It was; we were so lucky to have a large group of parents to help with the cooking, editing, testing and support. Everyone involved in creating Little Treasures understands the importance of early childhood education and knows our tiny preschool has made a huge difference to their children’s lives. It’s easy to give back to a place that has done so much for our families. Little Treasures is available at Reader’s Companion, via the Facebook site www. facebook.com/drummondpark, or look out for the bright pink and green Drummond Park tent selling the book at the Farmers’ Markets and PCYC Markets in December.
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love your summer skin From air-conditioning to hot sticky days, summer can really take its toll on our skin. The sun is the primary cause of skin ageing, and protection should be a fundamental part of your everyday skincare regime. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF 15 or more that protects against UVA and UVB rays. I recommend ASAP moisturisers and Issada mineral foundations; both have an SPF 30 and 15. Moisturising, day and night, is crucial for keeping your skin looking hydrated and silky smooth. The heat and current dryness plays havoc with our skin, and regular maintenance is a must. The solution is an ultra hydrating facial and daily use of correct products to keep you skin in tip top condition. If winter has left you pale, a spray tan gives that “sun kissed” look. It’s not just for the young - tanning is for people of all ages, shapes and sizes! It’s also prime pedicure time. With our feet being cooped up all winter, a pedicure will get your feet into shape for summer. Unsightly heels? Ask me about pedi peel enzyme solution! Gift vouchers, beautifully presented in a very attractive box, make a thoughtful Christmas present. There’s also a wonderful selection of Special Treatments, boxed gifts, candles, soaps and body brushes. Botanica Beauty Studio is located at Shop 6, The Mall Arcade, off the Beardy Street Mall. Phone 0456 116 911 www.botanicabeautystudio@gmail.com
FACIALS MICRODERMABRASION MANICURE & PEDICURE TINTING & WAX SPRAY TANNING MASSAGE MAKEUP SHOP 6, THE MALL ARCADE
Gift Vouchers available BOTANICABEAUTYSTUDIO.COM.AU
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weemala pottery christmas shop Weemala Pottery Christmas Shop celebrating 25 years with Rick and Suzanne Hatch. Rick: "We love living in the New England. Through teaching pottery and sculpture, making public art and selling pots here for over thirty years, we have become completely immersed in the life of our community. Our pots are in daily use in hundreds of of Armidale households, plus our sculptures are in constant use at Civic Park, TAS and the main branch of Community Mutual. I am doing the best work of my life right now. The pottery forms are graceful, and the brush work is free and strong. Suzanne: "Since finishing teaching sculpture at TAFE in 2012, I have started to focus on hand-building sculptural pieces and small groups/sets of special pots. I have felt a sense of freedom to explore new ideas, as I do not have to earn my entire living from making pots. This has opened up my creativity, setting the challenges for me in my future work. Rick and Suzanne: Our exhibition this year is a real milestone for us: OUR 25TH CHRISTMAS SHOW! Please come in for a look and a visit at the Armidale Plaza, 195 Beardy St (next to Turners).
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Why wait when you can
RENT IT TODAY! then Pay
Clay + wood art This year’s clay + wood ART exhibition and sale will be held from the 24th November to the 24th December. The venue for the annual exhibition will be the old newsagency at the corner of Beardy and Faulkner streets in the Eastern Mall. For exhibition organisers, ceramic artist Christine Ball and wood turner Lindsay Dunn, it is an exciting time of the year. An opportunity to show new works, a time to venture out of the studio, catch up with old friends and make some new ones. This year’s special guest exhibitors are Judy and Chris Wilford. Judy’s stunning hand embroidered works framed by her husband, Chris, will adorn the walls. This follows their recent NERAM exhibition. This collection has been two and a half years in the making. Earlier this year Christine exhibited her 501 little dishes: a childhood memoir at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum - a project she had been working on for more than two years, while Lindsay participated in Bungendore Woodworks Gallery 30th anniversary exhibition entitled NEXT. This is a great opportunity for all to view and/or purchase some quality locally made works from renowned makers.
