Port Macquarie Focus i101

Feature Story GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

April 2014 // issue 101

Fashioned 4 Freedom

editor's note.

COMING TO THE

GLASSHOUSE... SATURDAY 17 MAY, 7.30pm

IT’S DARK OUTSIDE BY TIM WATTS, ARIELLE GRAY & CHRIS ISAACS

editor. T from the

jay beaumont.

Welcome to the April issue of Greater Port Macquarie FOCUS.

he great thing about our industry of publishing local news and events is that we get to be up to date with everything that happens in our local region. There is never a shortage of amazing people to profile. What truly inspires us is not just the contribution they make as business people or individuals, but it's the passion they have for our community. If you know someone worth profiling, or a community group or organisation, then don't be afraid to point them out to us. Just email info@focusmag.com.au INSIDE THIS ISSUE This month we caught up with a number of inspirational groups. First off are the ladies behind the A21 campaign – they are behind the initiative to bring a halt to human trafficking worldwide. Wendy Hudson from our local tennis club at Kendall spoke to us about the club's phenomenal growth over recent years, and local Ironman competitor and volunteer Laura Harris chats to us about life on both sides of the competition line. Coming to Port Macquarie this month is Costa Georgiadis – ABC's Gardening

contacts. Got a story idea? Looking to advertise in Focus? Contact us for more information.

ADDRESS: 4/74 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 PHONE: 02 6584 7433 FAX: 02 6584 6733 WEB: www.focusmag.com.au TV: www.focustv.com.au Comments and opinions of our contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of the Publishers or Editor. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders. Information appearing in Focus is believed to be correct at the time of going to press however no liability will be held for inaccurate information approved or supplied by advertisers or contributors. While all care is taken it is recommended that readers confirm dates, times, prices and any other material including advice with individual businesses and industry professionals. Greater Port Macquarie Focus is produced and published by Creative House Publications PTY LTD ABN: 621 287 86005 Material in Focus is Copyright © Creative House Publications PTY LTD 2009-2014 and may not be reproduced whole or in part, in any form, without permission of the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Australia's resident green thumb, who will be visiting us to open the Community Garden, 'The Lost Plot'. The Imperial Russian Ballet troupe will appear in Don Quixote at The Glasshouse to a packed audience, plus there are more great events, including Songs in the Key of Motown, direct from Las Vegas ... and for those of you who enjoy a bit of sideshow, the amazing Fame 'n' Follies at the Fig is bound to draw some gasps and laughs. THANK YOU Last month we celebrated our 100th issue. A big thank you to all the local businesses who helped us celebrate with FREE random gifts to our readers of Cupcakes, Coffee, Voucher Giveways and much more! Thanks to Cafe Buzz, Miss Nellie's, Hope Shop, Stunned Mullet, Cassegrain, Black Duck Brewery, Zebu, Port Macquarie Golf Club and Peak Coffee.

SMASH HIT: EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL These performers will gently manipulate your heart as easily as they gently manipulate their puppets.

“A wonderful combination of live theatre, puppetry and animation... 5 out of 5 stars” Arts Hub

WEDNESDAY 28 MAY, 5pm

THE 13-STOREY TREEHOUSE A CDP PRODUCTION

“From start to finish it’s a riot... demented energy and adroit interpaly” The Sydney Morning Herlad

FRIDAY 6 JUNE, 11AM & 8pm Jay Beaumont – Editor jay@focusmag.com.au

EDITOR: Jay Beaumont jay@focusmag.com.au

THE GIRLS IN GREY A CRITICAL STAGES AND THE SHIFT THEATRE PRODUCTION WRITTEN BY CAROLYN BOCK AND HELEN HOPKINS

ART DIRECTOR: Dylan Gaul dylan@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Dable joey@focusmag.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Marchment michael@focusmag.com.au

2007 Business of the Year 2009 Winner Professional Services 2010 Winner Professional Services 2010 Winner Business to Business Choice Award 2011 Winner Creative, IT & Communications 2012 Winner Creative, IT & Communications 2012 Finalist Excellence in Business 2013 HALL OF FAME

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Annalise Montgomery annalise@focusmag.com.au

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jeff Cowan

“The Girls in Grey is inspiring, poignant and honest, and encompasses the spirit of the ANZACS” Arts Hub

jeff@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Louise Beaumont louise@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Chrissy Jones chrissy@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Jasmin Johansson jasmin@focusmag.com.au

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: Annette Wannell annette@focusmag.com.au

COPY EDITORS: Jo Atkins / Reg Brookhouse jo@focusmag.com.au / reg@focusmag.com.au

TRAVEL EDITOR: Susie Boswell winwin@portpr.com

FOCUS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THESE GREAT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS.

of the ancing Dwith hastings Stars P R E S E N T E D

B Y

02 6581 8888 glasshouse.org.au

focus

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focusinterview.

Costa Georgiadis is a landscape architect who has an all-consuming passion for plants and people - he knows how to bring out the best in both of them and takes great pleasure in bringing them together. osta believes in embracing and celebrating Mother Nature's cycles and seasons and nurturing her balance, beauty and bounty organically. His holistic approach is all about gardening the soil and the soul. Feed and fuel your mind is part of your philosophy - can you give us more details? Basically, the food your grow creates your health; and if we make that connection it goes a lot deeper than just gardening - we are actually gardening our health and gardening our mind, because if we are healthy we can be creative, we can be active, we can think about the future in a different way. So yes, I see a really strong connection between the role of healthy nutritious mineral rich food and our path in life. ‘Grow life, not death’ is another fundamental of yours. How can we incorporate this into everyday thoughts and actions? The essence behind that comment is that composting is that one activity where we can turn death into life - we can take dead branches, leaves, left over food scraps - everything we have we can put it into a compost bin and turn it into humus; which is the building block and the food for the next round of growing. Just by separating the food out of your everyday lifestyle and putting it into a compost bin and learning and maturing as a composter - you are not only going to change the environment for the better, but your health for the better. That doesn’t sound too hard to do - our Council will this year reduce the frequency of red bin pick ups in the effort to encourage people to use their green bins and compost more efficiently. What encouraging tips do you have for our locals about this? You would be surprised that when you take the food waste out just how much is in there - all

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of a sudden you no longer have a smelly bin that alone is a huge step. People need to think of it as ‘waste as a resource’ - when we value it as a ‘resource’, then we can see that there are dollars and cents in those bins - we are paying for Council to collect it and tip it - and then we can take it to the next step and say, "Do I want all that packaging? I won’t buy food in packaging". And then you can make a stand and say, "Please don’t put it in a plastic bag", or you might go to a growers' market and get the food unwrapped, or I might say to my supermarket, "Hey, don’t wrap my bananas - they are already in the best packaging". So people can really make more of a difference than they credit. For 2014 your focus is on food labelling being a personal and community obligation. Tell us about this cause. I think we need to really rattle the whole food labelling system. A lot of it is so ambiguous, and a lot of it is being driven by large corporations who import and export and want to move food around the world, against the seasons, to make profit. We need to know what food is in everything we eat, and the only way that can happen is with a good food labelling system. We are blessed, and particularly where you are, you are blessed with four seasons that produce wonderful food. What the whole thing about labelling says is, "Hey, I don’t want imported food. I want local food," and I can change the food system by eating local; which means that more local food will be brought into the system. We can actually change this by where we spend our dollars. You're coming to Port Macquarie for our Community Garden opening, ‘The Lost Plot’. What do you love about the idea behind community gardens? For me, the key with community gardens is that they are illustrating and educating people in seasonality - this is growing now, this is what

it looks like ... importantly, this is what it tastes out and get a rotary hoe, and I need hours and like. People can then take little steps towards weekends of work ... no, I am just going to build understanding what seasonal food is, and they it up and use that as my garden". can become engaged with it through their Local schools are being encouraged to get buying habits. I see community gardens as this behind the Community Garden and are being wonderful connection and transition towards asked to build their own scarecrows. You people taking responsibility for their food. will be judging the scarecrow competition From Community Gardens to what will you be looking for in a our own back yards - what good scarecrow? are the most basic things What makes a good anyone can grow at scarecrow? Oh look, I Concurrent with home? am always a fan of a your salads you growing I think the simplest bit of straw in there can have herbs can use things people can go traditional. But then in in pots that you and with are leafy greens saying that, I am really in your cooking, on lem then perhaps a - like rocket, spinach, interested in seeing uses tree - everyone silverbeet, kale, all people re-use and reat th en in lemons - and th those sorts of things cycle materials, and that tle lit a ild way you can bu that you can just pick way they can really use tapestry.” and eat - throw in a salad their imagination. and have a dish that comes What part of the scarecrow from your garden easily every actually scares the birds? What night. And even if it is just a humble tips do you have? salad - it is a statement, it is a beginning, I think it is always good to have a little and then you start to move along. You bit of movement. It is also nice to have a bit of might not start with tomatoes, but you reflection, possibly some sounds in the movement might start with cherry tomatoes. - colours are a good one and of course, on a Concurrent with your salads you can have human scale. herbs growing in pots that you can use in Any final thoughts? your cooking, and then perhaps a lemon tree Don’t underestimate the value of your climate everyone uses lemons - and then in that way you up there. You can grow almost anything all year can build a little tapestry. round. By people starting to engage with their food Thanks Costa. they have lot better understanding of it and what’s in season now. the plug! You'll be conducting a ‘No Dig Workshop’ while you are here. What is that about? The official opening of the Community The no dig workshop is a simple way of Garden ‘The Lost Plot’ will held on Sunday, saying,"Hey I don’t care what kind of soil you April 6 between 10am and 2pm. have there, whether it is rock hard, clay or Those people wanting to attend are being whether it is pure beach sand" - you can start encouraged to walk, ride a bike, catch the a simple garden bed with a variety of manures bus or car pool to get to the community and some lose straw and just build up above the garden in Central Road. ground. You don’t have to think, "I need to go

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inside this

Issue 101 - April 2014 Kendall Tennis Club

18.

As President of the Kendall Tennis Club, Wendy Hudson is proud of what her club has achieved … and justifiably so! The club has won many accolades and awards over the years and has a current membership of 296, with, Wendy says, the largest junior membership on the North Coast.

Bounty Hunters

38.

David Hinds, Lyn Hinds, and Rob Lyons are the Bounty Hunters … a local band with a punchy sound and high energy vibe. The trio will release an album this month, Rise, and will be appearing at several local venues.

Jason Dubock

76.

American performer, choreographer and dance teacher Jason Dubock is excited to offer his skills and extensive experience as a teacher at WPMPA, where he joins an already amazingly talented team …

16. Girls in Grey 37. Dr Hook & Beyond 47. Rachael Wells 52. My Holiday with the Francis Family 68. Osteopaths United

usual suspects.

the

12. what’s on for April 22. eat featuring local restaurants 27. social scene with Kate Wood-Foye 43. palate pleasures with Lou Perri 46. tourism with Janette Hyde 65. starguide with Terri 73. travel with Susie Boswell 82. port chamber update with Hadyn Oriti 89. real estate with Greg Trembath 89. landcare andcare with Estelle Gough

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

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

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focusinterview.

Inter Interviews with Principals Nariman Bekzhanov and Lina Seveliova.

I M P E R I A L

BALLET C o m p a n y The time-honoured tale of Don Quixote is brought lavishly to life in the Russian Imperial Ballet’s performance of this classic production. Currently touring New Zealand and Australia, we’ll have our chance to witness this special event at the Glasshouse on April 25. hy did you decide you both of them … wanted to be a dancer Nariman: I prefer the Basilio role, because Basilio … and when did you join is a happy, simple guy who’s having fun in his life and the Imperial Russian Balsocialising. let Company? But I also like the Toredor part, because I really like Lina: I’m 23. I came to the work with the cloth that I have. The Toredor is of the company three years ago, and I started ballet when higher standing than Basilio – he’s a bull fighter, so all I was 10. the girls go crazy for him. I did the Toredor In the beginning I didn’t like balpart first, and I loved it – but then I did let and didn’t want to pursue it. Basilio, and I decided I liked it more. It’s interesting … ballet is very Lina: My character is a really difficult, standing at the ballet happy girl with no problems. I reat al ic m co It’s quite barre, holding the positions, ally like how Kitri plays jokes on d times as well, an y. with the teacher getting angry Basilio. Every single girl would or st y pp ha it’s a very lps he … obviously, not many kids find a part of herself in this de si l ca ni ch The te ncers. I da like it! But, when I started to character, which is what I really as p lo ve de us – there go on the stage, I realised I had like … and a couple would see like all three acts t like.” a talent for it … I was able to themselves in the relationship isn’t a part I don’ do what the teacher asked me between Kitri and Basilio too. to, and I grew to like and enjoy it, Have either of you visited Ausso I decided I wanted to be a ballet tralia before? What are you most dancer. looking forward to about this visit? Nariman: I’m 30 years old … At first I Nariman: It will be my fifth time in Ausdidn’t think I’d be a ballet dancer, but a lot of tralia. I can’t wait to go and see the crocodile people helped me, who’d seen my talent – and farm – I go to see the crocodiles every time I come to once I started to go on stage, I realised I liked this Australia. I have friends in Brisbane and Perth, so I’ll go career ... I have been with the company since 2005. to see them while I’m there. What do you like about the story of Don Quixote? Lina: It’ll be my fourth visit. I can’t wait to come to Lina: It’s about a simple life in a Spanish village Australia; it’s one of my favourite countries. I like everywhich has lots of pleasant moments that catch the authing about it: the people are really friendly, the ballet is dience’s eye. It’s quite comical at times as well, and it’s amazing, and there are a lot of beautiful places. I’d like a very happy story. The technical side helps us develop to visit the coral reef in Cairns, because I haven’t been as dancers. I like all three acts – there isn’t a part I don’t there yet. like. Why would you encourage people to come and What do you like about your characters – Narisee this production of Don Quixote? man, you play two roles, so please tell us about Nariman: First of all, ballet is fun! If people want to

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go to a cinema, or a movie – that’s fine, but if people come to see Don Quixote they’ll not only relax, they’ll get to feel the positive energy … it’s a really positive ballet that will leave people happy for a long time. It’s also very funny and comical … people won’t be disappointed. A few comments from Promoter Lee Brown: These guys have been touring through Australia and New Zealand for the last 10 years, and this is their fourth visit. The Artistic Director who put this show together sources the stars from all over Russia. This show has a lot of comedy which involves the audience; they find it very amusing. We have over two tonnes worth of sets and costuming and there are a lot of scene changes happening on stage. It’s not as technical a ballet for the dancers, like Swan Lake, for example, as it’s more of a fun ballet – and obviously when you see the dancers on stage, you can see they’re all having a good time. This is the first time we’ve toured the full length production of Don Quixote throughout Australasia, and the response we’ve had in New Zealand so far is amazing! Thanks everyone. Interviews by Jo Atkins. Please note: Nariman and Lina gave their interviews via an interpreter.

the plug! See Don Quixote at the Glasshouse on April 25 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets cost $87.90 adult; $77.90 Glasshouse members, concession, groups 10+; $67.90 child/ youth; $300 family (2 adults & 2 children under 18). Contact the Box Office on 6581 8888 or visit glasshouse.org.au for details.

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focusinterview.

Fashioned

4Freedom proudly supporting the A21 campaign

A group of local women are passionate supporters of the A21 Campaign, which aims to end the practice of human trafficking worldwide. Kate Hutten provides us with details about the history of the campaign and its current achievements, while Ellinore Fredricks explains her motivation for becoming involved with such a great cause ...

W

hat does The A21 Campaign stand for? The A21 Campaign stands for abolishing injustice in the 21st century. Our name is our audacious mission statement, and we relentlessly fight against human trafficking. We operate through a comprehensive system of preventative measures, victim protection, prosecution of violators, and strategic partnerships. We stand for justice and freedom - our desire is that men, women and children across the globe are set free from bondage. What is human trafficking? Human trafficking can be described as the business of buying or selling individuals as commodities for the purposes of labour or sexual exploitation. It involves people being moved across or within borders and sold for money, in much the same way as we sell products and resources like chocolates, food or clothes. It's a gross violation of human rights, where victims who are forced into acts against their will ultimately lose their freedom and dignity. How old is the organisation? The organisation was founded in 2008 by Nick and Christine Caine, where we began with an office in Australia, as well as an office and our very first shelter in the heart of Greece. We recently celebrated our sixth birthday! Not only can we celebrate six years of fighting injustice, protecting and restoring lives of survivors and preventing others from its harm, but we celebrate six years of fighting for freedom. We will ALWAYS fight injustice, whether it's six years or 600 years … and we have YOU to thank! Without your dedicated support, prayers, and advocacy, we couldn’t make a dent in changing the world. Why does A21 exist? The A21 Campaign exists because The U.S. Department of State's conservative estimate is that there are currently 27 million slaves in the world. The sad reality is that every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking. That's another human being who has dreams and visions just like you and I, and their freedom and dignity is ultimately taken away from them. Wherever we have a presence, we will continue to take ground and fight slavery at all levels. What is A21’s primary focus? A21's primary focus will always be PREVEN-

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TION, PROTECTION, PROSECUTION and PARTNERSHIPS, which are the four areas addressed by the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report. Our comprehensive approach ensures that justice and freedom prevail, with nothing slipping through the cracks. We recognise that the fundraising, compassion and education generated from awareness events and partnerships with government officials, law enforcement, schools and other social groups needs to turn into action in the form of victim protection and the sentencing of traffickers. Ultimately, A21’s heart is for the ONE. If through what we do, we are able to rescue just ONE woman, then it's all worth it. If we're able to put ONE trafficker behind bars, then it's all worth it. If we're able to raise awareness and inspire ONE individual to become an abolitionist, then it's all worth it. We'll never stop fighting for the ONE. Where does A21 operate worldwide? The A21 Campaign has 10 offices in 9 different countries. We have an office in Australia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Greece, England, South Africa, Thailand, Norway and two offices in America. A21 also has restoration facilities in Bulgaria, Ukraine and Greece. What happens in the restoration facilities? In the restoration facilities, women are taken from a point of crisis to a state of stability in an environment where they can flourish and make informed decisions about their future. The need is both physical and psychological - we have doctors and medical staff who attend to cuts and bruises, as well as psychologists who attempt to break down the deeper issues and trauma of their horrific experiences. The transition homes are places where dignity, hope and freedom are restored. In the fight against human trafficking, what’s A21’s strategy? Here at A21 we have a four-tiered solution to the problem of human trafficking: 1. Prevention: We believe our most strategic attack against human trafficking is to stop this injustice before it ever begins. That is why we place such great emphasis on our prevention and awareness efforts - to prevent future generations from becoming victims and empower them to stop the travesty of human slavery. In all the countries where we have an office, we seek to educate people who are a part of law enforce-

ment agencies, schools, universities, churches and other social groups. We recognise that awareness is crucial, because it catalyses action. 2. Protection: The protection and restoration that we provide for survivors of human trafficking is always one of our top priorities. We feel such a weight of responsibility to provide the absolute best care for the girls with whom we are entrusted. Our aim is to take the victims from a point of crisis to a state of stability, where they can have a hope and make informed decisions about their future. 3. Prosecution: It's not enough to simply prevent human trafficking and protect victims. A21 has a number of dedicated lawyers who prosecute traffickers and in essence, cut the industry's legs out from underneath. We serve victims by ensuring that justice is delivered - so far, A21 lawyers have prosecuted 34 traffickers with a combined total of 453 years in prison. We’re determined to make human trafficking a high risk, low gain industry. 4. Partnerships: We partner with local law enforcement, service providers, and community members to meet a comprehensive set of needs for those rescued from bondage. We aim to strengthen every aspect of anti-trafficking efforts, so together we can see injustice abolished. What are A21’s latest initiatives? Within the last 6 months, A21 has taken a number of steps towards Southeast Asia by setting up a small office in the centre of Thailand. We have also been a part of a number of movements and campaigns, such as the #enditmovement and the #itsapenalty campaign. In every office, there is always plenty going on. How can I get involved? There are so many different ways you can get involved and help us abolish injustice! Feel free to check out our website (www.thea21campaign.org) and click on the 'Get Involved' tab for 21 practical ways you can help. At A21 we're constantly inspired by the creativity of people who have a passion for the cause. Action is necessary if we want to put an end to slavery - whether it's being a mobile billboard with our wristbands, or organising an awareness event, every little thing counts. Ellinore, how has your upbringing influenced your decision to be involved in social issues? I was brought up to believe that we are ‘blessed to be a blessing’. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a family that has dedicated their lives to missionary type work. My family have

been involved in missions since I was very little. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to the opposite lifestyle of what we live in. I am very grateful for this exposure, as it has given me a broader perspective of the lives of others. My parents challenged me every day to not just live for myself but live with the heart of serving others. Ellinore, you're so young ... why are you interested in this project? It does seem so far away and too big a problem? I suppose the fact that I’m young is the reason I became so interested in the A21 Campaign. When I first heard of the campaign, I was at a Hillsong Colour Conference and there was a display section for A21; I saw a wall of images, pictures of girls with their ages pinned next to them – 16, 14, 10 … 7. These were all the ages of girls that had been trafficked. I was stunned, scared, and I just wanted to look away and have nothing to do with it, because it made me feel so sad. A little later I realised the reaction I had to seeing the reality of human sex trafficking of women and young girls would be the reaction most people would have. So I decided then and there I would be the one in one hundred who would stand up to this injustice. The problem is huge; I do admit that. As a student I can't just drop what I’m doing, get into the action and fix all the problems this issue poses. However, you don’t have to be in the action to be a part of the change; you just have to use what you have in your hands and contribute that to the overall cause. I have the power of being young and being heard. Right now as a 16 year old I am making decisions that are going to determine the person I am going to be for the rest of my life ... I want to lead my generation to aspire to greater things by serving those who are less fortunate them me. Ellinore, why should this be our responsibility? We were not born into this prosperous lifestyle by chance. We have all been created with purpose and we all have a purpose. I believe that having been born under such prosperous circumstances we all have the responsibility to those who have nothing, not even freedom, to support them in any way we can. We should always keep in mind that we should do for others what we would want them to do for us. We have the ability to help and to save those who are slowly losing hope; so we have the responsibility to help them and to give them hope.

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G ET T H E M OST O U T O F T H E

I R O N M A N A U S T R A L I A

TOYOTA

Triathlon Images by Delly Carr

E X P E R I E N C E W H AT I T ’ S L I K E TO B E I N VO LV E D I N A WO R L D C LAS S S P O RT I N G E V E N T BY G E T T I N G I N VO LV E D I N T H E TOYOTA I RO N M A N AU S T RA L I A T R I AT H LO N O N S U N DAY, M AY 4 T H . T H E R E A R E M A N Y WAYS T H AT YO U CA N G E T I N VO LV E D A N D “ F E E L ” L I K E A N I RO N M A N !

B E C O M E A N I R O N M A N V O LU N T E E R

Over 2,200 volunteers support this event. Share the sheer exhilaration and drama of the “front line” and enjoy the rewards of being an IRONMAN volunteer. For more information or to register go to www.ironmanaustralia.com or email portmacquarie@ironmanvolunteers.com. B E C O M E A N I R O N M A N S P E C T AT O R

Cheer on the competitors on Sunday, May 4th and absorb the atmosphere of this world class event! There are many key vantage points throughout Port Macquarie and Camden Haven. JOIN IN THE PORT IRON 5KM FUN RUN

Not quite an IRONMAN but still want to join in the fun? The Port Iron 5km fun run is on Saturday, May 3rd at 7.30am and is open to all ages and abilities. It’s a fun way to be part of Toyota IRONMAN Australia race week and you will be able to run part of the IRONMAN course before over 2000 athletes take to it for race day! For more information or to register visit www.ironmanaustralia.com. BECOME AN IRONKID

Open to kids aged 7-13, IRONKIDS Port Macquarie is a kids only event - A Swim | Run and Special Tri, held on the Toyota IRONMAN Australia course. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never raced before, participate as an individual or with your friends and family! IRONKIDS is on Saturday, May 3rd at 9.00am. For registration and full event details visit www.ironmanaustralia.com. DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT

At the Glasshouse from Thursday 1st May for all things IRONMAN including the OfƂcial IRONMAN Merchandise, Expo and event information! The iKew Information and Community Centre in Kew, will have on display historical IRONMAN Australia memorabilia from Monday April 7 to Friday May 9, 10:00am - 4:00pm. For details, dates and times, visit www.visitcamdenhaven.com.au or www.ironmanaustralia.com.

S TAY C O N N E C T E D

follow us on Twitter @IRONMANAsiaPac / #IMOZ become a fan on Facebook IRONMAN Asia PaciƓc watch us on YouTube IRONMAN Asia PaciƓc see great photos on instagram IRONMANAsiaPac

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Go to www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au for details on course maps, access points and trafƂc management. For information on temporary changed trafƂc conditions visit www.ironmanaustralia.com or contact the IRONMAN Hotline on 1300 835 411.

Your I R O N M A N Experience in Camden Haven Experience the excitement of race day at one of three IRONMAN live sites located at Ostler Park in North Haven, Corner Laurie and Bold Streets in Laurieton and the Dunbogan Boatshed in Dunbogan. With live commentary, music and giveaways as the community cheers on the competitors during their bike leg in the Camden Haven. Sunday, May 4th, between 8.00am - 2.00pm. There will be a free Water Taxi Service on race day with pick-ups approximately every 7 minutes. The route will loop from the Dunbogan Boat Shed, North Haven Boat Ramp and the Laurieton United Services Club. Sunday, May 4th, 7.30am - 4.00pm. There are seven key vantage points for the bike leg, with arguably one of the most scenic course routes in the world; Longworth Park in Laurieton; Dunbogan Boatshed; The Boulevard in Dunbogan; Parade and Ocean Drive in North Haven; Ocean Drive in Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills and North Brother Mountain for an aerial view!

Your I R O N M A N Experience in Port Macquarie Head to Westport Park at 6.30am on Sunday, May 4th to watch the start of the 3.8km swim leg of the race, starting with the professional athletes at 6.30am. Peak viewing times are 6.30am - 8.30am. Port Macquarie’s CBD will also be buzzing throughout the day with the excitement of the bike leg through Short and Clarence Streets. The 2 lap course will feature bikes heading down to Camden Haven and then head back to town, with the lead athlete expected at the Horton Street Horseshoe Lap Point at approximately 9.30am. The 42.2km run leg will take in Port Macquarie’s beautiful beaches and Settlement Point, with Town Green being party-central once again as the athletes are cheered across the Ƃnish line, with the Ƃrst Ƃnisher expected at approximately 2.45pm, and the last Ƃnisher expected at approximately 11.50pm, the ofƂcial Toyota IRONMAN Australia cut off time. This is where the magic happens. Key vantage points include Westport Park, Windmill Hill, Matthew Flinders Drive/Davis Crescent and the Town Green.

focusinterview.

After volunteering at the local IRONMAN events for 4 years, local Laura Harris decided to get involved and compete herself. Competing at her first full IRONMAN in 2013 saw Laura win her age group, follow her dream to the world stage and achieve a World Age Group ranking of number 4 (18 - 24 age group) for 2013, which places her in the top 1% in the world for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 racing combined. We spoke to Laura about her role as both a volunteer and competitor.

Laura harris VOLUNTEER/COMPETITOR

e It is one of thos yo races where u rstand don’t fully unde you til un e what it is lik pete in m co d an e get ther amazing it. But it was an it was d experience an with te pe m great to co ’s best ld or w e th some of athletes.”

“ i Laura. Tell us a little about yourself, your work and how long you have lived in the Port Macquarie area. I am currently a PE (Physical Education) teacher at St Columba Anglican School, and I have been living in Port Macquarie since I was 7. I only left the area for a few years to attend university. You first started volunteering at local sporting events such as the IRONMAN in 2004. What did you enjoy about your role as a volunteer? I would say being inspired by all the athletes who came to town each year. Back in my school days, my PE teacher, Vanessa Gray, who was on the volunteer organising committee, actually brought in some of the athletes competing in the Australian Long Course Championships – including Belinda Granger, who is still competing today. I was inspired by their stories and what they do as athletes. I was 15 at the time in Year 9, and it was probably what sparked my interest in the sport. So what sport were you involved in then, before looking at Triathlons? I was playing representative basketball for the Port Macquarie Dolphins and was also involved in cross country running at school. So after 4 years of watching the IRONMAN events, you were inspired to join the sport yourself. Where did you begin, and what aspirations did you have for yourself? In 2008 I was on my gap year after finishing school; I had bought a bike and had an opportunity to have a go at some triathlons, as I had watched so many of them here in Port Macquarie. So, I was looking for a challenge and thought I would give it a go. I started with a few

smaller events, and by October that year I was ready to enter the half IRONMAN in Port Macquarie and completed it. It led me into competing at a few World Championships events as an agegrouper, and it went from there. You competed in your first full IRONMAN event here in Port Macquarie in 2013 and placed first in your age group. What was that day like for you? It is definitely an experience to remember; it was one of those big challenges that I wanted to tick off my bucket list. Having all the local support around the course helped me to get through the race. It was a challenge I wanted to do, and I really wanted to do it in my town. I also had the goal of wanting to compete in Hawaii, and the win at Port Macquarie secured my place there. Kona, Hawaii is considered one of the most gruelling courses to compete on. How did you go on the day? I was told about the horror stories leading up to the race, but I was willing to take on any challenge that was thrown at me and just face it and get through it. It is one of those races where you don’t fully understand what it is like until you get there and compete in it. But it was an amazing experience, and it was great to compete with some of the world’s best athletes. You achieved your dream of competing on home soil and making it to the World Championship events this year, though you’ll be back on the sidelines volunteering for IRONMAN. What are you looking forward to about the event? I am looking forward to watching the athletes I have

trained with compete and also cheering on the first timers. I am coaching a girl for the race as well, so it will be nice to sit back and watch from the coaching perspective and volunteering. What other different events are you looking forward to this year? I have the Cairns 70.3 in June and then the Sunshine Coast 70.3 in September. Do you need to train as hard as you did last year? I am ... I am slowly getting back into the routine. Working a full-time job takes priority obviously, so I am working in training around that. I am at a point where I need to put my teaching career first, so sometimes I miss a few training sessions, but overall I am back on track ready for 70.3 racing and have the full IRONMAN still behind me from last year. The IRONMAN is an important event and more so, the volunteers play a hugely important role. What would you say to them? Get out there and experience it; it is a great opportunity to give back to the community. Plus, you get to meet some amazing athletes and hear their stories and help them to achieve their goal of getting over the finish line. The volunteers are the most important thing out there – from an athlete’s perspective, we wouldn’t get through it without them. To the athletes who are competing for the first time, I would say don’t go out there with any expectations – just get out there and enjoy the day! Thanks Laura. To register as a volunteer at the 2014 Toyota IRONMAN Australia on Sunday, May 4 go to www. ironmanaustralia.com or email portmacquarie@ironmanvolunteers.com greater port macquarie focus 11

AROUND THE REGION//APRIL 2014

19 Hastings Boutique Bridal Fair

Easter Sunday Buffet Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt When Sunday 20 April from 6.30am - 11am. Where Sails Resort by Rydges. Price $25 per adult / $12.50 per child (13 and under). Complimentary Easter Egg Hunt at 10am. Contact Phone (02) 6589 5100.

Showcasing wedding suppliers, theming and styling, bridal fashion and accessories, lolly buffet, lemonade stand, Pose It photo booth, sparkling wine, giveaways, lucky door prizes, show bags and more! ore! $5 entry. When Sunday 27 April 2014. Time 10am - 2pm. Where Rydges Port Macquarie Contact Wedding Perfection on 6583 7500.

20

Good Friday Seafood Buffet When Friday 18 April from 6pm. Where Sails Resort by Rydges Port Macquarie. Price $79 per adult / $49 per child or children can EAT FREE on the Spinnakers Children’s Menu (13 years and under). Phone (02) 6589 5100.

18

more information

Foreshore Markets When Saturday 12 April Time 8am - 1pm.

Artist Market in the Vines When Sunday 27 April Time 9am - 2pm.

BLISS N ESO ‘CIRCUS UNDER THE STARS’ OUTDOOR TOUR WITH HORRORSHOW & SETH SENTRY When Saturday 19 April. Where Coffs Harbour Showground. Tickets www.moshtix.com.au Cost $65 General – All AGES; $99 VIP – All AGES.

39th PM Easter Art Exhibition 2014 The Easter Art Exhibition and Competition hosted by Port Macquarie Art Society Inc, includes substantial prizes donated by local businesses across eight categories (exhibition sections) of art. Official opening and prizes awarded: When 6pm Wednesday 16 April 2014, light supper provided. Public Admission $15. Exhibiting Artists $10. Exhibition to be held at: Historic Court House, Cnr Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie NSW. Open daily from Thursday 17 April, from 10am - 6pm through to Monday 21 April, closing 4pm. Enquiries to Maureen Cooke on 0409 820 694.

Call the Visitor Information Centre on 6581 8000

a refreshing experience awaits you Our village residents find using the pool is a great way to start the day. While you’re living it up, your family will have peace of mind that you’ll be thriving in a warm and friendly community with four levels of care.

$150,000

12

greater port macquarie focus.

$240,000

Timeless Antiques

English oak monks seat/table (circa 1840)

The pursuit of good quality and unique stock is an ongoing adventure and commitment for the owners of It’s About Time Antiques. Any opportunity for a weekend away turns into a quest to find the most interesting and affordable antique pieces. One of the services that It’s About Time Antiques offers - is sourcing items specifically requested by customers. Requests are often for a particular style or period of furniture, replacement pieces for a much loved dinner or tea set and items that enhance collections, such as Royal Doulton plates or British cigarette cards. Recently a customer asked co-owner Germaine Cartwright to find an affordable English oak lady’s writing desk for his mother. The desk had to be small proportioned, in very good condition and with barley twist legs if possible! Within a few weeks, the perfect piece was sourced and sold to the very happy customers. Such is the passion for quality antiques and customer service at It’s About Time Antiques. Success at a recent interstate auction provided some rare and beautiful pieces, such as the English Oak monks seat/table (circa 1840) featured above. The ‘monks seat’ proves that necessity is the mother of invention. In the days when monks lived solitary existences in gloomy monasteries, they had a tiny cell with a bed and either a small table or chair. Hence, the design and production of a beautifully hand crafted seat that also functions as a table! This is a stunning and practical example of early Victorian Ecclesiastical furniture – that deserves to be conserved, loved and used!

High School Musical Line & Brush Long Point Vineyard and Gallery presents an exciting exhibition of paintings and drawings by three talented local artists. Line & Brush is a mix of the ocean and its connections, Zentangled inspired art and the beauty of earth and nature. Roberta Sandeman-Allen is a Port Macquarie based artist and her work has been exhibited, awarded and sold locally. Working intuitively and creatively in a variety of mediums, Roberta’s work is diverse and thought provoking. Kim Staples is a practising artist, art tutor and therapist living in Port Macquarie. Her artworks are nationally recognised, awarded, sold and displayed locally and in regional galleries. Kim is a diverse artist using a variety of mediums to portray her work. Dynamic colour, deep tones, dark and lights along with experiences in life, inner emotions and intuition influence her artwork. Colleen Palmer is a local artist based in Port Macquarie. Multiaward winning, Colleen’s work has become a part of public and private collections around the state. Using pen and ink, pencil, mixed media, acrylics and watercolour, her love of line, light and texture shine through in her works. This must-see exhibition is running at Long Point Vineyard and Gallery from 2 April to 1 June 2014. Open Wed - Sun, 10am to 5pm.

Disney Channel’s smash hit movie musical comes to life on the Port Macquarie‘s PLAYERS Theatre. Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends, and family while balancing their classes and extra-curricular and sporting activities. It’s the start of something new for all of us! It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations, and look forward to the New Year. Basketball team captain and resident jock Troy Bolton discovers that the brainy Gabriella Montez, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. They fall for each other and sing I Can’t Take my Eyes Off of You. Although many students resent the threat posed to the ‘status quo’, especially the scheming Sharpay Evans, Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine and ‘break free’ as well. The central message of High School Musical is that young people can achieve their dreams. All students should feel free to explore new avenues, and become who they aspire to be. Also, High School Musical imbues a sense of camaraderie. “Families, friends, musical and Disney lovers everywhere need to ‘Getcha Head in the Game’, because we are ‘Counting on You’ to come to this highly energetic show,” said Hamish Keddie - Director of High School Musical. The show opens on May 9 and runs to June 1, 2014 with performances Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sunday afternoons at 2pm. Book now at the Glasshouse or online at playerstheatre.org.au

greater port macquarie focus 13

14 greater port macquarie focus.

focusreview.

with Julie from www.gourmetgetaways.com.au

Mad Abbot Dubbel

local . dr p

With a cool change in the air, our tastes turn to warming comfort food and a more complex beverage to ward away the chill. Beer drinkers tend to favour a beer which is richer, with a more robust and diverse flavour profile; a slower drinking beer with higher alcohol content. The Mad Abbot Dubbel from the Little Brewing Company is an ale produced in the style of the Trappist monasteries of Belgium. The beer is bottle conditioned, resulting in yeast sediment in the bottle and has been cellared prior to release. Dubbel is a dark, rich, luxuriously strong ale. The beer appears dark brown in colour due to the Belgian dark candy sugars and holds an excellent thick, creamy head. Beer connoisseurs will love the malty, dark fruit characters of raisin and plum and the complex rum and chocolate notes.

Image of the month.

GOES WITH: Slow cooked pulled pork, and lamb shanks. Equally at home with a rich chocolate dessert. COST: $57 case (12 x 330ml). AVAILABLE: Dan Murphy’s (NSW), BWS (NSW) All good bottleshops. Online Sales: www.thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au

About: This fella was nesting, getting sticks off the beach and renovating his penthouse on

top of one of the Norfolk Pines in the Sundowner Tourist Park. Photo by: David Fitzpatrick. Camera: Nikon d7000 with a 150 - 500mm lens. Taken a great photo of our local area? Like to see it published in FOCUS for the world to see? Just email editor@focusmag.com.au

LOCAL

READ Title. 100 Dishes

with Eric from www.theotherchef.com.au

One of the largest regions in NSW now has a stunning cookbook featuring some of the top restaurants along The Legendary Pacific Coast from the Central Coast to the Tweed.