Why you should rent from us: The latest models New products only Top brands Fast approval No set-up fees Definite rental term Governments Benefits-OK
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a safe christmas for our pets With the festivities that abound during the Christmas season, it is only right that our pets should be part of the celebrations. It’s a time of year for you to indulge in the delights of the season, but please don’t let your pet eat Christmas. Rich foods like ham offcuts and bones, sausages, steak offcuts and stuffing can result in anything from weight gain and tummy upsets, to potentially fatal conditions such as pancreatitis, onion poisoning and severe obstructions. It is best keep your pet’s diet consistent, despite the temptation to share your human treats. Christmas trees, power leads and decorations are very tempting for some pets to chew and play with, so please ensure these items are completely out of their reach. Chocolate is also in
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abundance during Christmas time; however, it’s important to keep these out of reach of our pets. Theobromine and caffeine in chocolate are both toxic and can cause stomach upsets, seizures and heart failure. Everyone loves to receive flowers; however, be aware that certain types of flowers such as lilies are poisonous to cats, causing acute renal failure. On a lighter note, for the first time, we are offering Christmas portraits at the clinic for you and your furry or feathered family members. Come in your Christmas finest, dress your pet in our props and create some fun memories. Appointments are ESSENTIAL. Photos will be free for new Healthy Pets Plus members. Merry Christmas and happy New Year from all the team at Greencross Vets Armidale.
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summer gardening with
CEDAR NURSERY + design
Spring is upon us; Armidale comes alive with blossoms. As the days warm and daylight lengthens, it is enjoyable to be outside once again.
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ummer has arrived early this year, much to the delight of the roses. Armidale has been rewarded with lots of colour from these heat loving
the water holding capacity of the soil, as well as your plants’ ability to utilise what water is available.
Mulching and fertilizing is a must during these plants. dry times. By mulching you are reducing the amount of weeds competing with your plants, It is never too late to plant roses here in as well as helping with moisture retention. By Armidale, as long as you keep the water and fertilizing you are reducing the stress placed on food up to them. the plants. By keeping them healthy, With all the heat we have they are able to withstand received this year, it is a pests and diseases that are great time to think about ok becoming prominent in lo to t uc od A pr shade trees. They ld co r our gardens presently. ou lp he to for provide the perfect ith w pe co ts an Now is the time to spot to entertain climate pl atic think about planting the change in clim or sit and enjoy . Its active summer flowering conditions, is Envy our evening wine. oxylated dry tolerant plants: ingredient is Carb Shade trees are a c polymer, and lli hy op dr hy salvias, agastache, real treat, when tantially reduce bs su n ca it lavender, catmint, temperatures can be % .” e loss by up to 50 ur st oi m million bells and cranesbill up to 10°C cooler than geraniums. Don’t forget artificial pergolas and about the pretty summer decks. flowering annuals, marigolds, A water bowl or feature has a petunias, zinnias, cosmos, new guinea cooling effect in anyone’s garden. They can impatiens, lobelia, lisianthus. Some of the old be left as water only or filled with a variety perennial favourites are daisies, gazannas, Russell of frost tolerant water plants available now. lupins, foxgloves, gauras and verbenas and Placed under a deciduous tree or in a little nook pentstemons. For that tough dry shady area, try in a garden, it is a feature with minimal effort. A epimediums; they thrive in the root bound areas. great Christmas present idea.
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Temperatures are continuing to soar, and it seems like it is going to be another dry summer. A product to look for to help our cold climate plants cope with the change in climatic conditions, is Envy. Its active ingredient is Carboxylated hydrophyllic polymer, and it can substantially reduce moisture loss by up to 50%. It can also eliminate sun and windburn damage, as well as increase frost tolerance. It may just be the answer to help your plants through the summer. Hydration products will also help with
Natives are also a great option this year, especially fillers like the lomandras. Lomandra is a great evergreen strappy plant that will tolerate the dry and hot conditions. There are lots of different varieties: lime tuff, tanika and savannah blue, to name a few. Summer vegies are on the agenda as well: tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, capsicums, chilli, eggplants, potatoes, pumpkins and squash. Get them in now; there should be a great crop this year with the warm temperatures. new england focus.
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focusabode.
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focuseditorial
Icing on the cake with Susie Dunn
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needs us to put something of ourselves into the invention.