WH

100 Dishes of the Pacific Coast is a collaboration of North Coast chefs, photographers and passionate foodies lovingly crafted throughout the past six months. The imagery is not restricted to the plate. Destination snapshots set the tone and transport readers on a coastal journey covering more than 700 kilometres along The Legendary Pacific Coast. Tastes of the sea, rivers, fertile farm land and mountains feature in this 240 page edition selling for only $29.95 at each of the restaurants or online by visiting www.100dishes.com

AT ’ S I N

BASIL PProbably Pr obab ably ly best bes b estt known know own as an ingredient in Italian cuisine and also used predominantly in South-East Asian food, Basil is actually a native of India, where it has been cultivated for over 5,000 years.

3:54

Video

It has a peppery flavour and a lovely clove-anise aroma that lends itself beautifully as a partner to ripe tomatoes, eggplant, balsamic vinegar, capers, bocconcini, mozzarella - to name just a few ingredients that it works really well with.

OF THE

MONTH

With its vibrant green colour, basil is high in beta-carotene, vitamin C, iron and calcium. Remember that the leaves turn black quickly after cutting or bruising, so chop or tear the leaves just before you use them. We have seen a lot of lovely local basil at The Other Chef headquarters lately. Lake Innes Lettuce & Herbs have a new Basil Pesto on the market – available now at Growers Market and other selected retailers around town. You can even buy it direct from Lake Innes Lettuce & Herbs if you see them at a local market.

Watch on your smartphone

VIDEO BY: Business Blueprint.

And the best bit – everyone can enjoy this pesto – it’s gluten, nut and dairy free! We have replaced the nuts with sunflower seeds, and the feedback so far has been amazing. Grab a tub and show your support for another great local farmer!

ABOUT: In February 2014, 29 entrepreneurs from Business Blueprint joined forces and rode 500 km in 5 days to raise money for Hands Across the Water. FOCUS was proud to be a sponsor of the ride. Enjoy! WATCH AT: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A03dULrVdms

WHERE

Find out more about The Other Chef at www.theotherchef.com.au

greater port macquarie focus 15

focusinterview.

GIRLS in Grey at the Glasshouse

Co-founders of The Shift Theatre and co-writers of The Girls in Grey, Carolyn Bock and Helen Hopkins both also star in this thought-provoking and deeply moving production – which follows the stories of three nurses serving on Lemnos in World War I. See The Girls in Grey on June 6 at the Glasshouse - a timely reminder that the centenary of WWI is upon us …

P

lease share the inspiration behind The Girls in Grey - I understand there have been some diaries and letters written by WWI nurses you’ve actually referenced? Helen: My sister worked for a State Member of Parliament here in Victoria, and she had to write a speech for her for ANZAC Day. My sister read a paper that was written by Dr Janet Butler and based the speech around the nurses’ experiences on Lemnos; she gave me the speech to read and also the paper that it was based on, and Carolyn and I both read that and were quite shocked, initially, at our ignorance of what the women had gone through … you know, in Australia we know the male story fairly well … people don’t know that over 2,500 women served as nurses in WWI. The experiences on Lemnos - that was the worst place the nurses really served in WWI - the group of them who arrived initially were there for three weeks basically with no equipment and hundreds of wounded soldiers on the beach; they were tearing up their petticoats to use as bandages. There was a sense of desperation about what was going on. So, that was what set us on the path to doing more research. And from there, we went to some initial sources we had. There’s a wonderful writer, Peter Rees, who’s written The Other ANZACS, focused primarily on the nurses’ experience - drawing from their diaries. So, that was our primary source, then we went on a little bit of our own exploration up to Canberra and read personal diaries and lots of letters … that was back in 2009/10, when we started writing the script, but the research is ongoing … because you just start digging a little bit deeper and you’ll find another story and another diary! So, the script started to weave itself through

16 greater port macquarie focus.

as such a

There w a myriad of experiis that she was quite a ie deep camarader ences actually, and we strong person, and she en and between the wom e narrowed it down to felt a sense of duty to e'v the men ... and w really three nurses [Grace, go over there. She is to certainly come k or Alice and Elsie]. based on Alice Rossw e th deeply respect Introduce us to King, who was into by ne that's been do d an rs Grace and Alice fun and adventure and he ot our forem ...” your characters in the she was a bit of a flirt s er forefath play … young Alice had a lot of Carolyn: Grace is the olddifferent men on the go, and est of the three nurses and she’s we’ve been able to actually copy a matron, so she’s in charge of looking her diary from the Australian War Meafter all the nurses. The matrons in WWI had morial in Canberra; she gives quite detailed a really interesting time - being the queens notes of meeting all these different men, one of their wards in the civilian hospitals and of whom she refers to in her journal as X. then entering into the military discipline of hosAt one point she’s sent back to Australia with pitals during the war was completely different, some wounded soldiers, and on the way back to so they found themselves, I think, in a dilemma a Egypt she meets Lieutenant Harry Moffitt and is lot of the time … running the wards is what they initially interested in him a little bit from afar … were used to doing, and that was taken out of but after a few days on board the ship together, their hands, particularly at the beginning of the she basically falls head over heels in love with war, and run by the military. There’s this whole him, and after that she’s not interested in any sense in Grace of having to bend as a civilian ma- other men; her whole focus is on Harry. tron into this military and very male dominated We have one male actor in the play who plays war zone. Elsie’s husband, Alice’s lover and Grace’s brother, Grace Wilson inspired the character of Grace as well as generic soldiers - so he’s quite busy! - a matron who served over there in the First What do you hope audiences will feel when and the Second World Wars. We read so much they see the production? information about other matrons and also those Helen: I think that each audience member is from other countries too - in particular, the going to take away different things. We often Canadians and the Australians worked really have secondary school children present, so I think beautifully together, so we decided to make our for them the whole story of the women’s journey matron, our Grace, an amalgam of a number of is very new, but there are people in the audience stories; she does have quite a dramatic journey that have really personal connections as well. throughout the play. There was one lady I remember whose father I guess her role is one of really galvanizing her had been in WWII and never spoke about his exnurses together in the face of such adversity and periences, so she got the feeling he’d been quite really soldiering through all of that … she’s there damaged by it. She said she never understood as the educator and the mature one. until she saw our play what he went through … Helen: Alice is the middle of the three nurses there are many examples of that kind of personal [Elsie is the young one]. I guess the story of Alice story. One of the things that we love to do after-

“

wards is talk to the audience. Carolyn: And, I guess, too, because we’re moving into the Centenary Commemoration [of WWI] I guess one would hope that if there were audience members who didn’t know very much about what happened - and certainly about the women’s stories - maybe it will prompt further research, or they come away from the play having a deeper sense that women were really over there in such pivotal roles, caring for the soldiers and bringing them home. There was such a deep camaraderie between the women and the men … and we’ve certainly come to really deeply respect the work that’s been done by our foremothers and forefathers … It is quite an amazing thing to take on the roles of women who have lived and be guided by their personal work, like the diaries. That really resonates with the audience too. There’s nothing really in the play that we haven’t read about or researched; we haven’t conjured very much at all. It’s all been borne out of what we’ve read and nurses actually writing down the details on the day things happened. It’s about taking the audience on a journey so they come out with maybe a little bit of a feeling or just a taste of what it might have been like … hopefully it prompts a wider appreciation. Thanks ladies. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug! See The Girls in Grey at the Glasshouse on June 6 at 11am. Suitable for students in Years 7 – 12; $16.50 per student/teacher. Bookings essential: visit glasshouse. org.au

greater port macquarie focus 17

focusinterview. Photo: Simply Splendid Photography

Photo: Fiona Hamilton

Kendall • w e n d y

h u d s o n •

As President of the Kendall Tennis Club, Wendy Hudson is proud of what her club has achieved … and justifiably so! The club has won many accolades and awards over the years and has a current membership of 296, with, Wendy says, the largest junior membership on the North Coast. With such an active membership, however, the club is desperately in need of more courts ...

H

i Wendy. What’s your position with the Kendall Tennis Club? I have been the President since 2008 and was the club’s Treasurer for 16 years prior to that. I returned to the area in 1993 after working in Sydney. I originally joined the club as a junior at the age of 11/12 years, as my mother (Denise McCosker) was heavily involved in the running of the juniors in the 1980s and was the club Secretary for over 25 years and is still on the committee today as the Assistant Treasurer. My father was President for 14 years prior to myself taking over in 2008. Share a bit of the club’s history with us ... The first river courts were built around 1923 in a similar location to where the courts are today. However, they moved the courts up along the eastern side of the railway line in Railway street in 1930; they then moved the courts to their current location in the early 1960s. Ross Webber built the first clubhouse, and over the years we’ve had some great committee members. Phil Ryan would be the longest serving committee member and has been on the committee since 1970. We currently have the largest committee the club has even seen, with 28 members across four sub committees. Where does the club currently operate from? Describe the facilities the club currently has ... The club is situated just over the railway lines to the right as you enter Kendall before the Services Club. The club has three synthetic grass courts; they were clay courts prior 2002. We have a clubhouse/outdoor area and 3 part-time club coaches. How much growth has the club experienced over the past few years? The club membership has steadily grown over the past 10 years, with us now having 296 members for three courts. Our membership over the years has changed from a predominately 18 greater port macquarie focus.

adult club to the biggest junior membership on the North Coast. Our youngest playing member is 4 years, with our oldest in his late 70s. The club’s achieved some phenomenal success recently. Tell us about the national (and international) recognition it’s received ... The club recently won Tennis Australia’s AOBlitz interactive online competition, where towns from all over Australia competed against each other by completing challenges to gain points for their towns. Over 300 people registered individually for our town, along with 6 schools and the club, placing Kendall No.1 in Australia. The competition ran over three months, with us winning by over 40% from the next town. As a result, Rafael Nadal was playing for the township of Kendall during the Australia Open. I got to meet Rafa personally, and he sent the town a message. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, and therefore we missed out on the town party that Tennis Australia was giving away. The main reason the club entered the competition was to gain publicity around the fact that we desperately need more courts. Just some of the club’s achievements are: Tennis NSW Country Club of the Year 2004; Tennis NSW Junior Development Program of the Year 2005; Torch Bearer 2006 Winter Olympic Torino Italy – Wendy Hudson; Port Macquarie-Hasting Council Sports Club of the Year 2007; Tennis Australia’s Most Outstanding Tennis Community 2010; Tennis Australia’s AOBlitz winners 2014; 7 juniors selected in the NSW Ballsquad and 1 junior in the Australian Ballsquad over the past few years. The club has also supported Janel Manns to become Australian’s No.1 Wheelchair player and Paralympian. Who are some of the rising stars the club can count among its members these days? Connor McHugh (12 years) made it through to the State Medibank Finals at the end of last year and will represent the North Coast at the

State Teams event soon. Connor, along with Unfortunately, that land sale took over 2 years, Jackson Wheate, were selected to attend the which has been detrimental to our junior PSSA State Championships in Albury last year program. There are over 20 children now on the along with Blake Hudson for the CHS State waiting list to join junior competitions. We had Championships in Sydney. Rhyan Hudson (10 to close our youth group, which was attracting years) won both doubles at the NSW Country up to 50 young people, as we needed to give Championships. Rory Donovan was this week the court being used as a basketball court back selected in the North Coast PSSA side as well. to the tennis kids, with 110 now playing on a Our other champions are the 18 Friday night. BallKids that give up their school We don’t have a toilet in holidays to volunteer at the our current clubhouse and Apia International Tennis members, including Tournament and Sydney Australia’s No.1 Th e club s Wheelchair. The club has Wheelchair Tennis Player, membership ha over the a large BallKid program have to use nearby steadily grown ith us training and servicing toilets in a park which past 10 years, w embers m now having 296 large tournaments. aren't disability friendly. ..” for three courts What classes does With the DA approval the club offer its still not through, we look members, and when like losing part of our are these held? Hot Shots program, where The courts are used every 45 juniors aged 4 to 8 year day. We play Night Competition olds share one court for an hour. Tue/Wed/Thur. Our Junior Competition It’s just too crowded. The national is on Friday afternoon/night from 3.15pm benchmarked survey for tennis clubs had to 10.15pm with 110 players. We have the average number of players per court at 18 three social groups that use the courts on a few years ago. We sit at 95 per court! a Tues/Wed/Thur morning with our Friday Day What does the club then need for these Competition. Coaching is four afternoons a plans to come to fruition ... is there any way week, Mon/Tue/Wed/Thurs, with the schools the community can help? using the courts on Wednesday and Fridays as We need Council to move forward with this well. On occasions we use weekends to play project in a timely matter. A large number of Club Championships with 19 junior events children are missing out. No child should be on a and 19 senior events, otherwise weekends are waiting list to play sport. The more members of mostly free for court hire. the community assisting the club in pressuring With a list of players currently waiting just Council to complete this project, the better the to get on the courts, the club appears to entire community will be. have outgrown its current facilities. What Where can people find out more info about plans are in the pipeline for expansion? the club? The club outgrew its facility several years Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Kendallago now. In 2011 Council announced they Tennis-Club/126655910686021 would purchase nearby railway land and build Website http://www.tennis.com.au/ a new tennis facility for the community. The kendalltennisclub/ club had secured over $250,000 in funding. Thanks Wendy. Interview by Jo Atkins.

“

YOUR MUM This Mother's Day

ENTER and WIN

Holiday Coast Credit Union Over the past 12 months Holiday Coast credit

influence their lifestyle choices and behaviour.

Union has continued its focus on delivering the

Holiday Coast Credit Union is a strong advocate of

'Holiday Coast' difference through engagement

community engagement and the ability to support

with and support of the community in which its

various programs in all of the following areas –

members live, work and play by giving back to

namely, welfare, environment, social, education,

their community.

sport and culture and the arts – is a key part of our

Our Community Partnership Grants Program has

overall social responsibility.

between 2005 and 2013 returned to our local community a total of $1,046,075, plus goods in kind

The Observatory Penthouse

and volunteer support to more than 300 community groups each playing a role in the bettering of our

YO U C O U L D W I N M U M T H E U LT I M AT E PA C K A G E

community. This support includes the largest single grant which continues the support for Life Education on the Mid North Coast – a support that started in 2002

Luxury Penthouse Accommodation at The Observatory 3 nights for up to 4 people in a luxurious Penthouse overlooking Town Beach Port Macquarie.

that has provided in excess of $250,000 to the valuable primary schools program. This has been a major sponsorship and support for the education of our primary aged children in both government and private primary schools, and the grant assists students to acquire age appropriate knowledge

&

Spa treatment for mum from endota spa to the value of $150

We see the engagement of our staff within their communities as being a pivotal foundation for our carriage of the responsibilities of the credit union in the expression of our mutual benefit. Our interpretation of mutuality is aligned to the notion that anything we do must be in the interest of the member, or the member will not be a member for the long term, must be in the interest of the credit union, or the credit union will not be able to continue to deliver benefits to members and most importantly, our community engagement must be of benefit to and in the interest of the community, in which our members live and work.

to support informed health choices, develop and

Knowing that you're a member of a credit union

practice skills and strategies to act on those decisions

that really cares truly makes every day a great day -

and recognise the values and attitudes which may

Neville Parsons, CEO of Holiday Coast Credit Union.

$200 Voucher to use at The Glasshouse Box Office or Gift Shop.

Total prize valued at over $1950 HOW TO ENTER

1

Upload your favourite photo of you and your mum, along with 50 words about what makes her amazing - to our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/loveyourmumgiveaway

2

Share the photo with all your friends and get them to LIKE it.

3

The photo with the most number of likes at 5pm Saturday 8 May will WIN this amazing prize.

02 6581 8888 glasshouse.org.au

Conditions: Open to anyone. Not redeemable for any other offers, or exchangeable for cash or other goods. Must be used within 12 months of 8th May 2014. Black out dates may apply. Check at time of booking.

greater port macquarie focus 19

CalLing All

LOVERS Escorted by Jeannette Rainbow, Wauchope District Historical Society present three fantastic tours to discover the historic treasures of Wauchope as a part of the 2014 Heritage Festival. Chrissy Jones spoke with Jeannette to find out more ...

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ell us about the guided tours you have planned in April that will reveal many amazing stories connecting our past to our present. Tour goers may travel by river, rail or coach on three separate informative historical tours, with all proceeds raised going towards the Wauchope Centenary of Rail, which will be celebrated in 2015. Celebrate the arrival of the railway, relax on a scenic river cruise or travel by coach around Wauchope, then to Byabarra and on to Comboyne, all the while listening to the tales of our legendary timber-getters, bullock-drivers and the history of Wauchope and hinterland. Our tours will celebrate the people, stories and landmarks of Wauchope and the Upper Hastings. What are the details of the individual tours? Tour 1. Join the Wauchope to Wingham Rail Escape on Monday 14 April. Departing

Wauchope Railway Station in Randall Street at 8.44am, tour goers will take the modern XPT train from Wauchope Station for a yesteryear inspired rail journey to Wingham. Transfer to the Manning Valley Museum for morning tea and inspection, then on to the Wingham District Memorial Services Club for pre-lunch drinks and a 2 course luncheon. This will be followed by a guided walking tour of the Town Square and then transfer to Wingham Station for the return rail journey to Wauchope arriving at approximately 6.31pm. Cost is $65 per adult - $55 Concession and includes morning tea and lunch. Coach connection is available both ways from Port Macquarie. Tour 2. The Wauchope District Historical Society, Upper Hastings Treasure Tour departs Andrews Park, Cameron Street, Wauchope on Thursday 17 April at 9am, returning to Wauchope at approximately 3.30pm. Travel will be by coach around Wauchope with morning

tea included, then travel through the Hastings Hinterland along the Oxley Highway and Comboyne Road to Byabarra. This will be followed by a scenic trip to evergreen Comboyne for pre-lunch drinks and a 2 course luncheon at Comboyne Ex-Servicemen's and Citizens Club. A local tour of the township will take in the famous Memorial Hall, Union Church and Community Centre. Cost is $65 per person, which includes morning tea and lunch. Tour 3. A final tour will be a beautiful river cruise on Wednesday 23 April. Departing Clarence Street Cruise Terminal aboard the River Princess at 9am, all will enjoy a historic and exciting Hastings River cruise to destination

unique, boutique Wauchope and then return to Port Macquarie at approximately 5pm. Cost is $45 per person and includes an on board morning tea prior to arrival in Wauchope and transfers. Lunch is by your own arrangements. A shuttle bus will be available for drop-off around town. How do we book for any or all of these tours? Bookings are essential, as numbers are limited and all will require a non-refundable $20 deposit to secure your seat. Those interested may contact myself on mobile 0424 226 258 or 6585 1895. Thanks Jeannette.

Heritage Festival 13-27 April

Come along and get involved in the month long event that shows you where, how, what and why Port Macquarie is what it is today.

Three weeks of events across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region to help you discover the incredible journeys and amazing stories that have shaped our community. Event programs are available from all local historical societies and museums, the Visitor Information Centre at the Glasshouse, Council offices, libraries or online at: www.heritagefestival.com.au 20 greater port macquarie focus.

Greater Port Macquarie

Seared Atlantic Samon w/ cauliflower puree, smoked beetroot and crispy pancetta from LV's on Clarence.

eat. Dining Guide is available for iPhone & Android App Store. www.focusmag.com.au/eat 22 greater port macquarie focus focus.

eat. Seared scallops, chorizo crumbs, sweet corn puree, sweet corn & onion ragout.

Zebu bar + grill Squeeze out the last drop of sunshine with some live tunes, a relaxing drink and bite to eat on the foreshore at Zebu ! Pop into the bar and enjoy a cocktail or two, or reserve your waterfront table in the grill to experience contemporary coastal dining at its best this Easter. If doing breakfast is more your thing - chillax on the water with our RISE BUFFET BREAKFAST - a huge gourmet selection including fresh juices, wheat grass, scrummy smoothies, extra yummy buffet goodies and made-to-order treats! 6.30am - 10am every day! DIARY DATE: 'High Tea on the Hastings', Saturday 17 May 2014, 2pm - 6pm. Enjoy a High Tea of sweet and savoury treats including a glass of Cassegrain Bubbles for a good cause. Live entertainment, best dressed, best hat and fascinator.

OPEN GOOD FRIDAY - book early to avoid disappointment.

Restaurant Synergy Synergy Restaurant & Bar, located at the Mercure Centro Hotel, where food and service works in harmony. Enjoy an intimate dining experience, serving modern Australian cuisine at its best. Good Friday: Haven't made plans for Good Friday? Book now to avoid disappointment, with our 3 course choice seafood menu sourcing the freshest Australian and local seafood, including our popular Synergy platters for two.

Executive Chef Adam Tait.

Hay Street Foreshore, Port Macquarie t 6589 2822 w www.zebu.com.au open 7 days, from 6.30am - late. Bar open noon daily. Bookings recommended.

Executive Chef Nathaniel.

Cnr Hay & William Streets, Port Macquarie t 6583 0830 w www.centrohotel.com.au open 7 days, from 6.30am 'til 10am for breakfast; 5pm – late for dinner. Bookings essential.

Tuesday nights - buy one pasta get one for $5

Off the Hook

Café 66

Off the Hook is owned and operated by Paul and Narelle Walsh.

Café 66 is renowned around the world for their quality Italian cuisine and the warm family style hospitality. You can enjoy an intimate meal for two, or book a group function. There is also a daily blackboard menu to select from and a function menu that caters for all tastes and budgets.

Well, we are all back at work but the sun is still out, the weather is still warm, and the water looks great. Pop down and see the friendly staff at Off the Hook this weekend and enjoy the best fish and chips in town.

Tuesday nights – buy one pasta get one for $5.

Hamburgers, cold drinks, your choice of grilled or battered fish with freshly made chips or salad. Fishermen's baskets, kids packs and so much more! See you soon!

The friendly staff.

Wednesday and Thursday breakfast – bacon & eggs + standard coffee, all for $10.90. Takeaway menu also availble.

Head Chef Jamie Payten

Like us on Facebook.

Located along Port Macquarie’s Town Green. t 6584 1146 open 7 days, from 11am - late. EFTPOS available; phone orders welcome.

66 Clarence Street Port Macquarie t 6583 2484 open Closed all day Monday and Sunday nights only. No surcharge on Sundays. greater port macquarie focus 23

eat. Chicken breast with creamed leeks and butter beans.

Mi Casa Café & Restaurant

The Chocolate Indulgence - Chocolate mousse with a chocolate biscuit base, and topped with chocolate ganache.

Enjoy the rustic atmosphere and Spanish vibe at Mi Casa Spanish Café, Restaurant and Tapas Bar. With great views overlooking the Town Green, the authentic menu brings a taste of Spain to Port Macquarie! New Brunch, Lunch & Dinner Menu. Try one of our new specials like the Chicken Breast with Creamed Leeks and Butter Beans, matched with a glass of Marques Caceres Rioja (pictured left), or bring some friends and share a few different Tapas dishes– perfect for a social evening. Takeaway Coffees - Tapas - Spanish Wines

Spinnakers Restaurant + Bar

Owners Brendan & Jennis Field.

3/2 Horton Street (Located on Town Green), Port Macquarie. t 6584 4559 open Brunch / Lunch / Tapas: Wed - Sun from 11am - 2pm. Dinner: Tues - Sun from 5.30pm.

Scampis Seafood Bar & Grill

Located inside Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges. Park St, Port Macquarie at the roundabout, opposite Settlement City t (02) 6589 5100 open 7 days, breakfast, lunch, casual dining and dinner from 6.30am

Waterfront Restaurant

It's school holiday time again and of course, Easter. Family and friends treat yourself this Good Friday to lunch or dinner at Scampis Seafood Bar and Grill. Serving fresh seafood and mouthwatering desserts.

What a great time of year to make the most of our beautiful view over the Hastings River. Our menu includes sumptuous steaks, fresh seafood, hand-made desserts and many other tempting options. Our seafood platter for two is packed with a wide variety of hot and cold

Why not enjoy the long weekend overlooking Town Beach with a cold beverage in one hand and a great atmosphere surrounding you! Open Good Friday and all Easter long weekend.

Get Marina side this Easter break with family and friends to enjoy a fabulous view, delicious menus and genuine service. The resort restaurant is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving up sunshine and fresh sea air with every dish. A great spot over the Long Weekend - Seafood lovers will love array of fresh seafood and delicious desserts at the Good Friday Seafood Buffet or bring along the whole family for the Easter Sunday Buffet Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt which includes a delicious Cadbury chocolate fountain and Easter treats hidden in the restaurant and resort grounds. DIARY DATES: Good Friday Seafood Buffet - Friday 18 April from 6pm. $79 per adult/ $49 per child or Kid’s Eat Free from Spinnakers Kid Menu (13 and under) Easter Sunday Buffet Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt – 6:30am – 11:00am. Hunt starts at 10am! $25 per adult/$12.50 per child under 12

seafood and has proved very popular. This platter must be pre-ordered, so please be sure to request it when making your booking (minimum 24 hours Owners Mark and Jackie Holt.

notice required). The Waterfront Restaurant is also available for functions. Choose from a

Inside and outside dining.

set course menu, buffet or finger food. No room hire charge. (Conditions apply.) Please contact us for further information.

40 William Street, Port Macquarie t 6583 7200 open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Breakfast Saturdays and Sundays only.

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Sunset Parade, Port Macquarie t 6583 1944 open for breakfast: Monday - Friday, 7am - 11am; weekends 8 am - 11am. Dinner: Monday - Saturday, 6pm - late. Please call 6583 1944 to make a reservation.

focusinterview.

focus

editorial

Coffee and Tea BUZZ

MI CASA cafe + restaurant

Mi Casa Spanish Restaurant and Café is bringing an authentic taste of Spain to Port Macquarie. With a cool Spanish vibe and a view overlooking the Town Green, Mi Casa is a unique dining experience.

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ell us about your background - where have you previously worked and how did you gain your experience in the hospitality industry? Originally I started out at a bakery in Sydney, and I worked there for 10 years under an Italian chef learning the trade, not only doing pastries, but also cooking pastas and things. As far as my chef experience goes, I worked at Blue Water for two years as the Head Chef; we won the National Family restaurant award in 2009. I have been very involved with all processes required in running a restaurant, as this was something my old boss taught me - to learn everything from ordering ingredients to the final presentation on the plate. What are some of your favourite dishes at Mi Casa Spanish Café + Restaurant? Definitely our famous paella would be a house favourite. It is a nice hearty dish and it's very technical cooking wise, with so many different components that could go wrong. It lends itself to different combinations according to your tastes, such as chicken & chorizo, or Seafood Paella. The Tapas menu is also very popular, and I would recommend the scallops, or the seafood stew which are both Spanish style dishes. How would you describe the Spanish cuisine? A big misconception is that Spanish food is quite spicy, like the Mexican cuisine, whereas it's actually not. There are still a lot of spices used in Spanish cooking, but it's the use of paprika, cinnamon, all the flavoursome spices without the heat. We can always accommodate if a customer would like it hot - we have just introduced a new range of famous hot sauces such as the Blairs Mega Death Sauce, which we can add to their dish, and also some Spanish chipotles for variety. What will be on the menu for Easter? We will be kicking off our autumn menu this month, which includes a chicken breast

with creamed leek and butter beans. We are introducing some more hearty dishes to our menu coming into the cooler months. We always have a great selection of seafood dishes and will be offering a special seafood platter for Good Friday which will include fresh prawns, oysters, lobster, bugs and all the trimmings! With an extensive wine list, how do you match flavours with certain wines? Spanish wines are quite good because they aren't too dry or too sweet, so they tend to lend themselves nicely to a range of flavours. It's just a matter of matching up your red wines with red meats, and the white wines with chicken or seafood dishes. The Temperanillo is very popular; we have also got the Crianza, which is aged in oak barrels so it has a much richer body and taste which we have had many great comments on. How long have you been in Port Macquarie and what do you enjoy about working here? I grew up here in Port Macquarie, moved to Sydney for 10 years, where I completed my pastry chef apprenticeship. I have been back for 6 months now, and it was always my plan to come back to the area. I have always loved Port and the people, and the views are great. It is wonderful to have this great view from the restaurant overlooking the Town Green and still be located in the main part of town. That is what is great about Port Macquarie. What makes Mi Casa a unique dining experience? Definitely the Spanish vibe and atmosphere makes Mi Casa a unique experience. We try to keep our menu fresh and source local ingredients where we can, and if they are not local they are imported from Spain, so we are quite authentic too. Group bookings, corporate functions and wedding receptions can all be catered for. Thanks Brendan and Jennis.

Harry&Vicki

from Café Buzz

Colombia is a world class producer of quality coffee and has been for many decades. Café BUZZ currently has two Colombian Coffees available for your enjoyment at the café, at work or at home. Our Colombian Huila Excelso Lolo EP: 'Excelso' milk for a rich latte. It has medium to strong denotes the size of the bean; 'EP' stands for flavour and will love all coffee making styles. 'European Pick', which means the beans are as Every bag of BUZZ 250 gram coffee you close to perfect as possible. purchase will give you a free regular coffee Huila is located in the south eastern part of to enjoy at your Café BUZZ to take away. Sit Colombia. This region is characterised by down and try a different coffee. its fertile valleys and snow-capped Japanese Evening Mist is a green tea volcanoes that for millions with rose cornflower blossoms, of years have enriched its flowers and calendula. It is a soils with volcanic ashes. perfect introduction to the Huila’s coffee is known delights of green tea. It Every bag of for having an exquisite loves to be alone in the BUZZ 250 gram and consistent, cup, but some people se coffee you purcha EE balanced taste and add a little honey. We FR will give you a at y jo en to aroma. have take-home bags for e regular coffe ke ta to ZZ Colombian Excelso BU you, or sit back and let us fé your Ca Organic is grown make it for you. ” . away at high altitudes in If you love the social Colombia’s Sierra Nevada pleasure of Facebook, then de Santa Marta Mountain. you will love to see what is You can enjoy these coffees in happening at your local Café BUZZ. your espresso machine, your plunger, Come and like us to enjoy the newsfeed. from your stove top or your filter coffee All BUZZ coffees and teas are available at your maker! local Café BUZZ or online at www.buzzcoffee. This has a pure, clean and balanced com.au flavour with a silky mouth feel and distinctive Please send your thoughts or questions to caramel sweetness. It makes a superb harry@buzzcoffee.com.au caramelly sweet espresso and also cuts through Harry.

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Sails Resort for Easter Head to Sails Resort for Easter to enjoy precious time on the waterfront with family and friends. ick off the long weekend with fine food and company at the Good Friday Seafood Buffet to be held in Spinnakers Restaurant overlooking the marina from 6pm. Head Chef Michael Schubert has planned an array of hot and cold freshly caught seafood, seasonal salads and heavenly hot dishes including some divinely inspired desserts. Enjoy live chilled out tunes on the baby grand piano and a relaxed waterfront vibe. Bookings are encouraged as spots will go quickly with adults at $79pp. Kids are welcome and eat free from the Spinnakers Kids Menu or they can take on the seafood buffet for $49pp (13 and under). Relax and enjoy plenty to drink and eat with no public holidays surcharge. If breakfast is more your thing and chocolate is your sweet addiction - head to Sails for the Easter Sunday Buffet and Egg Hunt. Enjoy a hot and cold traditional Easter buffet with all the yummy trimmings to include bacon and eggs and special treats to include a decadent Cadbury Chocolate fountain with seasonal fruits. The buffet will be available in the restaurant and the alfresco deck from 6:30am until 11am for $25 per adult and $12.50 per child (12 and under). The buffet includes a free Easter Egg Hunt for the family at 10am which includes complimentary Chocolate Easter Eggs - each littlie will be given an Easter bag to fill with Easter Eggs they find on the resort and restaurant grounds. Be sure you book in to ensure your family has a “hoppy” and Happy Easter!

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ENJOY LI V E CH IL LE D O U T TU N ES O N TH E N O A BA BY G R A N D PI ED X A N D A R EL A V IB E.” WAT ER FRO N T

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s o c i a l s c e n e with Kate Wood-Foye from Rydges Port Macquarie.

Below. Kylie Gow , Bec Jones & Elly Hanson at the Sky Bar Rooftop Terrace. Left Mandy and Michael Mowle, Tim Olsen and co at Michael's 50th Toga party.

Below. Christa Morrow, Kate Wood-Foye & Jessica Gray at the Luminosity Youth Summit launch. Photo Credit Jack Begbie

Above. Jessica Everingham & husband on their wedding day. Photo credit to Iron and Clay Photography.

Social/scene.

So call me crazy, but I have been bitten quite badly by the renovation bug … some may even call it a social disorder - a highly contagious byproduct of watching way too much of The Block combined with a dangerous level of Grand Designs and Lifestyle magazine consumption.

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ither way, I find my mind drifting off to the showroom at Reece plumbing at the most inopportune times contemplating the plethora of variations of taps and sink finishes and the multitude of splashbacks and bench top combos. To say I had a pendant light fetish would be an understatement and something I'm seriously considering getting professional help for. This obsession with fittings and fixtures and in particular kitchen design has temporarily slated even my deepest of shoe addictions; however, I am assured by friends and professionals that this will return in due course … perhaps when the bank account hits some semblance of recovery mode! It is important to insert here that building has not yet begun … only a matter of days to go … so my excitement for renovation may drop somewhat when the back of my house is a gaping hole exposed to the elements! Lindsay and Frea Schwab combined the elements of fine food and wine at their beautiful Horton St eatery with a fabulous degustation event held in March to celebrate Lindsay’s reunion with old cheffing pals Anthony McNamara and Jennifer Perry. The terrific trio used to cook up a storm together in the UK under the Urban Catering and Providores catering groups, with Anthony most famously heading up his own top notch eatery on the South East Coast of the England – The Mill Tea and Dining Room. The trio created a five course degustation dinner with wines to match celebrating Modern UK cuisine. Anthony, now based in NZ with partner Jennifer, created a gastronomic feast for those in attendance. Even little Henry Schwab got in on the action, helping talented mum Frea and Jennifer create some seriously wicked desserts. Guests including Brad and Jessica Hodge, Adam and Suzie Robertson and Gwennie Newell enjoyed a relaxed night of gastronomical goodness. I am sad to say we missed this one, with a reservation already on hold for their next tour through Port Macq. Delish!

Michael Mowle of Hopkins Consulting celebrated his 50th birthday with a bash at Rydges organised by his lovely wife, Amanda. Eighty guests donned togas for the event a la Monty Python's Life of Bryan. Guests, including Kylie Malligan and Mark Lyons, Bec and Tim Olsen enjoyed canapés, wood fired pizzas and a live band “The Roys” Happy Birthday Michael! Bec Jones had a double trouble hen’s celebration recently for her impending nuptials with a fabulous trip to Thailand for a group of the gals including Christie lee Jackson, Carrie O’Connor, Mum Debbie and little one Tahj. This trip was followed by a naughty night out at Sky Rooftop Bar at Star City Casino, brunch and shopping the next day and a night on Sydney Harbour with some rather muscle bound menfolk and some fabulous fireworks all culminating in a night at HOME nightclub. Bec’s sisters Bree and Simone, friends Krystle Albin, Elly Hanson and Kylie Gow were just some of the gorgeous ladies who celebrated Bec’s last big night out as a single gal! Jessica Everingham and her new husband, were married in a ceremony in the French Gardens at Cassegrains. The bride from Port and the groom, a Dutch-American, chose Rydges Port Macquarie for the reception. The bride wore a lace vintage style mermaid gown with a floral headpiece and the groom a navy linen suit. The groom's 'breast man' Marissa Pepper and good friend Larissa Treadway – both also from Atlanta, travelled with the groom from the USA. The bride’s twin sister, Bec Everingham, was maid of honour. The wedding was styled in a vintage-rustic theme with gorgeous decorations being handmade by Jessica. Photography for the day was done by Matt from Iron and Clay Photography. Wooden tree cut circles with different shape jars were filled with loose cut flowers for the centrepieces. The tables were scattered with tea cup candles with each guest's place card; a coffee stained label was tied with twine around their napkins. The wedding cake was chocolate with a butter cream filling

by Bittersweet Café and sat on top of a tier of chocolate, white chocolate and raspberry, red velvet and lemon and poppyseed cupcakes. Divine! The dance floor was lit up by a backdrop of fairy lights and the LOVE letters in front. The giant LOVE letters were handmade by the bride and father of the bride. Emcee for the night was brother of the bride, Jamie Everingham, with makeup done by Jamie at Port Macquarie Day Spa, bouquets and the bride's floral crown by Touchwood Flowers, and hair by Emma at Hair Pacific. The happy pair will take an official honeymoon overseas at a later time but will squeeze a quick few days away on the Gold Coast to relax and enjoy married life. A band of celebs, authors, scientists, entrepreneurs, choreographers, photographers, social strategists, thought leaders and super business minds are set to converge on Port Macquarie on 16 - 18 July for the second annual Luminosity Youth Summit. The list of inspiring speakers was revealed at a Young Guns breakfast at Rydges recently. Over 300 regional young people between the ages of 15 - 25 will be a part of this amazing event in July that connects them with strategies for personal innovation and success. Top billing was given to Aria Award Winning Australian Hip Hop Band Bliss N Eso, with other amazing speakers to include Tim O’Donnell of the Milwaukee Ballet, Jodie Foxx of Shoes of Prey, writer Bronte O’Brien and scientist Dr Lisa Harvey-Smith. The program will be jam packed with amazing stories and Dangerous Ideas for Success! Check it out for yourself or a fabulous young person in your life! Recovery from 3 year old birthday bashes, smartie overdoses, renovations and tap obsessions aside April is set to be a ridiculously huge month – I am literally going to hang on tight and try and make it through to the other side … hopefully complete with fab new pendant lights and splashback! Kate. greater port macquarie focus 27

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Huge Easter Raffle + Better Homes PRO AM Easter is the perfect time to enjoy some great food and catch up with family and friends, and the Port Macquarie Golf Club has a HUGE EASTER RAFFLE to help you to win some exciting Easter prizes including seafood and meat selections, and of course, Easter Eggs! Bring the family for a fun day out on Sunday 13 April - tickets are on sale from 1.30pm; raffle starts at 2pm. The 24th Better Homes PRO AM Tournament is coming up once again, and will be held from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 April. This exciting event showcases professional golfers from around Australia and the world, and visitors are welcome on to the course to follow the Pros and enjoy the atmosphere on Tuesday 29 and Wed 30 April.

Just over two hours' drive to our north, yet a world away. The town of Woolgoolga is home to the biggest Australian Punjabi Sikh population outside of capital cities.

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oolgoolga’s population is only 5,000, but the town boasts two Sikh temples and hundreds of citizens for whom Punjabi is their first language. On 26 April the whole town celebrates its unique heritage with 'Curryfest', a food and cultural festival that has grown into a flagship event for the Coffs Coast and is now in its ninth year. And for those planning for the school holidays, there are other lead up events throughout April to entertain visitors - not to mention those gorgeous beaches and all that the Coffs Coast has to offer within striking distance. Curryfest features curries from all over the world, ethnic foods, Punjabi music, dancing and other cultural displays … a feast for the eyes, ears and for the stomach that attracts some 10,000 visitors each year. This year the fun begins with the 'Tastes of Woolgoolga' restaurant experiences, starting with an Indonesia night on 26 March, followed by a Moroccan night on 2 April and the Indian Dhoom Dhmaal Dinner Dance on 19 April to round things out (contact Jane on 0402 757 464 to book tickets). The Dhoom Dhmaal Dinner Dance will feature a nationally acclaimed Indian DJ, music, drumming and dancing displays with lots of locally prepared traditional Indian food by Woolgoolga’s favourite Indian chef. Woolgoolga Art Gallery has the Spice It Up exhibition on, with a special opening night at the gallery on Friday 11 April (complete with Indian food and a wine tasting from local winery Two Tails Wines). The gallery is open 10am to 4pm daily, and the exhibition runs right through until early May. On Saturday 12 April the colourful Vaisakhi parade wends its way through town to and from the two Gurdwaras (temples). Vaisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated by Sikhs all over the world. It is all about renewal and spreading goodwill. In Woolgoolga people line the streets to see the colourful floats, admire the costumes and 28 greater port macquarie focus.

watch dancers and sword displays as the parade passes by. On the big day, Saturday 26 April, the festival begins at 9.30; entry is only $3 per adult or $5 per couple or family (in other words the kids are free). There are over 100 stalls, two stages with lots of cultural and traditional entertainment, cooking demonstrations, mindfulness and meditation workshops, kids’ activities, henna tattoos, market stalls and lots of opportunities to try and buy curries and spice products for you to take away and experiment with in your own kitchen. There’s also lots of other ethnic food for those whose tastes lie elsewhere. Buy a Curryfest raffle ticket and you might win a return flight to India compliments of Air India, or a 3 night stay at NRMA's Darlington Beach Holiday Park in a Lagoon Spa Villa for a family of up to five people - thanks to park manager ATPM. At 4.30pm, adjourn to nearby Centennial Oval for a demonstration Kabaddi match (a traditional Indian wrestling/ tackling game full of action) and if you are still in partying mode, head for the after party at nearby Seaview Tavern, where the entertainment continues, or enjoy some relaxed dining at one of Woolgoolga’s fantastic restaurants. If you need to chill out the next day, the kids can attend a junior cricket camp, the Milo T20 Blast presented by NSW Cricket in the morning and the annual 'Curry Cup' – Curry Cup match is on in the afternoon. With a drive time of just over 2 hours, locals could make a day trip to Woolgoolga, but this year Curryfest is the Saturday after the ANZAC Day holiday, so why not make a long weekend of it and enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Coffs Coast. It’s still school holidays, and don’t forget the festival has a kids' zone plus all the usual Coffs Coast kids’ attractions – the big Banana, the Porpoise Petting Pool – are only minutes away. Head to www.curryfest.com.au for accommodation and further festival information. Curryfest 2014 is going to be hot, hot … HOT!

Don’t miss out on the PRO AM Dinner event on Monday 28 April at 6pm! The 2 course menu includes a mix plate entree to share, with chicken skewers, fresh prawns, pumpkin arancini, Mediterranean mix, crostini and house made dip, and a main choice of Coq Au Vin or Braised Lamb Shanks. Our guest speakers for this year are Former Australian Test Cricketer and television personality Mike Whitney, local triathlete and sporting personality Michael

Reid and MC Mike Rabbitt from NBN Television! Tickets are on sale NOW! So be sure to phone or call into reception to book your spot! Come and join us for BINGO every Monday from 10.30am and every Thursday from 6.30pm, Wednesday raffles from 5.30pm with FREE Trivia and Members Badge Draw, and Friday night raffles and Members Badge Draw. Great Golf, Great Food, Great Fun!

Ken Little's Fruit & Vegetables Easter arrives this month! Easter being celebrated in April this year together with ANZAC Day will make this month very busy. On the fruit scene, mandarins will put in an appearance. Supplies will increase as the month progresses. We all love a ‘mandy’, so be sure to come in and check them out. Aussie navel oranges will be around shortly, but full bloom coloured fruit will not come into the shop until May. Peaches and nectarines will be finished this month; however, plums will still be available. Local produce should be good quality, but this will depend on the weather. Fancy lettuces, Lebanese cucumbers and tomatoes will be great for all those Easter salad dishes. Why not try some of the great variety of micro herbs that are now available in punnets to spice up your taste buds a little. William and Brown Bosc pears are excellent value at this time. Look up a recipe and poach some pears for a most delicious dessert. Just a reminder ... we are closed ANZAC Day 25 April ‘Lest We Forget’. Look forward to seeing you in our shop in the near future. Ken.

Hop in to The Block this Easter! Hop in to The Block and treat yourself and those close to you with exclusive Easter chocolates from Poppy’s. Hand painted figurines, eggs and bars. For something different pick up a gift box from Cacao, or a pair of chocolate heels! During the month of During the April, come in and try m onth of Apr il, some exciting new come in and try breakfast and lunch w some exciting ne h nc lu d menu ideas. an t as kf brea The Block is located in menu ideas. Port Macquarie’s CBD Coles building. Drop by for a browse 7 days, experience the chocolate bar with over 20 exquisite varieties on display and enjoy a chocolate with your next coffee or a light dessert after lunch.

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focusinterview.

Out to Lunch

with Susie Boswell

STEPHEN KEIR E V E RY W E E K , T H OU S A N D S O F A K U B R A H AT S F LY O U T O F P O R T M AC Q UA R I E A I R P O R T O R D OW N T H E H IG H WAY F RO M A S A N C ROX F R E IG H T D E P O T B O U N D F O R C I T Y A P PA R E L S T O R E S , RU R A L OU T F I T T E R S - A N D A B I G M A R K E T I N C H I NA . T H I S M O N T H , S U S I E M E E T S T H E M A N I N C H A RG E OF T H E E N D U R I N G AU S S I E I C ON . tephen Keir relaxes his 6ft 8in - two metres and then some! - frame into a chair at the Akubra boardroom table in Kempsey’s industrial area and tells me of the challenges, and rewards, of keeping a true blue icon in Aussie hands. It’s a rare break from supervising production of his trademark hats; company secretary Roy Wilkinson, of Port Macquarie, says the CEO spends most of his day, when not travelling overseas on business, on the adjacent factory floor. Akubra’s special, one of Australia’s few remaining iconic brands, still wholly privately owned. Of the man on the land’s other traditional gear - Baxter, R.M. Williams and DrizaBone - only Baxters, the riding boots, share a similar pedigree, continuously in family hands since their 19th century beginnings. Driza-Bone oilskins, founded in 1898, is again privately 100% Australian only after 20 years as a UK interest. R.M. Williams, founded 1932, is 49.9 per cent held by French multinational marque LVMH (but still a major Akubra client). The Akubra brand celebrated its centenary in 2012; the company itself, founded 1874, is marking its 140th year, representing an enduring dynasty. Keir is Stephen Keir IV, great grandson of the first Stephen Keir, a hat maker from England who joined the company in inner-Sydney in 1904, marrying the founder’s daughter and, in 1925, inheriting Akubra. Stephen Keir IV’s son - oldest of his three children, in Year 12 at his father’s and grandfather’s alma mater, Shore - is Stephen Keir V. Keir, chairman, and his sisters Nicola and Stacey, directors, own Akubra. It’s unthinkable the hats could be known by any other identity, a fixture in the Aussie lexicon, yet Keir says of its provenance: “My great grandfather was told Akubra was an Aboriginal name

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for a head-covering, but we’ve never been able to substantiate it.” A redoubtable 160,000 hats are produced here annually, some weeks as many as 4500, an average 900 a day. How many very durable Akubras can the world wear?! Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, Slim Dusty, John Howard and Oprah Winfrey have worn them. The Army’s worn them, its unique slouch hat, since World War I. Akubra’s sponsored Greg Norman, Pam Burridge and Lee Kernaghan. “Everyone wanted the hat Greg Norman wore; mid to late ’80s was our biggest period. With Crocodile Dundee, Paul Hogan, Americans couldn’t get enough of Australia,” Keir recalls. Some 120 staff, 50 per cent more than now, were needed to satisfy the US market. Now, Akubras are prized not only by graziers, stockmen and at saleyards, field days and musters across the country but by mining companies, corporate brands, the McGrath Foundation, private schools, at Olympic games and as a ladies fashion item in pink and pastel fedoras. The Coober Pedy has an opal-stud band and, among 80 styles, there’s a pliable, packable Akubra, the Traveller. “The pressure of being an Australian icon and trying to stay here is enormous,” Keir admits, fairly cheerfully. “The public expectation I feel on me and my family to keep this [business] going is huge. When you see what’s happened with Qantas, or Holden and other companies, it plays on your mind. [Companies like Holden] were propped up with government help: we do it on our own; we’re not looking for handouts to keep our doors open.” Touring the factory underlines the pride and passion that sustain Akubra. It’s a remarkable experience, some 84 staff working at a dozen

“My great grandfather was an told Akubra was r fo e m na l na gi ri Abo t bu g, in a head-cover le ab en be r we’ve neve ” it. te ia nt ta to su bs

“

distinct processes: valuable, historic machines pump and pummel, emitting bursts of steam amid stages along the production line that takes rabbit fur from white fluff into a fairy floss-like machine, wetting and blowing the fibre into a soft matting, then forming it on upturned colander-like cones into hat bodies, rolled, shrunk, dyed, proofed, blocked, dried, sandpapered smooth, ironed, moulded at the crown and branded: the age-old felt hat-making method sees each unit tended with precision, truly hand-made. The puffs of fluff become the Cattleman, Snowy River, Riverina, brims hand-sewn, bands of barramundi, crocodile or kangaroo-tail skin applied, feathers, silk linings and labels added, sizes stamped, then serried on racks to be boxed for despatch, consigned to retailers including Sydney’s Strand Hatters, the company-owned outlet. The workers’ concentration is striking; each smiles but soon returns attention to the task, quality essential. No worker’s ever laid off, production waves handled by modified work hours; some have been here a long time, since Akubra decentralised 40 years ago, boosting the town’s economy. (Ultimately, the Slim Dusty Centre could do so too). Akubra buys some pelts from a Macleay

grower of prime rabbit meat - the rest from the Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe. Now there are Akubra belts, and just months ago a domestic manufacturer was licensed for Akubra luggage, handbags, wallets, iPad covers and travel accessories. “Retailers were asking us to expand our range; we don’t have the capability here, so we outsourced,” Keir explains. “To keep manufacturing Akubras in Australia we have to look for alternative sources of income.” His biggest pleasure in the business? “I just like making something. We see it from start to finish, from rabbit skin right through to the end product. There’s not many places that do that. It’s pretty simple, but that’s what I like about it. In between there’s hassles but when you get to the final product and meet people fanatical about it, it gives you a buzz. Because we’re still an Australian company here for over 100 years, I think people respect that.” Hats off to you, Akubra. Keir’s satisfaction, incidentally, echoes that of Jonathan Ive who, with Steve Jobs, created iPhone, iPod and iPad products for the world’s biggest company, at the other, extreme, hi-tech end of manufacturing. Ive also declares that, quite simply, he likes “making things”.

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focusinterview.

NAHKO &

MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE

NAHKO BEAR, LEAD SINGER WITH MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE, BRINGS HIS PASSIONATE MESSAGE AS A GIFT FOR ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCES EVERYWHERE ...

W

here does NAHKO & MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE originate from as a band? Well, we all are from different parts of the world, actually, kind of like the medicine wheel and the four directions - we all hail from different spectrums of the map. I met everyone in different parts of the world and each person came on board at a different time to help steer the ship. We’ve all lived in the same town, Hilo, Hawaii for the last few years - although now we’ve all relocated to different parts of the country - but, that was our home base most recently. Not a bad place to be jumping off from ... and we still usually say we’re all from there, since it’s got a big piece of our collective heart. Tell us about the rest of the group you are touring with - who are they and what elements do they bring to your sound and style? Sure. Hope, our percussionist, is our glue. She keeps us together and in time with her hand crafted beats. She pretty much crushes the baho cajon - it’s Peruvian - if you don’t know what that is, it’s a box drum; it’s pretty unique to our style, presence, and sound. She’s insane to watch. Sometimes I can’t even see her hands, because she’s jamming so fast and hard, ha ha. Hope brings a lot of ...well ... hope to the stage. She usually is our only female on stage, and her light is pretty huge. Chase, our Aussie lead guitar player shreds a 12 string like I’ve honestly never seen before. You could say he puts the meat on our bones with his metal and rock background. He supports the unit with clean, thoughtful leads, and I’m usually either in awe of the sounds he makes or in how much I want to head bang over songs about forgiveness and peacefulness - ha! - and the boy can sing and dance! Dustin, our hard to miss and stop and stare and smile and laugh with bass player is not only a gangster bottom drop bass player, but an unreal stage show and radiant being. His tenor only adds to the unique posse you can’t help

but grin at when we’re all together. He’s also an amazing singer/songwriter himself, as is the rest of the crew, which catapults our artistry together. Music entered your life at the early age of 6 with the piano; what other instruments have you found yourself playing since then? I taught myself guitar when I was 14. I still don’t really consider myself a guitar player kind of a four chord legend among trained and schooled professionals. I’ve been raging the native American style flute for some time now, again self taught, and also our traditional drum. From playing piano in a dinner theatre to your music now - how do you feel your journey has progressed - is it still changing? So many ups and downs, curves, and alleyways to life, is there not? With the music ... wow! Ever changing. My range of influence from past, present, and indeed the future brings so much to my songwriting, poetry, and even how I perform and record. Since the music has always been what I turn to, where I fall apart, where I pick up the pieces, where I bring my questions, and where I create my answers the journey is like a well worn pair of boots … the more dusty, scuffed, and torn up - the more beautiful they are. When it comes to making music, what is your process? I notice a lot of lyrics come from your life experiences … Life experience! Yes, it is often the muse. The process, however, differs in each chapter. As a poet, my worst enemy is my head. Sometimes I think WAY too much about it. As a musician, I FEEL from my heart. Both have their advantages, so I’ll usually try to incorporate both guides and meet somewhere in the middle. Whether it starts with a melody, a one liner, an epiphany, or even a shooting star - each time it starts coming out of my mouth I have to stop what I’m doing and start solving the puzzle. When do you find yourself most inspired to create, and do you know it at the time? Lately, it’s been nothing but creation time. I’ve holed up in a little cottage in Topanga, CA, and I’ve been diving into exactly that question. Since

inspiration comes in waves for different areas of possible. I was made for this s#&t. Having toured extensively, what is the interest and at different times, I usually have to purpose behind this tour? ride it out when it comes! I am surprised all the Well, this tour actually kicks off our spring time when it comes knocking. I love it! return, as we’ve been off for the last few So you are embarking on a tour; tell us a months. little of what we can expect to see. For me, the purpose behind this tour comes Yes, my third time in your country. I’m very with a few points: excited and honoured to share our movement 1: to step up our outreach, specifically in there. We will be bringing some fuel for your a new arena, with our debut at Bluesfest. fire, I reckon. A good show? Well, yeah. A There will be a lot of newcomers to our music shockingly inspiring show? Definitely! I think and therefore a great opportunity you’ll be surprised at the kinds of folks to unveil our magic to the people, who gather to listen. I’ve noticed promoters, producers, artists, for some it’s easy to write us and musicians. We are off as ‘some hippie’ band still so young, new, and or ‘too spiritual’, but is ce Live audien It . generally unheard of ve the fact of the matter ri th where I y m ith out there - this will be is we are a tornado w t puts me righ to er ng se es crucial time to weave of good news, and M purpose. ic us m e th ; le and deliver our best. we will sweep you op the pe It’s u. yo to ft gi 2: to integrate off your feet and y m is , revive, more directly with the root you back into where we disarm e. ” leas support, and re Aboriginal elders. We’ve your joy. And no one toured with Xavier Rudd can say no to that! in the past, and he has Definitely expect high been an enormous guide to energy shredding, audience helping us connect more deeply participation, and an evening of with the original peoples of the smiles and laughter. It’s what we do land. This is a passionate subject for me, best. as I represent with pride indigenous people Live audiences give great feedback to and sovereign movements in the U.S. so, an the artists - you can really share with overall check in with the Aboriginal leaders in them. What do you take away from playing to a live crowd, and do you get a better vibe Council. Because this is such a short trip for me, I from larger or small audiences? won’t be able to get as deep in the bush as I Live audience is where I thrive. It puts me would like, but as I do wherever I go, I find the right with my purpose. Messenger to the people; guardians of the area and share information the music is my gift to you. It’s where we disarm, as to how the struggle is and bring news and revive, support, and release. Small, intimate inspiration when I can. crowds are, of course, delightful, because you 3: to rekindle a fire we started last year. The can connect in a different way. But, I also adore feedback and call for our crew to return has large audiences, too, because it’s a different kind been phenomenal. And so we return humbled of energy work - it’s a challenge to navigate all and eager to share new and old stories and that energy in one space, but if you can master mantras - to gather the tribe and serve as a it or at least work with it, some powerful things reminder to our global family that we can can happen. Whether you sing to a few people carry the torch together. BOOM! or thousands, if what you’re saying is real, raw, Thanks Nahko. and exposing them to themselves - anything is

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WHAT’S ON FRIDAY 4 APRIL, 8PM

APRIL

WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL, 10.15AM

DRAGON

REEL DEAL

Three decades of hits with the iconic band DRAGON! ON!

WEST SIDE STORY

The Trilogy Concert celebrates Dragon and its music usic over the decades, this legendary band carved outt a ory of special place for itself in the popular music history Australia and New Zealand.

Movie & Morning Tea (morning tea: 10.15am, movie 11am) m) PECIAL HOLIDAY S

Children

$8

15 – 24 APRIL

SATURDAY 12 APRIL, 9.30AM – 4.30PM

HOLIDAY FUN There’s a kaleidoscope of creative workshops for kids at the Glasshouse this April.

(UN)SEEN SCULPTURES WORKSHOP

See glasshouse.org.au for our workshop listings! Book now as they sell out fast!

Learn how to create augmented reality artwork – and submit your work to the upcoming (un)Seen Sculptures exhibition!

SATURDAY 12 APRIL, 8PM

21 MARCH – 27 APRIL

THE EMPIRE STRIPS BACK

NORTHERN EXPOSURE THREE

(R18+)

A blockbuster art exhibition featuring over 49 local artists from the Mid North Coast.

Get ready to indulge yourself in a sci-fi fantasy of intergalactic proportions...

02 6581 8888 glasshouse.org.au Government Sponsors A facility of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

34 greater port macquarie focus.

The Glasshouse is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW

Founding Sponsors THE ROSS FAMILY

Principal Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Supporting Partners

focusinterview.

Songs in the key of

C

ushney is an unusual name; where does it come from? Cushney is a Scottish surname, and it’s been in the family for a long time. I’m rather intrigued with the fact that your background was basically as a corporate engineer. What led you to move into the entertainment industry? Basically, I never thought at all at any time in my life that I would end up as a professional performer, but I’ve always loved music. I’ve performed since I was a young child in single digits and was in choirs and had a little group way back in college. It was always just sort of a vocation, and I got the opportunity to perform - as we call it, moonlighting (I don’t know if you use the same term in Australia), but while I was working my regular job, my paid job, I had opportunities to moonlight as a singer. I would take advantage of that … then I basically had a full-time day job and a full-time job performing … this evolved and I had the opportunity to make a decision to see if I wanted to at least try it out. I did so … I kept at it, things eventually fell in place, and it got to the point where I was able to make a living at it and eventually hire other people to make a living at it as well. The quartet you’re a part of, Spectrum, how did that all come about? Where did you meet the other guys? The guys are from all across the country. Everyone had migrated on their own to Las Vegas; Las Vegas is a very entertainment oriented community … there are a lot performers, a lot of stiff competition, but as you get to know people they get to know you … I had the opportunity to put together a group; I auditioned people I knew who had a certain style and put together the group and auditioned for a show here in Las Vegas. We were in that show for a

Songs in the Key of Motown is an entertainment extravaganza which melds the skills of two talented vocal groups, SongsSpectrum in the Key of Motown is an entertainand Radiance, into ment extravaganza which melds the skills massive of twoone talented vocalshow! groups,Cushney Spectrum and Roberts tells us why you Radiance, into one massive show! Cushney Roberts tells us why you shouldn’t shouldn’t miss this amazingmiss act,this amazing act, which is travelling all the which is travelling all the wayway from Las Vegas to visit us down under this from month … Las Vegas to visit us down under this month …

while, then we did our own show on the Las bers choreographed with both the men and Vegas strip, and that has parlayed into what we women together. Both groups enjoy performing do now internationally. on their own, but it’s another level of exciteThe show you’re doing is called Songs in ment when you get to perform together. the Key of Motown. Describe the Motown What are some of the favourite musical style for us … pieces that you perform in the show? Motown music is a style of music that develSome of the favourites are the classics: Stop oped in Detroit, Michigan, here in the United in the Name of Love by The Supremes, My Girl States. Some of the groups that people would by The Temptations, Reach Out, I’ll Be There probably know would be The Temptations, The by The Four Tops, and we do Then Came You, Four Tops, The Supremes, Martha Reeves and which was a duet between Dion Warwick and the Vandellas, Smokey Robinson and The Spinners. These are favourites of the Miracles and Marvin Gaye mine because it’s a combination and Stevie Wonder, as well of the strength of the songs, as Michael Jackson and the harmonies and routines the Jackson Five. that we’ve put together, ow sh a We’ve had But, we don’t and the reaction of the ps ou gr th with bo s just limit ourselves, audiences to what ar ye w fe a r together fo t to ge technically speakwe’re presenting. n te of t n’ do but we use it’s ca ing, to groups and All eight performbe , er th ge to tour iture for nd songs that were on ers sing lead during pe ex er gg bi a re both the Motown labels. the show, so if you promoters to hi very There were a lot of imagine hundreds of groups - so we’re ” other soul and R&B songs, probably thouexcited about it. styles of music that sands of songs, to choose came after in that same from … and then you have era; we include some of eight people who can deliver those in the show and move into all different styles of these songs, the ’70s and disco … and we only have ninety minutes to do Spectrum is partnering with another it. It’s a hard job narrowing it down … group, Radiance, on this tour. How’s that What were some of the impressions you working out for you guys? took away of Australia last time you Both groups I have put together and manvisited? age, so it’s working out just fine. Radiance has The people were very engaging and very its own show, which has toured Australia, and receptive of what we did. You’ve got the zoo Spectrum has its own show which has toured near Sydney and we saw some of the beautiAustralia as well. We’ve had a show with both ful areas around Sydney as well. I don’t think groups together for a few years but we don’t we quite got to the outback, but we certainly often get to tour together, because it’s a bigger drove through areas that were more rural and expenditure for promoters to hire both groups farmland, but we just had a great positive expeso we’re very excited about it. rience and people treated us very nicely. It’s exciting to be able to work with the ladies Anything else you’d like to mention about and perform songs that were production numthe show?

“

I just want to encourage your audiences to make sure they don’t miss this show when it comes through their town. We’ve been doing the show for several years and performing as individual groups for 19 years for the men and about 12 years for the women. I put together this show; it really is virtually surpassing anything we’ve seen or have been told about anywhere globally. We’ve been told that our show is on par with Motown the Musical that’s on Broadway, and we feel very proud of that. We are based here in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, so we’re not second rate performers - we’re all seasoned performers who know what we’re doing … We don’t want people to miss the show, because it’s just so exciting to witness first hand - it’s a throwback to exciting times: the music of mostly the ’60s but some ’70s and maybe a little back into the ’50s. We have exciting choreography, exciting performers, we have great costuming, and it’s just a joy for us to do the show. People have expressed repeatedly that they’re blown away by the level of the performances … We’re going to be doing the most popular songs of that era. You’re going to recognise all the songs. You’re going to be singing along; if you want to jump up and dance, you’re encouraged to do so … Thanks Cushney. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug! See Songs in the Key of Motown at the Glasshouse on April 11 at 8pm. Adult $65; member $60; child (under 16): $35; concession/group: $55. Call the Box Office on 6581 8888 or visit glasshouse.org.au

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36 greater port macquarie focus.

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With a stunning performance career and three solo albums under his belt, Dennis Locorriere has had plenty to keep him occupied since his Dr Hook days. It’s been a while since Dennis has visited us here in Australia … but he’s very much looking forward to touring with his show, Dr Hook and Beyond.

Dr HOOK

H

i Dennis. Please take us right back to the beginning – what first sparked your interest in a performance career? Some people fall into performing by accident – the whole ‘being in the right place at the right time’ scenario. Was this the case for you? I was just a teenager who liked listening to music and making music. I had no real aspirations of becoming a ‘professional’ beyond working in bars and nightclubs in Union City, New Jersey. That’s exactly what I was doing with the guys when a few lucky breaks came along. Your solo career has spanned many years now. What have been a couple of the best moments for you as a solo artist? There are really too many great moments that happen when I’m onstage to pinpoint one or two. That’s the kick of live performing. The coolest thing about being a solo artist is that I can now express how I feel to an audience as an individual, rather than trying to represent an entire band full of different opinions and personalities. It’s a lot more specific to me. I also have had the opportunity to work with other musicians more often over the years. Of the albums you’ve released since your time with Dr Hook, which one has truly stood the test of time for you (and why)? My favourite Hook album is Bankrupt, because we were going through a tough time (hence the title!) but the album has a great upbeat spirit throughout. I’m proud we could manage to convey that feeling, despite the professional turmoil we were in. Many know you, of course, through your distinctive vocals. But, you’re also a prolific songwriter too ... how does the songwriting process work for you? Do you generally find the lyrics or the melody come first ... and how do you put it all together? Lyrics usually come first. I think the melody should be lovely and expressive but should always serve the story, not the other way around. I’ve read through a list of your ‘favourite’ songs, and like most of us you have varied and eclectic tastes. It did strike me that you have quite a liking for the Beatles – not so

Dennis Locorriere

unusual, perhaps – but what does a song or a performer need to have for them to be a standout in your mind? I like an artist who knows how they want to sound and goes for it. In the case of The Beatles, there were no real ‘rules’ written yet – no dos and don’ts. I believe they accomplished so much in such a short period of time because no one was looking over their shoulder or second guessing them, One of the most so they were free to run unique things with their ideas. and my t abou Dr Hook’s the Going back to your ith relationship w was le op Dr Hook days, if pe Australian took to ne yo er there was one thing ev the way I could live withvel.” le you could do over us on a personal out bell bottomed again if you ever trousers or disco balls, had the chance – what thank you. would it be? The show you’re bringAfter our financial troubles ing to Oz – Dr Hook and and subsequent bankruptcy, Beyond ... describe it for us. it became a matter of keeping the What can we expect to see and band working and taking care of our families. hear, and what are some of the songs you’ll We took a more commercial path at that point and be performing? had several big mainstream radio hits. Because I have visited Australia so infrequently While it was probably the right thing to do on – just two tours in 30 years, 15 years apart, the a business level, I was never convinced it was the last being 15 years ago – I wanted this next tour right thing to do creatively. What we gained in to be a more personal, intimate experience for me popularity, we lost in personality. More people got and the audience. to know our faces, but ultimately got to see less of I’ll be onstage alone, with my guitars and 40 who we really were. years of songs, from the Hook hits to some wonTo this day, if you were asked what your derful album tracks that fell by the wayside over favourite Dr Hook song was, what would you the years to material from my three solo albums I say ... and what is it about this song that you think folks will enjoy. like years later? I tend to open a dialogue between myself and I like the early Shel Silverstein penned songs like the audience as soon as I walk out on the stage … Carry Me, Carrie and The Ballad of Lucy Jordan. break down the stage barrier. As a vocalist they gave me more than just a song One of the most unique things about Dr Hook’s to sing. They gave me a story to tell. Those stories and my relationship with the Australian people are still worth telling today and, like any great tale, was the way everyone took to us on a personal they don’t date. level. The 1970s and ’80s were an amazing period I would like very much to rekindle that kind of – each decade so distinct from each other in relationship. We’re not strangers. We just need to terms of music, fashion, cars ... culture. Hisbe reacquainted. tory has a habit of repeating itself, so what’s It has been quite a while since you visited us something from either of these eras that ‘Down Under’ – not since 2000. What’s kept you’d hate to see making a comeback (and you away for so long, and how much are you why?)

“

looking forward to the tour? I have no real excuse for staying away so long, except to say that with all the best intentions in the world life just intervened, and it never became possible to return until now. I relocated from the US to the UK about 10 years ago. I’ve toured here, releasing three solo albums along the way, a couple of concert DVDs and put out a book of poetry and cartoons, titled Whatever’s Burning Now. I’m very excited about coming back, but also apprehensive because of the length of time I’ve been away. The big question I can see everyone asking is, “So who are you now compared to who you were the last time we saw you?” I think the most definitive way to answer that is to walk out on to the stage and show them. I’m hoping once we’re all in the same place together, the years will melt away and people will say, “Oh yeah, we know that guy and we’re glad he’s back”. Thanks Dennis. Interview by Jo Atkins.

the plug! See Dennis Locorriere at the Glasshouse on May 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost $65 for adults. Call the Box Office on 6581 8888 or visit glasshouse.org.au

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focusinterview.

H U N T E R S

Heading: Bounty Hunters

i guys. It’s been a little while since FOCUS caught up with you all. What’s been keeping you busy lately? David Hinds: Heaps! We have been doing lots of gigs, and we have been in the studio recording our new album and preparing it for release. Who’s in the band and what instruments do each of you play? Lyn Hinds: I sing lead vocals and play bass. David Hinds: I play lead guitar and do some vocals. Rob Lyons: (jumps in) and I’m all over the drums. In what ways do you feel you have developed/progressed as a band over the past 12 months or so? Have there been any catalysts for change in the band during this time? David Hinds: Absolutely! But they say a change is as good as a holiday! (General laughter). Firstly, Rob Lyons joined us last August on drums and Lyn moved to playing bass full time whilst continuing to sing lead vocals, hence earning her nickname ‘The Pocket Rocket’. So we have now become a high energy power trio. The audience reaction to the reinvented Bounty Hunters has been awesome, and very gratifying! Lyn Hinds: We also signed with Mella and David Miante from Live2U Artist Management they are now our managers, and we have never seen it brighter! David Hinds: This extra motivator has given us a new lease of life. It unleashed a creative spurt and we started writing again, which has been great! What bands/artists are you currently all listening to on your iPods/MP3 players - and why these particular groups? Lyn Hinds: David and I listen to a wide variety 38 greater port macquarie focus

David Hinds, Lyn Hinds, and Rob Lyons are the Bounty Hunters … a local band with a punchy sound and high energy vibe. The trio will release an album this month, Rise, and will be appearing at several local venues. The sky’s the limit for this talented group … don’t miss seeing them perform live at Port City Bowling Club on April 12!

of music at home, from classic rock to blues to jazz David Hinds: We recorded at Michael Lynch’s … all types of genres, depending on our mood. brilliant Shoehorse Sound studio at Beechwood. At the moment Robben Ford’s new album A Day It really is a world class facility, and Michael’s In Nashville is on high rotation, as he is one of our expertise made our job so much easier. We had favourite guitar players and we had the honour of the material well rehearsed and recorded the playing on stage with him a couple of years ago. entire album in six sessions. Then Michael weaved Also, the Allman Brothers Live At The Beacon 1992 his magic to mix and master it. - which is a brilliant recording of a top band at the Rob Lyons: Michael pulls the best drum sound height of its power. out there! Rob Lyons: I’m currently listening David Hinds: The most time to Leslie West, Still Climbing, a consuming thing in creating great rock album, and Thin an album is the peripheral w Lizzy - Chinatown which is work. Mella has been busy no ve So we ha gh my favourite band, and designing the cover and hi a e m beco e Th . io tr drummer Brian Downey we have had meetings er w energy po to n tio ac is inspirational! in Sydney with MGM re ce en audi unty Bo ed nt Describe the album Distribution, which is ve in re e th you’re releasing this the largest distributor Hunters has been ry month. What’s it of independent music awesome, and ve ” g! in called, and what are in Australia. MGM CEO gratify some of the stand out Sebastian Chase is a music tracks for you guys? guru, and MGM are 100% on Lyn Hinds: The album is board with the distribution and called Rise, and consists of eleven promotion of the album, which is a original tracks in the classic Bounty real coup for us! As independent artists, Hunters blues/rock style. we have to do all the preparation for the album Rob Lyons: It’s a good representation of how release ourselves, and that takes time and effort. the band sounds live - hard edged, tight and When and where will you be releasing the punchy. album? David Hinds: Standout tracks? Hmm … that’s Lyn Hinds: We have our official album launch a hard one. I love ’em all! Rise and Can’t Get at Port Macquarie City Bowling Club (Eastport) Through To You are both pretty epic! on Saturday 12 April, starting at 7.30pm. The gig Lyn Hinds: Agreed! Runnin’ Scared is pretty in is open to the public and we will be playing the your face! album live and in its entirety that night, so come Rob Lyons: Yep, and Too Loud? Too Rough? one, come all! Too Bad! is a lot of fun! What gigs do you have coming up over the How long was this album in the making? next few months? Lyn Hinds: Two of the eleven songs we’ve had Rob Lyons: After our CD release at Port for a while, and the rest we wrote over the last Macquarie City Bowling Club we will be playing at six months. Initially, it was going to be a five track Kempsey Heights Bowling Club on 26 April, South EP, but we had a creative spurt which resulted in West Rocks Country Club on 23 May and back at enough strong material for an entire album. Port Macquarie City Bowling Club on 6 June.

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David Hinds: We also post details of our upcoming gigs on our official FaceBook page (facebook.com/bountyhuntersband). What direction would you like to see the band travelling in musically or performancewise - or indeed, even geographically - over the next year or so? David Hinds: The sky’s the limit, really. We will continue to write original songs. We already have some in the works for the next album. We plan to do plenty of local gigs, as well as those further afield, moving into areas such as the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney. There is a live concert coming up in Melbourne later on in the year which will be globally streamed. Internationally, we are looking at the States and Japan. We have some good contacts with companies who are endorsing the band, such as Rock-N-Roll Gangstar Apparel in L.A. and KTS Titanium Guitar Components in Tokyo. We will also be developing the Bounty Hunters ‘brand’, including opening an online store with a range of Bounty Hunters products, and expanding our YouTube channel as well. So we have a lot of things in the pipeline to keep us busy and keep the fans happy! Where can people get their hands on your new album or download your music? Lyn Hinds: Like David said, MGM is distributing our album, so it will be available in retail outlets such as JB Hi-Fi, Sanity and Birdland Records in Sydney. It will also be available to purchase online at Waterfront Records or from our Bounty Hunters Online Store (www.hindsong.com.au). If you prefer to download, then you will be able to get it from iTunes or you can stream it from Spotify. Rob Lyons: Or … you can come along to any of our gigs and purchase it there! Thanks guys. Interview by Jo Atkins. Photos: Live 2U. Centre black and white photo: Leanne May.

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YOUR CULTURAL A L L

AdvenTure

S I N G I N G

•

Great family entertaining A L L

D A N C I N G

2014 EventS

11th April

Spice It Up Art Exhibition Opening

12th April

Vaisahki Parade

19th April

Dhoom Dhmaal Dinner Dance

26th April

Festival & Kabaddi Exhibition Match

26th April

Seaview Tavern Official After Party

27th April

Cricket NSW Curry Cup

Curryfest is a CelebRatioN of culture and cuisine! Come and join us and enjoy… traditional and modern food from Australia and all over the world, a massive market with 100+ stalls and things to see, do and try, amazing local and travelling entertainment, drummers, DJs, dancers, bands as well as a community open mic stage, a massive kids entertainment zone, yoga and meditation workshops, cooking demonstrations and classes, the Vaisahki Parade, turban tying demonstrations and much MUCH more…

A big thank you to our sponsors platinum

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GOLD

SILVER

bronze

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THE FIG PRESENTS ‘FAME N FOLLIES’ DINNER AND A SHOW ON SATURDAY 5 APRIL - A FAST PACED AND FUN SHOW WITH BURLESQUE, MAGIC ACTS, CIRCUS SIDESHOW ACTS, FIRE TWIRLERS, DRAG QUEENS, SINGERS, DANCERS, COMEDIANS, LIVE MUSIC AND MUCH MORE!