Icing ON
cake
I
ICING / IMAGINATION ‘d like to put in a good word for imagination - you know, that world inside our heads where our own ideas bubble around, not through a manufactured
Susanne James, Director of NECOM, used her imagination to organise a magical afternoon in Deeargee Woolshed, courtesy of the Sutherland family. Imagine a beautiful day,
device filtering other people’s versions of
the fresh smell of just-finished shearing in the
imagination. (Yes - they’re informative
wonderful old building, a concert beginning
and addictive, but don’t let them steal the
with a performance of cello and didgeridoo -
possibilities in your own head.)
accompanied by an (uninvited but pitch perfect)
Innovation is a Big Deal word we hear about
Willy Wagtail - as we sat nursing tall glasses of
a lot, and surely it comes from creative
bubbles. How lucky were we!
imagination? We can take time to look around
Taking space to let our imagination create
with some lateral thinking here - harder to do in
ideas brings possibilities into our lives that can
big cities that chew up time in routine tasks.
change them completely. Inventing something
Benjamin Law in the Good Weekend Magazine used imagination to describe reasoning with a bigot “like trying to reason with a bag of hair”. I like that. I was appalled though, by a report from an American gun show where stalls sold pink pistols “for breast cancer”. Beyond imagination! Making connections and following those connections takes us in all sorts of directions. The ADFAS group brings lecturers on a wide range of subjects to Armidale each year. An expert in Persian rugs who’d lived with nomadic Iranian rugmakers taught us a lot. In pointing out the blue sections representing vitally important water, my mind started thinking generally about water on the way home. Colourful thought warning alert: through history men have killed for the ownership of dirt - for water I’ve always felt they’d coat you in honey and stake you out on an ants’ nest! In 1960 the world’s population was 3 billion, now considerably more than 7 billion, with an additional billion every 12 years or so apparently. Add the disruption caused by wars, movement of refugees, short-term actions by people and governments - it’s not good. Everyone wants and needs water, and on our patch in this dry continent it needs to be shared intelligently. Sadly also true is that up to 70% of seafood consumed here is imported - 91% of petrol and diesel - 90% of concentrated juice from China
alone … etc… In town it’s easy to live a rather blinkered life turn a tap and expect water, turn a switch and expect light and power. I’ve got seven water tanks in town - they need rain - and I’m glad of Council backup. I’m finally installing solar panels and I’ll have to learn to manage them to the max, but it’s still a comfort. Electricity only came to Armidale in 1922, and apparently not many wanted it to begin with. There are people still here born then, and yet we feel it was always there. Unthinkable they had such busy and rewarding lives isn’t it, accomplishing so much? It’s also interesting, by the way, that in the 1920s a cartoon was published reading, “Australia, land of golden opportunities, welcomes all, has work for all, a manless land for a landless man” while a queue of unemployed snakes into the distance. If we think life is complicated today, perhaps we should know more of our history, remembering that against many odds look around and see what has been achieved. Then let us imagine and create an even better future. This is the December issue of FOCUS, and the holiday season is flooding upon us. Christmas in the Mall is planned for December 13 by the ADC and Locals4Locals - join your neighbours and enjoy our community in the heart of Armidale. This community is all of us - together we can achieve so very much using our imagination. Susie Dunn Special event: Beyond Empathy’s Festival of the Brave: 6772 0101
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focusTourism.
Tourism Art and Life
Katrina George The staff at the Visitor Information Centre require an in depth knowledge on a great range of things, and it is at times quite amusing the things that people expect the staff to know. It is always exciting to discover new attractions in the area.
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ecently we were asked about the location of Crombies Cave, near Gara Gorge. After some investigating, we were amazed to discover that Crombies Cave is the longest Granite Cave in Australia at 832 metres and can be found in Powers Creek, an easy walk south of the Blue Hole. As the creek flows under the fence from the surrounding grazing country, it begins its journey underground to come out 832 metres downstream. The cave can be accessed from here and negotiated for at least half its length. It contains beautiful granite sculptures, gnammas and potholes, some big caverns and a small sandy beach near the lower exit. The climb down a small waterfall and a curving squeeze can be difficult for some to negotiate. We would like to encourage all adventurers to head out to Gara Gorge these holidays and rediscover Crombies Cave. We would be most interested in hearing about your experiences, so please pop in and see us at the Visitor Information Centre. The New England region has some wonderful natural swimming holes to cool off in the summer heat. Some of these include The Blue Hole at Gara Gorge, Georges Junction down the Old Kempsey Road, Dumaresq Dam, Mount Yarrowyck, Wooldridge Recreation Reserve near Uralla and Wattle Flat/ Pantons Point located along Wattle Flat Drive. If you would like more information on any of these locations, please call into the Visitor Information Centre. Whilst many businesses choose to have a holiday in December, the Armidale Heritage Bus Tour, New 60 new england focus.