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he Fig will be serving a 3 course meal with canapés on arrival, a main meal and a cheese plater with a 2.5 hour drinks package including house wine, bubbles and beer to choose from! Gordo Gamsby will be one of the stunning performers of the night. Gordo grew up in Wauchope, joining the Slippery Circus group in high school. He is now a 9 Times Guinness World Record Holder and champion Sword Swallower, Neon Tube Sword Swallower, Cigar Box Manipulator, Juggler, fire performer and suspension artist. As a sideshow performer for over a decade, tell us what is involved in this type of performance ... Sideshow is from the carnivals - from the circus days when there were side acts in between the main shows. Over the last few years it has become a lot more mainstream, so it's taken me to 21 countries around the globe, playing in huge stadiums, but I still perform in little tiny tents. It has taken me all around the globe performing big shows and the smaller ones throughout my career. With 9 Guinness World Records, what are some of the death defying acts you perform? I'm about to fly to Italy, where I'm going to attempt to break my own record for the world's strongest tongue. I have already put a hook through my tongue and pulled a cart full of girls weighing 153 kilos - when I fly to Italy I am going to attempt to pull a car, so I’ll undoubtedly have the world's strongest tongue! You might see me chopping apples on my face with a chainsaw, swallowing swords or juggling simultaneously. I also hold records that aren't of the dangerous kind; for example, the Guiness World Record for cigar juggling. How did you get involved in sideshow and circus performances? I got involved in circus for school sport at Wauchope High. It was with a group called Slippery Circus, who are still running today. I toured around with the group and ended up

to I’m about to fly I’m re he w y, Ital to break going to attempt the r fo my own record ngue . to t es ng world’s stro ill put a This is where I w y tongue hook through m and pull a car!”

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teaching after a few years of them teaching me. I was lucky enough to get a Sports and Arts grant from the Council, which took me to Tasmania, and it all went from there. What will be it like for you to come back to your home area to perform at The Fig? I am really looking forward to it. I have been back here for a couple of shows before, and I always love coming back. Why did you decide to take it a step further and make it a career? I'm not sure if it was exactly a decision I made specifically, but it was something I really enjoyed and then I started making money doing it, then I started touring around whilst working other manual labour jobs. I found I was doing more performing than manual labour, and now I just perform. Your performances involve a lot of strength and skill; how do you train and prepare for your shows? There is a lot of training that goes on behind the scenes, and every different stunt has a different training regime. A lot of it is about how far you can actually push your body, pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible, or what is thought to be physically possible. It requires mental and physical training to be able to perform. How do you keep your performance fresh and exciting? I am constantly thinking of new things to do, and I'm also just intrigued and want to learn new things. What do you enjoy most about what you do? Well, a lot of it is quite painful! So I don't think I could do it if I didn't really love it and have a passion for it. I'm really lucky and blessed that I can travel the world and do things that I really enjoy doing. I love going to work and hanging out with my best friends and performing with them.

What is one of the most dangerous things you have ever done? There have been a lot of dangerous things! Originally I got a canon built and got shot by the canon, which is probably one of the most scary things I have done ... the buildup of waiting for the canon to fire and not knowing if I was going to be OK at the end of it. You can watch it on YouTube. What would be the best way to describe your upcoming show at The Fig in Port Macquarie this April - what can audiences expect? An extreme circus is probably the best way to describe it. It's not going to be all hardcore and dangerous, sword swallowing and beds of nails - other acts include, MC Lauren LaRouge, Comedians Imaan Hadchiti, Julia Wilson, Burlesque performers Simona Lisa and Maple Rose, Boylesquer Mac Galleon and more. Your partner Daniela Devilla will also be performing; what will she be bringing to audiences at the show? Daniela will be swallowing razorblades, walking up a ladder of razor sharp swords, I am going to smash some concrete blocks on to her stomach while she is laying on a bed of nails, and you will have to come along to find out what else! It going to be a really fun and exciting show. Thanks Gordo.

the plug! Tickets can be purchased from The Fig. For more information, email us or call on 6584 1140. See you there on Saturday 5 April! Gordo Gamsby - Contemporary Sideshow Artist gordogamsby@gmail.com - www.gordogamsby.com

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Brides, grab your mum; grooms, grab your bride. Get the girls together for a fabulous day out; we have done it all for you! elcome to Port Macquarie’s newest, exciting, innovative and interactive Bridal Fair! 10 am - 2pm, Sunday 27 April 2014 at Rydges Port Macquarie. Why a bride needs to attend … This red carpet event is everything a bride needs and more. Look, touch, taste and smell. All your senses will be stimulated by the amazing variety of wedding activities, experienced vendors and amazing ideas. So, what makes the Hastings Boutique Bridal Fair different? Chatting with hundreds of brides every year, we have put together an amazing expo to fill the gaps in your wedding planner. We believe we have the answers to all your questions. Discovering a select group of vendors, getting great up-to-date advice and information will be as exciting as getting candy from our ginormous complimentary Candy Buffet! What will be there? The works! Live music and entertainment, local wedding suppliers, decorating ideas by Wedding Perfection and more. Lucky door prizes, surprising show bags filled with sooo many goodies, bridal fashion for the bride, groom and bridal party. Cake tastings from Smooch Cakes, lolly buffet to self serve, delightful lemonade stand for a refreshing drink, sparkling wine to unwind in the chillax area, complemented with cheese and nibbles. Jump in the POSE IT photo booth for some fun, all inclusive of your $5 entry fee. Massages and mini manicures are available on the day for a gold coin donation, with proceeds raising funds for Breast Cancer. DIY Invitation Workshop running for 30 minutes – held at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Wind down at the end of the day in the Zebu bar, offering our Bridal Fair attendants a fabulous cake and coffee deal.

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A BRIDAL FAIR NOT TO BE MISSED What about the kids? We have you covered! Your child can be cared for over a period of time whilst you browse the Bridal Fair, for a gold coin donation (spaces Chatting with hundreds of limited). Proceeds will go to the Hastings ar, es Women’s Refuge. brid every ye ther ge to we have put We understand there are times when you to po ex g in an amaz Jorgenson. Matthew J Photography cannot get your children cared for and ur yo in ps ga e fill th – Matthew Jorgenson. Lindsay Moller thought we would give you the opportunity r.” ne Wedding Plan Photography – Lindsay Moller. to complete your 'Wedding To Do List' with iChoonz – Pop, rock & accoustic trio. peace of mind. There will be blackboards, face Beverley’s Bridal Boutique – Beverley painting, drawing, story books and balloons, Whatson. Street Smart Clothing Wauchope. along with a qualified child minder. We ask that you Smooch Cake – Kathlene Niall. Evelina Kemp Hair will please be considerate when bringing your children Design – Evelina Kemp. Head Over Heels Ceremonies around wedding gowns and delicate or breakable items. – Brooke Bell. Trendz Beauty & Training – Dennis & Carol Who will be there? Williams. Wildfire Entertainment – Ellie Lyne. Rydges Port Wedding gowns, suits & formal wear, hair, makeup, beauty, Macquarie. Elysium Beauty Day Spa- Carolin Thomson. photographers, bands, DJ’s, entertainment, planners, decorators, Sails Resort By Rydges Port Macquarie. Margo Smith Celebrant. florists, cakes, invites. Renee Bell Studios – Renee Bell. Park Lane Jewellery. Hastings Five Proudly brought to you by Wedding Perfection along with: Star Limousines. Miss Selfish – Sharon Fletcher. Rainbow Ceremonies – Suzan For all enquires, please contact Wedding Perfection on 6583 7500 Cutts. J & J Events – Jacqueline Toohey. Pee Ka Boo Hair – Sonia or 0488 085 048. Don’t miss this FABULOUS event on the Port Higgins. Milans – Peter & Michelle Boscovski. Kathys Creative Macquarie calendar this April ... See you there! Xx Flowers – Kathy Rogers. Pose It Photo Booth – Matthew

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w it h C ra ig S m it h

louperri.

from The Stunned Mullet

THE VIBE It’s been said around these parts before that dealing with the general public in the hospitality arena requires a generous dollop of amateur psychology.

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ndeed, we humans are an unpredictable bunch – seemingly in a most agreeable frame of mind in one moment, to be eclipsed by the darkest thundercloud of ill humour in the next. We are as changeable as the wind, as volatile as a chemical cocktail. Even the most even-tempered and patient of us is dealt out the occasional bad day. The philosophy that you never really know what sort of day someone is having, so you must always try to exercise patience and kindness to them (even if they are not behaving in this manner towards you), rings very true in our industry and indeed, all professions that are involved in dealing with the general public. A restaurant full of diners and drinkers is very much a theatre of life itself – real life, in all its complexities. Each table is playing out their very own action packed drama – the stories of the individuals themselves, the events directly leading up to their arrival at the restaurant and of course, the intertwining dynamics of their relationship with the others seated with them at the table. There are an infinite number of possible scenarios to contemplate, and even over the course of the evening the vibe can change dramatically between people – hello alcohol! I have spoken before about the restaurant experience being so much more than great food and atmosphere – that the element of service is equally, and sometimes if not more, crucial to making or breaking a customer’s experience. And that an excellent waitperson needs to have very special qualities – not just warmth and charisma, but almost a sixth sense when it comes to anticipating a customer’s needs and executing them in a

seemingly effortless fashion. There’s almost a custom designed etiquette built into the ideal of perfect service. A razor sharp ability is required to read even the slightest subtleties of a social situation and to be able to react instinctively and above all, empathetically. To be able to spot the first-daters and then to somehow ease their awkwardness, lighten the mood and later on to get a laugh out of them – all whilst giving them the space and privacy they need in order to get to know one another is, if anything, an art. Or there’s the serious corporate occasions where deals are being made and money is changing hands – delivering seamless and completely unobtrusive service, knowing that this situation is not one for cracking jokes, not one for over-familiarity. And of course, there’s the lovely older couple holidaying on the coast – they want to know the story of the restaurant, they want to know and understand the food and wine for which they have a passion for, they want to know the story of the person serving them too. When they leave, it is almost like saying goodbye to an old friend – so much has been shared between them and their waitperson, just over the course of one meal. A kind of magic happens when you get it right, a synergy between human beings – a true and genuine communication between strangers where somehow you all feel fleetingly that this is what life is about, that these lovely little moments don’t happen often enough. To put a real smile on someone’s face, to know that somehow an impression has been made upon them – (that when the first daters marry, they will always remember the nice person who served them!) is what it's all about!

blockbuster month at the Glasshouse ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER MONTH AT THE GLASSHOUSE WHICH SAW OVER 30 SHOWS, PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBIT IONS VISIT THE VENUE DURING MARCH; WITH SUCH STRONG SUPPORT FOR ALL OF THESE, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE GLASSHOUSE ALIVE.

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lecturer David de Giustino. These events are always popular and an easy way to learn more about the visual arts in an entertaining night out.

Another local project was working hard behind the scenes all month, as a man made forest came to life. Conceived by local arts company One Off Makery, The Frugal Forest is a project spanning the Mid North Coast. Artists, musicians, scientists, and industry partners came together in the Glasshouse to build an intricately detailed forest made entirely from salvaged items. Supported by Midwaste and the Federal Government, local artists and volunteers transformed the Ross Family Studio into a detailed forest. It was incredible to witness young children exploring this forest, and learning more about waste and our environment. With plans for future development and to take this project to other regional areas, we wish this local initiative every success.

In a first for the Glasshouse, last month saw us cater for a 3 Course Sit Down dinner held in the third floor of the Gallery as part of the AAG/AAC Conference, which attracted over 120 people to our region for their annual 2 day conference. This private dinner in the surrounds of the Regional Gallery showcased a one of a kind service that the Glasshouse spaces can offer and was the start of the new in house Glasshouse catering service.

he Gallery saw the successful Hastings Valley Fine Arts Exhibition being showcased throughout the first half of last month, before one of our largest and most popular local exhibitions, Northern Exposure, took over the space, with more than 170 guests attending the opening of this year's Northern Exposure Exhibition. This program, a biennial event, provides local artists professional development opportunities and a chance to exhibit within a professional gallery space. On display until the end of April, this is a wonderful opportunity to come and see the talent and creativity that is in our own region.

March also saw our Art After Dark lecture series continue with another sell out event in the Ross Family Studio, with a full house enjoying a glass of wine and the always engaging professional

Our Theatre was once again bustling throughout the month with a number of performances on show; these included 75 Years On Buddy Holly, David Williamson's When Dad Met Fury, Flickerfest as well as a nearly sell out concert with Salute to our Seniors - a collaboration between the Conservatorium Mid North Coast and Sinfonia presented as part of Seniors Week celebrations. All that, and we welcomed over 1,000 children from across the region who come to see the wonderful books about Tashi brought to life onstage, as part of our successful in schools education program.

As the Glasshouse team is now busily taking over the café and bar, why not come in this month and see what we have to offer. With our always popular School Holiday program, this Easter is the perfect time to let the children be entertained while you relax and enjoy a coffee, or something stronger, in our new Glasshouse café - Encore! greater port macquarie focus 43

Bellrowan Valley Horse Riding We’re open 7 DAYS, and bookings are essential. Phone 6587 5227 web: www.bellrowanvalley.com.au ■ Daily Trail Rides, Overnight Packages, Pub Ride 2 days ■ Beginners to experienced riders ■ Great for kids, families & couples ■ Tuition before and during every ride ■ Quality horses, beautiful scenery and friendly guides ■ Freshly baked damper & refreshments after every ride.

Black Duck Brewery Come down and relax at the brewery. Enjoy some cool tunes, some craft beer on tap and local produce and nibbles. Why would you be anywhere else? Our cellar door hours are: ■ Thursday and Friday 10 'til 6, ■ Saturday and Sunday 10 'til 4. ■ Other times you are welcome by appointment. Call Al on: 0407 874 474 Address: 6B Acacia Ave, Port Macquarie.

TRAIL RIDES AND TREKS

Cruise Terminal The best of contemporary and vintage river cruises. Our large catamaran cruiser has three decks and plenty of space to move around. Choose from one of our popular river cruises: BBQ cruise, Eco History Cruise, Family Fun Twilight Cruise (including free boom net rides). Our beautiful authentic Chinese Junk has river trips every day on the Hastings River. Be lulled on one of our two hour trips – either a tasty fish & chip lunch cruise or a yummy morning tea. Sunset cruises also available, and some dolphin spotting on all cruises! BEST BOATS, BEST CRUISES, BEST PRICES. Phone: 6583 3058 or 0409 744 270 Web: www.cruiseterminal.com.au Address: River end Clarence St, Port Macquarie

The Little Brewing Company Award winning craft brewery View brewery operations from the Cellar Door. Talk to the people who own the business and make the beer. Taste why this little brewery is recognised as a world class producer. Open to the public for tastings and sales: Mon – Sat, 10am – 4pm Sun – Closed Public holidays – please phone Address: 1/58 Uralla Road, Port Macquarie Phone: 02 6581 3949 Web: thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au

Bago Vineyards & Bago Maze Take time out to visit Bago Vineyards, a unique and pleasant experience offering a diverse range of activities for all ■ Enjoy wine tasting in the Cellar Door, enjoy a local cheese platter on the pergola overlooking the vineyards & surrounds ■ Join us for ‘Jazz in the Vineyards’ Sunday 13th April and Mother's Day 11th May ■ Explore and lose yourself within the Bago Maze, the largest hedge maze in NSW Phone: 6585 7099 Open: daily until 5pm Address: Bago Vineyards, Bago Rd, Wauchope Web: www.bagovineyards.com.au

Hydro Golf & Putt-Putt web: www.hydrogolf.com.au phone: 02 6583 3200 Boundary St, Port Macquarie Open 7 Days

Cut me out Buy 2 buckets of balls (value $17) and receive yourr E. 3RD BUCKET FREE. not to be used with any other offers

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focustourism.

Port Macquarie Tourism Association

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janette hyde. The month started with the Lasiandra Festival. Wauchope looked great with all the splashes of purple throughout the town. id you visit the Kendall Show another fun event? Hope that everyone had a chance to catch the Blues and BBQ Festival which was held in March – well done Jay Beaumont and Simon Luke for organising such a unique event. We live in such a diverse area, where we can enjoy wonderful natural experiences. One such area is the Wilson River Reserve. Wilson River picnic area is a great base to explore much of what this park has to offer.

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Willi Willi National Park forms an extensive mountain wilderness on a spectacular section of the Great Dividing Range. There’s a choice of three scenic walking tracks, through sub-tropical and warm temperate rainforest, along the river, and to a sparkling waterfall and plunge pool Botanic walk, Palm Grove walk and Waterfall walk. Swans Crossing is another area popular with locals and visitors alike; this camping and picnic area in Kerewong State Forest

is set on former farmland. The area is surrounded by regenerated native forest and hardwood plantations. Swimming is also popular in the nearby shallows of Upsalls Creek. This month we have the Port Macquarie Heritage Festival. If you are interested in catching up with some of our heritage sites, check out the programme below. ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR APRIL 2014 Port Macquarie Heritage Festival 13 27 April 2014 - various venues ... Discover the amazing stories that connect our past to our present. Over 25 exciting activities, exhibitions and lectures that celebrate the people, stories, landmarks and collections of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. Take a tour of our historic graveyards and hear the amazing stories of the men and women interred there. Discover our amazing archaeology and learn why it is so important and what you can do to protect it. Unearth the roots of our region through tales from our legendary timber-getters and bullock-drivers. Take the family to celebrate our local heritage arts and crafts, enjoy the Variety Concert, discover the Hut by the Black Swamp, Ghost Glen and the Song of the Shingle-Splitters, or relax in an awardwinning heritage vineyard. Take a journey through some of earliest homesteads and discover the amazing stories of our earliest entrepreneurs. Unearth our

local shipwrecks and uncover the tale of the daring attempt to row a lifeboat from Port Macquarie to Sydney in search of help. Celebrate the arrival of the railway, meander through archaeological ruins, explore our early records to find out who you are and where you’ve come from, or relax on a scenic tour and listen to the experts unfold the tales and history of our region. Official Festival Launch at Kendall Town Green, Sunday April 13, with Poets Breakfast from 9am, opening ceremony from noon and unveiling of the Bullock Sculptures from 12.30pm. Look for the free ‘2014 Heritage Festival Guide’ at local museums, the Glasshouse or other tourist information points. Port Macquarie Art Society 39th Art Exhibition 17 - 22 April Historic Court House. Come and enjoy great artwork exhibited in one of Port Macquarie’s oldest buildings. The Exhibition will be open for 5 days starting on the 17 April from 10am. 104th Wauchope Show 25 - 26 April Wauchope Showground. Horses and dairy cattle will be amongst some of the animals on display, plus many food displays and food stalls. Amusement rides open at 10am and there are fireworks at 8.30pm on the Friday. The Grand Parade is at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Don’t miss this fun event. Check out the full programme at http://www.wauchopeshowsociety.com.au/ Next Month Ironman 4 May 2014.

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Artist Rachael Wells grew up in Central Nebraska before relocating to Australia in 2011, and her unique acrylic paintings on canvas depict Rachael’s love of grasslands and horizons. Rachael will be exhibiting her artworks at Haven Fine Arts Gallery and Studio in North Haven from 4 April - 4 May.

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ou are originally from the US illustration. A lot of my development has involved when did you decide to relocate learning how to be more relaxed and having fun to Australia? with art and trying new methods and materials. I I grew up in central USA in have really brought back my childhood creative side Nebraska and studied how that was probably stifled with the responsibility of nature works through university and growing into an adult. a degree in environmental science What mediums are used and agriculture. I relocated to throughout your artworks Dunbogan, NSW, Australia in acrylic, watercolour, pastels? My ‘specialty’ is 2011 and Port Macquarie in Generally, I use acrylic paints acrylic painting have 2013, and I’m still getting in my artworks, but water on canvas, but I s other used to living by the them down quite a bit like pursued variou inting pa projects like ocean! watercolour. The technique I use s, garden murals, pots for Tell us about your requires many layers of paint, so al d s an and rain barrel ating background as an artist; and each one needs to be dry tr writing and illus when did you realise your before I begin a new one. I can’t s.” ok children’s bo passion for art, and what imagine how long it would take do you specialise in? me to complete a painting if I used I have been involved in some oils. sort of art pursuit for all of my life. I What makes your artwork unique? won several art contests in primary school, Growing up on the prairie in the centre of but didn’t become serious about showing and the United States has given me a love for grasslands selling art until my early 20s. My ‘specialty’ is and horizons. I like to think that the colours I see in acrylic painting on canvas, but I have pursued various grasses and try to paint are unique. other projects like painting murals, pots for gardens, What would be one of your favourite pieces in and rain barrels and also writing and illustrating your exhibition? children’s books. The one I am most pleased with is a painting of How have you developed your ability over the kangaroos with golden halos over their heads. The last 10 years? colours and techniques all came together quite nicely. Ten years ago I was mainly drawing realistic scenes How does art inspire feeling, and what feeling in black and white. I was very interested in scientific do you hope to bring to the public with this

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exhibition? Whether you are involved in creating or observing art, everyone will have a different emotional experience that is based on his or her unique life situation. When I first started going public with my paintings, the most overwhelming and unexpected feedback I got was how happy my art made people. Several times, I have unveiled a piece and the receiver cried out of joy. It may sound clichéd, but if I can invoke feelings of happiness and spread positive energy, then I would consider myself successful as an artist. Thanks Rachael. Rachael M. Wells RachaelWells.wordpress.com

the plug! Haven Fine Arts Gallery & Studio 2/524 Ocean Drive, North Haven, from 4 April to 4 May 2014. email gallery@havenfinearts.com

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Garden Village

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esidents, staff and friends of Garden Village gathered in the Community Centre on 13 March for a scrumptious morning tea of 'chin biscuits' made especially by the Garden Village catering

team. The main attractions were Danny Hawes from Garden Village Maintenance department, who raised $1,100 getting his curly locks shaved off and sporting a Mohawk. Danny feels ‘chopping the locks’ was worth it! (Even though he has a wedding to attend this weekend). The Port Macquarie Lions Club sponsored Danny, and Resident Lion Brian Langley presented Danny with a cheque for $300. The lovely Ruth Davis from Catering decided to shave her beautiful natural curls to also raise $1,100 for the cause, and she still looks a million dollars. John Cooke - Catering Manager had his head shorn, and our Garden Village resident artist Robyn Carroll went to work

painting three little monkeys on his head. John's art work is 'a head' of the rest! John Burns had his lovely wife, Sharyn from GV Hair Salon, shave his head as the crowd cheered and gave some encouragement. Others who shaved were Greg Mottee - Maintenance Manager and Derek Burbridge from Maintenance, who also had their neck and leg waxed respectively. Ultimate sacrifice - ouch! Resident of Garden Village Bernie Farrant had his hair sprayed blue and then shaved off. So many people got into the spirit with wigs and hair sprays and chalk hair colour to make it a wonderful time. The residents and staff assisted to raise nearly $3,400 on the day. Well done to all. Garden Village Management wish to thank Garden Village resident hair stylist Sharyn Burns, who supplied the equipment to do the shave. Also thanks to Renee and Bill, local hair stylists who came in to assist on the day. And a big thanks to the Garden Village staff, who donated their time and arranged the shave and morning tea. This goes to show the wonderful spirit in the community of Garden Village Port Macquarie. To find out more about this wonderful community spirit and have a tour of this unique Village, please call Kate today on 6582 8923.

DIY WORKSHOPS

Nail your indoor projects with D.I.Y. Workshops at Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie this April. ort Macquarie residents are invited to learn new skills and make the most of their weekends by learning a range of handy D.I.Y. tips to use around the home at Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout April, team members from Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie will host free D.I.Y. Workshops and share their expert advice with local residents. The D.I.Y. Workshops will cover a wide range of helpful projects including painting, plastering, windows and doors D.I.Y. Workshops. The easy to follow workshops will arm Port Macquarie residents with the

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skills they need to make the most of their indoor projects. Free Kids D.I.Y. Workshops will also run each weekend throughout April, which will include craft activities, painting and much more. Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie Complex Manager Scott Lavender says the workshops are perfect for people who are looking for D.I.Y. inspiration or basic hints and tips. “We encourage Port Macquarie residents to come in store this month to develop the knowledge and skills required to complete D.I.Y. projects around the home,” Scott said. WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays throughout

April. Adult D.I.Y. Workshops are held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Kids D.I.Y. Workshop times vary, so please contact Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie for times. Saturday 12 April & Sunday 13 April Adults: Painting & Plastering Workshops. Discover how to paint and plaster even the trickiest area of the home. Kids: Fun with Paint Workshops. Bring out your inner artist. WHERE: Bunnings Warehouse Port Macquarie, 215 Lake Road, Port Macquarie. Tel: (02) 6588 5100

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MAYOR OPENS NEW BRIDGE AT MINIATURE RAILWAY DURING 30TH ANNUAL WAUCHOPE LASIANDRA FESTIVAL

RAILWAY F U N DAY

Billabong Zoo Wow! What an incredible 12 months it’s

Throughout the day you can get up close and

been at Billabong Zoo! Shrek the monster

learn more about our amazing wildlife during

croc has made himself quite at home and

our keeper presentations which start at 10am

has been thrilling crowds with his feeding

and conclude at 4.15pm – with something

shows at 12.30 daily.

happening every half hour, you’re sure to

Our gorgeous ‘Happy Feet’ Little Penguins star

keep the kids on their toes! If watching the

in their own daily feeding routine at 10am and

animals eat is making you feel hungry, why

not to be missed are our beautiful red panda

not grab a bite yourself from the zoo café;

sisters, Rato and Tito, who enjoy their dinner

our new chefs are sure to have something to

at 2.30pm daily. The latest arrivals are our two

tempt the tastebuds, with fresh ground coffee,

mischievous meerkats, Bido and Pongo, who are

homemade scones and biscuits, burgers, wraps

on the go nearly all day, digging, taking turns to

and sandwiches made to order. Take home a

act as the sentry and of course, munching down

special memento from our huge gift shop and

on as many bugs and worms as possible.

remember – Billabong Zoo is the place for you!

Our special animal encounters are a great way

Enquire about our catering for group functions

to get even closer than you think and feature

and children’s birthday parties. Visit our website

our pythons, koalas, snow leopards, penguins,

www.billabongkoala.com.au and like us on

meerkats and red pandas. Prices, times and

Facebook for the up to the moments goings on

experiences vary, and bookings are essential.

around the zoo.

On Saturday 8 March the Hastings Valley Miniature Railway, in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the Wauchope Lasiandra Festival and Wauchope Lions, held the now annual Hastings Valley Miniature Railway Family Day at the Yippin Creek Reserve in Wauchope. Chrissy Jones caught up with the busy President, Steve Harding ...

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ell us about the day ... There was a very large crowd in attendance, with 28 club members providing train rides to 462 passengers on the day our biggest roll-up! The crowds kept Lions Club members busy at the sausage sizzle throughout the day. The highlight was the opening of the bridge on the new 60 metre track loop. The Mayor Clr Peter Besseling officiated, declaring the bridge open and recognising the ”work of the club members ... support of local business and community groups ... the community asset being built and the win-win for everyone involved”. Would you like to thank anyone for their help with the bridge and new track? Yes, I would like to make special mention of the enterprises that supported the bridge project: Bennett Steel, Red Shed Hire, Hytec Quarry, Holcim Concrete, Dulux Paints, 3D Inspirations, Boral Timber Herons Creek, Alan Taylor & Associates, O’Donnell & Hanlon and Hastings Valley Landscapes. I thank these businesses and their employees, Wauchope RSL, Wauchope Lions, Wauchope Lasiandra Festival, the neighbours at Yippin Creek, Liam Bulley from PMHC and the the team at Council Parks and Recreation for their ongoing support over

the last two years. The bridge was built with a grant of $4,070 from the PMHC Community Grants Scheme. The live steam trains next run on Saturday 12 April from 10am to 2pm; covered shoes required. Further details on Facebook - Wauchope Yippin Creek Railway. Photos: Mayor flags first train across bridge Bridge opening 8 March 2014 - Mayor flags through first train over bridge L-R HVMR member Mark Stoker, Pres Steve Harding, Gerry de Vries, driver Ray Wilkinson, Trea Rob Neary, Mayor Peter Besseling. Photo Arthur Minter. Official train crosses bridge Bridge opening 8 March 2014 official train L-R Countess 3762 C37 locomotive, driver Ray Wilkinson, Mayor Peter Besseling, Pres Steve Harding, HVMR members Ian Strawbridge, Trea Rob Neary, Peter Clive. Photo Arthur Minter. Official train Bridge opening 8 March 2014 official train - R-L Countess C37 locomotive, driver Ray Wilkinson, Mayor Peter Besseling, Pres Steve Harding, HVMR members Ian Strawbridge, Trea Rob Neary, Peter Clive. Photo Arthur Minter. greater port macquarie focus 49

Photo Credit: Tourism Tasmania and Bill Bachman.

T R AV E L D E S T I N AT I O N : TA S S I E T R O U T F I S H I N G

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y contrast with the clutch-at-theheart emotion inspired by, say, Kakadu or the Barrier Reef, a gentler sentiment stirs the soul in our little island State and we endow it with the fond diminutive, “Tassie”. This year Tasmania celebrates a milestone luring travellers to appreciate its charm, uniqueness and sheer variety of attractions in a compact space, so quick and easy to reach. The weekend of May 3-4 marks the 150th anniversary of establishment of the Australian (and, so, New Zealand’s) trout fishing industry, an “impossible dream” nevertheless achieved by dogged early settlers after a daunting 12-year campaign. Celebrations centre on a speck on the map known as Plenty, in the bountiful Derwent River Valley 40 minutes north-west of Hobart. Curiously for an area hosting trout, the location’s known as Salmon Ponds. A book relaunched for the occasion explains the ponds were created for the prime purpose of hosting Atlantic salmon brought from Scotland. In a first effort in 1852, 50,000 salmon and trout eggs were despatched encased in lead on a barque across some 10,000 nautical miles. Water around the eggs was replenished every six hours on the four-month voyage but the ova died. The earnest pioneers modified their technique over eight years, trying again in 1860 with 30,000 Atlantic salmon ova nestled in 15t of ice. After 59 days the ice melted and the ova died. A third attempt a year or so later used a 25t icehouse but the ice gave out again. In 1864 a clipper, the Norfolk, bound for Melbourne took more salmon ova on board and reached port 84 days later. The cargo began several legs of transhipment to the Salmon Ponds, finally by barge and with 50 men on foot then carrying the cases overland. The first box was unscrewed and dead ova revealed. But then it was found eggs in other boxes had survived. Only 300 were trout, included as an afterthought to the salmon. On 4 May 1864 the first young trout emerged and, a day later, the first salmon. Just 40 young trout were released - and prospered and multiplied! The salmon experiment was a failure: the released fish failed to return from their natural migration to the sea to spawn in fresh water. To this day there are no

wild Atlantic salmon in Tasmania, but brown trout (genetically of the salmonid family) abound throughout Tassie’s rivers and streams. (Salmon aquaculture, now a huge segment of Tasmania’s fresh food industry, began only 30 years ago). Birthday events at Salmon Ponds include sight-fishing on dry fly, hatchery tours, displays of rare heritage images and history of trout, meeting top fishermen, and kids’ 19th century play activities, with music, food, drinks and free entry. Visitors can tour Tasmania’s distinctive hopfields and striking old oast houses around nearby New Norfolk, precursors of the State’s thriving beer culture; stay in charming hamlets or luxury hotels, visit antique shops, whiskey distilleries and cider and vineyards cellar doors. A further 65km on, Bothwell hosts 50 convict-built National Trust buildings, Australia’s oldest golf course and the Australasian Museum of Golf, housing memorabilia reputedly the best outside St Andrews. Further north the new Australian Fly Fishing Museum is 15 minutes from Launceston at Clarendon, said to be the nation’s finest Georgian mansion; it was opened last year by Tamie Fraser, she and husband Malcolm both keen anglers. In 2014 share the pioneers’ passion: fish at some of the world’s most desirable lakes and lodges, learn the art on novice-to-expert guided tours, enjoy casting and fly-tying schools. Or simply sup on grilled trout, or salmon, at superb restaurants and charming country cafes. SEADREAM: Join the millionaire French Riviera yachting and casino set on a weeklong cruise sailing between Monte Carlo and Rome’s Civitavecchia in September. SeaDream II has 56 staterooms and suites, max pax of 112 guests and 95 crew! Depending on choice of forward or return journey, explore ports such as St Tropez, Cannes, beautiful beaches at Calvi on Corsica, cliffside World Heritage Portvenere in popular Cinque Terre, Portoferraio on Elba, and Italy’s Portofino. From USD5026ppts, stow your wallet: includes five-star dining, wine for lunch & dinner, drinks from open bars, watersports, tips, charges and taxes. On the basis of my sailing this region with SeaDream, I can recommend the experience. Details: travel agents; seadream. com greater port macquarie focus

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The Francis family holiday

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Our flights were with Qantas Sydney to Johannesburg 11 hours direct, then South African Airways to Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar. We also used Kenya Airways to Nairobi, Precision Air to Kilimanjaro Airport in North Tanzania, then South African Airways to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

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ur holiday was 5 weeks long: 2 weeks Madagascar, 2.5 weeks Tanzania including Zanzibar, and 4 days Victoria Falls. Our accommodation ranged from a few classy hotels to more basic guest houses $40-80 triple share per night, then safari lodges and luxury camping while on safari in Tanzania. Victoria Falls was far more expensive, with a self contained cabin at $125 per night being about the cheapest at a reasonable standard I could find. Madagascar was surprisingly lush, with steep river valleys cultivated from top to bottom with rice paddies etc. We travelled with a local driver/guide in a 4WD, recommended, as the roads are very rough. Highlights were seeing the massive baobab trees light up at sunset on the west coast, chasing lemurs through the rainforest at Ranomafana and Andisabe National Parks (the spotters use mobile phones to let your guide know where they are) and watching many chameleons think about moving then deciding not to. It's surprising they can be bothered to change colour at all. Staying at Camp Catta's cabins near d'Andringitra National Park, surrounded by massive granite rock walls and small thatched hut villages, was a joy. As you pull up at the carpark, the trees are alive with ring-tailed lemurs bouncing from branch to branch. You might know King Julian from the movie Madagascar is a ringtailed lemur! Their tails are at least double their body size and hang from branches like fluffy decorations. We had a wonderful day walk up to Chameleon Rock in the sunshine, passing many locals carrying loads on

their head to market. Climbing out on the chameleonshaped rock, jutting out over the valley floor, was a knee wobbling experience, as was the steep descent to the villages below! We spent New Year's Eve with many locals and a few guests by the pool, which was a memorable night. People of all ages were there dancing the night away to local and French music, often forming conga lines, where you had to copy the ever changing movements of the leader. By far the best mover at the head of the conga was a five year old boy, who never seemed to run out of new ideas for his very funky moves! What a way to see in 2014. As we boarded our tiny plane at Nairobi airport to take us to Tanzania, I elbowed my family out of the way, determined for the first time to take a window seat! I had my neck craned for Mt Kilimanjaro and soon, there it was, a snow-capped volcanic peak rising out of puffy white clouds. It must be amazing to spend 3 - 4 days climbing up from the flat plains to the summit at 5,895 metres, but this was not part of our journey, and I was so glad to see this stunning peak as we flew past. We also drove past later on a bus to Dar Es Salaam and saw the mountain in its entirety. The highlight of our holiday was the 7 day safari with Maasai Wanderings to Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks and the emerald Ngorongoro Crater. Our safari also included a day with an Iraqw tribe and visit to a Maasai village to chat and dance with the locals there. We were stunned at the masses of animals grazing, including the wildebeest on their southern migration from Maasai Mara in Kenya.

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The term the Big 5 was coined by hunters relating to how wonderful local markets and cafés to smoke hookah pipes. difficult the animals are to hunt (why would you want to?) Walking through the narrow alleyways was a voyage which are elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and Cape Buffalo. of discovery and as a guide touting for work told us on We saw many Cape Buffalo, elephant and lion up close, our first day, "You'll never get out alive without me!" We but the leopard and rhino only through binoculars. didn't use a guide and we didn't get lost ... Plentiful were the zebra, giraffe, impala, gazelle, that often! The beaches on both coasts flamingo, ostrich, vulture, hyena, warthog, have stunning white sand and baboon, many other primates, a huge warm, clear aqua blue water. variety of birds and many muddy pools We hired a very roughshod our of huddling hippos. dhow (made of mango tree), The highlight of 7 holiday was the Watching the antics of the animals with charismatic Captain Zapi i sa aa M was a joy, especially when a huge at the helm. We sailed out day safari with i Serenget Wanderings to herd of elephants, including baby on the lagoon at Jambiani ra and Lake Manya the jumbos, surrounded our 4WD. for a snorkel on the reef and d an National Park s We were also excited to see 3 lions took way too many photos o or ng emerald Ngoro so close to us in a bush area, only of the lusciously coloured Crater.” to realise as a line of wildebeest water. Another delight in passed, 9 lion heads popped out of the Zanzibar was having henna bushes! One lioness attempted to make tattoos painted on to our hands a kill, passing our 4WD's bumper within a and arms. We could happily return whisker, and soon the line of wildebeest was in to Zanzibar and stay longer ... chaos. On safari, there was never any rush to move Our last stop was Victoria Falls, which not on until we were ready to, and our friendly guide and driver only has amazing waterfalls separating the countries of were a wealth of information. It's hard to describe the Zambia and Zimbabwe, but have a menu of adventurous excitement we felt as we saw all those animals in the wild, activities to spend money on. There's a zip line and giant so close and so plentiful. swing across the chasm below the falls. There's a bungy A 15 hour bus ride and 3 hour ferry trip took us to jump, where you may recall an Aussie girl's rope broke a Zanzibar (or you could fly), an island off the east coast few years ago, and she had to swim out of the Zambezi of Tanzania. When you arrive at Stonetown, it feels like River as fast as she could! a whole different destination, as the locals are Muslims There's rafting trips, heli flights, walks with tame lions, wearing robes and the call to prayer reminds you of Islam elephant back safaris and sunset cruises on the upper at regular intervals. Stonetown is a messier version of a Zambezi. We chose a game drive in Zambezi National Park, Greek island village, with a laid back Caribbean island vibe, followed by a 4 hour canoe trip down river towards the

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falls. We even stopped to swim in the river on a 'hippo and croc free island'. But, despite loving the journey, eventually we had to stop as we were getting so sunburnt! Chris loved his helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and we all loved the elephant back safari, especially Nat, perched high on his own elephant. As we fed and thanked our elephants, we turned to see a cheetah just a few steps away. It was overwhelming to see such a beautiful creature up so close. Sylvester the cheetah is an orphan and raised by a young man who told us his story. We were able to sit and pat him and he licked Chris' sunburnt arm, which was apparently like having sandpaper rubbed on his sunburn. It's difficult to refuse a cheetah though! As with the modern world, Sylvester is now my Facebook friend. Foodwise, we ate Zebu (cattle), chicken, fish and rice in Madagascar. Nat (12) ate pizza every second night, as he's not quite so adventurous! Vegetables and fruit, especially mangos, are everywhere in Madagascar. On our safari we just ate too much, as it was all delicious and usually banquet style! In Zimbawe we all tried (farmed) warthog and crocodile. The people in all 3 countries were wonderful to be amongst - especially to watch the differences of their way of life. "Karibu" means welcome in Swahili, and it is commonly said and meant by all. "Pole pole" is slowly slowly and "Hakuna matata" or "No worries", is known well from The Lion King. We also learnt in Swahili that "Simba" does mean lion and "Pumba" does mean warthog. Thanks Jan and Chris. greater port macquarie focus

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by Michelle Newman from Newman Communications

The ‘Day in the Life’ series gives us a glimpse into the working lives of the people we don’t often see or think about, but who play an important role in keeping our community running.