England Regional Art Museum, Activities will commence at Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping noon, Armidale Community Mutual Place and the Folk Museum will be Sportsground. open between Christmas and New Year The New England Hot Rods (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day). and Customs show will be held at The Visitor Information Centre will have Armidale Tourist Park from the 5th a list of retail businesses, coffee shops, 7th December. The Vampers, a jazz restaurants and wineries etc. that are infused rockabilly band, will be playing open between Christmas and New Year, from 2pm on Saturday and the public so call in and grab a copy. If you would are welcome to attend, enjoy the like your business included in the listing, celebrations and have a look at some please contact Katrina George on 6770 well loved Hot Rods. 3906 or kgeorge@armidale.nsw. This month we kick of the gov.au. Christmas festivities As a part of the build with the officially up to the summer of “switching on the ild bu e cricket, including Christmas lights” th of rt pa As a er of m m the 2015 Cricket on Thursday su e th to up the 2015 g in World Cup, we 4th December. ud cl in t, ke cric p, we are Cu ld or are excited to The fun will W t ke ic Cr me the welcome the commence excited to wel co Home Destination at 5pm with D estination NSW ur to visit To NSW Home Ground Cricket PCYC Markets, e 6th and Armidale on th Ground Cricket food and music 7th D ecembe r.” Tour to visit until 9pm. Armidale on the 6th Wednesday 10th and 7th December. December Carols by The tour is a roadshow of Candlelight will be held cricket themed entertainment, in Central Park from 6pm and some of the must do things until 9.30pm. Entertainment from include: the Armidale Pipe Band, Armidale • A travelling cricket museum City Band, St Peter’s Bell Ringers, and of featuring items from the world famous course, Christmas Carols and a visit from Bradman Museum Santa. • Cricket-themed activities and family Saturday 13th December the very fun with promotions and giveaways successful Christmas in the Mall returns • Opportunities to meet cricket legends with an action-packed day of free • Live cricket (first test from the Gabba) activities for the kids, and of course streamed from a unique video truck Santa will have a present for the small • Cricket NSW Clinics children. Come and celebrate Christmas • Twilight T20 played between two local and do a little Christmas shopping at teams with Legends incorporated. one of our local boutiques.
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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to participate in a life drawing session? If you’re imagining a bohemian boudoir, you couldn’t be more wrong. Instead, it is a quiet, comfortable and secure atmosphere, where artists of all abilities develop and maintain their drawing skills using one of the most challenging subjects available: the human body. If there is one thing that most artists will agree upon, it is that drawing is the fundamental skill on which all other artistic endeavours rely. A good comparison is to a trained musician. Their satisfying performance depends on lots of scales, practice pieces and rehearsals. And it’s the same with art. Figure drawing is one of the best ways of maintaining the hand-eye coordination and mark-making ability necessary to reliably produce appealing works of art. While drawing can be an end in itself, it is often the first step in creating more developed works, including printmaking, painting, and sculpture. At the Go Figure exhibition, you will not only see some beautiful drawings, but also gain an appreciation of the progression from initial drawing to final work. Everyone can draw. And, guess what? You don’t need a teenager to show you how to switch on a stick of charcoal and a piece of paper!
focuseditorial.
“Wouldn’t it if... ”
…Armidale had a luge at the lookout!
I
dea Description:
Community Benefits:
To build a luge that runs from the top of the Armidale lookout to the bottom of the hill! This would provide fun for the whole town, families,
It will provide fun for the whole town! It would also be a great tourist attraction, benefitting the business community
vote / share
of Armidale.
Visit heartofourcommunity.com.au to vote for this idea and share it with your friends!
kids - and the big kids of course! There could be a coffee
And it would make use of an underutilised area in Armidale.
shop up the top so those who don’t wish to participate can
Votes so far: 25
How can you help out?
watch their family as they slide down. The views would be
Please log in and vote for this project to show your
incredible!
support on heartofourcommunity.com.au.
New England Mutual would like to thank FOCUS for their support of these inspiring community ideas.
be inspired...
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Thinking Criminal Law with Elizabeth Stahlut, Solicitor
THINKING
CHRISTMAS It’s that time of year again ...’tis the season to be jolly. However, there is nothing jolly about being “pulled over” by the police for being a drunk driver or suffering the consequences of getting into a fight after having had that one drink too many.