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airdressing is said to be one of the and funky haircuts, Toni loves being presented with a happiest occupations on the planet, hairstyling challenge. But she said the worst cut to be so it comes as no surprise to hear that asked to do is, without a doubt, the dreaded mullet. “This Toni Wright loves her job. She enjoys never looks good - even when it was fashionable in the meeting new people and maintaining ‘80s!” relationships, but the best part of her It’s hard to predict how a day is going to go for Toni. job is being able to help people look and feel Everyone’s cut is different and it’s important that good about themselves. she allows enough time for her clients, so Since she was diagnosed with breast they don’t feel rushed. A lady’s cut and cancer in 2012, this is something very colour will usually take around two g in be close to Toni’s heart, and she now hours, while a man’s cut will be over s Toni love a ith w d volunteers with Look Good, Feel and done with after 20 minutes. te presen e. ng le al ch Better. The longest appointments g hairstylin st or w e th id sa “This is a wonderful program can be fixing ‘supermarket e But sh to do d ke as be which helps cancer patients who colour’ jobs. “To bring these hair to t cu ubt, the are struggling with the effects disasters back to a normal colour is, without a do dreaded mullet.” of treatment feel more like usually takes a few visits to the themselves again through makeup, hairdresser.” skin and hair techniques. I’m very Toni’s day is also made interesting proud to be able to pass on not only by the many stories people share in the my hair and makeup knowledge, but my chair. She is always honoured by people cancer experience too.” opening up to her, although there are some Toni always wanted to be a hairdresser. She started stories she wishes she didn’t have to hear. She her training in 1990, put it on hold for a while to assures us that everything is confidential. “What’s said have her son, then picked it up again in 2006 while in the salon stays in the salon.” working full-time in the UK. As well as being a regular ‘agony aunt’, hairdressers Toni relocated to Australia three years later and is now a must have a friendly and outgoing nature, attention to self-employed hairdresser at Gossip Hair Studio on Horton detail and the skills to be able to interpret what the client Street. asks for. Toni works long days, getting to the salon at 8.30am While sharp scissors, combs, and pins are essential, Toni and often leaving 12 hours later. Although her days are says most important of all is actually a good pair of shoes! long, they are rarely dull. You can call Toni on 0447 847 859. With more and more people asking for bright colours Story by Ashlee King.

• my day •

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6am

Wake up, a cup of tea with my husband, walk my dog, Harvey, and breakfast.

8.30am Arrive at work and prepare for clients coming in that day. Review client cards, prepare foil and colours, clean brushes, oil scissors and maintain my tools. 9am

First client arrives and a busy day begins – colours, cuts, perms and blowdrys.

Noon 1pm

Hopefully time for lunch to keep me going. Back to work. At the salon we all help to sweep the floor, tidy up coffee cups, wash and fold the towels, towels and more towels.

5pm

My after-work clients arrive. Everyone leads such busy lives, so I stay open late.

8pm

The last clients leave the salon; time to clean up and ensure everything is in place ready for the next day.

8.30pm Home for dinner and time to put my feet up.

greater port macquarie focus 55

By Dr Graeme Browne RN, MHN, PhD from the University of Newcastle

By Glenise McLaughlin from The Natural Health Sanctum

HOT

FLUSHES

A S P E R G E R ’S what’s in a name?

Are hot flushes driving you mad?

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t can feel like hot flushes can take on that every woman goes through. But this a life of their own when you are going doesn’t mean you have to suffer – there are through menopause. Waking up many natural treatment strategies that can during the night hot and support your body whilst going through bothered, unable to get this transitional stage in your life. back to sleep, waking Easing your hot flushes and up tired in the morning facilitating a good night’s sleep, e m For so feeling like you haven’t assistance with weight loss , en om w be n slept at all, having to and much, much more can be ca se au op men g tin ra fan yourself when in achieved using an individual st fru ry ve a company when no-one customised health promoting and unpleasant else has to, weight program designed for you by time.” gain, memory loss, Naturopath, Glenise McLaughlin osteoporosis, depression using both short and long term and mood swings (just to name strategies – because ‘one size does not a few!) are all symptoms associated fit all’. with menopause. Actually, for some Glenise has over 20 years’ experience and women menopause can be a very frustrating specialises in Natural Treatment of Menopause. and unpleasant time. So if you need some help getting through Instead of treating menopause like a disease, your menopause stage, call The Natural here at The Natural Health Sanctum we Health Sanctum on 6583 3544 and make an consider menopause to be a natural process appointment.

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By Judy Plunkett– Plunketts Chemmart Pharmacy

he two diagnostic categories have been collapsed to Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The change has caused some controversy. Autism internationally affects between 0.6 and 1.6% of the population. Autism is a way of being-in-the-world characterised by three areas of impairment or difficulty. These areas include impairment in communication, social skills and cognitive and behavioural flexibility. Each person has differing levels of impairment within each of these areas; that is, each individual is different. There are a number of theories of the aetiology of autism; research in neurobiology of Autism has resulted in a number of genetic conditions being suggested as possible causes of autism - in reality, cause remains unknown. Recognition of Autism has increased throughout the world. This is largely attributed to better recognition of Autism, refinement

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THIS SEASON'S MUST HAVE ore than just a bad cold, the flu (influenza) is a highly contagious virus that is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. A flu epidemic has gripped the United States this year, with the severity of the symptoms being explained by the season experiencing a dominant strain of influenza A(H3N2), historically blamed for more serious cases of the virus. So far, about half of confirmed

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There have been recent changes to the diagnostic labels of Autism and Asperger Syndrome in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) V.

flu cases in the US concern people aged 65 and older, with a high hospitalisation rate of 82 per 100,000. People older than 65 usually account for about 90 percent of the 36,000 annual flu deaths around the country. Health officials said the flu vaccine is a good match for the strain of influenza circulating around the nation. What are the symptoms of the flu? • High fever, chills and sweating • Weakness • Headache

of diagnostic practices and the introduction of Aspeger’s Disorder in the DSM IV published in 2000. This change enabled clinicians to recognise Autism in those with average and above intelligence. Before that change, diagnostic practice tended to be limited to only recognition of Autism in those with intellectual disability. More recently, the clinicians have accepted the concept that Autism may or may not co-exist with intellectual disability. Thus, for DSM V, the diagnosis of Asperger’s is no longer needed. Not everyone is happy with this change, as for some people the Autism label is still associated with intellectual disability. Graeme Browne RN, MHN, PhD Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle Port Macquarie Campus.

FLU VACCINATION

• Sore throat • Muscle and joint pains • And a severe dry cough The flu versus the common cold: Although the symptoms of the common cold and the flu are similar, the length and severity differs for each. • Cold symptoms can last for a few days, while the flu can last for a week or more. • The flu causes a high fever, while a cold may only cause mild fever. • Muscular pains and shivering attacks will often accompany the flu, but not the common

cold. • The flu presents a dry sensation in the nose and throat. Why Get a Flu Vaccination? • The flu is more than just a bad cold and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia. • Flu vaccination can help stop the spread of virus in the community. • Protection against the flu lasts for up to one year. BOOK NOW by phoning Plunketts Chemmart Pharmacy in Port Macquarie on 6584 0044 or Wauchope on 6585 1188.

New Lens Prevents Eye Disease.

foggy brain?

bloa bloated? tired all the time? stom stomach upsets? If you answered yes to any of the above, you could simply be suffering from an intolerance to one or more foods you are consuming. Food intolerances may cause a range of slow-onset symptoms that are seemingly unconnected to specific foods. Symptoms can take up to 72 hours to appear, in which time a lot of different types of food and drink have been consumed, baffling the sufferer as to what has caused their discomfort. Although not life threatening, the impact on sufferers can be significant, sometimes affecting their ability to live normal healthy lives. Symptoms of food intolerance are many and varied and can include anxiety (acute/chronic), arthritis, ADD, bed wetting, bloating, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, depression, muscle aches and pains, headaches, inflammatory bowel disease, insomnia, itchy skin problems, mood swings, sleep disturbances, weight control problems – and many, many more. Sufferers often complain of seeming to be in a ‘fog’, feeling bloated and being tired all the time. Up until now, food intolerances have been very difficult and time consuming to diagnose, due to the vagueness of the symptoms and the time lapse.

News Lens Prevents Eye Disease Eyecare Plus is pleased to be offering a unique new lens treatment that offers protection to your eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts. This new coating is called Crizal Prevencia. It is the result of four years of clinical research on retinal and intraocular lens cells. Unlike standard UV coatings, Prevencia uses exclusive technology that provides protection to the eyes by filtering out both harmful UV light and harmful Blue-Violet light. This BlueViolet component has been found to be a significant contributor to eye disease and up until now was not able to be filtered out successfully. Prevencia is unique in that it removes both of these harmful wavelengths, while still allowing essential visible light to pass through the lens. This results in a lens that offers maximum protection for your eye health, whilst providing clear and comfortable vision. Research studies at the Paris Vision Institute showed Crizal Prevencia reduced the rate of retinal cell death by 25%.

Now a quick, reliable, simple, safe test for food intolerance to 59 foods is available at The Natural Health Sanctum. This procedure is the world’s first in-clinic test available for food intolerance. This test now forms part of our comprehensive Food Intolerance Program, which is specifically tailored to suit each individual’s needs. Be quick, be smart, be symptom free – book in for your Food Intolerance Program now.

As well as offering protection from eye disease, Crizal Prevencia also has anti-reflection ‘clear lens’ properties, plus anti-smudge, anti-dust and hydrophobic properties to keep the lens clear and easy to clean. The coating can be applied to all modern lens designs and can be added to Transitions ‘light adaptive’ lenses and polarised sunglass lenses.

Glenise McLaughlin – Naturopath with over 20 years’ experience, specialises in the natural treatment of food intolerances.

Eyecare Plus prides itself on offering the very latest in lens technology. Give us a call or come in to discuss any of these options with our friendly staff and optometrists.

UÊ `Ài ½ÃÊ6 à UÊ «Ài i à ÛiÊiÞiÊiÝ> >Ì ÃÊÊÊÊ UÊ >Ì>À>VÌÊEÊ} >ÕV >ÊÌiÃÌ } UÊ } Ì> ÊÀiÌ > Ê >} } UÊ i> Ì ÊvÕ `Ê ÃÌ> ÌÊV > Ã

PORT MACQUARIE: 95 William St... 6583 7333 29 Horton St.... 6584 3948 WAUCHOPE: 6 Bransdon St... 6585 2393

www.eyecareplus.com.au greater port macquarie focus 57

Every day without a SMILE is a lost day.

Love your feet LOVE YOUR FEET - indigo, rose and red lead the charge for a colourful winter. And in soft, supple leathers, they’ll mould to your feet and fit like a glove. Ziera shoes are made with maximum comfort, durability, and your feet at their heart. Leading the world in shoe comfort technology, Ziera has created a unique combination of materials for the ultimate in cushioning comfort. Made from the softest leather to enhance comfort and foot grip, with contouring support and soft step shock absorption, Ziera shoes are beautiful from the inside out.

The ‘models‘ above are all real patients of saacks orthodontics with real smiles.

At saacks orthodontics we don‘t believe in a ‘one system fits all‘ approach. Every smile is unique. Every person individual. Every treatment we recommend is customised to achieve a better smile. We offer a range of orthodontic options from the best systems available in Australia and America. Plus, with Dr Eric Saacks overseeing all treatment plans you have the confidence of a renowned international orthodontic and periodontal specialist with the experience to further customise any treatment, ensuring the best possible smile for you.

Free orthodontic consultation We will explain, in detail, the treatment best suited to you or your child. Together with a timeline, costs and repayment plan options. No referral is necessary. It’s an absolutely no obligation consultation. Call 6584 2333

58

greater port macquarie focus.

This season, the boot has been featured again, with lots of variations on the theme. The colour palette has been expanded, with lovely taupes, greys and burgundys having some representation. The classic black and

tan, of course, is a necessary part of most girls’ wardrobes, as it tends to be extremely useful with the many winter colours. Winter taupe is probably one of the most versatile colours you can have in a boot or shoe. For those who like to wear pants in the cooler months, you just can’t go past a little ankle boot, warm and snug with a pair of socks, but it also creates a very pleasing look. It, too, has been reinvented, with lots of interesting styles and colours for you to choose from. Colonial Cobbler has an amazing new range of Ziera styles for the Autumn/ Winter season ahead. View our heavenly range of boots, heels, sandals and casual shoes to truly appreciate Ziera's 'beautiful inside, beautiful outside' difference.

greater port macquarie focus 59

THE

SPOT Lifesaving emergency information now available on the spot. A new patient information program designed to improve emergency care for people involved in car crashes or suffering serious illness at home has been released in Australia, following the success of similar programs in the United States, which have been credited with saving thousands of lives. mergency ID Spots are placed on a vehicle’s rear window or the front door of a house to alert police, paramedics and other first responders that a patient’s critical health information can be found inside, either in the glove box, on the sun visor, or on the fridge. The difference between life and death The information, such as allergies, prescription medications, previous surgeries, pre-existing conditions and other vital information can ensure the best emergency treatment is administered during the ‘golden hour’ – the important first 60 minutes or so after a serious accident or acute health event. By including a photograph, emergency services personnel can check who the information relates

E

60

greater port macquarie focus.

to, while the inclusion of a list of emergency contact and next of kin details means your loved ones can be informed immediately. Providing critical information when you can’t ... Founder and director of Emergency ID Australia, Nicole Graham, said as a former police officer she had come across countless people who were unconscious, disoriented or in so much pain they were not able to pass on critical information to carers. “Three million drivers reported being in a car accident in the last five years in Australia – and even in less serious crashes people often go into shock, which means they find it hard to remember important details or communicate clearly,” Ms Graham said.

“If you or your loved ones have a serious allergy to medications, a heart condition, diabetes or epilepsy for example, you can rely on the Emergency ID Spot to tell emergency services that vital information, even if you can’t.” Supported by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service WRHS General Manager Richard Jones said his organisation had thrown its support behind this initiative. “Armed with immediate information about a patient’s allergies, medications and conditions, emergency services can provide the very best medical care on the spot. We wish everyone had the Emergency ID Spot in their vehicles and in their homes. This simple sticker will certainly help save lives,” Mr Jones said.

10% of sales of the Spots will be donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Popular with seniors, travellers and parents “As people get older, they are more likely to have multiple medical conditions, take medication routinely, and be more vulnerable to critical injury in an accident, or likely to suffer a serious medical problem at home,” Ms Graham said. “The Spots are also expected to prove valuable for transport and trucking companies and other professional drivers. They also provide peace of mind for families who need to know their children will receive proper care if the parents are unable to pass on life saving information.” Check out the YouTube video showing the benefits. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RdD78o29DOk

A little advice for ... MEN IN A RELATIONSHIP ... I’m sure you think it’s not important what your hair looks like? BUT the truth is, your lady would like to see you look after yourself! You wouldn’t hang fine art on a dirty wall - she is fine art, so don’t be her dirty wall!

care of these simple necessities, how will

SINGLE MEN ... Ladies look at 3 things: your nails, your shoes, and your HAIR! If you can’t take

on Clarence St, next to the Wall of China

you take care of her? The message here is simple: get a haircut, clean your shoes and stop biting your nails - and you may see that your luck might change! Get in to The Barber today! We are located restaurant. Haircuts only $20; under 16s only $15.

greater port macquarie focus

61

The Multiple Uses of Botox The botulinum toxin ( known as Botox or Dysport ), produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria is a “neurotoxin”, ie it is a “ poison “ to nerve endings. he toxin attaches itself to the

T

neuromuscular endplate (the connecting point of the nerve fibre to muscle fibre) and

paralyzes the muscle by not leaving space for Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter from nerve fibres, to attach itself to the endplate, which is how normal muscle contraction occurs. Even in small doses, this toxin is a killer, but in extremely small doses, partial muscle paralysis is achieved, thus weakening the action of the muscle. This beneficial effect was first made use of to reduce severe eyelid spasm (blepharospasm) and squinting (strabismus). Botox is also used to reduce spasm or muscle over activity in a number of other areas, including in the neck, the limbs, the bladder, the prostate and in sweat glands in the armpits, palms and the sole of foot.

62 greater port macquarie focus.

The major use of Botox nowadays is for its cosmetic effects on the face.

now established a very effective, near

Migraine headaches affect a large number of people each year, causing great distress to those affected and at great cost due to time lost from normal activities including work.

Vaginismus is a condition in which a

It used to be thought that it was a vascular headache, due to spasm of our arteries in the affected areas.

intercourse.

The pioneering work of Prof Bahaman Guyuron of the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland has shed new light on this.

to severe.

From observations made on patients having Botox for cosmetic reasons, he worked out that migraine was caused by muscle spasm squeezing nerves, which then released chemicals which caused migraine. While Botox gives significant relief to migraine sufferers, Prof Gayuron has gone further, identifying the muscles and nerves causing migraine and has

that the use of Botox injections under

permanent surgical cure for migraine. woman is unable to tolerate vaginal penetration of any sort, including the insertion of tampons, vaginal examination and penetration, including While the causes are unclear, the effect is due to vaginal spasm, ranging from mild Pioneering work done by Dr Peter Pacik, a Plastic Surgeon in Manchester, New Haven, has shown anaesthesia to break the spasm cycle and followed immediately by vaginal dilatation permits the patient to continue with regular post-operative dilatations at home, leads to a permanent cure to the problem in most women, restoring normalcy including the ability to have a normal sex life.

Dr. Bobby Kumar Cosmetic Surgeon Breast Surgery Q&A:

Cedar Grove Farmstay Set on a 600 acre cattle breeding property adjoining the Wilson River, surrounded by mountainscapes and green pastures. The units are self contained and have spectacular views. Great for families, and ideal for couples seeking a break from urban stress. Your first breakfast (Continental) is provided, plus fresh farm eggs (in season). The verandahs provide the perfect setting for outdoor dining or simply ‘chilling out’.

Can Breast Implants look natural? Yes – the majority of women seeking Breast Augmentation want naturally full and shapely breasts in proportion with their

Affordable personalised healthcare

body. Dr. Bobby Kumar achieves a natural look with careful selection

Empirical Health and Dr Simon J Feeney (CM) would

of breast implant type, size, shape and volume, together with

like to welcome Dr Stephanie Elsum (CM) to the clinic!

the placement of the breast implant, all dependent on an

By offering … First Treatment for only $30!

individual’s anatomical characteristics and personal goals.

Stephanie was the primary practitioner at one of Melbourne’s leading Chinese Medicine Women’s Health Clinics. She is looking forward to sharing her extensive

“I’ve had 2 kids and breastfed both – now my breasts feel empty and saggy … what can I do?” Many women who seek breast surgery are in this position. Breast surgery can encompass one or a combination of:

Parents can participate with their children in feeding the chooks, guinea fowl, and sheep.

skills and knowledge with the people of greater Port

The Shetland ponies and Sydney the donkey enjoy being fed carrots and greens. Children may look for fresh eggs or make friends with the lambs, then have a refreshing play in the river for cooling off.

polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, infertility, and menopausal

Local attractions include farm and bushwalking, cycling, swimming, fishing, and 4 wheel bush driving.

bodies and their health, so that the improvements can be

Observe awesome night skies, birdlife and native flora/ fauna and ‘spotlighting’ for night creatures.

At Empirical health we aspire to be accessible to everyone.

Breast Lift

We assure professional treatments that are tailored to suit

Breast Reduction

Visit a local dairy farm. Horse riding by prior arrangement. All these rural pleasures just 40 km from the many attractions of Port Macquarie. Call now on (02) 6585 8257 or go to the website:

each individual’s needs and employ a range of techniques

Tummy Tuck Surgery

www.cedargrovefarmstay.com

Macquarie. She is highly experienced in the treatment of symptoms, to name a few. Stephanie takes great time to ensure that her clients not only feel better, but that they also become empowered with a deeper understanding of their sustainable and long-lasting.

including Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and

• Breast Augmentation: use of breast implants to enhance and/or restore breast size, shape and volume • Breast Lift surgery: restore shape and position of breasts • Breast Reduction: to address size, shape and position of breasts. Dr. Bobby Kumar, Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, performs: Breast Augmentation

Facial Surgery

body work to meet these needs. We also aim to work

For an appointment with Dr Bobby Kumar, call Wendy on

collaboratively with other health providers in the community

1300 676 003 or 0430 491 009, or email

to ensure the best outcomes for our clients.

bobby@bareaesthetics.com.au

greater port macquarie focus 63

focusinterview.

CHRIS R O B E R t S Every year we hear stories of how important it is to donate blood – we know blood donations save lives. Local man Chris Roberts has the phenomenal record of donating blood to the Red Cross Blood Service for 46 years, ensuring he’s doing his bit for our community …

H

i Chris. How long have you been about 2 million people have donated in the last 10 years. donating blood to the Red Cross? Of these, there are records of 4,057 donors donating I began donating whole blood in over 200 times; 1,320 in NSW and 4 in the 2444 Port 1965 in Sydney, walking in off the Macquarie postcode. About 1 in 500 donors reach 200 street at the age of 19 years. I’ve since donations, so it is something pretty special. donated every three months for 46 Why do you donate … and what do you do to keep years, with 215 whole blood donations. yourself in a fit and healthy condition so you CAN Have you ever had to miss a donation for any continue to support the Red Cross Blood Donor reason? Centres? In 1982 I contracted Hepatitis and could To volunteer to donate is a service to the not donate for two years. I also missed community ... one donation, because I did not Part of my lifestyle routine is getting remember the date or time. Today enough sleep, good nutrition, no I began I keep accurate records and smoking or alcohol, keeping an donating alternate between arms for active body and mind and having le blood in o h w donating. good medical treatment. 19 65 in Sydney How often can an Apart from this, good genetics, ce n si e ... I’v y er appointment be made to ev ounces of luck, drinking plenty ed at n do r give blood? of water – and having the desire three monthshfo Appointments can be made to donate. 46 years , wit od 215 whole blo every three months on the What’s the process if you donations.” blood service number. decide to become a blood How long do you plan to donor? What happens when you continue with the donations? walk into the centre? You’ve been a regular donor for so After walking into the centre, you fill out many years now, which is truly inspiring! a form with a number of questions of personal My last medical in October gave me a clean health history. An interview is conducted, and a small sample check, so I will continue to donate until I am 81 years old of blood is taken to check haemoglobin levels and blood if I can. After 81, I’ll need a medical certificate each year to pressure. continue with the donations. There’s a review of the questions before signing the Do you know of any other individuals who have document. Then, a bed is provided, and you are connected donated blood products as consistently as you over to a machine that takes 500 ml of whole blood in less the years? than ten minutes. A man from Cessnock, NSW, was credited with a world A small bandage is applied, then you have a small rest, record 231 whole blood donations in December 2009 over and light food and a drink is provided. a period of 55 years of donating, at the age of 75 years. Thanks Chris. Information I’ve received from the Red Cross states that Interview by Jo Atkins.

“

STATISTICS PROVIDED BY THE RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICE: How many donations of blood/blood products were made by Australians to the Red Cross in the past 12 months? Of the more than 1.3 million Australian blood donations made in the past 12 months, about 400,000 were made in New South Wales. The breakdown of donations for NSW is as follows: 260,000 blood, 130,000 plasma and 10,000 platelets. How many donations is the Red Cross seeking across NSW during 2014? We’re looking again for 400,000 (that’s an estimate, based on current hospital demand, but is adjusted as hospital needs adjust). How many individual donors provided blood/blood products to the Red Cross in NSW in 2013? We have 504,000 blood donors nationally, and around a third of them are in NSW - 166,000. (They donate around 188,000 litres of blood each year). How many Red Cross Blood Donor Centres are there across NSW? There are 24 fixed donor centres and 10 mobile units. On average, how many people donate blood/blood products at the Port Macquarie Centre each year? We collect around 12,000 donations in Port Macquarie each year. How many regular donors are there in the Port Macquarie area? We have around 3,000 regular donors in the area. On average, how many litres of blood/blood products are collected at the Port Macquarie Centre each month? Around 5,600 litres of blood flow through Port Macquarie each and every month. Call 13 95 96 to find out how you can donate and to find your nearest Red Cross Blood Centre, or visit www.donateblood.com. au If you want to see whether you’re able to become a donor, there’s an eligibility quiz which takes just a minute or two on the website.

APRIL 2014

WITH TERRI

AQUARIUS.

GEMINI.

LIBRA.

January 21 - February 19

May 22 - June 22

September 24 - October 23

With none of the planets aligning with Gemini this month, you could be vulnerable in feeling neglected or unappreciated. Avoid entertaining thoughts of what you believe others may be thinking of you as this could make matters worse. Instead relish in your individuality, and only entertain loving thoughts of yourself. Ruby shatters negativity and leaves us feeling safe and comfortable in our reality.

Avoid being unkind to yourself with critical thoughts, especially insulting self-degradation. With Mars in Libra, life’s challenges could arouse irritation; coupled with your North Node’s influence deciding what your life’s purpose is all about can easily leave you feeling stuck or frustrated if you are treading water at present. Simply have a plan. Amethyst is great for connecting to our higher qualities and life’s purpose.

PISCES.

CANCER.

SCORPIO.

February 20 - March 20

June 23 - July 23 Ju

Avoid making any life changing decisions regarding matters of the heart until the 6th, as you will be vulnerable at wanting to run if everything is not perfect. These feelings should calm until the 23rd, and from then until the 25th, you can anticipate a need for romance and acknowledgement. Even if it comes from positive thoughts, you will feel validated. Garnet will enhance your passion for living and self-worth.

You will benefit by not expecting others to live up to your expectations where love and matters of the heart are concerned. Try to have no expectations from friends either, as you could set yourself up for some big disappointments this month. Instead look at how beautiful and soft your emotional nature is and how blessed you are to be a Piscean. Citrine shatters negative energy; wear some whilst entertaining.

With Jupiter’s influence in Cancer, your thoughts could easily torment you with matters of the bigger picture in life, leaving you feeling trapped or stuck in the present. Be kind to yourself by setting some goals so the future has a plan, and live in the moment to reconnect with the simple joys at hand. Citrine attracts abundance and shatters negativity carry some.

October 24 - November 22

Listen to your inner voice, especially with regard to achieving the things in life that will make you feel good and happy. It’s the magic of living that will grant the most satisfaction this month, as Saturn’s influence may easily lead you to fearing the unknown and inhibit the joys of the unknown. Connect to your inner child and help them to feel excited by the mysteries of life. Clear quartz enhances our positive energy carry some.

ARIES.

LEO.

SAGITTARIUS.

March 21 - April 20

July 24 - August 23

November 23 - December 21

Relationships are likely to be a major influence this month. With Venus entering Pisces on the 6th, the need to be feeling wanted and in love may torment you if it’s not happening. All is not lost, as this is a good time to reflect and look inward to identify any recurring patterns that may have inhibited your previous success in matters of the heart, so the future can be different. Rose Quartz is a powerful self-loving crystal; it will assist you loving yourself more.

From the 9th until the 11th, you may experience heightened emotions and then a feeling of relaxation and an easygoing attitude should persist until the 20th. Set some long term goals or play with your talents, as this will satisfy the need to fulfill your destiny or life’s purpose, which will be strong towards the end of the month. Turquoise is great for self-confidence and personal power.

TAURUS.

VIRGO.

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23 A

You can expect a cruisy month until the 24th, when you may be feeling a little vulnerable with Venus entering Taurus. Avoid being stubborn with relationships around this time, as this could interfere with your relaxed and carefree attitude and feelings of low esteem could arise. Clear Quartz amplifies a happy mood; hold some to set fresh goals.

This month would prove a favourable time for journeying. You are not likely to be faced with any situations that leave you feeling overwhelmed. Plan lots of social events on your calendar and enjoy light-hearted fun and laughter. New friends will be drawn to you this month, as your inner thoughts will be reflected. Clear Quartz will help maintain strong positive thoughts.

Heightened emotions can be something to look forward to from the 18th until the 21st, and the rest of the month may feel carefree and easygoing. You will benefit from setting some fresh goals and playing creatively with gifts or talents between social interactions. Avoid becoming too serious or working too hard, as this could easily make you feel a bit dull. Turquoise assists in recognition of one’s higher purposes.

CAPRICORN. December 22 - January 20

Until the 15th you may be heavily influenced by your morals and ethics but for the rest of the month, your challenge may lie in wanting to re-establish new ones. Stay grounded by participating in physical activities and have practical solutions on hand to combat any challenges. Matters of the heart and family will offer solace. Clear Quartz keeps us focused on positive outcomes; carry some.

greater port macquarie focus 65

C e l e b r a t i n g

3 5

y e a r s

i n

B u s i n e s s

Peter

Long time customer Heather Standen has been seeking advice from Peter and the team for 35 years.

p h a r m a c y CELEBRATING

35 YEARS i n

B u s i n e s s

Hearle's Pharmacy in 1979

Hearle's Pharmacy is proud to be celebrating their 35th Anniversary! Peter Hearle has been an important part of thee local community since opening his doors in 1979 in Port Macquarie, and has seen the business evolve and prosper, meeting wonderful staff and customers along the way. The first few years t proved the mos challenging, as to Cate was forced the of t os m r fo k or w a as d an y pregnanc .� um m new

“

t was late February 1979 when

I

than a basic fit out, a second- hand typewriter,

toddler, Michael, to

newly married Peter and Cate

a cash register and a large overdraft!

keep him from taking

Vincent's hospital in Sydney, and entered upon

pregnant. Undeterred, they opened their doors

a young girl joined the

a new venture in Clifton Drive, Port Macquarie.

and slowly built up the trust and affection of

shop after her mother,

the locals. The first few years proved the most

Marina, asked them to

challenging, as Cate was forced to work for

give her work experience.

comment by Peter's parents (still both well and

most of the pregnancy and as a new mum.

Lindy McKinnon is still working at

living at Lighthouse Beach) that this would

It wasn't unusual for our customers to nurse

Hearle's Pharmacy some 35 years later,

Hearle resigned their jobs as hospital pharmacist and registered nurse at St

They had noticed an empty shop in the Clifton Shopping centre and a chance

Before the shop even opened, Cate felt waves of nausea and was found to be

make an ideal pharmacy, led them to leave

the baby whilst their prescription was being

Sydney and set up shop with nothing more

prepared, or assist in chasing a very active

66 greater port macquarie focus.

off out the door! During this first year

The loyalty of the staff and customers at Hearle's Pharmacy is really most remarkable and is the cornerstone of its success. Long term staff members include Terri-Ann Dick (25 years), Betty Bailey (19 years),

Sharon Davis (17 years) and Angie King. The pharmacists also are racking up

running the dispensary and organising

the years, with Connie English, David Miles

the staff.

and Debbie Makin providing many years of

Y O U R

HEALTH LINK We speak with Carolyn Guichard about the launch of the Your Health Link Website - yourhealthlink .com.au

W loyal service. However, it must be said that customers such as Heather Standen, now a spritely 95 year old, have been bringing their prescriptions and seeking medical advice from Peter and his team throughout the entire 35 year journey. There are some customers, such as Kay Weston, who Peter has dispensed and treated 5 generations of her family, including Kay's mother, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All in all, being a part of people's lives and helping with their health problems has

been the focus of the pharmacy, and to this day it provides a complete range of services, including home medication reviews, webster packs, blood pressure checks and diabetes services. People keep coming back for the friendly, professional and caring attitude of the staff. The wonderful atmosphere created at Hearle's Pharmacy has made the 35 years a rich and satisfying experience, and Peter has plans to expand and enhance the pharmacy in the future.

hat prompted the creation of the Your Health Link Website - what need does it fill? In 2006 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that almost 60 per cent of adult Australians have low health literacy. This means that a large number of Australians find it hard to obtain, read, understand and use health care information. As you can imagine, low health literacy has a significant impact on health, leading to poorer health outcomes as people may not understand, for example, the cause of disease or the lifestyle factors that contribute to disease. We know from a 2010 Nielsen study that searching for health information on the internet was among the top 10 internet activities for online Australians over 16 years of age and that finding the correct information on health related topics can be complex and overwhelming for consumers and can take many hours of search time. The Mid North Coast Local Health District is committed to increasing health literacy rates by making it easier to gain online access to health information from reputable health related organisations. We also wanted to reduce search times by creating a website that acts as a gateway or a central one stop place where our community can find information on a range of health and health related topics. What are the key features of the website? The most important feature is that we have utilised a team of health specialists and community representatives from government and non-government organisations to choose all of the links on the site, which ensures our

community has access to the right information. Other features include a text to speech service for people with a vision impairment and those who find it difficult to read. There is access to useful health related telephone numbers, direct links to NSW Health, a Health Events Calendar and a search facility to find local Hospital, GP and Pharmacy information. What types of information can be found, and how often is it updated? We have a wide range of health related information on the website, including health facts, support and counselling services, legal, finance and housing, mental health, drug and alcohol, sexual health and more – with information divided into eight categories: Child and Family, Youth, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Seniors, Carers, People with Disability, Aboriginal Health and Multicultural Health. Every link on the site is regularly monitored and updated as new initiatives occur. How does it benefit those in the local area? The Mid North Coast Local Health District is providing this free service to our community to support health consumers, teachers, students and health professionals. The site also has a teacher resource section and information that can be used for research and student projects. What was your role in the creation of the Your Health Link website? I have over 30 years' experience in the Health industry, both as a Nurse and Clinical Educator ... my role is to manage the design and content on the website, work with our advisors to source current information and develop partnerships with linked organisations to strengthen the capability of the website.

greater port macquarie focus 67

focusinterview.

Photo (left to right) Rob Southwood, Glen Chapman, Matt Hempsell, Kim Ritchie, Eddie Santamaria.

National Osteopathy Awareness Week April 13 to 19 - 2014

With Osteopathy Awareness week approaching in April, Osteopaths from Port Macquarie have united in creating an awareness of this historical and ever-growing profession. hen did Osteopathy Who would see an Osteopath? begin? Anyone and everyone! Babies, children, The practice of professional athletes, the elderly and everyone inOsteopathy began in between. Osteopaths have skilled diagnostic skills the United States in and training to adapt treatment and treatment 1874 through Andrew plans to suite everyone. Taylor Still, MD, DO, who was a physician and Isn’t Osteopathy only for your back or surgeon. It then expanded to the UK, bones? with the first Osteopathic school NO! Osteopaths treat more than being established in 1917. It you think and focus on how your gradually expanded to the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, rest of the world. Now, circulatory system, connective over 50,000 people tissue and internal organs Osteopaths are d see an Osteopath in university traine s function as a whole unit. of 5 year Australia every week. Many structural problems for a minimum ysiology, in anatomy, ph l What is in the body may affect ra pathology, gene Osteopathy? proper mobility or function sis medical diagno Osteopathy is a form and can lead to other c and osteopathi of manual healthcare problems. Osteopaths treat techniques.” which recognises the a vast variety of injuries important link between and dysfunctions, including, the structure of the body and but not limited to; back & neck the way it functions. Osteopaths pain, bursitis, foot, ankle, knee & hip focus on how the skeleton, joints, injuries, headaches, postural issues, joint muscles, nerves, circulation, connective pain, pregnancy related musculo-skeletal issues, tissue and internal organs function as a sciatica, sporting injuries and much more. whole unit, Osteopaths can identify important What type of training do Osteopaths types of dysfunction in your body and they utilize undertake? a wide range of various hands-on techniques, In Australia, Osteopaths are university including; stretching and massage for general trained for a minimum of 5 years in anatomy, treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and ligaments) along with mobilisation of specific and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are joints and soft tissues. primary healthcare practitioners and are trained

“

68 greater port macquarie focus.

to recognise conditions which require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. Is Osteopathy covered by Health Funds? Yes! Osteopathy is covered by nearly all private health funds in Australia. We are also supported under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) scheme, via a GP referral. Osteopaths are registered providers for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Why a National Osteopathy Awareness week? Osteopathy in Australia is still a relatively young and small profession, with just under 2,000 Osteopaths Australia wide. The week of 13-19 April is to promote awareness to the general public of the long and successful history of Osteopathy and how it has been tried and tested in helping people for centuries. Osteopathy in Port Macquarie? We currently have 7 Osteopaths operating in Port Macquarie who are dedicated to providing the best possible health care service to the local community, so ‘call an Osteopath today!’ ONE HEALTH Osteopathy & Sports Injury Clinic – 6584 5343, www.onehealthclinic.com.au Port Macquarie Osteopathy – 6583 8700, www.portmacquarieosteopaths.com East West Health - 0414 497 816 Total Balance Osteopathy – 6584 6122 Manning Osteopathic Centre – 0407 929 633 www.manningosteocentre.com

greater port macquarie focus 69

Port Macquarie Ultrasound

'Models' shown are actual patients of Saacks Orthodontics

A laugh is a

SMILE

that bursts Mary H Wildrup

FREE ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATION FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN Permanent teeth generally begin to come in at age 6 or 7. It is at this point that orthodontic problems become apparent. "Because bones are still growing, it‘s an ideal time to evaluate," says Dr Eric Saacks. "Then we can determine what orthodontic treatment, if any, may be needed either now or in the future." Orthodontic treatment in younger children is known as interceptive orthodontics. Intervention may begin as early as age 6 or 7. At this age, the jaw and teeth are still developing. That means certain conditions, such as crowding, cross bite, and protruding teeth may be easier to address, either immediately or with the knowledge of possible future problems plan a suitable treatment course which could result in considerable savings. Call us today to arrange a no-obligation orthodontic consultation for your child. You’ll come away from the consultation with all the facts. And your child can look forward to a truly healthy smile. Call 6584 2333

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At what stages throughout a pregnancy is it recommended that you have an ultrasound? Many women will have a dating scan attended early on in their pregnancy to either ascertain how far advanced their pregnancy is, to confirm their dates, or check for a fetal heart beat. At around 12 weeks, again many will opt to have the Nuchal Translucency Scan screening for Down Syndrome. At 18 to 20 weeks an anatomical scan, called the Morphology Scan, is attended. Please be guided by your doctor and/or the Antenatal Clinic, who will provide you with the information and referrals for these scans. Other ultrasounds during the pregnancy may be required according to individual circumstances. What advancements in technology and screening are happening at the 12 and 20 week scans? The 12 week scan is continually being extended to include other parameters which may be useful in predicting not only abnormalities in the growing fetus, but as a

risk assessment for women who may be likely to develop complications such as hypertension. The 20 week scan is a comprehensive anatomical survey, which like the 12 week scan is continually being extended. How are you hoping to adopt these within your practice? Both Maryanne and Jill are currently undergoing training through the Fetal Medicine Foundation to extend the application of the 12 week scan. When training is complete, we will be offering the full spectrum of screening available. What are the benefits for future mothers? Benefits for future mothers are that hopefully we can predict those who may be at risk of complication, and preventative treatment can be commenced early. Can you explain the difference between a 3D and a 4D scan? 3D gives a life like image of the fetus, with the skin and features easily visible. 4D is basically a moving 3D image - a bit like a video loop of the baby.

Visit us at the Autism Expo, Sat 5 April, Panthers, 10-2pm.

Sensory SMART Sensory SMART OT is a practice providing Occupational Therapy to children. In particular we cater for children and families facing disability of an intellectual, physical, emotional or behavioural kind. Most commonly we see (but are not limited to) children with Autism, CP, Down Syndrome, Developmental Delay and Learning Disabilities. Our services are geared toward children’s needs across home, school and recreational activities. We provide experienced therapists who use a wide variety of choice in activities in individual, group or family format. In addition, we are a locally based service that sells ‘fidget toys’ and other sensory activities for children who are sensory seeking or avoiding. Products that help emotional based learning in the home and school are our fabulous range of ‘KIMOCHIS’ (plush toys with feelings inside). We run educational workshops for schools, teachers and parents in management of various disabilities. Social skills groups for children are a huge highlight in school holidays, to develop much needed skills for association with other children on the playground and in the classroom. During term we run small groups: 'Hands up for the Handwriting Club' and the 'Alert Programme' for 7 weeks at a time.

Children's health from A-Z

A Big Start for Little People.

Are you searching for safe, natural, and effective solutions for your child’s health issue? You’re not alone! Increasingly children are suffering from contemporary chronic childhood illnesses – problems that were virtually non-existent 40 - 50 years ago. If you’re looking for ways to help your child heal naturally with food, herbs, and home remedies, then you are in the right place! It is important to help educate and share tools with parents on how to keep kids healthy. It’s all about finding ways to support the body and make it stronger. Paediatric acupuncture (needle or non-needle) is on the verge of revolutionising health care for our kids. It can help stimulate the body to heal itself without drugs that may cause unwanted or harmful side effects. It is one of the SAFEST and profound ways to help your child heal. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a non invasive gentle method which treats babies and children alike. We offer a unique approach to children’s health issues. Our main focus is on the core principles of wellness and how to safely restore health. We want to promote a better understanding of the nutritional, spiritual, environmental, physical, mental and emotional aspects of wellbeing. Ivana Moudry is a qualified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She can be contacted on 0432 417 677 or 6582 7906.

TG’s Child Care in Wauchope provides Preschool and Long Day Care for children aged 0-6 years. TG’s operates from 6.30am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday, and is open 52 weeks per year. Meals, Nappies, a Hat and Sunscreen are provided. TG’s Child Care is a family owned and operated service, consisting of a team of dedicated educators with qualifications and training in Early Childhood Education. Our team of staff have been carefully selected according to training, experience and personal qualities. Our educators are dedicated to the well-being of each child in their care. TG’s Child Care aims to provide a fun, happy, warm and caring atmosphere, and a friendly environment where children and their families feel welcome at all times. We offer a high quality preschool program and long day care service in a carefully planned, designed and purpose-built centre and environment. Our natural playground promotes sensory experiences and an appreciation of nature. Call our Director, Amy Trotter, to arrange a visit any time. 33B Hastings Street, Wauchope. Phone: 6585 1033

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Robyn Butler.

Welcome to the fourth month of the year ... already! he end of daylight saving, Easter time, and in my case lots and lots of birthdays. Speaking of which, happy 103th birthday Thelma Chandler for last month. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make her party at Laurieton, but heard it was a ‘ripper’; Town Band and more ‘celebs’ than you could point a stick attended. See you at your 104th! WISH THE POLICE COULD SEE THIS ... AND THEY DID! Have you ever been driving along the road and noticed a motorist continually breaking the road rules and saying, “I wish there were police around to see this”? Well, my prayers were answered the other day, when my husband and I travelled to South West Rocks to see our friends, Rosie and Graeme, who were holidaying from Albury. We were travelling along the highway, and from Telegraph Point turnoff until South West Rocks turnoff we had a black Holden in front of us tailgating the truck in front, then overtaking, zig zagging in between cars and numerous other things. When we reached the South West Rocks turnoff, there he was right in front of us … Once again he became very impatient and tailgated the car in front, and then the stretch of road was ahead of him and he took off like a speeding bullet. Next thing, a police car was coming the other way, so he pulled over to the correct side of the road and slowed down. The police car passed us, and about 20 metres behind us did a U-turn, and took off with sirens blaring, lights flashing and making our car shake as they passed ... they left the Dukes of Hazzard for dead. Further down the road, there was the ‘black’ car pulled over. I was so excited, I wanted to stop and give them a full run down of the events leading to this, but my husband wouldn’t hear of it and drove past. Well done, Kempsey Police or South West Rocks Police ... many a motorist that day would be pleased you were in the right place at the right time … thank you! HERITAGE OPEN DAY AT DOUGLAS VALE … EASTER 19 April 2014 Once again Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard are celebrating Heritage Week on Easter Saturday from 9.30am to 2.30pm. There will be market stalls, numerous displays and activities, as well as entertainment throughout the day - Nancy’s beautiful scones with jam and cream, yummy food, and great raffles.

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The volunteers do a great job to make this a fun day for everyone. Look out for Adam and the Antiques ... I’m one of the Antiques. Congratulations to Brian Buckett on his Award at Seniors Week … a very busy, capable, community minded ‘young’ man. If you would like to be a volunteer at the winery, Brian, Ian or Norrie are the people to see. Douglas Vale is on the Oxley Highway near Westport School. RTA PORT … REFURBISHED … (Tongue in cheek!) I walked into the RTA Port Macquarie on St. Pat’s day to take an elderly gentleman to renew his Disabled Sticker ... well, I didn’t know if I had entered the Jetson’s home, Fonzie’s Café, the Hire Car Section of the airport, a diner in America or the sample bag pavilion at the Royal Easter Show. It was just so ‘busy’ in design - lights and signs everywhere, and so complicated for what you were there for … so much so, they needed a full-time staffer to pin in what sort of transaction you wanted. What happened from just getting a number and sitting and waiting your turn? I told the elderly gentleman when he sat down on a ‘backless lounge’, “Don’t lean back or you might do a backflip, and you could get a job with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus!” They had little tables the size of sixpence fixed to the floor (maybe they were for the leprechauns) ... there were cubicles to have a snuggle or a cup of coffee (wishful thinking) but very little room for prams etc. On the positive side ... and yes there were some ... the numbers were marked clearly in front of the counters, the girls were dressed beautifully, and the service and helpfulness from the staff was ten out of ten. Without sounding disrespectful, I think the person who designed the interior of this building might have had a few sherbets when putting pen to paper … (no correspondence will be entered into - ha!) A blind man’s dog goes missing, and he is frantic. His wife says, “Why don’t you put an ad in the paper?” He does, but two weeks later the dog is still missing. “What did you put in the paper?” his wife asks. ‘HERE BOY!” he replies. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE … Keep smiling … please! Robbie. greater port macquarie focus 73

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American performer, choreographer and dance teacher Jason Dubock is excited to offer his skills and extensive experience as a teacher at WPMPA, where he joins an already amazingly talented team … ou were born in the United States but adopted by British parents. Tell us where you grew up and also about your mother, who was a dancer … I was adopted at the age of 6 months by British parents Brian and Diane Dubock, who had emigrated to America to start a life here. As a young girl my mother danced, winning many competitions, and as a teenager and young adult travelled all over the country performing in a dance troupe. When she moved to America she left her life in the theatre and started her own dance school in Bolton, Connecticut, which she owned for about 16 years. When I was 3 years old I was actually put on stage as a technicality, because all the girls in tap class had gotten sick but one, so my mum dressed me up in little tap shoes and a costume and sent me out there holding hands with her so she wouldn't be alone. That was the start of what has now been 37 years of dance as a huge part of my life. Obviously she inspired you and taught you a love of dance. What did you study in your early years? Yes, my mum inspired me, and at the time I took classes from her ‘til I was 16 and we moved to Florida. With my mother Tap was my 76 greater port macquarie focus.

speciality, and Jazz became a part of that. Little did I know At about 11 my that this one job ajor mum would drive me would have a m e off and lif y and that dance m about 45 minutes impact on years 13 of od ri pe a was fun, but to away to take classes on for as a ed tir re st ju ly on get anywhere from a wonderful man -I them at performer from dance was also named Richard Risley .” 38 , last O ctober work. I went on as well, as I think my to win several mum realised having state solo titles a male dance influence and several state and would be helpful. It really national titles with the was, and this still has roots in a lot team as a group. of my teaching philosophies for helping At about 18 I made one feeble attempt male dancers adjust to what can sometimes to go to nursing school and step away from be difficult and also in understanding dance, but needless to say I got involved in the importance of letting guys be guys in helping create an original show called Mythical dance. My time with Richard Risley opened my Reality as the choreographer, and long story eyes up to dance forms such as Modern and short, I dropped out of nursing school. Lyrical, and I was able to add that to the Tap, After that I kept landing choreographer Jazz and Ballet my mom had taught me. positions with the community theatres and Having won a number of championships, when did you decide dance would become started to get heavily involved in Musical Theatre. a career? At the age of 21 I helped start a dance When I was 16 we moved to Florida, school with a friend, where I would spend and a wonderful woman named Charlene 3 fabulous years, with my main style Harris entered my life. At this point my being Tap, but also having a hand in the mum had retired her dance studio teaching Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theatre and a bit of life and Charlene introduced me to the Modern. Managing to win several state and competitive lifestyle of dance and the true art national titles as a choreographer and dance of discipline, teamwork, precision, technique

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teacher was a huge confidence boost looking back, but it was just great to know that I was able to at that point take all that I had learned as a student and apply it. You spent 13 years on the big seas as a performer - what were some of the highlights dancing for the cruise line? At the age of 25 I realised I still had so much to learn as a person, dancer and choreographer and seeing I was still young, figured I had to make an effort to dance back on stage as a performer to gain more experience for later on in life. So, at that time I left Florida and very sadly the studio life behind and moved to L.A. where after about 6 months I auditioned for a couple of things but landed a job with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Little did I know that this one job would have a major impact on my life off and on for a period of 13 years - I only just retired as a performer from them at 38, last October. I don't think there any words that can sum up or give justice to the amazing people, places and things I encountered in those 13 years. You would have experienced many ports

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I feel very free to just be me here, and that I am enjoying immensely. However, not always being different is an advantage, and it’s been a fun adjustment and challenge for me to embrace Australian dance while sharing the American dance knowledge and challenging the kids with new styles, techniques etc.”

hole Adjusting to a w a ith w y tr un co new ’t know plus language I didn 2 shows 6 nights a week, took its ly ite a night, defin losing up d de en toll, and I ha d ir … a lot of weight an was it t maybe stress, bu e of the ut in m worth every experience!”

“ of call and countries … what were your favourites? There are so many amazing countries to speak of, but if I had to pick some highlights I would definitely say Brazil, Argentina, Mykonos and Santorini, Greece, Israel, Istanbul, Turkey are some favourites. The greatest reward of the ship experience is just the people and the amazing friends I still have contact with. There’s just something cool about getting to Skype your friend from India then later on Serbia, Russia, Romania, England, Brazil etc. You spent a year with the Moulin Rouge, which you say was one of the toughest and most amazing experiences … why was that? In between my ship life I did get the incredible opportunity to audition and get hired by the Moulin Rouge in Paris from 20022003. For 13 months I got to dance, live and work in Paris. It was tough not only because of the high energy and painful Can Can dance, which is legendary for the Moulin Rouge, but I had to learn a whole language! I definitely recommend immersion and moving to a country as the best way to learn a language, ‘cause you will be surprised how fast you have to learn. Adjusting to a whole new country with a language I didn’t know plus 6 nights a week, 2 shows a night, definitely took its toll,

and I ended up losing a lot of weight and hair … maybe stress, but it was worth every minute of the experience. So now you are settled here in Port Macquarie and about to share your talents as a teacher at WPMPA - what are you excited about most with this role? So now I am here, about to be 40, and have just retired from the performance aspect of dance, and I can definitely say all the experience and knowledge I was looking for and wanting to gain just by living my life as Jason the person, and not just Jason the dancer, was that and some! Before I got back into teaching and settled down I wanted to make sure I had some fun and adventures while at the same time learning how to be a better person, dancer and eventually for this moment now to be an effective teacher who can share music, styles, techniques etc. that I may have picked up along these journeys. In order to be a better teacher for me personally, I knew I would have to step outside of my small town and experience and open my mind to the fact that maybe things are

different for others all over the world; just the understanding that there is more than one way to do things in life and be flexible has helped me a lot. This alone, I think, is what helps me to feel like I’ve gone from a good/OK teacher 20 years ago to a much more mature, experienced, and open minded person who hopefully translates in to being a much better teacher. For me, it’s important the students get to see that there is life outside Port Macquarie, and I am proud to encourage them to work hard and get better so they too can have the tools if they choose to experience the wonderful gift that is the world. I am in a very short time learning to love Port Macquarie for its wonderful quiet, peaceful small town feel and community aspect. For an almost 40 year old dancer who has been living in the big cities and constantly surrounded pretty much 24/7 by people for a good part of 13 years of travelling at sea and performing, Port Macquarie is like a vacation for the soul. Once I met the incredible Stacey Morgan and got to really see how much she loves her students and her studio and the amazing

things she has organised, I realised she was the type of owner I wanted to work for, so moving all the way across the globe to Port Mac became a very simple decision over time. What I really loved was that Stacey was open to change and difference, because coming in as an outsider and an American, I knew my styles, teachings and philosophies were different. I feel very free to just be me here, and that I am enjoying immensely. However, not always being different is an advantage, and it’s been a fun adjustment and challenge for me to embrace Australian dance while sharing the American dance knowledge and challenging the kids with new styles, techniques etc. Do you have any plans for any big productions with WPMPA students? Yes, I do have lots of fun and big plans I am currently working on here at the studio, and I have already had the pleasure of being a part of great community events like Dancing with the Hastings Stars back in December, so I am excited to see as time goes by what else Port Mac may have in store. How long are you planning to stay? I just received my Residency visa, good until 2019 with a definite 2 year Port Macquarie stay. Thanks Jason. greater port macquarie focus 77

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Mr Eternity Arthur Stace One of the most spectacular displays ever seen on the Sydney Harbour Bridge occurred on 31 December 1999.

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t midnight as the highlight of the New Year's Eve Fireworks display, the word ETERNITY was emblazoned in radiating colour across the bridge. It was amazing that this one word ushered in the New Millennium for Sydney and Australia and the world. It is even more amazing to learn of the story behind the man who made the word ETERNITY famous. Arthur Stace was a hopeless alcoholic living as a destitute on the streets of Sydney, who at age 15 spent time in prison. After being released, he became a ‘sly grog’ runner and acted as a ‘cockatoo’ for inner-city gambling dens and brothels. He was re-arrested on many occasions and spent months in prison. He enlisted in the Australian Army in World War 1 (1914-18) and fought on the battlefields of France. In 1919 he returned to Sydney suffering from the horrors of war and several injuries, including damage to the sight of one eye. He was also suffering from the effects of mustard gas poisoning. He soon slipped back onto the streets of Sydney and a life of crime. One night during the 1930s Depression, he was desperate for a feed and dropped into St Barnabas Anglican Church on Broadway. The preacher that night was Archdeacon RBS Hammond (after whom the Sydney suburb of Hammondville was named) and he was preaching about Jesus Christ. After

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the message and smoothly in beautiful years he wrote Y’ IT N R TE ‘E Arthur had got his copperplate script and d or the w on the k al ch w tea and cake, he spelt correctly. It is llo ye in . The walked over to the estimated that Stace streets of Sydney g was in most amazing th Sydney University wrote this word over ver that Stace had ne rite .” Park and under 500,000 times and &w learned to read a Moreton Bay Fig for 24 years no-one tree, fell on his knees knew who was writing and with tears in his eyes ETERNITY on the streets. cried out, “God, be merciful Arthur Stace started out in to me, a sinner!” God heard his life as a criminal but through an cry, and that night Arthur had a wonencounter with Jesus Christ he made his derful encounter with God and invited peace with God and was able to scratch his Jesus into his life. He was later heard to message out on the streets of Sydney and say, “I went into that church to get a cup of “across the skies!” tea and a rock-cake, but I met the Rock of Sources – an article titled 10 Great AusAges!” tralian Christians, New Life 20/1/2000 and a In November 1932, a popular preacher, booklet, The Story of Mr Eternity Prepared by John G Ridley was speaking at the Burton J R Ecob for The Herald of Hope Inc. January Street Baptist Tabernacle in Darlinghurst. In 2000. the midst of Ridley’s powerful message he shouted, “Eternity! Eternity! Oh that I could blaze that word across the skies.” This message had a marked effect on Arthur Stace. For the next 33 years he wrote the word ‘ETERNITY’ in yellow chalk on the streets of Sydney. Stace said, “Eternity was ringing in my brain, and suddenly I began to cry and felt a powerful call from God to write ‘Eternity’.” The most amazing thing was that Stace had never learned to read and write. He could not spell the word ‘Eternity’, yet the first time he tried to write, it came out

This article is published by Kerry Medway, and sponsored by Aussies Afire Publishing.

www.KerryMedway.org In Port Macquarie there are seventeen amazing churches. Find yourself in Church – this Easter.

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Pastor Joseph Maticic shares his local church's production of His Story, Our Story, a dramatised, outdoor presentation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

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ow long have you been the pastor here in Port Macquarie, and where were you beforehand? I have been here now for over 8 years. We came here from Albania, in Southern Europe.. We spent 3 years over there as missionaries. Prior to that, we lived in Victoria, where I pastored a number of churches. Tell us about some of the activities your church is involved with? The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been in Port Macquarie since 1926. Our services are held every Saturday at 11am. In addition, we offer a range of activities for all ages. We run a women’s program called Nest and a men’s ministry called Workshop. We have a camera club that meets monthly. We run a variety of children’s programs – from Adventurers (which is like a young version of Scouts) to a huge Vacation Bible school program in the first week of the July school holidays. We have a number of Bible study groups that meet at different times in various venues. For the readers who are unfamiliar with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, tell us a bit about yourselves? Seventh-day Adventists are a group of Christians who find their meaning and purpose in Jesus and believe that the Bible is our guide. The name Adventist refers to our belief that Jesus will soon return to this earth. Seventh-day Adventists have a presence in over 200 countries worldwide. We have always been interested in helping people holistically, and therefore we place a great emphasis on health and education. The SDA church operates over 500 hospitals and clinics around the world and a school system that runs primary, secondary and tertiary institutions globally. With Easter soon to be upon us, what does

Easter mean to you and your grounds of the Adventist Primary school. family? Upon arrival, the public enter a 'Bible Apart from being a very village' depicting life in Roman There are over busy time (as you will see times and entertaining them with tors and ac 0 10 why below) Easter reminds various activities while they wait lved in participants invo many us that God is alive and for their tour to begin. There s ke this event. It ta d an real. He sent his Son Jesus is food available for purchase ng ni an months of pl e th Christ, who lived and paid ith and crafts for the kids. Then the w n, io preparat t se d an n the penalty for our sins. But actual walk through goes from tio uc constr taking s op pr e best of all, he rose from the th scene to scene that acts out the of up grave, thus defeating death events associated with the life of almost a week.” and the devil. Easter means Jesus. Along the way, people will that we can have the hope of meet shepherds, disciples, Roman eternal life. soldiers and others. Tours run regularly Each year your church does a major throughout the evening. production called His Story, Our Story. Being an outdoor event, we are very weather What does this involve, and how did it first dependent. And in the four years so far, it has not come about for your church? once rained during the program! His Story, Our Story His Story, Our Story is a dramatised, outdoor is a very interactive program. It has something for presentation of the life, death and resurrection of all ages. There are kids' craft activities, live animals, Jesus. It is a 'walk through' that takes people on a and of course, actors in full costume. It is a moving journey through time in retelling the original story of experience, with sights and sounds making it a Easter. People are transported back in time to 2,000 memorable experience. years ago, with characters in costume and scenes It is a telling of His story – the story of Jesus – the depicting the birth, life and death of Jesus. greatest story ever told, and it can be our story when Five years ago, a group of us in our church came we realise He did this for us so we can have eternal up with a vision of presenting the Bible story in a life. Hence its name – His Story, Our story. creative way to our community. Originally we had in His Story, Our Story will be held this year over three mind to tell the whole biblical account, but then we nights, April 13, 14 and 15. decided to concentrate on the life of Jesus and in The gates to the ‘village’ will open from 5.30pm, particular his death and resurrection, so it lent itself and tours run regularly throughout the evening. to become an Easter production. There are over 100 Entry is free, but because there are limited numbers actors and participants involved in this event. It takes for each tour group, bookings are essential to reserve many months of planning and preparation, with the your tour time. Also, by booking beforehand, people construction and set up of the props taking almost a will have a better idea of when to turn up on the week. We anticipate almost a 1,000 people to come evening. For all bookings and inquiries, call 6582 through this year. 6561. The venue is at Adventist School and Church What does the program involve? complex in Maranatha Place, Port Macquarie. The program is held over three nights on the Thanks Pastor Joseph.

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The Lady, The Legend, Her Music Returns

His Story, Our Story This dramatic outdoor presentation of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus will be held from April 13-15. In its fifth year, His Story, Our Story takes people on a journey through time, retelling the original Easter story. Upon arrival, the public enter a 'Bible village' depicting life 2,000 years ago and entertaining them with various activities while they wait for their tour to begin. There is food available for purchase also. Then the actual walk-through goes from scene to scene that acts out the events associated with the life of Jesus. Along the way, people will meet shepherds, disciples and Roman soldiers, amongst others. Tours will run regularly throughout each evening, and the program is repeated over three nights. This interactive presentation

will appeal to all ages, with sights, sounds and smells making it an unforgettable experience. Locally developed and presented by members and friends of the Seventh-day Adventist church, it is now an annual event on the local calendar. The gates to the ‘Bible village’ will open from 5.30pm, and tours run regularly throughout the evening. Entry is free, but because there are limited numbers for each tour group, bookings are essential to reserve your tour time. Also, by booking beforehand, people will have a better idea of when to turn up on the evening. For all bookings and inquiries, call 6582 6561 or email info@ portadventist.org. The venue is at Port Adventist Primary School, 500 Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie.

ATA Allstar Artists presents THE LADY ... THE LEGEND ... HER MUSIC RETURNS – An Evening with PETULA CLARK. "Petula bounds with energy ... a show of outstanding vivacity and style." – The Daily Express, London 2013. The legendary film and theatre music star and two-time Grammy Award winner Petula Clark returns for an Australian tour by popular demand in April/May 2014, proudly presented by ATA AllStar Artists. Her career has been extraordinary and outstanding and has spanned over 65 years, with more gold albums to her credit than any other British artist. She has sold in excess of 68 million records throughout her career, and is one of the most sought-after recording artists and concert personalities in the world today. She started her professional career

as an entertainer on BBC Radio, made her film debut in the Maurice Elvey-directed comedy Medal For The General in 1944 and went on to becoming internationally known for her popular upbeat hits that included Downtown, I Know A Place, My Love, Colour My World, A Sign Of The Times, Don't Sleep In The Subway, and This Is My Song (written for her by the great Charles Chaplin) and many others. She is in constant demand with lead roles in major theatrical productions such as Sound Of Music, Blood Brothers and Sunset Boulevard. In 1998 she was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II by being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The Australian tour: entitled The Lady ... The Legend ... Her Music Returns – An Evening with PETULA CLARK, in April 2014.

THE LADY...THE LEGEND...HER MUSIC RETURNS

“Petula bounds with energy…a show of outstanding vivacity and style.“ The Daily Express, London, 2013

Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie Wednesday 7th May, 7.30pm Bookings: 02 6581 8888 or glasshouse.org.au

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oung Canadian piano sensation Avan Yu, winner of the 2012 Sydney International Piano Competition, will give a recital in Taree on Friday, April 4, as part of a nationwide tour organised for the First Prize winner by the Competition Committee.

and the Nacional Auditorio de Música in Madrid. He is an avid chamber musician and has collaborated with celebrated musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cuarteto Casals, Armida Quartett, Johannes Moser, and Geoff Nuttall.

Born in Hong Kong, Avan moved at the age of nine to Vancouver with his family. He studied with Kenneth Broadway and Ralph Markham in Vancouver, before moving to Berlin to study with Klaus Hellwig a Hailed as e rc fo at the Berlin University of the ic st “piani g in sh ni to Arts. with an as

Avan will be presenting a selection of masterpieces by Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin to be performed on the Manning Entertainment Centre’s Yamaha Concert Grand.

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SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION WINNER TO PERFORM IN TAREE

One of Canada’s most excityond ing young pianists, Avan Yu sensitivity far be Avan won the Gold Medal at achieved international recoghis years”, Avan the Canadian Chopin ComYu has appeared nition when he triumphed petition at the age of sevenas soloist with at the Sydney International teen, and the Silver Medal d an as tr orches Piano Competition in 2012, nd ou ar rs and People's Choice Award to uc nd co winning First Prize along with at the Santander International the world ...” nine special awards. Hailed as a Piano Competition in 2008. His “pianistic force with an astonishing performances have been broadcast sensitivity far beyond his years”, Avan on WQXR Radio in New York, Bayerischer Yu has appeared as soloist with orchestras and Rundfunk, the CBC, the Australian Broadcastconductors around the world, including Rafael ing Network, China Central Television and Radio, Fruehbeck de Burgos and the Dresden PhilharRadiotelevisión Española, Radio Nacional de España, monic, Pinchas Zukerman and the National Arts Centhe NDR Kultur Hamburg and the Südwestrundfunk. tre Orchestra in Ottawa, and Christian Arming and He has just recorded a CD of Liszt/Schubert Transcripthe Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he tions for NAXOS which will be released later this year. has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Tickets for the recital are available from Movies, Morocco Philharmonic, Real Filharmonica de Galicia, Games & More in Taree or from the Entertainment Slovak Radio Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Windsor Centre website. Symphony, and Nova Scotia Symphony Orchestra. FURTHER INFORMATION: In recital, Avan has performed at the Weill Recital Hall Ian Carr, Ph (02) 6552 1662 in Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, or mob 0432 572 445. the Konzerthaus in Berlin, the Salle Cortot in Paris,

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with the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce mmerce

Hadyn Oriti.

E-learning at home MINDING YOUR

business THINGS WILL EVOLVE IN TOWN AS SOME DEVELOPMENTS KICK INTO GEAR. PORT MACQUARIE’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HAS PICKED UP IN RECENT MONTHS, BUT THERE IS ROOM TO IMPROVE. want to talk about how three developments mean we are well poised to do precisely that over the next few years. First some background. The 2011 Grattan Institute report, Investing in regions: Making a difference says Port can improve economic results by: 1. Investment in physical capital, including transport and economic infrastructure; 2. Investment in human capital, including greater educational attainment and productive skills; 3. Growing the local labour force (migration and natural increase); 4. Investment in technological progress, including R&D or innovation, and 5. Improved access to markets. It recommended government focus its finite resources where it can make the most difference, recognising “government spending cannot make economic water flow uphill and accelerate slow-growing regions”. It supported improvements and long term growth drivers such as education, transport infrastructure and innovation, where developments in that area can accelerate economic growth already underway. Importantly, the investments have the best returns in towns where there are natural advantages, such as coastal sea change towns like Port Macquarie. Coastal areas are growing quickly, in part because people want to enjoy the amenity. Retirees or people nearing retirement enjoy the lifestyle, the beach and access to the natural advantages and facilities that Port provides. Our challenge is to provide jobs and investment opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs. Our demographic spread by age group is top heavy in those over 65. We are underweight in the 18 to 24 demographic. This is reflected in our average individual incomes. As at 2012, the median weekly household income in Port Mac-

I

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quarie was $837.00 compared with $1,237.00 for the rest of NSW. People on incomes between $200 and $400 make up almost 30% of our town’s population as opposed to 21% for the rest of NSW. So while this is a great place to live, we need to think about how we can improve our opportunities and keep young people, our leaders of the future, here. The first two developments are the CSU campus and the UNSW Rural Clinical School. They will fill the demographic hole in the 18 to 24 years group and tick each of the drivers in the Grattan report. With 5,000 CSU students by 2030, there are benefits and ramifications for the whole of the town. Think of the changes that will flow from having more customers in that age group. Service providers will focus on their needs and demands for more entertainment and venues. The town’s family oriented character will evolve as this cohort grows and economically asserts itself. The Clinical School helps build the capacity of the medical precinct to attract the best and brightest to town. This is a good thing. With the development of the Pacific Highway there will also be better access to markets and centres of economic activity. We will need to develop businesses, services and infrastructure to meet the needs of this group of young adults, while preserving our attractive amenity. That brings me to the third development, being news of Birdon Marine and their contract to provide 374 bridge erection boats to the US Army. This is a great example of investment in R&D and innovation. They are a business that lifted their sights to compete with the rest of the world and it pays off. Well done! Underlining all this worthwhile development is the hard work of people with vision and motivation. With them, the future of Port Macquarie is a great place to live, work, play and invest.

Learning new skills can be daunting when you’ve been away from the classroom for a while, so SkillsLink Training has developed a combination of 'at home' online classes with face-to-face and/or facilitated virtual sessions. Topics range from Bookkeeping to Children’s Services, Frontline Management, Small Business Marketing and Medical Reception work, to Aged Care and Home & Community Care, as well as Training/Assessing. New online learners have access to trained facilitators to help work through subjects, with a personal support approach that will help you get back in the swing of learning new skills. Competition for jobs today means all of us need to keep learning throughout life. SkillsLink has been helping adults to 'go back to school' for 40 years (formerly as Port

Macquarie Community College), using a caring and personal approach. This friendly, personal and local community focus has given SkillsLink a great name, which they intend to keep by listening to students’ needs and having trainers who are great communicators. Short courses in First Aid, Asthma & Allergic Reactions, Hospitality and Job Readiness are available face-to-face. Business and workplace skills include Using New Technology, People Skills, Tax Records & Basics, and Business Presenting. If you’ve been wondering whether you can come back to learning, let SkillsLink help you plan a course that will gently kickstart your thinking. The friendly atmosphere makes everyone feel comfortable and e-learning allows you to decide where and when!

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Mid Coast Connect

Plus Great People The cost of putting the wrong employee in your business can be huge. On the other hand, the right person can be worth their weight in gold. It is easy to assess experience and skills by reading a resume, but it's a lot harder to work out if the personality will suit your business. That's why the employment services network provides quality advice and candidate screening for recruitment of great people. This includes mums returning to work, people who have undertaken retraining and great people with a disability. Industry experience and skills are matched to the job, and there are flexible employment scenarios to suit your needs. Finding that great person for your business is a plus, but with the employment services network, the pluses keep on coming. Wage subsidies, ongoing training, tickets and licences, uniforms, tools, online job vacancy listings, mentors and more – all at no cost to you. For more information or to attend the Mid North Coast Jobs Drive Campaign Launch, phone 1300 05 67 69.

For young people living in regional areas, the substantially greater costs of accessing further education and vocational opportunities is often prohibitive. Thanks to scholarships awarded by the Macleay Valley Education Fund, five local students are able to meet the financial demands of further education a little easier. Pemulwey Gillon is one such grant recipient, receiving a scholarship worth $1,500 from the Macleay Valley Education Fund. This will assist him to commence his studies in an Associate Degree in Social Studies as a precursor to the Bachelor of Archaeology through the Australian National University in Canberra. Pemulwey is a very respectful, softly spoken, shy person, and the prospect of moving away from home was a huge step. Fund Chairperson Terry Witchard recognised this, and through partnership arrangements with universities throughout Australia was able to assist Pemulwey with on-campus accommodation through the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP). In addition to offering accommodation, IYMP has assisted Pemulwey settle into uni life and will provide ongoing mentoring, tutorial support and life skills, coaching for him over the next six months. “We are pleased and excited to have provided a scholarship opportunity to Pemulwey and to also assist him in his transition to Canberra. The additional support and mentoring from IYMP will without doubt make the transition from life in Kempsey to university life in our nation’s capital much less traumatic,” said Terry. “We look forward to watching him progress through his course.” Pemulwey’s dream will see him become a member of a very small, but essential group of Aboriginal Archaeologists in Australia and a great role model for all young people. The Macleay Valley Education fund was established in 2013 and is one of three Education Funds facilitated by Mid Coast Connect. The Hastings Education Fund was established in 2011, followed by the Great Lakes Education Fund in 2012. To date, the Education Funds have provided 72 financial grants to local youth and in doing so have helped them achieve their post high school education, training and vocation aspirations. To find out more about the Macleay Valley Education Fund and the assistance it can provide, please contact Partnership Broker Michelle Fisher in our Kempsey office on 6552 5314.

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Lynn Mooney North Coast Sales Edstein Creative Stone has a heritage that dates back to 1896 and has been supplying monuments to the people of NSW throughout the years. Today, the business is a state of the art company with industry leading technology for the production of a range of stone products, including the Traditional Monumental Line, Stone Benchtops and more recently, Stone Landscape and Pool Paving. When the time comes to select a monument, our staff work closely with families in an effort to guide them through the process of choosing a fitting memorial for their loved one no longer with us. We have a wide range of memorials to suit any taste and budget, and our caring staff can assist with the selection. We also specialise in additions to existing monuments and restoration of older monuments requiring some tender loving care to restore them to their original condition. Lynn Mooney, our North Coast Sales Consultant, is available in the Hastings and Camden Haven region every second Wednesday by appointment, so should you have any requirements, please feel free to contact Lynn on 6551 6266 to arrange an appointment.

Mid North Coast Jobs Drive Great Pluses Great People, Gr Great people are critical to business success. This is the motto of Jim Stewart who for nine years has run Wauchope Charcoal Chickenland in the town’s Hastings Street. The business operates 14 hours a day, seven days a week and has 13 employees including six full-time staff.

What made you use the employment services network to recruit great people for your business? If you hire the wrong person, especially in the service industry, it can do a lot of damage to your business. Wesley Employment and Training helped me find the right staff. They are always around our business making sure the employees they send are working out well. What’s great about the services the employment services network provides? The high level of training provided to employees by Wesley Employment and

Training has meant my more experienced staff spend less time training the new staff. That’s extremely valuable in optimising staff time. Businesses who jump aboard the Mid North Coast Jobs Drive will discover the great pluses of employing great people. Recruitment, online job advertisements, training, uniforms and equipment plus more are all subsidised when you use the employment services network. Wage subsidies are available and ongoing support is offered for your new employee. It’s simple, phone 1300 05 67 69.

JOHN HYDE: JOBSEEKER Ba Background: I have moved to Port Macquarie with my young fa family, and am currently studying horticulture at Wauchope TAFE. I ha have recently worked in retail as a gaming assistant. My skills and experience includes: I have experience as a kitchen M ha hand, short order cook, forestry labourer and gaming assistant. I am very reliable and punctual, and am also a good team worker. My goals in life are: To obtain a job in gardening or in a nursery, M an and to finish my horticulture course. I am looking for a survival job in retail or as a kitchen hand until I can achieve these goals. M My personal interests include: Gardening, fishing, art, music, re reading and teaching my 1 year old son new things.