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egrettably, the Christmas season is too often a peak time for road accidents, conflicts, and other problems caused by stress and alcohol, and the danger that can be caused to the innocent so it is worthwhile considering the risks of the season as well as its pleasures and how those risks can be reduced. At this time of year, many people will be driving to their holiday destinations. The Christmas/New Year period is also when ‘double demerit’ points apply - this means if you are caught breaking the road rules, you will likely incur twice as many demerit points as you would otherwise - and for some offences (e.g. exceeding the speed limit by 45 km or more), this is enough to lose your licence. If you incur more than 12 demerit points, your licence can be suspended by the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Whilst it may be possible to go the Local Court within 28 days to appeal a suspension of your licence, it’s much better not to lose it in the first place and drive sensibly. If you have a “P” licence, you should not drink at all, if you are driving. The blood alcohol limit is zero. If you have an unrestricted driver’s licence, the limit is still .05. One can go to the Roads and Maritime Services website and find out how many drinks it takes before you reach that limit; however, this is only a guide - not all drinks are standard and different people may reach the limit on fewer drinks, depending on their build, sex, etc. The penalties for “drink driving” can be
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severe - involving up to two years’ gaol, fines of $5,500 and disqualification from driving for up to five years. In most cases, if you’re “pulled over” for drink driving, there is generally little option but to plead guilty in court. It is simply not worth the risk. If you are going to drink, it is best not to drive at all. If you go to a pub or a party, please remember that being drunk is not an accepted or acceptable excuse for bad behaviour. You are still expected to take responsibility for your actions and being affected by alcohol at the time of committing any criminal offence does not qualify as a defence, even if you don’t remember anything that happened, the next day. No matter how irritating and insulting people can be at parties and in pubs, provocation is also not a defence. Provocation may be taken into account by the court as a mitigating factor when considering a penalty for certain offences, such as assault. Again, you are still expected to be responsible for your behaviour. If you get into any kind of trouble over the Christmas/New Year break, it is best to get advice from a lawyer, who will be able to explain your options and likely range of penalties, as well as what steps you should take. However, the very best advice is to enjoy the season but be mindful and sensible of the potential consequences of your acts. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year! Elizabeth D. Stahlut Solicitor.
LYNNE WALKER Gardens of
Britain
D
ear Fellow Gardeners, I invite you to join me on my 2015 Glorious Gardens of Britain Tour. Whilst this tour follows a similar itinerary to my last tour in 2012, we have enhanced the program and included a number of very special locations that we did not visit on the previous tour. In August we explored some of these gardens and were delighted with what we found. Notable additions in Scotland include Glamis Castle and the House of Pitmuies, along with two nights in historic St Andrews. A little south, Scampston Hall Walled Garden in Yorkshire, designed by famous Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf, was a standout and we have also included David Austin Roses at Albrighton. This is a two acre exuberant garden with over 700 varieties of roses, plus sculptures created by David’s wife, Pat. In the south there’s West Green, a fabulous garden created by Australian Marylyn Abbott, and Beth Chatto’s garden and nursery. Of course we have included the old favourites such as Sissinghurst, Hidcote, the beautiful Gresgarth Hall and the extravagant garden and castle at Alnwick. But, as you know, it’s not just about gardens. We have also included a couple of my favourite historic houses and castles, so the tour will visit Chartwell, the fascinating home of Winston Churchill, Glamis Castle and Combermere Abbey; all three just happen to have lovely gardens! The tour departs Australia on 1st June next year with a direct flight to
Glasgow. The date has been selected to follow on from the Chelsea Flower Show for anyone wanting to include that as part of their tour. For those who prefer to organise their own flights or use Frequent Flyer points, we have provided a Land Only price as well. If you would like to join the tour, all you have to do is contact 1300 301 128 for a copy of the brochure, but note that places are limited to 16 only. We would love to have you along for the ride. Warm regards, Lynne Walker.
TOUR ESCORT: LYNNE WALKER Lynne has been a passionate gardener all her life, making gardens wherever she has lived around the world. Formerly the Coordinator for Australia’s Open Garden Scheme Northern NSW, Lynne has continued her love of gardening as a freelance writer working with Country Style, New Zealand House and Garden and various publications. Lynne is an active member of the Australian Garden History Society and is currently involved in the Saumarez Rose Garden project. She is also a member of the Guyra Garden Club which she claims is one of the most vibrant and active in Australia. Lynne and her husband, Richard Bird, live on a property between Armidale and Guyra. Lynne has previously organised garden tours in the UK, the New England region and also in New Zealand.
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Miss Chickpea Miss Chickpea ccchickpea.com ccchickpea.com Miss Chickpea ccchickpea.com Miss Chickpea ccchickpea.com
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64 new england focus.
at www.ccchickpea.com
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Captain Bluebeak Tutti & Frutti CaptainCaptain Bluebeak Tutti & Frutti Bluebeak & Frutti Captain Bluebeak TuttiTutti & Frutti
Dear Dear friends, friends, Dear friends, Following the release of myofnewmybook mediamedia frenzy,frenzy, Following the release new and booktheandinevitable the inevitable I would like tolikethe saytothank you. you. I would say thank Following Dear friends, release of my new book and the inevitable media frenzy, wouldprofessionalism, like to sayencouragement thankencouragement you. and guidance Your I Your professionalism, has been and guidance has invaluable been invaluable Following the release of my new book and the inevitable media frenzy, to me.Your to me. and guidance has been invaluable I would professionalism, like to say thank encouragement you. toForme.accepting For accepting us on usouronown reiningreining in ourinmore extravagant ourterms, own terms, our more extravagant Your professionalism, encouragement and guidance has been invaluable suggestions and accomodating our terms, less ones, I extravagant am I am suggestions andus accomodating our featherbrained less featherbrained ones, For accepting on our own reining in our more to me. trulysuggestions grateful. truly grateful. and accomodating our less featherbrained ones, I am Fortruly accepting us on our own terms, reining in our more extravagant grateful. Captain Bluebeak concedes that explosives may bemayoptional at a book Captain Bluebeak concedes that explosives be optional at a book suggestions and accomodating our less featherbrained ones, I am launchCaptain and that athat rousing pirateypiratey refrain could could be for launch and aconcedes rousing refrain confronting for Bluebeak that explosives mayconfronting bebe optional at a book truly grateful. some,launch so early inthat theainmorning... some, so early the morning... and rousing piratey refrain could be confronting for Captain Bluebeak concedes that explosives may be optional at a book some, soBeak! earlyBeak! in the We love The conceptual development of it and We The love The Themorning... conceptual development of ittheandinspired the inspired launch and that a rousing piratey refrain could be confronting for graphic design. YouBeak! are credit to your species. graphic design. Youa are a credit todevelopment your species.of it and the inspired We love The conceptual some, so early in the The morning... graphic design. You a credit to your species. Egbert Pumpernickel likesareyour biscuits... Anatole Arbuckle, I regret to to Egbert Pumpernickel likes your biscuits... Anatole Arbuckle, I regret We love The Beak! The conceptual development of it and the inspired say, your combination-safe and your stash of sweets. say, vintage your vintage combination-safe and secret your secret stash ofI regret sweets.to Egbert Pumpernickel yourto biscuits... Anatole Arbuckle, graphic design. You arelikes a credit your species. Filingsay, chocolate bars alphabetically butstash nobutmatch Filing chocolate bars alphabetically devious, match _is decidedly _isanddecidedly your vintage combination-safe yourdevious, secret ofnosweets. likes your Anatole Arbuckle, to forEgbert aFiling pirate with sugar cravings andbiscuits... access to gunpowder. for aPumpernickel pirate withbars sugar cravings and access todevious, gunpowder. chocolate alphabetically butI regret no match _is decidedly say, your vintage and access your secret stash of sweets. pirate withcombination-safe sugar and to gunpowder. Finally,for wea thank you for your humour compassion... For supporting Finally, we thank you forcravings your humour and compassion... For supporting Filing chocolate bars alphabetically _is decidedly devious, but no match LittleFinally, WingsWings along withyouuswith andusyour for only Little along andbrightening for brightening not our onlylives our but lives but we thank for andnot compassion... for a pirate with sugar cravingshumour and access to gunpowder.For supporting thoseLittle of theWings wewithchoose help. those ofchildren thealong children we tobrightening help. not only our lives but us choose andtofor Finally, weof thank you forweyour humour and compassion... For supporting those the children choose to help. I am indebted, I am indebted, Little Wings along with us and for brightening not only our lives but I am ofindebted, those the children we choose to help.
Anatole Arbuckle AnatoleAnatole Arbuckle Arbuckle Anatole Arbuckle
To our núcleo family
Egbert Pumpernickel Egbert Pumpernickel Egbert Pumpernickel Egbert Pumpernickel
To ourTonúcleo familyfamily our núcleo To our núcleo family
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