C H R I S T I N E T YA S Background: My husband Trevor and I recently moved from Canberra to Lake Cathie, so we are new to the area and new w to seeking employment. My skills and experience includes: I have broad administration ation experience, particularly in roles in law firms in reception, and ol a role as administration assistant, and HR / PA to a high school Principal. ute My goals in life are: I would like to be involved and contribute to our new local community either by gaining employment orr through a volunteer role for a not-for-profit organisation. Thee ging, staff at Wesley Employment and Training have been encouraging, supportive, and have offered training and information. My personal interests include: I love to t sspend time with our families and 8 grandchildren, enjoying o e our new beachside environment, reading and music. JOANNE LANERGAN

Backgr Background: I am a mother returning to work and I have retrained myself by going to Taree TAFE and expanding my retraine knowle knowledge in accounting. skills and experience includes: I am currently studying My ski a Diplo Diploma of Accounting, I have my Cert. IV Accounting, and experie experience in administration, bookkeeping. I also have excellent organis organisational skills. My go goals in life are: To obtain a position with an organisation that off offers security and the possibility of advancement. My pe personal interests include: Volunteering with the Rural Fire Ser Service, spending time with my family, Yoga, walking the dogs an and studying. greater port macquarie focus 85

focusinterview.

By Jane Hillsdon Principal Consultant of Dragonfly Marketing

Caron Dy b a l l snap printing

C

aron, you’ve now owned and managed the SNAP printing business in Port Macquarie for over 20 years! Congratulations on prospering in this business for such a long time. Can you share some of the secrets to your ongoing success? Believing in the product or service that your business supplies is no.1 - if you don’t have a passion for your business, it’s hard to motivate a team around you. Your team of staff are the biggest asset within a business. I’m lucky that I have a fantastic crew who give 110% at all times, and that makes working life a lot smoother. I also keep up with new technology and continually revisit my future plans. The printing industry has evolved a long way in the past 20 years. Remember to enjoy your time away from work and reward yourself for the hard effort that you put in. What was it that inspired you to buy and manage a local business in the beginning? I joined the Snap family when I left school and learnt the business from the ground up. My parents have always owned and managed their own businesses since I could remember. So it was a natural progression to become an owner manager when the opportunity arose. Tell us about your background and how you came to be in Port Macquarie? My family moved from Victoria when I was quite young, as my parents had a business opportunity in Port. We loved the area then and still love it now. I had a great upbringing on a farm and lived life to the fullest. Apart from a brief period in Queensland managing company stores, I never felt the need to move from this area. I’m still a Collingwood fan

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and try to get to Melbourne once a year for told you before embarking on your a game at the MCG, a spot of shopping and journey as a business owner? great food. I was well informed by my parents, and What are some of the challenges you anything I had been told would not have have faced in the running of your stopped me from taking on my own business. business and how have you managed to It has all been a great experience and made overcome them? me who I am today. There are always challenges in running You are on the committee of the Port a small business. I didn't realise Macquarie Hastings Domestic going into business all the Violence Specialist Service outside influences that (formerly the Hastings can affect you; for Women & Children’s I example, the GFC. Refuge). Tell us about y Recentl to d Things can change what this committee te vi was in e is rather quickly, does and the role you ch join the Fran il nc and you need play. ou C Marketing to keep evolving I was asked many , with Snap e th l al and learning to years ago by a business ng ti represen in es keep abreast of colleague if I would like or st regional everything. Some to join the management .” ia Austral things are out of your committee of the Refuge. It control, so finding the has been an eye opener with positive in any situation the work that goes on inside and turning it around in your and out of the refuge. The manager, favour has always been my approach Gemma, and her fantastic team make to handling these situations. our job very easy, and we are there to offer What have been some of the most assistance in policies, funding and general rewarding aspects about your role with awareness so that the service is a lot more Snap? than a refuge. Working with professional colleagues, I can imagine as a small business owner making great friends over the years and your spare time would be fairly limited, so helping new and existing businesses grow and dedicating yourself to community causes prosper in a sometimes tough financial and such as this must stretch you. Why do you unknown environment. Recently I was invited think it is important to donate your time to join the Franchise Marketing Council with to local community based services such as Snap representing all the regional stores in the Refuge? Australia. Sharing my experiences over the After spending many years being involved years with other owners has been beneficial to in business networking committees, I now not only their business, but also mine. enjoy giving back some time to a well needed What do you wish someone would have service. We are all very busy with everyday

“

life, and the women and children needing this service walk alongside us. We never know what tomorrow will bring. Giving to any community services is a great way to keep the awareness of those services out there. You are an active sub-committee member of the locally based business network: Hastings Business Women’s Network (HBWN). How do you think your involvement with this network has benefited you in business? When I started in business, there were no such groups as the HBWN. Having other local business women to share and bounce ideas off in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere has been of great assistance to me over the years. And finally, if you could invite any three business people to lunch, who would they be and why would you invite them? Not sure if I would invite all business people, so here we go: Janine Allis, the founder of Boost Juice. She is down to earth and has a very simple philosophy: ‘The customer knows best’. Eleanor Roosevelt, the US First Lady. She was one of the most outspoken women in the White House, and I’m sure she would ruffle a few feathers over lunch. In fact, I’d love this quote by Eleanor as a tattoo: "We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face ... we must do that which we think we cannot". Mick Malthouse, the former coach of Collingwood and now Carlton. I would like to pick his brain on how he gets the best from 22 players on the day. And I really want to know what happened with him and Eddie McGuire! Thanks for your time Caron. Thanks Jane – very humbling to be asked.

focusinterview.

Nathan Pensini FOCUS catches up with Nathan Pensini of the All Round team, to glean some wisdom about how to stay on top of your game in today's business environment. hat are you looking forward to in 2014? Where to start! I’ve joined the most reputable property management company in Port Macquarie, so this is a big question. Maintaining this reputation is paramount, as it stems from the equity we’ve built in trust, so I’d have to say that getting to know our clients better and developing not only the services, but the relationships is what I’m really looking forward to. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the other facets of the All Round business model that combine to make their holistic approach so popular. What have been some of the initiatives put into place to get the business where it is today? All Round’s unique approach has, without doubt, been key. The most effective way to assure financial security is not through an exclusive approach, but an INclusive approach. A well-rounded portfolio is what we try to offer our clients.

W

And I say ‘try’, because there should be no hard sell - we simply inform our clients about their best options. We remind them that they are the ones at the wheel and in control, which is precisely how we have built so much trust over the years. What do you consider to be one of the most important aspects of business? Listening. The only way to understand your clients' needs, is to ask them up front, then simply listen. We know property management and we know it well - but we don’t need to labour the point. A lot of people can forget this in business. Show genuine interest in meeting a client's needs, and you will have exceeded their initial expectations. Listening is the tool that I use to ensure | always keep learning. Where do you go to for inspiration and new ideas? My bike. I have the good fortune of being surrounded by very inspirational and insightful team mates all week, so professional inspiration flows to me regularly. After work and on weekends,

I run, cycle and swim for my Ironman training but my best thinking time is out there on the open road, which allows me to process the week's inspiration and develop my own strategies to improve the way that we do business. I must be honest and say that sometimes, however, it’s nice to just zone-out and clear my mind in this same way!

The only way to “ understand your

clients' needs is to ask them up front, then simply listen.”

Welcome to the circle of trust. At All Round, we are thankful to have evolved as a direct result of our clients. As we gained their trust and they gained wealth, our clients asked us to expand our services. Today, we offer a unique holistic approach to the following areas:

Property management Home loans Financial planning Accounting services

Please contact us for an obligation-free chat: Call 1300 133 407 or visit: www.allroundÀnancial.com.au

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focusrealestate

FOCUS sat down recently with Greg Trembath, principal of Greg Trembath Real Estate, to talk about business milestones, the growth of his agency and interesting market trends.

CELEBRATING

MILESTONES

G

reg, you’ve recently celebrated another anniversary milestone for Greg Trembath Real Estate – have you had a chance to look back over the last few years? We have reminisced a bit lately, which has been interesting. Looking back, one of the things that amazes us has been our ability to consistently achieve a large number of sales with just four of us on the team. We started out with just Kim and myself, then Michelle Howell came on board to assist with admin, then we expanded again to include Carmen Watts in sales support. We certainly seem to get a lot done between the four of us! OK, so now I know why whenever I see you in photographs, you seem to be surrounded by women? Yes, I’m a lucky man indeed. On a serious note though, these women I am surrounded by sure bring plenty of talent and expertise to the table, and they really enjoy working together. They also have this incredible knack for making things go smoothly. A lot of clients comment about how our team seem to make the buying and selling process stress-free, and I know it’s the service they offer that makes the difference there. Are you glad you made the change and started your own independent agency? Absolutely; starting our own agency was definitely a great move for Kim and myself. We both really enjoy the challenge, and the support we’ve received from Michelle, Carmen and from the public generally has been terrific. We’re always flat out, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. The numbers on the board for Greg Trembath Real Estate continue to be

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impressive. Are you pleased with how that side of the business is going? Sure, I’m delighted. We sold over 100 properties in the last year, which means the way we do business works well, and our approach to sales and marketing gets great results. We’ve had a steady stream of new listings too which is great – many of them by word yearss o e expe xpe p ri rien rien encce e I ccan an off o ffer. ff off ex experience offer. of mouth. The referrals seem to come as I’ve noticed some subtle changes to your the result of two things – firstly, confidence website and your print ads this month; from vendors that we will do have you made some changes the job exceptionally well there? and secondly, our fixed Yes, our graphic design commission structure. people have rejuvenated That’s what your Just on a our brand a little. There personal note , ‘why pay more?’ were some areas we felt to Kim and I want tag line is about, could be improved, and it who thank everyone isn’t it? was one of the things we to has contri buted Yes, people want its d decided to do as part of the business an to maximise the our birthday celebrations success.” financial benefits this year. of selling property, Having the whole team and this means keeping involved this time has worked more money in their pocket. out really well. The enthusiasm for On a $450,000 property sale, rejuvenation has been quite contagious. our clients save around $5,500 when you You’ve kept the smiley face in your compare our fees to the traditional 3% SOLD sign, I see. agency commission. We receive lots of positive comments The personal attention and professional about the smiling face. I think it just captures expertise we offer also sets our team apart, that feel-good moment when you place and overall the value compares really well. the SOLD notice on the sign. Many vendors What else do you think vendors are say this is what they are looking forward to looking for? during our very first meeting. Once the deal In my experience, most people want an is sealed, they often ask, “When can we put agent to be honest and realistic in the first up the smiley face?” instance, then to follow this up with really Installing it does feel great, and at that good communication and strong negotiation moment you know all the hard work has skills. With us, every client deals with the been worthwhile. It’s a happy time for agency principal and benefits from the 24 everyone involved.

ANOTH ER SELL- EBRATION !

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e Anything else to add, Greg? Just on a p personal note, Kim and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the business and its success. To be surrounded by people who genuinely want Greg Trembath Real Estate to do well means a lot to both of us. The other day someone spoke about us being the “biggest little agency in Port”, so that’s something we would like to continue.

testimonial Thank you Greg & Team. “Your approachable, calm and professional manner made my experience hassle free with good outcomes for both properties. Thank you for all the good advice, hard work and negotiation skills. I greatly appreciated your perseverance, patience and commitment. I have already recommended you to others as a first class agent.” Tracey E

focusrealestate

estellegough.

UPDATE

Ask Greg OL’ GREEN MAN, SPIRIT OF THE RAINFOREST When upon his forehead Ol’ Green Man felt the setting down of a butterfly, he knew this was an important message being delivered.

T

he bright yellow winged creature were the first to receive the questions of their flickered her wings then flitted rainforest guardian: “Where are these seeds?” down his craggy face to wait on the Myriad threaded links of microbial and fungi Ol’ Green Man’s lifting of his curved communities pulsed into action, and connected hand to greet the messenger, whereupon the throughout the humus of the guardian’s realm insect alighted to his nearest finger to then to carry his questions and return with answers. open her wings for the message to become vis- This took time, but Ol’ Green Man was used to ible: “Hidden seeds found”. waiting patiently. “What, when, where?” Ol’ Green Man In human time the gathering of information questioned himself, while gazing throughout the guardian’s dominat the message, which soon ion took about four seasons, disappeared as the yellowand the answers flooded arie The Port Macqu c. one scarpered from view. back to the buttressed In Landcare Group Being an earth-groundfeet of Ol’ Green Man mans in is calling for all hu have ed guardian of the following the rains and urban area who r ou rainforest, Ol’ Green vigour of springtime. dryad a ‘green man’ or ing be r ei Man, who lived mostly The answers deth in ith w residing r of be em m within an old growth lighted him: there were a e m co to be group in fig tree, had to rely on rainforest seeds germithis active growth forest rain many natural networks nating where once there caring that local ” e. iv rv su gs seedlin to know what was hapwas smothering weeds. pening within the realm of People called ‘Landcarers’ his forest dominion. had removed Lantana and Winged creatures were his favouBitou Bush from rainforest edges, rite for fast message deliveries. In keeping which had uncovered the seed bank of updated with everyday news and general endemic species all but disappeared. communications, there was always the Ol’ Green Man nodded his head in satisfacscurrying furry critters of the undergrowth who tion. He knew now there was a new generawere mostly reliable but were always sometion of rainforest seeds germinating quickly what distracted in their active daily habits. toward the light, which would grow for the In all things relating to the precious top soil human children to know of trees that used to of the rainforest, the Ol’ Green Man relied on grow a long time ago. his plantar connection for a deeper level of The Port Macquarie Landcare Group Inc. is understanding. This network of microcosm calling for all humans in our urban area who communities worked silently but effectively in have a ‘green man’ or dryad residing within yielding deeper forest secrets to their guardian. their being to become a member of this active Ol’ Green Man tugged at his gnarled feet, growth group in caring that local rainforest rooted within the soil, to alert these unseedlings survive. Phone Julie on 0439 597 926 derground communicators that he wanted or Estelle on 0432 141 605. answers. The sheaves of the mushroom world Contributed by Janet Slater.

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G Greg Trembath T b h answers nswers uestions. your real estate questions.

Q

Friends who have applied for $20,000 in extra assistance to build their new home have been told only a limited number of assistance packages are available in Port Macquarie. Is it too late for us to apply, and where do we get more information? Mark and Brittany. A: The Affordable Housing Scheme announced last year is a great opportunity, but not that many local people seem to know about it.

At $20,000, it sure is a massive boost for those who are eligible; however, like all housing grants and incentives, while the extra money is helpful, you need to focus on affordability in the longer term. Interest rates are unlikely to stay this low, so make sure you will be able to meet your commitments in the future.

While the extra l, money is helpfu s cu fo to you need on affordability in the longer term.

While some of the $20,000 rebates available via the scheme have already been snapped up, it’s certainly not too late to apply. The scheme is a joint initiative funded by the Federal Government and Port MacquarieHastings Council. It is designed to assist people on low to medium incomes. Your friends are right in terms of the scheme being limited. There are 100 incentives available in total - 67 in the Thrumster area and 33 in the Innes Peninsula, and they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Successful applicants cannot own any existing property in Australia and must satisfy a means test that takes into account the number of adults and children in the household.

You will also need to live in the property when it is built and complete the project by the end of June 2016. Feel free to get in contact with me to get all the facts while some incentives are still available. Answers are general comment, and readers should always seek their own independent professional advice. Send your real estate questions to greg@gregtrembath.com.au Greg Trembath is Principal/Licensee at Greg Trembath Real Estate. Licensed Real Estate Agent – Licensed Auctioneer.

gregtremb th REAL ESTATE

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focusabode.

GREATER PORT MACQUARIE

property guide

Lawrence Built Crestw

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d heights

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An under mount s double stainles ck fli ith w nk steel si mixer, plenty of y tr overhead cabine soft ch en r-b and unde all the k tic s er aw close dr n. ” he boxes in the kitc

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Lawrence Built Crestw

d heights

New, finished, one sold, the other open to view ... FOCUS showcases two homes by Lawrence Built in the quality Crestwood Heights Estate, Beachside of Port Macquarie, as the April Homes of the Month.

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oun on ound the corner of Crestwood Drive and Horizon Parkway, both 3 bedroom homes are a spacious open plan and come complete with up to the minute fittings and fixtures throughout. 'Bushland View' sold on its first day of Open House to one lucky homebuyer who desired a quality home in a quiet subdivision – Crestwood Heights, and the home fitted the new owners' requirements to a tee. The bushland reserve outlook from the front deck will provide a relaxed setting to entertain family and friends for many years

to come. Next door, 'Tree Tops Breeze’ is for sale, and offers a contemporary, full brick facade and fully landscaped gardens. The home is ready for you to move in; all that is needed is your personal touch to the décor to make the home your own. The attractive wide concrete driveway is finished with a non-slip surface which continues on to the welcoming front entry patio, all framed by landscaped gardens. Impressive Entry is gained through a 1200 wide timber and opaque glass entrance door into the tiled open plan, lounge/dining/

kitchen area. Natural light and airflow is a real feature of this home. Easy access to the outdoor alfresco area off your living area make easy living flow through a glass triple stacker sliding door, backed up and framed by a landscaped garden area, your alfresco is a sunny spot to sit back and relax or entertain friends in a private setting. The very well laid out kitchen has everything a home cook would want, including a stainless steel Valencia Euro dishwasher, Sienna Euro oven and gas cooktop with a concealed range-hood. An under mount double stainless steel sink ...

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focusabode.

...with flick-mixer and plenty of storage including a corner pantry and overhead cabinetry ensure all is near to hand. The Caesar stone island bench divides the kitchen from the dining area and can be your breakfast bar. Under-bench soft close drawers and a microwave nook are also handily placed in the island. The practical and beautifully tiled hallway leads to the Master bedroom and generous en-suite. Here you will enjoy a built-in robe, ceiling fan, floor to ceiling windows and soft carpeting, it is a very comfortable, light and airy Master bedroom. The en-suite has floor to

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ceiling white tiles, glass walled shower recess, wall hung vanity with oval hand basin and an opaque window that let's in loads of natural light and air. 2 mirror image bedrooms with ceiling fans, soft carpeting and built-in robes are separated by the main bathroom. A luxurious deep bath with waterfall spout, glass walled shower recess with rainfall shower head, a wall hung vanity with oval handbasin are all here for you to enjoy. The laundry that has easy access to the outside drying area through a glass sliding door.

A fully lined double garage with storage cabinetry, also has easy internal access to the kitchen, very handy on rainy days. The Torrens Title home is now ready for sale and is offered from just $467,500. These properties are a great example of what can be achieved affordably in one of the region's most prestige estates. Make an appointment to view the only New Home currently available in the sought after and prestige Lighthouse/Crestwood/Emerald Downs area. All sale enquiries are through Lance Dekker of PRD Nationwide Realty. Contact Lance on 0488 468 737.

FROM THE BUILDER – SCOTT LAWRENCE Tell us a bit about your business; how long have you been operating? Lawrence Constructions & Renovations was established in 1994 by my parents Kevin and Maureen Lawrence. I started my apprenticeship as a carpenter in 1994 and took over the business as a sole Director in 2008. What are the types of building that you specialise in? Over the many years of trading, the volume of work was mostly renovations and custom built homes. Last year however saw Lawrence

focusabode.

Lawrence Built Crestw

We also picked up the Master for Builders Award e th of 'B athroom Year', which I am .� d of extremely prou

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d heights

Constructions complete a 4 year contract on interior work at the Port Pacific Resort and we were also awarded the Master Builders Award for 'Bathroom of the Year', which I am extremely proud of. What are some of the featured design elements of these homes? These brand new homes are house and land packages starting from a very reasonable $467,500. These homes feature spacious open plan living and dining areas, low maintenance gardens, high quality tiles, fixtures and fittings and have level access. Home 1's greatest feature would have to be the 'never to be built out view' - great for the entertainer! Home 2 has the most amazing natural light and private alfresco, which is perfect for those who enjoy their privacy. Your business has gone through some changes this year; tell us about those ... Buyers will see Lawrence Built – Homes for Life more as we grow in to more House /Land packages to suit our clients needs in the very well situated Crestwood Heights Estate in the Lighthouse Beach/ Emerald Downs area, where we will deliver personal service and innovative, quality homes from our local family company I am also very pleased to announce my lovely wife, Vanessa, has now joined the family business full-time to assist with the management in the office and to make sure our clients and suppliers have a permanent contact whilst I am working onsite. Vanessa is available to take enquires on 0412 065 903. Thank you Scott.

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Lawrence Built Crestw

d heights

Find your 'happy place' at Crestwood Heights just minutes from Lighthouse Beach.

It’s true! A brand new, , 3 bedroom, ity al qu uble 2 bathro om , do e Built nc re w garage La 00.” home for $467,5

“ A Port Beachside Surprise! You may be surprised to find you can still buy a brand new house on the beach side of Port Macquarie for under $500,000. It’s true! A brand new, quality, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, double garage Lawrence Built home for $467,500. The just completed home on Horizons Parkway, Crestwood Heights is in Stage 5 - the latest release of the prestigious estate. Located just minutes from Port’s best golf courses, Lighthouse Beach, shopping, schools and the town centre it’s no wonder Crestwood Heights is known as ‘your happy place’! Some lots back onto a nature reserve, many have sweeping views from the mountains to the sea and the estate has been thoughtfully master planned to create space for residents to live, play, relax and meet. Viewing decks, parks, playgrounds cycleways and walking paths are all part of future

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stages of Crestwood Heights creating an ideal environment for growing families and empty-nesters alike. Apart from the beautiful Lawrence Built homes that are selling now, there is still land available from just $230,000 to build your own dream home or you can choose a great value house and land package. With interest rates at record lows, now is a great time to secure your new home. Crestwood Heights offers a rare opportunity to buy into a prestige estate at an affordable price. You could be in your very own happy place sooner than you think, but take care as the SOLD stickers will show current Land stock is running out fast. For more information about the brand new Lawrence Built home, house and land packages or purchasing land alone, call PRD Nationwide Port Macquare on 6583 8800.

focusinterview.

PAT RODGERS Patrick Rodgers isn't your typical electrician. With over 15 years' experience in marine electrics, we find out more about how he got started and some of the exciting boats he has worked on.

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ell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be a marine electrician? I grew up in Port Macquarie and my dad, Andy, was manager of Port Marina, so I was always around boats and the water. I completed my apprenticeship as an Auto Electrician locally and then went travelling for a couple of years. When I returned to Port, I went on a trip to Sydney's Northern Beaches and Pittwater on a friend's boat. I couldn't believe all the boats and marinas down there. I thought, "This is the place to be to gain experience on boats in Australia". So, I approached the local marine electrician workshop at the RMYC and asked for a job. I got the job that morning, and two weeks later I moved down to Newport. I eventually ended up managing that workshop; it was a fantastic experience - I was very lucky and have never looked back. How long have you been in the industry, and what was the training like to become the type of electrician you are. Is it any different to training as a house electrician? I moved to Sydney in 2001 and started working out of the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Newport. The basic electrical training was my four year apprenticeship as an auto electrician, but once I started working on boats in Sydney, that's where the bulk of my marine electrical background came from. The companies I was involved with down

there provided onsite training and also I also travel up to QLD to work on a lots and lots of dealer training courses couple of large game fishing cruisers that etc. from their partners, like Raymarine I fitted out whilst working in Sydney. Asia and Riviera. Recently I have been working on lots I was lucky enough to be employed of commercial vessels, pilot vessels in by several large businesses, so we had Melbourne and also patrol boats; some stands and vessels at venues such as the examples of these can be viewed on my Sydney International Boatshow. website: www.rmcmarineelectrics. These were great, as lots of com.au training was provided You have recently by our partners moved (back) to the N and suppliers, so area. What do you I W EN T O U T O M Y OW N W IT H we could keep love about living NE RO D GE RS M A RI N D potential clients on the coast? A CO N TR AC TI N G well informed at My time IN ED OY WA S SE LF EM PL the shows. in Sydney A S A 2010. TH IS W , ER N I went out was a great PE O E RE A L EY EAT TO GR S A on my own with experience. I was W IT T BU Y OW N Rodgers Marine lucky enough to FI NA LLY BE M BO SS . � Contracting and be based on the was self employed in northern beaches - that 2010. This was a real eye area is beautiful. opener, but it was great to But after almost ten years finally be my own boss. down there, I started missing Port. We are It is a different qualification and so lucky to call Port Macquarie home; we also very different to being a domestic have a beautiful river system and amazing household electrician. beaches and bushland. I love the fact we What types of boats have you can be in town and within ten minutes worked on? and a ferry ride we can be four wheel I have worked on a large variety driving our way to Point Plomer. of vessels all over the East Coast When you're not working, what kind of Australia. In Sydney Harbour and of things can we find you getting up Pittwater it was mainly large luxury motor to? cruisers and offshore sailing vessels When I'm not working, you could ranging from 30 ft to 140 ft - mostly definitely find me surfing at lighthouse private vessels owned by the rich and and if there's no surf, probably going for famous. It was a real great experience. a dive.

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focusinterview.

Steve Van Gemert

Flourish

Landscapes+Gardens

With so much unpredictable weather lately – periods of flooding rain combined with extended dry spells, it’s no wonder a few our gardens are looking a little bit the worse for wear! Steve Van Gemert from Flourish Landscapes + Gardens has some handy tips to ensure your outdoor areas look their best throughout autumn, plus he also has some great advice if you’re actually planning to start a garden project from scratch …

S

teve, please tell us a little about yourself ... how did your interest in landscape and gardening come about, and what still fuels your passion for this industry today? I have been involved in the landscaping industry for 20 years, and I am a fully qualified Horticulturist and Landscaper. My interest in gardening started with my grandmother, who lived on the NSW South Coast. She always had award winning gardens and was heavily involved in the Milton Ulladulla Garden Club. I spent a lot of time with her when I was growing up and there was always work to do, which I really enjoyed. She made me earn my keep! Our landscaping industry has come so far over the past 15 years. Gardening shows have really lifted the profile of garden and design, and options are endless. That’s challenging and exciting for me. What led you to start your business, Flourish Landscapes + Gardens? How long has it been operating now? When the opportunity came to sell my landscape business in Sydney, we jumped at the chance to move to Port Macquarie, where we spent our holidays visiting family. We love the place, and the move has given us the opportunity to raise our family here. Doing what we do best, we started Flourish 98

greater port macquarie focus.

Landscapes + Gardens, which is now in its anything special we should doing right third year of operation. now to ensure they get through winter What does your business specialise in? without too many problems? Our business specialises in residential Autumn is a great time to fertilise your garden renovations and consultation. Clients lawn. For the fertiliser to do its job it needs to may have had major home renovations, and be well watered in, so before or during rain our specialty is to make sure the gardens or showers is the ideal time. complement the design of the home. Other lawn maintenance Our garden consultancy also may include aerating helps clients if they want to areas that may have do the landscape works become compacted. g Our landscapin themselves but are not A simple garden industry has sure where to start with fork will do the come so far over design layout or plant job, or you can s. the past 15 year choices. hire a motorized s have Gardening show We’re right in the aerator from ile prof really lifted the , middle of autumn Coates Hire for gn si of garden and de dless. now ... what are larger areas. en e and options ar d an g in some of the things One problem I ng le That’s chal ” e. m r people should be often hear from fo exciting doing to keep their people is they gardens in top notch have that one really condition at this time of shady area in their year? garden, where nothing It’s a foundation principle of all (not even grass) seems to grow. gardening that the soil has to be healthy What would be your advice to combat to get the best out of your plants. Adding this problem? quality compost or topping up mulch levels If you start with getting the soil right, are a great place to start. It’s important also you will be rewarded with optimum growth to be sure that the right soils and compost and healthy plants. This may involve extra are used for the species of plants you have in drainage, fresh soil and topping with your garden. composts and mulches. And what about our lawns – is there Plant choice is important and for those

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hard to grow or shady areas, there are plenty of options at Bonny Hills Garden Centre (or at your local garden centre). How can people with small yards make the most of the area they have – and possibly even make it look bigger? Keep it simple by not overplanting. I like to keep the plantings along the perimeters, because it blurs boundary lines. Choose plants with upright compact growth and avoid spiky varieties. Like plantings, don’t overdo it with outdoor furniture. Multi-purpose options, like bench seating with storage underneath, are ideal for smaller areas. What piece of advice would you give to people who are looking to start their garden project now? Our weather has been so unpredictable, that the choice of the right plants is critical. Periods of wet weather and drought make it tough, so taking time to plan well and get the right advice the first time around is the way to a successful and low maintenance garden. Where can people contact you if they’re interested in landscaping advice or to see what products/services you provide that can help inspire their gardening efforts? Steve Van Gemert: 0400 764 204. Call anytime. Thanks Steve. Interview by Jo Atkins.

APRIL AUCTIONS AUCTION ON SITE

www.percival.com.au

AUCTION ON SITE

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2 3 $639,000

AUCTION 12NOON SAT APRIL 26TH

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Never before offered for sale and just like a luxury coastal retreat... This architect designed contemporary beach home is positioned in a prized pocket with easy access to Shelly, Nobby’s and Flynns Beaches. Set on a private level block of 1,239m² with a back drop of magnificent lawns and stunning landscaped gardens adjoining rainforest reserve, this really is a special property. A versatile design with seamlessly integrated indoor and outdoor living and private loft quarters for guests/teenagers/office.

Offering total privacy, this is the perfect environment for relaxed living and entertaining... Set over two levels, this substantial home nestled in private landscaped gardens has been designed for a growing family featuring extensive tiled indoor and outdoor living spaces, a separate downstairs rumpus room with 3rd bathroom and a massive under house area currently set up as a gym, workshop and storage. The amazing resort style solar heated pool features LED lighting, a large cave, waterfall and shallow beach zone.

6a Sunnyside Crescent, Port Macquarie Michelle Percival 0404 466 500 OFFERS WELCOME PRIOR

77 Crestwood Drive, Port Macquarie Michelle Percival 0404 466 500

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percival.com.au for open times

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1 1 $639,000

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Your family will love the space on offer here... Nestled on a well maintained block of 2,023 m² (approx 0.5 acres - 0.2 ha) with a huge 15x7m shed and double carport, there are lots of options and opportunity here. Perfect if you are a tradesman, hobbyist, require a workshop or storage for extra cars, boats and caravan, or simply a wonderful yard for your children and pets. A large covered deck wraps this master built homestead complete with a family friendly design.

What a great lifestyle this very inviting and easy care villa in a complex of only two offers... Only a short stroll to the pristine sands of beautiful Lighthouse Beach and the wonderful local shopping centre with its fabulous cafes and restaurants. A private paved entertaining size courtyard garden leads to this appealing villa with beautiful timber floors to the open plan living area. Two bedrooms both have robes while there is an enclosed outdoor room perfect for a study. First home, investors, or downsizing - this would be ideal.

130 John Oxley Drive, Port Macquarie Michelle Percival 0404 466 500 OFFERS WELCOME PRIOR

1/41 Hart Street, Port Macquarie Michelle Percival 0404 466 500

percival.com.au for open times

percival.com.au for open times

OFFERS WELCOME PRIOR

R E S I D E N T I A L

S A L E S

02 6583 8606 106 William Street, Port Macquarie

Michelle Percival Principle 0404 466 500

Neroli Reid Licenced Agent 0488 060 755

Vicki Alfonso Licenced Agent 0438 549 968

Jenny Magill Sales Associate 0401 503 020

PERCIVAL P R O P E R T Y

greater port macquarie focus 99

PROPERTY GROUP

Our Philosophy is simple 1 Work Smarter Not Harder 2 Invest in Property 3 Build a Group of Professionals to Support You

We formed the Smarter Property Group to help buyers succeed

What is a Property Investment Advisor? A Property Investment Advisor is qualified to write a Statement of Property Investment Advice, which is a property investment plan based on your personal situation, your goals and how much risk you are comfortable with. This allows you to identify where to look for a property, what type of property suits you and how each investment supports your long-term financial goals. This helps you reduce the risks and control the process allowing you to make better and more informed decisions regarding your property purchases.

Why are Smarter Clients investing in property right now? ‘After the GFC I want my money to be invested in a secure asset that I can see and touch. I feel confident in bricks and mortar.’ Brett Black, Sydney NSW ‘Interest Rates are the lowest I have ever seen them. It made us think about buying an investment property. After talking to Paul I didn’t realise how easy it really was! Now my wife wants to invest in more houses then me!’ Tim and Louise Johnson - Castle Hill Sydney ‘After the GFC it looked like I was going to have to work until I was 70 years old. We just couldn’t afford to retire. Paul showed us how property can turn things around. Now we can see how we can leave something behind for our children.’ Donna and Ben Alward - Kingscliff NSW

Why is using Smarter Property Group Smarter? 1 A Qualified Property Investment Advisor writes a plan specifically for you

and your situation. 2 Licensed Buyers Agent finds the property for you, negotiates the deal,

makes sure the contract terms suit you and then helps you every step of the way until after your property is happily tenanted. 3 We work for YOU not the Seller

What is a Buyers Agent? A buyers' agent works for you negotiating the deal exclusively for the buyer, not the vendor. We research the location to make sure you buy at the right time. We are not limited to a small range of properties that may be listed in only one real estate office. We can access properties all over Australia so we can always find a property that suits your plan. To save time and stress, all you need to do is supply us with your property criteria. • Budget • Timeframe • Location • Rental yield • Description of property

What is the difference of being Smarter? 1st Get Advice based on your Financial Situation and Goals 2nd Make a Plan so your property portfolio meets your goals, funds your retirement and even leaves something for your children

3rd

Professional Support in Executing Your Plan so you purchase a property that matches your plan, the deal works for you and the hard work is done for you

What is the Outcome of Buying Property Smarter? Simply peace of mind, lower risk and greater property success.

How do I get Smarter? Talk to one of our friendly staff on

1800 257 377 or email admin1@smarterpropertygroup.com.au 100

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TOTALPROPERTY INSPECTIONS Total Property Inspections Building Inspectors are Fully Licensed and Insured. We believe in giving our client’s peace of mind by ensuring that the property you purchase meets your expectations. Property is the biggest purchase most of us ever make so identifying any potential problems or current defects can save you thousands.

TPI BUILDING INSPECTORS ARE: Fully Licensed & Insured Produce Comprehensive Reports that are easy to understand Available to discuss all of your questions Supply Reports in either printed or digital format Can provide a quick 48 hour turn around if required Contactable 7 days a week

TPI REPORTS INCLUDE Summary of Internal and External Inspections highlighting any defects including safety issues and potential hazards Detailed Internal and External Report Detailed findings outlining each individual defect, safety issue or potential hazard found in detail including a photo and our recommendation

PRE-SETTLEMENT INSPECTION If you are buying a house it is recommended that you obtain both pest and building reports. They will give you peace of mind and, compared to the investment you are about to make, the cost of these reports is minimal. Some defects may be obvious to the untrained eye however a building inspection will not only report the usual minor maintenance and cosmetic issues but will advise on any structural or building problems that may not be obvious including drainage or damp problems. Remember: even a new building can have defects. - Australian Institute of Conveyances NSW As recommended by the Australian Institute of Conveyances NSW - it is important when buying a property to have a Pre-Settlement Inspection completed by an independent licensed builder.

BUYING A NEW PROPERTY - HANDOVER REPORT A Handover Report will check all of the work is completed and up to standard before you settle. Our inspection will identify any outstanding defects and incomplete finishes and we will work with the builder to fix any problems before settlement so the property is ready for you or your tenant to move in straight away.

END OF WARRANTY INSPECTION New homes come with either a 3 or 6-month warranty that covers specific issues that may not be visible at the time of the Handover Inspection. Having these issues fixed under warranty can save you thousands and prevent defects that are easily fixed, if found early, from becoming major problems in the future.

OTHER INSPECTIONS WE OFFER: BUILDING & PEST INSPECTION Existing Properties - Identify structural issues, termites & other pests as well as other costly defects

BUILDING DILAPIDATION INSPECTION Adding to an existing structure – Inspect the current structure to ensure it doesn’t have any issues that will impact construction

SPECIAL PURPOSE INSPECTIONS Tailored to your needs – new retaining walls or balconies, renovations or maintenance and repairs

BUILDING MAINTENANCE INSPECTION Peace of mind – Identify any issues with a property you have owned for a long time

www.totalpropertyinspections.com.au

BOOK AN INSPECTION TODAY To talk to one of our friendly staff free call:

1800 307 339 or email: admin@totalpropertyinspections.com.au greater port macquarie focus

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REAL ESTATE EXPERTS FEATURE

Real Estate f e a t u r e

McGrath Estate Agents These days, when looking to buy or to sell a home or residential investment property, so many locals are turning to McGrath Estate Agents. The company’s highly professional team, coupled with extensive support from a selling platform which is entirely unique to the brand, has seen McGrath develop into one of the most remarkable business success stories on the Mid-North Coast. McGrath’s friendly sales agents have many years of real estate experience, throughout our region and beyond. In today’s marketplace however all agree that, to achieve outstanding results which repeatedly exceed clients’ expectations, they also need direct access to an exclusive network of state-of-the-art marketing and information services. In this regard, McGrath sets the benchmark very high. So what does it take to be an “expert” in the local property industry? Certainly, it requires full understanding of the housing market, both

locally and nationally. It requires the skills to deal positively with the inevitable ups and downs of sales transactions and it helps to have sufficient experience to interpret that subjective quality, called ‘appeal’. In order to match the right buyers with the right properties, a selling agent must first be able to attract an effective number of interested parties and here “the McGrath difference” becomes obvious. Only McGrath has a pooled database of over 190,000 qualified buyers, unique search engines aligned to Australia’s most popular property franchise website, mcgrath.com.au the premium-quality McGrath Magazine plus an exclusive range of world-class marketing tools and, when you consider the fact that out-oftown buyers account for over 45 percent of local property sales (RP Data) selling your home or investment through McGrath becomes the obvious choice; after all, they are the residential real estate experts.

A WINNING COMBINATION Integrity. Knowledge. Results. McGrath’s experienced selling agents are committed to the brand’s culture of six star service and total honesty, with a focus on results. They have direct access to unique marketing tools which are the envy of the real estate industry and can prepare a campaign exclusively for your home; designed to attract more buyers, more swiftly. Speak to McGrath today and celebrate a great result sooner.

McGrath Estate Agents 147 Gordon Street Port Macquarie T 6589 3777 mcgrath.com.au

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First National State Award Winner Just awarded the First National State Award for ‘Property Management Team of the Year’, First National Port Macquarie offers a detailed and highly systemised property management service that puts the landlord first. ‘Quality, not quantity’ is our philosophy. Incorporating the latest technology, our number one priority is the needs of our landlords. For example, no owner with First National has to wait for their rental monies or to receive an up to date statement. Landlords are paid when it suits them – why not fit in with your loan repayments? Why have your money sit in an agent’s trust account, when it

could be in yours? We also offer landlords the opportunity to login to our website and access up to date details on their property and tenancy. We also take photos at EVERY inspection we carry out. Both business owners, Ron and Belinda Fischer, have extensive experience in property management and both work actively in the sales and property management divisions – meaning they are hands on and involved! At First National Port Macquarie, we believe a good property manager will make you money on your investment, not cost you money. Ask us for more details on 6583 6000 or rentals@ portmacquariefn.com.au

REAL ESTATE EXPERTS FEATURE

Real Estate f e a t u r e

Mortgage Choice Building wealth through property is a popular investment strategy for many Australians. Of course, before you can begin to build a successful property portfolio, there are some things you should do to ensure you maximise your investment.

Upcoming Release College Rise Following the success of the Barton Ridge stage of the Lewis Land Group’s $700m master planned community, Sovereign Hills, the group are pushing ahead with bulk earthworks on its upcoming release, College Rise. These works should be completed by late March, with the civil works to start shortly thereafter. The College Rise stage will consist of 250 - 300 lots ranging in size from mid 494 m² to an average of 632 m². The first stage of 86 lots will be released for ‘Registration of Interest’ in early May this year, and registration is expected around the end of the year. Builders in the Homeworld Display Village have all welcomed the new stage, overlooking St Joseph’s College, due to the lack of quality

elevated vacant land available on the Mid North Coast. A spokesperson for the Lewis Land Group stated, “We identified a need for vacant land and house and land packages in the market due to Port Macquarie’s growth rate as the third highest in the state and have been working with our consultants to push future stages, and a new display village, into the market as quickly as possible. “Like Barton Ridge, College Rise will have its own distinct branding, with classic entry statements, tree lined entry, bridge and spacious parklands�.

When investing in property, your dwelling should meet two key criteria – being affordable and appealing to a wide range of tenants. At the end of the day, your investment won’t be successful if it doesn’t attract quality tenants. As such, it is important to consider properties objectively and think about whether you’d be happy to live there. Generally, if you are not sold on the property, prospective tenants are likely to think twice too. Another thing to keep in mind is how you intend to gear the property financially (positive vs. negative). In the first few years of being a landlord, it’s likely your property will be negatively geared, which means the asset doesn’t make you enough money to cover your

For further information on College Rise, contact Nicole and Shaun at the sales and information centre, 7 days a week, on (02) 6581 1711.

NEW LAND RELEASE &RPLQJ 6RRQ

mortgage repayments. While negative gearing can offer tax savings, it is imperative that you can cope with the mortgage repayments. Even the best properties experience periods of vacancy, so you will need to cover the loan repayments when the property is not generating any income. A good investment property should deliver you with two types of returns – regular rental income and capital growth (an increase in the property’s value). For more information on property investment, contact Gary Owen and the team at Mortgage Choice Port Macquarie on (02) 6584 0355.

l e e f t i s e o d w ho

St. Joseph’s Regional College

to know I can afford an investment property? Whether you’re buying your ďŹ rst investment property or building up

ORWV WR EH UHOHDVHG

your portfolio, you need good advice to help you maximise the performance of your investment. Your local Mortgage Choice broker will sit down with you to talk through your objectives, your circumstances and suitable loans for your property investment purposes. If you’ve been thinking about investing in

Register your interest today on collegerise.com.au

property, talk to us today. Internet Plans 100Mbps / 40Mbps

6584 0355

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Another Lewis Land project www.lewisland.com.au

Know the feeling

COLL012

Display Village Open Daily 6581 1711 | collegerise.com.au

MortgageChoice.com.au/gary.owen

Level 3, JBC Building, 41–47 Horton Street, Port Macquarie

Australian Credit Licence 382869

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REAL ESTATE EXPERTS FEATURE

Real Estate

Rental Properties Port Macquarie

Coast Front Realty f e a t u r e

Student accommodation specialist Thousands of students will be knocking on Port Macquarie’s door over the coming years, looking for a place to live. Rental Properties Port Macquarie is gearing up to meet this demand, with knowledgeable staff and specialised systems in place to help students and property owners. Terri Tipper is working with property investment groups using a ‘Property Profiling’ process which identifies and sources property types that best fit the demand. “We liaise with developers to custom-fit floor plans, inclusions and finishes to maximise investor returns. Currently in Port Macquarie there are 50 new dual occupancy properties under construction targeting student needs,” Ms Tipper said.

“That’s why our service involves a lot more than simply handing over the key. We provide ongoing support and advice. We help tenants and landlords understand the special rights and responsibilities that apply to those in share housing and rental accommodation generally.

“We’re working with education providers to meet the current and future student accommodation needs and already provide a range of shared apartments, villas and houses for students.”

“We’re developing a unique Student Accommodation Search feature, and our website will be loaded with information to help students secure a rental property. Our accommodation is already listed on CSU’s StudyStays website.”

Ms Tipper said finding somewhere to live was one of the most important tasks for university students, who are often moving out of home for the first time.

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CSU’s student numbers are expected to double by 2016 to more than 700, with projections of 5,000 students by 2030.

For five years, Coast Front Realty has been established as a boutique real estate agency located at Flynns Beach, Port Macquarie. In this time we have constantly achieved amazing results for our clients, whilst continuing to improve on what we do. When Sue Jogever became the Principal of Coast Front Realty almost 12 months ago, Sue completely refocused the team to ensure that we do things differently. We take pride in the customer service experience we offer; our reputation is built on our clients’ positive experiences in their real estate journey, and we continue to build relationships with our clients well beyond the sale and purchase of their home. Because we focus on the continued delivery of premium results, we have expanded our team to meet our growing demand. Recently we welcomed Clint McCully to our team, whose fresh approach to the Port Macquarie real estate scene and Coast Front Realty is really making a difference. Clint has a strong background and passion in customer relations, marketing and communication and has a strong belief in providing first class customer service; this ensures that his client’s journey is a positive one. Clint’s confident attitude is quite infectious; he puts the client’s needs first and really gets to know

what it is his clients are after. With the support and energy of Coast Front Realty’s team, Clint’s hunger for a successful outcome and his desire to deliver the very best of results is his clients’ guarantee. For Clint it’s about the people, it’s about the journey, and it’s about providing superior customer service, and he really identifies with Coast Front Realty’s philosophy that property is all about the people. For buyers, it’s about helping them feel at home and sharing a love for the Port Macquarie lifestyle. For sellers, it’s about offering personal support along the way and achieving the best result possible. The real difference at Coast Front Realty is that we love what we do and we care for our clients. At Coast Front Realty we make it all about YOU …

LAND FOR SALE SHELLY BEACH HOMES & ENCLAVE

Located just 5 minutes from the Port Macquarie CBD is an exciting new residential development. Shelly Beach Homes is a unique opportunity for buyers wanting to enjoy quality living in a fantastic beachside location at an affordable price. Located on Pacific Drive opposite the tranquil Sea Acres Rainforest and backed by its own rainforest reserve, this tranquil piece of land contains only 23 lots. desirable location with the potential to development in Port Macquarie – easy from start to meet a wide range of buyer needs – finish. whether it be a new family looking for Contact Peter on 0417 209 977 today for home affordability and flexibility of design, or plans and details of availability, as a number of lots an experienced home owner looking for a unique have already been sold or are under negotiation. beachside development. 'Enclave' ½ Acre Lots – Coming Soon! Lots have already been purchased by keen buyers Enclave – Port’s newest subdivision is not just who have seen the potential in this beachside exciting because of its close proximity to Port location – and the remaining lots are priced at Macquarie's CBD, just 10 mins, (and just 300 meters $260,000. from the future Sovereign Hills Town Centre) or House and land packages are also that it is nestled comfortably between available, with every lot coming with St Joseph’s Regional College and a DA approved north orientated Thrumster Estate, hence the house plan. Or, you can build name 'Enclave', but because Expanded living areas, your own design through it is the only current new and one of the many local and subdivision offering ½ acre wide verandahs, l al high ceiling s are trusted builders – the Shelly size lots. n the achievable whe Beach Homes development Not since the release as starting block is has been designed to of land at King Creek, The at great as the lots make it easy from the start Links or Elchorn Grove has ‘Enclave’.” to finish for home builders. there been a development Local award winning building boasting these size lots. With design firm Collins W Collins have an average of 1800 - 2000 designed house plans for each lot. sqm per lot, the options for home All north orientated. All DA approved. So, building options are expansive. If you you will certainly be spoilt for choice. You can have a large family or plan to, then building customise each design, or ask for a complete your ‘homestead’ style house couldn’t be easier at new design to suit your lifestyle. We will help you ‘Enclave.’ every step of the way for any necessary Council Expanded living areas, wide verandahs, and high approvals and getting you a build quote and timing ceilings are all achievable when the starting block is plan. You will be amazed at how quickly you can be as great as the lots at ‘Enclave’. in your new home in this unique location. The developers of ‘Enclave’ have taken the Proximity to a natural rainforest has carefully preparation of the development to the highest level, integrated housing lots without adversely impacting ready for you to build ‘directly’ onto flat, compacted the local flora and fauna. Wake up to the sound lots, with little to nil earthworks to be done. In terms of the birds and the ocean, with pristine Shelly of building costs, this reduces the outlay to the Beach just a minutes’ walk away. This residential buyer, as the lots are slab ready. development on Pacific Drive is literally minutes to There are only 9 x ½ acre flat lots to be sold, plus, everywhere – the beach, the shops, Port Macquarie there is one exclusive 4.5 acre lot ... Stay tuned for CBD. Be sure to visit this new and exciting boutique more information about this exciting and unique development as soon as you can, as lots are already development. selling fast. Call Peter to secure your piece of ‘Enclave’ on Shelly Beach Homes, boutique residential housing 0417 209 977.

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Kevin Ho An eye for nature and a natural artistic flair have led local photographer Kevin Ho to capture some stunning images of wildlife, from the minutest insect to powerful birds of prey. Kevin has also shared his knowledge and skill behind the lens with various community groups and classes …

i Kevin. What originally brought you to the Hastings area ... are you a born and bred local, or a seachanger? When we sold our Pharmacy in Deakin, ACT, in 1999, we were looking for a quieter life and somewhere that we would be happy to spend the rest of our lives. After spending many relaxing holidays in Port Macquarie with my brother, Steve, it was an easy decision to move to Port. The relaxed lifestyle, beautiful climate, great health care facilities, friendly locals, beautiful scenery etc. etc. made this choice an easy one. How did your interest in photography first develop? I had always been interested in photography, though my photography was mainly of family/ holiday subjects rather than any artistic/creative subjects. When we settled in Port in 2000, I attended a Northern Zone Photography Convention which was being hosted by the Hastings Photographic Society. Seeing the fabulous images on show and attending a few photography workshops at the Convention soon had my creative juices flowing. Digital cameras were just starting to be affordable, and I welcomed learning the new medium with open arms (and wallet). What do you most like to shoot – and why? My favourite subjects are wildlife and macro. A couple of safaris to Africa have yielded some beautiful images and a great desire to return. Locally, I particularly love capturing birds in flight, mainly birds of prey such as Opreys and Sea Eagles. This requires a fast focusing camera, 106

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good telephoto lens and lots of practice! Macro (close up) photography can reveal a tiny world that is all around us. The beauty of insects, flowers, reptiles, frogs etc. is easy to miss as we hurry through our busy daily lives. Unlike many types of photography, Macro images can be captured in almost any backyard garden or local park at any time of the day. What, in your eyes, does it take to be a good photographer? Beyond a ‘good eye and artistic flair’, a good photographer needs to have a knowledge and understanding of the basics of photography (i.e. exposure, depth of field, shutter speed, composition etc.) and how to operate their camera to capture their desired images. Most digital images will require some post processing, to bring out the WOW factor, so a good working knowledge of image processing software (Photoshop, GIMP, Lightroom etc.) is also required. I teach the basics of photography and post processing at the Camden Haven Community College, and there are also courses available elsewhere in the Hastings. What do you feel has been the pinnacle of your photographic success so far? Each year all of the Camera Clubs in Northern NSW hold the ‘Northern Zone Convention’. Clubs compete with each other, submitting their best images from the previous year, for judging by FCC (Federation of Camera Clubs NSW) qualified judges. I received the award for ‘Most Successful Photographer’, achieving the highest aggregate score, at last year’s Northern Zone Convention in Lismore. This was very rewarding, as there are many fine photographers competing in the many Northern Zone Clubs.

What training – formal or otherwise – have you had to develop your photography skills? I am self taught and have learnt photography through reading books, magazines, Google and lots of practice. I have learnt a lot from other photographers and over the last 14 years have conducted photography workshops for camera clubs, Hastings Council’s ‘Osmosis’ Photography Competition, Seniors’ Computer Group, Camden Haven Community College etc. Conducting workshops means doing research, which results in more knowledge, which results in better images … Canon or Nikon ... or neither? What equipment – camera bodies, lenses, tripods are your must-haves; and what is it you like most about these particular items? I currently use a Canon EOS 7D DSLR. I prefer the simpler menu system and ergonomics of Canon cameras compared to Nikon cameras, though there is little difference in image quality between most of the major brands. I have lenses from 10 mm wide angle (for landscapes) to 800 mm telephoto (for wildlife and moon shots). My favourite lenses are my Canon 100-400 L IS, Sigma 300-800 mm for wildlife and Canon 100 mm L IS Macro lens. Camera bodies come and go, but quality lenses are an investment which will give many years of service and make more difference to image quality than camera bodies. I use a carbon fibre monopod and tripods, as these are very rigid, yet lightweight. A tripod left in the car boot because it is too heavy is not worth having. Describe a shot you’ve taken that you’re especially happy with ... was it an ‘acciden-

tal’ shot, or one that was premeditated and set up? My favourite image was taken in Kruger National Park. It is of a female leopard, which had just eaten a zebra, lying on a tree branch looking straight at the camera. The leopard was just 7 metres from the 4WD. I have a one metre wide canvas print of this image on my wall at home and wherever you are in the room, the leopard’s eyes are looking straight at you! How much have you enjoyed being a part of the Hastings Photography Group? How valuable have you found it being a part of this community of like-minded individuals? As one of the founding members and first President of the Hastings Photography Group, I have taken a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in seeing the club grow from just 12 members in late 2010 to over 50 in 2014. The club is as much a social club as a photography club, with weekly morning teas and regular teaching photographic outings. The friendly atmosphere is conducive to forming friendships, and the teaching and competitions that the club conducts allows members’ photographic skills to grow … this was the aim of the original committee, and I am happy to say that we achieved our objective! Where can people go to see samples of your work? My images can be seen on my Flickr webpage … http://www.flickr.com/photos/hodown55/ and on the Hastings Photography Group Website … http://www.hastingsphotogroup. com.au/Coppermine1512/cpg15x/index. php?cat=10004 Thanks Kevin. Interview by Jo Atkins.

Getting Real with David Plews! I was out walking recently and ran sold properties to buyers from Western into friends of mine, Chris and Sue, at Australia, Tasmania, Sydney and regional the Town Green who were also out NSW. Some of these buyers plan to rent out enjoying the beautiful night. their new properties for several years with They told me they enjoyed reading my the intention to move into them later on. Focus column and asked what my next It’s fantastic news that more new money is topic would be about – at that stage I had coming to our town. I envisage great days nothing confirmed. ahead. I continued walking further The market has certainly taken along the breakwall and as I off since 1 November 2013. did, I was thinking how lucky Throughout the months of Under the stress of it we really are to live in such November and December, the all you always a lovely place along this volume of sales increased a d kept us focuse y ar M d an f fantastic coastline. whopping 25.8 per cent. In Geof .” on tt Su The presentation of Port February there were 126 sales Macquarie is something else. in the town – a great sign for I understand some complain the rest of the year. about the little things but I am I’m also proud to say that during proud of the beauty our town offers – the this period (November 2013 - February many benefits certainly outweigh the few 2014) First National Port Macquarie sold cons. This natural beauty and the services on the most properties – more than any other offer is probably why Port Macquarie is the agency in the town. Well done team, a number two location searched for on the great result for the hard yards put in over internet for NSW. the years. This article has been prepared in good faith with due care by David In the current market we have noticed Plews. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of more demand for properties coming information contained in this article and readers should make and rely on their own enquiries as to the correctness of such information. from outside town. Just recently I have

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LOCAL | QUALIFIED | PROVEN mobile 0448 836 000 email david@portmacquariefn.com.au 69 Horton St, Port Macquarie

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NSW State Forests offer a wide variety of desirable and sustainably managed nature-based and ecotourism experiences and destinations, where visitors can appreciate and enjoy the forest environment. Some of State Forest’s newest attractions are just waiting for you to visit, and best of all, they’re free.

Experience a Forest Playground ... SW State Forests are the place to go for diverse nature-based tourism experiences. Entry to State Forests and use of the visitor facilities is free-of-charge, making State forests your first and best choice for a low-cost, self-drive adventure in the great outdoors. Currently, many of State Forest’s tourist destinations are being improved, thanks to feedback from visitors via our regular surveys. Read on to learn more about some of our popular sites and newest destinations. BIG AND BEAUTIFUL The latest addition to NSW State Forest’s visitor attractions is affectionately known as the Old Bottlebutt. The Old Bottlebutt is a grand and ancient Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) tree, located in Burrawan State Forest on the NSW Mid-North Coast. Old Bottlebutt is unique in its shape – its large flared “butt” having a massive girth of more than 16 metres just above its base. OLD BOTTLEBUTT, BURRAWAN STATE FOREST Old Bottlebutt is the main feature on a beautiful 600m loop walking track, beginning and ending at the Burrawan State Forest picnic area. The walk features remnant rainforest, an oasis hidden under a canopy of lush green foliage with overhanging Bangalay Palms and ancient rainforest species, and winds its way over foot-bridges along this peaceful and easy-grade track. The walking track and Old Bottlebutt exist within a ‘working’ forest, an area harvested sustainably for native and plantation timber resources. This forest is resilient and the environment dynamic: you might notice forest regrowth in formerly - harvested areas visible along parts of the Old Bottlebutt walking track. Old Bottlebutt is a special place, a place to stay and enjoy the sounds of nature. A new

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viewing deck will enable visitors to rest awhile towns of the Hunter Valley, Sugarloaf Range and gently experience the forest environment and the surrounding Watagan Range can also - protecting the tree and its root system at the be seen from these unique vantage points. same time. Interpretive signage will further VIEW FROM HEATON LOOKOUT, HEATON enhance the visitor experience. STATE FOREST CONCEPT DESIGN – OLD BOTTLEBUTT Heaton State Forest is in the Watagan VIEWING PLATFORM BY STEVE GORRELL Mountains near the NSW Central Coast. The (ARCHITECT). Watagans are easily accessed from the Pacific Old Bottlebutt in Burrawan State Forest is Highway: via Martinsville Road, Cooranbong located near Wauchope and Port Macquarie, or via Mount Faulk Road near Freeman’s NSW. From Wauchope travel south on the Waterhole, and are open 24 hours/day, 7 Bago Road 10km, then turn left onto days/week. Internal Break Road and follow KORORA AND SEALY LOOKOUTS the signs. It is open 24 For visitors travelling the hours/day, 7 days/week Pacific Highway on the including public NSW North Coast, Korora ng ki holidays. and Sealy Lookouts al w e Th MAKE SURE YOU are a must-see. Both track and Old within t is ex tt LOOKOUT bu lookouts are located le tt Bo st, With over 2 in Bruxner Park Flora a ‘working’ fore d million hectares an area harveste tive Reserve in Orara East na sustainably for of State Forest State Forest, 310 timber and plantation in NSW, it’s not metres above Coffs resources.” surprising that Harbour and in rich some of the most forest overlooking the spectacular lookouts coast. Heading north on in the state are located in the Pacific Highway, visitors State Forest. If you’re looking should turn left onto Bruxner for somewhere to take in the best Park Road and enjoy a scenic hillside views in town, here’s some of what climb through banana plantations before your forests have to offer. reaching the Scenic Drive turn-off. A small HEATON, HUNTER AND MCLEAN’S shelter and parking area here provides visitors LOOKOUTS with a taste of things to come, and offers Located in Heaton State Forest in the handy information on the area. Watagan Mountains, these 3 lookouts offer As travellers continue driving up and into breath-taking views over the Hunter and Lake the forest they will catch glimpses of sparkling Macquarie region. Heaton Lookout provides ocean views between tall forest timbers. First picnic facilities from which to experience stop is the Korora Lookout carpark. A short magnificent coastal and mountain views, walk through forest reveals the destination and is a great place to watch the sunrise over – the amazing Korora Lookout. The viewing the coast. Hunter and McLean’s Lookouts deck allows visitors to make the most of the offer spectacular views of the Hunter Valley, northerly aspect and vast expanse of coastline Pokolbin Range and the mountain ranges and ocean views. Alternatively, conveniently of the Lower Barrington area. Small mining located “church pew” seating provides a

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shady stop under a majestic gumtree, for those wanting to commune with nature and take in a more relaxed perspective. KORORA LOOKOUT, ORARA EAST STATE FOREST Visitors can then continue travelling along the drive to the Sealy Lookout carpark. Within metres of the carpark is the spectacular Forest Sky Pier, extending 21 metres out over the forest canopy and 15 metres above the forest floor. The Forest Sky Pier is safe and accessible to everyone – children on foot, in strollers and visitors in wheelchairs. Cantilevered off a natural cliff, the viewing platform sways everso-gently as visitors walk along it. This grand architectural creation is constructed from native North Coast hardwood beams, with turpentine decking and blue gum handrails, supported by stainless steel cable and twin steel columns. Korora and Sealy Lookouts are located within Bruxner Park Reserve in Orara East State Forest. Travel north on the Pacific Highway from Coffs Harbour. Approximately 5km from Coffs, turn left onto Bruxner Park Road. Follow the winding hillside until reaching the visitor information area and Scenic Drive turn off. Follow Scenic Drive to the Korora Lookout carpark and the start of the short walk to Korora Lookout. Further along Scenic Drive is Sealy Lookout carpark and the Forest Sky Pier, with visitor information, seating, toilets and a picnic area. Bruxner Park Road and Scenic Drive are both sealed roads. Korora Lookout is open 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. Sealy Lookout and the Forest Sky Pier are opening during daylight hours only, 7 days/week. For more information on these and other amazing State Forest destinations, visit: www.forestrycorporation.com.au www.facebook.com/forestplayground Twitter: @visitnswforests Instagram: #visitnswforests

Destination: NSW State Forests NSW State Forests cover 2 million hectares of forest across NSW, offering the visitor a range of experiences that no others can match. There are roomy campsites, shaded picnic areas, tree-lined walking tracks and spectacular lookouts. You can swim in a creek, hike up a mountain, chat around a campfire or simply listen to the sounds of nature. You can pitch a tent anywhere you like, explore forest tracks on trail bike or mountain bike, ride a horse cross-country, 4WD and bring your dog too! Your local State Forest is an unmissable stop on your next self-drive outing, whether it’s for a few hours, a picnic or an overnight stay. An extensive network of roads and trails provide easy entry to State Forests, whilst walking tracks allow visitors to experience special places and nature at its best. NSW State Forests are absolutely free and represent one of the most cost-effective holiday escapes you will find; good news for families! State-wide there are 125+ visitor sites with a mix of picnic tables, BBQs, fireplaces, shelters, rainwater tanks, toilets and carparks, all within the forest environment, which is a star in its own right. There is a range of information available to

State Forest: free, fun and you can bring your dog.

ensure your next trip is a memorable one. You can pick up a regional Forest Map at your local Visitor Information Centre, or contact us online to purchase your copy. We encourage visitors to share their experience via facebook, twitter and instagram – we love to hear from you and are happy to share your holiday snaps!

The locals choice in flooring and decking On Saturday 5 April, AST will open its doors again for weekend trade from 8am through to noon. Come down, meet the boys, and enjoy a free sausage sizzle on us!

With great places to explore, rest, learn, play or just get away from it all, come and experience a forest playground.

AST has a range of solid strip hardwood flooring to suit any budget. Starting from as little as $45 per square metre, you can explore our range of prefinished and natural flooring options.

For more information: www.forestrycorporation.com.au www.facebook.com/forestplayground Twitter: @visitnswforests Instagram: #visitnswforests

An AST floor on average lasts 50+ years. It is therefore critical to make the right choice for you and your family. With an onsite showroom and friendly sales staff available, AST can help you choose the right species,

in the right profile, with the right level of feature. Australian Solar Timbers is a fourth generation local manufacturer. With nearly 100 years in the business, we know who to speak to in your area for confidence in your installation needs. Ask the sales staff for referrals of the best floor layers in your area to provide free measure and quotes. Did you know that AST now offers more than just your flooring and decking materials? AST also cuts your green sawn structural posts and palings to order. Give the boys a call today to enquire about your next job.

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BDM Constructions is a locally owned and operated construction company who have experienced significant growth since starting out over 10 years ago. Brad Maggs, who started the company and business partner Austin Bell, who came on board to lead the Business Management and OHS sides have taken BDM Constructions to where it is today. Their hard work and commitment along with a very dedicated team has seen the BDM Constructions footprint extend across all of NSW, the ACT and into South East Queensland. The expansion of the company's portfolio has seen BDM Constructions grow into one of the most sought after construction companies on

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the Mid North Coast. Constructions Although originally a co have mpleted op BDM Constructions specialising in concrete, sh l number of loca these days and a g the BDM Constructions now fit outs includin strong presence in at offers a broad range new G o Vita shop the New England area � .. of construction options Settlement City has seen the company including shop fitting. These just awarded the $17.0 jobs can range from small million dollar construction scale renovations to large scale of the Australia and Asian rebuilds. Recently BDM Constructions Aviation Flight Training College in have completed a number of local shop fit outs Glen Innes. The project commencing later this including the ANZ Bank in Wauchope, the new year. Australia Asia Flight Training Pty Ltd and Go Vita store at Settlement City and the John its airport operational arm, Glen Innes Regional Oxley Motors extension. Airport Pty Ltd were introduced to BDM Commercial construction is also a big part of

Constructions by Sydney based material supplier Xclude Pty Ltd. Xclude has been associated with the Commercial Flight Training Academy for Glen Innes, NSW, project for the past 4 years. BDM Constructions were selected on the basis of their proven ability to construct factory manufactured units and traditional construction to a very high standard, at competitive prices and on time. The long term family values of BDM Constructions align with the culture of both Australia Asia Flight Training Pty Ltd and the Glen Innes Regional Airport Pty Ltd shareholders. At completion BDM Constructions

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will be expected to complete accommodation for 600 Australian and Asian students plus full core teaching facilities, operational and administration offices, passive and active leisure facilities as well as full dining services. The campus is a closed campus on an 11 hectare site at the 220 hectare airport. BDM Constructions have certainly come a long way since those early concreting days and when asked why the success, both Brad and Austin pointed to those working within the company. With so many different avenues under the one roof both agree and encourage all their staff to

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exce right through from apprentice to Project excel Manager if they wish. BDM Constructions growth is also reflected in their long history of community support. grow and really push s ee oy pl They are passionate about em All themselves with each M supporting the communities BD of job, making sure at ns tio uc where they live and work. tr ns Co the end of the day strong ry ve a ve Especially through a ha they are happy and hip and that is ns tio la re number of sponsorships enjoying work life, at n in the work th ow sh that support their brand learning new things, ey produce.� th and their business. One of working on different those notable sponsorships jobs and even in different is the Wauchope Golf Club Pro areas of NSW, ACT or QLD. Am played during May. Four years With the career path that ago the club was without a sponsor. BDM Constructions can offer, each They approached BDM Constructions, with Brad member of the team has the environment to

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being a keen golfer himself and Austin were more than happy to continue the tradition. The BDM Constructions Wauchope Golf Club Pro Am is today one of the most popular events on the NSW/ACT Golf Order of Merit, attracting visitors and guests from all over the state. BDM Constructions involvement is also seen through their workers and their families sporting and social interests and include Beechwood Cricket Club, Senior and Junior Rugby League, local netball teams and dance groups. Supporting the community and its employees has always been a large part of BDM Constructions. The homes, commercial projects and fitouts we work on are for locals, all an integral part of life here on the Mid North Coast, so when they prosper, so do we.

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TREVOR NICHOLSON Work Place Health & Saftey officer and Business Manager

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ow did you become to be associated with and working for BDM Constructions? In July 2011 I noticed a position was being advertised locally for a Workplace Health and Safety Officer. It was for 3 days a week at a local building Company, BDM Constructions. I had sold a business a couple of years before and was studying psychology at university, but had somehow managed to also complete a Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety, so applied for the position. The 3 days a week were obviously appealing, allowing me to continue studying. What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?

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I have lots of hobbies and interests and they all change at varying times of the year, but at the moment it’s all about family and friends and travel and exploring. Does BDM Constructions support you in those interests and hobbies? Yes, definitely. My wife, Debbie, and I have two children who have just finished university degrees at different universities in Sydney. Seeing them as often as possible has always been a priority, and BDM Constructions has always given me the flexibility to get away when needed to make that trip – more so when it’s been unplanned. As for travel, my wife and I are off to Borneo shortly to climb Mount Kinabalu and to explore its

rainforests. Climbing North Brother at Laurieton 3 times a week as training is not always enjoyable, but BDM Constructions is more than sympathetic when it comes to providing time off to train or chase that massage for sore muscles. I know BDM Constructions support me in my interests personally, but it’s also nice to know they provide so much other support – and not always the support you see locally. For example, BDM Constructions has been a long-time supporter of Camp Quality, the Cancer Council and the Foundation for African Children’s Education. Is the role/position that you are now in the same as when you started? Definitely not. The obvious change is the move from 3 days a week to 5, but construction industry safety like everything else continues to evolve, and that also includes BDM Constructions. Technology, health and safety regulations, demand, skills and qualifications are all areas that have seen dramatic change in recent years. The management at BDM Constructions has always been committed to ensuring workers' safety is not compromised, but none so more than in recent times. I’m sure Brad and Austin are both proud of the safety record that BDM Constructions has built and the changes to people’s attitudes and behaviours that have occurred. The move from 3 days to 5 has also certainly provided me greater opportunities to be involved in the growth of BDM Constructions. There are quite a large number of people working for BDM Constructions. So many personalities can often provide big challenges. How do you all mix together on

and off the job? Yes, you are right. With the company continuing to grow and with so many diverse personalities, it is a huge challenge to get everyone to mix together on and off the job. However, this is certainly one part of BDM Constructions that I really admire. From the first day I joined BDM Constructions it was obvious that Brad and Austin place a large emphasis on a family-like or team-like culture. There are a number of teams of individuals within BDM Constructions that work on the same projects all the time and usually within those teams there is a range of personalities, but always skills that complement each other. Brad and Austin also instil a positive 'can do' attitude amongst the senior BDM Constructions staff, which in turn results in a sharing of the workload, creates a reliable and fairer worker and generates greater communication and ultimately, a better product. It also allows team members to grow within the company, especially the apprentices like Ryan Hawkins, Justin Laurie and Matt Bird, who continue to contribute and who continue to take on more senior roles. In the short time I’ve been at BDM Constructions I am the first to admit that my time here has been more than enjoyable. The company and the job is rewarding, there are opportunities to contribute, everyone is recognised for their accomplishments and is able to feel secure in their job. Brad and Austin provide the essential leadership, but it’s the family at BDM Constructions that make it such an enjoyable place to be.

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ROCHELLE

PAT

FORAN

G A LWAY

Junior Project Manager

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ow did you become associated with BDM Constructions? I am originally from Port Macquarie and moved away to Newcastle for University, where I studied Construction and Project Management. The course required me to do 16 weeks work experience so in 2012 I approached BDM Constructions. I was lucky enough in that they offered me an internship. That internship ultimately leading to BDM Constructions offering me a role as Junior Project Manager. I finished my degree last year and started here in November. What are your interests and hobbies outside of the workplace? I love sports – anything outside, really. I love going to the beach, surfing; I'm heading to Bali at the end of the year, which I'm very excited about. The management here at BDM Constructions is really supportive of what everyone does outside of work. Tell us about your role at BDM Constructions ... I am currently working as a Junior Project Manager / Contract Administrator in a small team which manages some of the bigger Commercial jobs at BDM Constructions. It’s a rewarding

role providing a lot of variety and satisfaction. It’s also a role that is providing me with a lot of experience in an area of construction that I’m excited about. What are some of the jobs that you are currently working on at the moment? At the moment we are managing jobs in Tamworth and Inverell. We have also just been awarded a contract in Newcastle which will begin very shortly. All three jobs are at various stages of construction. With such a large number of employees all mixing together and so many personalities, how do you find the relationship between the tradesmen and office staff? Communication is important in Project Management and it has certainly helped develop relationships throughout the business. It also promotes a common goal so everybody works together, providing as much information about the job and its progress as soon as possible and ultimately a better result. Final say: I have only been at BDM Constructions for a few months now but am very grateful to Brad and Austin for the opportunities that they are giving me. It is nice to know that a local Company has so much to offer.

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ow did you become associated with BDM Constructions? I grew up here, I went to Wauchope High School, so I knew Brad Maggs from back then. He was a few years older than me at school, but we've known each other since then. I moved to London and lived over there for about 7 years, then moved back to Wauchope. Things fell into place here, and a job came up as Site Manager. What does your current role entail? Project managing is something I have always wanted to step into. Being the Project Manager there is a lot of responsibility, and the trust and support from Brad and Austin is great. I have a really wide spread of jobs on the go at the moment, from residential right through to commercial. We have a really big commercial job starting in Port Macquarie this month, which will be good and will once again bring a lot of local work through to our tradesmen. What are your interests and hobbies outside of the workplace? Well, I have an organic farm just up at Birdwood, so I spend a fair bit of time losing money in that (laughs) The boys are huge supporters of all their staff – just from what I

have seen recently with the environment they create within their business. You know it's very much business when we are here, but it is very much a family oriented organisation. I wasn't used to that, and it really is amazing just how much they are connected outside of the realm of office hours of BDM Constructions. They are very understanding; if they can possibly help anyone out, especially their own people, they will step in and really take time to do it, that's for sure. With such a large number of employees all mixing together and so many personalities, how do you find the relationships with your fellow work colleges? Yeah, well it goes back to the question about my role here at BDM Constructions. As a Project Manager I do need to be able to communicate and work with all of the different members of the team and the clients whom we are doing the jobs for. Obviously we are very busy, but we can also have a joke. We certainly don't sacrifice our quality or time management, but can have fun at the same time. It's a great environment.

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RYAN

LAURIE

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site manager

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ow did you become associated with BDM Constructions? I started my apprenticeship with my uncle. When he moved away, I came over to work with BDM Constructions, I had known most of the boys for awhile, through footy and of course, via my uncle. I have been working with BDM Constructions now for about 6 years; I started out as an apprentice carpenter and I'm now a site manager. With the role that you are currently in, is there room to grow? How does BDM Constructions help with career paths within the business for staff members? Yes, definitely. As mentioned, I started out as an apprentice - working on residential mostly - and then moved through to some of the commercial stuff. I am now the site manager and currently in charge, on site, of the job we are doing at the moment here in Sarah's Creek, which is the new Seventh Day Adventist Church. There is still room to grow within my career at BDM Constructions; the next level would be Project Manager ... so yes, there is definitely lots of opportunity within this company. What are your interests and hobbies outside of the workplace? Getting into surfing a bit lately ... I have a son who is 8 months old now; he takes up a fair bit of time. I grew up in Wauchope and

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Apprentice Carpenter

played footy for Wauchope for most of my life; I have retired now, though (laughs). I'm really thankful to BDM Constructions; they have always been a major sponsor of the local sporting clubs, especially Junior and Senior League here at Wauchope. They have always supported the Wauchope Club and the players. Nothing is ever a drama - some of the players are also employed here at BDM Constructions, and there is always ongoing support of what we do off the job site and outside of work hours, no matter what scale it is. With such a large number of employees all mixing together and so many personalities, how do you find the relationship between the tradesmen and office staff? A lot of us have known each other for a long time now, and we are all best mates. We spend a lot of time away from work together as well, which makes the working environment a lot more fun and enjoyable. Final say: It's a great company; you're included in all aspects of the job from start to finish, and the young guys coming through or just starting out in the chosen trade also get to see these jobs from start of finish. There is such a big variety of jobs and roles within the company. Fingers crossed, they keep getting work and growing. It's good to be along for the ride.

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ow did you become associated with BDM Constructions? I've always wanted to be a tradesman; I did a week's work experience and was lucky enough to get a job through that. I get to work with some of the older guys, learn lots of different things and be a part of a team. With the role that you are currently in, is there room to grow? How does BDM Constructions help with career paths within the business for staff members? I'm happy learning the trade at the moment, but I like seeing what the older guys do and really look up to them and look forward to seeing what I can do down the track. There are always new things to learn and lots of different jobs to do and work on. There is a good mix. What are your interests and hobbies outside of the workplace? I like riding my motorbike and hanging out with friends. It's a really good team

here, and I've made some good mates working with the boys and mixing with the other staff. We all look after each other and we can have a joke and a muck around, but we do the job when the time comes to do so. Brad and Austin take an interest in what we do outside of work and always have a chat and a laugh about what we get up to on the weekends. They're your bosses, but your mates too. With such a large number of employees all mixing together and so many personalities, how do you find the relationship between the tradesmen and office staff? We all get along pretty well - no one really fights (laughs)! It's a good environment, and they are great people to work with and for. Final say: I like working away and seeing the other towns and what different businesses are out there. It's fun working with your mates and having a laugh, but getting the job done.

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